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| Nationals under pressure over drought response – politics live | Nationals under pressure over drought response – politics live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Greens senator Nick McKim has been quizzing the Australian Law Reform Commission about its family law inquiry, and then turns his guns on the government to ask why it supported a joint parliamentary inquiry with Pauline Hanson in the deputy chair given the work already done. | |
| Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne (the duty minister) said the ALRC review was “primarily focused on procedural and substantive law” but the parliamentary inquiry includes issues that “haven’t necessarily been fully explored previously”. | |
| McKim suggests it is a replication of the ALRC’s work - citing Sarah Derrington’s evidence its inquiry was open to public submissions via an online portal.Payne responds that parliament has an opportunity - and an entitlement - to consider broader issues such as child support, domestic violence, the cost of cases and regulation of professionals. | |
| There had been “some opportunity” to discuss family law issues in the ALRC inquiry but the parliamentary inquiry is a “further opportunity”. | |
| Payne rejected the assertion it was a tradeoff for support from Hanson and One Nation. | |
| “Around the country, in the offices of MPs and senators those issues continue to be advanced. For the parliamentary to take the opportunity to examine these matters ... is the role of the parliament,” she said. | |
| Madeleine King was on RN breakfast this morning, where she was defending Labor’s support for the free trade deals, despite criticism from the unions (and as we have seen from Doug Cameron, some Labor members themselves) | |
| Well, it’s important to recognise the overall economic benefit, but more so than the economic benefit is the matter of a strategic benefit of a closer relationship with the Republic of Indonesia. I listened to Michele’s interviews before and she’s quite right to point out that there hasn’t been contemporary economic modelling of this agreement. | |
| But there has been economic modelling in the past, under a Labor government actually, that started negotiations for this agreement. And that demonstrated that there would be significant economic benefit for the country. | |
| On the anniversary of the apology to survivors and victims of institutional sexual abuse, Linda Burney has put out this statement: | |
| The scheme is projected to provide redress to an estimated 60,000 survivors. Yet, over a year since the scheme commenced, only one per cent of this figure has received redress, survivors are still waiting too long and some institutions have still not signed up. | |
| The scheme has received over 5,040 applications for redress. 618 applications have been placed on hold because the relevant institution has not yet joined the scheme. | |
| This means that over 3,600 applications – or three quarters – are waiting as a result of administrative delay. | |
| Applicants are waiting an average of eight months for their applications to be processed. | |
| In August, Labor successfully re-established a parliamentary inquiry to oversee the administration of the National Redress Scheme. The Government cynically used its numbers to take control of the committee. Two months later, and survivors are waiting and wondering what is happening with the Inquiry. | |
| Institutions that have not joined the scheme must do so immediately – the time for excuses has come to an end. | |
| While additional investment is a step in the right direction, survivors are still waiting too long. Some are elderly. Some are unwell. Some are passing away before seeing justice. | |
| The Government needs to get Redress right. | |
| Gone, but not forgotten | |
| Unimpressed by latest attempt to justify @AustralianLabor capitulation on trade agreements by @MadeleineMHKingAsserted more jobs and the need to engage with Indonesia.Dodgy modelling and more vulnerable temporary workers means increased pressure on Australian jobs and wages. | |
| The house will sit at 12 today. | The house will sit at 12 today. |
| You’ll find the program here | You’ll find the program here |
| In caucus Labor added an extra condition on its support for the Coalition’s big stick (energy divestiture) bill. | In caucus Labor added an extra condition on its support for the Coalition’s big stick (energy divestiture) bill. |
| Labor has already said it will only support the bill if a clause is added banning partial privatisation of power companies. Now it wants a proviso that workers entitlements be protected if divestiture occurs, so that workers in split entities will still have the same redundancy and other benefits. | Labor has already said it will only support the bill if a clause is added banning partial privatisation of power companies. Now it wants a proviso that workers entitlements be protected if divestiture occurs, so that workers in split entities will still have the same redundancy and other benefits. |
| Anthony Albanese addressed the brou-ha-ha over the Indonesian free trade deal in his leader’s speech, saying the government had agreed to Labor’s key demands and the concessions allow Labor “continue to pursue our agenda on trade”. | Anthony Albanese addressed the brou-ha-ha over the Indonesian free trade deal in his leader’s speech, saying the government had agreed to Labor’s key demands and the concessions allow Labor “continue to pursue our agenda on trade”. |
| “There are a lot of 55/45 calls in this job - but this was not one of those, it was a good outcome,” he said. | “There are a lot of 55/45 calls in this job - but this was not one of those, it was a good outcome,” he said. |
| Albanese said the week would be dominated by the drought, the right to know and the economy. | Albanese said the week would be dominated by the drought, the right to know and the economy. |
