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Philip Lowe to replace Glenn Stevens as governor of the Reserve Bank – politics live Philip Lowe to replace Glenn Stevens as governor of the Reserve Bank – politics live
(35 minutes later)
8.52am BST
08:52
Paul Karp
In another Senate estimates hearing, Labor senator Jenny McAllister quizzed Australian Electoral Commission officials about whether they were concerned about donations from the Fadden Forum, a fund which according to reports sacked Turnbull government minister Stuart Robert used to donate to independent council candidates before the 2013 election.
McAllister asked whether the donations might breach laws about associated entities declaring donations, and whether they might have been made to disguise the source of the funds.
AEC chief legal officer, Paul Pirani, said it appeared the Fadden Forum was not an associated entity because it was not an incorporate or unincorporated entity, but rather a bank account of the Liberal National Party.
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said if the Fadden Forum is part of the party’s structure, “which it appears to be”, then it had met their obligations in the way donations were declared.
8.34am BST
08:34
The new head of the ABC, Michelle Guthrie is before a Senate estimates hearing this evening. Right now she’s being asked about ABC Fact Check, will that continue post election? Guthrie says a decision will be made on that soon, within the next ten days.
Nick Xenophon asks if the new managing director is aware that Fact Check has been the subject of a lot of complaints by politicians?
Mick Millett, head of ABC communications, steps in to answer.
You can rest assured the decision won’t be made on the basis of complaints.
Xenophon wants the ABC to provide records of how many complaints there’s been about Fact Check by politicians.
8.19am BST8.19am BST
08:1908:19
Sean Kelly was a press secretary to a couple of Labor prime ministers. These days, he writes about politics at The Monthly. Sean’s column today says the prime minister has a habit of turning up to media interviews unprepared, and that needs to change if he wants to get through the election season in one piece.Sean Kelly was a press secretary to a couple of Labor prime ministers. These days, he writes about politics at The Monthly. Sean’s column today says the prime minister has a habit of turning up to media interviews unprepared, and that needs to change if he wants to get through the election season in one piece.
I’m inclined to agree with that assessment. The good thing about Turnbull’s approach with the media is he refuses to behave like a scripted robot, a blessing, given there are entirely too many scripted robots in politics. The weakness of his interviews is the problem Sean identifies, being unprepared for obvious questions, and allowing himself to be lulled into traps, which are the speciality of broadcast interviewers.I’m inclined to agree with that assessment. The good thing about Turnbull’s approach with the media is he refuses to behave like a scripted robot, a blessing, given there are entirely too many scripted robots in politics. The weakness of his interviews is the problem Sean identifies, being unprepared for obvious questions, and allowing himself to be lulled into traps, which are the speciality of broadcast interviewers.
Here’s Sean, who isn’t being the least bit gratuitous, and is in a position to know about this:Here’s Sean, who isn’t being the least bit gratuitous, and is in a position to know about this:
Telling a prime minister the awful truth about poor performances is hard. There are usually very few people close to a PM who are willing to do it. The cast will vary from leader to leader: it could include a chief of staff, or the Liberal party director, or a pollster, or a press secretary, or an MP.Telling a prime minister the awful truth about poor performances is hard. There are usually very few people close to a PM who are willing to do it. The cast will vary from leader to leader: it could include a chief of staff, or the Liberal party director, or a pollster, or a press secretary, or an MP.
Telling a leader that habits to which they have become accustomed – like preparing for public appearances in a certain way – are just not working now they’re leading the country is even harder.Telling a leader that habits to which they have become accustomed – like preparing for public appearances in a certain way – are just not working now they’re leading the country is even harder.
But it must be done. If the PM cannot or will not make changes, someone must tell him to. What works as a minister often does not work as a prime minister.But it must be done. If the PM cannot or will not make changes, someone must tell him to. What works as a minister often does not work as a prime minister.
8.06am BST8.06am BST
08:0608:06
Prime minister offers a glimmer of hope on electoral reformPrime minister offers a glimmer of hope on electoral reform
The prime minister has done a podcast this afternoon with Michelle Grattan from The Conversation, and he’s flagged changes to the donations and disclosure regime after the next election.The prime minister has done a podcast this afternoon with Michelle Grattan from The Conversation, and he’s flagged changes to the donations and disclosure regime after the next election.
Turnbull says in an ideal world you’d have limitations on campaign expenditure, and you’d restrict donations to people on the electoral roll, but he says there are also constitutional issues when you try and restrict various people and groups from spending. (That is, of course, true).Turnbull says in an ideal world you’d have limitations on campaign expenditure, and you’d restrict donations to people on the electoral roll, but he says there are also constitutional issues when you try and restrict various people and groups from spending. (That is, of course, true).
