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Labor vows to restore penalty rates and address gender pay gap – politics live Labor vows to restore penalty rates and address gender pay gap – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Oh apparently no conspiracy - just to allow the result to come after conference in case the count is not finished and conference breaks super early.
Pat Conroy and his linen jacket: a modern love story:
Marvellous speech that @PatConroy1 pic.twitter.com/IDbPgQhPb2
NSW Labor has responded to the Icac-related raid earlier today. As we reported earlier, it is about something alleged to have occurred in 2015.
NSW Labor is aware of extensive media coverage today of an investigation into historic political donation matters.
The donations in question were received in 2015 and have been fully investigated by the NSW Electoral Commission with the full cooperation of NSW Labor, including the provision of all relevant documents.”
Pat Conroy has taken to the floor to show off his linen jacket, because that is what the linen jacket lifestyle demands.
He also wants to second Penny Wong’s motion on doing something about climate change for our Pacific neighbours, while his jacket has a great opportunity it would love to speak to you about, when you catch up next week.
Despite my earlier cynicism that the motion to allow the national executive result to be declared after conference – apparently this is not a bid to block transparency but rather a procedural fix in case conference finishes early.
Given the rules debate has been shelved, conference will finish early and the motion is needed in case the national executive count is not finished by then.
Apparently the count is not far off though, in which case the result would be announced to conference.
There are 20 national executive spots – the left is expecting a 10/10 split between left and right but putting it to a vote gave the right an outside chance at grabbing an 11th spot.
Labor also wants to change the way we commit to go to war:
Conference resolves that a Shorten Labor government will refer the issue of how Australia makes decisions to send service personnel into international armed conflict to an inquiry to be conducted by the joint standing committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade. This inquiry would take submissions, hold public hearings and produce its findings during the term of the 46th parliament.
Speaking on a motion urging Labor to toughen its position on the Cambodian government, Julian Hill quotes that great foreign policy strategist, Warwick Capper.
“I’m not going to tell you my other favourite Warwick Capper quotes after Sugarbaby.com,” he tells the room.
Kelly O’Dwyer was sent up by the government to talk about how bad unions are, but, also being the minister for women, was forced to address Andrew Broad, and the Nationals. From the official transcript:
Journalist: But is the behaviour good enough? Shouldn’t your male colleagues be behaving a bit better?
O’Dwyer: Well I’ll let you ask them that question.
Journalist: But is it disappointing for you to see them behave that like?
O’Dwyer: Well as I said that is a question better posed to my male colleagues.
Journalist: But as a leading female in parliament – it’s rarely ever women ever who get caught out behaving like this – as a senior woman in parliament would you like to see them behaving better?
O’Dwyer: I think there should be high standards in parliament for all members of parliament whether they be male or female. We should have high standards in parliament and frankly we want to encourage people to commit themselves to a life in public service, to be able to put up their hand and know that they will be respected and know that they will be able to go about doing an important job on behalf of their local community and in the national interest. I’m interested in getting good people into parliament whether they are men or women. I am also particularly interested in getting more women into parliament and I’ve long been on the record in relation to that.
Coming up is this motion, which addresses the encryption bill Labor recently helped pass:
That national conference:
Condemns the appallingly inadequate process for consideration of the telecommunications and other legislation amendment (assistance and access) bill 2018 rushed into the parliament by the Morrison government, and the politicisation of national security. This has undermined public confidence in parliament’s ability to legislate in this important area.
Affirms that it is possible to protect the safety of Australia and its people, including by equipping our law enforcement and security agencies with appropriate powers, while fostering a vibrant IT sector and protecting citizens’ data and privacy.
Recognises that necessary powers for law enforcement should not unduly: impinge on the rights, freedoms and values that define us as a democratic nation; or undermine Australia’s economic security or cyber-security which are a critical part of an holistic understanding of the concept of national security.
Notes the 173 amendments to the government’s original bill won by Labor, which:
a. constrain the scope of these powers;
b. introduce new oversight arrangements; and
c. provide for further scrutiny of the legislation including public input via an inquiry to examine the need for further changes.
Calls upon the federal parliamentary Labor party (FPLP) to further engage and work with industry and civil society and economic regulators to resolve outstanding concerns raised including:
the security and safety of the internet;
Australian industry including technology, defence and businesses relying on encryption; and
civil liberties and transparent public reporting.
