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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)
Meanwhile, the anti-Adani protest outside the conference centre is growing. You can hear the shouts from deep inside the building.
Stop Adani/climate protesters at #alpconf18 announce another climate strike on March 15. Labor about to debate environmental protections. #auspol pic.twitter.com/xD2e2szD39
The Wong and Cameron press conference was pushed back.
The conference is back.
The environment section is about to start.
It is almost all sorted, we are told, but possibly not to the extend the anti-Adani protesters outside would like.
That protest is beginning to kick off again, outside the conference hall.
Decent showing from the Stop Adani crowd outside #alpconf18 after delaying Shorten speech earlier #auspol pic.twitter.com/rmuBt0ROaT
David Cameron and Penny Wong are next on the press conference circuit.
Their up at 2.15pm Adelaide time (subtract or add time depending on your location, but it is about 10 minutes from now)
And just on that, Bill Shorten has issued Labor’s official response:
On behalf of the federal opposition, I congratulate General (retd) David Hurley on his appointment as Australia’s next governor general.
General Hurley has dedicated his life to serving Australia, including decades in the defence force and then as Governor of New South Wales.
The opposition was informed of the announcement this morning.
While I am pleased the prime minister received approval from the United Kingdom for this merited appointment, I hope this is the last time an Australian prime minister has to call Buckingham Palace for permission.
We are a country that can stand on its own two feet: an Australian republic with an Australian head of state.
That’s what the next Labor government is determined to deliver.
Conference is still on break and the delegates have moved into their individual caucus spaces.
I see there is a bit of discussion below the line about the possibility of Labor protesting the appointment.
I’ve asked and have been told by multiple sources that it “would be very hard for us to do anything on this”, but there is what you could call annoyance at the way the appointment has been made.
That’s not a reflection on David Hurley, they were all quick to point out, but that it was done on conference weekend, six months out, in an election year.
Labor’s shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, has given a press conference to discuss housing affordability and Labor’s plan to put superannuation in the national employment standards, giving employees and unions the ability to pursue businesses who fail to pay in the courts.Labor’s shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, has given a press conference to discuss housing affordability and Labor’s plan to put superannuation in the national employment standards, giving employees and unions the ability to pursue businesses who fail to pay in the courts.
Asked about the appointment of the former chief of defence force David Hurley to the role of governor general, Bowen said that it was a “perfectly appropriate” appointment but let rip on the timing and lack of consultation before the announcement.Asked about the appointment of the former chief of defence force David Hurley to the role of governor general, Bowen said that it was a “perfectly appropriate” appointment but let rip on the timing and lack of consultation before the announcement.
Bowen said:Bowen said:
I would’ve thought it’s appropriate, given he will begin his term after the next election, that the prime minister would have had the good grace to consult the leader of the opposition. I understand the leader of the opposition was informed this morning but was not consulted … Do we really believe that a governor general who will be taking up his post in the middle of next year had to be announced today while the leader of the opposition was making an important speech at the very same time? What a coincidence. The fact the prime minister feels that appropriate to pick the announcement of a vice regal important which coincides with the Labor national conference and the leader’s speech says more about Scott Morrison than anybody else.I would’ve thought it’s appropriate, given he will begin his term after the next election, that the prime minister would have had the good grace to consult the leader of the opposition. I understand the leader of the opposition was informed this morning but was not consulted … Do we really believe that a governor general who will be taking up his post in the middle of next year had to be announced today while the leader of the opposition was making an important speech at the very same time? What a coincidence. The fact the prime minister feels that appropriate to pick the announcement of a vice regal important which coincides with the Labor national conference and the leader’s speech says more about Scott Morrison than anybody else.
On why Labor believes there needs to be a federal environmental protection agency, Chris Bowen says:On why Labor believes there needs to be a federal environmental protection agency, Chris Bowen says:
I think the states have had environmental protection authorities for many years. In some instances, 30 years. Getting the appropriate to rigour around environmental protection is at the federal level. Having a more independent process. The amount of rigour that it is fair to say the state EBA supply. Those big approvals which require national approvals, why shouldn’t we have the same system and I think that’s appropriate and Bill has made an announcement today. You would expect a degree of consultation around what goes in.”I think the states have had environmental protection authorities for many years. In some instances, 30 years. Getting the appropriate to rigour around environmental protection is at the federal level. Having a more independent process. The amount of rigour that it is fair to say the state EBA supply. Those big approvals which require national approvals, why shouldn’t we have the same system and I think that’s appropriate and Bill has made an announcement today. You would expect a degree of consultation around what goes in.”
Asked about Paul Fletcher’s criticism of the housing package, Chris Bowen says he “does not accept the premise”.Asked about Paul Fletcher’s criticism of the housing package, Chris Bowen says he “does not accept the premise”.
Asked about Newstart, Chris Bowen says it is “low” and Labor has committed to reviewing it.Asked about Newstart, Chris Bowen says it is “low” and Labor has committed to reviewing it.
He is asked again and repeats the same line. It is almost as though he anticipated it.He is asked again and repeats the same line. It is almost as though he anticipated it.
What that means, is that there has been no agreement to raise it, as the Left wants. And least as it stands right now.What that means, is that there has been no agreement to raise it, as the Left wants. And least as it stands right now.
Chris Bowen also says it is “a rather unusual circumstance” for an appointment of a governor general has been announced well before the term will begin.Chris Bowen also says it is “a rather unusual circumstance” for an appointment of a governor general has been announced well before the term will begin.