He says he’s very interested in change, but it’s a very challenging area.He says he’s very interested in change, but it’s a very challenging area.
I am very interested in the issue I assure you.I am very interested in the issue I assure you.
His comments are towards the end of the podcast if you want to listen.His comments are towards the end of the podcast if you want to listen.
7.36am BST7.36am BST
07:3607:36
Here is Labor’s formal response to the RBA appointments. Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen. Check out the last line. Labor not delighted with Ian Harper’s appointment.Here is Labor’s formal response to the RBA appointments. Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen. Check out the last line. Labor not delighted with Ian Harper’s appointment.
Labor extends its appreciation to Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens for his service over two five-year terms.Labor extends its appreciation to Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens for his service over two five-year terms.
Governor Stevens has guided the reserve with a steady hand since 2006, through the highs of the mining boom and the lows of the Global Financial Crisis. The RBA is a vitally important national institution, and Governor Stevens has led it well.Governor Stevens has guided the reserve with a steady hand since 2006, through the highs of the mining boom and the lows of the Global Financial Crisis. The RBA is a vitally important national institution, and Governor Stevens has led it well.
I welcome the elevation of Deputy Governor Philip Lowe to the position of Governor.I welcome the elevation of Deputy Governor Philip Lowe to the position of Governor.
Dr Lowe is one of the finest Australian economists of his generation. He joined the Reserve bank as a student in 1980, and has served with distinction, with breaks to complete doctoral studies at MIT, and a secondment to the Bank of International Settlements in Switzerland.Dr Lowe is one of the finest Australian economists of his generation. He joined the Reserve bank as a student in 1980, and has served with distinction, with breaks to complete doctoral studies at MIT, and a secondment to the Bank of International Settlements in Switzerland.
I also congratulate RBA board member Dr John Edwards on his service. Dr Edwards term comes to an end in July after an illustrious career in both public service and in government. He has made a considerable personal contribution to the Australian economy, and I am sure he will continue to do so in the future.I also congratulate RBA board member Dr John Edwards on his service. Dr Edwards term comes to an end in July after an illustrious career in both public service and in government. He has made a considerable personal contribution to the Australian economy, and I am sure he will continue to do so in the future.
Dr Edwards would have been very worthy of reappointment to the board for a second term.Dr Edwards would have been very worthy of reappointment to the board for a second term.
I note the appointment of Ian Harper to the RBA board.I note the appointment of Ian Harper to the RBA board.
7.27am BST7.27am BST
07:2707:27
In last 24 hours, Govt has appointed RBA Gov, Dep President FWC, 5 Ambassadors, Human Rights Commissioner... Goes into caretaker on MondayIn last 24 hours, Govt has appointed RBA Gov, Dep President FWC, 5 Ambassadors, Human Rights Commissioner... Goes into caretaker on Monday
7.16am BST7.16am BST
07:1607:16
Here’s the statement on the RBA appointments from Scott Morrison.Here’s the statement on the RBA appointments from Scott Morrison.
Dr Lowe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of governor, having served as the RBA deputy governor since early 2012, heading up many of the RBA’s analytical departments, and publishing on a wide range of issues relevant to the operation of monetary policy over his three decade career with the RBA. Dr Lowe also served as Head of the Financial Institutions and Infrastructure Division at the Bank for International Settlements (2000 – 2002), where he authored important research on the financial stability role of central banks in low-inflation environments.Dr Lowe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of governor, having served as the RBA deputy governor since early 2012, heading up many of the RBA’s analytical departments, and publishing on a wide range of issues relevant to the operation of monetary policy over his three decade career with the RBA. Dr Lowe also served as Head of the Financial Institutions and Infrastructure Division at the Bank for International Settlements (2000 – 2002), where he authored important research on the financial stability role of central banks in low-inflation environments.
Dr Lowe earned a PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after being awarded the University Medal for his undergraduate studies in economics at the University of New South Wales. Dr Lowe is well regarded in the central banking community, financial markets, and the Australian business community, and will reinforce existing confidence in the institution.Dr Lowe earned a PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after being awarded the University Medal for his undergraduate studies in economics at the University of New South Wales. Dr Lowe is well regarded in the central banking community, financial markets, and the Australian business community, and will reinforce existing confidence in the institution.
