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Scott Morrison introduces bill to raise Medicare levy to fund NDIS – politics live Scott Morrison introduces bill to raise Medicare levy to fund NDIS – politics live
(35 minutes later)
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In the senate, the Greens senator Nick McKim is trying to suspend standing orders because the government has not produced legal advice which supports Barnaby Joyce’s right to remain as a cabinet minister. (This has been said by various ministers as justification of the deputy PM not standing down.)
The senate passed the motion yesterday ordering the government to produce the advice. The government has not acted.
Attorney general George Brandis has three points:
McKim did not give notice of the suspension which is senate practice and poor form.
Governments never release advice through history, especially given there is a court case arising.
It will be sorted in coming weeks so no need to go there.
Labor says they will not support the motion at this stage. Labor’s Jacinta Collins says its bollocks that notice of suspensions is always given. And it’s bollocks that governments never show legal advice.
Collins warns she will watch the case closely and may pursue it in the next sitting period (in September).
So given Labor will not support the suspension, it is deceased for the time being.
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The former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan and former UK chancellor Ed Balls have been speaking at the National Press Club. I am trying to catch up with the breadth of their presentations while doing a few other things but in the mean time, enjoy Katharine Murphy’s podcast with them from yesterday.
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Barnaby Bank Bill minus BarnabyBarnaby Bank Bill minus Barnaby
The lower house is currently voting on the Regional Investment Corporation bill - the so-called Barnaby Bank - which amalgamates all the various buckets of concessional loans in one glorious fund.The lower house is currently voting on the Regional Investment Corporation bill - the so-called Barnaby Bank - which amalgamates all the various buckets of concessional loans in one glorious fund.
This is what the bill officially does:This is what the bill officially does:
establishes the Regional Investment Corporation to administer farm business loans and financial assistance granted to states and territories in relation to water infrastructure projects, and any future programs prescribed by rules; provides for the corporation’s functions, operating mandate, ministerial directions, board membership and appointment of a chief executive officer and staff; and provides for miscellaneous matters, including the recovery of costs, delegations, power to make rules, and an independent review of the operation of the Act before 1 July 2024. Establishes the Regional Investment Corporation to administer farm business loans and financial assistance granted to states and territories in relation to water infrastructure projects, and any future programs prescribed by rules; provides for the corporation’s functions, operating mandate, ministerial directions, board membership and appointment of a chief executive officer and staff; and provides for miscellaneous matters, including the recovery of costs, delegations, power to make rules, and an independent review of the operation of the Act before 1 July 2024.
It is sort of a Nationals version of One Belt One Road, a bloody great bucket of existing funding in the form of cheap loans and grants, that will provide a whole lot of announceables with very large numbers attached.It is sort of a Nationals version of One Belt One Road, a bloody great bucket of existing funding in the form of cheap loans and grants, that will provide a whole lot of announceables with very large numbers attached.
Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon is opposed because they say it is just a pork barrelling exercise. Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon is opposed because they say it is just a pork-barrelling exercise.
Barnaby has pushed this - it is a pet project. But it is interesting to see he is not presenting it to the house. Instead Nationals assistant minister Luke Hartsuyker is doing the job. Barnaby has pushed this – it is a pet project. But it is interesting to see he is not presenting it to the house. Instead Nationals assistant minister Luke Hartsuyker is doing the job.
The bill is expected to pass the house on the numbers.The bill is expected to pass the house on the numbers.
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Labor trolls Greens on educationLabor trolls Greens on education
Paul KarpPaul Karp
There’s an interesting motion to be brought by Labor’s Jenny McAllister today according to the Senate notice paper.There’s an interesting motion to be brought by Labor’s Jenny McAllister today according to the Senate notice paper.
On its surface, it’s just another Labor attack against the Coalition’s Gonski 2.0 education package, which passed in late June. But look more closely and the motion appears to reproduce the language of a leaflet distributed by Greens senator, Lee Rhiannon, against the package while the Greens were negotiating with the government.On its surface, it’s just another Labor attack against the Coalition’s Gonski 2.0 education package, which passed in late June. But look more closely and the motion appears to reproduce the language of a leaflet distributed by Greens senator, Lee Rhiannon, against the package while the Greens were negotiating with the government.
