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Bill Shorten makes pitch to be next PM at Labor national conference as anti-Adani protesters removed – live Bill Shorten makes pitch to be next PM at Labor national conference as anti-Adani protesters removed – live
(35 minutes later)
Matt Thistlethwaite is up next. He is thanking the party for supporting and campaigning for a royal commission into the banks, but he is calling for the next steps:
Labor has long had concerns about the systemic misconduct within the financial services sector, particularly the big banks.
In April 2016, the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Treasurer took the bold and courageous step of announcing that Labor would call for a Royal Commission into the banks and financial services industry. Federal Labor successfully fought for the establishment of the Banking Royal Commission, against opposition from the Liberals and then-Treasurer Scott Morrison – who voted against the establishment of a Banking Royal Commission 26 times.
The Royal Commission is now uncovering sickening and systemic misconduct and crime in financial services including
hundreds of millions of dollars that have been charged in ‘fees for no service’ – including fees charged to dead people;
hundreds of thousands of potentially criminal breaches of financial services law;
First Nations communities being targeted by appalling predatory lending and insurance sales;
lenders routinely duping Australians into shockingly inappropriate loans; and
low income Australians, small businesses and farmers having their lives destroyed by the big banks.
The culture within the industry, driven by boards and senior executives – particularly the big banks – has been profoundly damaged by greed. This culture has resulted in poor outcomes for customers and workers across the sector. The Banking Royal Commission provides a once in a generation opportunity to create more fairness in an industry that affects every single Australian. Only a Labor Government can be trusted to clean up this sector.
A future Labor Government will establish a Financial Services Royal Commission Implementation Taskforce, to reform the culture of profit over people in the financial services sector. A Labor Government will crack down on the banks and other lenders and put in place the policies necessary to ensure this kind of misconduct is appropriately punished.
Conference supports a future Labor Government taking action to address:
the dishonesty and profound greed within the sector, particularly the issue of conflicted remuneration;
the failure of regulators to prevent this misconduct;
the inadequate support for victims of misconduct; and
the lack of common decency within the big banks and their inadequate hardship policies.
Cathy O’Toole, who is in for a massive fight to keep Herbert (a literal handful of votes won her the Queensland seat in the last election, and it is Labor’s most marginal seat) is speaking in support of the super changes.
It is carried.
The trade amendments were passed.
The conference has moved on to the gender pay gap:
Universal superannuation is a vital part of a system designed to give Australian workers a decent standard of living in retirement after a lifetime of work. But the Superannuation system is failing women.
On average, women retire with 47% less superannuation than men. This is a national disgrace and institutionalised gender discrimination.
A range of factors combine to create this wicked problem for women, most notably:
The gender pay gap
Caring responsibilities
Low pay and insecure work
Feminised industries that undervalue women’s work
Relationship breakdown
Unaffordable housing particularly for renters
Regressive tax treatments
The coalition federal government has repeatedly failed to deliver policies that will improve women’s retirement incomes.
Conference commends Senator Jenny McAllister on her work chairing the Economic Security for Women in Retirement Inquiry in 2016, and the Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister for Women, Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services for their work in making announcements that Labor in Government will:
Eliminate the $450 minimum threshold for compulsory employer superannuation contributions; and
Pay superannuation on the federal government Paid Parental Leave Scheme.
There is more to be done. Unions have undertaken extensive research which highlights that women are at greater risk of poverty, housing stress and homelessness in retirement.
Conference supports the following policy priorities and amendments to applicable legislation and regulations to address the structural disadvantages women face in the superannuation system:
Closing the gender pay gap through a range of measures including providing an effective mechanism for unions to pursue pay equity claims through the workplace relations system;
Ensuring workers are paid superannuation on every dollar they earn;
Moving towards paid maternity leave being considered Ordinary Time Earnings, for the purposes of the Superannuation Guarantee;
Increasing the SGC to 12% without delay; and
Within the first 6 months of taking office, initiating an expert review to examine the adequacy of mechanisms to strengthen the superannuation balances of women, including options for government contributions to account balances where the account balance is very low, and the optimal timing and nature of such contributions.
Pat Conroy, and his linen jacket, which has so far been the talk of the conference (I can not tell you how many messages I have received from Labor MPs and staff asking if I have seen Pat’s jacket) is also speaking in support of these trade amendments.
He says Labor will reject free trade agreements which are against Australia’s national interests.
Labor’s shadow trade minister, Jason Clare, has moved the following amendments, reflecting commitments to tighten trade deal standards negotiated in caucus after Labor agreed to pass the TPP11:
Labor will prohibit through legislation the commonwealth signing trade agreements that:
Labor in opposition will oppose agreements which do not comply with points 1-11, nor will most favoured nation status be used to undermine them.
