Jason Falinski

{{Infobox officeholder

|honorific-prefix =

|name = Jason Falinski

|honorific-suffix =

|nickname = Jase

|image = Jason Falinski (cropped).jpg

|imagesize =

|caption = Falinski in 2016

|constituency_MP1 = Mackellar

|parliament1= Australian

|majority1 =

|term_start1 = 2 July 2016

|term_end1 = 21 May 2022

|predecessor1 = Bronwyn Bishop

|successor1 = Sophie Scamps

| office = President of NSW Liberal Party

| term_start = 7 July 2023

| term_end = 11 March 2024

| predecessor = Maria Kovacic

| successor = Don Harwin

|office2 = Councillor of Warringah Council
for A Ward

|predecessor2 = Ruth Sutton

|successor2 = Vanessa Moskal

|term_start2 = 13 September 2008

|term_end2 = 8 September 2012

|party = Liberal Party

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1970|8|24}}

|birth_place = Manly, New South Wales, Australia

|death_date =

|death_place =

|nationality = Australian

|residence = Collaroy, New South Wales, Australia{{cn|date=January 2024}}

|education = Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview

|alma_mater = University of Sydney (BAgEc)
University of New South Wales (MBA)

|occupation = Politician

|website = {{url|www.jasonfalinski.com.au/}}

}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Mr Jason Falinski MP |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=G86 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=www.aph.gov.au |language=en-AU}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Mr Jason Falinski MP |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=G86 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=www.aph.gov.au |language=en-AU}} He is the oldest of four children born to Jill ({{nee|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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7700841/they-really-dont-deserve-it-war-wounds-still-fresh-for-stanley-falinski/|title=Ukraine War: Memories still vivid for Stanley Falinski after he fled Poland|first=Nadine|last=Morton|accessdate=17 April 2022|date=15 April 2022|newspaper=Northern Beaches Review}} On his mother's side, he has English and Irish heritage.{{Cite web|title=ParlInfo – GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH : Address-in-Reply|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:%22chamber/hansardr/9de5f081-9ccf-4f72-a05a-02462c1f3a0c/0055%22|website=parlinfo.aph.gov.au|access-date=28 May 2020}}

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.{{Cite Au Parliament|mpid=G86|name=Mr Jason Falinski MP|access-date=3 November 2021}}{{cite web |title=About Jason Falinski MP |url=https://www.jasonfalinski.com.au/about/about-jason |website=www.jasonfalinski.com.au |access-date=13 September 2021}}

Career

Falinski and his brother Tim worked for computer retailer Osborne,{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/the-big-crash-19950714-jl3h1|title=The big crash|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=14 July 1995|first=Beverley|last=Head|accessdate=17 April 2022}} 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",{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/rear-window/jason-falinski-adjusts-family-history-20220412-p5acuj|title=Jason Falinski adjusts family history|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=12 April 2022|accessdate=17 April 2022}} with the administrator stating that "the problems of the company have been largely self-inflicted by the management".

Falinski worked as an adviser to former Liberal leaders John Hewson and Barry O'Farrell,{{cite news |author=Gartrell, Adam |date=16 April 2016 |title=Bronwyn Bishop's career over after her party dumps her |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bronwyn-bishops-career-over-after-her-party-dumps-her-20160416-go8180.html#ixzz4AWyRPRhR |access-date=3 June 2016}} and was a spokesman for the Australian Republican Movement.{{cite news |date=9 April 2005 |title=Charles, Camilla marry after 35 year affair |work=China Daily |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/09/content_432765.htm |access-date=16 May 2016}} He also worked in corporate affairs for Credit Union Services Corporation Limited, and in strategy and mergers and acquisitions for IAG{{Cite web |date= |title=Mr Jason Falinski MP |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=G86 |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=Parliament of Australia}} before setting up his own company, CareWell Health, in 2005.{{cite web |last=Green |first=Antony |accessdate= 12 October 2022 |title=Mackellar - Federal Election 2022 |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/mack }}

Early political involvement

Falinski was president of the New South Wales branch of the Young Liberals in 1994–1995,{{cite web |title=Past Presidents of the NSW YL Movement |url=http://nswyoungliberals.org/past-presidents/ |access-date=29 April 2016 |website=Young Liberals New South Wales Division}} and served as the vice-president, in 1996–1996, and president, in 1997–1998, of the Australian Young Liberals.{{cite web |title=History – Young Liberal Movement of Australia |url=https://www.youngliberal.org.au/history |access-date=10 May 2018 |website=Young Liberal Movement of Australia}}

