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| Tim Storer tells Senate why he's against Coalition's company tax bill – politics live | Tim Storer tells Senate why he's against Coalition's company tax bill – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| All protesters have been removed. | |
| We probably won’t be able to show you photos of it, because we are not allowed to take photos of the galleries. | |
| Scott Morrison seems a little off his shouty game, with all the noise coming from the public gallery. | |
| But he adds the story of Campbell, and Campbell’s mum, to the list of opposition dixer examples. So far we have had Alan, Alan and Bruce. | |
| Is this “an insulting retiree tax” or a Braveheart extra roll-call list? | |
| The protest is still going on, with security having a bit of trouble removing the protesters. | |
| Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: | |
| I refer to my previous question. The prime minister’s public failure in question time to commit to taking his $65bn corporate tax cut to the next election. We welcome an election on this issue which is why I ask the prime minister again: will the prime minister commit to taking his corporate tax giveaway to the next election, yes or no? | |
| Turnbull: (the short version) | |
| Our commitment is to get the tax enterprise planned past in this parliament, and I can assure the honourable member, I can assure the honourable member that we are committed to it, we will be committed to it today and at the next election and we welcome a contest with the leader of the opposition on tax. We welcome it! We welcome a contest on jobs. Because that’s what it’s about. It’s about creating jobs.” | |
| Malcolm Turnbull continues with a dixer answer, while the protesters can be heard across the chamber: | |
| Protesters against the detention of refugees in #QT. The protesters have arms linked together, but no glue this time. | |
| Security is attempting to remove them from the public gallery. | |
| It’s the last one for five weeks, and we start with a question on company tax: | |
| Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: | |
| “Now that a majority of senators have rejected the prime minister’s company tax plan, will the prime minister tell Australians right here, right now, whether he will take [the] $65bn tax giveaway to big business to the next election?” | |
| Turnbull: As usual, the leader of the opposition is kicking off question time with a misleading statement. The Senate has not voted on the enterprise tax bill and that is a minor detail of fact, that the opposition doesn’t seem to be able to come to grips with. Mr Speaker, the reality is very, very straightforward. The leader of the opposition notes, as he said in 2012, that any student of Australian business and economic history since the mid 1980s, knows part of Australia’s success was derived through the reduction in the company tax rate and in deed, the economic wizard on the frontbench, he said in 2011, we recognise in a world of mobile capital, capital is even fleeter of foot than the marathon runner opposite. If we have higher tax rates, our companies won’t get the investment they need to grow employment and boost wages. Of course, it was the leader of the opposition himself, in that much-celebrated statement which I am surely he wishes he hadn’t said that he said right here in 2011, cutting the income tax rate increases productivity in investment and more capital all means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages – more capital. It is straightforward, Mr Speaker.” | |
| He finishes, as a protest starts up in the public gallery. | |
| Just ahead of question time, Labor MPs have donned green and gold Australia scarves to wish our Commonwealth Games athletes good luck, ahead of the games next month. | |
| AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE someone just yelled. | |
| Matt Canavan finishes his speech with this: | |
| The coal industry is not inconsistent with the Paris agreement because 14 countries have responded by saying their plans include investing in the advanced ... coal-fired power stations. They’re going to meet their commitments by investing more in coal because they’re going to invest in cleaner technology that burns coal at higher temperatures and therefore generates fewer emissions. | |
| We should be thinking about the smart ways to respond to climate change, thinking about what we can do to continue economic growth and lower our carbon emissions, not locking ourselves in the national park view that it must be renewables, not coal or oil or gas. I don’t care. I agree with Xi Jinping. It doesn’t matter if it is a black cat or yellow cat so long as it catches mice. The technologies coming from the coal industry with going to be able to catch mice and lower emissions and are doing it already. It seems strange a country that gets so much from the coal industry would be taking an anti-technological and anti-scientific approach. | |
| I just want to finalise, saying, you said I’m elected, yes, I am but I stand on a platform that is unashamedly pro coal. I got elected on that basis. I got elected on the basis I will support the resources sector. | |
| I’m pretty sure that as a senator, you get elected as part of your party’s vote quota, but as we all know, I’m no expert. | |
| Looks like China beat Trump to it: | Looks like China beat Trump to it: |
