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Labor conference: Chris Bowen says Myefo shows Coalition has 'given up' on budget repair – live Labor conference: Chris Bowen says Myefo shows Coalition has 'given up' on budget repair – live
(35 minutes later)
The next motion to be discussed is this one:
*Labor will abolish the fast track assessment process. Those who have had their claims rejected under the unfair fast track assessment process will be provided with access to an independent merits review.
And then that is it – the conference will move on to the NDIS
Ged Kearney introduces the motions with this speech. As she got to the end, her voice broke with emotion:
I want to thank you, all of you
We can be proud of one of the most progressive labor policies on refugees and asylum seekers we have seen for a long time.
It has accompanied a big shift in community sentiment amongst the Australian people.
I want to acknowledge the kids off Nauru campaign, grandmothers against kids in detention, Mums for refugees, and so many activists young and older who have worked hard to have that conversation with the Australian people. And I want to especially thank Labor for Refugees..
And I want to thank my colleagues in the Labor party who have also worked hard, who have listened and acted.
To Shayne Neumann I’d like to say we have come on a long journey to this point today and I thank you for what you done to help get us here. If I reflect on where we started even less than a year ago, I can see mountains have moved.
We have heard throughout this session the advancements this policy makes and that under a labor government the lives of refugees and asylum seekers will be better, so much better than it is now.
But we can not let this conference pass without talking about Manus and Nauru.
They will not languish indefinitely not knowing their fate,
That is what Labor is about. We must strive for that light on the hill, to make people’s lives better. As I have said before, we don’t always get all the way to that light, but we strive every day to get closer and closer.
Whilst I know this motion is not perfect, and many may argue that, including me, it does get us closer and it is an important statement because we need this on the record from this conference.
We cannot continue to sit by while this government tortures people on Manus and Nauru with indefinite detention and it must be condemned.
Enough is enough.
The cruelty of Dutton and Morrison is intolerable.
The exhibition “all we cant see” was a culmination of all we know of the pain and suffering of people on Manus and Nauru.
We have heard from MSF, from the AMA, from children’s advocates and NGOs.
I call an emergency meeting with three days notice in my electorate and 80 people showed up...
This government can and must act immediately to take up the offers from NZ,
They can and must hasten resettlement to US.
They can and must prioritise other resettlement options in conjunction with this.
They can and must support the medical evacuation of all refugees who need treatment to Australia with their families.
And they can and must support people seeking asylum and refugees when they are here in our community, amongst us.
They can and must restore hope.
Because it is absolute loss of hope that destroys people, that breaks them.
Labor if elected will do this. We understand this is a crisis.
We will make it an absolute priority to settle refugees on Manus and Nauru to safe and permanent homes.
We will ensure all refugees and asylum seekers are treated with respect, their dignity is maintained and they are kept safe. That is their human right. It is not too much to ask. This is our commitment to them.
I am so proud to stand here today and say that.
I recommend this resolution to you.
Those motions are also carried without debate and we move on to this motion from Ged Kearney:
Labor recognises that successive Coalition Governments have failed to negotiate viable, timely and durable third-country resettlement arrangements. This has left refugees and asylum seekers including children languishing in indefinite detention.
This conference condemns the failure of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government to properly manage off-shore processing and regional resettlement adequately and for playing with the lives of vulnerable people.
This conference calls on the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government to immediately accept New Zealand’s generous offer to resettle refugees by negotiating an agreement on similar terms and conditions as the United States Arrangement.
If elected, Labor will prioritise the resettlement of all eligible refugees currently on Manus and Nauru to the United States, New Zealand and other third-countries.
The conference stays on refugee issues, with these motions up next:
*Labor will appoint a Special Envoy for Refugee and Asylum Seeker Issues with responsibilities for advancing Australia’s interests and ensuring Australia plays a global role in the resettlement of displaced people.
