RECENTLY

1. This week Senate Estimates provided further confirmation that the Government has made no attempt to analyse how their budget impacts Australian women.

On Wednesday Treasury revealed that they haven’t done any analysis on how the new tax rates will impact women. This is despite the Coalition’s budget likely to leave some women who are earning less than average wages with a 100% effective marginal tax rate. The impact of Government policy on women should be a key priority for every government. This is why Labor is calling on the Government to reinstate the Women’s Budget Statement.

2. Yesterday I was honoured to meet with Business and Professional Women (BPW) Coffs Harbour, the Coffs Harbour Business Women’s Network, Zonta Coffs Harbour and the Country Women’s Association to discuss the economic issues faced by women.

Women retire with almost half the amount of superannuation as their male counterparts, they are paid less in many comparable jobs and feminised sectors are paid less than non-feminised industries. These energetic women are taking practical steps locally to address these issues, and generously shared their suggestions about how a Federal Labor Government might approach this enduring challenge.



3. Yesterday I also met with the Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre.

They are at the front line tackling inequality, finding practical ways to strengthen the community of Coffs Harbour, as well as assisting those in great need. They provide support to those sleeping rough, run homework centres for refugee children, and co-ordinate volunteers into a wide range of local community organisations. They deserve continuing support from all levels of government.

OUR TEAM

“Labor’s plan raises more revenue – and it’s twice as fair” – Bill Shorten MP.

This week Labor Leader Bill Shorten MP outlined Labor’s economic vision in the State of the Nation Address to the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA). Bill Shorten discussed Labor’s plan to address key issues facing the nation such as the record high levels of under-employment and casualisation and record low levels of wage growth. Labor is committed to creating a better-skilled, more productive workforce where profit is fairly shared amongst the workforce. We are committed to building a fairer and more progressive taxation system, and will reform negative gearing and capital gains tax to make housing affordable for more Australians. You can hear Bill Shorten outline Labor’s full economic plan for the nation here.

IN DEPTH - THE ENVIRONMENT

This week United States President Donald Trump withdrew from the international Paris Climate Agreement. 195 countries signed on to the Agreement pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to tackle climate change. 

Trump’s decision puts Prime Minister Turnbull's choices into sharp relief. Already members of the Coalition Government are calling on Australia to join the United States and withdraw from the agreement, and to date, the Government has taken no action to meaningfully reduce emissions. 

Its time for the Prime Minister to make it clear he stands on the side of science and rational analysis, and that he will act on climate change. 

This coming week Professor Alan Finkel will deliver his review into Australia’s energy system. It would be surprising if that review did not contemplate an Emissions Intensity Scheme.

The list of businesses, energy regulators, and policy experts that now support an Emissions Intensity Scheme is now overwhelming, and is outlined below. Not only would such a scheme drive emissions reductions, it would also provide the investor certainty required to improve the reliability of the electricity system, and bring down prices. 

However, terrified by the Right in the Coalition party room, the Energy Minister, Josh Frydenberg has again ruled out such a scheme. 

The failure of the Prime Minister to act on our energy and climate crisis is scandalously irresponsible.

Stakeholder support for an EIS 

In Labor,

Jenny McAllister