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Allegra Spender

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Allegra Spender
MP
Spender in 2018
Member of the Australian Parliament for Wentworth
Incumbent
Assumed office
21 May 2022
Preceded byDave Sharma
Personal details
Born (1978-03-10) 10 March 1978 (age 46)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyIndependent
SpouseMark Capps
Children3
Parents
Relatives
EducationAscham School
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge
OccupationBusiness executive
Politician
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website

Allegra Spender (born 10 March 1978) is an Australian politician and businesswoman. She is currently the member of parliament for Wentworth, having won the seat at the 2022 Australian federal election. One of a number of centrist community independents (sometimes described as "teal independents" by the media)[1] who won election on a platform of action on climate change, economic reform, political integrity, and gender equality.

She is the third generation of her family to sit in federal parliament, after her grandfather Sir Percy Spender and father John Spender. She was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, and corporate executive before entering politics, including as managing director of her mother Carla Zampatti's fashion label and CEO of education charity the Australian Business & Community Network (ABCN).[2]

Early life and education

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Allegra Spender was born in Sydney on 10 March 1978.[3] She is the daughter of former Liberal politician and diplomat John Spender and fashion designer Carla Zampatti. Her grandfather, Sir Percy Spender, was a Liberal MP under Prime Minister Robert Menzies, a diplomat and the president of the International Court of Justice. Sir Percy was one of the key authors of both the ANZUS Treaty and the Colombo Plan. Her grandmother was Lady Jean Spender, a novelist.[4] Her sister is fashion designer Bianca Spender.[5] Her half-brother is Alex Schuman.

Spender attended Ascham School, where she was head girl and Dux,[6] and achieved a UAI of 99.95.[7]

She received a BA in economics from the University of Cambridge,[3] where she was at Trinity College,[7][8] and an MSc in organisational psychology at the University of London.[3]

Career

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Spender started her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company before working as a policy analyst in the UK Treasury.[9] She later worked as a Change Leader at London's King's College Hospital and as a consultant in Kenya for TechnoServe.[10] Spender was the managing director for her mother's fashion label Carla Zampatti for 9 years.[11][7] She was also the Chair of the Sydney Renewable Power Company[12] and the CEO of the Australian Business & Community Network (ABCN),[13] a social mobility charity that links students from low socio-economic schools and mentors from business.

In late 2021, Spender was approached by a local community group who were seeking an Independent candidate to run in the division of Wentworth at the 2022 Australian federal election.[2] The group wanted a woman with "deep local roots and an impressive CV" who shared the community's core beliefs on the need for more integrity in politics, action on climate change and gender equality.[2] After initially declining the approach, Spender announced her intention to run in November 2021, citing government inaction on climate change as one of the key reasons for her candidature.[14]

She defeated Liberal incumbent Dave Sharma with 54 percent of the two-party vote,[15] becoming one of several community independents to unseat Liberal incumbents.[16] The seat of Wentworth had previously been in the hands of the Liberals or their predecessors almost entirely since Federation.[17]

Political views and career

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Since her election, Spender's policy platform has focused on strong action on climate change;[18] economic reform;[19] integrity in politics;[20] and support for gender equity,[21] humanitarian treatment of refugees,[21] LQBTQ+ inclusion,[21] and action on antisemitism.[22]

Spender supports strong action on climate change,[23] campaigning in the 2022 Australian federal election for a 50% reduction in Australian emissions by 2030 and bringing in vehicle emission standards to reduce transport emissions.[24] In her first fortnight in parliament, Spender secured amendments to strengthen the Climate Change Act by requiring sector-by-sector assessments of emissions reduction policies.[25][26] During the course of the 47th parliament, she also played a key role in successfully advocating for the introduction of fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles,[27] funding to support household electrification, and greater private investment in nature protection.[28][29]

Since entering parliament, Spender has also been a vocal advocate for economic and tax reform.[30][31] She has twice addressed the National Press Club of Australia on economic policy issues, making the case for broad tax reform in January 2024[32] and for ‘economic reform from the sensible centre’ in October 2024.[33] Spender has undertaken her own tax roundtable process during the 47th parliament,[34] [35] [36] working with experts such as former Treasury secretary Ken Henry and ANU Tax and Transfer Policy Institute director Robert Breunig - as well as business groups, unions, and community groups.[37] She has been outspoken in her support for lowering income taxes and replacing stamp duty with land tax.[31] In her second National Press Club of Australia address in October 2024, Spender set out an economic reform agenda that included: (i) making it easier to do business by reducing red tape; (ii) ramping up innovation and investment in early stage companies; (iii) improving the integrity of government spending- especially infrastructure; and (iv) reforming the tax system.[33] In late 2024 she released her own tax green paper into the Australian taxation system[38][39] and lead a push to change the definition of a small business from one with 15 employees to 25 employees.[40]