Acknowledges that there has been misinformation regarding the operation of the bill – which does not displace existing requirements for agencies to obtain a warrant to access information from any Australian – but calls upon the FPLP to pursue:
further safeguards and oversight, including requirements for a judicial warrant where technical assistance is sought or required;
stronger oversight and public reporting arrangements for the powers contained in the bill, either through this parliament or by a Labor government; and
a comprehensive assessment of the industry and economic impact of the new laws and action to restore business and public confidence.
The second half of the ‘don’t do a Melissa Price or Peter Dutton’ motion reads as:The second half of the ‘don’t do a Melissa Price or Peter Dutton’ motion reads as:
In Government, Labor will: In government, Labor will:
ensure the Pacific is front and centre of our foreign policy;ensure the Pacific is front and centre of our foreign policy;
engage with the Pacific with respect, to promote the well-being of the entire region, for the benefit of both Australia and the ten million people of the Pacific islands themselves; engage with the Pacific with respect, to promote the wellbeing of the entire region, for the benefit of both Australia and the 10 million people of the Pacific islands themselves;
establish a government-supported infrastructure financing facility and grow our aid commitment to the Pacific;establish a government-supported infrastructure financing facility and grow our aid commitment to the Pacific;
reconstitute the role of Minister for Pacific Affairs and International Development; reconstitute the role of minister for Pacific affairs and international development;
work closely with our friends and other partners to help the region meet its challenges, and support and create opportunities and possibilities for realising the Pacific’s own vision for the Blue Pacific continent;work closely with our friends and other partners to help the region meet its challenges, and support and create opportunities and possibilities for realising the Pacific’s own vision for the Blue Pacific continent;
build on the Defence Cooperation Programs to expand our engagement with the defence forces of the Pacific; build on the defence cooperation programs to expand our engagement with the defence forces of the Pacific;
explore opportunities with Pacific countries for more cost effective Australian government service delivery that is of benefit to the Pacific; explore opportunities with Pacific countries for more cost-effective Australian government service delivery that is of benefit to the Pacific;
coordinate and cooperate more to better leverage our engagement towards development outcomes and help reduce transaction costs for Pacific bureaucracies; andcoordinate and cooperate more to better leverage our engagement towards development outcomes and help reduce transaction costs for Pacific bureaucracies; and
as a Pacific nation, work in partnership with Pacific island states to contribute to the security and prosperity of the entire region.as a Pacific nation, work in partnership with Pacific island states to contribute to the security and prosperity of the entire region.
The conference moves on to the Pacific neighbours part of the platform. Which I think could also be known as the ‘don’t do a Melissa Price/Peter Dutton’:The conference moves on to the Pacific neighbours part of the platform. Which I think could also be known as the ‘don’t do a Melissa Price/Peter Dutton’:
Labor believes in a deep and comprehensive partnership with Pacific nations. We believe Australia should be a responsible and constructive partner. We want Australia to be the natural partner of choice for Pacific nations, and we know this has to be earned.Labor believes in a deep and comprehensive partnership with Pacific nations. We believe Australia should be a responsible and constructive partner. We want Australia to be the natural partner of choice for Pacific nations, and we know this has to be earned.
Labor:Labor:
Recognises that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific; Recognises that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific;
Understands that our credibility as a constructive international actor, and as a valuable Pacific partner, depends on our commitment to climate change;Understands that our credibility as a constructive international actor, and as a valuable Pacific partner, depends on our commitment to climate change;
Understands the need to reflect our commitments to our Pacific neighbours in our actions;Understands the need to reflect our commitments to our Pacific neighbours in our actions;
Notes that the Pacific has felt the impact of the record $11 billion in aid cuts under this government; Notes that the Pacific has felt the impact of the record $11bn in aid cuts under this government;
Notes that development assistance will continue to be an important component of our engagement and cooperation, but recognises our relationships should not just be seen through this prism;Notes that development assistance will continue to be an important component of our engagement and cooperation, but recognises our relationships should not just be seen through this prism;
Acknowledges the need to develop much deeper ties and connections between our peoples and recognises that our futures are intimately and irrevocably linked;Acknowledges the need to develop much deeper ties and connections between our peoples and recognises that our futures are intimately and irrevocably linked;
Notes that labour mobility schemes are highly valued by our Pacific neighbours and contribute substantially to economic development;Notes that labour mobility schemes are highly valued by our Pacific neighbours and contribute substantially to economic development;
Recognises that Australia’s economy also benefits from the availability of Pacific workers and that our society benefits from the connections with Pacific communities;Recognises that Australia’s economy also benefits from the availability of Pacific workers and that our society benefits from the connections with Pacific communities;
