And on that night, I am going to call it a wrap.
But don’t worry - the blog will be back with you on 28 July for the byelection extravaganza. And here at Guardian Parliament House HQ we’ll be bringing you all the updates, on a day-to-day basis.
But the blog will be asleep for the next month, so let me take this half-time break to say thank you to everyone who has followed along so far this year, and for being so involved. It makes the long hours and the batshit chicanery worth it.
Mike Bowers also sends his regards – make sure you stay up to date with him at @mikepbowers and @mpbowers while the blog is resting. You can follow me at @pyjamapolitics and @amyremeikis.
Massive thanks to the Guardian brains trust for dragging me bodily through this final sitting fortnight and for cleaning up after my typos and brain freezes, and for watching what’s happening when my focus is elsewhere.
Take this time to get some sunshine and enjoy politics without the theatre of parliament. We’ll be back on 28 July – and then 16 August.
But, in the meantime - take care of you.
Ax
Updated
Scott Morrison’s office has announced a new paper for consultation - on stapled structures. I haven’t read through it, but I will note it has dropped past 5pm on the last sitting day before the recess.
The Turnbull government is continuing to protect the integrity of Australia’s corporate tax system to ensure foreign investors pay their fair share of tax, with the closure of a former Labor government loophole that gave foreign investors a discounted tax rate that cannot be accessed by Australian investors.
In March, I announced a package of measures to reform the tax treatment of stapled structures and similar arrangements. The package ensures trading income for foreign investors is taxed at the corporate tax rate, and limits access to broader concessions for passive income utilised by foreign governments and foreign pension funds.
Today I am releasing a paper for public consultation outlining the conditions stapled entities must comply with to access the proposed infrastructure concession and transitional arrangements.
These conditions were flagged in the Government’s announcement earlier this year addressing the tax integrity risks posed by stapled structures, and provides a further safeguard against aggressive cross‑staple pricing arrangements during these transition and concession periods.
The conditions include:
• The extension of existing integrity rules that apply to Managed Investment Trusts (MITs) to ensure that all staples are required to set their rent at market prices; and
• The introduction of statutory caps on the amount of cross-staple rent that is able to access the concessional rate of withholding tax (available under the MIT regime) for new and existing infrastructure projects during the transition or concession period.
Treasury is currently preparing exposure draft legislation on the proposed rules outlined in the paper.
The proposal paper is available on the Treasury website. The Government encourages all interested parties to make a submission, with draft legislation will be released shortly. Submissions close on 12 July 2018.
Updated
Just had a chance to look at this today.
— Gareth Hutchens (@grhutchens) June 28, 2018
Sexual assault reports increased by 8% in Australia last year, the highest number in eight years, according to the ABS. There were almost 25,000 reports to police.
More than four in five victims were women (82% or 20,556)#auspol pic.twitter.com/WIDWIOOjWA
Andrew Giles addressed the chamber on something we don’t hear about enough – loneliness. The government announced funding in the budget to address it for the elderly, which is exceptionally important, but as Giles points out, it’s something that can impact anyone:
Tonight I want to talk about loneliness.
And propose that we talk more about it in this place, that we work to better understand its consequences – and that we do better to prevent it, as individuals and collectively.
I’m in politics to help build a just society. This requires social inclusion, as well as economic opportunity.
This is a challenge which, ultimately, rests on relationships. Economic relationships, of course, relationships of power, all the ways in which we relate and connect to one another.
How they work.
What happens when they don’t.
Research shows that loneliness is a growing concern in Australia, and for Australia. A survey by Lifeline in 2016 found that over 80% of respondents thought the feeling of loneliness was increasing in Australia, and two-thirds said that they often feel lonely.
Relationships Australia has also found in a 2017 survey that 34% of respondents said they often felt isolated, and 43% said they felt lonely some of the time.
When the Australian Survey of Social Attitudes took a look at the issue in 2007, the last
major research on this question in Australia, they found that loneliness was a serious problem for people of all ages. This survey pointed to an alarming incidence of loneliness amongst younger Australians, and raised the question of the impact of social media on this.
It’s time this research was updated, not least as it appears technology is driving a trend away from face-to-face interaction and engagement.
Loneliness is a major public health issue. Dr Michelle Lim of Swinburne University noted the relationship between the emotional and psychological effects of loneliness, and the physiological effects, such as a negative impact on brain processes, regulation of stress, and the severity of mental health symptoms. She says, strikingly, it can be as bad for us as smoking or obesity.
Loneliness can be a killer: a Stanford University study found that older people who are socially isolated experience poorer health, and have a risk of death that is 31% higher than those who are not isolated.
But its impacts are less appreciated than they should be. Another leading academic in this growing field of research is Professor Alex Haslam from the University of Queensland.
In February, together with a number of other academics, Professor Haslam published research in the journal Social Science and Medicine that found that while the majority of people were well aware of established health risks such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption, there were few who saw social factors, particularly loneliness, as of the same level of importance.
In a recent address, broadcast by the ABC, he highlighted the extraordinary positive impact on wellbeing of involvement in social networks. In the town of Frome in the UK, a project launched by a local GP found that by providing support from community groups and volunteers the lives of socially isolated people with health problems were significantly improved – over a three year period emergency hospital admissions in Frome fell by 17%.
All of this demonstrates that loneliness cannot simply be tackled through a single type of response – we need to also build up a conversation in our communities about the importance of being socially connected, and the negative impacts of being isolated.
There are profound questions we need to address – about how we relate to one another, and how we sustain communities. This is affected by increasing inequality – as gaps in life experiences increase, so does the scale of this challenge.
This has been recognised by many of my Labor colleagues: the Member for Franklin, the Member for Fenner, Senator Louise Pratt and the Member for Moreton in particular.
They have all contributed to fighting loneliness in the communities they represent and across our society.
As have many in civil society, in particular the Australian Coalition to End Loneliness.
I think I can say they share my view that there’s more to be done.
I take heart, and inspiration, from the work of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness. In 2017 the Commission published the report ‘Combatting loneliness one conversation at a time’, challenging the May Government to “step forward and lead a renewed push to tackle loneliness”.
It did, including through a ministerial appointment; supporting community groups; developing a strategy on loneliness that will bring together governments and service providers, research on the impact of various initiatives to tackle loneliness, and establishing indicators for loneliness so that there is a consistent measure.