Spender is a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics[41] and the Joint Standing Committee on Migration.[42] She has made significant additional contributions to reports made by the committees during the 47th parliament, including in relation to the Better Competition, Better Prices Inquiry[43] and the Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Inquiry.[44]

As the representative of the largest Jewish community in Australia, Spender has been a vocal advocate for action on antisemitism[45] [46] [47] [48] and played a key role in advocating for the appointing of a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.[49] Spender's electorate of Wentworth is also home to large LGBTQ+ communities in Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, and Paddington. When the Labor Government announced in August 2024 that it would not include questions on LGBTQ+ identity in the next census, Spender was one of the leading advocates who successfully argued for the decision to be reversed and for LGBTQ+ people to be counted.[50] [51]

Spender has campaigned strongly on integrity – including the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission[52] and the improvement of behaviour in parliament. She has described Question Time as a “complete waste of time” labelling the practice as the “biggest disappointment” from her time in politics[53] and criticising the behaviour in parliament as “unlike any workplace I’ve ever been in”.[54] In October 2024, Spender resigned her membership of the Qantas Chairman's Lounge and the Virgin equivalent, saying it was time to end the practice of politicians accepting airline upgrades.[55]

Spender is the co-chair of several parliamentary friendship groups, including the Parliamentary Friends of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the Parliamentary Friends of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the Parliamentary Friends of Tech and Innovation, the Parliamentary Friends of Early Childhood, the Parliamentary Friends of Entrepreneurs, Small and Medium Businesses, and the Parliamentary Friends of Running.[56]

Voting record

As of August 2024, Spender's record shows that she has supported 56% of votes called by the Coalition, 50% of votes called by the Labor Party, and 49% of votes called by the Greens.[57]

Writing

Spender is a regular contributor to the Australian Financial Review. Her articles have covered topics including productivity and innovation,[58] migration,[59] business dynamism,[60] industrial relations,[61] tax reform,[62] the impact of independents in parliament,[63] and the relationship between business and government.[64]

Spender has also written for outlets including The Australian,[65] Renew Economy,[66] and Women's Agenda.[67]

Community Engagement

Spender was one of a number of community Independents, who campaigned during the 2022 Australian federal election on “doing politics differently”. Since coming to office, she has reportedly held over 65 community events,[68] featuring the likes of tax expert Ken Henry, renowned playwright Suzie Miller, investigative journalist and author Jess Hill, Professor Tom Calma AO and Tim Buckley. She has also held events with younger local influencers such as Anjali Sharma, Lottie Dalziel, Hannah Ferguson, Chanel Contos and Ruby Langton Batty.

In November 2022, Spender hosted Wentworth’s first ever climate action forum “Powering Wentworth to Net-Zero"[69][70] at the newly renovated Bondi Pavilion in collaboration with Saul Griffith of Rewiring Australia[71] and the Smart Energy Council. The event was moderated by local comedian Dan Ilic.

Bondi Junction stabbings

On 13 April 2024, the Bondi Junction stabbings took place in Spender's electorate of Wentworth. Spender was a highly visible presence in the aftermath of the attacks, comforting local constituents at the site and leading tributes alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns.[72]

As editor of the Good Weekend, Katrina Strickland commented: “After the Bondi Junction stabbings in April, I, like thousands of others, felt compelled to lay flowers at the impromptu memorial that had sprung up in the nearby shopping centre. I found myself walking past regularly in the days that followed, bearing witness to the growing number of floral tributes, a life-affirming antidote to the darkness of the time. And here's the thing. More often than not, Allegra Spender was there. The member for Wentworth stood in that mall not just when the TV crews were buzzing but long after they’d gone, talking quietly with grieving constituents."[73]

Following the attacks, Spender joined with Elizabeth Young – the mother of Jade Young, one of the victims of the attack – to call for mental health reform across state, territory, and federal governments.[74] [75]

Business

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In September 2022 it was reported that Spender is a corporate director of a private Australian company that did not pay tax on a $280m payment it received in 2019. The payment had already been taxed at the full corporate tax rate, before it was invested, and therefore did not need to be taxed further. The article was referred to Media Watch, (an Australian media standards review program produced by the ABC) as misleading.[76]

