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Asylum protests hit parliament for second day – politics live Asylum protests hit parliament for second day – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.00am GMT
00:00
Scott Morrison advises that growers should withhold 32.5% in tax from backpackers.
The ABC rural reporter Anna Vidot asks: As the 32.5% rate hasn’t come in yet, we’ve been contacted at ABC Rural who says that their bosses are already withholding the 32.5 because there is a lot of confusion out there.
Morrison:
My advice to them is they should, they should withhold at that rate because [backpackers] are nonresidents for tax purposes and the compliance programs that will be implemented will be following things up.
In other words, the tax office will chase 32.5% the tax down.
Q: You say the tax rate hasn’t come in yet, so...
Legislating that specifically has not occurred and so the law will default to the common law position, and the common law position is 32.5. That’s what it is right now.
11.50pm GMT
23:50
Scott Morrison is asked how he thinks farmers feel. In the answer, unlike Barnaby Joyce, he gives a nuanced reply that concedes it was a change in the 2015 budget that started this.
Like me, [farmers] will be very disappointed. I will be very disappointed and they will be very disappointed.
Let’s just understand what the 32.5% rate is. The 32.5% rate has not been introduced by the government. The 32.5% rate is the non-resident tax rate which was set by Wayne Swan.
Now, in the ‘15/16 Budget, we brought forward a measure that would have sought to legislate that 417 and 462 visa holders [taxed] at 32.5, the non-resident rate.
In the absence of that legislation...this is what this legislation is all about -then the common law position of backpackers being treated as non-residents refers back to that rate at 32.5 cents.
Updated
at 12.01am GMT
11.41pm GMT
23:41
Scott Morrison on backpackers tax:
But this is not a game. This is not a game of ping-pong on legislation and tax rates. That’s not how sensible tax rates should be set in this country. We have been willing to engage in the spirit of reasonable compromise. Our position is 15%.
Why not compromise?
Because I think that would frankly make a farce of the whole process – 15% is based on the seasonal worker rate, it is a sensible rate. It has a basis that relates elsewhere in the tax system and that is the least administratively complex way to deal with it, with the agricultural sector, and if people are prepared to vote for it at 19, they could be prepared to vote for it at 15 in order to achieve an outcome. The 13% rate is arbitrary.
Updated
at 12.00am GMT
11.39pm GMT
23:39
Cmon @fitzhunter @JacquiLambie @HumanHeadline Restore some credibility in the job get on w 15% #backpackertax @NTCattlemen @NationalFarmers
11.38pm GMT
23:38
Scott Morrison: No compromise on the backpacker tax
Scott Morrison is speaking now on backpackers tax.
He has met with the crossbenchers last night and this morning.
He has seven but not eight crossbenchers needed to pass the 15% rate.
Updated
at 11.38pm GMT
11.34pm GMT
23:34
In the Senate, all eyes will be on the backpackers tax.
At the moment, the bill is listed for 12.45pm but all things liable to change without notice.
Updated
at 11.59pm GMT
11.31pm GMT
23:31
Scott Morrison has a press conference coming up.
There may be a resolution on the backpackers tax coming up.
11.29pm GMT11.29pm GMT
23:2923:29
Bill Shorten also mentions people he has met, troops serving overseas and firefighters. He mentions Indigenous kids and remembers mourning for the LGBTI people murdered in Orlando.Bill Shorten also mentions people he has met, troops serving overseas and firefighters. He mentions Indigenous kids and remembers mourning for the LGBTI people murdered in Orlando.
He also thanks all the parliamentary staff and his family.He also thanks all the parliamentary staff and his family.
Nobody in this chamber needs to be told how hard this job is on our families. Those Saturday night goodbyes, trying to help with the homework from the other side of the country, the netball games, the plays, the concerts you miss, the re-emerging you do when you return from these long parliamentary sittings, and the re-acquaintance with your family. None of our parents or children asked for a parent in public life, but they live with it, they live with us, and we couldn’t do it without them.Nobody in this chamber needs to be told how hard this job is on our families. Those Saturday night goodbyes, trying to help with the homework from the other side of the country, the netball games, the plays, the concerts you miss, the re-emerging you do when you return from these long parliamentary sittings, and the re-acquaintance with your family. None of our parents or children asked for a parent in public life, but they live with it, they live with us, and we couldn’t do it without them.
11.26pm GMT11.26pm GMT
23:2623:26
Bill Shorten starts by revealing he and Malcolm Turnbull actually get on quite well behind the scenes. He thanks the Speaker and the prime minister.Bill Shorten starts by revealing he and Malcolm Turnbull actually get on quite well behind the scenes. He thanks the Speaker and the prime minister.
In fact, I recall one meeting where the prime minister actually asked me if there was some way we could be nicer about each other in public. I said we could swap jobs.In fact, I recall one meeting where the prime minister actually asked me if there was some way we could be nicer about each other in public. I said we could swap jobs.