*As the Government should have done, Labor will refer the United Nations Global Compact on Migration for consideration through the proper parliamentary committee process. (which was changed from this Labor will continue Australia’s contribution to international aid efforts to reduce the risk of displacement and to alleviate the pressing humanitarian needs of displaced person)
There are cheers as the below refugee motions are passed:
*Labor recognises that successive Coalition Governments have failed to negotiate viable and timely regional resettlement arrangements, which has left refugees and asylum seekers including children languishing in indefinite detention. Labor believes that whilst these arrangements are negotiated, the Australian Government is not absolved of its obligation to provide appropriate health, security, and welfare services to asylum seekers. Labor will:
work to negotiate on, and agree to, regional resettlement arrangements and resettle eligible refugees as a priority;
continue to support the United States Refugee Resettlement Agreement and accept New Zealand’s generous offer to resettle refugees by negotiating an agreement on similar terms as the United States Agreement; and
ensure appropriate health, security, and welfare services for asylum seekers; and including access to medical transfers when treatment is recommended by appropriate medical practitioners whilst resettlement arrangements are negotiated.
improve the medical transfer process, establish an Independent Health Advice Panel to provide medical advice and maintain ministerial discretion in all decision making.
*Labor aspires to progressively increase the community sponsored refugee program intake to 5,000 places per year. (previously was this: Labor aspires to progressively increase Australia’s government funded humanitarian intake to 27,000 places per year)
*As soon as the reasons for mandatory detention have ceased every effort must be made to remove asylum seekers from immigration detention centres through community detention or the granting of bridging visas with work rights. Means-tested access to migration assistance, along with access to appropriate social services, will be provided while the merits of an asylum seeker’s application are assessed. People seeking asylum will have means-tested access to funded migration assistance, and to appropriate social services, including income, crisis housing, healthcare, mental health, community, education and English as a Second Language support during the assessment of the claim for protection.
Dipping back to Myefo for one moment – remember those tax cuts we were speculating about?
MYEFO shows income tax receipts $3.6b lower over coming 3 years than was forecast in May. Suggests further or faster income tax cuts on the way. https://t.co/nzYpGvPVsf
Ged Kearney is moving this motion:
As soon as the reasons for mandatory detention have ceased every effort must be made to remove asylum seekers from immigration detention centres through community detention or the granting of bridging visas with work rights. Means-tested access to migration assistance, along with access to appropriate social services, will be provided while the merits of an asylum seeker’s application are assessed.
People seeking asylum will have means-tested access to funded migration assistance, and to appropriate social services, including income, crisis housing, healthcare, mental health, community, education and English as a Second Language support during the assessment of the claim for protection.
She describes the government’s asylum policies as “cruel” and says she “wept” when she saw the Peter Dutton budget cuts for migrant services.
(Labor recently helped the government pass longer wait times for migrants to access Newstart. It says it was to stop a worse deal, but the crossbench claimed it had the numbers to stop it all)
The last motions before the refugee amendments are moved are up.
This one potentially has issues for ride-share companies:
Labor will act to eradicate the exploitation and wage theft experienced by temporary migrant workers – working closely with trade unions – by introducing a range of measures that deliver increased protections. Measures will:
manage information exchanges between the fair work ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs to prevent exploited migrant workers from unwarranted deportation and protect migrant workers who can come forward without fear to ensure investigations and prosecutions of employers;
explore reforms to visa laws to allow migrant workers who have been exploited or underpaid to remain in Australia until the relevant legal processes for recovery of their lost wages and conditions to be finalised;
protect international students from exploitation and reduce the ability for businesses to use the cash economy to systematically ignore minimum award entitlements and exploit vulnerable workers;
deliver better protections to working holiday visa holders who are subject to exploitation and underpayment;
ensure employers – not workers – are the focus of exploitation investigations;
increase fines for employers who breach obligations and employ people without work visas; and
protect migrant workers from harassment, bullying, discrimination and unsafe practices.
manage information exchanges between the fair work ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs to prevent exploited migrant workers from unwarranted deportation and protect migrant workers who can come forward without fear to ensure investigations and prosecutions of employers;
explore reforms to visa laws to allow migrant workers who have been exploited or underpaid to remain in Australia until the relevant legal processes for recovery of their lost wages and conditions to be finalised;
protect international students from exploitation and reduce the ability for businesses to use the cash economy to systematically ignore minimum award entitlements and exploit vulnerable workers;
deliver better protections to working holiday visa holders who are subject to exploitation and underpayment;
ensure employers – not workers – are the focus of exploitation investigations;
increase fines for employers who breach obligations and employ people without work visas; and
protect migrant workers from harassment, bullying, discrimination and unsafe practices.