Personal life

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Spender has three children.[77] As of May 2024, she lives in Darling Point in Sydney and has properties in Woollahra and Great Mackerel Beach in New South Wales.[78]

Spender is a regular runner, reportedly getting up at 5:30am during parliamentary sitting weeks to go running.[79]

References

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  1. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (23 May 2022). "Teal independents: who are they and how did they upend Australia's election?". The Guardian.
  2. ^ a b c Snow, Deborah (27 July 2024). "'Going into politics has taught me I've got more courage than I thought'". Sydney Morning Herald.
  3. ^ a b c "Ms Allegra Spender MP". Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. ^ Crowe, David (14 October 2022). "John Spender, Allegra Spender's father, dies aged 86". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. ^ Hornery, Andrew (28 April 2010). "Designer puts her best foot forward despite separation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  6. ^ Maley, Jacqueline (19 November 2021). "'The real reason is the environment': Allegra Spender to run as Wentworth independent". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Carla Zampatti's Daughter Allegra Spender on community solar power". The Carousel. 2 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  8. ^ Hooton, Amanda (15 September 2017). "Allegra Spender: how mum Carla Zampatti did things 'differently'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  9. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Ms Allegra Spender MP".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Mehmet, Emine (3 April 2021). "Carla Zampatti's Daughter Allegra Spender On Community Solar Power". The Carousel. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Allegra Spender's Sydney solar company rides renewable boom". Australian Financial Review. 23 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  12. ^ Vorrath, Sophie (17 November 2016). "Sydney CBD 520kW solar array opens for public investment". RenewEconomy. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Allegra Spender ABCN's new Chief Executive Officer". ABCN. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Allegra Spender, Carla Zampatti's daughter, to vie for Wentworth seat at federal election". SBS News. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  15. ^ Hislpo, Madeline (27 November 2023). "Dave Sharma wins Senate seat as Liberals miss key opportunity to boost women". Women's Agenda.
  16. ^ Hendriks, Carolyn; Reid, Richard (2023). Watershed: The 2022 Australian Federal Election (1 ed.). Canberra: ANU Press. pp. 279–304. ISBN 9781760465810.
  17. ^ Sas, Nick (13 October 2018). "Wentworth by-election: A look at the make or break seat where voters are 'torn'".
  18. ^ Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Policies - Climate".
  19. ^ Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Policies - Economy".
  20. ^ Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Policies - Integrity".
  21. ^ a b c Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Policies - Inclusivity".
  22. ^ Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Policies - Antisemitism".
  23. ^ Galloway, Anthony (21 May 2022). "Teals to demand action on integrity commission and climate". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  24. ^ "Detailed Policies". Allegra Spender. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  25. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Parliament of Australia - Climate Change Bill".
  26. ^ Curtis, Katrina; Foley, Mike; Thompson, Angus (4 August 2022). "Labor's climate change bill passes lower house". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  27. ^ Mazengarb, Michael (21 April 2022). "Climate independents to push next government to electrify transport". Renew Economy.
  28. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Nature Repair Bill 2023".
  29. ^ Spender, Allegra (10 October 2024). "Australian Nature is in crisis". Twitter.
  30. ^ Wright, Shane (23 October 2024). "Solve decades of political 'stuff-ups' with hung parliament: Spender". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  31. ^ a b McIlroy, Tom (23 October 2023). "Teals warn: Don't assume we won't back Dutton in a hung parliament".
  32. ^ Spender, Allegra (31 January 2024). "Australia's Tax Dilemma - The Case for Real Reform". The National Press Club of Australia.
  33. ^ a b Spender, Allegra (23 October 2024). "The Power of Balance: Economic reform from the sensible centre". The National Press Club of Australia.
  34. ^ Ravlic, Tom (5 April 2023). "Spender gathers top economic thinkers to discuss tax reform". The Mandarin.
  35. ^ ABC Sydney (9 May 2023). "Teal independent wants a national conversation on tax".
  36. ^ Wright, Shane (27 March 2023). "Spender to hold own tax summit - wants more than a dusty document". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  37. ^ The Australian. "Spender seeks buy-in on need for tax reform".
