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Coalition defends tax plan while attacking Labor on dual citizenship – politics live Coalition defends tax plan while attacking Labor on dual citizenship – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Back to Mathias Cormann:
Whatever promises Bill Shorten gives today, whatever rolled gold guarantee he gives to the Australian people, the Australian people know, that whatever promises Bill Shorten makes today, whatever rolled gold guarantees Bill Shorten provides them in his speech tonight, they cannot be trusted.
And on the (three separate) modelling which has found that most of the tax cuts will go to high income earners?
We are providing income tax relief to encourage and reward hardworking Australians and we are prioritising low and middle income earners over the first four years – overwhelmingly of course. The income tax relief we are providing in our budget is going to low and middle income earners and we call on Bill Shorten to back the plan in full.
Which it is - over the first four years. But beyond that - well, higher income earners will be quite happy.
Bob Katter was just on Sky News, which just reminded me to check if anyone in north Queensland had been torn apart by a crocodile since February.
No one has.
Let a thousand blossoms bloom.
I’ll come back to both Mathias Cormann and Pauline Hanson in just a moment, but I was just working my way through Barnaby Joyce’s Sky interview, where he became the prime example for how anglos RUIN food.I’ll come back to both Mathias Cormann and Pauline Hanson in just a moment, but I was just working my way through Barnaby Joyce’s Sky interview, where he became the prime example for how anglos RUIN food.
The man who once posed with a tea towel draped behind his neck like a prizefighter mulling over the meaning of life, now says he does “all the cooking, I do the washing, hang things out,” when he is at home. The man who once posed with a tea towel draped behind his neck like a prizefighter mulling over the meaning of life, now says he does “all the cooking, I do the washing, hang things out”, when he is at home.
And his specialty? RUINING food.And his specialty? RUINING food.
“...The regular roast that becomes curries that become risotto” “... The regular roast that becomes curries that become risotto.”
And then he just works his way down. To what? Roast curry rice pudding?And then he just works his way down. To what? Roast curry rice pudding?
(Yes, I too use leftovers. But curries to risotto?) (Yes, I too use leftovers. But curries to risotto? You know what a roast becomes? Sandwiches. Or cold roast)
The home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, has got stuck into Bill Shorten about his interpretation of high court decisions on the “reasonable steps” test. Dutton told 2GB radio:The home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, has got stuck into Bill Shorten about his interpretation of high court decisions on the “reasonable steps” test. Dutton told 2GB radio:
He lied to the Australian people yesterday. I watched that press conference with Bill Shorten and I saw him look down the barrel of a camera and he blatantly lied, there’s no question about it. I think Mr Shorten has a credibility problemHe lied to the Australian people yesterday. I watched that press conference with Bill Shorten and I saw him look down the barrel of a camera and he blatantly lied, there’s no question about it. I think Mr Shorten has a credibility problem
... Yesterday I think people really saw Bill Shorten exposed and he essentially said absolutely something that wasn’t true, and he knew it not to be true. The high court only confirmed what they’d found in the Canavan case in the Gallagher case yesterday.... Yesterday I think people really saw Bill Shorten exposed and he essentially said absolutely something that wasn’t true, and he knew it not to be true. The high court only confirmed what they’d found in the Canavan case in the Gallagher case yesterday.
For Mr Shorten to pretend otherwise, I was really quite shocked by it.For Mr Shorten to pretend otherwise, I was really quite shocked by it.
Pauline Hanson will (maybe) support the government’s tax plan (maybe) if the government cuts migration.Pauline Hanson will (maybe) support the government’s tax plan (maybe) if the government cuts migration.
She wants the migration rate cut from the 190,000 ceiling to 75,000. She says it’s because cities can’t cope with population growth, and the states don’t have the money to build the necessary infrastructure.She wants the migration rate cut from the 190,000 ceiling to 75,000. She says it’s because cities can’t cope with population growth, and the states don’t have the money to build the necessary infrastructure.
Hanson also mentions that people who don’t support her call are not the ones who are having to “line up to see the doctor”.Hanson also mentions that people who don’t support her call are not the ones who are having to “line up to see the doctor”.
She fails to mention that one of the reasons we line up to see doctors, particularly in regional and rural areas, is because we, as a country, don’t have enough doctors coming out of our medical schools, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE A MIGRATION PROGRAM.She fails to mention that one of the reasons we line up to see doctors, particularly in regional and rural areas, is because we, as a country, don’t have enough doctors coming out of our medical schools, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE A MIGRATION PROGRAM.
