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Labor conference: Chris Bowen says Myefo shows Coalition has 'given up' on budget repair – live Labor conference: Chris Bowen says Myefo shows Coalition has 'given up' on budget repair – live
(35 minutes later)
Labor is moving its regional and agricultural policies.
There are not a lot of changes and can be summed up by this resolution:
Labor will work with States, Territories and local government to:
Invest in properly integrated transport systems involving public transport and roads;
Invest in active transport solutions which connect with public transport, education and employment hubs closer to where people live;
Invest in communities struggling with the shift away from traditional manufacturing in partnership with business and those affected to develop a strategic vision that will unlock future industries, jobs and learning opportunities;
Improve housing affordability through the use of urban planning, land supply and incentives;
Drive alignment of funding for smart and sustainable urban infrastructure;
Align greater housing density with public transport corridors;
Encourage the best practice urban designs outlined in Creating Places for People: An Urban Design Protocol for Cities;
Promote jobs growth in outer and middle ring suburbs, by investing in research precincts around universities and hospitals, considering incentives for the location of business, and supporting innovative funding models for local governments in high growth areas;
Work with States, Territories and local government to support connectivity and productivity through a fibre National Broadband Network;
Earlier integration of water, wastewater and stormwater into urban planning to improve overall (including health and liveability) outcomes for our cities and regions.
Incorporate action on climate change into major urban strategic plans (mitigation and adaptation)
Facilitate the transition to renewable energy by supporting urban innovation and green urban growth e.g. net zero carbon and liveable precincts.
So far, all have been carried without going to the vote.
Serious inquiry – are there any Nationals left to take over from Andrew Broad?
But Michael McCormack does not believe the National party has a problem with women. He can even name two women, so that’s how you know there are no problems at all:
Not at all, and I have spoken to Bridget McKenzie a number of times today. She is appalled at what has happened over the last couple of days but Bridget McKenzie and Michelle [Landry] are outstanding female representatives of the constituencies that they serve.
We have a strong women’s council doing wonderful things to make sure that women are encouraged to join our party and encouraged to run as members of parliament and, on Saturday, I was in Wagga Wagga for the preselection of an outstanding candidate for that state seat.
I want to encourage any women to not only join our party, but indeed, to run for political office. It is a tough job running for political office and making sure that we do the right thing to serve the people who we do.
It is tough to put your hand up public life and I’m glad that so many women are putting their hand up public life and I’m glad the National party is doing things to encourage more women to do just that.
I have got the member for Cootamundra in my own electorate doing outstanding things for the people of the Riverina in south-west New South Wales.
We will continue to encourage women if you have a look at the sorts of things that we have done to encourage more women to join our party, they are very admirable and we continue to do that.
Well, [these issues] are an unfortunate distraction, yes. I will agree to that and I’m doing my very best as leader to ensure that we are focused on the people we serve to ensure that we stop focusing on ourselves, we do the right thing, we make sure that we are answerable and accountable and that is why I have taken swift and decisive action I have over the past 24 hours, and I will continue to make sure that I lead a party that encourages women to not only join our party but also put their hand up for public life.
Given that McCormack said earlier that he learnt about this issue “a couple of weeks ago” the “swift and decisive action” seems to have been taken when it became obvious New Idea magazine was about to publish.
Bit more on the looming refugee debate: @gedkearney will move the motion this afternoon critical of the government's handling of offshore detention @AmyRemeikis #auspol
On the Barry O’Sullivan staffer who was stood aside after a vile message was sent to News Corp political editor Annika Smethurst after she wrote a column about women and the National party, Michael McCormack says this:
Well, he has been stood aside. There are circumstances in relation to that matter which he needs to seek assistance and he is seeking assistance with, the fact is it was an accidental and inadvertent sending about message to the journalist.
I know the journalist, and I’ve had a number of discussions with her when I found out about issue late Friday.
I appreciate the fact that when you look at the text that was sent to her, you can understand that they were not meant for her, but look, I do not condone in any way, shape or form the language, the vile language that was used in those texts. That is not the way I operate, that is not the way the National party operates and I’m very, very disappointed that it did occur. Annika Smethurst knows that, she knows what we stand for as a party in what I stand for as a leader, that is why the person concerned has been stood aside. He will seek the assistance he needs and that is the appropriate course of action.
