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Malcolm Turnbull: 'people smugglers will not prevail over our sovereignty' – politics live Budget blowout, offshore processing and building watchdog - as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
6.11am GMT
06:11
Night time politics
Tomorrow, there is a report due from Goodstart and PWC on the economic impact of childcare.
Thanks so much for your company, comments and wit. I leave you with the wit of Matt Hatter, riffing off one MP calling another a potato head.
Goodnight.
@gabriellechan Perhaps it's a reference to the new penchant for facial hair, or extending the GST to fresh food. pic.twitter.com/GDTd8fx5gP
Updated
at 6.12am GMT
5.54am GMT
05:54
Daniel Hurst
The Turnbull government’s budget forecasts will blow out by $9.6bn over the next four years, or $44.7bn within a decade, if IT fails to clinch parliamentary approval for stalled savings measures, new figures show.
A report by the parliamentary budget office reveals the cumulative impact of unlegislated measures that are already factored into the budget bottom line.
Wednesday’s report has emboldened the government’s political opponents, who argued it showed the flimsy state of the deficit forecasts and also proved many Tony Abbott-era cuts remained on the agenda.
But the figures also illustrate the Coalition’s difficulties in the Senate, as the government considers changes to electoral laws to counter the impact of micro-parties before the next election. Malcolm Turnbull said last week the government was trying to make “prudent” savings but “one of our challenges is that so many of them are being blocked in the Senate”.
Scott Morrison’s budget update in December predicted an underlying cash deficit of $37.4bn this financial year, with a cumulative shortfall of $108.3bn over the four-year cycle. But these deficit figures would be $9.6bn worse over the four-year period if the treasurer’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook had not assumed the passage of a raft of unlegislated savings measures.
5.23am GMT
05:23
The health minister’s office has provided the following details on the new drug listing:
Effective from 01 February 2016, the Government has listed the drug Ruxolitinib (Jakavi®) for the treatment of the rare condition of Myelofibrosis.
Myelofibrosis is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening condition that affects approximately four in every 100,000 Australians.
This is an investment of over $180 million over the next four years, allowing over 950 cancer patients to receive PBS subsidised treatment.
Without the PBS subsidy, they would face costs of up to $100,000 per year for this essential treatment.
5.16am GMT
05:16
Shalailah Medhora
A motion calling on the government to urgently address telephone waiting times for welfare service provider Centrelink has just passed the Senate.
Labor and the Greens joined forces to back the motion, which highlighted the massive jump in complaints made about the agency in the last 12 months.
In the 2014-15 financial year, just over 11,500 complaints were made about long waiting times and for calls not getting through to the agency.
5.12am GMT5.12am GMT
05:1205:12
You know that senate motion on the failure to appoint a sex discrimination commissioner for 150 days? It passed. You know that Senate motion on the failure to appoint a sex discrimination commissioner for 150 days? It passed.
Greens deputy leader Larissa Waters: The Greens’ deputy leader, Larissa Waters:
Women have been waiting on the Turnbull Liberal Government for more than 150 days now to appoint a new Sex Discrimination Commissioner. In that 150 days, we’ve seen rampant high-profile cases of sexism, including from government ministers, which a sex discrimination commissioner could have spoken out about. Women have been waiting on the Turnbull Liberal government for more than 150 days now to appoint a new sex discrimination Commissioner. In that 150 days, we’ve seen rampant high-profile cases of sexism, including from government ministers, which a sex discrimination commissioner could have spoken out about.
Updated
at 5.43am GMT
4.44am GMT4.44am GMT
04:4404:44
What is Mal Brough looking at?What is Mal Brough looking at?
4.42am GMT4.42am GMT
04:4204:42
Onya Bowers.Onya Bowers.
4.37am GMT4.37am GMT
04:3704:37
The insult - “potato head” - was just hurled across the chamber. The insult – “potato head” – was just hurled across the chamber.
Updated
at 5.37am GMT
4.25am GMT4.25am GMT
04:2504:25
I missed this earlier. From an AAP report:I missed this earlier. From an AAP report:
The government has moved to pressure sports organisations into recognising gender equality in travel policies for Australian athletes.The government has moved to pressure sports organisations into recognising gender equality in travel policies for Australian athletes.
Federal sports minister Sussan Ley is demanding the policy as a condition of federal government funding, and along with Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie, has written to the top 30 funded organisations on the issue. Federal sports minister Sussan Ley is demanding the policy as a condition of federal government funding and, along with Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie, has written to the top 30 funded organisations on the issue.
