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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)
And it is about to pass this one:
And the final draft on the fast track assessment process is:
Labor congratulates David Hurley on his appointment as the next Governor General of Australia.
Labor will abolish the fast track assessment process. Those who have had their claims rejected under the unfair fast track assessment process will be provided with access to an independent merits review.
This should be the last time an Australia Prime Minister should have to call Buckingham Palace to seek permission to appoint an Australian Governor General.
Labor is committing to keep music venues open:
It’s time we had an Australian Head of State.
Australian stories being created and told by Australian performers and crew in Australian music, film and television production; and
We commit to working with the Australian people to reflect our nations’s multiculturalism, independence and maturity by reforming our Constitution to appoint an Australian as our Head of State.
Strong local markets supporting the Australian music sector.
During the first term of a Labor government we will hold a national vote seeking the views of the Australian people about becoming a republic. We will also consult Australians about the model of appointment of an Australian Head of State.
A thriving grassroots music scene, keeping venues open and musicians in work, to allow our music sector to reach its full potential.
Labor will provide the national leadership required to modernise our Constitution.
This chapter is what the Labor delegates have been referring to as the “heart and soul” of the party.
Labor has also passed this:
It’s Newstart and migration policy and human rights.
Labor notes that it’s twenty years since the Productivity Commission was created.
Labor will add this to its platform:
The Productivity Commission’s processes and legislative functions are in a substantial need of modernisation.
Consolidate federal anti-discrimination laws into a single Act to remove unnecessary regulatory overlap and make the system more user-friendly;
It is time that the Commission undergoes a thorough examination to test if its remit, make up, statutory guidelines, structure and culture is fit for purpose, whether it is desirable that the Commission remain the principal review and advisory body to the Commonwealth Government and what reforms need to be undertaken to it if it is.
Review legislation, policies and practices for compliance with the seven core UN Human Rights treaties to which Australia is a party (which are listed in the framework); and
Therefore, a Labor Government will hold a root and branch review into the Productivity Commission and its constituting legislation.
Review the Human Rights Framework and consider whether it could be enhanced through a introduce a federal statutory charter of human rights or other similar instrument.
Labor is committed to reforming the Productivity Commission, to ensure that its functions and policy guidelines are fit for purpose in a time of rising inequality and a turbulent international trade and investment environment.
On the Newstart changes, Linda Burney said the “rate is too low” but it is important to have a “proper process” before any decision is made to lift it.
Labor has added these words to its platform:”Labor opposes so-called “ex-gay”, “reparative” or “conversion” pseudo-therapies and their underlying ideology, recognising the harm that they cause, and will develop strategies to work with communities to prevent such harm and promote justice for LGBTIQ people affected by them.”
The text for the human rights charter motion has also been decided:
This form of words replaces an earlier proposed reference to “criminalising” these practices
The text of the charter of rights amendment is: “Review the Human Rights Framework and introduce a federal statutory charter of human rights or other similar instrument.”
Labor opposes the practice of so-called conversion and reparative therapies on of diverse sexualities and genders and seeks to criminalise these practices.
And here is how Labor will incorporate the Kerryn Phelps bill into it’s platform:
Looks like Labor's backing down on a policy to criminalise ex-gay conversion therapy. An amendment to the platform to be debated shortly removes criminalising, and replaces with a statement saying Labor will instead "work with communities" to "prevent such harm".
Labor recognises that successive Coalition Governments have failed to negotiate viable and timely regional resettlement arrangements, which has left refugees and asylum seekers including children languishing in indefinite detention. Labor believes that whilst these arrangements are negotiated, the Australian Government is not absolved of its obligation to provide appropriate health, security, and welfare services to asylum seekers. Labor will:
The refugee protest outside in the foyer is starting to heat up
work to negotiate on, and agree to, regional resettlement arrangements and resettle eligible refugees as a priority;
More refugee protests at #alpconf18 "ALP, close the camps, free the refugees" #auspol pic.twitter.com/qAWcvIxVB4
continue to support the United States Refugee Resettlement Agreement and accept New Zealand’s generous offer to resettle refugees by negotiating an agreement on similar terms as the United States Agreement; and
Anne Aly moving motion on CALD representation: "This is about moving beyond a bit of soy sauce on your sausage roll and a bit of kung-pow chicken every now and then". #auspol #ALPConf18
ensure appropriate health, security, and welfare services for asylum seekers; and including access to medical transfers when treatment is recommended by appropriate medical practitioners whilst resettlement arrangements are negotiated.