Along with the member for Berowra I have moved a private member’s motion, calling on a national response from the Australian government. This has to be a bipartisan concern, and I am pleased that I might have the chance to work with the member for Berowra and colleagues from different political traditions on this issue.
A good society lets no-one slip through its cracks. As individuals we can and we should all reach out to those around us, but as a country we must making ending loneliness a national priority for our national government.
Updated
The Senate is still whipping through the bills there is agreement on, which means that all the bills they don’t agree on – including the higher-ed one – are being pushed back until after the parliament resumes in August.
When I say agreement, I mean the government and Labor.
Updated
From Mike Bowers to you:
The hook on the government benches have started an “I sit with Fletch” campaign in support of their frontbench colleague Paul Fletcher during question time. Photograph: Mike Bowers for the Guardian
Anthony Albanese talks to minister for energy and the environment Josh Frydenberg behind the speaker’s chair during question time. Photograph: Mike Bowers for the Guardian
Updated
Christian Porter’s office has released this statement on what Andrew Wilkie was talking about earlier today:
I can confirm a former staff member of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and a Mr Bernard Collaery have been summoned to appear in connection with offences under section 11.5 of the Criminal Code and section 39 of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 (the IS Act).
The former staff member will be charged with an offence of conspiracy to communicate ASIS information, contrary to section 11.5 of the Criminal Code and section 39 of the IS Act.
Mr Collaery will be charged with an offence of conspiracy to communicate ASIS information, contrary to section 11.5 of the Criminal Code and section 39 of the IS Act, and with further offences of communicating ASIS information contrary to section 39 of the IS Act.
Procedurally, the IS Act provides that a prosecution under section 39 may be instituted only by, or with the consent of, the Attorney-General or a person acting under the Attorney-General’s direction.
In this matter the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) considered the brief of evidence and subsequently made an independent decision that a prosecution was the appropriate course of action having due regard to the matters requiring consideration under the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth.
Accordingly the Director sought my consent to that decision to prosecute, which consent I provided.
There are also two matters that are very important to note.
First, the former staff member’s identity continues to be protected by section 41 of the Intelligence Services Act 2001; as such, it would be an offence to identify the former staff member.
Second, having formally confirmed the process regarding these matters - I can also confirm that I will not be providing detailed comment on their substance and that is because the matters are now before the Court.
I would also encourage any member with an interest in this case to be conscious of the fact that the priority must be to allow judicial processes to be conducted without commentary which could impact on the fairness and regularity of those proceedings.
The ‘if’ in this Chris Bowen answer to Alan Jones this morning has got a bit of attention:
Well let’s be clear. Bill said if we end up with a $10 million threshold, and he said we are still working through the threshold between $2 and $10 million, that if we end up with a $10 million threshold then we would repeal. That’s obviously the approach that we generally take.
Just for your listeners’ interests Alan, all businesses between zero and $2m in turnover, and that’s 811,000 companies Alan. They will receive a tax cut regardless of who wins the election. That’s 91% of all companies in Australia. Now we have made no secret of the fact that we are against the big business tax cut.
You and I have talked before about debt being greater than half a trillion dollars, for example, and tough decisions being necessary. Now we do recognise, and I’ve said repeatedly, that we have to acknowledge what’s been legislated. Now what’s been legislated is not 25%, importantly, it is 27 and a half per cent for those businesses of various thresholds.
I have not had this confirmed, but my take is the ‘if’ is in relation to the shadow cabinet not yet having made a decision on what to do with the company tax cuts between $2m and $10m. So we don’t know right now if $10m is the threshold.
We should know tomorrow, after shadow cabinet meets.
Updated
Malcolm Turnbull does call time, and the chamber pretends to groan.
Much in the same way I am always *so sad* when dentist appointments are over.
Updated
Sarah Hanson-Young accuses David Leyonhjelm of making 'sexist slur'
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has stood up in the Senate to accuse senator David Leyonhjelm of making a “sexist slur”.
She said during a motion on violence against women Leyonhjelm yelled across the chamber that she should “stop shagging men”, and confirmed it when she later confronted him.
“Shocked, I told him he was a creep. He told me to f... off,” she said. Hanson-Young said she is disappointed Leyonhjelm has refused to apologise.
Updated
Tanya Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull:
“On Sunday, 700,000 workers will get a pay cut. Does the prime minister support the cut to penalty rates?”
Turnbull:
“On Sunday, there will be thousands of workers in the hospitality sector and in fast food sector who will not get penalty rates at all because unions have traded them away. Unions have traded them away.
“Oh, yes! The big unions. The big unions that pay their bills, just like the workers at Clean Event had their penalty rates traded away. The SDA and others trading away the penalty rates of their workers. The reality is this: Labor is utterly hypocritical on the matter of penalty rates. For years and years, for over a century, Labor has said that it stands for the independent umpire, for the conciliation and arbitration, for fair work, laws that were passed.
“When the leader of the opposition was responsible for them and after hearings which all the submissions were heard, they didn’t like the outcome, so they wanted to disown it. But when it came to the crunch, when there was an employer prepared to pay some money to the union, oh, yes – the deputy leader shakes her head. She’s so sad to hear the truth. The fact is big unions have been taking money from big business to trade away workers’ penalty rates and the only thing the Labor party hates about that is getting caught.”
Christian Porter is updating the House on the changes to the “call in” powers for the ADF on domestic terrorist threats.
I think as soon as he sits, Malcolm Turnbull will call time. And then we get a six-week reprieve. *confetti emoji*
Updated
Sarah Henderson accuses Robert Mitchell of making an unparliamentary remark.
He denies it.
We move on.
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull:
“The PM’s made a choice to support pay cuts for nearly 700,000 workers and give tax cuts to multinationals. He’s made a choice to take $17bn from schools and give it straight to the banks. He’s made a choice to cut funding for public hospitals and he’s giving a handout to private health insurers. Why when he’s given the choice does this PM always choose the top end of town?”
Turnbull:
“When the leader of the opposition was targeting the top end of town, whether he was in Burney, and going after a skateboard business, he’s going after Penguin Composites, just like his candidate down there, when Penguin Composites is another one of those hard-working Tasmanian family-owned businesses that are going to be slugged by the Labor party if they get hold of the reins of government.
“And we saw picture on his flyer for his business lunch in Devonport. That will be great. You can imagine the applause. Imagine the applause that he’ll be getting there from all those people.