I told you he was out and about - Mike Bowers spotted in his natural habitat:I told you he was out and about - Mike Bowers spotted in his natural habitat:
Spotting a wild @MathiasCormann moving through the forest of the Senate courtyard, @mpbowers takes a shot pic.twitter.com/Rfuyu16cyzSpotting a wild @MathiasCormann moving through the forest of the Senate courtyard, @mpbowers takes a shot pic.twitter.com/Rfuyu16cyz
Candidates are being announced:Candidates are being announced:
Greens have just announced their Perth byelection candidate is Caroline Perks #auspol https://t.co/KiTuQWpdlJGreens have just announced their Perth byelection candidate is Caroline Perks #auspol https://t.co/KiTuQWpdlJ
While Mathias Cormann is still talking, his office has released a statement doubling down on his main points:While Mathias Cormann is still talking, his office has released a statement doubling down on his main points:
Tonight, Bill Shorten needs to get serious about building a stronger economy.Tonight, Bill Shorten needs to get serious about building a stronger economy.
Bill Shorten does not have a single policy to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Labor only has a series of tax grabs.Bill Shorten does not have a single policy to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Labor only has a series of tax grabs.
Labor needs to drop their over $200bn of higher taxes – on electricity, small and family business, incomes, housing, investment and retirees. Because Labor’s $200bn of tax grabs will hurt our economy, hurt families and cost jobs.Labor needs to drop their over $200bn of higher taxes – on electricity, small and family business, incomes, housing, investment and retirees. Because Labor’s $200bn of tax grabs will hurt our economy, hurt families and cost jobs.
Labor needs to reverse their plan to increase tax for small and medium businesses. They need to back our entire plan for income tax relief to encourage and reward working Australians.Labor needs to reverse their plan to increase tax for small and medium businesses. They need to back our entire plan for income tax relief to encourage and reward working Australians.
Bracket creep reduces the rewards for effort, undermines the returns to quality education, and blunts the incentive to work hard, take risks and succeed. Our plan also delivers a tax system that encourages aspirational Australians to get ahead, to take on additional work and keep more of their extra income.Bracket creep reduces the rewards for effort, undermines the returns to quality education, and blunts the incentive to work hard, take risks and succeed. Our plan also delivers a tax system that encourages aspirational Australians to get ahead, to take on additional work and keep more of their extra income.
Labor needs to own up to the fact that when Bill Shorten and Chris Bowen were last in government they left behind a weakening economy, rising unemployment and a rapidly deteriorating budget position.Labor needs to own up to the fact that when Bill Shorten and Chris Bowen were last in government they left behind a weakening economy, rising unemployment and a rapidly deteriorating budget position.
Their anti-growth and anti-jobs agenda now would take Australia back to where Labor left off in 2013.Their anti-growth and anti-jobs agenda now would take Australia back to where Labor left off in 2013.
Labor has not delivered a surplus since 1989. They need to show how they will keep spending under control, because Australia can’t afford Labor’s economic mismanagement.Labor has not delivered a surplus since 1989. They need to show how they will keep spending under control, because Australia can’t afford Labor’s economic mismanagement.
We are turning the corner on Labor’s debt and deficit disaster. We have a plan to return the budget to a modest balance by 2019-20, increasing to projected surpluses in 2020-21 and 2021-22. We are no longer borrowing to fund recurrent expenditure.We are turning the corner on Labor’s debt and deficit disaster. We have a plan to return the budget to a modest balance by 2019-20, increasing to projected surpluses in 2020-21 and 2021-22. We are no longer borrowing to fund recurrent expenditure.
Sigh. We are in for months and months and months of this. From all sides. And then the byelections will end, but we’ll be very much in general election campaign mode by then, so we’ll be bombarded with even more. Essentially – electioneering is coming.Sigh. We are in for months and months and months of this. From all sides. And then the byelections will end, but we’ll be very much in general election campaign mode by then, so we’ll be bombarded with even more. Essentially – electioneering is coming.
Mathias Cormann has just given a “rolled gold guarantee” that the Coalition has no more problems with dual citizens.Mathias Cormann has just given a “rolled gold guarantee” that the Coalition has no more problems with dual citizens.
That’s because questions over Jason Falinski in particular won’t go away. He has updated his register with the advice saying he is not and never was a Polish citizen, but Labor is still pursuing for him to be referred to the high court and for the full bench to work it out. (Polish citizenship law is one of those complicated ones.)That’s because questions over Jason Falinski in particular won’t go away. He has updated his register with the advice saying he is not and never was a Polish citizen, but Labor is still pursuing for him to be referred to the high court and for the full bench to work it out. (Polish citizenship law is one of those complicated ones.)
