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| Taxpayers will 'assist' with Michaelia Cash's subpoena fight bill – politics live | Taxpayers will 'assist' with Michaelia Cash's subpoena fight bill – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| It is almost question time (sad yayayayayayayayayayayay) - hit us up with your predictions in the comments | |
| Rachel Siewart, has welcomed the passing of the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child abuse on behalf of the Greens, but said concerns remain: | |
| “The Greens welcome with a heavy heart the passing of the national redress legislation and look forward to seeing the Scheme operating from the nominated date of 1 July 2018,” she said in a statement. | |
| “We share concerns with survivors that the Scheme is not the best it can be given there are some issues that remain unresolved. | |
| “As indicated by my second reading amendment, I hold concerns about relevant prior payments being indexed under the Scheme. | |
| “The Government has said that they won’t raise the cap because a $200,000 cap would result in an average payment of $65,000, whilst the current $150,000 cap will result in an average payment of $76,000. They could not explain how they came to these figures which is farcical. | |
| “The Government could not answer in the debate detailed operational questions and because there’s no funder of last resort in all circumstances there will be survivors unable to access redress. | |
| “There is uncertainty as to whether or not counselling and psychological services will be available to survivors for the whole of their life and the Government’s answers to my questions during the debate have not reassured me. | |
| “I also have concerns around the scope for eligibility for the scheme, I don’t think certain groups should be excluded from the scheme, like those who have a criminal conviction, are in gaol or are not an Australian Citizen or permanent resident at the time they apply for redress. | |
| “These are just some of the remaining concerns the Greens and others share. Following commencement, we will continue to advocate and work for subsequent reforms to make the Scheme the best it can be”. | |
| Penny Wong has addressed the Australia China Business Council. | |
| Here is part of that speech: | |
| The Australia China Business Council has existed for almost as long as Australia has had diplomatic relations with China. Our oldest non-government institutional link with China, you play a key role in the bilateral relationship between our two countries. This role is perhaps even more important now, as the bilateral relationship between Australia and China weathers an unsettled period. | |
| You would all be aware of reported tensions that have marked the Australia-China relationship over recent months. That tension has led, among other things, to Australian businesses shouldering the burden of slowdowns and administrative holdups, intimations from China’s representative here in Australia about implications for our economic ties, and some fairly direct recent remarks by China’s Foreign Minister Wang. | |
| Instances of ill-advised and unnecessarily inflammatory statements from senior members of the government, such as ‘bridges to nowhere’ and the former deputy prime minister’s ‘China is a greater threat than terrorism’ have been unhelpful. | |
| Further, they have distracted from some of the more complex issues that arise in the China relationship: issues and challenges that need to be articulated clearly and purposefully — to the Australian people and to China — not dealt with glibly or thoughtlessly. | |
| The China relationship is both a complex and crucial one. Politically and culturally, China and Australia are very different countries and in such complex relationships, differences of approach, objective and opinion will inevitably arise. | |
| These differences have become more apparent as China has become more confident in asserting its interests under President Xi. | |
| Australia is entitled to assert our national interests, just as China asserts what it sees as its interests. But it is possible for us to assert our interests and safeguard our sovereignty without being offensive and inflammatory. A more sophisticated approach, based on both respect and a firm articulation of our convictions, will do more to ensure our national interests are maintained than will the disjointed megaphone diplomacy the government seems to have preferred of late. | |
| Similarly, it is also incumbent upon political, business and industry leaders to ensure they handle such debates with a degree of sensitivity and sophistication. | |
