A PRE-ELECTION tax cut in this week’s Federal Budget has been likened to a free beer giveaway by Labor frontbencher Richard Marles.

The Corio MP took on Federal Industry Minister Christopher Pyne over Treasurer Scott Morrison’s reported decision to cut tax to Australians earning more than $80,000.

The Australian reported this weekend that Mr Morrison is set to change the point at which the second-highest tax bracket kicks in, which is currently $80,000.

“It reminds me of student politics where you used to be able to get a free beer at the Liberal club stand before you went in to vote — that is obviously where you learnt this tactic,” Mr Marles said on Sky News.

Mr Pyne said he would like to see tax cuts put in place quickly if they are announced.

“Obviously we want the tax cuts to start earlier rather than later should they be confirmed in the Budget, because we want middle class earners not to be moving into higher tax brackets,” Mr Pyne said.

Originally published as Marles lashes tax cuts timing