“I wonder whether anyone from BridgePro Engineering will come up to Devonport. He says he will let me know. That was a business started in 2010. Structural engineer, trained at the University of Tasmania. He’s got $16m turnover. He started with two staff. It’s now got 60. It builds bridges, jetties, general construction. That’s the type of family-owned business the leader of the opposition is going about. He likes to hang out with people in hard hats and high vis but he’s threatening their jobs in Tasmania and all around Australia.”
Shorten stands with the flyer for his lunch event:
“It’s the invitation to the Devonport chamber of commerce [event] next Wednesday. People are welcome. It will be a very good event.”
He is given leave by the government to table it.
“Winner,” he says.
Updated
Justine Elliott to Malcolm Turnbull:
Is the PM aware the Australian reports today the Nationals have drawn up a set of demands for the PM, headlined by the creation of a fund of up to $5bn that would deliver government money for new base load generators. Has the PM to use taxpayers’ money to fund new or existing coal-fired power and is this part of cutting a deal with One Nation to give an $80bn handout to big business?”
Josh Frydenberg gets the nod:
“Under the national energy guarantee power prices will fall. That is why businesses and their representatives, representing more than five million workers, were in the parliament this week, to confirm the national energy guarantee is in the national interests, Mr Speaker. And it will mean lower household prices by an extra 23%.”
He goes on, and somehow we end up at Mark Butler serving as Albo’s campaign manager and Tony Smith calls it “fascinating, but irrelevant” and we go to John McVeigh with a dixer.
Updated
Greg Hunt is now not yelling a dixer answer.
Updated
Mark Butler to Malcolm Turnbull:
My question is to the PM. Yesterday every government senator, including the finance minister and the minister for resources, teamed up with One Nation to vote to call on the government to facilitate the building of new coal-fired power stations and retrofit existing power stations. Can the PM advise how much taxpayers’ money will be allocated to build new coal-fired power stations or retrofit existing ones?”
Turnbull:
“The government’s policy is technology agnostic and facilitates investment in all forms of generation. Our focus is on reducing energy prices. That is what our policy is directed at. And we are starting on 1 July, with reductions in most states in the national electricity market. And that means from this weekend, a local takeaway shop in Queensland with Origin or Energy Australia could save between $400 and $766 a year. A hairdresser in Queensland could save $243. A winery in South Australia with Origin could save between $370 and $840.
“Now these gains can be locked in by the national energy guarantee. It provides a technology neutral framework to encourage investment in all forms of generation and energy infrastructure. Investment certainty is what is required. Now I know the honourable member for Port Adelaide, whose seat has been abolished, believes – and we sympathise with him there – but I know he believes he knows more about the energy market and energy economics than every player in the market.
“He reckons he’s got it all worked out. That’s good because if he’s not returned to parliament he will have a brilliant career. He’ll be able to be the chief executive of one big energy company after another. But for our part, we see government’s job as ensuring that there is the investment certainty that encourages people to invest in generation, invest in transmission, invest in storage so that you get lower energy prices. And we are already delivering on that.
“We are turning the corner on energy prices across the national electricity market. They are coming down from 1 July, and wholesale customers have been receiving the benefit of much lower wholesale prices and lower gas prices for some time. Our plan is working. We are bringing energy prices down. And the problem for the honourable member and his leader, while they’re going around the countryside over the winter, telling people they’re going to put up their taxes, they’ll also be telling them how they’re going to jack up their energy bills as well.”
Updated
Clare O’Neal to Malcolm Turnbull:
“Yesterday the royal commission heard about ANZ’s treatment of the Handley family whose farm struggled with drought and fires. ANZ reneged on an agreed overdraft and when Elizabeth Handley received adverse biopsy results, ANZ refused to reschedule their mediation. Why is the PM awarding the big banks with a $17bn handout?”
Turnbull:
“The testimony that was given in the royal commission revealed unconscionable conduct. And the ANZ bank has been rightly held to account. I’m disappointed that the honourable member wants to call that to an argument about company tax. The reality is this: that we are determined to ensure that the wrong that has been done will not be repeated and that those in the financial services sector who have done the wrong thing will be held to account.
“And the government has been demonstrating its determination to do that, as you’ve seen from one case after another. I’d refer for one good example, one very substantial one, the $700m fine that the Commonwealth Bank has recently paid following Austrac’s work. So we are determined to ensure that those wrongs will not be repeated and that those who have done the wrong thing will be held to account.”
Updated
What’s that sound?
It’s Peter Dutton time!
People smuggling is bad
Labor is bad
Unions are bad
Emma Husar to Malcolm Turnbull:
Will the PM tell 67-year-old Jacqueline from my electorate why she’s been forced to wait five months for her pension application to be processed? Why is this PM doing everything he can to support an $80bn tax handout, while making older Australians like Jacqueline wait so long?”
Turnbull:
I thank the member for her question. If Jacqueline has been waiting that long to get an application processed, then I’d ask her to give me the details of her constituent and we’ll make sure that her application is processed in due time.”
Updated
We get very serious Christopher Pyne for today’s dixer, which is one of the most boring Christopher Pynes.
Tanya Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull:
Retail hospitality, fast food and pharmacy workers will have their penalty rates cut again this Sunday. Why does this PM support cutting the penalty rates of over 11,000 working Australians in Longman by up to $77 a week, while he’s giving an $80bn handout to big business and the top end of town? Is the PM telling these hard-working Australians who are having their penalty rates cut again this Sunday to get a better job?”
Turnbull:
“We know that the honourable member is baffled by geography. And mystified by aspiration. And she’s also way off target with her class war. This is a deputy leader of the opposition who describes businesses with turnovers of above $2m as being at the very high end. We absolutely won’t support tax cuts at the very high end, she said, when asked about the captain’s call policy which he has studiously avoided any association with.
“What she has done in her claim to be concerned about the biggest companies in Australia is threatening the viability of millions of small companies and hundreds of thousands of family-owned businesses, of the type we have been discussing here today: Stubbs Construction, aussieBum, businesses with up to 200 employees. This is where 4.8 million Australians work.
“They work in the businesses whose viability is threatened by the Labor party. And they can go on with their class war as long as they like. But these businesses, these family-owned businesses and their employees, know that Labor is coming after them. And it will be very interesting to see, as they go to their business lunches and go around visiting businesses, every business knows that Labor is a threat, it’s a threat to the business, it’s a threat to the employees, and it’s a threat to every one of those 4.8 million jobs ...