“In 2016 we can think of no defensible reason why male and female athletes should travel in different classes or stay in different standard accommodation when attending major international sporting events,” Ley said in a statement on Wednesday.“In 2016 we can think of no defensible reason why male and female athletes should travel in different classes or stay in different standard accommodation when attending major international sporting events,” Ley said in a statement on Wednesday.
YES, minister.YES, minister.
Updated
at 5.37am GMT
4.18am GMT4.18am GMT
04:1804:18
Chris Bowen is prosecuting a matter of public importance that:Chris Bowen is prosecuting a matter of public importance that:
The Turnbull government’s failure to properly invest in education to ensure Australians are ready for the jobs of the future.The Turnbull government’s failure to properly invest in education to ensure Australians are ready for the jobs of the future.
4.15am GMT4.15am GMT
04:1504:15
Labor to Turnbull: The Australian Financial Review reports today that McDonalds halved its tax bill last year by funnelling payments through Singapore. Why does the prime minister have a plan to make Macca’s customers pay a 15% GST but no plan for making sure McDonalds pays their fair share of tax? Labor to Turnbull: The Australian Financial Review reports today that McDonald’s halved its tax bill last year by funnelling payments through Singapore. Why does the prime minister have a plan to make Macca’s customers pay a 15% GST but no plan for making sure McDonald’s pays their fair share of tax?
Turnbull says he won’t go to individual companies but talks about the new laws which have passed on multinational tax avoidance.Turnbull says he won’t go to individual companies but talks about the new laws which have passed on multinational tax avoidance.
What this law provides is that businesses with a turnover of over a billion dollars, have got to report how much tax they pay in every jurisdiction so that everybody will know how much they are paying. What this law provides is that businesses with a turnover of over a billion dollars have got to report how much tax they pay in every jurisdiction so that everybody will know how much they are paying.
He said the law changed the test to so that “it makes it much, much more straight forward for the ATO to levy tax”.He said the law changed the test to so that “it makes it much, much more straight forward for the ATO to levy tax”.
Scott Morrison gets a question about the same law and with that, question time is over. Scott Morrison gets a question about the same law and, with that, question time is over.
Updated
at 5.36am GMT
4.08am GMT4.08am GMT
04:0804:08
Bill Shorten mentions to MUA workers, some of whom were sacked, in the galleries. A government MP must have laughed and Tanya Plibersek gets stuck in, saying “they have families you know”. Bill Shorten mentions MUA workers, some of whom were sacked, in the galleries. A government MP must have laughed and Tanya Plibersek gets stuck in, saying “they have families you know”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.09am GMT at 5.35am GMT
4.07am GMT4.07am GMT
04:0704:07
A Dixer to major projects minister Paul Fletcher: With NBN optic fibre starting to roll out in my home town of Goulburn, in the north of my electorate in the Oaks and Oakdale, in Bundanoon, Southern Highlands, around Picton, Bargo in coming weeks, could the minister outline how the NBN will bring fast, reliable internet to all homes and businesses in my electorate of Hume? A Dixer to the major projects minister, Paul Fletcher: With NBN optic fibre starting to roll out in my home town of Goulburn, in the north of my electorate in the Oaks and Oakdale, in Bundanoon, Southern Highlands, around Picton, Bargo in coming weeks, could the minister outline how the NBN will bring fast, reliable internet to all homes and businesses in my electorate of Hume?
We have now 1.65 million premises able to receive a service. Of course when Labor left office the number was a derisory 348,000... We have now 1.65m premises able to receive a service. Of course, when Labor left office, the number was a derisory 348,000...
Updated
at 5.35am GMT
4.03am GMT4.03am GMT
04:0304:03
Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull: Given the Parliamentary Budget Office costings have multinational tax policy at $7bn, tobacco excise at $47bn, superannuation loopholes at 14billion, which together with the abolition of the emissions reduction fundraise more than $70 billion, exactly which costing was the Prime Minister disagreeing with in Question Time yesterday? Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull: Given the Parliamentary Budget Office costings have multinational tax policy at $7bn, tobacco excise at $47bn, superannuation loopholes at $14bn, which together with the abolition of the emissions reduction fundraise more than $70bn, exactly which costing was the prime minister disagreeing with in question time yesterday?
Turnbull:Turnbull:
The savings that have been announced by Labor, are claimed by Labor to amount to $8bn, that’s around $2bn a year so on average their claimed savings would cover around 0.4% of spending every year. Now they would still need to find...another $50bn over the next four years to make up for the shortfall of the savings they’re blocking . The savings that have been announced by Labor, are claimed by Labor to amount to $8bn, that’s around $2bn a year so on average their claimed savings would cover around 0.4% of spending every year. Now they would still need to find ... another $50bn over the next four years to make up for the shortfall of the savings they’re blocking .
