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| Barnaby Joyce 'struggling' on backbencher's salary – politics live | Barnaby Joyce 'struggling' on backbencher's salary – politics live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Katharine Murphy has spoken to Cory Bernardi over whether he will support the motion to launch a Senate inquiry into Angus Taylor and the grass lands issue and says he has decided to vote no. | |
| So that’s that then - the numbers are not there. | |
| This being a sitting Monday, the morning is set aside for Private Members’ Business. On today’s agenda, we have two bills on altering the Constitution, introduced by @MakeMayoMatter, followed by motions from @RowanRamseyMP and @JoanneRyanLalor. | |
| The bells are ringing – parliament is about to begin. | |
| This is the last sitting ahead of the winter break. Come Thursday, parliament will rise and not return until 9 September. There are five joint sitting weeks left in the year, plus one separate House and Senate sitting. | |
| The first bill on the #Senate's agenda this morning is @Senator_Patrick's Ministers of State (Checks for Security Purposes) Bill 2019https://t.co/fQNhQfKFu4 | |
| Oh, and as my lovely eyes and ears have pointed out, Barnaby Joyce is also a committee chair (he heads up the employment, education and training committee) which means he gets about an extra $30,000 a year on top of his $211,000. Again, this is without entitlements, including his electorate allowance of $46,000, which he gets to decide how is spent, his travel allowance, or his entitlements. | |
| That’s, conservatively, $250,000 a year. | |
| Both Labor and the Greens will try and get a motion up in the Senate to launch an inquiry into Angus Taylor over the grasslands issue. | |
| You’ll find some context for that, here. | |
| As Paul Karp reported, Centre Alliance will now back the inquiry, but it is still a few votes short: | |
| Labor will continue to target the energy minister, Angus Taylor, as the government’s weak link, citing power price rises since 2015 and renewing its push to set up a Senate inquiry into his meetings with the environment department over endangered grasslands. | |
| On Sunday the mooted inquiry took a step forward with Rex Patrick reversing Centre Alliance’s position and pledging to support the move, although Labor and the Greens still need Cory Bernardi or One Nation’s votes to succeed. | |
| Pauline Hanson told Sky News this morning she would not support the inquiry: | |
| One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson says she won't back the push for an investigation into Angus Taylor and #grassgate - she calls it a 'witchhunt' by Labor & the Guardian #auspol | |
| Cory Bernardi is unlikely too. | |
| So unless something major changes, that is dead in the water. | |
| Angus Taylor remains in Labor's sights over grasslands and power prices | |
| And also, let’s not let this story just disappear. | And also, let’s not let this story just disappear. |
| Rob Harris’s report in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age that Paul Fletcher, then social services minister, intervened to remove an “increase Newstart” recommendation in a joint-parliamentary committee was fantastic reporting: | Rob Harris’s report in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age that Paul Fletcher, then social services minister, intervened to remove an “increase Newstart” recommendation in a joint-parliamentary committee was fantastic reporting: |
| A bipartisan call to increase the Newstart allowance was removed from a parliamentary report at the direction of the Morrison government on the eve of the federal election. | A bipartisan call to increase the Newstart allowance was removed from a parliamentary report at the direction of the Morrison government on the eve of the federal election. |
| As prime minister Scott Morrison stares down growing demands by Coalition MPs to lift the unemployment benefit for the first time since 1994, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age can reveal former social services minister Paul Fletcher intervened in an inquiry to erase a major recommendation that would have turbocharged the sensitive issue. | As prime minister Scott Morrison stares down growing demands by Coalition MPs to lift the unemployment benefit for the first time since 1994, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age can reveal former social services minister Paul Fletcher intervened in an inquiry to erase a major recommendation that would have turbocharged the sensitive issue. |
| And under questioning from Annabel Crabb on Insiders yesterday, Fletcher did not deny it. As Paul Karp reported: | And under questioning from Annabel Crabb on Insiders yesterday, Fletcher did not deny it. As Paul Karp reported: |
| Paul Fletcher has repeatedly dodged questions about whether he intervened as social services minister to strike out a committee recommendation to raise the rate of Newstart. | Paul Fletcher has repeatedly dodged questions about whether he intervened as social services minister to strike out a committee recommendation to raise the rate of Newstart. |
| On Sunday Fletcher told ABC’s Insiders that the final committee report recommending a review of unemployment benefits was signed off by its members, but did not deny that he caused a stronger call for an increase to be removed. | On Sunday Fletcher told ABC’s Insiders that the final committee report recommending a review of unemployment benefits was signed off by its members, but did not deny that he caused a stronger call for an increase to be removed. |
