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Joe Hockey reveals latest budget figures – as it happened Joe Hockey reveals latest budget figures – as it happened
(30 days later)
8.11am BST8.11am BST
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Almost night time politicsAlmost night time politics
I am signing off now, at the end of a very long sitting week. Live publishing is a dangerous thing with sleep deprivation.I am signing off now, at the end of a very long sitting week. Live publishing is a dangerous thing with sleep deprivation.
Thanks to my brains trust: Lenore Taylor, Daniel Hurst, Shalailah Medhora and Melissa Davey. Thanks also to Mike Bowers wonderful pictures. And thanks to you, dear readers, for your company and comments. We wouldn’t be here without you.Thanks to my brains trust: Lenore Taylor, Daniel Hurst, Shalailah Medhora and Melissa Davey. Thanks also to Mike Bowers wonderful pictures. And thanks to you, dear readers, for your company and comments. We wouldn’t be here without you.
I will leave you with #putyouronionsout for the former PM Tony Abbott.I will leave you with #putyouronionsout for the former PM Tony Abbott.
People are so helpful.People are so helpful.
conversely, there are now ONIONS hanging up on the sign outside Tony's electoral office 😭 #putyouronionsout pic.twitter.com/iJRfLa8f2jconversely, there are now ONIONS hanging up on the sign outside Tony's electoral office 😭 #putyouronionsout pic.twitter.com/iJRfLa8f2j
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It is understood Malcolm Turnbull has had a number of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, including Barack Obama, Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. UK prime minister David Cameron is expected to call later today.It is understood Malcolm Turnbull has had a number of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, including Barack Obama, Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. UK prime minister David Cameron is expected to call later today.
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Daniel HurstDaniel Hurst
Joe Hockey has declared that the bottom line of his widely criticised first budget turned out to be $3bn better than expected in a piece of good news for the treasurer as he braces for the likely loss of the key economic portfolio in Malcolm Turnbull’s looming cabinet reshuffle.Joe Hockey has declared that the bottom line of his widely criticised first budget turned out to be $3bn better than expected in a piece of good news for the treasurer as he braces for the likely loss of the key economic portfolio in Malcolm Turnbull’s looming cabinet reshuffle.
The new prime minister is due to announce ministerial changes in coming days ahead of an expected swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Scott Morrison is widely tipped to be named as the new treasurer following Turnbull’s criticism of the Abbott-led government’s economic leadership.The new prime minister is due to announce ministerial changes in coming days ahead of an expected swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Scott Morrison is widely tipped to be named as the new treasurer following Turnbull’s criticism of the Abbott-led government’s economic leadership.
The Labor MP Ed Husic taunted Hockey about his future during question time on Thursday, asking what he had planned for his third budget, due in May next year.The Labor MP Ed Husic taunted Hockey about his future during question time on Thursday, asking what he had planned for his third budget, due in May next year.
Hockey replied that “whatever’s planned for the third budget is a hell of a lot better than Labor’s last budget” and that the former government “was a fiscal disaster and an economic disaster for Australia”.Hockey replied that “whatever’s planned for the third budget is a hell of a lot better than Labor’s last budget” and that the former government “was a fiscal disaster and an economic disaster for Australia”.
He then pre-empted a statement he was due to make at the end of question time about the final budget outcome for the 2014-15 financial year. The full details are due to be released on Monday.He then pre-empted a statement he was due to make at the end of question time about the final budget outcome for the 2014-15 financial year. The full details are due to be released on Monday.
“I have been informed by the Treasury of the final budget outcome for our first budget and that is that the budget bottom line is $3bn better than what we expected at budget time,” Hockey said.“I have been informed by the Treasury of the final budget outcome for our first budget and that is that the budget bottom line is $3bn better than what we expected at budget time,” Hockey said.
“The government is spending nearly $3bn less than forecast and net government debt is reduced by $11.5bn more than we expected.”“The government is spending nearly $3bn less than forecast and net government debt is reduced by $11.5bn more than we expected.”
Hockey’s wife, Melissa Babbage, was seen in the public gallery for question time.Hockey’s wife, Melissa Babbage, was seen in the public gallery for question time.
