Australia: Greens keeps key focus on wealth tax

If the next election results in a minority administration, the Greens of Australia have stated that they will work for the implementation of a wealth tax of 6% on the nation’s billionaires.

As opinion surveys indicate that the outcome of the upcoming federal election will be close, and as Scott Morrison’s coalition holds the slimmest possible majority in parliament, the Greens may find themselves back at the bargaining table after the election, just as they did in 2010.

As a part of the Greens’ Fight for the Future platform, Greens leader Adam Bandt will utilize an event that will take place in Brisbane on Sunday to present a set of ideas that the small party will carry to the election, which is anticipated to take place later this year or in the early part of 2022.

“The next election will be closer than people think,” Mr Bandt predicts.

“During the most recent election, Australia came within 828 votes of having a minority parliament.

“At the next election, people have the opportunity to vote out the Liberals and put the Greens in the position of maintaining the balance of power in both houses of parliament. If this occurs, we will encourage the incoming government to take more aggressive and expeditious action to combat inequality and the climate crisis.”

He advocated for a greater proportion of the wealthiest individuals and corporations in Australia to shoulder the financial burden of a higher tax burden.

“Billionaires and large corporations have been using political donations to buy influence over the Liberal and Labor parties. This allows them to avoid paying taxes, keep wages low, send their profits offshore, and continue polluting.”

According to the findings of the Parliamentary Budget Office, a tax on billionaires might bring in forty billion dollars over the course of a decade.

In addition, the Green Party proposes increasing the minimum wage to $80 per day, which would put it considerably over the poverty level. Furthermore, they advocate for adequate funding of government employment initiatives.

A treaty with the people of the First Nations and a transition to renewable energy of 700 percent, which would include exports, are two other important initiatives.

The party has set its sights on winning an additional three Senate seats and up to nine seats in the lower house, one of which is the seat of Griffith in Brisbane, which is now held by the Labor Party.