LABOR’S COST OF LIVING CRISIS FORCING RECORD NUMBERS OF OLDER WESTERN AUSTRALIANS BACK TO WORK

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 28 November 2025 LABOR’S COST OF LIVING CRISIS FORCING RECORD NUMBERS OF OLDER WESTERN AUSTRALIANS BACK TO WORK New figures reveal the Albanese Government’s cost-of-living crisis is deepening in WA, with a record 35,700 Western Australians aged 70 and over now in the workforce—a staggering 31.2 per cent increase in just one year. Working into your 70s was once a choice, but under Labor it has become a financial necessity for thousands of seniors. ABS data shows one in ten Western Australians over 70 are now working, compared with one in 25 a decade ago. An additional 8,500 seniors have re-entered the workforce in the past year alone—many because they simply cannot afford to retire on fixed incomes that have been eroded by rising prices. This surge reflects the reality of life under Anthony Albanese and Labor, with relentless price hikes, soaring housing costs and a shrinking retirement buffer. Perth continues to suffer some of the highest cost pressures in the nation, recording 4.3 per cent inflation in the October quarter—the second highest of any capital city. At the same time, rents have risen 75 per cent since 2020, increasing from $400 to $700 a week and placing immense strain on older Western Australians living alone or on part pensions. Soaring property prices have added to the burden, with Perth’s median house price climbing by nearly $300,000 in three years, forcing some to delay retirement or even take on second mortgages to help their children enter the market. This mirrors a national trend, with Census data showing the number of Australians aged 55 to 64 who own their homes outright has almost halved in two decades. Research from Digital Finance Analytics reveals three-quarters of retirees with a mortgage owe more than they have in superannuation, leaving them little choice but to stay in the workforce. While some Australians choose to work longer, thousands in Western Australia are being forced to because Labor has let inflation and housing costs spiral out of control. Older Western Australians deserve security in retirement—not a Government that forces them back to work to keep up with rising bills.   Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “This surge in WA people aged over 70 returning to work is not a sign of choice—it’s a sign of worsening financial distress under Labor.” “When one in ten seniors in the West has no option but to stay in the workforce, something is fundamentally broken in the Albanese Government’s economic management.” “Stubborn inflation and Perth’s housing and rental crunch are pushing many older Western Australians to keep working long after they planned to retire.” “With three-quarters of retirees with a mortgage owe more than they have in super it is no wonder so many are delaying retirement.” “Older Western Australians deserve dignity and security in retirement, not the financial pressure that forces them back into the workforce.”

COST OF LIVING CRISIS FORCING RECORD NUMBERS OF OLDER WESTERN AUSTRALIANS BACK TO WORK

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 28 November 2025 COST OF LIVING CRISIS FORCING RECORD NUMBERS OF OLDER WESTERN AUSTRALIANS BACK TO WORK. New figures reveal a deepening cost-of-living crisis in Western Australia, with a record 35,700 Western Australians aged 70 and over now in the workforce—a staggering 31.2 per cent increase in just one year. Once, working into your 70s was a choice, but under the Albanese Labor Government it has become a financial necessity for thousands of seniors. ABS data shows one in ten Western Australians over 70 are now working, compared with one in 25 a decade ago. An additional 8,500 seniors have re-entered the workforce in the past year alone—many because they simply cannot afford to retire on fixed incomes that have been eroded by rising prices. This surge reflects the reality of life under Labor – relentless price hikes, soaring housing costs and a shrinking retirement buffer. Perth continues to suffer some of the highest cost pressures in the nation, recording 4.5 per cent inflation in the September quarter – the second highest of any capital city. At the same time, rents have surged 75 per cent since 2020, rising from $400 to $700 a week placing immense strain on older Western Australians living alone or on part pensions. Soaring property prices have added to the burden, with Perth’s median house price climbing by nearly $300,000 in three years, forcing many older Western Australians to delay retirement or take on second mortgages to help their children into the market. This mirrors a national trend with census data showing the number of Australians aged 55 to 64 who own their homes outright has almost halved in two decades. Research from Digital Finance Analytics reveals three-quarters of retirees with a mortgage owe more than they have in superannuation, leaving them little choice but to stay in the workforce. While some Australians choose to work longer, thousands in Western Australia are being forced to because Labor has let inflation, housing costs and interest rates to spiral out of control. Older Western Australians deserve dignity in retirement—not a government that forces them back to work to keep up with rising bills.   Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith “This surge in over-70s returning to work is not a sign of choice—it’s a sign of financial distress under Labor.” “When one in ten seniors has no option but to stay in the workforce, something is fundamentally broken in Canberra’s economic management.” “Perth’s skyrocketing rents and stubborn inflation are pushing older Western Australians to keep working long after they planned to retire.” “Families tell us they are helping their kids buy a first home while still paying off their own—this is the real cost of Labor’s housing crisis.” “Three-quarters of retirees with a mortgage owe more than they have in super—no wonder so many are delaying retirement.” “Older Western Australians deserve dignity and security in retirement, not the financial pressure that forces them back into the workforce.”

