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Australia's population 'can be bigger', Alan Tudge says – politics live Australia's population 'can be bigger', Alan Tudge says – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Minister for population, cities and urban infrastructure says country can afford to grow – but he won’t put a number on it. All the day’s political events, liveMinister for population, cities and urban infrastructure says country can afford to grow – but he won’t put a number on it. All the day’s political events, live
Linda Burney has responded to reports from Annabel Hennessy at the West that the Morrison government is considering scrapping the Indigenous Advisory Council - and why that has Indigenous Australians worried about a voice to parliament being legislated, rather than constitutionally enshrined. Just glanced up to see the Sky News ticker ‘UK floods become political blame game’, which makes sense.
We came by our toxic political debate culture quite honestly in this country.
We’ll be chatting all things defence with China tomorrow. From the defence department:
Wages have risen a whole 0.5% - sound the klaxtons
Also – it is wage figures day.
Huzzah!
If that is anything like the last few runs of wage figures, we’ll all get to see by just how much our wages didn’t grow!
Expect to hear this March quote from Mathias Cormann brought up again:
“The whole point – it is important to ensure that wages can adjust in the context of economic conditions – is to avoid massive spikes in unemployment, which are incredibly disruptive,” Cormann said.
“This is a deliberate feature of our economic architecture.”
And then, this gem from Linda Reynolds, in her best no/oh/yes performance to date.
This is an important update.
Linda Burney has responded to reports from Annabel Hennessy at the West Australian that the Morrison government is considering scrapping the Indigenous advisory council – and why that has Indigenous Australians worried about a voice to parliament being legislated, rather than constitutionally enshrined:
Just correcting a previous post – the motion to have the independent health advice panel (the one which reports on medevac) won’t be voted on until sometime after 3.30 today. It was meant to be yesterday, but was delayed. Which means we won’t get it today.Just correcting a previous post – the motion to have the independent health advice panel (the one which reports on medevac) won’t be voted on until sometime after 3.30 today. It was meant to be yesterday, but was delayed. Which means we won’t get it today.
The senior advisory group appointed by Ken Wyatt to co-design the Indigenous voice to parliament is having its first meeting, at Old Parliament House, this morning.The senior advisory group appointed by Ken Wyatt to co-design the Indigenous voice to parliament is having its first meeting, at Old Parliament House, this morning.
There have been some strong reactions to the list of appointees, who include the Australian’s Chris Kenny.There have been some strong reactions to the list of appointees, who include the Australian’s Chris Kenny.
Ngarrindjerri people who remember the bitter and damaging debate about Hindmarsh Island, about which Kenny wrote to disprove the existence of womens’ sacred sites, have called for a boycott of the process.Ngarrindjerri people who remember the bitter and damaging debate about Hindmarsh Island, about which Kenny wrote to disprove the existence of womens’ sacred sites, have called for a boycott of the process.
Questions have also been asked about the apparent omission from the group of Prof Megan Davis and Pat Anderson, two key architects of the Uluru statement from the heart.Questions have also been asked about the apparent omission from the group of Prof Megan Davis and Pat Anderson, two key architects of the Uluru statement from the heart.
Also doing the rounds on social media, is this skit, courtesy of ABC TV’s Sammy J and the always brilliant Elaine Crombie.Also doing the rounds on social media, is this skit, courtesy of ABC TV’s Sammy J and the always brilliant Elaine Crombie.
This is outside of federal politics, but love should always be celebrated.This is outside of federal politics, but love should always be celebrated.
Larissa Waters will be tabling this petition, calling for Pauline Hanson to be removed from the latest family law inquiry, in parliament later today.Larissa Waters will be tabling this petition, calling for Pauline Hanson to be removed from the latest family law inquiry, in parliament later today.
More than 70,000 people have signed the petition, which was started by Sherele Moody – but the numbers aren’t there in the parliament for anything to change. And it is not as though the One Nation leader will be stepping down.More than 70,000 people have signed the petition, which was started by Sherele Moody – but the numbers aren’t there in the parliament for anything to change. And it is not as though the One Nation leader will be stepping down.
The inquiry will start hearings soon and will report back next October.The inquiry will start hearings soon and will report back next October.
Scott Morrison addressed Barnaby Joyce’s comments yesterday afternoon during a visit to the Australian crisis coordination centre.Scott Morrison addressed Barnaby Joyce’s comments yesterday afternoon during a visit to the Australian crisis coordination centre.
