Peter Dutton has deflected Jim Chalmers’ assertion the Coalition’s business lunch write off scheme would just pay for long lunches and rounds of golf, while branding the Treasurer as “hopeless”.
Earlier this week, the Coalition made an election pledge to allow small businesses with a turnover of less than $10m to have tax-deductible meals and entertainment.
An eligible business can write off up to $20,000 for the business-related expenses, which will not attract fringe benefits tax.
Alcohol, brothels and strip clubs are excluded but tickets and food at a sporting event – or a round of golf with clients – are fair game.
Earlier this week, Dr Chalmers said “the Liberals are all about taxpayer funded long lunches and golf days”.
Mr Dutton returned fire on Friday.
“Just to clarify, I would describe Jim Chalmers as the Darrell Eastlake of Australian politics, everything is so over-the-top and so exaggerated, and why? Because he doesn’t have a good story to tell, and when he says that this is going to extend to playing golf and the rest of it, it’s not,” Mr Dutton said.
Eastlake was a colourful and iconic rugby league presenter.
The Coalition is selling the scheme as a much-needed cash injection for hospitality.
“It’s designed to provide support for a small business with a turnover of less than $10m to come down to a local pub, a local cafe, a local restaurant, and spend money on that cafe, for it to be tax deductible,” Mr Dutton said.
“Fringe benefits won’t be applied. It will be, I think, a huge success for small business where that money is being spent.
“We’ve been clear about it and Jim Chalmers and his over-the-top rhetoric, I just think should be seen for what it is.”
The election promise has not been costed.
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has said the two-year scheme would have a “modest” effect on the budget.
“Jim Chalmers will go down in history as one of the most hopeless treasurers, and there is a better way,” Mr Dutton said of his fellow Queenslander.
“When you look at the success of Angus Taylor in his business life, his political life, and what he can bring to the table as the treasurer of our country, I think the difference is quite stark and people will reckon that at the next election.”
Earlier in the week, Dr Chalmers said the “farce” of a proposal would be ripe for rorting.
“They will make workers and families worse off to pay for tax breaks for long lunches and golf days for bosses,” he said.
“It’s no wonder Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor have no credibility on the economy with stinkers like this.
“They’re all about waste and rorts and we’re all about responsible economic management.”
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