And that perhaps Scott Morrison may have “paused for a second” and consulted with the opposition over the appointment. You know, because he is not actually taking up the role for another six months. After the election.And that perhaps Scott Morrison may have “paused for a second” and consulted with the opposition over the appointment. You know, because he is not actually taking up the role for another six months. After the election.
On the protests, Chris Bowen says Labor runs an “open conference” and sometimes people protest. But he says the important thing was how Bill Shorten handled it, which he said was with “dignity”.On the protests, Chris Bowen says Labor runs an “open conference” and sometimes people protest. But he says the important thing was how Bill Shorten handled it, which he said was with “dignity”.
The conference has broken for lunch, but Chris Bowen and the Labor finance shadow cabinet are holding a press conference on some of the issues that have been thrown up today.
Paul Fletcher has responded to Labor’s housing affordability plan. He’s not happy. You could say that Fletch is attempting to kill the vibe:
Bill Shorten’s housing announcement offers no new ideas – it simply recycles Kevin Rudd’s flawed national rental affordability scheme (NRAS.)
And the total investment of $102m over the four-year forward estimates period barely moves the needle.
By contrast, our Liberal National government will spend more than $30bn on housing over the next five years.
“This poorly thought-out announcement is entirely consistent with Labor’s sorry policy approach to housing – including its plan to cut negative gearing which will drive house prices down further and make life harder for Australians wanting to rent a home,” said families and social services minister Paul Fletcher.
“Labor’s message on housing is clear – if you own a home, Labor will make it worth less. If you rent a home, Labor will make it cost more.”
Fletcher said over the five years commencing in 2018-19, the Liberal National government would spend $7bn on delivering affordable homes through the national housing and homelessness agreement, plus an additional $620m on fighting homelessness, and more than $22.5bn on commonwealth rental assistance to vulnerable Australians to help pay the rent.
“Labor’s NRAS scheme left investors vulnerable to scammers and did too little to boost affordable housing stock – but Bill Shorten wants to go back to the same flawed approach.”
NRAS was full of holes from the very beginning, which included:
· No protections for, or even mention of, investors in the legal framework – with the result that dodgy operators have ripped off mum and dad investors.
· The incentive is the same for a one-bedroom unit or a four bedroom house – so the scheme has discouraged the construction of bigger houses for families in need.
· The incentive is the same all across Australia – so it is less likely to stimulate new housing in higher cost areas.
“Since we came to government, we have worked hard to fix the holes in NRAS.
“Now Bill Shorten wants to revive the scheme – but how it will be funded is all smoke and mirrors.
“Almost all of the announced spending occurs after the first four years. What we do know is that they are allocating just $102m.
“This is classic Labor. They promise big spending but hide it away beyond the forward estimates because they know they don’t have the money now – and nor are they likely to have it after four years of Labor economic mismanagement and lack of budget discipline.”
The convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, had a chat to the ABC about what she hopes Labor’s pledge for a Environmental Protection Agency would actually look like:
“We’re looking to both make sure that we are building some independence – into the development of approvals process, but one of the key ideas in the idea of reforming environment law is to move away from a focus just on development approvals.
That’s where we’re failing. The EPBC, the current environmental federal law, is about facilitating development.
It is all about that reactive piece to when people want to build a mine, cut down a forest, whatever it is. What the new law [will] also do will totally turn that upside-down and say, ‘What do we want to protect?’ Go about working out what we want to protect, put plans and systems in to do that, and then build from there.”
Wayne Swan is congratulating the room for sticking to the timetable.
This is a man who has a gong, and is not afraid to use it.
So far, every motion has been carried, without any need to go to the floor.
That is partly because the most contentious issues haven’t come up, but mostly because of all the behind-the-scenes work that has been going on for months to come to an agreement before these amendments hit the floor.
Thistlethwaite’s motion is carried.
The one below is not even spoken on – and is carried automatically.
Labor recognises the challenge and potential economic and social shock that automation presents to the labour force, and in government will:
A Labor government will attempt to legislate, and where not feasible will enshrine in the appropriate regulatory framework, a Future of Work Forum.
Consider the implementation of a temporary, economy wide “training levy” for businesses with 100 or more employees. Funds would help retrain workers in higher and vocational education.
Consider the implementation and creation of a temporary redundancy and retraining guarantee fund for medium to large businesses. A small percentage of employee costs would be payable into an independent fund. Funds would go to the retraining of workers directly impacted by automation or redundancy. Funds would be separate to and in addition to any redundancy and entitlement payments.
Consider the introduction of a temporary retrenchment, retraining and redeployment levy for medium and large businesses – in instances where businesses retrench workers and remain in operation, a levy would be payable for the purposes of funding retraining.
The conference moves on to this one:
Labor notes the $6bn in economic benefits that a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle would provide to NSW – and the Hunter region in particular – and supports the private-sector development of a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle. Labor also notes the significant environmental and amenity benefits of reducing traffic congestion in Sydney if the NSW freight task is more evenly spread throughout NSW. Labor further notes the unique and unfair regulatory hurdles which are impeding the development of the container port at both the state and national level. Labor resolves to remove both the flawed pricing regime and the secret NSW government imposed container movement charge so as to enable to the Port of Newcastle to develop a container terminal as soon as practicable.
And it is also carried.
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.
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.
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 cannot 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.