PM puts lid on GST hikes, pledges boost for business
While he did not want to rule any policy changes in or out of the government's economic reform agenda, Anthony Albanese was far from supportive of increasing consumption taxes in comments to a News Corp event on Friday.
Some economists have called for the GST to be lifted from 10 to 15 per cent and the base broadened to include items like private health insurance and fresh food to provide revenue in order for other levies like income tax to be lowered.
But that would mean making the tax system more regressive, resulting in lower earners contributing more as a share of their incomes.
"I'm a supporter of progressive taxation," Mr Albanese said, in the clearest indication yet that GST won't be increased after an economic reform roundtable in August.
"Consumption taxes, by definition, are regressive in their nature. So that's something that, you know, doesn't fit with the agenda."
Outside of tax changes, Mr Albanese promised to get out of businesses' way to help the private sector resume its "rightful place" as the primary driver of Australia's economic growth.
Unlike in his government's first three years in power, when fighting inflation and easing cost-of-living pressures took up much of the government's bandwidth, boosting productivity has been identified as Labor's main concern this term.
"In a strong, dynamic and productive economy, government should be a driver of growth, but not the driver of growth; facilitating private sector investment and job creation, not seeking to replace it," Mr Albanese said.
While tax reform would form an important part of the conversation, he acknowledged the need to cut red tape to make it easier for businesses to create jobs.
But any businesses hoping for a relaxation of industrial relations protections will be disappointed.
Despite boasting higher wages than other countries in the region, Australia could recapture its manufacturing edge without cutting labour costs, the prime minister insisted.
But the nation must make the most of new technologies and capitalise on its ability to locate industrial facilities alongside renewable energy resources.
"In the years ahead, comparative advantage in manufacturing will not be defined by minimising the cost of labour," Mr Albanese said.
"It will be secured by the most productive use of technology, by cutting transport costs and by cheaper, cleaner energy."
Mr Albanese's message was met with cautious support from the opposition.
Coalition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the government had spent its first term "smashing" small business through industrial relations policies and regulations and needed to use its landslide election win to help the country become more prosperous.
"Use the huge mandate that the Australian people have given you to set our country up for the future, and we will back you the whole way," she told Sky News on Friday.
"If Labor wants us to be more productive, wants the private sector to grow and prosper, then it needs to look at removing red tape and make tough decisions that their traditional supporters might not like."
The prime minister has trimmed expectations Australia's goods and services tax could be raised as part of a suite of changes that includes lower income taxes.
While he did not want to rule any policy changes in or out of the government's economic reform agenda, Anthony Albanese was far from supportive of increasing consumption taxes in comments to a News Corp event on Friday.
Some economists have called for the GST to be lifted from 10 to 15 per cent and the base broadened to include items like private health insurance and fresh food to provide revenue in order for other levies like income tax to be lowered.
But that would mean making the tax system more regressive, resulting in lower earners contributing more as a share of their incomes.
"I'm a supporter of progressive taxation," Mr Albanese said, in the clearest indication yet that GST won't be increased after an economic reform roundtable in August.
"Consumption taxes, by definition, are regressive in their nature. So that's something that, you know, doesn't fit with the agenda."
Outside of tax changes, Mr Albanese promised to get out of businesses' way to help the private sector resume its "rightful place" as the primary driver of Australia's economic growth.
Unlike in his government's first three years in power, when fighting inflation and easing cost-of-living pressures took up much of the government's bandwidth, boosting productivity has been identified as Labor's main concern this term.
"In a strong, dynamic and productive economy, government should be a driver of growth, but not the driver of growth; facilitating private sector investment and job creation, not seeking to replace it," Mr Albanese said.
While tax reform would form an important part of the conversation, he acknowledged the need to cut red tape to make it easier for businesses to create jobs.
But any businesses hoping for a relaxation of industrial relations protections will be disappointed.
Despite boasting higher wages than other countries in the region, Australia could recapture its manufacturing edge without cutting labour costs, the prime minister insisted.
But the nation must make the most of new technologies and capitalise on its ability to locate industrial facilities alongside renewable energy resources.
"In the years ahead, comparative advantage in manufacturing will not be defined by minimising the cost of labour," Mr Albanese said.
"It will be secured by the most productive use of technology, by cutting transport costs and by cheaper, cleaner energy."
Mr Albanese's message was met with cautious support from the opposition.
Coalition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the government had spent its first term "smashing" small business through industrial relations policies and regulations and needed to use its landslide election win to help the country become more prosperous.
"Use the huge mandate that the Australian people have given you to set our country up for the future, and we will back you the whole way," she told Sky News on Friday.
"If Labor wants us to be more productive, wants the private sector to grow and prosper, then it needs to look at removing red tape and make tough decisions that their traditional supporters might not like."
