This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/mar/02/eric-abetz-no-worker-should-be-worse-off-under-penalty-rate-cut-politics-live

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Eric Abetz: no worker should be worse off under penalty rate cut – politics live Eric Abetz: no worker should be worse off under penalty rate cut – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.49pm GMT
22:49
That's a remarkable interpretation of s202 of the social security (admin) act, which allows disclosure for purposes of social security law
10.47pm GMT
22:47
DHS confirms didn't have public interest certificate for release of welfare recipient's info, says didn't need it #estimates @gabriellechan
10.46pm GMT
22:46
I had this vague feeling that I was missing something, with Senate estimates committees rolling here. Then I realised it was actually the parliament.
*hits forehead on desk*
So the lower house began at 9.30am with government business.
First cab off the rank is NDIS savings account, designed to squirrel away savings from the omnibus bill for the NDIS.
These are the bits of legislation on the list today.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Fund Special Account
Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1)
Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Digital Readiness and Other Measures)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan)
Updated
at 10.48pm GMT
10.37pm GMT
22:37
On Centrelink:
Labor senator Murray Watt questioning on release of personal information, is asking where dept GM @HankJongen is. #estimates @gabriellechan
DHS agree the personal information it handed to journo was protected information, but was done so lawfully #estimates @gabriellechan
10.34pm GMT
22:34
Tony Burke has been prosecuting Labor’s penalty rate argument on Sky news. It looks like a dry run for a 2018 election slogan.
Workers face pay cuts.
The government can fix it.
The government is choosing not to.
10.21pm GMT
22:21
Regarding the Centrelink release of personal information on a critic of the system:
Campbell defends release of personal information by dept, says it has the power to do so under social security law #estimates @gabriellechan
The background is here.
Welfare recipient Andie Fox wrote an article for Fairfax Media earlier this month setting out her difficulties dealing with the agency after she began receiving calls from a debt collector.
But, over the weekend, she was shocked to discover details of her interactions with Centrelink and claim history set out – with some information she says is incorrect – in a separate article by Fairfax Media.
Updated
at 10.23pm GMT
10.21pm GMT
22:21
Penny Wong and her eyebrows are questioning the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Frances Adamson, on the global heads of missions meetings which was revealed by the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop.
This is the inaugural global heads of missions meetings where more than 100 ambassadors and heads of mission are brought back to Australia to discuss the government’s foreign white paper.
Adamson says it was her idea.
Wong wants to know what the outcome of the meeting will be. Adamson says the outcome will be fed into the white paper. Wong wants to know if there will be a formal report process.
Updated
at 10.46pm GMT
10.17pm GMT10.17pm GMT
22:1722:17
Campbell agrees in some cases initial robo debt letters were sent to old addresses. Says 6600 addresses were old #estimates @gabriellechanCampbell agrees in some cases initial robo debt letters were sent to old addresses. Says 6600 addresses were old #estimates @gabriellechan
10.16pm GMT10.16pm GMT
22:1622:16
My colleague Christopher Knaus is watching the the community affairs estimates. He did some great work on this over the Christmas period so he is worth following.My colleague Christopher Knaus is watching the the community affairs estimates. He did some great work on this over the Christmas period so he is worth following.
DHS secretary Kath Campbell defends robo debt system as fair, says initial letters not "debt letters"in #estimates @gabriellechanDHS secretary Kath Campbell defends robo debt system as fair, says initial letters not "debt letters"in #estimates @gabriellechan
10.13pm GMT10.13pm GMT
22:1322:13
Updated
at 10.45pm GMT
10.08pm GMT10.08pm GMT
22:0822:08
One of the issues that has lobbed back on to the prime ministerial plate is 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. This happened after the report this week basically came up with every single option from procedural changes to removing “insult” and “offend”. There was a prize for every child. Again it bounces back to the leadership group. One of the issues that has lobbed back on to the prime ministerial plate is 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. This happened after the report this week basically came up with every single option, from procedural changes to removing “insult” and “offend”. There was a prize for every child. Again it bounces back to the leadership group.
Scott Morrison has been quite forthright on this. A change to the act won’t create a single job, says the treasurer. (ie, colleague frolic.) Scott Morrison has been quite forthright on this. A change to the act won’t create a single job, says the treasurer (ie, colleague frolic).
Turnbull does a bit of conservative whispering, pointing out he defended Peter Wright in the Spycatcher case – a case that was about a former British spy’s right to free speech.Turnbull does a bit of conservative whispering, pointing out he defended Peter Wright in the Spycatcher case – a case that was about a former British spy’s right to free speech.
