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| Labor joins Greens in refusing to back family court inquiry – politics live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Josh Frydenberg is yelling once again, this time in answer to a question from Jim Chalmers about the underspend of the NDIS. | |
| “...WE ARE FULLY FUNDING THE NDIS WHERE THEY NEVER DID, MR SPEAKER, THEY NEVER DID, IT IS A DEMAND DRIVEN PROJECT MR SPEAKER, CURRENTLY THERE ARE AROUND 300,000 AUSTRALIANS WHO ARE ON THE NDIS MR SPEAKER, 90,000 OF WHOM ARE GETTING CARE FOR THE FIRST TIME. NOW THE COST OF THE NDIS IS FORECAST TO INCREASE TO 41.75BN IN 2019-20.... | |
| Scott Morrison will be talking about how important stability and calm is in this chaotic world. | |
| Jim Chalmers to Josh Frydenberg: | |
| I refer to the reports that a final budget statement will be released tomorrow. How much of the improvement in the budget position last year came from a spike in the iron ore price and the low dollar, which have absolutely nothing to do with actions of the government? | |
| Frydenberg | |
| I THANK THE MEMBER FOR RANKIN FOR THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THE REALITY IS OUR BUDGET PERFORMANCE IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN BETTER THAN YOURS, MR SPEAKER. THE REALITY IS THAT TOMORROW WHEN WE RELEASE THE FINAL BUDGET OUTCOME IT WILL SHOW AN IMPROVEMENT NOT ONLY IN THE 18-19 BUDGET, BUT ALSO WHAT WAS FORECAST IN APRIL THIS YEAR WITH THE 19-20 BUDGET. | |
| It continues but all the yelling runs into one. | |
| Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison: | |
| My question is addressed to the prime minister. Does he agree with the Reserve Bank board which said in its September minutes that wages growth appeared to have stalled? | |
| Morrison: | |
| I thank the member for his questions and I am familiar with the minutes of the Reserve Bank. I will read the full quote for the assistance of the member. Wages growth had remained low and the upward trend in wages growth, something the leader of the opposition has been casting some doubt over in questions in recent time, there has been an upward trend in wages growth, Mr Speaker, and it appears to have stalled and they are looking forward and that is why, Mr Speaker ... | |
| ... What those opposite haven’t acknowledged is ... that real wage growth under this government through the last year is higher than it was when we came to government from what we inherited from last time. | |
| I will help them out because I know the Labor party is not that good with numbers. When it comes to managing money, they focus on numbers on plenty of other things when it comes to managing money they are not so good on numbers. 0.7% growth in real wages through the year is higher than 0.5% growth in real wages. | |
| The Reserve Bank rightly points to their observations that the news on the international economy had confirmed the risk to global growth out was a downside. The Reserve Bank has made it clear they acknowledge the complex and difficult times that the Australian economy is facing with global pressures. I am quoting from the Reserve Bank minutes. | |
| ... And I can quote further from the minutes which said there had been further signs of a turnaround in established housing markets, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. | |
| The notes also say the minutes looking forward to the outlook for outward growth was being supported by the low level of interest rates, recent tax cuts, signs of stabilisation and established housing markets and a bright outlook for the resources sector. Our government has a plan to grow the economy to keep the budget in surplus and we are the ones that the Australian people wanted at the last election, and they voted for us to continue with our election plans and to implement those plans, and you are the ones they didn’t want on the Labor’s side!” | |
| Olivia Newton-John is in the gallery for question time. | |
| She is here to lobby on behalf of her cancer research institute. | |
| The midwinter ball is on tonight. I would not be opposed to her dropping by the entertainment stage for that as well. I am an excellent Danny for any Grease duet. | |
| We are minutes out from question time. | |
| Anthony Albanese again confirms Labor will vote against the establishment of the inquiry: | |
| We are not hostile to the parliament having inquiries about issues. That is not our starting position. | |
| Our starting position would be: let’s sit down and talk about terms of reference; let’s talk about and make sure this is not a partisan issue. | |
| Quite clearly you’ve had co-chairs appointed. | |
| The prime minister informed me that Kevin Andrews would be the chair. Fair enough. It is up to the government to appoint a chair of the committee and Kevin Andrews has had an interest in these matters for a very long time.” | |
| On Pauline Hanson’s assertion that women make up domestic violence claims to win custody in many, many cases: | |
| They are completely unacceptable. The fact is you can always find, in any circumstances, you can find activity that is outside the norm. | |
| The norm of these issues is something that we should not make normal. Women die, at regular intervals; the chances are in this country a woman will die at the hands of a partner. | |
