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Coalition threatens to raise taxes if savings are not passed – politics live Crossbench push for entitlement rorts to go to police voted down – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.49am GMT
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Entitlements will go to the senate so I best clarify the parts of the sum.
The previous bill contained the guts of the rule changes.
That bill adds the 25% penalty if politicians claim wrongly and it also lowers the age for children’s travel entitlements from below 25 and below 18 and below. Senior officers are ministers, prime minister, opposition leader and speaker and senate president.
The bill changes the name of the entitlement from the Life Gold Pass to the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement, and reduce, remove, and reform benefits under the entitlement. This is the text:
imposes time limits, after which a person’s ability to access travel under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement expires, including that the entitlement of all persons (other than a former Prime Minister) expire at the commencement of this Bill;
imposes additional limits on access to the entitlement, closing it to people who had not met the qualifying periods before 14 May 2014 and mandating that no person who retires after the commencement of this Bill can access benefits under the scheme, unless they are the Prime Minister or a former Prime Minister when they retire;
provides for future Prime Ministers who had not entered or re-entered the Parliament before 6 March 2012 to become a holder of a Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement;
reduces the number of trips available per financial year under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement;
removes the ability of spouses or de facto partners, other than those of a retired former Prime Minster, to access travel under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement; and
requires that travel under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement be for a purpose that is for the public benefit and not for a commercial purpose or a private purpose.
It also removes the travel entitlements for the spouse or de facto partners of the prime ministers or a sitting former prime ministers.
This bill has passed the lower house.
Now the chamber is onto the bill that sets up the independent expenses authority.
12.36am GMT
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The lonely road.
Cross bench calls for tougher penalties for breaches of entitlements-voted down by govt. & opposition @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/pyrJvToF0C
12.27am GMT
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Be it on your heads, minor parties warn the majors on entitlements.
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12.22am GMT12.22am GMT
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The house is now voting on the NXT amendment for tougher penalties for members who break the rules on entitlements. The House is now voting on the NXT amendment for tougher penalties for members who break the rules on entitlements.
Here we will see the Coalition and Labor lining up on one side and four lonely minors/independents on the other.Here we will see the Coalition and Labor lining up on one side and four lonely minors/independents on the other.
Not suprisingly, the major parties win the vote.Not suprisingly, the major parties win the vote.
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Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie also wants to toughen penalties for politicians who rort the entitlements system. The independents are supporting a 200% penalty for first-time/rare offenders and 400% for repeat offenders.Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie also wants to toughen penalties for politicians who rort the entitlements system. The independents are supporting a 200% penalty for first-time/rare offenders and 400% for repeat offenders.
The recipient is liable to pay the commonwealth, by way of penalty for the contravention of section 7A (the current contravention), an amount equal to:The recipient is liable to pay the commonwealth, by way of penalty for the contravention of section 7A (the current contravention), an amount equal to:
(a) if the recipient has not contravened that section, or has contravened that section once, during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the day on which the claim to which the current contravention relates is made — 200% of the amount to which this section applies; and(a) if the recipient has not contravened that section, or has contravened that section once, during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the day on which the claim to which the current contravention relates is made — 200% of the amount to which this section applies; and
(b) if the recipient has contravened that section 2 or more times during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the day on which the claim to which the current contravention relates is made — 400% of the amount to which this section applies.(b) if the recipient has contravened that section 2 or more times during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the day on which the claim to which the current contravention relates is made — 400% of the amount to which this section applies.
The proposed bill – supported by the Coalition and Labor would require that “if an adjustment to certain travel claims is made or required”, a loading of 25% in addition to the full amount of the adjustment will apply.The proposed bill – supported by the Coalition and Labor would require that “if an adjustment to certain travel claims is made or required”, a loading of 25% in addition to the full amount of the adjustment will apply.
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12.14am GMT12.14am GMT
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Independents and Greens push for police referrals for repeated entitlement rortsIndependents and Greens push for police referrals for repeated entitlement rorts
Independent Andrew Wilkie, NXT Rebekha Sharkie, Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent Cathy McGowan have all spoken forcefully in favour of tougher penalties for MPs and senators who misuse parliamentary entitlements.Independent Andrew Wilkie, NXT Rebekha Sharkie, Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent Cathy McGowan have all spoken forcefully in favour of tougher penalties for MPs and senators who misuse parliamentary entitlements.
