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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/oct/22/eric-abetz-declares-renewed-marriage-equality-push-an-ambush-politics-live
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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Labor builds the pressure over marriage equality – politics live | Labor builds the pressure over marriage equality – politics live |
| (30 days later) | |
| 6.59am BST | 6.59am BST |
| 06:59 | 06:59 |
| Like a bird, I must fly | Like a bird, I must fly |
| Well peeps, it’s been real. I have to shut shop a bit early this evening to get ready to chat to my good friends on The Drum. | Well peeps, it’s been real. I have to shut shop a bit early this evening to get ready to chat to my good friends on The Drum. |
| With my usual thanks and salutations, let’s wrap with some thoughts on the political week. | With my usual thanks and salutations, let’s wrap with some thoughts on the political week. |
| Malcolm Turnbull made momentum a priority. A big policy week. He delivered the response to the Murray financial services inquiry, family benefits overhaul 2.0, and a deal with Labor on the China FTA. | Malcolm Turnbull made momentum a priority. A big policy week. He delivered the response to the Murray financial services inquiry, family benefits overhaul 2.0, and a deal with Labor on the China FTA. |
| Conservative opponents thought this TurnBullRun might be getting a little out of hand. A plan by marriage equality supporters to put flesh on the bones of the plebiscite was pounced on by Eric Abetz, who saw treachery. The losers from the leadership change strutted and fretted, ever so slightly. | Conservative opponents thought this TurnBullRun might be getting a little out of hand. A plan by marriage equality supporters to put flesh on the bones of the plebiscite was pounced on by Eric Abetz, who saw treachery. The losers from the leadership change strutted and fretted, ever so slightly. |
| New social services minister Christian Porter was pushed out into the spotlight courtesy of the families package. Unfortunately he looked as though he hadn’t quite mastered his Canberra legs. It wasn’t a total disaster, but it wasn’t a triumph either. | New social services minister Christian Porter was pushed out into the spotlight courtesy of the families package. Unfortunately he looked as though he hadn’t quite mastered his Canberra legs. It wasn’t a total disaster, but it wasn’t a triumph either. |
| Labor did slightly better in working out how to approach the TurnBullRun. Playing the man had sunk like a stone. The opposition found some grip by playing the issues – but at this stage, you’d much rather be Malcolm Turnbull than Bill Shorten. | Labor did slightly better in working out how to approach the TurnBullRun. Playing the man had sunk like a stone. The opposition found some grip by playing the issues – but at this stage, you’d much rather be Malcolm Turnbull than Bill Shorten. |
| Stepping back from the contest, considering the bigger picture, a few observations. | Stepping back from the contest, considering the bigger picture, a few observations. |
| Australian politics is no longer completely excruciating to watch. The volume has been lowered to manageable levels, and the crushing binary constructs of Abbottism have departed with the man. For now at least. We can only hope this continues. | Australian politics is no longer completely excruciating to watch. The volume has been lowered to manageable levels, and the crushing binary constructs of Abbottism have departed with the man. For now at least. We can only hope this continues. |
| We have had a week largely debating significant issues in orderly fashion, in reasonable temper. Turnbull is trying to hold himself in a position above the fray, which is exactly what the country needs in order to recover from the recent past. | We have had a week largely debating significant issues in orderly fashion, in reasonable temper. Turnbull is trying to hold himself in a position above the fray, which is exactly what the country needs in order to recover from the recent past. |
| But of course many challenges abound. Problems are hard to solve. There are winners and losers. Civility is a function of the conditions that make civility possible. This could all just be a little port in a storm. | But of course many challenges abound. Problems are hard to solve. There are winners and losers. Civility is a function of the conditions that make civility possible. This could all just be a little port in a storm. |
| Turnbull this week has exhibited his great strengths, and his weaknesses too. There is ego. Periodically, there is Malsplaining™. There is a belief that charm can transcend all difficulty. It can’t always. | Turnbull this week has exhibited his great strengths, and his weaknesses too. There is ego. Periodically, there is Malsplaining™. There is a belief that charm can transcend all difficulty. It can’t always. |
| But there is reason, and there is order, and there is a sense that the office of prime minister can be a place to do good, not just rout enemies, and indulge in circular feuds. | But there is reason, and there is order, and there is a sense that the office of prime minister can be a place to do good, not just rout enemies, and indulge in circular feuds. |
| Bottom line? It’s safe to tune back in. For a while at least. I for one want to know how this story ends. | Bottom line? It’s safe to tune back in. For a while at least. I for one want to know how this story ends. |
| Until we meet again, be well. | Until we meet again, be well. |
| 6.31am BST | 6.31am BST |
| 06:31 | 06:31 |
