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Labor to wave through income tax cuts despite arguing they are irresponsible – politics live Labor to wave through income tax cuts despite arguing they are irresponsible – politics live
(32 minutes later)
How Mike Bowers saw question time:
I thank @GregHuntMP and the Government for agreeing, or agreeing in principle, to the recommendations of the Senate Select Committee on Stillbirth Research and Education.Their commitment of an extra $52.4m funding to help drive down stillbirth rates is welcome news. pic.twitter.com/aZxVGQplZ8
Now the Senate hangs around until all the tax bill amendments are introduced, debated, and then rejected, before getting to the vote, where it will pass.
The royal assent will come pretty quickly after that and then BOOM – the entire tax package is legislated.
Amanda Rishworth, who is about a million weeks pregnant, has been granted parental leave until October 13.
In the least surprising news since the cancellation of Lindsay Lohan’s latest reality TV show, the oil and gas industry is not a huge fan of Centre Alliance’s gas plan.
APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said industry recognises its important role in supplying energy to Australians and the role a secure and competitive natural gas supply plays for households and businesses.
“There have been numerous reforms to the gas market in recent years. Sensible reforms can improve the efficiency of the gas market and improve its operation,” Mr McConville said
“However, market interventions could adversely affect confidence in the oil and gas sector as well as discourage new market entrants and supply diversity.
“Ongoing investment is crucial for economic growth and being able to fund the very tax cuts Federal Parliament is debating. Investment will only continue if businesses are confident they can manage the risk associated with the investment.
“There is enough supply in the market, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator, so we see no need for changes to the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) at this time. The ADGSM is up for a review in 2020 and the gas market transparency work will follow on from ACCC recommendations recently made public.”
The oil and gas industry – which underpins around 80,000 direct and indirect jobs – has recently announced billions of dollars in new investment to bring more gas into the market, supporting domestic gas consumption and gas export projects that are underpinning Australia’s growth.
“Today, we have seen another new gas sales deal announced by the Australia Pacific LNG venture with manufacturers Orica and Orora. This highlights the importance of developing new gas resources and the response industry is taking to accelerate the delivery of more supply.
“The new supply also adds to the significant number of new gas agreements announced in the past three years to domestic customers.”
Recently there have been announcements from Arrow Energy, Shell Australia, Senex, Cooper Energy, Strike Energy, GLNG and Santos to provide new supply in various parts of eastern Australia.
Mr McConville said rather than intervention measures by government, the best way to put downward pressure on gas prices is more gas from more suppliers.
“More gas supply into the Australian domestic market helps make a significant difference to the millions of homes and thousands of businesses that use gas,” Mr McConville said. “Increasing supply should be the focus of government, industry and all Australian businesses that rely on sustainable gas supply.”
Ed Husic may not be on Twitter anymore, so he’s saving his social media burns for instagram.
The BETRAYAL is real pic.twitter.com/2AD37jA4wf
On Samantha Maiden’s New Daily story about John Setka attempt to take the ALP to court over his forthcoming expulsion, Anthony Albanese says:On Samantha Maiden’s New Daily story about John Setka attempt to take the ALP to court over his forthcoming expulsion, Anthony Albanese says:
“He won’t be advocating as a member of the Labor party after July 15.”“He won’t be advocating as a member of the Labor party after July 15.”
The Greens will call for a division on this vote, because it will want it on the record that Labor voted for this tax package.The Greens will call for a division on this vote, because it will want it on the record that Labor voted for this tax package.
“Our first priority we have said very clear, is to ensure more money gets in the hands of workers,” Anthony Albanese says, on why Labor will vote for the whole package, even though it doesn’t agree with the final stage.“Our first priority we have said very clear, is to ensure more money gets in the hands of workers,” Anthony Albanese says, on why Labor will vote for the whole package, even though it doesn’t agree with the final stage.
“What we are saying is we will examine, just as the government will...[stage three]”“What we are saying is we will examine, just as the government will...[stage three]”
Anthony Albanese says.Anthony Albanese says.
He thinks they are irresponsible, at this point, but won’t make a formal decision on any part of stage three (there is a bit already legislated) for another three years.He thinks they are irresponsible, at this point, but won’t make a formal decision on any part of stage three (there is a bit already legislated) for another three years.
Anthony Albanese says Labor is saying “very clearly” that at this stage, it is against stage three, but the party will make a final decision on its position on that 2024 stage closer to the next election (in three years time).Anthony Albanese says Labor is saying “very clearly” that at this stage, it is against stage three, but the party will make a final decision on its position on that 2024 stage closer to the next election (in three years time).