This is a very legitimate area to discuss, to debate. Scott’s right. It’s not going to result in people making another investment and taking on more employees. But nonetheless, we are here in a house of freedom in parliament house, a house of democracy, and these issues are important. This is a very legitimate area to discuss, to debate. Scott’s right. It’s not going to result in people making another investment and taking on more employees. But nonetheless, we are here in a house of freedom in Parliament House, a house of democracy, and these issues are important.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.13pm GMT at 10.45pm GMT
9.57pm GMT9.57pm GMT
21:5721:57
Malcolm Turnbull has been asked, do you think Tony Abbott’s intent on blowing up this government?Malcolm Turnbull has been asked, do you think Tony Abbott’s intent on blowing up this government?
I’ll decline the opportunity to comment on personalities.I’ll decline the opportunity to comment on personalities.
(This comes after Turnbull blamed Abbott for the bad Newspoll results this week.)(This comes after Turnbull blamed Abbott for the bad Newspoll results this week.)
Updated
at 10.43pm GMT
9.53pm GMT9.53pm GMT
21:5321:53
Here is that quote from treasurer Scott Morrison on not spending any excess windfall in government revenue.Here is that quote from treasurer Scott Morrison on not spending any excess windfall in government revenue.
Q: There is no temptation to spend it?Q: There is no temptation to spend it?
John [Fraser] is right. That is government actual fiscal policy.John [Fraser] is right. That is government actual fiscal policy.
9.38pm GMT9.38pm GMT
21:3821:38
Malcolm Turnbull lauds the national accounts figures while acknowledging that there are still parts of the country that are doing it tough. (Hello Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.) Malcolm Turnbull lauds the national accounts figures while acknowledging that there are still parts of the country that are doing it tough. (Hello, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.)
There’s no doubt that parts of regional Australia – not all, but parts – of regional Australia have done it tough, largely because of the downturn in the mining and construction boom.There’s no doubt that parts of regional Australia – not all, but parts – of regional Australia have done it tough, largely because of the downturn in the mining and construction boom.
You know, we have seen in this last quarter a pick-up in business investment which is a very good sign, but obviously ... investment in mining was up to 8% of GDP. It couldn’t stay there forever. You know, we have seen in this last quarter a pick-up in business investment which is a very good sign, but obviously … investment in mining was up to 8% of GDP. It couldn’t stay there forever.
It came off and that’s hit some regional areas very hard. Now, the good news is that because we are growing our exports. And you saw on the weekend I secured greater access for sugar and for beef into Indonesia ... it’s a huge market. It came off and that’s hit some regional areas very hard. Now, the good news is that because we are growing our exports. And you saw on the weekend I secured greater access for sugar and for beef into Indonesia … it’s a huge market.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.45pm GMT at 10.43pm GMT
9.28pm GMT9.28pm GMT
21:2821:28
Malcolm Turnbull: FWC supports phased in penalty rate cuts, not grandfathering Malcolm Turnbull: FWC supports phased-in penalty rate cuts, not grandfathering
Malcolm Turnbull makes a couple of points.Malcolm Turnbull makes a couple of points.
The FWC reduced some penalty rates, typically from 250% to 225% or 175% to 150%. The Fair Work Commission reduced some penalty rates, typically from 250% to 225% or 175% to 150%.
Modern awards state an intention that any changes to awards will not reduce the take-home pay of employees.Modern awards state an intention that any changes to awards will not reduce the take-home pay of employees.
That is the take-home pay clause in every modern award. And the commission is now seeking submissions as to how to manage the transitional arrangements. [The FWC] have said that they do not support what’s called red-circling, which is where you would say that employee A’s penalty rate remains the same but new employees, B, C, D, would be under the new arrangements. That is the take-home pay clause in every modern award. And the commission is now seeking submissions as to how to manage the transitional arrangements. [The FWC] have said that they do not support what’s called red circling, which is where you would say that employee A’s penalty rate remains the same but new employees, B, C, D, would be under the new arrangements.
Which sounds like the PM does not support Abetz’s option of grandfathering.Which sounds like the PM does not support Abetz’s option of grandfathering.
It depends what you mean by grandfathering? They’ve said they’re not in favour of that. They’ve indicated that provisionally. They have asked for submissions on how the take-home pay orders could be conducted.It depends what you mean by grandfathering? They’ve said they’re not in favour of that. They’ve indicated that provisionally. They have asked for submissions on how the take-home pay orders could be conducted.
He says the FWC supports a phased-in transition so that as wages rise and penalty rates fall, it evens out in the pay packet.He says the FWC supports a phased-in transition so that as wages rise and penalty rates fall, it evens out in the pay packet.
They have said – and this is consistent with the practice in the past – is that the changes to penalty rates should be phased in over a period of years ... The employee’s overall pay packet increases and offsets the phased-in reduction in penalty rates. They have said – and this is consistent with the practice in the past – is that the changes to penalty rates should be phased in over a period of years …The employee’s overall pay packet increases and offsets the phased-in reduction in penalty rates.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.46pm GMT at 10.42pm GMT
9.18pm GMT9.18pm GMT
21:1821:18
Malcolm Turnbull is speaking to Sabra Lane on AM.Malcolm Turnbull is speaking to Sabra Lane on AM.
