Senior Liberals have described plans for a possible deficit tax in the budget as “electoral suicide”. Some talked of a party-room revolt and one warned the Prime Minister Tony Abbott would wear the broken promise as “a crown of thorns” if the government decided to go through with it.
The figure, part of Mr Abbott’s ministerial team, spoke on condition of anonymity, arguing the suggestion of a tax was one that could come to “haunt” Mr Abbott’s entire prime ministership.
“I worry that this is Tony’s Gillard moment, when she announced the carbon tax,” said the senior Liberal.
Several other Liberals also expressed dismay at the prospect of a government, elected to restore trust to politics, overturning a “crystal-clear” policy commitment of no new taxes, in its first budget.
Incredulous Liberals contacted by Fairfax Media said they had been given nothing to tell voters who were beginning to call electorate offices to complain.
Read the full in-depth analysis with links to Paid Parental Leave analysis, Fairfax here
• Jan Davis: Spooked Tasmanian farmers argue against diesel fuel rebate cut
• Use the TTNEWS Dropdown Menu (top Nav Bar) for latest reports on the Commission of Audit …
• Nick McKim: Gonski could be gonski
• Jan Davis: An outstanding example of policy insanity In the current rush to find savings wherever possible, the eyes of the economic rationalists have lit up at what they are now presenting as easy pickings. Even better if, at the same time, they can have a swing at those greedy miners and the farmers who always have their hands out. This is an outstanding example of policy insanity. • Read more here
