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Michael Keenan says he renounced British citizenship in 2004 – politics live Michael Keenan says he renounced British citizenship in 2004 – politics live
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Labor's Joel Fitzgibbon challenges Coalition agreement in court
Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon has gone to the courts to seek to see the Coalition Agreement between the Liberals and the Nationals.
This is the unicorn of Australian politics. Everyone claims to know what’s in it, MPs use it to justify all sorts of positions, ie we have to stick to no free marriage vote because it’s in the agreement.
This from Fitzgibbon this morning:
Today the federal court will rule on my case against the prime minister.
All Australians have the right to know what is in the Coalition Agreement that handed Malcolm Turnbull the prime ministership.
The case will be heard at 10.15am at the federal court of Australia in Sydney.
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Cathy McGowan gave a raw speech yesterday which we missed as it was in the federation chamber (the second smaller one) about the plight of asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru. She said it is un-Christian for a parliament that says the Our Father prayer.
She has sought and received a briefing from the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, and she says while she understands his logic, she does not understand “the heart of it”. She said:
I find it personally extraordinarily distressing. But more importantly, as a member of parliament, my constituents find it distressing.
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Albo does cuddly.
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This is clearly an audition.
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In arguing the case for the Medicare levy rise, Scott Morrison has said in future, the government wants to lower taxes – apart from increasing tax for the NDIS.
Asked if 100% of the levy rise would go toward the NDIS, Morrison says:
100%, all of it.
The treasurer makes this point and while I usually speak Morrison, I am having trouble with this one. I think his main message it that the levy will be put in a separate bucket, otherwise known hypothecation.
In the future, governments like our government would want to reduce taxes ... if it was a Bill Shorten government he would want to increase taxes. In either case, the way this is designed is that the levy at 1% out of the total 2.5%, that would be secure so governments could on transfer payments, welfare payments, make whatever changes a government may wish to make but the funding flow from the Medicare levy would be secure.
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The Medicare levy increase to fund the NDIS will kick in when a single person earns $21,000 and a family earns $36,000.The Medicare levy increase to fund the NDIS will kick in when a single person earns $21,000 and a family earns $36,000.
Labor will only back the Medicare levy increase for people on more than $87,000.Labor will only back the Medicare levy increase for people on more than $87,000.
The independent senator Jacqui Lambie, who has been a strong critic of the government and votes more with Labor than not, has entertained the possibility of a compromise. This might give an indication that the crossbenchers are dealing on the levy increase.The independent senator Jacqui Lambie, who has been a strong critic of the government and votes more with Labor than not, has entertained the possibility of a compromise. This might give an indication that the crossbenchers are dealing on the levy increase.
She told Fran Kelly:She told Fran Kelly:
I think it needs to be pushed up higher. I think Bill Shorten is calling for $87,000 it starts there. I think that’s too high. I think we can find some middle ground here.I think it needs to be pushed up higher. I think Bill Shorten is calling for $87,000 it starts there. I think that’s too high. I think we can find some middle ground here.
The treasurer is not ruling out a compromise but warns that the bringing in different thresholds for this portion of the levy could create complications in the tax system.The treasurer is not ruling out a compromise but warns that the bringing in different thresholds for this portion of the levy could create complications in the tax system.
Scott Morrison:Scott Morrison:
This is not about Bill Shorten’s politics of envy. It’s about disabilities … if you have a Medicare levy, a part of it that only comes in at a particular income you get a massive spike in the effective marginal tax rate and it’s just not good design. And so if there are issues the senators are raising – and they are – then we will work through them in the due course of the parliament.This is not about Bill Shorten’s politics of envy. It’s about disabilities … if you have a Medicare levy, a part of it that only comes in at a particular income you get a massive spike in the effective marginal tax rate and it’s just not good design. And so if there are issues the senators are raising – and they are – then we will work through them in the due course of the parliament.
The increase, if it goes through, starts in 2019 and Morrison rules out bringing it in early if it passes the Senate.The increase, if it goes through, starts in 2019 and Morrison rules out bringing it in early if it passes the Senate.
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Thanks, Bowers.Thanks, Bowers.
Rainbow over Parliament this morn-Join @gabriellechan on #politicslive for her last day in this role 😭😭😭@GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/m2JnKYWFHrRainbow over Parliament this morn-Join @gabriellechan on #politicslive for her last day in this role 😭😭😭@GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/m2JnKYWFHr
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The Justice party senator, Derryn Hinch, has provided a bit of media advice for Malcolm Turnbull.The Justice party senator, Derryn Hinch, has provided a bit of media advice for Malcolm Turnbull.
He said the government could have avoided all this with an audit.He said the government could have avoided all this with an audit.
We can avoid all these headlines if the major parties, if the Nats and the Libs and Labor – twice we have gone to the Senate, most of the crossbenchers, and said: ‘Give us an independent audit, push it off to the legal and constitutional affairs committee, let them put up an independent audit or and everybody issue documents.’We can avoid all these headlines if the major parties, if the Nats and the Libs and Labor – twice we have gone to the Senate, most of the crossbenchers, and said: ‘Give us an independent audit, push it off to the legal and constitutional affairs committee, let them put up an independent audit or and everybody issue documents.’
If the Human Headline can sort it out and fix it, it can’t be that hard! Barnaby Joyce should have stood down, should have stood aside. Why on earth a clever prime minister didn’t force him to come out on the Friday and the Saturday, get it out on the weekend. It is now Thursday – I hope – and we are still talking about it. They got no clear air all week on any other issue.If the Human Headline can sort it out and fix it, it can’t be that hard! Barnaby Joyce should have stood down, should have stood aside. Why on earth a clever prime minister didn’t force him to come out on the Friday and the Saturday, get it out on the weekend. It is now Thursday – I hope – and we are still talking about it. They got no clear air all week on any other issue.
