Jason Falinski

Jason Falinski
Falinski in 2016
President of NSW Liberal Party
In office 7 July 2023 – 11 March 2024
Preceded by	Maria Kovacic
Succeeded by	Don Harwin
Member of the Australian Parliament for Mackellar
In office 2 July 2016 – 21 May 2022
Preceded by	Bronwyn Bishop
Succeeded by	Sophie Scamps
Councillor of Warringah Council for A Ward
In office 13 September 2008 – 8 September 2012
Preceded by	Ruth Sutton
Succeeded by	Vanessa Moskal
Personal details
Born	(1970-08-24) 24 August 1970 (age 54) Manly, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Liberal Party
Residence(s)	Collaroy, New South Wales, Australia^[citation needed]
Education	Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview
Alma mater	University of Sydney (BAgEc) University of New South Wales (MBA)
Occupation	Politician
Website	www.jasonfalinski.com.au
Nickname	Jase

Jason George Falinski (born 24 August 1970) is an Australian former politician. He was first elected as the Member for Mackellar for the Liberal Party in the Australian House of Representatives at the 2016 Australian election and was re-elected at the 2019 Australian election. He lost his re-election bid in the 2022 Australian federal election to independent candidate Sophie Scamps. During his time in office, Falinski served as Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, and the Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue.^[1] He was elected as President of the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party in 2023.

Early life

Falinski was born on 24 August 1970 in Manly, New South Wales.^[1] He is the oldest of four children born to Jill (née Brittain-White) and Stanley Falinski. His father was born in Soviet Kyrgyzstan to Jewish parents originally from Poland and Russia, who had been subject to Soviet population transfers during World War II. His father's family immigrated to Australia from Poland in 1958 to escape post-war antisemitism.^[2] On his mother's side, he has English and Irish heritage.^[3]

Falinski attended Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, then graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics. He later completed an MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW Sydney.^[4][5]

Career

Falinski and his brother Tim worked for computer retailer Osborne,^[6] of which his father was a co-founder and managing director until its collapse in 1995. After entering politics, Falinski attributed the company's failure to the ALP's economic policies and the early 1990s recession, stating that "the bank took our family home" as a result of the collapse. Contemporary reporting instead attributed the company's failure to "a range of non-recessionary causes",^[7] with the administrator stating that "the problems of the company have been largely self-inflicted by the management".^[6]

Falinski worked as an adviser to former Liberal leaders John Hewson and Barry O'Farrell,^[8] and was a spokesman for the Australian Republican Movement.^[9] He also worked in corporate affairs for Credit Union Services Corporation Limited, and in strategy and mergers and acquisitions for IAG^[10] before setting up his own company, CareWell Health, in 2005.^[11]

Early political involvement

Falinski was president of the New South Wales branch of the Young Liberals in 1994–1995,^[12] and served as the vice-president, in 1996–1996, and president, in 1997–1998, of the Australian Young Liberals.^[13]

Falinski was elected to Warringah Council in September 2008 as a Councillor for A Ward.^[14]

Parliamentary career

In April 2016, Falinski won an internal Liberal Party preselection ballot in the seat of Mackellar, defeating the incumbent member Bronwyn Bishop. He was elected as Bishop's successor at the 2016 federal election.^[15][16] Falinski was re-elected for a second term at the 2019 federal election, but was defeated by independent candidate Sophie Scamps in the 2022 federal election.^[17]

Falinski is a member of the Moderate/Modern Liberal faction of the Liberal Party.^[18]

Economy

Falinski has called for reform of the Australian Taxation Office, stating that the onus of proof should lie with the ATO, not the taxpayer, in relation to allegations of fraud or evasion. He has also called for the introduction of a taxpayer bill of rights, and to empower the tax ombudsman with powers similar to the taxpayer advocate service in the US.^[19]

In his capacity as Chair of the Standing Committee on Economics, Falinski has called for the introduction of legislation that would require asset managers, including super funds and index funds, publish shareholder voting decisions to ensure they do not use proxy advisers to collude at shareholder meetings. The committee also recommended that mechanisms be put in place to ensure asset managers engage with their members when making voting decisions, and to require proxy advisers to hold a broader financial service licence than is currently the case.^[20]

Falinski supports the development of Australia's retail corporate bond market, noting that Australia's market had been held back by regulatory failure and institutional obstructionism. The Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue noted that the Australian market had less depth, breadth and liquidity than the same market in New Zealand, even though the latter’s capital markets and savings pool are much smaller.^[21]