| And from my colleague Paul Farrell: | And from my colleague Paul Farrell: |
| Save the Children staff on Nauru have faced a second series of raids in a further bid to find journalists’ sources at the immigration detention centre on the island. On Thursday morning the Nauruan police force sent in a team of officers who searched buildings at RPC3 (Refugee Processing Centre 3) in the detention centre. Laptops, personal phones, desktop computers and other devices were seized after searches of the Save the Children recreation office and the welfare tent at the centre. The police had a warrant, but it was unclear what its terms were and what offence they were investigating. | Save the Children staff on Nauru have faced a second series of raids in a further bid to find journalists’ sources at the immigration detention centre on the island. On Thursday morning the Nauruan police force sent in a team of officers who searched buildings at RPC3 (Refugee Processing Centre 3) in the detention centre. Laptops, personal phones, desktop computers and other devices were seized after searches of the Save the Children recreation office and the welfare tent at the centre. The police had a warrant, but it was unclear what its terms were and what offence they were investigating. |
| 6.28am BST | 6.28am BST |
| 06:28 | 06:28 |
| Some other news this afternoon, the Commonwealth Bank has lifted mortgage rates by 0.15 percentage points. The move follows a decision by Westpac last week. And it follows the government’s response to the Murray review of financial services. Banks have already warned they will pass on the costs of their higher capital requirements to consumers or shareholders. The government has said what banks do is a matter for them, but the treasurer Scott Morrison has been implicitly critical of the rate hike (now hikes). He’s argued when small businesses face an increase in their operating costs, they tend to absorb them. Big companies tend to pass them on. | Some other news this afternoon, the Commonwealth Bank has lifted mortgage rates by 0.15 percentage points. The move follows a decision by Westpac last week. And it follows the government’s response to the Murray review of financial services. Banks have already warned they will pass on the costs of their higher capital requirements to consumers or shareholders. The government has said what banks do is a matter for them, but the treasurer Scott Morrison has been implicitly critical of the rate hike (now hikes). He’s argued when small businesses face an increase in their operating costs, they tend to absorb them. Big companies tend to pass them on. |
| 6.14am BST | 6.14am BST |
| 06:14 | 06:14 |
| While my eyes have been elsewhere, the president of the Fair Work Commission has been in the hot seat at estimates. | While my eyes have been elsewhere, the president of the Fair Work Commission has been in the hot seat at estimates. |
| This appearance follows his cameo in this week’s Four Corners program. Michael Lawler, partner of former HSU official Kathy Jackson, secretly recorded a conversation he had with Iain Ross concerning his extended leave. | This appearance follows his cameo in this week’s Four Corners program. Michael Lawler, partner of former HSU official Kathy Jackson, secretly recorded a conversation he had with Iain Ross concerning his extended leave. |
| I’m grateful to AAP for this report. | I’m grateful to AAP for this report. |
| The president of the Fair Work Commission has confirmed he ticked off on more than 200 days of sick leave for his deputy Michael Lawler. But Iain Ross told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Thursday he did not know Lawler was spending the time supporting his partner, former Health Services Union boss Kathy Jackson, defend herself in court. Justice Ross also denied he told Lawler he was entitled to unlimited leave. | The president of the Fair Work Commission has confirmed he ticked off on more than 200 days of sick leave for his deputy Michael Lawler. But Iain Ross told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Thursday he did not know Lawler was spending the time supporting his partner, former Health Services Union boss Kathy Jackson, defend herself in court. Justice Ross also denied he told Lawler he was entitled to unlimited leave. |
| Lawler has said there was “absolutely nothing wrong with taking leave to help your partner defend herself against unjust attacks”. | Lawler has said there was “absolutely nothing wrong with taking leave to help your partner defend herself against unjust attacks”. |
| “In fact, I would have thought most Australians would regard that as an honourable and decent thing to do,” he told ABC TV’s Four Corners program this week. But Justice Ross disagreed, telling senators he only approved the leave on the basis Lawler was medically unfit to do his job. | “In fact, I would have thought most Australians would regard that as an honourable and decent thing to do,” he told ABC TV’s Four Corners program this week. But Justice Ross disagreed, telling senators he only approved the leave on the basis Lawler was medically unfit to do his job. |
| The commission president also revealed he did not consent to the recording of phone conversations between himself and Lawler, which were aired during the program. “I was not informed by vice-president Lawler that he was recording,” he told the hearing. | The commission president also revealed he did not consent to the recording of phone conversations between himself and Lawler, which were aired during the program. “I was not informed by vice-president Lawler that he was recording,” he told the hearing. |