His answer here is one of the reason so many in his party have decided that not opening their mouths is often the best course of action.His answer here is one of the reason so many in his party have decided that not opening their mouths is often the best course of action.
Question: Prime minister, have you spoken to Barnaby Joyce today and what did you make of his comments?Question: Prime minister, have you spoken to Barnaby Joyce today and what did you make of his comments?
Morrison: No, I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to him today. And, look, I would just simply say this – I think it’s important that at moments like this, everybody take it down a few notches. What matters is people who are in need and ensuring the operational support is there for the services they need to ensure that we can address this crisis. There are plenty of opportunities for people to say things about any number of other issues on other occasions. But right now what they want to see is Australians coming together. So I would urge people, let’s just focus on what we need to focus on right now. There are plenty of other topics for other days, but today let’s just focus on those who need it most. They’re not helped by this type of argument that is going on. That’s not something that I think is really helping the situation. It’s certainly not something that I would or have been seeking to engage in and the reason for that is simple. It’s not because all of these issues aren’t important. It’s because people need to know that we’re focused on their needs right here and now and the operational support they need.Morrison: No, I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to him today. And, look, I would just simply say this – I think it’s important that at moments like this, everybody take it down a few notches. What matters is people who are in need and ensuring the operational support is there for the services they need to ensure that we can address this crisis. There are plenty of opportunities for people to say things about any number of other issues on other occasions. But right now what they want to see is Australians coming together. So I would urge people, let’s just focus on what we need to focus on right now. There are plenty of other topics for other days, but today let’s just focus on those who need it most. They’re not helped by this type of argument that is going on. That’s not something that I think is really helping the situation. It’s certainly not something that I would or have been seeking to engage in and the reason for that is simple. It’s not because all of these issues aren’t important. It’s because people need to know that we’re focused on their needs right here and now and the operational support they need.
Question: Prime minister, will your be directing or asking Michael McCormack to discipline Barnaby Joyce?Question: Prime minister, will your be directing or asking Michael McCormack to discipline Barnaby Joyce?
Morrison: Look, I’ve said all I need to say on that issue. I think everybody – everybody – there’s been a lot of provocative comments made over the last few days from all sides of this debate. And I find it very unhelpful and I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to those who need to know that we are 100% focused on the supporting effort to where they are in their moment of crisis. That’s where my mind is. That’s where my head is. That’s where the premier’s mind is and that’s where the premier’s head is. And that’s what they need to be assured of. And I can tell you, I’m not taking any interest in all of those other distractions. What I’m focused on is what the operational support needs to be at a commonwealth level and to support our state partners in New South Wales and Queensland.Morrison: Look, I’ve said all I need to say on that issue. I think everybody – everybody – there’s been a lot of provocative comments made over the last few days from all sides of this debate. And I find it very unhelpful and I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to those who need to know that we are 100% focused on the supporting effort to where they are in their moment of crisis. That’s where my mind is. That’s where my head is. That’s where the premier’s mind is and that’s where the premier’s head is. And that’s what they need to be assured of. And I can tell you, I’m not taking any interest in all of those other distractions. What I’m focused on is what the operational support needs to be at a commonwealth level and to support our state partners in New South Wales and Queensland.
Question: There has been inflammatory rhetoric around this but Barnaby Joyce is a member of the Coalition. What did you make of his remarks specifically and what will be done about it?Question: There has been inflammatory rhetoric around this but Barnaby Joyce is a member of the Coalition. What did you make of his remarks specifically and what will be done about it?
Morrison: Well, I think these are very unhelpful. But again, I’m not going to be distracted by debates happening between politicians. The last thing that people in real need and urgent crisis need at the moment is hearing politicians shout at each other. It’s completely unhelpful. And it’s not something that I’m practising. It’s not something the premier is practising. There is a time and a place to debate, you know, controversial issues and important issues. Right now, it’s important to focus on the needs of Australians who need our help. They need our support. They need our practical assistance on the ground. They’re getting it. They’re going to continue to get it and that’s who I am focused on. Thanks very much.Morrison: Well, I think these are very unhelpful. But again, I’m not going to be distracted by debates happening between politicians. The last thing that people in real need and urgent crisis need at the moment is hearing politicians shout at each other. It’s completely unhelpful. And it’s not something that I’m practising. It’s not something the premier is practising. There is a time and a place to debate, you know, controversial issues and important issues. Right now, it’s important to focus on the needs of Australians who need our help. They need our support. They need our practical assistance on the ground. They’re getting it. They’re going to continue to get it and that’s who I am focused on. Thanks very much.
