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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/mar/28/china-extradition-treaty-australia-politics-live
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| Labor attacks Malcolm Turnbull over penalty rates – as it happened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 7.15am BST | |
| 07:15 | |
| Night-time politics | |
| Malcolm Turnbull’s government backed down on the ratification of the China/Australia extradition treaty after the resolution was set to fail in the Senate. The treaty was signed off on in 2007 but has not been ratified. Labor, the Greens and a number of Senate crossbenchers and members of the Turnbull government were opposed to the treaty on human rights grounds. Labor followed through on a position it had previously flagged in a dissenting report following an inquiry by the joint standing committee on treaties. | |
| The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) delivered its final report on the South Australian blackouts that started the Coalition’s beat down on renewables a long time ago. Aemo found the blackout was caused by extreme weather. | |
| The Senate has started a debate on Coalition amendments to 18C, but a vote will not be held until later in the week. | |
| The Australian Tax Office sought advice about what it should do if George Brandis compromised its ability to challenge Western Australia’s laws dealing with the Bell litigation case because of “bureaucratic whispers” he might block a high court challenge. | |
| The government has introduced a “dominant purpose test” for politicians expenses. In theory, this would stop members claiming travel on taxpayers for largely private or party business, dressed up with a little bit of official business. Definition, though, will be difficult when it comes to enforcing. | |
| Question time was dominated by penalty rates. | |
| That’s it for today. Tomorrow we have ACTU secretary Sally McManus speaking at the National Press Club. Thanks to the brains trust; Paul Karp, Gareth Hutchens, Katharine Murphy and Mike Bowers. | |
| I will leave you with the theme of the day. Good night | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.18am BST | |
| 6.26am BST | 6.26am BST |
| 06:26 | 06:26 |
| Dominant purpose test introduced for politicians expenses | Dominant purpose test introduced for politicians expenses |
| The government is introducing more changes to parliamentarians’ expenses. | The government is introducing more changes to parliamentarians’ expenses. |
| The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, says the changes will: | The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, says the changes will: |
| Introduce a clear definition of parliamentary business to provide more certainty; | Introduce a clear definition of parliamentary business to provide more certainty; |
| Establish new obligations around parliamentarians’ expenditure, including value-for-money provisions; | Establish new obligations around parliamentarians’ expenditure, including value-for-money provisions; |
| Define a “dominant purpose test”, where parliamentarians will only be able to claim expenses when the dominant purpose of their journey was to undertake parliamentary business. | Define a “dominant purpose test”, where parliamentarians will only be able to claim expenses when the dominant purpose of their journey was to undertake parliamentary business. |
| The changes will work in conjunction with the establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Ipea). | The changes will work in conjunction with the establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Ipea). |
| The dominant purpose test is designed to solve the issue of politicians designing travel, then tacking on a tiny bit of official business on the end and claiming the lot on the taxpayer. | The dominant purpose test is designed to solve the issue of politicians designing travel, then tacking on a tiny bit of official business on the end and claiming the lot on the taxpayer. |
| Ryan, who is generally a straight shooter, is ducking and weaving on Sky in relation to these changes. David Speers is trying to get an answer to a reasonable question. Can a member travel for a party fundraiser and have it paid for? | Ryan, who is generally a straight shooter, is ducking and weaving on Sky in relation to these changes. David Speers is trying to get an answer to a reasonable question. Can a member travel for a party fundraiser and have it paid for? |
| Ryan does not want to be prescriptive. After many versions of the question, Ryan finally says he doesn’t want to give an answer that will be used against him at later date. | Ryan does not want to be prescriptive. After many versions of the question, Ryan finally says he doesn’t want to give an answer that will be used against him at later date. |
| It will be a matter for the authority. Once the ruling is there, everyone has to abide for it. | It will be a matter for the authority. Once the ruling is there, everyone has to abide for it. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.29am BST | at 6.29am BST |
| 6.06am BST | 6.06am BST |
| 06:06 | 06:06 |
| 6.05am BST | 6.05am BST |
| 06:05 | 06:05 |
| 6.03am BST | 6.03am BST |
| 06:03 | 06:03 |
| 5.09am BST | 5.09am BST |
| 05:09 | 05:09 |
