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Coalition support falls further and One Nation rises in latest poll – politics live Coalition support falls further and One Nation rises in latest poll – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.27pm GMT
22:27
Before the election, Bill Shorten’s did make a very clear promise, as reported in The Conversation, to abide by the Fair Work Commission on penalty rates.
The piece by Michelle Grattan, linked above, sets out the various tensions at play before the election.
Shorten was doing the dance of the army surplus blankets, trying to guarantee penalty rates would stay the same while still abiding by the umpire’s decision.
[In April 2016] 3AW’s Neil Mitchell asked Bill Shorten whether he would accept the findings of the FWC review. Shorten gave a succinct “yes”. Pressed on whether he’d do so even if the finding was to reduce Sunday rates, Shorten replied “I said I’d accept the independent tribunal”.
Labor’s shadow employment minister Brendan O’Connor was asked about supporting the independent umpire on the ABC this morning. He said Labor did support the independence of the FWC
Of course we support the independence of the commission, you know, generally speaking. But this decision is so untenable we had to respond by saying we cannot support its effect.
My daughter is currently funding uni life with a bar job. She will lose penalties from the decision. But I can see major problems once Labor departs from FWC decisions. Would they be happy with the Coalition legislating in a future minority parliament against a pay rise decision by the FWC?
10.11pm GMT
22:11
Breaking from Barnaby Joyce: politicians read polls
In a refreshing change, deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has stated the bleeding obvious.
POLITICIANS DO READ POLLS.
Some people say polls go up and polls go down. I’m not a fool. I’ve read them and what they are is a motivation to me that people have concerns. They want to be heard, and that’s precisely what I do in my job, and I intend to keep doing. We have to sell the message. We have to tell people how hard we are working and I intend to do that because we are.
Then Joyce makes the point he does not drive under the building to escape journalists waiting at the doors when the government is having a bad day.
I come through the front door because I want to talk to you, because I think it’s your right to be heard. I could duck into the basement on a bad day, but I don’t. It’s a tough day, I go through the front door.
10.04pm GMT
22:04
Stories are starting to wind up ahead of the May budget. As the government sings the usual rein in the spending song, the Australian Council of Social Services (Acoss) has released its helpful annual list of what-to-cut-if-you-don’t-know-what-to-cut.
Halving the capital gains tax discount from 50% to 25% over 10 years ($500m)
Abolishing negative gearing for new investments ($300m)
Taxing private trusts ($1.5bn)
Taxing income retained in private companies ($1.2bn)
Abolishing the private health insurance rebate ($3.5bn)
Superannuation contributions reforms ($1.3bn)
While Peter Martin at Fairfax reports:
All high-income Australians would pay the 1 to 1.5% Medicare levy surcharge under a budget proposal that would raise a breathtaking $4bn per year, more than six times the net amount saved in the first Turnbull budget.
At present only high-income Australians without private health insurance are made to pay the extra levy.
Extending it to all families earning more than $180,000 per year and all individuals without children earning more than $90,000 per year would raise at least $900 per year more from each high-income Australian with private health insurance, and would offset the removal of the high-income temporary budget deficit repair levy, which expires in the middle of this year.
9.50pm GMT9.50pm GMT
21:5021:50
The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, who terminated his former leadership fave Tony Abbott last week, has commented on the Newspoll.The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, who terminated his former leadership fave Tony Abbott last week, has commented on the Newspoll.
Look, clearly, the debates that were initiated on Thursday night don’t help.Look, clearly, the debates that were initiated on Thursday night don’t help.
He has had a private conversation with Abbott since Abbott’s intervention but he will keep it private.He has had a private conversation with Abbott since Abbott’s intervention but he will keep it private.
Cormann also made these points about Bill Shorten’s stance on the cut to penalty rates:Cormann also made these points about Bill Shorten’s stance on the cut to penalty rates:
Bill Shorten is a complete and utter hypocrite.Bill Shorten is a complete and utter hypocrite.
The Fair Work Commission was set up as an independent body by the Labor party.The Fair Work Commission was set up as an independent body by the Labor party.
The people that made the decision were appointed by the Labor party.The people that made the decision were appointed by the Labor party.
Bill Shorten himself gave the reference and asked the Fair Work Commission to review penalty rates.Bill Shorten himself gave the reference and asked the Fair Work Commission to review penalty rates.
It was Bill Shorten who asked the Fair Work Commission to review penalty rates.It was Bill Shorten who asked the Fair Work Commission to review penalty rates.
The reason we have a decision on penalty rates on Sundays is because Bill Shorten specifically amended legislation so the Fair Work Commission had to do this job.The reason we have a decision on penalty rates on Sundays is because Bill Shorten specifically amended legislation so the Fair Work Commission had to do this job.