On the resignation conversation, Michael McCormack says:
It was a very short and polite conversation. I have accepted his resignation. It was the right thing to do, we need to get on and focus on the people who matter most to us, those are the constituents.
And whether it is Mallee or whether it is, we need to make sure that they are being well served, they have been well served by a government.
We are getting on with the job of rolling out the water infrastructure that the country is needed for many, many years, we are getting on with the job of building Australia, those are the sorts of things that I want to be focused on, not these sorts of issues that quite frankly distract from otherwise what has been a very good government, and is a good government, and will be a good government going forward.
Michael McCormack said he learnt about the Andrew Broad situation “a couple of weeks ago”
Obviously I am very disappointed by what has happened, obviously it is also a matter for the Australian federal police and, obviously, I know Mr Broad will co-operate with the Australian federal police, but when he told me about what happened, I urged him to contact the Australian federal police about the allegations that had been made by him and against him, so I think that is the right course of action, and we will see what the AFP comes up with as a result of these investigations.
When did he learn about it?
A couple of weeks ago ... Yes, I told him to contact the Australian federal police, which he did.
Just worth noting from this morning’s updated economic forecasts, the Morrison government has set aside $131m over seven years from 2018-19 (and $10.1m per year ongoing from 2025-26) to “support measures to improve energy affordability, reliability and sustainability”.Just worth noting from this morning’s updated economic forecasts, the Morrison government has set aside $131m over seven years from 2018-19 (and $10.1m per year ongoing from 2025-26) to “support measures to improve energy affordability, reliability and sustainability”.
This includes its controversial commitment to underwrite new power generation, including coal, and an advertising campaign to tell everyone how marvelous everything is.This includes its controversial commitment to underwrite new power generation, including coal, and an advertising campaign to tell everyone how marvelous everything is.
According to Myefo, the funding will:According to Myefo, the funding will:
• enable the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to hold an inquiry into prices, profit and margins in relation to the supply of electricity in the National Electricity Market;• enable the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to hold an inquiry into prices, profit and margins in relation to the supply of electricity in the National Electricity Market;
• establish a default market offer and reference bill to help consumers get better energy deals;• establish a default market offer and reference bill to help consumers get better energy deals;
• design and implement the new underwriting new generation investment program to drive investment in new power generation to increase energy supply, improve competition and affordability in the energy sector;• design and implement the new underwriting new generation investment program to drive investment in new power generation to increase energy supply, improve competition and affordability in the energy sector;
• provide support to small and medium businesses to get better energy deals and reduce their energy usage;• provide support to small and medium businesses to get better energy deals and reduce their energy usage;
• support the Energy Security Board to provide whole-of-market oversight for energy reliability, affordability and sustainability;• support the Energy Security Board to provide whole-of-market oversight for energy reliability, affordability and sustainability;
• implement the retailer reliability obligation to ensure a reliable energy system;• implement the retailer reliability obligation to ensure a reliable energy system;
and • continue the national campaign to inform Australians about work being undertaken to deliver more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and promote options available to consumers to reduce their energy bills.and • continue the national campaign to inform Australians about work being undertaken to deliver more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and promote options available to consumers to reduce their energy bills.
Tanya Plibersek has interrupted her speech to the convention to announce the Andrew Broad news.Tanya Plibersek has interrupted her speech to the convention to announce the Andrew Broad news.
So we have peace in our time on refugees, sort of. As Amy has reported, there is an agreed increase in the intake of 5,000, and tripling of AFP resourcing for disruption activities, and $500m for the UNHRC.So we have peace in our time on refugees, sort of. As Amy has reported, there is an agreed increase in the intake of 5,000, and tripling of AFP resourcing for disruption activities, and $500m for the UNHRC.
But there will still be debate this afternoon. We don’t expect anyone to move a motion opposing boat turnbacks or offshore detention but that can’t be ruled out.But there will still be debate this afternoon. We don’t expect anyone to move a motion opposing boat turnbacks or offshore detention but that can’t be ruled out.
