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Coalition threatens to raise taxes if savings are not passed – politics live Coalition threatens to raise taxes if savings are not passed – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.37pm GMT
22:37
Wickremesinghe says it is quite safe for Sri Lankan asylum seekers to return.
It is quite safe in Sri Lanka. We just started a missing persons office. It is quite safe for them to come back. Some of them have left from places where conflict didn’t even take place. All of them are not even Tamils and even we want all the Tamils to come back. We should not make a mess of ourselves like they’ve gone and done in Europe and the Middle East.
Updated
at 10.39pm GMT
10.33pm GMT
22:33
Sri Lankan prime minister: asylum seekers can come back but they broke the law
Q: What about people who have already gone and have been turned away and have been sent to these island camps and there have been certain human rights allegations as well?
Wickremesinghe:
Well, they left Sri Lanka illegally. They are welcome to return to Sri Lanka and we won’t prosecute them, so they can come back to Sri Lanka, and we will have them, but remember, they broke the law in coming to Australia, attempting to come to Australia.
10.31pm GMT
22:31
First off the bat, Wickremesinghe is asked whether there have been talks on asylum seekers, given many refugees have come from Sri Lanka.
We are looking at investment to further develop Sri Lanka. There are no need for people to be coming in here.
10.27pm GMT
22:27
The prime minister is speaking now with the prime minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Turnbull mentions the links in education, sport and other areas.
Wickremesinghe says Australia and Sri Lanka have signed two agreements.
We signed two important agreements today, one on economic development, but that was not complete without the one on sports. So, Sri Lanka and Australia have shared a common past. There are many values we inherited from the British empire to which we added our own values, and Australia today is one of the leading members of the Asia-Pacific region.
Updated
at 10.38pm GMT
10.18pm GMT
22:18
Liberals have spent the last couple of days sticking it to WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls, who runs a very different game than his federal National counterparts.
The guy that put the Liberal-One Nation preference deal together, West Australian and federal finance minister Mathias Cormann, was not backing down from the deal last night on Lateline.
The Nationals in WA have preferenced other parties ahead of Liberal party candidates in the upper house in WA even since Brendon Grylls has been the leader of the National party at the 2008 election.
So since 2008, the Nationals have preferenced One Nation, Family First, the Christian Democrats and the Shooters and Fishers and now the Greens ahead of Liberal party candidates.
That is just consistent with the approach for some time and that is because in Western Australia the National party is not in coalition with the Liberal party, not because we wouldn’t want to be, but because that is the choice that the National party has made.
(He started it.)
Updated
at 10.22pm GMT
10.14pm GMT
22:14
The following people are speaking at 10.30am to call on the government to end its automated debt program.
Linda Burney MP, ALP
Senator Richard Di Natale, Greens
Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens
Rebekah Sharkie MP, Nick Xenophon Team
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent
Dr Andrej Panjkov, victim of false Centrelink debt
Cassandra Goldie, Acoss
Ged Kearney, ACTU
Nadine Flood, CPSU
Paul Oosting, GetUp
Updated
at 10.16pm GMT
10.00pm GMT10.00pm GMT
22:0022:00
To be clear on the Cory Bernardi position, the senator made his position clear on 7.30 Report last night – sending the signal he will not be an automatic ticker of government legislation.To be clear on the Cory Bernardi position, the senator made his position clear on 7.30 Report last night – sending the signal he will not be an automatic ticker of government legislation.
He told Andrew Probyn:He told Andrew Probyn:
I was prepared to consider it on its merits, that there was going to be a net saving to the budget and that the $4bn or $5bn was going to be available to repay debt.I was prepared to consider it on its merits, that there was going to be a net saving to the budget and that the $4bn or $5bn was going to be available to repay debt.
But yesterday, when I realised they would be robbing Peter to pay Paul, and put it into another big-spending government program, I’m reconsidering whether I can support this bill.But yesterday, when I realised they would be robbing Peter to pay Paul, and put it into another big-spending government program, I’m reconsidering whether I can support this bill.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.03pm GMTat 10.03pm GMT
9.57pm GMT9.57pm GMT
21:5721:57
In parliament today, we have these bills:In parliament today, we have these bills:
Introduced:Introduced:
Biosecurity Amendment (Ballast Water and Other Measures)Biosecurity Amendment (Ballast Water and Other Measures)
Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) - This is the bill seeks to amend law so that all Indigenous owners do not need to sign land use agreements. It resulted from a recent federal court decision and is worth watching.Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) - This is the bill seeks to amend law so that all Indigenous owners do not need to sign land use agreements. It resulted from a recent federal court decision and is worth watching.
Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2017Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2017
Resumption of debate:Resumption of debate:
Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment - this is the “Sussan Ley amendment”, committed to by the prime minister after the Christmas scandal that led to her resignation.Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment - this is the “Sussan Ley amendment”, committed to by the prime minister after the Christmas scandal that led to her resignation.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Bourke Street Fund) - related to the Melbourne tragedy.Treasury Laws Amendment (Bourke Street Fund) - related to the Melbourne tragedy.
Independent Parliamentary Expenses AuthorityIndependent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Consequential Amendments)Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Consequential Amendments)
National Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Fund Special AccountNational Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Fund Special Account
9.46pm GMT9.46pm GMT
21:4621:46
The new independent Cory Bernardi is speaking to Kieran Gilbert on Sky.The new independent Cory Bernardi is speaking to Kieran Gilbert on Sky.
He is not inclined to support the omnibus bill and he thinks any savings should be going towards paying off debt.He is not inclined to support the omnibus bill and he thinks any savings should be going towards paying off debt.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.56pm GMTat 9.56pm GMT
9.41pm GMT9.41pm GMT
21:4121:41
The joint standing committee on electoral matters is doing a short, sharp hearing this morning between 8am and midday. This is the hearing that investigates the last election and is also looking at the political donations system.The joint standing committee on electoral matters is doing a short, sharp hearing this morning between 8am and midday. This is the hearing that investigates the last election and is also looking at the political donations system.
The Labor party is appearing now. The Liberal party’s federal director, Tony Nutt, will be on after 10am.The Labor party is appearing now. The Liberal party’s federal director, Tony Nutt, will be on after 10am.
If you are tragic, like me, you can watch it over the interwebs here. Look for joint standing committee on electoral matters.If you are tragic, like me, you can watch it over the interwebs here. Look for joint standing committee on electoral matters.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.56pm GMTat 9.56pm GMT
9.27pm GMT9.27pm GMT
21:2721:27
Paul Farrell has been looking at donations from the firearms lobby.Paul Farrell has been looking at donations from the firearms lobby.
Australian political parties accepted more than $300,000 in donations over 12 months from the firearms lobby, gun suppliers and manufacturers, sparking concern among gun control groups.Australian political parties accepted more than $300,000 in donations over 12 months from the firearms lobby, gun suppliers and manufacturers, sparking concern among gun control groups.
An analysis of the latest Australian Electoral Commission donation disclosures by Gun Control Australia has revealed that firearms groups donated $353,000 to various federal political bodies around the country. The donations were made in the 2015-16 financial year, during a period when there was intense political focus on firearms regulation in Australia.An analysis of the latest Australian Electoral Commission donation disclosures by Gun Control Australia has revealed that firearms groups donated $353,000 to various federal political bodies around the country. The donations were made in the 2015-16 financial year, during a period when there was intense political focus on firearms regulation in Australia.
What has triggered the row that is splitting the Coalition? Plus four other questions about Australia’s gun control laws.What has triggered the row that is splitting the Coalition? Plus four other questions about Australia’s gun control laws.
The federal government has been considering a review of the national firearms agreement after the Martin Place siege, which could bring sweeping changes to the regulation of firearms across the country.The federal government has been considering a review of the national firearms agreement after the Martin Place siege, which could bring sweeping changes to the regulation of firearms across the country.
9.24pm GMT9.24pm GMT
21:2421:24
Malcolm Turnbull has done an early interview with local radio in Canberra. He is also meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe, prime minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.Malcolm Turnbull has done an early interview with local radio in Canberra. He is also meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe, prime minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.54pm GMTat 9.54pm GMT
9.09pm GMT9.09pm GMT
21:0921:09
The government says the $4bn in omnibus savings are necessary not only to pay for the childcare package but the National Disability Insurance Scheme because Labor had not funded it properly.The government says the $4bn in omnibus savings are necessary not only to pay for the childcare package but the National Disability Insurance Scheme because Labor had not funded it properly.
In 2013, Labor raised the Medicare levy by half a percentage point to part pay for the NDIS. This is its document at the time:In 2013, Labor raised the Medicare levy by half a percentage point to part pay for the NDIS. This is its document at the time:
People with disability, their families and carers deserve certainty that DisabilityCare Australia will be funded over the longer term. For this reason, from 1 July 2014 the Medicare levy will increase by half a percentage point from 1.5 to 2% of taxable income. Between 2014-15 and 2018-19 approximately $20.4bn will be raised as a result of this increase.People with disability, their families and carers deserve certainty that DisabilityCare Australia will be funded over the longer term. For this reason, from 1 July 2014 the Medicare levy will increase by half a percentage point from 1.5 to 2% of taxable income. Between 2014-15 and 2018-19 approximately $20.4bn will be raised as a result of this increase.
Bill Shorten said this morning:Bill Shorten said this morning:
I was there when Jenny Macklin outlined we would increase the Medicare levy and we would make other savings.I was there when Jenny Macklin outlined we would increase the Medicare levy and we would make other savings.