As the afternoon session swings into gear, just an update from the caucusing that took place during the lunch break on refugee policy.
improve the medical transfer process, establish an Independent Health Advice Panel to provide medical advice and maintain ministerial discretion in all decision making.
The left has resolved to support the package of measures outlined by Bill Shorten this morning, so that means the increase in community sponsored migration, the $500m for the UNHCR, and a special envoy for refugee and asylum seeker issues.
The income support for refugees which we were talking about earlier has been decided:
The left caucus has also agreed to incorporate Kerryn Phelps’s private member’s bill into the party’s platform. There is also an agreement to provide a safety net to people: income support and mental health services. I haven’t seen the wording of the various amendments yet but will bring it to you when we have it.
As soon as the reasons for mandatory detention have ceased every effort must be made to remove asylum seekers from immigration detention centres through community detention or the granting of bridging visas with work rights. Means-tested access to migration assistance, along with access to appropriate social services, will be provided while the merits of an asylum seeker’s application are assessed. People seeking asylum will have means-tested access to funded migration assistance, and to appropriate social services, including income, crisis housing, healthcare, mental health, community, education and English as a Second Language support during the assessment of the claim for protection.
As we flagged earlier, there will also be a motion moved by Andrew Giles and Murray Watt about giving people subject to the government’s fast tracked system access to a merits review, and Ged Kearney will move a motion critical of the government’s management of offshore processing.
There is confirmation that there will be a ballot for the national executive.
Labor for Refugees may move other motions but they will not be supported by the left.
That’s important because it will determine how many members from the left and right will sit on the executive. The right is hoping for an 11/9 split, as opposed to a 10/10 split.
Wayne Swan continues to enjoy his “stop the talking” gong very much.
The last motion is coming up for vote:
No one is moving beyond their two-minute allocated talk time.
Commonwealth government outsourcing of legal and consultative work to anti-worker firms has become a feature of Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison governments.
There has been a bit of an update on this upcoming motion as well – it is essentially all new:
This has resulted in a double negative for workers through the gutting of jobs in the public service and having advice to the government slanted against the interests of working people.
Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity in a Stronger Democracy
By way of just one example, the government commissioned notorious anti-union law firm Seyfarth Shaw, who acts for employers and has held contracts to provide services the Australian building and construction commission (ABCC), to do an inquiry into the cause of workplace deaths in the construction industry.
88. Labor will promote participation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in decision making processes
The government’s approach has been an inefficient, costly exercise where taxpayer funds have propped up anti-worker firms who have often been Liberal party donors.
89. Labor will promote and support inclusiveness of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia’s parliaments, governments, senior levels in the private sector and community sectors
This national conference of the federal Australian Labor party commends the Andrews Victorian Labor government for initiatives taken to tackle inequality and exploitation.
90. Labor will work to ensure cultural inclusivity in decision making by:
Conference draws particular attention to the Victorian Labor platform passed in May this year which in part reads:
providing leadership on cultural diversity;
equipping and supporting leaders from diverse backgrounds;
supporting ethnic community representative organisations to inform policy development;
collecting meaningful data on cultural diversity;
moving beyond cultural celebration to cultivate organisational resilience in negotiating cultural differences;
supporting greater representation of CALD in all Australian parliaments;
supporting cultural diversity in corporate boards and executive levels; and
ensuring the impact on people from CALD backgrounds is considered in developing bills and policies.
