Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Charities and hungry Australians they support “crying out for help” under Labor

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 19 November 2024 CHARITIES AND HUNGRY AUSTRALIANS THEY SUPPORT “CRYING OUT FOR HELP” UNDER LABOR Labor’s cost-of-living crisis has seen millions of Australians unable to afford food and other basic necessities – leaving charities struggling to meet demand and making a mockery of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s promise the nation would be better off under his Government. The recently released final report of the Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living, reflecting almost two years of hearings around Australia, paints a shocking picture of hardship for households and charities alike, noting “The sector is crying out for help”. Leading charities and not for profits told the Committee of the “severe food insecurity” affecting record numbers of Australians, with Anglicare Sydney working with families where parents were forced to go hungry so their children could eat. Foodbank was among the organisations that shared insights into skyrocketing demand, noting that only 6,000 people searched their website for food relief access in August 2022 compared to 25,000 in May this year. The rising cost of goods and services has meant that Australians who have never required charitable support are now reaching out for it. The report confirms that, for the first time, charities’ clients include dual income households and mortgage holders. A combination of growing mortgage stress, high grocery prices – coupled with shrinkflation – and price increases across many other essential categories, has meant that nobody is safe from Labor’s homegrown inflation. The report also found that charities and not for profits are themselves operating in a compromised environment, with less donations and greater overheads, as well as reduced access to volunteers. Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock acknowledged this inflationary challenge for the charity sector in evidence to the Committee, noting that “it’s inflation which is compounding this whole issue…they don’t have the money to buy essentials”. Labor and its economic mismanagement are responsible for this situation and its effect on millions of Australian households and businesses, so the Albanese Government’s rejection of a practical proposal to boost food donations to charity is particularly outrageous. One of the key recommendations of the report was that Labor support passage of Senator Dean Smith’s Private Senators Bill, the Tax Laws Amendment (Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations) Bill 2024. The Bill would introduce a tax incentive to offset the cost of donating food, providing desperately needed support to hungry Australians and the food relief charities they rely on. It also assists farmers and other food producers affected by Labor’s tandem cost of doing business crisis. The report observes “Of all the committee’s recommendations, these are among the most urgent, given people are foregoing food because they do not have enough money to buy groceries and eat.” But, despite this urgency, and widespread endorsement, the Albanese Government signalled last week that it opposes the Bill. Disappointing as it is, it’s an unsurprising move from a Government that has consistently failed to address both the cause and effects of a cost of living crisis of its own making. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The cost-of-living committee has pulled back the curtains on the struggle and suffering Labor is inflicting on the Australian people, including increasing food insecurity.” “Our charities and not for profits have never worked harder, or been more needed – this report confirms that – yet the Government ignores its recommendation to support a practical initiative to reduce hunger and support charities.” “Australian voters must hold the Government to account for its broken promises and the toll its incompetence has taken on households and businesses.” ENDS

Hume, Smith & Canavan – Media Release – National Crisis Needs National Response

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SENATOR THE HON JANE HUME SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCE CHAIR OF THE COST OF LIVING COMMITTEE SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR THE HON MATT CANAVAN SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND MEDIA RELEASE Monday 18 November 2024   NATIONAL CRISIS NEEDS NATIONAL RESPONSE Following a two year inquiry, the Cost of Living Committee has found that Australians’ standards of living have collapsed due to Labor’s high inflation and low productivity. The Committee’s final report, Paying the Price: The Cost of a Crisis on Australians’ Standards of Living makes an additional nine recommendations to the Albanese Government, on top of the 14 that remained unactioned from the Second Interim Report. In response to the overwhelming evidence that Australia’s inflation crisis is homegrown, the Committee has called for the Albanese Government to show leadership and convene National Cabinet to address excessive government spending that is driving inflation. In addition, the Committee has found that Australians’ falling standards of living needs an active response from Government. The Report found that Labor’s anti-productivity red tape agenda was contributing to the cost of living crisis, driving up costs for small businesses and prices for consumers. For that reason, the Committee also recommended the Albanese Government to convene National Cabinet to develop productivity-enhancing reforms for the economy, including establishing a national deregulation agenda. Chair of the Committee Senator Jane Hume said that two years of evidence has overwhelmingly shown that Australians are worse off under Labor. “High inflation has eaten away at the standard of living for Australians, and is the driving force of this cost of living crisis. “Anthony Albanese must call a National Cabinet to address the excessive government spending from all levels of Government, to help address our homegrown inflation crisis. “Sadly, the Prime Minister and his Labor colleagues have been gutless in their response. “If Labor was serious about lowering the cost of living and restoring our standards of living, they would show leadership and act on these recommendations.” Senator Dean Smith, whose Private Senator’s Bill to encourage donations to food charities and slash food waste was endorsed by the report, said Labor needs to focus on people rather than politics. “A food donation tax incentive is the highest policy priority for food relief charities and the hungry households they support, but despite two and half years of very public advocacy to deliver it, Labor continues to turn a blind eye. “I call on the Albanese Government to put people first and reverse its decision to oppose this sensible and practical solution, which will help to address record food stress across the country – especially as Christmas approaches. “Labor’s cost of living crisis has hit charities and not for profits very hard, with many overwhelmed by a combination of skyrocketing demand for services and dramatically increased operating costs.” Senator Matt Canavan said Labor had abandoned Australians across the country by focussing on their pet projects and keeping cosy relationships, instead of the cost of living crisis. “For two and a half years we have seen nothing but wrong priorities from Anthony Albanese and his Government. “Families and small businesses, particularly those in regional and rural Australia, have been forgotten by Labor, and as we heard throughout the Committee it is those communities who are doing it incredibly tough. “It’s time we saw some action from Labor on the cost of living and I urge the Albanese Government to adopt these recommendations as a matter of priority.” The Final Report is available online here. ENDS

