News – Page 16 – Senator Dean Smith

Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Liberal Senator for Western Australia MEDIA RELEASE 25 August 2023 RENTERS JOIN MORTGAGE HOLDERS AS VICTIMS OF LABOR’S ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT Recent data analysis shows low-income WA renters would need to spend around two-thirds of their income to access an average rental property in the state. The median weekly rent for a house in WA has climbed from $370.00 in 2020 to $580.00 in 2023, while the minimum wage has only grown from $753.80 to $863.40. This represents a ratio increase from 49% to 67%. Over the same time period, the percentage of income an average WA worker spent on rent has jumped nearly 10%. Western Australians in this category spent about 20% of their income on rent in 2020, but in August this year that has increased to more than 28%. The negative impact on WA households is confirmed by The Salvation Army’s Doorways Emergency Relief Survey, which found 21% of respondents from the West had been unable to pay their mortgage repayments or rent on time in the past year. To put this into perspective, the national rate was only 7%. Earlier this year, Anglicare WA’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot found that the average price for a rental in WA has soared to $560 per week – an increase of 17% in just one year. It also found that only 1% of rentals are affordable for a working single parent with two children on the minimum wage in WA, while there was no affordable rental in the state for a single person on JobSeeker. Just 15% of rentals were affordable for a family with two children where both parents earn the minimum wage. Renters have joined the state’s mortgage holders as the victims of Labor’s cost of living crisis and inability to tame inflation. 56% of the fixed rate home loans in WA switch to variable rate by the end of 2023 –one of the highest levels in Australia. Of any state, WA has the largest number of borrowers that are three months behind on their mortgage repayments. Meanwhile, over 40,000 low-income WA mortgage holders are now spending 30% or more of their household budget on loan repayments. These statistics confirm that, over a year after the election of the Albanese Government, its promise life would be cheaper under Labor have come to nothing. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “There have been 11 interest rate rises on the Albanese Government’s watch and instead of effective economic management, their policies are making matters worse.” “While there’s ample evidence of the toll being taken on WA mortgage holders, it’s undeniable renters are also doing it very tough under Labor.” “Keeping a roof over their heads is now a daily struggle for many Western Australians – how is that compatible with the promise we’d all be better off under Labor?” “We are setting records for all the wrong reasons here in WA, with significant hardship being felt as a result.” “Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers have forgotten the everyday Australians they promised to help.” “Addressing this rental stress must be a top priority for Labor, and an important part of that is not the HAFF or introducing caps, but incentivising mum and dad property investors to enter the market and increase rental stock.” ENDS

