Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

End family tax benefits, say Liberals

The Liberal party's key policy-making body in Victoria is being asked to vote on abolishing family tax benefits.

Members of the Victorian Liberals are seeking an end to family tax benefits and a strict cap on all federal government spending.

The Victorian Liberals' state council will meet in Melbourne this weekend to hear from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other senior figures in the party, as well as debate a number of resolutions.

The Young Liberals' policy branch has submitted a motion to abolish family tax benefits.

The background to the motion, published in the council agenda, says FTB - introduced by the Howard government - represents "the absolute worst of middle class welfare in Australia".

It suggests the government instead cut income taxes.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The branch also calls for a ceiling of 20 per cent of GDP in public sector spending, down from about 26 per cent now.

It says the current spending figure is "reckless and unsustainable".

Federal government spending has not been that low since the 1970s.

There are also calls to abolish tax on alcohol and luxury cars.

The Camperdown branch is calling for a flatter income tax and company tax system and the broadening of indirect taxes such as the GST.

It says high marginal tax rates and bracket creep are penalising Australian workers and encouraging tax minimisation.

The Kingston Heath branch says the party should ensure all federal election policy costings are released in time for the start of pre-poll voting.

"The Liberal Party - as the standard of responsible politics - should lead by example and release our policies and costing well before polling day," the branch says.

Mr Turnbull will address the council meeting on Saturday.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world