This sparked Rhiannon’s temporary suspension from the Greens party room and a Four Corners episode in which her colleagues and former colleagues Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Richard Di Natale and Nick McKim criticised her for being a team-wrecker.This sparked Rhiannon’s temporary suspension from the Greens party room and a Four Corners episode in which her colleagues and former colleagues Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Richard Di Natale and Nick McKim criticised her for being a team-wrecker.
The motion asks the Senate to acknowledge that the package “cuts $17bn from Australian schools”, and “cancels the current New South Wales agreement on schools funding, locking in a lower 2017 level of funding for the next ten years”.The motion asks the Senate to acknowledge that the package “cuts $17bn from Australian schools”, and “cancels the current New South Wales agreement on schools funding, locking in a lower 2017 level of funding for the next ten years”.
It also calls on the government to “commit to the full, original Gonski needs-based funding model” and for parliamentarians to “take a stand for public education” and “vote against the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017, and properly fund the Gonski reforms put in place by the Commonwealth Government in 2013”.It also calls on the government to “commit to the full, original Gonski needs-based funding model” and for parliamentarians to “take a stand for public education” and “vote against the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017, and properly fund the Gonski reforms put in place by the Commonwealth Government in 2013”.
It’s all a bit academic now because the package passed but it will be interesting to see how the Greens in general and Rhiannon in particular vote on Labor’s trolling motion.It’s all a bit academic now because the package passed but it will be interesting to see how the Greens in general and Rhiannon in particular vote on Labor’s trolling motion.
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Anthony Albanese is campaigning for the yes vote on marriage equality.Anthony Albanese is campaigning for the yes vote on marriage equality.
Enrol 💻Vote 🗳Win 🎉 Enrol now ➡️ www.aec.gov.au (link in bio) #throwbackthursday #marriageequality #sayyes 🏳️‍🌈Enrol 💻Vote 🗳Win 🎉 Enrol now ➡️ www.aec.gov.au (link in bio) #throwbackthursday #marriageequality #sayyes 🏳️‍🌈
A post shared by Anthony Albanese (@albomp) on Aug 16, 2017 at 7:05pm PDTA post shared by Anthony Albanese (@albomp) on Aug 16, 2017 at 7:05pm PDT
I was hoping he would post a photo of the him in Game of Thrones regalia. Yesterday David Speers called him the Jon Snow (the bastard king of Game of Thrones) of Australian politics. Albo had been pointing out he was clear on citizenship because his single mother was many generations Australian and his father was “unknown”. Given Snow is one of the hotties of Game of Thrones, Albo was delighted with this comparison.I was hoping he would post a photo of the him in Game of Thrones regalia. Yesterday David Speers called him the Jon Snow (the bastard king of Game of Thrones) of Australian politics. Albo had been pointing out he was clear on citizenship because his single mother was many generations Australian and his father was “unknown”. Given Snow is one of the hotties of Game of Thrones, Albo was delighted with this comparison.
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The Spycatcher Trial gets better. Neil Kinnock is pursued by the Tories for asking a question after speaking to the brash young Australian lawyer.The Spycatcher Trial gets better. Neil Kinnock is pursued by the Tories for asking a question after speaking to the brash young Australian lawyer.
On page 143, Turnbull writes:On page 143, Turnbull writes:
Kinnock took off on a trip to America and allowed the Tories to pursue him for the terrible crime of having spoken with me ...Kinnock took off on a trip to America and allowed the Tories to pursue him for the terrible crime of having spoken with me ...
I could never understand why Kinnock was subject to criticism for having spoken with me. I asked [British Conservative MP] Jonathon Aitken about it and he said that in Australia or America no one would think less of Kinnock for making inquiries as widely as he like but in England people were different.I could never understand why Kinnock was subject to criticism for having spoken with me. I asked [British Conservative MP] Jonathon Aitken about it and he said that in Australia or America no one would think less of Kinnock for making inquiries as widely as he like but in England people were different.
(I really must get back to parliament here.)(I really must get back to parliament here.)