Cormann and others within the government have seized on Bill Shorten’s “rolled gold guarantee” that Labor had no problems with citizenship, because of its vetting processes, which was made during a Today interview last year, when he was asked if he could give a “rolled gold guarantee” and he answered “yes”.Cormann and others within the government have seized on Bill Shorten’s “rolled gold guarantee” that Labor had no problems with citizenship, because of its vetting processes, which was made during a Today interview last year, when he was asked if he could give a “rolled gold guarantee” and he answered “yes”.
Just your reminder that rolled gold is actually very cheap – it’s when silver or other medals are rolled in gold to increase their value. But as anyone who has bought a gold-plated or gold-filled piece of jewellery knows, it rubs off.Just your reminder that rolled gold is actually very cheap – it’s when silver or other medals are rolled in gold to increase their value. But as anyone who has bought a gold-plated or gold-filled piece of jewellery knows, it rubs off.
Greg Jericho has had a look at the government’s tax plan - you’ll find his whole analysis here, but here’s a short take:Greg Jericho has had a look at the government’s tax plan - you’ll find his whole analysis here, but here’s a short take:
In 2015-16 the roughly 400,000 people who had incomes between $156,500 and $241,000 paid an average 32.6% tax on their income for a total of $24.7bn. Dropping that average tax rate to 29.5% would see a drop of $2.4bn in tax revenue – that’s around a quarter of the cost of Newstart each year. Add in cuts from the other two million or so people earning over $90,000 and you are talking big money – every year.In 2015-16 the roughly 400,000 people who had incomes between $156,500 and $241,000 paid an average 32.6% tax on their income for a total of $24.7bn. Dropping that average tax rate to 29.5% would see a drop of $2.4bn in tax revenue – that’s around a quarter of the cost of Newstart each year. Add in cuts from the other two million or so people earning over $90,000 and you are talking big money – every year.
And it’s why the prime minister and treasurer have refused to say how much it will cost, and are sticking with the “$140bn over 10 years” line – but refusing to explain what is included in that figure, let alone breaking it down to individual items.And it’s why the prime minister and treasurer have refused to say how much it will cost, and are sticking with the “$140bn over 10 years” line – but refusing to explain what is included in that figure, let alone breaking it down to individual items.
Barnaby Joyce is very much enjoying Labor’s dual citizenship misfortunes. Here’s Joyce telling Sky of his time waiting for the high court decision that ultimately found he was ineligible to sit in parliament as a dual citizen.Barnaby Joyce is very much enjoying Labor’s dual citizenship misfortunes. Here’s Joyce telling Sky of his time waiting for the high court decision that ultimately found he was ineligible to sit in parliament as a dual citizen.
Then they [Labor] would move that the member be no longer heard, then they would have a vote, then they would make a baaa-ing [sheep] noises and they thought it was a great joke, they were absolutely ridiculing me.Then they [Labor] would move that the member be no longer heard, then they would have a vote, then they would make a baaa-ing [sheep] noises and they thought it was a great joke, they were absolutely ridiculing me.
It was puerile, but it showed the hypocrisy of the Labor party, because as we were going through this, we were saying, ‘surely there are people on your own side in the same position’. But oh no, he [Bill Shorten] came out and said, ‘oh no, we are as pure as the driven snow, nothing to see here’. They must feel like complete and utter hypocrites.It was puerile, but it showed the hypocrisy of the Labor party, because as we were going through this, we were saying, ‘surely there are people on your own side in the same position’. But oh no, he [Bill Shorten] came out and said, ‘oh no, we are as pure as the driven snow, nothing to see here’. They must feel like complete and utter hypocrites.
Lyle Shelton, Cory Bernardi’s Australian Conservatives spokesman in Queensland, has started today with an attack on Pauline Hanson and One Nation. Here’s Shelton’s press release:Lyle Shelton, Cory Bernardi’s Australian Conservatives spokesman in Queensland, has started today with an attack on Pauline Hanson and One Nation. Here’s Shelton’s press release:
One Nation’s decision to side with Labor and popularist Senate cross-benchers to block the government’s plan to reward effort through the tax system is disappointing for conservative Queenslanders.One Nation’s decision to side with Labor and popularist Senate cross-benchers to block the government’s plan to reward effort through the tax system is disappointing for conservative Queenslanders.
Australian Conservatives spokesman Lyle Shelton said today’s move by Pauline Hanson to block Scott Morrison’s legislation to flatten the tax system brings into focus the choice conservative alternative party voters have at the next federal election.Australian Conservatives spokesman Lyle Shelton said today’s move by Pauline Hanson to block Scott Morrison’s legislation to flatten the tax system brings into focus the choice conservative alternative party voters have at the next federal election.
