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People concerned about My Health Record 'have little choice but to opt out', Kerryn Phelps says – politics live
People concerned about My Health Record 'have little choice but to opt out', Kerryn Phelps says – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Labor’s push for a 12 month extension of the MyHealth record opt out period was defeated 32-30. Labor, the Greens, Derryn Hinch and Tim Storer were in favour; and the Coalition, Centre Alliance and the rest of the crossbench opposed.
The Senate has, however, accepted One Nation’s amendment for a new deadline of 31 January to opt out, rather than 15 November. This was accepted on the voices, with senator Cory Bernardi speaking against the move but accepting it had the numbers.
Despite the amendment, the bill cannot pass both houses of parliament until the lower house returns on 26 November.
This morning, the independent MP Kerryn Phelps cited that as a reason for Australians who have concerns to opt out anyway.
The Senate has passed an amendment extending the Myhealth opt out period until January 31.
Paul Karp will be bringing you more.
One Nation's amendment for a 31 January deadline for #MyHealthRecord opt-out has been accepted by the Senate, on the voices. #auspol
Joesph Stiglitz has begun his National Press Club address and he is speaking about the flaws within the trickle down economics theory;
40 years ago when the process of deindustrialisation began, we should have thought about how we could move them from the jobs that were disappearing to new jobs.
The market never makes these kinds of transitions on their own, and there’s a well defined theory explaining why the markets can’t handle it.
There was a need for Government intervention to try to ease that transition, but the ideology at the time was that -don’t worry, globalisation, financialisation, advances in technology, were not only increasing GDP, which it did, but everybody would benefit.
The idea of trickle-down economics. But we now know trickle-down economics has not worked.
In fact, there is no theory behind trickle-down economics.
It was an ideological position. And the evidence now is overwhelming.
The problem is that because so many of the elite, and not only in the United States, but across the advanced countries, advocated and said globalisation, financialisation, advances in technology, would benefit everybody.The credibility has been destroyed.
And that has had serious consequences. That is what is leading to the success of demigods like Trump, who say - like what they promised hasn’t been delivered - ‘trust me’.
What I can tell you is that what he is going to do will actually make them worse off
And here is one of the reasons why (as has been pointed out)
I can confirm reports that the opt-out for the My Health record site is down. Server was "unable to fulfil the request" #auspol #MyHealthRecord pic.twitter.com/7hDjZ70OFx
Labor’s suggested amendment to extend the opt-out period for 12 months has been defeated, 30 to 32.
But that doesn’t mean it is over.
There are other amendments. Pauline Hanson is moving one now, to have the opt-out period extended until 31 Jan, for instance.
She says people need more time to understand what My Health Record is and whether they agree with it.
Labor is likely to support one of the amendments that call for an extension, even if it is shorter than the one it wanted.
Hearing reports of people having trouble opting out of #MyHealthRecord today as the website keeps crashing and the phones have a recorded message that they are too busy.Government needs to extend the opt out period until parliament votes on amendments and public better informed
The Senate is voting on Labor’s proposed 12-month delay for the Myhealth Record opt-out period.
Joseph Stiglitz is the National Press Club guest today.
Joseph Stiglitz is the National Press Club guest today.
He’s the reason we talk about the “1%”.
He’s the reason we talk about the “1%”.
We’ll bring you updates, but Gareth Hutchens spoke to him last week ahead of his visit and it is well worth a read.
We’ll bring you updates, but Gareth Hutchens spoke to him last week, ahead of his visit, and it is well worth a read.
In 2011, barely two years into Barack Obama’s first presidential term, he warned the political upheavals then roiling countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen and Bahrain could one day be visited upon the US, but in an American way.
In 2011, barely two years into Barack Obama’s first presidential term, he warned the political upheavals then roiling countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen and Bahrain could one day be visited upon the US, but in an American way.
Later that year, the Occupy Wall Street protest emerged in Manhattan’s financial district.
Later that year, the Occupy Wall Street protest emerged in Manhattan’s financial district.
