Australia politics live: Greens call for ‘bloody close look’ at new tax laws that give Jim Chalmers ‘Henry VIII powers’

Greens and Coalition oppose discretionary powers that would allow the treasurer to make rule changes to CGT and negative gearing after the legislation passes. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Jim Chalmers ’ budget bill will face debate and a vote in the House today, and he poses the legislation as a “really simple choice” for the Coalition. As we know, the government has set up the bill as a wedge for the opposition, by including both tax changes to CGT and negative gearing and tax cuts for workers. Really simple choice in the parliament today: Labor lower taxes on workers, a fair go for first home buyers. The Coalition opposing both of those things. Yet another beat-up about the sensible, commonsense tax reforms at the core of the budget. Not unusual, as I said, for definitions to be settled this way, and the parliament can disallow them if they want. Continue reading...