Simon Kennedy Appointed to Shadow Ministry
MEDIA RELEASE
Liberal MP and Federal Member for Cook Simon Kennedy has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Shadow Assistant Minister for the Digital Economy and Shadow Assistant Minister for Scrutiny of Government Waste.
Mr Kennedy said Australia’s productivity crisis is dragging down wages and living standards, warning that Labor has dropped the ball on digital innovation while allowing government waste to soar.
He highlighted the recent Finder Wallet case and Lowy Institute analysis as proof that weak policy and missed investment are leaving businesses, consumers and taxpayers worse off.
“Productivity is the only honest path to real wage growth. We’ll use technology to lift output — not to sack workers,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Labor has a Minister for Government Services — but no Minister for Government Waste. We’ll do the job they won’t: cut waste and lift outcomes.”
“Every dollar should work as hard as Australians do. Under Labor, spending has surged while results have gone backwards.”
“If we don’t fix productivity, we don’t fix living standards. The RBA says it, and Australians feel it in their pay-packets.”
Mr Kennedy said Australians want rising living standards, more affordable homes, and common-sense leadership that backs innovation while cutting waste.
He pointed to four key failures under Labor:
• Digital drift: After three years in government, Labor has left businesses and consumers without clear rules. The ASIC Finder Wallet case — lost in the Federal Court, then lost again on appeal — shows how uncertainty ties up firms in litigation instead of creating jobs.
• Missed opportunity: The Lowy Institute says the 2025 Budget failed to invest in digital sovereignty and AI infrastructure, leaving Australia more dependent on foreign platforms.
• Productivity crisis: The RBA warns slowing productivity is dragging down wages and living standards. OECD data shows Australian real wages remain 4.4% below early-2021 levels, while other advanced economies have already recovered.
• Waste rising: Commonwealth payments are projected at $777.5 billion in 2025-26 (27.0% of GDP), with higher interest costs ahead.
“The Coalition is serious about building a more productive, competitive and innovative Australia. That means harnessing the power of technology, cutting government waste, and restoring the living standards Australians deserve,” Mr Kennedy said.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Office of Simon Kennedy MP — Troy Murphy, 0406 332 488
Click to download Press Release