The prime minister has trimmed expectations Australia's goods and services tax could be raised as part of a suite of changes that includes lower income taxes.
While he did not want to rule any policy changes in or out of the government's economic reform agenda, Anthony Albanese was far from supportive of increasing consumption taxes in comments to a News Corp event on Friday.
Some economists have called for the GST to be lifted from 10 to 15 per cent and the base broadened to include items like private health insurance and fresh food to provide revenue in order for other levies like income tax to be lowered.
But that would mean making the tax system more regressive, resulting in lower earners contributing more as a share of their incomes.
"I'm a supporter of progressive taxation," Mr Albanese said, in the clearest indication yet that GST won't be increased after an economic reform roundtable in August.
"Consumption taxes, by definition, are regressive in their nature. So that's something that, you know, doesn't fit with the agenda."
Outside of tax changes, Mr Albanese promised to get out of businesses' way to help the private sector resume its "rightful place" as the primary driver of Australia's economic growth.
Unlike in his government's first three years in power, when fighting inflation and easing cost-of-living pressures took up much of the government's bandwidth, boosting productivity has been identified as Labor's main concern this term.
"In a strong, dynamic and productive economy, government should be a driver of growth, but not the driver of growth; facilitating private sector investment and job creation, not seeking to replace it," Mr Albanese said.
While tax reform would form an important part of the conversation, he acknowledged the need to cut red tape to make it easier for businesses to create jobs.
But any businesses hoping for a relaxation of industrial relations protections will be disappointed.
Despite boasting higher wages than other countries in the region, Australia could recapture its manufacturing edge without cutting labour costs, the prime minister insisted.
But the nation must make the most of new technologies and capitalise on its ability to locate industrial facilities alongside renewable energy resources.
"In the years ahead, comparative advantage in manufacturing will not be defined by minimising the cost of labour," Mr Albanese said.
"It will be secured by the most productive use of technology, by cutting transport costs and by cheaper, cleaner energy."
Mr Albanese's message was met with cautious support from the opposition.
Coalition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the government had spent its first term "smashing" small business through industrial relations policies and regulations and needed to use its landslide election win to help the country become more prosperous.
"Use the huge mandate that the Australian people have given you to set our country up for the future, and we will back you the whole way," she told Sky News on Friday.
"If Labor wants us to be more productive, wants the private sector to grow and prosper, then it needs to look at removing red tape and make tough decisions that their traditional supporters might not like."
The prime minister has trimmed expectations Australia's goods and services tax could be raised as part of a suite of changes that includes lower income taxes.
While he did not want to rule any policy changes in or out of the government's economic reform agenda, Anthony Albanese was far from supportive of increasing consumption taxes in comments to a News Corp event on Friday.
Some economists have called for the GST to be lifted from 10 to 15 per cent and the base broadened to include items like private health insurance and fresh food to provide revenue in order for other levies like income tax to be lowered.
But that would mean making the tax system more regressive, resulting in lower earners contributing more as a share of their incomes.
"I'm a supporter of progressive taxation," Mr Albanese said, in the clearest indication yet that GST won't be increased after an economic reform roundtable in August.
"Consumption taxes, by definition, are regressive in their nature. So that's something that, you know, doesn't fit with the agenda."
Outside of tax changes, Mr Albanese promised to get out of businesses' way to help the private sector resume its "rightful place" as the primary driver of Australia's economic growth.
Unlike in his government's first three years in power, when fighting inflation and easing cost-of-living pressures took up much of the government's bandwidth, boosting productivity has been identified as Labor's main concern this term.
"In a strong, dynamic and productive economy, government should be a driver of growth, but not the driver of growth; facilitating private sector investment and job creation, not seeking to replace it," Mr Albanese said.
While tax reform would form an important part of the conversation, he acknowledged the need to cut red tape to make it easier for businesses to create jobs.
But any businesses hoping for a relaxation of industrial relations protections will be disappointed.
Despite boasting higher wages than other countries in the region, Australia could recapture its manufacturing edge without cutting labour costs, the prime minister insisted.
But the nation must make the most of new technologies and capitalise on its ability to locate industrial facilities alongside renewable energy resources.
"In the years ahead, comparative advantage in manufacturing will not be defined by minimising the cost of labour," Mr Albanese said.
"It will be secured by the most productive use of technology, by cutting transport costs and by cheaper, cleaner energy."
Mr Albanese's message was met with cautious support from the opposition.
Coalition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the government had spent its first term "smashing" small business through industrial relations policies and regulations and needed to use its landslide election win to help the country become more prosperous.
"Use the huge mandate that the Australian people have given you to set our country up for the future, and we will back you the whole way," she told Sky News on Friday.
