The federal government is doubling down on tax dodgers as the prime minister and his top officials hit the road to sell his first budget.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones says the government is chasing a yearly shortfall of more than $33 billion in unpaid tax.
“The vast majority of taxpayers do the right thing but cheating on your taxes is not a victimless crime,” he said on Monday.
“It directly impacts funding for vital services from equipping our defence force personnel to caring for our aged.”
The government says its new regulations will help claw $5.7 billion in taxes over the coming years.
The money includes $1.1 billion to extend funding to the tax avoidance taskforce, which focuses on multinational companies, big businesses and the wealthy.
The government is also trying to sell its first budget, which predicted a tough two years for workers.
Inflation will continue to hike into next year and real wages aren’t expected to grow until mid-2024.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers stood by a decision to not include rebates or payments for Australians struggling with exorbitant power and gas price increases.
He said additional payments would only add to rampant inflation, which would hurt families more in the long run through higher rates and cost of living.
The opposition is focusing on Labor’s pre-election commitment to reduce energy bills by $275 by 2025.
The prime minister and treasurer have been under pressure to reaffirm their commitment after budget predictions of price hikes into next year.
Dr Chalmers has taken aim at the former government for hiding scheduled price hikes before the election.
