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Election debate: Bob Katter and Clive Palmer unveil big spending promises Election debate: Bob Katter and Clive Palmer unveil big spending promises
(25 days later)
Clive Palmer has committed to cut income tax rates by 15%, abolish the fringe benefits tax, reduce the tax rates on a second job, increase the old age pension by 20% and make the first $10,000 on a home loan tax deductible if the Palmer United party wins seats.Clive Palmer has committed to cut income tax rates by 15%, abolish the fringe benefits tax, reduce the tax rates on a second job, increase the old age pension by 20% and make the first $10,000 on a home loan tax deductible if the Palmer United party wins seats.
He also committed to allowing tax deductions on entertainment and business, a further $80bn for hospitals and a flat rate of paid parental leave (PPL) equivalent to a salary of $50,000.He also committed to allowing tax deductions on entertainment and business, a further $80bn for hospitals and a flat rate of paid parental leave (PPL) equivalent to a salary of $50,000.
Palmer said Australia needed a "revolution in thinking" and accused the opposition leader Tony Abbott's PPL policy of putting "different values on different babies".Palmer said Australia needed a "revolution in thinking" and accused the opposition leader Tony Abbott's PPL policy of putting "different values on different babies".
He joined the leader of Katter's Australian Party, Bob Katter, for a debate at the National Press Club in Canberra in which they frequently agreed and quoted each other on the death of Australian industry and their mutual opposition to their former political home, the National party.He joined the leader of Katter's Australian Party, Bob Katter, for a debate at the National Press Club in Canberra in which they frequently agreed and quoted each other on the death of Australian industry and their mutual opposition to their former political home, the National party.
Katter said the National party leader, Warren Truss, had "pulled the trigger" on the dairy industry and the Nationals were also responsible for the death of the tobacco industry, while the Liberal party had killed the fishing industry and Labor was responsible for the death of the timber industry.Katter said the National party leader, Warren Truss, had "pulled the trigger" on the dairy industry and the Nationals were also responsible for the death of the tobacco industry, while the Liberal party had killed the fishing industry and Labor was responsible for the death of the timber industry.
"There were people like us in the National party, this time we will hold them to account," Katter said. "I can't think of a single positive thing done for farmers in the last 16 years.""There were people like us in the National party, this time we will hold them to account," Katter said. "I can't think of a single positive thing done for farmers in the last 16 years."
Katter committed his party to a 10% tax on imported goods and working towards the mandated use of ethanol fuel in Australia, a policy which he said would fix the grain, sugar and cattle industries.Katter committed his party to a 10% tax on imported goods and working towards the mandated use of ethanol fuel in Australia, a policy which he said would fix the grain, sugar and cattle industries.
As member for Kennedy, Katter was one of the independents in the previous parliament who held the balance of power. He refused to sign an agreement with Julia Gillard's minority Labor government, unlike Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott as well as the Greens.As member for Kennedy, Katter was one of the independents in the previous parliament who held the balance of power. He refused to sign an agreement with Julia Gillard's minority Labor government, unlike Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott as well as the Greens.
Katter disputed the description of the hung parliament from 2010-13 as the Gillard government had "three votes up their sleeve".Katter disputed the description of the hung parliament from 2010-13 as the Gillard government had "three votes up their sleeve".
Asked how they would use their power if they won seats or the balance of power, Katter said he had a good working relationship with the independent senator Nick Xenophon and the Democratic Labor party senator, John Madigan, and "we will play with a certain amount of ruthlessness".Asked how they would use their power if they won seats or the balance of power, Katter said he had a good working relationship with the independent senator Nick Xenophon and the Democratic Labor party senator, John Madigan, and "we will play with a certain amount of ruthlessness".
Both party leaders suggested their policies were fully costed but could not share the details.Both party leaders suggested their policies were fully costed but could not share the details.
Palmer said his party had 3,000 donors and while suggesting his campaign would cost "many millions", he refused to say how much he was personally contributing, though he did confirm Mineralogy was contributing because "I own everything".Palmer said his party had 3,000 donors and while suggesting his campaign would cost "many millions", he refused to say how much he was personally contributing, though he did confirm Mineralogy was contributing because "I own everything".
Palmer was challenged on his claims that asylum seekers get more financial support than Australian pensioners. He said the total cost of asylum seekers, when divided by the number under Australian responsibility, was greater, per person than the support given to pensioners.Palmer was challenged on his claims that asylum seekers get more financial support than Australian pensioners. He said the total cost of asylum seekers, when divided by the number under Australian responsibility, was greater, per person than the support given to pensioners.
Katter was critical of the former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello for "skiting" about driving the dollar up from 52 cents to 90 cents, while crippling Australian export industries like agriculture and manufacturing.Katter was critical of the former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello for "skiting" about driving the dollar up from 52 cents to 90 cents, while crippling Australian export industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
Clive Palmer predicted there would be a backlash against the Coalition in Queensland seats due to cuts by the Queensland premier, Campbell Newman, and predicted the Palmer United party would win seats in the lower house because "Australians are hungry for ideas".Clive Palmer predicted there would be a backlash against the Coalition in Queensland seats due to cuts by the Queensland premier, Campbell Newman, and predicted the Palmer United party would win seats in the lower house because "Australians are hungry for ideas".
Katter said he believed his party had "seats at play" but would not reveal them because "you guys would barrel us".Katter said he believed his party had "seats at play" but would not reveal them because "you guys would barrel us".
They rejected suggestions they would cannibalise each other's votes. Katter said their preference deal meant there was "enormous value having another force in the equation".They rejected suggestions they would cannibalise each other's votes. Katter said their preference deal meant there was "enormous value having another force in the equation".
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