"If Labor wants us to be more productive, wants the private sector to grow and prosper, then it needs to look at removing red tape and make tough decisions that their traditional supporters might not like."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
33 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
Credit downgrade hits coal miner's plan to raise $1b
Coronado Global Resources will struggle to raise the nearly $1 billion it needs after it was downgraded by one of the world's largest credit agencies, becoming the latest Australian coal miner to be hit by the deepening price slump for the fossil fuel that has already tipped one miner into administration and forced another into a trading halt. Global credit ratings agency S&P downgraded Coronado, which operates coal mines in Queensland's Bowen Basin and Virginia in the US, making the miner's bid to raise nearly $1 billion in funding over the next two years even harder by narrowing its access to affordable debt.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Pox on both your houses': Victoria voters unimpressed
Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026. Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026. Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026. Major party leaders have refused to buy into a new poll after it indicated an incumbent state Labor government was on track to secure a fourth consecutive term in power. More Victorian voters believe Opposition Leader Brad Battin would make a better state premier than the incumbent, Labor's Jacinta Allan. But the Liberal Party leader's preferred premier status, at 41 per cent to Ms Allan's 36 per cent, doesn't appear to be enough to convince voters to back the coalition into government, according to a Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows Labor's primary vote is now even with the opposition at 35 per cent. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 53 per cent against 47 per cent for the coalition. Ms Allan, whose government has increasingly been on the nose with the public, said she was focused on issues important to voters instead of the "disarray" within the Victorian Liberal Party. "I'm focused on what matters to Victorians, to working people and their families," she told reporters. Mr Battin highlighted his party's policies around crime and housing and took credit for the government's changes to their reforms on bail and a machete ban. "Polls come and go, and I've been working pretty hard each and every day and making sure that the community is aware of what we are doing," he said. Newspoll head Campbell White told The Australian "this is a 'pox on both your houses'". "However, while there is a swing (toward the coalition) it is relatively modest and not sufficient for the government to change," he said. The premier took the opportunity to lambast the opposition after it had been embroiled in infighting and a leadership spill, involving first-term MP Moira Deeming. Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal Party room after attending a Let Women Speak rally, which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis but welcomed back in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership. Mr Pesutto was then ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming in an ongoing court battle. "It is clear that they're extreme, they're divided, they're reckless, they don't trust each other, and therefore, why should Victorians trust them?" Ms Allan said. Mr Battin conceded his party has had "internal issues that have been frustrating" but insisted his team is competent and will give a "real good run" at the next election. "It's not about us. It's not about our internal politics. It's about everyday Victorians who, at the moment are struggling," he said. The poll of 1071 voters has a margin of error of 3.42 per cent and was conducted on June 23-30. Victorian voters head to the polls in November 2026.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Libs admit Chinese diaspora failings on listening tour
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has met Chinese community and business leaders as the Liberals work to rebuild trust with a demographic that largely abandoned the party at the federal election. Ms Ley said she heard examples of racism and hatred that plagued the community that "made us very angry and very distressed". "We didn't get everything right at the last election and I made it clear that I wanted a valuable, ongoing conversation," she told reporters after Monday's meeting in northwest Sydney, admitting the party struck the wrong cord with the diaspora. "Protection from hate for our migrant communities should always be front and centre." Ms Ley didn't answer whether an apology was issued for comments made during the election campaign by a senior Liberal senator about potential "Chinese spies" being embedded in Labor's campaign. It followed media reports alleging Chinese Communist Party-linked volunteers were helping Labor during the May election campaign. "I'm not going to go into the private discussions that we had today, but I am going to say that I freely admit that we did not get it right, that our tone wasn't right and the messaging wasn't right and that we needed to change course," Ms Ley said. Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Chinese Australians raised concerns about being able to contribute to their community. "That was a very strong message that came through the valuing of communities, so those issues will very much be front and centre when we consider policies going forward," he said. Parramatta Labor councillor Michael Ng said the Liberal Party lost the trust of the Chinese community due to its harsh rhetoric and lack of action to protect the diaspora. Cr Ng wasn't at the roundtable but said he had heard concerns from Chinese Australians about their disappointment in the Liberal Party and some of that went back to how they were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When it comes to election time, they try to say 'we support you', but when you look at the shadow ministers, their rhetoric doesn't support that," he told AAP. An analysis of comments on Chinese social media platform WeChat carried out by Australian-Chinese Relations Institute deputy director Wanning Sun found the Liberals lost the trust of Chinese voters, pointing to hawkish language by shadow ministers against China. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has met Chinese community and business leaders as the Liberals work to rebuild trust with a demographic that largely abandoned the party at the federal election. Ms Ley said she heard examples of racism and hatred that plagued the community that "made us very angry and very distressed". "We didn't get everything right at the last election and I made it clear that I wanted a valuable, ongoing conversation," she told reporters after Monday's meeting in northwest Sydney, admitting the party struck the wrong cord with the diaspora. "Protection from hate for our migrant communities should always be front and centre." Ms Ley didn't answer whether an apology was issued for comments made during the election campaign by a senior Liberal senator about potential "Chinese spies" being embedded in Labor's campaign. It followed media reports alleging Chinese Communist Party-linked volunteers were helping Labor during the May election campaign. "I'm not going to go into the private discussions that we had today, but I am going to say that I freely admit that we did not get it right, that our tone wasn't right and the messaging wasn't right and that we needed to change course," Ms Ley said. Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Chinese Australians raised concerns about being able to contribute to their community. "That was a very strong message that came through the valuing of communities, so those issues will very much be front and centre when we consider policies going forward," he said. Parramatta Labor councillor Michael Ng said the Liberal Party lost the trust of the Chinese community due to its harsh rhetoric and lack of action to protect the diaspora. Cr Ng wasn't at the roundtable but said he had heard concerns from Chinese Australians about their disappointment in the Liberal Party and some of that went back to how they were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When it comes to election time, they try to say 'we support you', but when you look at the shadow ministers, their rhetoric doesn't support that," he told AAP. An analysis of comments on Chinese social media platform WeChat carried out by Australian-Chinese Relations Institute deputy director Wanning Sun found the Liberals lost the trust of Chinese voters, pointing to hawkish language by shadow ministers against China. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has met Chinese community and business leaders as the Liberals work to rebuild trust with a demographic that largely abandoned the party at the federal election. Ms Ley said she heard examples of racism and hatred that plagued the community that "made us very angry and very distressed". "We didn't get everything right at the last election and I made it clear that I wanted a valuable, ongoing conversation," she told reporters after Monday's meeting in northwest Sydney, admitting the party struck the wrong cord with the diaspora. "Protection from hate for our migrant communities should always be front and centre." Ms Ley didn't answer whether an apology was issued for comments made during the election campaign by a senior Liberal senator about potential "Chinese spies" being embedded in Labor's campaign. It followed media reports alleging Chinese Communist Party-linked volunteers were helping Labor during the May election campaign. "I'm not going to go into the private discussions that we had today, but I am going to say that I freely admit that we did not get it right, that our tone wasn't right and the messaging wasn't right and that we needed to change course," Ms Ley said. Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Chinese Australians raised concerns about being able to contribute to their community. "That was a very strong message that came through the valuing of communities, so those issues will very much be front and centre when we consider policies going forward," he said. Parramatta Labor councillor Michael Ng said the Liberal Party lost the trust of the Chinese community due to its harsh rhetoric and lack of action to protect the diaspora. Cr Ng wasn't at the roundtable but said he had heard concerns from Chinese Australians about their disappointment in the Liberal Party and some of that went back to how they were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When it comes to election time, they try to say 'we support you', but when you look at the shadow ministers, their rhetoric doesn't support that," he told AAP. An analysis of comments on Chinese social media platform WeChat carried out by Australian-Chinese Relations Institute deputy director Wanning Sun found the Liberals lost the trust of Chinese voters, pointing to hawkish language by shadow ministers against China. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has met Chinese community and business leaders as the Liberals work to rebuild trust with a demographic that largely abandoned the party at the federal election. Ms Ley said she heard examples of racism and hatred that plagued the community that "made us very angry and very distressed". "We didn't get everything right at the last election and I made it clear that I wanted a valuable, ongoing conversation," she told reporters after Monday's meeting in northwest Sydney, admitting the party struck the wrong cord with the diaspora. "Protection from hate for our migrant communities should always be front and centre." Ms Ley didn't answer whether an apology was issued for comments made during the election campaign by a senior Liberal senator about potential "Chinese spies" being embedded in Labor's campaign. It followed media reports alleging Chinese Communist Party-linked volunteers were helping Labor during the May election campaign. "I'm not going to go into the private discussions that we had today, but I am going to say that I freely admit that we did not get it right, that our tone wasn't right and the messaging wasn't right and that we needed to change course," Ms Ley said. Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Chinese Australians raised concerns about being able to contribute to their community. "That was a very strong message that came through the valuing of communities, so those issues will very much be front and centre when we consider policies going forward," he said. Parramatta Labor councillor Michael Ng said the Liberal Party lost the trust of the Chinese community due to its harsh rhetoric and lack of action to protect the diaspora. Cr Ng wasn't at the roundtable but said he had heard concerns from Chinese Australians about their disappointment in the Liberal Party and some of that went back to how they were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When it comes to election time, they try to say 'we support you', but when you look at the shadow ministers, their rhetoric doesn't support that," he told AAP. An analysis of comments on Chinese social media platform WeChat carried out by Australian-Chinese Relations Institute deputy director Wanning Sun found the Liberals lost the trust of Chinese voters, pointing to hawkish language by shadow ministers against China.
