Amelia Hamer, a candidate for the Liberal Party, has responded to increasing scrutiny regarding her financial status after it was revealed that she is a beneficiary of a substantial $20 million family trust. The details were disclosed by Aaron Smith, a volunteer for teal MP Monique Ryan, who is contesting the inner-Melbourne seat of Kooyong against Hamer.
Earlier in her campaign, Hamer had addressed previous concerns about her housing situation, which included owning properties in London and Canberra, while attempting to connect with voters by highlighting her experiences as a renter. Following the trust revelation, Hamer explained that she was one of 12 beneficiaries from a family trust established by her late great-grandmother and asserted that she has no control or oversight over the trust’s management.
Court documents, which surfaced this week, indicated that as part of a legal process to extend the trust’s vesting date for tax reasons, it was assessed to be valued at approximately $20 million. Notably, the records revealed that she, along with nine other beneficiaries, received $60,000 from the trust in the financial year ending June 2020 and another undisclosed amount in the following year.
While the specifics regarding Hamer’s future entitlements from the trust remain vague, a Supreme Court judgement indicated that past distributions have typically benefitted Hamer’s family members. Hamer defended her housing situation, stating that voters can appreciate a candidate’s ability to empathise with diverse experiences, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Hamer emphasized her commitment to engaging with constituents and addressing their concerns, stating, “The reality is I’m focusing on listening to people, understanding their experiences, and seeing what we can actually get done for people.”
Kooyong, historically a stronghold for the Liberal Party, saw a significant shift in 2022 when voters elected Dr Monique Ryan, an independent candidate backed by Climate 200, defeating long-serving former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Political analysts suggest that the Liberal Party must reclaim this seat to have any realistic chance of forming government in future elections. The success of this campaign could prove crucial to the party’s prospects in upcoming contests, with experts indicating that failing to secure Kooyong this time around may hinder their chances in future elections.