The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) has released a 32-page policy blueprint ahead of the Labor party's national conference, calling for a wealth tax, inheritance tax, free education, and higher taxes on gas companies. The union describes the document as a "working-class instruction to the government" rather than a "polite request."
Tax Reforms Targeting Wealth and Inheritance
The AMWU's blueprint describes Australia's tax system as "rigged in favour of private wealth accumulation and speculation." It proposes a new marginal tax rate for individuals earning above $500,000 annually. Currently, the highest marginal tax rate is 47% (including the 2% Medicare levy) for income above $190,000. The document also advocates for an annual wealth tax on assets, excluding the family home, and an inheritance tax on large bequests to prevent the "intergenerational concentration" of wealth.
Gas Tax and Fuel Credits Under Scrutiny
The manifesto calls for "fundamental reform" to the petroleum resource rent tax, supporting higher taxes on gas exports. Labor is expected to make an in-principle commitment to a fairer return on natural resources at the conference. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is not considering a gas tax due to uncertainty in the international oil market caused by the Middle East crisis. The blueprint also supports winding back fuel tax credits for large mining companies, which will be debated at the conference.
Free Education and Medicare Expansion
The AMWU proposes making all levels of education—from childcare to university—free. It also advocates adding dental services to Medicare. These measures would be funded by the additional tax revenue from the proposed reforms.
Welfare and Aged Care Nationalisation
The blueprint calls for raising welfare payments to end poverty and nationalising the aged care system to ensure social security is a "right, not a precarious privilege." It also suggests increasing the JobSeeker rate using the extra tax revenue.
Workers' Rights and AI
The union wants workers to have veto rights over the use of artificial intelligence in their workplaces and the ability to negotiate for a share of the extra revenue generated by AI.
Indigenous Sovereignty and Justice
The manifesto proposes a pathway to "sovereignty and justice" for Indigenous Australians, including enacting the Uluru Statement from the Heart—which includes a Voice to Parliament—and abolishing symbols of "colonial oppression" such as the Union Jack on the Australian flag.
The AMWU declined to comment on the blueprint or clarify if it intends to push these ideas specifically at the Labor national conference, which runs from Thursday to Saturday. The agenda has not been costed and goes beyond what the Albanese government would realistically consider, but it frames the backdrop for the conference where MPs, trade unions, and rank-and-file members will debate policy.
