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Turnbull government loses 34th consecutive Newspoll – politics live Turnbull government loses 34th consecutive Newspoll – politics live
(35 minutes later)
For anyone watching the outcome of the Labor presidency ballot – a result should be known by mid-morning.
On the last information (which was late last night) Wayne Swan was ahead – but they were yet to start counting the electronic votes.
The Nationals also had their national conference at the weekend. Here’s a snapshot:
I have to say, I love that everyone's response to this pic is pointing out the lack of women #auspol #NatConf18 https://t.co/wKwrUEdykc
Scott Morrison was on Radio National this morning – this is what he had to say when asked if he thought the ABC was impartial:
That’s the ABC’s job. It is not for me to defend the ABC or promote the ABC: I fund the ABC and I think there are concerns out there in the Australian public. I think it is for the ABC to demonstrate to the Australian people that they are not doing that. I’m not saying they are. I don’t think you are and I don’t think you do on this program. I think this program is a good example of unbiased nature of the ABC.
It never seems to be the program they are on that is the problem. Worth noting thought that Mitch Fifield has made six complaints to the ABC in about six months.
Just on the tampon tax, here is what Tanya Plibersek had to say about it last night:Just on the tampon tax, here is what Tanya Plibersek had to say about it last night:
If the Liberals actually care about a fairer tax system, they should vote with Labor and others in the Senate today to abolish the tampon tax.If the Liberals actually care about a fairer tax system, they should vote with Labor and others in the Senate today to abolish the tampon tax.
It’s time this arrogant and out-of-touch prime minister gave women a tax cut, instead of his mates at the big banks.It’s time this arrogant and out-of-touch prime minister gave women a tax cut, instead of his mates at the big banks.
The Liberals talk about doing more for women, but never do – today Malcolm Turnbull has a chance to change that.The Liberals talk about doing more for women, but never do – today Malcolm Turnbull has a chance to change that.
Or does Mr Turnbull agree with Tony Abbott, who says scrapping the tampon tax is a “politically correct mistake”?Or does Mr Turnbull agree with Tony Abbott, who says scrapping the tampon tax is a “politically correct mistake”?
Or does he agree with his Liberal colleague Stuart Robert that it’s more important to abolish the GST on superyachts than on tampons and pads?Or does he agree with his Liberal colleague Stuart Robert that it’s more important to abolish the GST on superyachts than on tampons and pads?
Malcolm Turnbull reckons the tax system is gender neutral, but tampons are taxed, while Viagra isn’t.Malcolm Turnbull reckons the tax system is gender neutral, but tampons are taxed, while Viagra isn’t.
Back in April, Labor announced that we would end Australia’s unfair and discriminatory tampon tax by partnering with the states and territories to remove the GST on women’s sanitary products.Back in April, Labor announced that we would end Australia’s unfair and discriminatory tampon tax by partnering with the states and territories to remove the GST on women’s sanitary products.
Scrapping the tampon tax will make sanitary products more affordable – but just as importantly, it will be an important step forward in gender equity.Scrapping the tampon tax will make sanitary products more affordable – but just as importantly, it will be an important step forward in gender equity.
The tampon tax is a tax on women.The tampon tax is a tax on women.
Australian women spend around $300m on sanitary products – tampons and pads – each year.Australian women spend around $300m on sanitary products – tampons and pads – each year.
Currently, every single one of these products is hit with the 10%GST – around $30m a year in tax – because they are not considered necessities.Currently, every single one of these products is hit with the 10%GST – around $30m a year in tax – because they are not considered necessities.
At the same time, products such as incontinence pads, sunscreen and nicotine patches are exempt from the tax.At the same time, products such as incontinence pads, sunscreen and nicotine patches are exempt from the tax.
The tax shouldn’t have been applied in the first place – there is no question that sanitary products aren’t a luxury item. They are necessary for reproductive health and hygiene.The tax shouldn’t have been applied in the first place – there is no question that sanitary products aren’t a luxury item. They are necessary for reproductive health and hygiene.
That’s why Labor is leading the way to abolish this tax on sanitary items.That’s why Labor is leading the way to abolish this tax on sanitary items.
Labor is offering a real solution and there is no reason for Malcolm Turnbull to refuse it – it’s a well-designed plan that’s fully funded. And there’s no reason for the Liberals to vote against scrapping the tampon tax in the Senate today.Labor is offering a real solution and there is no reason for Malcolm Turnbull to refuse it – it’s a well-designed plan that’s fully funded. And there’s no reason for the Liberals to vote against scrapping the tampon tax in the Senate today.
Under Labor’s proposal, the loss of revenue to the states from GST on sanitary items, would be offset by applying the GST consistently to 12 natural therapies that are sometimes GST-free, such as herbalism and naturopathy.Under Labor’s proposal, the loss of revenue to the states from GST on sanitary items, would be offset by applying the GST consistently to 12 natural therapies that are sometimes GST-free, such as herbalism and naturopathy.
These natural therapies are not supported by clinical evidence, as the commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer and the National Health and Medical Research Council found in a review in 2015.These natural therapies are not supported by clinical evidence, as the commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer and the National Health and Medical Research Council found in a review in 2015.