UNANIMOUS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORT RAISES SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS WITH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION REFORM BILL

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 20 November 2025 UNANIMOUS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORT RAISES SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS WITH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION REFORM BILL The bipartisan Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee has tabled a unanimous report raising substantial concerns about the Albanese Government’s Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, questioning its impact on individual rights, the rule of law and the level of parliamentary oversight applied to major environmental decisions. Since 1981 the Scrutiny of Bills Committee has assessed every bill before the Senate against long-standing accountability standards. The Committee operates on a non-partisan basis, and its current membership includes Coalition, Labor and Australian Greens senators, and is chaired by Liberal Senator Dean Smith. Its latest digest — agreed by all members — identifies seven major areas of concern in relation to the Environment Protection Reform Bill. The Committee has sought further explanation from the Minister on a range of issues, including the Bill’s broad and layered discretionary powers, the significant matters left to delegated legislation, the limited availability of merits review, the use of notifiable instruments that bypass full parliamentary scrutiny, and the lack of transparency around Commonwealth grants to the States and Territories. Key excerpts from the report highlight the seriousness of these issues. The Committee questions why core national environmental standards cannot be included in primary legislation, and why the Bill creates “layered discretionary powers” that shift central policy decisions from Parliament to ministerial regulation. It also warns that a broad “national interest” exemption power could be applied to “a broader range of contestable interests,” and raises concerns that penalties may be imposed without sufficient justification or consistency with comparable Commonwealth offences. On grants and spending powers, the Committee notes that delegating the establishment of new Commonwealth programs to the Executive risks undermining Parliament’s constitutional role — particularly in areas governed by section 96 of the Constitution. These findings — agreed unanimously by Government, Coalition and Greens senators — make clear that the Environment Protection Reform Bill requires significant further justification and amendment before it can meet long-standing parliamentary scrutiny standards. The Committee will consider the Minister’s responses in due course. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith, Chair of the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee “This is a unanimous report — Coalition, Labor and Greens Senators all share deep concerns about the breadth of ministerial powers and the lack of parliamentary oversight in this Bill.” “Environmental reform should strengthen accountability, not weaken it. The Parliament cannot be expected to sign off on legislation that shifts core policy decisions into delegated legislation with little explanation or justification.” “The Committee is particularly concerned by the layers of discretionary power given to the Minister. These are not small administrative matters — they are fundamental decisions that shape national environmental standards.” “The Government must explain why national environmental standards cannot be set out clearly in the primary legislation. These are enduring issues, and Parliament has a responsibility to ensure they are properly scrutinised.” “We have also raised serious questions about the use of notifiable instruments, which bypass the usual disallowance processes and leave Parliament with limited capacity for oversight.” “Delegating broad spending powers to the Executive, including potential grants to States and Territories, requires clear constitutional justification. Section 96 of the Constitution is explicit about the Parliament’s role, and the Committee expects that role to be respected.” “The Minister now has an obligation to address each of these concerns in detail. Australians deserve clarity, transparency and safeguards — not vague powers and unexplained departures from established scrutiny principles.” Key quotes from the report: Broad discretionary powers and matters in delegated legislation Page 11 1.21 Firstly, it is unclear to the committee why it is not possible for core national environmental standards to be included in the bill, given that environmental concerns are in many (if not all) respects relatively constant over time. 1.22 Secondly, the committee notes that the structure of the decision-making process envisaged in relation the Commonwealth approval process layers ministerial discretion upon ministerial discretion. The minister is given a broad power to fix, by way of regulation, the content of the national environmental standards. Having established the standards, there is a further discretionary power to prescribe which of those standards apply in relation to management or authorisation processes. It remains unclear to the committee why this structure of layered discretionary powers is necessary given the extent to which it transfers central policy matters from the bill to the regulations. In this regard, it is further noted that a rule or standard will only apply to a particular factual situation if they have relevance to that situation. The committee therefore considers that further explanation of the power to prescribe national environmental standards as irrelevant to particular processes is necessary. 1.23 Thirdly, the committee is concerned about the requirement that the minister must be satisfied that a management or authorisation framework is not inconsistent with applicable national environmental standards. This drafting seems to suggest that there is space between a framework complying with a standard and a framework not complying with the standard (i.e the framework may be not inconsistent with a standard even though it neither complies nor conflicts with the standard). The committee considers that exactly how this criterion conditioning the minister’s powers would function in practice has not been adequately explained in the explanatory memorandum and, as such, that this lack of clarity may operate to expand the scope of discretionary power available to the minister. 1.28 It is unclear to the committee why declarations or accreditations are not considered legislative in character but are nonetheless subject to a bespoke disallowance process. This approach, which appears to be novel in Commonwealth legislation, may operate to lessen the level of parliamentary scrutiny to which these matters are subjected. Broad discretionary powers Page 19 1.53 The committee notes that the national interest exemption power in proposed section 157H provides a broad ministerial discretion to…

