
Issue No 97		25 May 2001

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Howard Abandons Working Families

An analysis of Tuesday's Budget tax changes shows a working couple on average weekly earnings will now pay almost $100 more in tax each week than a retired couple on the same income.

The analysis reveals that a pre-retirement couple with one income of $32,000 per annum will pay $98.46 more in tax each week than a retired couple on the same income. A younger single wage earner on $20,000 per annum will pay $48.65 more per week in tax than a retired single person on the same income.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow said the figures showed the Government had abandoned working families hit by the GST by making the tax system even more unfair.

"People on low-to-medium incomes are paying for the GST but get nothing while others on the same income get a major tax break - that is completely unfair," Ms Burrow said.

"It's even more unfair when you consider that working families are struggling to pay housing, child care and education expenses that many retirees no longer have to meet.

"This Budget has cemented a new fundamental inequity into the tax system. It has eroded any advantage for working people from the family payments that are meant to compensate people for their extra costs.

"The tax changes also diminish the incentive for older workers on low-to-medium incomes to continue working towards their retirement.

"These divisive and destructive changes demonstrate again that Mr Howard has no compassion for working families badly affected by his policies. Why would working people vote for him again?

"The Budget recognised the burden of the GST on retired Australians, but working people are suffering under the same burden. Last year's GST compensation for a worker on the Minimum Wage of $400 amounted to a tax cut of only $9.12 a week."

Ms Burrow said the Government was boasting about handing out an average $60 a week to supposed Liberal voters, but it would only support a pay rise of $10 a week for Australia's lowest paid workers in this year's Living Wage Case.

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  Issue 97 contents

Interview: The Big Bribe
ACTU president Sharan Burrow emerges from the Federal Budget lock-up to ask where is the Howard Government�s vision for the future?

Compo: Where To Now?
As the dust settles in the WorkCover war, we look at what's been achieved and what still needs to be resolved.

Unions: The Real Big Brother
Have you ever got the feeling someone is watching you? If you work in one of the 4000 Call Centres in Australia then you�re probably right.

International: The Not-So Shakey Isles
NZ Council of Trade Union secretary Paul Goulter looks at life for the workers under a Labour Government.

Corporate: BHP: The Bit Australian
The BHP Billiton merger was an act of corporate tyranny. And, as Zoe Reynolds report, humanity does not figure on a corporate balance sheet.

History: A Proud Tradition of Mediocrity
Budgets always generate hype and a media circus, especially in the lead up to elections. This one is no exception and the Coalition consistency in panic and lack of ideas is reassuring in its lack of ideas.

Review: Ideologically Sound
Mark Hebblewhite trawls through the CD rack to dispel the notion that there's no politics left in pop.

Satire: HIH Recovers Own Losses
The collapsed insurance company HIH has lodged a claim with another insurer to be reimbursed for its $4 billion loss.

» Spotlight on HIH�s WorkCover Link

» Construction Industry Faces Safety Crisis

» Statewide Strike Off But Della on Notice

» David and Goliath Battle at IBM

» Natasha�s Democrats Face Senate IR Test

» Howard Abandons Working Families

» City Councils Recognise Birth � Now for the Bush

» BHP Forced to Back Off Kembla AWAs

» Impulse Bores Workers Into Submission

» Coach Drivers Win Permanency

» Boss Pockets Compo Payment

» Union Wins Battle in AWA War

» Publicans Want to Reduce Bar Pay

» Abbott Agrees to Ban Asbestos

» Union Acts to Save Leichhardt Refuge

» Trade Union Choir Turns Ten

» Activists' Notebook

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Thanks from Indonesia

» Hester Spot On

» Fuelling Voter Anger

» May Day - The Debate Continues

» Not a Chaser Fan

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