Tense moment Treasurer Jim Chalmers is accused of 'gaslighting' Australia on Stage 3 tax cuts: 'Is political integrity just a game to you?'

• Albo’s new tax cuts are set to bring relief to low paid 
• But he has backflipped on a major election promise
• Integrity of Treasurer Jim Chalmers questioned 
• READ MORE: Cunning trick Albo borrowed from former PM

Treasurer Jim Chalmers was accused of ‘gaslighting’ Australia as the fall-out over the Government’s decision to backflip on its promised stage three tax cuts continues.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged at least 36 times before he was elected he would make no changes to the legislated cuts introduced by the Morrison government.

But on Wednesday afternoon Labor MPs gave their unanimous support to a decision to halve the benefit to Australians earning over $180,000 in favour of a boost to lower earners.

The huge political call was made official on Thursday, with Mr Chalmers forced to defend the decision live on air.

‘Have you been gaslighting Australia?’, The Project’s host Mel Buttle asked the Treasurer.

Waleed Aly grilled the Treasurer on the government’s Stage Three tax cuts backflip

‘Of course not,’ Mr Chalmers replied.

‘What we’ve done today is explained to the Australian people why we’ve come to a different view about these tax cuts.

We’ve come to a different view because we know that we can provide more tax relief for more people to help with the cost-of-living, in a way that’s better for middle Australia, better for young people, better for women, better for truckies and teachers and nurses and better for the economy.’

Comedian Ms Buttle attempted to pin the Treasurer on the massive backflip once more before Waleed Aly asked whether he could ‘promise that this is the only promise you’ll break?’

Mr Chalmers deflected his line of questioning and trotted out the government’s sound bite that they were ‘putting people before politics’.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers was asked if he has been ‘gaslighting Australia?’

The PM has undoubtedly broken a promise. He’s hoping voters won’t mind when they realise they get more cash back under the new policy

READ MORE: Aussies reveal what they REALLY think of Anthony Albanese’s broken tax cut promise – from blasting the PM for his big lie to praising him for taking cash from ‘rich people with boats’ 

Immy, 22, from Sydney’s CBD, said that the rich do not need to be richer and with a bigger tax return she could support herself and give to charity

But Aly, who reportedly earns around $900,000, had time for one last dig.

‘Is political integrity and honesty just a game? he asked.

‘Is that just the political game? Or is it actually something really important?’

Mr Chalmers shot back: ‘It is important and, in my view, integrity and trust is all about saying to the Australian people: when you’ve changed your view, why you’ve changed your view, it’s about taking responsibility.’

Labor has calculated that the political cost of breaking their promise to the Australian people is lessened by the fact that almost 11 million Australians will be better off under the new plan.

Under the changes, a person earning an average wage of $73,000 will get a tax cut of more than $1500 a year.

Those earning $50,000 will pocket an extra $929 a year while people on $100,000 will receive $2100.

Households on an average income of $130,000 will receive $2600.

Those at the upper end will still see tax cuts but not as much as previously legislated.

For example, those earning $200,000 would have got $9075 under the rpevious Stage Three tax cuts but will now receive $4500.

Mr Albanese told the national Press Club on Thursday that ‘all 13.6million taxpayers [will get a tax cut], not just some.’

‘Everyone who works and pays tax will benefit,’ he said.

‘This is a plan for middle Australia that delivers for every Australian taxpayer, right up and down the income ladder.’

But opposition leader Peter Dutton has accused him of being a liar.

‘The Prime Minister has completely and utterly destroyed his credibility with the Australian public,’ Mr Dutton told Ray Hadley.

READ MORE: Telling reason why Anthony Albanese suddenly appears to be smiling more – but he’s also made a major gamble that could cost him later this year, writes KEVIN AIRS 

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