The communications minister makes a stand for the rule of law. The foreign affairs minister denies leaking from cabinet. Labor revives old battles, and economic growth comes in at 0.9% for the March quarter. All the developments from Canberra, live
1.03pm AEST
Tory Shepherd from the Adelaide Advertiser at the NPC.
Q: Like everyone here I’m a big admirer. How would you rate minister for women’s work on domestic violence?
I think we are seeing a well intended minister for women but we are not seeing strong leadership and conflict in decisions that are made, giving voice to support for victims of violence, but on the other hand lack of funding and making cuts to essential frontline services.
Again the recent concern that’s been brought to my attention is looking at means testing for women again seeking legal advice through community legal centres.
12.54pm AEST
More alarming statistics from Rosie Batty.
A growing number of Australians think that is a victim is at least partially to blame for instances of domestic and family violence. One in six think that women who say “No” really mean “Yes”. Attitudes among young people are particularly bad. According to recent research commissioned by Our Watch, one in four young men believe that controlling and violent behaviours are signs of male strength. One in six 12-24-year-olds believe women should know their place.
If we want to tackle this violence, to stop it before it starts, we need to tackle these attitudes and beliefs. At the least, please don’t reinforce them.
12.49pm AEST
Batty:
Statistics often wash over us so let’s reframe them. If this room was full of women, at least 50 would have experienced sexual assault. Let’s take a look around. If you have three sisters or three daughters, one of them will encounter violence. If you work with at least six women, one of them has experienced violence by a current or former partner.
Today, I ask you what we do now that the story of violence against women is finally out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
12.44pm AEST
Rosie Batty – Australian of the year – is today’s special guest at the National Press Club. She’s speaking about her very quick transition from grief stricken mother to advocate.
What I want to do is share my story.
You all know it and just over a year ago, Luke was murdered by an estranged partner, my estranged partner, Luke’s father Greg. The day Luke was murdered, I crashed in my bedroom and I woke to hear my friends, neighbours and everyone who was congregated in my home discussing what to do with the media who were congregating outside. They wanted to protect me. They wanted to make decisions on my behalf. But I’ve always been very independent and you might be right in assuming that I didn’t like them taking things in their hands on my behalf.
12.37pm AEST
Hockey is asked what is the purpose of having a tax inquiry if the government keeps ruling everything out.
Obviously you are looking over the horizon as part of the taxation discussion paper.
I support the discussion paper that’s out there.
12.32pm AEST
Come to Jesus, Joe.
12.31pm AEST
Hockey is asked whether there a housing bubble.
He walks back to the national accounts.
Well, what we are seeing is that supply is actually increasing to meet demand but the very low vacancy rates in a number of cities, particularly in Sydney, illustrates there’s some way to go.
12.29pm AEST
Q: Can you explain to us what a “come to Jesus” moment is? Have you had one?
Only in the confines of my home.
12.28pm AEST
Hockey is asked about superannuation – David Murray’s comments in the Financial Review which I referenced earlier. Is the government mishandling the super issue?
Enough about that, more about GDP.
I’m not going to give commentary on commentary. We’ve had a terrific set of numbers that came out today and those numbers have proven that there are some clowns out there that are talking about recession and dark clouds on the horizon. There have been proven to be looking foolish, those people, and we should be focussing on what is before us which is raw data that says the Australian economy is in the last quarter one of the fastest growing economies in the developed world. How good is that?
12.26pm AEST
The treasurer is asked about Western Australia, and the rebalancing in the economy post mining boom. He says no Australian state is in recession. He says clowns are talking about recessions.
Hockey:
From my perspective I think WA is coping quite well. It still has comparatively low unemployment. There is strong investment by the state government in infrastructure, the Commonwealth government is also assisting in that regard.
There’s no doubt that the transition has had an impact on WA from mining construction to mining production, as it has had a big impact in Queensland.
12.23pm AEST
Questions now.
Well, wages aren’t falling.
I think obviously at the moment we’re seeing strong employment growth. I think that’s coming through. We’re seeing strong employment growth. The economy is still below the 20-year average. But I also think you’re starting to see the impact of the fall in terms of trade, that’s having some impact as well. There’s multiple factors at play and inflation is at very manageable levels.
