Luke Howarth's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2025-09-07T23:05:14+00:00
items: Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Rearrangement | Business | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Cost of Living | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Petrie Electorate: Australia Day Awards | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Free TAFE Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates

Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: It was reflecting on me, abusing me, when there's no need to do that. You should just get on with the actual speech of the minister.
encoded: It was reflecting on me, abusing me, when there's no need to do that. You should just get on with the actual speech of the minister.
date: 2025-03-27T16:59:00+00:00

Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak on the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025. This bill is designed to ensure that Australian banks remain engaged in the Pacific financial sector, thereby preserving Australia's...
encoded: I rise to speak on the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025. This bill is designed to ensure that Australian banks remain engaged in the Pacific financial sector, thereby preserving Australia's strategic presence in a region where China's influence continues to grow. By maintaining essential banking services for trade and remittances, the objective of the bill is to prevent further isolation of Pacific nations from global financial systems and help safeguard regional prosperity. We all want to see a safer Pacific and strong, soft diplomacy ties to it. But clear oversight and transparency measures are needed, because the bill creates an ongoing risk to the taxpayer, with the potential for open-ended liabilities if claims on the guarantee arise. While the coalition will not oppose this bill, referring the legislation to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee is crucial, as this will help identify any necessary amendments and ensure robust protections are in place for Australian taxpayers. The coalition's track record in the Pacific includes delivering record levels of aid, establishing diplomatic missions in every Pacific Islands Forum country and strengthening maritime security and labour mobility programs. In contrast, the Albanese government's approach appears reactive and has even been blindsided by China's growing presence in the region, highlighting the need for more proactive, long-term strategies. Balancing strategic objectives with fiscal prudence is vital, especially since the bill could expose taxpayers to geopolitical and commercial risk if not properly regulated. A robust national security stance underpins all Pacific engagement, and the coalition's record shows that only a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach can maintain Australia's leadership in the region. The Albanese government want to deflect the blame for their failures in the Pacific onto the coalition. This government just can't face its own failures. The fact is that, while contestabi…
date: 2025-03-27T16:50:00+00:00

Rearrangement | Business | House debates
type: item
description: I second the motion and I'll speak to it now. It's so important that this bill is dealt with right now, because, on 12 February, the Labor Party voted against their own bill, and, if we don't get...
encoded: I second the motion and I'll speak to it now. It's so important that this bill is dealt with right now, because, on 12 February, the Labor Party voted against their own bill, and, if we don't get this sorted today, there will be thousands of small businesses around the country that won't be able to write off assets that they've already purchased. In this financial year alone, there are people that might have gone out and put solar panels for renewable energy on their roof to reduce their electricity bills, which have doubled under this government—a 100 per cent increase for most businesses. There'll be cafes and so forth that have bought new equipment—it might be a brand-new coffee machine—that they're expecting to be able to depreciate this year, but they won't be able to. It will have to be depreciated over years, because this government hasn't sorted it out. They've come to parliament today—and there's a little bit of hypocrisy here—wanting to put through tax cuts that are worth five bucks a week and that aren't due until 15 months from now, but they won't deal with the instant asset tax write-off when we've literally got two months to go with it. This is why it's so urgent, and the Leader of the House should know that, on 12 February, they voted against their own bill. There are others—it might be carpenters or pest controllers or plumbers—who may have found a vehicle under 20 grand or new IT equipment that they bought in the last eight, nine or 10 months. If the government doesn't support the opposition's motion today and actually vote today on their own bill for the instant asset tax write-off, then those businesses will get to the end of the financial year, and it won't be there. It will be up to a new government, after the election, to put it through and make it retrospective. In the budget last night, the ongoing instant asset tax write-off was killed completely. For the people of Moreton, there'll be no more instant asset tax write-off after you've gone, G…
date: 2025-03-26T16:42:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: It's a great honour to represent the people of Petrie. Every term, I try to achieve as much as I can for the electorate, but the last three years under the Albanese government have been a bit...
encoded: It's a great honour to represent the people of Petrie. Every term, I try to achieve as much as I can for the electorate, but the last three years under the Albanese government have been a bit dry. There were no election promises delivered from the government since the last election—absolutely nothing from the Prime Minister. When you look at what the government promised before the election and what they've delivered, it's all bad. What happened to the $275 power bill reduction? What happened to the $275, Prime Minister? Not there. What happened to cheaper rents? Nothing. They haven't been delivered. What happened to cheaper mortgages? We have had 12 interest rate rises, and all the rents and mortgages have gone up. What the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and others said before the election—diddly squat, nothing happening. What happened to stage 3 tax cuts—'My word is my bond'? 'We're going to keep them. We're going to kill bracket creep. My word is my bond,' from the Treasurer. But then, not anymore—my word means nothing. So the reality is, with the election in just a couple of months—due in May—when the Albanese government open their mouths, when ministers open their mouths and when the Prime Minister opens his mouth, their word cannot be trusted. You cannot believe a word this frontbench says because they have not delivered for Australians and they certainly haven't delivered for the people of Petrie. The LNP will, if given the opportunity.
date: 2025-02-13T13:57:00+00:00