| Justice Ross welcomed the federal government’s decision to appoint an independent investigator to look into complaints about Lawler’s leave. The recordings were properly a matter for consideration in that investigation, he said. Justice Ross said he had tried to treat Lawler with care and understanding through 2014 and 2015. | Justice Ross welcomed the federal government’s decision to appoint an independent investigator to look into complaints about Lawler’s leave. The recordings were properly a matter for consideration in that investigation, he said. Justice Ross said he had tried to treat Lawler with care and understanding through 2014 and 2015. |
| “I am profoundly disappointed by his actions,” he said. | “I am profoundly disappointed by his actions,” he said. |
| 6.04am BST | 6.04am BST |
| 06:04 | 06:04 |
| How Mike Bowers saw the chamber this question time session, just a couple of choice shots. | How Mike Bowers saw the chamber this question time session, just a couple of choice shots. |
| 5.58am BST | 5.58am BST |
| 05:58 | 05:58 |
| Pictures are coming, but I’m just going to lift Sophia McGrane out of the thread so top of the line readers can see her point, which aptly sums up the family benefits debate in question time today. | Pictures are coming, but I’m just going to lift Sophia McGrane out of the thread so top of the line readers can see her point, which aptly sums up the family benefits debate in question time today. |
| Sophia, on why the new social services minister Christian Porter doesn’t entirely comprehend the context of his own reforms: | Sophia, on why the new social services minister Christian Porter doesn’t entirely comprehend the context of his own reforms: |
| I am a grandparent carer of two children, one aged 12 who suffered trauma as an infant having been exposed to prolonged domestic violence until he came to live with us aged 18months; he also is diagnosed autistic. The second child, now aged 9, was delivered to us at 5pm on a Sunday afternoon aged 7 hours old having only learned at 10am that morning that she needed immediate care.. I was in my middle 40’s when we took care of this wee baby but was forced to resign from my job because, as a grandparent carer, I wasn’t entitled to maternity leave.. I’m now in my middle 50’s having been out of the workforce for 9 years.. my autistic boy can’t attend school full time and on occasion needs collecting from school if he has a melt down ... so who’s gonna employ me? | I am a grandparent carer of two children, one aged 12 who suffered trauma as an infant having been exposed to prolonged domestic violence until he came to live with us aged 18months; he also is diagnosed autistic. The second child, now aged 9, was delivered to us at 5pm on a Sunday afternoon aged 7 hours old having only learned at 10am that morning that she needed immediate care.. I was in my middle 40’s when we took care of this wee baby but was forced to resign from my job because, as a grandparent carer, I wasn’t entitled to maternity leave.. I’m now in my middle 50’s having been out of the workforce for 9 years.. my autistic boy can’t attend school full time and on occasion needs collecting from school if he has a melt down ... so who’s gonna employ me? |
| Assuming this story is a true representation of Sophia’s circumstances, assuming good faith – this comment demonstrates why snakes and ladders isn’t Porter’s strongest rhetorical suit. | Assuming this story is a true representation of Sophia’s circumstances, assuming good faith – this comment demonstrates why snakes and ladders isn’t Porter’s strongest rhetorical suit. |
| 5.44am BST | 5.44am BST |
| 05:44 | 05:44 |
| Question time is over. I’ll give you some pictures very shortly. | Question time is over. I’ll give you some pictures very shortly. |
| 5.42am BST | 5.42am BST |
| 05:42 | 05:42 |
| Righting the great rout of 1999: a few thoughts on Turnbull and the plebiscite | Righting the great rout of 1999: a few thoughts on Turnbull and the plebiscite |
| A couple of observations about those two marriage equality answers. | A couple of observations about those two marriage equality answers. |
| Turnbull sought to do several things at once today. He sought to calm things down, saying the mechanics of the plebiscite would work through the normal party processes. No captain’s picks. | Turnbull sought to do several things at once today. He sought to calm things down, saying the mechanics of the plebiscite would work through the normal party processes. No captain’s picks. |
| While soothing ruffled feathers, he also sought to send a very clear message to conservatives in his own ranks: I’m about getting this done. The plebiscite is not to be a stalling tactic, or a trick, in Turnbull’s mind, it is the means of getting marriage equality passed. | While soothing ruffled feathers, he also sought to send a very clear message to conservatives in his own ranks: I’m about getting this done. The plebiscite is not to be a stalling tactic, or a trick, in Turnbull’s mind, it is the means of getting marriage equality passed. |
| Turnbull did not want the plebiscite at all, but has now gripped onto the process as a means to an end. If a free vote was held on this issue in this parliament, marriage equality would not happen. The numbers are not there. I suspect he’s convinced himself now that this process is giving the reform its best shot. Given the Australian parliament is more conservative than the public, this is a case where politics has to work around its own institutional blockages to deliver a citizen-oriented outcome. Having a mandate directly from the people (assuming a yes vote) will help Turnbull get this done in terms of his own party. | Turnbull did not want the plebiscite at all, but has now gripped onto the process as a means to an end. If a free vote was held on this issue in this parliament, marriage equality would not happen. The numbers are not there. I suspect he’s convinced himself now that this process is giving the reform its best shot. Given the Australian parliament is more conservative than the public, this is a case where politics has to work around its own institutional blockages to deliver a citizen-oriented outcome. Having a mandate directly from the people (assuming a yes vote) will help Turnbull get this done in terms of his own party. |