ADDRESS TO THE CONEXUS INSTITUTE RETIREMENT FORUM

Speeches9 August, 2023

Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Tuesday 8 August 2023 Old Parliament House, Canberra Opening remarks I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. And I extend the Coalition’s appreciation to David Bell and Colin Tate from Conexus for the opportunity to share these remarks. I am delighted to represent Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor. Introduction In 2009, the Henry Review observed that “The retirement income system is facing challenges that will test it as the 21st century unfolds. These challenges include the ageing of the population, longer life expectancies and more people interacting with the system.” Fourteen years later, with each of these challenges magnified and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, the Review’s findings are now urgently real. It is key to the wellbeing of Australian retirees, and the national economy, that we have a secure and trusted superannuation system, reinforced by a more accessible financial services sector. The remark by one industry participant that “the hard work in translating super into better retirement outcomes is only just beginning” is evidently very true. Economic context Many Australians’ economic circumstances have changed dramatically since the last Federal election. The cost of living and the cumulative effect of 11 interest rate rises mean many households are grappling with financial challenges they have never experienced before. The latest data makes it clear. The ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes, released last week, rose by between 0.8% and 1.5% in the June 2023 quarter. Annually, the same Living Cost Indexes rose by up to 9.6%. Working households experienced the highest annual rise in expenses on record. This was based largely on blow-outs in mortgage interest charges, which grew 91.6% – and represented another record increase. It is unsurprising that Roy Morgan research found that, in the three months to June, 1.43 million Australians were at risk of mortgage stress. Looking again at the ABS data, most relevant here today is that insurance and financial services were a major component of these cost of living increases. For self-funded retirees, insurance and financial services costs rose by 17.0%. It was 25.7% for pensioner and beneficiary recipients and 51.8% for working Australians. Meanwhile, the most recent HILDA survey found around 8.5 million adult Australians were financially illiterate. And it’s suggested that almost 90% of Australians are prohibited from accessing financial advice due to cost. This is the current reality. But these circumstances also represent a rare opportunity for the financial services sector – which is something I will return to. The Coalition and superannuation Current position Australia’s superannuation system succeeds when people feel it delivers stability and certainty in planning for their retirement. It is a balancing act of recalibrating to ensure it is fit for purpose while maintaining the certainly expected of any long-term investment. Future changes must be measured and respond to genuine requirements only. Superannuation must not become an unwilling participant in political culture wars or be viewed as a piggy bank for Governments to dip into when the Budget needs supplementing. It is Australians’ money, intended to provide them with a secure retirement income. That is why the Coalition believes future priorities for superannuation should be guided by supporting retirement outcomes for Australians. These include: Improving superannuation awareness among Australians; Balancing broader benefits without compromising the preservation principle; Addressing the balance gap to assist women, primary caregivers and low-income earners grow their superannuation; and Reducing red tape across the financial services sector and economy, driving investment and making it easier to deliver returns. The Levy Review Too many Australians have been cut out of access to financial advice for too long. The Coalition commissioned the Quality of Advice Review – commonly known as the Levy Review – with a view to changing this. Labor’s announcement in June this year that it would adopt some of the Review’s recommendations seemed an encouraging start. But, viewed from any angle, the staggered approach being taken by the Albanese Government is disappointing considering the pressing need for reform. So is the decision to accept just 14 of the 22 recommendations, especially given the Review’s author has stressed this will “change very little” for the accessibility and affordability of advice. Crucially, the need for a fifth round of consultations indicates Labor still lacks a clear vision on the future of financial services in this country. As a result, we now see media coverage of the negative impact of the Albanese Government’s inaction on older Australians – some left with expensive and unnecessary life insurance policies and others with no cover at all. Younger Australians are also reported to be stranded without the financial advice they need. Given the current economic climate, it is particularly concerning that Australians of all ages experience these issues while Labor attempts to find its way to reform. This inaction is causing real life, real time hardship to consumers. Having commissioned the Levy Review, the Coalition’s priority is to see its findings reflected in necessary and timely change. Australian Financial Services Law Review In four months, we will see the final report of the Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into simplifying financial services regulations. Also commissioned by the Coalition, the inquiry is intended to create an achievable pathway towards a regime that is more adaptable, efficient and easier to navigate. The inquiry’s most recent interim report found the complexity and poor structure of the current legislation makes it difficult to work with and understand, increasing the time, resources and costs needed to comply with it. Successful compliance is, unsurprisingly, less likely as a result. Importantly, the complicated nature of the existing legislation seriously reduces its potential as a vehicle for future policy reform. The interim report found the sooner reforms are made to existing regulations, the simpler they will be to implement and delays and expense associated with remaining with…

RECORD COST OF LIVING PAIN REVEALED IN NEW ABS DATA

Media Releases2 August, 2023

Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Liberal Senator for Western Australia MEDIA RELEASE 2 August 2023 RECORD COST OF LIVING PAIN REVEALED IN NEW ABS DATA Living Cost Indexes released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics lay bare the rising cost of living under the Albanese Government, especially for working Australians. The Indexes measure goods and services prices and their impact on five household types – including employee, age pensioner and self-funded retirees. Annually, spanning most of the life of the Albanese Government between June 2022 and June 2023, indexes for all household types rose. Working households experienced the highest annual rise on record, or 9.6%, based on mortgage interest increases. Mortgage interest expenses blew out by 91.6%, another record. In the last quarter, indexes for all five household types rose by up to 1.5%. Insurance and financial services was the leading component, again driven by mortgage interest rate increases as well as larger insurance premiums, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages and housing expenses. Housing jumped as an expenditure component due to growing rents in an environment of low vacancy rates and strong demand. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “This ABS data makes it very clear that Jim Chalmers and the Albanese Government’s recent claims about the economy and how Australians are faring is false.” “The data confirms all Australians have experienced significant, sometimes record, cost of living increases on Labor’s watch. “Working Australians are worst affected, given the inevitable impact of rising interest rates – themselves the result of Labor mismanaging inflation and leaving the heavy lifting to the RBA. “No wonder this record data corresponds to record numbers of Australians turning to charities and non-profits for support, many for the first time. “It’s time the Albanese Government got its priorities right and focussed on addressing inflation and its effect on Australian households and those supporting them.” ENDS

