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Turnbull's agenda hangs in balance as minor party support skyrockets – politics live Government agrees to set backpacker tax at 15% – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.19pm GMT
22:19
Paul Karp pushed the treasurer on the George Brandis-Justin Gleeson matter. At first he would not answer and then he said the Australian Tax Office proceeded with the case on behalf of the commonwealth so it’s all G.
The ATO proceeded with the case. I look at what happens and what the outcomes are and what I’m standing in front of you here today is explaining an outcome that we are going to achieve on the backpacker’s tax and you can jump into the sausage machine all you like, but what matters is what happens, and what has happened on these matters, I thinks fairly crystal clear.
10.14pm GMT
22:14
How can you secure the Xenophon team if he is refusing to negotiate until the Murray Darling Basin Plan is sorted? Scott Morrison says he is confident.
I’m very confident that the backpacker tax will be sorted out. I’ve spoken to Senator Xenophon this morning saying we are honouring an arrangement we had come to with Senator Xenophon at 19% and Senator Xenophon was prepared to accept the more responsible 19% rate, but in this Parliament, the 45th Parliament, it’s about what you get done.
10.10pm GMT
22:10
Scott Morrison has put the compromise to One Nation’s Pauline Hanson and he is awaiting a response.
The savings will have to be made up in the budget – which will be announced at the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (Myefo).
Updated
at 10.11pm GMT
10.06pm GMT
22:06
Coalition backs down on backpacker tax, supports 15% rate
Scott Morrison will support a 15% backpacker tax.
The Labor party’s objective here has just been to play wrecker. On one hand they come into the parliament every day and say that we need to address revenue issues, and then on the same day they attack the government for a resolution of the backpacker issues which actually protects the revenue.
The hypocrisy and phony nature of the Labor party on the backpacker tax has been absolutely appalling. But it’s for the government to make sure that we provide certainty and we get outcomes, and today the government will be working to put in place a bill which will propose 15% on the backpackers’ arrangement. We will honour the arrangement that we’ve come to with senator Xenophon and we appreciate his continued support on this, as well as senator Hinch.
It will cost $120m, says Morrison.
Updated
at 10.15pm GMT
9.58pm GMT
21:58
Paul Karp
The Greens have said they will move to set up a Senate inquiry into whether the attorney general, George Brandis, engaged in “corrupt conduct” over an alleged sweetheart deal with the West Australian government.
Brandis allegedly told then solicitor general Justin Gleeson not to dispute the constitutionality of a WA law to get the state top priority among Bell Group creditors, which would have cost the ATO and the Commonwealth $300m, but Gleeson refused and won the case anyway.
The Greens want to set up a Senate inquiry into the matter.Asked about an inquiry on ABC AM this morning, Labor leader in the Senate Penny Wong said:
We’re happy to have an inquiry ... but I think there’s a first step, Senator Brandis should attend the chamber ... he should front up and give his version of events.”
Brandis has so far refused to comment. Even when Labor questioned whether his behaviour was “at worst corrupt or at best morally bankrupt” a spokesman for the attorney general said on Friday only that “the government does not comment on litigation in which the commonwealth was a party”.
Wong said an inquiry should consider the conduct of other ministers including former WA treasurer Christian Porter and then assistant treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer. But a committee was “no substitute” for Brandis explaining himself.
One Nation does not back the inquiry. It’s a curious position for the party, given its leader Pauline Hanson agreed to the referral of its WA senator Rodney Culleton to the high court because politicians have to be accountable.
Senator Derryn Hinch told Guardian Australia:
[I’m] waiting to hear an explanation from Brandis. From the news reports it would been to be a good one. We will see what develops in the Senate today.
9.55pm GMT
21:55
Barnaby Joyce has stepped into the 457 visa debate. He spoke to Guardian Australia about the importance of the 457 program to fill workforce gaps in rural and regional areas such as doctors and meatworkers.
Seen in the context of George Christiansen’s call for a ban of 457 and Labor’s newly energised crackdown post-Trump, it is a brave move to advocate for foreign workers. Speaking from experience, our town has relied on foreign doctors who transitioned to Australian residency for 40 years.
Here is a taste of Barnaby:
In abattoirs, too, there are certain jobs that others just won’t do.
Do you want to pack offal, or the smelly guts of a cow? Do you want to bone out skulls, do a bovine form of “alas poor Yorick”? No you don’t.
