Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is continuing to advocate on behalf of members and the profession with the Government and the Opposition in the lead up to the Australian Election on 18 May 2019, with a focus on tax and superannuation issues.

We have also prepared a detailed summary of the Australian Labor Party (Labor), Liberal Party of Australia (Liberal) and the Australian Greens' tax and superannuation policies ahead of the election.

The Policy Platforms

The major parties have published their policy platforms across tax, superannuation and other key areas. Are you aware of the policies which may impact your clients, your business and your environment?

Liberal Policies

The Coalition government has made a string of announcements this year in the lead up to and including the Federal Budget handed down on 2 April 2019.

The announcements mainly relate to easing tax on low-middle income earners and making life easier for small business.

One of the government's announcements has already become law – the increase in the instant asset write-off threshold from Budget night to $30,000 and extension to businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million.

Labor Policies

Labor has an ambitious tax and superannuation reform agenda which it has published in stages over recent years.

Labor modelling suggests that most of the revenue raising measures impacting individuals will affect mainly high income earners, a claim which the Coalition contests in policy areas such as negative gearing and franking credit refunds.

Australian Greens' Policies

The Greens' economic plan is centred on the proposition that a strong economy is a sustainable economy, built on a healthy environment.

It is also based on the philosophies that our nation's wealth is determined by the shape, not just the size, of our economy, and that the needs of the people should drive the economy, not the economy prevailing over the needs of the people.

Media

• Media release: Chartered Accountants ANZ set record straight after Opposition Leaders ABC interview
• Accountants Daily: 'Bottom of political barrel': Profession slams Labor's attack on accountants 'rort'
• Australian Financial Review: Unrequited love as accountants go to war with Shorten over $3000 cap
• Money Management: We're not rorters say accountants
• Self Managed Super Magazine: Accountants slam Shorten over deduction 'rort' remark
• SMSF Adviser: Bill Shorten cops heat over attack on deductions for tax affairs
• 2GB Money News with Ross Greenwood: Interview with Michael Croker