Allegra Spender takes stand against Anthony Albanese tax cuts dixers
An independent MP has taken a stand against the federal government constantly spruiking its rejigged tax cuts in question time.
Independent MP Allegra Spender has called out the government for its tedious repetition in constantly spruiking the benefits of its rejigged stage 3 tax cuts.
The government’s new-look tax cuts passed the Senate late on Tuesday, prompting Anthony Albanese to launch a victory lap.
But after weeks of dixers to Mr Albanese and his cabinet about how the tax cuts will benefit numerous specific groups of Australians, the Wentworth MP took a stand.
Raising a point of order in question time as Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek lauded the benefits of the tax overhaul, Ms Spender said the government should focus on other matters.
“The point is I now know how the tax cuts are going to affect almost every constituent in this country and almost every sector of the community,” Ms Spender said.
“I think these tax cuts are important but there are many other issues facing this country at the moment and I think that they deserve to have that airing as well.
Responding to the point of order, House speaker Milton Dick ruled that Ms Plibersek could continue her answer.
Albo slams Dutton for silence
Mr Albanese has condemned Opposition Leader Peter Dutton over his refusal to call out controversial comments made by Nationals senator Matt Canavan regarding the gender pay gap.
On Tuesday, after new data was published by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency showing significant disparities in hundreds of Australian businesses, Senator Canavan decried the figures as “useless” and labelled them “an annual Andrew Tate recruitment drive”.
It revealed a median male worker in Australia earnt $96,945 on average, with women making 19 per cent less at $78,484 per year.
Speaking during question time, Mr Albanese blasted Mr Dutton, contrasting his actions with that from deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley.
“I give the deputy leader of the Liberal Party credit, because the deputy leader of the Liberal Party has distanced herself from Senator Canavan’s comments,” Mr Albanese said.
“But you know who we’ve heard crickets from? This bloke here,” the Prime Minister added, gesturing to Mr Dutton.
“The Leader of the Opposition has had nothing to say about Senator Canavan. Not a single word.”
Questions flare on electric utes
The Coalition has taken aim at the government over its proposed fuel efficiency standards, with shadow treasurer Angus Taylor asking Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen during question time about the cost of an electric ute.
The mooted standards will introduce fleet-wide pollution caps for automotive brands, sparking fears that manufacturers will hike the cost of more carbon intensive models, like utes and SUVs, to subsidise the cost of greener vehicles, and therefore reduce consumer choice.
Responding to the question, Mr Bowen pointed to the fuel savings drivers would receive under the government’s scheme.
“The member for Hume (Mr Taylor) doesn’t appear interested in the potential fuel savings of people who travel long distances in his electorate because on average they travel 18,705km a year which would save someone $1,487 in his electorate,” Mr Bowen taunted.
In a follow up question, Mr Taylor claimed that it would take 33 years for an electric ute driver to recoup the savings made without spending on fuel.
‘Charlatan’: MP’s nuclear blow-up with Twiggy
A Nationals MP has lashed a billionaire mining magnate in the latest row over Australia’s transition to renewable energy.
Sources have told Sky News that mining magnate and renewables proponent Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest had been blasted by Nationals MP Llew O’Brien ahead of a party room briefing held on Tuesday.
It came after Dr Forest accused the Nationals Party of betraying regional Australia and attacked their pro-nuclear energy stance in an address to the National Press Club.
According to reports, the meeting descended into chaos after Mr O’Brien called Dr Forrest a “f---ing charlatan” and a “f---ing snake oil salesman”.
The reports add to a list of scandals plaguing the minor party.
This week, Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce announced he would take personal leave after he was filmed in Canberra lying face up on a public footpath. This came after Nationals Deputy Leader Perin Davey denied being intoxicated during a senate estimates hearing after she was heard slurring her words.
Oink, oink
Two independents have raised eyebrows as they roamed the hallways of Parliament House dressed in inflatable pig costumes.
Bob Katter and Andrew Wilkie, doing their best impressions of a hungry pig at a trough filled with cash, did the rounds on Wednesday morning to drum up interest in their latest policy plan.
They want the government to support their plan to reduce the big supermarket giants’ “anti-competitive and predatory” market power by divesting it to 20 per cent within five years.
Not your average Wednesday morning... @RealBobKatter@WilkieMP dress up as “grocery market pigs†#auspol#CostOfLivingpic.twitter.com/QIvjjZqGxh
— Nicole Hegarty (@NicoleTHegarty) February 27, 2024
Under the proposal, a commissioner for food retailing with functions to stop price gouging would be established and information on what prices are being paid to farmers would be made public.
It would also scrap the existing food and grocery code.
The pair are set to hold a press conference later on Wednesday.
‘Nonsense’: Senator’s shocking Tate tirade
Earlier, Senator Canavan has doubled down on his controversial claims that national pay gap data was “useless”, claiming men are being overlooked for promotions because of their gender and making a weird link to controversial influencer Andrew Tate.
After bipartisan leaders knocked down his claims that the data has bred “resentment and division” on Tuesday, Senator Canavan launched into a second tirade when asked about the issue on breakfast television on Wednesday.
“This data, though, is complete nonsense. Why is of all of your taxes going to collect a series of data which doesn’t compare jobs like for like which lumps in part-time workers with full-time workers?” he told Nine’s Today.
“The big issue right now that I get feedback on is young men, in particular, are constantly told you’re not getting promoted because you’re a man. I hear that all the time.
“That’s why Andrew Tate is the most googled man in the world.”
