The peak body for working people has praised the budget in reply by Bill Shorten, saying it lays the foundation for more secure jobs and fair pay for working people.
The ALP budget in reply strengthens the country’s health system, restores TAFE and training for young people and will result in a better deal for future generations.
Shorten’s promise to expand Medicare and the PBS – especially for people battling cancer – is one of the most significant investments in Medicare in the program’s history.
Labor’s budget reply included 100,000 free apprenticeship training places which will equip young people with the skills they need to build prosperous lives.
Since the Coalition came to power they have torn $3 billion out of our TAFE and training system.
Shorten also rejected the coalition’s attack on Australia’s progressive taxation system, which would see someone on $45,000 a year in the same tax bracket as someone on $200,000 a year.
The ALP tax plan will result in a fairer deal for people on low and middle incomes, and better schools, hospitals, universities, roads and services for everyone.
As noted by ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:
“Working people have a choice this election. They can choose greed, inequality and division, or they can choose to restore the fair go.
“We know that Labor has a plan for fair pay rises that stay ahead of living costs. They will reverse penalty rate cuts, stop labour hire cutting wages, fix our bargaining system and ensure equal pay for women.
“Now that choice is clearer than ever.
“We saw a leader outline a better future, a fairer future, and a future where our children and their children have the opportunities they deserve.
“In a few weeks working people will be able to choose a government that can put our economy and our country on a better path than the division, greed and inequality that Scott Morrison is offering.”
