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Jacqui Lambie backs Coalition's income tax cuts package – politics live Jacqui Lambie backs Coalition's income tax cuts package – politics live
(32 minutes later)
That agricultural visa is not a new issue. It’s been kicking around since just after the Coalition was elected in 2013. And still, no ag-visa. Or workable solution.
Again, if only there was a party dedicated to representing farmers interests in this place.
Farmers still want an agricultural visa to deal with work shortages. The head of the National Farmers’ Federation, Fiona Simson, said a survey of members found single farm losses of up to $2m because of the shortage of labour. Basically, the fruit is rotting on the vines. From her statement:
Typically, international workers take up farm work via a Working Holidaymaker Visa (often used by backpackers) or the Seasonal Worker Programme, which provides employment opportunities to citizens of Pacific countries and Timor Leste.
‘While both programmes are successful to an extent, they cannot adequately meet agriculture’s labour needs, with only 12 per cent of the survey respondents using the Seasonal Worker Programme.
‘Most farmers choose the allegedly easier, cheaper and less fraught employment option of hiring workers directly and one fifth said they prefer to use labour-hire contractors,’ Ms Simson said.
63 per cent of respondents opted to instead employ non-residents on their farms. Many said it was necessary because permanent residents were either not available in sufficient numbers, or found farm work too difficult or not to their liking.
In fact, farmers found that non-residents were largely perceived as more reliable than permanent residents.
‘This is mainly because farm work is labour intensive, not available all year around and therefore not suited to some Australian job seekers.
‘Australian farmers are known to be fair employers and the stats show it, with almost all of the survey respondents paying their employees more than what’s required by the applicable Award.
‘Annual employment costs for most farmers range between $100,000 and $500,000 and in some cases almost $2 million,’ Ms Simson said.
Simson says an agriculture-specific visa would “diversify the countries from which workers can be sourced, and allow visa holders to move between different farm businesses – depending where and when the work is available”.
“It’s intended to complement the Working Holidaymaker Visa, the Seasonal Worker Programme and the many initiatives designed to see more Australians take up farm jobs.”
Rex Patrick plans on moving his motion calling for an inquiry into Christopher Pyne’s new job (and I guess Julie Bishop’s as well) at 11.45.
At least someone is happy
MathiasCormann liked this tweet: https://t.co/ctUKH0sDPy
Why is what Labor will do in the tax bill important, considering its vote is meaningless, at least as far as the legislation matters?
It’s all about the next election. And while that is a good three years away now, the decision Labor makes will impact what it decides to do in the next term, if there is a change of government.
Repealing a tax cut you helped legislate is not a great sell, politically. Hence the wringing of hands within caucus. But then to vote for it is to overturn six years of policy foundation. To not vote for it means not voting for stage one and two, which everyone is in agreement about.
Cool beans.
Here is all the legislation the government plans on introducing into the House of Reps today:
Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection)Fair Work Laws Amendment (Proper Use of Worker Benefits)Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity)National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits)Crimes Legislation Amendment (Police Powers at Airports)Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment (Sunsetting of Special PowersRelating to Terrorism Offences)Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers)Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders)Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) (Consequential Amendments)Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort)Higher Education Support (Charges)Higher Education Support (Cost Recovery)Water Amendment (Indigenous Authority Member)Farm Household Support AmendmentTimor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty Consequential AmendmentPassenger Movement Charge Amendment (Timor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty)Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Single Treatment Pathway)Migration Amendment (Streamlining Visa Processing)Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test)Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing)Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 2)Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Multinationals Pay Their Fair Share of Tax in Australia and Other Measures)Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Members’ Interests First)Customs Amendment (Immediate Destruction of Illicit Tobacco)
The ones in bold are Peter Dutton specials. You may have noticed medevac on that list. There is no way on Beyoncé’s green earth that will hit the Senate today. Mostly because it’s a bit awks, the government just having struck a deal with Centre Alliance, which is against repealing medevac.
But if the government left repealing medevac off the list, then it would have to explain why it is off the list.
