FIRST TERM WINS |
WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR |
|
|
Household electrification accelerators Energy bills are a major driver of the current cost of living crisis and household electrification permanently reduces the cost of energy. Working with experts like Saul Griffith and the ANU, I took a proposal for electrification accelerators to the government. These accelerators are suburb-wide initiatives with government-backed support for solar, batteries, and efficient appliances. After tireless advocacy and strong community backing, the government has embraced this vision, with electrification accelerators to be rolled out in the ACT and across Australia. |
Ambitious investment in household electrification Australians, and particularly low-income households, are suffering from huge gas and electricity bills. Household electrification reduces energy bills every quarter for decades. The challenge is that electrifying is an upfront expense in order for households to save in the medium- and long-term. The Government can solve this problem by providing access to affordable finance to allow all households to switch to solar, batteries and electric appliances. This will save households thousands of dollars every single year while simultaneously reducing emissions. |
|
|
Increase in Jobseeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance I negotiated the establishment of an Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee to provide transparent advice to the Government in relation to income support payments. As a result of my advocacy and the advice of that committee, the rate of JobSeeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance was increased by a modest amount. I will continue to fight for the Government to raise the rate, but the establishment of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee is a significant step towards a meaningful increase. |
Increased competition in key industries such as supermarkets, airlines and banks Australia has a competition problem. One or a small number of companies are dominant in many parts of our economy, which has led to higher prices and poorer service for consumers, reduced productivity and so less prosperity for Australians, and more pronounced income inequality. In late 2024, I had some success in bringing forward the mandatory food and grocery code to better protect Australians struggling with record high prices. However, broader reform is needed to encourage greater competition and deliver lower prices for Australian consumers. |
|
|
Improvements to the cheaper childcare legislation In 2022, I successfully negotiated amendments to the government’s cheaper childcare legislation, ensuring that the Productivity Commission considers activity requirements, education outcomes, access for disadvantaged children and sector workforce requirements when reviewing proposed childcare award wage changes. He also successfully negotiated an amendment that expanded the discounts for the children of child care educators to other staff, including administrators and cooks. You can view him speaking on this legislation here. |
Improved legislation to protect Australians against scams Each year, Australians lose $2.7 billion to scams. Last year, the Government introduced legislation aiming to curb scams by placing increased due diligence obligations on banks, telcos and technology companies, and imposing large fines if those obligations aren’t met. However, I share the concerns of consumer groups that the legislation lacked a reimbursement model that would ensure that scam victims aren’t put through lengthy, hard-fought battles over who should pay. You can read more on this here. I will continue to push the Government to improve the legislation during the next term if re-elected. |