Taylor and Smith – Joint Media Release – Labor’s opportunity to improve record of competition failure

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The Hon Angus Taylor MP – Shadow Treasurer – Member for Hume Senator Dean Smith – Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Senator for Western Australia MEDIA RELEASE 15 November 2024 LABOR’S OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE RECORD OF COMPETITION FAILURE The Albanese Government has been given the chance to finally deliver meaningful competition reform for Australian businesses and consumers – having repeatedly failed to do so. In a Senate Economics Committee report released today, the Coalition has made clear while it endorses the legislation – the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024 – the success of the new regime hinges on Labor’s ability to successfully implement it. On that score, the Albanese Government’s record counts against it, having shown poor stewardship of complex policy matters, mismanaged the economy, and dragged its feet on key competition initiatives – including supermarket reforms, the Consumer Data Right and the News Media Bargaining Code. The Coalition stressed the need for a balanced and transparent implementation process that monitors costs, reports regularly on progress, and focuses most heavily on sectors where market concentration is problematic. It echoed the concerns of many stakeholders that the economy-wide nature of the new framework risks burdening small and medium businesses with potentially high compliance costs and red tape, neither of which they are in a position to manage – and stifling investment and innovation as a result. This regime also represents a major challenge for the ACCC, demanding considerable resources and, in many ways, a shift in direction. The Coalition noted in its comments that, while it absolutely supports the ACCC’s work in achieving better competition outcomes, future increases to funding and staff – including to deliver the mandatory reporting framework – must be justified by its success. Stakeholder concerns over implementation risks, including delays in processing merger applications and the need for constant consultation to review thresholds and other settings were reflected in the Coalition’s recommendations. These closely reflected proposals to improve implementation from the Business Council of Australia and include regular publication of KPIs to measure how the regime is performing and the establishment of an expert implementation panel. Comments attributable to Mr Taylor: “The Coalition is committed to competition reform that enhances growth, delivers real benefits for Australian consumers and businesses and, most important of all, puts the customer in charge. “The customer is the best regulator in the industry, but they can only do that if they have competition and if they have choice. That’s why a robust competition framework is essential, but it can’t become sludge and red tape. “Australians and Australian businesses have good reason to doubt this government’s ability to implement complex policy. Under Labor the price of almost everything has gone up. “The Coalition will always stand ready to work towards balanced, targeted solutions that will strengthen competition where it is most needed, supporting growth, innovation and, most of all, the prosperity and choices of all Australians.” Comments attributable to Senator Smith: “The Coalition is supporting this legislation in good faith, because we want to see competition improve in concentrated sectors of the economy like aviation and the supermarkets. “Labor must ensure that the implementation of this new regime is efficient, responsive and transparent – something it has not been able to deliver with other policy rollouts. “Stakeholders have made clear that there are risks associated with this framework if it is poorly implemented and our recommendations reflect their informed suggestions for how to mitigate those risks.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Labor puts politics before hungry Australians