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Homeowners in mortgage arrears nearly doubles

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 9 September 2024 HOMEOWNERS IN MORTGAGE ARREARS NEARLY DOUBLES Growing home loans, combined with the impact of 13 interest rates rises under Labor, has created a staggering increase in the number of Australians falling behind in their mortgage repayments – with WA the second worst affected state. Senator Dean Smith, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, has obtained mortgage arrears figures from the Reserve Bank of Australia revealing the significant challenges Australians are experiencing in the Albanese Government’s cost of living crisis. The RBA figures confirm that the share of borrowers in 90-day arrears has surged across all states in Australia. In some states like New South Wales and Victoria the rate of increase nearly doubled. Share of borrowers in 90-day arrears (%) NSW    VIC    QLD    WA     SA     TAS 2023   0.31   0.37   0.29   0.43   0.33   0.29 2024   0.57   0.67   0.47   0.62   0.54   0.50 Source: RBA Victoria has the highest share of borrowers in 90-day arrears at 0.67 percent, closely followed by Western Australia at 0.62 percent. The latest ABS data shows that since the low interest rates that characterised the start of the pandemic in early 2020, the average loan in Western Australia has jumped by $146,800, or 36.1 percent. It’s important to note that, during this time, the national average full-time adult weekly wage increased by just 14.2 percent, meaning income is not keeping pace with homeowner’s financial commitments. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “Once again, Australian homeowners – including those in WA – are being reminded that life isn’t easy under Anthony Albanese and Labor.” “What these new RBA numbers reveal is that many Australians are now unable to meet their monthly mortgage repayments and that is because Albanese Government cannot control its homegrown inflation, leaving the RBA to do the heavy lifting with rates rises.” “Combine these rate rises with ever growing loans caused by a housing shortage aggravated by Labor’s record and unplanned migration policies, and you have a desperate situation.” “My home state of WA is one of the worst affected by this housing crisis, with the average home up by 40% – or $174,400 – in just four years.” “Gosnells in Perth, for example, is now ranked within the top eight areas in Australia with the highest share of borrowers that have a high mortgage burden, sitting at 15 percent according to the RBA.” “The median price of a home in that suburb has also surged by 32.5%, and rents have risen by 20.8%” “This is a crisis brought on by Labor’s economic mismanagement – and Australians are hurting as a result” ENDS