The motion would provide for:The motion would provide for:
(a) an audit of all members’ and senators’ travel claims during this and the previous Parliament;(a) an audit of all members’ and senators’ travel claims during this and the previous Parliament;
(b) real-time online reporting of entitlement expenses and the requirement for more detail of the substantive reason for the expenditure; and(b) real-time online reporting of entitlement expenses and the requirement for more detail of the substantive reason for the expenditure; and
(c) provisions to refer misuse which forms a pattern of misbehaviour to the Australian federal police.(c) provisions to refer misuse which forms a pattern of misbehaviour to the Australian federal police.
Wilkie makes the point that if the person in the street stole money, they are dealt with by the police. Why should politicians be treated differently?Wilkie makes the point that if the person in the street stole money, they are dealt with by the police. Why should politicians be treated differently?
Michael Sukkar, representing the government, said to suggest that a member of parliament should be subjected criminal provisions was:Michael Sukkar, representing the government, said to suggest that a member of parliament should be subjected criminal provisions was:
nothing more than a stunt.nothing more than a stunt.
He said the government is not going to change the laws “for a headline for the crossbenchers”.He said the government is not going to change the laws “for a headline for the crossbenchers”.
Adam Bandt says none of the crossbenchers were suggesting anyone should go to jail for a slip-up.Adam Bandt says none of the crossbenchers were suggesting anyone should go to jail for a slip-up.
None of us are saying that ... But if you deliberately go out and flout them then surely you have to be held to a higher standard than if you just slip up by filling out the form wrong ... Don’t build up a straw man.None of us are saying that ... But if you deliberately go out and flout them then surely you have to be held to a higher standard than if you just slip up by filling out the form wrong ... Don’t build up a straw man.
Sukkar quips:Sukkar quips:
As I passed [Bandt] in business class as I walked down to economy on the way back to Melbourne, I didn’t realise he was such a bastion of virtue.As I passed [Bandt] in business class as I walked down to economy on the way back to Melbourne, I didn’t realise he was such a bastion of virtue.
Wilkie tells Sukkar it was cheap shot.Wilkie tells Sukkar it was cheap shot.
It’s not about the rules or whether former health minister was inside the rules or outside the rules, its about whether we were acting ethically.It’s not about the rules or whether former health minister was inside the rules or outside the rules, its about whether we were acting ethically.
If the community had confidence that we are good members and work hard, they will probably forgive us if some of us sit at the front of the plane or not. But confidence is at rock bottom now ... it’s about right or wrong.If the community had confidence that we are good members and work hard, they will probably forgive us if some of us sit at the front of the plane or not. But confidence is at rock bottom now ... it’s about right or wrong.
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In the Senate is Derryn Hinch, who backflipped on the start date for the building code in the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) laws which passed late last year. After insisting on a later date, Hinch wanted to bring forward the date.In the Senate is Derryn Hinch, who backflipped on the start date for the building code in the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) laws which passed late last year. After insisting on a later date, Hinch wanted to bring forward the date.
Hinch says:Hinch says:
I changed my mind ... I got some new facts ... I contacted the PM ... I did not horse trade ... I did not hold out for any favour in return ... If you are involved in something that is hurting people, then man up.I changed my mind ... I got some new facts ... I contacted the PM ... I did not horse trade ... I did not hold out for any favour in return ... If you are involved in something that is hurting people, then man up.
Labor are opposing the amendment. Xenophon are expected to support the Hinch change which would see the building code start in nine months instead of two years.Labor are opposing the amendment. Xenophon are expected to support the Hinch change which would see the building code start in nine months instead of two years.
The government are attempting to push it through and move on to the parliamentary entitlements bill, assuming it passes the lower house.The government are attempting to push it through and move on to the parliamentary entitlements bill, assuming it passes the lower house.
Once that entitlements bill comes into the Senate, we are expecting to see some amendments from Cory Bernardi, LNP senator Ian Macdonald and the Greens.Once that entitlements bill comes into the Senate, we are expecting to see some amendments from Cory Bernardi, LNP senator Ian Macdonald and the Greens.
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11.31pm GMT11.31pm GMT
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In the lower house, the parliamentary debate continues on parliamentary entitlements. This dumps the lifetime free travel gold pass for longer-serving MPs, senators and prime ministers. LNP MP Warren Entsch, who opposed the retrospective nature of the bill, spoke against it. He said it is not a matter of snouts in the trough, it is that it is retrospective. He reminds the parliament that he also opposed retrospective changes to superannuation under the government’s reforms.In the lower house, the parliamentary debate continues on parliamentary entitlements. This dumps the lifetime free travel gold pass for longer-serving MPs, senators and prime ministers. LNP MP Warren Entsch, who opposed the retrospective nature of the bill, spoke against it. He said it is not a matter of snouts in the trough, it is that it is retrospective. He reminds the parliament that he also opposed retrospective changes to superannuation under the government’s reforms.
