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Barnaby Joyce 'struggling' to support family on $200,000 MP's salary – politics live Barnaby Joyce 'struggling' to support family on $200,000 MP's salary – politics live
(32 minutes later)
The Senate is getting down to the government business of the day:
The time for considering private senators' bill has now expired and the #Senate has moved on to government business. Currently being debated are three Timor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty Bills. The bill homepages are available from Dynamic Red https://t.co/Wi8bN9E81O
That’s pretty definitive, but will also be used by Pauline Hanson to gain support from her supporters.That’s pretty definitive, but will also be used by Pauline Hanson to gain support from her supporters.
Just the standard Cornelian dilemma thrown up by the SenateJust the standard Cornelian dilemma thrown up by the Senate
The Senate has voted 54-2 against @PaulineHansonOz's proposal for a plebiscite into Australia's immigration rate #auspol @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/7UUp3CrF6GThe Senate has voted 54-2 against @PaulineHansonOz's proposal for a plebiscite into Australia's immigration rate #auspol @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/7UUp3CrF6G
This is very interesting:This is very interesting:
Victoria is on track to get an extra seat before the next election while WA & the NT could both drop one according to the boffins in the Parliamentary Library. This would take Vic to 39 seats in a 150 seat House - up from 37 since 2016. #auspol https://t.co/nTIMcyuo2oVictoria is on track to get an extra seat before the next election while WA & the NT could both drop one according to the boffins in the Parliamentary Library. This would take Vic to 39 seats in a 150 seat House - up from 37 since 2016. #auspol https://t.co/nTIMcyuo2o
On ensuring integrity:On ensuring integrity:
.@ayrestim on the Ensuring Integrity Bill:Labor will vote against the bill. It’s bad for Australian workers and unions and I believe bad for democracy.MORE: https://t.co/QfeCMf5xuo #firstedition pic.twitter.com/gxJ3D09ESe.@ayrestim on the Ensuring Integrity Bill:Labor will vote against the bill. It’s bad for Australian workers and unions and I believe bad for democracy.MORE: https://t.co/QfeCMf5xuo #firstedition pic.twitter.com/gxJ3D09ESe
Barnaby Joyce on Sunrise this morning:Barnaby Joyce on Sunrise this morning:
I wouldn’t have picked the headline ‘I’m skint’. I would have said, you know, I have a greater empathy for what people are going through on Newstart. Someone has got to speak up for them and so often, Nat, if you say, you know, we have to do a better deal for these people and people say, “How would you know? You’re a politician.” A lot of people, I suppose, hate to really talk about it but I have to because of the front page. In a marriage breakdown you go from supporting one family to supporting two, in many instances.I wouldn’t have picked the headline ‘I’m skint’. I would have said, you know, I have a greater empathy for what people are going through on Newstart. Someone has got to speak up for them and so often, Nat, if you say, you know, we have to do a better deal for these people and people say, “How would you know? You’re a politician.” A lot of people, I suppose, hate to really talk about it but I have to because of the front page. In a marriage breakdown you go from supporting one family to supporting two, in many instances.
And here are his comments in the Courier-Mail, which kickstarted all of this:And here are his comments in the Courier-Mail, which kickstarted all of this:
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.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.
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.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.
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.
Because 2019 is the new 2004, Pauline Hanson wants to make the next election about immigration numbers.Because 2019 is the new 2004, Pauline Hanson wants to make the next election about immigration numbers.
Let’s look at the numbers, shall we?Let’s look at the numbers, shall we?
The government has announced an immigration target of 160,000. That is no change from what is actually happening, because in the last year, despite a high ceiling of 190,000, just 162,000 permanent residents were accepted in Australia.The government has announced an immigration target of 160,000. That is no change from what is actually happening, because in the last year, despite a high ceiling of 190,000, just 162,000 permanent residents were accepted in Australia.
Over that same period, Australia’s economy grew by just 1.8%. Low, but growth is growth. Of that, about 94% of growth was attributed to population growth – our economy grew because of the extra people in it. Total per capita growth was 0.1%.Over that same period, Australia’s economy grew by just 1.8%. Low, but growth is growth. Of that, about 94% of growth was attributed to population growth – our economy grew because of the extra people in it. Total per capita growth was 0.1%.
Without migrants, Australia’s economy goes backwards. The government knows that. It’s why it dances a line between cutting immigration and just keeping things at the status quo.Without migrants, Australia’s economy goes backwards. The government knows that. It’s why it dances a line between cutting immigration and just keeping things at the status quo.
