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Budget 2016: Bill Shorten unveils $71bn in savings over 10 years – politics live Budget 2016: Bill Shorten unveils $71bn in savings over 10 years – politics live
(35 minutes later)
11.31am BST
11:31
That’s the end of the 44th parliament now. Since the sudden death last year of the Liberal MP Don Randall, a white rose has been placed at his old seat in the parliament.
Randall entered parliament in 1996. Tonight, after Shorten’s speech, his fellow classmates from 1996 removed the rose from the Randall desk.
11.28am BST
11:28
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11:26
11.24am BST
11:24
Bottom line on the likeability issue from Shorten? It doesn’t matter if people don’t like me. We’ve got a better bunch of policies than the government.
11.23am BST
11:23
Q: Just before you go - every poll shows that voters like Malcolm Turnbull more than they like you. Why do you think that Australians should vote for somebody that they don’t like as much as the other guy?
Bill Shorten:
Well, I think that when Australians see our positive policies, our commitment to Australian jobs, properly funding our schools, our TAFE, our childcare and our universities, our commitment to not privatise Medicare, and to defend bulk-billing and look after and work with GPs so they’re not taking a cut in terms of having to increase the cost of going to see the doctor, when they look at our policies on renewable energy, to help tackle the challenge of climate change, when they see our commitment to the equal treatment of women to tackling housing affordability, when Australians look at our fully funded positive plans to put people first – we are very competitive at the next election.
11.20am BST
11:20
Sales wants to know whether Labor will restore full funding for hospitals. Shorten says he doesn’t intend to give her a number tonight.
Bill Shorten:
What I can commit right here on television tonight is we will fund to a far greater level than what the Turnbull government is doing.
11.18am BST
11:18
Sales says, given Labor stuffed up the mining tax, why is it reasonable to trust that Labor will be better than the government on cracking down on multinational tax avoidance?
Bill Shorten:
We got our research costed independently by the parliamentary budget office. That answers that question.
11.16am BST
11:16
7.30 host Leigh Sales points to research showing a third of families get more from the government than what they pay in tax.
Q: Do you think that’s acceptable?
It’s the system we have is to make sure that people have got the minimum safety net.
No, she says, more than a safety net at that level.
Bill Shorten:
I don’t accept that. If you’re raising two kids at high school and you’re on $65,000, working mum, I don’t actually think that because you resent losing a couple of thousand dollars in family payments that somehow you’re bludging off the system.
11.12am BST11.12am BST
11:1211:12
Shorten on 7.30Shorten on 7.30
Bill Shorten is up now in the ABC studios.Bill Shorten is up now in the ABC studios.
Q: You seem upset the budget isn’t giving every last Australian a direct handout. Is that your idea of responsible economic stewardship?Q: You seem upset the budget isn’t giving every last Australian a direct handout. Is that your idea of responsible economic stewardship?
Bill Shorten:Bill Shorten:
It’s a question of priorities, Leigh. What we believe is that the government shouldn’t be giving millionaires a $17,000 tax cut whilst working mum with two kids at high school on $65,000 is actually facing losing over $4,700, it’s a matter of priorities.It’s a question of priorities, Leigh. What we believe is that the government shouldn’t be giving millionaires a $17,000 tax cut whilst working mum with two kids at high school on $65,000 is actually facing losing over $4,700, it’s a matter of priorities.
Q: Let’s have a look also at your claim that Australians on lower incomes are getting nothing or not getting enough. Overlooking the fact they get health, education, roads, defence, as a given...Q: Let’s have a look also at your claim that Australians on lower incomes are getting nothing or not getting enough. Overlooking the fact they get health, education, roads, defence, as a given...
Bill Shorten:Bill Shorten:
Is that something people should be grateful for? That’s why they pay their taxes.Is that something people should be grateful for? That’s why they pay their taxes.
11.08am BST11.08am BST
11:0811:08
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11:0411:04
It had a very good tempo, that speech. Bit of abstract theatre criticism perhaps, but true nonetheless.It had a very good tempo, that speech. Bit of abstract theatre criticism perhaps, but true nonetheless.
11.03am BST11.03am BST
11:0311:03
I think it’s worth posting the wrap up, because it’s the election pitch.I think it’s worth posting the wrap up, because it’s the election pitch.
Bill Shorten:Bill Shorten:
My fellow Australians, in 58 days, you will have your say on who governs the country for the next three years.My fellow Australians, in 58 days, you will have your say on who governs the country for the next three years.
We might be the underdogs in this election, but we have never sought to be a small target.We might be the underdogs in this election, but we have never sought to be a small target.
We are offering a social and economic program for betterment of this nation.We are offering a social and economic program for betterment of this nation.
The markers we set for the future of Australia: Jobs, education, Medicare, climate change, affordable housing and fair taxation, equality for women, our belief in young Australians.The markers we set for the future of Australia: Jobs, education, Medicare, climate change, affordable housing and fair taxation, equality for women, our belief in young Australians.
By contrast, this budget punishes people who can’t afford it and rewards those who don’t need it.By contrast, this budget punishes people who can’t afford it and rewards those who don’t need it.
Worse than that – it speaks for a lack of vision, a lack of understanding of what makes this country great.Worse than that – it speaks for a lack of vision, a lack of understanding of what makes this country great.
It shows the Liberals have never given up on the idea that it’s up to every individual to fend for themselves and those who fall behind, get left behind.It shows the Liberals have never given up on the idea that it’s up to every individual to fend for themselves and those who fall behind, get left behind.
Prime Minister – Australians honestly thought you were so much better than this.Prime Minister – Australians honestly thought you were so much better than this.
Because Australians are so much better than this.Because Australians are so much better than this.