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at 11.57pm GMTat 11.57pm GMT
11.26pm GMT11.26pm GMT
23:2623:26
The social services minister, Christian Porter, has rejected Shorten’s claim that Labor ever fully costed the NDIS. He says, we all know about the Medicare levy but the other savings were nebulous. He says the document Labor uses to prove they fully costed the NDIS when in government was not a budget document but a “glossy” (which are the marketing documents which explain the budget).The social services minister, Christian Porter, has rejected Shorten’s claim that Labor ever fully costed the NDIS. He says, we all know about the Medicare levy but the other savings were nebulous. He says the document Labor uses to prove they fully costed the NDIS when in government was not a budget document but a “glossy” (which are the marketing documents which explain the budget).
The problem has always been that these mysterious “other savings” of about $2.4bn in 2019-20 (the first full year of operation of the NDIS) were never identified in any meaningful way nor identified in any budget paper that linked them in any way to the NDIS.The problem has always been that these mysterious “other savings” of about $2.4bn in 2019-20 (the first full year of operation of the NDIS) were never identified in any meaningful way nor identified in any budget paper that linked them in any way to the NDIS.
When that issue was raised in Senate estimates in June 2013, Treasury’s response, when asked whether these “other savings” measures could be listed in detail; was, “the short answer is no”.When that issue was raised in Senate estimates in June 2013, Treasury’s response, when asked whether these “other savings” measures could be listed in detail; was, “the short answer is no”.
Labor at the time also variously claimed that savings made from superannuation and private health insurance changes (which was supposed to part-pay for the NDIS) would be used for budget repair or to fund dental health measures.Labor at the time also variously claimed that savings made from superannuation and private health insurance changes (which was supposed to part-pay for the NDIS) would be used for budget repair or to fund dental health measures.
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11.09pm GMT11.09pm GMT
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Chris Bowen came out a moment ago, referencing Michelle Grattan’s story in the Conversation. Grattan reported that the prime minister’s office were unhappy with the treasurer linking the omnibus bill to the NDIS.Chris Bowen came out a moment ago, referencing Michelle Grattan’s story in the Conversation. Grattan reported that the prime minister’s office were unhappy with the treasurer linking the omnibus bill to the NDIS.
Grattan reports:Grattan reports:
[The linking] was soon portrayed as a reprehensible use of the disabled as a bargaining chip. As the NXT said in its Tuesday statement, it was considered to be “‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ and viewed in the same way as holding childcare reforms hostage to family tax benefit cuts”.[The linking] was soon portrayed as a reprehensible use of the disabled as a bargaining chip. As the NXT said in its Tuesday statement, it was considered to be “‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ and viewed in the same way as holding childcare reforms hostage to family tax benefit cuts”.
“As a negotiating tactic, this is as subtle as a sledgehammer,” Nick Xenophon said.“As a negotiating tactic, this is as subtle as a sledgehammer,” Nick Xenophon said.
[Christian] Porter wore much of the public odium. But the hypothecation idea had come from Morrison.[Christian] Porter wore much of the public odium. But the hypothecation idea had come from Morrison.
Interestingly, there had been some resistance from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to the timing of announcing it.Interestingly, there had been some resistance from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to the timing of announcing it.
The PMO urged caution. It was felt that the government’s selling of the childcare package was going well – so why introduce this new element now? But Morrison, for whatever reason, was insistent.The PMO urged caution. It was felt that the government’s selling of the childcare package was going well – so why introduce this new element now? But Morrison, for whatever reason, was insistent.
Chris Bowen calls the omnibus bill a slow-motion train wreck.Chris Bowen calls the omnibus bill a slow-motion train wreck.
It is an extraordinary thing. Does the prime minister have confidence in Scott Morrison? I wouldn’t blame him if he has lost confidence, but if he has lost confidence, he should say so. His office, Malcolm Turnbull’s office, briefing backgrounding, undermining the treasurer, says it all about this government.It is an extraordinary thing. Does the prime minister have confidence in Scott Morrison? I wouldn’t blame him if he has lost confidence, but if he has lost confidence, he should say so. His office, Malcolm Turnbull’s office, briefing backgrounding, undermining the treasurer, says it all about this government.
