AAP FactCheck - An image of a fake Labor policy document purportedly proposing tax hikes is being shared on social media ahead of the federal election.
The supposed 'commitments' list also includes plans to generate funding for election campaigns through unions and redefine costings for renewable energy projects.
However, the image of the document is fake, and Labor has not adopted or announced any of the policies listed.
A Facebook post1 featuring the image falsely claims it shows an authentic Labor policy document.
"Albo's gearing up to tax you like crazy, if re-elected! Note the inheritance tax & negative gearing clauses....MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT Read the rest because its OUR FUTURE we're talking about here!" the caption said.
The suspicious document lists what it claimed to be Labor's 2025 election commitments, including more "taxpayer funding" for renewable energy projects and allowing union-controlled superannuation funds to access infrastructure project investments "to counteract falling union membership".
"This process will ensure that the Labor Party's election campaigns will remain fully funded by the union movement using taxpayer funds," the document said.
It also claimed Labor had purportedly committed to excluding the cost of transmission lines and toxic waste removal for wind and solar projects from all project expenses.
The document listed several taxes it claimed Labor would adopt, including a 15 per cent inheritance tax, removal of negative gearing, a 15 per cent sugar tax and a five per cent increase to the Medicare levy for people earning more than $100,000.
The suspicious document features the party's logo, but its font, formatting and design elements did not match the 2023 Australian Labor Party's National Platform2.
The official party document also does not mention any tax hikes or other policies listed in the Facebook image.
Labor ruled out negative gearing changes3 in September 2024 and death or inheritance taxes4.
A Labor spokesman confirmed the image was not authentic, telling AAP FactCheck: "This document is clearly fake."
The faked image is not new, with at least two versions on Facebook5 dating back to July 2024.
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