Australia: Labor makes pitch to "Middle Australia"

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200409/s1193960.htm

Latham makes pitch to middle Australia

The Federal Opposition says its long-awaited tax and family policies will reduce financial pressure on low and middle income earners.

In a $3.5 billion tax and family policy unveiled today, Labor leader Mark Latham has pledged to lift the top tax rate from $80,000 a year to $85,000, and it has guaranteed the tax cuts for middle income earners delivered in this year's budget.

Labor is promising a tax cut of $8 a week for Australians earning less than $52,000 a year.

As well, Labor is planning an overhaul of family support to combine family tax benefits A and B into a new single payment which will not begin to disappear until families are earning at least $50,000 a year.

Mr Latham says Labor's tax policy has been designed to meet the needs of "middle Australia".

[CJCRANE]

1. Blair mentioned "Middle Britain" a few weeks ago

Both just attemtps to borrow American political tactics.