“The business sector that employs 90% ofAustralians. Labor is declaring war on the businesses that employ 90% of Australians. They have abandoned the workers. They are a threat to the economy. They’re a threat to growth. They’re a threat to jobs. And they’re a threat to wages.”
Updated
Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull:
Yesterday the PM visited Universal Trusses and spoke about the company in question time. Given the company is owned by the president of the Canberra Liberal party, is the PM ... also planning to visit similarly independent businesses like MB Turnbull, Turnbull and Partners Holdings?”
Turnbull:
“I thank the honourable member for his question. Mr Speaker, it says a lot about the character of the Labor party that they are attacking a family business, a longstanding Canberra business, and they’re attacking it because one of their directors is a member of the Liberal party.
“Maybe they all are. Maybe they all are. What’s wrong with that? It’s not an offence to be part of a political party. You know what? Here’s the thing, we believe in free enterprise, we believe in business, we believe in family business, and we believe in jobs. And Universal Trusses is a great example of a hard-working Australian business that is going to be hit by the Labor party with higher taxes were they to get into government.
“They will be in exactly the same position as so many Australian businesses recently visited by the leader of the opposition – Mill Tech, a steel manufacturer. Their revenue is such that they will be getting the benefit of the tax relief this coming financial year. Or Victoria Wool Processes, or the Northern Oil Refinery, or Jayco Industries, that the treasurer was talking about in Fremantle.
“The reality is there are hundreds of thousands of businesses across Australia that under Labor’s new captain’s call assault on family business will have their viability threatened by Labor wanting to put up their tax. It’s an extraordinary time to imagine here in the most competitive global environment you could imagine, at a time when we want businesses to have a go, to invest, to employ, to be like aussieBum and to export and take on the whole world with their product, to be ambitious, to invest and grow.
“We want them to do all those things. What is the message the Labor party has for them? We’re going to increase your tax. That is Labor’s message. Higher taxes, less investment, lower productivity, fewer jobs and lower wages. That is what the leader of the opposition will be traipsing around the countryside delivering, going from one business luncheon to another, walking in, walking in to applause no doubt from all those people, delighted, delighted he so hopes to be enjoying what the deputy leader describes as the privilege of paying higher and higher tax.
“Well, we know that Australians want to keep more of the money they earn. Australian businesses want to invest the money that they make in their business and that’s what they’re doing and that’s why we have record jobs growth and the greatest threat to that jobs growth is sitting opposite me today.”
Updated
Kelly O’Dwyer just tried to slip in a “disposa-Bill” into her answer.
Is there something about holding an economics portfolio which compels you to make bad puns?
Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull:
Will the government reveal the details of its secret deal with One Nation before the 28 July byelections or after them?
Turnbull:
“Talking about personal discussions and conversations, I just noted in the shadow minister for small business’s interview with Alan Jones today. He was, he was slipping and sliding, failing to defend his leader’s captain’s call: “I’m not going to go into personal conversations that the leadership group or Bill has with us or I have with him.”
“So there it is. He says he always takes a very consultative approach. But there will be nothing more consultative than the event in Devonport on 4 July.
“It is when the leader of the opposition is having a business luncheon. And he’s going to reveal Labor’s plan for Braddon. And it’s advertised nicely. The leader of the opposition, and there’s two young men there in hard hats and high vis, and I’m just sort of wondering who they work for? Do you think they might be working for Penguin Composites?”
That sort of answer just reminds me of how I answered essay questions for exams I was not prepared for. “Oh, you have asked me about elephants? Elephants are grey. Funny thing about grey, there can be up to 50 shades of grey ... ”
Tony Burke asks for relevance and Chris Bowen adds his own point of order:
“Can I ask the PM to table the transcript of myself and Alan Jones and any of himself on Alan Jones?”
Lols all around, and the prime minister stays seated.
Updated
And on those shadow cabinet updates, Bill Shorten’s office has issued this statement:
Today I announce minor changes to Labor’s shadow ministerial team.
It’s my pleasure to welcome Madeleine King to my shadow ministry as the shadow minister for consumer affairs, shadow minister assisting for resources, and shadow minister assisting for small business.
Reflecting Labor’s strong commitment to ending the scourge of family violence, I am proud to elevate this portfolio to a shadow ministerial position, with Linda Burney becoming the shadow minister for preventing family violence.
After her terrific work leading Labor’s policy agenda on family violence prevention, I have asked Terri Butler to take on a new role as the shadow assistant minister for young Australians and youth affairs.
Chris Bowen will add small business to his portfolios. Unlike the Liberals, Labor believes small business is a portfolio that deserves cabinet-level representation. Along with Madeleine, Julie Owens will continue to assist Chris as shadow assistant minister for small business.
Clare O’Neil will join Labor’s economic team as shadow minister for financial services, in addition to her existing duties.
Jacinta Collins will take on manager of opposition business in the Senate.
Glenn Sterle will become the shadow assistant minister for road safety.
Updated
Oh great, Michael McCormack is back, this time with a dixer.
Meanwhile, those sitting on the hook of the government benches – Craig Laundy, Darren Chester, Angus Taylor and Ken Wyatt – are all wearing grey suits and just got in trouble for holding up signs, which apparently had something to do with Paul Fletcher.
Updated
Cathy McGowan, who, like all on the crossbench, actually ask questions their electorates would want answers to – unlike dixer questions, which are written by ministers for backbenchers and just prosecute the government’s press release lines for the day – asks Michael McCormack:
My question is on the $235m north-east Vic rail line project. And in February the then minister said the scope of works would be released for community consultation in about the middle of the year and it’s now the middle of the year. My community’s asking when will the scope of works be released for community consultation? Who is responsible for developing and implementing the community strategy? And will you please provide us the leadership we need to deliver on this multimillion-dollar commitment?
McCormack:
“The coming months.”
(That is the exceptionally short version)
Updated
Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull:
“Has the government reached any agreements with One Nation in the last 48 hours?”
Turnbull:
I thank the honourable member for his question and understand his curiosity, but we never discuss negotiations with the crossbench. We don’t. And we have found that the most important thing to do when negotiating with other members of parliament is to treat them with respect and that’s what we do.”
Updated
Australia hasn’t had a youth minister since 2013, when Tony Abbott scrapped it from the ministry.
Very excited to take on new responsibility for young Australians and youth affairs today.