Updated
at 5.34am GMT
3.59am GMT3.59am GMT
03:5903:59
The Greens, through Rachel Siewert, have lodged a disallowance motion in the senate to stop the Ceduna cashless welfare card trials from going ahead.The Greens, through Rachel Siewert, have lodged a disallowance motion in the senate to stop the Ceduna cashless welfare card trials from going ahead.
3.58am GMT3.58am GMT
03:5803:58
Resources minister Josh Frydenberg gets a Dixer about the resources sector, particularly in the electorate of Durack. The resources minister, Josh Frydenberg, gets a Dixer about the resources sector, particularly in the electorate of Durack.
Updated
at 5.33am GMT
3.56am GMT3.56am GMT
03:5603:56
Plibersek to Morrison: Given the Australian economy is experiencing global volatility, low wages growth, falling consumer confidence and a slow-down in China, has the government done any modelling on the impact on the economy of increasing the price of everything with a 15% GST and if not, why not? Plibersek to Morrison: Given the Australian economy is experiencing global volatility, low wages growth, falling consumer confidence and a slow-down in China, has the government done any modelling on the impact on the economy of increasing the price of everything with a 15% GST and, if not, why not?
Morrison says he doesn’t know of a proposal for a tax on everything (given the GST is not on food etc) and says the conversation on tax reform remains open.Morrison says he doesn’t know of a proposal for a tax on everything (given the GST is not on food etc) and says the conversation on tax reform remains open.
Updated
at 5.32am GMT
3.53am GMT3.53am GMT
03:5303:53
A health Dixer to Sussan Ley asks about new breakthrough medicines. The government has funded a new drug but I am just checking spelling and details. I will clarify after question time.A health Dixer to Sussan Ley asks about new breakthrough medicines. The government has funded a new drug but I am just checking spelling and details. I will clarify after question time.
3.50am GMT3.50am GMT
03:5003:50
Shorten to Turnbull: The Prime Minister has now been in office for 141 days, he’s had 141 days to tell the Australian people about his plan to increase the GST. Will the Prime Minister increase the GST to 15%? Yes or no? Shorten to Turnbull: The prime minister has now been in office for 141 days, he’s had 141 days to tell the Australian people about his plan to increase the GST. Will the prime minister increase the GST to 15%? Yes or no?
Turnbull says there is a “live debate” on tax and GST informed by the government, the states and others. The government is considering all options, no decision has been made and when a decision is made, Shorten will be the first to know. He says. Turnbull says there is a “live debate” on tax and GST informed by the government, the states and others. The government is considering all options, no decision has been made and, when a decision is made, Shorten will be the first to know. He says.
Updated
at 5.32am GMT
3.47am GMT3.47am GMT
03:4703:47
A Dixer to health minister Sussan Ley on an update on the zika virus. A Dixer to the health minister, Sussan Ley, on an update on the Zika virus.
Ley says people should take note of travel advice, particularly if they are pregnant or considering getting pregnant. It is a notifiable disease so the federal government is working with the states to disinfect carriers at the borders.Ley says people should take note of travel advice, particularly if they are pregnant or considering getting pregnant. It is a notifiable disease so the federal government is working with the states to disinfect carriers at the borders.
Updated
at 5.31am GMT
3.44am GMT3.44am GMT
03:4403:44
Bowen to Morrison: Was the Minister for education correct when he stated that the figures for schools funding for 2018 in the budget are indicative only? Bowen to Morrison: Was the minister for education correct when he stated that the figures for schools funding for 2018 in the budget are indicative only?
Morrison fudges the answer.Morrison fudges the answer.
Updated
at 5.31am GMT
3.43am GMT3.43am GMT
03:4303:43
A Dixer to Warren Truss from Ken O’Dowd: Will the minister update the house on how the Coalition government is delivering economic benefits to the communities across Australia?A Dixer to Warren Truss from Ken O’Dowd: Will the minister update the house on how the Coalition government is delivering economic benefits to the communities across Australia?
I think O’Dowd followed that question with a bark.I think O’Dowd followed that question with a bark.
Truss is going through the Stronger Regions fund and the Bridges program. Truss is going through the Stronger Regions fund and the bridges program.
Updated
at 5.30am GMT
3.39am GMT3.39am GMT
03:3903:39
Bowen to Morrison: yesterday the minister for education said the government’s school funding from 2018 is, and I quote, “indicative only.” But on the same day the minister for finance said, and I quote, “The formula we’ve put into the trajectory beyond 2018 is the number that’s currently reflected in the Budget and that reflects the government’s policy position.” Treasurer, who is right? Bowen to Morrison: Yesterday the minister for education said the government’s school funding from 2018 is, and I quote, “indicative only”. But on the same day the minister for finance said, and I quote, “The formula we’ve put into the trajectory beyond 2018 is the number that’s currently reflected in the budget and that reflects the government’s policy position.” Treasurer, who is right?
