Latest news with #BarbaraPocock
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
ATO leaving tax money on the table
Rachel Mealey: The Tax Office is one of the biggest government agencies in the country and among the most secretive. But a Four Corners investigation has found the agency set up to protect our revenue is failing us badly, with more than $50 billion in taxes uncollected. Angus Grigg reports. Angus Grigg: There's one number the ATO does not like to talk about. It's called collectible debt. Karen Payne: Around the time we were looking it was about $34 billion. Angus Grigg: Karen Payne is a former Inspector General of Taxation. The figure she mentioned has now grown to almost $53 billion. That's undisputed money owed to the ATO, which it has failed to collect. Karen Payne: It's a big number and if you bring that number back into the revenue then that means hopefully less taxes that everybody else has to pay. It's in all of our interests that the debts get collected. Angus Grigg: More worrying for Karen Payne is that this number has more than doubled over six years. Karen Payne: The fact that it keeps rising is troubling. Angus Grigg: The ATO collects hundreds of billions of dollars of our taxes every year, but despite its scale is subject to little oversight. This is a long held frustration for Senator Barbara Pocock. Barbara Pocock: There's a lot that happens behind the closed door of the ATO that isn't open to scrutiny for us as average citizens and taxpayers. Angus Grigg: The ATO tells us it's doing a stellar job, even as the scandals mount and evolve. Two years ago the ATO reported $2 billion was stolen in a GST scam that became known as the TikTok fraud. News report: The ATO is blaming influencers on TikTok for promoting the scam. Angus Grigg: New details uncovered by Four Corners show the ATO was warned its fraud detection systems were badly lacking. Ali Noroozi is a former Inspector General of Taxation. Ali Noroozi: There have certainly been on notice that their risk assessment tools could do better. Angus Grigg: Not only did the ATO fail to heed this warning, just two months before the GST scam blew up in mid-2021, it downgraded the fraud risk from severe to low. Ali Noroozi: So given any kind of fraud really, you need to take it seriously. You need to act on those early warning signs. Angus Grigg: Of the $2 billion stolen in the TikTok scam, just 8%, or $160 million, has been recovered. And of the 57,000 people who took advantage of it, just 122 have been convicted. The ATO says GST fraud is not widespread and the majority of businesses are doing the right thing. Karen Payne says we should all care about tax administration because it funds essential services. Karen Payne: That allows the government to fund the services that we all benefit from. So health, defence, security, infrastructure. So it's a pretty key part of our democracy. Rachel Mealey: The former Inspector General of Taxation, Karen Payne, ending Angus Grigg's report. And you can catch Four Corners tonight at 8.30 on ABC1.
Sky News AU
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Anti-Israel protesters display grotesque Hitler signs in wild demonstration attended by Greens Senators outside Parliament House
Protesters and Greens Senators have lined the rear entrance to Parliament House, staging a wild pro-Palestine protest against the Albanese government's stance on the Gaza conflict. The protest was organised by members of the Palestine Action Group outside the lawn of Parliament House and followed a joint international call for a ceasefire, with Australia joining 25 other nations in a statement demanding an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza. Signs were displayed on the ground outside Parliament House at the beginning of the protests. Among them was one picturing Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler alongside the statement: "I'm sick of this cycle, let's break it". Activists waved Palestinian flags and held up signs condemning the war, some carrying what appeared to be swaddled baby dolls wrapped in white cloth. One sign read: '28 children killed daily in Gaza,' while another urged the government to 'sanction Israel now'. Another showed Netanyahu on a poster that read, "Wanted for crimes against humanity". One pictured the Israeli Prime Minister with the word "child killer" sprawled across his forehead. Between 300 to 400 people have gathered already outside parliament with more expected throughout the day. 'We got to see sanctions on Israel,' one protestor told Sky News. 'The language is getting stronger, but it needs to be a lot stronger. They need to make a stand. You are the Prime Minister of this country, so make a stand,' said another. Joining the protestors Greens Senator Barbara Pocock and Steph Hodgins-May said the government needed to impose greater financial sanctions on Israel. Sky News does not suggest the two Greens Senators were aware of the posters displaying pictures of Adolf Hitler. While backing the joint statement, the pair said there was not commensurate actions taken by the government. 'People are being starved before our eyes. Everyone here is outraged by that' Greens Senator Barbara Pocock said. 'It's devastating to see contentless thousands of children dying,' Hodgins-May said. 'Yes, the statement is welcome, but we must take action.' Firebrand Senator Lidia Thorpe backed the protesters and made the wild claim that the Albanese government was complicit in genocide. "Shout out to all the staunch protestors at the Convergence on Canberra – kicking off the first week back at Parliament with strength, calling out this government's complicity in genocide!" she said on X. However many in opposition to the Albanese government felt it was 'not the right approach' to sign on with the 25-country call for an end to the war in Gaza. 'It's a rather alarming move by the government to have attached itself to this letter,' shadow education minister Jonno Duniam told Sky News. 'Some of the things this letter and the government ignores … what Hamas is doing when it comes to the provision of aid to Gaza. 