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| Coalition says Labor climate policy 'a Trojan horse for a carbon tax' – as it happened | Coalition says Labor climate policy 'a Trojan horse for a carbon tax' – as it happened |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| We are going to shut down a little early today, because parliament isn’t sitting, and we’ll be back at the crack of dawn (it will seriously be the crack of dawn) tomorrow for the Unicorn Budget shenanigans. | We are going to shut down a little early today, because parliament isn’t sitting, and we’ll be back at the crack of dawn (it will seriously be the crack of dawn) tomorrow for the Unicorn Budget shenanigans. |
| Make sure you check back early tomorrow, because it’s going to be a pretty insane day. Parliament is also going to be sitting, so make sure you have your support mechanism of choice nearby. | |
| A big thank you to Mike Bowers for dragging me across the Mondayitis line for today, as well as Katharine Murphy and Paul Karp for all they do. | A big thank you to Mike Bowers for dragging me across the Mondayitis line for today, as well as Katharine Murphy and Paul Karp for all they do. |
| Tomorrow, most of the Guardian brains trust will be in the office to help us through the day, and you are in for a treat with Chris Knaus coming in as your guest blogger while I descend the earth’s crust into hell, which is also known as the budget lock-up. | |
| My tip for this Unicorn Budget as we slide towards election eve? Big spending in Victoria and Queensland, the problem states. | My tip for this Unicorn Budget as we slide towards election eve? Big spending in Victoria and Queensland, the problem states. |
| But we don’t have too much longer to wait to find out just how much money is to be splashed around. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who followed along – we have missed you, so it was lovely to have you all back. For those on Instagram, @pyjamapolitics will be back, with Bowers making his usual appearances during the day. | |
| Rest up tonight. And, as always, take care of you. | Rest up tonight. And, as always, take care of you. |
| This is something which is also happening – as reported by Katharine Murphy: | This is something which is also happening – as reported by Katharine Murphy: |
| The Morrison government will use Tuesday’s budget to allow 65 and 66 year olds to make voluntary superannuation contributions without meeting the current work test. | The Morrison government will use Tuesday’s budget to allow 65 and 66 year olds to make voluntary superannuation contributions without meeting the current work test. |
| The proposal, to take effect from 2020-21, is part of the government’s efforts to court older voters ahead of the looming federal election, and potentially benefits 55,000 people. | The proposal, to take effect from 2020-21, is part of the government’s efforts to court older voters ahead of the looming federal election, and potentially benefits 55,000 people. |
| The same cohort will be permitted to make three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions, which are currently capped at $100,000 a year, to their super accounts in one year. At the moment, only people under 65 can access those arrangements. | The same cohort will be permitted to make three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions, which are currently capped at $100,000 a year, to their super accounts in one year. At the moment, only people under 65 can access those arrangements. |
| The government also intends to increase the age limit for spousal contributions from 69, where it is currently, to 74. At the moment, people aged over 70 can’t receive contributions made by someone else on their behalf. | The government also intends to increase the age limit for spousal contributions from 69, where it is currently, to 74. At the moment, people aged over 70 can’t receive contributions made by someone else on their behalf. |
| The Morrison government is hoping Tuesday night’s budget – which will contain tax cuts, cash payments and a significant infrastructure spend – will revive its political fortunes ahead of the election, which is widely tipped to be called this weekend. | The Morrison government is hoping Tuesday night’s budget – which will contain tax cuts, cash payments and a significant infrastructure spend – will revive its political fortunes ahead of the election, which is widely tipped to be called this weekend. |
| In case you missed it, Helen Davidson and Christopher Knaus have reported on the auditor general’s decision to look into the awarding of the Paladin contract. From their report: | In case you missed it, Helen Davidson and Christopher Knaus have reported on the auditor general’s decision to look into the awarding of the Paladin contract. From their report: |
| The auditor general is expanding its inquiry into the government’s controversial deal with Paladin to cover all offshore processing contracts, after a string of revelations about the way it has handed taxpayers’ money to companies working on Manus Island and Nauru. | The auditor general is expanding its inquiry into the government’s controversial deal with Paladin to cover all offshore processing contracts, after a string of revelations about the way it has handed taxpayers’ money to companies working on Manus Island and Nauru. |
| In February, Labor referred the $423m Paladin contract to the auditor general to investigate why the Department of Home Affairs chose the “inexperienced and unknown company” to take over garrison services on Manus Island following the closure of the detention centre. | In February, Labor referred the $423m Paladin contract to the auditor general to investigate why the Department of Home Affairs chose the “inexperienced and unknown company” to take over garrison services on Manus Island following the closure of the detention centre. |
| On Monday, the auditor general agreed to expand its investigation and assess “whether the Department of Home Affairs has appropriately managed the procurement of garrison support and welfare services” for all of its immigration processing centres. | On Monday, the auditor general agreed to expand its investigation and assess “whether the Department of Home Affairs has appropriately managed the procurement of garrison support and welfare services” for all of its immigration processing centres. |