| Tanya Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull: I refer to the prime minister’s scrapping the deficit levy in this year’s budget, and his support for the decision to cut penalty rates. Why is that under this prime minister, millionaires get a tax cut of more than $16,000, big business gets a tax cut of about $50bn, and workers get a pay cut? | Tanya Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull: I refer to the prime minister’s scrapping the deficit levy in this year’s budget, and his support for the decision to cut penalty rates. Why is that under this prime minister, millionaires get a tax cut of more than $16,000, big business gets a tax cut of about $50bn, and workers get a pay cut? |
| Turnbull reminds the parliament that Labor opposed the “deceit tax”. | Turnbull reminds the parliament that Labor opposed the “deceit tax”. |
| Honourable members opposite will know very well the deficit levy was imposed for a term of three years. It expires at the end of this financial year of its own force. This was a surcharge that they condemned as an act of deceit, and denounced from one end of this place to the other … the reality is this, that … Australia is a highly taxed country. | Honourable members opposite will know very well the deficit levy was imposed for a term of three years. It expires at the end of this financial year of its own force. This was a surcharge that they condemned as an act of deceit, and denounced from one end of this place to the other … the reality is this, that … Australia is a highly taxed country. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.21am BST | at 5.21am BST |
| 5.06am BST | 5.06am BST |
| 05:06 | 05:06 |
| The treasurer, Scott Morrison, gets a Dixer on company tax rates. | The treasurer, Scott Morrison, gets a Dixer on company tax rates. |
| Then Brendan O’Connor to Turnbull: Can the prime minister guarantee that no other Sunday penalty rates in awards will be cut by the Fair Work Commission? | Then Brendan O’Connor to Turnbull: Can the prime minister guarantee that no other Sunday penalty rates in awards will be cut by the Fair Work Commission? |
| The leader of the house, Christopher Pyne, says Labor is reaching for theatre of the absurd. The PM has no responsibility for the Fair Work Commission. | The leader of the house, Christopher Pyne, says Labor is reaching for theatre of the absurd. The PM has no responsibility for the Fair Work Commission. |
| Labor argues the toss and Speaker allows Labor to rephrase. | Labor argues the toss and Speaker allows Labor to rephrase. |
| Will the prime minister support any future decision of the commission that will cut penalty rates? | Will the prime minister support any future decision of the commission that will cut penalty rates? |
| Turnbull says the original justifications of the Productivity Commission have not altered materially. The PC made recommendations about penalty rates in the hospitality and retail sectors and concluded there was no case for common penalty rates across all industries. | Turnbull says the original justifications of the Productivity Commission have not altered materially. The PC made recommendations about penalty rates in the hospitality and retail sectors and concluded there was no case for common penalty rates across all industries. |
| He quoted the PC report which said “regulated penalty rates as currently constructed for essential services and many other industries are justifiable”. | He quoted the PC report which said “regulated penalty rates as currently constructed for essential services and many other industries are justifiable”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.20am BST | at 5.20am BST |
| 4.55am BST | 4.55am BST |
| 04:55 | 04:55 |
| I wish Anthony Albanese was dressed like this in question time. | I wish Anthony Albanese was dressed like this in question time. |
| DJ Albo's new gig: music ambassadorhttps://t.co/prPuVRCTAG pic.twitter.com/PvBoEo3Bky | DJ Albo's new gig: music ambassadorhttps://t.co/prPuVRCTAG pic.twitter.com/PvBoEo3Bky |
| 4.54am BST | 4.54am BST |
| 04:54 | 04:54 |
| Barnaby Joyce gets a Dixer on the beef deal with China. | Barnaby Joyce gets a Dixer on the beef deal with China. |
| Shorten to Turnbull: Does the prime minister rule out pay cuts for AFP officers, including his own protection detail, for working late nights and weekends? | Shorten to Turnbull: Does the prime minister rule out pay cuts for AFP officers, including his own protection detail, for working late nights and weekends? |
| Turnbull finally goes to the dispute at hand. | Turnbull finally goes to the dispute at hand. |
| Negotiations are continuing between the AFP commissioner and members of the federal police. | Negotiations are continuing between the AFP commissioner and members of the federal police. |
| It is being handled at “arms length” by the commissioner in the normal way. | It is being handled at “arms length” by the commissioner in the normal way. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.01am BST | at 5.01am BST |
| 4.50am BST | 4.50am BST |
| 04:50 | 04:50 |
| Independent Cathy McGowan asks fellow cross bencher Andrew Wilkie a question #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/iMd48BpSlp | Independent Cathy McGowan asks fellow cross bencher Andrew Wilkie a question #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/iMd48BpSlp |
| 4.49am BST | 4.49am BST |
| 04:49 | 04:49 |
| Labor to Turnbull: Is the prime minister seriously refusing to rule out pay cuts for AFP officers including his own protection detail, for working late nights and weekends? | Labor to Turnbull: Is the prime minister seriously refusing to rule out pay cuts for AFP officers including his own protection detail, for working late nights and weekends? |
