PoliticsNow: Labor tactics targeting Angus Taylor backfire
Labor opens door for PM to directly link Anthony Albanese with the woes of NSW branch.
- Albanese warns: change or keep losing
- Hanson gets personal
- Builders have their say
- Lambie won’t back religion bill
Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live blog on the happenings at Parliament House in Canberra.
Richard Ferguson 4.30pm: Labor tactics backfire
Labor’s attempts to target Energy Minister Angus Taylor over alleged conflicts of interests have opened the door for Scott Morrison to directly link Anthony Albanese with the woes of NSW Labor.
The Opposition spent most of question time on accusations Mr Taylor interfered with an investigation into a family company, Jamland, that faced question over the poisoning of grasslands.
Labor failed to put up a motion calling on the Prime Minister to sack Mr Taylor, but scores of its frontbenchers were silenced by Mr Morrison’s post-election parliamentary majority.
Mr Morrison used the opportunity to again skewer Labor over the litany of corruption allegations its NSW branch has faced at ICAC, and linked it back to Mr Albanese — a former assistant secretary of NSW Labor during the 1990s.
“The Liberal Party and the National Party will not be lectured by someone who used to work in the New South Wales branch of the Labor Party,” Mr Morrison says.
“He had a desk in the office, Mr Speaker, in the Sussex Street headquarters of a party that stinks with corruption, where they get money in plastic bags and count it out on the table.
“With the number of Labor Party members from the New South Wales division who used to serve in Senator Kristina Keneally’s former (NSW state) government in jail, you could establish a branch in the Silverwater Prison of the Labor Party.”
Mr Taylor continued to defend himself against allegations of improper behaviour over Jamland, with Labor raising an old radio interview where he said he was representing local farmers — including himself.
The Energy Minister went as far as accusing Labor of disrespecting farmers facing droughts in their attempts to hold him to account.
“I was representing farmers in my electorate and at a time of drought like this, you should show some respect for those representing farmers in their electorate,” Mr Taylor said.
“What I find most interesting is those opposite come into this place, lecturing us about good governance whilst the stench of corruption emanates from (the NSW Labor headquarters of) Sussex Street. What complete hypocrisy.”
Richard Ferguson 3.46pm: Speaker puts Dutton in his place
Speaker Tony Smith has slapped down Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton for talking about Labor’s position on border protection, when he was not asked about that.
Coalition MP Vince Connolly failed to ask about “alternative policies” in his border security dixer.
Mr Dutton was sat down twice for failing to answer the question properly.
Richard Ferguson 3.27pm: Labor in a series of losses
The Morrison government is flexing the muscles of its post-election majority, and is silencing a host of Labor frontbenchers who are trying to attack Energy Minister Angus Taylor.
Labor has lost a series of divisions and lost a motion calling on Scott Morrison to sack his Energy Minister.
The crossbenchers (minus Bob Katter, who is not present) have voted with the Opposition on every vote. This does not matter nearly as much as it did pre-election.
Richard Ferguson 3.06pm: PM links Albo to Sussex Street
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison if he will sack Energy Minister Angus Taylor over questions about his indirect interest in a family company.
The Prime Minister uses the opportunity to link Mr Albanese to the NSW branch of the Labor Party, which has faced a litany of corruption allegations.
“The Liberal Party and the National Party will not be lectured by someone who used to work in the New South Wales branch of the Labor Party,” Mr Morrison says.
“He had a desk in the office, Mr Speaker, in the Sussex Street headquarters of a party that stinks with corruption, where they get money in plastic bags and count it out on the table.
“With the number of Labor Party members from the New South Wales division who used to serve in Senator Kristina Keneally’s former (NSW state) government in jail, you could establish a branch.”
Mr Albanese was an assistant secretary in the NSW Labor Party in the 1990s. Senator Keneally was NSW Labor leader and premier at the height of now-jailed Labor minister Eddie Obeid’s powers.
Richard Ferguson 3.01pm: ‘Show some respect for farmers’
Energy Minister Angus Taylor accuses Labor of going after farmers “in times of drought” as he continues to be asked if he was representing his own interests in a government meeting about a company he has an indirect interest in.
“I was representing farmers in my electorate and at a time of drought like this, you should show some respect for those representing farmers in their electorate,” Mr Taylor says.
“What I find most interesting is those opposite come into this place, lecturing us about good governance whilst the stench of corruption emanates from (the NSW Labor headquarters of) Sussex Street. What complete hypocrisy.”
Richard Ferguson 2.54pm: Labor’s ‘utter hypocrisy’
Labor’s environment spokeswoman Terri Butler continues to pursue Energy Minister Angus Taylor over his interest in the company Jamland.
Ms Butler asks if he was acting in the interest of his constituents when involving himself in a government compliance matter. Then Ms Butler brings up an old quote from July, in which Mr Taylor said he was standing up for farmers, including himself.
“I have a transcript of that interview with me. And at that interview — I’ll read from the transcript. I’m quoting myself here,” Mr Taylor says.