| That’s why he’s putting his fingers in his ears when Shorten asked him today about the potentially negative consequences associated with a big public debate on this question. He’s partly putting his fingers in his ears because he’s got no choice: he’s locked in on the people’s vote. It can’t change, so he has to make the best of it. | That’s why he’s putting his fingers in his ears when Shorten asked him today about the potentially negative consequences associated with a big public debate on this question. He’s partly putting his fingers in his ears because he’s got no choice: he’s locked in on the people’s vote. It can’t change, so he has to make the best of it. |
| But he’s also partly doing what Malcolm Turnbull always does: backing himself in a leadership sense. He sees an opportunity where he can stride forth and deliver something of genuine moment. He’s clearly latched onto that idea of the plebiscite, a republican campaign 2.0 – but this time he wins, not loses. | But he’s also partly doing what Malcolm Turnbull always does: backing himself in a leadership sense. He sees an opportunity where he can stride forth and deliver something of genuine moment. He’s clearly latched onto that idea of the plebiscite, a republican campaign 2.0 – but this time he wins, not loses. |
| It would be a tantalising fantasy, that, for Turnbull, a righting of the rout of 1999. Conservatives took him out on the republic – now he triumphs on same sex marriage. Cosmic justice. You can feel how enticing that would be. | It would be a tantalising fantasy, that, for Turnbull, a righting of the rout of 1999. Conservatives took him out on the republic – now he triumphs on same sex marriage. Cosmic justice. You can feel how enticing that would be. |
| But he needs to be very careful. Shorten’s point about surround sound ugly is more than valid. I suspect we’ll see and hear a whole bunch of things that would be better left unsaid and unheard. | But he needs to be very careful. Shorten’s point about surround sound ugly is more than valid. I suspect we’ll see and hear a whole bunch of things that would be better left unsaid and unheard. |
| We also have no idea about how this process will work, and at the end of the day, the mechanics are the difference between marriage equality happening and marriage equality not happening. | We also have no idea about how this process will work, and at the end of the day, the mechanics are the difference between marriage equality happening and marriage equality not happening. |
| Turnbull’s still got to get an optimal process through his own ranks, and on that torturous mission, I can only wish him good luck. | Turnbull’s still got to get an optimal process through his own ranks, and on that torturous mission, I can only wish him good luck. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.07am BST | at 6.07am BST |
| 5.09am BST | 5.09am BST |
| 05:09 | 05:09 |
| Shorten comes back with a second go on marriage equality. | Shorten comes back with a second go on marriage equality. |
| Q: Gay and lesbian health Victoria, in a submission to a Senate inquiry into a plebiscite on marriage equality has said putting the question of marriage equality to a plebiscite will allow extreme forms of homophobic abuse to be aired and treated as reasonable and just which will have a major impact on LGBT Australians’ wellbeing. Does the prime minister agree that this is a risk of his government’s policy? | Q: Gay and lesbian health Victoria, in a submission to a Senate inquiry into a plebiscite on marriage equality has said putting the question of marriage equality to a plebiscite will allow extreme forms of homophobic abuse to be aired and treated as reasonable and just which will have a major impact on LGBT Australians’ wellbeing. Does the prime minister agree that this is a risk of his government’s policy? |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | Malcolm Turnbull: |
| He (Shorten) thinks so little of the people of this country that he does not believe we are capable of having a civil debate on a matter of this importance. He is so frightened of public debate that he wants to shut the people out. I thought he would be saying don’t have a plebiscite, it costs a lot of money. That is a good point. It does cost a lot of money. | He (Shorten) thinks so little of the people of this country that he does not believe we are capable of having a civil debate on a matter of this importance. He is so frightened of public debate that he wants to shut the people out. I thought he would be saying don’t have a plebiscite, it costs a lot of money. That is a good point. It does cost a lot of money. |
| But, no, his opposition to a plebiscite is because he does not want people to be able to express their views. He is worried that in a free debate, there may be some views expressed which he might find unpalatable. Let me tell you, I have great faith in the decency and the common sense in the humanity, in the wisdom of the Australian people and if there are unruly voices heard, they will be drowned out by the common sense and the respect and the general humanity of our people. | But, no, his opposition to a plebiscite is because he does not want people to be able to express their views. He is worried that in a free debate, there may be some views expressed which he might find unpalatable. Let me tell you, I have great faith in the decency and the common sense in the humanity, in the wisdom of the Australian people and if there are unruly voices heard, they will be drowned out by the common sense and the respect and the general humanity of our people. |
