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New parliament opens with Scott Morrison intent on passing income tax cuts – politics live New parliament opens with Scott Morrison intent on passing income tax cuts – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Former prime minister Tony Abbott is in the public gallery for the opening of Parliament, sitting with John and Janette Howard and Bronwyn Bishop in the Senate chamber #auspol
Jim Chalmers has responded to the rate cut:
Two rate cuts in two months are a damning indictment of the Liberals’ economic mismanagement.
Interest rates are now a third of what they were during the depths of the Global Financial Crisis.
The Reserve Bank can’t do all of the heavy lifting.
It’s time for the Government to do its bit and support Labor’s amendments which would see every Australian worker receive a tax cut in this term of Parliament.
The key point from the RBA Governor’s statement today was: “Consumption growth has been subdued, weighed down by a protracted period of low income growth and declining housing prices.”
After six years in office, the Liberals have no one to blame but themselves for feeble growth, stagnant wages and weak consumption.
The Liberals’ claim that they’re good at managing the economy isn’t backed up by facts.
This is the only Government which has ever presided over an economic growth rate and a cash rate which both have a one in front of them at the same time.
This third-term Government has no plan and no idea how to fix the mess it’s made of the economy or boost the feeble growth on its watch.
If the Liberals were doing such a good job managing the economy, the Reserve Bank wouldn’t have had to cut the cash rate for two months in a row.
Tim Wilson, being Tim Wilson
There is always a bit of interest when parliament opens whether the MPs swear on bibles or take an affirmation. Victorian Liberal Tim Wilson has taken the whole process into new territory by taking his affirmation today while holding a copy of Milton Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom.
Always best to start as you mean to continue.
The RBA also doesn’t want to see unemployment rise any higher. That’s a bit difficult, with some analysts predicting it could hit 6%. This is just one of the problems facing the government at the moment - the economy is not, to put it lightly, looking fantastic - mostly because of outside factors, but that is what makes it so difficult.
The RBA has cut the cash rate by 0.25%, making it a new record low.
That’s the second month in a row it has cut rates – it is now sitting at 1%.
The RBA wants to see some wage growth. It’s not great news for the economy.
Scott Morrison addressed the joint party room and told his government that it was the “year of surplus”.
He wants the government known for its “humility”, which is also what he said on 7.30 last night.
And he wants the focus to be on those outside the building, not inside the building.
Long live the quiet Australians.
Josh Frydenberg told a really bad joke, saying someone had sent him a text saying great to see the focus on tax cuts “now you need to focus your Albo-es”.
Get it?
The bells are ringing once again.The bells are ringing once again.
The afternoon session is about to begin.The afternoon session is about to begin.
And we should have news from the RBA on that rate cut in the next 10 minutesAnd we should have news from the RBA on that rate cut in the next 10 minutes
Got a passport? Cool, cool, coolGot a passport? Cool, cool, cool
All your faces belong to us https://t.co/ON4oNxooDuAll your faces belong to us https://t.co/ON4oNxooDu
Craig Kelly is back on Sky, continuing his tradition of appearing on live TV like he’s yelling at you over a pub bar.Craig Kelly is back on Sky, continuing his tradition of appearing on live TV like he’s yelling at you over a pub bar.
The Senate comes back at 2.25pm. There are a few more formalities, then the governor general will deliver the agenda speech. The Senate will suspend at 5pm and we’ll be off for the day.The Senate comes back at 2.25pm. There are a few more formalities, then the governor general will deliver the agenda speech. The Senate will suspend at 5pm and we’ll be off for the day.
Tomorrow, most of the sitting is dedicated to condolence motions for Bob Hawke.Tomorrow, most of the sitting is dedicated to condolence motions for Bob Hawke.
The government is currently holding its party room meeting, so we’ll bring you the update from that after 2pm.The government is currently holding its party room meeting, so we’ll bring you the update from that after 2pm.
A bit more from Mike Bowers this morningA bit more from Mike Bowers this morning
Just wondering - has anyone checked whether Kevin Andrews is OK?