| As I remarked in my first speech to the parliament, Australia’s diversity can be an aspect of our shared identity. Or it can be the faultline around which our community fractures. We must always guard against racial faultlines from our past being allowed to resonate today. | |
| As others have noted, the Turnbull government has fallen short in its management of this key bilateral relationship. A more considered, disciplined and consistent approach is required. It’s not in our longer-term interest for ties to be strained. Nor is it in China’s. | |
| What the Australia-China relationship needs is stability based on mutual understanding. | |
| If Labor forms government following the next election, we understand that some of these pressures will persist. We understand that, at times, our interests will differ. We understand that challenges in the relationship may intensify. But what government can and should avoid is making things harder than they need to be. | |
| Michelle Guthrie is addressing the Melbourne press club, answering the question, How do you put price on the value on the ABC? | |
| This is coming just moments after the Coalition party room had the discussion of whether there should be a “cost benefit analysis” for each of its programs. | |
| Not sure how that would go in the rural and regional areas, where there just aren’t that many people, but those programs are considered an absolute lifeblood of the community. | Not sure how that would go in the rural and regional areas, where there just aren’t that many people, but those programs are considered an absolute lifeblood of the community. |
| Guthrie says the ABC has commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to do some research for it. | Guthrie says the ABC has commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to do some research for it. |
| The report is still being compiled and will be released next month, but the early findings are very interesting – they show that the ABC contributed more than a billion dollars to the Australian economy in the last financial year – on a par with the public investment into the organisation. | |
| So far from being a drain on the public purse, the audience, community and economic value stemming from the ABC activity is a real and tangible benefit. | |
| While Labor has been revving up for a tax fight, government conservatives have been up to their favourite activity: squabbling about the national energy guarantee. | While Labor has been revving up for a tax fight, government conservatives have been up to their favourite activity: squabbling about the national energy guarantee. |
| The usual suspects: Tony Abbott, Eric Abetz, Craig Kelly, Andrew Gee and Ian MacDonald raised their usual objections about the policy. National Scott Buchholtz fretted about high energy prices. Liberal Trent Zimmerman spoke up in support of the policy. | The usual suspects: Tony Abbott, Eric Abetz, Craig Kelly, Andrew Gee and Ian MacDonald raised their usual objections about the policy. National Scott Buchholtz fretted about high energy prices. Liberal Trent Zimmerman spoke up in support of the policy. |
| According to folks in the room, Abetz attempted to argue that Abbott hadn’t given hard commitments about signing up to the Paris agreement, that it was always aspirational. Abetz apparently invoked his favourite line about not “putting pensioners before Paris”. | According to folks in the room, Abetz attempted to argue that Abbott hadn’t given hard commitments about signing up to the Paris agreement, that it was always aspirational. Abetz apparently invoked his favourite line about not “putting pensioners before Paris”. |
| The energy minister Josh Frydenberg (correctly) said Abbott had signed the government up to Paris with firm commitments, not aspirations. | The energy minister Josh Frydenberg (correctly) said Abbott had signed the government up to Paris with firm commitments, not aspirations. |
| Abbott also raised the impact of the national energy guarantee on the Tomago aluminium smelter. Frydenberg pointed out that the owners of Tomago are supportive of the national energy guarantee. | Abbott also raised the impact of the national energy guarantee on the Tomago aluminium smelter. Frydenberg pointed out that the owners of Tomago are supportive of the national energy guarantee. |
| Brian Burston said he only decided to join Clive Palmer at 10:30am on Monday...But his staffer tweeted this at 7:47am https://t.co/5xqvVHMBrZ | Brian Burston said he only decided to join Clive Palmer at 10:30am on Monday...But his staffer tweeted this at 7:47am https://t.co/5xqvVHMBrZ |
