Dutton, Cash, Smith – Media Release – Coalition Commits $2 Million to Holocaust Education

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THE HON PETER DUTTON MP LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION SENATOR THE HON MICHAELIA CASH SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL SENATOR DEAN SMITH SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA COALITION COMMITS $2 MILLION TO HOLOCAUST EDUCATION   An elected Dutton Coalition Government will commit $2 million to the Holocaust Institute of WA to help educate Western Australians about the atrocities of both the Holocaust and the October 7 Israel attacks.   Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will be in Western Australia on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and will attend a service at the Holocaust Institute of WA to mark the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.   The $2 million commitment for the Holocaust Institute’s Education Centre will help complete the fit out of their facility to world-class standards.   The Education Centre, located in the Jewish Community Centre (JHub) in Yokine, will include state of the art exhibitions, interactive visual and digital displays that will effectively convey the atrocities of both the Holocaust and October 7.   “Educating Australians about atrocities of the Holocaust and the October 7 attacks is an important mission that deserves support,’’ Mr Dutton said.   “By gaining awareness of the persecution and atrocities committed against Jews, Australians will have a better understanding of why there is no place for antisemitism in our community.’’   “We hope this sort of education will drive awareness and foster positive action within the Western Australian community.’’   Senator Michaelia Cash said: “Leadership is needed to combat antisemitism in Australia. It is also clear that education is vital to combatting the increase in antisemitic behaviour we have seen since October 7, 2023.”   “Educational institutions such as universities have failed to educate students on the dangers of antisemitism, so it is important that organisations like the Holocaust Institute of WA help fill that gap.’’   “The awful events of the Holocaust and October 7 must never be forgotten, and it is important that new generations are taught about the awful events which took place.’’   Senator Dean Smith said: “The WA Jewish community is an incredibly important and valued part of our state and deserves all possible support, especially in the face of rising antisemitism under Labor.”   “With 25 per cent of Australians knowing nothing about the Holocaust, education remains a crucial step in combatting discrimination – the Coalition understands that.”   “While the Albanese Government has demonstrated complacency, our commitment to this centre and measures like the Courage to Care program respond to this crisis with the urgency it requires.” 26 January 2025

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Holiday Pain As Almost 60 Goods And Services Record Double Digit Price Growth Over Two Years

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 27 December 2024 HOLIDAY PAIN AS ALMOST 60 GOODS AND SERVICES RECORD DOUBLE DIGIT PRICE GROWTH OVER TWO YEARS A comprehensive new analysis lays bare the cost-of-living increases since the Albanese Government has been in power – and their devastating impact on household budgets as Christmas approaches. It reveals for the first time that, over the past two years, 57 goods and services recorded double digit price growth. 23 goods and services increased by 15 percent or more. The analysis of CPI data produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was undertaken by the Federal Parliamentary Library at the request of WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith. It provides a confronting insight into the impact of inflation on everyday prices in Australia between the March 2022 and September 2024 financial quarters. The data confirms that basic foodstuffs, including bread, breakfast cereals, fruit, eggs, cheese and cooking oils have jumped in price by more 20 percent. Energy costs have also surged, with the cost of gas and household fuels rising 30.1 percent since March 2022. Further evidence of the scale of the financial pressure Australian families are experiencing is the rising cost of key services like insurance, which skyrocketed by 34.1 percent. The data shows that the combined cost-of-living of the eight capital cities in Australia rose 12.3 percent. Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne were the worst affected – with Adelaide up 14.6 percent, Sydney up 13.0 percent and Melbourne up 12.2 percent. It also reveals that Perth has been one of the cities hit hardest by the Albanese Government’s housing crisis. The cost of rents in the WA capital increased by 24.9 percent, compared to a national increase of 17.2 percent, while new dwelling prices jumped 34 percent, compared to 20.8 percent in the rest of Australia. As a result, national household saving ratios have collapsed to from 11.9 to 3.2 percent over the same 2022-2024 period, with Australians forced to access these funds just to afford housing, food and other essentials. This data makes it official: Anthony Albanese and Labor have failed the Australians they promised to make life easier for at the last election. Their economic mismanagement has fuelled homegrown inflation, massively driving up the cost-of-living – and leaving many Australians unable to make ends meet this Festive Season. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “This new ABS data is conclusive evidence that the Prime Minister has broken his promise that Australians would be better off under his leadership.” “It is the cumulative effect of these goods and services price increases over two years that has been so crippling to household finances.” “Labor has overseen a rise in the cost of goods and services so dramatic that record numbers of Australians cannot house or feed themselves and are facing one of the toughest Christmas periods we’ve seen in recent years.” “With an election in the next few months, Australians will have their chance to voice their frustration at the Albanese Government’s mishandling of the cost-of-living crisis and restore strong fiscal leadership under a Coalition Government” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Australian Household Savings Collapse Under Labor