Falinski was elected to Warringah Council in September 2008 as a Councillor for A Ward.{{cite web |title=Elected Council |url=http://warringah.nsw.gov.au/council_now/elected_council.aspx |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502004501/http://warringah.nsw.gov.au/council_now/elected_council.aspx |archive-date=2 May 2009 |access-date=29 April 2016 |website=Warringah Council}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/bronwyn-bishops-battle-for-preselection-for-seat-of-mackellar/news-story/a3952ff8574dde0fc52e31947e7704d6|work=Sunday Telegraph|date=16 April 2016|access-date=21 April 2016|author=Maiden, Samantha |title=Bronwyn Bishop's battle for preselection for seat of Mackellar }}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/bronwyn-bishop-loses-preselection-fight-in-seat-of-mackellar/7332274|work=ABC News|date=16 April 2016|access-date=21 April 2016|author=Dole, Nick|title=Bronwyn Bishop dumped as Liberal candidate for seat of Mackellar}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Mackellar - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results |url=https://abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/mack |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}

Falinski is a member of the Moderate/Modern Liberal faction of the Liberal Party.{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 February 2022}}

= 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.{{Cite news |last=Khadem |first=Nassim |date=26 October 2021 |title=Time to reverse the onus of proof for taxpayers and introduce a bill of rights, inquiry says |work=ABC |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-26/tax-taxpayers-ato-onus-of-proof-bill-of-rights-disputes-debt/100568866 |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Read |first=Michael |date=18 March 2022 |title=Liberal MPs call for another proxy advice shake-up |work=Australian Financial review |url=https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/liberal-mps-call-for-another-proxy-advice-shake-up-20220318-p5a5tz |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |date=25 October 2021 |title=Committee led by Jason Falinski calls for revamp of corporate bonds market |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/markets/committee-led-by-jason-falinski-calls-for-revamp-of-corporate-bonds-market/news-story/6d2277df8f080b2e9a22a0eecd6afff3 |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Mizen |first=Ronald |date=23 November 2021 |title=Share scheme overhaul to create more start-up founders |work=The Australian Financial Review |url=https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/share-scheme-overhaul-to-create-more-start-up-founders-20211123-p59bgk |access-date=24 November 2022}} These reforms were welcomed and warmly received by industry groups.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Paul |date=11 May 2021 |title=Australian tech still 'playing catch-up' after share scheme changes |work=The Australian Financial Review |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/australia-still-playing-catch-up-after-share-scheme-changes-20210511-p57qqd |access-date=24 November 2021}}

= 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.{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Robbie |date=16 September 2016 |title=Mackellar MP Jason Falinski calls for metro train on northern beaches |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/mackellar-mp-jason-falinski-calls-for-metro-train-on-northern-beaches/news-story/a7dc2b32cca57f99355393649d3d4f64 |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Cross |first=Julie |date=16 November 2021 |title=Jason Falinski MP calls out NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet over Beaches Link tunnel |work=The Manly Daily |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/jason-falinski-mp-calls-out-nsw-premier-dominic-perrottet-over-beaches-link-tunnel/news-story/39945b87860949bc84ea9c2bb357db7a |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |last=O'Rourke |first=Jim |date=23 June 2022 |title=Wakehurst Parkway: Northern beaches traffic black spot gets $150m funding boost |work=The Manly Daily |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/wakehurst-parkway-northern-beaches-traffic-black-spot-gets-150m-funding-boost/news-story/860c814223aa72efc36bfca5012fff85 |access-date=24 November 2022}} Following the election of the Albanese Government, the Commonwealth Government withdrew its funding commitments in their October budget update.{{Cite news |date=25 October 2022 |title=Budget backflip on Parkway |work=Northern Beaches Advocate |url=https://www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au/2022/10/25/budget-backflip-on-parkway/ |access-date=24 November 2022}}