Morrison quotes the figures in the budget and then says the government is assuring education spending by getting the budget under control.Morrison quotes the figures in the budget and then says the government is assuring education spending by getting the budget under control.
3.35am GMT
03:35
3.34am GMT
03:34
Christopher Pyne gets a Dixer on the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
He might win the prize for getting “jobs and growth” more times than any other minister into one answer.
3.33am GMT
03:33
Chris Bowen to Morrison: Why did the treasurer fail to mention another Paul Keating quote from this morning, and I quote, “The GST is just a flat bang-you-over-the-head tax. It changes nothing. No behaviour other than to put the tax weight on to the wrong people”.
Morrison refers to Keating’s brief GST campaign in the Hawke government.
We all remember it was Mr Keating himself who was the proponent of option C for a consumption tax all those years ago.
After yattah yattah, Morrison says re tax:
These are the decisions governments have to make and we’re going through a very open process, we’re consulting.
3.28am GMT
03:28
Dixer to the treasurer Scott Morrison on “sound fiscal policy”. It involves jobs and growth.
Morrison is quoting Paul Keating. (There is something for everyone in Keating’s comments.)
I agree with Paul Keating because he said today that higher taxes for higher spending is not a plan for jobs and growth. What he said today is the big falls in commodity prices mean Australia’s income has been cut. We cannot pretend we can go on spending as though nothing has happened.
3.26am GMT
03:26
Cathy McGowan: Will the Minister please outline to the House the new funding arrangements under the jobs for family childcare packages and guaranteed assistance to support the move to the new childcare funding scheme particularly for mobile childcare services in rural locations currently funded under the budget-based funding programs?
Luke Hartsuyker:
For the first time, families using the (mobile) service will be eligible to claim the same assistance as families using other types of childcare. The subsidy will be paid directly to childcare providers and the income will be assured, which is great news, and it will also be able to be expanded as the size of the particular service increases. These providers have not previously had this opportunity.
3.23am GMT
03:23
Labor to Turnbull: Why did the Liberal party promise to match school funding dollar for dollar before the election but after the election announced a cut which is the equivalent of $3.2 million for every school in Australia or the equivalent as sacking one in seventeachers? Isn’t this just another example of the prime minister saying one thing and doing another?
Unlike the leader of the opposition, the government will not promise money first and then seek to negotiate outcomes later.
Turnbull uses Weatherill’s comments again. He says Labor thinks money is the answer to everything. And says Labor’s school funding has not been costed.
(The point of the Gonski reforms was to rebalance funding according to need.)
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.57am GMT at 5.30am GMT
3.19am GMT
03:19
A Dixer on the innovation agenda to Turnbull.
The unquestionable fact of life for us is that if we are to maintain our success as a high-wage generous social welfare net first-world economy, if we want our children and grandchildren to have high-quality jobs, well-paying jobs, then we have to be at the frontier of innovation and what we need to do in many respects is to change the culture of business and of government. We need to move to a culture that does notassume the way you did things yesterday is any longer appropriate.
3.13am GMT
03:13
Shorten to Turnbull: The national Catholic education commission has warned the government’s $30bn cuts to schools will mean, and I quote, “Fees will increase,schools could close and the quality of education will be compromised. In light of this serious warning, why is the prime minister persisting with his cuts to schools, refusing to adopt Labor’s Your Child, Our Future plan, which will give every student in every school every opportunity.
Turnbull flicks the question to the well-known frontbencher Luke Hartsuyker, the minister for vocational education.
Updated
at 4.57am GMT
3.10am GMT
03:10
A Dixer to Turnbull on the government’s “steadfast” commitment to border control.
Turnbull comes out stronger than he has so far on asylum seeker border policy.
Nobody should ever doubt the resolve of this government to keep our borders secure. To prevent the people smuggling racket, to break their business model and keep lives safe, to prevent drownings at sea and to protect vulnerable people from being exploited by ruthless criminal gangs. Twice in our history, Coalition governments have acted decisively to ensure that this pernicious, criminal trade of people smuggling cannot succeed. Our commitment today is simply this: The people smugglers will not prevail over our sovereignty. Our borders are secure. The line has to be drawn somewhere and it is drawn at our border.
3.06am GMT
03:06
Turnbull says Labor is creating a scare campaign on school funding.
School funding will continue to grow and schools can make those decisions with confidence.
He reminds the parliament of South Australia premier Jay Weatherill’s critical comments question the costings on Labor’s schools policy.
Updated
at 4.53am GMT