Falinski supports innovation-focussed reform, having chaired an Inquiry into the tax treatment of employee share schemes. In 2021, the Inquiry recommended reforms which were accepted by then Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, including legislative changes which would allow an employee to leave their job without facing a large tax bill on shares they had been issued.^[22] These reforms were welcomed and warmly received by industry groups.^[23]

Transport

Falinski has indicated his support for proposals to extend a metro line from Chatswood to Frenchs Forest to combat congestion on the Northern Beaches.^[24]

Falinski is a supporter of the Beaches Link, and has expressed his disappointment at delays to the project due to lacklustre funding commitments from the Government of New South Wales following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian.^[25]

During his time as the member for Mackellar, Falinski consistently campaigned for funding to upgrade Wakehurst Parkway by widening and flood-proofing this critical arterial road. In March 2022, Falinski was successful in securing a $75 million budget commitment from the Commonwealth Government to carry out these upgrades, and this commitment which was matched by the NSW State Government bringing the total investment to $150 million.^[26] Following the election of the Albanese Government, the Commonwealth Government withdrew its funding commitments in their October budget update.^[27]

Environment

In October 2021, Falinski was named as one of several moderate Liberal MPs pressuring the Morrison Government to commit to a net-zero by 2050 target in the lead up to COP26, which they ultimately succeeded in doing. Falinski was credited with hosting and convening regular zoom meetings with like-minded colleagues to discuss how they could get the Prime Minister Scott Morrison to commit to their position.^[28]

Falinski is staunchly opposed to renewal of Petroleum Exploration Permit - 11 (PEP-11) licence and introduced a notice of motion in the House of Representatives against its renewal.^[29] Renewal of the licence, which allows for offshore drilling for gas exploration between Sydney and Newcastle, was opposed by many community groups and MPs however the decision to reject renewal required approval from the Federal and relevant State resources minister. In December 2021 the then Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a press conference indicating that the licence had been cancelled crediting Falinski's advocacy amongst others for his decision.^[30][31]

Morrison's announcement regarding the cancellation of PEP-11 was scrutinised following the defeat of the Morrison Government at the 2022 Australian election, when it emerged the then Prime Minister had secretly had himself sworn in to multiple ministerial portfolios during the Covid-19 pandemic and used this authority to cancel the permit.^[32]

Integrity

Falinski has called for reform to political advertising laws to ensure truth in advertising laws apply to political parties and candidates.^[33] In 2019 Falinski and the Independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, made a joint submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to push for truth in political advertising laws.^[34]

Falinski was one of several politicians featured in Craig Reucassel's documentary on political donations and lobbying, Big Deal.^[35]

Parliamentary diversity

In March 2021, Falinski co-wrote an opinion piece with the outgoing member for Boothby, Nicolle Flint MP, calling for the Liberal Party of Australia to consider adopting a candidates list, in a similar vein to the model introduced by David Cameron to the UK Conservatives. This proposal advocates for the administrative wing of the Liberal Party to identify and train potential candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds to improve the calibre and diversity of candidates at elections.^[36]

Controversies

In late 2017, Falinski was one of several MPs and Senators who was identified as being potentially ineligible to serve in Parliament due to being in breach of Section 44(i) of the Australian Constitution, in Falinski's case because of his Polish heritage through his father. Falinski provided legal advice indicating he did not hold Polish citizenship and was ultimately not one of the MPs or Senators who were required to resign.^[37]

In 2019, it was reported that Falinski and other members of a taxpayer-funded government inquiry into franking credits policy may have acted inappropriately by allegedly using the inquiry as a means of soliciting donations. The incident involving Falinski centred around communications sent to super fund trustees in his electorate inviting them to attend a $25 a head function where the Liberal committee chair, Tim Wilson, was billed as the guest speaker.^[38]

Also in 2019, Falinski was accused of misusing research by cherry picking statistics to justify the government imposing a drug testing policy on welfare recipients.^[39]

At the 2022 election, Falinski attended a joint event with the Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves, who had attracted controversy for comments describing transgender children as "surgically mutilated and sterilised".^[40]

Personal life

Falinski lives in Collaroy with his wife Nichola Constant, a Senior Commissioner at the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales.^[41] Together they have a daughter.^[42][43]