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As I transition to more breathing space, I am hoping to increase my book pile. One of the absences has been Malcolm Turnbull’s The Spy Catcher Trial: The Scandal Behind The #1 Best Seller.As I transition to more breathing space, I am hoping to increase my book pile. One of the absences has been Malcolm Turnbull’s The Spy Catcher Trial: The Scandal Behind The #1 Best Seller.
This is an explanation of the book from the Publishers Weekly.This is an explanation of the book from the Publishers Weekly.
The British government’s efforts to block publication of Peter Wright’s Spycatcher: Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Agent climaxed in a sensational trial in Australia in 1986 that cast a shadow of disrepute on the British legal system, the Official Secrets Act and the government itself.The British government’s efforts to block publication of Peter Wright’s Spycatcher: Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Agent climaxed in a sensational trial in Australia in 1986 that cast a shadow of disrepute on the British legal system, the Official Secrets Act and the government itself.
The author of this engrossing, suspenseful account is the Australian attorney who represented Wright and his would-be Australian publisher. Excerpts from the trial testimony reveal that Turnbull uncovered mendacity, hypocrisy and cynicism at the highest levels of the British government, principally during his cross-examination of Sir Robert Armstrong, cabinet secretary and adviser on intelligence matters.The author of this engrossing, suspenseful account is the Australian attorney who represented Wright and his would-be Australian publisher. Excerpts from the trial testimony reveal that Turnbull uncovered mendacity, hypocrisy and cynicism at the highest levels of the British government, principally during his cross-examination of Sir Robert Armstrong, cabinet secretary and adviser on intelligence matters.
In 1987 the High Court at Canberra dismissed the case and ordered the Thatcher government to reimburse legal costs to Wright and Heinemann Publishers Australia. Turnbull calls the Britishers’ conduct in the affair “quite disgraceful” and adds that the experience “galvanized my determination to see Australia rid herself of its [sic] remaining constitutional links with England”.In 1987 the High Court at Canberra dismissed the case and ordered the Thatcher government to reimburse legal costs to Wright and Heinemann Publishers Australia. Turnbull calls the Britishers’ conduct in the affair “quite disgraceful” and adds that the experience “galvanized my determination to see Australia rid herself of its [sic] remaining constitutional links with England”.
It has some interesting observations in it, especially when read in the light of the accusations of the ALP’s colluding with a “foreign party” with NZ Labour on Barnaby Joyce’s citizenship.It has some interesting observations in it, especially when read in the light of the accusations of the ALP’s colluding with a “foreign party” with NZ Labour on Barnaby Joyce’s citizenship.
Here is the young author on p118. The British PM at the time was Margaret Thatcher and the young Turnbull writes:Here is the young author on p118. The British PM at the time was Margaret Thatcher and the young Turnbull writes:
Students of political science have been told for many years how superior is the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy to the presidential system in the United States or France. They are told that English prime ministers are directly answerable to Parliament. Yet throughout this affair when the integrity of her Attorney General and her Cabinet secretary were put into serious doubt, she managed to avoid giving any explanation to parliament.Students of political science have been told for many years how superior is the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy to the presidential system in the United States or France. They are told that English prime ministers are directly answerable to Parliament. Yet throughout this affair when the integrity of her Attorney General and her Cabinet secretary were put into serious doubt, she managed to avoid giving any explanation to parliament.
Later that day, English time, [Labor leader Neil] Kinnock rose to ask a question of the prime minister. It was precisely in the form we had discussed.Later that day, English time, [Labor leader Neil] Kinnock rose to ask a question of the prime minister. It was precisely in the form we had discussed.
The now prime minister would probably argue that he was not an MP at the time but the lawyer representing his client Peter Wright but it goes to show how this business works.The now prime minister would probably argue that he was not an MP at the time but the lawyer representing his client Peter Wright but it goes to show how this business works.
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Nick Xenophon has a private bill in the Senate to restore shortwave radio in the Northern Territory and parts of the Pacific and Papua New Guinea, after ABC cut off the service earlier this year.Nick Xenophon has a private bill in the Senate to restore shortwave radio in the Northern Territory and parts of the Pacific and Papua New Guinea, after ABC cut off the service earlier this year.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has spoken in favour of the bill.Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has spoken in favour of the bill.
