Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Labor ignores competition advice, makes regional Australians pay the price

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 31 July 2024 LABOR IGNORES COMPETITION ADVICE, MAKES REGIONAL AUSTRALIANS PAY THE PRICE The collapse of Bonza and now Rex demonstrates Labor has ignored the many warning signs that Australia’s aviation industry needed urgent reform in order to sustain the green shoots of healthier aviation competition. With the announcement of Rex’s insolvency, the Labor Government has now overseen an irreversible backwards step in the competitiveness of Australia’s aviation industry with the effects likely to be felt for years to come. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission’s (ACCC) most recent domestic monitoring reports into airline competition reveal the entrance of Bonza and Rex to the aviation market were providing consumers greater choice and access to a wider range of routes – including flights to under-serviced regional areas. Rex had distinguished itself as the airline with the lowest cancellation rate, demonstrating its role in improving the competitiveness and consumer experience for air travellers. The May 2024 report noted Rex had a cancellation rate of just 0.8% compared to Qantas at 3.8%, Bonza at 3.5% Virgin Australia at 2.8% and Jetstar at 1.5%. Labor’s failure to act: In February 2024, the ACCC emphasised the importance of supporting these new entrants by urging the Labor Government to adopt a suite of aviation reforms “as soon as possible”. These reforms included measures such as improvements to the Sydney Airport Demand Management Scheme and prioritising competition as an objective for the slot management scheme. These reforms were first publicly canvassed by the ACCC in November 2023. Labor ignored the urgency of these and subsequent calls from the ACCC, and they currently remain unenacted. The failures of Bonza and Rex highlight the lack of required urgency within Labor’s Competition Review process in delivering timely improvements to aviation competition in Australia. A significant rework of Australia’s aviation market is now required if this Government still hopes to deliver productivity and wages growth, lower airfares and deliver more aviation choice. When Labor’s Competition Review was announced in August last year it was tasked with working closely with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development to consider competition issues in Australia’s aviation sector. The Labor Government should immediately demonstrate the level of effort and attention its Competition Taskforce has put into developing a pro-competition agenda for the aviation sector and explain why the Competition Taskforce has been silent to date on publicly announcing its suggested reforms to the aviation industry. Labor’s lack of attention to airline competition issues has failed every Australian airline customer, as well as the 600 employees facing potential job losses, and the hundreds of regional communities, business and community organisations dependent on regional air travel connections. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: Senator Dean Smith, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, said “Labor has been asleep at the cockpit, and the collapse of Australia’s third largest airline should be a wakeup call to accelerate its competition review process.” “Since their election, Labor has failed to implement the regulatory reforms necessary to sustain the entry of new airlines and provide enhanced aviation travel.” “The collapse of Bonza and Rex has heralded further concentration of an already over concentrated aviation sector – where 93% of the market is controlled by just two airlines.” “The events of this week demonstrate Labor’s loyalty program is restricted to protecting Australia’s aviation monopoly and not the aviation consumer.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Charities report a wasted opportunity when Australians need it most

