Utilising a colourful turn of phrase seemingly peculiar to Australian politicians, Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday described the Labor party's plans to reap an extra $310 million from the country's tax evaders as 'ultimate envy magic pudding'.
The observation was made during a radio interview in which Mr Howard also promised not to raise taxes if the Coalition is re-elected on November 10. 'That is our commitment and that remains our commitment. We have no plans to increase taxes,' he confirmed.
Mr Howard pointed to former Labor Treasurer, Ralph Willis' pledge to collect an extra $800 million from high net worth Australian tax evaders in the run-up to the 1996 election as proof that the Labor party's claims were hollow. 'If you've got a shortfall you say "Oh well, we'll get it all from the tax avoiders",' he mocked. 'We have pursued a lot of tax avoiders very vigorously and we'll go on doing that, but this is just a hardy annual from the Labor party.'
Following Shadow Treasurer Simon Crean's announcement late last month, Federal Treasurer Peter Costello also reacted sceptically: 'I can tell you nobody is more interested than me in seeing where this one was thought up,' he commented at the time.
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