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Bill Shorten meets with workers affected by penalty rate cuts – politics live Labor targets Malcolm Turnbull over cuts to Sunday penalty rates – question time live
(35 minutes later)
3.10am GMT
03:10
Labor objects to personal reflections on Shorten.
Turnbull had said:
The Leader of the Opposition has been selling workers down the river for years, trading away penalty rates for years. Taking backhanders, for years and we’re gonna stop it.
Speaker Tony Smith says he did not think the PM was saying Shorten personally benefited.
I don’t believe the prime minister suggested that the Leader of the Opposition was literally taking a back hander, I think was the term you’re objecting to.
I don’t think the prime minister was saying that the Leader of the Opposition personally benefitted. I don’t. I believe it was a...political characterisation and if you want me to go to the aspect of practise, I can give you many examples where that’s been allowed. If members want a literal interpretation of the Standing Orders, I will be ruling questions out of order left, right and centre.
3.05am GMT
03:05
Shorten to Turnbull: Andrew lives in Gawler in South Australia. He is here in the gallery today. Andrew worked at Spotlight on a Sunday to pay his way through university. Andrew says that he will lose around $1,000 per year because of the cuts to penalty rates, cuts which the Prime Minister has supported. Can the Prime Minister tell Andrew why he has to take a pay cut?
Turnbull says if Andrew was working at KFC he would be earning less because of an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement struck between the company and the unions.
[Unions] have traded them away in circumstances where they have received money from the employers concerned. We might well ask what about the great agreement of the Australian workers with Cleanevent...
Imagine if he had been getting, thanks to the great advocacy of the Leader of the Opposition, this champion of the working class, this hero of the people, he would have got Andrew would be getting $18 an hour instead of $50 under the award. But Mr Speaker, there was something else. Payments to the union, not disclosed...
2.58am GMT
02:58
Question time coming up people.
2.29am GMT2.29am GMT
02:2902:29
Lunch-time politicsLunch-time politics
Making or receiving payments that encourage unions to improperly trade off workers’ rights will be criminalised under a plan unveiled by the federal government.Making or receiving payments that encourage unions to improperly trade off workers’ rights will be criminalised under a plan unveiled by the federal government.
The Victorian Liberal moderate Russell Broadbent has pushed back against amending 18C to remove insult and offend and urged process changes within the Human Rights Commission. This puts him in line with the 18C human rights committee’s parliamentary report.The Victorian Liberal moderate Russell Broadbent has pushed back against amending 18C to remove insult and offend and urged process changes within the Human Rights Commission. This puts him in line with the 18C human rights committee’s parliamentary report.
George Brandis has released his diary after a three-year freedom of information brouhaha with Labor shadow Mark Dreyfus. The info suggests he did not consult with legal groups ahead of cuts to legal assistance, which was the original reason for the barney.George Brandis has released his diary after a three-year freedom of information brouhaha with Labor shadow Mark Dreyfus. The info suggests he did not consult with legal groups ahead of cuts to legal assistance, which was the original reason for the barney.
Paul Keating has carpeted the Liberal party for considering allowing first home buyers to dip into their super, though history shows the former PM was once in favour of the idea himself in the 1990s.Paul Keating has carpeted the Liberal party for considering allowing first home buyers to dip into their super, though history shows the former PM was once in favour of the idea himself in the 1990s.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.35am GMTat 2.35am GMT
2.16am GMT2.16am GMT
02:1602:16
Liberal MP: 18C changes should be about process, not amending the lawLiberal MP: 18C changes should be about process, not amending the law
The division inside the Coalition over marriage equality continues.The division inside the Coalition over marriage equality continues.
Katharine Murphy reports:Katharine Murphy reports:
Victorian Liberal moderate Russell Broadbent says the government doesn’t need to amend 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act if it overhauls processes ensuring vexatious complaints are thrown out at an earlier stage.Victorian Liberal moderate Russell Broadbent says the government doesn’t need to amend 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act if it overhauls processes ensuring vexatious complaints are thrown out at an earlier stage.
Broadbent, who is a member of the federal parliament’s joint human rights committee which ran a recent inquiry into 18C, told Guardian Australia on Monday: “Changes to the RDA should be about process, not about the wording of the section.”Broadbent, who is a member of the federal parliament’s joint human rights committee which ran a recent inquiry into 18C, told Guardian Australia on Monday: “Changes to the RDA should be about process, not about the wording of the section.”