But hey – it gets breakfast TV headlines, so let’s dance.But hey – it gets breakfast TV headlines, so let’s dance.
"I ask the question: Do you think the current rate of immigration to Australia is too high?" - @PaulineHansonOz #auspol @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/8GMG5fflyb"I ask the question: Do you think the current rate of immigration to Australia is too high?" - @PaulineHansonOz #auspol @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/8GMG5fflyb
IMMIGRATION VOTE@OneNationAus leader Pauline Hanson will today ask the Senate to support a vote on immigration numbers.PLEBISCITE (FUTURE MIGRATION LEVEL) BILLhttps://t.co/72EwrrAtyS #Auspol pic.twitter.com/1PJNqwktU7IMMIGRATION VOTE@OneNationAus leader Pauline Hanson will today ask the Senate to support a vote on immigration numbers.PLEBISCITE (FUTURE MIGRATION LEVEL) BILLhttps://t.co/72EwrrAtyS #Auspol pic.twitter.com/1PJNqwktU7
The Australian is reporting that #deathtodixers is gathering steam.The Australian is reporting that #deathtodixers is gathering steam.
OK, it is not that specific. But Greg Brown has some detail on the parliamentary procedures committee:OK, it is not that specific. But Greg Brown has some detail on the parliamentary procedures committee:
The conduct of federal parliament’s question time — including Dorothy Dixers, the behaviour of MPs and arcane standing orders — will be the subject of an ­inquiry, amid warnings from across the political spectrum that it diminishes the reputation of politicians.The conduct of federal parliament’s question time — including Dorothy Dixers, the behaviour of MPs and arcane standing orders — will be the subject of an ­inquiry, amid warnings from across the political spectrum that it diminishes the reputation of politicians.
Coalition and Labor MPs on the parliament’s procedures committee will this week finalise the terms of an inquiry of how question time can be reformed, with submissions to be sought from the public.Coalition and Labor MPs on the parliament’s procedures committee will this week finalise the terms of an inquiry of how question time can be reformed, with submissions to be sought from the public.
Liberal National MP Ross Vasta and Labor MP Milton Dick, the chairman and deputy chairman of the committee, said the community was “fed up” with the spectacle of question time, which is the only part of parliament that is televised every sitting day. The inquiry will examine whether Dixers — prearranged questions from government backbenchers to ministers — should be axed.Liberal National MP Ross Vasta and Labor MP Milton Dick, the chairman and deputy chairman of the committee, said the community was “fed up” with the spectacle of question time, which is the only part of parliament that is televised every sitting day. The inquiry will examine whether Dixers — prearranged questions from government backbenchers to ministers — should be axed.
The government’s big push this week, ahead of the five-week break, will be unions, with the ensuring integrity bill to dominate much of the debate.The government’s big push this week, ahead of the five-week break, will be unions, with the ensuring integrity bill to dominate much of the debate.
So far, the numbers are not there in the Senate. One Nation has concerns, Centre Alliance wants to expand the definition of organisation to include the private sector and Jackie Lambie isn’t thrilled with John Setka, but hasn’t landed on a final position as yet.So far, the numbers are not there in the Senate. One Nation has concerns, Centre Alliance wants to expand the definition of organisation to include the private sector and Jackie Lambie isn’t thrilled with John Setka, but hasn’t landed on a final position as yet.
Christian Porter spoke to RN this morning about it.Christian Porter spoke to RN this morning about it.
Katharine Murphy has spoken to Cory Bernardi over whether he will support the motion to launch a Senate inquiry into Angus Taylor and the grasslands issue and says he has decided to vote no.Katharine Murphy has spoken to Cory Bernardi over whether he will support the motion to launch a Senate inquiry into Angus Taylor and the grasslands issue and says he has decided to vote no.
So that’s that then – the numbers are not there.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.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 before 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.
Here’s Joyce speaking this morning about his “incredibly good salary” and empathy for those trying to survive on Newstart.
Both Labor and the Greens will try to 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
This is not counting the $150,000 his partner received for the first televised interview after the birth of their son.
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.
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%.
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 Coalition’s partner has started the 46th parliament by grabbing the headlines in all the wrong ways – first, Michael McCormack wanted you to just move to get a job, rather than raise Newstart, because it is apparently that easy.
Now, the 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.
“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.
“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.
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
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.
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?
Let’s get into it.