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Senate will review Newstart payment – question time live Labor pursues Coalition over superannuation schism – question time live
(32 minutes later)
Josh Frydenberg has the next dixer and is demonstrating how to make three minutes feel like 10.
Mark Butler to Angus Taylor:
Butler jumped up, but Gladys Liu tried to beat him. She was originally called up then Tony Smith realised Butler had beat her to his feet and calls Butler.
“Well done, Gladys,” one of her colleagues says.
Butler:
I refer him to his previous answer. I have a copy of the minister’s statement of interests. Will the minister confirm it contains no reference whatsoever to Jam Land?
Taylor:
As I said a moment ago, my indirect interest in Jam Land has been widely reported – has been widely reported in the media ... and it was declared in accordance with the rules through my family company. Now, there are many ... who have farms. Who are part of family farms. And we invest through our family companies. That’s how we own our farms. Now, those opposite who have never participated in small businesses or farming wouldn’t understand that.
They wouldn’t understand that for a moment. Mr Speaker.
This issue has been raised by those opposite as a grubby smear campaign against me and my family. A grubby smear campaign against me and my family and I can safely say ... that the work that I have done ... with respect to the listing that has been referred to in this place in the last 24 hours was to protect interests of the farmers in my electorate and they need protection against most, of all, the sorts of policies that those opposite brought to the last election.
Michael McCoramack is Michael McCormacking his way through a dixer and talking about magistrates needing to go back to magistrate’s school.
Not even his own side is paying attention.
Andrew Bragg was called to the vice principal’s office
Asked in Senate Question Time whether he agrees with new Senator Andrew Bragg that superannuation should be made voluntary, Mathias Cormann: "The answer is no and I've told him that privately..... and now publicly" #auspol #QT
Peter Dutton jumps up with a point of order about Ed Husic’s (alleged) comment and asks him to withdraw it.
“Whilst the minister was on his way to this dispatch box there was an un-parliamentary and offensive comment by the member for Chifley and I ask him to withdraw it.”
“Ooooohhhh, I’m getting to you,” Husic replies.
He’s asked if he made an un-parliamentary comment.
He says he didn’t. We move on.
“That went well,” someone else from Labor calls out.
Mark Butler to Angus Taylor:
I refer to the minister’s answer yesterday about his declaration and the requirement to declare any relevant interest in any shares whether held directly or indirectly. The minister has not declared his interest in Jam Land. Why?
Taylor gets the call-up.
“Minister for dodgy omission*s,” someone, who may or may not be Ed Husic calls out.
Taylor:
As I made absolutely clear yesterday, my indirect interest in Jam Land, which is part of our family farms, has been widely reported in the media, and was declared in accordance with the rules, Mr Speaker. In accordance with the rules. It is very clear ...
Labor gets a bit rowdy, so Tony Smith tells them to calm down.
Taylor:
As I said yesterday, I had no association, have no association, with the compliance action and I have never made a representation in relation to it, Mr Speaker. But I tell you what I’ve made representations with respect to, with respect to the farmers in my electorate, Mr Speaker. The farmers in my electorate. And I note the comment from the member for Eden-Monaro yesterday that the issue wasn’t raised with him. I have to confess, I wasn’t surprised by it. Despite the fact that this listing covers his electorate as much as mine. I wasn’t surprised one bit, Mr Speaker. I’ll tell you why. I know why the farmers of Eden-Monaro aren’t raising the issue with their local member, because he doesn’t care. His constituents are raising it with me as are mine. We stand up for farmers on this side of the House. Those opposite simply don’t.
*I went back and checked this, he said omissions. I originally misheard.
Hands up if you’re not a fan of the CFMMEU’s John Setka. The AG @cporterwa in #qt. @murpharoo @mpbowers @AmyRemeikis pic.twitter.com/Lm7sAJa2l8
Christian Porter is back with another segment of WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON: UNIONS ARE TERRIBLE edition.
Seems he has taken a leaf out of Labor’s book, by writing all the questions on the same issue.
Rebekha Sharkie has the independent’s question:
Mr Speaker, my question is to the minister for drought. Farmers in my electorate are grappling with the impact of climate change, hotter and drier seasons and more frequent severe weather events. For two successive years we had hail storms devastating our apple orchards leaving growers desperate for horticultural netting to safeguard from such disasters in the future. In 2018 you initiated work on climate change. Would you please advise the House on the content and timing for the strategy?
David Littleproud:
You are right, in April last year, one of the first achievements after becoming agricultural minister, my first ministerial council of all agricultural ministers, state and myself, was to be able to get an agreement on a nationally coordinated approach to help our farmers to adapt to a changing climate.