| China says North Korea pledges denuclearization during friendly visit https://t.co/gI4Rc5IldH | China says North Korea pledges denuclearization during friendly visit https://t.co/gI4Rc5IldH |
| Fairfax has published this, just in time for question time: | Fairfax has published this, just in time for question time: |
| EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm Turnbull office signed Vikki Campion's job transfer https://t.co/T97BtN9J3P #auspol By @CroweDM and Peter Hartcher | EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm Turnbull office signed Vikki Campion's job transfer https://t.co/T97BtN9J3P #auspol By @CroweDM and Peter Hartcher |
| A key adviser to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull helped to formalise a job transfer for the partner of Barnaby Joyce, according to new details about the controversial decision to secure the new position in a ministerial office. | A key adviser to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull helped to formalise a job transfer for the partner of Barnaby Joyce, according to new details about the controversial decision to secure the new position in a ministerial office. |
| The letter from Mr Turnbull’s senior governance adviser was signed on 9 May last year and gave official clearance to the new role for Vikki Campion, who was in a relationship with Mr Joyce at the time and is due to give birth to their baby next month. | The letter from Mr Turnbull’s senior governance adviser was signed on 9 May last year and gave official clearance to the new role for Vikki Campion, who was in a relationship with Mr Joyce at the time and is due to give birth to their baby next month. |
| The role played by the prime minister’s office triggered detailed questioning in parliament last month amid an uproar over the relationship and the way the government moved Ms Campion from one office to another to manage the matter.” | The role played by the prime minister’s office triggered detailed questioning in parliament last month amid an uproar over the relationship and the way the government moved Ms Campion from one office to another to manage the matter.” |
| Back to the press club for a moment, here is when the protester interrupted: | Back to the press club for a moment, here is when the protester interrupted: |
| JUST IN: A 'Stop Adani' protester has interrupted the press club address of Resources Minister @mattjcan.MORE: https://t.co/ykweMeNddk pic.twitter.com/BSgokCNfyk | JUST IN: A 'Stop Adani' protester has interrupted the press club address of Resources Minister @mattjcan.MORE: https://t.co/ykweMeNddk pic.twitter.com/BSgokCNfyk |
| Tim Storer: | Tim Storer: |
| I wish to thank Senator Cormann and his staff for their respectful, patient and courteous dealings with me over the last month in my commencement as a senator. | I wish to thank Senator Cormann and his staff for their respectful, patient and courteous dealings with me over the last month in my commencement as a senator. |
| As an independent senator from South Australia, it is my intention to review each bill on its merits, examining all the the evidence available in a non-partisan manner. I believe this is what the South Australian people expect of me. | As an independent senator from South Australia, it is my intention to review each bill on its merits, examining all the the evidence available in a non-partisan manner. I believe this is what the South Australian people expect of me. |
| My focus and evaluation of this bill has been on the impact to the future prosperity and fairness of all Australians and in particular to South Australians. | My focus and evaluation of this bill has been on the impact to the future prosperity and fairness of all Australians and in particular to South Australians. |
| I have undertaken an at-length consideration of materials provided by many sources in relation to this bill, drawing on my business and economics background. I have held numerous meetings and received input from a wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, South Australian businesses and business groups, leading economist groups, national business council and their members. | I have undertaken an at-length consideration of materials provided by many sources in relation to this bill, drawing on my business and economics background. I have held numerous meetings and received input from a wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, South Australian businesses and business groups, leading economist groups, national business council and their members. |
| After undertaking that process, I remain to be convinced that in isolation from a broader discussion and initiatives on enhancing the overall sustainability of our taxation system that I should support this bill in its current form. | After undertaking that process, I remain to be convinced that in isolation from a broader discussion and initiatives on enhancing the overall sustainability of our taxation system that I should support this bill in its current form. |
| I believe this bill is a narrowly cast proposition of change to the overall tax and transfer system, a system which itself continues to be felt by some economists and business leaders to be unsustainable. In the significant reforms posited in the Henry tax review of 2010, the reduction in company tax to 25% was only one of a number of principal feature reforms which have not been acted upon. | I believe this bill is a narrowly cast proposition of change to the overall tax and transfer system, a system which itself continues to be felt by some economists and business leaders to be unsustainable. In the significant reforms posited in the Henry tax review of 2010, the reduction in company tax to 25% was only one of a number of principal feature reforms which have not been acted upon. |
