article_snippet.sent: Peter Costello Peter Costello has fired a damaging salvo at the Abbott government just weeks out from the Abbott government second budget, describing the Abbott government approach to taxation as a 'morbid joke'.
article_snippet.sent: Ever since the Abbott government released Peter Costello tax discussion paper calling for a 'lower, simpler, fairer' system there has been nothing but suggestions for taxes that are higher, more complicated and less economic, the former Liberal treasurer in an opinion piece in the Daily Telegraph. '
article_snippet.sent: Lower, simpler, fairer is looking like a morbid joke,' Peter Costello said on Tuesday, citing a proposed bank deposit tax and a push for a greater contribution from multinational companies.
article_snippet.sent: Peter Costello slammed the Abbott government, describing its approach to taxation as a 'morbid joke' Joe Hockey's was not impressed with the Peter Costello critique, lamenting the fact Joe Hockey's Liberal predecessor had more tax revenue to use during the Howard government years . '
article_snippet.sent: the Abbott government needs to restart the conversation about getting taxes down, not up.'
article_snippet.sent: Joe Hockey's also slams Labor and the Greens, saying using the tax system to re-distribute income would trap Australians in poverty. '
article_snippet.sent: the tax system is there to raise government revenue at the lowest cost in the most efficient way doing the least damage to the economy.'
article_snippet.sent: the Abbott government is due to deliver the Abbott government second budget on May 12 .
article_snippet.sent: Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg praised Mr Costello as a 'very distinguished' former treasurer, but said the Abbott government had reduced the overall tax take and a small business tax cut was on the Abbott government way . '
article_snippet.sent: Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg Treasurer Josh Frydenberg praised Mr Costello as a 'very distinguished' former treasurer, but said the Abbott government had reduced the overall tax take and a small business tax cut was on the Abbott government way.
article_snippet.sent: The coalition was also having to deal with lower commodity prices than the Abbott government enjoyed, Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told ABC radio.
highlights_snippet.sent: Peter Costello slammed government pledge for 'lower, simpler, fairer' taxes .
  