So it’s more of a “here-it-is-please-ignore-it-for-now-please-and-thank-you”.
But it’s a-comin’.
Basically, the Senate is where it is at today.Basically, the Senate is where it is at today.
Not often I write that sentence. It’s not often I write that sentence.
There’s also this today. From Katharine Murphy:There’s also this today. From Katharine Murphy:
Labor will move a motion calling on Scott Morrison to take appropriate action against Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop for taking commercial appointments immediately after leaving politics.Labor will move a motion calling on Scott Morrison to take appropriate action against Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop for taking commercial appointments immediately after leaving politics.
The Labor motion is in addition to a separate proposal from the Centre Alliance to establish a Senate inquiry into compliance with ministerial standards, triggered by the controversy around the former defence minister’s decision to take a position with consulting giant EY to help the consulting group expand its defence business.The Labor motion is in addition to a separate proposal from the Centre Alliance to establish a Senate inquiry into compliance with ministerial standards, triggered by the controversy around the former defence minister’s decision to take a position with consulting giant EY to help the consulting group expand its defence business.
The motion, to be debated on what is expected to be a gruelling Senate sitting day to consider the Morrison government’s $158bn tax package, seeks information on when Morrison became aware that his former colleagues had accepted the roles with EY and in Bishop’s case, a job on the board of international consultancy firm Palladium, and what action he has taken in response.The motion, to be debated on what is expected to be a gruelling Senate sitting day to consider the Morrison government’s $158bn tax package, seeks information on when Morrison became aware that his former colleagues had accepted the roles with EY and in Bishop’s case, a job on the board of international consultancy firm Palladium, and what action he has taken in response.
If an answer isn’t forthcoming, the motion requires the government Senate leader, Mathias Cormann, to provide an explanation.If an answer isn’t forthcoming, the motion requires the government Senate leader, Mathias Cormann, to provide an explanation.
Mathias Cormann is very “grateful” to Cory Bernardi, Jacqui Lambie, Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff.Mathias Cormann is very “grateful” to Cory Bernardi, Jacqui Lambie, Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff.
He who said he would not deal on this previously, will not go into the details of the deal he struck with the crossbenchers, although Lambie already confirmed a deal had been made. Everyone across that? He who said he would not deal on this previously will not go into the details of the deal he struck with the crossbenchers, although Lambie already confirmed a deal had been made. Everyone across that?
We’re always prepared to discuss with non-government senators policy issues of concern to them and their constituents. And we’re always prepared to consider the issues they raise with us, and make judgements as appropriate. But these judgements have to be made on their own merit. We’re always prepared to discuss with non-government senators policy issues of concern to them and their constituents. And we’re always prepared to consider the issues they raise with us, and make judgments as appropriate. But these judgments have to be made on their own merit.
Today is about income tax relief for millions of hardworking Australians. The issues that have been raised with us, we will deal with in good time. But what I can say to you today is that, while the Labor Party was engaged in political games and division, I mean, even in petty student political games, like moving amendments to the title of the bill in the House of Representatives, I mean, what were they thinking?” Today is about income tax relief for millions of hardworking Australians. The issues that have been raised with us, we will deal with in good time. But what I can say to you today is that, while the Labor party was engaged in political games and division, I mean, even in petty student political games, like moving amendments to the title of the bill in the House of Representatives. I mean, what were they thinking?
And while the crossbench which is about to pass stage three of the tax cuts is uncomfortable with stage three of the tax cuts, all those who are iffy on them can agree on, is that they are not great. And while the crossbench which is about to pass stage three of the tax cuts is uncomfortable with stage three of the tax cuts, all those who are iffy on them can agree on is that they are not great.
It’s like marrying someone you’re just OK with by hoping they’ll improve (spoiler - they don’t) It’s like marrying someone you’re just OK with by hoping they’ll improve (spoiler – they don’t).