Pat Dodson is introducing this motion:
Labor supports the recognition of First Nations peoples in the Australian constitution. This will be an important step towards a more reconciled nation based on strong relationships of mutual respect. Labor supports meaningful and substantive change to recognise the unique and special place of First Nations peoples and to reflect our nation’s fundamental belief in equality and non-discrimination.
Labor will develop a concrete proposition implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s sole proposal for constitutional recognition – including a First Nations Voice for First Nations Peoples to Parliament – in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples as well as building public support for change.
And the final draft on the fast track assessment process is:And the final draft on the fast track assessment process is:
Labor will abolish the fast track assessment process. Those who have had their claims rejected under the unfair fast track assessment process will be provided with access to an independent merits review. Labor will abolish the fast-track assessment process. Those who have had their claims rejected under the unfair fast-track assessment process will be provided with access to an independent merits review.
Labor is committing to keep music venues open:Labor is committing to keep music venues open:
Australian stories being created and told by Australian performers and crew in Australian music, film and television production; andAustralian stories being created and told by Australian performers and crew in Australian music, film and television production; and
Strong local markets supporting the Australian music sector.Strong local markets supporting the Australian music sector.
A thriving grassroots music scene, keeping venues open and musicians in work, to allow our music sector to reach its full potential.A thriving grassroots music scene, keeping venues open and musicians in work, to allow our music sector to reach its full potential.
This chapter is what the Labor delegates have been referring to as the “heart and soul” of the party.This chapter is what the Labor delegates have been referring to as the “heart and soul” of the party.
It’s Newstart and migration policy and human rights.It’s Newstart and migration policy and human rights.
Labor will add this to its platform:
Consolidate federal anti-discrimination laws into a single Act to remove unnecessary regulatory overlap and make the system more user-friendly;
Review legislation, policies and practices for compliance with the seven core UN Human Rights treaties to which Australia is a party (which are listed in the framework); and
Review the Human Rights Framework and consider whether it could be enhanced through a introduce a federal statutory charter of human rights or other similar instrument.
On the Newstart changes, Linda Burney said the “rate is too low” but it is important to have a “proper process” before any decision is made to lift it.
The text for the human rights charter motion has also been decided:
The text of the charter of rights amendment is: “Review the Human Rights Framework and introduce a federal statutory charter of human rights or other similar instrument.”
And here is how Labor will incorporate the Kerryn Phelps bill into it’s platform:
Labor recognises that successive Coalition Governments have failed to negotiate viable and timely regional resettlement arrangements, which has left refugees and asylum seekers including children languishing in indefinite detention. Labor believes that whilst these arrangements are negotiated, the Australian Government is not absolved of its obligation to provide appropriate health, security, and welfare services to asylum seekers. Labor will:
work to negotiate on, and agree to, regional resettlement arrangements and resettle eligible refugees as a priority;
continue to support the United States Refugee Resettlement Agreement and accept New Zealand’s generous offer to resettle refugees by negotiating an agreement on similar terms as the United States Agreement; and
ensure appropriate health, security, and welfare services for asylum seekers; and including access to medical transfers when treatment is recommended by appropriate medical practitioners whilst resettlement arrangements are negotiated.
improve the medical transfer process, establish an Independent Health Advice Panel to provide medical advice and maintain ministerial discretion in all decision making.