12.21pm AEST
Today’s national accounts confirm there is strong and broad-based momentum in the Australian economy. Real economic growth rose by 0.9% in the quarter to be 2.3% higher over the past year. This exceeds market expectations. This builds on growth, 0.3% in the September quarter and 0.5% in the December quarter last year. This is a good, solid result.
That’s the treasurer’s opening gambit on the growth figures. He notes these figures predate the May budget.
It’s worth noting that this strong economic growth occurred prior to the 2015 budget which will build further momentum in this area.
This growth is broad-based. Growth in exports, household spending, services and new dwellings confirms that the government’s economic plan is working. Indeed, Australia 0.9% growth in the March quarter makes us one of the fastest growing economies in the developed world and faster than any of the G7 in the quarter.
We are seeing encouraging new investment in housing supply nationally with housing investment rising by a strong 4.7% in the quarter and 9.2% over the past 12 months. So there is clear evidence of a construction response to elevated house prices. This additional supply is expected to continue with a large pipeline of housing approvals and record low interest rates.
12.06pm AEST
Bowers bounty.
Bruce Billson from his press conference before on the horticulture code of conduct brings a little Carmen Miranda to Wednesday.
11.45am AEST
Come ‘ere darlin’
11.40am AEST
As you’ve probably gathered, many planes are trying to land on the Politics Live runway right now.
The new economic growth figures have just been made public.
11.34am AEST
The Labor leader Bill Shorten is at Dickson College. He’s asked about The Killing Season. He says the program deals with history.
Shorten:
I think I have been very fortunate to have quite a marvellous run of unity within the Labor party.
I thought Barnaby’s speech was impressive but I wouldn’t characterise it in that way.
11.23am AEST
Back briefly to estimates, Australia’s top diplomat, Peter Varghese, has warned all parties against provocative or unilateral actions in the South China Sea. The quote marked in bold is mildly interesting given the events of this week.
Venturing a general opinion on a broad question that did not address speculation about potential Australian surveillance missions over China’s artificial islands, Varghese said:
It’s a serious issue and it’s one that needs to be carefully managed because the potential for this to develop into a major security concern is clearly there. Australia has a longstanding position of not taking a position on the merits of competing claims in the South China Sea, of which there are many. We do however have a very strong view that these issues should be resolved peacefully, that they should be resolved in accordance with international law, and that all parties should refrain from actions which are provocative or coercive or unilateral in their implementation. We think that it’s important for competing claims to be resolved through peaceful means. We would encourage China and the Asean states to conclude a code of conduct on handling this matter in the South China Sea and we think that it’s important that basic principles of international law are consistently upheld in dealing with this matter.
11.20am AEST
I need to catch up on a couple of points we had to race past because of the cluster of events.
Walking back to the small business vote, Bill Shorten, in his speech to parliament before the procedural vote, cast his party as a more constructive opposition than the one Tony Abbott led.
The reality is Labor is actually better. We understand that all the political points to be made aside, we think that the period that Tony Abbott was opposition leader was one of the bleakest periods of this nation. We are different in opposition to Tony Abbott and his team when they were in opposition. We are cut from a different cloth. We will judge these measures on small business not by the puerile point scoring that we’ve seen over the last 22 days where the government engages in some sort of existential angst ‘will they or won’t they?’ when we’ve already said that we will.
We want to help grow the economy and we want to grow jobs. But I have to sound a note of caution about this legislation. We most certainly will vote for this package especially the increased instant asset write-off but we do so trusting that this government has done its homework in between leaking on each other on national security matters. We trust that this government has done it’s homework and we trust that the plan will be properly implemented and directed for the purpose intended.
11.15am AEST
I suspect if you’ve taken the time to read Turnbull in the last two posts then you already know what he’s saying, but if you are pretending to work so the boss doesn’t catch you reading the blog at length – let me summarise.
11.03am AEST
The communications minister adds national security is not a bravado issue.
Malcolm Turnbull:
I think what we need to do is to make sure that we get the balance right, but in terms of national security and counter-terrorism laws we have to do – and this is the government’s commitment – it is not good enough that laws simply be tough, you know, this is not a bravado issue, it’s they’ve got to be the right laws.