I congratulate Dr Lowe on his appointment and also thank Mr Glenn Stevens for his valuable leadership of the RBA over the past ten years. International developments required Mr Stevens to steward the RBA through a challenging decade for the Australian economy, which included the global financial crisis, the passing of a once in a generation terms of trade boom, and the rise and fall of an unprecedented mining investment boom. The government thanks Mr Stevens and his staff for the role they played in helping the Australian economy navigate these significant challenges over the decade.I congratulate Dr Lowe on his appointment and also thank Mr Glenn Stevens for his valuable leadership of the RBA over the past ten years. International developments required Mr Stevens to steward the RBA through a challenging decade for the Australian economy, which included the global financial crisis, the passing of a once in a generation terms of trade boom, and the rise and fall of an unprecedented mining investment boom. The government thanks Mr Stevens and his staff for the role they played in helping the Australian economy navigate these significant challenges over the decade.
I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ian Harper as a part-time member of the Reserve Bank Board for a five-year term from 31 July 2016.I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ian Harper as a part-time member of the Reserve Bank Board for a five-year term from 31 July 2016.
Professor Harper’s combined experience in public policy development and academia will enable him to make a strong contribution to Reserve Bank Board deliberations. Professor Harper recently chaired the Competition Policy Review (Harper Review), served as a member of the Financial System Inquiry (the Wallis Inquiry), and was the inaugural Chairman of the Australian Fair Pay Commission.Professor Harper’s combined experience in public policy development and academia will enable him to make a strong contribution to Reserve Bank Board deliberations. Professor Harper recently chaired the Competition Policy Review (Harper Review), served as a member of the Financial System Inquiry (the Wallis Inquiry), and was the inaugural Chairman of the Australian Fair Pay Commission.
Professor Harper also brings strong academic credentials to the Reserve Bank Board, having spent two decades as a Professor at the University of Melbourne – first as the NAB Professor of Monetary and Financial Economics (1988–1992), then as the Ian Potter Professor of International Finance (1992–2002), and the Sidney Myer Professor of Commerce & Business Administration (2002–2008) at Melbourne Business School.Professor Harper also brings strong academic credentials to the Reserve Bank Board, having spent two decades as a Professor at the University of Melbourne – first as the NAB Professor of Monetary and Financial Economics (1988–1992), then as the Ian Potter Professor of International Finance (1992–2002), and the Sidney Myer Professor of Commerce & Business Administration (2002–2008) at Melbourne Business School.
Professor Harper’s term on the Reserve Bank Board coincides with the conclusion of Dr John Edward’s term on 30 July 2016. Dr Edwards has made an important contribution to Reserve Bank board deliberations through a challenging period for the Australian economy and I thank him for his service. I wish him every success for the future.Professor Harper’s term on the Reserve Bank Board coincides with the conclusion of Dr John Edward’s term on 30 July 2016. Dr Edwards has made an important contribution to Reserve Bank board deliberations through a challenging period for the Australian economy and I thank him for his service. I wish him every success for the future.
The appointment of Dr Lowe will create a vacancy at the deputy governor level in the RBA, the filling of which will be considered in the second half of the year.The appointment of Dr Lowe will create a vacancy at the deputy governor level in the RBA, the filling of which will be considered in the second half of the year.
These appointments were made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Reserve Bank Act 1959 (the Act). Under sections 14 and 24 of the Act respectively, the Treasurer appoints Reserve Bank board members and the RBA Governor.These appointments were made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Reserve Bank Act 1959 (the Act). Under sections 14 and 24 of the Act respectively, the Treasurer appoints Reserve Bank board members and the RBA Governor.
7.07am BST7.07am BST
07:0707:07
New governor for the Reserve BankNew governor for the Reserve Bank
Down in the House, Scott Morrison is announcing Phillip Lowe will replace Glenn Stevens as the governor of the Reserve Bank – Lowe is a deputy governor of the RBA – and Ian Harper, architect of the competition review, will go onto the Reserve Bank board.Down in the House, Scott Morrison is announcing Phillip Lowe will replace Glenn Stevens as the governor of the Reserve Bank – Lowe is a deputy governor of the RBA – and Ian Harper, architect of the competition review, will go onto the Reserve Bank board.
That’s a pretty big appointment to make five seconds away from the caretaker period. The shadow treasurer Chris Bowen makes it clear Labor hasn’t been consulted on this appointment, but he supports it nonetheless.That’s a pretty big appointment to make five seconds away from the caretaker period. The shadow treasurer Chris Bowen makes it clear Labor hasn’t been consulted on this appointment, but he supports it nonetheless.
7.03am BST7.03am BST
07:0307:03
As flagged before, in the event you want some colour and movement from the suspension debate, Tony Burke had a very jolly time of it. Here’s a clip of his speech.As flagged before, in the event you want some colour and movement from the suspension debate, Tony Burke had a very jolly time of it. Here’s a clip of his speech.
