QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Dr CHALMERS (Rankin—Treasurer) (14:09): I'm reminded that the last time the shadow Treasurer tried to cite an example—this time, at the National Press Club—it turned out that the person whom he had based his entire speech around was more than likely exempt or able to access very considerable concessions and carve-outs. The last time he got up here, all puffed up with self-importance, but at the National Press Club, he used an example who was able to access one of these four concessions and carve-outs for small businesses that we are not changing.
So you'll forgive me for taking with a grain of salt anything that the shadow Treasurer says when he tries to quote specific examples in the parliament. Now, when it comes to the changes that the shadow Treasurer is asking me about, I remind him of somebody who said this, and I'm quoting: There is no intergenerational justice in such preferential arrangements … That was a quote from an author of a book, who also said in this parliament: Today it's time to be honest: the tax system is screwing over young Australians … it favours well-off, established interests against those trying to get ahead … people who can predominantly live off of income from their assets can pay very little tax and get discounts on capital gains from increases in asset values.
The same person said: Young Australians need to demand a fairer tax system, where they aren't the only ones carrying the burden to cover the cost of Australia. The SPEAKER: The members on my right will cease interjecting so I can hear from the Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order. Mr Tehan: It goes to relevance.
It was an incredibly direct question: does the Treasurer endorse the cabinet secretary's position? You can't get more straightforward than that. He's been quoting from a book now, and we're one minute and 30 seconds in.
The SPEAKER: There's nothing against the standing orders in the Treasurer quoting from a book. I don't know who the author of this book is. I may have a suspicion, but the Treasurer needs to make sure the quote that he is referring to—because the manager is correct.
He was asked a question, but there was a bit of a preamble in there about the scenario. Mr Chester interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Gippsland is not helping. The Treasurer has just got to make sure that, whatever this quote is, it is of direct relevance to the question that was asked.
Dr CHALMERS: Of course I endorse and support the great work of the member for Parramatta, and I also support the great work of the shadow Treasurer, who said: When people can earn more and be taxed less because of the holding of assets over income, it rewards capital interests against labour, and that means that you entrench those interests and you break apart what I think of as one of the fundamental principles that has made this nation successful and strong, which is to turn to the next generation and say: 'You get your equal chance too.
So I support the member for Parramatta's great work as part of our team, and I support the comments that the shadow Treasurer has made—twice in this parliament and once in a book that I might be the only one who's read. I raise this, in endorsing the member for Parramatta's work, because it says everything about the shadow Treasurer that he is now trying to weaponise a campaign against the very changes that he called for—and not by accident.
He's come in here twice and he's written a book about how we have to deal with these issues in the housing market and in the tax system. And as I said, he'd want to be careful that the Daily Tele doesn't put him on the front of the paper with a little hammer and sickle next to him, because the problem that he's describing is exactly the problem that this government has the courage to try and fix.