Most people would want to work as the accountant at the abattoir or one of the other higher level jobs. But someone has to do these unpopular jobs if the abattoir is to work properly. And when people come in from overseas to do it, the town is happy, the abattoir is working, and people have jobs.
In Rockhampton, the number of meat workers on 457 visas has actually gone down. What happened? Well, these 457 workers wanted to become Australians and constructive members of the community: buying houses, bringing up their kids. And that’s exactly what happened.
9.39pm GMT9.39pm GMT
21:3921:39
Mike Bowers has a full gallery of pictures from the Sunday Christmas party Malcolm Turnbull hosted at the Lodge, but here is an assortment for your viewing pleasure:Mike Bowers has a full gallery of pictures from the Sunday Christmas party Malcolm Turnbull hosted at the Lodge, but here is an assortment for your viewing pleasure:
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.44pm GMTat 9.44pm GMT
9.29pm GMT9.29pm GMT
21:2921:29
The art of the doorstop.The art of the doorstop.
9.27pm GMT9.27pm GMT
21:2721:27
Labor says Christian Porter and Kelly O'Dwyer have questions to answer over Gleeson-Brandis stoushLabor says Christian Porter and Kelly O'Dwyer have questions to answer over Gleeson-Brandis stoush
You will know by now that the attorney general, George Brandis, has got a serious problem on his hands as more details of the Justin Gleeson stoush rolled out late last week. The West Australian’s Andrew Probyn and Shane Wright reported on it here.You will know by now that the attorney general, George Brandis, has got a serious problem on his hands as more details of the Justin Gleeson stoush rolled out late last week. The West Australian’s Andrew Probyn and Shane Wright reported on it here.
At the heart of the fight was revenue due to creditors from the collapse of the Bell Resources group. The allegation is that Brandis worked to try to ensure revenue went to the West Australian government rather than the commonwealth under a deal initially agreed to by the former treasurer Joe Hockey.At the heart of the fight was revenue due to creditors from the collapse of the Bell Resources group. The allegation is that Brandis worked to try to ensure revenue went to the West Australian government rather than the commonwealth under a deal initially agreed to by the former treasurer Joe Hockey.
Penny Wong says it is completely inappropriate for someone who is supposed to uphold the law to instruct (Gleeson) not to run a particular proposition because it is “politically inconvenient”.Penny Wong says it is completely inappropriate for someone who is supposed to uphold the law to instruct (Gleeson) not to run a particular proposition because it is “politically inconvenient”.
It’s all very well to lay the blame at Joe Hockey’s feet. We know from what was said in the West Australian that there are a number of ministers with serious questions to answer about this. Christian Porter was identified as being part of this arrangement in the West Australian parliament as was Kelly O’Dwyer. So those ministers really do need to front up and explain their actions as well.It’s all very well to lay the blame at Joe Hockey’s feet. We know from what was said in the West Australian that there are a number of ministers with serious questions to answer about this. Christian Porter was identified as being part of this arrangement in the West Australian parliament as was Kelly O’Dwyer. So those ministers really do need to front up and explain their actions as well.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.34pm GMTat 9.34pm GMT
9.14pm GMT9.14pm GMT
21:1421:14
David Leyonhjelm told ABC AM he has secured a deal with the Coalition to increase the onus of proof standard in the ABCC. We will await details of that deal when we hear it from the government’s lips.David Leyonhjelm told ABC AM he has secured a deal with the Coalition to increase the onus of proof standard in the ABCC. We will await details of that deal when we hear it from the government’s lips.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.23pm GMTat 9.23pm GMT
9.07pm GMT9.07pm GMT
21:0721:07
Good morning blogans and welcome to the last parliamentary sitting week.Good morning blogans and welcome to the last parliamentary sitting week.
These last sitting weeks are always 50 shades of crazy but 2016 might just take the cake.These last sitting weeks are always 50 shades of crazy but 2016 might just take the cake.
Malcolm Turnbull’s government needs legislation passed that is crucial to its agenda, namelyL Malcolm Turnbull’s government needs legislation passed that is crucial to its agenda, namely:
Turnbull needs eight of 10 crossbenchers, which is no mean feat.Turnbull needs eight of 10 crossbenchers, which is no mean feat.
