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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
(31 minutes later)
Maiden speeches have begun in the House of Representatives. The new LNP MP for Herbert, Phil Thompson, is up first.
The tax debate has started in the Senate. It will go on until 11.45am, when the notices of motion pop up.
That will go for an hour. Then it’s back to tax. Then question time at 2pm. Then back to tax at 3.30pm until the bitter end.
There are a lot of noises about “let’s look at raising Newstart” happening again.
As we explained yesterday, even the RBA (indirectly) and the business community (directly) are on board. Because those on low and middle incomes spend money. When you don’t have enough money to make ends meet, such as those on the piddling Newstart allowance, which passes as “assistance” in this country, you will spend every single extra cent you receive catching up, and paying for, you know, life.
So that puts more money into the economy. Which is what the economy needs. It is why this tax plan is suddenly urgent, despite the hesitation over stage three, because the government really, really wants you to spend that $1,080 eligible earners will receive.
Labor thinks raising Newstart should be looked at. The Greens want it raised by at least $75 a week. Other members of the crossbench are on board. The government is like ... maybe we’ll look at it? But is not making any promises either way.
And why is that?
Because it has promised a surplus at a time when the national accounts are showing the slowest economic growth since the GFC. Iron ore prices are currently propping up the (operating) surplus, but even then, it’s only $7bn. That is not a lot of money for an almost $2 trillion economy. That’s a natural disaster or two in terms of spending.
So the government can’t commit to raising Newstart because that will hit the budget at a time where it’s losing money to tax cuts, while also promising a surplus. It is pure politics, but it’s also the reality.
Mathias Cormann has moved the hours motion – which basically moves the Senate agenda around, to clear the decks to get the tax debate done. The Senate will sit until the legislation is passed. That is an inevitability, but there will be a lot of “we don’t like stage three, hopefully we can repeal it” from one side, and a lot of “how good is tax cuts” from the other before we get to that point.
The bells are ringing – it is all about to begin.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
‘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.
‘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.
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.
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.
‘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.
‘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.
‘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”.
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.”
“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.
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
At least someone is happy
MathiasCormann liked this tweet: https://t.co/ctUKH0sDPy
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
It’s not often I write that sentence.
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.
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.
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.
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 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?
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).
.@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.
.@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 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 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.
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.
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.
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:
(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”;
(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”;
(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;
(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
(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:
(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.
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 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.
