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| Labor will repeal company tax cuts – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Scott Morrison has some words on Bill Shorten’s comments: | |
| Bill Shorten has confirmed yet another giant, job-destroying tax on Aus biz & the economy. Not only has Labor committed to ripping our personal income tax cut away from 9m Aussies, they'll now hit tens of thousands of businesses that employ 1.5m Aussies with high taxes #auspol | |
| And Mathias Cormann also has some thoughts: | |
| Our agenda is about attracting more investment, stronger growth, more jobs & higher wages on the back of stronger competition for workers.Bill Shorten again today pushing higher taxes on business, which would lead to less investment, lower growth, fewer jobs & lower wages. | |
| Bill Shorten says Labor will roll back the company tax cuts – which have already been passed – for businesses that earn between $10m and $50m. | |
| The party is still considering what happens for those between $2m and $10m. | |
| We said that we will support any Australian business with under $2m turnover to get a tax reduction. We think that small business can do with all of the assistance they can get. | |
| “We are considering between $2m and 10m turnovers, beyond that, you have to look at priorities. | |
| “I just don’t agree with Mr Turnbull that the four big banks deserve $17bn in tax cuts over the next 10 years. I would rather see that being put back into our schools. I don’t agree with Mr Turnbull that the multinationals should get a tax cut yet we are carrying out cuts to our hospital and healthcare systems. It is all down to values. He is for the top end of town. He’s made it clear how he feels. I am for education and health funding.” | |
| Asked whether that means he will repeal what has been legislated, Shorten said: | Asked whether that means he will repeal what has been legislated, Shorten said: |
| “Yes.” | “Yes.” |
| Bill Shorten spoke at Ceda’s conference this morning in Canberra – afterwards, he was asked about Labor’s decision to personally attack Malcolm Turnbull and his wealth, given that Labor MPs have their own investment and property portfolios. | Bill Shorten spoke at Ceda’s conference this morning in Canberra – afterwards, he was asked about Labor’s decision to personally attack Malcolm Turnbull and his wealth, given that Labor MPs have their own investment and property portfolios. |
| Listen, let me state this clearly. Good luck to Mr Turnbull for being a very, very wealthy man. It is not his wealth that worries me. It is when he says stupid things. When he says to young couples buying their first home, ‘get rich parents’. When he says to aged care workers in Burnie, why can’t they get a better tax cut, he says, ‘get a better job’. I generally think Mr Turnbull is so out of touch with how millions of Australians live their life. That is the problem.” | Listen, let me state this clearly. Good luck to Mr Turnbull for being a very, very wealthy man. It is not his wealth that worries me. It is when he says stupid things. When he says to young couples buying their first home, ‘get rich parents’. When he says to aged care workers in Burnie, why can’t they get a better tax cut, he says, ‘get a better job’. I generally think Mr Turnbull is so out of touch with how millions of Australians live their life. That is the problem.” |
| The “get rich parents” line goes back to May 2016, when during a radio interview, Turnbull, while chatting with ABC radio host Jon Faine, suggested he “shell out” for his children’s first home deposit: | The “get rich parents” line goes back to May 2016, when during a radio interview, Turnbull, while chatting with ABC radio host Jon Faine, suggested he “shell out” for his children’s first home deposit: |
| On ABC radio on Wednesday, Jon Faine asked Turnbull whether his refusal to touch negative gearing was creating generational conflict, with young people resenting the difficulty of entering the housing market. | On ABC radio on Wednesday, Jon Faine asked Turnbull whether his refusal to touch negative gearing was creating generational conflict, with young people resenting the difficulty of entering the housing market. |
| “They’re saying: ‘For goodness sake, you baby boomers want everything and you’re locking us out,’” Faine said. Turnbull asked if Faine’s children were locked out of the market, and he said they were. | “They’re saying: ‘For goodness sake, you baby boomers want everything and you’re locking us out,’” Faine said. Turnbull asked if Faine’s children were locked out of the market, and he said they were. |
| “Well you should shell out for them – you should support them, a wealthy man like you,” Turnbull said. | “Well you should shell out for them – you should support them, a wealthy man like you,” Turnbull said. |
| Faine chuckled and said: “That’s what they say!” | Faine chuckled and said: “That’s what they say!” |
| “Well exactly. There you go – you’ve got the solution in your own hands,” Turnbull replied. “You can provide a bit of intergenerational equity in the Faine family.” | “Well exactly. There you go – you’ve got the solution in your own hands,” Turnbull replied. “You can provide a bit of intergenerational equity in the Faine family.” |