With the support of the Victorian government, I need to acknowledge the former agricultural minister who took the lead and commissioned a report that was provided to the last ministerial council meeting in September last year.
The final report will be provided in September this year. So it is important we get a coordinated approach between state and federal agencies to ensure that we’re not duplicating expenditure.
But it is also important to understand the work our farmers and the government has already done, particularly ...
Our farmers have been adapting to a changing climate and we put $1.1bn a year to farmers to give them to tools to adapt to a changing climate for research they need. It is important to improve our landscapes. $1.1bn has gone into land care itself.
A great movement has changed the practices of our farmers for the better, not only for environmental outcomes but profitability. Only last night, this government was able to pass the Future Drought Fund. $100m dividend, year in, year out. It is legislated. We will be going out and consulting with the community. What a crazy idea the government might go out and ask those whose money it is how it might be spent. We will talk about climate risk and make sure farmers take up the research and development we’ve got to adapt to a changing climate. The government should be agile and be there to deliver money that is purposeful and will be spent properly.
Milton Dick goes on my list for being the first to inflict Michael McCormack on question time.
When will work on the Rockhampton ring road commence?
Sliced White (AKA McCormack):
As I said yesterday, as I said yesterday, work is phased in. When you have a $100bn infrastructure rollout across this nation ... work gets rolled out. What we’re not going to do for when Labor makes election commitments in their own electorates prior to an election, we don’t have to meet those particular commitments because Labor didn’t win the election. News flash: Labor didn’t win on May 18, we did.
But we are, indeed, rolling out $100m of infrastructure right across the nation, Mr Speaker. And when it comes to the member who asked the question’s electorate, we are spending $250m. Financial assistance grants up to $50m, Mr Speaker. Major projects, business case funded $25m.
He’s asked to stick to the topic.
SW:
As I hear the leader of the opposition say it is not local government, it is also state governments, we have to work in conjunction with the state governments. Maybe if the Queensland treasurer’s house was near the road they might be forth right with approving the projects and let us get on with building them.
In very exciting niche news, they have finally replaced all the blown globes in the chamber roof.
This observation obviously has nothing to do with Christian Porter’s dixer delivery. It is quite normal to look to above for escape routes. It always pays to be prepared.
Jim Chalmers to Josh Frydenberg:
When will the prime minister cave into pressure from members of his government on changing the legislated changes to the super guarantee, making super voluntary, and include the home on the assets test just like he did on the National Energy Guarantee?
Frydenberg:
There’s only one side of this place that is promising $34bn of higher taxes and it’s those opposite, Mr Speaker. $34bn of higher taxes. And those opposite, and when it comes to superannuation, want to ban the catch-up contributions, Mr Speaker.
“Craig Kelly is more influential than you,” someone, who may have been Stephen Jones, yells.
Then we are back to WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON: UNIONS ARE TERRIBLE with Christian Porter.
Christian Porter gets the first dixer on just how terrible unions are.Christian Porter gets the first dixer on just how terrible unions are.
THEY ARE VERY TERRIBLE (at times) is the gist of the answer.THEY ARE VERY TERRIBLE (at times) is the gist of the answer.
He includes this in his answer:He includes this in his answer:
Now, when we look at Queensland, there are proceedings that were commenced in December of last year against a CFMEU organiser for his behaviour towards a Queensland government occupational health and safety inspector. The construction site was Cairns Performing Arts Centre. The safety inspector was in the course of inspecting exit signage. He was confronted by the CFMEU official who, within centimetres of the face of the safety officer said, “You are an Fing dog”. Not once, not twice, but three times. The up shot of all this...Now, when we look at Queensland, there are proceedings that were commenced in December of last year against a CFMEU organiser for his behaviour towards a Queensland government occupational health and safety inspector. The construction site was Cairns Performing Arts Centre. The safety inspector was in the course of inspecting exit signage. He was confronted by the CFMEU official who, within centimetres of the face of the safety officer said, “You are an Fing dog”. Not once, not twice, but three times. The up shot of all this...
Tony Smith reminds him that you can’t use un-parliamentary language, even in a quote.Tony Smith reminds him that you can’t use un-parliamentary language, even in a quote.
Porter wrote the answer, so this is all new to him.Porter wrote the answer, so this is all new to him.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
Given the government has ruled out changes to the legislated increase to the superannuation guarantee, making superannuation voluntary and including the family home in the pension assets test, what is the Prime Minister’s response to the many members of his government still campaigning for those very policies? Given the government has ruled out changes to the legislated increase to the superannuation guarantee, making superannuation voluntary and including the family home in the pension assets test, what is the prime minister’s response to the many members of his government still campaigning for those very policies?