'This focus on what Israel is doing and to a degree turning a blind eye to how this conflict started on October 7 those years ago, and the continued holding of hostages, I know it mentions that but there is more to this issue than this letter portrays and I think it is a sad turn of events for our government to have joined with other countries in signing this letter. 'I think that it is not the right approach for the government to take.' Australia was a co-signatory of the statement demanding Israel enforce a ceasefire in Gaza. 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,' the statement read. 'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. 'We condemn the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. 'Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.' Greens leader Larissa Waters called on the government to go further and levy sanctions on Israel. 'Unfortunately as we've seen the Israel regime isn't listening to stern words and I would love Australia to be doing more here,' Senator Waters told ABC RN. 'Some of our other nations have put sanctions on the Netanyahu government and they're taking those stronger actions. 'I mean we are seeing legions of people die by starvation and we could be doing more to help and I think Australians want us to do more to help. 'I would like us to actively try to get aid to that area and I do think we need to consider sanctions on the Netanyahu regime and we've got to stop sending those weapons parts to that conflict.' Israel has responded with sharp criticism of the statement, accusing the 26 countries of misrepresenting the situation. 'All statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire: Hamas, which started this war and is prolonging it,' said the Israeli foreign ministry. 'Instead of agreeing to a ceasefire, Hamas is busy running a campaign to spread lies about Israel. 'At the same time, Hamas is deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid.' The conflict was reignited by Hamas' brutal assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left over 1,200 dead and hundreds taken hostage. The attack was the deadliest single day killing of Jews since the Holocaust. 'The first and most important thing to say about this issue is that there are still hostages in Gaza,' Opposition Leader Sussan Ley told reporters on Tuesday morning. 'There are still hostages in tunnels, and a way to end the situation is for those hostages to be released by the terrorists Hamas, who control so much of the activity there. 'Of course, we want to see aid reach those who deserve it, but it is so important that Hamas that has control . . . act in the interests of the people of Gaza.' While many hostages have either been rescued or released, at least 50 remain in captivity. Negotiations for a ceasefire and further releases are ongoing but remain fragile. The Albanese government has not yet commented on the protest outside Parliament House.
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
The controversial changes the Greens will push on housing reform
When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better." When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better." When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better." When South Australian Greens senator Barbara Pocock walks through the stately Adelaide Park Lands that circle the CBD, she sees the human impacts of Australia's housing crisis. "The evidence is in front of our eyes," the newly appointed housing spokesperson for the Greens said of the rough sleepers and those who have pitched tents in the city. Once accessible, Adelaide is now second to Sydney as the most unaffordable city in Australia, and the sixth least affordable in the world, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability report. But for Senator Pocock, the city of churches and her home state also has the model for housing abundance for the rest of Australia and how to get out of this crisis. In an interview with The Canberra Times, the first since the election, the former academic economist pointed to the model of housing development seen in Whyalla and north of Adelaide, providing worker housing to the steelworks and the homes for those who built Commodores and Monaros at the Holden factory in Elizabeth. In doing so, Senator Pocock acknowledges the collaboration of two former premiers at the opposing ends of the political spectrum. "I think Thomas Playford and Don Dunstan would be rolling in their collective graves at what we are seeing here now; the crisis in South Australia, where we are as a country, a city and a state that led on public investment in housing, and we are now right at the back of the pack with unaffordable housing." Citing two politicians working across the aisle on housing highlights where the federal housing agenda has become most challenging. There was no love lost between the Greens' former housing spokesperson, Max Chandler-Mather and the Prime Minister, with the first-term MP decrying Parliament after the election as a "sick place", while Anthony Albanese said the Queensland MP's conduct was "offensive". There is a different dynamic in the Senate, and Senator Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O'Neill worked together during the inquiries into PricewaterhouseCoopers, the duo a fearsome pair for corporate executives who wilted under parliamentary scrutiny. But it has also been clear when the pair disagreed, with Senator Pocock submitting additional comments that went beyond the committee's recommendations of the first PwC inquiry. Taking this approach into the contested waters of housing, Senator Pocock highlights working with former Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on the right to disconnect, which she said was an evidence-based reform that depended upon cross-party agreement. "I'm hoping that evidence will be relevant as we look at change in the housing sector, and I expect to be in vigorous discussion with Labor on that front." Senator Pocock says the Greens have three priorities on housing. First, a cap on rent and increased security for tenants. Second, removing tax incentives for investors, including negative gearing and capital gains tax. Third, investing in public housing, but with a focus on quality, as well as quantity. These could put the parties on a collision course, with Labor previously ruling out changes to rent caps, as well as negative gearing and capital gains tax. Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil identified cutting red tape in the housing and construction sector, as a way for Labor to meet its ambitious 1.2 million homes target. Senator Pocock acknowledges that regulatory reform is part of the solution, but said this does not address the core of the issue. "I'm concerned that the regulation conversation is used as a smoke screen and distraction from the fundamentals which we need to change in relation to housing, and that is building more public housing, fixing the tax breaks and dealing with rent with rent caps," Senator Pocock said. In a post-election interview, Mr Chandler-Mather explained how the Greens and Labor came to an agreement on housing, despite their parties being intractably opposed publicly. "We made it very clear to Labor's Housing Minister in the negotiating room that we were willing to make concessions, and that we would settle for additional public housing funds." Senator Pocock said she was open to negotiation with Minister O'Neil. "[Minister O'Neil] said last week that she was keen to work with states and local government, with all the powers of persuasion and the many tools and levers available to the federal government in relation to housing, and she wanted to use those tools around regulation. "Well if we can do it on relegation, we can do it in relation to a public discussion and federal leadership on rent caps." As well as the housing portfolio, Senator Pocock retains her public service and employment roles. After the 2022 election, Labor came to power with ambitious reform programs in both areas: rebuilding the APS and introducing a raft of industrial relations changes after the Jobs and Skills Summit. This time around, Labor has been quieter on both fronts, signalling it believes the size of the public service is "about right" and mainly extending existing savings measures in consultancy spending and non-wage expenses. While in industrial relations, Labor has initially focused on protecting existing penalty rates. But Senator Pocock said she would be pushing for Labor to increase its ambition in both areas. In the public service, Senator Pocock said there was still work to do to respond to the revelations of the robodebt royal commission, including instituting merit-based appointments at the highest levels in the public sector to tackle issues of culture and leadership. Another challenge the public service is yet to fully grapple with, Senator Pocock says, is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Senator Pocock said there were positives from the technology, but questions about risks. "We did a small inquiry in relation to the federal public sector and AI late last year, and it just surfaced that we aren't governing it. We don't know its reach." On workplace reform, Senator Pocock said the Treasurer's productivity agenda shouldn't stop at tax and regulatory reform, but also look at whether workers were receiving the benefit of productivity gains. "I think the election saw Australians vote for a more flexible workplace. It saw Australians vote for work from home, not for everybody, not all the time, but it certainly was a vote to say our workplaces have changed. Our lives have changed, and workplace relations law needs to reflect that better."
AU Financial Review
11-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Calls for tougher rules amid KWM drama
King & Wood Mallesons' international troubles highlight serious flaws in the governance of top Australian law firms, say the two senators who led parliamentary inquiries into the professional services sector. Major legal partnerships have largely been spared the scrutiny faced by consulting firms since the PwC tax leaks scandal, but senators Deborah O'Neill and Barbara Pocock say they are vulnerable to the same governance failings and have failed to incorporate the reforms adopted by the big four consulting firms.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Election pitch for four-day Aussie work week
The Greens have begun a push to introduce a four-day work week for Australians, saying wages have not kept pace with productivity gains. With an election announcement looming, the Greens unveiled a policy costing which would create a national test case through the Fair Work Commission and establish a National Institute for the Four Day Work Week. The Greens have long called for a four-day work week while maintaining full pay for workers, citing burnout and work/life balance 'Ordinary Australians have been working hard for decades and not seeing a fair share of the results,' Greens senator Barbara Pocock said. 'A four-day week will share more fairly the products of their labour. 'Productivity gains over the past two decades have fed into higher profits while real wages have stagnated. 'A shorter working week alleviates the burden of stress and burnout. International trials have repeatedly shown productivity increases and a healthier happier workforce result from shorter working hours.' Under the Greens policy, workers would work 80 per cent of their hours at 100 per cent pay. The party is proposing to create a national Test case through the Fair Work Commission. As well, it wants to establish a National Institute for the Four Day Work Week - at a cost of $10m per year - and implement a four-day work week trial. 'The Greens will support a four-day work week test case through the Fair Work Commission aiming to reduce working hours with no loss of pay,' Senator Pocock said. 'Our society is changing, more women and carers are at work, yet we are constrained by archaic labour laws that see the fruits of our efforts swallowed up in profits for bosses and shareholders. 'This is about justice for working people. We work to live, not live to work.' In 2023, a Senate committee, chaired by senator Pocock, backed a four-day work week trial in some locations and sectors. The Greens cited large-scale trials in the UK, Germany, Spain and Canada. 'In the UK 92 per cent of employers participating have reported they will continue the four-day week after the trial ends,' Senator Pocock said. 'It's time for Australia to move its workplaces into the 21st century and create a pathway for shorter hours.' Sign in to access your portfolio