| The audit, entitled The Department of Home Affairs’ procurement of garrison support and welfare services, is forecast to deliver its report in January 2020.” | The audit, entitled The Department of Home Affairs’ procurement of garrison support and welfare services, is forecast to deliver its report in January 2020.” |
| That follows the recent decision of the auditor general to also look into the community sports program after the Liberal party’s Mayo candidate, Georgina Downer, awarded a giant novelty cheque with her face on it to a local group. | That follows the recent decision of the auditor general to also look into the community sports program after the Liberal party’s Mayo candidate, Georgina Downer, awarded a giant novelty cheque with her face on it to a local group. |
| Remember how the government announced a $6.7m grant to the Australian National Maritime museum to fund a circumnavigation of Australia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s landing in (what became) Australia? | Remember how the government announced a $6.7m grant to the Australian National Maritime museum to fund a circumnavigation of Australia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s landing in (what became) Australia? |
| And remember how Scott Morrison originally called it a “re-enactment” and then had to backtrack because of the pesky detail that Cook never actually circumnavigated Australia, but just sort of charted the east coast, recorded some snarky messages in his log and then bounced? | And remember how Scott Morrison originally called it a “re-enactment” and then had to backtrack because of the pesky detail that Cook never actually circumnavigated Australia, but just sort of charted the east coast, recorded some snarky messages in his log and then bounced? |
| Well, recreating this government’s favoured parts of history, whether they actually happened or not, is set to continue, according to Christopher Pyne’s latest release: | Well, recreating this government’s favoured parts of history, whether they actually happened or not, is set to continue, according to Christopher Pyne’s latest release: |
| The Government is pleased to announce the STS Young Endeavour replacement project is progressing and will be due for consideration by Cabinet later this year. | The Government is pleased to announce the STS Young Endeavour replacement project is progressing and will be due for consideration by Cabinet later this year. |
| Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the program is recognised internationally as a leading youth development program, with more than 500 young Australians taking part every year. | Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the program is recognised internationally as a leading youth development program, with more than 500 young Australians taking part every year. |
| “More than 13,600 young Australians have participated in the scheme since January 1988,” Minister Pyne said. | “More than 13,600 young Australians have participated in the scheme since January 1988,” Minister Pyne said. |
| “After 31 years of dedicated service the Young Endeavour is now approaching the end of her operational life and this project will deliver a new vessel by late 2023. | “After 31 years of dedicated service the Young Endeavour is now approaching the end of her operational life and this project will deliver a new vessel by late 2023. |
| “The search for a new design is progressing and once selected, the new vessel will be built in Australia”, Minister Pyne said. | “The search for a new design is progressing and once selected, the new vessel will be built in Australia”, Minister Pyne said. |
| Just again, for the people at the back, the PBO reports our ageing population will cost the budget more than Medicare. | Just again, for the people at the back, the PBO reports our ageing population will cost the budget more than Medicare. |
| Since 2011 – when the first of the baby boomer generation turned 65 – the share of the population of retirement age has increased significantly and the share of the population of prime working age has begun to fall. | Since 2011 – when the first of the baby boomer generation turned 65 – the share of the population of retirement age has increased significantly and the share of the population of prime working age has begun to fall. |
| This flows through to the budget in the form of a reduction in revenue, due to lower labour force participation, and an increase in spending, reflecting greater demand for government programs that support older Australians. | This flows through to the budget in the form of a reduction in revenue, due to lower labour force participation, and an increase in spending, reflecting greater demand for government programs that support older Australians. |
| Over the next decade, the ageing population is projected to subtract 0.4 percentage points from the annual real growth in revenue and add 0.3 percentage points to the annual real growth in spending. | Over the next decade, the ageing population is projected to subtract 0.4 percentage points from the annual real growth in revenue and add 0.3 percentage points to the annual real growth in spending. |
| In real dollar terms, this equates to an annual cost to the budget of around $36 billion by 2028–29. This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year.” | In real dollar terms, this equates to an annual cost to the budget of around $36 billion by 2028–29. This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year.” |
| How much planning do you think we have actually done for that? | How much planning do you think we have actually done for that? |
| The Parliamentary Budget Office has released a report on the cost of Australia’s ageing population. | The Parliamentary Budget Office has released a report on the cost of Australia’s ageing population. |
| It makes for dire reading. Part of the overview is below, but in short: “In real dollar terms, this equates to an annual cost to the budget of around $36 billion by 2028–29. This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year.” | It makes for dire reading. Part of the overview is below, but in short: “In real dollar terms, this equates to an annual cost to the budget of around $36 billion by 2028–29. This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year.” |
| The effects of ageing will be felt more over the coming decade than in the past due to the impact of the baby boomer generation retiring. | The effects of ageing will be felt more over the coming decade than in the past due to the impact of the baby boomer generation retiring. |
