Welcome to the latest edition of Clark Matters, my monthly email newsletter to help keep you abreast of federal politics and what I’ve been up to.
Federal Budget
The Federal Government has handed down its 2024 Budget, with more money for social housing and homelessness services, mental health, energy bill relief and superannuation for paid parental leave. These and other initiatives are welcome.
But this budget strikes me as having three fundamental flaws. For a start, it promises to deliver some government programs, in particular the defence upgrade, way beyond the budget forward estimates where funding might be likened to an outback mirage. This is reminiscent of the NDIS and Gonski education reforms, which were both largely promised beyond the estimates.
The thumping amount of money still to be siphoned to high-income earners also remains a problem. While the Government’s decision to revamp the Stage 3 tax cuts is good, it’s unconscionable and unaffordable that the wealthy, including federal politicians, will enjoy an annual tax cut of about $4,500. Although the Government promotes these tax cuts as the centrepiece of their cost of living relief package, the reality is they will be of no benefit whatsoever for those on extremely low incomes or income support. And yet again we have seen no meaningful increase to government pensions and payments.
Moreover the Government has failed, like just about every government in recent decades, to fundamentally re-engineer the Budget so it’s sustainable over the long term. Instead it’s kicked the can further down the road, seemingly unfazed by the sea of red in future budgets.
Live sheep export ban
It was very pleasing to see the Federal Government bring to the Parliament the bill that will end live sheep exports by 1 May 2028. This legislation will eventually ban an industry that is systemically cruel, not in Australia’s best economic interest, increasingly unsustainable and deeply unpopular. With thousands of animals suffering on the voyages, it was unconscionable that the barbarity was allowed to continue for so long.
The live sheep export industry is worth less than $100 million and is a tiny fraction of Australia’s $8 billion sheep industry. The $107 million government assistance package will help farmers to adjust their farm mix and associated industries to refocus their work. There will be expanded opportunities for meat processing in Australia, and for exporters of chilled and frozen lamb and mutton. And the ban will enhance Australia’s reputation as an ethical food producer and leader in animal welfare.
It is disappointing that the trade will continue until 2028, there will be no cap on the number of sheep that can be exported until that time, and there is no ban on beef cattle exports. However, credit should be given to the Government for what is perhaps the biggest single reform in animal welfare in Australia’s history. Frankly the only way to end the cruelty of the live export trade is to end the trade.
Relief for Julian Assange
It’s wonderful news that Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal his extradition to the United States. Mr Assange’s case will now go to the Court of Appeal, where I hope for success so he can be reunited with his family and allowed to return to Australia.
The court’s decision also gives the Australian and US governments, and indeed Mr Assange and the US Department of Justice, more time to negotiate to have the charges dropped or at least a deal to be struck. Mind you it never should have come to this because Mr Assange should never have been charged for Wikileaks’ astonishing revelations of egregious United States misconduct, including war crimes.
This matter has gone on for far too long and millions of people around the world are saying enough is enough. Indeed the majority of the Australian Parliament, including the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, voted in favour of my motion calling on the UK and US Governments to bring this to an end and to let Julian return to Australia.
Yours sincerely