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 20 December 2024 AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS COLLAPSE UNDER LABOR Reserve Bank of Australia data reveals the rapid decline in household savings under the Albanese Labor Government. A comparison of RBA Key Economic Indicators Snapshots from the beginning of Labor’s term and now confirms the household saving ratio has plummeted from 11.9 percent to 3.5 percent. A household earning $75,000 was saving $8,925 annually at the beginning of Labor’s term – this has now fallen $6,300 to just $2,625. It exposes the toll of Labor’s mismanagement of the Australian economy and the increasing vulnerability of households struggling with a 0.8% GDP growth rate, as well as the cumulative impact of persistent homegrown inflation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers owe the Australian people an explanation for their failure not only to improve living standards and household wealth, but also for reducing them instead. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The Albanese Government has made it harder and harder for Australians to keep what they earn – leaving households struggling to pay for necessities, let alone save for the future.” “It bear’s full responsibility for an economy at close-to-zero GDP growth, high interest rates and sticky inflation.” “It has broken its promise to Australians of an easier life and only a Coalition Government will put our economy back on track and deliver Australians the prosperity they deserve.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Perth tops price increases on more than 40 goods and services

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 9 December 2024 PERTH TOPS PRICE INCREASES ON MORE THAN 40 GOODS AND SERVICES A comprehensive analysis of ABS data has highlighted the record impact Labor’s rising cost-of-living is having on Western Australians. It reveals for the first time that the cost of more than 40 everyday goods and services increased at a faster rate in Perth than in the rest of Australia. This analysis of CPI figures from the ABS was undertaken by the Federal Parliamentary Library for Senator Dean Smith. It provides a unique insight into price increases in Perth between the March 2021 and September 2024 financial quarters—the majority of this time period, and higher average inflation, occurring under Labor. In the period covering the March 2021 quarter until the election of the Albanese Government in May 2022, the average national CPI increase was 3 percent. By contrast, in the period from Labor’s election to the September 2024 quarter, the average national CPI increase was 5.3 percent, peaking at 7.8 percent. Anthony Albanese promised in Perth before the 2022 election that life would be cheaper under Labor—instead, the average quarterly increase in inflation has been almost double that during the last year of the Coalition Government. The CPI “All groups measured” figure during this time increased by 19.5 percent in Perth, compared to 18 percent nationally. To put the impact of the 19.5 percent Perth CPI increase into context, it outpaced a 13.9 percent increase in average weekly full-time earnings. Everyone is now aware of the huge increases in housing costs in Perth—35.1 percent compared to 24.2 percent nationally—this new analysis from the Parliamentary Library confirms rises in the cost of many goods and services since March 2021 were even greater. Insurance costs, for example, increased by a massive 49.4 percent over the same period. The national increase was far lower at 38.9 percent. Basic foodstuffs have risen significantly—a clear indication of the toll the cost-of-living crisis is taking at the most basic level. Both a loaf of bread and bottle of milk in Perth jumped in price by more than 25 percent. Bread increased by 26.1 percent and milk by 25.7 percent, which was again the highest price growth rate in Australia. Families have faced a jump in key items, with footwear for infants and children up 5.1 percent, clothing services up 11.3 percent, and preschool and primary education, up 11.9 percent. That comes on top of everyday household expenses, including furniture and small electric household appliances, which have risen 19 percent and 10.3 percent respectively. It highlights in the simplest terms how inflationary pressures under the Albanese Government have impacted prices—and, once again that Western Australians are uniquely affected. At the supermarket checkout, providing medical care their family, or when they try to insure their property, this is the collective price being paid for Labor and its economic mismanagement. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The majority of this damage has been done by Labor and Western Australians should demand Anthony Albanese explain why he has broken his promise that we’d be better off under his government and left us in such a dire situation.” “This new data analysis leaves no doubt—if any still remains—that everyday costs have skyrocketed under Anthony Albanese and Labor.” “It is no wonder that many in Perth are struggling to make ends meet when the costs of staple items like bread and milk are outpacing not only the national average, but the average growth in full time ordinary earnings.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Labor Trashes Senate Scrutiny

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE   3 December 2024   LABOR TRASHES SENATE SCRUTINY   The Albanese Labor Government continues to make a mockery of its election vow to be responsive and transparent – failing to comply with Senate orders to provide information until months after the due date, or not at all. Over the last year, the Senate has agreed to more than 30 Orders for the Production of Documents moved by Senator Dean Smith. Three remain outstanding, 11 have been only partially complied with and 20 were submitted late. A request for documents on national competition was returned after 130 days. These OPD’s have requested information from the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, and other Ministers on WA’s share of the GST, productivity and competition reform, Federal-State financial relations, the Not-For-Profit Sector Development Blueprint and the 2026 Census, among other issues. In one case, the Assistant Charity Minister’s office delayed the return on documents on the rollout of tax reporting requirements for not-for-profit organisations so that it could not be used by a Senate Economics Committee inquiry. It was in the same spirit that Labor rammed bill after bill through Parliament on the final sitting day of 2024, denying Senators the chance to scrutinise them. This repeated, often deliberate, behaviour by the Albanese Government confirms that, beneath its moral grandstanding, it has no respect for the authority of the Senate or improved accountability in government. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “These OPDs are a standard practice of Opposition scrutiny of Government and, because they’re agreed to and ordered by the Senate, they must be respected.” “Labor’s delays and avoidance tactics highlight its contempt not only for the Senate, but for the accountability and transparency it made so much of at the last election.” “This remains on the Notice Paper, a record of Labor’s underperformance and broken promises.” ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Labor leaves supermarket shoppers exposed this Christmas

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 27 November 2024 LABOR LEAVES SUPERMARKET SHOPPERS EXPOSED THIS CHRISTMAS After dragging its feet for months, Labor has finally introduced legislation aimed at tackling poor behaviour and boosting competition in the supermarket sector – but has again confirmed it won’t have anything in place until April 2025. The bill, introduced today, actions some recommendations of the June 2024 Emerson Report. In the five wasted months since, the Albanese Government has denied Australian shoppers the improved choice, cheaper prices and consumer protections they desperately need. Now, with Labor’s cost of living crisis raging and Christmas only weeks away, those seeking relief at the checkout will have to wait another six months. Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher confirmed in yesterday’s Question Time that “the regulations to make the new mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct will be made this year, with the code coming into force from 1 April 2025.” Under the bill, supermarkets will be penalised for breaching the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct and the ACCC will be given additional powers including the ability to issue infringement notices. It also aims to crack down on shrinkflation by strengthening the Unit Pricing Code. Labor’s delays come as no surprise given its slow progress on all competition matters – including other recommendations of the Emerson Review, the ACCC Supermarkets Inquiry, and Merger Reforms. None are slated to be finalised or implemented until mid-2025. It ignores the fact that the timeline for these reforms is as important as their substance, because Australians need cheaper prices now. That is why the Coalition has a decisive and targeted plan to deliver the more competitive supermarket sector consumers deserve, and all the benefits that come with that. This includes tougher civil penalties for supermarkets engaging in anti-competitive activities, a Supermarket Commissioner to act as an impartial confidential avenue for farmers and suppliers and divestiture powers with appropriate safeguards to be used as a last resort. Australians deserve a government that treats this with the seriousness, and urgency, it deserves – and that will only happen under Peter Dutton and the Coalition. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “Whilst supermarket sector reforms are welcome, Labor’s go slow approach means they have not been place to assist Australian shoppers when they needed them most.” “This is a common thread with the Albanese Government on competition policy – too little, too late.” “The delays are proof of Labor’s wrong priorities and failure to progress policies that will ease cost of living pressures, and consumers paying higher prices at the till this Christmas have every right to be angry about it. ENDS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Media Release – Fighting for improved competition where Labor won’t

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SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE 22 November 2024 FIGHTING FOR IMPROVED COMPETITION WHERE LABOR WON’T The Coalition is putting pressure on a key competition issue in the e-conveyancing market that – like so much else impacting Australian consumers – the Albanese Government continues to ignore. Coalition competition spokesman Senator Dean Smith last night questioned ACCC officials on what action was being taken to test allegations of anticompetitive behaviour by e-conveyancer PEXA. The officials, including Chair Ms Gina Cass-Gottlieb, were witnesses at a Senate Estimates spillover hearing in Canberra. It was revealed that there is an active assessment underway by the competition watchdog, something that will be of considerable interest to stakeholders in the $800 billion property e-conveyancing market – even if it obviously isn’t to Assistant Competition Minister Andrew Leigh. Ms Melinda McDonald, Competition Division Executive General Manager, noted that while she “wouldn’t characterise it as an in-depth investigation at this stage … naturally the concerns warrant further investigation”. Pressed by Senator Smith, Ms McDonald confirmed the ACCC is still “in the process of gathering relevant information in order to complete the assessment”. It follows months of stakeholder lobbying of both the Albanese and State Governments to explore the issue, as well as to co-operate on initiatives and reforms to improve competition in the sector – all of which has fallen on deaf ears with Federal Labor. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The Coalition asks the questions that the Albanese Government won’t, because only we are committed to enhanced competition in the Australian economy and the choice, lower prices and better service that delivers.” “We will continue to shine a light on sectors where competition can be improved and await the outcome of the ACCC’s assessment with great interest.” “In the meantime, Assistant Minister Leigh – who continues to ignore or drag his heels on desperately needed competition reforms – must finally step up and start working in the best interests of Australian consumers and businesses.” ENDS

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