Paterson, Smith, Adeniyi – Media Release – Multicultural youth swimming program will save lives and boost social cohesion

Media Releases

SENATOR JAMES PATERSON SHADOW MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND CYBER SECURITY SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY FELICIA ADENIYI LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE FOR COWAN 30 April 2025 MULTICULTURAL YOUTH SWIMMING PROGRAM WILL SAVE LIVES AND BOOST SOCIAL COHESION An elected Dutton Liberal Government will provide $150,000 over three years from a revitalised Safer Communities Fund (SCF) to support multicultural youth swimming lessons in Cowan, ensuring improved water safety and greater social integration for more than 600 local kids. Utilising Royal Life Saving WA’s 8-week ‘Swim & Survive’ program, the classes will be run from Stirling Leisure Centre – Leisurepark in Balga for up to 208 children a year, with the cost of any swimming equipment included. Liberal candidate for Cowan, Felicia Adeniyi, said this funding would help children and their families feel safer in and around the water. “This is especially important in Cowan, where a significant percentage of the population was born overseas. We know that multicultural communities are at greater risk of drowning due to cultural differences in swimming ability,” Ms Adeniyi said. “This funding is a direct response to requests from concerned families in Cowan, and particularly the Organisation of African Communities in Western Australia, given the tragic drownings that occurred in recent years.” Senator for Western Australia, Senator Dean Smith, said the swimming program also has a key role in preventing isolation and fostering greater social integration for multicultural children. “Water safety knowledge and swimming are, fortunately, part of life for the wider community, but it’s vital that multicultural families are not excluded from this,” Senator Smith said. “The swimming program will help ensure that these children can confidently and safety enjoy the same activities as everybody else in Cowan, fostering a stronger sense of community here.” Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Senator James Paterson, said under a Dutton Liberal Government, the Cowan community will be better supported. “Getting Australia back on track means keeping Australia safe – safe for families, safe for businesses, and safe for communities,” Senator Paterson said. This commitment is part of the Liberals’ plan to strengthen our local communities and get our country back on track.

Smith, Adeniyi – Media Release – $295 million for congestion-busting major road upgrades in Cowan

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA FELICIA ADENIYI LIBERAL FOR COWAN 29 April 2025 $295 MILLION FOR CONGESTION-BUSTING MAJOR ROAD UPGRADES IN COWAN An elected Liberal Government will deliver two transformational upgrades to congested major roads in Perth’s northern suburbs worth a total of $295 million. This much needed infrastructure boost means locals will spend less time on the road and have a safer driving experience. The Liberals will deliver a grade separation project at Reid Highway and Erindale Road for $225 million. $70 million has been allocated for grade separation works at Wanneroo Road and Hepburn Avenue. Liberal candidate for Cowan, Felicia Adeniyi, said that the upgrades would support residents in Hamersley, Balcatta, Westminster and Balga, as well as the thousands of motorists who use Reid Highway every day. “The northern suburbs are growing rapidly and our road infrastructure must keep up with the increased demand to avoid delays and accidents,” Ms Adeniyi said. “Many locals have made it clear this is a priority and we are committed to delivering it so people can spend less time in the car and more time doing what matters.” Senator for Western Australia, Senator Dean Smith, said that the upgrades would improve road safety at some of Perth’s busiest intersections. “These are incredibly busy roads and the upgrades will ensure they are fit for purpose in this dymamic, expanding part of the city,” Senator Smith said. “This significant commitment is confirmation the Liberals understands the needs – and potential – of Cowan and its motorists.” ENDS