.@tanya_plibersek: We agree the first stage of the tax cuts should go through, also part of the second stage should be brought forward. The third stage, that takes place in five years time, that’s worth $95b, is highly irresponsible to sign up to. MORE: https://t.co/vM6wuQRjEM pic.twitter.com/rBrixl9UxA.@tanya_plibersek: We agree the first stage of the tax cuts should go through, also part of the second stage should be brought forward. The third stage, that takes place in five years time, that’s worth $95b, is highly irresponsible to sign up to. MORE: https://t.co/vM6wuQRjEM pic.twitter.com/rBrixl9UxA
Everyone is cool friends Everyone is cool friends.
.@MathiasCormann on tax cuts: We are always prepared to work in good faith with our crossbench colleagues. @JacquiLambie has been a very forceful advocate. MORE: https://t.co/6BnFNcrrrh #firstedition pic.twitter.com/Li9VKpMtRD.@MathiasCormann on tax cuts: We are always prepared to work in good faith with our crossbench colleagues. @JacquiLambie has been a very forceful advocate. MORE: https://t.co/6BnFNcrrrh #firstedition pic.twitter.com/Li9VKpMtRD
Jim Chalmers spoke to ABC TV this morning but didn’t give any indication of how Labor plans on moving forward after its amendments fail: Jim Chalmers spoke to ABC TV this morning but didn’t give any indication of how Labor plans to move forward after its amendments fail:
We will attempt to get our amendments supported in the Senate. Those amendments are about the things that I’ve been talking about, including trying to take Stage 3 out of the tax package, because it does saddle the Government with a massive cost. The Government fails to predict how the economy will be travelling five minutes from now. The idea that they’ll know what the Budget and economy will look like in five years is absurd. We will attempt to get our amendments supported in the Senate. Those amendments are about the things that I’ve been talking about, including trying to take stage three out of the tax package, because it does saddle the government with a massive cost. The government fails to predict how the economy will be travelling five minutes from now. The idea that they’ll know what the budget and economy will look like in five years is absurd.
Oh, and the media bosses had a chat with Christian Porter and Paul Fletcher late yesterday – tl;dr, nothing has changed.Oh, and the media bosses had a chat with Christian Porter and Paul Fletcher late yesterday – tl;dr, nothing has changed.
We had a constructive discussion with Attorney-General Christian Porter and Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher today but we remain frustrated that a month after search warrants were carried out by the Australian Federal Police the fate of our journalists remains unclear.We had a constructive discussion with Attorney-General Christian Porter and Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher today but we remain frustrated that a month after search warrants were carried out by the Australian Federal Police the fate of our journalists remains unclear.
While our strong preference was for immediate action rather than inquiries, we will engage with any processes that seek to address the issues we have raised. We will continue to push for real outcomes that strengthen the Australian public’s fundamental right to know.While our strong preference was for immediate action rather than inquiries, we will engage with any processes that seek to address the issues we have raised. We will continue to push for real outcomes that strengthen the Australian public’s fundamental right to know.
We have committed to making further direct submissions both on the fate of our journalists and on the specific areas where freedom of the press has been eroded and we have agreed to meet with the Attorney-General and Minister for Communications again in three months’ time.We have committed to making further direct submissions both on the fate of our journalists and on the specific areas where freedom of the press has been eroded and we have agreed to meet with the Attorney-General and Minister for Communications again in three months’ time.
We stressed in today’s meeting the importance of the Federal Government taking a leadership position on the public’s right to be informed and to set the tone for a less secret and more open democracy.We stressed in today’s meeting the importance of the Federal Government taking a leadership position on the public’s right to be informed and to set the tone for a less secret and more open democracy.
This statement is attributable to David Anderson, ABC Managing Director, on behalf the joint media organisations that met with Mr Porter and Mr Fletcher today. The organisations were: the ABC, Nine, News Corp, Free TV, SBS and Seven West Media.This statement is attributable to David Anderson, ABC Managing Director, on behalf the joint media organisations that met with Mr Porter and Mr Fletcher today. The organisations were: the ABC, Nine, News Corp, Free TV, SBS and Seven West Media.