Notes the significant Defence Cooperation Programs with defence forces in the Pacific and the potential for far greater cooperation; Notes the significant defence cooperation programs with defence forces in the Pacific and the potential for far greater cooperation;
Notes that where sought by Pacific island countries, Australian government services can be provided at little cost but to great benefit for the Pacific countries and there may be more opportunities for these initiatives;Notes that where sought by Pacific island countries, Australian government services can be provided at little cost but to great benefit for the Pacific countries and there may be more opportunities for these initiatives;
Recognises the Pacific Islands Forum as the premier regional forum;Recognises the Pacific Islands Forum as the premier regional forum;
Recognises that quality infrastructure is also key to the economic development and future prosperity of the region and many of our neighbours have substantial unmet needs that are beyond the capacity of governments to fund directly through traditional grant aid alone; andRecognises that quality infrastructure is also key to the economic development and future prosperity of the region and many of our neighbours have substantial unmet needs that are beyond the capacity of governments to fund directly through traditional grant aid alone; and
Acknowledges the need to develop and utilise more innovative financing mechanisms to enable Australia to work in partnership with Pacific nations to provide them with the ability to meet their development aspirations.Acknowledges the need to develop and utilise more innovative financing mechanisms to enable Australia to work in partnership with Pacific nations to provide them with the ability to meet their development aspirations.
That motion also passes on the voices.That motion also passes on the voices.
Anthony Albanese says the nuclear motion is not easy, but it is consistent with Labor values, and what the global community expects.Anthony Albanese says the nuclear motion is not easy, but it is consistent with Labor values, and what the global community expects.
“It enables us to contribute to the debate in a constructive way, and move it forward,” he says.“It enables us to contribute to the debate in a constructive way, and move it forward,” he says.
Anthony Albanese is moving the nuclear weapon treaty motion:Anthony Albanese is moving the nuclear weapon treaty motion:
Labor:Labor:
Labor in government will sign and ratify the Ban Treaty, after taking account of the need to:Labor in government will sign and ratify the Ban Treaty, after taking account of the need to:
Ensure an effective verification and enforcement architecture;Ensure an effective verification and enforcement architecture;
Ensure the interaction of the Ban Treaty with the longstanding Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; andEnsure the interaction of the Ban Treaty with the longstanding Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and
Work to achieve universal support for the Ban Treaty.Work to achieve universal support for the Ban Treaty.
Labor will take urgent action to reduce the risk of nuclear war by continuing its proud record of seeking nuclear disarmament by:Labor will take urgent action to reduce the risk of nuclear war by continuing its proud record of seeking nuclear disarmament by:
Working to create the conditions necessary to achieve a pathway to universal support for the Ban Treaty;Working to create the conditions necessary to achieve a pathway to universal support for the Ban Treaty;
Advocating to the United States and Russia for the renewal of the New Start (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) Treaty for the period beyond 2021;Advocating to the United States and Russia for the renewal of the New Start (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) Treaty for the period beyond 2021;
Advocating to the United States that it actively negotiates with Russia, China and other nuclear armed states a follow on treaty to the New Start treaty with a view to realising the objective of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): a world free of nuclear weapons; andAdvocating to the United States that it actively negotiates with Russia, China and other nuclear armed states a follow on treaty to the New Start treaty with a view to realising the objective of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): a world free of nuclear weapons; and
Seeking to work with partners and allies to build upon the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and develop an initiative which proposes a way of working with states possessing nuclear weapons to realise the aspiration of Article VI of the NPT seeking to encourage transparency among all states with nuclear weapons over their doctrine and the composition of their arsenals, and continuing to strengthen non-proliferation goals in the Indo-Pacific region.Seeking to work with partners and allies to build upon the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and develop an initiative which proposes a way of working with states possessing nuclear weapons to realise the aspiration of Article VI of the NPT seeking to encourage transparency among all states with nuclear weapons over their doctrine and the composition of their arsenals, and continuing to strengthen non-proliferation goals in the Indo-Pacific region.
The motion is carried on the voices.
Penny Wong:
I move this motion – but the text is the work of many.
I want to acknowledge that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is an issue of great importance to many in our party.
It is of great importance because Labor is a friend of Israel. I am a friend of Israel.
It is of great importance because Labor is a friend of the Palestinians. I am a friend of the Palestinians.
It is of great importance because we, in Labor, not only deal with the world as it is, we seek to change it for the better.