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 19 July 2024 CHARITIES REPORT A WASTED OPPORTUNITY WHEN AUSTRALIANS NEED IT MOST Australia’s charity sector is supporting millions of households through the Albanese Government’s cost of living crisis, but it has also been fighting for its life. Battling record demand and skyrocketing overheads on Labor’s watch, it has fought through the last two years unsupported and uncertain. That uncertainty now continues with the release yesterday of the Productivity Commission’s final report, Future foundations for giving. The Report contains a drastic proposal to reshape the Deductible Gift Recipient system in Australia – and the activities of many of the nation’s charities along with it. The result, unless Labor rejects these changes, will be victory for an ideological attack on religious charities in particular. Every bit as concerning, the Report represents no immediate, meaningful pathways to growing charitable donations at a time they are desperately needed. Ideological attack The Productivity Commission itself notes “many participants also expressed significant concerns” regarding the removal of DGR status from entities including religious charities and school building funds. Despite this, it chose to ignore these concerns – the Report features six additional recommendations and one re-worded recommendation to those in the Draft Report, but the proposed DGR reforms are unchanged. Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh might have committed to maintaining the DGR status of school building funds yesterday but, given Labor’s track record of breaking promises, doubt remains. The Report now serves as a blueprint to transition school building funds, including those of thousands of public schools, out of the DGR regime whenever it suits Labor to do so. The Report recommends axing the status of a “basic religious charity” and its associated exemptions – specifically targeted at activities with the “sole purpose of advancing religion”. It prioritises instead charities focused on advocacy, including those driving social and environmental change. Dr Leigh’s silence on the future position of religious charities, among them some of the largest contributing and most trusted in Australia, leaves a noose around their necks. Fails to boost giving Labor’s goal is to double philanthropic giving in Australia by 2030 and a key purpose of the Report – noted in the Treasurer’s direction to the Productivity Commission – was to “increase opportunities for philanthropic giving”. It is debatable if the Report’s recommendations have, or will, achieve either. For a start, very few of its recommendations are specifically aimed at boosting giving. In fact, apart from recommendations removing the minimum donation threshold and coordinating distribution of funds, most are heavily focused on regulatory issues and the future administration of the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission. This is red tape over genuine improvement – something laid bare in recent Estimates hearings when Productivity Commission officials confirmed it had not even modelled how these proposed DGR changes would impact levels of giving. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “As the election approaches, Labor has failed to deliver meaningful reforms to Australia’s philanthropic sector.” “This is especially unacceptable as the sector looks for real leadership at a time when it faces unprecedented challenges. “Many will be forced to accept the work of the Productivity Commission on this as a wasted opportunity. “Despite the widespread concerns raised, the Productivity Commission has pressed ahead and presented Labor with a weapon aimed at some of our major charitable organisations in parts of this Report. “I call on Andrew Leigh to make clear which recommendations will be adopted and which won’t on an urgent basis – but, regardless, we all know this will hang over the heads of the sector and our communities while Labor remains in power. “That fact that the Report does not adequately prioritise growing giving is hugely disappointing and Labor must step in to fill this growing void. “I urge Andrew Leigh not to fall into his usual routine of round tables and studies, and instead focus on actually providing outcomes for the sector. “Labor has some clear choices here – and if they choose ideology over practicality Australians will be the losers yet again.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – WA household spending in record downturn under Labor

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 11 July 2024 WA HOUSEHOLD SPENDING IN RECORD DOWNTURN UNDER LABOR Plummeting household spending in Western Australia is the latest indicator of the state’s worsening cost-of-living crisis since the Albanese Government came to power. Australian Bureau of Statistics Data, released at the end of last week, revealed total WA household spending fell in May this year – a -0.3% drop compared to May 2023. It was the first time it had entered negative territory since February 2021, during the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The data also highlighted a -3.2% fall in discretionary household spending in the year to May 2024. Despite some smaller decreases in recent months, this May 2024 discretionary spending figure represented the largest fall recorded since June of 2020. This was led in the most part by a sharp contraction in the amount being spent by WA households on clothing (-9.4%), recreation (-6.8%) and hospitality (-4.8%). Transport expenditure was also down, falling 0.5% in the year to May 2024, which was the first negative figure for household spending on transport since February 2021 – once again, at the height of the pandemic. These latest ABS numbers confirmed the extent to which the living standards of Western Australians continue to slide under Labor. Senator Dean Smith, Liberal Senator for WA and a member of the Coalition’s Shadow Economic Team, said the declining total household spending lays bare how tough WA households are doing it on Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers’ watch. “These are numbers you cannot talk your way out of – the worst in WA since the pandemic – and reflect real local households experiencing real economic pain,” he said. ‘We’ve seen 12 interest rate rises under Labor and the RBA, which is having to act because Labor won’t, has made clear more are likely.” “When you think of the unprecedented economic challenges of COVID-19, to be experiencing similar downturns as a result of Labor’s home-grown inflation is shocking.” “Until the Albanese Government reins in spending and gets inflation under control, these sorts of figures will become the rule, not the exception, and WA households will pay the price.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Win for charities as Labor forced to commit to IR action

