Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I rise today to speak on this final report of the cost-of-living committee, of which I've been a member. It shines a light on an issue that is now urgent for all Australians: the cost-of-living crisis that is placing unprecedented pressure on households and businesses across the country. This crisis, fuelled by the Albanese Labor government's policies, is not just about rising prices but about a government that has abandoned Australians in need and turned its back on commonsense solutions. The Australian people are becoming increasingly agitated, and their disillusionment with the Labor government is quickly turning to unrest. The clock is ticking for Prime Minister Albanese, Dr Chalmers and every Labor senator in this chamber. Australians are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, and they are holding this government accountable.

In particular, this crisis is having a devastating impact on our most vulnerable citizens. More than two million Australian households—a staggering 19 per cent—have experienced severe food insecurity in the past year. People are being forced to make impossible choices between putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads. The demand for services provided by not-for-profits, the lifeblood of our communities, has surged, stressing the widespread impact of the crisis. Tragically, this is happening while over 7.6 million tonnes of perfectly edible food is wasted each year in Australia, because it's cheaper to throw it away than it is to donate it. Yet the government has chosen to reject a simple, practical solution that could help alleviate this suffering and reduce food waste.

My private senator's bill, the Tax Laws Amendment (Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations) Bill 2024, proposes tax offsets to encourage businesses to donate food to charities. It was met with overwhelming support from industry groups, food relief organisations and even Labor's own committees. Its passage was also a recommendation of this cost-of-living committee report. However, the government, in a move that can only be described as putting politics before people, chose to ignore the groundswell of support and announce that it will reject bill. This rejection is particularly shocking given its potential benefits. Stakeholders emphasise its ability to support struggling households, charities grappling with increased demand, and farmers and producers battling rising business costs.

Instead of embracing this opportunity to help those in need, the government chose to attack the very organisations that are working tirelessly to support struggling Australians. They accused the bill of preferring large food-relief charities at the expense of others—a claim that is not only unfounded but deeply offensive to those dedicated to helping others. This is another slap in the face for struggling Australians and the charities working tirelessly to support them. This is unconscionable! The government needs to reverse its decision and introduce a policy that incentivises food donations and reduces waste. I also challenge the Greens to join this call for action and support practical solutions to address this crisis.

The findings of the cost-of-living committee complete the picture. Australians are undeniably worse off than they were 2½ years ago. This isn't just about abstract figures in a report. This is about the real struggles of everyday people who are finding it increasingly difficult to provide for themselves and their families, keep a roof over their heads and maintain a reasonable standard of living. The government's big-spending approach has only added fuel to the fire of inflation, forcing the Reserve Bank to repeatedly raise interest rates. These rate hikes have added thousands of dollars to the average mortgage, pushing many Australians towards financial ruin. Projections from the International Monetary Fund suggest Australia will have the highest inflation rate amongst advanced economies by the end of 2025, trailing only the Slovak Republic.

Just as the report does, I implore the government to listen to the anxieties and the suffering of the Australian people and to listen to the voices of the experts. The time for talk is over. The government must act decisively, embracing measures like those contained in the cost-of-living report and particularly in this particular private senator's bill. It is time to act on the cost-of-living crisis that is hurting many Australians. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted.