Bill Shorten uses Labor federal election campaign launch to make new jobs, health promises

Extract from 

By Lucy Sweeney and Brett Worthington

Video: Bill Shorten speaks at the launch of the ALP's federal election campaign. (ABC News)

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Federal Labor has pledged a tax cut for small businesses that it says will create new jobs, in its latest pitch to voters ahead of election day.

Key points:

• The campaign launch comes a fortnight out from election day and a week before the Coalition's launch
• Labor's new announcements included a tax cut for small businesses hiring under-25s, over-55s or parents and carers
• Bill Shorten also pledged a crackdown on multinational tax avoidance, and more case workers for the National Redress Agency

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten used Labor's campaign launch in Brisbane to promise the tax cut to any business with an annual turnover under $10 million that employs someone younger than 25 or older than 55.
"We believe that young or old, city or bush, every Australian, regardless of their age, regardless of their postcode, has the right to the dignity of work," Mr Shorten said.
The tax cut would also be available to businesses that employ a carer or parent trying to get back into the workplace.
"Under our Labor government, small businesses up to $10 million will be able to claim an additional 30 per cent tax deduction on the salary for up to five employees," Mr Shorten said.
The Labor launch brought together former prime ministers Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating in a bid to send a message of party unity to voters.

Video: Mr Keating said the Liberal party had "nothing to offer" voters. (ABC News)

Mr Shorten also pledged to stop "Australia being treated as a doormat by tax avoiding multinationals", a move he said would generate $2 billion.
The Opposition Leader paid tribute to Ms Gillard for initiating the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
He then vowed to double the number of case workers employed in the National Redress Agency, to hasten the delivery of compensation to abuse survivors.
Senator Pat Dodson, who would be Labor's Indigenous affairs minister, spoke early during the launch and promised to create a voice in Parliament and deliver constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the first term of government.

Photo: Labor frontbencher Pat Dodson pledged constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians. (ABC News: Andy Kennedy)

Labor has championed greater funding for the healthcare sector as a major focus of its election campaign.
Mr Shorten went further, announcing $500 million to upgrade emergency departments and reduce waiting times across the country.
The campaign launch comes a fortnight out from election day and a week before the Coalition officially launches its campaign.
Party launches trigger the moment parties take over from taxpayers in funding the travel of politicians.
Look back at how the Labor launch progressed via our live blog.

Photo: Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Paul Keating sat among the party faithful for the event. (ABC News: Andy Kennedy )