There will be a debate about rights of review for asylum seekers subject to the Coalition’s fast track process. We expect a motion from Andrew Giles and Murray Watt proposing that people have access to a merits review of their cases, but the motion is unlikely to succeed.There will be a debate about rights of review for asylum seekers subject to the Coalition’s fast track process. We expect a motion from Andrew Giles and Murray Watt proposing that people have access to a merits review of their cases, but the motion is unlikely to succeed.
There will also be a motion critical of the government’s handling of offshore detention.There will also be a motion critical of the government’s handling of offshore detention.
Chris Bowen was also not impressed with the midyear economic and fiscal outlook:Chris Bowen was also not impressed with the midyear economic and fiscal outlook:
This is a government which is riding on the back of a good international economy and has given up on the task of budget repair themselves. What we see in this economic update today, the government’s own update, is that growth is down, investment growth is down.This is a government which is riding on the back of a good international economy and has given up on the task of budget repair themselves. What we see in this economic update today, the government’s own update, is that growth is down, investment growth is down.
Wages growth is down. Consumption growth is down. And the only thing that’s up is terms of trade.Wages growth is down. Consumption growth is down. And the only thing that’s up is terms of trade.
What the world is prepared to pay us for our commodities – the one thing which this government has absolutely no influence over is up.What the world is prepared to pay us for our commodities – the one thing which this government has absolutely no influence over is up.
When it comes to wages growth and consumption, we’re seeing the fruits of the government’s poor economic policy and the chaos and confusion at its heart.When it comes to wages growth and consumption, we’re seeing the fruits of the government’s poor economic policy and the chaos and confusion at its heart.
This is a budget which is being delivered by a strong global economy, but we have a weak government. Now the government is pat itself on the back for budgeting and forecasting a surplus when in fact they’ve been failing to deliver surpluses now for almost six years.This is a budget which is being delivered by a strong global economy, but we have a weak government. Now the government is pat itself on the back for budgeting and forecasting a surplus when in fact they’ve been failing to deliver surpluses now for almost six years.
Chris Bowen has commented on Andrew Broad’s resignation:Chris Bowen has commented on Andrew Broad’s resignation:
I’ve seen the report. Obviously his resignation has a personal element for which I have absolutely no comment, that is entirely a matter for him. His resignation doesn’t help the chaos and dysfunction at the heart of the Morrison government. But the rest I have no comment on.I’ve seen the report. Obviously his resignation has a personal element for which I have absolutely no comment, that is entirely a matter for him. His resignation doesn’t help the chaos and dysfunction at the heart of the Morrison government. But the rest I have no comment on.
All eyes may be on Andrew Broad but at least the ratings agencies are paying attention to Josh Frydenberg’s Myfeo announcement this morning:All eyes may be on Andrew Broad but at least the ratings agencies are paying attention to Josh Frydenberg’s Myfeo announcement this morning:
S&P Global Ratings said today that Australia’s credit rating and outlook reflects its expectation that the general government, including state and local governments, will return to surplus by the early 2020s.S&P Global Ratings said today that Australia’s credit rating and outlook reflects its expectation that the general government, including state and local governments, will return to surplus by the early 2020s.
We believe today’s midyear budget announcement confirms that the central government is on track to achieve this.We believe today’s midyear budget announcement confirms that the central government is on track to achieve this.
Stronger nominal GDP and terms of trade as well as better labor market conditions are delivering higher revenue growth and lower expenditure outflows than we expected at the time of the 2018-2019 budget, released in May.Stronger nominal GDP and terms of trade as well as better labor market conditions are delivering higher revenue growth and lower expenditure outflows than we expected at the time of the 2018-2019 budget, released in May.
This improvement is funding new policy announcements.This improvement is funding new policy announcements.
“We continue to monitor the effect of spending announcements on the general government budget in the lead up to the 2019-2020 budget and upcoming election,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Anthony Walker.“We continue to monitor the effect of spending announcements on the general government budget in the lead up to the 2019-2020 budget and upcoming election,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Anthony Walker.
“This is because political parties can introduce new spending or investment initiatives that are not currently earmarked, and this can weigh on fiscal outcomes.”“This is because political parties can introduce new spending or investment initiatives that are not currently earmarked, and this can weigh on fiscal outcomes.”