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: It would be disastrous for Australia, as the member for Mallee says. I've got to shoot off that warning because the Prime Minister and his government must take responsibility for the economic...
encoded: It would be disastrous for Australia, as the member for Mallee says. I've got to shoot off that warning because the Prime Minister and his government must take responsibility for the economic damage that they have caused in the last three years. The coalition is not in government; they are. If you can't trust the leader of the country when he makes promises about lowering electricity prices, not changing stage 3 tax cuts or not putting additional taxes on superannuation that are not indexed, so that people in their early 20s are going to be impacted by the decisions of the Albanese government when they're at retirement age, then how can you trust anyone? It's no wonder that Australians get a little bit cynical about politics when people—and particularly the leader of the country—say one thing before an election and then something after. Above all, they must present a real plan: one that delivers genuine relief and restores the economic stability that Australians deserve. Until that happens, the coalition will continue to stand with the Australian people, holding this government to account and fighting for a better, more prosperous future for all Australians.
date: 2025-02-11T12:59:00+00:00

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak on the additional appropriation bills for 2024-2025: Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-25 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill...
encoded: I rise to speak on the additional appropriation bills for 2024-2025: Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-25 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025. These bills provide the necessary appropriations to ensure the continued delivery of essential government services and to fund decisions made since the 2024-25 budget was announced in May last year. In total, these bills appropriate approximately $12 billion for the remainder of the financial year, the majority of which, some $7 billion, is directed towards the ordinary annual services of government. The opposition supports this legislation to ensure the smooth operation of government and the uninterrupted provision of services that the Australian people rely on. However, while we support these bills as a matter of necessity, we must also use this opportunity to highlight the grave economic mismanagement that has led us to this point and put Australians under so much cost-of-living pressure. These bills, like the budget bills before them, were introduced in the context of a budget and MYEFO update that yet again expose the Albanese Labor government's utter failure to tackle its cost-of-living crisis. The Albanese government cannot manage the economy. That is why we have seen inflation far too high for far too long. They cannot manage the budget. That is why we have seen $347 billion in additional spending that has fuelled inflation and kept rents, mortgages and the cost-of-living high for the people who we represent. The evidence of the Albanese Labor government's failures has been mounting since they were elected back in May 2022. What do they have to show for their additional $347 billion in expenditure? What do they really have to show apart from higher prices, higher interest rates, higher rents, more small businesses collapsing—some 27,000—and lower living standards. In fact, they are saying that living standards have dropped so far under this governmen…
date: 2025-02-11T12:59:00+00:00