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE   5 July 2024   WIN FOR CHARITIES AS LABOR FORCED TO COMMIT TO IR ACTION The Australian charity sector is celebrating after a Coalition motion in the Senate put an end to Labor ignoring its concerns. A motion brought by Senator Dean Smith would’ve seen the Standing Committee on Education and Employment probe the harmful impacts of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs Better Pay) Act 2022 on the operation of charities and non-profits. But the threat of the public inquiry was enough to force the Albanese Government’s hand. The office of Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke providing a written commitment to engage with the sector on the issue only hours before the motion came to a vote. Part of this commitment was then read out by Senator Katie Gallagher in the Senate chamber. Peak bodies, including the Community Council of Australia and its members, have been working closely with the Coalition on this urgent matter. Contrast this with a complete lack of action from Labor and Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh. The sector’s concerns stem from a requirement in Labor’s legislation that staff employed on two consecutive casual contracts must then be employed on a permanent basis. This requirement is incompatible with the funding arrangements for most charities and non-profits, which operates year to year, and would place them in an impossible position moving forward. It comes as Australian charities work in overdrive to meet record demand, supporting communities impacted by the Albanese Government’s dual cost of living and cost of doing business crises. Senator Smith said that it was appalling Labor had refused to genuinely work with the sector until it was forced to. “Labor had made zero meaningful effort to address these very real and very urgent problems with its legislation,” he said. “It’s especially shocking given the sector is currently doing the Government’s heavy lifting for it.” “Fortunately, the power of the Senate is not to be underestimated and the Coalition was able to force Labor to the table.” And Senator Smith made clear that the threat of an inquiry still hangs over Labor’s head. “Andrew Leigh, Tony Burke, Katy Gallagher, are all on notice.” “If this matter isn’t resolved to the satisfaction of the charity and non-profit sector by the time Parliament sits again in August, I will bring the motion again.”   ENDS

Taylor – Howarth – Smith JMR – Coalition Forces Crucial Cost of Living Measure Back on The Agenda

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The Hon Angus Taylor MP Shadow Treasurer   The Hon Luke Howarth MP Shadow Assistant Treasurer Shadow Minister for Financial Services   Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury MEDIA RELEASE 4 July 2024 COALITION FORCES CRUCIAL COST OF LIVING MEASURE BACK ONTO THE AGENDA The Coalition has successfully forced the “game changer” Consumer Data Right (CDR) policy back onto the legislative agenda, after the Albanese Labor Government left the reforms languishing since its introduction in 2022.   After more than fourteen months dormant in the Senate without debate, despite tripartisan support for its passage, a Coalition motion has guaranteed that the CDR, a crucial cost of living relief measure, will now be considered when the Parliament returns in August.   Passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 would facilitate “action initiation” under the Consumer Data Right. The reforms would allow consumers in energy and banking to direct accredited persons to securely instruct on actions on their behalf, such as making a payment, opening and closing an account, switching providers and updating personal details.   With inflation continuing to rise and the cost of living and doing business getting worse, this “action initiation” reform should be a top priority for the Labor Government. Promoting consumer choice and greater competition is essential to bringing down prices and the CDR represents a new, secure channel for consumers to control their data and switch to a better deal.   At Senate Estimates last month in June, Senator Katy Gallagher committed to dealing with the Bill in the June sitting block. Treasury officials also provided evidence that to their knowledge “there are currently no plans to change the bill as it is”. However, the Coalition’s motion was ultimately required to force the Bill back onto the agenda.   In its bi-partisan recommendation for the Bill’s passage, the Senate Economics Legislation Committee said: “…this framework legislation will place consumers at the centre of an innovative data-sharing system that protects their privacy.” Since coming into power, the Albanese Labor Government has treated this key competition initiative with contempt by pausing expansions of the CDR into insurance, superannuation and telecommunications, and indefinitely delaying expansion into the non-bank lending sector.   BACKGROUND The Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 was first introduced into Parliament in November 2022 and received a bipartisan recommendation for its passage from the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in March 2023.   At Senate Estimates in August, Senator Katy Gallagher committed to dealing with the Bill in the June sitting block. The Government did not bring the Bill on for debate or pass the Bill.   Action initiation was originally recommended in Dr Scott Farrell’s 2020 Inquiry into Future Directions for the Consumer Data Right.   A recent Deloitte report, commissioned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, found the Australian economy would be $16.7 billion larger by 2043 if the Consumer Data Right expands beyond banking and energy sectors, with approximately 46,800 additional jobs created from the combined effect of greater competition and innovation.   ENDS