McCormack’s statement:McCormack’s statement:
Deputy prime minister, minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development and leader of the Nationals, Michael McCormack, has accepted Andrew Broad’s resignation as the assistant minister to the deputy prime minister.Deputy prime minister, minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development and leader of the Nationals, Michael McCormack, has accepted Andrew Broad’s resignation as the assistant minister to the deputy prime minister.
Mr McCormack thanked the federal member for Mallee for his service to the ministry, following his appointment in September this year.Mr McCormack thanked the federal member for Mallee for his service to the ministry, following his appointment in September this year.
A replacement will be made and announced in due course.A replacement will be made and announced in due course.
Mr McCormack said due to the nature of the allegations made, it is appropriate for Mr Broad to resign as the assistant minister to the deputy prime minister.Mr McCormack said due to the nature of the allegations made, it is appropriate for Mr Broad to resign as the assistant minister to the deputy prime minister.
He also stressed the matter may also be subject to future investigation and further media comment on such detail is not appropriate.He also stressed the matter may also be subject to future investigation and further media comment on such detail is not appropriate.
Mr McCormack said Mr Broad will continue as an effective and hardworking Member for Mallee, a role he has capably held since 2013.Mr McCormack said Mr Broad will continue as an effective and hardworking Member for Mallee, a role he has capably held since 2013.
Broad was what used to be known as a parliamentary secretary, the title was changed to assistant minister, because it sounded more fancy, under one of the Coalition governments (who can remember these days which one it was).Broad was what used to be known as a parliamentary secretary, the title was changed to assistant minister, because it sounded more fancy, under one of the Coalition governments (who can remember these days which one it was).
And on border security (because these things always go hand in hand in Oz):
A Shorten Labor government will strengthen Australia’s border security with new measures to disrupt and deter people smugglers from preying on vulnerable people throughout the region.
Labor will triple the number of Australian federal police officers overseas dedicated to working cooperatively with partner nations to deter and disrupt people smuggling operations at their source.
These officers are critical in the fight against people smugglers, by preventing risky boat ventures before they start and stopping people drowning at sea.
“The first aim is to deter and disrupt the ventures from taking to the water in the first instance. That’s a lot more effective; it has a lot less risk, particularly for the people who want to use the people smugglers, so that’s always our preference.” – outgoing Operation Sovereign Borders commander Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Osborne, 21 May 2018
The Liberals’ cuts and chaos mean they have slashed the number of officers to just four dedicated officerscovering the entire region. This is putting our border protection framework at risk.
Labor has committed $8.5m to establish an additional eight dedicated AFP officers throughout the region to support Australia’s regional neighbours and prevent people smuggling journeys.
Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison have risked Australia’s border security by ordering the Australian border force fleet to stop patrols to save money on fuel and have cut frontline ABF staff at Australian airports over the Christmas period.
Labor will keep the people-smugglers out of business and maintain Australia’s strong borders, ensuring they are never able to exploit the lives of vulnerable people again.
Labor is committed to strong borders, turnbacks when safe to do so, offshore processing and regional resettlement because we know it saves lives at sea.
Unlike the Liberals, Labor will not make cuts to border protection. Under Labor, Operation Sovereign Borders will be fully resourced, we will maintain Australia’s strong border protection measures and strengthen them even further with these new measures to stop people smugglers in their tracks.
Labor’s official statement on the refugee changes:
A Shorten Labor government will ensure our nation can do our part to resettle genuine refugees facing persecution and in need of protection.
While the global humanitarian crisis has continued to grow, with over 25 million refugees worldwide, the Liberals have failed to improve Australia’s humanitarian response on the international stage.
Labor will commit $500m to the work of the UNHCR, to deliver stronger asylum seeker assessment and resettlement processes across the region and closer to source countries – an important measure to ensure vulnerable people are not exploited by people smugglers to travel by boat.
This funding delivered over five years will help make sure regional processing and resettlement is implemented in an orderly and structured way through the UNHCR – by building capacity such as boosting staff, facilities and training throughout the region.
