Returning to the aspirational debate, the problem is, when prosecuting it, you are going to say things which come across as a bit, well, elite.
For example, among the loud noises Malcolm Turnbull made in relation to Bill Shorten’s question on this: I refer to the prime minister’s earlier answer when he said that his government rewards aspiration. So under this prime minister should a 60-year-old aged-care worker from Burnie aspire to be an investment banker from Rose Bay just so instead of their $10 a week tax cut from the prime minister, they can get the prime minister’s $7,000 a year tax cut for investment bankers?
Was this answer: The honourable member should remember that the 60-year-old aged care worker in Burnie is entitled to aspire to get a better job, is entitled to get a promotion, and earn more. Is entitled to be able to earn more money, and working in aged care is a good job, but you are entitled to seek to earn more. Everyone is entitled, everyone is entitled to ... every worker, every Australian is entitled to aspire to earn a better income.”
Because not only does it sound like, for a moment, the prime minister was suggesting that an aged-care worker could get a better job, thereby, for a moment (he did correct himself in the whole quote, and just like with Tanya Plibersek it is important to have these things in context) implying aged-care work wasn’t a good job, he also just said that a 60-year-old worker could aspire to a better job/income.
A 60 year old. This is despite government policy in the last budget to help over 50 year olds get work, because we all know how hard it is to be employed as a mature-aged worker in this world.
I aspire to be adopted by Beyoncé or Rihanna, as well as to ride a unicorn, but there are some dreams which will remain just that, no matter how much you aspire to them.
Income tax plan passes in full
The Government's plan to overhaul income tax plan has been passed in full, 37 votes to 33.
12.00 noon, 21 June 2018.