— Terri Butler MP (@terrimbutler) June 28, 2018
The Turnbull government needs to stop waging its war on young people and start thinking long-term. #qt #auspol
Pleased my former family violence portfolio has been elevated to be a shadow ministry. Absolutely delighted that @LindaBurneyMP will be the shadow minister responsible. She will be a great champion for victims and survivors.#endVAW #qt #auspol
— Terri Butler MP (@terrimbutler) June 28, 2018
Updated
Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull:
“Has the government reached any agreements with One Nation in the last 48 hours?”
Turnbull:
I thank the honourable member and I congratulate him on his recent appointment as the shadow minister for small business.
Of course, there are many ways to create a small business. Most people start off with no business at all and build it up. Others, and I think the shadow minister would fall into this category, would start with a large business and turn it into a small one. That’s exactly what he will do to Australia’s economy. It’s exactly what he will do with Australia’s economy and Australia’s businesses.”
Tony Burke asks for the relevance, but the prime minister has decided he is done with that question.
Shorter version: #theprimeministerdidnotanswerthequestion
We move on to Scott Morrison’s first lesson in how to coordinate your loud noises with pointy fingers. #deathtodixers
Updated
Let’s head to the Senate while Malcolm Turnbull makes his way through this first dixer:
At his presser Mathias Cormann asked voters to send a message on company tax cuts to Labor in Longman and Braddon, in Senate #qt he has added "and Mayo". Oh yes, that one. #auspol
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) June 28, 2018
It is the last question time for six weeks!
Before we start, Bill Shorten announces the changes to his frontbench:
“I present a revised list of the shadow ministry. The member for Brand will join the shadow ministry as shadow minister for consumer affairs. The member for Barton will add shadow minister for preventing family violence to her existing role. The member for Griffith will take on a new role. The member for McMahon [Chris Bowen] will add shadow minister for small business to his existing responsibilities as shadow treasurer.
The member for Hotham will join Labor’s economic team as shadow minister for financial services in addition to her existing role.
Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull:
Why did the PM abandon his vote on his centrepiece $80bn handout to big business today? Is this just another failure of this PM? Or has the PM struck a secret deal with the One Nation party to delay the vote giving $80bn to big business until after the upcoming byelections?”
Turnbull:
I thank the honourable member for his question. Speaking about secrets, Mr Speaker, the honourable member kept his slashing assault on small business a secret from his shadow cabinet from his caucus, from his mystified colleagues, including the deputy leader. Kept a secret from them until he dropped that bombshell and announced he was going to put at risk five million jobs – 4.8m, to be precise, Australians work for businesses with a turnover of under $50m.
And those jobs are put at risk by this leader of the opposition, in this captain’s call, this relentless assault on small and family business.
The parliament will be breaking for six weeks or so and everyone will be out campaigning hard no doubt. It will be very interesting for the leader of the opposition. Where will he go?
He will be visiting small business perhaps. A high vis opportunity. Oh, yes, he could be going to Stubbs Constructions. He could be seeing Penguin Composites. And doing that with the candidate in Braddon, the candidate in Braddon announced on her Facebook page how they were backing Penguin Composites.
That company was denouncing the savage assault on their business by the Labor party. Where is he going to go? He can’t go to any family business, any small and medium business. No more high vis. He could have a cup of tea with some seniors and talk about the 28% of their income he’s taking away. He can talk to some workers in the construction sector and talk about his assault on the property industry. Or he could talk to some of the members of what he describes as the top end of town, people on average weekly earnings – $80,000, $90,000 – and explain how he is going to deny them, if he gets into government, the opportunity of a lower tax rate.
Right around the country Australians will know that the leader of the opposition and the Labor party stand for higher taxes. They stand for higher taxes on business, large and small. They stand for higher taxes on families. Higher taxes on property and investment and on retirees. That means the Labor party stands for less economic growth, fewer jobs and lower wages.
I look forward to the leader of the opposition’s tip-toeing through all the landmines he’s created around Australia.
Updated
The Senate has supported Sarah Hanson-Young’s motion to condemn the government for “hiding from the South Australian Murray Darling basin royal commission”:
Our river is on life support and our government is in witness protection,” Greens Murray Darling basin [spokeswoman] Hanson-Young said.
The Senate has sent a clear message to this government: this isn’t good enough. Give the people of South Australia the respect they deserve and stop hiding. Show up and tell the truth.
The South Australian royal commission has this week heard allegations from a former CSIRO scientist the MDBA actively suppressed the CSIRO’s evidence that the basin plan target of 2,750GL would fail to secure the future of the river.
This royal commission has brought to light allegations of the MDBA suppressing research, doctoring reports, and ignoring its legal obligation to the ‘best available science’.
The Turnbull government says it’s committed to transparency. Meanwhile it’s hiding from scrutiny departmental officials, MDBA officials past and present, documents and the CSIRO.
The Turnbull government and the MDBA have questions to answer. But they’re going to the courts instead of going to the commission.
It’s cowardice. And what’s more, it’s disrespectful to the people of South Australia.”
South Australian senators from across the political spectrum vote together this afternoon-left from Centre Alliance Rex Patrick, Greens Sarah Hanson-Young, CA Stirling Griff, Australian Conservative Cory Bernardi and Independent Tim Storrer @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/FAzVPQbh9q
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) June 28, 2018
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Today has all the hallmarks of a last day at school: a mad rush in the morning, and then giant lulls.
But we still have question time in front of us, so get ready for that. Predictions below.
Updated
There was a time when backbenchers could talk to their local radio stations and we never heard hide nor hair of the chat.
Then social media was invented.
Gai Brodtmann spoke to Radio 2CC, her local Canberra station, this morning where the host, Tim Shaw, of course asked her if she supported the company tax cut policy Bill Shorten announced earlier in the week.
Which you would think would be the obvious question, after Ross Hart’s interview with LA FM yesterday, where he took 13 times to say whether or not he supported both his leader and the policy.
Apparently not.
