Beginning in 2021, Liberal National Party (LNP) senator Gerard Rennick began to receive criticism for his social media posts and his stance toward both federal and state government measures taken around the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[6][7] This included Rennick's alleged criticism of state border closures[8] and state vaccine mandates as well as an exemption for children's vaccination, and the MPs desire to end travel restrictions.[9] Rennick's critical stance toward government policy continued throughout 2021–2022, and was labelled a "rebel" right-wing MP.[3][5] By early July 2023 Rennick narrowly lost preselection for the LNP's Senate ticket at the next federal election (2025).[5][10]
Rennick, an accountant by trade,[15] has claimed Australia's current rate of withholding tax provided an incentive for multinational firms to "ship their profits offshore", and called for lowering the company tax rate to 12%, more than half its current rate (2019).[16] He also cited Australia's system of corporate revenue collection was "why I really want to run" for Parliament.[16] Rennick has also called for scrapping franking credits, stating: "So, if you really wanted to reform the tax system... you should get rid of franking credits altogether and just have a lower, flatter company tax rate."[17]
Reinstatement of a public bank (similar to the Commonwealth Bank between 1911 and 1991) and reintroduce a Government Insurance Office.[22]
Establishing a "Infrastructure Bank", which would issue bonds to the Federal and State Governments for seven types of Infrastructure – Dams, Baseload Power Stations (not renewables), Roads, Rail, Ports, Airports and Telecommunications.[23]
Notes
↑ There is no official "Multicultural Department" within the Australian Government. Responsibilities for matters relating to it are within the Department of Home Affairs.
1 2 McKenna, Michael (29 April 2024). "Queensland senator Gerard Rennick launches legal action against LNP". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Senator Rennick, an accountant, is seen as a right-wing renegade in the party ranks who, notably, withdrew his vote for the Morrison government in 2021 in protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
↑ "The Senate – Questions Without Notice: Take Note Of Answers – Cost Of Living Speech". aph.gov.au. Parliament of Australia. 13 November 2023 – via Hansard. I call myself a protectionist. The Liberal Party were the original party of that, before the free traders came in, and I like to remind my own party of that from time to time. We are here to protect the working-class people.
↑ Workman, Alice (1 February 2022). "Hey, Abbott". The Australian. News Corp Australia.
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