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Malcolm Turnbull says superannuation backdown 'the right outcome' – question time live Malcolm Turnbull says superannuation backdown 'the right outcome' – question time live
(35 minutes later)
6.26am BST
06:26
Is there a football game happening somewhere?
6.25am BST
06:25
Gareth Hutchens
Now that the flurry of question time is over, I can post Gareth Hutchen’s analysis of the unemployment figures:
The latest unemployment figure is out today, and the headline number looks good.
The unemployment rate fell last month to 5.6%, seasonally adjusted, from 5.7%. It hasn’t been this low since September 2013.
Not bad, eh?
The government hasn’t been trumpeting the news today because the story is complicated.
Firstly, the seasonally adjusted number can be unreliable. It can jump around a lot. The trend figure provides the best measure of the underlying behaviour of the labour market and it has been stuck at 5.7% since May.
Secondly, underemployment keeps increasing. Since December last year, there are about 105,300 more people working part-time, but the number of people working full time has decreased by 21,500.
In fact, the trend underemployment rate – a quarterly measure of employed people who would like to work more hours – hit 8.6% last month, the highest it has ever been.
6.15am BST
06:15
There is a question to industry minister Greg Hunt on the current state of negotiations as to the sale of Arrium’s assets, and what could we possibly do to ensure its survival.
Hunt says the first shipment from this steel plant for the Adelaide to Tarcoola railway line was delivered.
That is a tremendous step forward. That should deliver $80m of cash flow for the plant and for the future of the Whyalla steel plant.
6.11am BST
06:11
Labor asks the prime minister: Is the PM aware that Gina Rinehart offered $175m for a charitable cancer centre in Darwin but has withdrawn that after as a response to the defeat of Adam Giles as chief minister. Will the PM undertake to ask Gina Rinehart directly or through her adviser Sophie Mirabella to [honour] her original commitment in the interests of cancer sufferers in the NT?
Speaker Smith rules the question out of order.
Labor through Tony Burke and Anthony Albanese ask the Speaker to allow the second half of the question. That is that the PM make representations on the issue.
Speaker won’t budge. He advises Solomon MP Luke Gosling to raise the matter in other forums such as the adjournment debate.
Updated
at 6.14am BST
6.08am BST
06:08
A question to urban infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher: During the election the Turnbull government announced a $210m dollar commitment to upgrade the M1 Pacific motorway. Will the government reconfirm this commitment and what steps he is taking to ensure the people of the Logan and Gold Coast see this upgrade happen?
6.06am BST
06:06
George Brandis confirmed he is not going anywhere
Paul Karp
In Senate question time attorney general George Brandis has denied having any conversations with the prime minister, foreign minister or other members of cabinet about receiving an overseas appointment or a judicial appointment.
Brandis is rumoured to covet an appointment to the high court, which he is not expected to be offered but he has been tipped to become Australia’s next high commissioner in London.
Asked to rule out taking a judicial or overseas appointment before the end of his current Senate term, Brandis replied:
You know Senator [Catryna] Bilyk I thought the day would never come when I would enjoy a question from you, but that day has come at last – yes I can rule that out.
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at 6.14am BST
6.04am BST
06:04
Labor asks Scott Morrison why he wants a superannuation policy that saves $1bn less than the Labor superannuation package. See previous Morrison answers.
Updated
at 6.06am BST
6.01am BST
06:01
Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce gets a question on the rural women awards, which were on last night. He outlines the achievements of all the state finalists and the winner, Sophie Hanson from NSW.
Updated
at 6.02am BST
5.59am BST5.59am BST
05:5905:59
Speaker turfs one from each side during #QT Tony Pasin & Jim Chalmers @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/gzaHQVzWQSSpeaker turfs one from each side during #QT Tony Pasin & Jim Chalmers @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/gzaHQVzWQS
5.59am BST5.59am BST
05:5905:59
Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: In question time yesterday, the Treasurer said of the government’s superannuation package, we continue to pursue those superannuation measures because they are essential. Given the government abandoned those measures a few hours ago can the treasurer explain to the House why they were essential yesterday but not today? Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: In question time yesterday, the treasurer said of the government’s superannuation package, we continue to pursue those superannuation measures because they are essential. Given the government abandoned those measures a few hours ago can the treasurer explain to the House why they were essential yesterday but not today?
Morrison says Labor made changes to their own superannuation policy after the election.Morrison says Labor made changes to their own superannuation policy after the election.
[Labor has] the opportunity to do [support] that and I look forward to them doing that because they know they’re going to support it. We know they’re going to support it and the Australian people just want them to get on with it.[Labor has] the opportunity to do [support] that and I look forward to them doing that because they know they’re going to support it. We know they’re going to support it and the Australian people just want them to get on with it.
Updated
at 6.07am BST
5.54am BST5.54am BST
05:5405:54
A government question to Sussan Ley, the health minister, regarding reforms around medicine listing.A government question to Sussan Ley, the health minister, regarding reforms around medicine listing.
