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Parliament sits for first time since Scott Morrison's election victory – politics live Parliament sits for first time since Scott Morrison's election victory – politics live
(32 minutes later)
On tax cuts, it looks like a deal with the crossbench is very, very close. Centre Alliance seem quite hopeful it will get its gas reserve for the domestic market, which will get them across the line. Then it is down to Jacqui Lambie, who hasn’t said much publicly, but is tipped to vote in favour. Back over on Sky News and Angus Taylor was very Angus Taylor about what the government was planning to do in regards to nuclear power.
But even if she doesn’t, Labor is leaning towards passing the whole package if the government won’t split it, despite its reservations over stage 3. There is a big chunk of the party room (mostly Queensland) who want a Senate inquiry into nuclear power. Taylor continued to hedge, saying he was focused on the “short and medium term”.
Which just begs the question - what on earth are is the government going to talk about if the tax package passes? “If we are going to solve this energy problem in the next couple of years, it is going to be much more immediate initiatives that are going to need to be in place ... like the reliability obligation. Future energy sources, and broadening those, will have a much longer term time line before they can have any impact.
“So I am very focused on the short-term solutions, it is what Australians want.
“... What has to be established here [nuclear] is the economic business case. There are lots of ways of doing that, there are many ways for many people to make that economic case ... what I am saying is, there are many ways to establish the economic case. The fundamental issue though we face now is making sure we get more energy supply into the system, making sure the competitive regime is right, that the energy companies are doing the right thing by their customers – that is what is going to make the difference.
“... As I said, I am focused on getting those short- to medium-term problems solved.”
On tax cuts, it looks as though a deal with the crossbench is very, very close. Centre Alliance seems quite hopeful it will get its gas reserve for the domestic market, which will get it across the line. Then it is down to Jacqui Lambie, who hasn’t said much publicly but is tipped to vote in favour.
But even if she doesn’t, Labor is leaning towards passing the whole package if the government won’t split it, despite its reservations about stage three.
Which just begs the question – what on earth is the government going to talk about if the tax package passes?
Outside the church service, Scott Morrison stopped and had a quick chat as well:Outside the church service, Scott Morrison stopped and had a quick chat as well:
[Yesterday] at the War Memorial and this morning’s reflections, I think, are very important ways for our Parliament to begin. And certainly on this occasion. People coming together from across the political divide, and, of course, this week, with the swearing-in of a new Governor-General, I think it is a timely reminder of all the things that make our democracy, our country, so great. [Yesterday] at the war memorial and this morning’s reflections, I think, are very important ways for our parliament to begin. And certainly on this occasion. People coming together from across the political divide and, of course, this week, with the swearing-in of a new governor general, I think it is a timely reminder of all the things that make our democracy, our country so great.
There is a tremendous stability, I think, in these things that anchor our country, whether it’s our Constitution, as we remembered yesterday with the Governor-General, the great sacrifice and service of those men and women who sacrificed everything for us. There is a tremendous stability, I think, in these things that anchor our country, whether it’s our constitution, as we remembered yesterday with the governor general, the great sacrifice and service of those men and women who sacrificed everything for us.
Today, reflecting on the deeply held faith values of our nation. And later this morning, the welcome-to-country. I think that all brings it together, and for the ceremonies that follow. And this is the right way to start a Parliament. And I look forward to continuing in that vain. This morning, there are many prayers that I must say my prayers this morning are for Alek Sigley and his family. This is a troubling situation and we will continue to use every effort we have to locate him and hopefully bring him home safely.” Today, reflecting on the deeply held faith values of our nation. And later this morning, the welcome to country. I think that all brings it together, and for the ceremonies that follow. And this is the right way to start a parliament. And I look forward to continuing in that vein. This morning, there are many prayers that I must say. My prayers this morning are for Alek Sigley and his family. This is a troubling situation and we will continue to use every effort we have to locate him and hopefully bring him home safely.
There is no update on the Sigley situation as yet.There is no update on the Sigley situation as yet.
You can follow along with parliament here You can follow along with parliament here.
Today’s the day – the 46th Parliament of Australia will be officially opened this morning. Here’s today’s Daily Program, outlining what to expect and when. Don’t forget you can stream today’s ceremonies at https://t.co/8DB1X3AQDV pic.twitter.com/hNw1JXnypMToday’s the day – the 46th Parliament of Australia will be officially opened this morning. Here’s today’s Daily Program, outlining what to expect and when. Don’t forget you can stream today’s ceremonies at https://t.co/8DB1X3AQDV pic.twitter.com/hNw1JXnypM
Anthony Albanese stopped and had a chat to journalists outside the church service this morning. Asked if the tax debate was damaging for Labor, he had this to say:Anthony Albanese stopped and had a chat to journalists outside the church service this morning. Asked if the tax debate was damaging for Labor, he had this to say:
We’ve got till 2022. I’ll give you the big tip. I’ve said we will hasten slowly. I’ve said we won’t be terribly concerned about the 24-hour media cycle. What we’re talking about here is the Government saying it’s prepared to block tax cuts for workers now because of tax cuts that might happen, that it wants to happen, in 2025. Quite frankly I believe that is an arrogant position on behalf of the Government. We’re prepared to facilitate debate in the House. So what’s more, we’re prepared and support the House and the Senate remaining here in Canberra on Thursday, continuing to sit until these issues are all dealt with. Because we want every Australian worker to get a tax cut in this term. That’s what we’re arguing for. We’ve got till 2022. I’ll give you the big tip. I’ve said we will hasten slowly. I’ve said we won’t be terribly concerned about the 24-hour media cycle … we’re prepared and support the House and the Senate remaining here in Canberra on Thursday, continuing to sit until these issues are all dealt with. Because we want every Australian worker to get a tax cut in this term. That’s what we’re arguing for.