“I make absolutely no apologies for standing up for farmers in my region. I make no apologies.’’
Mr Taylor responds by bringing up the NSW Labor Party’s latest woes in ICAC.
“Labor is accusing me and my family of the heinous crime of being farmers in my electorate,” he says.
While they turn a blind eye to the literal bags of cash being laundered through Sussex Street. What utter hypocrisy.”
Richard Ferguson 2.41pm: Taylor: I’ve declared my interest
Labor’s environment spokeswoman Terri Butler asks Energy Minister Angus Taylor why the Environment Department has contradicted an answer in which he said he declared business interests within the rules.
The Opposition has been pursuing Mr Taylor for months over his interests in a family company, Jamland, which was facing a compliance ruling.
“I’ve been clear that my indirect interest in the Delegate farm is declared to the Parliament in accordance with the rules,” Mr Taylor says.
“I declared my interest. The department already knew of the relationship and
the meeting didn’t discuss the compliance matter.”
Richard Ferguson 2.32pm: ‘A million pensioners to benefit’
Labor’s social services spokeswoman Linda Burney asks Scott Morrison why 191 pensioners are getting $800 bonuses due to deeming rates, rather than a million of them.
Josh Frydenberg responds for the Prime Minister, and says a million pensioners will still ultimately benefit from the deeming rate changes announced a few months ago in response to seniors’ concerns.
“Under these new deeming rates, affected pensioners will receive up to $40.50 extra a fortnight for couples, which is above $1000,” the Treasurer says.
“On average a couple receiving the aged pension can expect to receive $314 a year extra and a single can expect $250 extra.
“Now, Mr Speaker, the cost of these changes to the deeming rates was $600 million to the budget.
“And it will benefit around 1 million people but, as you know, there are two deeming rates. There’s a lower deeming rate and an upper deeming rate, and the member opposite should acquaint herself with the facts.”
Richard Ferguson 2.27pm: ‘Wages grow under Coalition’
Opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers has asked Josh Frydenberg to confirm the government has presided over the “worst wages growth on record.”
The Treasurer responds that the wage prices index has grown by 2.3 per cent for the year.
“The wages bill for the economy was 4.5 per cent for 2018-19. Which was above our budget forecast of 4.25 per cent,” Mr Frydenberg says.
“The member for Rankin (Dr Chalmers) should be aware that wages growth fell by 1.6 per cent under the Labor Party.
“The Labor Party would have seen wages fall, jobs lost. Whereas under the Coalition, wages continue to grow and more than 1.4 million new jobs have been created.”
Richard Ferguson 2.17pm: Do the numbers add up?
Anthony Albanese opens up question time by asking Scott Morrison why business confidence numbers have fallen if the economy is going well.
The Prime Minister notes that the business confidence numbers are still “on the positive side of the ledger.”
“They remain on the positive side of the ledger despite the very complex and difficult challenges that the Australian economy faces,” Mr Morrison tells the House.
“What we can see on this side of the House is the opportunity in the Australian economy and the way forward for the Australian economy.
“And the way you take the Australian economy forward is you don’t hold it down with higher taxes, Mr Speaker, that crush the spirit of Australians because the Labor Party still holds on to $387 billion.”
Greg Brown 2.15pm: Insurance for North Queensland in spotlight
Scott Morrison has asked Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar to “pull together” regional MPs to work through insurance problems in north Queensland.
The Prime Minister told Mr Sukkar to hold meetings with the MPs in the Coalition party room this morning after concerns were raised about cost hikes in the region of up to 500 per cent.
Mr Sukkar said he had tasked the competition watchdog to look into the issue.
The complaining MPs said market failure had contributed to Townsville being unprofitable to insure, while insurance for strata properties was too expensive.
They urged the Prime Minister to consider government support through a mutual insurance pool, while also encouraging smaller insurers into the market.
Greg Brown 12.15am: Albanese flags Labor policy changes
Anthony Albanese has warned his caucus Labor would be headed for an election drubbing if it didn’t change its policies as he starred down a push from Labor MPs to oppose the farm vandals bill.
After ALP President Wayne Swan urged the party to stick to its tax and spend economic agenda, the Opposition Leader said there needed to be changes to the party’s platform that voters rejected at the last election.
“If you do the same thing in politics you can expect the same outcome,” Mr Albanese said.
He said “vegan terrorists” were not part of Labor’s constituency, as MPs complained the party was rolling over too much on legislation, including on Scott Morrison’s personal income tax package.
Mr Albanese slapped down a claim by one MP there were industrial relations implications for the bill, while two other MPs said Labor should open up a fight on the issue.
“We are not the Liberal Party and we are not the Green party. There are two major pieces of legislation in industrial relations. Trade unions are part of our constituency, vegan terrorists are not,” Mr Albanese said, according to a party spokesman.
“There is nothing Labor against putting more money in the pockets of cleaners. We voted the right way.”
