SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS
My Priorities
Simplify award rates to reduce business red tape
Support for decarbonising industries
Expanded instant asset write-off for small businesses
Tax reform to shift the tax burden from personal to passive income
Getting Things Done
As your Curtin Independent MP, I’m proud to have helped deliver results for our community.
Supported Stage 3 tax cuts for fairer income taxes
Opposed increased superannuation tax on unrealised gains
Introduced amendments to limit union powers in the workplace
Extended instant asset write-off for small businesses
I believe smart and sustainable economic management is imperative to maintaining Australia's competitiveness and future-proofing our economy.
The decarbonisation of the global economy provides great opportunities for Australia. We have everything needed to be a renewable energy powerhouse – sun, wind, critical minerals and transferable skills and technology. We need more of the long-term thinking that led to the Perth-Kalgoorlie pipeline and the North West Shelf.
The major parties shy away from discussions about tax and debt. Our tax system is complex and requires reform so it is fit for purpose, looking ahead to the social and demographic changes of the next decade. This requires deep thinking about major issues including our national debt, housing affordability, and the impact of an aging population, and how we address these issues for our children’s generation.
Industrial Relations
I am 100% supportive of workers’ rights, and I believe every worker has the right to be in a safe workplace that provides fair remuneration and support.
But I am also supportive of economic competition and the need for business to have the flexibility to innovate and grow and make hiring decisions that enable this. I am genuinely concerned about the increasing complexity of IR laws and how that affects business. IR laws should be simplified as much as possible to help employers do the right thing.
I did not support the Governments industrial relations Closing the Loopholes bill because it appeared to expand the powers of the Fair Work Commission and the unions and reduce flexibility for workers whilst adding complexity for business.
You can listen to my speeches on industrial relations issues here.
Measuring What Matters - Curtin Submission
Several countries have developed ways to measure progress and well-being. While methods vary, they tend to assess similar economic, social and environmental outcomes. Some countries are experimenting with more direct processes by linking progress indicators to priority and policy setting.
The OECD Framework for Measuring Well-being and Progress is well known and the inspiration for many countries’ approaches. The OECD is a good starting point for thinking about Australia, but it has limitations in data and coverage. For this reason, other countries have identified specific objectives, policy areas and indicators to supplement the OECD. Adding further detail will be important for Australia to reflect our unique conditions.
The Australian Treasury department called for submissions and in April 2023 a workshop with 80 residents of Curtin was run and based on that, this submission was made.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Financial regulations are particularly important when they affect people who are already vulnerable. We owe a duty of care to the most vulnerable to ensure that the financial sector is transparent, coherent and truthful.
The catch phrase for Buy Now Pay Later is that it is easy and accessible. Unfortunately, this includes people who are already in or at risk of financial hardship. Buy Now Pay Later is not marketed as credit, but with no affordability assessment, it can easily get you in debt.
Listen to my speech on the Buy Now Pay Later legislation here.