His 2012 bestselling book The Price of Inequality explained in detail how America had been growing apart, at an increasingly rapid rate. He argued forcefully that the severe inequality in the US was a choice of the country’s leaders: a consequence of their policies, laws and regulations.
His 2012 bestselling book The Price of Inequality explained in detail how America had been growing apart, at an increasingly rapid rate. He argued forcefully that the severe inequality in the US was a choice of the country’s leaders: a consequence of their policies, laws and regulations.
This month he plotted in Scientific American how inequality had worsened so much over the last 40 years that US democracy was imperilled.
This month he plotted in Scientific American how inequality had worsened so much over the last 40 years that US democracy was imperilled.
“Whereas the income share of the top 0.1% has more than quadrupled and that of the top 1% has almost doubled, that of the bottom 90% has declined,” he wrote.
‘Whereas the income share of the top 0.1% has more than quadrupled and that of the top 1% has almost doubled, that of the bottom 90% has declined,’ he wrote.
“Wages at the bottom, adjusted for inflation, are about the same as they were some 60 years ago. Wealth is even less equally distributed, with just three Americans having as much as the bottom 50%.”
‘Wages at the bottom, adjusted for inflation, are about the same as they were some 60 years ago. Wealth is even less equally distributed, with just three Americans having as much as the bottom 50%.
“As more of our citizens come to understand why the fruits of economic progress have been so unequally shared, there is a real danger that they will become open to a demagogue blaming the country’s problems on others and making false promises of rectifying ‘a rigged system’.
‘As more of our citizens come to understand why the fruits of economic progress have been so unequally shared, there is a real danger that they will become open to a demagogue blaming the country’s problems on others and making false promises of rectifying “a rigged system”.
“We are already experiencing a foretaste of what might happen. It could get much worse.”
‘We are already experiencing a foretaste of what might happen. It could get much worse.’
The Opt-out page on the My Health Record site is down again.
The Opt-out page on the My Health Record site is down again.
It’s patchy. Tomorrow is the last day to opt out (unless the Labor amendments get through).
It’s patchy. Tomorrow is the last day to opt out (unless the Labor amendments get through).
The government is celebrating passing the GST floor.
The government is celebrating passing the GST floor.
The government had not originally wanted to legislate the floor, but then the states united and sort of forced them into it. Labor had already committed to it, and really, everyone was happy to do something about the GST. Especially when it comes to everyone getting more money.
The government had not originally wanted to legislate the floor, but then the states united and sort of forced them into it. Labor had already committed to it, and really, everyone was happy to do something about the GST. Especially when it comes to everyone getting more money.
.@MathiasCormann on the GST carve-up: What we have done is develop a national plan. We approached it from the point of view of improving a system that was unfair. MORE: https://t.co/8POvZPP6XN #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/VF4sFW78ma
.@MathiasCormann on the GST carve-up: What we have done is develop a national plan. We approached it from the point of view of improving a system that was unfair. MORE: https://t.co/8POvZPP6XN #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/VF4sFW78ma
The old Gypsy woman who seemingly cursed Donald Trump to live out his Obama-era tweets, appears to have turned her attention to Eric Abetz, but in reverse.
Here is the good senator this morning;
If Indonesia really wants to dictate Aus foreign policy on the middle east, should we rethink the $360 million each year we give them in aid? Instead, how about we calmly finalise this FTA which will lift many Indonesians out of poverty and assist Australian farmers and jobs.
And here is the good senator in July, 2015 to the ABC about how living in the Asian century is one of the reasons we shouldn’t change the definition of marriage.
Well, are we in the Asian century or not? It’s amazing how certain people try to pick and choose in relation to debates. All of a sudden the United States, which is usually condemned, is now being celebrated on the bizarre decision of the five-four majority in the Supreme Court.
So, let’s get some rationality and balance back into the debate.”
The IPA is VERY happy with the Robert French review into freedom of speech at universities.
Dan Tehan announced it this morning:
Former chief justice of the high court Robert French will review existing material regarding free speech, including codes of conduct, enterprise agreements, policy statements and strategic plans.
