'Every step of the way': Opposition leader Sussan Ley pledges to 'fight' Labor over tax policy
The federal Opposition Leader addressed the Coalition partyroom on Monday ahead of the first sitting week since the election, pledging the Liberal and National parties would be the 'strongest possible opposition'.
"If the Prime Minister and his team brings forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them. And a good example of that is the childcare legislation that we want to see implemented for the safety of children in childcare centres across this country," she said.
"But if they don't do that, if they bring forward legislation that is not in the national interest and it is not in the interests of Australians, then we will fight them every step of the way."
Ms Ley indicated tax policy would be a major issue of contention if Jim Chalmers followed the confidential Treasury advice recently released to the ABC.
"The advice to the government has been, from Treasury in this leaked paperwork, that the budget is struggling. The budget is under pressure, and Australians are going to have to pay more tax," Ms Ley said.
"Now, I haven't met a single Australian who wants to pay more tax, who thinks they're paying too much tax, not enough tax.
"What I do know is that every single Australian expects this government to minimise their tax bill, to work hard for them and to make sure they run a responsible budget with responsible economic management across the country.
"And that's clearly not going to happen if we let Treasurer Jim Chalmers get his way."
The Opposition Leader said that everywhere she went she heard the same stories, as she pledged the Coalition would stand up the fight for Australians who are struggling.
'Mr Albanese is giving interviews, and he's suggesting that we should just get out of the way. Well, we won't be getting out of the way," she said.
"Our job is to represent the millions of Australians who voted for us, but also the millions who maybe didn't, but still expect us to be the strongest, best opposition that we can be, and we will be."
"Small businesses are struggling. Families are wondering how they going to pay their electricity bill. Mortgages are still incredibly expensive on the household budget
'So on behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them. We are here to take the fight up for them, because every taxpayer works hard and deserves an opposition that takes the fight up to the government. It's vital that we do that.'
"We're taking the fight up to the government every single day, right across this country, every minute."
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