Opinion Piece – Listen to facts on nuclear – The West Australian

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July 2 If you’re reading this sentence, the chances are you will benefit from nuclear medicine at some point in your life. In fact, so crucial is nuclear medicine to diagnosing and treating common forms of cancer, statistics show that most Australians will benefit from it not once, but twice, over the course of a lifetime. These are just some of the important facts about nuclear in Australia that Labor doesn’t want you to know. But, why not? After all, it’s a national success story. And it’s a far more interesting and inspiring story than the irrational fear Labor is spreading about nuclear energy. The truth is that Australia already has a highly successful, internationally recognised nuclear energy industry, led by the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation. The Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor that ANSTO manages is one of the world’s most advanced. And no, it isn’t located in the middle of the desert, or some far-flung, uninhabited island. It’s based in Lucas Heights — a suburb in south western Sydney, less than 50km from Bondi. Have we seen Labor MPs urging the one million people who live in this area of Sydney not to drink the water, or swim in the bays and oceans? I don’t think so. But back to the work the OPAL reactor does, because it’s the real story, and it’s a national shame Labor refuses to champion it. In Senate estimates earlier this month, ANSTO’s chief executive told me that more than 12,000 doses of nuclear medicine were distributed to more than 250 clinics across the country every week by their organisation. These doses are critical in diagnosing various forms of cancer, and, in some cases, treating it. Is Labor suggesting that the thousands of people who receive nuclear imaging every year risk growing a third eye? Give me a break. On the other hand, if Anthony Albanese insists it’s so dangerous, why not ban this treatment? Labor’s nuclear hypocrisy doesn’t end there. While Anthony Albanese has been claiming nuclear is dangerous, unreliable and unaffordable, one of his own Government departments was signing international agreements advancing nuclear technology in Australia and overseas. In May, ANTSO signed a memorandum of understanding with the US National Nuclear Security Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s conference in Vienna, with both organisations promising to increase cooperation on nuclear technology and capabilities. As proof of their commitment to nuclear energy, ANTSO will soon make preparations for a new national radioactive waste management facility — a facility that may mirror businesses already operating in our own State of WA. Earlier this month, a number of Coalition colleagues and I visited Tellus Holdings Sandy Ridge radioactive waste facility in Coolgardie, which for a number of years has been safely handling, storing and disposing of the radioactive waste. It was a powerful reminder that preparations for Australia’s nuclear future are already well advanced. Anthony Albanese and Labor also like to claim that Australia doesn’t have the skills to develop a nuclear industry, which I think is punching down on the ability of Australia’s workforce. But how does he think businesses like Tellus Holdings, government organisations like ANTSO, or facilities like the OPAL reactor, are run, if not for a highly skilled workforce in nuclear safety, nuclear engineers, reactor operators, and maintenance teams? Labor’s arguments simply don’t stand up to scrutiny. If you need any more evidence, take a look at Labor’s own international colleagues. US Democrat John Kerry, who was secretary of state under Barack Obama, is an enthusiastic supporter of nuclear energy. “Facts and evidence tell us that you can’t get to net zero in 2050 without some nuclear,” he told the COP28 Conference in December. At the same conference, 22 countries promised to triple their nuclear capability by 2050, including Canada, the UK and France. The Brits, too, are racing towards nuclear energy. Take this statement, from British Labour’s current election manifesto: “Small Modular (nuclear) Reactors will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs.” John Kerry is right — the facts speak for themselves. And the fact is Anthony Albanese is hopelessly out of step on nuclear energy, which is why he’s started swinging wildly. It’s also a fact that insecurity breeds anger. Labor, on the energy front, has lots to be insecure about. Two years into their first term, the billions of dollars Labor is spending on wind and solar farms, not to mention the thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines, has had a purely negative effect on the Australian economy and energy market. Energy bills have increased, Government spending on renewable projects has fuelled inflation, and a glut has been created in Australia’s construction workforce, pushing prices up for everyone trying to build a home. After all that, Australia remains as dependent on gas and coal as it has ever been, for the simple reason that no matter who the Government is, they can’t control the weather. Real leadership means telling the truth, and admitting when you’re wrong. Australians deserve better than what they’re getting from Labor on this critical debate.