Tim Costello has welcomed Labor’s announcements this morning, in terms of funding for the UNHCR:
Micah Australia has today welcomed the announcement that a Labor government would commit $500m over five years to the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
“With an unprecedented 68.5 million displaced people around the world, this is a very welcome announcement and one that was advocated for by Micah delegates during our Voices for Justice conference in Canberra two weeks ago,” said Tim Costello, executive director of Micah Australia.
“This funding is line with our values as a compassionate nation and will contribute to giving people waiting to find safety the support that they need during their wait.”
Over five years, the funding would 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.
The announcement during the ALP conference comes on the back of an additional $30m to address the humanitarian crises in the Palestinian Territories, Myanmar and Bangladesh, and a commitment to reform the Community Sponsored Refugee Program from 1,000, to 5,000 refugees to resettle in Australia annually.
Micah Australia’s Voices for Justice, held in Canberra two weeks ago, saw over 200 Christians from across the nation meet with 94 with politicians to advocate for Australia to be a leader in helping the world’s extreme poor, displaced and oppressed.
“As we met with politicians from all major parties, there was strong consensus that Australia had stepped back in our responsibility to our region and beyond,” said Mr Costello.
“We are at a point as a nation where our national conscience is again being weighed in the balance. We either step us a nation to the humanitarian challenges of our time, or we continue to turn inward.
“Our policy ask regarding funding to the UNHCR was clear at Voices for Justice – we asked that Australia should increase its funding to the UNHCR, from $25m per annum to $100m per annum.
“Today’s announcement is a great outcome, reflecting the hard work of many advocates, including Welcome to Australia and others.”
Mr Costello said increasing funding to the UNHCR is not just compassionate, it is strategic, because the lack of essential services in displacement situations can add to the “push factors” that cause asylum seekers to take dangerous boat journeys.
“We are a compassionate and generous nation, and we hope to see many more announcements over coming months that reflect the nation we want to be and have the ability to be.”
The conference is about to get underway again, starting with this resolution (the new bits are in bold):
Labor will:
Labor will:
Ensure public broadcasters cater to the needs of urban, regional and rural Australia, providing coverage of local news, current affairs and community activities, including production capacity in regions; provide programs and services relevant to young Australians; produce high levels of quality and distinctive local content; work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide services and programs relevant to them and their communities; provide comprehensive coverage of a broad range of sporting and artistic activities;
Oppose government initiatives and appointments that are actively hostile to workers or unions;
Ensure ABC and SBS board members and chairpersons are appointed on merit and ensure a staff-elected commissioner position on the ABC board; and
Encourage trade union membership across both the public sector and the broader economy; and
Support and promote Australia’s external broadcasters in radio, television and digital platforms, which encourage awareness of Australian values around the world and build closer ties in our region; and
Consider legal and industrial relations records of law firms and other organisations and oppose engagement of those organisations found to have a history of anti-worker or anti-union activity
Labor will ensure the ABC is never subject to privatisation and will remain a public asset owned by all Australians. This includes a commitment to never privatise any subsidiary or affiliate service of the ABC.
Oppose government initiatives and appointments that are actively hostile to workers or unions;
Amend paragraph 107 to read:
Encourage trade union membership across both the public sector and the broader economy; and
Labor will provide adequate significant and increasing triennial funding to the ABC and SBS so they can deliver quality public broadcasting services.
Consider legal and industrial relations records of law firms and other organisations and oppose engagement of those organisations found to have a history of anti-worker or anti-union activity
Slippery finger?
This national conference endorses the same approach for a future federal Labor government including future appointments.
M_McCormackMP liked this tweet: https://t.co/w4ea0jO7Vw
Again, it will be passed without debate
Sit in in progress ahead of the refugee debate this afternoon at ALP national conference #auspol @AmyRemeikis pic.twitter.com/vkq832ZYtR
There’s a long list of topics in the next chapter – A Fair Go For All – everything from live music to Newstart to the NDIS.
