“Eight out of ten Australian taxpayers will only receive a sandwich-and-milkshake tax cut of $6 a week. The Howard Government has once again sold short families in Grayndler”, Anthony Albanese MP, Federal Member for Grayndler, said today.

Mr Albanese wholeheartedly supports tax reform, but believes this package of tax cuts is unbalanced and unfair.

He said, “A person earning $125,000pa will get a tax cut of $65 a week, while average taxpayers in Grayndler will get a cut of a mere $6 a week. If interest rates rise as forecast, average families in Grayndler will not see this tax cut at all.”

“Average families are already paying up to $339 per month extra because of the Howard Government's broken election promises.”

“By delivering for the top end of town, Treasurer Costello is trying to build political support in the Liberal Party at the expense of 80% of taxpayers.”

Mr Albanese said, “This budget makes life harder for the most vulnerable people in Grayndler, sole parents and the disabled. The Howard Government has failed to deliver a plan that moves Australians from welfare to work”.

“The Budget failed to address the skills and infrastructure challenges holding back our economy. The budget is aimed at the wealthy at the expense of the less well off.”

Mr Albanese was also disappointed there was nothing for the environment in the Budget. He said, “When it comes to sustaining prosperity the issue of climate change cannot continue to be ignored, a fact recognised by other Governments taking action around the world.

“The abolition of the Australian Greenhouse Office in the Budget is symbolic of the Government’s complacency towards climate change

“Climate change is a serious threat, but it also an opportunity for new industries and new jobs.”