This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/jul/04/government-gets-tax-cut-numbers-politics-live

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
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)
The next sitting day is not until 22 July.
Rex Patrick has delayed entering in his motion calling for an inquiry into Christopher Pyne’s job with EY because Mathias Cormann has announced that Scott Morrison has written to Martin Parkinson (head of Prime Minister and Cabinet) seeking advice over whether there is any breach of standards.
“I have therefore postponed my motion to the next sitting day,” Patrick said.
Fun fact – House of Representatives MPs get paid fortnightly, and senators get paid monthly.
If you see a senator with their credit card out, it is because they won’t get paid until the end of the month.
#thoughtsandprayers
I am having massive John Howard DJ meme flashbacks
Gesticulating. One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts addresses the #Senate on tax. @AmyRemeikis @murpharoo @mpbowers pic.twitter.com/z8CcA2rXvB
Minister reading Migration act amendment: “People who travel here by boat or in regional transitory country can never settle in Australia. Operation Sovereign Borders. Zero accountability for medical crisis he created or costs to AU tax payers of his policy failures #Auspol pic.twitter.com/tWDJbEHMMy
Annnnnd the Ensuring Integrity bill is back in the House.Annnnnd the Ensuring Integrity bill is back in the House.
This has also been introduced:This has also been introduced:
The Morrison Government is today delivering on its election commitment to protect the privacy of Australian farmers and primary producers by introducing legislation to protect them from the unlawful actions of animal activists. The Morrison government is today delivering on its election commitment to protect the privacy of Australian farmers and primary producers by introducing legislation to protect them from the unlawful actions of animal activists.
The Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 introduces new offences for the incitement of trespass, property damage, or theft on agricultural land. The Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) bill 2019 introduces new offences for the incitement of trespass, property damage, or theft on agricultural land.
Attorney-General, Christian Porter, said incidents of trespass by animal activists, such as those we saw earlier this year, have impacted on Australian farmers and their businesses, prompting this stronger action to deter those who incite this behaviour. Attorney general Christian Porter said incidents of trespass by animal activists, such as those we saw earlier this year, have impacted on Australian farmers and their businesses, prompting this stronger action to deter those who incite this behaviour.
“There must be consequences for this unacceptable behaviour,” the Attorney-General said. ‘There must be consequences for this unacceptable behaviour,’ the attorney general said.
“Farmers should not be subjected to the illegal invasion of their property and their privacy. ‘Farmers should not be subjected to the illegal invasion of their property and their privacy.
“The Bill introduces serious criminal penalties to ensure that farmers and their families are protected, with offenders facing up to five years’ imprisonment. ‘The bill introduces serious criminal penalties to ensure that farmers and their families are protected, with offenders facing up to five years’ imprisonment.
“The Bill includes exemptions for journalists and whistle-blowers who expose instances of animal cruelty.” ‘The bill includes exemptions for journalists and whistle-blowers who expose instances of animal cruelty.
The Bill also covers other private agricultural businesses such as fishers and foresters. ‘The bill also covers other private agricultural businesses such as fishers and foresters.’
Peter Dutton is introducing the bill to repeal medevac, which he says was just a bid to win green voters at the last election, and is not needed.Peter Dutton is introducing the bill to repeal medevac, which he says was just a bid to win green voters at the last election, and is not needed.
He’s saying the medevac law failed to include any provisions to return refugees or asylum seekers to a regional processing centre.He’s saying the medevac law failed to include any provisions to return refugees or asylum seekers to a regional processing centre.
Probably worth mentioning that during Senate estimates we learned that the vast majority of people who have been transferred to Australia for medical treatment, even before these laws were in place, are still here.Probably worth mentioning that during Senate estimates we learned that the vast majority of people who have been transferred to Australia for medical treatment, even before these laws were in place, are still here.