| On drought, he said Australians wanted the politics taken out which is why he offered a joint war cabinet. | On drought, he said Australians wanted the politics taken out which is why he offered a joint war cabinet. |
| On the economy, he noted the IMF has called for fiscal stimulus and accused the government of underspending on infrastructure because it has spent more on ads ($17m) than its urban congestion fund. At Senate estimates yesterday we heard none of those projects has yet commenced. | On the economy, he noted the IMF has called for fiscal stimulus and accused the government of underspending on infrastructure because it has spent more on ads ($17m) than its urban congestion fund. At Senate estimates yesterday we heard none of those projects has yet commenced. |
| On the right to know campaign, Albanese said that Labor members should link the media campaign to “the prime minister, who won’t give a straight answer to a simple question” - presumably in reference to refusal to say if he lobbied for Brian Houston to be invited to the White House. | On the right to know campaign, Albanese said that Labor members should link the media campaign to “the prime minister, who won’t give a straight answer to a simple question” - presumably in reference to refusal to say if he lobbied for Brian Houston to be invited to the White House. |
| Labor Senate leader Penny Wong noted that public servants are taking more questions on notice than in previous years, warning that unless there is a political cost to the government accountability will be weakened. | Labor Senate leader Penny Wong noted that public servants are taking more questions on notice than in previous years, warning that unless there is a political cost to the government accountability will be weakened. |
| She said stonewalling in Estimates is “worse than it has ever been” and it should be a key part of the Right to Know campaign. | She said stonewalling in Estimates is “worse than it has ever been” and it should be a key part of the Right to Know campaign. |
| The Future Fund is factoring the risk of climate change into its investment decisions, according to evidence provided by the agency to the Greens. | The Future Fund is factoring the risk of climate change into its investment decisions, according to evidence provided by the agency to the Greens. |
| Raphael Arndt, the agency’s chief investment manager, said the vast bulk of the future fund investment was taken by external fund managers, who were advised about the agency’s approach to climate change risk management. | |
| He said the fund saw the future path of carbon pricing and the market response to that as a long-run risk. “In terms of carbon disclosure ... we support companies that the public is able to invest in being open about the risk exposure to those types of risk,” Arndt said. | |
| Agency head David Neal said the fund managed “dozens of risks” at any one time, and managers were asked to provide information about these, including carbon exposure. | Agency head David Neal said the fund managed “dozens of risks” at any one time, and managers were asked to provide information about these, including carbon exposure. |
| Neal said the agency continued to invest in fossil fuels. | |
| The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, said it was “entirely appropriate” for the fund to make such investments. | |
| “I believe that fossil fuels continue to be very, very important,” Cormann said. “There is a significant social benefit in fossil fuels.” | |
| I am not sure the “climate change conspiracy is finally over” petition (now at 23 signatures) will receive the same reaction. | I am not sure the “climate change conspiracy is finally over” petition (now at 23 signatures) will receive the same reaction. |
| Ready to be presented to the House of Representatives at 1.30pm today! https://t.co/OZNkiVQizK | Ready to be presented to the House of Representatives at 1.30pm today! https://t.co/OZNkiVQizK |
| Bridget McKenzie is having a great day, and clearly loving every minute of this. | Bridget McKenzie is having a great day, and clearly loving every minute of this. |
| @senbmckenzie slaps down the Prime Minister saying, “He’s not the leader of the National Party.” @ScottMorrisonMP , are you the leader of the Coalition?#auspol pic.twitter.com/ZmNoQkrYav | @senbmckenzie slaps down the Prime Minister saying, “He’s not the leader of the National Party.” @ScottMorrisonMP , are you the leader of the Coalition?#auspol pic.twitter.com/ZmNoQkrYav |
| The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has downplayed a report in the Australian today about an increase in the unfunded superannuation liability to $233.1bn, an increase of $50bn. | |
| Cormann said the figure, revealed in the department’s annual report, was subject to annual variations, but did not place the commonwealth under any immediate financial risk. | Cormann said the figure, revealed in the department’s annual report, was subject to annual variations, but did not place the commonwealth under any immediate financial risk. |
| He said changes in the discount rate could appear to have an impact on the value of the unfunded liability, but it was expected the valuation would “move around” depending on what assumptions are used over the next decade. | He said changes in the discount rate could appear to have an impact on the value of the unfunded liability, but it was expected the valuation would “move around” depending on what assumptions are used over the next decade. |
| “In the end it is not something the government will have to pay today it is something that will continue to be dealt with in a phased approach,” Cormann said under questioning from the Labor senator Katy Gallagher. | |
| “From our point of view it is business as usual, but we rely on the future fund to continue to do of course its job to the best of its ability so it can ultimately bridge that gap.” | “From our point of view it is business as usual, but we rely on the future fund to continue to do of course its job to the best of its ability so it can ultimately bridge that gap.” |
| Cormann said the government had made a policy decision not to draw down on the future fund, but to allow it to continue to accumulate. | |