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 15 November 2024   LABOR PUTS POLITICS BEFORE HUNGRY AUSTRALIANS   Labor has abandoned vulnerable households and the food relief charities supporting them as Christmas fast approaches. In a Senate Economics Committee report released today, the Albanese Government signalled it would reject proposed legislation incentivising food donations and reducing waste at a time when both are desperately needed. Labor’s ongoing cost of living crisis has resulted in more than 2 million – or 19 percent – of Australian households experiencing severe food insecurity during the past year. 82 percent of those households reported increased living expenses as a contributing factor. Meanwhile, more than 7.6 million tonnes of food, most of it fit for consumption, are dumped annually because it is cheaper than donating it. The Tax Laws Amendment (Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations) Bill 2024, introduced as a Private Senator’s Bill by Senator Dean Smith, offers tax offsets for expenses incurred through donations to food relief charities. In opposing it, Labor has ignored both years of advocacy for a food donation tax incentive and the recommendations of multiple Senate inquiries – including those run by its own committees. A letter of support for the tax incentive, signed by more than 60 food industry organisations and companies, was sent to Treasurer Jim Chalmers in March 2023. That letter remains unanswered. The Labor-led House Standing Committee on Agriculture recommended a food donation tax incentive in a report a full year ago and passage of the Bill is a recommendation of the Senate Cost of Living Committee’s final report, which was released today. Labor has not only failed to act but is blocking the efforts of those trying to. The Albanese Government’s position is at odds with the overwhelming support received from stakeholders and witnesses who appeared at a Canberra public hearing into the Bill last month, during which food relief charities and industry organisations stressed the urgency of delivering the tax incentive. They observed the “game-changer” potential of the Bill, and its ability to support struggling households, charities fighting to meet demand, and farmers and other primary producers battling Labor’s cost of doing business crisis. Some enhancements to the Bill were suggested by stakeholders and experts, including the Food Relief Sector and KPMG, who observed that definitions in the Bill excluded both potential donors and charities from being able to access its benefits, and that thresholds needed to be increased to reflect the high turnover but low profits of many farmers. To address this, the Coalition recommended in the report that these enhancements be seriously considered subject to budgetary implications. Concerns were also raised about the possibility of the major supermarkets using the tax incentive, despite both Coles and Woolworths confirming in writing that they would not. Given current public expectations regarding the supermarket sector, the Coalition still recommended an amendment to the Bill specifically excluding signatories to the Mandatory Food and Grocery Code, which will include the major supermarkets. Perhaps worst of all, Labor used the report to attack the charitable organisations it continues to slap in the face – expressing a view that the Bill “preferences” large food relief charities at the expense of others. The Coalition’s final recommendation in the report was for Labor, given it had rejected this opportunity to support those in need, finally introduce its own alternative policy to boost food donations and reduce dumping. Until that happens, Australians will continue to suffer under the Albanese Government. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The cost-of-living crisis that Labor has failed to address has caused pain across the community, with record food insecurity one of the most visible and urgent examples.” “Labor has shown its true colours in this report, revealing just how little it cares for Australian charities and the millions of people they are trying to feed.” “The Government has failed to act and now it blocks others from doing so, and it needs to explain to 2 million hungry Australians why it puts politics ahead of helping them.” ENDS

