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| Treasurer says Coalition has not decided how to use potential revenue boost – politics live | Treasurer says Coalition has not decided how to use potential revenue boost – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.26am GMT | |
| 02:26 | |
| I should say Barnaby also launched a website for anyone who would like to make a submission on decentralisation. | |
| We have been trying to get the major parties to engage in the conversation about decentralisation, which is growing jobs in regional Australia and saving government money by relocating government agencies out of the major cities. | |
| Which sounds like the Nationals are not part of the government. | |
| 2.23am GMT | |
| 02:23 | |
| Lunch time politics | |
| In keeping with good blogging practice, herewith a lunch time summary. | |
| As predicted by Scott Morrison and the consensus, the national accounts were good. The economy grew by 1.1% in the December quarter - the best one quarter result since March 2012, and comes off the back of the September quarter result which saw the economy shrink by 0.5%. Recession under the technical terms has been avoided. Again. | |
| Barnaby Joyce says evidence given in senate estimates APVMA workers had to access wifi at McDonalds was ridiculous. The agency was moved to his own electorate based in Armidale. | |
| Joyce was calling for towns across regional Australia to put in a bid for their own agency through a senate committee on decentralisation. | |
| Former Howard minister Amanda Vanstone said Tony Abbott was a narcissist. Julie Bishop said he wasn’t. | |
| The omnibus social services/childcare bill passed the lower house. Indi independent Cathy McGowan tried to amend it to put some structure around mobile childcare funding for regional Oz but it was voted down by the government. | |
| Treasury head John Fraser said the demographics of immigration meant migrants did have an effect on house prices. | |
| 1.58am GMT | 1.58am GMT |
| 01:58 | 01:58 |
| I asked Treasury if they knew how many young people can't afford a home. This is what they said... 😐 pic.twitter.com/eG1Jd74jT6 | I asked Treasury if they knew how many young people can't afford a home. This is what they said... 😐 pic.twitter.com/eG1Jd74jT6 |
| 1.47am GMT | 1.47am GMT |
| 01:47 | 01:47 |
| 1.15am GMT | 1.15am GMT |
| 01:15 | 01:15 |
| Treasurer Scott Morrison has been speaking on the national accounts. He covers the numbers, the company tax cuts and their passage through the Senate and the increase in commodity prices. | Treasurer Scott Morrison has been speaking on the national accounts. He covers the numbers, the company tax cuts and their passage through the Senate and the increase in commodity prices. |
| While Treasury secretary John Fraser suggested in estimates earlier today that any increase in revenue should be banked, Morrison said it was too early to be definitive and he would consider Treasury forecasts in the lead up to the budget. | While Treasury secretary John Fraser suggested in estimates earlier today that any increase in revenue should be banked, Morrison said it was too early to be definitive and he would consider Treasury forecasts in the lead up to the budget. |
| He is pushed again on why the government will not prosecute the yes case for the Fair Work Commission’s decision on penalty rate cuts. He steadfastly refuses to do this. He just says the government supports the independent umpire and will abide by the decision. | He is pushed again on why the government will not prosecute the yes case for the Fair Work Commission’s decision on penalty rate cuts. He steadfastly refuses to do this. He just says the government supports the independent umpire and will abide by the decision. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.44am GMT | at 1.44am GMT |
| 12.59am GMT | 12.59am GMT |
| 00:59 | 00:59 |
| Who is that man? | Who is that man? |
| Would you like fries with that? | Would you like fries with that? |
| 12.55am GMT | 12.55am GMT |
| 00:55 | 00:55 |
| Hold off on the cartwheels, not quite the beautiful set of numbers | Hold off on the cartwheels, not quite the beautiful set of numbers |
| Greg Jericho | Greg Jericho |
| The GDP figures out today showed the economy grew by a rather stunning 1.1% in the December quarter. That is the best one quarter result since March 2012, and comes off the back of the September quarter result which saw the economy shrink by 0.5%. | The GDP figures out today showed the economy grew by a rather stunning 1.1% in the December quarter. That is the best one quarter result since March 2012, and comes off the back of the September quarter result which saw the economy shrink by 0.5%. |
| While the figure is very good, there needs to be a bit of caution before you limber up to do cartwheels. One reason the figure is so strong is because the September quarter figures were so bad – and they were bad for a number of one-off reasons, including bad weather which reduced housing construction. So it’s not like the economy has suddenly got a lot better, more we just didn’t suffer the same bad events in December that occurred in September | While the figure is very good, there needs to be a bit of caution before you limber up to do cartwheels. One reason the figure is so strong is because the September quarter figures were so bad – and they were bad for a number of one-off reasons, including bad weather which reduced housing construction. So it’s not like the economy has suddenly got a lot better, more we just didn’t suffer the same bad events in December that occurred in September |
| The annual growth figures of 2.4% remains below the long term average (historically a figure of 3%, but now considered to be closer to 2.75%). | The annual growth figures of 2.4% remains below the long term average (historically a figure of 3%, but now considered to be closer to 2.75%). |