In May 2015, Hockey estimated an underlying cash deficit of $41.1bn for the 2014-15 financial year. His office said on Thursday that the final outcome was $38bn.In May 2015, Hockey estimated an underlying cash deficit of $41.1bn for the 2014-15 financial year. His office said on Thursday that the final outcome was $38bn.
Labor pointed out that the new deficit figure was still $14bn worse than the $24bn estimated for 2014-15 in the pre-election fiscal and economic outlook, which was was signed off by the secretaries of Treasury and the Department of Finance before the 2013 election.Labor pointed out that the new deficit figure was still $14bn worse than the $24bn estimated for 2014-15 in the pre-election fiscal and economic outlook, which was was signed off by the secretaries of Treasury and the Department of Finance before the 2013 election.
Despite revealing the headline figures on Thursday, Hockey said in a statement that the final budget outcome document was some days off being published.Despite revealing the headline figures on Thursday, Hockey said in a statement that the final budget outcome document was some days off being published.
“The final budget outcome will be released in full on Monday morning,” he said, arguing the figures showed the government was heading in the right direction.“The final budget outcome will be released in full on Monday morning,” he said, arguing the figures showed the government was heading in the right direction.
Hockey is widely expected to lose his treasury portfolio in the looming reshuffle. He had made a public pitch for his colleagues to maintain their support for Abbott before the Liberal party room met for the leadership showdown on Monday.Hockey is widely expected to lose his treasury portfolio in the looming reshuffle. He had made a public pitch for his colleagues to maintain their support for Abbott before the Liberal party room met for the leadership showdown on Monday.
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I’m here.I’m here.
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Data editor Nick Evershed has been doing the numbers in the parliament during Tony Abbott’s leadership. He’s got lots of cool graphs. Nick writes:Data editor Nick Evershed has been doing the numbers in the parliament during Tony Abbott’s leadership. He’s got lots of cool graphs. Nick writes:
The Abbott government was the least productive government in passing legislation since 1971, according to a Guardian Australia analysis.The Abbott government was the least productive government in passing legislation since 1971, according to a Guardian Australia analysis.
Following Malcolm Turnbull’s ousting of Tony Abbott, I’ve updated my previous analysis of the rate of acts passed per day.Following Malcolm Turnbull’s ousting of Tony Abbott, I’ve updated my previous analysis of the rate of acts passed per day.
This analysis looks at the ability of a government to pass legislation. Admittedly this is a quantity over quality approach, but it does offer us a quantitative measure of a government, political party or prime minister. It’s obviously not the only measure by which to judge the effectiveness of a government, and it’s worth considering in context with economic, health and other national figures.This analysis looks at the ability of a government to pass legislation. Admittedly this is a quantity over quality approach, but it does offer us a quantitative measure of a government, political party or prime minister. It’s obviously not the only measure by which to judge the effectiveness of a government, and it’s worth considering in context with economic, health and other national figures.
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Mansplain is the word of the year apparently.Mansplain is the word of the year apparently.
Except some people - I’m looking at Mike Bowers - were only enlightened after the intervention yesterday by Tanya Plibersek.Except some people - I’m looking at Mike Bowers - were only enlightened after the intervention yesterday by Tanya Plibersek.
"My Dear Sabina" @edhusicMP mansplains things via text to @sabinahusic pic.twitter.com/JCz9NtdwUg"My Dear Sabina" @edhusicMP mansplains things via text to @sabinahusic pic.twitter.com/JCz9NtdwUg
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Apparently Joe Hockey is only putting out his statement on the final budget outcome for 2014-15. These are the main points from the treasurer.Apparently Joe Hockey is only putting out his statement on the final budget outcome for 2014-15. These are the main points from the treasurer.
The Budget I delivered in May will see the deficit reduced further, each and every year. This is the outcome of the first full year of the Abbott Coalition government. The final budget outcome will be released in full on Monday morning.The Budget I delivered in May will see the deficit reduced further, each and every year. This is the outcome of the first full year of the Abbott Coalition government. The final budget outcome will be released in full on Monday morning.
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Did you get my text?Did you get my text?
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Pssst...Pssst...
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Wha?Wha?
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Labor is prosecuting a matter of public importance: “The prime minister’s mismanagement of the NBN”.Labor is prosecuting a matter of public importance: “The prime minister’s mismanagement of the NBN”.
