Pursuing economic growth that is fair to all Australians

Throughout the election campaign, and well before in parliament, Bill Shorten and Labor have presented a message of fairness across society. Fairness means protecting Medicare, it means investing in schools and universities so everyone has the chance at a quality education, it means investing in apprentices, infrastructure and job creation to make sure all Australians can secure employment and build a life.

But while Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce try to sell the Australian people on the big con that is their multinational tax cut, and even unsuccessfully sought to enlist Paul Keating in their shoddy economic argument, Bill Shorten and Chris Bowen have presented a vision of fairness in economic growth, fairness in tax and fairness in the opportunity for all Australians to enjoy the benefits that comes from a strong economy.

“What we need now is an economic plan which drives stability, driven by a united team,” said Labor leader Bill Shorten.

“And that’s why we offer ourselves to the Australian people.

“We are united, they are not.

“And we have a plan for economic growth which I think speaks to the disaffection which we see in some Western societies right now, where the mass of ordinary voters feels that politics doesn’t speak to them.

“Where they’re exhausted by the cynicism of political elites,” he added.

“The best way that you grow a society is by ensuring that the working class and the middle class are looked after.”

So rather than another exorbitant outlay to multinationals and foreign shareholders, paid for with more cuts to the services that so many across our country rely on day in, day out, Labor offers a path to support the dreams and aspirations of everyone.

“What we offer the Australian people is not tax cuts of $50b for the largest multinationals and companies in Australia,” Shorten said.

“We reject that economic path, because that is a flawed plan.

“We do not offer Australians a tax cut for people on a million dollars a year so they can pay $17,000 less tax next year than they did last year.

“We believe in multinationals paying their fair share.

“And why do we do all of these things?

“It’s because we believe that the best way that you grow a society is by ensuring that the working class and the middle class are looked after.

“Labor gives the working class and middle class that productive economic plan for our future,” the Labor leader added.

This article originally appeared in the Labor Herald.