JMR – Howarth / Smith – Labor Still Cannot Explain CDR Hold Up

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The Hon Luke Howarth MP Shadow Assistant Treasurer Shadow Minister for Financial Services Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Liberal Senator for Western Australia JOINT MEDIA RELEASE 8 November 2024 LABOR STILL CANNOT EXPLAIN CDR HOLD UP The Coalition is urging Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones to progress the rollout of the Consumer Data Right (CDR) as quickly as possible. As well as finally delivering on this long-overdue commitment, it would make up for some of the precious time lost through Labor’s 14-month delay in legislating the competition reform. Under questioning from Senator Dean Smith during a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra, Treasury officials confirmed that an important component of the CDR – consent and operational enhancement rules – have been drafted and delivered to the Assistant Treasurer for approval. However, it was also revealed that these rules remain on Mr Jones’ desk, with Treasury unable to move ahead with finalising them. Asked if the Assistant Treasurer would be dealing with these matters expeditiously, Senator Gallagher’s reply will give little comfort to frustrated stakeholders and consumers: “I can’t answer on behalf of him, but I would expect so. You know, that is his approach. He is a hard-working Minister with a lot on his plate.” The latest delay comes after legislation to support the CDR languished for fourteen months in the Senate without debate under Labor. It was only forced onto the Albanese Government’s legislative agenda in July 2024 after sustained Coalition pressure led by Shadow Assistant Treasurer Luke Howarth and Shadow Assistant Competition Minister Senator Dean Smith. Finally passed the following month, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 paves the way for consumers to direct accredited representatives to make secure instructions on their behalf, including ordering payments, opening and closing accounts, switching providers and updating personal details. Senator Smith took the opportunity to query “why there was such a significant delay to the Bill being debated and then finally passed in the Senate?”. Senator Gallagher remarked only that “There is a lot of consideration is given to the legislative program.” Now, after presiding over another hold up that it cannot, or will not, explain – and with the Assistant Treasurer having assured guests at an event in August that Labor was prioritising the initiative and “backing the CDR” to be “the system of choice” – the go-slow continues. Questioned whether concerns related to the Privacy Act were contributing to the delays, Treasury officials said “It’s not affecting our current planning and delivery and commitment of this.” It prompted Senator Smith to ask what many impacted parties are also asking: “If that is the case, why is there still a delay?” The answer, once again, is the Albanese Government itself. With the next election less than six months away, the window of opportunity to implement these reforms in the current Parliament is rapidly closing. Labor will have failed to advance a bipartisan and universally endorsed competition measure that is desperately needed by Australian consumers and businesses in the cost of living crisis. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb released statistics on CDR usage for the first time last week, painting a clear picture of the strong demand for it across the country. It rests with the Assistant Treasurer to finally begin acting with the urgency the CDR deserves. ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Terror linked Australian charities investigated and antisemitism on the rise

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 8 November 2024   TERROR LINKED AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES INVESTIGATED AND ANTISEMITISM ON THE RISE Since the October 7 attacks last year, there have been eight investigations into Australian charities over concerns they are supporting terrorism. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission confirmed the investigations during a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra last night. ACNC officials said a total of 146 complaints relating to 26 charities have been received since the conflict began – with 11 complaints related to terrorism or terrorism funding. Eight of those 11 complaints have been investigated, three of them now finalised and five ongoing. The ACNC took on notice whether the finalised investigations had resulted in action being taken against the charities involved. Questioning from Coalition Charities spokesman Senator Dean Smith revealed that while none of the charities investigated had specifically been accused of involvement in antisemitic activities, it has been a growing issue following October 7. “We had not had concerns raised around antisemitic behaviour prior to the conflict, that is a new area,” officials reported. The ACNC told the hearing that its existing protocols are capable of dealing with complaints or investigations regarding antisemitism, adding that it works holistically with other regulators to determine which is best placed to manage individual concerns. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “When I first requested data on complaints of terror-related activity by Australian charities in June, it was 51 – the fact that has now jumped to 146 is a clear indication this is a rapidly escalating issue.” “Australians rightly view the majority of our charity sector as doing an outstanding and credible job to support the community, so they will be confronted to hear that local charities are being investigated for alleged terror links.” “The ACNC’s confirmation that antisemitic behaviour has emerged as an issue since October 7 is proof of how serious and widespread this problem has become in Australian life.” “I urge everybody – and especially Labor and Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh – to pay the closest attention to these serious issues for the sector.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – No Relief for Australian Shoppers This Christmas Holidays

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SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 07 November 2024   NO RELIEF FOR AUSTRALIAN SHOPPERS THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS There’ll be no price relief at the checkout this Christmas and summer holidays thanks to Labor’s go slow on supermarkets reform. Treasury officials confirmed during Senate Estimates that Albanese Government initiatives aimed at lowering grocery prices won’t be implemented until April 2025. Senator Smith requested a timeline for changes to the Food and Grocery Code and other recommendations of the Emerson Review agreed to by the Government. Officials confirmed a mandatory Food and Grocery Code would not come into force until 1 April 2025 – and that the anonymous complaints mechanism and new Code Supervisor would only be operational once the mandatory Code was implemented. They also confirmed consultation on Unit Pricing Code reforms announced by the Prime Minister on 2 October would not begin until the first quarter of next year, with the reforms themselves not expected until later in 2025. Despite the Government announcing in June that it would accept all recommendations of the Emerson Review, Treasury stated none of Labor’s various initiatives to improve competition and transparency in the Australian supermarket sector would be operational before April 2025. The result is that Australian consumers already battling the cost of living crisis are left exposed at what is traditionally one of the most expensive times of the year. As the Reserve Bank of Australia noted in its Statement on Monetary Policy released this week, “underlying inflation remains too high” and any reduction in food and grocery inflation has been brought on by “current demand conditions”. So as shoppers begin to spend more in preparation for the Festive Season, they are likely to face increased price pressure – all without any remedy from the Albanese Government and its stalled policies. Given Labor announced it would accept all recommendations of the Emerson Review in June this year, it will be almost 12 months before it is implemented. This makes no allowance for the upcoming election, which could be as early as March or late as May, and which risks blowing out the implementation date further still. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “Labor is taking Australians for April fools with these delayed reforms, which are desperately needed now rather than April next year – if we even see them then.” “As Christmas approaches, with ample evidence of food stress and Australians doing it tough, the Albanese Government has left Australian shoppers without grocery price relief when they need it most.” “Contrast this to the Coalition’s clear, targeted policy to improve supermarket sector competition and deliver improved outcomes for both consumers and suppliers.” “Jim Chalmers, Andrew Leigh, and the entire Albanese Government must now explain to Australians why its Christmas gift to the nation is higher grocery prices.”   ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Labor Forced to Amend Employment Laws in Major Win for Charities

