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Unemployment falls to 5.6% as participation rate slumps – politics live Same-sex marriage plebiscite bill clears the lower house – question time live
(35 minutes later)
4.08am BST
04:08
Dutton contradicts Abbott on guns for votes issue.
Plibersek to immigration minister Dutton: Last night on the 7.30 report, theformer Prime Minister, the Member for Warringah, said a deal on trade,to trade guns for votes by theMinister for Immigration was not authorised. Is that accurate? Was the minister acting without the authority of the then Prime Minister, the member for Warringah.
Dutton confirms:
But there’s no question that at an advisor’s level, there would have been discussions around this issue.
4.00am BST
04:00
On to question time....
3.58am BST
03:58
Cathy McGowan explains her position.
It is so disappointing that this is still dragging on. Like many others I was looking forward to seeing a resolution on 11 February 2017.
My first preference has always been for a conscience vote by the parliament on marriage equality. In the absence of a conscience vote I agreed to support the plebiscite but this option is now gone.
I call on all parties to come together in good faith to respectfully discuss the process from here. I look forward to working with the government and the opposition to resolve the issue as quickly as we can.
Updated
at 4.03am BST
3.47am BST
03:47
Cathy McGowan votes for free marriage vote in parliament, then for plebiscite
Paul Karp
The government has won two key votes in the lower house on the plebiscite bill: one voting down a Labor amendment to immediately consider a free vote; and another approving the plebiscite bill. It now passes to the Senate.
Independent Cathy McGowan voted with Labor for a free vote but when that failed she voted with the Coalition in favour of the plebiscite.
“Now we need to find a Plan C,” she tells Guardian Australia - in reference to the fact the Senate is expected to reject the plebiscite because it is opposed by Labor, the Greens, the Nick Xenophon Team, Derryn Hinch and the Coalition’s own Dean Smith.
Updated
at 3.47am BST
3.45am BST
03:45
Penny Wong wants to talk about the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (Asis) in the senate estimates.
Dfat secretary Frances Adamson says she doesn’t believe it is appropriate to talk about Asis at all.
It relates to a story in The Australian about Asis operations. Foreign minister Julie Bishop commented on details of Asis operations. Wong asks why it is not appropriate to talk about Asis in estimates but it is appropriate to talk to a newspaper.
Adamson refuses to answer. Wong tries again. Adamson firmly says no.
Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells takes the question on notice asking why it is appropriate for Bishop to discuss Asis operations in public.
Then Wong moves to former treasurer and now US ambassador Joe Hockey accepting a luxury cruise from trucking magnate Lindsay Fox was declared. Here is part of the original story in the Oz in July this year:
Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, has taken time out from his busy schedule to celebrate the 80th birthday of businessman Lindsay Fox.
Mr Hockey was snapped in the Mediterranean with mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, and actress Deborra Lee-Furness.
The former Treasurer is friends with Mr Fox’s daughter Lisa, who is based in New York.
Mr Fox, who turns 80 in April next year, is sailing a collection of friends from Athens to Venice to celebrate. Other high-profile guests include Eddie McGuire, Jeff Kennett and Greg Norman.
They are passengers on a luxury liner called Seabourn Odyssey, which has been chartered at a reported cost of about $200,000 per day for the seven-day cruise.
More than 450 guests are believed to be on deck for the birthday bash.
Dfat takes it on notice.
3.33am BST3.33am BST
03:3303:33
Ben DohertyBen 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 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.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.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. 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”.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.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.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. 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. Australia 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.Read more detail here.
Updated
at 3.55am BST
3.31am BST3.31am BST
03:3103:31
Gareth HutchensGareth Hutchens
Here’s an interesting update to the story about Australia’s corporate registry.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).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.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.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.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.It’s another hurdle for the government.
3.29am BST3.29am BST
03:2903:29
Plebiscite bill clears the lower house. Now for the senate. Plebiscite bill clears the lower house. Now for the Senate.
Government wins the lower house votes on the bill to establish the marriage plebiscite.Government wins the lower house votes on the bill to establish the marriage plebiscite.
In the process, the government gagged debate on the plebiscite.In the process, the government gagged debate on the plebiscite.
Labor is not happy.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 #auspolWeak PM's shameful party room fix gagged in the house - he is too scared to debate his unnecessary, harmful #plebiscite #auspol
Updated
at 3.39am BST
3.23am BST3.23am BST
03:2303:23
Andrew Leigh has literally run into the House of Reps for the plebiscite vote - wearing bright orange tshirt, skins and trainers #auspolAndrew Leigh has literally run into the House of Reps for the plebiscite vote - wearing bright orange tshirt, skins and trainers #auspol
3.16am BST3.16am BST
03:1603:16
The Coalition wins the vote 68-75.The Coalition wins the vote 68-75.
So Labor’s attempt to throw out the plebiscite bill fails.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.Now proceeding to the substantive vote in the lower house on the bill to establish a plebscite.
3.10am BST3.10am BST
03:1003:10
The government wins the gag vote.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.Now the lower house votes on a Labor amendment which says - basically - chuck out the plebiscite bill and have a free vote.
3.08am BST3.08am BST
03:0803:08
The first vote will be on the gag. Labor wants to put up more speakers. The Coalition wants to close it and vote.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 BST3.02am BST
03:0203:02
The parliament votes on the plebiscite bill.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
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.05am BSTat 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%.