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And while we are on the postal survey, the second directions hearing of the high court challenge to the government’s postal plebiscite on marriage equality will happen this afternoon.And while we are on the postal survey, the second directions hearing of the high court challenge to the government’s postal plebiscite on marriage equality will happen this afternoon.
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I note there is comment in the blog over the postal survey committee hearings I mentioned earlier.I note there is comment in the blog over the postal survey committee hearings I mentioned earlier.
This is indeed, as comments have pointed out, a Labor/Greens-dominated committee which means the government had its arm twisted.This is indeed, as comments have pointed out, a Labor/Greens-dominated committee which means the government had its arm twisted.
It is headed by the Labor senator Jenny McAllister and presumably is designed to address and react to the various roiling boiling issues that surface in the heat of the postal survey.It is headed by the Labor senator Jenny McAllister and presumably is designed to address and react to the various roiling boiling issues that surface in the heat of the postal survey.
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I want to go back to hypothecation (because it’s such a alluring term) and the idea that the Medicare levy increase for the NDIS goes into a locked box.I want to go back to hypothecation (because it’s such a alluring term) and the idea that the Medicare levy increase for the NDIS goes into a locked box.
Fairfax’s Peter Martin addressed this issue back in February.Fairfax’s Peter Martin addressed this issue back in February.
In reality there are no locked boxes. Clause 81 of the constitution says “all revenues or moneys raised or received by the executive government of the commonwealth shall form one consolidated revenue fund, to be appropriated for the purposes of the commonwealth in the manner and subject to the charges and liabilities imposed by this constitution”.In reality there are no locked boxes. Clause 81 of the constitution says “all revenues or moneys raised or received by the executive government of the commonwealth shall form one consolidated revenue fund, to be appropriated for the purposes of the commonwealth in the manner and subject to the charges and liabilities imposed by this constitution”.
There are no separate jam jars.There are no separate jam jars.
But it hasn’t stopped the governments of all persuasion from acting as if there are. The best-known is the Medicare levy, which we are told funds Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but which in reality goes straight into consolidated revenue (and couldn’t anywhere near fully fund them in any event).But it hasn’t stopped the governments of all persuasion from acting as if there are. The best-known is the Medicare levy, which we are told funds Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but which in reality goes straight into consolidated revenue (and couldn’t anywhere near fully fund them in any event).
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Bill Shorten was asked whether the constitution should be changed to allow dual citizens in parliament and he suggests MPs should simply make sure they comply with the rules.Bill Shorten was asked whether the constitution should be changed to allow dual citizens in parliament and he suggests MPs should simply make sure they comply with the rules.
He says he will not back down on the Medicare NDIS levy – he will only support the increase on salaries over $87,000.He says he will not back down on the Medicare NDIS levy – he will only support the increase on salaries over $87,000.
It is horribly wrong for the government the hold the NDIS hostage and say that the only way to fund it is through increasing taxes on people who earn $50,000 and $60,000 a year. There is many other ways to fund the functioning of government.It is horribly wrong for the government the hold the NDIS hostage and say that the only way to fund it is through increasing taxes on people who earn $50,000 and $60,000 a year. There is many other ways to fund the functioning of government.
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Shorten dismisses the New Zealand Labour conspiracy theory.Shorten dismisses the New Zealand Labour conspiracy theory.
I think we have all seen the mad conspiracy theories of the last 48 hours and I don’t think the prime minister or foreign minister have done themselves any favours whatsoever.I think we have all seen the mad conspiracy theories of the last 48 hours and I don’t think the prime minister or foreign minister have done themselves any favours whatsoever.
Let’s be clear here. Labor didn’t ask the government to refer their deputy prime minister to the high court. The government did that. Labor didn’t ask the government to make their deputy prime minister come out and declare that he was the citizen of a foreign power.Let’s be clear here. Labor didn’t ask the government to refer their deputy prime minister to the high court. The government did that. Labor didn’t ask the government to make their deputy prime minister come out and declare that he was the citizen of a foreign power.
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