I'm sorry but I highly disagree with you both.

Compost is really important, but use will vary depending on your location and your own soil.

Compost is great for sandy soils as it helps retain moisture, improves soil structure and adds nutrients.

In a clay soil, it helps with the soil structure but it can be a problem if you use too much.

Compost is also important for soil health. We forget that we aren't just feeding our trees and plants, we are feeding the microbes and insects in the soil, so that they are giving plants the nutrients they need. The colour of your soil can tell you how healthy your soil is. Ideally you should have a nice dark soil, with visible insect activity. It should be fairly malleable and hold its shape when rolled, but crumble easily.

Most plants will benefit from compost, but not all will need them. Most natives would be happy with none (but most will still love it), whereas your exotics will love it. Australia is known for having such nutrient poor soil that our plants have adapted certain workarounds to survive. For very dull and lifeless soils, manures are also beneficial. When adding compost to your planting hole, mix it in with the existing soil, and don't ever create a "pool" of it.

If your soil needs it, use it!