Canberra MP Gai Brodtmann didn't say if she agrees with Bill Shorten's rollback of small business tax cuts on @2CC with Tim Shaw this morning #auspol pic.twitter.com/AmSMTQkdal
— Tom McIlroy (@TomMcIlroy) June 28, 2018
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Whoever put this tweet together had to have had a small smile as they did it:
Great to meet w. @BirdlifeOz at @Aust_Parliament yesterday. Birdlife Australia has been working for the conservation of our native birds & their habitats since 1901, incl. on Christmas Island where our recent EPBC Act decision protects birds such as the endangered Abbott's Booby. pic.twitter.com/mwkbchRb78
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) June 27, 2018
The Senate just passed my motion calling on the govt to extend the #BanksRC #Greens pic.twitter.com/kbYLWqd70e
— Peter Whish-Wilson (@SenatorSurfer) June 28, 2018
Fraser Anning's motion calling on the government to allow the import of pepper spray, mace & tasers so women can protect themselves has been voted down by Senate 46 to 5.
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) June 28, 2018
IN FAVOR:
Fraser Anning
David Leyonhjelm
Peter Georgiou
Brian Burston
Cory Bernardi pic.twitter.com/CIC1NtoR01
AGAINST:
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) June 28, 2018
Coalition (including Lucy Gichuhi, Marise Payne, Birmo, Linda Reynolds, Richard Colbeck, Steve Martin, Jane Hume, Connie FW, James McGrath, Slade Brockman, James Paterson, Jonathan Duniam, Eric Abetz, David Bushby, Amanda Stoker)
Labor
Greens
CA
Tim Storer
Derryn Hinch
Updated
The Senate is now voting on an hours motion to ensure the chamber can deal with the national security bills, as well as the housing affordability bill, internet gambling legislation and other “we agree on this” stuff.
Which means that the Senate will sit from 4.30pm until the bills are done.
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Peter Georgiou just told Sky News the government attempted to “poach” him.
He wouldn’t say who made the approach, but said he turned it down.
“I’m a One Nation senator,” he said.
'Time to bury the bodies' – former spy and Timor-Leste 'whistleblower' charged – Wilkie
Andrew Wilkie has just wrapped up his speech.
For those who need a reminder, Australia and Indonesia signed the Timor Gap treaty in 1989 while Timor-Leste was under Indonesian occupation, leaving it with no maritime border.
What that meant was Australia was able to claim the oil and gas in what became the Timor Gap. Timor-Leste gained its independence in 2002, but still had no permanent maritime border.
Negotiations began as to where the border should sit in 2004. That same year, a former Australian spy, who was known as Witness K, gave testimony at the Hague about an Australian intelligence operation to bug Timor-Leste’s cabinet rooms during those negotiations. Two years later, a $40bn treaty was signed between Australia and Timor-Leste, but no permanent border was set, with the ruling the revenue would be split.
The spying allegations became public in 2013. Timor-Leste dropped the spying case last year, and earlier this year a permanent maritime border was set and agreed between Australia and Timor-Leste and a new treaty over the gas and oil profits was agreed to.
So, fast forward to the federation chamber and Wilkie.
The whistleblower in the spying case had his passport seized. And despite numerous attempts he is yet to get it back. Now, Wilkie says, he and his lawyer are being prosecuted:
“This is obviously an insane development in its own right, but an insane development made all the more curious by Australia’s recent commitment to a new treaty with East Timor.
“It seems that with the diplomacy out of the way, it is time to bury the bodies.
“The bottom line is that spying on East Timor was indeed illegal and unscrupulous. Although it was the Howard government’s initiative, the crime has subsequently been covered up by all governments ever since and now this government wants to turn the former ASIS officer and his lawyer into political prisoners.
“But that is what happens in a pre-police state. Where instead of a royal commission, they lock up people who more likely deserve the Order of Australia.”
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I’ve just been pointed to this exchange from last night - which is missing from the Senate Hansard, but is on the recording.
With 30 seconds to go until the adjournment, David Leyonhjelm, who was in the chair, decided instead of calling the next speaker (who would barely have time to get out of their chair before the deadline), he could entertain the chamber.
Penny Wong was on board, it seems, from this banter:
Leyonhjelm: It’s 30 seconds from 7:20, I think under the circumstances asking Senator Storer to commence his speech might be a bit unreasonable. So I might just sit here and sing to you.
From the benches: Do you take requests?
From the benches: It should be “I did it my way” by the sound of it.
Wong: No, “The Internationale”. You’d know that
Leyonhjelm: I’d never admit to it.
#TBT 25 Years: haven’t aged a day! #auspol pic.twitter.com/DFldLq4fC8
— Christopher Pyne (@cpyne) June 27, 2018
Andrew Wilkie will be making a speech in the federation chamber at 11.30 on “the shameful decision by the federal government to prosecute the intelligence officer who blew the whistle on the operation to bug Timor-Leste’s cabinet rooms in 2004, and his legal counsel, Mr Bernard Collaery.”
Stay tuned for that.
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And, not surprisingly, the Institute of Public Affairs has the opposite view. From its statement:
“Bill Shorten this week announced he would reverse legislated company tax cuts for businesses between $10m and $50m turnover.
“The data finds that 1.57 million workers are employed in businesses [with] between $10m-$50m turnover. In addition, 3.68 million workers are employed in businesses with over $50m turnover who would miss out because of Labor’s rejection of the enterprise tax plan number two.
“IPA research fellow Matthew Lesh said, ‘Bill Shorten’s corporate tax thought bubble will leave 5.25 million Australian workers worse off. Almost half of all Australians workers are employed by businesses with over $10m turnover.
“ ‘Australia already has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. The United States’ corporate tax rate is now 21%, Britain is at 19%, and, in our region, Singapore’s rate is 17%, and Hong Kong is 16.5%. It’s no coincidence that the Australian economy is stagnating while the rest of the world is growing. Higher corporate tax means less investment, lower wages, and fewer jobs.
“ ‘Labor’s plan would punish companies for becoming successful, selling more products and services, and employing more Australians.
“ ‘The IPA released research earlier this week which found that the top 0.33% of all companies paid 63% of all net company tax over the period 2011-16, proving false the Labor claim that big business does not pay its ‘fair’ share of corporate tax.
“ ‘It’s time for the Senate to pass the full enterprise tax plan which treats all businesses fairly and equally.’ ”
Updated
The Australia Institute is happy with the company tax cut delay – and wants it to become permanent.
From the thinktank’s statement:
Company tax cuts will not lead to greater economic prosperity. In fact modelling from the Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) shows a fall in gross national income as a result of these cuts with the benefits largely flowing to foreign shareholders,” said Ben Oquist, the executive director of the institute.
The cost to revenue of company tax cuts is enormous, putting future government spending on health, education or public infrastructure at risk.