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 05 November 2024 LABOR FORCED TO AMEND EMPLOYMENT LAWS IN MAJOR WIN FOR CHARITIES The Albanese Government has folded to pressure from the Coalition and Australian charities sector, exempting charities from contracting requirements that would have made their future impossible – at least for now. Under the Fair Work Legislation Amendments (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022, staff on fixed-term contracts cannot have them extended more than once, meaning they either had to be employed on a permanent basis or leave the organisation. This was incompatible with the way many charities receive their funding, which is generally once a year, with staff employed on short-term contracts to reflect this. Appeals by negatively impacted charities and community organisations across the country, largely led by the Community Council of Australia, fell on typically deaf ears with Labor. It was characteristic of the Albanese Government’s inconsiderate approach to a sector which, despite employing 11 percent of Australians and supporting communities through the cost-of-living crisis, has been ignored and taken for granted under Labor. In response, Coalition Charities Spokesman Senator Dean Smith introduced a motion for an Order for the Production of Documents in July. It aimed to capture communications between the Fair Work Commission, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the ACNC and Labor Ministerial Offices. This forced then Minister Tony Burke to consult with the sector as he should have done from the outset, issuing a written acknowledgement of the unsustainable situation it had created for Australian charities and committing to deal with the sector’s concerns as a priority. Senator Smith deferred his motion on this basis, still prepared to utilise it if and when Labor failed to keep its word. The result of Labor’s negotiations with the sector is the Fair Work Amendment (Fixed Term Contracts – Exceptions Measures) Regulations 2024, which came into force late last week. The Regulations allow ACNC-registered charities whose funding runs for less than five years to align employment contracts with their funding windows, provided the staff member in question has been employed by the charity for less than seven years. However, the Regulations only last until 1 November 2025. Labor describes them as “transitional” and aimed at tiding the sector over until a longer-term solution can be found. The sector has already expressed a preference for the Regulations to be extended. The Coalition will continue to use every lever to force Labor to continue meaningful consultation with the sector on this key issue and – in the absence of a viable, ongoing solution being found – an extension of the Regulations so that charities can do their vital work well into the future.   Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury: “While it’s a relief to finally see some certainty for the charities sector, this is only temporary, and Labor cannot be allowed to forget that it has an ongoing responsibility to address the problem long-term.” “The fact we are in this situation at all says everything you need to know about Labor’s heavy handed IR agenda and its dismissiveness of Australian charities and community organisations.” “That Labor only started paying attention to the sector, which is helping Australians through the Government’s own cost of living crisis, after the threat of action being taken in the Senate, is totally unacceptable.” “The sector can be assured the Coalition will continue to back its interests until a workable outcome is achieved – both in the Senate and wherever else is necessary.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Labor Withholds Information From Not-For-Profits Inquiry

