http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/9707589/abbott-offers-tax-cuts-to-rally-tr...Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott has laid out a plan to retake government, promising tax cuts for middle-income families and a "priority attack" on federal debt.
Standing before a sky-blue screen that promised hope, reward and opportunity, Mr Abbott told the Liberals' federal council on Saturday that momentum was swinging the opposition's way as Labor deals with historically low polls.
"Tax cuts are in our DNA," Mr Abbott said.
"At the next election, the coalition will deliver tax cuts that are not just compensation," he said, referring to Labor's planned carbon tax.
Turning to family tax benefits, Mr Abbott declared them "wage justice for families with children".
"The next coalition government will further simplify the family payments system," he said.
While he did not offer details on how far the simplification would go, Mr Abbott did declare it a "policy priority for the coalition" that he would "have more to say about closer to the election".
The need for better urban transport and the improvement of highways on the east coast was also highlighted by Mr Abbott, but he made no promises about what a coalition government would do.
In a lengthy speech, Mr Abbott also referenced policies he took to the 2010 election regarding a so-called green army, the creation of independent boards for schools and hospitals, and a direct-action approach to tackling climate change.
Before Mr Abbott spoke, the opposition's treasury spokesman Joe Hockey delivered a rallying cry to the faithful.
"We have a duty to ensure we do everything we can possibly do to get rid of a bad government," Mr Hockey said.
Earlier in the day, Liberal Party president Alan Stockdale was re-elected by one vote - 57-56 - after a week of infighting over who should hold what is largely a backroom position.
Howard government frontbencher Peter Reith, who was supported by the party's four vice-presidents and NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, lost the vote.
The ballot had highlighted the strife within the party after the four vice-presidents - Alexander Downer, Tom Harley, David Russell and Danielle Blain - sent an open letter to Mr Stockdale, taking issue with his stewardship of the party's finances and stating they had confidence Mr Reith could turn things around.
Mr Reith is a controversial figure who made headlines in the maritime dispute and the "children overboard" scandal.
Just how Mr Stockdale will work with four vice-presidents who openly opposed his re-election remains to be seen
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http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/9708158/gillard-flags-tax-cuts-in-carbon-t...Tax cuts and increased family payments will form part of the federal government's carbon price compensation package, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced.
Speaking at Western Australia's Labor Party conference in Perth, Ms Gillard said plans for the tax cuts and increased household assistance payments would be finalised in coming weeks.
"I really understand that many people are anxious about the impact of a price on carbon," she said.
"I understand they expect to hear from me what that is going to be all about, and I'm going to do that."
Tax cuts and payments would be targeted at "those who need it most", Ms Gillard said.
"I want to make sure that families can make a difference and help tackle climate change," she said.
"We will act fairly, we will not let Australians down."
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