So Labor is saying it will pass this whole package - even the bits it doesn’t like - but reserves the right to possibly repeal the last stage.So Labor is saying it will pass this whole package - even the bits it doesn’t like - but reserves the right to possibly repeal the last stage.
Meanwhile, the Law Council of Australia has welcomed some of the amendments the government will make to the temporary exclusion order legislation, at the behest of the intelligence committee. But wants the bill reviewed again. From Arthur Moses:Meanwhile, the Law Council of Australia has welcomed some of the amendments the government will make to the temporary exclusion order legislation, at the behest of the intelligence committee. But wants the bill reviewed again. From Arthur Moses:
The TEO Bill has made some substantial amendments relating to the process for the making, varying and revoking of either a TEO or a Return Permit and in relation to the process of review through the establishment of a reviewing authority to review the making of a temporary exclusion order.The TEO Bill has made some substantial amendments relating to the process for the making, varying and revoking of either a TEO or a Return Permit and in relation to the process of review through the establishment of a reviewing authority to review the making of a temporary exclusion order.
Given the significance of these amendments, including around questions of possible constitutional validity of the new reviewing authority process, the Law Council calls on the Parliament to refer the amended Bill to the PJCIS for inquiry and report.Given the significance of these amendments, including around questions of possible constitutional validity of the new reviewing authority process, the Law Council calls on the Parliament to refer the amended Bill to the PJCIS for inquiry and report.
This would help mitigate the chance of unintended consequences that could arise from the Bill in its current form.This would help mitigate the chance of unintended consequences that could arise from the Bill in its current form.
There are also several instances where PJCIS recommendations have either not been implemented or only partly implemented and the amendments need to be carefully scrutinised by the PJCIS regarding their adequacy to meet the initial concerns by the Committee.There are also several instances where PJCIS recommendations have either not been implemented or only partly implemented and the amendments need to be carefully scrutinised by the PJCIS regarding their adequacy to meet the initial concerns by the Committee.
The official statement on that has just dropped:The official statement on that has just dropped:
Labor’s highest priority throughout this tax cut debate has been to get more money into the hands of more workers, sooner, to boost an economy which is floundering under the Liberals.Labor’s highest priority throughout this tax cut debate has been to get more money into the hands of more workers, sooner, to boost an economy which is floundering under the Liberals.
We took to the election bigger, fairer tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes and after the election we proposed amendments which were all about passing the first two stages, bringing forward part of Stage Two, and removing Stage Three from the Bill.We took to the election bigger, fairer tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes and after the election we proposed amendments which were all about passing the first two stages, bringing forward part of Stage Two, and removing Stage Three from the Bill.
We fought hard for these responsible, sensible changes but ultimately they weren’t supported in either House. The Government even voted against their own tax cuts being delivered sooner.We fought hard for these responsible, sensible changes but ultimately they weren’t supported in either House. The Government even voted against their own tax cuts being delivered sooner.
When it became impossible to get everything we wanted, we had to prioritise what matters most.When it became impossible to get everything we wanted, we had to prioritise what matters most.
We will not oppose the passage of the legislation because we want to make sure Australians receive their tax cut now and that the benefits of the first stage start circulating through the economy and aren’t further delayed.We will not oppose the passage of the legislation because we want to make sure Australians receive their tax cut now and that the benefits of the first stage start circulating through the economy and aren’t further delayed.
The Government’s highest priority was to commit to a $95 billion tax cut in five years without revealing what they will cut to pay for it or knowing what the Budget and economy will look like at that point.The Government’s highest priority was to commit to a $95 billion tax cut in five years without revealing what they will cut to pay for it or knowing what the Budget and economy will look like at that point.
We have argued that it is irresponsible to commit to Stage Three five years out, and that remains our view.We have argued that it is irresponsible to commit to Stage Three five years out, and that remains our view.
A Government which has already broken its core election promise to introduce tax cuts by 1 July can hardly guarantee it will deliver more expensive tax cuts five years and five Budgets from now.A Government which has already broken its core election promise to introduce tax cuts by 1 July can hardly guarantee it will deliver more expensive tax cuts five years and five Budgets from now.
We will review Stage Three closer to the next election and propose our own policies which take into account the economic and budget conditions at the time.We will review Stage Three closer to the next election and propose our own policies which take into account the economic and budget conditions at the time.
So the short version of that – Labor will let the whole tax package go through when the amendments fail, so that the first two stages are legislated immediately.So the short version of that – Labor will let the whole tax package go through when the amendments fail, so that the first two stages are legislated immediately.
They will vote for it.They will vote for it.
