Dear friends,
The Prime Minister promised Australians that "families will be better off under Labor".
But as Senator for WA, the feedback I've had from people on the ground is they are struggling with rising costs of living. Since the election:
HOLDING THE ALBANESE GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT
Senate Estimates is an opportunity for Senators to closely examine and ask questions of the government about how they are spending taxpayer money. It is a key part of Australia's democracy and ensures the Government is held accountable.
After pressing the National Disability Insurance Agency on their costings, they finally admitted the NDIS ran $200 million over budget last month alone, and has cost the government $500 million more than expected this financial year.
Photo: Grilling the National Disability Insurance Agency on their projected costings.
It was clear to me as the NDIS Minister that the NDIS faced serious issues and without addressing them, there would be no way to place the Scheme on a sustainable long-term growth trajectory.
In Opposition, Minister Shorten called me a "liar" for warning the NDIS would blow out - however, Labor's own Budget has shown the Scheme is projected to cost taxpayers $50 billion annually by 2025-26 - $20 billion more than estimated.
Answers from Senate Estimates made it crystal clear that the Minister needs to work quickly to identify solutions to ensure the NDIS endures as a world-class scheme for many more generations of Australians.
Labor must confirm the Henderson Dry Dock project.
It is extremely concerning that the $4.3 billion set aside by the former Coalition Government for a large-vessel dry-berth in Henderson seems to have disappeared under the Albanese Government, and the future of the project has not been confirmed despite my many questions to the Department of Defence and Australian Naval Infrastructure at Senate Estimates.
Under the previous Coalition Government, construction for the project was originally scheduled to commence in 2023, with initial operating capability in 2028 and full capability in 2030.
Project planning appears to have halted while the Defence Strategic Review has been underway, and the Government refuses to confirm if the project will go ahead or provide a new timeline after a year of delay.
Photo: Grilling Australian Naval Infrastructure at Senate Estimates for an update on the dry dock.
Photo: The Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. Credit: The West Australian.
The project must go ahead to build the capacity and capability of sovereign defence industry in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in the advanced manufacturing sector.
The Albanese Government must come clean on this project's future!
Australia needs to act to support Tibet.
I recently met with the Australian Tibet Council who raised the issue of human rights abuses in Tibet with me. As a long-term advocate of increasing awareness of modern slavery in Australia, I was absolutely shocked to learn that the Chinese Government has removed up to one million children from their families to force them to learn Chinese language and culture in communist boarding schools, far away from their homes.
At the same time, thousands of Tibetans have been forced into slavery in Chinese agriculture and manufacturing - including in the production of lithium.
Video: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, 16 February 2023.
I raised the issue of these human rights abuses in Senate Estimates and encouraged the Australian Government to follow the US' lead to enforce targeted Magnitsky sanctions on Chinese officials for their human rights abuses in Tibet.
RECENT SENATE SPEECHES
Cost of Living
Under Labor, Western Australians are paying more and more for their groceries, petrol, rent and mortgages.
The Albanese Labor Government need a plan to address the current cost-of-living crisis!
WA Government's Lack of Action on WA Defence
I again call on the WA State Government to fix the dated state-owned infrastructure that is unfortunately resulting in considerable constraint to defence industry in WA.
Disability Support for Western Australians
All Australians deserve insurance protection, no matter their age, or the nature of any catastrophic injury they sustain.
Senator Jim Molan AO DSC
Australia has lost a true servant to our nation with the loss of my good friend Senator Molan.
I paid my respects in my condolence speech to acknowledge his life well-lived serving our nation.
PARLIAMENTARY UPDATE
UKRAINE AMBASSADOR VISITS PARLIAMENT
The 47th Parliament was visited by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Mr Myroshnychenko Vasyl, last week.
Australia stands in support of Ukraine and will continue working with our partners to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
SENATE INQUIRY INTO THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the current war in Ukraine has increased the vulnerability of women and children around the world.
As Deputy Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I am proud to be working on an inquiry into the matters related to the rights of women and children.
SENATOR REYNOLDS' BIGGEST SURVEY
My Biggest Survey is out and I have already received important feedback from Western Australians on what issues matter most to them.
The #1 issue for respondents is reducing cost-of-living pressures, with 84% of people experiencing greater pressure on their family budget in the past year due to increased living prices.
72% of respondents so far do not support an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
As Senator for WA, it is important I keep receiving feedback on what is important to Western Australians so I can relay it to the Government when I return to Canberra.
I would appreciate if you could click here to provide your feedback and complete my Biggest Survey.
Thanks to everyone who has already submitted their survey!
The Coalition has a strong and proud record in government, and we shouldn't forget it: lower power prices, lower interest rates, lower unemployment, lower taxes and stronger borders.
We will continue to fight Labor's decisions which hike inflation and add cost burdens to Australian households and businesses.
Keep updated on my social media:
Yours sincerely,