Smith, Reynolds, Adeniyi – Media Release – Delivering world-class facilities for Wanneroo Rugby Union Club

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA SENATOR LINDA REYNOLDS LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA FELICIA ADENIYI LIBERAL FOR COWAN 12 April 2025 DELIVERING WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES FOR WANNEROO RUGBY UNION CLUB An elected Liberal Government will provide $4 million towards the redevelopment and expansion of the Wanneroo Rugby Union Club, ensuring that the club remains a hub for grassroots and elite-level rugby in Perth’s northern suburbs. Liberal candidate for Cowan, Felicia Adeniyi, secured this commitment to ensure local athletes, families, and community groups can enjoy improved sporting opportunities and facilities. “The club has long been a mainstay of Western Australia’s rugby community, but its current facilities have become outdated and no longer meet the demands of a growing player base, including in the rapidly expanding women’s rugby competition,” said Ms Adeniyi. “This investment will ensure that the club can expand and modernise its infrastructure to cater to increased membership.” The upgrades will include: New female change rooms to support the club’s growing women’s teams, providing a professional space for training and game days. Improved spectator amenities to enhance the game-day experience for families, fans, and visiting teams. A high-performance training academy, aimed at developing the next generation of elite rugby players, supporting pathways into professional and national teams. The club’s redevelopment will help attract visiting teams for training camps and tournaments, boost the local economy, and raise the profile of rugby players in the local area. Senator Dean Smith and Senator Linda Reynolds both welcomed the announcement. “Sport is at the heart of our northern suburbs lifestyle and this investment will ensure that the club remains a centre for rugby excellence in WA, attracting locals and interstate and international teams,” Senator Smith said. “It is also advantageous timing ahead of the 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups, where professional teams will be looking for high-quality training facilities,” said Senator Smith. “This funding recognises the key role the club plays in our local sporting and social life, and will enable it to deliver improved services to athletes and their supporters,” Senator Reynolds said. “This redevelopment will not only enhance the playing experience for athletes and sports enthusiasts, helping them to reach their full potential, but also drive economic benefits through use by professional teams and for events,” said Senator Reynolds. This commitment is part of the Liberals’ plan to strengthen our local communities and get Australia back on track. To read more about our plan, visit https://www.liberal.org.au/our-plan. ENDS

Senator Dean Smith – Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Transcript – Interview with Gary Adshead, ABC Drive