More than the politics, it is the economic case for the company tax cuts which has failed.
The Senate has held firm and all Australians have them to thank for keeping a sensible economic stance.”
Updated
After Huawei’s Australian chairman’s outing at the National Press Club on Wednesday to defend the security of the company and pitch for it to have a role in the 5G network build, it appears the government is unmoved.
John Lord said the company would refuse to hand over data on Australian users to China because complying with such an order would be “completely illegal”, but he struggled to explain the requirements of Chinese law and to account for security assessments against the company’s involvement.
At a doorstop on Thursday, the attorney general, Christian Porter, seemed unconvinced: “I watched it. It didn’t make matters much clearer for me I must say.”
The defence minister, Marise Payne, was a little more diplomatic:
”I’m not going to comment on specific businesses. But what I will say is the government’s first priority is to ensure that in any advances in our telecommunications structure we’re protecting Australia’s interest. That will be at the forefront of our consideration.”
Updated
Anyone watching the Mathias Cormann press conference may have noticed he mentioned Longman and Braddon as being a litmus test on the company tax cut package – but not Mayo.
Labor certainly noticed, judging by the messages I received.
But I think it is more that Mayo is not a Labor-Liberal contest like the other two. It is a Centre Alliance-Liberal contest, and Cormann still needs CA’s support to pass these laws, if/when One Nation comes on board.
Tim Storer has said a very firm no. Derryn Hinch wants the banks cut out, which the government has given a very firm no to. So it is down to Centre Alliance and One Nation for these to get across the line.
Updated
Mark Dreyfus spoke on the foreign interference laws this morning. Labor has given its support, so they will pass. But there is one part he says has been held up:
Today two significant laws that will curb foreign influence on our politics are expected to pass the parliament.
But the government has only finished half the job. Another part of the package – the ban on foreign donations – is still gathering dust. Why? You have to ask why.
It’s because the government apparently wants to go on raking in foreign donations into the Liberal party’s coffers, completely different to the Labor party because we’ve said 18 months ago now that we are going to stop taking foreign donations.
I’m calling on the government very directly to finish the job, to complete the package of laws that were introduced with great fanfare last December. Labor has worked constructively and hard to get the two other laws – the foreign interference and espionage law, and the foreign influence transparency scheme bill – into the parliament, passed through the House of Representatives. They will pass the Senate today. But the other part of the package is not done. The government has not finished the job. They need to get on with it.
And when parliament returns in August, we expect to see that ban on foreign donations brought back to the parliament for passage.”
Updated
We have now entered un-Australian territory. Mathias Cormann:
I said our intention was to deal with this this week. I said our intention was to secure the passage of this legislation this week. That was absolutely our intention. But we believe it is critically important to ensure that these business tax cuts, for all businesses across Australia, can be legislated because we want to protect our economic security into the future.
We want to secure our economic prosperity into the future and making sure that businesses in Australia can be competitive with businesses in other parts of the world is a very important part of that. Let me make one more point in relation to Bill Shorten.
Bill Shorten says he’s against the big end of town. Bill Shorten is helping the big end of town in just about every country overseas take investment and jobs away from Australia. Bill Shorten is locking in a competitive advantage for businesses in other parts of the world by forcing business taxes here in Australia to remain high. He is making a decision, an un-Australian decision, Bill Shorten is making an un-Australian decision to put businesses in Australia at an ongoing disadvantage with businesses in other parts of the world by locking in on an ongoing basis. That is his position, higher taxes here in Australia and he should stand condemned for that.”
Does Mathias Cormann think he’ll have better luck after the byelections?
The byelections will be a referendum on who has the better plan for a stronger economy and more jobs. Mr Shorten, who is pushing higher taxes, which lead to less investment, lower growth, higher unemployment and, hence, lower wages over time, or our plan for a stronger economy and more jobs, which will attract more investment so businesses can be more successful, hire more people and, as there is more competition for workers, drive up wages.
After the byelections, who knows? We might have a more business-friendly Labor leader. All sorts of things could be different on the other side of the byelections.
Bill Shorten is all over the place and he cannot be trusted with the Australian economy. He’s all over the place but one thing is clear: his instinct and his commitment always is to inflict higher taxes on everyone. Higher taxes on business. Higher taxes on hardworking Australians. Higher taxes on retirees. Higher taxes on home owners.
There is not a tax that Bill Shorten doesn’t like. If Bill Shorten does well in these byelections, he will see it as endorsement for his plan of higher taxes which we say would hurt the economy, hurt families and cost jobs. We say to the people in Braddon and Longman: you have the opportunity to send Bill Shorten a message. If you do not support his higher taxes, vote for the Liberal candidate in Braddon and Longman.”
Updated
Government defers company tax debate
Mathias Cormann says there is no deal. Yet.
Our economic mission as a government is to deliver stronger growth and more jobs so that families around Australia have the best possible opportunity to get ahead.
Stronger growth and more jobs leads to higher wages and it leads to more revenue for government, which helps us fund the essential services Australians rely on and expect their government to deliver on.
Our plan for a lower, globally more competitive business tax rate for all businesses across Australia is all about delivering stronger growth and more jobs so that Australian families have the best possible opportunity to get ahead.
It is all about protecting our economic security and about securing our economic prosperity into the future by making sure our businesses here in Australia can be internationally competitive. And it is clear that more and more Australians are coming on board with our plan to strengthen growth, create more jobs, by lowering our business tax rate for all businesses across Australia to 25%.
In fact, more and more One Nation voters are coming on board with that plan. However, despite our best efforts to secure majority support in the Senate for our proposed business tax cuts, we have not yet been able to secure the necessary support.
We need more time to make our argument to our colleagues on the Senate crossbench and we, of course, will continue to make our argument in the Australian community.
That is why we have decided to defer consideration of the legislation to implement our plan for a lower, globally more competitive business tax rate for all businesses here in Australia until after the break.”
Updated
Just a reminder that the government doesn’t just need One Nation for its company tax cuts. It also needs either Centre Alliance, or Derryn Hinch and Tim Storer.
Who, for the record, have not budged from their positions as yet.
Updated
Anne Ruston will launch the annual National Fish and Chips awards today, which, despite eating fish and chips (grilled, vinegar on the chips, and a pineapple fritter to finish it off don’t @me) for most of my life, I had no idea was even a thing.
