If you needed proof that:
a) Kim Beazley Mk II is the same old irrelevant and inept buffoon that Kim Beazley Mk1 was, and
b) That the ALP opposes permanent tax cuts for Australians
Then you certainly got it over the last two days.
Here's what I mean. Kim is supposed to be the leader of a party that has been representing the interests of working men and women, our lowest paid, our worst off, for over a century. But it has lost its way and it has lost its traditional support base and four elections in a row. So what does Kim do? He comes out, all bullish like, and says he will block tax cuts for these very same people.
Given that the tax cuts are skewed more towards higher income earners, he might think that it is noble to fight the good fight and all, some sort of symbolic gesture or something, but all Kim is doing is shooting blanks, wasting everyones time and prooving his irrelevancy. Why? Because in seven weeks and one day, can be overruled if the government convenes the new Senate early and shoves its legislation through. His fight is hoplessly futile and terrible politics.
So it is a bizzare and potentially isolating stance to take. Even his own party are shaking their heads in disbelief. Thumbing his nose at $12 shows a dangerous misreading of the public mood. Any form of tax cut is
appreciated in middle Australia, something that Mr Howard appears to
understand.
Tonight's Budget Reply address should be interesting. No policies, no ideas, and completely out of touch. That's our Kim.
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