Transcripts

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA TRANSCRIPT – INTERVIEW WITH GARY ADSHEAD, ABC PERTH DRIVE Topics – Leader’s debate; polls, early voting; defence spending; EV subsidies E&OE GARY ADSHEAD And we have in Canberra Dean Smith, the Liberal Senator firebrand, as we like to call him. DEAN SMITH G’day to you, Gary and Madeleine. MADELEINE KING Why don’t you put that on a t-shirt, Gary? DEAN SMITH I thought you might ask me what I’m doing in Canberra when I should be somewhere at pre poll? MADELEINE KING Well, I was going to just let that slide by. GARY ADSHEAD Well, I just thought it must be sort of secret business. I wasn’t going to ask, Dean. But you’re not going to tell us. DEAN SMITH I’ve been participating in a debate with Andrew Leigh, who is Labor’s charity spokesman, at the National Press Club. And, of course, the flights don’t line up. But I’ll be back in town tomorrow. So, you’ll see me out on the pre poll in the Northern Suburbs. GARY ADSHEAD Excellent. Alright. How’d the debate go? Did you have a win? DEAN SMITH Debates are so hard to know when you’re in the thick of it. I think there is one rule of thumb, though. If no one comes up to you after the debate, you haven’t performed very well. If people do come up and introduce themselves, you think, okay, I didn’t do too badly. But people came up and asked me some questions. GARY ADSHEAD Well, there you go. Now this was last night. This was the debate that was on Nine, of course, between Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese. I’ll get your reaction to what was said here. (RECORDING) ANTHONY ALBANESE You ripped $80,000,000,000 out of those two items in February 2014. (RECORDING) PETER DUTTON Prime Minister, you couldn’t lie straight in bed, honestly. This is unbelievable. (RECORDING) ANTHONY ALBANESE Well, you can go to abuse, you can… (RECORDING) PETER DUTTON Well, it’s just the reality. It’s just the reality. (RECORDING) ANTHONY ALBANESE That’s a sign of desperation, Peter, frankly. As is lying. That’s a sign of desperation. (RECORDING) PETER DUTTON Go to the February 2014 budget papers. People can do that online. It’s all available for all to see. (RECORDING) ALLY LANGDON Okay. I feel like we’ve given a fair bit of latitude here. I mean, let’s see what’s – I think we’re done with this one. GARY ADSHEAD Ally Langdon there finding out what it’s like to sometimes control politicians who are either face to face or not. Now listen, Dean Smith, is the Prime Minister a liar? Is he? DEAN SMITH Well, last night’s debate was a clear win for Peter Dutton. We saw strength of character. I thought that Peter was very quick off the blocks, drawing attention to Labor lies around nuclear costs, power prices, Medicare. I thought it was great to hear Peter populating his arguments with cost-of-living statistics, with some important data. So, I thought it was a clear win for Peter Dutton. Some of the commentary in today’s papers reinforced that view as well. It is the third debate. I think there’s one more debate on the fourth Sunday. So, I think, certainly, someone like myself was really encouraged by it. GARY ADSHEAD Right. Okay. I think that might have been the fourth, to be honest. But, Madeleine, who won that debate, do you think? MADELEINE KING Well, I mean, I, I can’t really tell how Dean judges the winner of the debate. So, who chats with someone after? It is really difficult to tell. But from that, what we heard then is, it did sound a little bit unhinged, a little bit desperate from Peter Dunton. But what I would say about these debates, and especially this level of debate between a Prime Minister and someone hoping to be Prime Minister, is the enormous amount of pressure both of these leaders are under. And I don’t know about you, Dean, and you’ve been in a debate at the Press Club today with Andrew Leigh, who’s also a very competent Member of Parliament. You can hardly imagine the level of pressure both of these men are under. So I have a lot of respect for both of them for doing it, but I think the Prime Minister is clearly much better prepared and well-practiced in in debates because he’s been in front of the media consistently, openly and honestly for much longer than Peter Dutton. I think it shows in the past debates and again last night, but, you know, I would say hats off to everyone who participates. DEAN SMITH But there was a very interesting part of the debate, Madeleine, when the Prime Minister was asked to talk about whether people will be better off in the next three years based on what he said in Perth back in May 2022, that people would be better off under Labor. And his response was, we certainly want people to be better off in three years’ time. Hardly a vote of confidence. GARY ADSHEAD Well, out of interest… MADELEINE KING I would say everyone knows that they will be better off under a Labor government because… DEAN SMITH But he said we want people to be better off – hardly a vote of confidence. MADELEINE KING Cheaper medical care and cheaper medicines are going to be put on the chopping block… GARY ADSHEAD Are you worried about the polling, Dean Smith? Are you worried about it? Because, I mean, the, the Australian’s front page has got another news poll that says that one of the interesting factors at the moment is the switch off of women from Peter Dutton. DEAN SMITH You’ve heard it said, Gary, but we will know the outcome on Saturday, the 3rd of May. There’s a lot of business to be made, lots of papers to be printed speculating about…

Senator Dean Smith – Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Address – National Press Club