The review will:
Assess the effectiveness of the Higher Education Standards Framework (the Standards) to promote and protect freedom of expression and freedom of intellectual inquiry in higher education.
Assess the effectiveness of the policies and practices to address the requirements of the Standards, to promote and protect freedom of freedom of expression and intellectual inquiry.
Assess international approaches to the promotion and protection of free expression and free intellectual inquiry in higher education settings, and consider whether any of these approaches would add to protections already in place in the Australian context.
Outline realistic and practical options that could be considered to better promote and protect freedom of expression and freedom of intellectual inquiry, including revision/clarification of the Standards and development of a sector-led code of conduct.
And the IPA responded with approval:
Australia’s universities are failing to live up to their moral and legal duty to safeguard free expression,” said Matthew Lesh, Research Fellow with the IPA.
The French review is an important commitment to free intellectual inquiry by the Morrison government.
... From the sacking of Peter Ridd by James Cook University to the multitude of policies that prevent speech merely because it might be offensive, our universities have failed in their mission,’ Mr Lesh said.
Free speech is fundamental to what it means to be a university, it is fundamental to undertaking research and ensuring students can grow intellectually with a full understanding of the arguments.”
This is going to be a VERY fun debate. :/
Independent MP Kerryn Phelps has called on Australians to “seriously consider” opting out of the My Health Record until privacy concerns are dealt with.
Labor and the crossbench are moving in the Senate to amend a Coalition bill to extend the opt-out period - due to expire on Thursday – by a further 12 months.
Phelps:
There is widespread confusion surrounding the rollout of My Health Record. There are serious questions over privacy and security that need to be debated and legislated by the parliament.
The government has so far refused to delay the rollout and it’s important that we get this right ... The government needs to take seriously the decision of the Senate to recommend an extension of the opt-out date.
Anyone who has legitimate concerns over My Health Record now has little choice but to opt out until these problems are addressed.
For those who missed Paul Keating on 7.30 last night, this was particularly amusing.
Eat. Your. House.
"Work til 70. Eat your house, and then basically find yourself at a certain point of your life where you just don’t have financial assets." Paul Keating slams the suggestion #superannuation should remain at 9.5% #auspol #abc730 pic.twitter.com/ZRsjYi7ySj
Josh Frydenberg’s foray into, as one wag put it yesterday, Pollie-Wood, where he looks as comfortable as, well, as you would expect a politician walking very slowly towards a camera while awkwardly reading a speech, has been a success in the treasurer’s view, because we’re talking about it.
“I have achieved the objective,” he told the ABC this morning.
I do not think that means what he thinks it means.
The bells have rung for the Senate and it’s back to looking at the GST debate. Or, as the government wants you to call its legislation, “making sure every state and territory gets their fair share of GST”.
The parentheses in legislation these days is a masterclass in Orwellian language.
Once the fair share for every state and territory in the GST stakes is discussed, the My Health Record debate will begin.
That one doesn’t have bipartisan support, with Labor wanting an extension to the opt-out period, among other things.
And as Katharine Murphy reported earlier this week, Shinzo Abe is coming to Australia.
Scott Morrison:
I am pleased to announce that His Excellency Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan, will visit Darwin on 16 November.
Japan is a special strategic partner with whom we have a strong and enduring friendship, built on solid economic, security, community and historical ties. It is one of immense progress and opportunity.
As our second-largest trading partner, and a key source of foreign direct investment, our relationship with Japan makes our economy stronger.
During the visit, prime minister Abe and I will highlight our deep trade and investment relationship including through INPEX’s Ichthys LNG project which has created jobs and opportunities for northern Australia and will continue to benefit the Australian economy for decades to come.
Our nations share common perspectives on strategic and economic issues, and I look forward to furthering the development of our bilateral ties. Prime minister Abe’s visit is a chance to discuss shared challenges and our cooperation to keep the region secure and open.
During this visit we will also acknowledge those who served in World War II, and recognise the importance of the reconciliation that followed between our countries.