The Senate passed a motion for the latest independent health advice panel report to be tabled today – that’s the medevac report. It’s the one that goes until the end of September.The Senate passed a motion for the latest independent health advice panel report to be tabled today – that’s the medevac report. It’s the one that goes until the end of September.
It’s always harrowing reading, but necessary to understand why the decisions are being made the way they are.It’s always harrowing reading, but necessary to understand why the decisions are being made the way they are.
The Senate will vote this afternoon on a motion to force the government to table information relating to the regional jobs and investment program, which was savaged in a federal audit.The Senate will vote this afternoon on a motion to force the government to table information relating to the regional jobs and investment program, which was savaged in a federal audit.
Labor has moved a motion asking for the minister to table all written briefings provided to the ministerial panel which was used to inform the award of grant funding in each of the 10 regions.Labor has moved a motion asking for the minister to table all written briefings provided to the ministerial panel which was used to inform the award of grant funding in each of the 10 regions.
The production of order documents will also demand all written responses from the ministerial panels sent to the department after consideration of the department’s advice.The production of order documents will also demand all written responses from the ministerial panels sent to the department after consideration of the department’s advice.
The department and the office of the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, have both refused to release this information in response to media requests, meaning it has been impossible to know which projects the ministerial panels decided to approve against the department’s advice.The department and the office of the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, have both refused to release this information in response to media requests, meaning it has been impossible to know which projects the ministerial panels decided to approve against the department’s advice.
Labor is also hoping to see any documents that show which projects identified as ineligible that received funding, and those that were submitted late that were still approved.Labor is also hoping to see any documents that show which projects identified as ineligible that received funding, and those that were submitted late that were still approved.
If the Senate votes in support of the document order, the government will be forced to table details of the Business Grants Hub, which was engaged to administer aspects of the program at a cost of about $8m.If the Senate votes in support of the document order, the government will be forced to table details of the Business Grants Hub, which was engaged to administer aspects of the program at a cost of about $8m.
It will be given a deadline of Thursday afternoon to comply with the document order.It will be given a deadline of Thursday afternoon to comply with the document order.
Concerns have been raised about the administration of the program by the auditor general, and Guardian Australia has uncovered at least two instances where funding was granted to organisations that were financially precarious, despite companies needing to show that they could match the grant funding under the guidelines.Concerns have been raised about the administration of the program by the auditor general, and Guardian Australia has uncovered at least two instances where funding was granted to organisations that were financially precarious, despite companies needing to show that they could match the grant funding under the guidelines.
In one case, a company in the marginal seat of Gilmore received $750,000 and went bust six months later, while in another, the operator has said he is losing money and the funded project is unlikely to happen for two more years. The auditor general also revealed that two projects that were granted co-funding exemption were given the reprieve in breach of the program’s guidelines.In one case, a company in the marginal seat of Gilmore received $750,000 and went bust six months later, while in another, the operator has said he is losing money and the funded project is unlikely to happen for two more years. The auditor general also revealed that two projects that were granted co-funding exemption were given the reprieve in breach of the program’s guidelines.
Alan Tudge was on Melbourne radio 3AW talking population – and why we don’t have a number in mind.Alan Tudge was on Melbourne radio 3AW talking population – and why we don’t have a number in mind.
Tom Elliott: So why don’t we have a population policy? Why don’t we have a target of, say, 35 or 40 million people by 2050 and work backwards from that?Tom Elliott: So why don’t we have a population policy? Why don’t we have a target of, say, 35 or 40 million people by 2050 and work backwards from that?
Alan Tudge: Well, Tom, we do have a population plan and we announced this just a few months ago and in essence, first up we set our objectives. One, we want a population which supports economic growth. Two, we want to support the liveability of our cities and the regions that want to grow more quickly. And thirdly, we want to maintain social cohesion.Alan Tudge: Well, Tom, we do have a population plan and we announced this just a few months ago and in essence, first up we set our objectives. One, we want a population which supports economic growth. Two, we want to support the liveability of our cities and the regions that want to grow more quickly. And thirdly, we want to maintain social cohesion.