| For those who have been blocked by Mary-Ann Oaten, a Brian Burston staffer, here is the Tweet @workmanalice was pointing to - and another, a minute before Burston stood up in the house to say he was an independent: #auspol (Burston said he didn’t make the decision until 10.30) pic.twitter.com/gJPB2wPFJg | For those who have been blocked by Mary-Ann Oaten, a Brian Burston staffer, here is the Tweet @workmanalice was pointing to - and another, a minute before Burston stood up in the house to say he was an independent: #auspol (Burston said he didn’t make the decision until 10.30) pic.twitter.com/gJPB2wPFJg |
| Christian Porter has approved “assistance” in Michaelia Cash’s fight against two subpoenas in the AWU raids federal court case. | Christian Porter has approved “assistance” in Michaelia Cash’s fight against two subpoenas in the AWU raids federal court case. |
| Taxpayers to pick up the bill for Michaelia Cash’s legal fight against the two subpoenas in the AWU raid leak case: #auspol pic.twitter.com/l0RzlZrmVr | Taxpayers to pick up the bill for Michaelia Cash’s legal fight against the two subpoenas in the AWU raid leak case: #auspol pic.twitter.com/l0RzlZrmVr |
| Labor has released its statement on its tax cut legislation position (emphasis Labor’s): | Labor has released its statement on its tax cut legislation position (emphasis Labor’s): |
| A Shorten Labor government will deliver permanent tax relief for the Australians who need it most – ensuring tax relief goes back into the pockets of 10 million middle income and working Australians, not Turnbull’s millionaires. | A Shorten Labor government will deliver permanent tax relief for the Australians who need it most – ensuring tax relief goes back into the pockets of 10 million middle income and working Australians, not Turnbull’s millionaires. |
| Under the Liberals, working Australians are struggling with soaring cost of living expenses – with energy costs higher than ever, health costs higher than ever, and wage growth at record lows. | Under the Liberals, working Australians are struggling with soaring cost of living expenses – with energy costs higher than ever, health costs higher than ever, and wage growth at record lows. |
| But Turnbull wants someone on $200,000 to pay the same tax rate as someone on $40,000. | But Turnbull wants someone on $200,000 to pay the same tax rate as someone on $40,000. |
| Labor will fight to ensure that low income and working Australians get a fair share – rather than the top tax bracket being the largest beneficiary in six years’ time. | Labor will fight to ensure that low income and working Australians get a fair share – rather than the top tax bracket being the largest beneficiary in six years’ time. |
| Labor’s will support tax cuts for 10 million people on the 1st of July – we are ready to vote for them today. And if we are elected, we will almost double these tax cuts and make them permanent – while asking those in the top tax bracket to pay a little more to help reduce the debt. | Labor’s will support tax cuts for 10 million people on the 1st of July – we are ready to vote for them today. And if we are elected, we will almost double these tax cuts and make them permanent – while asking those in the top tax bracket to pay a little more to help reduce the debt. |
| Labor’s bigger, better and fairer income tax cuts will see those earning up to $125,000 a year better off when compared to Malcolm Turnbull’s plan over the next four years. | Labor’s bigger, better and fairer income tax cuts will see those earning up to $125,000 a year better off when compared to Malcolm Turnbull’s plan over the next four years. |
| Labor does not support someone on $200,000 paying the same tax rate as someone on $40,000. We don’t agree with Turnbull giving even more tax cuts for the top tax bracket – and this is after Turnbull cut their tax rate last year. | Labor does not support someone on $200,000 paying the same tax rate as someone on $40,000. We don’t agree with Turnbull giving even more tax cuts for the top tax bracket – and this is after Turnbull cut their tax rate last year. |
| That’s why Labor will move amendments in the Senate to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Plan) Bill 2018 to ensure the passage of the tax cuts starting on 1 July. | That’s why Labor will move amendments in the Senate to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Plan) Bill 2018 to ensure the passage of the tax cuts starting on 1 July. |
| We will seek to implement better, fairer tax cuts through Labor’s Tax Refund for Working Australians – which would double the tax relief to up to $928 per year. | We will seek to implement better, fairer tax cuts through Labor’s Tax Refund for Working Australians – which would double the tax relief to up to $928 per year. |
| Turnbull needs to stop standing in the way of tax relief for 10 million Australians. Tax cuts for teachers and tradies this year should not be held hostage to tax cuts for bankers in six years. | Turnbull needs to stop standing in the way of tax relief for 10 million Australians. Tax cuts for teachers and tradies this year should not be held hostage to tax cuts for bankers in six years. |