| “The decision that we have made ... is to let the future fund to continue to invest to achieve very high returns, against of course the very low interest rates that is paid on public debt interest,” he said. | |
| David Neal, the head of the future fund, said the agency had secured returns of 10.4% a year over the past decade. | |
| “We have made good progress in the pursuit of our objectives to strengthen the commonwealth’s long-term financial position,” Neal said. | |
| Joel Fitzgibbon was certainly happy to stop by doors this morning: | Joel Fitzgibbon was certainly happy to stop by doors this morning: |
| The National party could redeem itself today by standing up to Scott Morrison. You know, National party leaders of the past – back, back with John McEwan, Ian Sinclair, Doug Anthony – would never have allowed themselves to be bullied like the current National party MPs are being bullied by Scott Morrison. | The National party could redeem itself today by standing up to Scott Morrison. You know, National party leaders of the past – back, back with John McEwan, Ian Sinclair, Doug Anthony – would never have allowed themselves to be bullied like the current National party MPs are being bullied by Scott Morrison. |
| They should forget about fighting amongst themselves and start collectively muscling up to Scott Morrison, who seems to think the drought response is a game, who has denied or given up the opportunity to work with us on a bipartisan basis. Why is that? Well, it appears Scott Morrison isn’t serious about addressing this drought. | They should forget about fighting amongst themselves and start collectively muscling up to Scott Morrison, who seems to think the drought response is a game, who has denied or given up the opportunity to work with us on a bipartisan basis. Why is that? Well, it appears Scott Morrison isn’t serious about addressing this drought. |
| So, instead of standing around like swinging something – I am not sure I can use the word – they need to collectively muscle up, start standing up to Scott Morrison, and start insisting that he produce a meaningful response to this drought. | So, instead of standing around like swinging something – I am not sure I can use the word – they need to collectively muscle up, start standing up to Scott Morrison, and start insisting that he produce a meaningful response to this drought. |
| And of course on dairy – we’ve now been waiting since I think it’s April of 2018 – the ACCC completed its 18-month long inquiry into the dairy sector. It recommended a dairy code of conduct and, of course, here we are in October of 2019, we still don’t have a code of conduct for the dairy industry, we’re still told we won’t have one till July of next year. | And of course on dairy – we’ve now been waiting since I think it’s April of 2018 – the ACCC completed its 18-month long inquiry into the dairy sector. It recommended a dairy code of conduct and, of course, here we are in October of 2019, we still don’t have a code of conduct for the dairy industry, we’re still told we won’t have one till July of next year. |
| Now that stands in stark contrast to the time when Scott Morrison overnight – overnight – produced a code of conduct for the sugar industry to buy Pauline Hanson’s vote on the corporate tax cuts in the Senate. | Now that stands in stark contrast to the time when Scott Morrison overnight – overnight – produced a code of conduct for the sugar industry to buy Pauline Hanson’s vote on the corporate tax cuts in the Senate. |
| So who is running Scott Morrison? Is it the National party? Or is it Pauline Hanson? I think we clearly know the answer to that question at the moment. | So who is running Scott Morrison? Is it the National party? Or is it Pauline Hanson? I think we clearly know the answer to that question at the moment. |
| We’re advised that Member for Warringah @zalisteggall will table an e-petition on climate change today, during Members’ 90 Second Statements. This period of the sitting day runs between 1.30pm and 2pm. pic.twitter.com/HuzFdxH8q3 | We’re advised that Member for Warringah @zalisteggall will table an e-petition on climate change today, during Members’ 90 Second Statements. This period of the sitting day runs between 1.30pm and 2pm. pic.twitter.com/HuzFdxH8q3 |
| Back in agriculture estimates, Bridget McKenzie says she had not read David Littleproud’s ministerial charter letter, which is noteworthy because the pair have overlapping portfolio issues – she is agriculture, and he is drought. | Back in agriculture estimates, Bridget McKenzie says she had not read David Littleproud’s ministerial charter letter, which is noteworthy because the pair have overlapping portfolio issues – she is agriculture, and he is drought. |
| I am confident that there is a very clear line of responsibility between minister Littleproud and I, as there is between minister Littleproud and minister McCormack,” she says. | I am confident that there is a very clear line of responsibility between minister Littleproud and I, as there is between minister Littleproud and minister McCormack,” she says. |
| The department has seen the two ministerial charter letters, Daryl Quinlivan, from the department of ag says. | The department has seen the two ministerial charter letters, Daryl Quinlivan, from the department of ag says. |
| The “big stick” energy legislation will be introduced in the house today. | The “big stick” energy legislation will be introduced in the house today. |
| Labor is now supporting it, so it is a done deal. | Labor is now supporting it, so it is a done deal. |
| For 18/19 the #AAT received an increase in appeals related to #Centrelink debts of 31 %. Related to parenting payemnts appeals increased 30% and a 36% increase in appeals related to #Newstart#Auspol #Estimates | For 18/19 the #AAT received an increase in appeals related to #Centrelink debts of 31 %. Related to parenting payemnts appeals increased 30% and a 36% increase in appeals related to #Newstart#Auspol #Estimates |