Tate is a divisive online influencer who is most known for being a self-professed “king of toxic masculinity”.
He is facing charges of human trafficking and rape in Romania, allegations that he has denied.
When asked about Senator Canavan’s initial claims at a press conference on Tuesday, Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said she strongly disagreed with his comments.
“I reject all those comments but, again, people are entitled to express their views,” she said.
“We are working hard to demonstrate to the women who didn’t support us at the last election that we are a different party, that we have their needs and aspirations front and centre.”
Assange talks ‘under way’: PM
Mr Albanese says “considered discussions” are under way to have Julian Assange brought back to Australia.
Politicians have overwhelmingly called for the release of the incarcerated journalist and WikiLeaks founder, who is due to be extradited from a British prison to the US where he faces life in jail.
Following concerns from Mr Assange’s family that he will soon die in prison, the Prime Minister said he had been “consistent” in initiating talks with all parties involved – including Mr Assange.
“My government is a considered government that make representations on behalf of its citizens,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.
“The way that diplomacy works is with a megaphone – by having considered discussions in order to achieve an outcome.
“These are not simple issues here. There’s a legal process – of course – the (US) Department of Justice is separate, they have a separation between the judiciary and the political system.
“But we have been consistent and consulting with the people who are directly involved and talking directly with Mr Assange and his lawyers.”
‘White-hot anger’ ahead of Dunkley
Leaders are sharpening their claws ahead of Saturday’s Dunkley by-election, with Labor resisting poll data that shows a narrow lead for the Liberals in the final days of campaigning.
The latest Newspoll found Labor’s changes to stage 3 tax cuts had done little to change the tide of support for the government, with their primary vote falling to 33 per cent to the Coalition’s 36 per cent.
A Resolve poll in Nine newspapers showed similar results, with the Liberals on 37 and Labor on 34.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said by-elections often had a swing against the government but stood firm that Labor candidate Jodie Belyea would be successful.
She also paid tribute to former Labor MP Peta Murphy, who died from breast cancer last year, prompting the March 2 vote.
“She was the most incredible fighter for her community and Jodie wants to continue that legacy,” Ms O’Neil said.
“We are talking to voters about the fact that our government wants people in Dunkley to earn more and keep more of what they earn and we’re out there with a positive message, so we will see what happens on Saturday.”
Liberal senator Jane Hume claimed the mood on the ground in Dunkley was “white-hot anger”, claiming local voters were extremely frustrated over high cost of living.
“Unfortunately, the original stage 3 tax cuts have been junked by the government – they’ve certainly abandoned tax reform,” she said.
“We will have to go back to the drawing board, but we will present a tax package that has lower, simpler and fairer tax packages.
PM: Greens must be ‘accountable’ on housing threat
A political wrangle over one of Mr Albanese’s key election promises is imminent after the prime minister maintained that won’t bend to Greens demands to change property taxes.
Legislation for Labor’s Help To Buy shared housing equity scheme will be voted on in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The $329m scheme was a centrepiece of Labor’s election campaign and will require backing from the Greens to pass if it’s likely opposed by the Coalition in the Senate.
The policy aims to assist up to 40,000 low-to middle-income families to buy their first home as long as they put down a minimum deposit of 2 per cent. The government would then take a 30 per cent equity stake in existing homes and 40 per cent in new builds, under the proposal.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Greens leader Adam Bandt said he won’t be supporting the bill unless Labor winds back its tax break for property investors and said Labor needed to “wake up” on the housing crisis.
“We’re prepared to negotiate,” Mr Bandt told ABC.
“We have heard the government say they’re not going to move before and if they want our support in the Senate, they need to take the housing crisis seriously because it’s breaking people.”
When asked about the possibility of negotiating with the minor party, the prime minister asserted that he won’t make any further changes to tax concessions.
“This is about helping people into home ownership. The Liberal Party and the Greens coming together in a no-alition just saying no to everything, they will have to be accountable for that,” Mr Albanese said.
“But we’ll put our legislation, will be voted on in the House of Representatives today. Then it will go to the Senate. It will be voted on there. And it should be supported on its merit because it’s good policy.”
$250k influencer deal
Social media influencers have been plucked by Health Minister Mark Butler to help spruik the federal government’s new strict anti-vaping regime to young people.
Unveiling his new marketing blitz on Wednesday, Mr Butler said more than 18 billion posts under the hashtag #vape were being shown to impressionable kids on popular sites like TikTok every day.
He said the government would spend $63m on a “strong” anti-tobacco and vaping campaign, with about $250k dedicated towards a “first ever” government partnership with social media stars to deter young people away from vapes.
“This government views vaping as a very serious public health menace,” Mr Butler told reporters.
“School communities and parents are up in arms week after week, month after month at plans for new vape stores to be open down the road from their schools.
“Tragically, this exercise, this objective of big tobacco, is working in Australia and in countries around the world.”
Influencers were picked based on their popularity with kids aged 14 to 20 and include surfing duo Zahlia and Shyla Short, cricketer Ellyse Perry, Olympic diver Sam Fricker and YouTubers Lachlan and Jaxon Fairbairn.
Shyla said she and her sister were “excited” to be involved in the campaign.
“We’ve experienced this through family members, our community, and we want to lend a voice and be of help to raise awareness to the risks of vaping,” she said.
The government is preparing to introduce new legislation to prevent the domestic manufacture, advertising and supply of non-therapeutic vapes in Australia after an import ban came into force in January.
New product standards to limit vaping flavours targeted at children, such as blueberry and raspberry ice, and plain packaging laws will also be rolled out.
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