In 2013, Labor estimated that between 2014-15 and 2018-19 approximately $20.4bn would be raised as a result of this increase.In 2013, Labor estimated that between 2014-15 and 2018-19 approximately $20.4bn would be raised as a result of this increase.
The other savings measures from the 2013 report were:The other savings measures from the 2013 report were:
To ensure that DisabilityCare Australia will be fully funded, the government has needed to make tough decisions. This important reform will be delivered through part of the savings from reforms to the government’s assistance for private health insurance, reforms to retirement incomes and the phase-out of the net medical expenses tax offset as DisabilityCare rolls out and other long-term savings decisions in the 2013-14 budget. Together with the increase to the Medicare levy and contributions from state and territory governments, these measures will make room in the budget for DisabilityCare Australia into the future.To ensure that DisabilityCare Australia will be fully funded, the government has needed to make tough decisions. This important reform will be delivered through part of the savings from reforms to the government’s assistance for private health insurance, reforms to retirement incomes and the phase-out of the net medical expenses tax offset as DisabilityCare rolls out and other long-term savings decisions in the 2013-14 budget. Together with the increase to the Medicare levy and contributions from state and territory governments, these measures will make room in the budget for DisabilityCare Australia into the future.
I will try to bring you more detail on those savings measures and what became of them through the day.I will try to bring you more detail on those savings measures and what became of them through the day.
Shorten said on radio this morning that there was an assumption that people with severe and profound disabilities live on the moon. They are paid for through a mishmash of services, he says.Shorten said on radio this morning that there was an assumption that people with severe and profound disabilities live on the moon. They are paid for through a mishmash of services, he says.
We are already paying for it.We are already paying for it.
He says the simple answer to the budget problem is to dump the $50bn in corporate tax cuts that go to banks and multinationals.He says the simple answer to the budget problem is to dump the $50bn in corporate tax cuts that go to banks and multinationals.
Why are they saying [corporate tax cut] is sacred, that is off limits, that must happen, but you – the rest of Australia – can pay more or lose more?Why are they saying [corporate tax cut] is sacred, that is off limits, that must happen, but you – the rest of Australia – can pay more or lose more?
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.53pm GMTat 9.53pm GMT
8.39pm GMT8.39pm GMT
20:3920:39
Good morning taxpayers one and all,Good morning taxpayers one and all,
Let’s update the story so far. Nick Xenophon hammered the final nail in the coffin of the omnibus bill that was going to cut from welfare, pensions and family tax benefits in return for increased subsidies for childcare. Together, NXT, Labor and the Greens, have enough votes to block the bill.Let’s update the story so far. Nick Xenophon hammered the final nail in the coffin of the omnibus bill that was going to cut from welfare, pensions and family tax benefits in return for increased subsidies for childcare. Together, NXT, Labor and the Greens, have enough votes to block the bill.
This morning, the Coalition has opened the door to a tax increase. Mathias Cormann told Lateline last night:This morning, the Coalition has opened the door to a tax increase. Mathias Cormann told Lateline last night:
If the parliament were not to pass spending reductions, if the parliament were not to legislate savings and we need to ensure that we bring the budget back to balance and that we pay for the government’s spending, then of course tax increases become the only option.If the parliament were not to pass spending reductions, if the parliament were not to legislate savings and we need to ensure that we bring the budget back to balance and that we pay for the government’s spending, then of course tax increases become the only option.
Bill Shorten says meh. He has been talking to Sabra Lane this morning on AM.Bill Shorten says meh. He has been talking to Sabra Lane this morning on AM.
We don’t think that is necessary, frankly.We don’t think that is necessary, frankly.
A tax increase really is the last arrow in the quiver for the Coalition. They only pull it out when all else fails, given it scares the bejesus out of the voters. So methinks this element will dominate the day.A tax increase really is the last arrow in the quiver for the Coalition. They only pull it out when all else fails, given it scares the bejesus out of the voters. So methinks this element will dominate the day.
Let’s get cracking. Both chambers of the parliament sit at 9.30am. We have the the Senate committee report on the exposure draft of the same-sex marriage bill. This is the bill we would have had if the plebiscite had been held and if a majority of members were prepared to support it.Let’s get cracking. Both chambers of the parliament sit at 9.30am. We have the the Senate committee report on the exposure draft of the same-sex marriage bill. This is the bill we would have had if the plebiscite had been held and if a majority of members were prepared to support it.
And I will have the parliamentary program to you shortly and chapter and verse on the Shorten interview. In the meantime, get among it on the thread, or on the Twits or Facebook. I am @gabriellechan and @mpbowers is haunting the building. Up, up and away.And I will have the parliamentary program to you shortly and chapter and verse on the Shorten interview. In the meantime, get among it on the thread, or on the Twits or Facebook. I am @gabriellechan and @mpbowers is haunting the building. Up, up and away.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.51pm GMTat 9.51pm GMT