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Two Dfat heads of mission outside Australia knew of Wyatt Roy's Iraq trip – politics live Unemployment falls to 5.6% as participation rate slumps – politics live
(35 minutes later)
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Rock star reception for Katter, Xenophon & cattle owner Stirling Buntine in Canberra #Kidman pic.twitter.com/A72RqkgiCP
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Lunchtime politics
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Unemployment = 5.6%
Gareth Hutchens
The Bureau of Statistics has just released its employment data for September.
It shows the trend unemployment rate decreased slightly, from 5.7% to 5.6%, between August and September.
That looks like good news, on the face of it.
When Reserve Bank governor Phil Lowe gave a speech in Sydney this week, he said the unemployment rate seemed like it was about 0.5 percentage points, or a bit more, above full employment.
But there are huge changes occurring in the labour market which are concealed by that unemployment figure.
Have a look at these numbers.
Since December 2015, full-time employment has fallen by 54,100 persons.
In comparison, part-time employment has increased by 130,000 persons.
It means part-time’s share of total employment has increased from 31.1% to 32% in the last nine months.
We can see that switch occurring between August and September, where 7,900 full-time jobs were lost and 11,800 part-time jobs were gained.
It coincides with a rise in the underemployment ratio (a proportion of employed persons) since November 2015, from 8.9% to 9.2%.
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Fans of the Betoota Advocate, satirical news site, will appreciate this - a Betoota book!
Media training required.
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#Estimates can be tough. Brandis takes a moment amid questions. via @deaf_soundo pic.twitter.com/7mCTfkJ93d
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Dfat contradicts foreign minister Julie Bishop on Wyatt Roy Iraq sortieDfat contradicts foreign minister Julie Bishop on Wyatt Roy Iraq sortie
Penny Wong is re-prosecuting the Wyatt Roy case. She goes over it for the slow ones. (Like me)Penny Wong is re-prosecuting the Wyatt Roy case. She goes over it for the slow ones. (Like me)
On September 15, Israel Ambassador is told of Wyatt’s plans. On September 15, Israel ambassador is told of Wyatt’s plans.
On September 20, Dfat was contacted.On September 20, Dfat was contacted.
The story broke on September 29.The story broke on September 29.
Here is what foreign minister Julie Bishop said when the story broke:Here is what foreign minister Julie Bishop said when the story broke:
It is irresponsible of Wyatt Roy to travel to the front line of the conflict between ISIL and Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, in a region regarded as very high risk.It is irresponsible of Wyatt Roy to travel to the front line of the conflict between ISIL and Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, in a region regarded as very high risk.
He has placed himself at risk of physical harm and capture, and acted in defiance of government advice. Mr Roy did not seek nor did he receive assistance from the Australian government for his travel to Iraq.He has placed himself at risk of physical harm and capture, and acted in defiance of government advice. Mr Roy did not seek nor did he receive assistance from the Australian government for his travel to Iraq.
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Wyatt Roy to Iraq mission: Any meetings around here mate?Wyatt Roy to Iraq mission: Any meetings around here mate?
In estimates, we discover two Dfat heads of mission outside Australia knew of Wyatt Roy’s trip to Iraq. Roy is a former MP and Turnbull ally.In estimates, we discover two Dfat heads of mission outside Australia knew of Wyatt Roy’s trip to Iraq. Roy is a former MP and Turnbull ally.
Why did they not tell Dfat Canberra before it hit the media, asks Wong.Why did they not tell Dfat Canberra before it hit the media, asks Wong.
Dfat underlines Roy was told it was dangerous and he should not travel.Dfat underlines Roy was told it was dangerous and he should not travel.
The government’s official travel advice also says DO NOT TRAVEL TO IRAQ.The government’s official travel advice also says DO NOT TRAVEL TO IRAQ.
It would appear on 20 September “one of Mr Roy’s associates in Iraq” contacted the deputy head of mission in Iraq, Jonathan Gilbert, and told him Roy was in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish regional government area of Iraq.It would appear on 20 September “one of Mr Roy’s associates in Iraq” contacted the deputy head of mission in Iraq, Jonathan Gilbert, and told him Roy was in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish regional government area of Iraq.