| Also the big 1.1% growth figure is the seasonally adjusted figure which can be a bit erratic. The trend growth figure is a rather less ebullient 0.3%, and the trend annual growth figure is a fairly pathetic 1.9%. | Also the big 1.1% growth figure is the seasonally adjusted figure which can be a bit erratic. The trend growth figure is a rather less ebullient 0.3%, and the trend annual growth figure is a fairly pathetic 1.9%. |
| The big driver of growth was household consumption – which contributed nearly half of the 1.1% growth – exports and also non-dwelling construction. | The big driver of growth was household consumption – which contributed nearly half of the 1.1% growth – exports and also non-dwelling construction. |
| There is good news for the government from the nominal growth figures. Nominal GDP measure the size of the economy in current dollars and this figure has more of an impact for government tax revenue. In the December quarter nominal growth grew by 3.0% in seasonally adjusted terms – the best result since June 2010. It means nominal GDP grew by 6.1% in 2016. Given the December mid-year fiscal and economic outlook estimated growth for 2016-17 of 5.75%, that is good news for the budget figures. | There is good news for the government from the nominal growth figures. Nominal GDP measure the size of the economy in current dollars and this figure has more of an impact for government tax revenue. In the December quarter nominal growth grew by 3.0% in seasonally adjusted terms – the best result since June 2010. It means nominal GDP grew by 6.1% in 2016. Given the December mid-year fiscal and economic outlook estimated growth for 2016-17 of 5.75%, that is good news for the budget figures. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.05am GMT | at 1.05am GMT |
| 12.50am GMT | 12.50am GMT |
| 00:50 | 00:50 |
| The house is now voting on the omnibus bill. As the National party was doing its thing, the house voted down a very detailed amendment from Indi independent Cathy McGowan. | The house is now voting on the omnibus bill. As the National party was doing its thing, the house voted down a very detailed amendment from Indi independent Cathy McGowan. |
| Her amendment sought to put some structure and process around mobile community childcare funding which seeks to fill the gaps in childcare places in rural and regional towns. | Her amendment sought to put some structure and process around mobile community childcare funding which seeks to fill the gaps in childcare places in rural and regional towns. |
| It would require the government to assess hard data around the number of places in various areas so that it provides a more transparent process and funding. | It would require the government to assess hard data around the number of places in various areas so that it provides a more transparent process and funding. |
| McGowan said the minister had been helpful, but was only offering grants and guidelines without a permanent process. | McGowan said the minister had been helpful, but was only offering grants and guidelines without a permanent process. |
| She said especially for the National party, this policy affected poor and needy women in rural Australia, including Indigenous communities. | She said especially for the National party, this policy affected poor and needy women in rural Australia, including Indigenous communities. |
| In speaking to the bill, McGowan had a warning for the major parties. You are already bleeding votes and until you start recognising that regional communities have different needs (and responding to them), you will lose more votes to minor parties. | In speaking to the bill, McGowan had a warning for the major parties. You are already bleeding votes and until you start recognising that regional communities have different needs (and responding to them), you will lose more votes to minor parties. |
| Labor voted for the McGowan amendment but the Coalition including the National party voted against. | Labor voted for the McGowan amendment but the Coalition including the National party voted against. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.05am GMT | at 1.05am GMT |
| 12.38am GMT | 12.38am GMT |
| 00:38 | 00:38 |
| Paul Karp | Paul Karp |
| Australia’s economy has rebounded, recording 1.1% growth in the December 2016 quarter. | Australia’s economy has rebounded, recording 1.1% growth in the December 2016 quarter. |
| The result reverses the shock negative result in the September quarter and means Australia has avoided a recession, as was widely projected by market economists. | The result reverses the shock negative result in the September quarter and means Australia has avoided a recession, as was widely projected by market economists. |
| Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday show Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) has now grown 2.4% through the year. | Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday show Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) has now grown 2.4% through the year. |
| Australia has now recorded 101 quarters between the June 1991 and the 2016 December quarter without two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. | Australia has now recorded 101 quarters between the June 1991 and the 2016 December quarter without two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. |
| Australia continues to close in on the Netherlands’ record of 103 quarters without a recession, which Deloitte Access Economics has predicted it will surpass this year. | Australia continues to close in on the Netherlands’ record of 103 quarters without a recession, which Deloitte Access Economics has predicted it will surpass this year. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.00am GMT | at 1.00am GMT |
| 12.35am GMT | 12.35am GMT |
| 00:35 | 00:35 |