At a time when government budgets are tight, the GST health exemption should only cover items with proven clinical effectiveness.At a time when government budgets are tight, the GST health exemption should only cover items with proven clinical effectiveness.
Ensuring the GST is applied to these therapies will also bring their GST treatment into line with bipartisan policy to remove the private health insurance rebate from them.Ensuring the GST is applied to these therapies will also bring their GST treatment into line with bipartisan policy to remove the private health insurance rebate from them.
Well, it has been QUITE the break, hasn’t it?Well, it has been QUITE the break, hasn’t it?
Just when you thought Australian politics was settling down, we get the last two weeks.Just when you thought Australian politics was settling down, we get the last two weeks.
In case you missed it, Barnaby Joyce has a book coming out – a “warts and all’ tell-all – but still, privacy please.In case you missed it, Barnaby Joyce has a book coming out – a “warts and all’ tell-all – but still, privacy please.
Lucy Gichuhi’s travel is in the news – particularly a 56th birthday bash, with a 50th theme, for which she has had to pay back family flights she charged to the taxpayer (she said she misunderstood the rules), but then there is also the clip from a Kenyan TV appearance in which she says her salary – A$200,000 – is not a lot of money for a year.Lucy Gichuhi’s travel is in the news – particularly a 56th birthday bash, with a 50th theme, for which she has had to pay back family flights she charged to the taxpayer (she said she misunderstood the rules), but then there is also the clip from a Kenyan TV appearance in which she says her salary – A$200,000 – is not a lot of money for a year.
Regarding the media reports about my travel expenses, this was an administrative error involving misunderstanding of travel rules.I’ve raised an invoice from the department to pay the costs of $2139 in full.Regarding the media reports about my travel expenses, this was an administrative error involving misunderstanding of travel rules.I’ve raised an invoice from the department to pay the costs of $2139 in full.
Brian Burston officially quit One Nation, and now looks likely to help Clive Palmer register his latest go-around in politics by joining the United Australia Party. Sigh. I’m sure the people of Townsville, particularly those who were left without jobs and their entitlements after his nickel refinery shutdown, are just THRILLED that Palmer is back.Brian Burston officially quit One Nation, and now looks likely to help Clive Palmer register his latest go-around in politics by joining the United Australia Party. Sigh. I’m sure the people of Townsville, particularly those who were left without jobs and their entitlements after his nickel refinery shutdown, are just THRILLED that Palmer is back.
Oh, and then the Liberals managed to score a pretty spectacular own goal in the world of deft-politics when their national council voted to privatise the ABC. The Liberals have been quick to point out that their national council motions are not binding and it is only the parliamentary team which makes policy.Oh, and then the Liberals managed to score a pretty spectacular own goal in the world of deft-politics when their national council voted to privatise the ABC. The Liberals have been quick to point out that their national council motions are not binding and it is only the parliamentary team which makes policy.
But given the big deal the government has made out of Labor’s upcoming national conference battles (asylum seekers being the main one), the government might not find it so easy to say the desires of the council don’t count. Particularly since no one spoke against the motion. Malcolm Turnbull wasn’t in the room at the time, and Mitch Fifield gave a “we’re not going to do it” speech, but still. Given all the cuts to the ABC, it’s not great timing, let alone great politics.But given the big deal the government has made out of Labor’s upcoming national conference battles (asylum seekers being the main one), the government might not find it so easy to say the desires of the council don’t count. Particularly since no one spoke against the motion. Malcolm Turnbull wasn’t in the room at the time, and Mitch Fifield gave a “we’re not going to do it” speech, but still. Given all the cuts to the ABC, it’s not great timing, let alone great politics.
Mitch Fifield’s transcript from yesterday’s ABC motion for those who are interested #auspol pic.twitter.com/Domk61B4ctMitch Fifield’s transcript from yesterday’s ABC motion for those who are interested #auspol pic.twitter.com/Domk61B4ct
But it is all about tax, tax, tax on the policy front, as the government looks to get its income tax cuts bill across in one hit, and Labor works to split it. The Greens will be key to Labor’s success here – if those nine senators don’t vote yes, then the amendment plan is dead in the water. Speaking of the Greens, the party wants the Senate to vote to do away with the tampon tax. And Mathias Cormann still has hope he’ll get the company tax plan through, despite sitting at four votes short.But it is all about tax, tax, tax on the policy front, as the government looks to get its income tax cuts bill across in one hit, and Labor works to split it. The Greens will be key to Labor’s success here – if those nine senators don’t vote yes, then the amendment plan is dead in the water. Speaking of the Greens, the party wants the Senate to vote to do away with the tampon tax. And Mathias Cormann still has hope he’ll get the company tax plan through, despite sitting at four votes short.
So let’s get in to it! Mike Bowers is out and about – you can find him at @mpbowers and @mikebowers and hanging out with me on the story at @pyjamapolitics. You can catch me in the comments, and also @amyremeikis.So let’s get in to it! Mike Bowers is out and about – you can find him at @mpbowers and @mikebowers and hanging out with me on the story at @pyjamapolitics. You can catch me in the comments, and also @amyremeikis.
I hope everyone has had their Weeties.I hope everyone has had their Weeties.