Speeches

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA ADDRESS – CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS PRE-ELECTION FORUM – NATIONAL PRESS CLUB 23 April 2025 ***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY*** INTRODUCTION Thank you, Julie – and thank you to both our sponsors and all of you from across the Australian charity and not-for-profit sector joining us today. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this vital conversation with you. Since becoming Opposition charities spokesman, my door has been wide open to the sector – listening to your challenges and sharing your hopes for the future. And I have been out in the community, starting with visits in late 2022 and early 2023 to Adelaide, Moree and WA’s Kimberley region, to name just a few locations. The challenges organisations faced were real and the need for practical solutions was, and continues to be, urgent. Three years have now passed under the Albanese Labor Government. I have been visiting many charities again recently – in Queensland, Western Sydney, the Mornington Peninsula – especially those with a focus on food relief. Their situation has not improved. After three years of this Government, it is more desperate than ever. Labor policies heralded three years ago have been allowed to lag, practical initiatives are nowhere to be seen, and process has been dressed up as outcomes. The sector has been left to feed, clothe, house and counsel record numbers of Australians – many of them for the first time – through the Government’s cost of living crisis. Our charities and not-for-profits are, in many cases, literally keeping people and communities alive. And while the Albanese Government remains in power, they are doing it alone. FOOD RELIEF CHARITY FUNDING That is why I was in Brisbane’s south last week with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, announcing $19.5 million from an elected Liberal Government to build a new Foodbank Queensland distribution centre. It is part of a $69.5 million commitment to the food relief sector over four years from the 1st of July this year. The $50 million announced in the Budget in Reply will be made up of: $20 million over one year – $10 million to the three nationally funded food relief charities of Foodbank, OzHarvest and SecondBite and $10m for other charities also providing these services around the country – for the new freezer or delivery truck they desperately need; and $10 million annually for three years from 1 July 2026 for Foodbank, OzHarvest and SecondBite. The Coalition believes it is significant, immediate initiatives such as these that will changed the lived experiences of local charities, volunteers and those in need. THE SECTOR AND ECONOMY UNDER LABOR I don’t need to tell you that the sector and its clients are doing it tough – you are living it. But look at the numbers. Real household disposable income has collapsed by 8 percent under the Albanese Government and ABS statistics reveals basic foodstuffs, including bread, breakfast cereals, fruit, eggs, cheese and cooking oils all jumped in price by more 20 percent. Nearly 2 million households experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months, more than half with at least one person in paid work. And RBA data confirms the number of Australian mortgage holders running at least three months late on their repayments has increased in every state and the ACT during the past couple of years. MISSED OPPORTUNITIES There has been opportunity alongside the challenges – opportunity for genuine reform, to improve giving, to build a stronger sector by making it easier, rather than harder, for charities and not-for-profits to operate. These are goals we all support. Frustratingly, these opportunities have largely been lost. Great expectation surrounded the Productivity Commission’s efforts and the ambition of doubling philanthropic giving by 2030, but the Report was underwhelming. At best, it represents refinement over transformation – but its work is not completely lost. Many of you will be interested in how to progress the proposed DGR system reforms and the Coalition will listen intently to your position. But it is also important to recognise that the Report expressed some caution, noting that “making assessments about which classes of charitable activities should be within the scope of the DGR system is challenging, subjective and contestable”. Key policy makers, including the Government and Opposition, have rejected commendations affecting the DGR status of school building funds. And, importantly, the Report also observed that “the effects on the overall level of giving are expected to be relatively modest” – adding there would be a net fiscal cost to the Budget. DGR reform is still very much a work in progress, but the real opportunity for transformation is not with the DGR but through philanthropic giving. The Coalition has a strong record of tangible policies to support philanthropy, including: introduction of prescribed private funds by the Howard Government; and provision of DGR status to 28 entities associated with community foundations by the Morrison Government. It is to the philanthropic part of the giving equation that the political effort must be applied if we are to realise a genuinely new world of giving in this country. The Coalition’s first step will be to engage with the Fundraising Institute and Philanthropy Australia on a clear, agreed plan to uplift giving. The ‘Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint’ will also be top of mind for many in the room. Let me tell you that the Coalition understands: the need for a plan that looks to the medium and longer term; the importance of strengthening relationships between government and the not-for-profit sector; that effectiveness depends on an enabling environment; and the centrality of decisions around funding and procurement. I commit that an elected Coalition Government will engage in comprehensive consultation with the sector on the Blueprint across all its 18 key initiatives. But more than this, I announce today that a Coalition Government would escalate our consultation with the sector by convening two Ministerial-level round-table discussions within the first six months of being elected. The…