I thought I was pretty agile, really. I did discover there is a little limit to Malcolm’s commitment to innovation. The PM and I actually have more in common than people realise. We’re both married to brilliant women, we’ve both battled the Member for Warringah. We have both grown up wanting to help run the AWU and join the Labor Party.I thought I was pretty agile, really. I did discover there is a little limit to Malcolm’s commitment to innovation. The PM and I actually have more in common than people realise. We’re both married to brilliant women, we’ve both battled the Member for Warringah. We have both grown up wanting to help run the AWU and join the Labor Party.
11.23pm GMT11.23pm GMT
23:2323:23
The prime minister also thanks troops serving overseas, the parliamentary staff who “enable democracy”, his team in Coalition, including Barnaby Joyce, the Nationals and his family.The prime minister also thanks troops serving overseas, the parliamentary staff who “enable democracy”, his team in Coalition, including Barnaby Joyce, the Nationals and his family.
He also thanks the families of all MPs.He also thanks the families of all MPs.
We are the volunteers, but our families are the conscripts and we could not do this job without the support and love of our families. SoI urge all honourable members that each time over the summer break that someone asks you to set the table or do the dishes, play another round of backyard cricket, mind kids while the other half heads out for the night, or spend the day with the grandkids, to ensure your ongoing ability to serve in this place, I urge you to comply each time and do so with a very big smile. We are the volunteers, but our families are the conscripts and we could not do this job without the support and love of our families. So I urge all honourable members that each time over the summer break that someone asks you to set the table or do the dishes, play another round of backyard cricket, mind kids while the other half heads out for the night, or spend the day with the grandkids, to ensure your ongoing ability to serve in this place, I urge you to comply each time and do so with a very big smile.
Updated
at 11.34pm GMT
11.18pm GMT11.18pm GMT
23:1823:18
Turnbull mentions Indigenous people he has met and the progress towards constitutional recognition of our First Australians.Turnbull mentions Indigenous people he has met and the progress towards constitutional recognition of our First Australians.
There are now five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Parliament and I want to thank them all, as I know the Leader of the Opposition does, for their wisdom and support. There are now five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the parliament and I want to thank them all, as I know the leader of the opposition does, for their wisdom and support.
And he goes to the usual “let’s all be kinder” message in these speeches.And he goes to the usual “let’s all be kinder” message in these speeches.
Perhaps a more realistic goal is to vow to speak more plainly and with more candour to the Australian people They are weary of the political games, the sense that politicians say one thing and could easily mean another, and that our promises are throw-away lines with a shelf life of a carton of milk. The Oxford dictionary has declared “post-truth” as the international word of the year. Mr Speaker, let’s do all we can to ensure that post-truth politics has no place in Australia. If we promise to be bound by our words, we will be much more careful in choosing them. Perhaps a more realistic goal is to vow to speak more plainly and with more candour to the Australian people. They are weary of the political games, the sense that politicians say one thing and could easily mean another, and that our promises are throw-away lines with a shelf life of a carton of milk. The Oxford dictionary has declared “post-truth” as the international word of the year. Mr Speaker, let’s do all we can to ensure that post-truth politics has no place in Australia. If we promise to be bound by our words, we will be much more careful in choosing them.
Updated
at 11.42pm GMT
11.14pm GMT11.14pm GMT
23:1423:14
Turnbull talks about Lulu, a young cancer survivor he met while announcing another $20m for the Zero Childhood Cancer Initiative.Turnbull talks about Lulu, a young cancer survivor he met while announcing another $20m for the Zero Childhood Cancer Initiative.
I’ve been brought to tears a few times in this job and I admit there was some more that day. I’m wearing Lulu’s bracelet and it reminds me, if I ever need reminding, that what we do here is about the future of our nation, about the future of people like Lulu, our children and grandchildren.I’ve been brought to tears a few times in this job and I admit there was some more that day. I’m wearing Lulu’s bracelet and it reminds me, if I ever need reminding, that what we do here is about the future of our nation, about the future of people like Lulu, our children and grandchildren.
11.12pm GMT11.12pm GMT
23:1223:12
The prime minister says it has been a privilege to meet so many people around the country. And with their stories, he says he hopes it makes him a better leader.The prime minister says it has been a privilege to meet so many people around the country. And with their stories, he says he hopes it makes him a better leader.
He documents the story of a domestic violence victim whose children were murdered by their father, a woman who was suffering breast cancer, families of MH17 victims.He documents the story of a domestic violence victim whose children were murdered by their father, a woman who was suffering breast cancer, families of MH17 victims.