Before the election, he said he would respect the decision of the independent umpire and he is clearly feeling the political heat from Anthony Albanese.Before the election, he said he would respect the decision of the independent umpire and he is clearly feeling the political heat from Anthony Albanese.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.53pm GMTat 9.53pm GMT
9.39pm GMT9.39pm GMT
21:3921:39
While the House of Representatives is sitting today, the Senate has a storm of estimates committees right across the board. This is a live blogger’s blessing and curse because juicy tidbits are always thrown. But keeping across the committees while simultaneously watching the parliament and the doorstops will send you screaming down the corridors eventually.While the House of Representatives is sitting today, the Senate has a storm of estimates committees right across the board. This is a live blogger’s blessing and curse because juicy tidbits are always thrown. But keeping across the committees while simultaneously watching the parliament and the doorstops will send you screaming down the corridors eventually.
We will do our best, dear reader.We will do our best, dear reader.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.51pm GMTat 9.51pm GMT
9.29pm GMT9.29pm GMT
21:2921:29
The Labor and Greens bills have support from Jacqui Lambie.The Labor and Greens bills have support from Jacqui Lambie.
Apart from the fact that the proposed decrease in Sunday penalty rates will hit Tasmanian battlers the hardest … the extra money made by workers on a Sunday through penalty rates very quickly finds its way back into the local economy and small business community.Apart from the fact that the proposed decrease in Sunday penalty rates will hit Tasmanian battlers the hardest … the extra money made by workers on a Sunday through penalty rates very quickly finds its way back into the local economy and small business community.
But One Nation’s Brian Burston, the Justice party’s Derryn Hinch and Nick Xenophon all back the Fair Work Commission on the grounds it is the independent umpire.But One Nation’s Brian Burston, the Justice party’s Derryn Hinch and Nick Xenophon all back the Fair Work Commission on the grounds it is the independent umpire.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.34pm GMTat 9.34pm GMT
9.24pm GMT9.24pm GMT
21:2421:24
Last week’s decision by the Fair Work Commission to cut penalty rates by up to 50% in the retail, pharmacy, hospitality and fast-food industries for Sundays and public holidays will be front and centre for Labor and the Greens today.Last week’s decision by the Fair Work Commission to cut penalty rates by up to 50% in the retail, pharmacy, hospitality and fast-food industries for Sundays and public holidays will be front and centre for Labor and the Greens today.
Both parties are bringing legislation to overturn the decision of the FWC.Both parties are bringing legislation to overturn the decision of the FWC.
Paul Karp reports:Paul Karp reports:
The Greens bill would lock penalty rates in at 2017 levels so that penalties cannot fall below the current levels.The Greens bill would lock penalty rates in at 2017 levels so that penalties cannot fall below the current levels.
Labor says their bill will effectively prevent the decision from taking effect by requiring that penalty rate cuts cannot result in a cut in take-home pay. In other words, if other conditions are improved, penalties could be decreased.Labor says their bill will effectively prevent the decision from taking effect by requiring that penalty rate cuts cannot result in a cut in take-home pay. In other words, if other conditions are improved, penalties could be decreased.
The Greens have released their bill but we have yet to see Labor’s bill. The Greens seems the more straightforward one at this stage.The Greens have released their bill but we have yet to see Labor’s bill. The Greens seems the more straightforward one at this stage.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.36pm GMTat 9.36pm GMT
9.02pm GMT9.02pm GMT
21:0221:02
Good morning deplorables, we are all splitters nowGood morning deplorables, we are all splitters now
There is an embarrassment of riches in federal politics today. I feel like a beagle in a rabbit plague, not sure which tail to chase.There is an embarrassment of riches in federal politics today. I feel like a beagle in a rabbit plague, not sure which tail to chase.
Firstly there is the Newspoll in the Oz, which will go off like a cracker in the party room this week. From our report:Firstly there is the Newspoll in the Oz, which will go off like a cracker in the party room this week. From our report:
The Coalition has taken another hit in the polls after a week of infighting, with Labor leading 55% to 45% on a two-party-preferred basis in the latest Newspoll.The Coalition has taken another hit in the polls after a week of infighting, with Labor leading 55% to 45% on a two-party-preferred basis in the latest Newspoll.
As support for the government tumbles, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has doubled its primary vote to 10% since November, now matching the Greens.As support for the government tumbles, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has doubled its primary vote to 10% since November, now matching the Greens.
Labor extended its two-party-preferred lead from the 54-46 finding of the previous month’s poll after a week in which the former leader Tony Abbott openly attacked the record of his successor, Malcolm Turnbull, and was in turn savaged by his party colleagues as “self-indulgent” and “destructive”.Labor extended its two-party-preferred lead from the 54-46 finding of the previous month’s poll after a week in which the former leader Tony Abbott openly attacked the record of his successor, Malcolm Turnbull, and was in turn savaged by his party colleagues as “self-indulgent” and “destructive”.