| Oh – and Australia will now have drones surveilling the coast line. | Oh – and Australia will now have drones surveilling the coast line. |
| This is how Sky Net begins: | This is how Sky Net begins: |
| The Turnbull Government will invest $1.4bn and acquire the first of six MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft through a cooperative program with the United States Navy. | The Turnbull Government will invest $1.4bn and acquire the first of six MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft through a cooperative program with the United States Navy. |
| The Triton will complement the surveillance role of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft through sustained operations at long ranges as well as being able to undertake a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. | The Triton will complement the surveillance role of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft through sustained operations at long ranges as well as being able to undertake a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. |
| Together these aircraft will significantly enhance our anti-submarine warfare and maritime strike capability, as well as our search and rescue capability. | Together these aircraft will significantly enhance our anti-submarine warfare and maritime strike capability, as well as our search and rescue capability. |
| Our number one priority is keeping Australians safe. This investment will protect our borders and make our region more secure. | Our number one priority is keeping Australians safe. This investment will protect our borders and make our region more secure. |
| As part of this investment Australia will also enter into a $200 million cooperative program with the United States Navy for the development, production and sustainment of the MQ-4C Triton. | As part of this investment Australia will also enter into a $200 million cooperative program with the United States Navy for the development, production and sustainment of the MQ-4C Triton. |
| Australia’s alliance with the US is our most important defence relationship, underpinned by strong cooperation in defence industry and capability development. | Australia’s alliance with the US is our most important defence relationship, underpinned by strong cooperation in defence industry and capability development. |
| This cooperative program will strengthen our ability to to develop advanced capability and conduct joint military operations. | This cooperative program will strengthen our ability to to develop advanced capability and conduct joint military operations. |
| As part of the initial $1.4bn investment in the Triton system, the government will invest $364m on new facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh and RAAF Base Tindal, as well the necessary ground control systems, support and training required to implement a project of this nature. | As part of the initial $1.4bn investment in the Triton system, the government will invest $364m on new facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh and RAAF Base Tindal, as well the necessary ground control systems, support and training required to implement a project of this nature. |
| The project is expected to create about 70 jobs across South Australia and the Northern Territory. | The project is expected to create about 70 jobs across South Australia and the Northern Territory. |
| Northrop Grumman as supplier of the Triton will play a lead role in delivering the capability in Australia. This investment follows Northrop’s commitment to a $50m advanced Electronic Sustainment Centre of Excellence at the new Western Sydney Airport. | Northrop Grumman as supplier of the Triton will play a lead role in delivering the capability in Australia. This investment follows Northrop’s commitment to a $50m advanced Electronic Sustainment Centre of Excellence at the new Western Sydney Airport. |
| Australia has already taken delivery of seven Poseidon aircraft and achieved Initial Operational Capability earlier this year. The full fleet of 12 Poseidon aircraft is expected to be delivered and in operation by 2022. | Australia has already taken delivery of seven Poseidon aircraft and achieved Initial Operational Capability earlier this year. The full fleet of 12 Poseidon aircraft is expected to be delivered and in operation by 2022. |
| The first of the Triton aircraft is expected to be introduced into service in mid-2023 with all six aircraft planned to be delivered and in operation by late 2025, based at RAAF Base, Edinburgh in South Australia. | The first of the Triton aircraft is expected to be introduced into service in mid-2023 with all six aircraft planned to be delivered and in operation by late 2025, based at RAAF Base, Edinburgh in South Australia. |
| The Orion fleet has performed exceptionally on operations throughout its distinguished service, and the last of these aircraft will be over 40 years old when they are withdrawn from service in 2023.” | The Orion fleet has performed exceptionally on operations throughout its distinguished service, and the last of these aircraft will be over 40 years old when they are withdrawn from service in 2023.” |
