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Labor launches superannuation plan to bridge gender pay gap – politics live Labor launches superannuation plan to bridge gender pay gap – politics live
(35 minutes later)
And while the world watches the latest Korean summit, where Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un are holding their third meeting in an attempt to officially end the Korean war, ending nuclear weapons also has a local focus:
Made it! We've cycled 900km from Melbourne to Canberra, demanding Australia sign the #nuclearban treaty. Join the grand finale this Thursday: 10am on bike or 11am on foot at Canberra Peace Bell, then we march to Parliament! #nobelpeaceride pic.twitter.com/Vn1v55GGUv
From the office of foreign minister, Marise Payne:
The Australian government condemns in the strongest terms the atrocities committed in Myanmar’s Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states, as detailed in the full report of the UN fact-finding mission on Myanmar.
Following the mission’s preliminary report of 27 August, the full report documents in detail serious violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, committed primarily by Myanmar’s military against ethnic minorities.
In the case of Rakhine state, the fact-finding mission concludes that crimes against humanity and war crimes have occurred, as well as finding sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation and prosecutions for genocide perpetrated against the Rohingya.
The full report of the fact-finding mission adds to a large body of evidence indicating the commission of the most serious crimes under international law, particularly against the Rohingya.
The Australian government is considering options in response to the fact-finding mission’s report, including targeted sanctions.
In line with the mission’s recommendations, Australia will support new international efforts on accountability and justice in Myanmar, including at the human rights council, of which we are a member.
Myanmar continues to face formidable challenges as it transitions from five decades of military rule. As a regional partner, Australia will continue to support efforts to achieve democracy and national peace and reconciliation for the benefit of all of people in Myanmar.
Respect for human rights, and full accountability for the human rights violations that have occurred, will be essential to this process.
The future of work report is also due to be tabled at around 5pm - keep an eye out for that one as well, because I know it has caused some Senators some sleepless nights.
In addressing the leak, Chris Bowen said there are real-world examples of where deals had been changed after the fact:
We had a good and constructive debate in caucus. You would expect us to do, as a serious political party. The caucus accepted the recommendation from Jason Clare, with my strong support, to facilitate the legislation. That’s not to say we think it’s a perfect deal. That’s not to say there aren’t things we would move to improve in government, of course. But we are a trading nation.
One in five jobs in Australia depends on trade. The important and responsible thing for the Labor party to do, as [New Zealand’s prime minister] Jacinda Ardern has done and as [Canada’s prime minister] Justin Trudeau has done, for example, is to facilitate the TPP. We will have improvements to make in negotiations with countries as Jacinda Ardern has done. I mean, when she came to office she’s negotiated changes to the ISDS [investor-state dispute settlement] regime, for example. Jason Clare has put together an excellent policy which was endorsed by the caucus. You would expect that we would have a good and proper respectful debate about the policy, as we did.
The fallout from the strawberry sabotage is continuing. This is just absolutely heartbreaking, given the drought and storms that have already affected so many growers.
Queensland, which was ground zero for the crisis, has announced a package to attempt to keep the industry afloat in the face of growers having to dump their stock, and has called on the federal government to follow suit.
My government is committing $1m to help strawberry growers and industry stay on their feet in addition to $100,000 reward leading to an arrest. The community has to come together to find who is responsible for this crime.
The bells are ringing – parliament is about to begin.
The governor general address-in-reply debate is listed as fourth – if the Senate gets to it, you know they have officially run out of stuff to do.
Rob Harris and James Campbell were handed minutes from a Labor meeting on the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, the support of which has become Labor policy, by a very, very slim margin.
That very, very slim margin has created some consternation – so much so, that Bill Shorten has suffered his first major show of public dissent in some time – with the leaking of the meeting minutes.
From the Herald Sun report:
Former ACTU president Ged Kearney, the Member for Batman in Victoria, dismissed the TPP’s provisions to protect workers as “weak and aspirational at best”.
Josh Wilson, the Member for Fremantle in Western Australia, told caucus: “We have known the serious shortcomings of the TPP for some time” and warned that in the past “the Coalition has used trade agreements to advance their deregulation agenda”.
And WA senator Glenn Sterle raised the spectre of the deal being used to create low-tax, low-wage areas, asking: “How do I go back to WA and say this won’t impact Gina Rinehart setting up a special economic zone?”
Doug Cameron also said it would prove negative for them in western Sydney and Queensland.
Chris Bowen and Labor are not denying there is dissent – everyone asked has admitted there have been some “spirited” discussions.
The line in response has been – we’ll fix it, if we win power. But that doesn’t seem good enough for quite a lot of MPs, who have indicated they will continue to fight the decision internally.