It is in addition to $30m in urgent humanitarian relief announced to address the pressing humanitarian crises in the Palestinian Territories as well as Myanmar and Bangladesh.
A Labor Government will also work more cooperatively with community, faith based and business groups to responsibly support and expand community sponsorship of refugees.
We will reform the Community Sponsored Refugee Program to, over time, allow up to 5,000 refugees to resettle in Australia annually.
This model – akin to the successful program in Canada – will mean groups such as state and local governments, community organisations, businesses, unions, and faith-based organisations, will be able to sponsor humanitarian entrants into Australia. This program does not have a budget impact.
Support for community sponsorship of refugees has been growing in recent years – including community and faith based groups, who are raising funds and actively supporting the settlement and integration of refugees into the community and businesses supporting refugees by securing jobs for humanitarian entrants.
Labor will also appoint a special envoy for refugee and asylum seeker issues to advance Australia’s interests and leadership on refugee issues within the region, secure third country resettlement agreements, develop an Australian refugee commission and provide policy advice for Australia’s humanitarian program.
This comprehensive suite of measures are underpinned by a commitment to maintain Australia’s strong borders – to ensure people smugglers are never able to exploit vulnerable people ever again.
Labor is getting the balance right – we will maintain strong borders, keep the people smugglers out of business, and do our part to address the global humanitarian crisis.
Labor’s policies ensure Australia does its fair share to meet humanitarian need, plays a leadership role in our region, and treats genuine refugees with dignity and humanity.
BREAKING: Andrew Broad has resigned from the Morrison ministry after a woman went on the record about his behaviour on an overseas trip. Story from @CroweDM soon #auspol
What does that announcement mean?
Labor plans on increasing the humanitarian intake from 27,000 people, to 32,000.
Bill Shorten finishes with this:
Our approach – Labor’s approach – is strong, compassionate and sustainable. I want to rekindle Australia’s reputation as a good international citizen when it comes to dealing with these complex humanitarian challenges.
You can have secure borders and you can live up to our humanitarian obligations.
You just require leadership in this country. We can keep the people-smugglers out of business but we will most certainly if elected keep faith with our enduring Labor values – proud at home and proud overseas, confident that we can work together as a community and as a nation, listening to each other, getting this right, being a welcoming nation, being consistent and strong.
This is the Labor mission.
Bill Shorten is announcing what Labor would do, if elected:
Around the world, one person becomes displaced every 20 seconds. Nearly 70 million people have been driven from their homes.
Many will not find permanent safety. The United Nations reports that in some cases there’s a third generation of children being born into displacement. This is an issue of a most enormous scale and complexity.
No one country can hope to fix it on its own but Australia can do better. So if elected, we will look to take up New Zealand’s offer to resettle refugees from Manus and Nauru by immediately negotiating an agreement on similar terms with that that has already been negotiated with the United States, and today I’m pleased to announce that if elected ...
[a fire alarm interrupts the speech]
“I’m not going to blame the government,” Shorten laughs. He then continues:
I’m pleased to announce today that if elected, we will commit $500m over the next five years to support the important work of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
This funding will directly improve orderly regional processing and resettlement in the region and countries closer to where refugees originally come from.
This funding will speed up legitimate settlement pathways. It will deny people smugglers a product to sell.
If we are elected, I will seek the immediate advice from the chief of the defence force, the Department of Home Affairs, Asio and other relevant agencies about our state of preparedness to disrupt people smuggling operations before people depart.
A Labor government will triple the number of Australian federal police officers working overseas in cooperation with other countries to stop the people smugglers at their source, to prevent people even contemplating getting on that unsafe vessel in the first place.
And finally, delegates, along with our responsible international role where Australia should have always been, along with our commitment to strong borders, Labor will build on the proven success of the existing community-sponsored refugee program.
This means state and local governments, community organisations, businesses and unions and faith-based institutions will be able to sponsor humanitarian entrants into Australia and support the economic and social integration of refugees into communities. We will seek to expand this scheme from 1,000 to 5,000 places.
And to be clear – this would be in addition to the existing humanitarian intake, not instead of it.
So we will take more refugees as part of our migration mix. We will make sure that it is a safe process.