6.48am BST6.48am BST
06:4806:48
Morrison says everytime people hear Bill Shorten announce something tonight in the budget in reply, they will be paying for it.Morrison says everytime people hear Bill Shorten announce something tonight in the budget in reply, they will be paying for it.
And that’s the debate.And that’s the debate.
Give me a minute and I’ll be back with the afternoon, evening and night.Give me a minute and I’ll be back with the afternoon, evening and night.
6.43am BST
06:43
The treasurer Scott Morrison is currently working through the times when Labor people have sounded more positive about company tax cuts, including when Labor cut the company tax in government.
Tanya Plibersek:
We said how we’d pay for it!
Scott Morrison:
With the mining tax, and they think this is an excellent point Mr Speaker.
6.39am BST
06:39
That was a crisp speech by Burke, I’ll see if I can chase up some video of it in due course. Some sharp counterpoints in it.
6.29am BST
06:29
Malcolm Turnbull, still looking relentlessly forward.
Mr Speaker, what they propose is a ban on negative gearing which will have the consequence that no Australian who lives by the sweat of his or her brow will be ability to offset an investment loss against their personal income. It might be a salary or wage or professional income.
So that will mean is that somebody who seeks, someone on average earnings or less as is the case with 70% of the people who lodge returns with negative gearing, those people in the future will not be able to purchase an investment property and offset a net rental loss against their income. This will take thousands of people out of the investment market. It will ensure that rents will go up.
Every measure we have set out will drive growth and jobs.
Every single one - trade, innovation, investment, backing enterprise – everything Labor has proposed stands in the way of jobs, stands in the way of enterprise, stands in the way of growth.
Labor’s Tony Burke is up now. He says he thought he’d ask for an extension of time, but he thought the backbench would kill him.
6.25am BST
06:25
It’s slightly bizarre, watching the Turnbull pitch down the barrel in the middle of a parliamentary debate. Not one glance back to the colleagues. Not one.
6.21am BST
06:21
Malcolm Turnbull amends the motion so it would say the following: that this House welcomes and supports the government’s economic plan for jobs and growth.
Now he’s sailing forth, looking down the barrel of the camera for a pre-election pitch. No shouting, just a fireside chat, delivered in the parliament.
Malcolm Turnbull:
We have to continue with this agenda for economic growth. We can’t afford to risk it by changing tack in the way the Labor party would propose.
6.19am BST
06:19
I think he has a stitch #auspol
Pay that.
6.18am BST
06:18
Bowen was completely hoarse by the end of that Castroesque soliloquy. He gets a round of applause from his own side.
6.12am BST
06:12
Chris Bowen:
You thought you could get away with it!
The prime minister thought he was such a good explainer. The world’s greatest debater would get away, he thought, with a ten-year tax cut plan, without explaining what the cost is.
‘Of course. I will be able to do it. I am of course Malcolm Turnbull’, he thought, ‘self-evident that I will get away with it.’
He doesn’t get away with it!
Pyne has just extended Bowen for another five minutes.
6.08am BST
06:08
Chris Bowen, continuing.
Weren’t they leaping in their seats in excitement about the coming election ... the members for Tasmania, for the Central Coast of NSW, looking forward so much to going ... of redefining small business as any business under $1bn, giving big business a tax cut – that’s their re-election pitch to the Australian people, almost $17,000 worth of tax cuts to someone on $1m – that’s their big pitch for re-election.
Well, good luck. Good luck with that. But tell the truth about it as you go.
We funded our plans over ten years. The same tests apply to this prime minister. He thinks he’s above it. He thinks he’s the smartest person in Australia.
You might be, I cast no judgment, but you’re still required to be honest with the Australian people. You’re still required to tell the truth.
The prime minister is required to be honest with the Australian people. And if he can’t be, then he doesn’t deserve that trust. He doesn’t deserve that mandate.
The prime minister doesn’t deserve the term in his own right that he so desperately craves.
Updated
at 6.09am BST
6.01am BST
06:01
The government doesn’t move the gag. I suspect Bowen thought the government was going to gag him.
Manager of government business, Christopher Pyne, is grinning like a Cheshire Cat. He thinks Bowen is unprepared for a twenty minute speech. I suspect from Bowen’s high adrenalin opening that he’s right. But Bowen ploughs on regardless.
Bowen is nothing if not relentless.
Chris Bowen:
Well, Mr Speaker, what a budget. What a budget! What a launch of an election campaign. The prime minister is off to see the governor-general and launches his election campaign by not being honest with the Australian people and not being honest about the reasons he’s being dishonest with the Australian people.
He could come clean, stand up and reveal the costs.