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Unemployment falls to 5.6% as participation rate slumps – politics live Unemployment falls to 5.6% as participation rate slumps – politics live
(35 minutes later)
3.33am BST
03:33
Ben Doherty
The department of foreign affairs (Dfat) has confirmed The Guardian’s story from this morning, that Australia will vote against a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly to begin negotiations on outlawing nuclear weapons.
The UNGA will vote on the resolution later this month, but Australia has been a prominent agitator to defeat the push for a total global prohibition of nuclear weapons.
Under questioning from Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Dfat first assistant secretary Richard Sadlier confirmed Australia would maintain its opposition.
Consistent with the position to that we took to the Open-ended working group [into nuclear disarmament] report, we will be voting no with respect to that resolution.
Sadlier told estimates Australia’s position of nuclear disarmament was “consistent and clear”.
We do not support a ban treaty. A ban treaty that does not include the nuclear weapons states, those states which possess nuclear weapons, and is disconnected from the rest of the security environment, would be counterproductive and not lead to reductions in nuclear arsenals.
Sadlier said a ban treaty would “deepen divisions” between nuclear and non-nuclear weapons states.
The push for a global prohibition is gathering momentum - a ‘humanitarian pledge’ supporting the abolition of nuclear weapons has 127 nation signatories - but a ban treaty remains contentious without any support from the countries that actually have the weapons.
Australia’s relies on the “extended nuclear deterrence” of the US’s nuclear arsenal, but its prominent role in seeking to stymie ban treaty negotiations - including lobbying other countries to vote ‘no’ - has raised significant international attention.
Read more detail here.
3.31am BST
03:31
Gareth Hutchens
Here’s an interesting update to the story about Australia’s corporate registry.
As we speak, the Turnbull government is considering privatising the corporate registry owned by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic).
The registry is a critical database of information on more than 2m companies in Australia, most of which aren’t listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson asked Treasury officials what the privatisation would mean for competition, given it would create a private monopoly.
Treasury officials say bidders for the registry will have to “consult” Australia’s competition regulator - the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - before any sale is approved.
It’s another hurdle for the government.
3.29am BST
03:29
Plebiscite bill clears the lower house. Now for the senate.
Government wins the lower house votes on the bill to establish the marriage plebiscite.
In the process, the government gagged debate on the plebiscite.
Labor is not happy.
Weak PM's shameful party room fix gagged in the house - he is too scared to debate his unnecessary, harmful #plebiscite #auspol
3.23am BST
03:23
Andrew Leigh has literally run into the House of Reps for the plebiscite vote - wearing bright orange tshirt, skins and trainers #auspol
3.16am BST
03:16
The Coalition wins the vote 68-75.
So Labor’s attempt to throw out the plebiscite bill fails.
Now proceeding to the substantive vote in the lower house on the bill to establish a plebscite.
3.10am BST
03:10
The government wins the gag vote.
Now the lower house votes on a Labor amendment which says - basically - chuck out the plebiscite bill and have a free vote.
3.08am BST
03:08
The first vote will be on the gag. Labor wants to put up more speakers. The Coalition wants to close it and vote.
3.02am BST
03:02
The parliament votes on the plebiscite bill.
2.52am BST2.52am BST
02:5202:52
Rock star reception for Katter, Xenophon & cattle owner Stirling Buntine in Canberra #Kidman pic.twitter.com/A72RqkgiCPRock star reception for Katter, Xenophon & cattle owner Stirling Buntine in Canberra #Kidman pic.twitter.com/A72RqkgiCP
2.49am BST2.49am BST
02:4902:49
Lunchtime politicsLunchtime politics
Updated
at 3.05am BST
2.37am BST2.37am BST
02:3702:37
Unemployment = 5.6%Unemployment = 5.6%
Gareth HutchensGareth Hutchens
The Bureau of Statistics has just released its employment data for September.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.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.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.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.But there are huge changes occurring in the labour market which are concealed by that unemployment figure.
Have a look at these numbers.Have a look at these numbers.
Since December 2015, full-time employment has fallen by 54,100 persons.Since December 2015, full-time employment has fallen by 54,100 persons.
In comparison, part-time employment has increased by 130,000 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.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.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%.It coincides with a rise in the underemployment ratio (a proportion of employed persons) since November 2015, from 8.9% to 9.2%.
2.34am BST
02:34
Fans of the Betoota Advocate, satirical news site, will appreciate this - a Betoota book!
Media training required.
2.27am BST
02:27
#Estimates can be tough. Brandis takes a moment amid questions. via @deaf_soundo pic.twitter.com/7mCTfkJ93d
2.19am BST
02:19
Dfat 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)
On September 15, Israel ambassador is told of Wyatt’s plans.
On September 20, Dfat was contacted.
The story broke on September 29.
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.
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.
Updated
at 2.25am BST
2.05am BST
02:05
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.
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.
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.
[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?
As the crow flies, it could be about a 100 miles.
Was it in a do-not-travel zone?
All of Iraq is in a do-not-travel zone.
#youknowitmakessense
Updated
at 2.09am BST
1.39am BST
01:39
We are hearing there might be a vote on the plebiscite bill before question time.
1.33am BST
01:33
Tony Abbott’s overseas travel this year has been listed in estimates.
Trips included:
Brandis comes in prepared to talk about former prime ministers travel. Just checking whether this was also in one year.
Updated
at 2.24am BST
1.26am BST
01:26
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.
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.
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 even more restrictive category.
Updated
at 2.41am BST
1.20am BST
01:20
1.11am BST
01:11
Paul 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.
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%.
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).
She said some, including the energy supplement and pharmaceutical allowance, can be very small but added the Family Tax Benefit payments “can be considerable”.
Updated
at 1.13am BST
1.09am BST
01:09
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.
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.