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Barbara Pocock

@barbarapocock.bsky.social
7.1K followers 172 following 752 posts

Writer, mother, painter, unionist, professor, economist, Greens Senator for SA. Spokesperson for Housing, Workplace Relations, Employment, Finance, Public Sector.

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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 22h
The Greens-led senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity spent 6 months hearing evidence on Australia's housing crisis. Final report, published today, shows dire need for the government to stop shirking responsibility & act. Public housing, rent caps & affordable mortgages.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
RBA news awful for the millions in mortgage stress. It's punishment for homeowners & profit for the banks already making $$$ on home loans. Tax the 1%, not hard working people. Rates hikes won’t fix the housing crisis but a government that treats housing as a human right will.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We have a system that tackles inflation by suppressing the household income of workers while protecting housing wealth & corporate profits. Until the concentration of wealth in the country is confronted, working people will keep paying the price.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The federal government has to stop running scared and get back into the business of building homes directly. Public housing is a long term solution to the housing affordability crisis. People deserve to be able to build a life in secure housing. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Community housing tenants more likely to face eviction threat than those in public housing
New data obtained by the ABC shows social housing tenants in community housing are more likely to face eviction than those who live in public housing.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Bathla’s collapse is why Australia needs a public developer - not private developers profiteering off a housing crisis. Bathla owes over $3.4 billion to creditors, subcontractors & suppliers, with 14,000 homes in the pipeline. Hundreds of jobs lost. People’s entire savings are on the line.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
It's a sad day for Whyalla workers with news 600 jobs will be cut. My heart goes out to workers & their families. After years of uncertainty & millions of dollars of public spending it's a tragedy. Workers must receive their entitlements & have enterprise agreements honoured.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
KPMG holds $437 mil worth of active contracts with Labor - including 28 Defence contracts worth $303.8 mil - despite the fallout over KPMG’s integrity, ethics & leadership failures. Despite all the lessons of the Big 4 scandals Labor’s response has been woefully inadequate.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Estimates is an exercise in accountability. Australians have a right to know how public money is being spent. Dr Johnson was questioned over major budget blowouts, project delays & contracting practices in the BoM, and when he didn't come prepared to Estimates, was scrutinised.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Selling government secrets isn't a business model. We've seen enough. The TPB needs teeth to crack down on tax advisor misconduct.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Final hearing of the housing inquiry & the results are in - the big 4 banks are big winners in the housing crisis while renters & 1st home buyers lose out. The big 4 made over $30bn in net profit in the last financial year, from mortgages, while many struggle to make repayments.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Final hearing of the Greens-led Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity today, where I will question, amongst others, the big four banks and the massive profits they are making off the housing crisis. 📺Stream live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFaG...
youtube.com
Senate Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity | 03/09/2026
YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Australia’s ‘big 4’ consulting firms are out of control. How many more scandals & breaches of confidentiality need to occur before the government bans KPMG from government work? We must break up & regulate the Big 4 & increase penalties for dishonest behaviour & ethical failures.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Just because big tech companies want to move at hyperspeed, doesn’t mean we need to fast track & roll out the red carpet for them. We need to consider very carefully the impact on workers, as well as the mega extraction of our intelligence, knowledge, culture, water and energy.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The next federal election is a long way off and I still have plenty of work to do on housing, securing super for under 18-year-olds, holding KPMG to account and reforming the Big Four firms. I remain committed to continuing my work on climate and environmental justice.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The Greens have secured a second inquiry into Super for Under 18's. Why? Because every year, 530,000 teenage workers are denied $411 million in super just due to age. Labor voted against super for young workers but they can't hide from an inquiry. The Greens won't let this go.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Today, real estate agents are publicly encouraging rich property investors to raise rents by 30%, following a forecast from the big banks earlier this week. The Greens have called for an immediate rent freeze to stop renters from facing a 30% rent increase.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
KPMG leaders are gold class exemplars of greed trumping ethics at every turn. They have taken advantage of yawning regulatory gaps and revealed broken ‘self-government’ amongst the Big 4.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
As we celebrate David McBride's freedom, don't forget Labor could have freed him since they were elected, but refused to act. David has paid a terrible price for sharing the truth, a price no whistleblower should ever pay again. Congratulations David, we all celebrate with you.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
In Perth today for the 7th Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity. Heard overwhelming evidence of a housing catastrophe with house prices & rents rising multiple times faster than wages or inflation.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
House prices have been growing three times faster than wages since 1999. If first home buyers are going to get a chance, we need a temporary drop in house prices. We need a public developer to build and sell homes people can actually afford. www.afr.com/property/res...
afr.com
Top-end property prices hit hardest as housing slump deepens
Sydney led a national housing market downturn, tumbling 1.4 per cent in July alone as premium properties took the brunt of the fall with a 1.8 per cent decline.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
📺WATCH 📺 PERTH - Senate Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity will hold its 7th public hearing today. You can watch the livestream here: youtube.com/watch?v=B436... 11am AEST & 9am AWST
youtube.com
Senate Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity | Perth, WA | 05/08/2026
YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Real wages are down 5% since Labor elected. That is a massive fall. Inflation today at 3.8% as the cost of living - rent, food, fuel, power - eats into household incomes. A true disaster for those trying to live on Jobseeker. No wonder people are cynical about the Govt.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Sally McManus & Michele O'Neil leave a powerful legacy. I've long admired their shared, steadfast commitment to collective solidarity & their principled leadership alongside each other. They've led with conviction & set the stage for the next generation of strong union leaders.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
New data shows KPMG is raking in multimillion-dollar contracts despite the firm’s numerous integrity, ethics & leadership failures. As of 1 July 2026, KPMG held 8 active large govt contracts worth $51.4 million between 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The problems with KPMG are at a leadership level. Rearranging the deck chairs won't change the culture. www.afr.com/companies/pr...