| It comes as the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, stares down a push within the Nationals to overturn government policy by commissioning modelling on the economic impact of lifting Newstart. | It comes as the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, stares down a push within the Nationals to overturn government policy by commissioning modelling on the economic impact of lifting Newstart. |
| And yes, it is great that politicians (Labor party included) are slowly coming around to the fact that Newstart needs to be increased. But I have a pretty big problem with people who only realise something is a problem when they have their version of a direct experience with it. | And yes, it is great that politicians (Labor party included) are slowly coming around to the fact that Newstart needs to be increased. But I have a pretty big problem with people who only realise something is a problem when they have their version of a direct experience with it. |
| Barnaby Joyce saying he gets it because he is doing it tough on a great wage like $200,000 is one thing. But that is a figure most of us can only dream of receiving. His life has been one of privilege and his circumstances one of choice. Advocate to raise Newstart. It’s beyond time. It has been more than 20 years since its last real increase and no one can live on $270 a week in this society. | Barnaby Joyce saying he gets it because he is doing it tough on a great wage like $200,000 is one thing. But that is a figure most of us can only dream of receiving. His life has been one of privilege and his circumstances one of choice. Advocate to raise Newstart. It’s beyond time. It has been more than 20 years since its last real increase and no one can live on $270 a week in this society. |
| But Barnaby Joyce also receives $288 a day while he is in Canberra, on top of his wage. Saying he understands, because he too is struggling on his grand wage – one of the lowest he has received in 14 years in parliament – and only now that he is struggling, is an insult to those who have only ever known struggle and have never had a chance to rise above their circumstances, because our system is actually built that way. | |
| You can have your heart in the right place and still be a shit ally. Like people who say they don’t see colour or gender. That’s something only people who haven’t had colour or gender matter say. Or well-meaning straight LGBTIQ allies who throw “coming out” straight parties in an attempt to normalise coming out, without considering that it is a lifelong process (it is never a one and done experience) and for many, terrifying with far-reaching consequences. | You can have your heart in the right place and still be a shit ally. Like people who say they don’t see colour or gender. That’s something only people who haven’t had colour or gender matter say. Or well-meaning straight LGBTIQ allies who throw “coming out” straight parties in an attempt to normalise coming out, without considering that it is a lifelong process (it is never a one and done experience) and for many, terrifying with far-reaching consequences. |
| So great, advocate for the more vulnerable. But maybe, just maybe, don’t make it about you while you’re doing it. Because more often than not, it isn’t and never has been. | So great, advocate for the more vulnerable. But maybe, just maybe, don’t make it about you while you’re doing it. Because more often than not, it isn’t and never has been. |
| And for a comparison, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age did an excellent interactive on what your profession’s median wage is not so long ago. | And for a comparison, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age did an excellent interactive on what your profession’s median wage is not so long ago. |
| You can also see the Australian Bureau of Statistics report on median earnings here. | You can also see the Australian Bureau of Statistics report on median earnings here. |
| Let’s just break down some numbers here, as we take in that one of the most privileged men in Australia says he is doing it tough, because he is supporting a child through boarding school, as well as his estranged wife and the family he left, and his new partner and their two infants on *just* $211,000 a year (not counting allowances). | Let’s just break down some numbers here, as we take in that one of the most privileged men in Australia says he is doing it tough, because he is supporting a child through boarding school, as well as his estranged wife and the family he left, and his new partner and their two infants on *just* $211,000 a year (not counting allowances). |
| As a senator, Barnaby Joyce, who has often said he could make more money as an accountant (a wage we are not counting) made conservatively $199,000 a year between 2005 and 2013. That’s not counting allowances, indexation or committee memberships. | As a senator, Barnaby Joyce, who has often said he could make more money as an accountant (a wage we are not counting) made conservatively $199,000 a year between 2005 and 2013. That’s not counting allowances, indexation or committee memberships. |
| That’s just over $1.5m. | That’s just over $1.5m. |
| When he moved to the House of Reps and served as a minister, he conservatively, made $350,00 a year. So there is another $700,000. | When he moved to the House of Reps and served as a minister, he conservatively, made $350,00 a year. So there is another $700,000. |
| While deputy prime minister, he made $415,000 a year. So add on another $830,000 (which is quite conservative, but let’s count two years). | While deputy prime minister, he made $415,000 a year. So add on another $830,000 (which is quite conservative, but let’s count two years). |
| As a backbencher, he is making a minimum of $211,000. So he has made just under $400,000 on that. | As a backbencher, he is making a minimum of $211,000. So he has made just under $400,000 on that. |