LABOR REFUSES TO RELEASE GST DOCUMENTS REQUESTED UNDER FOI

Media Releases17 July, 2023

Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Liberal Senator for Western Australia MEDIA RELEASE 14 July 2023 LABOR REFUSES TO RELEASE GST DOCUMENTS REQUESTED UNDER FOI Treasurer Jim Chalmers is again showing up Anthony Albanese’s much vaunted commitment to accountability and transparency in Government by refusing to release hundreds of pages of documents relating to GST discussions between the States and Federal Government. “The Treasurer is failing to meet the most basic transparency requirements and has flaunted the Freedom of Information process since March this year when my office first made a request regarding details of the GST distribution system,” Senator Dean Smith said. Treasury officials confirmed during Senate Estimates that 91 new FOI requests were received between 1 January and 30 April 2023, but 8 were not finalised within the statutory timeframe of 30 days and one was not finalised within 30 days of the due date. On 28 June, the Treasurer’s office issued a ‘practical refusal grounds’ to Senator Smith’s request, blocking the release of more than 500 pages of documents on the basis it would place an unreasonable burden on his “small number of office staff” and that it would “substantially and unreasonably interfere with the performance of the Minister’s functions”. The recent announcement confirming WA’s AAA credit rating was, predictably, met with a barrage of complaints from State Premiers and Treasurers about WA’s GST deal. “Documents that my office managed to source through other Senate information gathering processes confirm that the GST system has been discussed at meetings between State Treasurers and the Federal Treasurer since the election of the Albanese Government,” Senator Smith said. In a letter to the Federal Treasurer on 30 January 2023, the ACT Chief Minister confirmed the GST “no-worse off guarantee” had been discussed at the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) on 9 September 2022, and asked for a “process and timeframe for resolution of this issue” be discussed at the next meeting of the CFFR. “The use of Freedom on Information laws and other Senate information gathering processes have become more necessary than ever after Labor changed the rules governing the Council on Federal Financial Relations in December last year, making all its discussions and documents confidential,” Senator Smith said. “Western Australians have a right to know what secret deals the Albanese Government might be hatching with other States in order to meet their demands for greater GST funding. “WA’s Federal Labor representatives cannot allow our GST win to be whittled away with secret side deals, potentially robbing WA of its fair share of funding for roads, hospitals and vital infrastructure.” ENDS

LABOR TALKFEST CONTINUES WHILE AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES WAIT FOR REAL RESULTS

Media Releases11 July, 2023

Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Liberal Senator for Western Australia MEDIA RELEASE 11 July 2023 LABOR TALKFEST CONTINUES WHILE AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES WAIT FOR REAL RESULTS Another round of charities town hall meetings is being held by the Albanese Government while it neglects key decisions affecting the Australian charity and non-profit sector. Charities Minister Andrew Leigh is in Perth today for the first of the meetings, with more advertised in Brisbane, Devonport and Adelaide later this week. Labor says the town halls follow on from “successful meetings with charities last year”, but Opposition charities spokesman Senator Dean Smith said there’s no tangible evidence they achieved meaningful results. “Andrew Leigh is far more interested in concepts than delivery when comes to backing our charities and non-profits,” Senator Smith said. “Labor acknowledges the sector is under pressure, then proceeds to waste a week by holding meetings instead of taking the urgent, practical action required. “What more proof does the Albanese Government need that the sector is facing unprecedented demand that’s growing by the day?” Senator Smith said it was particularly disappointing given Labor still hasn’t announced a new advisory board for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. EOI applications for the board opened in October 2022 and the Charities Minister, who is responsible for making the appointments, was provided a short list in January this year. “Six months have now passed since this landed on Andrew Leigh’s desk,” Senator Smith said. “Now we have another round of town halls, more talking, and no action from Labor where it really counts. “Applicants for board positions, and the sector generally, deserved an answer a long time ago – they need clarity more than ever and they’re not getting it from the Albanese Government.” Responding to Andrew Leigh’s media release today that noted “we have initiated a Productivity Commission review of philanthropy” and “started work on a Blueprint for strengthening the capacity and capability of Australian charities”, Senator Smith said Labor had only begun work on this after he raised it in Question Time on 8 February. “Part of these initiatives were an election commitment to the sector, but that didn’t stop Labor dragging its heels for months,” Senator Smith said. “And we still haven’t actually seen the blueprint that Andrew Leigh talks about. “Australia’s charities and non-profit sector represents almost a tenth of the economy, it’s a major employer, and it’s literally keeping Australians alive in the Albanese Government’s cost of living crisis. “Our charities are at the coalface of this crisis and the least Labor could do is provide them with some concrete results.” ENDS

