Andrew Leigh

FRYDENBERG DEFENDS TAXPAYER-FUNDED EXECUTIVE BONUSES

In Question Time today, I asked the Morrison Government “how much of the taxpayer money used to fund JobKeeper has been spent on executive bonuses?”

Rather than condemn the misuse of JobKeeper to fund million-dollar bonuses for millionaire CEOs, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg defended the practice, saying “decisions by businesses about remuneration are matters for them”.

This bizarre defence of BonusKeeper is at odds with the many who have criticised the practice of firms paying executive bonuses after receiving JobKeeper, including:

• The Australian Taxation Office
• The Business Council of Australia
• The Council of Small Business of Australia
• Former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett

For money paid to social security recipients, the Liberals favour income management. But for corporate welfare, it’s a matter for the boardroom.

The Morrison Government is as weak with the strong as it is strong with the weak.

ENDS

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.