| We are capable of great things in this country. We have done great things and one of the greatest things we do is we practice democracy and every day, we should be able to conduct public discourse, public discourse in a civil manner, in a respectful manner. | We are capable of great things in this country. We have done great things and one of the greatest things we do is we practice democracy and every day, we should be able to conduct public discourse, public discourse in a civil manner, in a respectful manner. |
| I know, and the honourable member knows and everyone in this house knows and every Australian should know, that when the Australian people make their decision, that decision will stick. | I know, and the honourable member knows and everyone in this house knows and every Australian should know, that when the Australian people make their decision, that decision will stick. |
| It will be decisive. It will be respected by this government and by this parliament and this nation. | It will be decisive. It will be respected by this government and by this parliament and this nation. |
| 5.02am BST | 5.02am BST |
| 05:02 | 05:02 |
| Marriage equality now. | Marriage equality now. |
| Q: Will the prime minister allow his members a free vote on the plebiscite legislation he will put to the parliament and will the vote occur before the next election? | Q: Will the prime minister allow his members a free vote on the plebiscite legislation he will put to the parliament and will the vote occur before the next election? |
| Given the day’s events, Malcolm Turnbull provides in the first instance a very careful answer. | Given the day’s events, Malcolm Turnbull provides in the first instance a very careful answer. |
| The government’s policy is that the question of whether same sex marriage will be legalised in Australia will be determined by a vote of all Australians by a plebiscite after the next election. The mechanics for that plebiscite will be the subject of careful consideration by cabinet and then consideration by the party room. | The government’s policy is that the question of whether same sex marriage will be legalised in Australia will be determined by a vote of all Australians by a plebiscite after the next election. The mechanics for that plebiscite will be the subject of careful consideration by cabinet and then consideration by the party room. |
| We will deal with this in the traditional manner of a traditional cabinet government. I thank the honourable member for her interest and when the government has more to say on the mechanics, we will do so. | We will deal with this in the traditional manner of a traditional cabinet government. I thank the honourable member for her interest and when the government has more to say on the mechanics, we will do so. |
| Having revved the engine, Turnbull then floors the accelerator. This message is directed over the dispatch box, but it is actually for internal consumption. | Having revved the engine, Turnbull then floors the accelerator. This message is directed over the dispatch box, but it is actually for internal consumption. |
| The fact is that if the plebiscite vote is carried, same sex marriage will be legal in Australia. I understand that honourable members are under some misapprehension. | The fact is that if the plebiscite vote is carried, same sex marriage will be legal in Australia. I understand that honourable members are under some misapprehension. |
| I do not know what paranoid echo chamber they are living in but let me tell you this - if you imagine that any government, this government or any government, would spend over $150m consulting every Australian on an issue of this kind and then ignore their decision, then they really are not living in the real world. | I do not know what paranoid echo chamber they are living in but let me tell you this - if you imagine that any government, this government or any government, would spend over $150m consulting every Australian on an issue of this kind and then ignore their decision, then they really are not living in the real world. |
| We will give every single Australian a vote. You won’t. That is the difference. Under our approach, every Australian will have the vote. | We will give every single Australian a vote. You won’t. That is the difference. Under our approach, every Australian will have the vote. |
| (Take that Eric.) | (Take that Eric.) |
| 4.55am BST | 4.55am BST |
| 04:55 | 04:55 |
| A Thor question. Then a question to the minister for major projects, Paul Fletcher. | A Thor question. Then a question to the minister for major projects, Paul Fletcher. |
| Q: Why has the government paid $56m to the NT CLP government to dig a hole in Palmerston, part fill it with concrete, hold a media event and then fill the hole again? | Q: Why has the government paid $56m to the NT CLP government to dig a hole in Palmerston, part fill it with concrete, hold a media event and then fill the hole again? |
