The next federal election in 2028 looks set to be a battle of the tax plans.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has dropped hints Labor may deliver more tax cuts for wage earners. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has promised to fix “bracket creep” by tying what people pay in income tax to inflation.

Labor’s New South Wales Premier Chris Minns unexpectedly appeared to side with the Coalition this week, suggesting some Australians were now working half of the week just to pay their income tax:

I know budgets are under pressure, but […] whether it’s now or in the future, we do need to make sure we’re taking urgent action when it comes to personal income taxes because at the moment a lot of working families are getting stung. […] The top marginal [tax] rate of 47%, as I said in parliament last week, you’re working Monday, Tuesday, and half of Wednesday for yourself, and then Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the government.

I know budgets are under pressure, but […] whether it’s now or in the future, we do need to make sure we’re taking urgent action when it comes to personal income taxes because at the moment a lot of working families are getting stung.

[…] The top marginal [tax] rate of 47%, as I said in parliament last week, you’re working Monday, Tuesday, and half of Wednesday for yourself, and then........

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