Broadbent’s public intervention, insisting that process changes are sufficient to address the major criticisms of how the RDA works in practice, comes ahead of formal government consideration of the contentious issue this week.Broadbent’s public intervention, insisting that process changes are sufficient to address the major criticisms of how the RDA works in practice, comes ahead of formal government consideration of the contentious issue this week.
2.11am GMT2.11am GMT
02:1102:11
Part three in the Malcolm Roberts prosecution/persecution of Christian street preachers. He was cleared.Part three in the Malcolm Roberts prosecution/persecution of Christian street preachers. He was cleared.
@gabriellechan, that post from Malcolm Roberts about the street preacher. He was found not guilty late last yr https://t.co/hD76bE32OW@gabriellechan, that post from Malcolm Roberts about the street preacher. He was found not guilty late last yr https://t.co/hD76bE32OW
2.08am GMT2.08am GMT
02:0802:08
While the prime minister was doing his press conference, Bill Shorten was speaking to the parliament and to workers affected by the penalty rate cut decision by the Fair Work Commission.While the prime minister was doing his press conference, Bill Shorten was speaking to the parliament and to workers affected by the penalty rate cut decision by the Fair Work Commission.
Labor has been rolling out robocalls, which sound like this:Labor has been rolling out robocalls, which sound like this:
Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts to penalty rates will rip off 700,000 workers, losing up to $77 per week.Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts to penalty rates will rip off 700,000 workers, losing up to $77 per week.
Turnbull told Neil Mitchell on Friday: “He is lying, just like he lied to you.”Turnbull told Neil Mitchell on Friday: “He is lying, just like he lied to you.”
Before the election, Shorten was critical of the Greens for threatening to block any penalty rate cut, suggesting he would support the Fair Work Commission who decides these sorts of things.Before the election, Shorten was critical of the Greens for threatening to block any penalty rate cut, suggesting he would support the Fair Work Commission who decides these sorts of things.
Afterwards, Shorten abandoned his Fair Work Commission solidarity and is moving to block the rates cut in parliament.Afterwards, Shorten abandoned his Fair Work Commission solidarity and is moving to block the rates cut in parliament.
Shorten has since tried to recast the penalty rate cut as belonging to the Coalition on the grounds that they had refused to fix it. Shorten expanded that theory today.Shorten has since tried to recast the penalty rate cut as belonging to the Coalition on the grounds that they had refused to fix it. Shorten expanded that theory today.
This parliament has never had a more straightforward choice than it does today.This parliament has never had a more straightforward choice than it does today.
This parliament can vote with Labor to protect the conditions of up to 700,000 working Australians, to protect the take-home pay of up to 700,000 Australians.This parliament can vote with Labor to protect the conditions of up to 700,000 working Australians, to protect the take-home pay of up to 700,000 Australians.
That’s what they can do.That’s what they can do.
Or they can vote to cut wages in retail, hospitality, pharmacy and fast food.Or they can vote to cut wages in retail, hospitality, pharmacy and fast food.
This is the choice.This is the choice.
There’s no wiggle room, there’s no to fence to sit on here, no hole to go and hide in, there is no playing in traffic on this issue.There’s no wiggle room, there’s no to fence to sit on here, no hole to go and hide in, there is no playing in traffic on this issue.
This isn’t a time for another lecture from a party that knows nothing about industrial relations; saying it’s not our fault, leave it to someone else.This isn’t a time for another lecture from a party that knows nothing about industrial relations; saying it’s not our fault, leave it to someone else.
Here is the kicker:Here is the kicker:
Make no mistake, the prime ,inister’s cuts, the Coalition’s cuts to penalty rates – and they may hate us calling it ‘their’ cuts but, when you vote not to reverse the cuts, you own the cuts.Make no mistake, the prime ,inister’s cuts, the Coalition’s cuts to penalty rates – and they may hate us calling it ‘their’ cuts but, when you vote not to reverse the cuts, you own the cuts.
IMO, Shorten is on dangerous ground trying to disavow one FWC decision, which would leave future governments open to disavow (and change) other decisions, such as a rise in the minimum wage.IMO, Shorten is on dangerous ground trying to disavow one FWC decision, which would leave future governments open to disavow (and change) other decisions, such as a rise in the minimum wage.
What say you?What say you?
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.20am GMTat 2.20am GMT
1.38am GMT1.38am GMT
01:3801:38
A modern history lesson from Stephen Murray regarding Paul Keating’s previous support for using superannuation for housing.A modern history lesson from Stephen Murray regarding Paul Keating’s previous support for using superannuation for housing.