The 46th parliament may have just begun – and Scott Morrison’s win is still being digested by a lot of people within the Labor caucus (and beyond) but independent crossbencher Andrew Wilkie has been around long enough that he is keeping an eye on the future.The 46th parliament may have just begun – and Scott Morrison’s win is still being digested by a lot of people within the Labor caucus (and beyond) but independent crossbencher Andrew Wilkie has been around long enough that he is keeping an eye on the future.
And that future includes a reminder that the government holds just 77 seats. Which, with the Speaker, is a one-seat majority – exactly where it was following the 2016 election.And that future includes a reminder that the government holds just 77 seats. Which, with the Speaker, is a one-seat majority – exactly where it was following the 2016 election.
He told Sky News he believes Morrison is just as aware of the precarious nature of a slim majority.He told Sky News he believes Morrison is just as aware of the precarious nature of a slim majority.
“The numbers are still pretty tight,” he said.“The numbers are still pretty tight,” he said.
“Just that one bad byelection would mean the government would have to rely on the casting vote of the Speaker.”“Just that one bad byelection would mean the government would have to rely on the casting vote of the Speaker.”
Wilkie also said Morrison invited the crossbench to his office for a drink last night.Wilkie also said Morrison invited the crossbench to his office for a drink last night.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce says Christopher Pyne's job with EY is "certainly very questionable" given his obligations under the ministerial code of conduct. Asked if there should be an inquiry, Barnaby says there are questions that need to be answered. #auspolFormer deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce says Christopher Pyne's job with EY is "certainly very questionable" given his obligations under the ministerial code of conduct. Asked if there should be an inquiry, Barnaby says there are questions that need to be answered. #auspol
And yes #auspol really is going to give an $11k tax cut to people on $200k before increasing Newstart. Almost 1 million people living on $40 a day or less. No real increase for 25 years. The tax cut alone is almost as much as Newstart! How much longer #auspol? #raisetherateAnd yes #auspol really is going to give an $11k tax cut to people on $200k before increasing Newstart. Almost 1 million people living on $40 a day or less. No real increase for 25 years. The tax cut alone is almost as much as Newstart! How much longer #auspol? #raisetherate
Barnaby Joyce is speaking on Sky about the need to do something about water – and the need to build dams.Barnaby Joyce is speaking on Sky about the need to do something about water – and the need to build dams.
Goodness. If only he had been in a position to do something about this at some point in time. Like, if he had been deputy prime minister? And the leader of the Nationals? And a longterm parliamentarian? It’s incredible how these are all fairly recent issues. *thinking face emoji*Goodness. If only he had been in a position to do something about this at some point in time. Like, if he had been deputy prime minister? And the leader of the Nationals? And a longterm parliamentarian? It’s incredible how these are all fairly recent issues. *thinking face emoji*
Lyndal Curtis is back in the House, following along as Mike Bower’s “work experience kid”.Lyndal Curtis is back in the House, following along as Mike Bower’s “work experience kid”.
It’s a joke that, as two of the longest serving gallery members, they like to share. You get to reap the benefits though, as Lyndal practices her photography.It’s a joke that, as two of the longest serving gallery members, they like to share. You get to reap the benefits though, as Lyndal practices her photography.
Everyone is friends in the senate. #senate ⁦@AmyRemeikis⁩ ⁦@murpharoo⁩ ⁦@mpbowers⁩ pic.twitter.com/HRxoiwB6puEveryone is friends in the senate. #senate ⁦@AmyRemeikis⁩ ⁦@murpharoo⁩ ⁦@mpbowers⁩ pic.twitter.com/HRxoiwB6pu
Listening to the chambers, it seems like you are going to hear this phrase over and over and over and over again from Labor: “this third-term government”.Listening to the chambers, it seems like you are going to hear this phrase over and over and over and over again from Labor: “this third-term government”.
Why? Because it is trying to counter the feeling that Scott Morrison’s win is a fresh start – and a first-term government.Why? Because it is trying to counter the feeling that Scott Morrison’s win is a fresh start – and a first-term government.
Will it work? Given how little actual attention most people pay to politics, no, it probably won’t.Will it work? Given how little actual attention most people pay to politics, no, it probably won’t.
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.
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.