Rex Patrick will also move this motion:Rex Patrick will also move this motion:
(1) That the Senate notes— (1) That the Senate notes —
(a) the Prime Minister’s Statement of Ministerial Standards of 30 August 2018, at paragraph 2.25 concerning post-ministerial employment, states that “Ministers are required to undertake that, for an eighteen month period after ceasing to be a Minister, they will not lobby, advocate or have business meetings with members of the government, Parliament, public service or defence force on any matters on which they have had official dealings as Minister in their last eighteen months in office. Ministers are also required to undertake that, on leaving office, they will not take personal advantage of information to which they have had access as a Minister, where that information is not generally available to the public”;(a) the Prime Minister’s Statement of Ministerial Standards of 30 August 2018, at paragraph 2.25 concerning post-ministerial employment, states that “Ministers are required to undertake that, for an eighteen month period after ceasing to be a Minister, they will not lobby, advocate or have business meetings with members of the government, Parliament, public service or defence force on any matters on which they have had official dealings as Minister in their last eighteen months in office. Ministers are also required to undertake that, on leaving office, they will not take personal advantage of information to which they have had access as a Minister, where that information is not generally available to the public”;
(b) that Mr Christopher Maurice Pyne served as the Minister for Defence Industry from 19 July 2016 to 28 August 2018, and as the Minister for Defence from 28 August 2018 to 11 April 2019;(b) that Mr Christopher Maurice Pyne served as the Minister for Defence Industry from 19 July 2016 to 28 August 2018, and as the Minister for Defence from 28 August 2018 to 11 April 2019;
(c) that Mr Pyne has taken employment with consulting firm EY and that, in his own words, he is “looking forward to providing strategic advice to EY, as the firm looks to expand its footprint in the defence industry”;(c) that Mr Pyne has taken employment with consulting firm EY and that, in his own words, he is “looking forward to providing strategic advice to EY, as the firm looks to expand its footprint in the defence industry”;
(d) that media reports indicate that AusTender government contract notices show that over the past four years EY has secured over 830 contracts with the Australian Government worth more than $370 million, including 138 contracts with the Department of Defence worth $148 million;(d) that media reports indicate that AusTender government contract notices show that over the past four years EY has secured over 830 contracts with the Australian Government worth more than $370 million, including 138 contracts with the Department of Defence worth $148 million;
(e) that EY has publicly identified the Australian Government’s investment in new defence capabilities, including the future submarines project and the future frigate project as major business opportunities;(e) that EY has publicly identified the Australian Government’s investment in new defence capabilities, including the future submarines project and the future frigate project as major business opportunities;
(f) EY’s statement that Mr Pyne will help build EY’s defence-related business in South Australia and elsewhere, including helping to “lead conversations about what all states need to do to meet the challenges and opportunities this defence investment will bring”;(f) EY’s statement that Mr Pyne will help build EY’s defence-related business in South Australia and elsewhere, including helping to “lead conversations about what all states need to do to meet the challenges and opportunities this defence investment will bring”;
(g) EY’s subsequent statement that Mr Pyne “will not be lobbying or meeting with public sector MPs, public service or defence in his EY role” and that he will be “supporting the private sector side of the business”; and(g) EY’s subsequent statement that Mr Pyne “will not be lobbying or meeting with public sector MPs, public service or defence in his EY role” and that he will be “supporting the private sector side of the business”; and
(h) Mr Pyne’s further statement that he intends “to ensure that anyone I provide advice to has rigorous processes and procedures in place to ensure that I am not put in a position where the Ministerial Code might be breached”.(h) Mr Pyne’s further statement that he intends “to ensure that anyone I provide advice to has rigorous processes and procedures in place to ensure that I am not put in a position where the Ministerial Code might be breached”.