| This is a scourge on our society. It is something that all of government should respond to. It’s something that all of us, the media, have a responsibility to raise these issues. It is important we discuss it with our friends, our mates in our communities. | |
| It is something that should be one of ... is one of the real challenges for our nation. I know that there are many people across this parliament, including members of the Liberal party and the National party and the minor parties who have worked very hard on these issues. | |
| The people who worked on the committee last year, Sarah Henderson and Sharon Clayton, in the last term of parliament, have worked hard on these issues as well. | |
| I think that really the comments of Pauline Hanson in the context of being made the co-chair of the committee, which will receive evidence, it would appear from those comments that Pauline Hanson has already judged what that evidence is and is saying that people do not tell the truth about family violence and that is a real concern given the prime minister’s deal to make her co-chair, which he announced this morning. | |
| Anthony Albanese says Labor was not consulted about the terms of reference for the family court inquiry and was surprised to learn that Pauline Hanson would be the deputy chair in what is supposed to be a bipartisan inquiry. | |
| The issue of domestic violence should be taken seriously by everyone in this place. And we take it seriously and I know that there has been a range of activities around white ribbon day, around statements, around domestic violence that have enjoyed bipartisan support. | The issue of domestic violence should be taken seriously by everyone in this place. And we take it seriously and I know that there has been a range of activities around white ribbon day, around statements, around domestic violence that have enjoyed bipartisan support. |
| That is important that continues. I do not want this to be a political football. I say to the prime minister: we can’t support an inquiry in which he has unilaterally, along with Pauline Hanson, done a deal.” | |
| On what Pauline Hanson has said this morning, Kevin Andrews says: | On what Pauline Hanson has said this morning, Kevin Andrews says: |
| I don’t have a view on this. I’m coming to this as objectively as I can. I will try and address of the terms of reference which the government has given the committee. I will try to endeavour to enable everybody who wants to have a ... fair say. But does not mean we will necessarily agree with everyone. | |
| Part of the role of a parliamentary committee is to question what people are putting forward. At the end of the day, we have to come to some sort of agreed decision as a committee, regardless of our political backgrounds, as to what is the best thing to do.” | |
| And he confirms again, that Hanson will be the deputy chair. | And he confirms again, that Hanson will be the deputy chair. |
| Labor had indicated yesterday it was leaning towards supporting the family court inquiry, with Tanya Plibersek saying this early this morning as she walked into parliament: | Labor had indicated yesterday it was leaning towards supporting the family court inquiry, with Tanya Plibersek saying this early this morning as she walked into parliament: |
| Look, I think it is very fair for people who interact with the family law system to say that change is long overdue. | |
| We’ve seen a very comprehensive report from the Australian Law Reform Commission – we can absolutely begin to implement the recommendations of that report before waiting for this new report to be completed. There are some very sensible suggestions that have been made after a deep study of the family law system – we don’t need to wait to implement those recommendations. | |
| That doesn’t mean that it’s not also beneficial to hear from people who are interacting with the family law system about issues like the impact of family violence in the family law system and the impact that long delays and expensive procedures have on getting justice through the family law system.” | |
| But don’t be surprised if we hear there has been a change of heart in the next few minutes. | But don’t be surprised if we hear there has been a change of heart in the next few minutes. |
| Kevin Andrews is talking to the ABC about the need for the inquiry: | Kevin Andrews is talking to the ABC about the need for the inquiry: |
| Colleagues have raised from time to time in the party room issues about whether the system works in a fair way for everybody involved. Those issues have been raised on behalf of men and women and all the participants, so I think it is important for a family law system that every now and again parliament has a look at how it is operating. | Colleagues have raised from time to time in the party room issues about whether the system works in a fair way for everybody involved. Those issues have been raised on behalf of men and women and all the participants, so I think it is important for a family law system that every now and again parliament has a look at how it is operating. |