| Australia avoids recession after recording 1.1% economic growth in the last quarter. | Australia avoids recession after recording 1.1% economic growth in the last quarter. |
| 12.31am GMT | 12.31am GMT |
| 00:31 | 00:31 |
| Someone left a bag of Macca’s on the lawn in the courtyard when the National party emerged for its press conference. | Someone left a bag of Macca’s on the lawn in the courtyard when the National party emerged for its press conference. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.35am GMT | at 12.35am GMT |
| 12.29am GMT | 12.29am GMT |
| 00:29 | 00:29 |
| John Fraser (treasury secretary) says there is a problem in Australia's gas market and there's a group within treasury looking at it #auspol | John Fraser (treasury secretary) says there is a problem in Australia's gas market and there's a group within treasury looking at it #auspol |
| 12.28am GMT | 12.28am GMT |
| 00:28 | 00:28 |
| John Fraser (treasury secretary) says Treasury has not looked into the affects of the wages decision #auspol | John Fraser (treasury secretary) says Treasury has not looked into the affects of the wages decision #auspol |
| 12.27am GMT | 12.27am GMT |
| 00:27 | 00:27 |
| Treasury secretary John Fraser says demographics of immigrants mean they congregate in cities, so yes, they can be a driver of house prices. | Treasury secretary John Fraser says demographics of immigrants mean they congregate in cities, so yes, they can be a driver of house prices. |
| 12.26am GMT | 12.26am GMT |
| 00:26 | 00:26 |
| There is no clear answer from Barnaby Joyce on whether he supports a “debranding” of the Nats from the Liberals in Queensland. He does say he has been going to Queensland regularly. | There is no clear answer from Barnaby Joyce on whether he supports a “debranding” of the Nats from the Liberals in Queensland. He does say he has been going to Queensland regularly. |
| People clearly understand who we are. I’ve never had anybody confused which party I’m in. | People clearly understand who we are. I’ve never had anybody confused which party I’m in. |
| 12.22am GMT | 12.22am GMT |
| 00:22 | 00:22 |
| So to be clear, the National party has started a Senate inquiry and has urged rural and regional towns across Australia to make a bid for a government office. | So to be clear, the National party has started a Senate inquiry and has urged rural and regional towns across Australia to make a bid for a government office. |
| Barnaby Joyce says the Nats don’t need to carve out a new identity because they already have a strong identity. | Barnaby Joyce says the Nats don’t need to carve out a new identity because they already have a strong identity. |
| This relates to the idea that in Queensland, the Nats in the LNP want a separate identity. | This relates to the idea that in Queensland, the Nats in the LNP want a separate identity. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.30am GMT | at 12.30am GMT |
| 12.19am GMT | 12.19am GMT |
| 00:19 | 00:19 |
| Asked about APVMA expertise is being lost, Joyce says: | Asked about APVMA expertise is being lost, Joyce says: |
| Well, we’ve also had an awful lot of inquiries about people who want to work there. Everything balances off. | Well, we’ve also had an awful lot of inquiries about people who want to work there. Everything balances off. |
| 12.16am GMT | 12.16am GMT |
| 00:16 | 00:16 |
| Barnaby Joyce: APVMA Macca's claim ridiculous | Barnaby Joyce: APVMA Macca's claim ridiculous |
| Barnaby Joyce says the APVMA workers have plenty of office space. They don’t need to work from McDonald’s. | Barnaby Joyce says the APVMA workers have plenty of office space. They don’t need to work from McDonald’s. |
| This is ridiculous. There are so many areas up there if they wish to have office space, they could get it. Armidale was one of the first cities to get the NBN. So the idea that you have to work out of Macca’s is a choice that they’ve made. I’ve been overwhelmed by people saying it was ridiculous and there was office space if they wanted it. | This is ridiculous. There are so many areas up there if they wish to have office space, they could get it. Armidale was one of the first cities to get the NBN. So the idea that you have to work out of Macca’s is a choice that they’ve made. I’ve been overwhelmed by people saying it was ridiculous and there was office space if they wanted it. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.19am GMT | at 12.19am GMT |
| 12.14am GMT | 12.14am GMT |
| 00:14 | 00:14 |
| Barnaby Joyce is freewheeling on the benefits of decentralisation. He says Bob Hawke previously supported some decentralisation. As did Gough Whitlam BTW. But I digress. | Barnaby Joyce is freewheeling on the benefits of decentralisation. He says Bob Hawke previously supported some decentralisation. As did Gough Whitlam BTW. But I digress. |
| Here is Barnaby: | Here is Barnaby: |
| What’s happened to the Labor Party is it’s lost a vision for the nation and it’s become myopic and is going into the parochial paces of saying they’re going to support where things already are. If that was the vision that was around at the time that they developed the constitution for our nation, before federation,we would not be having this press conference here. There would be a city called Melbourne and a city called Sydney and one of them would be slightly bigger because all of the administrative centres would be there. | What’s happened to the Labor Party is it’s lost a vision for the nation and it’s become myopic and is going into the parochial paces of saying they’re going to support where things already are. If that was the vision that was around at the time that they developed the constitution for our nation, before federation,we would not be having this press conference here. There would be a city called Melbourne and a city called Sydney and one of them would be slightly bigger because all of the administrative centres would be there. |