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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). |