(2) That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 10 September 2019:(2) That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 10 September 2019:
(a) compliance by former Ministers of State with the requirements of paragraph 2.25 of the Prime Minister’s Statement of Ministerial Standards, dated 30 August 2018, including, but not limited to the undertakings given by Ministers to comply with their obligations concerning post-ministerial employment, and action taken by the Prime Minister and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure full compliance by former Ministers with paragraph 2.25 of the Ministerial Standards; and(a) compliance by former Ministers of State with the requirements of paragraph 2.25 of the Prime Minister’s Statement of Ministerial Standards, dated 30 August 2018, including, but not limited to the undertakings given by Ministers to comply with their obligations concerning post-ministerial employment, and action taken by the Prime Minister and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure full compliance by former Ministers with paragraph 2.25 of the Ministerial Standards; and
(b) any related matters.(b) any related matters.
The Senate will sit at 9.30, where the first order of business is an hours motion from the government – essentially setting up the day for the Senate to sit for as long as it takes to pass the tax cuts.The Senate will sit at 9.30, where the first order of business is an hours motion from the government – essentially setting up the day for the Senate to sit for as long as it takes to pass the tax cuts.
Given the crossbench is now on board, that will get the go-ahead, and then we will have a lot of speeches before the inevitable conclusion that the whole tax package will go through un-amended. Given that the crossbench is now on board, that will get the go-ahead, and then we will have a lot of speeches before the inevitable conclusion that the whole tax package will go through unamended.
Which means the ridiculously named Treasury Laws Amendment (tax relief so working Australians keep more of their money) Bill 2019 will be passed by the end of the day. Which means the ridiculously named Treasury Laws Amendment (tax relief so working Australians keep more of their money) bill 2019 will be passed by the end of the day.
And that, as they say folks, is that
Newly returned Senator @JacquiLambie talks tax in the halls of Parliament. @AmyRemeikis @mpbowers pic.twitter.com/k7eWRCs6vx
The next big battle for the government then, is repealing the medevac legislation.
Centre Alliance, which was integral to it being passed in the last parliament, have said it won’t budget. One Nation is all for it. That makes Jacqui Lambie the deciding vote (Cory Bernardi will vote with the government)
On that, Lambie says she hasn’t decided as yet:
I have spent two weeks up here, two weeks to clean, I only got staff, I didn’t even have toilet paper Monday, sweetie, so that’s where we are at.”
Centre Alliance were on board as of late last night. Rex Patrick, Stirling Griff and Rebekha Sharkie put out this release early this morning:
After lengthy negotiations with the Government to address concerns that Centre Alliance has about rising energy costs, and particularly the high electricity costs in South Australia, Centre Alliance has agreed to support the Government’s personal tax cuts legislation.
Supporting the tax cuts will reward Australian taxpayers and provide a stimulus to the economy that almost all economists have called for, including the Reserve Bank Governor.
Centre Alliance has worked with the Government on both short and long term reforms to deal with gas market concerns. The full package of reforms will be announced by Government in the coming weeks but will include changes to the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) to deal with current pricing, market transparency measures, measures to deal with the monopoly nature of East Coast gas pipelines and longer term measures to ensure future gas projects deliver surplus supply to the Australian market.
Centre Alliance will not support the splitting off of stage three, noting that the Government have steadfastly refused to split the bill and that any split will be rejected in the lower house.
In respect of the negotiations on gas, the following is noted:
Energy is used in every sector of the economy. Uncompetitive energy costs mean an uncompetitive economy.
51% of SA’s electricity is generated from gas. Gas prices set the electricity price in SA, Victoria and Tasmania.
ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims, has forecast that gas prices will rise.
Centre Alliance went to the election with a promise to reduce energy prices.
Gas facts
In 2013 – 14 Australians paid $3 - $4 GJ for gas.
6 LNG trains have since been built in Gladstone QLD to facilitate export of gas.
Production of gas in Australia has tripled.
In 2017 SA couldn’t even get gas offers, let alone a good price.
Centre Alliance negotiated the ADGSM with the Government to ensure a minimum domestic supply. The ADGSM has worked to ensure there is enough supply, but has not dealt with price.
Despite a tripling of production, the price of gas in Australia has tripled (to around $9 GL).