Because we are back in 2016, religious freedom is back on the agenda, despite the Philip Ruddock review finding that there isn’t that big a problem in Australia when it comes to religious freedom.Because we are back in 2016, religious freedom is back on the agenda, despite the Philip Ruddock review finding that there isn’t that big a problem in Australia when it comes to religious freedom.
But here we are.But here we are.
Scott Morrison will be looking at it, and he is hoping for bipartisan support from Labor to try to limit how out of control the debate could grow. Mathias Cormann, speaking to ABC TV this morning is all about it: Scott Morrison will be looking at it, and he is hoping for bipartisan support from Labor to try to limit how out of control the debate could grow. Mathias Cormann, speaking to ABC TV this morning, is all about it:
Well, I do believe it’s a pressing issue to protect Australia’s right to religious freedom. And, I mean, that is obviously something that we’ve said that we would pursue. The prime minister and others have made it very clear that this is something that we will pursue through legislation by the end of this year. And at the right time the attorney general will obviously explain all of the ins and outs of what we’re proposing to do.Well, I do believe it’s a pressing issue to protect Australia’s right to religious freedom. And, I mean, that is obviously something that we’ve said that we would pursue. The prime minister and others have made it very clear that this is something that we will pursue through legislation by the end of this year. And at the right time the attorney general will obviously explain all of the ins and outs of what we’re proposing to do.
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese attended a Last Post ceremony as the sun set yesterday. The War Memorial holds a daily ceremony, but it is traditional for the leaders to attend the service just before parliament resumes. Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese attended a Last Post ceremony as the sun set yesterday. The war memorial holds a daily ceremony, but it is traditional for the leaders to attend the service just before parliament resumes.
Well, after the pomp and ceremony of yesterday, the parliament is gearing up for more pomp and ceremony today, with the 46th parliament to be officially sworn in.Well, after the pomp and ceremony of yesterday, the parliament is gearing up for more pomp and ceremony today, with the 46th parliament to be officially sworn in.
First up is the traditional church service, attended by the leaders, where everyone reflects on peace and goodwill before returning to the parliament and slamming each other again.First up is the traditional church service, attended by the leaders, where everyone reflects on peace and goodwill before returning to the parliament and slamming each other again.
Sometimes they don’t even make it to the parliament – just the steps of the church.Sometimes they don’t even make it to the parliament – just the steps of the church.
Back in the parliament it is all tax, tax, tax.Back in the parliament it is all tax, tax, tax.
Josh Frydenberg has promised the low- and middle-income tax rebate will be in people’s bank accounts next week.Josh Frydenberg has promised the low- and middle-income tax rebate will be in people’s bank accounts next week.
“People will get it next week,” he told Laura Jayes on Sky News this morning. “Once they put in their tax returns, and they can put in their tax returns next week, then they will get it just days after.”“People will get it next week,” he told Laura Jayes on Sky News this morning. “Once they put in their tax returns, and they can put in their tax returns next week, then they will get it just days after.”
Now of course, that depends on the parliament passing it. Labor is still hoping it can amend the bill in the Senate, but will pass it the House. If it can’t amend the bill, well, it hasn’t really made up its mind yet about what it will do. Stage one and two are fine, according to the opposition – or at least mostly fine – but stage three is a sticking point. The government is holding firm and refusing to split the package. So we’ll stay on this merry-go-round a little bit longer.Now of course, that depends on the parliament passing it. Labor is still hoping it can amend the bill in the Senate, but will pass it the House. If it can’t amend the bill, well, it hasn’t really made up its mind yet about what it will do. Stage one and two are fine, according to the opposition – or at least mostly fine – but stage three is a sticking point. The government is holding firm and refusing to split the package. So we’ll stay on this merry-go-round a little bit longer.
In other news, the treasurer is holding his breath while waiting to see if the RBA cuts the cash rate for the second month in a row. There isn’t much further for the reserve bank to go, but it is a sign of a weakening economy that there is even the expectation it could.In other news, the treasurer is holding his breath while waiting to see if the RBA cuts the cash rate for the second month in a row. There isn’t much further for the reserve bank to go, but it is a sign of a weakening economy that there is even the expectation it could.
Frydenberg is holding on to Australia’s triple A credit rating for comfort but the global economy has to be making for some sleepless nights.Frydenberg is holding on to Australia’s triple A credit rating for comfort but the global economy has to be making for some sleepless nights.
We’ll cover that, and everything else that happens today. There is no question time until Thursday, but Mike Bowers is out and about and freezing in Manuka to bring you shots of the MPs pretending to like each other, and the Guardian’s brains trust is at your service.We’ll cover that, and everything else that happens today. There is no question time until Thursday, but Mike Bowers is out and about and freezing in Manuka to bring you shots of the MPs pretending to like each other, and the Guardian’s brains trust is at your service.
Ready? Let’s get into it.Ready? Let’s get into it.