Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Shorten draws Labor's election battlelines

Labor leader Bill Shorten has revealed a five-point plan for the next election, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his opponent's sole focus is tax hikes.

Labor leader Bill Shorten speaks to media in Burwood, Melbourne.
Labor leader Bill Shorten has revealed his five-point plan for the next election. (AAP)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dismissed Bill Shorten's five-point election manifesto, saying the Labor leader's sole objective is hiking taxes.

Those watching Mr Shorten's speech to party faithful in Sydney on Sunday could be forgiven for thinking they were witnessing an election campaign launch.

In the address, the Labor leader nominated improving schools and hospitals, standing up for workers, easing pressure on family budgets, ensuring a strong economy and investing in cleaner and cheaper energy as key priorities.

But the prime minister had a different take on his opponent's plans.

"I will tell you what Bill Shorten's five-point plan is - more tax, more tax, more tax, more tax, more tax," Mr Morrison told reporters in NSW.

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.

"More tax doesn't grow the economy. All it means is more tax dragging the economy down taking more of what Australians earn."

Mr Shorten's speech coincided with the launch of a month-long Australian Council of Trade Unions' advertising campaign calling for an overhaul of industrial relations laws.

"There is no shock that the union movement wants Bill Shorten as prime minister, because Bill Shorten will let the law breakers become the law makers," Mr Morrison said.

It's a policy area Mr Shorten isn't shying away from.

"This election is a fight for the rights of Australian workers, the right to be represented by a union if they choose," he said.

"It is a fight for decent jobs and fair wages and we are in it to win it."


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