SENATOR DEAN SMITH LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY 19 January 2024 WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith, a member of the Coalition economic team, says the concerns of many local parents and carers have been realised due to a sharp hike in education-related costs under the Albanese Government…
It’s the time of the year when the subject of Australia’s national day, and the date on which we celebrate it, fills the airwaves and column inches. For a couple of weeks it dominates media, political and, more recently, commercial conversations. The decision by Woolworths and Aldi, among others, not to sell Australia Day-themed material…
Since being elected Prime Minister just over 18 months ago, Labor leader Anthony Albanese has tried hard to make a virtue of his visits to WA. Despite WA’s sweltering summers, when he touches down for his first visit in 2024, he should come prepared for a frosty reception. Having had a bitter taste of Labor,…
Every COP begins with a small degree of scepticism. For many critics, COP28 in Dubai was yet another UN talkfest, beginning with worldwide media coverage, conspicuous in its largesse, likely to fizzle out in disagreement and a sense of futility. Adding fuel to the scepticism was the fact that year’s host nation, the United Arab…
Every few years in Canberra, the topic of electoral reform arises and momentarily grips the attention of certain parliamentarians and public servants. These reforms can usually be distilled into three categories: amending the legal age to vote, ending compulsory voting, and increasing the size of one or both houses of Parliament. It is the last…
Topics: Perth Mint Senate Inquiry E&OE Gary Adshead Dean Smith, Liberal Senator for WA, joins me on the line. G’day, Dean. Dean Smith Good morning to you, Gary. Gary Adshead Well, I’ll tell you what, first off, let’s just go back to what AUSTRAC have decided, this enforceable undertaking that Perth Mint have agreed, and…
Whenever a history of Western Australia is written, you can be certain one word will loom heavy among the pages. That word is gold. Before the discovery of this precious metal in the 1890s, WA was a struggling outpost. The State’s sparse European population, for the most part, toiled thanklessly on the ancient lands they…
TOPICS: ACCC AVIATION MONITORING/AGRICULTURE CHINA TRADE/SENATE IR BILLS/OPTUS OUTAGE 8 NOVEMBER 2023 E&OE… BRIDGET MCKENZIE We’re able to confirm that the Treasurer of Australia has finally signed a directive to the ACCC to actually reinstate the monitoring of the aviation industry. Remembering this was recommendation four out of the Senate inquiry that actually sought to reinstate the…
Topics: Perth Mint Senate Inquiry E&OE JO TRILLING Now, Good afternoon, Senator. DEAN SMITH Good afternoon, Jo. Not quite sure what happened there, but I’m here. JO TRILLING Got you in the end, that is all that matters. Let’s start with those at the top of Perth Mint. You questioned current chair Sam Walsh and…
The resounding No vote in Saturday’s referendum is not cause for celebration. This applies not only to those who voted and campaigned for the Voice, but for the majority such as myself who voted No. Sadly, for many Australians, 2023 has been the year where families, friends, and colleagues were pulled apart by the opposing…
