Giving Power to the People

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.”

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Faster internet for Perth’s northern suburbs

Locals in Girrawheen and Wanneroo will be among the next 100,000 premises to benefit from access to ultrafast internet speeds, with NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) announcing the second tranche of its $4.5 billion network investment plan. NBN Co will work with its partners to design and construct local fibre networks passing at the street level in areas connected to the National Broadband Network’s Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology. This next stage represents another five percent of the FTTN upgrade program and NBN Co will continue working to pass a total of 2 million premises by 2023. A number of factors were considered in selecting areas in this second stage of investment, including the predicted take-up of higher speed services, while also maintaining a proportionate state and regional mix of locations. You can visit www.nbnco.com.au for more information on the NBN. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith, Patron Senator for Perth’s northern suburbs: “The commencement of these works by NBN Co will create jobs for Girrawheen, Wanneroo and surrounding communities, and support local businesses by providing the benefits of ultrafast broadband.” “Households and businesses in these areas will be able to access NBN Co’s fastest internet plans of up to 1 gigabit per second, with fibre lead-ins connecting them to the new local fibre network once they order an eligible service.”

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Time to Accelerate Justice for Abuse Survivors

Senator Dean Smith, Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, has identified two pressing priorities for the Committee in 2021. Senator Smith said he and the Committee, which works to improve the performance of the Scheme and better deliver justice to institutional child sex abuse survivors, needed to focus urgently on securing redress for the “Fairbridge Kids” and improving access and support for Indigenous Australians. Comments attributable to Senator Smith: “Encouraging progress was made in 2020, with the vast majority of institutions joining the Scheme, and the Morrison Government must be credited for the tough stance it took on this incredibly important issue.” “Despite last year’s positive outcomes, we are still faced with several groups that are being blocked from, or underutilising, the redress owed to them – these must have the Committee’s urgent attention.” “It keeps being said, but Fairbridge survivors and their supporters have waited far too long for compensation and closure as a result of unforeseen legal and other barriers.” “Another year cannot go by without any resolution; we must overcome this issue for the “Fairbridge Kids” as quickly as possible and using whatever avenues are available.” “We must also improve the operation of the Scheme for Indigenous Australians, which includes spreading greater awareness about it in regional and remote areas, as well as providing appropriate support services to survivors.” “The number of applications from Indigenous Australians is improving, but it can be better, and we must continue to make the Scheme as user-friendly and culturally safe as possible.”

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WA Senator speaks out on Juukan Gorge destruction report

Senator Dean Smith, a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia since 2016, has taken the opportunity to make additional comments on the Committee’s interim report –  “Never Again – Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Senator Smith said it was important to ensure Western Australia’s interests were sufficiently represented in the interim report. The Senator will outline his observations in remarks to the Senate this evening when the interim report is tabled, calling for greater accountability from Rio Tinto and outlining the devastating effect a proposed moratorium would have on the resource and mining industry in Western Australia. COMMENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SENATOR SMITH On Rio Tinto: “The destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters was a devastating, and preventable, event from which urgent lessons must be learnt.” “We must deal with Rio Tinto’s conduct now, with a view to holding those responsible to full account, ending the uncertainty for involved parties and beginning to heal the wounds this event has created.” “Rio Tinto must continue to be held accountable for the irreversible damage it has caused and should not believe the investigation into its culpability is over.” “I urge Rio Tinto to genuinely and independently review its actions, rather than its insufficient board review, and be honest and transparent with the Australian people.” “The PKKP can be confident I will champion the movement to ensure Rio Tinto reconstructs the damaged area and delivers above and beyond its commitments.” “Rio Tinto should acknowledge the significant profit generated from Western Australia with greater executive level and board presence in the state, as well as moving the executive responsible for heritage matters from the UK to Australia.” On the WA Resource and Mining Industry: “Rio Tinto’s conduct is not typical of the wider Western Australian resource and mining industry, which is committed to strong relationships with traditional owners and the entire community.” “It is important to understand that we can hold Rio Tinto accountable to a higher standard and deliver regulatory certainty for the WA resource and mining industry – one does not need to stop to achieve the other.” On a Section 18 Moratorium and Other Regulation: “All references to a moratorium must be avoided, as they could inadvertently signal to international and domestic investors a slowdown in WA resource and mining opportunities.” “A moratorium on Section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 would put the brakes on the WA resource and mining industry and risks devastating that industry and everything it supports, including the Indigenous enterprises which service it, the recipients of native title related payments, and the wider Indigenous and Non-Indigenous community in WA.” “A full moratorium would stop MetroNet, the Perth Airport runway, and countless other resource projects across the state. It is a step too far, and its inclusion represents a sovereign risk.” “I disagree with the Committee’s lack of confidence in Section 18 approvals and the suggestion that there is no meaningful involvement by Aboriginal people in their heritage, given both the current membership of the ACMC and the final decision maker, WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs the Hon. Ben Wyatt.” “The effect of mining on heritage should be minimised, with sites of the significance of Juukan Gorge protected, but traditional owners and industry must be empowered to enter into agreements to manage these heritage matters for mutual benefit into the future.” “Rather than a regulatory overreaction, we should instead use this terrible event as a catalyst to improve agreement making with traditional owners.”

