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Nick Xenophon wins building watchdog changes to favour Australian-made - politics live Nick Xenophon wins building watchdog changes to favour Australian-made – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.10pm GMT
22:10
We are just picking our way through the amendments to the ABCC to work out what they actually mean in practice, as opposed to what their proponents say they mean.
This one did pass from Labor’s Doug Cameron and goes to foreign workers, in line with Labor’s proposed crackdown on 457 visa holders.
Without limiting subsection (1), the Building Code must include provisions ensuring that no person is employed to undertake building work unless:
(a) the position is first advertised in Australia; and
(b) the advertising was targeted in such a way that a significant proportion of suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizen s and Australian permanent residents (within the meaning of the Migration Act 1958 ) would be likely to be informed about the position; and
(c) any skills or experience requirements set out in the advertising were appropriate to the position; and
(d) the employer demonstrates that no Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident is suitable for the job.
10.05pm GMT
22:05
Parliament sits at 9.30am – that is both houses.
The Senate program is yet to appear but these are the bills before the lower house.
This gives you an idea of how far away the end of the week is....
Updated
at 10.13pm GMT
9.55pm GMT
21:55
Take a bow, Bowers.
Updated
at 10.04pm GMT
9.54pm GMT
21:54
Derryn Hinch has been talking at the Senate doors.
He said changes to the ABCC bill, including sham contractors, more protection for subcontractors, and retrospectivity, were very important.
Hinch says because the original ABCC bill was drafted in 2013, it meant that workplace agreements signed by unions and contractors would have been thrown out. Hinch and Malcolm Turnbull met yesterday and the prime minister agreed to push the start date out for two years so that existing agreements would expire – rather than renegotiating the lot.
The feature of this round of negotiations in the Turnbull regime is the PM has a bigger role in the deal making than Tony Abbott ever did. And a willingness to compromise. Same with Xenophon and the water deal. Many more soothing words.
Hinch says he is meeting Turnbull again today.
Pragmatism rules OK.
Updated
at 10.05pm GMT
9.37pm GMT9.37pm GMT
21:3721:37
The other big news around this morning is the ACER report, which shows Australian kids slipping down the rankings. Paul Karp reports:The other big news around this morning is the ACER report, which shows Australian kids slipping down the rankings. Paul Karp reports:
Australian students’ performance in maths and science has flatlined for the past 20 years and slipped relative to comparable countries, a new report has found.Australian students’ performance in maths and science has flatlined for the past 20 years and slipped relative to comparable countries, a new report has found.
The 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, released by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) late on Tuesday, showed Australia has slipped five spots in both year 8 maths and science.The 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, released by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) late on Tuesday, showed Australia has slipped five spots in both year 8 maths and science.
Australia lags behind 12 and 14 countries in those categories respectively. Australian students in remote areas showed the lowest performance.Australia lags behind 12 and 14 countries in those categories respectively. Australian students in remote areas showed the lowest performance.
The results will feed into a growing debate between the Turnbull government and Labor about the need to deliver the fifth and sixth years of Gonski needs-based education funding, or whether greater targeting of education funding alone is sufficient to boost results.The results will feed into a growing debate between the Turnbull government and Labor about the need to deliver the fifth and sixth years of Gonski needs-based education funding, or whether greater targeting of education funding alone is sufficient to boost results.
Now, education minister Simon Birmingham has used the report to show more money is not the answer (though the Gonski report never said it was just more money). Birmingham said it was all about evidence based initiatives.Now, education minister Simon Birmingham has used the report to show more money is not the answer (though the Gonski report never said it was just more money). Birmingham said it was all about evidence based initiatives.
These new statistics, our Naplan results and other international rankings all show that, despite significant funding growth in Australia, we are not getting sufficient improvements in student outcomes.These new statistics, our Naplan results and other international rankings all show that, despite significant funding growth in Australia, we are not getting sufficient improvements in student outcomes.
Labor’s Tanya Plibersek said the results were for the 2014 school year, when very little of the Gonski money had flowed.Labor’s Tanya Plibersek said the results were for the 2014 school year, when very little of the Gonski money had flowed.
Only around 7% of the six years of Gonski needs-based funding had flowed in 2014. So drawing any link between the TIMSS result and Gonski needs-based funding is completely wrong.Only around 7% of the six years of Gonski needs-based funding had flowed in 2014. So drawing any link between the TIMSS result and Gonski needs-based funding is completely wrong.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.37pm GMTat 9.37pm GMT
9.20pm GMT9.20pm GMT
21:2021:20
9.00pm GMT9.00pm GMT
21:0021:00
Good morning tragics, punks and Christmas fairies,Good morning tragics, punks and Christmas fairies,
The Australian Building and Construction Commission bill has emerged from the operating theatre – otherwise known as the Senate – with some fairly radical surgery.The Australian Building and Construction Commission bill has emerged from the operating theatre – otherwise known as the Senate – with some fairly radical surgery.