| I have doubts that the decision to reduce company tax for all companies is prudent to undertake in the face of Australia’s budget deficit and debt. Even without this tax cut, I doubt our present tax system is sufficiently robust to support a medium-term fiscal strategy of budget surpluses, on average over the course of the economic cycle. | I have doubts that the decision to reduce company tax for all companies is prudent to undertake in the face of Australia’s budget deficit and debt. Even without this tax cut, I doubt our present tax system is sufficiently robust to support a medium-term fiscal strategy of budget surpluses, on average over the course of the economic cycle. |
| Importantly I see the strength and timing of the effect of this proposed tax cut to be modest relative to its cost. With one of the highest rates of population growth in the developed world, I am mindful of other uses of government revenue which can generate prosperity and enhance fairness for the Australian people, such as well-targeted social and economic programs aimed at supporting businesses with RND, innovation and industrial transformation, funding of world-class education and health systems, harnessing the contribution potential of our youth and ageing populations, reducing inequality and investing in public infrastructure. | Importantly I see the strength and timing of the effect of this proposed tax cut to be modest relative to its cost. With one of the highest rates of population growth in the developed world, I am mindful of other uses of government revenue which can generate prosperity and enhance fairness for the Australian people, such as well-targeted social and economic programs aimed at supporting businesses with RND, innovation and industrial transformation, funding of world-class education and health systems, harnessing the contribution potential of our youth and ageing populations, reducing inequality and investing in public infrastructure. |
| On January 31 2018, in an opinion piece in the Australian newspaper, the minister for urban infrastructure and cities, the honourable Paul Fletcher, noted that the commonwealth share of total public infrastructure spending, rising to nearly 30% would see a 0.5 to 0.7% rise in GDP growth and jobs in the fiscal year 2018. | On January 31 2018, in an opinion piece in the Australian newspaper, the minister for urban infrastructure and cities, the honourable Paul Fletcher, noted that the commonwealth share of total public infrastructure spending, rising to nearly 30% would see a 0.5 to 0.7% rise in GDP growth and jobs in the fiscal year 2018. |
| He noted that an investment in infrastructure results in long lived assets that deliver benefits to the community for many decades, but also stimulates economic growth as the investment occurs. | He noted that an investment in infrastructure results in long lived assets that deliver benefits to the community for many decades, but also stimulates economic growth as the investment occurs. |
| So, as stated before, I remain to be convinced that I should support this bill in its current form, in isolation from a broader discussion and initiatives on enhancing the overall sustainability of our taxation system and with alternatives uses of government revenue that can generate prosperity and enhance fairness for the Australian people.” | So, as stated before, I remain to be convinced that I should support this bill in its current form, in isolation from a broader discussion and initiatives on enhancing the overall sustainability of our taxation system and with alternatives uses of government revenue that can generate prosperity and enhance fairness for the Australian people.” |
| Tim Storer is addressing the Senate on why he has not backed the government’s company tax legislation. | Tim Storer is addressing the Senate on why he has not backed the government’s company tax legislation. |
| “I have doubts that the decision to reduce company tax for all companies is prudent,” he said. | “I have doubts that the decision to reduce company tax for all companies is prudent,” he said. |
| I’ll have more for you in a moment, but like he told the Fin overnight, he doesn’t believe in tax reform in isolation and thinks there needs to be a whole reform. | I’ll have more for you in a moment, but like he told the Fin overnight, he doesn’t believe in tax reform in isolation and thinks there needs to be a whole reform. |
| I just moved across to the Senate in time to hear Pauline Hanson ask “If you marry someone, do you actually have the right to call yourself Indigenous-through marriage?” as part of a Treasury laws amendment, and I think my eyes rolled back so far I actually saw the back of my brain. | I just moved across to the Senate in time to hear Pauline Hanson ask “If you marry someone, do you actually have the right to call yourself Indigenous-through marriage?” as part of a Treasury laws amendment, and I think my eyes rolled back so far I actually saw the back of my brain. |