Australians are now paying 20% more for our gas than consumers in the Asian market are paying for our gas.
Many companies are deferring investment, and in some cases not investing, in Australia because of our high gas prices.
There has been a market failure and Government must intervene.
In 2013 – 14 Australians paid $3 - $4 GJ for gas.
6 LNG trains have since been built in Gladstone QLD to facilitate export of gas.
Production of gas in Australia has tripled.
In 2017 SA couldn’t even get gas offers, let alone a good price.
Centre Alliance negotiated the ADGSM with the Government to ensure a minimum domestic supply. The ADGSM has worked to ensure there is enough supply, but has not dealt with price.
Despite a tripling of production, the price of gas in Australia has tripled (to around $9 GL).
Australians are now paying 20% more for our gas than consumers in the Asian market are paying for our gas.
Many companies are deferring investment, and in some cases not investing, in Australia because of our high gas prices.
There has been a market failure and Government must intervene.
Energy is used in every sector of the economy. Uncompetitive energy costs mean an uncompetitive economy.
51% of SA’s electricity is generated from gas. Gas prices set the electricity price in SA, Victoria and Tasmania.
ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims, has forecast that gas prices will rise.
Centre Alliance went to the election with a promise to reduce energy prices.
Gas facts
In 2013 – 14 Australians paid $3 - $4 GJ for gas.
6 LNG trains have since been built in Gladstone QLD to facilitate export of gas.
Production of gas in Australia has tripled.
In 2017 SA couldn’t even get gas offers, let alone a good price.
Centre Alliance negotiated the ADGSM with the Government to ensure a minimum domestic supply. The ADGSM has worked to ensure there is enough supply, but has not dealt with price.
Despite a tripling of production, the price of gas in Australia has tripled (to around $9 GL).
Australians are now paying 20% more for our gas than consumers in the Asian market are paying for our gas.
Many companies are deferring investment, and in some cases not investing, in Australia because of our high gas prices.
There has been a market failure and Government must intervene.
In 2013 – 14 Australians paid $3 - $4 GJ for gas.
6 LNG trains have since been built in Gladstone QLD to facilitate export of gas.
Production of gas in Australia has tripled.
In 2017 SA couldn’t even get gas offers, let alone a good price.
Centre Alliance negotiated the ADGSM with the Government to ensure a minimum domestic supply. The ADGSM has worked to ensure there is enough supply, but has not dealt with price.
Despite a tripling of production, the price of gas in Australia has tripled (to around $9 GL).
Australians are now paying 20% more for our gas than consumers in the Asian market are paying for our gas.
Many companies are deferring investment, and in some cases not investing, in Australia because of our high gas prices.
There has been a market failure and Government must intervene.
In 2013 – 14 Australians paid $3 - $4 GJ for gas.
6 LNG trains have since been built in Gladstone QLD to facilitate export of gas.
Production of gas in Australia has tripled.
In 2017 SA couldn’t even get gas offers, let alone a good price.
Centre Alliance negotiated the ADGSM with the Government to ensure a minimum domestic supply. The ADGSM has worked to ensure there is enough supply, but has not dealt with price.
Despite a tripling of production, the price of gas in Australia has tripled (to around $9 GL).
Australians are now paying 20% more for our gas than consumers in the Asian market are paying for our gas.
Many companies are deferring investment, and in some cases not investing, in Australia because of our high gas prices.
There has been a market failure and Government must intervene.
So why did Jacqui Lambie come on board?
It is a very smart play up here, you have to think ‘I grab this for Tasmania now, and we do what we can on the goodwill’, or do we wait for Labor to actually bend over, because this is what the public seem to want, business and those other people getting tax cuts, and muck around with this for another four weeks, or get this [done] so these guys can have their cheques back in the next week.”
Jacqui Lambie says she still has concerns over the third stage of the tax cuts.
I still have concerns about stage three, there is no doubt about that. That is five or six years away and we have another election. I, you know, what they are saying in black and white up here is certainly not translating down to the ground here and it certainly doesn’t look that pretty.
