Federal Labor believes that there is now little doubt that the Coalition plans to increase the GST to 15 per cent with the recent leaking of Treasury documents.

The embarrassing leaking of Treasury documents exposes Malcolm Turnbull’s plans for a 15 per cent GST and gives the prime minister no choice but to come clean on his GST plans.

“We’ve always known that Malcolm Turnbull wasn’t being upfront with Australians about his plans for a 15 per cent GST, and now the proof is in,” said Labor’s shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen.

“Leaked Council of Australian Governments (COAG) documents expose Malcolm Turnbull’s plans for a 15 per cent GST on the price of everything.

“Reports show Treasury has been commissioned to model a whole range of GST scenarios,” Bowen said.

The options being considered at COAG include a plan to increase the GST to 15 per cent and to broaden the base.

“Liberals would go to any length to dud low and middle income households.”

“The documents also reveal a tricky and misleading Liberal government that is trying pull the wool over Australians’ eyes when it comes to any GST compensation,” Bowen said, “in which they state:

Public commitments around which households would be fully compensated should be avoided. Decisions about compensation will be more informed once the impacts of various options have been modelled. Making commitments now risks overcompensation for households and adding significantly to the cost of household assistance.

“The leaked documents demonstrate that the Liberal Party would go to any length to dud low and middle income households.

“For families already struggling to keep their heads above water, increasing the GST will push up the cost of living, make everything more expensive and leave families worse off.

“Stop hiding behind the ‘states made me do it alibi’.”

“Every time they have to pay a bill, visit a supermarket, take the kids to the doctor, buy new school books, it will all cost more.

“That’s why Labor will not support Mr Turnbull’s plan to raise the GST.

“Malcolm Turnbull and his treasurer need to stop hiding behind the ‘states made me do it alibi’; this is their plan to increase the GST,” the shadow treasurer added.