| Turnbull does not answer the specific question on AFP allowances, which as I understand it, is separate to the penalty rates decision. | Turnbull does not answer the specific question on AFP allowances, which as I understand it, is separate to the penalty rates decision. |
| But he addresses penalty rates: | But he addresses penalty rates: |
| Given the distinguishing characteristics of the hospitality and retail sectors, they provide no warrant for the variation of penalty rates in other awards. They want to suggest that decision applies to nurses, to emergency workers, to police, completely untrue, no basis in fact. But why would they care? | Given the distinguishing characteristics of the hospitality and retail sectors, they provide no warrant for the variation of penalty rates in other awards. They want to suggest that decision applies to nurses, to emergency workers, to police, completely untrue, no basis in fact. But why would they care? |
| 4.46am BST | 4.46am BST |
| 04:46 | 04:46 |
| Malcolm Turnbull gets a question on the Snowy Hydro mark two, allowing him to speak about his meeting with Snowy Hydro workers. | Malcolm Turnbull gets a question on the Snowy Hydro mark two, allowing him to speak about his meeting with Snowy Hydro workers. |
| The Feasibility Study from Old Regret #qt pic.twitter.com/x150r1tunB | The Feasibility Study from Old Regret #qt pic.twitter.com/x150r1tunB |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.47am BST | at 4.47am BST |
| 4.42am BST | 4.42am BST |
| 04:42 | 04:42 |
| Labor’s Clare O’Neill asks Turnbull: Today the opposition leader and I are meeting with members of the Australian Federal Police Association. Is the prime minister aware AFP officers, including his own protection detail, are concerned they will lose $35,000 every year because of planned cuts to allowances for working late nights and weekends? Why does the prime minister want to add police officers to the list of Australians who will have their pay cut at the same time as millionaires will get a tax cut? | Labor’s Clare O’Neill asks Turnbull: Today the opposition leader and I are meeting with members of the Australian Federal Police Association. Is the prime minister aware AFP officers, including his own protection detail, are concerned they will lose $35,000 every year because of planned cuts to allowances for working late nights and weekends? Why does the prime minister want to add police officers to the list of Australians who will have their pay cut at the same time as millionaires will get a tax cut? |
| Turnbull says the Coalition have provided unprecedented support for the AFP. He flicks the question to the justice minister, Michael Keenan, who bluffs and blusters but does not answer the question. | Turnbull says the Coalition have provided unprecedented support for the AFP. He flicks the question to the justice minister, Michael Keenan, who bluffs and blusters but does not answer the question. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.48am BST | at 4.48am BST |
| 4.35am BST | 4.35am BST |
| 04:35 | 04:35 |
| Turnbull accuses Shorten of "post-truth politics with a vengeance" | Turnbull accuses Shorten of "post-truth politics with a vengeance" |
| Shorten to Turnbull: I met with private sector aged-care nurses including Deli (sp). She’s in the gallery today. Her husband Ken works in retail and faces a pay cut. Deli’s worried once they start cutting some penalty rates in some awards, her pay could be cut as well. Why isn’t the prime minister doing anything to support the rates for all Australians? | Shorten to Turnbull: I met with private sector aged-care nurses including Deli (sp). She’s in the gallery today. Her husband Ken works in retail and faces a pay cut. Deli’s worried once they start cutting some penalty rates in some awards, her pay could be cut as well. Why isn’t the prime minister doing anything to support the rates for all Australians? |
| Turnbull says Shorten knows that nurses are employed under state awards and are not covered by the decision by the Fair Work Commission. | Turnbull says Shorten knows that nurses are employed under state awards and are not covered by the decision by the Fair Work Commission. |
| Shorten intervenes and says he was talking about nurses in the private sector. Turnbull says rubbish. | Shorten intervenes and says he was talking about nurses in the private sector. Turnbull says rubbish. |
| The decision of the Fair Work Commission applies to workers in the retail, hospitality, fast food areas. It does not apply to nurses. The honourable member knows very well it doesn’t apply to nurses … | The decision of the Fair Work Commission applies to workers in the retail, hospitality, fast food areas. It does not apply to nurses. The honourable member knows very well it doesn’t apply to nurses … |
| What he and his colleagues have been endeavouring to do, is as usual, misleading and frighten Australians with their untruths. | What he and his colleagues have been endeavouring to do, is as usual, misleading and frighten Australians with their untruths. |
| This is post-truth politics with a vengeance. Heedless of the truth, having no regard for the facts, determined to frighten and scare Australians. | This is post-truth politics with a vengeance. Heedless of the truth, having no regard for the facts, determined to frighten and scare Australians. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.16am BST | at 5.16am BST |
| 4.27am BST | 4.27am BST |
| 04:27 | 04:27 |
| The Indi MP, Cathy McGowan, asks fellow independent Andrew Wilkie under standing order 99: | The Indi MP, Cathy McGowan, asks fellow independent Andrew Wilkie under standing order 99: |