Cost of Living | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: It's a great honour to represent the people of Petrie here in federal parliament. There are some 130,000 voters, and, when you add children in as well, there are a lot of people in Moreton Bay...
encoded: It's a great honour to represent the people of Petrie here in federal parliament. There are some 130,000 voters, and, when you add children in as well, there are a lot of people in Moreton Bay and Brisbane city that I represent. What we've seen under the Albanese Labor government is an increase in the cost of living, and it really hurts me to see that people are struggling in my electorate and around the country as well. Things have gotten considerably worse in the last three years since the Albanese government came to power and the government changed. What we've seen, and how it's become more difficult for people of Petrie, is an increase in costs. Health is up 10 per cent, education's up 11 per cent, food is up 12 per cent, housing's up 14 per cent, rents are up 17 per cent—and acute homelessness is through the roof—insurance and financial services are up 18 per cent, gas is up 34 per cent and electricity is up 32 per cent. When you look at health, Labor talk a big game. I've said before that they continually say, 'Let's save Medicare.' The issue is that it's a complete joke. Under them, bulk-billing is lower. It's actually fallen by 11 percentage points in less than three years. The bulk-billing rate under the coalition government was 88 per cent; it's now down to 77 per cent. When it comes to education, education is also up 11 per cent despite the rhetoric that we get from those opposite about free TAFE. Free TAFE is not free; it's costing taxpayers an additional $1½ billion on top of what we already spend on VET funding. The issue is that Labor only support the sector where their union donors are. That's why they want to do free TAFE, because you've got more unionists in TAFE, as far as it's been in state education. The problem is that it's not getting the results that we need. Under our system, we were ensuring that we were boosting apprenticeship schemes and actually paying for 50 per cent of wages, but Labor don't want to support employers; they only want to…
date: 2025-02-10T10:42:00+00:00

Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: by leave—I move amendments (1) and (3) on sheet 2, as circulated in my name, together: (1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 2), omit "Schedules 1 and 2", substitute "Schedule 1". (3) Schedule...
encoded: by leave—I move amendments (1) and (3) on sheet 2, as circulated in my name, together: (1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 2), omit "Schedules 1 and 2", substitute "Schedule 1". (3) Schedule 2, page 5 (lines 1 to 15), omit the Schedule.
date: 2025-02-10T18:18:00+00:00

Petrie Electorate: Australia Day Awards | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: On Australia Day we witnessed an extraordinary moment of recognition for some truly outstanding individuals within the electorate of Petrie. Today I have the privilege of sharing with you the...
encoded: On Australia Day we witnessed an extraordinary moment of recognition for some truly outstanding individuals within the electorate of Petrie. Today I have the privilege of sharing with you the remarkable achievements of those who were honoured with the prestigious Order of Australia medal and one meritorious award. In the Petrie electorate we're incredibly fortunate to have individuals who embody these qualities. These recipients represent the best of Australia—their selflessness, their commitment to service and their ability to make a difference having earned them this well-deserved national recognition. Mr Wesley Bleakley from Kippa-Ring received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to people with a disability. I've known Wesley for many years; this is thoroughly deserved. Mrs Teresa Bourke from Redcliffe received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to swimming and as a coach of people with a disability. Ms Wendy Paterson from Griffin received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health. Detective Sergeant Stuart Butler from Margate was awarded the Australian Police Medal. On behalf of the people of Petrie, I want to thank each of you for your dedication, your service and for what you do for Australia. Congratulations.
date: 2025-02-10T13:57:00+00:00

Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
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description: In relation to the amendments from the member for Warringah: as much as I think the instant asset tax write-off should be lifted much higher, the reality is that, leading into this election, we...
encoded: In relation to the amendments from the member for Warringah: as much as I think the instant asset tax write-off should be lifted much higher, the reality is that, leading into this election, we have to have all our costings put up front. We want to make sure our budget is better than the current government's, and that's why we decided to lift it to $30,000 and make it permanent. As a former small-business owner and a former contractor, and someone who worked in trades for 15 years, I understand the value of the instant asset tax write-off; I think a lot of the coalition do. In relation to the member for Kooyong, I've got no idea what she's talking about. An attack on tradies wanting to use utes? You've got to be kidding me! I used to run a pest control business and I had nine pest controllers, and every single one of them had a dual cab ute or an extra cab ute that they used for work. If they take their family off in that dual cab ute on the weekend, off to lunch or something—you want to reduce that; is that right? Is that what you want to do for the people of Kooyong and right around Australia? The ute is a genuine tax deduction, and I can guarantee you one thing: if I'm Assistant Treasurer we won't be getting rid of tax-free thresholds and any sort of deduction on utes, that is for sure. I challenge the member for Kooyong to go out and talk to the tradies in her electorate—or perhaps we'll get Amelia Hamer to go out and talk to the people in her electorate. It's an outrageous suggestion. It is a slur on everyone who drives a ute to say, 'This is some sort of tax dodge to have a ute.' It just shows how out of touch some of these members in this place are. That is definitely one of the worst amendments I've seen in 12 years in this place. That someone would stand up and say something like that is a slur on every tradie, every bricklayer, every builder and every person that works in the offices for those companies. It's wrong.
date: 2025-02-10T13:26:00+00:00

Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
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description: No, it does remove schedule 2 of the bill as well. So, it's removing schedule 2 of the bill in relation to striking out the general interest charge and the shortfall interest charge. Obviously we...
encoded: No, it does remove schedule 2 of the bill as well. So, it's removing schedule 2 of the bill in relation to striking out the general interest charge and the shortfall interest charge. Obviously we want small and medium businesses to pay, but they can receive that additional interest as tax deductions at the moment. The government is taking all that away, and we're saying that at this time, when there is high inflation, when 27,000 businesses have gone broke around Australia under this government, we think it is the wrong time to do that. So, it does remove that, and also the change to the instant asset tax write-off—just lifting it from 20 to 30 and making it permanent.
date: 2025-02-10T13:07:00+00:00

Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
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description: by leave—I move opposition amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 1 to government amendment (2) on sheet UG105 together. (1) Amendment (2), omit "$20,000 instant", substitute "Instant". (2)...
encoded: by leave—I move opposition amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 1 to government amendment (2) on sheet UG105 together. (1) Amendment (2), omit "$20,000 instant", substitute "Instant". (2) Amendment (2), items 1 to 4, omit the items, substitute: 1 Section 328-180 (heading) Omit "to30 June 2024". 2 Subsection 328-180(1) (definition of increased access year ) Repeal the definition, substitute: increased access year: an income year is an increased access year if any day in the year occurs on or after 12 May 2015. 3 Paragraph 328-180(4)(d) Omit "$20,000", substitute "$30,000". 4 Paragraph 328-180(4)(d) Omit "and on or before 30 June 2024" (wherever occurring). 5 Paragraph 328-180(5)(e) Repeal the paragraph, substitute: (e) were a reference to $30,000, if the amount is so included at any time on or after 1 July 2023. 6 Paragraph 328-180(6)(e) Repeal the paragraph, substitute: (e) were a reference to $30,000, in relation to a deduction for an income year than ends on or after 1 July 2023. My amendments will remove schedule 2 from the bill. It strikes at the government's attack on small business, which denies deductibility for the general interest charge and the shortfall interest charge. It will also amend the government amendment on the instant asset tax write-off. Removing deductibility of ATO interest charges on schedule 2 of this bill would deny deductions for ATO interest charges: the general interest charge and shortfall interest charge. We believe this is another attack on small business. We've seen some 27,000 small and medium businesses close in the last three years. This is another added burden to these businesses at a time when many of them are doing it quite tough. Small businesses at this time can least afford what the government is doing, and that is why I am moving these amendments to remove the schedule. The current arrangements, which allow for deductibility, take into account the uncertainty of the tax environment and that filed positions can be reviewed well …
date: 2025-02-10T13:01:00+00:00

Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
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description: I have a few final questions. This is the minister's bill, so I'm giving him plenty of opportunity to talk on it, and I appreciate what he's done. Stakeholders have raised concerns about the...
encoded: I have a few final questions. This is the minister's bill, so I'm giving him plenty of opportunity to talk on it, and I appreciate what he's done. Stakeholders have raised concerns about the significant civil penalties that apply in relation to the framework. Can the minister outline how the penalty regime will operate? What are tier 1 and tier 2 penalties? What are the maximum penalties? How will a civil penalty be determined using the various calculation methods? Does the minister think the maximum civil penalties are proportionate? Has the minister considered stakeholder recommendations that civil penalties only apply to serious or systematic breaches? What are the other consequences for a breach? What other enforcement tools are available to the ACCC? How will the Scams Prevention Framework and external dispute resolution interact with the existing ePayments Code rules in relation to unauthorised payments? Which code will have priority? What will the transitional period be for compliance and being subject to a civil penalty once a sector designation is made? Will there be a time limit for making a complaint to AFCA?
date: 2025-02-06T13:01:00+00:00

Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I have just a few more questions for the minister, and I thank him for his answers. Feedback from both industry and consumer advocates on the draft bill pointed to the complexity arising from the...
encoded: I have just a few more questions for the minister, and I thank him for his answers. Feedback from both industry and consumer advocates on the draft bill pointed to the complexity arising from the lack of clear liability rules and an apportionment mechanism for situations where multiple entities across different sectors are involved in a scam. How have these concerns been addressed in the final bill? Will AFCA have carte blanche to make decisions on apportionment of liability for each regulated entity? If regulated entities disagree with an apportionment decision, will they be able to litigate to overturn that decision? Do you anticipate these disputes will delay consumer redress? Have you estimated the potential costs and delays arising from litigation relating to these disputes, including for scam victims? In addition, I note that the Competition and Consumer Act, at section 51AE, already has a regulation-making power for the minister to prescribe enforceable mandatory codes to provide a set of rules or minimum standards for an industry, including the relationship between industry participants and their customers. Was it open to the government to use this existing power to make codes without having to enact new primary legislation? Could using the existing code-making power have meant mandatory codes were developed and made earlier than the 31 months and counting of the Albanese government that we have been waiting for the Scams Prevention Code? If it was open to the minister, why did you choose to delay action on scams by coming up with a much more complex approach? This is an approach which has been criticised by most stakeholders, who have asked for this framework to be focused on the codes. Did you choose this approach so that you could draw this out and have another announcement? You have previously mentioned that you had difficulty getting legislation drafted. We are still waiting for these industry codes. When would we see these draft codes now? I do note yo…
date: 2025-02-06T12:51:00+00:00

Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
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description: I rise to speak in consideration in detail. The coalition supports the actions of the government when it comes to preventing scams. We feel that it is very important legislation, so I have some...
encoded: I rise to speak in consideration in detail. The coalition supports the actions of the government when it comes to preventing scams. We feel that it is very important legislation, so I have some questions for the minister regarding the Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024. I know that this is an important bill for the minister, and I want to acknowledge the work that the minister and his staff have done. With his recent announcement about finishing up at the next election, I would—through you, Mr Speaker—just say to the minister: well done; we wish you well, and thank you for the work that you've done for Australians. We'll give you more time to speak on this, because we know that you love it and that you want lots of questions, so we've got a fair few questions to ask you. There are some concerns that have been raised about whether the bill will achieve its objectives for consumers. It has been described by some as a bit rushed, complex and unclear, and stacked against consumers. Through you, Mr Speaker: Minister, this framework relies heavily on leaving matters to be determined in future delegated legislation, which has not been made available or consulted upon alongside this bill. These include sector designation instruments, mandatory sector codes and other operational rules and guidelines. First, given that significant matters, including the prescriptive obligations in the codes, will be in this delegated legislation, why has it not been made publicly available alongside the bill? Second, have these instruments been developed or drafted already? Third, if not, why has this work, which is the substance and scope of the framework, not been done after 31 months of the Albanese government? Fourth, is this work being actively progressed by your department, and when will it be consulted on? I note that this policy work can be progressed and consulted on before the bill passes. Fifth, why are stakeholders and the parliament being expected to pass the bill through this …
date: 2025-02-06T12:42:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: I second the amendment and reserve my right to speak.
encoded: I second the amendment and reserve my right to speak.
date: 2025-02-05T12:50:00+00:00

Free TAFE Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: Well, get onto him then. I'll wait for your order. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Petrie is entitled to be heard in silence, please. Thank you. I'll get back to my experience. I did...
encoded: Well, get onto him then. I'll wait for your order. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Petrie is entitled to be heard in silence, please. Thank you. I'll get back to my experience. I did hospitality training back when silver service—for those people that might have gone to restaurants back in the late eighties and early nineties—was a big thing. I trained at the Bracken Ridge TAFE, which is still operating today within my electorate of Petrie. That's where I did my first training, before I went on to a career in sales and so forth. I then did a Diploma of Business through TAFE because I always wanted to run my own business, like my father. I did that Diploma of Business up at the Caboolture TAFE, which no longer exists. It's outside my electorate; it's in Longman. I'm not sure what is there now. It was part of the North Point training, and I also finished it down in Bracken Ridge. I want to thank the lecturers that gave me that training. It was good. After a successful career in wholesale sales, I went on to run my own business in the pest control industry, and then I went to TAFE to do a certificate III as well, so I've had quite a bit of training within the TAFE system. I want to give a shout-out to the Redcliffe TAFE and the Bracken Ridge TAFE, within the electorate of Petrie, for the work those trainers do there. I also want to give a shout-out to the Australian Trade College North Brisbane, which has remarkable trade training at Scarborough, within my electorate. It's one of the few trade training colleges where you can go to school—in grades 10, 11 and 12—and actually do an apprenticeship while you're training, and they're getting some fantastic outcomes. The former Prime Minister visited that trade training centre before the last election and gave it some recognition, which it rightly deserves. Labor have been on the 'Save TAFE' and free-TAFE bandwagon for the best part of 20 years. As I said the other day, when I'm dead and buried in 100 years, they'll…
date: 2025-02-05T11:17:00+00:00