At this stage, where I see the economy going, I am not an economist, but I am not sure that we are heading in the right direction and I am sure from public perception and whatever else, when it gets to that, if we just don’t have the money, then that deal will have to go wayside.
In the meantime though, what it will give is many others out there tax relief that they can go and spend in those rural and regional areas, within their local communities. I have small businesses down there suffering, and I am not sitting around on this for another four or five weeks while we play argy bargy, that is another thing.
I can tell you now, 18 months out there, they have absolutely had a gutful of no decisions being made up here and getting things done, and getting the job done, and getting on with it and delivering.
Lambie says there is no guarantee that stage three will be abandoned if the budget can’t take the hit.
But I can tell you now, from the public perception, this is the way it works in Australia and if you really don’t have the money and you can’t afford it and we are that far under, then those tax cuts are just not going to happen.
But what about not having the deal in writing?
You know what, it comes down to good faith, I’m sure they are very aware and Centre Alliance is exactly the same, it not going to do any good by showing goodwill and then reneging on that. That is not going to help anyone. They know that. I think we are all very upfront about that. They have paid the price for that in the past, so look, I just want to get on and deliver for Tasmania, what needs to be done.
It is not just public housing crisis that we have down there ... we also have a massive health problem. We probably have one of the worst in the country. So one step at a time, but I need those kids and their families and into warm houses.
I just want to make sure that relationship stays intact and we walk through the next six to eight weeks in goodwill, so we can get those results we need to, for Tasmania, so I can get those people off the streets, so I can get them and their kids into housing and make sure they have got a roof over their heads, and also have warmth.
It is a really big problem in Tasmania at the moment, and I know they have been trying to do what they can. I have had 18 months out there, I want them to see it from my direction. I have been terribly concerned in the past when I’ve delivered money straight to the state government that it has not been spent wisely, so I want the targeted deals that I do up here, I want them better targeted so they are delivered straight to where they need to go, so we can get on with the job.
That’s Jacqui Lambie on why she made the deal.
Anthony Albanese has responded to the tax deal – Labor will still try to get its amendments through. There is no point though. So then it comes down to what Labor does – does it abstain, vote in favour, or vote against? But that’s just politics. The tax cuts are done.
Albanese:
This morning, we’ll consider the tax package. Labor will be pursuing our amendments before the Senate, because they represent good economic policy.
We saw the Reserve Bank of Australia just this week lower interest rates to a cash rate of just 1%. That’s one-third of the lowest that interest rates got during the global financial crisis. The greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The fact is that if a tax cut, by increasing the 37% threshold is good policy, from $90,000 to $120,000 in 2022, why isn’t it good policy in 2019? The government should be supporting that amendment.
And might I say – the crossbenchers are doing themselves a disservice if they don’t support the separating out of stage three of the tax cuts.
This has been a bluff by the government, saying, threatening to hold up tax cuts. It was there for 2025. That’s why Labor argued for more tax cuts sooner in every worker’s hand right now. That’s what the economy needs. That’s what Labor will be pursuing in the Senate.
It seems like Jacqui Lambie believes a future government can just repeal the stage three tax cuts if the budget can’t handle it.
She says if Australia doesn’t have the money for them they won’t happen. That seems like a lot of faith in a future government.
So she remains concerned but wants the lower and middle income tax cuts passed now.
Well, as we predicted yesterday, the tax cuts are a done deal.
Jacqui Lambie has given her support to the government, as has Centre Alliance. The government will get its package through the Senate, without Labor’s support.
Mathias Cormann says there were no deals. But Lambie will get something done on social housing in Tasmania and Centre Alliance gets something done on gas.
Nothing is in writing. Lambie says it “comes down to faith” and she believes the government will follow through with its promises.
So, strap in for a marathon day, but it is done.
Mike Bowers and the Guardian brains trust are on board and we’ll bring you the first real day of sitting to you as it happens.
Ready?
Let’s get into it.