| My Darwin based colleague Helen Davidson wrote this story up recently. Take it away Helen. “The Northern Territory government has been accused of a publicity stunt, digging a hole for a concrete pour at the site of a new hospital, only to fill it in again once the TV cameras left.” | My Darwin based colleague Helen Davidson wrote this story up recently. Take it away Helen. “The Northern Territory government has been accused of a publicity stunt, digging a hole for a concrete pour at the site of a new hospital, only to fill it in again once the TV cameras left.” |
| Paul Fletcher: | Paul Fletcher: |
| Much has been made by those opposite of the fact that following a successful pour of the concrete for the central stair core, the slab was covered. | Much has been made by those opposite of the fact that following a successful pour of the concrete for the central stair core, the slab was covered. |
| I am advised that the reason that this occurred was for occupational health and safety reasons. | I am advised that the reason that this occurred was for occupational health and safety reasons. |
| A roar of hilarity drifts up from the opposition benches. Fletcher is not impressed. | A roar of hilarity drifts up from the opposition benches. Fletcher is not impressed. |
| I am surprised that the party which supposedly represents the interests of the workers should be so cavalier about a question of occupational health and safety. | I am surprised that the party which supposedly represents the interests of the workers should be so cavalier about a question of occupational health and safety. |
| You may regard it as a laughing matter. Let me assure you, the Turnbull government does not treat matters of work and safety as a laughing matter. | You may regard it as a laughing matter. Let me assure you, the Turnbull government does not treat matters of work and safety as a laughing matter. |
| 4.48am BST | 4.48am BST |
| 04:48 | 04:48 |
| Labor’s Anna Burke. | Labor’s Anna Burke. |
| Q: My question is to the minister for social services. Yesterday when asked about the Liberal government’s cuts to grandparent carers, the minister said “It is a very, very small cohort”. How many people does the minister have to hurt before the Liberal government pays attention? | Q: My question is to the minister for social services. Yesterday when asked about the Liberal government’s cuts to grandparent carers, the minister said “It is a very, very small cohort”. How many people does the minister have to hurt before the Liberal government pays attention? |
| Porter says 3,700 people fall into a category of a grandparent carer. | Porter says 3,700 people fall into a category of a grandparent carer. |
| What I put to the members opposite is they make what I think is a very strange assumption. It is not one that accords with the reality of the situation. The assumption is all grandparent carers are of aged pension age or older. | What I put to the members opposite is they make what I think is a very strange assumption. It is not one that accords with the reality of the situation. The assumption is all grandparent carers are of aged pension age or older. |
| (Nope, nope, nope, is the feedback across the dispatch box.) | (Nope, nope, nope, is the feedback across the dispatch box.) |
| Porter persists. | Porter persists. |
| That 3,700 person cohort we are talking about are not all of aged pension age. A large number of them are people at 50 or well under 50. Surprise, surprise, on this side of the house, we say at 50 or under 50, there is a great importance in maintaining engagement with the work place. | That 3,700 person cohort we are talking about are not all of aged pension age. A large number of them are people at 50 or well under 50. Surprise, surprise, on this side of the house, we say at 50 or under 50, there is a great importance in maintaining engagement with the work place. |
| That is good for you, it is good for your family, it is good for the nation. | That is good for you, it is good for your family, it is good for the nation. |
| (There’s a fundamental comprehension gap here. Porter evidently think Labor’s argument is grandparents are too old to work. I think the opposition’s argument relates more to the circumstances of the carers, whether they have the capacity to work more if they are looking after children that are not their own.) | (There’s a fundamental comprehension gap here. Porter evidently think Labor’s argument is grandparents are too old to work. I think the opposition’s argument relates more to the circumstances of the carers, whether they have the capacity to work more if they are looking after children that are not their own.) |
| 4.40am BST | 4.40am BST |
| 04:40 | 04:40 |
| I’m sure the prime minister’s head clutch is entirely coincidental. | I’m sure the prime minister’s head clutch is entirely coincidental. |
| 4.38am BST | 4.38am BST |
| 04:38 | 04:38 |
| Shift change here for Labor. Tanya Plibersek is on to single parents. | Shift change here for Labor. Tanya Plibersek is on to single parents. |
| Q: My question is to the minister for social services. Emma Marks is a single mum from the electorate of Flinders who works in retail and has a child in school. Emma writes in relation to the PM’s family tax benefit changes: “Please don’t away from the most vulnerable members of our society what little we have that helps us keep our heads above water”. Will the minister reconsider his cuts to family tax benefits for single parents like Emma? | Q: My question is to the minister for social services. Emma Marks is a single mum from the electorate of Flinders who works in retail and has a child in school. Emma writes in relation to the PM’s family tax benefit changes: “Please don’t away from the most vulnerable members of our society what little we have that helps us keep our heads above water”. Will the minister reconsider his cuts to family tax benefits for single parents like Emma? |