Free TAFE Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I paid for TAFE, by the way—I say to the assistant minister, who is walking out the door. I actually paid for it—no problem at all—and I didn't come from a wealthy family or...
encoded: I paid for TAFE, by the way—I say to the assistant minister, who is walking out the door. I actually paid for it—no problem at all—and I didn't come from a wealthy family or anything like that. In fact, my father only went to grade 5. He finished school when he was 10, but he went on to own his first home in his 20s. So I say to those opposite: I think I am qualified to talk about TAFE. Generally, my experience there was good. I've got no problem with TAFE. What I have a problem with is the government picking and choosing winners and giving financial outcomes because of their union membership. Because TAFE is purely within the public sector, it tends to have more union membership. And to the minister opposite, who's seen a 14 per cent reduction in manufacturing—I don't know who the hell you think you are to talk and want to interject—a 14 per cent reduction—
date: 2025-02-05T11:17:00+00:00

Free TAFE Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I say to the Prime Minister as he's leaving the chamber: what about private VET training? Why is he not making private VET training free? If you are that concerned about VET training, make that...
encoded: I say to the Prime Minister as he's leaving the chamber: what about private VET training? Why is he not making private VET training free? If you are that concerned about VET training, make that free as well, Prime Minister. Rather than just choosing free TAFE, make private VET training free as well. The reality is that I, as one of 151 members in this House, am probably more qualified to talk about TAFE than anyone else here. That's because I've completed four courses through TAFE, from certificate I, certificate II and certificate III to diploma level. I've completed those all through TAFE. I would not suspect any other member to have done so. I don't support free TAFE. I think it is a bad policy. With the Free TAFE Bill 2024, what we're getting here from the Prime Minister and those opposite is them choosing one sector of VET training—a sector that they think benefits them, because of union membership. That's the reality. As I said before, my experience with TAFE when I first left school was doing a certificate in hospitality and training, back when silver service—
date: 2025-02-05T11:17:00+00:00

Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: Alright. I'll leave that one alone. Sorry about that, Deputy Speaker. But small businesses and other taxpayers are under financial distress because of this government. Recent research from...
encoded: Alright. I'll leave that one alone. Sorry about that, Deputy Speaker. But small businesses and other taxpayers are under financial distress because of this government. Recent research from CommBank found that more than half of Australian small and medium-sized businesses are feeling the stress of navigating the cost-of-living crisis, with 57 per cent of business owners reporting feeling stressed due to financial pressures. This is the harsh reality facing businesses under the Albanese government. The policy intent of these existing interest charges is to neutralise the loan benefit that a taxpayer gets due to the late payment of tax. The point of it is to put a taxpayer who is late paying tax in the same position as a taxpayer who has paid tax on time, but making these interest charges non-deductible goes beyond neutralising this loan benefit. It effectively now is an immediate penalty regardless of the debt levels of culpability of the late taxpayer. The interest charges are already calculated using an uplift to the 90-day bank bill rate. This uplift is seven per cent plus for the GIC, and this is to discourage the use of tax debts as a source of finance. Denying deductibility to every small business across Australia goes well beyond discouraging. It's punitive. It is a penalty. A revised tax assessment can occur for many reasons. These reasons can vary from honest mistake to uncertainty about a complex tax issue. On this point, the Corporate Tax Association has raised concerns that the proposed amendments may result in unintended behavioural consequences around how taxpayers and the ATO constructively engage to resolve long-running disputes. The association notes that Australian tax laws are complex and that in most instances a taxpayer would self-assess a position to comply with the law, and this would often include receiving advice from their accountants. Don't get me started on accountants and what the Assistant Treasurer has done to them in this last term. The…
date: 2025-02-04T17:11:00+00:00