The income support for refugees which we were talking about earlier has been decided:
As soon as the reasons for mandatory detention have ceased every effort must be made to remove asylum seekers from immigration detention centres through community detention or the granting of bridging visas with work rights. Means-tested access to migration assistance, along with access to appropriate social services, will be provided while the merits of an asylum seeker’s application are assessed. People seeking asylum will have means-tested access to funded migration assistance, and to appropriate social services, including income, crisis housing, healthcare, mental health, community, education and English as a Second Language support during the assessment of the claim for protection.
There is confirmation that there will be a ballot for the national executive.
That’s important because it will determine how many members from the left and right will sit on the executive. The right is hoping for an 11/9 split, as opposed to a 10/10 split.
The last motion is coming up for vote:
Commonwealth government outsourcing of legal and consultative work to anti-worker firms has become a feature of Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison governments.
This has resulted in a double negative for workers through the gutting of jobs in the public service and having advice to the government slanted against the interests of working people.
By way of just one example, the government commissioned notorious anti-union law firm Seyfarth Shaw, who acts for employers and has held contracts to provide services the Australian building and construction commission (ABCC), to do an inquiry into the cause of workplace deaths in the construction industry.
The government’s approach has been an inefficient, costly exercise where taxpayer funds have propped up anti-worker firms who have often been Liberal party donors.
This national conference of the federal Australian Labor party commends the Andrews Victorian Labor government for initiatives taken to tackle inequality and exploitation.
Conference draws particular attention to the Victorian Labor platform passed in May this year which in part reads:
Labor will:
Oppose government initiatives and appointments that are actively hostile to workers or unions;
Encourage trade union membership across both the public sector and the broader economy; and
Consider legal and industrial relations records of law firms and other organisations and oppose engagement of those organisations found to have a history of anti-worker or anti-union activity
Oppose government initiatives and appointments that are actively hostile to workers or unions;
Encourage trade union membership across both the public sector and the broader economy; and
Consider legal and industrial relations records of law firms and other organisations and oppose engagement of those organisations found to have a history of anti-worker or anti-union activity
This national conference endorses the same approach for a future federal Labor government including future appointments.
Again, it will be passed without debate
There’s a long list of topics in the next chapter – A Fair Go For All – everything from live music to Newstart to the NDIS.
There are two amendments we expect to go to a vote:
One for the creation of a human rights charter.
And the still-contentious Labor Left demand for asylum seekers whose cases were decided in the Coalition’s fast-track process to gain rights to a full merits review.
The Labor for Refugees resolutions have been withdrawn.
As flagged earlier, Ged Kearney will move a motion condemning mismanagement of offshore detention, referring to the need to look into New Zealand as a third country resettlement location, and new processes for medical transfers.
There will be no vote on raising Newstart – the review within 18 months is settled.
Labor delegates also wants a review into royal commissions:
This one didn’t even need any speakers:
This conference notes:
An enduring Labor value is that all Australians should have the right to exercise their democratic franchise to elect representatives to parliament to make laws for their state or territory.
Labor believes this democratic right should be held by all Australians irrespective of the state or territory in which they reside; and
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are prevented from making laws in relation to some areas of social policy, as their democratic right to do so was removed in 1997 by an act of the federal parliament.
An enduring Labor value is that all Australians should have the right to exercise their democratic franchise to elect representatives to parliament to make laws for their state or territory.
Labor believes this democratic right should be held by all Australians irrespective of the state or territory in which they reside; and
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are prevented from making laws in relation to some areas of social policy, as their democratic right to do so was removed in 1997 by an act of the federal parliament.
This conference:
Believes it is unacceptable that Australians who reside in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory should have fewer democratic rights than other Australians; and
Encourages all federal Labor parliamentarians to support reinstating equal democratic rights for residents of the territories when such matters come before the federal parliament in future.
Believes it is unacceptable that Australians who reside in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory should have fewer democratic rights than other Australians; and
Encourages all federal Labor parliamentarians to support reinstating equal democratic rights for residents of the territories when such matters come before the federal parliament in future.