| Porter says hang on, you are ignoring the package as a whole. | Porter says hang on, you are ignoring the package as a whole. |
| That parent who works already will find her child care $30 better a week because she will receive $30 more a week under the childcare package that has been put together. That will be $1,500 ayear. That is a very significant increase in the welfare for that person. | That parent who works already will find her child care $30 better a week because she will receive $30 more a week under the childcare package that has been put together. That will be $1,500 ayear. That is a very significant increase in the welfare for that person. |
| The individual parent can choose virtue of the child care package to engage in the work place or work more. | The individual parent can choose virtue of the child care package to engage in the work place or work more. |
| What you assume is every person in that situation is perfectly passive and leaves their situation exactly as it is, leaves their situation exactly as it is, and makes no further effort with respect to work force engagement. | What you assume is every person in that situation is perfectly passive and leaves their situation exactly as it is, leaves their situation exactly as it is, and makes no further effort with respect to work force engagement. |
| Plibersek, on a point of order. | Plibersek, on a point of order. |
| The point of order is relevance. This is a real person in a real situation who is really working and really raising a daughter. | The point of order is relevance. This is a real person in a real situation who is really working and really raising a daughter. |
| 4.29am BST | 4.29am BST |
| 04:29 | 04:29 |
| Macklin, persisting despite her lack of generational clarity. | Macklin, persisting despite her lack of generational clarity. |
| Q: In an interview just now on Sky News, the minister for social services described the government’s new family cuts like this: “In the measures we have put before the parliament, there are snakes and there are ladders”. Who are the families who will suffer as a result of the snakes in your package? | Q: In an interview just now on Sky News, the minister for social services described the government’s new family cuts like this: “In the measures we have put before the parliament, there are snakes and there are ladders”. Who are the families who will suffer as a result of the snakes in your package? |
| Porter persists too. | Porter persists too. |
| We are reconfiguring an existing profile of spend in a way we think engenders workforce participation. | We are reconfiguring an existing profile of spend in a way we think engenders workforce participation. |
| 4.22am BST | 4.22am BST |
| 04:22 | 04:22 |
| A technocrat in charge of social policy. It’s like a live social experiment. | A technocrat in charge of social policy. It’s like a live social experiment. |
| 4.20am BST | 4.20am BST |
| 04:20 | 04:20 |
| Look at Malcolm, I tell you .. | Look at Malcolm, I tell you .. |
| Another Dorothy Dixer on the China FTA. And Macklin is back with grandparents. | Another Dorothy Dixer on the China FTA. And Macklin is back with grandparents. |
| Q: Yesterday, when the minister was queried about his cuts to family tax benefits that will hurt grandparent carers, the minister answered “The point being made here by Labor is a fair point”. The minister then confirmed grandparent carers will be $2,500 a year worse off. Does that mean the minister designed these cuts to family tax benefits in full knowledge that they would leave grandparent carers around $2,500 a year worse off? | Q: Yesterday, when the minister was queried about his cuts to family tax benefits that will hurt grandparent carers, the minister answered “The point being made here by Labor is a fair point”. The minister then confirmed grandparent carers will be $2,500 a year worse off. Does that mean the minister designed these cuts to family tax benefits in full knowledge that they would leave grandparent carers around $2,500 a year worse off? |
| Christian Porter: | Christian Porter: |
| The fundamental assumption that the member opposite makes is grandparents do not have a capacity to work or work more. We have a grandparent doing well in the chair to my right. We have grandparents on the opposite side of this house, engaging in the work force. As our population ages, the work place will be more and more full of grandparents. | The fundamental assumption that the member opposite makes is grandparents do not have a capacity to work or work more. We have a grandparent doing well in the chair to my right. We have grandparents on the opposite side of this house, engaging in the work force. As our population ages, the work place will be more and more full of grandparents. |
| (Still in brave territory here, I reckon. Actually he just got braver.) | (Still in brave territory here, I reckon. Actually he just got braver.) |
| The member opposite is from a generation that make assumptions about grandparents and about their capacity to work... | The member opposite is from a generation that make assumptions about grandparents and about their capacity to work... |
| (Oh my.) | (Oh my.) |
| 4.13am BST | 4.13am BST |
| 04:13 | 04:13 |
| A Dorothy Dixer on the China free trade agreement. Then Labor doubles back on family benefits, and directs a question to the social services minister Christian Porter. | A Dorothy Dixer on the China free trade agreement. Then Labor doubles back on family benefits, and directs a question to the social services minister Christian Porter. |