| This is a very vexed issue and involves human beings with human emotions in very difficult – traumatic often – situations and so some sort of look at this from time to time, which we have done as a parliament for the almost 30 years I have been here, on numerous occasions, I think is a good thing.” | This is a very vexed issue and involves human beings with human emotions in very difficult – traumatic often – situations and so some sort of look at this from time to time, which we have done as a parliament for the almost 30 years I have been here, on numerous occasions, I think is a good thing.” |
| New statistics from the health department show the waiting list for aged care packages dipped slightly between April and June this year. | New statistics from the health department show the waiting list for aged care packages dipped slightly between April and June this year. |
| The waiting list is at close to 120,000 people as of the end of the financial year, which is a 9,000 decrease on the previous quarter, after the federal government brought forward funding for some packages. | The waiting list is at close to 120,000 people as of the end of the financial year, which is a 9,000 decrease on the previous quarter, after the federal government brought forward funding for some packages. |
| The royal commission into the aged care sector has heard harrowing evidence about elderly people being forced into nursing homes because they cannot get appropriate assistance with daily tasks at home. An estimated 16,000 people have died waiting for a home care package. | The royal commission into the aged care sector has heard harrowing evidence about elderly people being forced into nursing homes because they cannot get appropriate assistance with daily tasks at home. An estimated 16,000 people have died waiting for a home care package. |
| Labor’s spokeswoman on ageing, Julie Collins, accused the government of being asleep at the wheel for six years. | Labor’s spokeswoman on ageing, Julie Collins, accused the government of being asleep at the wheel for six years. |
| “There are still more older Australians waiting for home care packages than there are home care packages being used,” she said. | “There are still more older Australians waiting for home care packages than there are home care packages being used,” she said. |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, insisted increasing home care packages was a priority: “Now the only way you can do that … is by ensuring you maintain a strong budget,” he said. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, insisted increasing home care packages was a priority: “Now the only way you can do that … is by ensuring you maintain a strong budget,” he said. |
| Last weekhe royal commission last week was extended six months and will deliver its final report in November 2020.A new commissioner has also been added to the line up: Tony Pagone QC. | Last weekhe royal commission last week was extended six months and will deliver its final report in November 2020.A new commissioner has also been added to the line up: Tony Pagone QC. |
| Paul Karp will have more on this for you soon | Paul Karp will have more on this for you soon |
| Asked about religious discrimination bill Alan Joyce said the legal community's view is that the "financial hardship" test is the "hardest benchmark for a company to prove". Wants law to allow Qantas to set a code that promotes diversity and inclusion. #auspol #npc | Asked about religious discrimination bill Alan Joyce said the legal community's view is that the "financial hardship" test is the "hardest benchmark for a company to prove". Wants law to allow Qantas to set a code that promotes diversity and inclusion. #auspol #npc |
| Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah says he wants company to be inclusive to "the greatest extent possible" but obviously they have to abide by discrimination law. #auspol #npc | Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah says he wants company to be inclusive to "the greatest extent possible" but obviously they have to abide by discrimination law. #auspol #npc |
| Anthony Albanese is holding a doorstop interview in about 10 minutes. | Anthony Albanese is holding a doorstop interview in about 10 minutes. |
| Given the rhetoric around the family court inquiry from Pauline Hanson I would expect he is about to announce that Labor will not be supporting the inquiry. | Given the rhetoric around the family court inquiry from Pauline Hanson I would expect he is about to announce that Labor will not be supporting the inquiry. |
| But if Centre Alliance does, and it has indicated it is favourable, it will get up. | But if Centre Alliance does, and it has indicated it is favourable, it will get up. |
| Draft laws to protect domestic vocational education students on government loans have been introduced to federal parliament, AAP reports. | Draft laws to protect domestic vocational education students on government loans have been introduced to federal parliament, AAP reports. |
| Under the proposed changes, students will be protected if their education provider fails to begin a course on time, makes a course unavailable before enrolled students can begin, or closes. | Under the proposed changes, students will be protected if their education provider fails to begin a course on time, makes a course unavailable before enrolled students can begin, or closes. |
