Aussie PM Tony Abbott gave a speech Monday night (Sydney time):
- He reiterated the government’s plan to bring the budget closer to surplus
- To bring it to a “strong surplus” within a decade
- Said there would be no changes to pension during this term of parliament
- Warned that there “should be changes to indexation arrangement and eligibility thresholds in three years’ time.”
- Press reports that government is planning a new income threshold of A$100,000 to determine who gets financial benefits from the government
- SMH reports suggest there could be a deficit levy set at 1% of income for those earning more than A$80,000 which would double to 2% for those earning A$180,000 or more
Aussie press reports:
Tony Abbott’s $100,000 welfare test for families (this one is gated)
‘Deficit tax’ to cost earners on $80,000 an extra $800 a year: reports
Nervous Liberal MPs beg Prime Minister Tony Abbott to rethink paid parental leave scheme