FED: Howard gives pep talk to coalition ahead of tax bills

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-1998
FED: Howard gives pep talk to coalition ahead of tax bills

CANBERRA, Dec 1 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today gave coalition MPs a pep talk on
progress of the governments agenda, ahead of tomorrows introduction of the GST legislation
in parliament.

"It represents the biggest reshaping of the taxation system in Australia since federation,"
a coalition spokesman quoted Mr Howard as telling the party room meeting.

"Its taken the coalition government to do it.

"Its something which has been known for 25 years that has needed to be done and we are now
in the process of making this change."

Treasurer Peter Costello, who outlined government changes to the tax package to a
party-room briefing yesterday, said the GST legislation would highlight a choice between
reform and Labors wholesale sales taxes.

He told the meeting the GST plan would take taxes off exports.

Mr Howard also attacked the Australian Democrats over their stand against the $1.5 billion
non-means tested rebate for health insurance.

He said the Democrats would have to explain their decision to the Australian people.

"If the Democrats wanted to knock back a tax cut to middle Australia, let them explain it
to the people," he said.

AAP jg/mfh/trm

KEYWORD: TAX HOWARD

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