| And if Turnbull doesn’t allow passage of tax relief for 10 million Australians before 1 July – a Shorten Labor government will ensure they receive it regardless. The treasurer himself has conceded that the legislation does not need to be in place by 1 July for the tax relief to be received at the end of next financial year – so we will act on Turnbull’s failure, make sure they receive this tax relief and lock in our bigger, fairer, tax cut. | And if Turnbull doesn’t allow passage of tax relief for 10 million Australians before 1 July – a Shorten Labor government will ensure they receive it regardless. The treasurer himself has conceded that the legislation does not need to be in place by 1 July for the tax relief to be received at the end of next financial year – so we will act on Turnbull’s failure, make sure they receive this tax relief and lock in our bigger, fairer, tax cut. |
| The Turnbull government’s priority is for tax cuts for big business and high income earners – at a cost to the budget of a $25 billion a year in ten years’ time. | The Turnbull government’s priority is for tax cuts for big business and high income earners – at a cost to the budget of a $25 billion a year in ten years’ time. |
| Because Labor isn’t giving millionaires another tax cut, or giving big business an $80 billion tax handout, we can put more money into the pockets of working Australians, fund better schools and hospitals, and pay down the debt quicker. | Because Labor isn’t giving millionaires another tax cut, or giving big business an $80 billion tax handout, we can put more money into the pockets of working Australians, fund better schools and hospitals, and pay down the debt quicker. |
| At the end of the press conference, Bill Shorten is asked if he regrets giving the obituary for Bob Ellis, after Rozanna and Kate Lilley, daughters of playwright Dorothy Hewett, said Ellis was one of the men who used to come to their family home in the 70s and have sex with them, including when they were underage. | At the end of the press conference, Bill Shorten is asked if he regrets giving the obituary for Bob Ellis, after Rozanna and Kate Lilley, daughters of playwright Dorothy Hewett, said Ellis was one of the men who used to come to their family home in the 70s and have sex with them, including when they were underage. |
| The Australian reported on that, and the books the women have written about growing up in the Lilley house, here. | The Australian reported on that, and the books the women have written about growing up in the Lilley house, here. |
| “I didn’t know then what we know now,” he said. | “I didn’t know then what we know now,” he said. |
| “I think they are shocking allegations. | “I think they are shocking allegations. |
| “Yes. I do.” | “Yes. I do.” |
| Bill Shorten is addressing the “aspirational” debate Malcolm Turnbull and the government has raised. | Bill Shorten is addressing the “aspirational” debate Malcolm Turnbull and the government has raised. |
| “Mr Turnbull loves to talk about aspiration. But he only has one definition of aspiration. More money. | “Mr Turnbull loves to talk about aspiration. But he only has one definition of aspiration. More money. |
| “Now that is not unreasonable. But I think there is plenty of aspiration in this country. I don’t judge a person by how much money they make. If you have an aspiration to send your kids to Tafe, that will do for me. If you have an aspiration to find decent home care, residential care, for your parent who has been diagnosed with dementia, that is aspiration. If you have an aspiration to be fair dinkum on climate change, that will do me. | “Now that is not unreasonable. But I think there is plenty of aspiration in this country. I don’t judge a person by how much money they make. If you have an aspiration to send your kids to Tafe, that will do for me. If you have an aspiration to find decent home care, residential care, for your parent who has been diagnosed with dementia, that is aspiration. If you have an aspiration to be fair dinkum on climate change, that will do me. |
| “I have a view of Australia which is not defined by how much money you have in the bank.” | “I have a view of Australia which is not defined by how much money you have in the bank.” |
| “We all support tax cuts for the first group – let’s do that. And as for the rest, why don’t we agree to disagree and trust the Australian people to decide at the next election”. | “We all support tax cuts for the first group – let’s do that. And as for the rest, why don’t we agree to disagree and trust the Australian people to decide at the next election”. |