There has not yet been a vote but the government has agreed to changes so we expect a vote today.There has not yet been a vote but the government has agreed to changes so we expect a vote today.
Nick Xenophon was at the centre of the changes, showing his characteristic flair for the theatrics. Having resolved the water issue (in his mind but not in others) he went on to slash the ABCC, removing vital organs and adding new ones.Nick Xenophon was at the centre of the changes, showing his characteristic flair for the theatrics. Having resolved the water issue (in his mind but not in others) he went on to slash the ABCC, removing vital organs and adding new ones.
I almost feel like the minister without the pay rise.I almost feel like the minister without the pay rise.
But senator Derryn Hinch is also emerging as a key player on the crossbench – a straight talker without the Xen Master’s one liners. With Xenophon, Hinch has pushed hard for security of payments for subcontractors and also to remove the retrospectivity on the building code which would have meant all enterprise bargaining agreements would need to be renegotiated – something that was already causing the first industrial action on building sites at the very thought of it.But senator Derryn Hinch is also emerging as a key player on the crossbench – a straight talker without the Xen Master’s one liners. With Xenophon, Hinch has pushed hard for security of payments for subcontractors and also to remove the retrospectivity on the building code which would have meant all enterprise bargaining agreements would need to be renegotiated – something that was already causing the first industrial action on building sites at the very thought of it.
Hinch was visibly proud of his changes this morning and proud too that he did not “horse trade” – that is, ask for changes on other bills in return for his vote on the ABCC. He said he negotiated the ABCC on its merits alone.Hinch was visibly proud of his changes this morning and proud too that he did not “horse trade” – that is, ask for changes on other bills in return for his vote on the ABCC. He said he negotiated the ABCC on its merits alone.
Unlike other crossbenchers, I can look you in the eye and say I made no deal, there was no horse trading.Unlike other crossbenchers, I can look you in the eye and say I made no deal, there was no horse trading.
With Hinch and Xenophon, the government already had four One Nation votes so – assuming Rod Culleton holds – the government would have the numbers.With Hinch and Xenophon, the government already had four One Nation votes so – assuming Rod Culleton holds – the government would have the numbers.
(All things liable to change at short notice.)(All things liable to change at short notice.)
Paul Karp reports on the details:Paul Karp reports on the details:
The changes to the commonwealth procurement rules (for all procurement, not just in construction) will apply from 1 March 2017. Xenophon described them as “the most significant change to the way the Australian government purchases goods and services that this country has ever seen” (he said a similar thing about whistleblower laws last week).The changes to the commonwealth procurement rules (for all procurement, not just in construction) will apply from 1 March 2017. Xenophon described them as “the most significant change to the way the Australian government purchases goods and services that this country has ever seen” (he said a similar thing about whistleblower laws last week).
The changes:The changes:
Xenophon said:Xenophon said:
Until now, the commonwealth government has been spending $59bn on goods and services without having to consider compliance with Australian standards, employment and environmental regulations, and the broader impact on the economy.Until now, the commonwealth government has been spending $59bn on goods and services without having to consider compliance with Australian standards, employment and environmental regulations, and the broader impact on the economy.
Labor’s Kim Carr has praised the changes to procurement rules but questioned why workers should have to pay the price for them, in reference to the concern the ABCC bill decreases workers’ rights including the ability for unions to organise.Labor’s Kim Carr has praised the changes to procurement rules but questioned why workers should have to pay the price for them, in reference to the concern the ABCC bill decreases workers’ rights including the ability for unions to organise.
Labor’s Penny Wong said the ABCC bill was “unrecognisable” from the original Abbott ABCC bill. She said it showed how desperate Malcolm Turnbull was to hang on to his leadership.Labor’s Penny Wong said the ABCC bill was “unrecognisable” from the original Abbott ABCC bill. She said it showed how desperate Malcolm Turnbull was to hang on to his leadership.
The reality is there are some good amendments in this bill. We have to wait to see the final details but it would appear to be a much fairer bill than the one that went into the Senate.The reality is there are some good amendments in this bill. We have to wait to see the final details but it would appear to be a much fairer bill than the one that went into the Senate.
Stay with us through the day. I am @gabriellechan and Mike Bowers has filed some fabulous shots from the Senate. The Senate photography rules really have made a difference to what readers can see in the red pit of democracy. Here’s cheers to the Senate for allowing the change. Talk to me in the thread – all tips, heads ups, advice welcome. Or you can have a longer conversation on my Facebook page.Stay with us through the day. I am @gabriellechan and Mike Bowers has filed some fabulous shots from the Senate. The Senate photography rules really have made a difference to what readers can see in the red pit of democracy. Here’s cheers to the Senate for allowing the change. Talk to me in the thread – all tips, heads ups, advice welcome. Or you can have a longer conversation on my Facebook page.
Come blogans, we ride.Come blogans, we ride.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.34pm GMTat 9.34pm GMT