The encryption debate rolls on:
There are two amendments we expect to go to a vote:
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Telecommunication and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018. The then bill was passed by the parliament on 6 December 2018, and the amendments made by that bill were referred to the committee by the Senate.
One for the creation of a human rights charter.
The chair, Mr Andrew Hastie MP, and the deputy chair, the Hon Anthony Byrne MP issued the following joint statement:
And the still-contentious Labor Left demand for asylum seekers whose cases were decided in the Coalition’s fast-track process to gain rights to a full merits review.
The committee reached bipartisan agreement in its report on the assistance and access bill. This review will focus on the final act as passed by the parliament on 6 December 2018, with specific reference to government amendments – including those made to effect the committee’s bipartisan recommendations – made on that date. This further inquiry implements recommendation 16 of the committee’s report on the assistance and access bill, for the committee to complete a review of the new laws by 3 April 2019.
The Labor for Refugees resolutions have been withdrawn.
The committee will accept submissions on any new matters arising with the passage of the act, and will consider the need for further hearings as the inquiry progresses.
As flagged earlier, Ged Kearney will move a motion condemning mismanagement of offshore detention, referring to the need to look into New Zealand as a third country resettlement location, and new processes for medical transfers.
In addition to the current review, the committee will again be required to review the new laws alongside its review of the data retention regime. That statutory review must be commenced by April 2019 and completed by April 2020.
There will be no vote on raising Newstart – the review within 18 months is settled.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee’s website.
Labor delegates also wants a review into royal commissions:
Just a quick update on where Labor is on the asylum seeker motion.
This one didn’t even need any speakers:
The left caucus is moving to support the fast-track review amendment, which would see that scrapped and replaced with something else.
This conference notes:
It’s been a very big debate but the left feel they have come to a compromise.
An enduring Labor value is that all Australians should have the right to exercise their democratic franchise to elect representatives to parliament to make laws for their state or territory.
There is still discussion around the human rights charter.
Labor believes this democratic right should be held by all Australians irrespective of the state or territory in which they reside; and
There is a close the camps protest in the foyer of the conference centre, as the Labor conference starts to get underway.
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are prevented from making laws in relation to some areas of social policy, as their democratic right to do so was removed in 1997 by an act of the federal parliament.
Looks like about 20, at my rough count, with arms crossed, staging a sit-in.
An enduring Labor value is that all Australians should have the right to exercise their democratic franchise to elect representatives to parliament to make laws for their state or territory.
The Labor conference is about to start back again for the afternoon session.
Labor believes this democratic right should be held by all Australians irrespective of the state or territory in which they reside; and
We’ll learn a bit more about Labor’s planned national integrity commission, as well as Newstart and the refugee decision.
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are prevented from making laws in relation to some areas of social policy, as their democratic right to do so was removed in 1997 by an act of the federal parliament.
The caucus meetings are about to start.
This conference:
The left meeting will attempt to resolve some of the remaining sticking points in the refugee policy. We’re told that is mostly about the “fast track” review process, which no one seems to really want, because it is not really a review process.
Believes it is unacceptable that Australians who reside in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory should have fewer democratic rights than other Australians; and
Labor is looking at a fresh merits review for people who had been assessed under the fast track review process. But that is still to be decided.
Encourages all federal Labor parliamentarians to support reinstating equal democratic rights for residents of the territories when such matters come before the federal parliament in future.
The Labor conference is on break, so there might be a slight break in posts.
Believes it is unacceptable that Australians who reside in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory should have fewer democratic rights than other Australians; and
We’ll do our best to find out what is happening in the afternoon sessions in this time for you.
Encourages all federal Labor parliamentarians to support reinstating equal democratic rights for residents of the territories when such matters come before the federal parliament in future.
The protest from earlier was in relation to Newstart I believe.
“What do we want?
“Raise the rate.”
“When do we want it?”
“Now.”
There were about 30 or so people from what I could see and it was all over in about 10 or so minutes.