Australians built superannuation and created Medicare. We are delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We opened ourselves to Asia and forged a new identity as a leader in our region.Australians built superannuation and created Medicare. We are delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We opened ourselves to Asia and forged a new identity as a leader in our region.
We said Sorry.We said Sorry.
We are a nation the world admires as prosperous and fair.We are a nation the world admires as prosperous and fair.
An economy where growth comes from extending opportunity.An economy where growth comes from extending opportunity.
A country where your destiny is not pre-determined by your postcode, or your parents’ wealth.A country where your destiny is not pre-determined by your postcode, or your parents’ wealth.
Where aspiration is encouraged and success is earned, not inherited.Where aspiration is encouraged and success is earned, not inherited.
A nation of courage, community and compassion.A nation of courage, community and compassion.
This is the Australia I witnessed at Beaconsfield, a decade ago.This is the Australia I witnessed at Beaconsfield, a decade ago.
At Black Saturday, and through the Brisbane floods.At Black Saturday, and through the Brisbane floods.
It is the Australia I’ve had the privilege of representing my entire working life – standing up for people, every day.It is the Australia I’ve had the privilege of representing my entire working life – standing up for people, every day.
An Australia enlarged by all who call it home.An Australia enlarged by all who call it home.
Striving for the best, but caring for each other.Striving for the best, but caring for each other.
An Australia of common effort and shared reward.An Australia of common effort and shared reward.
This is the Australia Labor believes in.This is the Australia Labor believes in.
And it is the nation I hope to lead.And it is the nation I hope to lead.
Tonight my team and I offer ourselves as your next government.Tonight my team and I offer ourselves as your next government.
We have learned the hard lessons of the past.We have learned the hard lessons of the past.
We have put forward our positive plans.We have put forward our positive plans.
We are united.We are united.
We are ready.We are ready.
A Labor Government will always put people first.A Labor Government will always put people first.
10.58am BST
10:58
Another tally of savings, culminating in the marriage equality pledge.
Bill Shorten:
From infrastructure to health and education, Labor has made it clear how we will fully-fund each and every one of our promises.
Responsible savings for a stronger budget and more jobs. We will save $1.4bn by repealing the Nationals’ new Baby Bonus.
We will recover another $1bn by abolishing the discredited Direct Action. Paying big polluters to keep polluting, stops under Labor.
We will not spend $160m of taxpayer money on a divisive plebiscite dredging up all kinds of harmful prejudice. Instead, the Parliament of Australia will do its job – and within our first 100 days of government - vote to make marriage equality a reality.
10.56am BST
10:56
I don’t really know what legislating to protect Medicare means, but Shorten says he’ll do it within the first 100 days.
10.55am BST
10:55
The VET changes. And the flourish of the abacus on the savings.
Bill Shorten:
Tonight, I declare the pendulum has swung too far to private providers - Labor will be backing public TAFE. We will restore integrity to the training system, by cleaning out the dodgy private colleges who have been ripping Australians off for too long.
In 2014, the ten largest private training colleges in Australia received $900m in government funding. Yet less than 5 % of their students graduated.
Tens of thousands of Aussies are being loaded up with massive new debt – but not the qualification they need to find a job.
And for the past three years, the Liberals’ only response has been to blame someone else.
At last, after three years, Malcolm Turnbull has acted – he has demanded…a discussion paper.
The prime minister may not be capable of making a decision – but I am.
While Mr Turnbull dithers – Labor will deliver. A Labor Government will cap Vocational Education loans at $8,000 per student.
We will cut this wasteful spending, saving an estimated $6bn over the decade.
Tonight I have outlined $71bn of additional budget improvements over the decade.
These are the decisions our nation needs.
This is what a responsible budget looks like.
10.52am BST
10:52
To schools now, and another less than subtle dig at the prime minister.
Bill Shorten:
In the shadows of the election campaign – having ripped $30bn out of schools – they’ve promised to put one billion back.
And there they sit, awaiting the thanks of a grateful nation. But Australians know they can’t trust this prime minister on education.
And when they hear Liberals lecturing teachers, saying: “More money won’t solve the problem.”
Australians know the only people who ever say this are those for whom money has never been a problem.
10.49am BST
10:49
10.48am BST
10:48
Labor has obviously packed out the galleries tonight, there’s lots of clapping. It’s helping Shorten lift. He looks like he’s enjoying himself now.
10.47am BST
10:47
Infrastructure now and another little dig.
Bill Shorten:
Labor will turbo-charge Infrastructure Australia with a new $10bn funding facility.
A ‘concrete bank’ to get investment from the private sector, particularly big super funds, flowing into projects.
Instead of taking selfies on the train, we’ll get new projects underway.
Nation-building, not ego-boosting.
10.46am BST
10:46
"You've done both"
A segment in the speech on women includes a promise to restore funding to community legal centres.
Shorten is on to climate change now.
Taking real action on climate change will create new jobs, attract new international investment and power our industries and services.
Of course, advocating climate action is hard, and running a scare campaign against it is easy.
Mr Turnbull should know – you’ve done both.
Turnbull smirks slightly, writing on his papers.
10.42am BST
10:42
This is the section on the super changes. Grave concerns, which means maybe we oppose this, maybe we don’t.
Bill Shorten:
Labor has very grave concerns about retrospective changes - which is precisely why our reforms to negative gearing and capital gains explicitly rule out retrospectivity.
10.39am BST
10:39
"Goldman Sachs is not a small business"
Bill Shorten:
Labor will support a tax cut for small businesses with a turnover of less than $2m dollars per year. Because that’s what a small business is. We will deliver tax relief for the small businesses representing 83% of Australian companies.
But billion-dollar operations are not small businesses. Never have been – never will be.
Coles is not a small business.
The Commonwealth Bank is not a small business.
Goldman Sachs is not a small business.