Already, South Australian senator Nick Xenophon – wielder of three Senate votes – is cranky because Barnaby Joyce suggested his state might not get the extra 450GL promised if it caused no detrimental effect upstream.Already, South Australian senator Nick Xenophon – wielder of three Senate votes – is cranky because Barnaby Joyce suggested his state might not get the extra 450GL promised if it caused no detrimental effect upstream.
The Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm is cranky because he feels dudded on the Adler shotgun deal, done with the Abbott government.The Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm is cranky because he feels dudded on the Adler shotgun deal, done with the Abbott government.
One Nation has proposed a 15% backpacker tax compromise, in between the Jacqui Lambie 10.5% rate and the government’s proposed 19% rate. One of the government’s own backbenchers, Andrew Broad, has supported this over the weekend.One Nation has proposed a 15% backpacker tax compromise, in between the Jacqui Lambie 10.5% rate and the government’s proposed 19% rate. One of the government’s own backbenchers, Andrew Broad, has supported this over the weekend.
Which may explain why the crossbenchers were invited to a Christmas party at the prime minister’s Lodge last night. Mike Bowers, knowing the Lodge inside out, staked out the back entrance and Pauline Hanson was not happy to see him on her departure.Which may explain why the crossbenchers were invited to a Christmas party at the prime minister’s Lodge last night. Mike Bowers, knowing the Lodge inside out, staked out the back entrance and Pauline Hanson was not happy to see him on her departure.
Go away.Go away.
So with that hot mess before him, Malcolm Turnbull woke to a Fairfax-Ipsos poll which showed increased support to 18% for crossbenchers and independents. So the appearance of chaos no longer turns off the electorate. On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor holds a lead over the Coalition 51-49%.So with that hot mess before him, Malcolm Turnbull woke to a Fairfax-Ipsos poll which showed increased support to 18% for crossbenchers and independents. So the appearance of chaos no longer turns off the electorate. On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor holds a lead over the Coalition 51-49%.
Fairfax’s Mark Kenny reports the poll also showed:Fairfax’s Mark Kenny reports the poll also showed:
A ray of hope for government MPs heading into the summer break is that Mr Turnbull has opened up his lead as the preferred prime minister to 51-30, with 19 per cent undecided. He also leads Mr Shorten on eight of 11 leadership attributes.A ray of hope for government MPs heading into the summer break is that Mr Turnbull has opened up his lead as the preferred prime minister to 51-30, with 19 per cent undecided. He also leads Mr Shorten on eight of 11 leadership attributes.
But in many of those, the trend is negative for Mr Turnbull, with a 9 per cent drop in his rating as a “strong leader”, a 7-point drop in his “ability to make things happen”, and a 6-point drop in the two areas of being “competent” and “open to ideas”.But in many of those, the trend is negative for Mr Turnbull, with a 9 per cent drop in his rating as a “strong leader”, a 7-point drop in his “ability to make things happen”, and a 6-point drop in the two areas of being “competent” and “open to ideas”.
Nick Xenophon has been speaking to Michael Brissenden on ABC AM.Nick Xenophon has been speaking to Michael Brissenden on ABC AM.
He told Brisso there remains some “stumbling blocks” to his support for the ABCC bill.He told Brisso there remains some “stumbling blocks” to his support for the ABCC bill.
Xenophon wants security of payments for subcontractors and procurement rules to make sure Australian standard building materials are used on construction sites.Xenophon wants security of payments for subcontractors and procurement rules to make sure Australian standard building materials are used on construction sites.
And he goes to the water issue, saying it is in the national interest not to trash the national agreement made in 2013.And he goes to the water issue, saying it is in the national interest not to trash the national agreement made in 2013.
The prime minister has made a number of assurances on water.The prime minister has made a number of assurances on water.
But he wants any agreements made in writing.But he wants any agreements made in writing.
I have a power of crossbench party pics from Mike Bowers and I will get to Tony Abbott and his helpful interventions shortly. Not to mention George Brandis and the WA deal. Speak to me in the thread, or on the Twits @gabriellechan or on Facebook.I have a power of crossbench party pics from Mike Bowers and I will get to Tony Abbott and his helpful interventions shortly. Not to mention George Brandis and the WA deal. Speak to me in the thread, or on the Twits @gabriellechan or on Facebook.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.28pm GMT at 9.47pm GMT