[Roy’s associate] asked if there were any meetings the embassy would suggest. The embassy didn’t suggest any meetings or offer any support for Mr Roy’s program. In that conversation there was no suggestion that Mr Roy would travel outside Erbil.[Roy’s associate] asked if there were any meetings the embassy would suggest. The embassy didn’t suggest any meetings or offer any support for Mr Roy’s program. In that conversation there was no suggestion that Mr Roy would travel outside Erbil.
How far is Erbil from the Mosul declared area?How far is Erbil from the Mosul declared area?
As the crow flies, it could be about a 100 miles.As the crow flies, it could be about a 100 miles.
Was it in a do-not-travel zone?Was it in a do-not-travel zone?
All of Iraq is in a do-not-travel zone.All of Iraq is in a do-not-travel zone.
#youknowitmakessense#youknowitmakessense
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We are hearing there might be a vote on the plebiscite bill before question time.We are hearing there might be a vote on the plebiscite bill before question time.
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Tony Abbott’s overseas travel this year has been listed in estimates.Tony Abbott’s overseas travel this year has been listed in estimates.
Trips included:Trips included:
Brandis comes in prepared to talk about former prime ministers travel. Just checking whether this was also in one year.Brandis comes in prepared to talk about former prime ministers travel. Just checking whether this was also in one year.
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at 2.24am BSTat 2.24am BST
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The NSW deputy premier Troy Grant has changed his position slightly on the Adler.The NSW deputy premier Troy Grant has changed his position slightly on the Adler.
Previously he supported categorising the Adler seven plus one shot into B category. This was backed by a number of National party members including Mark Coulton. A is the most accessible category with D the most restricted category.Previously he supported categorising the Adler seven plus one shot into B category. This was backed by a number of National party members including Mark Coulton. A is the most accessible category with D the most restricted category.
Grant says now he supports putting the Adler into a “tighter one”.Grant says now he supports putting the Adler into a “tighter one”.
He also supports the ban on importing lever action shotguns with a capacity of more than five rounds until the gun is reclassified.He also supports the ban on importing lever action shotguns with a capacity of more than five rounds until the gun is reclassified.
Our position represents a strengthening of the current A classification of the Adler, but the ultimate decision is a matter for national consensus, Grant says.Our position represents a strengthening of the current A classification of the Adler, but the ultimate decision is a matter for national consensus, Grant says.
This is purely speculation only but it sounds like there might be some behind the scenes movements to put the Adler into a higher category. This is purely speculation only but it sounds like there might be some behind the scenes movements to put the Adler into a higher even more restrictive category.
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
Labor senators including Murray Watt are using Senate Estimates to undermine social services minister Christian Porter’s case for another round of welfare cuts.Labor senators including Murray Watt are using Senate Estimates to undermine social services minister Christian Porter’s case for another round of welfare cuts.
Watt has made the point that quoting the absolute number of people on the dole is misleading, as it doesn’t account for population growth.Watt has made the point that quoting the absolute number of people on the dole is misleading, as it doesn’t account for population growth.
Social Services Department deputy secretary Serena Wilson gives him a win on this point, revealing that since 1996 there has been a decrease in those aged 16-64 receiving income support, from 24.7% to 16.6%.Social Services Department deputy secretary Serena Wilson gives him a win on this point, revealing that since 1996 there has been a decrease in those aged 16-64 receiving income support, from 24.7% to 16.6%.
Labor senators are now trying to push the point home by getting department officials to say the welfare budget is sustainable, but no dice so far.Earlier, Watt probed figures provided to Guardian Australia by the government, including the fact that 75% of Newstart recipients receive the energy supplement and two other payments.Labor senators are now trying to push the point home by getting department officials to say the welfare budget is sustainable, but no dice so far.Earlier, Watt probed figures provided to Guardian Australia by the government, including the fact that 75% of Newstart recipients receive the energy supplement and two other payments.