| “Students protected under these new arrangements will be assisted to complete their studies in a similar course with another provider and gain a qualification,” the assistant minister for vocational education, Steve Irons, said on Wednesday. | “Students protected under these new arrangements will be assisted to complete their studies in a similar course with another provider and gain a qualification,” the assistant minister for vocational education, Steve Irons, said on Wednesday. |
| “Or [they] may have their loan removed for the parts of their study they have commenced but were not able to complete.” | “Or [they] may have their loan removed for the parts of their study they have commenced but were not able to complete.” |
| Once passed, the changes – which already exist for international students – would begin from January. | Once passed, the changes – which already exist for international students – would begin from January. |
| Trade Minister, Simon Birmingham, and UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, have held a press conference talking up the prospects of an Australia UK trade deal post Brexit. | Trade Minister, Simon Birmingham, and UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, have held a press conference talking up the prospects of an Australia UK trade deal post Brexit. |
| Birmingham said that the UK’s membership of the EU had made it more difficult for Australian exporters to access the British market, and so a new deal between the two countries could improve access. | Birmingham said that the UK’s membership of the EU had made it more difficult for Australian exporters to access the British market, and so a new deal between the two countries could improve access. |
| “It is no secret that as part of the EU market, access in terms of agricultural products has been limited,” Birmingham said. | “It is no secret that as part of the EU market, access in terms of agricultural products has been limited,” Birmingham said. |
| “We stand absolutely ready to work with the UK as soon as they are ready to do so, as quickly as they are able to do so to pursue a free trade agreement.” | “We stand absolutely ready to work with the UK as soon as they are ready to do so, as quickly as they are able to do so to pursue a free trade agreement.” |
| Truss said that the UK would be leaving the European Union “deal or no deal” on October 31, which would give Britain “new freedoms” to pursue ties with other countries. | Truss said that the UK would be leaving the European Union “deal or no deal” on October 31, which would give Britain “new freedoms” to pursue ties with other countries. |
| “That will give us the opportunity to strike new trade deals with the rest of the world. This is the first time in 45 years that the UK has an independent trade policy.” | “That will give us the opportunity to strike new trade deals with the rest of the world. This is the first time in 45 years that the UK has an independent trade policy.” |
| “One of the issues we have faced is increased regulatory harmonisation driven by the European Union which has prevented us from being able to strike these deals and be able to work with other partners around the world.” | “One of the issues we have faced is increased regulatory harmonisation driven by the European Union which has prevented us from being able to strike these deals and be able to work with other partners around the world.” |
| In case you missed it, there is also this report from Anne Davies floating around today: | In case you missed it, there is also this report from Anne Davies floating around today: |
| The former environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, went against the advice of his departmental experts when he blocked two wind turbines on Lord Howe Island in 2017, consigning the world heritage-listed island to relying on diesel fuel for the bulk of its electricity. | The former environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, went against the advice of his departmental experts when he blocked two wind turbines on Lord Howe Island in 2017, consigning the world heritage-listed island to relying on diesel fuel for the bulk of its electricity. |
| A freedom of information request by the Guardian has uncovered that the minister took the unusual action of blocking the project under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, deeming it “unacceptable”. | A freedom of information request by the Guardian has uncovered that the minister took the unusual action of blocking the project under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, deeming it “unacceptable”. |
| It was one of two projects that Frydenberg rejected while environment minister, the other being a nursing home at Sydney’s Middle Head on federal land. Both were criticised by the broadcaster Alan Jones, who particularly campaigned against the Middle Head development. | It was one of two projects that Frydenberg rejected while environment minister, the other being a nursing home at Sydney’s Middle Head on federal land. Both were criticised by the broadcaster Alan Jones, who particularly campaigned against the Middle Head development. |
| You can read more on that, here. | You can read more on that, here. |