| Mark Butler stopped by doors to talk energy (within the Coalition party room): | Mark Butler stopped by doors to talk energy (within the Coalition party room): |
| Now it appears from reports this morning that instead of focusing on a policy that we know will actually underpin realistic investment, this energy committee, chaired by Craig Kelly, attended by people like Tony Abbott, instead is going to focus on a fantasy of Australia building new coal-fired power stations. When Malcolm Turnbull first floated this idea last year he was given a resounding message from business that new coal-fired power stations are simply uninvestable in this country. Indeed, the only businessman that indicated any interest in partnering with Malcolm Turnbull in such a venture was Clive Palmer, whose last great idea was building Titanic II. The government was also given a message from the Energy Security Board that no investor is going to go near a new coal-fired power station. And Malcolm Turnbull’s own pet project, Snowy 2.0, it has been made very clear, will only be viable with a high renewable energy future and not with new coal-fired power stations.It is time for Malcolm Turnbull to engage in some plain speaking to his party room this morning. The longer the Coalition engages in these fantasies of building new coal-fired power stations, the longer Australians are going to have to wait for an energy policy that will start to put downward pressure on household and business power bills. | Now it appears from reports this morning that instead of focusing on a policy that we know will actually underpin realistic investment, this energy committee, chaired by Craig Kelly, attended by people like Tony Abbott, instead is going to focus on a fantasy of Australia building new coal-fired power stations. When Malcolm Turnbull first floated this idea last year he was given a resounding message from business that new coal-fired power stations are simply uninvestable in this country. Indeed, the only businessman that indicated any interest in partnering with Malcolm Turnbull in such a venture was Clive Palmer, whose last great idea was building Titanic II. The government was also given a message from the Energy Security Board that no investor is going to go near a new coal-fired power station. And Malcolm Turnbull’s own pet project, Snowy 2.0, it has been made very clear, will only be viable with a high renewable energy future and not with new coal-fired power stations.It is time for Malcolm Turnbull to engage in some plain speaking to his party room this morning. The longer the Coalition engages in these fantasies of building new coal-fired power stations, the longer Australians are going to have to wait for an energy policy that will start to put downward pressure on household and business power bills. |
| Sky News is back on at Parliament House, just in time for us to see Christopher Pyne talk drones. | Sky News is back on at Parliament House, just in time for us to see Christopher Pyne talk drones. |
| He also wades into the aspiration battles. Please let this end soon. | He also wades into the aspiration battles. Please let this end soon. |
| .@cpyne on Labor's criticism of tax cuts: Every Australian wants to earn more money and move up the ranks...we're like salmons swimming upstream, that's what we do best. Labor politicians are hypocrites...they're property tycoons. MORE: https://t.co/5WizPEfB6e #FirstEdition pic.twitter.com/TS07eIYfo5 | .@cpyne on Labor's criticism of tax cuts: Every Australian wants to earn more money and move up the ranks...we're like salmons swimming upstream, that's what we do best. Labor politicians are hypocrites...they're property tycoons. MORE: https://t.co/5WizPEfB6e #FirstEdition pic.twitter.com/TS07eIYfo5 |
| Lee Rhiannon, who will retire from the Senate in mid-August, gave a speech during the adjournment debate last night, where she defended the New South Wales Greens – and also took a shot at how the $1.6m Graeme Wood donation was used (spoiler – she would have rejected it, even if it was offered to the NSW Greens, which it wasn’t) and goes on to talk about the party’s declining vote. | Lee Rhiannon, who will retire from the Senate in mid-August, gave a speech during the adjournment debate last night, where she defended the New South Wales Greens – and also took a shot at how the $1.6m Graeme Wood donation was used (spoiler – she would have rejected it, even if it was offered to the NSW Greens, which it wasn’t) and goes on to talk about the party’s declining vote. |
| From her speech: (Page 130 of the Senate Hansard) | From her speech: (Page 130 of the Senate Hansard) |
| In 2010, I was elected a Greens senator in NSW, with the party polling 10.69% of the vote. This is the highest vote ever achieved by the Greens in NSW in a Senate election. The Green NSW Senate vote in that election, however, was lower than that for other state Greens parties across the country. | In 2010, I was elected a Greens senator in NSW, with the party polling 10.69% of the vote. This is the highest vote ever achieved by the Greens in NSW in a Senate election. The Green NSW Senate vote in that election, however, was lower than that for other state Greens parties across the country. |
