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Simon Birmingham to Catholic system: no more special school deals - politics live Malcolm Turnbull to stolen generations: 'again we say sorry' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.59am BST
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Last night there was a Menzies Foundation commemoration dinner celebrating 75 years since Robert Menzies made his Forgotten People speech. John Howard was around yesterday and said there was no appetite for leadership change in the party.
It was also a chance for the Liberal party to celebrate its foundation and its legacy and tell a longer deeper story about its values and traditions.
Mike Bowers headed off down there with other camera people to record the event, which would have been a positive story for the Liberal party, you would think. But strangely, he and others were barred from the event unlike News photographers and Sky until later in the night when he would be allowed to stand up the back.
So we have no pics for you of the prime minister, John Howard, Tony Abbott and Menzies daughter Heather Henderson et al.
But I take you to an interesting point made in the comments section by BlackAbbott who makes this point on the issue du jour:
The Adani mine does not supply sufficient jobs and revenue to justify endangering the current existing jobs at the top end that will be impacted and across the country, let alone including the greater impact of climate change on the country in general.
And then draws my attention to the Menzies speech. Robert Menzies said:
One of the great blots on our modern living is the cult of false values, a repeated application of the test of money, notoriety, applause. A world in which a comedian or a beautiful half-wit on the screen can be paid fabulous sums, whilst scientific researchers and discoverers can suffer neglect and starvation, is a world which needs to have its sense of values violently set right.
12.30am BST
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Estimates continue apace today. I will try to keep across the four hearings but, in case you missed it last night, the Human Ken Doll featured in the finance and public administration committee.
If, like me, you were not aware of this person, behold. HKD came to a budget function and selfies were snaffled. Thanks to the Mark Di Stefano at Buzzfeed for this insight.
Senate president Stephen Parry says he doesn't recall meeting (and taking selfie with) Human Ken Doll at #Budget2017 https://t.co/d7YrN9DD1U
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12.24am BST12.24am BST
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Malcolm Turnbull to stolen generations: again we say sorryMalcolm Turnbull to stolen generations: again we say sorry
Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten and many MPs including Indigenous members Pat Dodson, Ken Wyatt, Linda Burney, Malarndirri McCarthy and Jacqui Lambie have attended a breakfast to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report. It documented the stolen generations, Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their parents by government.Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten and many MPs including Indigenous members Pat Dodson, Ken Wyatt, Linda Burney, Malarndirri McCarthy and Jacqui Lambie have attended a breakfast to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report. It documented the stolen generations, Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their parents by government.
The prime minister has apologised, following on again from Kevin Rudd’s historic apology in 2007.The prime minister has apologised, following on again from Kevin Rudd’s historic apology in 2007.
Today, we again acknowledge the stolen generations, those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their parents, simply because they were Aboriginal and, again we say sorry.Today, we again acknowledge the stolen generations, those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their parents, simply because they were Aboriginal and, again we say sorry.
We acknowledge that this removal separated you from your families, lands, languages, cultures of 50,000 years your ancestors had protected and cared for and we acknowledge the continuing deep personal pain that affects your lives and those of your families.We acknowledge that this removal separated you from your families, lands, languages, cultures of 50,000 years your ancestors had protected and cared for and we acknowledge the continuing deep personal pain that affects your lives and those of your families.
This is a period of our history where loss and grief almost consumed a people. As Prime Minister, I had a window into both this loss and grief, but also the survival and resilience in a very real way early last year. This is a period of our history where loss and grief almost consumed a people. As prime minister, I had a window into both this loss and grief but also the survival and resilience in a very real way early last year.
In preparing the first Closing The Gap speech that I gave as Prime Minister I wanted to show my respect to the original inhabitants of this land by speaking in language. I wanted to show the richness and diversity of the culture of our First Australians, something of which I believe we should all be proud. In preparing the first Closing the Gap speech that I gave as prime minister, I wanted to show my respect to the original inhabitants of this land by speaking in language. I wanted to show the richness and diversity of the culture of our First Australians, something of which I believe we should all be proud.
While working with the Bell family and the language group here in Canberra and one of the linguists from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, I was told, “We have lost many words.” Only fragments remain.While working with the Bell family and the language group here in Canberra and one of the linguists from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, I was told, “We have lost many words.” Only fragments remain.
But those are cherished and they’re being recovered, drawn out from all of that loss and built patiently together, rebuilding with research.But those are cherished and they’re being recovered, drawn out from all of that loss and built patiently together, rebuilding with research.
And so, for the first time as prime minister, I was able to speak in the House of Representatives in the language of the original inhabitants of this place. I realised that not only had Aboriginal people been denied the access to their families but we denied them the right to their stories, their language, their culture, and all Australians lost from that.And so, for the first time as prime minister, I was able to speak in the House of Representatives in the language of the original inhabitants of this place. I realised that not only had Aboriginal people been denied the access to their families but we denied them the right to their stories, their language, their culture, and all Australians lost from that.