Jason Clare is talking about the enmity going back between Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott.Jason Clare is talking about the enmity going back between Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott.
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Scott Morrison got the last government question on pensions.Scott Morrison got the last government question on pensions.
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Shorten asks Turnbull: I refer to the prime minister’s earlier answer today, and I quote, “The government policies are sound. All of the government’s policies have my support.” Can the PM confirm his support for $100,000 university degrees, $8 billion of cuts to schools and hospitals and cuts to the pensions? Can the PM confirm he supports the same old broken promises and cuts?Shorten asks Turnbull: I refer to the prime minister’s earlier answer today, and I quote, “The government policies are sound. All of the government’s policies have my support.” Can the PM confirm his support for $100,000 university degrees, $8 billion of cuts to schools and hospitals and cuts to the pensions? Can the PM confirm he supports the same old broken promises and cuts?
Pyne tries to intervene but Speaker Smith sits him down, saying the PM will be able to deal with false assertions in the question.Pyne tries to intervene but Speaker Smith sits him down, saying the PM will be able to deal with false assertions in the question.
Turnbull:Turnbull:
They are the government’s policies. Every policy of any rational, constructive government is always under review. Of course. Our cabinet will examine the challenges that we face, the policies that we have, we’ll develop new policies but really, if the opposition leader - I’d encourage the opposition leader over the next three weeks to think about changing his question time strategy. I mean, he should have pity on the people of Australia who are crying out for an opposition that is actually interested in the economy, that is actually interested in the details of the problems that Australians faced and wants to hold the government to account but just sort of shouting a political zinger or slogan across the dispatch box.They are the government’s policies. Every policy of any rational, constructive government is always under review. Of course. Our cabinet will examine the challenges that we face, the policies that we have, we’ll develop new policies but really, if the opposition leader - I’d encourage the opposition leader over the next three weeks to think about changing his question time strategy. I mean, he should have pity on the people of Australia who are crying out for an opposition that is actually interested in the economy, that is actually interested in the details of the problems that Australians faced and wants to hold the government to account but just sort of shouting a political zinger or slogan across the dispatch box.
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There is a government question to Christopher Pyne on independent public schools in WA.
Then Labor to Turnbull: Can the PM confirm that the final budget outcome figures provided by the treasurer earlier in QT mean that compared to when the government came to office the deficit had blown out by $14bn and net debt by $26bn? Why does the government not acknowledge that from budget to budget they have doubled the deficit and net debt has continued to rise?
What we see with theOpposition, Mr Speaker, is an extraordinary exercise in economic denialism. They feel as though the budget has just emerged from a bubble last year. They’d like to forget six years of Labor government. Well, we understand that. They are, after all, only human.
Then a question to Greg Hunt on the green army.
6.00am BST
06:00
Greg Hunt justifies the Shenhua coalmine decision
Labor asks Turnbull: As a former water minister and now prime minister, is he satisfied that the Shenhua mine project in the agriculture minister’s electorate poses no threat to precious water resources in the agriculture sector? And will the prime minister review the decision to deny farmers the right to appeal against mine approvals?
Turnbull flicks the question to environment minister Greg Hunt.
Greg Hunt:
The farmers ofAustralia have had, will continue to have and right now have the ability to have and make any representation under law through an appeal, whether it is under section 487 or section 5 of the administrative decisions judicial review act and it’s also important to note that this provision, which you now want to criticise, was the very one that the entire LaborParty voted for in the Western Sydney Airports bill.
Furthermore, on Shenhua, Hunt says no other environment minister could have come to a different decision on the law or the science.
Hunt says the provisions he put in place in ticking off the approval of the water trigger for the Shenhua mine on the Liverpool Plains were the most stringent in Australian history.
He says three more reviews will take place “above and beyond anything else that we have seen in Australian history”.
Yes, sometimes as an environment minister you have to deal with the things that which are placed before you in the dock. They are there on the list that is before you and you have to deal with it not on the basis of politics but on the basis of the best available science.
Six different scientific reviews which set out the conditions were utterly acceptable. More than that, I approached the independent expert scientific committee and asked them for additional comments and additional advice and incorporated every one of their recommendations so that’s the careful approach which we have taken and I am utterly satisfied that on the steps taken to date no other environment minister in Australia could have come to a different conclusion on the law or the science.