‘Voters are right to retain their scepticism of the major parties, but in choosing third-party insurance in the Senate they should consider the principles their minor party of choice stands for.‘Voters are right to retain their scepticism of the major parties, but in choosing third-party insurance in the Senate they should consider the principles their minor party of choice stands for.
‘Australian Conservatives exists to make conservative politics better after years of failure. We do this by taking a principled stand and rewarding conservative policy when it is offered,’ Mr Shelton said.‘Australian Conservatives exists to make conservative politics better after years of failure. We do this by taking a principled stand and rewarding conservative policy when it is offered,’ Mr Shelton said.
‘One Nation’s position on tax has flipped and flopped all year. First they opposed the company tax cuts and now they support them.‘One Nation’s position on tax has flipped and flopped all year. First they opposed the company tax cuts and now they support them.
‘Today they are working with Labor and the Greens to block reform that would reward aspiration. What will their policy be tomorrow?’‘Today they are working with Labor and the Greens to block reform that would reward aspiration. What will their policy be tomorrow?’
Mr Shelton said Australian Conservatives would pitch to voters looking for candidates who would stand for conservative principles, rather than simply articulating grievance.Mr Shelton said Australian Conservatives would pitch to voters looking for candidates who would stand for conservative principles, rather than simply articulating grievance.
It’s so sad when you used to have mad love, but then you have bad blood.It’s so sad when you used to have mad love, but then you have bad blood.
Looks like Mathias Cormann is being sent out on the theory that the best defence is a good offence, ahead of Labor’s budget-in-reply. He is holding a press conference in the next 10 minutes.Looks like Mathias Cormann is being sent out on the theory that the best defence is a good offence, ahead of Labor’s budget-in-reply. He is holding a press conference in the next 10 minutes.
The government’s insistence on putting its tax plan together as one whole package has emerged as the biggest budget disagreement so far.The government’s insistence on putting its tax plan together as one whole package has emerged as the biggest budget disagreement so far.
Labor has ruled out supporting parts two and three. Penny Wong: Labor says it wants more detail on the tax plan before making a decision on whether or not it will support it*.
Penny Wong:
The government has put up a bill as a political tactic. Malcolm is saying you have got to vote on a bill now that is predicated on me winning an election twice. So, he wants people to vote on a bill that assumes he’s going to be here in six years’ time.The government has put up a bill as a political tactic. Malcolm is saying you have got to vote on a bill now that is predicated on me winning an election twice. So, he wants people to vote on a bill that assumes he’s going to be here in six years’ time.
The crossbench – I saw Senator Martin, Senator Storer, Senator Hinch rightly say, ‘what’s the rush?’ and ‘tell us what it costs’. Because let’s remember, Malcolm Turnbull still hasn’t told people what his big tranche of tax cuts down the track costs and I think Australians, and the Senate, are entitled to know that. The crossbench – I saw Senator Martin, Senator Storer, Senator Hinch rightly say, ‘what’s the rush?’ and ‘tell us what it costs’. Because let’s remember, Malcolm Turnbull still hasn’t told people what his big tranche of tax cuts down the track costs and I think Australians, and the Senate, are entitled to know that.”
*An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated Labor would not support part 2 and 3. I’m told the party is still making up its mind.
Anyone would think there were two byelections about to occur in Western Australia with the way Labor’s Matt Keogh was talking this morning:Anyone would think there were two byelections about to occur in Western Australia with the way Labor’s Matt Keogh was talking this morning:
Malcolm Turnbull came over to WA only a couple of weeks ago showering WA with largess. ‘Billions of dollars,’ he said, but what did we discover on Tuesday night? Really all of that money was already hiding in the federal budget. Scott Morrison did some budget fudgery moved some dollars around and presto there it is, but actually very few new dollars for Western Australia at all.Malcolm Turnbull came over to WA only a couple of weeks ago showering WA with largess. ‘Billions of dollars,’ he said, but what did we discover on Tuesday night? Really all of that money was already hiding in the federal budget. Scott Morrison did some budget fudgery moved some dollars around and presto there it is, but actually very few new dollars for Western Australia at all.
In fact less than $200m in GST top up. Meanwhile, the Shorten Labor team have committed to Western Australia a $1.6bn GST fair share fund for WA. If Malcolm Turnbull really believed in this budget, if he really thought that it was in the best interests of not just Australians but Western Australians, he would be putting candidates up in these byelections.In fact less than $200m in GST top up. Meanwhile, the Shorten Labor team have committed to Western Australia a $1.6bn GST fair share fund for WA. If Malcolm Turnbull really believed in this budget, if he really thought that it was in the best interests of not just Australians but Western Australians, he would be putting candidates up in these byelections.