Australia's Liberal Party and Oppostion Leader Peter Dutton has announced his latest pre-election promise which could see small businesses receive a A$20,000 tax deduction on any work-related dining and entertainment for staff or clients.
To help cover the cost of living and stimulate the economy through spending, businesses that have an annual turnover of less than $10 million could receive the tax break over a two-year period in an attempt to aid the struggling hospitality sector.
“Small business is in our DNA as Liberals and Nationals and we want to help those businesses survive Labor’s time in office and thrive when we get back into Government,” said Dutton in his address.
The latest policy targeting cost-of-living was announced by Dutton in the Brisbane electorate of Ryan on Sunday alongside Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and L-NP candidate for Ryan Maggie Forrest as the coalition continued their pre-election campaigning in contentious seats across the country.
Ryan is a former safe Coalition electorate, lost by the party to the Greens in 2022.
The Coalition says this policy is designed to cut red tape for business and local economies by encouraging spending into small businesses by other small businesses.
“This is a win for the small business spending the money on their staff or clients, and a win for the hospitality venues who will see an increased spend in their businesses. It will help businesses recover from a horrible period under three years of Labor,” said Dutton.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also on the campaign trail over the weekend.
In Sydney on Sunday, Albanese announced $500 million in federal funding to the upgrade of Fifteenth Avenue in Liverpool - the road which will act as a direct link to the new Western Sydney Airport.
“I want Western Sydney to be a gateway to the rest of the world. A vehicle for opportunity to be created here in Western Sydney through jobs and economic development," said Albanese.
“My focus is on addressing the cost of living, making sure that we build the infrastructure and build Australia's future. Peter Dutton’s plans are just to cost more, to oppose all of our cost of living measures and to take Australia backwards,” said the Prime Minister.
Both party leaders continue touring the country on their ‘unofficial’ election campaigns to address voters before they take to the polls on or before 17 May - an official election date is yet to be announced.
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