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12.03am BST12.03am BST
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I just want to double back on Adani. Here is a version of the internals of the Queensland Labor government from Sarah Elks in the Oz. Aside from the politically wounded bit, the point is there is a split in Labor at a state level. Again, in a broad sense, this is a philosophical argument over where Labor goes - towards its traditional worker base or towards more progressive climate policy. I just want to double back on Adani. Here is a version of the internals of the Queensland Labor government from Sarah Elks in the Oz. Aside from the politically wounded bit, the point is there is a split in Labor at a state level. Again, in a broad sense, this is a philosophical argument over where Labor goes – towards its traditional worker base or towards more progressive climate policy.
A politically wounded [Qld premier] Ms Palaszczuk was last night accused of allowing a factional stoush — led by Deputy Premier and left faction leader Jackie Trad — to undermine her leadership and threaten the 10,000 jobs, direct and indirect, which Adani claims would flow from the controversial Galilee Basin mine. A politically wounded [Queensland premier] Ms Palaszczuk was last night accused of allowing a factional stoush – led by deputy premier and left faction leader Jackie Trad – to undermine her leadership and threaten the 10,000 jobs, direct and indirect, which Adani claims would flow from the controversial Galilee Basin mine.
The split in Labor is deep, with federal Labor leader Bill Shorten opposing a low-interest taxpayer loan of up to $1bn from the federal government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for the project’s 800km rail line.The split in Labor is deep, with federal Labor leader Bill Shorten opposing a low-interest taxpayer loan of up to $1bn from the federal government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for the project’s 800km rail line.
There are concerns the delay also risks a lifeline to ­Arrium’s struggling South Australian steelworks, from which Adani said it would source steel for its rail line.There are concerns the delay also risks a lifeline to ­Arrium’s struggling South Australian steelworks, from which Adani said it would source steel for its rail line.
A royalties concession or deferral for Adani — worth up to $320m — was expected to be decided at yesterday’s cabinet meeting. But Ms Trad came out publicly beforehand and declared any “royalties holiday” for Adani would break Labor’s election pledge of no taxpayer subsidies for the mine. Cabinet’s expected decision on a royalties arrangement with Adani was discussed and deferred. A royalties concession or deferral for Adani – worth up to $320m – was expected to be decided at yesterday’s cabinet meeting. But Ms Trad came out publicly beforehand and declared any “royalties holiday” for Adani would break Labor’s election pledge of no taxpayer subsidies for the mine. Cabinet’s expected decision on a royalties arrangement with Adani was discussed and deferred.
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Labor is heaping pressure on the Greens not to support the government’s schools package. If the Greens agree to support the package in the senate, the government would only need one crossbencher to come across. If they don’t, the government needs 10 of the 12 of the crossbench. That means basically all of One Nation, all of the Xenophones. Degree of difficulty? 547.Labor is heaping pressure on the Greens not to support the government’s schools package. If the Greens agree to support the package in the senate, the government would only need one crossbencher to come across. If they don’t, the government needs 10 of the 12 of the crossbench. That means basically all of One Nation, all of the Xenophones. Degree of difficulty? 547.
Labor education shadow Tanya Plibersek said she would be shocked if the Greens support the legislation.Labor education shadow Tanya Plibersek said she would be shocked if the Greens support the legislation.
I’m not sure how they missed the central part of the central part of the package which is the $23bn cut.I’m not sure how they missed the central part of the central part of the package which is the $23bn cut.
The state Education Ministers don’t think that this plan is dead. They said that they will not accept the funding cuts that amount to about $850m over the next two years for NSW public schools, $630m over the next two years for Victorian public schools, about $85m for Tasmanian public schools. About $265m for South Australian schools and the list goes on.The state Education Ministers don’t think that this plan is dead. They said that they will not accept the funding cuts that amount to about $850m over the next two years for NSW public schools, $630m over the next two years for Victorian public schools, about $85m for Tasmanian public schools. About $265m for South Australian schools and the list goes on.
These are enormous cuts to public schools. You’ve also seen the reaction of the Catholic systemic system. There is very, very strong opposition to this and if the government and the Greens don’t listen to that Opposition from teachers and principals and parents, from children, then I think that they’ve got a real mess on their hands and a real problem.These are enormous cuts to public schools. You’ve also seen the reaction of the Catholic systemic system. There is very, very strong opposition to this and if the government and the Greens don’t listen to that Opposition from teachers and principals and parents, from children, then I think that they’ve got a real mess on their hands and a real problem.
11.13pm BST11.13pm BST
23:1323:13
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Resources and Northern Australia minister, Matt Canavan, has blasted the Queensland government for apparently reneging on a proposal to give the Adani Carmichael coal mine a $320m royalty holiday.Resources and Northern Australia minister, Matt Canavan, has blasted the Queensland government for apparently reneging on a proposal to give the Adani Carmichael coal mine a $320m royalty holiday.