Our approach is both more practical and more affordable. We’re not afraid of immigration in the country. Immigration has been a success in this country. Skilled migration, family reunion and indeed refugees.
What we will do with our sensible, strong-yet-compassionate approach, is we will ensure that people go to where they are needed, wanted and welcomed in this country in a neighbourly way.
Labor will empower local communities, country towns, business and community groups, if country towns and regions want to sponsor humanitarian intake. Well, it is not the job of the commonwealth to get in the way.
This will make sure there’s no cost to the taxpayer.
Bill Shorten:
It has never meant allowing people’s mental and physical health to deteriorate whilst under direct or indirect Australian care.
It has never meant fighting every step of the way against medical advice which says that more needs to be done to treat people.
I believe that Australia can meet our international humanitarian and legal responsibilities without compromising our national security or a commitment to strong border protection.
I wonder sometimes even deep down that some of our opponents know this to be true – that it is not one or the other – strong borders or indefinite detention.
Because after all on the current government’s watch, there are 800 asylum seekers in Australia who have been transferred here eventually for medical treatment.
That’s far more than remain on either Manus or Nauru right now.
This has already happened. But have no doubt that our opponents will never let the truth get in the way of the pursuit of low political advantage.
We saw that when they were in opposition when this current prime minister was the spokesman for immigration and the Liberals decided to team up with the Greens’ political party to vote against the arrangements with Malaysia.
Never forget that over 600 people drowned on their way to Australia after that decision.
The Liberals did not vote against the Malaysia arrangement because they thought it wouldn’t work, they voted against it because they were afraid it would work.
They decided that they would rather have a slogan, they would rather weaponise the issue than solve the problem.
And we saw a recurrence of this behaviour again in the very last week of parliament, the government relying on Pauline Hanson to run down the clock in the Senate rather than be seen to help a handful of sick children on Nauru get the urgent medical attention they need.
And every time you see the government ministers on television telling lies about Labor, they are doing the dirty work of the people smugglers.
The Liberals are acting as spruikers for the criminal syndicates.
Every time they get up and say that there will be a change in terms of border security, they are signalling criminal syndicates to try their hand again. They should be ashamed, they know what they do and they still do it.
On asylum seeker policy, Bill Shorten says:
Today we’ll deal with our policies on border security and refugees. Whilst we debate over the course of the day, I wanted to take this opportunity this morning to say to all of you – I sincerely respect the right of delegates to put arguments, to make the case.
I appreciate that everyone in this room comes to this issue with a passion that is genuine and deep.
I’m sure as we did a conference in swift, we will engage in a constructive debate which produces the right policies for our party and, more importantly, for our nation.
Delegates, my own view on this is straightforward – we cannot and we must not and we will not allow criminal people smuggling syndicates to get back into business but, let me say, it is not a crime to want to come to this country.
All of us other than our First Australians came here from somewhere else. It is not a crime to want to come to this country.
But it is a crime to exploit vulnerable people to put them in dangerous and unsafe vessels and have them drown at sea.
We cannot, we must not, and we will not permit the reopening of their trade in human desperation and the drownings and the irreplaceable loss of life that it brings.
This requires rigorous security, character and health assessments throughout both our humanitarian and general migration programs.
It means pursuing regional resettlement, turning back boats where it is safe to do so and maintaining offshore processing.
But also in your party we understand that keeping our borders secure and keeping the people smugglers out of business should and has never meant leaving men, women and children to languish for years and years in indefinite detention in substandard facilities and unacceptable conditions.
Bill Shorten:
So I can confirm and announce to this conference that if we are elected, a Labor government will initiate an urgent review into the inadequacy of Newstart payments, the overdue first in a quarter of a century. We will ensure the review will be completed within 18 months. I acknowledge the work already of the conference and the delegates to have us arrive at this position. We believe in the greatness of the Australian safety net. We want to lift everyone’s aspirations up, but we are the great safety netters of Australian politics.
As we reported yesterday, Bill Shorten says that, if elected, Labor will issue an “urgent review” into Newstart, to be completed within 18 months.
He says Labor is the party of the “safety net”. But, as we also reported, there is no commitment to increase the payment.