Dutton, Sukkar, Smith, Evans – Media Release – Coalition Commits Funding to New Foodbank QLD Distribution Centre

Media Releases

THE HON PETER DUTTON MP LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY MR TREVOR EVANS LIBERAL NATIONAL PARTY CANDIDATE FOR BRISBANE COALITION COMMITS FUNDING TO NEW FOODBANK QUEENSLAND DISTRIBUTION CENTRE An elected Dutton Coalition Government will commit $19.5 million for Foodbank Queensland to establish a new distribution centre in South East Queensland to deliver more critical food relief services across the state. This builds on the Leader of the Opposition’s announcement in his Budget-in-Reply speech of $50 million to help food charities – like Foodbank, SecondBite and OzHarvest – to expand their services, including school breakfast programs, to support Australians struggling under Labor’s cost of living crisis. Foodbank Queensland currently delivers over 13 million kilograms of food every year from its facility in Morningside, providing food to over 425 charities to assist families impacted by food insecurity. It also runs School Breakfast Programs in 425 schools, giving children access to a healthy breakfast and making sure they do not attend school feeling hungry. A new Foodbank Queensland Distribution Centre will include: 4,500 pallet spaces, which is triple the current volume; temperature-controlled zones allowing for enhanced food safety, quality and extending the shelf life of ambient, chilled and frozen products; dedicated areas for safe and efficient food delivery and dispatch; and multipurpose training space and office space for volunteers and staff. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, who visited Foodbank’s Morningside site today, said this announcement highlighted the Coalition’s commitment to helping those in need. “Under Labor’s cost of living crisis, we know that charities are experiencing increased demand, including from Australians who have never previously relied on that support. Families are having to make difficult choices about whether they can afford the necessities like food, rent and medicine. The Coalition is committed to making life easier for all Australians, and ensuring our most vulnerable can access the support they need.” Shadow Minister for Social Services, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP said nearly 2 million Australian households of all age groups and demographics have experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months. “Under the Albanese Labor Government, Australians are experiencing the worst collapse in living standards in history. Real household disposable income has plummeted by 8 per cent, and the price of everything has soared by more than 10 per cent since the last election. “Unlike Labor, we have listened to the sector and know Australians need increased support now. Only a Coalition has a plan to fix Labor’s cost of living crisis and get Australia back on track.” Shadow Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Senator Dean Smith, noted that Foodbank had reported that around 700,000 Queensland households experienced food insecurity last year, including 22% of households earning more than $95,000 and 25% of mortgage holders. “This significant investment in food relief will make a real difference on the ground where people are doing it tough. The new Foodbank Queensland Distribution Centre will be three times the size of the current facility, enabling Foodbank Queensland to expand its services to more families in crisis, including in regional and remote areas, and expand the School Breakfast Program.” Liberal National candidate for Brisbane, Mr Trevor Evans, said “People in Brisbane are doing it really tough right now, and it’s the same story for community and volunteer organisations like Foodbank. I’m really proud that this funding commitment will go some way to getting better outcomes and support for some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable people.” Only the Coalition has a plan to fix Labor’s cost of living crisis and get Australia back on track. 14 April 2025 MORNINGSIDE, QLD