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This morning, with Sabra Lane, Bill Shorten was repeatedly pressed over how much the renewable energy targets would cost. He mentioned a market trading scheme, an emissions trading scheme, looking at the rate of land clearing and further investment in in solar power. But he did not answer the question on cost.This morning, with Sabra Lane, Bill Shorten was repeatedly pressed over how much the renewable energy targets would cost. He mentioned a market trading scheme, an emissions trading scheme, looking at the rate of land clearing and further investment in in solar power. But he did not answer the question on cost.
For me the answer to the question about cost is that there is a cost in not acting.For me the answer to the question about cost is that there is a cost in not acting.
Sabra Lane: Consumers are entitled to know how much it will cost them.Sabra Lane: Consumers are entitled to know how much it will cost them.
Well, consumers are already voting with their feet with the expansion of solar panels.Well, consumers are already voting with their feet with the expansion of solar panels.
Lane: And they’re entitled to know how much a 50%, you know, a 50% target will cost them?Lane: And they’re entitled to know how much a 50%, you know, a 50% target will cost them?
Our answer is very, very straightforward. We think the cost of not acting is far greater. We don’t think we could sustain the cost as the Liberals are saying, of building new coal-fired power generation on the scale which Mr Turnbull is saying and we don’t think that from insurance to drought to extreme weather events, that we can simply go business as usual.Our answer is very, very straightforward. We think the cost of not acting is far greater. We don’t think we could sustain the cost as the Liberals are saying, of building new coal-fired power generation on the scale which Mr Turnbull is saying and we don’t think that from insurance to drought to extreme weather events, that we can simply go business as usual.
Turnbull used the press conference with the Sri Lankan prime minister to attack Shorten.Turnbull used the press conference with the Sri Lankan prime minister to attack Shorten.
You saw Mr Shorten this morning in what must have been a real – a triple train wreck of an interview. He was unable to say how the NDIS would be paid for – this is our big national disability insurance scheme – and he acknowledged he had no way of paying for that.You saw Mr Shorten this morning in what must have been a real – a triple train wreck of an interview. He was unable to say how the NDIS would be paid for – this is our big national disability insurance scheme – and he acknowledged he had no way of paying for that.
He acknowledged he had no idea what his reckless renewable energy target would cost, or what its consequences would be, so he confirmed precisely the criticism that we’ve made about Mr Shorten, that he is literally clueless on this subject, mindless, just like South Australia has been.He acknowledged he had no idea what his reckless renewable energy target would cost, or what its consequences would be, so he confirmed precisely the criticism that we’ve made about Mr Shorten, that he is literally clueless on this subject, mindless, just like South Australia has been.
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10.46pm GMT10.46pm GMT
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Apologies readers. Having terrible tech difficulties this morning. More content coming shortly, including remainder of PM’s press conference and Labor’s Chris Bowen.Apologies readers. Having terrible tech difficulties this morning. More content coming shortly, including remainder of PM’s press conference and Labor’s Chris Bowen.
10.40pm GMT10.40pm GMT
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Malcolm Turnbull says the treasurer’s suggestion of tax increases if the savings measures fail was a statement of the obvious.Malcolm Turnbull says the treasurer’s suggestion of tax increases if the savings measures fail was a statement of the obvious.
The point that the treasurer is making is what my father-in-law would describe as a penetrating glimpse of the obvious, is that those who oppose savings measures by definition are supporting tax increases – if you assume that they want to bring the budget back into balance.The point that the treasurer is making is what my father-in-law would describe as a penetrating glimpse of the obvious, is that those who oppose savings measures by definition are supporting tax increases – if you assume that they want to bring the budget back into balance.
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10.37pm GMT10.37pm GMT
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Wickremesinghe says it is quite safe for Sri Lankan asylum seekers to return.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.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.
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10.33pm GMT10.33pm GMT
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Sri Lankan prime minister: asylum seekers can come back but they broke the lawSri 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?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: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.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 GMT10.31pm GMT
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First off the bat, Wickremesinghe is asked whether there have been talks on asylum seekers, given many refugees have come from Sri Lanka.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.We are looking at investment to further develop Sri Lanka. There are no need for people to be coming in here.
10.27pm GMT10.27pm GMT
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The prime minister is speaking now with the prime minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.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.Turnbull mentions the links in education, sport and other areas.
Wickremesinghe says Australia and Sri Lanka have signed two agreements.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.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.
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