And so all who have come to this debate do so in the hope of contributing to peace and to a just and lasting resolution of the conflict between these two peoples.
I thank everyone for the manner in which they have engaged to propose this resolution – which I am confident reflects the collective view of this conference.
This resolution makes clear the view of this conference is to continue to support the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states within secure and recognised borders.
And it recognises the desire of this conference to recognise Palestine as a state.
Labor has long supported, and continues to support, a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
We support Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and the creation of a Palestinian state.
We recognise that a just two-state resolution will require recognising the right of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live in peace and security.
The hallmark of Labor’s approach has been our even-handedness, and our acceptance of the legitimate claims by both parties.
Labor has been consistent in its approach to working towards the resolution of conflict between Palestine and Israel.
We have been consistent in our criticism of actions that undermine progress.
The resort to violence or the use of disproportionate response.
The construction of new settlements in areas that will become part of a future Palestinian state and the retrospective legalisation of settlements.
Labor will continue to call on both sides of the conflict to refrain from any actions that hamper peaceful outcomes for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.
And we will continue to ensure that any decision we take contributes to peaceful resolution of the conflict and to progress towards a two-state solution.
It is an approach, which until recently, had been largely bipartisan.
But, in a shameful act five days before the Wentworth byelection, Scott Morrison put his own domestic political interest before the national interest.
He made a decision to junk longstanding bipartisan foreign policy in a cynical attempt to win votes.
It was a desperate political tactic.
It was a decision made against the longstanding advice of agencies, without cabinet consideration, and without properly consulting Australia’s partners and allies.
Astonishingly, it was a decision made without consulting either the Israelis or the Palestinians themselves, whose agreement must be the foundation of any lasting peace.
The result of the chaos and confusion has been clear.
Mr Morrison has caused offence to some of our nearest neighbours, harmed Australia’s international reputation, and our nation’s interests.
Ever since, the prime minister has been trying to escape the problem of his own creation.
It is a clear example of what happens when domestic politics is put before national interest.
Unlike Scott Morrison and his government, Labor in government will take a responsible approach to our foreign policy.
We will seek and consider the advice of our agencies.
We will work with our partners and allies.
We will always put the national interest first.
This motion makes clear Labor’s commitment to progressing lasting peace and a two-state solution.
It makes clear that it will be an important priority for the next Labor government.
As Labor’s shadow minister for foreign affairs, I commend the resolution to the conference.
And as earlier flagged, the Palestine motion is now being put to the floor:
Penny Wong says it is part of a “just” two-state solution and Labor has been “consistent” with its view.
This motion has passed on the voices:
128. Labor will rebuild and grow Australia’s international development program and increase official development assistance to internationally accepted levels in a timely manner. Australia should do its fair share internationally, and work with the international community to achieve the longstanding funding targets reiterated by the SDGs. Labor will, over time, achieve a funding target for the international development program of at least 0.5% of gross national income. Labor will increase aid as a percentage of gross national income every year that we are in office starting with our first budget.
It continues:
Trade
“We are pleased the ALP has reaffirmed its commitment to boost transparency and analysis of free trade agreements (FTAs) including by introducing legislation to establish a system of accredited trade advisors and independent national interest assessments, which we have long called for.
“However, we are disappointed the ALP is opposed to signing FTAs that provide exemptions from labour market testing requirements and include Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. ISDS protects Australian businesses overseas from adverse decisions where their investments might be expropriated.
“Big unions have created a paper tiger in opposing FTAs that exempt employers from labour market testing provisions. They claim that exempting labour market testing is ‘dangerous’ to Australian workers, even though the evidence does not support this view.
“It’s in our national interest for all political parties to support policies that take us forward, not backwards, in trade.”
Energy
“The best way to secure significant investment in less expensive and more reliable power is to provide the private sector with the certainty it requires to invest with confidence in the energy sector.
“Affordability and reliability of energy must be at the heart of policy solutions to the energy crisis. And we need a long term, bipartisan, nationally agreed solution to meet Australia’s emissions reduction commitments and guide investment in the electricity generation sector. We need to deliver lower costs for consumers and ensure reliability in both the short and the long term.
“The National Energy Guarantee (Neg) is the only long-term policy that has overwhelming support across the business community.
““NEG plus” combines measures recommended by the ACCC to encourage competition and drive prices down in the short term, plus measures in the NEG to deliver greater reliability while meeting our national emissions reduction target.
“Policies to reduce emissions must not harm Australia’s international competitiveness.