  38. ^ Wright, Shane (27 November 2024). "Why tax reform is the national debate we can no longer afford to avoid". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  39. ^ Chen, Christine (25 November 2024). "Teal MP details top tax reform priorities in green paper". Accountants Daily.
  40. ^ Coorey, Phil (5 December 2024). "Teals aren't letting the Liberals whitewash them as Greens". The Australian Financial Review.
  41. ^ Parliament of Australia. "House Economics Committee".
  42. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Joint Standing Committee on Migration".
  43. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Better Competition, Better Prices Inquiry".
  44. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Migration Pathway Report".
  45. ^ Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Policies - Antisemitism".
  46. ^ Narunsky, Gareth (2 October 2024). "Allegra Spender on October 7". The Australian Jewish News.
  47. ^ ABC (16 November 2023). "VIDEO: Independent MP calls for calm conversation on anti-Semitism and Islamophobia".
  48. ^ J-Wire News Service (13 May 2024). "Cross bench MPs calls on the government to deal with university antisemitism". J-Wire.
  49. ^ Brook, Stephen; Napier-Raman, Kishor (4 July 2024). "Albanese government set to announce new antisemitism envoy". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  50. ^ ABC (28 August 2024). "'Flabbergasted': MPs urge LGBT census decision reversal".
  51. ^ Potts, Andrew (5 September 2024). "Teal Independents Spender and Steggall back census reform". Q News.
  52. ^ Karp, Paul (26 September 2022). "Federal Icac will have power to investigate third parties who pose corruption threat, Labor vows". The Guardian.
  53. ^ Green, Eli (1 March 2023). "Question Time slammed as a 'waste of time' by Allegra Spender". News.com.
  54. ^ Ireland, Olivia (22 August 2024). "'Unlike any workplace I've ever been in': The push to punish MPs for bad behaviour". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  55. ^ Hannah, Wooton (4 November 2024). "Allegra Spender quits Chairman's Lounge, demands Qantas ends upgrades". The Australian Financial Review.
  56. ^ Parliament of Australia. "Parliamentary Friendship Groups - Non-Country".
  57. ^ Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent. "Voting Record".
  58. ^ Spender, Allegra (17 September 2024). "Why dwindling productivity is a big deal for superannuation". The Australian Financial Review.
  59. ^ Spender, Allegra (4 June 2024). "Migration is our 'special sauce', so let's be rational about it". The Australian Financial Review.
  60. ^ Spender, Allegra (8 April 2024). "Government needs to remove the barriers to business dynamism". The Australian Financial Review.
  61. ^ Spender, Allegra (13 November 2023). "Labor's sledgehammer on the workers". The Australian Financial Review.
  62. ^ Spender, Allegra (3 September 2023). "Tax reform too important to be hostage to party politics". The Australian Financial Review.
  63. ^ Spender, Allegra (19 May 2023). "A year on, the teal wave has been rebutting oppositional politics". The Australian Financial Review.
  64. ^ Spender, Allegra (6 February 2023). "Why business is losing faith in the government". The Australian Financial Review.
  65. ^ Spender, Allegra. "To get our economy on track we need both tax and spending reform". The Australian.
  66. ^ Spender, Allegra (17 March 2024). "Families need one stop shop, and budget support, to kick fossil fuels out of home". Renew Economy.
  67. ^ Spender, Allegra. "Of all the issues facing women, it's the 'motherhood penalty' that really boils my blood". Women's Agenda.
  68. ^ "Doing politics differently". The Wentworth Independent. Spring 2024.
  69. ^ Spender, Allegra (16 December 2022). "Powering Wentworth to Net Zero - Part 1". You Tube.
  70. ^ "Powering Wentworth to Net Zero". Allegra Spender MP - Wentworth's Independent.
  71. ^ Rewiring Australia. "Rewiring Wentworth".
  72. ^ AFR View (14 April 2024). "Bondi Junction tragedy brings out the best". The Australian Financial Review.
  73. ^ Strickland, Katrina (27 July 2024). "Good Weekend". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  74. ^ Roberts, Millie (3 July 2024). "Mother of Bondi Junction stabbing victim calls for better critical mental health care amid service gap 'crisis'". ABC.
  75. ^ Scott, Elfy (3 July 2024). "'Please do something': The call for mental health reform in the wake of Bondi stabbing attack". SBS.
  76. ^ Malcolm, Jess (1 September 2022). ""Tax reform teal Allegra Spender's $280m tax-free gain"". The Australian. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  77. ^ Abadee, Nicole (23 September 2022). "Two of Us: Sisters Bianca and Allegra Spender". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  78. ^ "The private interests of Allegra Spender MP". openpolitics.au. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  79. ^ Patten, Sally (27 August 2024). "How this former McKinsey consultant finds jobs she loves". Australian Financial Review.
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