| Labor’s Jenny Macklin points to an interview Porter did late yesterday, in which he stumbled over a couple of details of his package, suggesting at one point that grandparent carers might put 15 year old kids in childcare. | Labor’s Jenny Macklin points to an interview Porter did late yesterday, in which he stumbled over a couple of details of his package, suggesting at one point that grandparent carers might put 15 year old kids in childcare. |
| Porter concedes the point. He was a bit confused yesterday, he says. But he’d like Labor to stick with the substance of the issues today. | Porter concedes the point. He was a bit confused yesterday, he says. But he’d like Labor to stick with the substance of the issues today. |
| Christian Porter: | Christian Porter: |
| We would acknowledge that a grandparent carer is probably the cohort where their ability to re-enter the work place is more limited than other cohorts. | We would acknowledge that a grandparent carer is probably the cohort where their ability to re-enter the work place is more limited than other cohorts. |
| The assumption of members opposite is that any person who finds their FTB-B reducing is passive and simply is not going to make any decision. | The assumption of members opposite is that any person who finds their FTB-B reducing is passive and simply is not going to make any decision. |
| Their assumption is that a grandparent carer can never re-enter the work place and that is a ridiculous, old fashioned notion which has no bearing to reality. | Their assumption is that a grandparent carer can never re-enter the work place and that is a ridiculous, old fashioned notion which has no bearing to reality. |
| Both single parent carers and grandparent carers have the capacity. | Both single parent carers and grandparent carers have the capacity. |
| 4.07am BST | 4.07am BST |
| 04:07 | 04:07 |
| Question time | Question time |
| Phew. It being 2pm .. | Phew. It being 2pm .. |
| Labor opens on the families package. | Labor opens on the families package. |
| Q: Last night in Senate estimates the prime minister’s cabinet secretary revealed that new cuts to family payments were linked to the government’s child care package “for political purposes”. Why is the prime minister cutting $2,500 from single parent families earning $60,000? | Q: Last night in Senate estimates the prime minister’s cabinet secretary revealed that new cuts to family payments were linked to the government’s child care package “for political purposes”. Why is the prime minister cutting $2,500 from single parent families earning $60,000? |
| Malcolm Turnbull appears better briefed than he was yesterday. | Malcolm Turnbull appears better briefed than he was yesterday. |
| The opposition leader seems determined to run a scare campaign on stand alone measures. On this side of the House, we are focused on implementing an entire package of reforms that will ensure the way we are delivering support for families is sustainable and better targeted. | The opposition leader seems determined to run a scare campaign on stand alone measures. On this side of the House, we are focused on implementing an entire package of reforms that will ensure the way we are delivering support for families is sustainable and better targeted. |
| The revised package, introduced by the minister for social services, must be considered in the context of a range of Australian government family payments. Grandparent carers are eligible for a number ofAustralian government family payments, such as family tax benefit, parenting payment and child care benefit if they meet the eligibility requirements. | The revised package, introduced by the minister for social services, must be considered in the context of a range of Australian government family payments. Grandparent carers are eligible for a number ofAustralian government family payments, such as family tax benefit, parenting payment and child care benefit if they meet the eligibility requirements. |
| For the grandparents on an income support payment, grandparent child care benefit helps with the cost of raising children. Under this benefit, grandparents currently receive up to 100 hours a fortnight of free child care. | For the grandparents on an income support payment, grandparent child care benefit helps with the cost of raising children. Under this benefit, grandparents currently receive up to 100 hours a fortnight of free child care. |
| In addition, if the child meets the criteria of an orphan, the grandparent carer may be eligible for a double orphan pension. They could also obtain a non-income tested foster child health care card for the children in their care. | In addition, if the child meets the criteria of an orphan, the grandparent carer may be eligible for a double orphan pension. They could also obtain a non-income tested foster child health care card for the children in their care. |
| We recognise that single parent families and families where a grandparent is the carer have particular challenges when it comes to child care. That is why we will continue to provide a supplementary payment of $1,000 a year to those families while a child is aged between 13 and 16. | We recognise that single parent families and families where a grandparent is the carer have particular challenges when it comes to child care. That is why we will continue to provide a supplementary payment of $1,000 a year to those families while a child is aged between 13 and 16. |
| In addition, all eligible families with the youngest child under one will receive an extra $1,000 a year. | In addition, all eligible families with the youngest child under one will receive an extra $1,000 a year. |
| (Possibly safer this, as a description, than snakes and ladders). | (Possibly safer this, as a description, than snakes and ladders). |