Australia has a new PM

24 August 2018

Scott Morrison was today named as the leader of the Liberal party and Australia’s 30th Prime Minister.

Following a late challenge in a confusing power struggle for Liberal party leadership, the former Treasurer beat Peter Dutton, 45 votes to 40, replacing Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister of Australia. Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, was eliminated in the first round of the party room ballot.

REINSW responds to leadership change

REINSW CEO, Tim McKibbin, says the new Prime Minister should put good fiscal policy ahead of economically damaging, populist politics.

“Those advocating for removing the deductibility of expenses incurred in earning assessable income in the residential property market are damaging people’s ability to acquire a home,” he says.

“This is adversely impacting the property industry – Australia’s biggest employer – and playing petty politics in the misguided belief it will promote their personal brand.

“It was Winston Churchill that said a nation will never tax itself into prosperity. This simple but poignant message should guide Mr Morrison’s fiscal policy decisions.”