Charities the hidden face of Australia’s Cost of Living Crisis

Media Releases10 July, 2023

Senator Dean Smith Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Liberal Senator for Western Australia Angie Bell MP Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Shadow Minister for Youth Federal Member for Moncrieff Aaron Violi MP Federal Member for Casey MEDIA RELEASE 4 July 2023 CHARITIES THE HIDDEN FACE OF AUSTRALIA’S COST OF LIVING CRISIS Charities from the Dandenongs to the Gold Coast have described themselves as the ‘hidden face’ of the Albanese Government’s cost-of-living crisis. Operators said they are facing record demand for their services against a backdrop of inflation, rising rents and reduced donations. Charities and non-profits shared these experiences during visits by Shadow Assistant Minister for Charities Senator Dean Smith to the Federal electorates of Casey and Moncrieff. The visits are aimed at supporting Coalition Members’ engagement with their local charities, as well as gauging the capacity and resilience of the sector nationally. In Casey, Federal Member Aaron Violi MP and Senator Smith visited homelessness support service Holy Fools and emergency food relief provider Discovery Community Care, after calling into The Mustard Tree Op Shop and Café in Lilydale. Sales at The Mustard Tree, run by the Lilydale Baptist Church, fund its wide-reaching charity work, including food, clothing and shelter for those in need. Another catering operator doing important work is Tasty Az, a social enterprise providing cooking, job and life skills to people living with a disability, and where Mr Violi and Senator Smith helped make a batch of scones for afternoon tea. The visit ended with a round table meeting with representatives of Anchor Community Care, Cire Community Hubs and Healesville Inter-Church Community Care. Senator Smith said the work being done by local charities was inspiring. “The support being provided to so many people, whatever their needs, is remarkable when you consider the economic environment charities are currently operating in,” Senator Smith said. “The feedback is clear, there are more clients than ever before, but overheads are up and donations are down – it’s a very challenging space to be working in. “We heard anecdotal evidence that increasing rents are forcing charities out of the premises they need to run their activities.” Mr Violi said locals in need were supported by a charity and non-profit sector that is second to none. “Casey is incredibly lucky to be home to such a dedicated, diverse and highly organised charities presence, doing everything possible to support those who are struggling,” Mr Violi said. “But providing these services is far from easy at the moment, with many local charities facing unprecedented demand. The Mustard Tree told us it experienced its busiest month ever in May 2023.” Travelling to Queensland’s Gold Coast, Senator Smith participated in a dynamic round table organised by Ms Angie Bell MP at the Broadbeach Senior Citizens Centre. Among the charities and non-profits that generously gave both their time and input were St John’s Crisis Centre, Volunteering Gold Coast and Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, which supports the work of Australia’s busiest emergency department. Rosie’s Friends on The Street, Hope Starts Here, The Migrant Centre, Serving Our People and branches of the local Rotary and Lions Clubs were also around the table, covering services from assisting new arrivals to Australia with getting drivers licences and other essentials, to running a free supermarket so those experiencing food stress can get their groceries in a stigma-free manner. Ms Bell said that Moncrieff has a proud history of volunteering and supporting those in need, with local charities and community organisations actively working together to meet demand. “Gold Coasters are feeling the full impact of this cost-of-living crisis and our local charities and community organisations are going above and beyond to provide support,” Ms Bell said. “Moncrieff charities are out there doing important work, supporting the most vulnerable in our community. Friends with Dignity have furnished hundreds of homes for domestic violence survivors, St John’s Crisis Centre are offering a hand up to those who are struggling with homelessness and the Carrara Lions Club have their own grants programs to make a small but meaningful difference within our community.” Senator Smith said although feedback about a lack of new volunteers across Casey and Moncrieff was consistent with elsewhere in Australia, it was encouraging to hear some representatives say they are seeing an uptick in interest from young people. “But it’s a shame that, while charities and their volunteer bases work so hard to meet their obligations, the Albanese Government is not,” Senator Smith said. “Labor doesn’t just owe it to Australians to be better economic managers, get inflation in check, and relieve the pain of its cost-of-living crisis – it owes it to our charities.” “It’s a blessing that communities like those in Casey and Moncrieff have the outstanding charity sectors they do, and that they are so well advocated for by Aaron Violi and Angie Bell. ENDS

Senator Dean Smith – Speech on Constitutional Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2023