You’ve got to get the measure right.
11.00am AEST
The communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is in Queanbeyan. The subject of cabinet leaks has followed him there. I encourage you to read these answers in full, because it’s rather superb, particularly the final answer.
I’ll decode them in the next post.
I think the leaks from the cabinet, leaks from government, leaks from cabinet committees are very bad. They’re deplorable. The fact of the matter is you’ve got to be able to talk to your colleagues in a confidential fashion. There’s nothing lacking in transparency about that but you’ve got to – you should be able to have a confidential discussion and then when a decision is reached there should be a formal announcement. I think there’s been far too much of this over some time and I’m glad that maybe this has all been a bit of a wake-up call and I think part of the problem is that you can be misrepresented.
You’ve asked me about whether I was misrepresented on citizenship. I’m not going to comment on the reports in the press obviously but only to say that you should not assume that they – that it is either a comprehensive or an accurate or a complete account. Let me deal with this because this is a very important issue. Citizenship – issues of citizenship and national security are absolutely critical. It is hard to think of issues that are more important.
In debates like this you’re dealing with national security and the rule of law. Neither can exist without the other.
That’s an extremely good question and the answer is that the Australian government’s policy as stated by the prime minister and immigration minister and indeed I think all ministers is that we would not, we cannot, we do not render any citizen stateless.
Section 35 of the existing law says we cannot render a citizen stateless because they’ve got to be a national of another country – so that is the law. We are party to a UN convention about statelessness which obliges us not to take actions to render someone stateles. I think the answer to that is very clear.
Chris , like you I’m a great admirer of Thomas Moore but I just say this to you, that people – everyone, every Australian, every minister, every member of parliament, every journalist is committed to the national security of Australia but we’re also committed to the rule of law and what is the rule of law?
The rule of law means that the law applies to everybody. It applies to all of us, it applies to big companies, little companies, it applies to the government. You see, look, what is the essence of a democracy? Some people would say a democracy is one where the majority get to do what they want. That’s not a democracy. That’s a tyranny.
10.43am AEST
So let me confirm that – the government has just voted against voting now on the small business tax relief measure. The debate has moved into the second reading stage. Liberals are describing Bill Shorten’s tactical flip as a cheap stunt.
Which of course it was. An effective one, though.
Labor are a joke. Ending the debate on small business won't get the bills to the Senate any faster - the Senate isn't in session! #auspoI
10.30am AEST
Labor has been having fun down in the chamber this morning. The House is considering the government’s small business tax break from the budget. This is the measure the prime minister has been saying all week needs to pass right now. This is why we couldn’t do same-sex marriage this week – because the tax relief was super urgent.
The Labor leader Bill Shorten made his second speech supporting the measure. Then he moved that the vote be put immediately.
10.09am AEST
Over in the foreign affairs committee, Labor’s Senate leader Penny Wong is on the Brady case. There were reports that Australia’s ambassador to France, Stephen Brady, offered to quit his post after he was told that his same-sex partner could not greet the prime minister, Tony Abbott, at a Paris airport. Ambassador Brady’s partner was asked to wait in the car.
The minister at the table, the attorney general, George Brandis, says the incident on 25 April was an entirely routine arrival. The secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Peter Varghese, says ambassador Brady did not offer his resignation. But he declined to answer a follow up question about whether resignation was canvassed in subsequent discussions.
I never consider Mr Brady a dummy spitter.
Longstanding and accepted practice has been for spouses/partners to form part of an official greeting line at the airport on arrival into a country when the prime minister is accompanied by his/her spouse. These arrangements are consistent with how incoming heads of state and heads of government are greeted in Australia.
9.46am AEST
Back in estimates, Greg Medcraft, the coprorate regulator, is being asked about the housing bubble that the treasury boss, John Fraser, identified on Monday. The housing bubble has become something of a political football over the past 24 hours. When the Labor leader Bill Shorten asked about it in question time yesterday, the prime minister accused him of wanting to bring down the value of people’s houses.
Greg Medcraft is keeping it simple.
The message to everyone is quite simple.
Be careful. Interest rates will not stay where they are. It’s also a message to lenders.