5.51am BST
05:51
Daniel Hurst reports that Joe Hockey’s office has confirmed the treasurer is due to make a statement at the end of question time about the final budget outcome for 2014-15. Apparently the full release of the figures are due on Monday next week.
There has been a fair bit of speculation about Hockey’s future. We note that Hockey’s wife Melissa Babbage is in the public gallery.
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05:50
The young turk faction.
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A government question to Peter Dutton: Will the minister update the house on the role of the 457 visa in creating jobs and building the economy and how does engagement with our overseas neighbours help boost jobs and growth here in Australia and what obstacles are there to that engagement?
PDuddy’s answer is all about the CFMEU. I think there was a 457 in there somewhere.
Labor’s Richard Marles asks PDuddy about his text to Turnbull offering his resignation. Labor wants to know if he has had an answer back yet or even a conversation.
Dutton says he has had a conversation with Turnbull about the 12,000 Syrians coming into the country under the special humanitarian intake. Dutton says because the government stopped the boats, the government could take extra people.
We don’t know if he has had an answer to the resignation text.
5.43am BST
05:43
Kevin Andrews steps into the broad church
Labor to the outgoing defence minister Kevin Andrews: Does the minister stand by his statement on Monday about the prime minister, and I quote, “to bring on a leadership challenge within days. What is it? Five days of an important Canning byelection shows a lack of judgment in my view and reinforces why Mr Turnbull didn’t remain leader last time he was.” Is the minister concerned by what this lack of judgment will mean for government policies?
Andrews is quite manic.
The Labor party never learns. Here they are this week, question after question, wasting an opportunity to ask questions about the real issues facing the people of Australia...
It goes on ... faster and louder. Then he talks about the leadership spill.
As happens from time to time in politics there are challenges that occur. They occur on both sides of the fence and committed people say things in those challenges but what we are doing under the leadership of the prime minister as a broad church, as a party representing conservative and liberal values, as that broad church, we’re getting on with the job of representing the people of Australia. Pity you’re not thinking about them.
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A treasurer and his assistant.
Joe Hockey and Assistant Josh Frydenberg #swansongQT? as Treasurer @gabriellechan @GuardianAus http://t.co/TQXRtLKNtj pic.twitter.com/je3RdD1LWL
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05:36
A question to treasurer, Joe Hockey, who is supposed to be talking about the benefits of the government’s economic plan.
Hockey uses it to take the mickey out of Labor’s economist and assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh.
As Hockey finishes his answer, Labor counts him down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. It could be his last question as treasurer, I guess.
But the next Labor question is a cheeky one, from chief Labor cheekster Ed Husic.
Husic asks: In the Treasurer’s first budget, he slugged Australians with a GP tax. In his second budget, he locked in $80 billion of cuts to schools and hospitals. Treasurer, what have you got planned for your third budget?
I tell you what, whatever’s planned for the third budget is a hell of a lot better than Labor’s last budget.
Former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan is looking quietly satisfied as Hockey continues on through what may be his final day in parliament as treasurer.
5.29am BST
05:29
A Chafta question to foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop.
Then, Labor asks about former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett’s spray about Turnbull as:
An individual who has always put self-interest before anything else.
Christopher Pyne calls it a “general slur” on the PM and he shouldn’t have to ask it.
Labor’s Catherine King rephrases with a reference to environment, health and marriage equality policy.
Turnbull:
What she has done, what she provides is simply an allegation, a pointless piece of argument that so frustratesAustralians and I ask again, the thousands of Australians that watch this question time would dearly love to see a proper political debate about the real issues, the slanging match should be over.
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05:20
Bob Katter asks Turnbull to institute a range of new projects to make sure he lives up to the “faith of the Australian people”. (It was a very long question.)
Turnbull notes his “passionate patriotism” and then notes:
the government that I lead is committed to considering all of the economic challenges facing Australia, the opportunities for driving productivity and increasing economic growth to ensure that the consequence of the decline in terms of trade is offset by new industries, new jobs, greater productivity. That’s the big challenge for us and I want the honourable member to know that we’re taking on that task with great seriousness, careful thought and consideration and his constituents, like the constituents of every other member in this chamber.