Wilson conceded that “most of the supplements relate to particular cost or activity” (and not just getting by day to day on income support).Wilson conceded that “most of the supplements relate to particular cost or activity” (and not just getting by day to day on income support).
She said some, including the energy supplement and pharmaceutical allowance, can be very small but added the Family Tax Benefit payments “can be considerable”.She said some, including the energy supplement and pharmaceutical allowance, can be very small but added the Family Tax Benefit payments “can be considerable”.
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The plebiscite bill is now being debated in the house again.The plebiscite bill is now being debated in the house again.
Just regarding Paul Karp’s earlier post, Barnaby Joyce obviously opened the possibility of anyone in the Nats in favour of marriage equality crossing the floor.Just regarding Paul Karp’s earlier post, Barnaby Joyce obviously opened the possibility of anyone in the Nats in favour of marriage equality crossing the floor.
As he says, the National party MPs do have the right to cross the floor. That is why Barnaby has crossed the floor 28 times in the early part of the career.As he says, the National party MPs do have the right to cross the floor. That is why Barnaby has crossed the floor 28 times in the early part of the career.
It was obviously not a career limiting move in Barnaby’s case but it would be a big call for Darren Chester or any other supporters of marriage equality to cross the floor on a crossbench marriage bill.It was obviously not a career limiting move in Barnaby’s case but it would be a big call for Darren Chester or any other supporters of marriage equality to cross the floor on a crossbench marriage bill.
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DFAT says most of their contracts have expired except for the one with Clinton Health Access Initiative,CHAI told DFAT they are doing review
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Tony Abbott has updated his register to interests to say he is now a patron of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy.
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Paul Karp
I’ve had a look back at Nationals leader, Barnaby Joyce’s, contribution in the same-sex marriage plebiscite bill debate last night in the lower house.
He said:
It is no secret that in the Nationals the majority view, but not the exclusive view, is that we believe in the current definition of marriage.
Those of a contrary view, like Darren Chester, “are to be totally respected and given the space to express their views, which we do”.
There is no one held out as an example, and everyone is allowed that space. And there are other people as well, and that is completely and utterly their right. Within the National party, more than any other party, we say, ‘If you really wish to cross the floor, you can; if you really wish to express a different view, you can; you just have to put some cogency into your reasons as to why.”
It’s unclear whether Nationals (or Liberals) will get the ability to cross the floor, given the current marriage equality bills are private members bills which the government does not have to allow a vote on. What did Joyce mean? Are Nationals free to cross the floor and force a vote?
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#justsaying
pic.twitter.com/JakwL6BKgf
#jesuis?
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Penny Wong has questioned Dfat on the Vietnamese government’s decision to cancel a 50th anniversary ceremony of the battle of Long Tân.
It happened in August this year, as we reported at the time:
The Vietnam government’s refusal to allow the veterans day commemoration at the Long Tân cross site a day before it was to take place prompted official complaints by Australia, including by its ambassador, Craig Chittick.
The Vietnamese have cited “deep sensitivities” over the battle as the reason for the last-minute cancellation, according to Dan Tehan, Australia’s minister for veterans affairs. It comes despite 18 months of collaboration about the event between the two governments.
A joint statement by Tehan and Julie Bishop, the minister for foreign affairs, said the government was “deeply disappointed at this decision, and the manner in which it was taken, so close to the commemoration taking place”.
Wong has established that coordination was going on between Australia’s posts in Vietnam and the Vietnamese government.
Australian posts were organising for the ceremony about 18 months ahead of the anniversary.
A Vietnamese minister phoned the Australian consul general in Ho Chi Minh city on 16 August to give an “unofficial message” that the Vietnamese government was cancelling the ceremony.
Aaaaand morning tea break in estimates.
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Political advertising and the pre-election splurge:
Every voter has seen dodgy advertising in the lead-up to elections by incumbent governments. The Audit Office has belled the cat on a few campaigns.
Special awards go to the controversial “By Boat, No Visa” campaign Labor ran before the 2013 election.
And the Abbott government’s higher education reform advertising campaign.