Today, the government announced that we are taking action to bring medicines and medical devices to Australia faster. We found our expert panel has found that it’s taking up to two years to get listings from the US or Europe here to Australia.Today, the government announced that we are taking action to bring medicines and medical devices to Australia faster. We found our expert panel has found that it’s taking up to two years to get listings from the US or Europe here to Australia.
Ley doesn’t actually say what the changes are but, rather, that Labor failed to do anything. I will have to track this down.Ley doesn’t actually say what the changes are but, rather, that Labor failed to do anything. I will have to track this down.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.55am BSTat 5.55am BST
5.52am BST5.52am BST
05:5205:52
A question to Michael McCormack, the small biz minister: Will the minister inform the House of the findings of the inquiry into the effect of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s payments order on Australian small businesses?A question to Michael McCormack, the small biz minister: Will the minister inform the House of the findings of the inquiry into the effect of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s payments order on Australian small businesses?
(see the Paul Karp post earlier.)(see the Paul Karp post earlier.)
Then another Labor question to O’Dwyer: In question time yesterday, the minister said of the government’s superannuation package, “We announced it in the budget. We believe in our superannuation package.” Does the minister believe in the superannuation package announced today or does the minister believe in the superannuation package she believed in yesterday?Then another Labor question to O’Dwyer: In question time yesterday, the minister said of the government’s superannuation package, “We announced it in the budget. We believe in our superannuation package.” Does the minister believe in the superannuation package announced today or does the minister believe in the superannuation package she believed in yesterday?
I do note that at a time when he was the treasurer, at a time when he was the treasurer he didn’t embark upon superannuation reform. He embarked upon increasing superannuation taxes, that was it. No reform. No flexibility. No ability for people to contribute more to their superannuation. We believe very strongly in our superannuation package on this side of the House because we know that it will help average Australians.I do note that at a time when he was the treasurer, at a time when he was the treasurer he didn’t embark upon superannuation reform. He embarked upon increasing superannuation taxes, that was it. No reform. No flexibility. No ability for people to contribute more to their superannuation. We believe very strongly in our superannuation package on this side of the House because we know that it will help average Australians.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.56am BSTat 5.56am BST
5.49am BST5.49am BST
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The financial services minister, Kelly O’Dwyer, gets a Labor question: Yesterday, was the minister aware she was ridiculing a superannuation measure that the cabinet was set to adopt just hours later? Or was the member for Dawson yet to advise the minister of the government’s new superannuation policy?The financial services minister, Kelly O’Dwyer, gets a Labor question: Yesterday, was the minister aware she was ridiculing a superannuation measure that the cabinet was set to adopt just hours later? Or was the member for Dawson yet to advise the minister of the government’s new superannuation policy?
O’Dwyer quotes Industry Super Australia, the Financial Services Council and the Australian Superannuation Funds of Australia saying favourable things about the super reform package.O’Dwyer quotes Industry Super Australia, the Financial Services Council and the Australian Superannuation Funds of Australia saying favourable things about the super reform package.
So frankly we cannot understand why those opposite are going through this charade of pretending that they are not going to support our policy changes when they know that they are right for the Australian people and they are right for the budget.So frankly we cannot understand why those opposite are going through this charade of pretending that they are not going to support our policy changes when they know that they are right for the Australian people and they are right for the budget.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.53am BSTat 5.53am BST
5.44am BST
05:44
That is SO 44th parliament, says Pyne. We are tribal no more.
A government question to Christopher Pyne: Will the minister inform the House of the steps the government is taking to support emergency services volunteers? How are these measures and other achievements of the government proving that we are implementing our commitments to the Australian people?
Even Christopher Pyne is feeling the love. He says the government will work with anyone who wants to work with them. Labor, Greens, crossbenchers, the Coalition will take on all comers. This is the 45th parliament now, not the 44th – brackets – run by Tony Abbott – close brackets.
We will work with them because the most important thing that we can all do as parliamentarians is make the lives of Australians better, make our country and our economy and our society better. So those members of the Labor party want to be so last 44th parliament, let me say to them, we are in a new parliament and the parliament is working. The parliament is working. And if you intend to continue with the same tactics that you had for so many years is so pass and as the minister says if you want to continue with that the public will mark them down.
Let’s work together to make our country great again .
Ch for Christopher and Ch for Chutzpah.
Updated
at 5.54am BST
5.38am BST
05:38
Kelly O’Dwyer, the financial services minister, gets a question on superannuation.
Then Labor to Turnbull: Today Senator Abetz issued a press release claiming credit for the PM’s humiliating backdown on superannuation. Are the extreme elements of his party so powerful that they can force the PM to abandon his absolutely ironclad promise? What happened to the PM’s absolutely ironclad promise?
I am happy for every member of the Coalition party room to claim credit for every decision of the government. And the truth is it’s a team business. It’s a team business. Of course, very often members are too modest to do that but I think it’s good and I want every member of the Coalition party room – House and Senate – to claim credit for the government’s decisions.