Vocational Education and Training
“The business community remains very concerned by the decline in the number of apprentices and trainees. The ALP’s plan to put in place an apprenticeship advocate is positive, and we encourage them to go further to establish a national apprenticeship advisory board, which gives industry, who provide jobs and training to apprentices, a seat at the decision-making table.
“We support the opposition’s policy to review the tertiary education system, and we have participated in the terms of reference panel to help guide the review.
“We need action from the commonwealth and all states and territories, and we need it now to get projects off the ground. We encourage the ALP to look at strategies to deliver better outcomes for VET through Coag.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released a very thorough statement on Labor’s policy announcements:
Role of business
“The Australian business community is part of our broader community. It provides jobs, creates wealth and gives opportunities. For example, one in three small businesses in Australia are started or run by migrants. More than eight out of every 10 Australians with a job is in a business.
“There are over two million Australian businesses of all sizes, providing jobs and goods and services to communities in all corners of the country, and keeping every sector of our economy moving. Most Australian businesses are small businesses, and nearly 60% of small business operators are paid $50,000 or less per year – that’s well under the average Australian wage.
“There is nothing to ‘trickle down’ from small businesses, who are overwhelmingly the businesses that rely on minimum and award wages, casual employment and whose people are not members of big unions. Small businesses can’t pass on increased wage costs to customers any more than they can cope with incessantly high power bills.
“If a business isn’t profitable, and if a business can’t afford a wage rise or manage its workforce in the way that works best, then the risk is that it will go out of business – and jobs will be lost, not won.”
Industrial relations
“The next steps for Australia’s industrial relations system will be important for continued prosperity, living standards and opportunities for all Australians.
“Parts of our IR system need to be fixed, but we have to get the solutions right and pursuing the wrong ideas will leave the people who depend on businesses worse off.
“We need to deliver policies that sustainably support jobs, help companies become more competitive and return towards longer-term trend wages growth, and do so without risking our reputation as a place to invest and do business.”
Enterprise bargaining
“Australia should be trying to fix problems in the enterprise bargaining system, not go back to industry bargaining, which big unions will flock to because it will be easier and cheaper for them.
“There should not be a perverse incentive for big unions to prolong bargaining needlessly and manipulate the bargaining process, seeking the reward of arbitration. If Labor is to consider industry bargaining, it needs to explain how it will prevent bad bargaining behaviours.
“Australia already has the world’s second highest minimum wage. The minimum wage and the flow on to award wages have grown by more than prices for nine straight years.
“Many small businesses depend on award wages to pay their people. They can’t pass on increased costs to their customers. It is hard to believe that minimum wages could be raised even further ahead of prices without costing jobs and driving many small businesses out of business.”
Gender pay gap
“The gender pay gap has narrowed, but more needs to be done.
“There are many reasons why people are paid differently, but gender should not be one of them.
“We need to ensure women have equal opportunity to gain the skills and get the experience they need to compete for the jobs they want. More Australian women are already being educated for a more diverse range of professions and vocations.
“We need to ensure more women can continue their careers, if they wish, when they start a family. Women need more options to maximise their earnings.This includes the flexibility that casual work and labour hire work, for example, can provide.
“The worst pay gap is the gap between having a job and no job. Pay, regardless of gender, should be driven by productivity and affordability – that’s the sustainable path towards equal pay.”
Lol Wayne Swan reveals he'll put this motion to allow conference to break without announcing national exec result which could come as late as 9pm!! #auspol #ALPconf18 @AmyRemeikis pic.twitter.com/piOE3hHuCH
The motions have been closed to public view on the Labor conference website, for some strange reason, but we are attempting to get that fixed.
Meanwhile, in the Victorian parliament:
Statement from Senator Hinch on Catherine Cumming pic.twitter.com/GuXYNlCWqv
Michael McCormack has issued a statement on Andrew Broad’s decision not to recontest Mallee:
I acknowledge Andrew Broad’s decision to not recontest the next federal election for the seat of Mallee and thank him for his service.
Mr Broad has been a passionate advocate for regional and farming issues representing his Victorian electorate since 2013, which led to his promotion as the assistant minister, in September this year.
Mr Broad has now made the right decision to stand aside and not recontest the seat of Mallee and in doing so he has accepted the sort of behaviour, which has prompted his decision, is inappropriate and unacceptable.
Matters regarding Mallee preselection as always are for the Nationals’ local branches to decide and a replacement will be determined, in time.