PM's COAG agenda a 'trifecta of bad ideas'

Opposition leader Bill Shorten says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's COAG proposals for health, education and state taxes are a trifecta of bad ideas.

Federal Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten.

Bill Shorten says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's COAG proposals are a trifecta of bad ideas. (AAP)

Education and health funding proposals and a state income tax levy are a trifecta of bad ideas by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the opposition says.

State and territory leaders are being asked at a meeting in Canberra to accept a tax deal that would allow them to raise income tax themselves to pay for health and education services.

But Mr Shorten on Friday attacked the government's education proposal as "the most outlandish idea in the history of Australian school education" while labelling health funding proposals a "Bandaid" solution.

"Mr Turnbull's now come up with a trifecta. He's completed a trifecta of bad ideas for the future of Australia," he said.

Mr Shorten said Labor supported a sector-neutral approach to education funding and a plan that would see schools fully funded for the next decade, while rejecting that the government plan would only see education funding cut by the federal government if the states funded the difference.

"Mr Turnbull's only idea is to cut school funding and make Australians pay more in their taxation," he said.

Mr Shorten said there needed to be accountability from the states for their spending, and taxpayer money should be jealously guarded.

He also rejected the question of a federal takeover as part of Labor's plan for the health system, calling for more co-operation between all levels of government.

"When it comes to our health system, there is a role for the federal government to assist the states to make sure that our hospital system doesn't descend further into crisis," he said.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said he and opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King were meeting state treasurers and health ministers to discuss their own health plan and called for proposals to be put to the Australian people to decide.

"We've got a plan for the future. We're happy for the Australian people to vote on that plan," he said.

"Mr Turnbull should allow the Australian people to vote on what could only very generously be called his plan and his thought bubble."


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Published 1 April 2016 10:40am
Source: AAP


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