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Major grant brings bright future for Beechboro Christian School

Beechboro Christian School will benefit from the development of a new site and the relocation of classrooms ahead of its opening in 2022, thanks to a Coalition Government grant. The $750,000 grant was announced today by Senator Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s northern suburbs. Senator Smith said the Morrison Government would contribute to the project through the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure. “This grant makes possible the relocation and modification of existing demountable buildings to a new site that has been purchased by the school. also includes siteworks, landscaping and paving, the construction of a new carpark, as well as fencing, and hard court and play areas,” Senator Smith said. “Beechboro Christian School has a wonderful school community, and these new facilities will further enhance the learning environment for students and the working environment for staff. “Students and their teachers thrive when their school has up-to-date facilities – that’s why the Morrison Government is proud of the Capital Grants Program, which continues to benefit thousands of schools across Australia. “Our Government is ensuring that every child gets a quality education no matter where they go to school. We are providing a record $314.7 billion for all Australian Schools from 2018 to 2029. “I congratulate Beechboro Christian School on their successful grant application and am looking forward to seeing the very positive impact the new facilities will have there.” The funding announcement was one of 158 projects approved for funding under the Capital Grants Program to commence in 2021. Schools that want to learn more about the Capital Grants Program can visit https://www.education.gov.au/capital-grants-non-government-schools.

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New facilities transform Alta-1 College

Students and staff at Alta-1 College will benefit from new facilities in Joondalup, including offices, a boardroom, meeting rooms, teacher preparation space and three student learning areas. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s northern suburbs, yesterday officiated at the opening ceremony for the project, which has been funded by the Morrison Coalition Government. The Morrison Government contributed $1 million for the upgrade through the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure. Senator Smith said the facilities provide a safe environment for the students to engage and learn in. “It was great to visit Alta-1 College to see the finished project and hear about the positive impact it will have on students and their teachers,” Senator Smith said. “Alta-1 College has a wonderful school community and these new facilities will further enhance the learning environment here. “We are ensuring that every child gets a quality education no matter where they go to school, but this is testament to the Morrison Government’s commitment to schools in Perth’s northern suburbs. “Our Government is providing record funding for government schools, for Catholic schools and for Independent schools.  School funding has increased every year under our Government. “We are delivering real, needs-based funding that is matched by national reforms that will drive better results and outcomes, as recommended by David Gonski in his Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.” More information about the Capital Grants Program is at https://www.education.gov.au/capital-grants-non-government-schools.

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COVID-19 Youth Survey reveals job worries a rising priority

104 young people responded to a COVID-19 survey designed to measure their pandemic experience. The survey, operated through Senator Dean Smith’s Facebook page, asked them to compare their concerns and priorities pre and following COVID-19. While climate change remained the greatest overall concern, the biggest change was increasing anxiety over jobs and unemployment. The results are in from Senator Dean Smith’s COVID-19 Gen Z Survey, which closed recently after running from mid-July. The survey was aimed at 18-21 year olds from Perth’s Northern Suburbs and 73% of those who responded were from that part of the city. 64% of respondents were female and 33% were male. Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs Dean Smith and UWA post-graduate student Jake Harvey, who is an intern in the Senator’s office, designed the survey questions. “This was a way of learning more about and better understanding how the pandemic has affected young people in the Northern Suburbs,“ Senator Smith said. “It has been wonderful to receive so many responses and get a genuine insight into what local 18-21 year olds are thinking.” “Our aim was to give young people a voice and this has achieved that, which helps me to better represent them here and in Canberra.” Respondents were asked about their top three personal concerns and top three issues for Australia, both pre and following COVID-19. Stress and mental health remained the two most significant personal concerns before and following the pandemic, however physical health replaced university fees in third place following COVID-19. “This is evidence of the pandemic’s negative effect on the mental health of young people, as well as the emerging toll on physical health with gyms closed for extended periods,” Mr Harvey said. When it came to national issues, climate change remained the top priority, but there was a significant increase in the importance of jobs as a result of COVID-19. 36% of respondents rated jobs as the biggest issue for Australia pre-COVID-19, jumping to 66% following COVID-19. “The frequency in which jobs has been selected as a top concern has nearly doubled, supporting the data that suggests young people in particular have been badly affected by pandemic job losses,” Mr Harvey said.