Katharine Murphy reported this morning:
The Australian National Audit Office has said incumbent governments splurge on taxpayer-funded advertising in the lead-up to elections, with a clear trend established over the past five federal campaigns.
A new report into government advertising between March 2013 and June 2015 has also determined that the federal government’s campaign advertising framework was “weaker than it could be” because of changes in the government’s internal third-party advisory processes.
The latest audit has clearly established the trend of the pre-election splurge. “Increased expenditure has been observed prior to the last five elections,” the audit office says.
“In 2013 and 2016 around $100m and $95m respectively, was spent on media placement alone in the three months leading up to the caretaker period.”
In a non-election year, the average annual spend is $186m.
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Double dippers beware: paid parental leave bill in da house
Social services minister Christian Porter is introducing the Fairer Paid Parental Leave bill. This is the so-called “double-dipping bill” that removes the right to claim government both a government scheme and an employer scheme.
The bill has been blocked previously but in April the minister said the government would press on. Paul Karp reported:
The social services minister has admitted it is unrealistic to expect parliament will pass a bill banning access to so-called paid parental leave “double-dipping” by 1 July, but confirmed it remains the government’s intention to do so.
Christian Porter also promised to address potential confusion created by a government website, which warns the changes will take effect from 1 July.
At the moment, parents are able to access 18 weeks’ of paid leave at the minimum wage from the federal government, worth about $11,500, and also access separate paid leave provided by their employer.
In the 2015-16 budget the government announced plans to ban the practice of “double-dipping” from 1 July, 2016. But legislation which would prevent accessing both schemes, or limit federal government payments to a top-up of the employer’s scheme to the value of $11,500, failed to pass the Senate.
The bill has been amended and combines a few different measures. The bill’s explainer says:
In the revised package, government-funded parental leave pay will be targeted at individuals who have no employer-provided paid primary carer leave, or whose employer-provided paid primary carer leave is for a period less than 18 weeks or is paid at a rate below the full-time National Minimum Wage.
Under the new measure, parents’ access to government-funded parental leave pay will be limited according to the number of weeks of employer-provided paid primary carer leave they receive, if any.
This means that, where a person is entitled to employer-provided leave of less than 18 weeks, the government scheme will provide the residual number of weeks of government-funded parental leave pay up to the maximum period of 18 weeks.
The other interesting points to note are:
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at 1.02am BST
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Cap executive pay? Not between consenting adults
Gareth Hutchens
The heads of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (Apra) are facing Senate estimates this morning.
The Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson just asked them if they would consider capping executive pay, to change the culture within Australia’s banks.
Whish-Wilson is big on this.
He’s an economist who worked years on Wall Street, before moving his family to Tasmania.
He believes culture comes from the top in big organisations.
He’s been working up a policy for the Greens that will cap executive pay by anchoring it to the average employee’s wages in a company. He says that would be a simple way of getting rid of the bonus culture, and the sales culture, in vertically integrated businesses.
But Apra boss Wayne Byres wasn’t enthused by the idea.
He said he tries not to intervene “in the affairs of consenting adults”.
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Frances Adamson jumps in. The world is divided into six regions and the regions hold these conferences regularly to train staff, around matters like security, passports etc. For this conference the chief security officer addressed the conference.
It is important to train the officers in a range of issues, given a lot of the posts are small posts and they don’t have much support.
These events have been happening for 30 years, she says.
Wong asks whether it was necessary to send Australian-based staff to attend the conference. Adamson said the staff were appropriate.
Chair and Liberal senator Chris Back suggests:
Paris is not necessarily the desired location that it was in the past ... I can assure you the hotels are empty.
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Dfat says the corporate conference is a regular 18-month affair.
The total cost is not possible immediately because it comes from the budgets of many different training buckets from different departments of Dfat.
Canberra-based staff flew business class.
There were 46 Dfat employees in total.
Of those, 40 were based in the European region and six were from from contingent regions – such as south Asia and the Middle East.
Penny Wong:
So you flew people to Paris to talk about how to save money?
John Fisher, chief people officer of Dfat:
We flew people to Paris to talk about how to do things better.
Updated
at 11.45pm BST