Labor will move amendments to the legislation but ultimately support the bill.
Eight MPs spoke in favour of the bill, including frontbenchers Penny Wong, Joel Fitzgibbon and Catherine King.
Senator Wong slammed suggestions Labor should be concerned about perceptions it was too quick to “capitulate” to the government on legislation.
“The argument we are capitulating on major issues is a Green tactic and we must take it on,” she said.
Rosie Lewis 11.13am: Hanson gets personal in drug fight
One Nation has endorsed the government’s plan to randomly drug test welfare recipients, with leader Pauline Hanson also questioning Jacqui Lambie’s opposition to the trial.
Ms Hanson declared sometimes you have to show “tough love” to make a change in society.
“It’s a start by the government. There’s a lot of drugs out there in our societies destroying people’s lives … (this will) give them some sort of opportunity to be able to actually clean up their act,” Senator Hanson said.
“What sort of society do we want? Are we going to allow people to go on taking the drugs with young kids out there? It’s a shame, we’ve lost lives.”
The minor party’s confirmed support for the plan gives the government two crucial votes to legislate the bill, which will be introduced to the House of Representatives tomorrow. Independent South Australian senator Cory Bernardi has also backed the two-year drug trials of 5000 Newstart and Youth Allowance recipients.
That leaves the government one vote short, making independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie or Centre Alliance kingmakers.
Senator Hanson demanded a “please explain” from Senator Lambie over her hardened opposition to the trials.
She pointed to Senator Lambie’s son, who the Tasmanian revealed in 2015 had struggled with ice addiction.
“Her child has been on drugs and you wouldn’t knock back something that could possibly help people like her son. That’s why I’m supporting this,” Senator Hanson said.
“Why is she knocking this back? Who’s got in her ear?”
Richard Ferguson 10.44am: Builders have their say
Master Builders Australia wants Scott Morrison to bring forward his $100bn infrastructure agenda to boost the economy, warning that tax cuts and other measures will not be enough to ignite a revival in growth. Read the full story here.
Simon Benson 10.39am: What voters care about most
The cost of living is now the greatest concern for voters, with a majority claiming it should be the federal government’s top priority.
Read the full story Newspoll story here
Richard Ferguson 8.40am: PM pressures Labor on drug tests
Scott Morrison has piled pressure on Labor to support drug-testing trials for welfare recipients, as independent senator Jacqui Lambie threatens to derail the plan. The Prime Minister said on Tuesday he was open to discussing Senator Lambie’s demands for increased funding for drug rehabilitation services, as she vows not to support the drug-tests in the current circumstances.
“We’ll work closely with all the senators. I would hope Labor support it,” he said in Canberra.
“The question is why won’t Labor support a fair dinkum trial to try and deal with one of the biggest challenges we have — and that is to help people break addictions and find employment and actually change their lives for the better.”
The Morrison government is vowing to pump $3 million into drug and alcohol treatment services in areas where welfare recipients would be randomly drug-tested under proposed trials. One Nation and Centre Alliance are still firming up their positions on the drug tests.
Senator Lambie has also tied her support to parliamentarians and public servants submitting to drug tests, which most politicians from Scott Morrison down have said they are open to.
Richard Ferguson 7.40am: Lambie won’t support discrimination bill
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie will not support the government’s religious discrimination laws, saying she is unconvinced they would not contravene Tasmania’s own laws.
Attorney-General Christian Porter has said repeatedly his bill would not override state laws despite concerns from Labor frontbenchers over the matter.
If the government cannot get the Opposition to support the religious discrimination law, Senator Lambie will once again become the swing vote as Centre Alliance are sceptical of the bill.
“We have had our own legislation down there for a very, very long time,” Senator Lambie told the Nine Network.
“They are not real keen on it down there in Tasmania.
“There are more important things going on in Tasmania that they want to talk about than religion. I don’t mean to say that an awful manner or an awful way and I respect anybody else’s religion.”
What’s making news:
Most Australians believe that asylum-seekers deemed not to be genuine refugees should be deported regardless of other considerations, according to a Newspoll.
Newspoll also finds that the cost of living is now the greatest concern for voters, with a majority claiming it should be the federal government’s top priority.
The Morrison government is vowing to pump $3 million into drug and alcohol treatment services in areas where welfare recipients would be randomly drug-tested under proposed trials, as independent senator Jacqui Lambie hardens her opposition to the reform.
South Australian Liberal MP Tony Pasin has rejected Barnaby Joyce’s proposal to bolster the number of regional MPs in the Senate, saying constituents in his home state would be unfairly represented.
Labor frontbencher Mark Butler says the party needs to rethink its policies following the election defeat, warning that “when you get your backside handed to you by Fozzie Bear and Kermit the Frog it’s time for some serious reflection”.
Alice Workman’s Sketch: Albanese tees off but his zinger bogey is par for the course
Dennis Shanahan writes: For ALP, it’s a case of Muppets R Us as blame games divert
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