(This is trolling Abetz more than Labor.)
He then goes on:
We’re going through what I describe as the pantomime of politics, which is one of the reasons her constituents and my constituents, all of our constituents, get fed up with what politicians do and say. So a government improves a measure, consults, changes it, improves it, makes it work better. In the real world ... people say that is good. They listen. They listen and they tweaked it and they made a change. Good on them. They listened to us, it’s sensible ... I say to the honourable member if she believes any of our measures can be improved, she should let us know. We will look on what she says in good faith.
Updated
at 5.40am BST
5.33am BST
05:33
Labor’s Jim Charlton asks Turnbull: The member for Dawson said about the PM’s humiliating super backdown today, “We put forward all our views and they listened and they acted ... What happened to the PM’s absolutely ironclad promise? Isn’t it the case that the member for Dawson and the extreme elements of his party are now in charge of the government’s economic policy?”
Charlton, Wayne Swan’s former adviser, has a PhD in economics. Turnbull makes a (cheap) crack about his doctorate, “I’d ask him where his PhD in economics has gone too”.
But then goes point out an “important principle” of his government.
We will seek always to improve our measures. If measures we propose or implement can be improved, we will improve them. We will listen to all those who offer criticism or suggestions for change, we will listen to them in good faith, if we can improve measures we will improve them. We have to recognise the policy-making must be dynamic.
Updated
at 5.36am BST
5.28am BST
05:28
Scott Morrison is rather cocky too – challenging Labor to support the package – so Tony Burke asks him to table to bill. Labor is waiting to see the details and do not believe the details until they see it. After the omnibus bill experience.
Updated
at 5.37am BST
5.25am BST
05:25
Scott Morrison gets a Dixer on superannuation.
5.25am BST
05:25
Paul Karp
Meanwhile, up in the Senate:
The Greens’ disabilities spokeswoman, Rachel Siewert, has identified a “mean-spirited” proposal to remove backdating of carer’s allowances in the omnibus savings bill.
The saving is worth $108.6m over four years and is an element of the Coalition and Labor’s $6.3bn budget savings compromise, being debated in the Senate today.
Under current rules when a person unexpectedly becomes a carer due to a sudden injury or worsening condition of a loved one, they can have their carer’s allowance backdated. The maximum amount available is 12 weeks’ of payments, or $741.
She said:
Carers provide an a huge amount of care and support nationally, the government is taking this group for granted in moving to legislate this cut as part of the omnibus bill.
Updated
at 5.34am BST
5.24am BST
05:24
Bob Katter asks Scott Morrison about pensioner incomes and whether there should be an increased tax on imports to pay more to pensioners.
Morrison says, with great respect to the member, no.
If you do that then what you are doing is you increase the costs to produce things in this country because our businesses make those imports. Now, if you’re going to increase the costs on business in this country, whether it’s by that measure or by increasing taxes, like those opposite want to do on business, then what you end up doing is costing incomes and jobs.
Fun fact: That was a 45-second question from Katter. Crossbenchers get an extra 15 seconds under the rule changes that went through on Tuesday night.
Updated
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5.20am BST
05:20
Bowen to Turnbull: My question is for the prime minister. Can the prime minister confirm in June he was asked about superannuation and can you foresee any circumstance in which the policy is detailed following the election? The prime minister responded that it was absolutely ironclad. How can the prime minister claimed to lead a country when even his absolutely ironclad promises can’t survive the extreme elements of his own party?
Turnbull is looking cocky now. He appears to be enjoying himself.
My government took it out of that [hard] basket ... the opposition urged us to make changes, many others did too, we listened to them and made some changes. The honourable member says, I listened to George [Christensen]. He may as well have said I listen to him, he may as well say we listen to everyone, because we consult, we listen, we consult and then we make decisions based on the public interest.
Updated
at 5.23am BST
5.15am BST
05:15
Malcolm Turnbull gets a Dixer on national security. He foreshadows his upcoming trip to the US with meetings in New York with world leaders to discuss the security and humanitarian challenges posed by the uncontrolled movement of 65m people “who were forcibly displaced around the world, many from the Syrian conflict”.
(The comments from Dutton in the earlier post regarding New Zealand may be a shot over the bow before this refugee meeting in New York.)
Updated
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5.12am BST
05:12
Plibersek to Turnbull: The PM was asked what was your greatest achievement since being PM and the PM responded the reforms in superannuation, the reforms in business tax. Today he’s junked both. What is the point of the Turnbull government if the PM can’t even deliver on his so-called greatest achievements?
The acting opposition leader’s question underlined, demonstrated as if on cue the very point I just made ...[Labor] love to talk about fairness. The problem is they don’t practise what they preach. They did nothing about superannuation when they were in government. The only approach they have to equity is self-help. That is the Dastyari approach.
Updated
at 5.24am BST