Morrison:Morrison:
As the Treasurer reminded the house yesterday, and I made it very clear in the lead-up to the last election, our policy is unchanged.” As the treasurer reminded the House yesterday, and I made it very clear in the lead-up to the last election, our policy is unchanged.”
“Whose side are they on,” someone in Labor yells. “Whose side are they on?” someone in Labor yells.
“They didn’t get the memo!”“They didn’t get the memo!”
Morrison continues:Morrison continues:
And what I know is unchanged is the Labor Party have a policy for $34 billion of extra taxes on superannuation. They also have a policy that continues to to strip away the dividend imputation credits for retirees. That remains their policy and they continue to pursue these matters of policy as fixed items on the Labor agenda. We know why. Because Labor are always for higher taxes, Mr Speaker. And what I know is unchanged is the Labor party have a policy for $34bn of extra taxes on superannuation. They also have a policy that continues to to strip away the dividend imputation credits for retirees. That remains their policy and they continue to pursue these matters of policy as fixed items on the Labor agenda. We know why. Because Labor are always for higher taxes, Mr Speaker.
Albanese tries for a point of order on relevance, but it is on the policy topic, so Morrison can continue.Albanese tries for a point of order on relevance, but it is on the policy topic, so Morrison can continue.
“Labor, Labor, Labor,” yells someone from the opposition benches.“Labor, Labor, Labor,” yells someone from the opposition benches.
Morrison:Morrison:
Labor are for higher taxes and I’ll tell you why - because they don’t know how to control spending either. They went to the 2016 election and weren’t voted in because the deficits were too big and in the 2019 election they weren’t voted in because the taxes were too big. The answer is consistent. Labor can’t manage money, they will be for higher taxes and bigger deficits. It is why they can’t be trusted with the management of our economy and Australians who depend on essential services and a stronger economy can never rely on Labor” Labor are for higher taxes and I’ll tell you why – because they don’t know how to control spending either. They went to the 2016 election and weren’t voted in because the deficits were too big and in the 2019 election they weren’t voted in because the taxes were too big. The answer is consistent. Labor can’t manage money, they will be for higher taxes and bigger deficits. It is why they can’t be trusted with the management of our economy and Australians who depend on essential services and a stronger economy can never rely on Labor.
“You’re the government,” a Labor MP yells.“You’re the government,” a Labor MP yells.
Today is going well. Today, we all wish we were Nick Champion, who is allowed to miss this, because he got kicked out for 24 hours yesterday. I am still trying to work out how that is a punishment.Today is going well. Today, we all wish we were Nick Champion, who is allowed to miss this, because he got kicked out for 24 hours yesterday. I am still trying to work out how that is a punishment.
What a time to be aliveWhat a time to be alive
Labor's Katy Gallagher says appointment of Gaetjens to PMC "paints a picture that we're concerned about" because he used to be Morrison's CoS, but says Labor will give him "the benefit of the doubt". Quite mild!! #auspolLabor's Katy Gallagher says appointment of Gaetjens to PMC "paints a picture that we're concerned about" because he used to be Morrison's CoS, but says Labor will give him "the benefit of the doubt". Quite mild!! #auspol
Craig Kelly is on ABC TV and is doing nothing to calm down the super split in the Coalition:Craig Kelly is on ABC TV and is doing nothing to calm down the super split in the Coalition:
The question that Senator [Andrew] Bragg was putting forward was that someone who is earning under $50,000, is that person better off having that money taken off them and put in a super account, or would they be better off having that as an increase in salary? And I think that is a reasonable debate to be having, and certainly all ideas in the space have to be welcomed.The question that Senator [Andrew] Bragg was putting forward was that someone who is earning under $50,000, is that person better off having that money taken off them and put in a super account, or would they be better off having that as an increase in salary? And I think that is a reasonable debate to be having, and certainly all ideas in the space have to be welcomed.
Scott Morrison, Mathias Cormann and Josh Frydenberg have all ruled out changes to super.Scott Morrison, Mathias Cormann and Josh Frydenberg have all ruled out changes to super.
Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance are basically moving every single amendment the parliamentary joint security and intelligence committee wanted for the temporary exclusion bill, to force the government to vote against it.Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance are basically moving every single amendment the parliamentary joint security and intelligence committee wanted for the temporary exclusion bill, to force the government to vote against it.
The bill will go through. CA will probably abstain, the Greens are not supporting it, but Labor is, even without the amendments.The bill will go through. CA will probably abstain, the Greens are not supporting it, but Labor is, even without the amendments.