TE: Right.TE: Right.
AT: So we’ve put in place some initiatives to support those ends.AT: So we’ve put in place some initiatives to support those ends.
TE: So, what’s the number then? If you have all these policies and you look at economic growth and liveability and social cohesion, all good aims but at the end of the day, you have to come down with a number. What’s the number? Where are we headed under this policy?TE: So, what’s the number then? If you have all these policies and you look at economic growth and liveability and social cohesion, all good aims but at the end of the day, you have to come down with a number. What’s the number? Where are we headed under this policy?
AT: Well, at the moment, we are growing at about 1.6% per annum, which has been the long-term average since federation.AT: Well, at the moment, we are growing at about 1.6% per annum, which has been the long-term average since federation.
TE: Yeah, but what’s the policy? What’s the number? Do you want 50 million people or 40?TE: Yeah, but what’s the policy? What’s the number? Do you want 50 million people or 40?
AT: Well, I think Australia can be bigger. The question is the pace of growth, how well we manage that growth and, critically importantly, the distribution of that growth, because Dick Smith I think only thinks about it from an inner-Sydney perspective, where absolutely it has heavy congestion there. However, you go out to the regions or you go to Adelaide, you go toward Darwin or you go toward Perth, many of those places want more people and do want to grow more quickly. The real challenge that we’ve got in Australia is that nearly all of our population growth, three quarters of it is in Melbourne, Sydney and south-east Queensland.AT: Well, I think Australia can be bigger. The question is the pace of growth, how well we manage that growth and, critically importantly, the distribution of that growth, because Dick Smith I think only thinks about it from an inner-Sydney perspective, where absolutely it has heavy congestion there. However, you go out to the regions or you go to Adelaide, you go toward Darwin or you go toward Perth, many of those places want more people and do want to grow more quickly. The real challenge that we’ve got in Australia is that nearly all of our population growth, three quarters of it is in Melbourne, Sydney and south-east Queensland.
After a pretty low few days, our politicians have woken up rather quiet this morning.After a pretty low few days, our politicians have woken up rather quiet this morning.
Which is not surprising. From attacks on those who care about climate change as “raving lunatics”, to not being across key portfolio issues, to raising the voting preferences of those who died in the bushfire emergency, the Liberal’s Coalition partners haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory this week.Which is not surprising. From attacks on those who care about climate change as “raving lunatics”, to not being across key portfolio issues, to raising the voting preferences of those who died in the bushfire emergency, the Liberal’s Coalition partners haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory this week.
Especially at a time when the nation is looking for leadership.Especially at a time when the nation is looking for leadership.
So this morning we have been greeted with radio silence. Which is not a bad thing.So this morning we have been greeted with radio silence. Which is not a bad thing.
But the rest of the day is ticking over.But the rest of the day is ticking over.
George Pell has been granted leave to have his appeal heard by the highest court in the land.George Pell has been granted leave to have his appeal heard by the highest court in the land.
The fires continue to burn.The fires continue to burn.
And the Senate is still sitting (if anyone is paying attention).And the Senate is still sitting (if anyone is paying attention).
There is still no sign of ensuring integrity – it looks as though that has been delayed, although the government is not giving up if it can get Jacqui Lambie across the line – although One Nation isn’t a fan, and Centre Alliance is also just a maybe. So a few issues there, in terms of the numbers.There is still no sign of ensuring integrity – it looks as though that has been delayed, although the government is not giving up if it can get Jacqui Lambie across the line – although One Nation isn’t a fan, and Centre Alliance is also just a maybe. So a few issues there, in terms of the numbers.
There is still medevac ticking away as well.There is still medevac ticking away as well.
We’ll have all of that and everything else that happens within this building and beyond. Hopefully it’s better than the days that have gone before.We’ll have all of that and everything else that happens within this building and beyond. Hopefully it’s better than the days that have gone before.
You’ll also have Mike Bowers, Katharine Murphy, Paul Karp and Sarah Martin, as well as the rest of the Guardian’s brains trust on deck.You’ll also have Mike Bowers, Katharine Murphy, Paul Karp and Sarah Martin, as well as the rest of the Guardian’s brains trust on deck.
Ready?Ready?
I’m not, but let’s do this.I’m not, but let’s do this.