Scottish king Robert the Bruce is thought to have used the phrase “if at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again”. It seems Premier Mark McGowan and Federal Labor’s shadow assistant minister for WA, Patrick Gorman, have taken inspiration from this historic battle cry, as they conspire to trick West Australians into believing we will be ripped-off on the GST. Read the full article here >
Mark McGowan says his counterparts in the east will stop at nothing to get their hands on the State’s GST windfall, firing back at whinges from Victoria that the deal is unfair. “It’s clear other States and Territories will try anything to unwind the deal we secured,” the Premier said yesterday.
I thank you for the opportunity to be part of your World Falun Dafa Day commemorations and send you my warm greetings and support on this important occasion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlf-ODCPNcc
Patron Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs Dean Smith today opened the new West Wing Secondary Campus classrooms at Emmanuel Christian Community School in Girrawheen. The project includes 11 general learning areas and student amenities, designed to actively engage students, and featuring spacious corridors, a breezeway and break out spaces where they can gather. The Coalition Government provided $1,500,000 for the project through the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure. Senator Smith unveiled a plaque at a special ceremony attended by the School community, which included musical performances by students. The Senator, who has opened previous upgrades to the campus, said it was a pleasure to be part of this next, exciting stage in the School’s life. “It was a privilege to visit Emmanuel Christian Community School again and see the impressive new facilities that students and staff will enjoy,” Senator Smith said. “Emmanuel Christian Community School is a very special school community, a showcase of multiculturalism, and these new classrooms will further enhance the very supportive learning experience here. “Improved facilities like these new classrooms at Emmanuel Christian Community School are proof of the Coalition Government’s commitment to providing the best possible education opportunities in Perth’s northern suburbs.” More information about the Capital Grants Program is at https://www.dese.gov.au/payments-and-grants-schools/capital-grants-non-government-schools.
Revenue share Instead of fixating on Western Australia, Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas should focus on the economic policy reforms needed to reverse the decline in the GST to GDP ratio. Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas claims the current system for dividing GST revenues between the states and territories ‘‘isn’t just unfair’’ but is‘‘far worse’’ than first imagined. Read the full article here >
Future WA Liberal leaders would be elected by all Liberal Party members across the state in a bold plan to revitalise the Party and break the influence of powerbrokers. Western Australia would become the first division of the Liberal Party in the country to popularly elect its leader, rather than the leader being selected by fellow Members of Parliament. The reform plan is being championed by Chief Government Whip Senator Dean Smith in the wake of the watershed WA election and means the next Liberal leader would draw their legitimacy from a popular vote by rank-and-file Liberal Party members. “The recent election was a disaster for the WA Liberal Party and highlights the need for urgent, meaningful Party reforms to rebuild credibility and relevance with the electorate,” Senator Smith said. “The past few weeks have been a time of deep reflection for many long-standing WA Liberal Party members and what I am proposing is based on conversations with them during this time. “I believe a popularly elected WA Liberal leader will increase and empower the Liberal Party membership. “Critically, it would also put an end to a handful of powerbrokers choosing the leader and influencing the decisions they make. “This breaks the power of the powerbrokers, because a popularly elected Liberal leader would no longer be their servant, but the servant of all Liberal Party members across the state. “The Liberal Party State conference in July would the appropriate forum to launch this new process. “The reform will allow the membership to choose from long-term, committed Liberals, whether they are Members of State Parliament or not. “If the Liberal Party membership chooses somebody who is not a WA Member of Parliament, that person would lead the Party until a seat became available for them. “The practice of a leader operating from outside Parliament has already been accepted by voters elsewhere in Australia. “Campbell Newman became leader of Queensland’s LNP in 2011, despite not holding a seat in Parliament, and went on to win 78 of 89 seats in the 2012 Queensland election. “The model I am proposing, election of the leader by all party members, has been used internationally, including in Canada.” Senator Smith, who has been a WA Liberal Party member for more than 30 years, intends to seek endorsement for his bold reform plan following the review of the Party’s recent election loss. “If we fail to reform over the next few months, the future of the Liberal Party in Western Australia is in jeopardy, becoming an irrelevant political force in the minds of even our most loyal voters – who deserted us in droves at the election. “I am confident the WA Liberal Party membership will embrace my reform plan because, at its core, it is giving every member a real say in important decision making. “Now is the moment to make us more relevant, with an expanded membership that will position us to offer the electorate a credible alternative Government in 2025.”
Prime Minister Scott Morison has given an emphatic no to rolling back a GST deal that has finally delivered Western Australia its fair share of the multi-billion dollar pie. The drums have been beating loudly for change in the Eastern States media and there have also been reports of senior politicians meeting to express their discontent with current arrangements.
The fight to restore democracy in Myanmar will not be in vain. A petition against the military coup, signed by hundreds of affected people, has been given voice in the Australian Parliament. Speaking in the Senate, I assured the people of Myanmar – and Burmese communities here and around the world – that we share their aspiration for freedom and justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0GvDJomslw