ALP's 1993 Election Platform, launched by Paul Keating, promising access to super for housing deposits pic.twitter.com/WkRuRQG2xUALP's 1993 Election Platform, launched by Paul Keating, promising access to super for housing deposits pic.twitter.com/WkRuRQG2xU
The Accord Mark VII between the Keating Government and the ACTU, released on 3 March, 1993 provided for access to super for housing deposit pic.twitter.com/jkgRBHjR1bThe Accord Mark VII between the Keating Government and the ACTU, released on 3 March, 1993 provided for access to super for housing deposit pic.twitter.com/jkgRBHjR1b
1.28am GMT1.28am GMT
01:2801:28
Regarding that Malcolm Roberts matter of public importance ... re the question of prosecution or persecution of Christians in south-east Queensland.Regarding that Malcolm Roberts matter of public importance ... re the question of prosecution or persecution of Christians in south-east Queensland.
@SenatorMRoberts serious note. I plan to speak on this too. Is there a more specific point (an article or something) you can refer me too?@SenatorMRoberts serious note. I plan to speak on this too. Is there a more specific point (an article or something) you can refer me too?
Looking forward to you speaking on protecting freedom of #religion#Queensland street preacher arrested & charged https://t.co/jYe21OABiP https://t.co/sEqQEINtZ3Looking forward to you speaking on protecting freedom of #religion#Queensland street preacher arrested & charged https://t.co/jYe21OABiP https://t.co/sEqQEINtZ3
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.38am GMTat 1.38am GMT
12.59am GMT12.59am GMT
00:5900:59
While Turnbull was doing his press conference, Bill Shorten was speaking to workers who would have their penalty rates cut under the Fair Work Commission decision.While Turnbull was doing his press conference, Bill Shorten was speaking to workers who would have their penalty rates cut under the Fair Work Commission decision.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.06am GMTat 1.06am GMT
12.11am GMT12.11am GMT
00:1100:11
There have been a number of private member’s bills in the lower house.There have been a number of private member’s bills in the lower house.
There has been a Labor penalty rates bill, a Greens penalty rates bill and independent Andrew Wilkie has moved a bill to end live export.There has been a Labor penalty rates bill, a Greens penalty rates bill and independent Andrew Wilkie has moved a bill to end live export.
Cathy McGowan has moved a rail bill that would require the government to look at the regional impact of rail projects under the National Land Transport Act 2014. In other words, if you make changes to rail transport, make sure it does not do over regional Oz.Cathy McGowan has moved a rail bill that would require the government to look at the regional impact of rail projects under the National Land Transport Act 2014. In other words, if you make changes to rail transport, make sure it does not do over regional Oz.
Now they are on to penalty rates though a motion by Labor’s Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole, which notes that:Now they are on to penalty rates though a motion by Labor’s Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole, which notes that:
(a) families in regional and rural Australia rely on penalty rates to survive;(a) families in regional and rural Australia rely on penalty rates to survive;
(b) the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC’s) decision to cut penalty rates will hurt retail and hospitality workers and their families in regional and rural Australia;(b) the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC’s) decision to cut penalty rates will hurt retail and hospitality workers and their families in regional and rural Australia;
(c) the take home pay of families in regional and rural Australia will be severely impacted as a result of the FWC’s decision to cut Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for retail and hospitality workers;(c) the take home pay of families in regional and rural Australia will be severely impacted as a result of the FWC’s decision to cut Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for retail and hospitality workers;
(d) cutting penalty rates in regional and rural areas would also have a devastating flow-on impact for regional economies; and(d) cutting penalty rates in regional and rural areas would also have a devastating flow-on impact for regional economies; and
(e) the McKell Institute estimates that disposable income in regional areas will fall by between $174.6m and $748.3m if penalty rates are cut in hospitality and retail awards;(e) the McKell Institute estimates that disposable income in regional areas will fall by between $174.6m and $748.3m if penalty rates are cut in hospitality and retail awards;
(2) condemns government members and senators who called for cuts to penalty rates and their continuous pressuring of the FWC to reduce penalty rates; and(2) condemns government members and senators who called for cuts to penalty rates and their continuous pressuring of the FWC to reduce penalty rates; and
(3) calls on:(3) calls on:
(a) Government members and senators to stand with Labor to protect low paid workers take home pay; and(a) Government members and senators to stand with Labor to protect low paid workers take home pay; and
(b) the House to support Labor’s Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay) Bill 2017, to amend the Fair Work Act 2009.(b) the House to support Labor’s Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay) Bill 2017, to amend the Fair Work Act 2009.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.38am GMTat 12.38am GMT
12.04am GMT12.04am GMT
00:0400:04
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.39am GMTat 12.39am GMT
12.02am GMT
00:02
Updated
at 12.39am GMT
11.59pm GMT
23:59
The magic of Bowers.
Updated
at 12.39am GMT
11.55pm GMT
23:55
Malcolm Turnbull references the statement, which I have yet to sight.
The multicultural statement this year, 2017, renews and reaffirms our commitment to a multicultural Australia in which racism and discrimination have no place and which integration and contribution are core elements of our success. We are rich in our diversity, but we are bound together in our commitment as Australians, our commitment to those values and, as I said, the glue that binds us together is mutual respect.
11.52pm GMT
23:52
Malcolm Turnbull:
We are much more diverse in terms of the number of people who are born overseas or the children of parents who are born overseas than any comparable nation. Much more than the United States, which prides itself on being one of the great melting pots of the world of people coming from so many different countries. Only California has a percentage as a diversity that approaches Australia. Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have come from all corners of the world to make their life here. They have added their own identity to the extraordinary project that is modern Australia.
11.40pm GMT
23:40
The PM has segued into the multiculturalism statement.
Malcolm Turnbull is speaking about the Snowy Hydro scheme and the achievement of that postwar migration project. He also talks about the first Australians, Indigenous Australians whose history stretches back 60,000 years.
No one can say Australians only look like this. Australians look like every race, every face and every background.
Updated
at 11.41pm GMT
11.33pm GMT
23:33
The prime minister does not answer a question over whether he has any indication he can get the proposed laws through the parliament. He says it’s up to Labor.
Asked about a poll suggesting a large majority of West Australians want him to act on the GST revenue share, Turnbull says he is trying to get agreement from the states to place a floor under the GST revenue so states don’t get the big drops in revenue.
I wrote to the all the premiers and chief ministers and I raised it at COAG. I was attacked, unrelentingly, by the Labor Party, including by Mr Shorten. So, really, the question now is we will seek to achieve that. That is our goal, we think it is fair and it is achievable with goodwill but the fiercest opponents of what I propose is Bill Shorten and the Labor leaders, including South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.
11.23pm GMT
23:23
Guardian correspondent Paul Karp asks Turnbull why not go a step further and ban payments from companies to political parties (if you think secret payments have a corrupting influence on outcomes)?
You are not seriously suggesting to me that a corrupting benefit should be allowed as long as it is disclosed? Is that what you are putting to us?
Why do you assume (political donations) don’t impact on public policy outcomes?
I wouldn’t have thought there would be anybody here actually defending employers paying bribes to unions, but there it is. It is a broad church. Chris Uhlmann?
Turnbull refuses to answer any further questions from Paul and goes to Chris but Chris gives the floor back to Paul. The PM insists on moving to the next person.
Updated
at 11.34pm GMT
11.20pm GMT
23:20
Michaelia Cash rejects the suggestion that it is already an offence to make payments with a corrupting intent.
Cash says all the jurisdictions have different laws and they are difficult to prove. This will be made consistent, she says.
Turnbull says he is introducing it now because they have been doing other important IR business such as the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
Turnbull rejects the suggestion he did not mention these issues in the election. (These were recommendations from the trade unions royal commission.) Turnbull said the very election was called over industrial relations.
Updated
at 11.22pm GMT
11.14pm GMT
23:14
Michaelia Cash is asked how you distinguish between dodgy ones and legitimate ones (my words):
If a payment is being made into a safety training fund, you would need to show that you actually have a program of basically safety training, you would need to show that that has been undertaken, but you would also need to show that it has been charged out at market rate.
11.11pm GMT
23:11
Coalition to ban secret payments between employers and unions
Malcolm Turnbull and Cash are responding to the recommendations of the Hayden royal commission:
The Coalition will:
make it a imprisonable offence, a payment with a corrupting intent in the sense of encouraging a union or union official to act improperly.
make it an offence punishable by up to two years in prison for any payment to be made by an employer to a union or a union official other than for clearly legitimate purposes (such as the remittance of union dues).
ban secret payments from employers to unions. Certain legitimate payments will continue to be allowed, such as payments for genuine services that are provided by a union or genuine payment of membership fees. Criminal penalties will apply to both the employer and the union. The party that makes the offer of the payment will be penalised in the same way as the party that solicits or receives the payment.
Updated
at 11.20pm GMT