| I refer to the private member’s bill … relating to the mandatory banking code of conduct. It’s a great example why we we have independent representation in parliament, and demonstrates how we as independents are representing our communities in this place. Can the minister tell the house when he thinks the debate on the bill will be resumed and what process is needed for the house to fully consider this bill so that this important matter can be fully debated and our communities informed? | I refer to the private member’s bill … relating to the mandatory banking code of conduct. It’s a great example why we we have independent representation in parliament, and demonstrates how we as independents are representing our communities in this place. Can the minister tell the house when he thinks the debate on the bill will be resumed and what process is needed for the house to fully consider this bill so that this important matter can be fully debated and our communities informed? |
| This is allowed under the standing orders and a clever thing for the independent members. | This is allowed under the standing orders and a clever thing for the independent members. |
| Wilkie speaks for a short time, urging the parliament to get on board with his banking code of conduct. | Wilkie speaks for a short time, urging the parliament to get on board with his banking code of conduct. |
| The leader of the house, Christopher Pyne, waits and then objects, starting his statement with: | The leader of the house, Christopher Pyne, waits and then objects, starting his statement with: |
| As much as I hate to be the Grinch that stole Christmas … | As much as I hate to be the Grinch that stole Christmas … |
| The Speaker, Tony Smith, reminds him the rules state that Wilkie has to confine himself to the timing and procedure of the private member’s bill. | The Speaker, Tony Smith, reminds him the rules state that Wilkie has to confine himself to the timing and procedure of the private member’s bill. |
| Wilkie thanks the Speaker for guidance. | Wilkie thanks the Speaker for guidance. |
| This is not headmasterly and it’s not guidance because it is not optional, says Smith. | This is not headmasterly and it’s not guidance because it is not optional, says Smith. |
| Get the car back on the road … | Get the car back on the road … |
| Wilkie wants the parliamentary selection committee to choose his bill. Which is the definition of hope. | Wilkie wants the parliamentary selection committee to choose his bill. Which is the definition of hope. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.46am BST | at 4.46am BST |
| 4.20am BST | 4.20am BST |
| 04:20 | 04:20 |
| Labor to Turnbull: The prime minister supports cutting the penalty rates of nearly 700,000 Australians by up to $77 every week. And under this, prime minister, a nurse in New South Wales could lose eight weeks of paid parental leave, a cut of around $5,300. When will the prime minister stop fighting other Liberals and start fighting for Australians? | Labor to Turnbull: The prime minister supports cutting the penalty rates of nearly 700,000 Australians by up to $77 every week. And under this, prime minister, a nurse in New South Wales could lose eight weeks of paid parental leave, a cut of around $5,300. When will the prime minister stop fighting other Liberals and start fighting for Australians? |
| Turnbull flicks the question to the social services minister, Christian Porter. | Turnbull flicks the question to the social services minister, Christian Porter. |
| Porter says there was once a time when Labor supported helping those who had the least. | Porter says there was once a time when Labor supported helping those who had the least. |
| What you do not support is near to 60% of all families who receive paid parental leave having a very substantial average gain of $1,300 during the period of paid parental leave. That’s what you’re opposing and that group of 58%, that is 96,310 recipients, that group are the lowest income earners inside the paid parental leave. | What you do not support is near to 60% of all families who receive paid parental leave having a very substantial average gain of $1,300 during the period of paid parental leave. That’s what you’re opposing and that group of 58%, that is 96,310 recipients, that group are the lowest income earners inside the paid parental leave. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.44am BST | at 4.44am BST |
| 4.15am BST | 4.15am BST |
| 04:15 | 04:15 |
| Swanny is trolling the PM. | Swanny is trolling the PM. |
| Labor in the middle of a global recession grew the economy by 16%, that was good for business and workers #auspol #qt | Labor in the middle of a global recession grew the economy by 16%, that was good for business and workers #auspol #qt |
| 4.14am BST | 4.14am BST |
| 04:14 | 04:14 |
| A government question to the defence industry minister, Christopher Pyne, is on defence force preparations to support emergency crews. Pyne: | A government question to the defence industry minister, Christopher Pyne, is on defence force preparations to support emergency crews. Pyne: |
| Our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of north Queensland, going through another destructive cyclone, mother nature wreaking her revenge on us poor humans here on earth. | Our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of north Queensland, going through another destructive cyclone, mother nature wreaking her revenge on us poor humans here on earth. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.43am BST | at 4.43am BST |