9.42am AEST
The Australian Financial Review’s cartooning genius David Rowe shared his take this morning on cabinet’s come-to-Jesus moment. Now I’m sharing it with you, thanks to the always delightful Jane Cattermole.
COME TO JESUS Brilliant @roweafr pic.twitter.com/dDaUiKAD2u
9.29am AEST
Estimates hearings are rolling on this morning. Greg Medcraft from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission is telling the economics committee he wants more civil penalties to drive substantial cultural change in the corporate sector.
The deputy chair of the economics committee, Labor’s Sam Dastyari, wants to make sure we haven’t missed this development.
Greg Medcraft, chairman of ASIC is dropping a bombshell in estimates calling for a complete change of culture and new laws.
Not a bombshell, just a nudge.
9.11am AEST
Another good story in the Australian Financial Review. David Murray, the chairman of the financial system inquiry, has warned the government risks making Australia’s $2 trillion superannuation system more vulnerable by refusing to reform the regime.
David Murray:
If the system is left as it is, it means that people who have money in the system [will continue] to understand so little about how it works generally and how it benefits them. If people are disengaged, politics becomes easier to play. Disengagement drives politicisation of the system and people will start to question why we have it.
9.03am AEST
My delightful neighbour, Andrew Probyn from the West Australian, appears to be in possession of another cabinet leak. Open skies. Out the back door. Over to Andrew.
Another split in federal cabinet has opened just a day after Tony Abbott threatened to sack leakers in a ministerial face-off the prime minister described as a “come-to-Jesus moment”. The West Australian understands that trade minister Andrew Robb is furious that his proposal to open up northern Australia to international airlines was dumped by cabinet colleagues yesterday in his absence. It is understood Mr Robb, who is having a back problem fixed, believes his proposal has been misrepresented inside the government and fell victim to vested interests in the airline industry. Treasurer Joe Hockey formerly supported Mr Robb’s proposal to allow foreign carriers to fly to airports north of the Tropic of Capricorn but has backflipped.
8.51am AEST
Ice, ice, baby. Gorgeous picture from Mike Bowers.
8.37am AEST
To Labor now, and episode one of The Killing Season, which kicks off next week. As I said first up, episode one is a slowish boil (I mean this as a compliment, the opening sets up the bedrock for the drama that will inevitably follow. The recap reminded me of various things I’d almost forgotten, which I found useful, given I do so much live work I’m in danger of turning into a goldfish.)
For folks who like their politics served with a healthy side of conflict and intrigue, fear not. There is thunder and light shows, and plenty of arch asides. An amazing number of people appear on camera, including staff, which is kind of interesting. Once political staff were rarely seen and never heard. Now they are all setting up book deals. Anyhow, sorry, I digress.
I was the convenor of our parliamentary tactics committee, as manager of opposition business. Kevin was always very anxious to, you know, strut his stuff in question time, and tactics hadn’t gone his way. I’d taken a view about something else forming the issue of the day, and after the tactics meeting broke up he quite physically stepped into my space, it was a quite bullying encounter, it was a menacing angry performance.
That is utterly false, utterly, utterly false.
8.15am AEST
I’ll complete Julie Bishop’s morning before doubling back to Labor.
As I mentioned first up, the foreign minister is in Paris at a conference discussing the threat posed by Islamic State. The Iraqi prime minister at this meeting has called for more resources to combat the threat. Bishop met the Iraqi PM bilaterally at the conference.
We haven’t been asked [but] if a request is made we will consider it.
That was not specifically requested. There’s certainly no request for combat troops on the ground.
The prime minister didn’t ask for more troops, nor did I offer them.
7.57am AEST
Good morning everyone and welcome to Wednesday morning. After a nourishing bowl of some gluten-laden goodness I’m ready to face whatever the political day brings. Bring it politics. You know we are ready.
It’s a morning of leaders and deputies. Last night I watched a preview of the first episode of the new ABC documentary, The Killing Season, which is about the last Labor government. Episode one is a relatively sober and tame and historical affair, but there’s also much foreshadowing of the poisonous relationship between Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Rudd in particular looks like a corked volcano. More of this shortly.
It was not me.
Continue reading...