| It looks like an Anti-Adani protester just attempted to disrupt Matt Canavan’s address by jumping on the stage, but security was prepared and the protester, who was yelling “no more coalmines” was quickly ushered off. | It looks like an Anti-Adani protester just attempted to disrupt Matt Canavan’s address by jumping on the stage, but security was prepared and the protester, who was yelling “no more coalmines” was quickly ushered off. |
| Canavan had this to say: | Canavan had this to say: |
| I should also welcome, I should have welcomed at the start, those outside this place. It is a democracy and I welcome the opinions and views, and it is a sector worth supporting, in my view, because of the people in this room, like Patrick and Irene who do want to see a strong resource sector. | I should also welcome, I should have welcomed at the start, those outside this place. It is a democracy and I welcome the opinions and views, and it is a sector worth supporting, in my view, because of the people in this room, like Patrick and Irene who do want to see a strong resource sector. |
| I welcome the views of outside. But I want to make the point in Canberra, recently, 10 people were charged with tresspassing on Adani’s property in Bowen. Nine were from interstate, not even from Queensland, and the 10th was from Cairns. If we’re going to lift millions of people out of poverty, we’re going to need a lot of resources including coal and what is good for the resources sector is good for the rest of the world.” | I welcome the views of outside. But I want to make the point in Canberra, recently, 10 people were charged with tresspassing on Adani’s property in Bowen. Nine were from interstate, not even from Queensland, and the 10th was from Cairns. If we’re going to lift millions of people out of poverty, we’re going to need a lot of resources including coal and what is good for the resources sector is good for the rest of the world.” |
| Matt Canavan has begun his National Press Club address, with a focus on the people who rely on the Australian resources industry. | Matt Canavan has begun his National Press Club address, with a focus on the people who rely on the Australian resources industry. |
| I want to talk about Alicia, who I met at BMA Peak Downs mine last year. She got her first start at the mine; she moved from Brisbane to Dysart for the job. The mining industry gives lots of young Australians their first start in life. | I want to talk about Alicia, who I met at BMA Peak Downs mine last year. She got her first start at the mine; she moved from Brisbane to Dysart for the job. The mining industry gives lots of young Australians their first start in life. |
| Secondly, I want to talk about Elizabeth. She owns a company called Gecko Systems which she started in her garage in Ballarat and sells to the industry around the world. I saw her in Toronto recently. This sector gives so many people the opportunity to compete on the global stage. | Secondly, I want to talk about Elizabeth. She owns a company called Gecko Systems which she started in her garage in Ballarat and sells to the industry around the world. I saw her in Toronto recently. This sector gives so many people the opportunity to compete on the global stage. |
| The third person I want to speak about is Roger. He manages the Hide Away resort off Great Keppel Island ... in Queensland. But he is a third-generation coalminer and loves the reef and knows only so many customers can afford to come to the island because they have got a good paying job in the sector. | The third person I want to speak about is Roger. He manages the Hide Away resort off Great Keppel Island ... in Queensland. But he is a third-generation coalminer and loves the reef and knows only so many customers can afford to come to the island because they have got a good paying job in the sector. |
| The fourth person is Patrick Malone, and I note Irene Simpson, the elders of the people who have the native title rights over the land for the Adani Carmichael mine. You might have heard of it before. They support the development of the mine, as does another 292 elders of the peoples who turned up at an authorisation meeting in Maryborough about two years ago now, where the Adani mine was supported 294 to 1 in favour of going ahead. | The fourth person is Patrick Malone, and I note Irene Simpson, the elders of the people who have the native title rights over the land for the Adani Carmichael mine. You might have heard of it before. They support the development of the mine, as does another 292 elders of the peoples who turned up at an authorisation meeting in Maryborough about two years ago now, where the Adani mine was supported 294 to 1 in favour of going ahead. |
| I support this sector because it gives our first Australians the opportunity for economic advancement and a job. We in Canberra think about the industry in terms of billions of dollars of exports, thousands of jobs, all the big numbers, but it’s not why the industry is important. It’s important because of the people it supports around our country. It’s important because of the families that it helps to provide for and keep them in a home.” | I support this sector because it gives our first Australians the opportunity for economic advancement and a job. We in Canberra think about the industry in terms of billions of dollars of exports, thousands of jobs, all the big numbers, but it’s not why the industry is important. It’s important because of the people it supports around our country. It’s important because of the families that it helps to provide for and keep them in a home.” |