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Grandstand unveiling boosts commitment to Kingsway Sporting Complex to $1.45 M

A 200-seat grandstand and new changerooms have been unveiled at Olympic Kingsway Sports Club. The transformative project was made possible by a $200,000 grant from the Morrison Government. $1.45 million has been spent by the Federal Coalition on the Kingsway Sporting Complex since 2016. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, has officially opened a new grandstand and changerooms at Wanneroo’s Olympic Kingsway Sports Club. The grandstand, which will principally be used to enjoy soccer games, is capable of accommodating 200 spectators. The changerooms are incorporated into the same building, located underneath the seating area. Last Saturday afternoon, Senator Smith helped unveil two plaques to inaugurate the facilities, joined by City of Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts and Olympic Kingsway Sports Club President Steven Nelkovski. The Club, known as the ‘Green Machine’, received a $200,000 Community Development Grant from the Morrison Government for the project. The Grant is the latest instalment of the $1.45 million spent by the Federal Coalition on Kingsway Sporting Complex since the 2016 Election. Other contributions have included $500,000 towards the installation of floodlights at the Wanneroo Districts Netball Association, $400,000 to build six changerooms and storage at Wanneroo City Soccer Club and $300,000 to complete the Kingsway Aquatic Play Centre. Senator Smith said building the grandstand and changerooms was a 2016 election commitment and he was delighted it has been delivered on. “These are superb facilities that will help both players and spectators make the most of their soccer.” “The Green Machine, and President Steven Nelkovski in particular, are champions of community sport, and deserve every support,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see Olympic Kingsway Sports Club go from strength to strength and, with this upgrade, it’s now guaranteed an even brighter future.” “This grant is further proof of the Morrison Government’s real commitment to sport and recreation in our Northern Suburbs, and its commitment to delivering on its promises to locals.”

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Safety boost for WA’s Sikh community

Background: Sikh Gurdwara Perth Inc has received $315,000 from the Morrison Government as part of the Safer Communities Fund. The money will go towards a perimeter security fence and an emergency PA system at their Bennett Springs headquarters. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, this week met with President Navtej Kaur Uppal and other senior members of the organisation. The Senator, who supported Sikh Gurdwara Perth Inc’s grant application, took part in a virtual announcement to the local community via Facebook Live. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “I’m delighted to see the WA Sikh community, which gives so much to its members and WA as a whole, receive the funding required to keep it safe and flourishing.” “Their Bennett Springs base is used for religious worship and community events, but also for learning and children’s’ sport, so security is a major priority.” “Now the WA Sikh community can focus on the wonderful cultural and philanthropic work it does without fear of any antisocial behaviour, which, sadly, it has suffered from in the past.”

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Time for Fairbridge survivor justice is now, calls on Premier to pledge support

Senator Dean Smith, Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, has met with representatives of the Old Fairbridgians Association of WA to confirm new initiatives being undertaken to reverse compensation delays faced by survivors of child sexual abuse while in the care of Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School in Pinjarra, Western Australia. Senator Smith was able to confirm: Firstly, that Fairbridge (Restored) Limited and The Prince’s Trust would be called to appear before the Joint Parliamentary Committee overseeing the National Redress Scheme to publicly explain their failure to sign up to the Scheme by the 30 June, 2020 deadline. Secondly, he had formally written to WA Premier Mark McGowan (letter attached), seeking his full cooperation on this matter and for an undertaking that, if Fairbridge (Restored) Limited or The Prince’s Trust were found to be a ‘defunct organisation’*, the WA Government would not delay invoking the ‘Funder of Last Resort’^ provisions in the National Redress Scheme to provide redress to survivors. And, finally, that senior officials from the Attorney-General’s Department, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Home Affairs had begun convening to resolve the Fairbridge matter as quickly as possible. Senator Smith used his meeting with the OFA to again reassure survivors that he will fight to ensure justice is delivered to those who deserve it as quickly and painlessly as possible, noting the tragic reality that for many survivors it is already too late.       *An institution which no longer exists. It can be either a government or a non-government institution. ^Where it is determined that a Commonwealth, state or territory government institution is equally responsible for the child sexual abuse of a person with a defunct non-government institution, and pays the defunct institution’s share of redress. The Commonwealth, state or territory government must agree that it will be a funder of last resort for a defunct non-government institution before any payment for redress is made to a person.

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