References

1. "Mr Jason Falinski MP". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
2. Morton, Nadine (15 April 2022). "Ukraine War: Memories still vivid for Stanley Falinski after he fled Poland". Northern Beaches Review. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
3. "ParlInfo – GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH : Address-in-Reply". parlinfo.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
4. "Mr Jason Falinski MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
5. "About Jason Falinski MP". www.jasonfalinski.com.au. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
6. Head, Beverley (14 July 1995). "The big crash". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
7. "Jason Falinski adjusts family history". Australian Financial Review. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
8. Gartrell, Adam (16 April 2016). "Bronwyn Bishop's career over after her party dumps her". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
9. "Charles, Camilla marry after 35 year affair". China Daily. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
10. "Mr Jason Falinski MP". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
11. Green, Antony. "Mackellar - Federal Election 2022". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
12. "Past Presidents of the NSW YL Movement". Young Liberals New South Wales Division. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
13. "History – Young Liberal Movement of Australia". Young Liberal Movement of Australia. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
14. "Elected Council". Warringah Council. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
15. Maiden, Samantha (16 April 2016). "Bronwyn Bishop's battle for preselection for seat of Mackellar". Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
16. Dole, Nick (16 April 2016). "Bronwyn Bishop dumped as Liberal candidate for seat of Mackellar". ABC News. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
17. "Mackellar - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
18. Massola, James (20 March 2021). "Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
19. Khadem, Nassim (26 October 2021). "Time to reverse the onus of proof for taxpayers and introduce a bill of rights, inquiry says". ABC. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
20. Read, Michael (18 March 2022). "Liberal MPs call for another proxy advice shake-up". Australian Financial review. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
21. "Committee led by Jason Falinski calls for revamp of corporate bonds market". The Australian. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
22. Mizen, Ronald (23 November 2021). "Share scheme overhaul to create more start-up founders". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
23. Smith, Paul (11 May 2021). "Australian tech still 'playing catch-up' after share scheme changes". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
24. Patterson, Robbie (16 September 2016). "Mackellar MP Jason Falinski calls for metro train on northern beaches". Retrieved 23 November 2022.
25. Cross, Julie (16 November 2021). "Jason Falinski MP calls out NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet over Beaches Link tunnel". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
26. O'Rourke, Jim (23 June 2022). "Wakehurst Parkway: Northern beaches traffic black spot gets $150m funding boost". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
27. "Budget backflip on Parkway". Northern Beaches Advocate. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
28. Crowe, David (29 October 2021). "Secret Liberal group pushed for net zero to halt Nationals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
29. McMahon, Hayley (20 October 2020). "The future of PEP11 debated in Federal Parliament". Coast Community News. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
30. Hyland, Anne (27 November 2021). "How a gas field off Sydney's wealthy northern beaches has split the federal government". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
31. Kurmelovs, Royce (16 December 2021). "Morrison government says no to controversial Pep11 gas drilling project off NSW coast". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
32. Martin, Sarah (15 August 2022). "Scott Morrison used self-appointed powers to override minister on unpopular Pep-11 gas-drilling permit". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
33. Gregory, Katherine (12 May 2019). "Federal election 2019: Tony Abbott says Warringah campaign 'pretty personal' in secret recording". ABC. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
34. Koslowski, Max (22 October 2019). "AEC reveals candidate privacy breach, while MPs call for truth in advertising laws". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
35. "Make It a Big Deal: Experts". Make It A Big Deal. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
36. Falinski, Jason (26 March 2021). "PM, Tories have a better way of boosting women in politics". The Australian. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
37. Karp, Paul (10 December 2017). "Albanese calls for end to citizenship finger-pointing as Labor attacks Jason Falinski". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
38. Bagshaw, Eryk (8 February 2019). "Taxpayer funded inquiry used to raise money for Liberals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
39. Henriques-Gomes, Luke (9 November 2019). "Liberal MP misused research to support Newstart drug-test trial, academic alleges". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
40. Hevesi, Bryant (23 April 2022). "Jason Falinski defends Liberal Warringah candidate Katherine Deves after media prevented from attending forum". SkyNews.com.au. Nationwide News Pty Ltd. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
41. "Members of the Commission". 21 August 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
42. "Jason Falinski". ABC. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
43. Patty, Anna (23 July 2018). "New appointments to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission". Retrieved 16 September 2024.

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Bronwyn Bishop	Member for Mackellar 2016–2022	Succeeded by Sophie Scamps