If prior to an election of a Labor government trade agreements are signed which are not consistent with the above, Labor in government will renegotiate the agreement to ensure it is consistent with the above points before bringing any enabling legislation before the parliament.
Cassandra Goldie of the Australian Council of Social Services has warmly welcomed Labor’s $6bn affordable housing pledge:
“The cost of housing is crippling low-income people with many being forced into homelessness,” Acoss CEO Cassandra Goldie said.
“We welcome Labor’s announcement which focuses on the plight of renters on low to moderate incomes and includes ambitious affordable housing targets that would go a long way towards tackling Australia’s chronic shortage of affordable housing.
“It’s significant that Labor’s program to drive investment in new affordable rental stock would encourage energy efficiency, as we know low-income households have to spend a far greater proportion of their income on electricity bills than medium and high income households.
“We welcome the opposition’s commitment, and we now need the Morrison government to urgently address our housing affordability crisis.
“Australia now has the highest median wealth in the world and yet still we have people sleeping rough or going without food in order to pay rent.
“The reality is that even with Labor’s commitment to provide housing at 20% less than market rate, these homes will still be out of reach for many low income earners. We must address the erosion of the social housing system which provides a vital safety net for the most disadvantaged in our community.
“To help those struggling the most financially, we need to address the inadequacy of commonwealth rent assistance through an increase of $20 per week, which Labor’s package today stops short of committing. Combined with a $75 per week increase to Newstart, modelling shows that a $20 a week increase to rent assistance would bridge the gap between low incomes and minimum living costs for a single person household.
“We can afford to ensure that everyone has a roof over their head, including by reforming housing tax concessions, which disproportionately benefit the very wealthy.”
All those other motions were carried.
Jason Clare is now arguing for a change in how trade deals are done.
That’s because of the big debate the caucus just had over Labor supporting the TPP 11.
Clare wants trade to “not just be free, but fair”.
The compromise motion on the Asic and Apra baby sitter is:
“Labor will promote an accessible, affordable, and fair Australian finance sector by ensuring our financial institutions are:
Regulated appropriately and professionally, including appropriate oversight for our financial regulators.”
The upcoming motions:
45. Labor will implement policies that work towards closing the significant gender gap in superannuation savings, including eliminating the $450 minimum threshold for compulsory employer contributions and paying superannuation on the Federal Government paid parental leave scheme. Further, Labor will, within the first 6 months of taking office, initiate an expert review to examine the adequacy of mechanisms to strengthen the superannuation balances of women, including options for government contributions to account balances where the account balance is very low, and the optimal timing and nature of such contributions. Labor will work with unions and employers to make the structural changes necessary to repair the diverging accumulation pathways of men and women’s superannuation balances.
46. We understand the particular challenge for millions of Australians who for parts of their career are primary carers, including those women on parental leave without pay, and the shortfalls they may experience in generating appropriate retirement income levels. Labor will legislate to provide superannuation contributions on the Government paid parental leave scheme.
50. Labor will work with the Superannuation industry to streamline processes for consolidating multiple superannuation accounts to maximise the retirement savings of Australians.
51. Labor will work with the Superannuation industry to deliver fee relief for workers on unpaid carers leave to ensure that superannuation products are not adversely impacting workers with caring responsibilities.
It turns out we can’t access the motions page, because we are not connected to the local internet server, which we also can not access.
It has been, quite the morning.
Paul Karp has ridden to my rescue (along with my phone hotspot, bless it)
These are the amendments they’re currently debating:
Labor will urgently prioritise this objective by ending the freeze and increasing the Superannuation Guarantee to 12 per cent as soon as practicable. Once the important goal of 12% has been achieved Labor will set out the pathway to its original objective of 15% to further enhance retirement income adequacy for workers.
Adding more consumer safeguards including “schemes to protect customers from negligent and fraudulent financial services providers”.
Labor will ensure that the Royal Commission is given enough time to consider all the injustices suffered by victims of the banking and financial services sector and that it delivers restorative justice to those wronged. Labor will implement recommendations from the Royal Commission which benefit and protect everyday Australians and prevent wrongdoing from taking place again.
All were just carried.
And an update:
The Michael O’Connor motion, asking for an oversight for the regulators has been “settled”.
A compromise motion will be put forward, but no vote.
I think we can take from that, that there will be a motion talking about the desirability of having oversight, but the actual body will be something discussed later.
A delegate has just stepped up to the podium, and I think it is Paddy Crumblin, to thank Wayne Swan for getting Australia through the global financial crisis. He also has a few choice words for Rupert Murdoch. I think you can fill in the blanks for what those words were *insert duck emoji*
The amendment motion page is down (dreaded 404 link) but we’ll bring you what is happening again soon.The amendment motion page is down (dreaded 404 link) but we’ll bring you what is happening again soon.
