Seeking WA Input on Relieving Cost of Living Stress

Western Australians struggling with the rising cost of living are invited to share their experiences with a Senate Committee tasked with exploring the escalating crisis. The Coalition recently voted to establish the Select Committee on the Cost of Living, aimed at better understanding cost of living pressure points and developing sensible solutions to ease them. Senator for Western Australia Dean Smith joins Shadow Finance Minister Senator Jane Hume on the Committee, each representing both the Coalition and its Shadow Economic Team. Members of the public, businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations, the construction, banking, energy and agricultural sectors are among those being asked to make submissions to the Committee, which will also investigate the Albanese Government’s fiscal policy response to the crisis. In addition to holding public hearings, the Committee will visit communities across the State and country to learn from Australians first-hand. Senator Smith called for a broad range of Western Australian submissions. “The skyrocketing cost of living and its associated challenges are the biggest issue currently facing Australians and I am interested in hearing from a WA perspective, especially those living in regional areas of our State,” Senator Smith said. “The seriousness of the situation facing local families, businesses and organisations makes the establishment and work of the Cost of Living Committee vitally important. “All of these stakeholders have been abandoned by Labor, which failed the Budget test last week by not delivering an adequate cost of living relief plan.” The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed an annual increase of between nine and 10 percent in food prices across household types nationally, with fruit and vegetables up 15.5 percent in WA, and fuel prices rising around 18 percent. As the Coalition’s spokesperson on charities, Senator Smith said he was also heavily focused on the effect of high inflation and living costs on organisations in that sector. An Anglicare Report released as part of Anti-Poverty Week found dramatic rises in the cost of living, particularly in rent, are driving an ever-growing demand for its services. The need for half of Anglicare’s services jumped by one-third or more. Similarly, Foodbank’s annual Hunger Report found 21 percent of Australians – more than 2 million people – had experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months. This figure was up from 17 percent in its 2021 Report. “Climbing living costs have seen many charities and non-for-profits experiencing an unprecedented upswing in demand,” Senator Smith said. “We want to hear from the charity and philanthropic sector, with all its experience and insight, about how we can best navigate this situation together. “The pressure on low-income earners in particular has never been greater and, especially in the absence of meaningful support from Labor, we must explore every responsible relief option possible.” The Committee is calling for submissions by 10 March 2023 and is due to table its final report later in the year. Further information about the Committee, including the terms of reference and how to make a submission are available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Cost_of_Living/costofliving

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Morrison Government delivers for the Noranda City FC

Cowan residents are set to enjoy brand new changeroom facilities at the Noranda City Football Club thanks to the Morrison Government’s $750,000 investment. The upgrade to the existing two changerooms will extend the pre-existing building to include four new accessible changerooms – two for females and two for match officials. The new facilities will increase participation at the club for women and girls, boost wider membership numbers and cater to users at the neighbouring Morley Noranda Recreation Centre. Liberal Senator for Western Australia, Dean Smith said the local community is lucky to have an active candidate in Vince Connelly who has been working hard to secure this upgrade. “Vince has been fighting hard for this project so that more women and girls, and people of all abilities can participate at their local sporting club,” he said. “Vince’s dedication to delivering this project is one of many reasons why he is such a strong representative for the people of Cowan.” Liberal for Cowan, Vince Connelly said this upgrade will have a beneficial impact on sport participation in the local community. “As a father of three teenage children, I know just how important it is for clubs to have adequate facilities for their players, especially with female participation in sports growing,” he said. “I have spoken to hundreds of local residents about this important local project, and many signed my petition which secured funding for this upgrade. “These upgrades are only possible thanks to strong economic management by the Morrison Liberal Government. “As a Member of Parliament, I have been delivering better outcomes for our community for the past three years and with your support, will continue to deliver for the people of Cowan.” Noranda City Football Club President Shaun Ennis said the project will make a big difference in attracting and retaining members. “We can’t thank Vince enough for fighting for this project – he has been completely supportive in every aspect and our members are very excited,” he said. “Our club has been going through tremendous growth, and to allow us to go to that next level at Noranda City Football Club, we need these changerooms to accommodate more female participants.” The Morrison Government will deliver for the residents of Cowan and this announcement is part of our plan to build a strong economy and a secure future.

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Making life easier for Australians living in Cowan

The Morrison Government is improving connectivity for Australians living on the urban fringes of our major cities, today announcing $28.2 million for 66 successful projects to improve mobile coverage, competition and address blackspots, including a new project in Cowan. The investments complement the Coalition’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, which is improving mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote Australia by building more than 1,200 mobile base stations in regional and remote areas, with over 1,000 already built. The Minister for Communications, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said, said the Morrison Government is committed to improving mobile connectivity for people living in outer urban areas as part of its plan for a strong economy and a stronger future for Australia. “Improving coverage on the urban fringe will help communities access vital information during emergencies, seek help if needed and stay in touch with loved ones,” Minister Fletcher said. Senator for Western Australia, Dean Smith said “Today I am pleased to announce we are building a new mobile site to improve coverage for people living and visiting Bennett Springs”. “This investment in mobile communications comes at a critical time, as Perth’s north-eastern suburbs experience significant population growth. “The pandemic has reminded families and businesses of the importance of reliable telecommunications, including the peace of mind of being able to communicate with family and friends.” The new mobile site in Cowan will be a TPG site located in Bennett Springs. The 66 successful projects were selected through a competitive assessment, with funding awarded based on the coverage outcomes provided by each solution, under a grants program that was first announced in the 2021-22 Budget as part of the Digital Economy Strategy. Eligibility for future funding will be expanded beyond our major capital cities to include the urban fringe of other major urban areas including Geelong, Wollongong, Gosford, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin and Canberra. The investments complement the Coalition’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, which is improving mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote Australia by building more than 1,200 mobile base stations, with over 1,000 already built. In contrast to the Morrison Government’s record of building more than 1,000 mobile base stations across Australia, Labor did build a single mobile base station during six years in office. Only the Morrison Government will continue to deliver a better future for Cowan, and this is part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.

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Emmanuel Christian Community School unveils new facilities

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.

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