Anthony Albanese began by talking about the amendments Labor wants on the tax bill – bringing stage two (already legislated) forward, bring forward infrastructure spending (a lot of it is happening in the forwards and beyonds) and delaying the third tranche of this part of the tax package (30% flat tax for those earning between $45,000 and $200,000 from 2024).Anthony Albanese began by talking about the amendments Labor wants on the tax bill – bringing stage two (already legislated) forward, bring forward infrastructure spending (a lot of it is happening in the forwards and beyonds) and delaying the third tranche of this part of the tax package (30% flat tax for those earning between $45,000 and $200,000 from 2024).
Those amendments won’t be going anywhere, because the crossbench has already come on board.Those amendments won’t be going anywhere, because the crossbench has already come on board.
And so, Albanese says, if not successful, Labor will “not oppose the package”.And so, Albanese says, if not successful, Labor will “not oppose the package”.
It looks like Labor has come to a position on what to do with the tax cuts (it’s just a political decision at this point).It looks like Labor has come to a position on what to do with the tax cuts (it’s just a political decision at this point).
Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese will speak to the media in about 10 minutes.Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese will speak to the media in about 10 minutes.
So if it’s not a deal, what is it?So if it’s not a deal, what is it?
Rex Patrick:Rex Patrick:
We are now quite satisfied that the government is moving in a really good direction in relation to gas prices. That’s the status of things. There is no written agreement that says, ‘You do this, and we will support tax cuts.’ I can absolutely assure you of that. There is a dialogue that’s taken place, and there have been emails exchanged. There’s a draft policy document, but, once again, it would be irresponsible to table something that is a draft and is not fully considered.We are now quite satisfied that the government is moving in a really good direction in relation to gas prices. That’s the status of things. There is no written agreement that says, ‘You do this, and we will support tax cuts.’ I can absolutely assure you of that. There is a dialogue that’s taken place, and there have been emails exchanged. There’s a draft policy document, but, once again, it would be irresponsible to table something that is a draft and is not fully considered.
Rex Patrick returned to the Senate chamber to try to explain what understanding Centre Alliance has struck with the government, given Mathias Cormann’s insistence there was no written deal:Rex Patrick returned to the Senate chamber to try to explain what understanding Centre Alliance has struck with the government, given Mathias Cormann’s insistence there was no written deal:
I have heard what’s been said in the chamber over the last 10 or 15 minutes. I’ll just explain to you what has happened. Senator Cormann came down to Adelaide a few weeks ago and had a bit of a chat to us about things that were of concern to us. We raised a number of issues, one of which was energy prices. That won’t be surprising to Senator Wong; she knows that electricity prices in South Australia are the highest in the country. Senator Cormann then invited me to come across to Western Australia to sit down with Senator Canavan, which I did, and we started talking about ways in which gas prices in this country could be brought down. Senator Canavan brought to the table a whole range of things that he was already working on. We talked about a number of things that we thought would be useful. We’ve had a dialogue backwards and forwards. It turns out some of the things that we thought might be useful can’t be implemented because it wouldn’t be lawful to do so, and some of the things that we have suggested be done can’t technically be achieved; they don’t actually give you the outcome that you want. So we’ve had a running dialogue with the government over the last three or four weeks, going backwards and forwards, having conversations about the details. At the moment – and I’m sure Senator Cormann will confirm this – they have a draft outline of how they want to approach things. It’s not fully developed. As Senator Wong would know, having been a minister in government, tabling something or producing something that is not completed can actually be harmful. The government is still working through a whole range of options and it needs to do a whole bunch of checking-off on those options.I have heard what’s been said in the chamber over the last 10 or 15 minutes. I’ll just explain to you what has happened. Senator Cormann came down to Adelaide a few weeks ago and had a bit of a chat to us about things that were of concern to us. We raised a number of issues, one of which was energy prices. That won’t be surprising to Senator Wong; she knows that electricity prices in South Australia are the highest in the country. Senator Cormann then invited me to come across to Western Australia to sit down with Senator Canavan, which I did, and we started talking about ways in which gas prices in this country could be brought down. Senator Canavan brought to the table a whole range of things that he was already working on. We talked about a number of things that we thought would be useful. We’ve had a dialogue backwards and forwards. It turns out some of the things that we thought might be useful can’t be implemented because it wouldn’t be lawful to do so, and some of the things that we have suggested be done can’t technically be achieved; they don’t actually give you the outcome that you want. So we’ve had a running dialogue with the government over the last three or four weeks, going backwards and forwards, having conversations about the details. At the moment – and I’m sure Senator Cormann will confirm this – they have a draft outline of how they want to approach things. It’s not fully developed. As Senator Wong would know, having been a minister in government, tabling something or producing something that is not completed can actually be harmful. The government is still working through a whole range of options and it needs to do a whole bunch of checking-off on those options.