So far, it has been on the finance sector and on superannuation, for which there is agreement.So far, it has been on the finance sector and on superannuation, for which there is agreement.
The only thing which has not been agreed upon, so far, is those Asic and Apra babysitters (the proposed board which sits above them), but a quick chat with a few delegates points to them almost coming to an agreement. The only thing which has not been agreed upon, so far, is those Asic and Apra babysitters (the proposed board which sits above them) but a quick chat with a few delegates points to them almost coming to an agreement.
The official David Hurley statement has been released by the PMO:The official David Hurley statement has been released by the PMO:
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has approved my recommendation to appoint His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) as Australia’s next governor general.Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has approved my recommendation to appoint His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) as Australia’s next governor general.
General Hurley will be Australia’s 27th governor general.General Hurley will be Australia’s 27th governor general.
General Hurley is currently the governor of New South Wales, having been appointed to the role in October 2014.General Hurley is currently the governor of New South Wales, having been appointed to the role in October 2014.
He has been a very popular governor of NSW. From his weekly boxing workouts with Indigenous children as part of the Tribal Warriors program to his frequent regional trips, Governor Hurley is known for being generous and approachable to old and young alike.He has been a very popular governor of NSW. From his weekly boxing workouts with Indigenous children as part of the Tribal Warriors program to his frequent regional trips, Governor Hurley is known for being generous and approachable to old and young alike.
General Hurley will be sworn in on 28 June 2019, to allow for the fulfilment of his duties as governor of New South Wales.General Hurley will be sworn in on 28 June 2019, to allow for the fulfilment of his duties as governor of New South Wales.
Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to extend the appointment of the current Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), until that time.Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to extend the appointment of the current Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), until that time.
Prior to his appointment as Governor of New South Wales, General Hurley served in the Australian Army for 42 years, including as the Chief of the Defence Force from 2011 to 2014.Prior to his appointment as Governor of New South Wales, General Hurley served in the Australian Army for 42 years, including as the Chief of the Defence Force from 2011 to 2014.
He was appointed a companion of the order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the Australian defence force and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993.He was appointed a companion of the order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the Australian defence force and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993.
General Hurley and Mrs Hurley have been married for 41 years and they have three adult children: Caitlin, Marcus and Amelia.General Hurley and Mrs Hurley have been married for 41 years and they have three adult children: Caitlin, Marcus and Amelia.
The governor general holds office at the pleasure of the Queen, however the term is usually understood to be five years.The governor general holds office at the pleasure of the Queen, however the term is usually understood to be five years.
General Cosgrove has discharged his duties to date with distinction and grace and I thank him for agreeing to continue in the role to assist in the transition.General Cosgrove has discharged his duties to date with distinction and grace and I thank him for agreeing to continue in the role to assist in the transition.
Wayne Swan is taking his ‘gong’ duties very seriously.
No one is getting a second over time, while making their amendment speeches.
Labor Environmental Action Network national convenor Felicity Wade has welcomed Bill Shorten’s announcement of a new environmental act and commonwealth environmental protection agency.
She said:
There’s a lot of talk at this conference about unwinding the neoliberal John Howard [era] consensus, and Howard’s environmental laws are one of the manifestations of that that allow the market and business to have free reign over the environment and community. That’s a clear marker that Bill is committed to doing the reform that needs to be done.
We’re still waiting for further detail. LEAN had asked for two new agencies – a science-based EPA to oversee development decisions and a national environment commission to develop legally binding plans and standards for protection.
So what were the wins in that speech?
A quick chat to a few delegates points to what Murph has already said – that the new environment act and a commonwealth environmental protection authority are being counted as a pretty big victory.
There is still some wrangling going on over the Asic and Apra supervision layer but we’ll keep you updated.
Doug Cameron is called to the stage. “Go Dougie!” comes from the floor.
Labor’s finance team has issued their statement on the changes to superannuation:
Labor will change the laws to include a right to superannuation within the national employment standards, which will give all employees the power to pursue their unpaid superannuation.
Currently unpaid or underpaid employer superannuation contributions are a debt owed to the Australian taxation office, rather than the worker. Unless there is a clause in their award or agreement, workers can’t chase this money – as the money is not technically owed to them.
By placing superannuation within the national employment standards in the Fair Work Act, a Shorten Labor government will empower all employees to recoup unpaid super from employers through the Fair Work Commission or the federal court.
Labor will also strengthen the ATO compliance regime and increase penalties for employers for underpayment or non-payment of superannuation.
Some quick thoughts on that speech. The first point to make is Bill Shorten knows who his opponent is at the next federal election. In his mind, it’s not Scott Morrison, it’s disaffection.