Speeches19 June, 2023

Introduction I rise to speak on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023. I come to this debate from a unique position. As a new Senator in 2012, I led a small group of Coalition Senators to successfully argue against the Gillard Labor Government’s proposal to recognise local government in the Constitution. And, just five years ago, I witnessed the transformative power of acknowledgement when this Parliament passed my private senators bill to extend marriage to same-sex couples. It is from this position that I have carefully considered the proposal for a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. I make myself clear from the outset, I fully support Constitutional reconciliation with Australia’s first nations people, and I now view it one of our nation’s greatest unresolved issues. In the months preceding this debate, every Australian I have encountered wants to see significantly improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And, like me, they are committed to practical initiatives that work towards delivering them. We are ready for some form of Indigenous constitutional recognition – but not one that includes this Voice to the Parliament and the Executive Government. As a Constitutional conservative, I believe changing our nation’s birth certificate requires a cautious and thorough approach. And any Constitutional reform on any issue must be one that unites – rather than divides – Australians, with full consideration of consequences and disclosure of details. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to say this is happening in relation to this referendum proposal. Problems with the Voice There are many cherished values that unite Australia as one of the world’s most successful multi-racial and multi-ethnic societies. Foremost for me are these– tolerance, fairness, egalitarianism, and democracy. Contrast four values with four concerns about the Voice, each at complete odds with the other: First, it is risky, because of its legal ramifications, including capacity to challenge Government decision making in the High Court. Second, it is unknown because Labor will not provide key details to the Australian people before they are called to make a decision. Third, it is permanent, to remain in the Constitution forever, regardless of its complications or performance. And fourth – most significantly of all – it is divisive. Something that goes against the fabric of our country. Risky At its core, the Constitution is a legal document, our ‘rule book’, and a primary consideration of any reform must be the legal consequences. Constitutional enshrinement, as proposed here, means authority is transferred to the High Court, away from our democratically elected Parliament. Legal experts, including the Government’s Constitutional Expert Group, have not been able to reach a consensus on the legal effects of the Voice, including whether the proposal is constitutionally sound or immune to challenge in the courts. Renowned former High Court Judge and President of the Samuel Griffith Society, the Hon Ian Callinan KC, expressed his apprehension, stating: “I would foresee a decade or more of constitutional and administrative law litigation arising out of a Voice…” Adding that: “It would be imprudent to underestimate the capacity of any future High Court for ingenuity or originality.” Justice Callinan goes further, pointing out that the Voice poses a risk of dysfunctional governance – querying, for example, who a representation to the Executive will be made to, and how it will be processed. Another prominent Australian constitutional expert, the late Hon David Jackson KC, observed that any attempt to restrict the Voice’s power to make representations to Parliament or the Executive would be invalid. Even the Solicitor General has acknowledged that there is room for argument on this matter. Liberal Senators observed this in their dissenting report to the Joint Select Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum: “If proposed s129 is interpreted by the High Court in a way that imposes on the Executive either a duty to consult the Voice or consider its representations, this will have profoundly disruptive effects on the operation of the Government.” Former Justice of the Federal Court the Hon Roger Gyles KC shared these concerns, noting we cannot rely on assertions that the High Court wouldn’t imply a duty to consult the Voice. Our Constitution – because of the clarity and protection it has provided for more than 120 years, has a precious legacy. Listening to these informed legal perspectives, to the uncertainty surrounding the working reality of the Voice, Australians cannot be asked in good faith to risk this precious legacy on something they know so little about. Unknown When it comes to the Voice – or any Constitutional amendment – the details should come before the vote, not the other way around. Is it any wonder Australians are increasingly suspicious of the unorthodox approach taken by the Albanese Government? Among other things, it refuses to make publicly available the advice provided on the Voice by the Solicitor General. The reality is that Australians are being starved of the information needed to make a considered decision. Here, I feel I can remind the Prime Minister of the hard earnt lessons of the same sex marriage debate. Lessons I fear he and Labor have conveniently overlooked or chosen to ignore. First, it’s rarely the first proposal that wins the day. The Bill that successfully passed this Parliament was not the first, but the 23rd dealing with marriage equality. The Parliamentary process was genuinely multi-partisan, culminating in a unanimous committee report and the presentation of a Bill that crafted a single proposal out of many views. Unlike in this case, that proposal was not owned by one group at the expense of another. And full details of the legislation were released to the public three months before the plebiscite vote – ensuring Australians understood what they were voting for. Anthony Albanese has said: “What I am not going to do [is] to go down the curl-de-sac of getting into every detail because that is not a recipe for success.” Our repeated calls for detail have been…

Shared Message from Charities Across City and Regional New South Wales

Media Releases31 March, 2023

Recent back to back visits to charities and non-profits in the Federal electorates of Parkes and Bradfield provided an opportunity to compare the sector at work in dramatically different parts of NSW.

Labor’s superannuation changes and WA

Media Releases, Messages5 March, 2023

Less than a year into Government, and following a campaign centred on honesty, Labor has betrayed the trust of WA voters by breaking its commitment not to make changes to superannuation.