Priorities

Keeping Australia Safe

A strong Australia with robust defence, intelligence, and foreign policy capabilities.

As a former senior diplomat and Ambassador for Australia, Dave takes a close interest in international affairs. The stark truth is that the features of the international system which have underwritten Australia's peace and prosperity in the post-war era are coming under significant strain.

As recent events have demonstrated all too clearly, Australia's strategic holiday is over. We will need to rely more on ourselves, and less on others, if we are to safeguard our freedoms and independence as a nation.

Dave takes a close interest in Australia's defence and national security preparedness and capabilities, our relationships with close allies, the maintenance of critical global freedoms, and Australia's diplomatic posture.

Making homes affordable for younger Australians

Practical, supply-side reforms to make homeownership attainable for more Australians.

Australia is a nation built on home ownership. Home ownership provides stability for families, security in retirement, and fosters stronger communities. Housing is more than an asset class, it is a social good.

But today we are failing a whole generation of younger Australians for whom home ownership is out of reach. This is not only a breach of our social compact, but risks storing up massive problems for the future.

The failure here is overwhelmingly one of supply. Consistently over two decades, we have simply failed to build enough new homes to keep pace with population growth, a shortfall that has been exacerbated in recent years by high immigration.

Dave is focused on developing and supporting supply-side measures that can increase the supply of housing, shorten the time it takes to bring new homes to market, lessen the red tape and regulation which slows new housing projects, and lower the cost of building.

Creating economic opportunity

Building a competitive economy that creates real jobs and lifts living standards.

The Australian economy is stagnating. Low economic growth, declining real living standards, anaemic productivity, a growing tax burden, and high price inflation are making life hard for all Australians.

Unless we grapple with the heart of our economic challenge, we are headed for a high-tax future, national decline, and stark choices about where to direct shrinking national resources. We risk becoming this century's Argentina, a promising nation that lost its way.

Dave is an advocate for measures that will boost Australia's economic productivity, improve competition in key sectors, lessen government regulation, lower tax burdens, and rein in government spending.

Indo-Pacific and Development

Strengthening Australia's regional engagement and championing international development.

Australia's security and prosperity are bound up with the stability of our region. Dave is committed to deepening Australia's engagement across the Indo-Pacific and strengthening the partnerships that underpin a stable, open, and prosperous neighbourhood.

He supports an effective international development effort that advances Australia's interests, supports our partners, and reflects our values as a good international citizen.