Here are the primary votes:Here are the primary votes:
Coalition: 34%Coalition: 34%
Labor: 37%Labor: 37%
One Nation: 10%One Nation: 10%
Greens: 10%Greens: 10%
There is a separate poll that explains LNP dissident George Christensen’s wing-fluffing.There is a separate poll that explains LNP dissident George Christensen’s wing-fluffing.
A separate poll in George Christensen’s seat of Dawson put One Nation level-pegging with the LNP on primary votes, the ABC reported. The ReachTEL poll gave the LNP 30.4% of the vote, compared with 30% for One Nation, in the Queensland seat held by the rightwing LNP MP.A separate poll in George Christensen’s seat of Dawson put One Nation level-pegging with the LNP on primary votes, the ABC reported. The ReachTEL poll gave the LNP 30.4% of the vote, compared with 30% for One Nation, in the Queensland seat held by the rightwing LNP MP.
Of course, the Newspoll was taken after the bespoke intervention by Tony Abbott when he gave Malcolm Turnbull the fantasy Abbott agenda which he himself failed to implement in office.Of course, the Newspoll was taken after the bespoke intervention by Tony Abbott when he gave Malcolm Turnbull the fantasy Abbott agenda which he himself failed to implement in office.
Peter Van Onselen has reported in the Oz that Abbott and his charismatic deputy dawg Eric Abetz have set up the Deplorables.Peter Van Onselen has reported in the Oz that Abbott and his charismatic deputy dawg Eric Abetz have set up the Deplorables.
A group of conservative Liberal MPs calling themselves “the deplorables” held regular phone hook-ups after last year’s close election result to co-ordinate a strategy to attack Malcolm Turnbull on several policy fronts and to get Tony Abbott back into cabinet.A group of conservative Liberal MPs calling themselves “the deplorables” held regular phone hook-ups after last year’s close election result to co-ordinate a strategy to attack Malcolm Turnbull on several policy fronts and to get Tony Abbott back into cabinet.
The hook-ups throughout the second half of last year were instigated by Mr Abbott and Eric Abetz via calendar invites and group texts, with the pair chairing meetings that included directives to junior MPs to use the media to pressure the Turnbull government on issues such as Safe Schools and amending section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.The hook-ups throughout the second half of last year were instigated by Mr Abbott and Eric Abetz via calendar invites and group texts, with the pair chairing meetings that included directives to junior MPs to use the media to pressure the Turnbull government on issues such as Safe Schools and amending section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
They also sought to position conservative MPs for a fight over same-sex marriage if Mr Turnbull moved to a free vote once the plebiscite was defeated in parliament, arguing any change of policy would be a leadership issue.They also sought to position conservative MPs for a fight over same-sex marriage if Mr Turnbull moved to a free vote once the plebiscite was defeated in parliament, arguing any change of policy would be a leadership issue.
The other MPs involved included Kevin Andrews, Michael Sukker, Rick Wilson, Andrew Hastie, Zed Seselja, Ian Goodenough, Cory Bernardi, Nicolle Flint, Jonathon Duniam, Craig Kelly, Scott Buchholz and Tony Pasin.The other MPs involved included Kevin Andrews, Michael Sukker, Rick Wilson, Andrew Hastie, Zed Seselja, Ian Goodenough, Cory Bernardi, Nicolle Flint, Jonathon Duniam, Craig Kelly, Scott Buchholz and Tony Pasin.
But support fell away, as people got promoted and/or started to feel like they were being used.But support fell away, as people got promoted and/or started to feel like they were being used.
“He wanted clean hands,” one MP said of Mr Abbott. “So we were co-opted into the attacks.” Junior members of the group had thought the meetings were purely to discuss strategies as to how to press Mr Turnbull on conservative policy positions, before realising that “more sinister ­motives were at play”, as one participant put it.“He wanted clean hands,” one MP said of Mr Abbott. “So we were co-opted into the attacks.” Junior members of the group had thought the meetings were purely to discuss strategies as to how to press Mr Turnbull on conservative policy positions, before realising that “more sinister ­motives were at play”, as one participant put it.
Is Tony Abbott the Regina George of the Coalition party room? (I will take other nominations.) Best get cracking. The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has been feeding the chooks this morning so I shall have some comment from him shortly. Mike Bowers is haunting the building. Speak to us in the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan or @mpbowers or on Facebook.Is Tony Abbott the Regina George of the Coalition party room? (I will take other nominations.) Best get cracking. The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has been feeding the chooks this morning so I shall have some comment from him shortly. Mike Bowers is haunting the building. Speak to us in the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan or @mpbowers or on Facebook.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.16pm GMTat 9.16pm GMT