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 1 November 2024 LABOR WITHOLDS INFORMATION FROM NOT-FOR-PROFITS INQUIRY The Albanese Government sat on documents relating to its bungled implementation of tax reporting rules for not-for-profit organisations – deliberately denying a Senate Inquiry access to them. An Order for the Production of Documents, moved by Senator Dean Smith and agreed to by the Senate on 20 August, required the information – including correspondence between Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh’s office, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission – to be supplied by 10 September. Labor failed to comply until yesterday, the same day that the Senate Economics Committee was finalising its report following an Inquiry into the issue. This tactic prevented the Committee from considering the documents in its report and makes a mockery of the Albanese Government’s alleged commitment to both the future of the sector and Parliamentary transparency. The Inquiry, which held a public hearing in Canberra last week, was formed to investigate the roll-out of new tax obligations for non-charitable not-for-profits that require them to complete a tax return to retain their tax-exempt status. It was established by Senator Smith on behalf of the Coalition, following serious concerns raised by the sector about the Government’s flawed efforts to implement the policy. The Committee also learned through ATO evidence that Assistant Minister Leigh’s office had sought and received a verbal briefing on these matters on 14 March, followed up by written information. It means that Dr Leigh and his team fully understood both the poor progress of the roll-out and the challenges the sector was experiencing – and did nothing to address either. The Inquiry report, released today, found significant inconsistencies between the ATO and Government’s view of how the rollout and associated consultation has been performing and the almost overwhelmingly negative experiences of stakeholders. Of the estimated 155,000 not-for-profits affected, approximately 11,000 have so far lodged their tax return – or 7 percent. This falls dramatically short of the 83 percent target for the 2023-2024 financial year the ATO set itself for ordinary tax returns and betrays the information and logistical challenges faced by organisations in meeting the new requirements. The report also noted the significant administrative burden the changes are placing on what are often small, volunteer-run groups and that this burden is disproportionate to the potential tax risk they pose – all compounded by inconsistent advice provided by the ATO and ACNC. It makes six recommendations, including introducing thresholds to exclude smaller not-for-profits, extending the deadline for lodging returns beyond the current 31 March 2025, and that the ATO and ACNC do a better job of practically consulting with the sector and harmonise the advice being provided. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The report findings were damning enough of the Albanese Government before the revelation it had been withholding important information from the Inquiry – but Labor’s conduct over the past couple of days says everything about it wrong priorities.” “Thousands of small, community organisations are feeling unheard and under threat as they struggle with this bungled regulatory roll-out, and Andrew Leigh decides to play politics.” “The implementation of this policy, which has obviously moved away from its original intent, has clearly been a failure and Labor cannot ignore it any longer.” “I am hopeful that this is the wake-up call the Albanese Government needs and urge it to adopt the report’s recommendation in full.” “If it doesn’t, and outcomes for the sector do not improve, the ramifications for many Australian not-for-profits will be catastrophic – and the community will pay the price.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Urgent Support for Food Donation Bill While Labor Sits on Treasury Advice

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 22 October 2024 URGENT SUPPORT FOR FOOD DONATION BILL WHILE LABOR SITS ON TREASURY ADVICE Charities and industry bodies have described the need for a Bill incentivising food donations to hungry Australians as urgent and called on Federal Parliamentarians to put politics aside and back it. They appeared in Canberra this morning at a public hearing into the Tax Laws Amendment (Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations) Bill 2024. Introduced by Senator Dean Smith as a Private Senator’s Bill in July, the Bill features a tax incentive for companies that donate, rather than dump, excess food and is aimed at reducing both millions of tonnes of annual food wastage and pressure on food relief charities facing unprecedented demand. The Salvation Army’s Donna Fraser told the hearing “…people think the issues are real but lack urgency. It is very real and very urgent.” Questioned by Labor on the value of the Bill, Australian Food and Grocery Council CEO Tanya Barden said that “Parliament needs to take a good, hard look at itself” and described the Bill as “an easy win, an opportunity that should really have the support of all parties across the Parliament.” The Bill builds on a concept originally designed by Foodbank Australia, and which it and its partner organisations – Second Bite and OzHarvest – have long advocated for. Foodbank and AUSVEG, who also appeared today, stressed that many producers find it more economically viable to dump excess, but edible, food than harvest and transport it to a charity. CEO of Foodbank Brianna Casey described the tax incentive’s power to “shift the dynamic” in favour of food donation at a time where record numbers of Australians are experiencing food insecurity. KPMG tax experts, who economically modelled the original Foodbank concept, added their support for the Bill, recommending enhancements to capture donors operating as trusts or partnerships, and raising thresholds that reflect producers’ high turnover but low margins. Academics who had previously expressed reservations about the Bill both confirmed after hearing evidence from other witnesses that it now has their support. But Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh was once again exposed for ignoring calls from the sector to progress this critical issue from the Government’s side. Even worse, it was revealed by Treasury officials that they had been requested by Labor to provide a comprehensive briefing on the Bill. It means that information that could further improve the Bill, or which Labor could –and should – use to draft and pass its own equivalent legislation, is gathering dust on Minister Leigh’s desk. Meanwhile, the charities he is meant to represent work overtime to support Australian households in crisis. The inquiry is due to publish its findings in a report in mid-November. ENDS