Transcript – Interview with Belinda Varischetti, ABC Country Hour

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1 July 2024 Topics: Live sheep export ban, Labor’s poor Senate transparency, Food Donation Tax Incentive Private Senator’s Bill E&OE BELINDA VARISCHETTI: WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith has been in the Senate all morning. Senator, how far has the Bill to end the live sheep trade by sea progressed through the Senate this morning? DEAN SMITH: We’ve only had one contribution on the Bill thus far, but I’m the bearer of some disappointing news. Because shortly after the Senate began, the Government sought to guillotine the Bill. So that means that contributions from Senators like myself and Senators Brockman and O’Sullivan and others will be curtailed. We’ll get an opportunity to make contributions, but perhaps not the length that we would have liked. And the final vote on the Bill will be put this evening at about 10 o’clock Canberra time. So, a really disappointing development on what has been a really disappointing, complete disregard for West Australian interests by the Labor Government. In the Senate, Labor was supported by the Greens – I don’t think any of your listeners would be surprised by that. But importantly, WA Labor Senators Glen Sterle, Louise Pratt, et cetera, didn’t stand up for WA farming communities. So, this is a really disappointing development today. I think, at a bare minimum, people should have an opportunity to put their point of view in the Senate. No surprises that Liberal and National Party Senators are strongly opposed to this and have given a very clear commitment that, if elected, we will absolutely reverse the ban. Full credit to the important work that the Keep the Sheep campaign have been doing. Quite remarkable. You know this better than many, Belinda, but quite remarkable to see a united agricultural industry view on this issue. The West Australians have been out there in full force – 1,300 at the strong convoy back at the end of May, 3,000 at Muresk. And, of course, 60,000 signatures for the Keep the Sheep campaign. So, you know, the view of Western Australians who have an affinity with the rural and regional community is very clear. I just make this point to other Western Australians who think that this is not an issue important to them. It is important that West Australians stand united with our rural and regional communities because we never know what will come under attack in the future. And I’ve always believed as a Senator representing the whole state, I’ve always believed that West Australians living in Perth and the suburbs have always had a very high regard and understood the importance of WA rural and regional communities. So, this is a really terrible set of circumstances. And the Government has an agenda. It is seeking to undermine confidence in the industry. And we know that the beneficiaries of this will be the Labor Party. Shocking set of circumstances. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: We heard just a moment ago Senator Bridget McKenzie was trying to get a Senate Inquiry into this Bill before the vote. What are the chances of that happening now if it goes to the vote at the latest by 10 o’clock this evening? DEAN SMITH: So, the way that the Senate works is that when everyone finishes their contributions, then amendments are put to the Bill or amendments to bring on inquiries are given an opportunity to be voted. So, I’ve got every confidence that Senator McKenzie’s motion to have a Senate inquiry – supported by Senator Brockman, who’s done some great work on this, Senator O’Sullivan, myself, Senator Reynolds, Senator Cash – that will be put to the Senate. And in the next few hours people should be ringing Senator Sterle, the Labor Senator from Western Australia, ringing Senator Pratt, ringing Senator Payman, who has made it very, very clear – she has demonstrated to the world that the binding caucus doesn’t always apply to Labor Senators. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: And the campaigners for Keep the Sheep are really encouraged by that move by Labor Senator Payman, crossing the floor of the Senate last week to vote for a Greens’ motion recognising a Palestinian state. Any sign any Labor Senator is prepared to do the same with this bill?   DEAN SMITH: It will be very interesting to hear Senator Sterle’s contribution. Very interesting to hear Senator Pratt’s contribution, when we get to that later this afternoon and tonight. Because, you know, Senator Payman expressed her point of view on an issue that is many thousands of miles away from Western Australia. I would hope that she would express, or have the same sort of courage to step aside, from the Labor Government’s perspective on this, that Senator Sterle and Senator Pratt and others will adopt a bit of that courage and stand up for communities that are much, much closer to them. But the Keep the Sheep delegation is here. I saw them this morning in the main entrance. They’ve been doing the rounds. Doing very, very important work, holding people accountable, because this is a very important issue that goes to the livelihoods of rural and regional towns in our community and extends beyond them. So, it’s been an important campaign, it’s been a necessary campaign. And let’s hope that some sense will prevail by the time we get to the final vote in the Senate this evening. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: And there’s no changing that vote? There’s definitely going to be a vote on this Bill by 10 o’clock this evening? DEAN SMITH: There will definitely be a vote in the Senate, beginning at 10 o’clock this evening Canberra time, yes. BELINDA VARISCHETTI: Thank you for going through the very latest coming out of the Senate today. I really appreciate that, Dean Smith. And also you’ve had your own Private Member’s Bill. I’m not sure if you’ve had a chance to actually introduce your Private Member’s Bill to Parliament yet, but this is all about offering lucrative tax concessions to encourage more farmers…