It’s voters, increasingly, parting ways with the major parties. Voter frustration is the opponent.
With that firmly in mind, we can identify very clearly who Shorten is talking to with his opening address to conference.
The pitch was to working Australians.
Now part of that is just the normal conference dynamic.
These events are about rallying the base, and Shorten will spend a lot of the next three days whispering his former trade union colleagues, because that human infrastructure increasingly gives Labor’s campaign a structural advantage over their opponents.
It’s boots on the ground.
But Sunday’s pitch was about more than rallying the comrades. It was about speaking directly to voters who are most at risk of voting for others – One Nation, or other populist independents likely to present themselves between now and polling day.
It was about holding these folks for Labor. It was about telling them Labor has an economic agenda for them: education and technical training, superannuation, affordable housing and a fairer workplace relations system for people without bargaining power.
It reflects a view if you don’t have an economic agenda for these voters, they will be captured by protest politicians peddling nativism.
The first half of the speech was about telling working Australians Labor in 2018 is not post-material, but focused on the material wellbeing of Australian workers.
The second half of the speech pitched to the progressivism of Labor’s post-material constituency – protecting the ABC, the importance of multiculturalism, and the offering on climate change and environmental regulation (which sounds like a win for Labor’s Environmental Action Network).
But even that squared the circle with working Australians.
A flourishing renewables sector meant jobs, it meant manufacturing, with products made in Australia.
Shorten wrapped up by telling delegates the eyes of the country were on them. (Hint, hint, no conference blow outs people).
Working Australians needed a Labor government, and the movement needed to be up to the task.
He, Shorten, needed to be up to the task. It was time to write the country large, and build for the best.
It was time to restore hope in the fair go.
We are united, we are determined, we are ready, Shorten said at the last – willing the onlookers to believe that was true.
Tanya Plibersek says Bill Shorten has laid out his “pledge” and “plan for a fair go” for the nation.
Bill’s family are on the stage, there are hugs all round, including for Tanya Plibersek.
In conclusion:
As I said at the beginning, over the next three days, truly the eyes of the nation are upon us.
We have an obligation ... that we need to measure up to that, collectively all of us, need to earn the trust of the Australian people.
Because when we leave here on Tuesday evening, we leave here with an enormous task in front of us.
Federal Labor has only won government from opposition three times since the second world war.
I know nobody will work harder than the people in this room to win the next election.
And nobody will work harder to be the government the nation deserves, the government the nation needs.
Because we don’t seek victory to make history for our party.
We seek government to build a fairer future for our country.
And, if we win this election, our No 1 challenge and my greatest ambition is to restore trust in our system.
To prove to the Australian people that politics and government can still serve their interests of everyday Australians, still make a difference to their daily lives of our fellow Australians.
To show there is still life and still hope in the fair go.
And if I have the privilege to serve as prime minister, my greatest hope is that people will say about me at the conclusion of that time.
“He delivered. He kept to his word. I want the citizens of this country to come up to my parliamentary team and say ‘we did this together, we didn’t always agree, we didn’t always succeed at every issue, but at last we had a government focused on the people.”
And when I look at my team and our plans, I know that if we keep to our word, we will do great things for this nation.
Friends, we have the vision for the future, the plan to pay for it and the team to deliver it.
We are united. We are determined. And we are ready.
Ready to serve. Ready to lead. Ready to govern.
Ready to deliver: A Fair Go for Australia.
The manifesto:
It was yay back in 1891, the year our party was born, Henry Lawson spoke of our continent as “a garden full of promise”. A garden full of promise.
And it’s always been Labor – our party and the movement – that makes good on that promise.
A living wage.
The age pension.
Workers compensation.
The right to organise for a better deal.
All of these began their life as dangerous experiments, radical notions.
We made them universal rights.
Higher education used to be an exclusive privilege.
Universal healthcare, a pipedream.
Superannuation was a luxury known only to a few.
We made them the definition of the fair go.
And we did not do this by looking around the world and aiming a little lower.
We did not do this by settling for less.
We made our own way. Our own story. We planned for the future, we built for the best because our people deserve no less.
We trusted Australians, their imagination, their courage, their faith in a commonwealth in spirit, as well as name.
That’s how Gough inspired us.
It’s what Bob taught us.
It’s Paul’s big picture.
Kevin’s victory.
Julia’s determination.
It’s what our Labor premiers and Labor leaders are doing, around the country right now.
It’s Curtin’s ‘task ahead’, it’s Chifley’s ‘light on the hill’.
It’s our Labor way: write the country large, build for the best.
Draw on the bravery and compassion ordinary Australians live every day.
That’s the Labor tradition that will guide us now: passing on a better deal to the next generation – social progress, economic prosperity and a fair go for all.