One of Labor’s announcements – the $1,000 tax deduction for work expenses, came from the review Kevin Rudd ordered of the tax system in 2008 (it was published in 2010). It was chaired by the then secretary of Treasury Ken Henry, which is why it’s known as the Henry review.

Labor didn’t do much with the review at the time (bit going on in 2010 as you may remember) and it’s just sort of sat there, being picked over from time to time for piece meal announcements.

Asked why he returned to it, Chalmers said:

I think this is an important tax reform because it simplifies the system, it makes it easier for people to interact with the tax system at tax time, and it also provides some additional cost-of-living relief as well.

If you think about our three rounds of tax cuts for every taxpayer, another $6 million or so stand to benefit from these standard deductions to help with the cost of living. If you’re on the average full-time wage up to a bit more than $300 a year on top of that $2,500 we’re providing with our tax cuts – so it’s another way to reform the tax system, to make it simpler, to make it easier for people, and also to provide a bit more cost-of-living help.