Labor just wants it on the record that the government did not support these recommendations.Labor just wants it on the record that the government did not support these recommendations.
No one knows who wrote the letter, who gave him the letter, or what it says, or even why it didn’t show up in any of the freedom of information requests.
And yes, of course we are asking. But that doesn’t mean we get answers.
For those asking, here is the whole statement Rex Patrick made to the Senate on why he won’t be supporting the motion for an inquiry into Angus Taylor:
Patrick: I just want to state to the chamber that I’ve been shown evidence that Minister Taylor was asked to make representation on behalf of some constituents. I disagree …
... If someone is presented with a concern by a constituent they should be allowed to go to a minister – I do that all the time. If I get a …
Scott Ryan: Order! Senators Di Natale, Hanson-Young and Rice, please – other senators were heard in silence. Can we let Senator Patrick be treated with the same courtesy?
Patrick: If I am presented with a concern by a constituent, I do go to ministers and I do ask them to get a briefing from a department. So what’s happened is not unusual. It’s not unusual for things that have happened to me. So, my problem with the motion is, and Senator Wong’s statement, is that there’s an error of fact in there in that ... in this instance I’m quite satisfied that Minister Taylor was making representation on behalf of some constituents.
Australians are continuing to abandon private health insurance, new data from the prudential regulator shows.
Statistics released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority today shows that 64,700 Australians dumped their private hospital cover last year, on top of more than 21,000 the year before.
And the proportion of the population with private cover has fallen for the third year running, dropping from 45.6% to 44.6% in 2018. Coverage peaked at 47.3% in 2014.
The falls come despite the government’s hefty subsidies for the private health insurance industry through tax rebates and come amid warnings the system is “broken”.
Earlier this week, the head of one of Australia’s biggest funds, NIB, said Medicare should be abolished and his industry propped up by making private insurance compulsory – a suggestion immediately rejected by the health minister, Greg Hunt.
Pauline Hanson is on Sky News telling Chris Kenny that Labor senator “Kimberley Kitchiner” who she thinks is “great” has reached out to her to set up some sort of formal working relationship, with regular meetings.
We assume she means Kimberley Kitching.
Hanson also says that Penny Wong has never spoken to her. Kenny seems to think this is OUTRAGEOUS. I mean, you could probably point him to Hanson’s maiden speech for a refresher, but sure. You do you, Kenny.
Labor’s Katy Gallagher will respond to the appointment of Phil Gaetjens as head of Prime Minister and Cabinet at 1.30 in the Senate courtyard.
Sarah Martin reported on this earlier this week but the Senate has passed another motion – this time calling for the disability royal commission senators, John Ryan and Barbara Bennett, to be replaced over what Jordon Steele-John has called “unmanagable conflicts of interests”.
Bill Shorten had also raised concerns.
The motion passed with the support of the Labor party, Centre Alliance, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and Jacqui Lambie.
“These commissioners have lost the confidence of the disability community and they have now lost the confidence of one of the chambers of the Australian parliament,” Steele-John said. “Their positions have now become untenable and they must be replaced.“The government must now, immediately, engage with [the] disabled to appoint new commissioners in line with the criteria set out by the community, our organisations and our supporters:
is a person with disability;
has minimal and manageable conflicts of interest;
has respect and trust from people with disability and the wider community;
has high-level standing and experience in the application of the law and their impact on people with disability;
understands the rights, laws and policies for people with disability, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
has knowledge of all forms of violence inherent in all settings and the existing legal and policy frameworks;
understands the way age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, intersex status, ethnic origin or race intersect with disability and violence.
The moods of @JacquiLambie #senate @murpharoo @AmyRemeikis @mpbowers pic.twitter.com/KFpgqm6B2o
Labor says it will put its motion for an inquiry into the conduct of Angus Taylor and Josh Frydenberg on Monday after it failed to get crossbench support.
The Greens have also given notice they will move for a production of documents, including the letter Rex Patrick said he was shown that he told the Senate had satisfied him it was constituent matter.
Linda Burney has also spoken on the Newstart inquiry. The government voted against it, hence her reference to them below:
People can’t find work because Newstart is inadequate.
The Liberals and Nationals have no agenda and Australians doing it tough deserve better than a prime minister that doesn’t even acknowledge Newstart is too low.
Labor is determined to get Newstart working to lift people out of poverty and get Australians back into the workforce.
Victorian Labor MP @willfowles arrives at Melbourne Airport after being questioned by police over a disturbance at a Canberra hotel on Thursday morning. @theage pic.twitter.com/NyrKluKlrj