| So since 2005, Barnaby Joyce has earned, on the most conservative of measures, $3.5m as a politician. | So since 2005, Barnaby Joyce has earned, on the most conservative of measures, $3.5m as a politician. |
| This is not counting the $150,000 his partner received for the first televised interview following the birth of their son. | This is not counting the $150,000 his partner received for the first televised interview following the birth of their son. |
| AAP has reported on the Newspoll result: | AAP has reported on the Newspoll result: |
| Prime minister Scott Morrison is heading into the final parliamentary sitting week ahead of the winter break on the back of a new poll pointing to a lift in his government’s popularity. | Prime minister Scott Morrison is heading into the final parliamentary sitting week ahead of the winter break on the back of a new poll pointing to a lift in his government’s popularity. |
| The Coalition’s primary vote has increased by 2.6% since its May election victory to 44%, according to the Newspoll published by the Australian on Monday. | The Coalition’s primary vote has increased by 2.6% since its May election victory to 44%, according to the Newspoll published by the Australian on Monday. |
| On a two-party-preferred basis, the government now leads Labor 53% to 47%. | On a two-party-preferred basis, the government now leads Labor 53% to 47%. |
| Morrison also leads Labor leader Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister at 48% to 31%, while Labor’s primary vote remains largely unchanged at 33%. | Morrison also leads Labor leader Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister at 48% to 31%, while Labor’s primary vote remains largely unchanged at 33%. |
| The Nationals are really covering themselves in glory at the moment, aren’t they. | The Nationals are really covering themselves in glory at the moment, aren’t they. |
| The Coalition’s partner has started the 46th parliament by grabbing the headlines in all the wrong was – first, Michael McCormack wanted you to just move to get a job, rather than raise Newstart, because it is apparently that easy. | The Coalition’s partner has started the 46th parliament by grabbing the headlines in all the wrong was – first, Michael McCormack wanted you to just move to get a job, rather than raise Newstart, because it is apparently that easy. |
| Now, former deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, who does want to raise Newstart, says he “gets it” because he is struggling to make ends meet on $211,000 a year. That’s without allowances. | Now, former deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, who does want to raise Newstart, says he “gets it” because he is struggling to make ends meet on $211,000 a year. That’s without allowances. |
| “I’m just saying these circumstances have made me more vastly attuned … it’s just a great exercise in humility going from deputy prime minister to watching every dollar you get,” he told the Courier Mail. | “I’m just saying these circumstances have made me more vastly attuned … it’s just a great exercise in humility going from deputy prime minister to watching every dollar you get,” he told the Courier Mail. |
| “A politician [renting a duplex without a dishwasher] for 415 bucks a week, he’s not living high on the hog, is he? | “A politician [renting a duplex without a dishwasher] for 415 bucks a week, he’s not living high on the hog, is he? |
| “There is a reason for that and that’s basically what I can afford. You do become a lot more mindful. | “There is a reason for that and that’s basically what I can afford. You do become a lot more mindful. |
| “So the big thrill of the day to be honest is a cup of coffee. We [he and Vikki] rarely if ever go out for dinner.” | “So the big thrill of the day to be honest is a cup of coffee. We [he and Vikki] rarely if ever go out for dinner.” |
| Siri – show me tone deaf. | Siri – show me tone deaf. |
| Joyce has since tried to add some context: | Joyce has since tried to add some context: |
| .@Barnaby_Joyce on reports he is ‘skint’:I’m on an incredibly good salary, and I say that because otherwise people will say ‘you’re full of it mate, you’re on $211,000 a year’. But I cover all my responsibilities and live with what's left.MORE: https://t.co/nteX0boCzW pic.twitter.com/o9kABFFESZ | .@Barnaby_Joyce on reports he is ‘skint’:I’m on an incredibly good salary, and I say that because otherwise people will say ‘you’re full of it mate, you’re on $211,000 a year’. But I cover all my responsibilities and live with what's left.MORE: https://t.co/nteX0boCzW pic.twitter.com/o9kABFFESZ |
| There are not enough evens to can’t with this one. | There are not enough evens to can’t with this one. |
| Meanwhile, Newspoll is back, and the Australian reports a 1.5% swing to the Coalition since the last election with the two-party-preferred measure 53 to 47. | Meanwhile, Newspoll is back, and the Australian reports a 1.5% swing to the Coalition since the last election with the two-party-preferred measure 53 to 47. |
| I haven’t managed to get a coffee this morning, mostly because I managed to start the week by locking myself out of the house, but I promise to be firing on as many cylinders as I have very soon. Mike Bowers is out and about, and you’ll have Paul Karp and Katharine Murphy to help get you through the day as well. | I haven’t managed to get a coffee this morning, mostly because I managed to start the week by locking myself out of the house, but I promise to be firing on as many cylinders as I have very soon. Mike Bowers is out and about, and you’ll have Paul Karp and Katharine Murphy to help get you through the day as well. |
| Ready? | Ready? |
| Let’s get into it. | Let’s get into it. |