**This claim is factually inaccurate regarding the Coalition's handling of the instant asset write-off policy.**
The instant asset write-off threshold was actually **increased significantly** by the Coalition government, not reduced.
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Here's the timeline:
- **2012-2013 (Labor era):** The instant asset write-off was increased from $1,000 to $6,500 as part of the Clean Energy package tied to the carbon tax [1].
- **2015 (Coalition):** The Abbott/Turnbull government raised the threshold to **$20,000** in the 2015 budget - a threefold increase from the previous $6,500 level [2].
- **2019-2020 (Coalition):** The Morrison government increased the threshold sequentially from $20,000 to **$25,000** in 2019, then to **$30,000** in early 2020 [3].
- **COVID-19 Response (Coalition):** In response to the pandemic, the Coalition dramatically expanded the benefit, increasing the cap to **$150,000** in 2020 and introducing "temporary full expensing" which effectively removed the cap entirely for eligible businesses [3].
- **2023 onwards:** When temporary full expensing ended on June 30, 2023 (under the Labor government), the instant asset write-off reverted to **$20,000**, which remains the current threshold [4].
The claim omits several critical facts:
1. **The Coalition inherited a $1,000 threshold** (after Labor's $6,500 measure was tied to the carbon tax), and they immediately raised it to $20,000 in 2015 [2].
2. **The Coalition significantly expanded eligibility** - increasing the turnover threshold to cover more businesses and raising the asset value caps multiple times [3].
3. **The Coalition's COVID response included the most generous depreciation rules in Australian history** - the $150,000 cap and temporary full expensing (uncapped) far exceeded anything Labor had implemented [3].
4. **The Coalition promised to make the $30,000 threshold permanent** if re-elected in 2022 [5].
Andrew Leigh is a **Labor Party MP** and currently serves as Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury in the Albanese government [6].
While Leigh is an economist by background (former ANU professor), his political role means his claims about the opposition require independent verification.
**Did Labor do something similar?**
Search conducted: "Labor government instant asset write-off $6000 $6500 threshold"
**Finding:** Labor's record on instant asset write-offs was notably less generous than the Coalition's:
1. **2012-2013:** Labor increased the threshold from $1,000 to $6,500 as part of the Clean Energy legislation [1].
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However, this was tied to the controversial carbon tax package.
2. **After carbon tax repeal:** When the carbon price was repealed, the instant asset write-off reverted to $1,000, meaning Labor's increase was conditional on their carbon pricing mechanism.
3. **Current Labor government (2022-present):** The Albanese government has maintained the $20,000 threshold and extended it to June 2025 [4], but this is significantly lower than the $30,000 the Coalition had promised and the unlimited temporary full expensing that existed during COVID.
**Comparison:** The Coalition's record shows consistently higher thresholds ($20,000-$150,000) compared to Labor's $6,500 offer.
The Coalition's actual record on instant asset write-offs for small businesses was **expansionary, not contractionary**:
- Raised threshold from $1,000 to $20,000 (2015)
- Further increased to $25,000 (2019) and $30,000 (2020)
- During COVID: $150,000 cap, then unlimited temporary full expensing
- Expanded eligibility to cover businesses with turnover up to $500 million during COVID
- Promised to make $30,000 permanent if re-elected
This policy history directly contradicts the claim that the Coalition "quietly reduced" these tax breaks.
Some specific narrow aspect not covered in general reporting
However, as stated, the claim is factually incorrect regarding the Coalition's overall handling of this policy.
The Coalition consistently **increased** the instant asset write-off threshold throughout their 2013-2022 term, from $1,000 to $20,000, then to $25,000 and $30,000, and during COVID increased it to $150,000 and temporarily removed the cap entirely.
The Coalition consistently **increased** the instant asset write-off threshold throughout their 2013-2022 term, from $1,000 to $20,000, then to $25,000 and $30,000, and during COVID increased it to $150,000 and temporarily removed the cap entirely.