| A significant reason for that lower Senate result was how the $1.6m that Graeme Wood donated to the Australian Greens was used. This money was spent on advertising to assist the Greens election campaign in every state and territory except NSW. No money was offered to the Greens NSW. If any money had been offered to NSW, I doubt that we would have accepted it, as we oppose large political donations on the basis that they potentially buy influence and distort our democracy. | A significant reason for that lower Senate result was how the $1.6m that Graeme Wood donated to the Australian Greens was used. This money was spent on advertising to assist the Greens election campaign in every state and territory except NSW. No money was offered to the Greens NSW. If any money had been offered to NSW, I doubt that we would have accepted it, as we oppose large political donations on the basis that they potentially buy influence and distort our democracy. |
| The Greens Senate results in 2010 are informative. They demonstrate that big money buys advertising that, in turn, can win over voters. The results also show how an empowered party — in this case, the Greens NSW — where members have a major say in the campaign and that is promoting policies for the public good can increase votes without relying on big donations. | The Greens Senate results in 2010 are informative. They demonstrate that big money buys advertising that, in turn, can win over voters. The results also show how an empowered party — in this case, the Greens NSW — where members have a major say in the campaign and that is promoting policies for the public good can increase votes without relying on big donations. |
| Our members work incredibly hard on election campaigns, and that is why I was elected as an MP and why the Greens have had the electoral success that we have achieved in NSW. Members control party campaigns. | Our members work incredibly hard on election campaigns, and that is why I was elected as an MP and why the Greens have had the electoral success that we have achieved in NSW. Members control party campaigns. |
| Since 2010, there has been some decline in the Australians Greens vote. Some people assert that the Greens NSW is causing the slump in the nationwide Greens vote. That is ridiculous. I’m not keen on making comparisons of Greens NSW voting achievements to those of other states, but I have decided to put this on the record, as the misinformation about the Greens NSW and myself is quite shocking. | Since 2010, there has been some decline in the Australians Greens vote. Some people assert that the Greens NSW is causing the slump in the nationwide Greens vote. That is ridiculous. I’m not keen on making comparisons of Greens NSW voting achievements to those of other states, but I have decided to put this on the record, as the misinformation about the Greens NSW and myself is quite shocking. |
| Recent Greens election results have been inconsistent, but they include strong results in the Queensland 2017 state election and the NSW local government elections in both 2016 and 2017. Obviously a party’s vote is determined primarily by one’s political stance but organisational factors right through to the party’s position on the ballot paper are relevant. | Recent Greens election results have been inconsistent, but they include strong results in the Queensland 2017 state election and the NSW local government elections in both 2016 and 2017. Obviously a party’s vote is determined primarily by one’s political stance but organisational factors right through to the party’s position on the ballot paper are relevant. |
| The following Greens vote figures by state show that a number of Greens state parties have experienced a higher drop in their federal vote when compared to the drop in the Greens NSW vote. | The following Greens vote figures by state show that a number of Greens state parties have experienced a higher drop in their federal vote when compared to the drop in the Greens NSW vote. |
| Compared to 2010, the 2016 Greens Senate vote in NSW dropped by 3.3%, in Western Australia by 3.4% and in Victoria by 3.8%. In Tasmania, the Greens Senate vote declined by 9% since the 2010 high-water mark. | Compared to 2010, the 2016 Greens Senate vote in NSW dropped by 3.3%, in Western Australia by 3.4% and in Victoria by 3.8%. In Tasmania, the Greens Senate vote declined by 9% since the 2010 high-water mark. |
| A similar trend is evident in the Greens House of Representatives vote. I am highlighting that this voting data is not consistent with the narrative built about the Greens NSW. The unethical attacks on the Greens NSW do not help anyone other than the opponents of the Greens.” | A similar trend is evident in the Greens House of Representatives vote. I am highlighting that this voting data is not consistent with the narrative built about the Greens NSW. The unethical attacks on the Greens NSW do not help anyone other than the opponents of the Greens.” |
| GST is back on the agenda. | GST is back on the agenda. |