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Cory Bernardi calls for the prime minister to prorogue parliament over 'crisis'Cory Bernardi calls for the prime minister to prorogue parliament over 'crisis'
The Australian Conservative senator Cory Bernardi says the citizenship issue has caused a lack of confidence in political institutions. He wants to effectively halt the parliament until the high court rules and any byelections are out of the way.The Australian Conservative senator Cory Bernardi says the citizenship issue has caused a lack of confidence in political institutions. He wants to effectively halt the parliament until the high court rules and any byelections are out of the way.
Two senators have stood aside, good on them for doing that, pending the result of the high court appeal.Two senators have stood aside, good on them for doing that, pending the result of the high court appeal.
We also know there are members of the government that have been referred to the high court and the crossbenches.We also know there are members of the government that have been referred to the high court and the crossbenches.
There are accusations there are members of the Labor party that should also be going. The crisis of confidence is very real. There is a lack of confidence in our body politic and there are great concerns about the health and wellbeing of our political institutions.There are accusations there are members of the Labor party that should also be going. The crisis of confidence is very real. There is a lack of confidence in our body politic and there are great concerns about the health and wellbeing of our political institutions.
After some contemplation, I believe there is only one way forward for this parliament and that is for the prime minister to prorogue the parliament, effectively end this session pending the outcome of the high court, pending any byelections that may be necessary, but we need to ensure every decision taken by this parliament.After some contemplation, I believe there is only one way forward for this parliament and that is for the prime minister to prorogue the parliament, effectively end this session pending the outcome of the high court, pending any byelections that may be necessary, but we need to ensure every decision taken by this parliament.
Whatever incarnation comes after it before the next election is absolutely above board, that it retains the confidence of the Australian people and that we can get about rebuilding faith in politics and our political institutions.Whatever incarnation comes after it before the next election is absolutely above board, that it retains the confidence of the Australian people and that we can get about rebuilding faith in politics and our political institutions.
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Good morning blogans,Good morning blogans,
There is a veritable derp storm this morning as competing bluff and bluster try to win the political agenda.There is a veritable derp storm this morning as competing bluff and bluster try to win the political agenda.
The citizenship tornado continues the blow around the benches. The latest to be questioned is the justice minister, Michael Keenan, whose father was British. Journalists have been putting questions to every possible MP since this whole thing broke. Keenan sought to clear his own situation up.The citizenship tornado continues the blow around the benches. The latest to be questioned is the justice minister, Michael Keenan, whose father was British. Journalists have been putting questions to every possible MP since this whole thing broke. Keenan sought to clear his own situation up.
1/3 I am an Australian citizen and I do not hold citizenship ofany other country. Fairfax is aware of this, yet in a cheap grab #auspol1/3 I am an Australian citizen and I do not hold citizenship ofany other country. Fairfax is aware of this, yet in a cheap grab #auspol
2/3 ...for a headline they have ignored this. I have to wonder why they’re not pursuing Labor with suchvigour. #auspol2/3 ...for a headline they have ignored this. I have to wonder why they’re not pursuing Labor with suchvigour. #auspol
3/3 I renounced my citizenship in 2004 before enteringParliament. #auspol3/3 I renounced my citizenship in 2004 before enteringParliament. #auspol
The treasurer, Scott Morrison, and the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, have addressed this point this morning. Their message: nothing to see here, move on.The treasurer, Scott Morrison, and the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, have addressed this point this morning. Their message: nothing to see here, move on.
But let’s get to an actual policy argument. There was a budget in May. Remember that?But let’s get to an actual policy argument. There was a budget in May. Remember that?
Three bills will be introduced into the parliament this morning at 9.30am.Three bills will be introduced into the parliament this morning at 9.30am.
Medicare Levy Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) and related billsMedicare Levy Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) and related bills
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing AmendmentAnti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card)Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card)
Morrison wants to talk about funding the national disability insurance scheme, specifically the planned 0.5% rise in the NDIS levy on 1 July 2019, to help fund what the Coalition says is a $55.7bn, 10-year funding shortfall.Morrison wants to talk about funding the national disability insurance scheme, specifically the planned 0.5% rise in the NDIS levy on 1 July 2019, to help fund what the Coalition says is a $55.7bn, 10-year funding shortfall.
The human services minister, Alan Tudge, has also been out talking about the cashless welfare card so you can see the government wants to start filling the hole that was blown in its agenda by the citizenship debacle.The human services minister, Alan Tudge, has also been out talking about the cashless welfare card so you can see the government wants to start filling the hole that was blown in its agenda by the citizenship debacle.
On Medicare, Morrison said he was working constructively with the crossbench – he doesn’t want to over-egg it but he underlines that he is being pragmatic.On Medicare, Morrison said he was working constructively with the crossbench – he doesn’t want to over-egg it but he underlines that he is being pragmatic.
We are making it work.We are making it work.
I have some other treats in store for you today on this, my last day on the #politicslive blog. Mike Bowers has some fabulous shots from the ABC showcase, with MPs going bananas over B1 and B2. Talk to me in the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan or on Facebook.I have some other treats in store for you today on this, my last day on the #politicslive blog. Mike Bowers has some fabulous shots from the ABC showcase, with MPs going bananas over B1 and B2. Talk to me in the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan or on Facebook.
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