= 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.{{Cite news |last=Crowe |first=David |date=29 October 2021 |title=Secret Liberal group pushed for net zero to halt Nationals |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/secret-liberal-group-pushed-for-net-zero-to-halt-the-nationals-20211028-p593zp.html |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |last=McMahon |first=Hayley |date=2020-10-20 |title=The future of PEP11 debated in Federal Parliament |work=Coast Community News |url=https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2020/10/the-future-of-pep11-debated-in-federal-parliament/ |access-date=23 November 2022}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Hyland |first=Anne |date=27 November 2021 |title=How a gas field off Sydney's wealthy northern beaches has split the federal government |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/how-a-gas-field-off-sydney-s-wealthy-northern-beaches-has-split-the-federal-government-20211125-p59c6k.html |access-date=23 November 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Kurmelovs |first=Royce |date=16 December 2021 |title=Morrison government says no to controversial Pep11 gas drilling project off NSW coast |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/16/morrison-government-says-no-to-controversial-pep11-gas-drilling-project-off-nsw-coast |access-date=23 November 2022}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Sarah |date=15 August 2022 |title=Scott Morrison used self-appointed powers to override minister on unpopular Pep-11 gas-drilling permit |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/15/scott-morrison-used-self-appointed-powers-to-override-minister-on-unpopular-pep11-gas-drilling-permit |access-date=23 November 2022}}

= Integrity =

Falinski has called for reform to political advertising laws to ensure truth in advertising laws apply to political parties and candidates.{{Cite news |last=Gregory |first=Katherine |date=12 May 2019 |title=Federal election 2019: Tony Abbott says Warringah campaign 'pretty personal' in secret recording |work=ABC |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-12/tony-abbott-zali-steggall-getup-advance-australia-in-warringah/11100424 |access-date=23 November 2022}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Koslowski |first=Max |date=22 October 2019 |title=AEC reveals candidate privacy breach, while MPs call for truth in advertising laws |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/aec-reveals-candidate-privacy-breach-while-mps-call-for-truth-in-advertising-laws-20191022-p532z0.html |access-date=23 November 2022}}

Falinski was one of several politicians featured in Craig Reucassel's documentary on political donations and lobbying, Big Deal.{{Cite web |title=Make It a Big Deal: Experts |url=https://makeitabigdeal.org/experts/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=Make It A Big Deal}}

= 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.{{Cite news |last=Falinski |first=Jason |date=26 March 2021 |title=PM, Tories have a better way of boosting women in politics |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/pm-tories-have-a-better-way-of-boosting-women-in-politics/news-story/a09146ff1a96c4c079979e69a9088946 |access-date=24 November 2022}}

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.{{cite web |last=Karp |first=Paul |date=10 December 2017 |title=Albanese calls for end to citizenship finger-pointing as Labor attacks Jason Falinski |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/11/albanese-calls-for-end-to-citizenship-finger-pointing-as-labor-attacks-liberal-mp |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=The Guardian}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Bagshaw |first=Eryk |date=8 February 2019 |title=Taxpayer funded inquiry used to raise money for Liberals |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/taxpayer-funded-inquiry-used-to-raise-money-for-liberals-20190207-p50w93.html |access-date=24 November 2022}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Henriques-Gomes |first1=Luke |title=Liberal MP misused research to support Newstart drug-test trial, academic alleges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/nov/08/liberal-mp-misused-research-to-support-newstart-drug-test-trial-academic-alleges |website=The Guardian |date=9 November 2019 |publisher=Guardian News & Media |access-date=17 May 2022}}

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".{{cite web |last1=Hevesi|first1=Bryant |title=Jason Falinski defends Liberal Warringah candidate Katherine Deves after media prevented from attending forum |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/jason-falinski-defends-liberal-warringah-candidate-katherine-deves-after-media-prevented-from-attending-forum/news-story/07fe50d08ae123c5879016a089bd11df |website=SkyNews.com.au |date=23 April 2022 |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd|access-date=17 May 2022}}

Personal life

Falinski lives in Collaroy with his wife Nichola Constant, a Senior Commissioner at the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales.{{Cite web |date=21 August 2024 |title=Members of the Commission |url=https://irc.nsw.gov.au/about-us/members-of-the-commission.html |access-date=16 September 2024}} Together they have a daughter.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2024 |title=Jason Falinski |url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/jason-falinski/13778352 |access-date=16 September 2024 |website=ABC}}{{Cite web |last=Patty |first=Anna |date=23 July 2018 |title=New appointments to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/new-appointments-to-the-nsw-industrial-relations-commission-20180719-p4zshz.html |access-date=16 September 2024}}

References

Category:Jewish Australian politicians

Category:Australian people of Polish-Jewish descent

Category:Australian people of Russian-Jewish descent

Category:Australian republicans

Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Mackellar

Category:New South Wales local councillors

Category:People educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview

Category:Politicians from Sydney

Category:University of New South Wales alumni

Category:University of Sydney alumni

Category:1970 births

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives

Category:Australian MPs 2016–2019

Category:Australian MPs 2019–2022