Dear *|FNAME|*,
As I move around our community, cost of living is on many people’s minds. What is clear is that its effects are being unequally felt, with low and middle income earners disproportionately affected. It speaks volumes about what our country has become, that so many have been pushed into precariousness with scant buffers to absorb these shocks. Women, key workers, single parents, pensioners and young people are being hardest hit. These people live among us, we all know them. The asset rich, are to some extent, buffered from these economic headwinds, but less so low and middle income people. They are skipping meals, forgoing fresh food, scrutinising their budgets while hoping like crazy that that they dodge that unexpected vet, medical or car repair bill. These same people in our community, are facing homelessness from rising rents and mortgage repayments. We may be Higgins, but I assure you that disadvantage hides in plain sight- I see it as I move around our community and it fuels my efforts in Canberra.
Interest rates are a merciless tool wielded by the RBA. Designed to suck demand out of the economy, much like the bitter pills I used to prescribe, it carries terrible side effects- homelessness, mental health effects, rising household stress that marches with domestic violence and dampening confidence among consumers and business.
A complex beast like inflation may get bludgeoned with interest rates but to really tame it, needs surgical precision. Driven by supply-side pressures (skills and labour shortages, supply chain disruptions), energy and natural disasters (from climate change), hiking interest rates is not going to fix these drivers but it will quench demand. As a Government, our focus is entirely on these drivers of inflation, noting that whatever we do - we must not make inflation worse.
Our guiding principles are to provide relief where we can, repair broken supply chains and exercise responsible spending that delivers an economic dividend.
We have a lot of catching up to do after a decade of warped ideology (Exhibit A: Robodebt) and messed up priorities (Exhibit B: wage suppression). We could have been less dependent on fossil fuels had previous Liberal governments actually believed in climate change and acted accordingly. We could have invested in the skills for a future focused economy, reformed our visa and migration systems to aid, rather than hinder business. We could have invested in on-shore manufacturing to make us more self reliant. We could have actually built more social and affordable housing rather than inflate prices further. We could have established a national integrity watchdog but instead watched increasingly autocratic and arrogant behaviour infect the corridors of power. We could have turbocharged women’s economic development rather than watch a stubborn gender pay gap and decry we need to do more. “Do more!” is what Higgins demanded.
To tackle cost of living, we must address the drivers while not making inflation worse. Our cost of living interventions range from:
- Cheaper medicines
- An extraordinary energy relief intervention in December last year that will take some of the sting out of energy prices
- Cheaper childcare benefiting 4,400 families in Higgins that unlocks the economic might of women
- Paid parental leave tailored to the modern family
- An increase in the minimum wage
- 180,000 fee free TAFE spots to address our skills shortages
- Establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia to forecast skill shortages before they become crises
- Visa and migration reform to meet the needs of business
- Our push to build more social and affordable housing for key workers, women and veterans
- Our climate policy signalling certainty for business and industry
- Our $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund to revitalise our industrial base which in partnership with AUKUS, holds unprecedented opportunities for innovation
- Our prioritisation of international diplomacy, recognising that our national interest and economic prosperity are linked to international relationships.
Solutions with an economic dividend is how we will tackle cost of living pressures without being pro-inflationary. Like money in the bank, it will take time to realise these gains, but we will never see them unless we invest now.
I'm keen to hear more from you on this critical issue. If you have something to share, please complete my survey below, or get in touch.
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EV Forum
This Friday, I will be hosting an electric vehicle forum at the Malvern Town Hall with Dr Monique Ryan MP featuring Hyundai, BMW, Nissan and BYD, as well as representatives of Origin Energy and the EV Council. Higgins will be early adopters in the EV revolution, so I wanted to bring the makers to you.
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Women in Leadership Forum
On April 27, I will be hosting a Women in Leadership Forum at St Catherine's School Toorak featuring leaders across the political spectrum, including:
- Zoe Daniel, Member for Goldstein
- Bridget Archer, Member for Bass
- Jami Klisaris, Mayor of Stonnington
No matter your age, career or gender, this event is for everyone. We all have a role to play in nurturing and supporting women leaders.
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There are plenty more events in the pipeline, so stay tuned, or you can always check out what's on by visiting my website.
Sincerely,
Michelle
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