Canavan said it was a “shocking condemnation” of division in the Palaszczuk government that they could not tell Adani how much tax they would pay a week before its board was due to make a decision, and the confusion left a “serious question mark” over the project.Canavan said it was a “shocking condemnation” of division in the Palaszczuk government that they could not tell Adani how much tax they would pay a week before its board was due to make a decision, and the confusion left a “serious question mark” over the project.
Canavan likened the proposed royalty holiday to a “rent free” period when a new tenant enters a commercial lease. He said if the mine earned about $100m in royalties a year, the $300m tax break would amount to three years of royalties for a mine that would stay open for 60 years.Canavan likened the proposed royalty holiday to a “rent free” period when a new tenant enters a commercial lease. He said if the mine earned about $100m in royalties a year, the $300m tax break would amount to three years of royalties for a mine that would stay open for 60 years.
If the mine’s not developed we’re not giving them anything, of course, because we won’t have any royalties. It’s the hypocrisy and inconsistency of those opposed to this mine: that somehow ... they want to say you’re giving a concession by not taxing somebody.If the mine’s not developed we’re not giving them anything, of course, because we won’t have any royalties. It’s the hypocrisy and inconsistency of those opposed to this mine: that somehow ... they want to say you’re giving a concession by not taxing somebody.
And at the other hand they don’t want to develop the Galilee Basin at all ... They think it’s not something we should do, and that’s their right, but then of course we’re not getting any royalties, so we’re giving a $6bn concession away to … not go into an area which would of great benefit to our country.And at the other hand they don’t want to develop the Galilee Basin at all ... They think it’s not something we should do, and that’s their right, but then of course we’re not getting any royalties, so we’re giving a $6bn concession away to … not go into an area which would of great benefit to our country.
Canavan said it was a matter for Adani whether the mine would be viable without the $300m concession.Canavan said it was a matter for Adani whether the mine would be viable without the $300m concession.
11.03pm BST11.03pm BST
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Good morning blogans,Good morning blogans,
The Gonski 2.0 school funding package comes to the lower house today as part of the Catholic education system intensifies its war with the Turnbull government.The Gonski 2.0 school funding package comes to the lower house today as part of the Catholic education system intensifies its war with the Turnbull government.
The federal government provides funding on a needs basis to the Catholic state and territory education systems and then they distribute the funding according to their own funding formulas.The federal government provides funding on a needs basis to the Catholic state and territory education systems and then they distribute the funding according to their own funding formulas.
Matthew Knott of Fairfax documents the disparities between some of the Catholic schools within Victoria.Matthew Knott of Fairfax documents the disparities between some of the Catholic schools within Victoria.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School, a low-SES school in Melbourne’s Epping North, received $1.86 million in 2015 – $1.49 million less than its federal government allocation.St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School, a low-SES school in Melbourne’s Epping North, received $1.86 million in 2015 – $1.49 million less than its federal government allocation.
The most socially disadvantaged Catholic school in Victoria, St Thomas Aquinas in Norlane, received 15 per cent less than its federal government funding allocation in 2015.The most socially disadvantaged Catholic school in Victoria, St Thomas Aquinas in Norlane, received 15 per cent less than its federal government funding allocation in 2015.
Meanwhile, St Columba’s School in the affluent Melbourne suburb of Elwood received 15 per cent more funding than its federal government allocation.Meanwhile, St Columba’s School in the affluent Melbourne suburb of Elwood received 15 per cent more funding than its federal government allocation.
As the legislation comes to the floor of parliament, education minister Simon Birmingham told Sabra Lane that he was not for turning.As the legislation comes to the floor of parliament, education minister Simon Birmingham told Sabra Lane that he was not for turning.
We are not about to entertain ideas that would go back to different deals or creating a system that advantages one type of the non-government school sector over another or one state over another. Australians are sick and tired of that.We are not about to entertain ideas that would go back to different deals or creating a system that advantages one type of the non-government school sector over another or one state over another. Australians are sick and tired of that.
He said the Catholic education offices would retain autonomy about how they fund their schools but he does expect them to apply to needs based funding principles.He said the Catholic education offices would retain autonomy about how they fund their schools but he does expect them to apply to needs based funding principles.
There is plenty more today. We have party room meetings this morning. We have the Adani storm brewing over the Indian-owned company’s applications for royalty holidays on the mega coal mine. We have the ACTU president Ged Kearney and Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell speaking at the press club on penalty rates.There is plenty more today. We have party room meetings this morning. We have the Adani storm brewing over the Indian-owned company’s applications for royalty holidays on the mega coal mine. We have the ACTU president Ged Kearney and Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell speaking at the press club on penalty rates.
You can talk to me in the Twits @gabriellechan and him @mpbowers. Join the thread or take up your cudgels on Facebook.You can talk to me in the Twits @gabriellechan and him @mpbowers. Join the thread or take up your cudgels on Facebook.