| Cabinet will have had a look at the review into how we should split the revenue pool among the states and territories by now, but I think there will most likely be internal briefings before we get a look at it – so all those coalition MPs can take it back to their electorates. Particularly the WA ones. | Cabinet will have had a look at the review into how we should split the revenue pool among the states and territories by now, but I think there will most likely be internal briefings before we get a look at it – so all those coalition MPs can take it back to their electorates. Particularly the WA ones. |
| Pauline Hanson has adopted GST reform as one of her issues (again) and (again) has said she will disadvantage her home state of Queensland, if it means a fairer share for WA. | Pauline Hanson has adopted GST reform as one of her issues (again) and (again) has said she will disadvantage her home state of Queensland, if it means a fairer share for WA. |
| “I’m the leader of a national party. You’ve got to look at what is fair and just, right across, for all Australians. And I will still stand by that,” she told The West Australian late last week. | “I’m the leader of a national party. You’ve got to look at what is fair and just, right across, for all Australians. And I will still stand by that,” she told The West Australian late last week. |
| Last time she said that, during an interview with a Perth radio station, during the WA state election, she denied it. Presented with the evidence, she then back tracked from her comments. | Last time she said that, during an interview with a Perth radio station, during the WA state election, she denied it. Presented with the evidence, she then back tracked from her comments. |
| The coalition party room is meeting to hear all the benefits of its own policy, as Josh Frydenberg and the moderates work to stamp out a conservative rebellion. | The coalition party room is meeting to hear all the benefits of its own policy, as Josh Frydenberg and the moderates work to stamp out a conservative rebellion. |
| If it seems dramatic, that is because it is. Tony Abbott may be a pain, but he is also a former prime minister and a former prime minister crossing the floor against his party is not the visual the Liberals want as they slide towards an election. | If it seems dramatic, that is because it is. Tony Abbott may be a pain, but he is also a former prime minister and a former prime minister crossing the floor against his party is not the visual the Liberals want as they slide towards an election. |
| Frydenberg has giving the signal that he is not against a new coal-fired power plant, which may be enough to appease the dissenters. But then he has to take that attitude into Coag, where Labor states, with their renewable energy targets, aren’t so into coal as the future. | Frydenberg has giving the signal that he is not against a new coal-fired power plant, which may be enough to appease the dissenters. But then he has to take that attitude into Coag, where Labor states, with their renewable energy targets, aren’t so into coal as the future. |
| So that should be fun. | So that should be fun. |
| The tax wars are also rolling on, although there is no real movement there – the government still doesn’t have the numbers for its company tax cuts and probably won’t get close until after the 28 July byelections. Meanwhile, the government has stepped up its counter-attack against Labor, with the Daily Tele carrying a story on Malcolm Turnbull donating his $528,000 salary to charity, while the Oz has looked at Labor MPs who own investment homes – which would remain negatively geared, even if Labor wins the next election and axes the investment tax break. | The tax wars are also rolling on, although there is no real movement there – the government still doesn’t have the numbers for its company tax cuts and probably won’t get close until after the 28 July byelections. Meanwhile, the government has stepped up its counter-attack against Labor, with the Daily Tele carrying a story on Malcolm Turnbull donating his $528,000 salary to charity, while the Oz has looked at Labor MPs who own investment homes – which would remain negatively geared, even if Labor wins the next election and axes the investment tax break. |
| And Clive Palmer and Pauline Hanson are still taking potshots at each other and Lee Rhiannon has defended the NSW Greens as the best Greens. | And Clive Palmer and Pauline Hanson are still taking potshots at each other and Lee Rhiannon has defended the NSW Greens as the best Greens. |
| So it is situation normal in the 45th parliament. | So it is situation normal in the 45th parliament. |
| Follow along with Mike Bowers at @mikepbowers and @mpbowers and me in the comments and at @amyremeikis or for some behind the scenes/morning political update on the story at @pyjamapolitics. | Follow along with Mike Bowers at @mikepbowers and @mpbowers and me in the comments and at @amyremeikis or for some behind the scenes/morning political update on the story at @pyjamapolitics. |
| The Sky News channel is down here, but I will do my best to track down those interviews for you (thank goodness for A-Pac) and we will struggle through. | The Sky News channel is down here, but I will do my best to track down those interviews for you (thank goodness for A-Pac) and we will struggle through. |
| Ready? Let’s get started. | Ready? Let’s get started. |