Prime minister Abe’s visit is deeply symbolic and significant and it will build on our two countries’ strong and enduring friendship as well as our economic, security, community and historical ties.
New Zealand has appointed a new man – or in this case woman – for Canberra. From Winston Peters’ statement:
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointment of Dame Annette King as high commissioner to Australia.
“Dame Annette King needs no introduction given her long-running career as a parliamentarian where she has previously held a number senior cabinet portfolios, including Justice, Police and Health. She also was parliament’s longest-serving female MP with 30 years’ service,” said Mr Peters.
“As high commissioner Dame Annette will be working on one of New Zealand’s most significant relationships. The Trans-Tasman bond is exceptionally strong, however the relationship is not something we take for granted, and the new high commissioner will be tasked with keeping the connections strong,” he said.
“The new appointment is notable because Dame Annette is a former MP on a diplomatic posting. In this sense she is an exception. Of the 25 Head of Mission appointments announced this year all have been career diplomats.”
Dame Annette is expected to start her high commissioner duties at the end of the year.
Having a look at what happened last night after I was temporarily cut free from parliament’s shackles, there was a bit of debate about the government’s GST changes.
They are going to pass, because Labor is in support, so that’s not the problem.
The problem is there is a federal election coming up and minor party senators, such as Peter Georgiou from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, are looking to keep their place in the Senate.
Georgiou has made no secret that he will fight for WA. That’s fair – and also his job, as a WA senator. The problem for Hanson is that fighting for WA could impact Queensland – which she represents and where her main supporter base sits.
Here was Georgiou on the GST yesterday:
The thing about the GST distribution is that it’s a win/lose scenario. Giving more to WA must involve giving less to other states, particularly those that are typically overfunded – South Australia and Tasmania, in particular.
It’s time to get real. Instead of trying to keep everyone happy, the government should announce that the distribution of GST will move to a per capita basis over a five-year time frame, for instance, and in the short term those states that lose out would be partly compensated.
When it comes to the principal of HFE, all citizens should have access to similar services. The federal government should make this happen with specific grants to the states and territories. This would add accountability to the system. The way the GST is currently distributed completely lacks accountability. At the same time, I’m concerned that the government will be dipping into its own coffers to the tune of billions of dollars to ensure no state is worse off. The treasurer said that all states would be better off with the commonwealth injecting an additional $9bn over 10 years to 2028-29. The states of South Australia and Tasmania and also the Northern Territory should suck it up. They’ve had it too good for too long at the expense of other states. They may even lift their game as a result.
The Productivity Commission has costed that idea. And a per capita funding model would mean $1.2bn less for Queensland, or about 1.2% of the state’s revenue.
Can’t see Queenslanders being happy with that.
It’s not a big deal – it is not going to happen, because One Nation don’t make the laws. But it does point to a weakness I imagine both major parties, as they battle it out for Queensland, will want to exploit.
Well, we knew the signing of the free trade agreement with Indonesia had been delayed.
And we knew, even if our government was saying it wasn’t, that the Israeli embassy shift was one of the reasons it had yet to be signed by Indonesia.
And now we know, know.
As Phil Coorey from the Australian Financial Review reports:
The Australian-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement is unlikely to come into effect until well into next year, possibly beyond the federal election, after Indonesia’s trade minister confirmed there would be no deal while Australia considered moving its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.
Trade minister Enggartiasto Lukita confirmed the position after talks in Singapore Tuesday with his Australian counterpart Simon Birmingham who indicated the deal could take months more but was coy on the reasons why.
Josh Frydenberg was asked about it on ABC Breakfast this morning:
“We will work with Indonesian on trade.
“Let’s [remember] what the prime minister has announced, which is that he is beginning a process. I strongly support that. Australia determines where its embassies are located and Israel is an anomaly it is not located in Israel’s capital.”
So it’s all going well then.
We’ll follow that, as well as all the rest of the news of the day. Mike Bowers and the Guardian brain’s trust are on the case, and you can always catch us on Twitter at @mpbowers or @amyremeikis, as well as perusing the comments.
