Jim Chalmers reckons Treasurer Josh Frydenberg admitting he draws his inspiration from Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan will send a "shudder down the spine" of every Australian worker.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"Josh Frydenberg thinks the solution to this job crisis is to double down on trickle-down economics and even more job security," the shadow treasurer told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday.
Former Republican US President Ronald Reagan is renowned for supporting "trickle-down economics" or "Reaganomics", where large tax cuts, for example, trickle down through the economy.
Former Conservative UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher also took a tough stance on trade unions, reducing the number of days lost to industrial disputes from 30 million down to two million, according to Mr Frydenberg.
He believes they both dealt successfully with the challenges of the 1970s and 1980s.
"Thatcher and Reagan are figures of hate for the left because they were so successful," he told ABC television's Insiders program on Sunday.
"One got two terms, which was the maximum that you can get in the United States. Margaret Thatcher got 11 and a half years."
He also draws inspiration from former Australian Liberal prime minister John Howard and his treasurer Peter Costello.
"But the reality is that Thatcher and Reagan cut red tape and they cut taxes and delivered stronger economies."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese was unimpressed.
"Josh Frydenberg confirms his inspiration for the economic recovery is Thatcher and Reagan which resulted in a massive increase in inequality and reduction in public services #GoodGrief," he tweeted.
Australian Associated Press