He will not be giving an opinion on whether the government supports the penalty rate cut.He will not be giving an opinion on whether the government supports the penalty rate cut.
If you’re asking me do I think that the penalty rate for a public holiday should be reduced in one award from 250% to 225%, that is a matter that the government has not decided. That is a matter for the Fair Work Commission.If you’re asking me do I think that the penalty rate for a public holiday should be reduced in one award from 250% to 225%, that is a matter that the government has not decided. That is a matter for the Fair Work Commission.
9.14pm GMT9.14pm GMT
21:1421:14
The treasurer, Scott Morrison, has hardened his line on any increase in government revenue from commodity prices.The treasurer, Scott Morrison, has hardened his line on any increase in government revenue from commodity prices.
Yesterday, after the hopeful national accounts, Morrison was a little coy about what he would do with any coming windfall.Yesterday, after the hopeful national accounts, Morrison was a little coy about what he would do with any coming windfall.
If you were with me yesterday, you will know Treasury secretary John Fraser was clear cut in estimates hearings. Bank the savings, he said. As Peter Martin at Fairfax reports, If you were with me yesterday, you will know the the Treasury secretary, John Fraser, was clear cut in estimates hearings. Bank the savings, he said. As Peter Martin at Fairfax reports:
Mr Fraser told the committee that if the terms of trade stayed high, the government should “prioritise budget repair and ensure that any additional revenue is banked as an improvement to the budget bottom line”.Mr Fraser told the committee that if the terms of trade stayed high, the government should “prioritise budget repair and ensure that any additional revenue is banked as an improvement to the budget bottom line”.
“We need to take great care not to fall into the trap of spending unexpectedly higher revenue, should it arise, in a way that would structurally weaken the budget as may have occurred through the early 2000s,” he said.“We need to take great care not to fall into the trap of spending unexpectedly higher revenue, should it arise, in a way that would structurally weaken the budget as may have occurred through the early 2000s,” he said.
Morrison told Kieran Gilbert on Sky that if there is an improvement – and it is not clear that there is – it will go to paying down the debt. Morrison told Kieran Gilbert on Sky that if there was an improvement – and it was not clear that there was – it would go to paying down the debt.
He makes the point that he doesn’t want to chase revenue up hill and down dale. I will have the quotes to you ASAP but there is a lot happening here this morning. He made the point that he didn’t want to chase revenue up hill and down dale. I will have the quotes to you Asap but there is a lot happening here this morning.
The prime minister coming up.The prime minister coming up.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.27pm GMT at 10.41pm GMT
9.04pm GMT9.04pm GMT
21:0421:04
Good morning blogans,Good morning blogans,
As you rub the sleep from your eyes, in this parallel universe of Australian politics, Eric Abetz has suggested no worker should be worse off under the penalty rate cut.As you rub the sleep from your eyes, in this parallel universe of Australian politics, Eric Abetz has suggested no worker should be worse off under the penalty rate cut.
Unlike the senior levels of the Coalition, he unequivocally supported the decision. Unlike the senior levels of the Coalition, he unequivocally supported the decision:
I am pleased that the Fair Work Commission made the decision that it did.I am pleased that the Fair Work Commission made the decision that it did.
But:But:
It’s now important that the Fair Work Commission’s decision is implemented in a fair and equitable manner for current workers in the retail, hospitality and tourism sectors.It’s now important that the Fair Work Commission’s decision is implemented in a fair and equitable manner for current workers in the retail, hospitality and tourism sectors.
This approach would ensure that “no worker is worse off” while allowing new opportunities for the unemployed and especially for young unemployed people. It would mean no existing worker would have their income or household budget adversely impacted while supporting small business and assisting the unemployed.”This approach would ensure that “no worker is worse off” while allowing new opportunities for the unemployed and especially for young unemployed people. It would mean no existing worker would have their income or household budget adversely impacted while supporting small business and assisting the unemployed.”
Abetz’ argument is that the FWC has powers under the Fair Work Act to grandfather current employees covered by the Modern Awards mentioned in its recent 4 yearly review of modern awards – Penalty Rates with the new award rates applying only to prospective employees. Abetz’s argument is that the FWC has powers under the Fair Work Act to grandfather current employees covered by the modern awards mentioned in its recent four-yearly review of modern awards – penalty rates, with the new award rates applying only to prospective employees.
He goes right to the point that is now under contention, that is how to implement the cut, remembering that Labor and the Greens are still trying to block the effect of the decision in parliament.He goes right to the point that is now under contention, that is how to implement the cut, remembering that Labor and the Greens are still trying to block the effect of the decision in parliament.
Talk to me in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan or at Facebook. The man with the lens is @mpbowers. The prime minister is coming up. Up, up and away.Talk to me in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan or at Facebook. The man with the lens is @mpbowers. The prime minister is coming up. Up, up and away.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.15pm GMT at 10.37pm GMT