As we finished up yesterday, David Smith gave his first speech to the Senate. He spoke on the need to do more to address homelessness, protect the public service, the work of the labour movement, and his mentors, friends and family before finishing with this:
I did not expect to be provided with the opportunity to serve the people of the ACT in this chamber but it is an opportunity I take seriously for there is work to be done.
The fight against rising inequality is real but, as Springsteen sang, I believe in a promised land.
I would like to leave you with the final public words of another Smith, John Smith, the former leader of the UK Labour party, a man who would have been likely to be prime minister if it were not for his untimely death:
“The opportunity to serve – that is all we ask.”
Updated
Mathias Cormann has called a press conference for 10am in the Blue Room, which is where the government goes when it has something important to say (outside of the prime minister’s courtyard, it is the most “serious” press conference space).
So, bets are on: deal on company tax or another ‘Labor needs to ....’?
Updated
The family law changes announced this morning will mean that a victim of family violence will be protected from having to face the perpetrator in court.
There is no question that directly facing a perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of family violence compounds the trauma of that violence and can also impact on the ability of a victim to give clear evidence in legal proceedings,” Christian Porter said in his statement.
“The family law amendment (family violence and cross-examination of parties) bill 2018 will prohibit direct cross‑examination in specific and serious circumstances to protect victims from re-traumatisation. This includes where there are convictions, charges or final family violence orders in place between the parties.
“Courts will also have discretion to prohibit direct cross-examination in cases where family violence is alleged and, if a court does not exercise that discretion, it will be mandatory for the court to apply other protections, such as the use of video links or screens in the court room.
“In cases where direct cross-examination is prohibited under these amendments, cross-examination must be conducted by a legal representative. Naturally parties will be able to obtain their own legal representation in these proceedings. However, parties will also have access to representation through legal aid commissions when that is not possible, and the government is working closely with national legal aid regarding implementation of the bill.
“Protection for victims of family violence in family law proceedings was identified as a key issue by the Council of Australian Governments’ national summit on reducing violence against women and their children.”
Updated
Andrew Leigh was also out early this morning on the tax cuts issue:
Nine out of 10 companies are getting the same tax cut under Labor. The majority of voters are getting a bigger personal income tax cut under Labor. And all voters will see debt paid down faster, and their schools and hospitals better funded under Labor. We hit the trifecta in terms of investing in services, delivering affordable personal income tax cuts, and paying debt down faster.”
Updated
Tanya Plibersek spoke to the media this morning after her ABC appearance.
In her ABC interview she said that the leadership team had “many discussions” about winding back the legislated company tax cuts for businesses with a turnover between $10m and $50m.
“I’ve had so many discussions with Bill, Chris Bowen and others about how we best direct tax support to Australian businesses and families. I mean, we’ve got our Australian guarantee that would allow businesses to immediately write off investments up to $20,000.
“That’s real tax relief for Australian businesses that drives extra investment in Australia. It actually creates jobs in Australia, doesn’t just flow to overseas shareholders. We’ve got bigger, more generous tax cuts for the bulk of Australians through our personal income tax proposals as well. In fact, most Australians would get almost twice as much under Labor’s tax cut proposal, so we know where we want to see tax relief directed. We want to see it for small businesses, for families on low and middle incomes. We’re not interested in giving tax cuts at the top end.”
At her doorstop after that interview, Plibersek said she didn’t believe the process stories interested anyone other than the press gallery.
“And as for the questions about who talked to who when, honestly, Canberra journalists might be interested in these process stories - what ordinary Australians are interested in is what you are for and against,” she said.
“ ... That’s what Australians care about, what their government will do to make their lives better, make their lives easier. We have announced personal income tax cuts which are almost double for people on low and medium incomes – everybody up to $125,000 a year income is better off under Labor. That is what matters to people’s lives. Having their penalty rates protected; that is what matters to people’s lives.”
Updated
Paul Karp will bring you more on this soon, but the government is making it easier to call in the troops for domestic based terrorist incidents.
Christian Porter cited “long siege situations” in announcing the new powers, which is a call back to the Lindt cafe siege. It’s the biggest change to “call-out” powers since those put in place for the Sydney Olympics.
As the laws stand, a state would have to declare a situation as being out of control before the military could be called in. Under the changes, defence forces have pre-approval to respond to requests for assistance.
Attorney-General @cporterwa: The Lindt Café siege prompted the states and territories to rethink of the existing threshold for responding to such circumstances.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 27, 2018
MORE: https://t.co/zjyBkhyYkM #amagenda pic.twitter.com/K7TfnAdrBW
Updated
Good morning and welcome to the final sitting day
... before the six-week winter recess.
The government has a bit to get through before parliament rises, with the foreign interference laws being top of the list.
No one wants to be back here tomorrow though, so I expect the chambers will get down to business.
Tax continues to be the topic du jour, with Labor urging One Nation not to blink on company tax laws. That is sitting about fourth on the Senate agenda so far, and it’s not just One Nation – the government also needs another crossbencher or so to get it across the line.
No one expects any movement on that until after the byelections though, on 28 July.
A Reachtel poll first published in the Courier-Mail shows the LNP ahead of Labor in Longman, 51 to 49. As we know from the most recent WA state byelection, where Labor was well ahead, polling individual seats is notoriously fraught. But that doesn’t mean everything that has been happening in Canberra isn’t having an impact on Longman, and Braddon. That poll also showed about 67% of One Nation voters support the company tax cuts, more so even than Liberal voters.
Labor’s leadership team is expected to meet today to sort out its position on company tax – signing off on Bill Shorten’s decision to scrap the legislated tax cuts for businesses with a turnover of between $10m and $50m while working out what to do with those with a turnover between $2m and $10m. From what I am hearing, those smaller business tax cuts look like staying in place. About 2% of Australian businesses have the higher turnover, while thousands more sit in that smaller bracket.
With caucus not being shy in reporting back what they are hearing from their electorates, the leadership is not expected to make any further changes.
Meanwhile, the attorney general, Christian Porter, has announced changes which will make it easier for state authorities to call in the military for domestic terrorist incidents, as well as addressing victims of family violence being cross-examined by their attackers in court.
So we have a lot to get through already!
Mike Bowers is already walking the hallways. You’ll find him on Instagram at @mikepbowers and twitter at @mpbowers. You can find me at @amyremeikis and giving updates which continue, outside sitting days, in the instagram story of @pyjamapolitics.
I am on coffee number two, which is already a better position than yesterday, so let’s get started!
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