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Two childcare centres were dropped from the Opposition Leader’s parliamentary disclosures as he ramped up his push to become prime minister, preventing the public getting a full picture of his wealth.

Dutton claimed at a recent press conference that his 15 failures to disclose the sale of properties, or to declare the purchase or sale of properties outside the 30 day period set down in the rules, did not matter as he revealed his family’s trust, RHT Family Trust, no longer held any assets.

“The assets we own are … a house which has been declared, our private residence. We have money in the bank and that’s it, there are no assets in any trust,” Dutton said.

That trust had been used for years in property transactions including the buying and selling of two childcare centres and a shopping plaza, which could have minimised the Duttons’ tax bill.

Dutton also refused to say how much he and his family were currently worth, declaring that is “not something I’m going to provide” after this masthead revealed he had conducted $30 million of property transactions across 26 pieces of real estate over 35 years, with additional assets bought and sold by the family’s trust, RHT Family Trust.

His property trading volume is even higher than $30 million as the purchase and sale prices of two of Dutton’s former properties, an investment flat in the ACT and a holiday house on Moreton Island in Queensland, are not included in that total as they are not publicly available.

Labor has rightly seized on Dutton’s share and property trading to accuse the Opposition Leader of being out of touch during a housing affordability crisis, just ahead of an election due by May.

Speaking on Seven’s Sunrise on Wednesday, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt questioned whether the property holdings were “why [Dutton] doesn’t understand the cost-of-living pressures that people are under”.

Dutton should be more transparent.

Interest rate relief

During February, Australian workers finally received long-overdue relief from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), with the first interest rate cut in almost five years.

For mortgage holders, renters, and families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, the decision provided some much-needed breathing room. Workers shouldered the burden of inflation while corporate profits soared. The rate cut was welcomed by the Australian government.

‘Future Made’ jobs essential

‘The Future Made in Australia plan, delivered by the Albanese Labor Government, is expected to create 400,000+ new jobs by 2040, including many in regional areas.

Green metals, critical minerals, and battery manufacturing will power the next generation of secure, well-paid work.

The plan embeds into law a disciplined and rigorous approach that will govern Future Made in Australia investments, to make the most of Australia’s net zero potential and ensure the benefits of these investments are widely shared and flow to local communities.

LEAN announces Climate & Environment Champs

Labor Environmental Action Network (LEAN) announced a new plan to advance environment and climate action during the month.

With the election just around the corner, Labor’s gains in climate and environmental action need to be protected by ensuring a second term.

In order to maximise Labor’s capacity to make a real difference on climate and the environment, LEAN identified 7 people (see picture left) who have gone the extra mile in standing up for the environment. These people have raised issues with ministers and the Prime Minister, spoken up in caucus and committees, organised with caucus colleagues and championed key issues in their own electorates.

LEAN has called on members to support their campaigns in 2025.

Protecting Toohey Forest wildlife

*Graham Perrett MP with Hon Tanya Plibersek MP and Labor candidate for Moreton, Julie-ann Campbell*

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $3 million to deliver on Graham Perrett’s commitment to build a fauna crossing under Toohey Road in the local bushland.

The crossing will link the eastern and western sides of Toohey Forest, decreasing the risk of motorist and animal collision. The wildlife will be further protected by fencing along parts of Toohey Road that will direct animals towards the safe crossing.

This project is part of Labor’s $76 million Saving Koalas Fund. Planning for the crossing is underway, and construction is due to start later this year.

As a daily visitor to Toohey Forest Graham expressed his delight that this project will reduce risks for koalas, echidnas and other small animals.

Medicare to receive boost

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make the biggest ever investment in Medicare so more Australians can see a GP for free. Delivering an additional 18 million bulk billed GP visits every year and tripling the number of bulk billing practices, Labor’s plan for Medicare will:

✔ Expand the bulk billing incentive to all Australians.
✔ Boost Medicare payments to GPs that bulk bill every patient.
✔ Train thousands more nurses and doctors.

Under Labor, Australians will save hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket medical costs. However, Australians at the upcoming election now face a choice about who to trust with their healthcare.

A stronger Medicare with more bulk billing for all Australians under Anthony Albanese, or cuts to Medicare under Peter Dutton. As health minister, for example, Peter Dutton tried to end bulk billing with a GP tax and he also stripped billions out of Medicare. There is no question that when it comes to Medicare, Australians will be worse off under Dutton.