He has only spent one term in the parliament since his election in 1991 without Tony Abbott. I mean, he has Ian Goodenough as a bench buddy now, but still.
Much diversity. Many differences.
What do we call a flock of flag pins?
Shining happy people:
Seating arrangement is out:
House of Representatives Seating Plan #auspol pic.twitter.com/GSbZIjWYyw
The governor general will read the agenda speech at 3pm, which is written by the prime minister’s office.
He uses the phrase ‘my government’ and the pronoun ‘we’ quite a bit, which is a bit weird, but it will give us an insight into what this government is actually planning, outside of tax cuts.
Hit me up with the buzzwords you think may appear.
Michael McCormack also said some things.
Anthony Albanese on Tony Smith:
You love this institution. You are passionate about it. You bring great credit to all of us with the way that you conduct yourself. Of course, we, on this side of the House, would have preferred a different result on May 18, but I am pleased to see that you are back in control of the House.
You are as fair and impartial a Speaker as I have seen on either side of politics in Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2017 than two decades in this House.
Indeed, Mr Speaker, you are for the third time elected unopposed. That is the first time that that has occurred in more than a century since the beginning of, indeed, this parliament going back to federation.
The fact that you have been nominated by the government’s side and seconded by the opposition side is to your credit and also I think will be welcomed by Australians who want to see solutions, rather than arguments, in this place wherever that is possible.
Of course, from time to time, it will be the case that there are arguments, but you have always conducted yourself with diligence, grace and good humour and that has assisted, I think, in focusing attention from members of this House on outcomes on what unites us, rather than what divides us in the legitimate contests that will take place over the future direction of this country. Where at times it will be passionate.
I will be, too. You might have noticed, but what we need to do always is to recognise that the standing orders and the procedures that are in place are here so that those debates are conducted in a way that produces outcomes and really focuses on the needs of the Australian people, rather than on ourselves. You have always conducted yourself in that way. Of course your task is more than just chairing the parliament. As the prime minister has said, you also lead the parliament in terms of the officers, the clerks, all who work to make this institution operate on a day-to-day basis, and you do that in a way which always has been consultative, particularly over some difficult issues. National security is a much greater issue today than it was when I and yourself were elected those years ago.
It is important to get this balance between the openness of a parliament, whereby people can come along and can hear debates and participate with those national needs. Your job also is to be the representative of the parliament of all of us, which is why it is important that you have been elected unopposed.
Scott Morrison on Tony Smith’s election:
But to you, Mr Speaker, you have many great loves and passions in this life, none greater than Pam and the boys, who I know once again will be deeply proud of their dad today.
But you have the great passions, as we have heard, for the Carlton Football Club and your Holden panel van and many other things which we have discussed on so many occasions as great friends.
But one of your great passions is this House. This chamber. The role that it plays in our great country.
You bring a real honour to this institution. This is the second time that you have been elected to this position, following an election unchallenged and I think that says much about the respect with which you are held by all members of this House. You understand its responsibility.
You understand that we all come here, particularly on a day like today, expressing great hopes, noble intentions, but these are things that you have always lived as a man, as a member of your community, in your family, as a friend and as a member of this House.
That is what best commends you to this role, more than any of each of us here could. You have a wise and calming presence in this place.
The normal passions in the heat of the debate that occurs in this place, you accept and you celebrate, but at the same time you temper us in those times when, of course, there is overreach.
But in this role, Mr Speaker, you also do something which I think is truly great and that you honour and you work so well with those who service in this chamber and you lead them incredibly well.
Tony Smith has been dragged to the Speaker’s chair after Labor seconded the motion for his nomination.
Scott Ryan has been elected as president of the Senate.
Someone voted for Gavin Marshall in the Senate ballot. Scott Ryan is returned as Senate president #auspol
Dean Smith and Rachel Siewart appointed scrutineers for the first spill of the 46th. We have a third pile which is intriguing. Who is the donkey vote? #auspol @AmyRemeikis