In other news, the Peter Dutton Senate inquiry report is due today – we are expecting it around 5pm.In other news, the Peter Dutton Senate inquiry report is due today – we are expecting it around 5pm.
Anne Aly was asked about the timing of Labor’s announcement when she stopped by doors* this morning:Anne Aly was asked about the timing of Labor’s announcement when she stopped by doors* this morning:
Let me start by saying the Coalition doesn’t have a problem with women, the Coalition has a problem with men.Let me start by saying the Coalition doesn’t have a problem with women, the Coalition has a problem with men.
I think it comes at a time when we’re starting to talk about older people, older Australians, and it’s particularly a pertinent time to shine the spotlight on how women in particular fare worse off in their later years. Particularly because of the fact that they are behind in superannuation, 30% of older women are likely to live in poverty, and I think it’s time we really addressed this issue and addressed this inequality. It’s a very stark inequality. And we can start by making some measures to address that, and Labor has taken that on, we’ve recognised it, and we’ve started to do something about it.I think it comes at a time when we’re starting to talk about older people, older Australians, and it’s particularly a pertinent time to shine the spotlight on how women in particular fare worse off in their later years. Particularly because of the fact that they are behind in superannuation, 30% of older women are likely to live in poverty, and I think it’s time we really addressed this issue and addressed this inequality. It’s a very stark inequality. And we can start by making some measures to address that, and Labor has taken that on, we’ve recognised it, and we’ve started to do something about it.
*Doors is what we call the short doorstop interviews. MPs only come by when they have something to say.*Doors is what we call the short doorstop interviews. MPs only come by when they have something to say.
Labor has beaten the government to filling the policy void, announcing a superannuation plan that would see women on maternity leave, and on low pay, paid super in a bid to bridge the superannuation pay gap.Labor has beaten the government to filling the policy void, announcing a superannuation plan that would see women on maternity leave, and on low pay, paid super in a bid to bridge the superannuation pay gap.
The gap in retirement savings is often raised as part of the pay equality issue, with several reports finding that women are penalised in retirement for taking time out to have a baby, or because they work in industries that are traditionally paid less.The gap in retirement savings is often raised as part of the pay equality issue, with several reports finding that women are penalised in retirement for taking time out to have a baby, or because they work in industries that are traditionally paid less.
On average, it works out to about $113,000 less in superannuation, or 40% less.On average, it works out to about $113,000 less in superannuation, or 40% less.
Labor has pledged to continue super payments for anyone on paid parental leave, dad and partner pay, as well as phase out the $450 minimum monthly income threshold for the super guarantee.Labor has pledged to continue super payments for anyone on paid parental leave, dad and partner pay, as well as phase out the $450 minimum monthly income threshold for the super guarantee.
Any future changes to superannuation would also have to include a published impact to women.Any future changes to superannuation would also have to include a published impact to women.
The timing of the announcement is no coincidence. The Liberal party is still struggling to come up with an answer to the lack of women in its ranks, as well as how to deal with allegations of bullying, which have been levelled by some of its female MPs.The timing of the announcement is no coincidence. The Liberal party is still struggling to come up with an answer to the lack of women in its ranks, as well as how to deal with allegations of bullying, which have been levelled by some of its female MPs.
But it is not all smooth sailing for Labor – Rob Harris from the Herald Sun has published sections of leaked meeting minutes, revealing the extent of unrest within caucus over the decision to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership.But it is not all smooth sailing for Labor – Rob Harris from the Herald Sun has published sections of leaked meeting minutes, revealing the extent of unrest within caucus over the decision to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Labor has given its support to the trade deal, with the caveat it will amend parts of the labour deal if it wins government. But those in the left, who have stood against the deal, remain sceptical and concerned. It was raised in the caucus meeting again yesterday, with MPs attempting to overturn the decision. That was narrowly defeated, but doesn’t look like going anywhere soon.Labor has given its support to the trade deal, with the caveat it will amend parts of the labour deal if it wins government. But those in the left, who have stood against the deal, remain sceptical and concerned. It was raised in the caucus meeting again yesterday, with MPs attempting to overturn the decision. That was narrowly defeated, but doesn’t look like going anywhere soon.
We’ll bring you all of that and more as the day rolls on. Mike Bowers is off today, so it’s just me and the Guardian brains trust, and we’ll do our best to fill the gap.We’ll bring you all of that and more as the day rolls on. Mike Bowers is off today, so it’s just me and the Guardian brains trust, and we’ll do our best to fill the gap.
I have managed two coffees today so far, so this should be interesting?I have managed two coffees today so far, so this should be interesting?
Ready?Ready?
Let’s get into it!Let’s get into it!