afr.com
KPMG announces new CEO following audit scandal fallout
Long-term partner John Sams has been promoted to KPMG chief executive, filling the role vacated when Andrew Yates resigned over the audit leaks scandal.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
What's $73m between mates? We’re still waiting for answers from the government on Walker corporation’s monstrosity of a building in Festival Plaza. And now we find out that the ATO is moving in because their office (opened in 2012) is too old.. Everyone wins (except you).
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A home is allowed to just be a home. Fixing Australia’s housing crisis requires a huge investment in directly building public and social housing. Build public housing. Thanks @wilstracke.bsky.social for coming and giving evidence to the Senate Inquiry on intergenerational housing inequality!
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
This government is taking tiny steps in a race against a public and social housing waiting list running at full pace. Build public housing.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Three headlines from major newspapers published on the same day. The picture is clear - there are groups with vested interests in the existence of the housing crisis. But homes are for people, not profit.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Renters are paying record $$ from $600 wk in Melbourne - $850 in Sydney. At every housing inquiry hearing we're hearing stories of people struggling to keep a roof over their head. Renters need help. Rent caps, affordable rents & public housing. Now. tinyurl.com/3u4c3m6v
tinyurl.com
Australians face record-high rents as agents see 'inquiries flooding in'
Rents are soaring in several capital cities as low vacancy rates collide with rising interest rates and population growth.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The 5th hearing of the Greens-led housing inquiry held today in Sydney, demonstrated, overwhelmingly, that Australia needs rent caps. Renters face runaway rents, deep insecurity & an impenetrable housing market - they need the financial relief that rent caps can deliver.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Today, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services published an email from newly appointed KPMG independent chair Mr Michael Ebeid to his fellow directors and others.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Labor has ganged up with the Libs to vote against the Greens’ efforts to get under 18 year-old workers paid super, denying 515,000 young workers across the country. Instead they've chosen to line the pockets of big corps with money that should be going to our 15-17 year olds.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Labor doesn't want to pay teens super. The Greens do. That's why we're fighting in the Senate today to secure super payments for all under 18's, no matter how many hours they work. Young people deserve every dollar they've earned, including their super.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The Greens have secured amendments to the govt’s Bill that will protect workers' pay & conditions & empower unions during IR disputes. These changes will boost protections for workers during bargaining & in particular support educators, teachers and firefighters.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
I wrote to Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance & Public Sector, calling for the govt to cease KPMG’s ethics & leadership training in the APS. KPMG has a $1.27 mil contract to run training for 300 public servants. The contract runs until Dec 2026 w' poss of extension to Dec 2028.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Should Labor terminate its $1.3m contract with KPMG. to train public sector leaders in ethics? Hmmmm
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Investors with seven or more properties are claiming billions in tax handouts while the average Australian struggles with secure housing, rents and mortgages.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
KPMG chairman Martin Sheppard and senior auditors are set to resign but so much more needs to be done to fix the rot throughout KPMG & the regulatory failure of the Big 4.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Today we were united in grilling KPMG over accusations of sharing confidential client information to rig audit tenders, using AI to cheat on internal exams, breaching audit independence & mistreating a whistleblower. How can the govt continue to justify using KPMG’s services?
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
KPMG made $114 million from 149 contract amendments on top of their initial $73 million in head contracts in this financial year, Austender data shows. This means KPMG made more money from government contract amendments than from initial contracts it secured (as of 5 June 2026).
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Adelaide has one of the tightest and most unaffordable housing markets in the country, we heard today at the 4th hearing of the inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity. Today’s evidence is clear: Labor has failed South Australians on housing.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The Greens have referred KPMG to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for suspected corruption breaches, in the wake of recent multiple scandals, including allegations of misusing confidential client information to get more audit work & mistreating a whistleblower.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Today at the Greens-led Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity we heard the story of younger generations being ripped off, locked out of the market, forced into insecure housing & delaying major life decisions. Successive governments have failed young people.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Newly compiled data from the Parliamentary Library reveals Labor currently has 297 active contracts with KPMG - total value of $653 million. Despite multiple scandals, the Government continues to employ KPMG’s service. This government is completely addicted to KPMG.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Brisbane hearing for the Greens inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity revealed the human cost of the housing crisis. Australia is a rich country. We can't accept losing 9 people a day to the housing crisis. People need to be off the streets & in safe & secure housing.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Time to act. Rot spans far and wide. Greens call for KPMG government ban over ethical breaches www.crikey.com.au/2026/06/10/k...
crikey.com.au
'Rot spans far and wide': Greens call for KPMG government ban over ethical breaches
Greens Senator Barbara Pocock is going after KPMG in the same manner in which she pursued PwC Australia over its tax leaks scandal.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The Brisbane hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity, which I'm Chairing, has begun. You can watch it here: 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNI5...
youtube.com
Senate Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity | Brisbane, QLD | 10/06/2026
YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Labor must end their special treatment — on tax, public reporting, professional liability and whistleblower protections and regulate the Big Four like other large Australian firms. KPMG audits the RBA and runs its hotline. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...
abc.net.au
Bullock says RBA will re-tender KPMG whistleblower hotline contract amid scandals
The Reserve Bank is distancing itself from KPMG with Governor Michele Bullock confirming the bank will re-tender its whistleblower hotline service.
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Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
KPMG show us who they are - despite PwC’s masterclass in how not to behave & coverup. Labor has failed to act & this is now on them: to end Big 4 special treatment – on tax, reporting, liability, whistleblowing. Get unethical greed out of govt contracting. Time to break them up.
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