One day we’re here in theHouse debating legislation, the nextI’m at the Birdsville Hotel on the edge of the Simpson Desert, chatting to locals alongside a wall of well worn Akubras, great company, cold beer, and a curried camel pie. And the next, representing our nation overseas gave me the chance to meet Australians having a go around the world, like Nick and Andy Stone whose new cafe is booming, bringing decent coffee to all New Yorkers. One day we’re here in the House debating legislation, the next I’m at the Birdsville Hotel on the edge of the Simpson Desert, chatting to locals alongside a wall of well worn Akubras, great company, cold beer, and a curried camel pie. And the next, representing our nation overseas gave me the chance to meet Australians having a go around the world, like Nick and Andy Stone whose new cafe is booming, bringing decent coffee to all New Yorkers.
11.08pm GMT
23:08
Malcolm Turnbull says he has learned the lessons from the elections elsewhere, including Brexit and the US election.
This year saw elections in other countries, too, with Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and the election of Donald Trump in the United States, both leaving pollsters and pundits red-faced. The forces at play in those countries and their political systems are, of course, very different to ours, but we must always be aware of what the public expects from its government, from its parliament, from its leaders. Many people are anxious about change or feel that their leaders are not listening, and we should not dismiss their concerns.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.29pm GMT at 11.31pm GMT
11.06pm GMT
23:06
Malcolm Turnbull begins his Christmas speech.
He notes the election campaign.
Over eight weeks political parties and candidates of every size and persuasion presented their vision for Australia to the people. Mr Harbourside Mansion was surely the epithet of the campaign. Of course, Bill desperately wanted the title for himself, but like all good Socialists he wanted a harbourside mansion paid for by the taxpayer.
He talks about the state of the world, talking about Syria and Iraq.
The campaign was hard-fought, but while our political battles can bebruising, we resolve our differences by casting and counting votes, not with guns and violence, and I know we all take great pride in the way the Australian people peacefully choose their government many I want to thank, Mr Speaker, the electors of Wentworth for reelecting me this year.
Turnbull says the parliament is working:
In their wisdom, the Australian people elected a parliament that requires us to work together to talk, to compromise. The decision is proving to be a very workable one. The 45th parliament is making and passing good legislation for the benefit of all. Since the election, we’ve passed 38 bills, including those that took us to the double dissolution election.
Updated
at 11.29pm GMT
11.00pm GMT
23:00
Labor’s backpacker motion is voted down.
10.59pm GMT
22:59
The Labor motion on backpackers currently being voted on:
That the House:
1. Notes that:
a) In the Budget, the government blindsided rural and regional Australia with an internationally uncompetitive 32.5% backpacker tax;
b) The government dropped the rate of the backpacker tax to a still uncompetitive rate of 19%;
c) The government again shifted the rate of the backpacker tax to 15% because of a desperate deal in the Senate;
d) The government’s desperate deal was rejected by the Senate which instead proposed a compromise of 10.5%;
e) The government has refused to accept the Senate’s sensible compromise, threatening to allow the backpacker tax to revert to its original internationally uncompetitive rate of 32.5% which will harm the tourism, hospitality and agricultural industries;
f) Only this morning, the minister for finance said:“The deal that is on the table for the Senate is a 15% rate; if it’s not 15% then it will be 32.5%”;
g) Therefore, calls on the government to end the chaos and deal with the backpacker tax immediately by accepting the sensible compromise offered by the Senate; and
2. Therefore, suspends so much of the standing and sessional orders as would prevent Order of the day No. 3 relating to the Income Tax Rates Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Reform) Bill 2016 being called on immediately.
Updated
at 11.28pm GMT
10.58pm GMT
22:58
Paul Karp
Greens democracy spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon has appeared at the WACA protest, praising the activists and bringing them a gift of chocolates.
Asked whether the action, including hanging from the edifice of parliament, is appropriate she said: “It’s a non-violent protest” and “they should be here”.
The problem lies with the human rights abuses, the mental health problems, the anguish. We’re breaking our international obligations … that’s where the laws are being broken.
These people are courageous, they are showing what the parliament should do.
Rhiannon said she only found out about the protest an hour ago, in effect denying any coordination between the Greens and protesters.
Police have now taken a walk around the corner with some of the WACA organisers in fluoro vests, so we may have an update on how the protest will play out in a minute.
Updated
at 11.26pm GMT
10.55pm GMT
22:55
A little bit more from LNP senator James McGrath:
10.53pm GMT
22:53
Anthony Albanese has a crack at the “chaotic government” and is shut down.
Now the house is voting that the motion be put. Then they will vote on the substantive motion.
10.51pm GMT
22:51
The vote is proceeding in the lower house. Chris Bowen is successfully gagged 75-72.
Agriculture shadow Joel Fitzgibbon gets up to second the backpacker motion and yells into the mike before Pyne gags him:
This is Barnaby Joyce’s greyhound ban.
Barnaby Joyce and Fitzgibbon yell across the chamber at each other and the speaker tells them to shut it. (More politely)
10.47pm GMT
22:47
Protesters today & yesterday, undermining my campaign to keep the Parliament House grass open for the children to roll down #getofftheroof
10.43pm GMT
22:43
As it turns out, both leaders were in the house for Christmas valedictories and goodwill to all men and women.