| This change has already begun to detract from economic growth, after decades of providing a boost to growth. | This change has already begun to detract from economic growth, after decades of providing a boost to growth. |
| Ageing will reduce tax revenue and add to spending pressures… Since 2011 – when the first of the baby boomer generation turned 65 – the share of the population of retirement age has increased significantly and the share of the population of prime working age has begun to fall. | Ageing will reduce tax revenue and add to spending pressures… Since 2011 – when the first of the baby boomer generation turned 65 – the share of the population of retirement age has increased significantly and the share of the population of prime working age has begun to fall. |
| This flows through to the budget in the form of a reduction in revenue, due to lower labour force participation, and an increase in spending, reflecting greater demand for government programs that support older Australians. Over the next decade, the ageing population is projected to subtract 0.4 percentage points from the annual real growth in revenue and add 0.3 percentage points to the annual real growth in spending. In real dollar terms, this equates to an annual cost to the budget of around $36 billion by 2028–29. | This flows through to the budget in the form of a reduction in revenue, due to lower labour force participation, and an increase in spending, reflecting greater demand for government programs that support older Australians. Over the next decade, the ageing population is projected to subtract 0.4 percentage points from the annual real growth in revenue and add 0.3 percentage points to the annual real growth in spending. In real dollar terms, this equates to an annual cost to the budget of around $36 billion by 2028–29. |
| This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year. …with the budget impact coming in waves. The workforce participation and Age Pension impacts of the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age are already evident and are likely to peak during the next decade. | This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year. …with the budget impact coming in waves. The workforce participation and Age Pension impacts of the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age are already evident and are likely to peak during the next decade. |
| The impacts on health and aged care spending will increase more gradually and peak later, as baby boomers move into their 70s and 80s. | The impacts on health and aged care spending will increase more gradually and peak later, as baby boomers move into their 70s and 80s. |
| Demand for health services typically starts to increase when individuals are in their 70s, and demand for aged care services when they are in their 80s. | Demand for health services typically starts to increase when individuals are in their 70s, and demand for aged care services when they are in their 80s. |
| Expectations of Australians around increases in the quality of health and aged care services could further increase these costs.” | Expectations of Australians around increases in the quality of health and aged care services could further increase these costs.” |
| And it ends. | And it ends. |
| Main takeaways? | Main takeaways? |
| Labor’s policy is a carbon tax, even though it builds from a Malcolm Turnbull plan, and is not at all a carbon tax. | Labor’s policy is a carbon tax, even though it builds from a Malcolm Turnbull plan, and is not at all a carbon tax. |
| We are doing things, and they are great things. | We are doing things, and they are great things. |
| Your face is. | Your face is. |
| Will the Coalition still use the Kyoto carryover credits if the United Nations determines they shouldn’t be used? | Will the Coalition still use the Kyoto carryover credits if the United Nations determines they shouldn’t be used? |
| Melissa Price: “We believe we are entitled to use the carryover credits.” | Melissa Price: “We believe we are entitled to use the carryover credits.” |
| Melissa Price is no longer talking. She is nodding like a trooper though. | Melissa Price is no longer talking. She is nodding like a trooper though. |
| Angus Taylor just had this exchange with the Sydney Morning Herald’s David Crowe: | Angus Taylor just had this exchange with the Sydney Morning Herald’s David Crowe: |
| Crowe: You call this a carbon tax, if this is a carbon tax is your safeguard mechanism a carbon tax also? | Crowe: You call this a carbon tax, if this is a carbon tax is your safeguard mechanism a carbon tax also? |
| Taylor: It is a fundamental misunderstanding of what the safeguard mechanism was meant to do. The intention is to deal with heavy polluters. That has been the policy, it is working and we are committed to 22 and reviewing that. | Taylor: It is a fundamental misunderstanding of what the safeguard mechanism was meant to do. The intention is to deal with heavy polluters. That has been the policy, it is working and we are committed to 22 and reviewing that. |
| Crowe: This policy deals with heavy polluters, how can you call it a tax when this is the number of companies being affected? | Crowe: This policy deals with heavy polluters, how can you call it a tax when this is the number of companies being affected? |
| Taylor: The target is completely different, what drives the outcomes here is the target. When you have a 45% emission reduction target, you are demanding almost half, half the emissions go. And that is going to cost a lot, we see independent modelling telling us the impact of that, $9,000 a year for the average Australian worker, 360,000 jobs or more, assuming the carryover is used. If you set a target like this, that’s the outcome, they are using the safeguard as a Trojan horse for a carbon tax. | Taylor: The target is completely different, what drives the outcomes here is the target. When you have a 45% emission reduction target, you are demanding almost half, half the emissions go. And that is going to cost a lot, we see independent modelling telling us the impact of that, $9,000 a year for the average Australian worker, 360,000 jobs or more, assuming the carryover is used. If you set a target like this, that’s the outcome, they are using the safeguard as a Trojan horse for a carbon tax. |
| Shhhhhhhh. | Shhhhhhhh. |
| Be very, very quiet. The Melissa Price environment minister is speaking. We don’t want to startle her. | Be very, very quiet. The Melissa Price environment minister is speaking. We don’t want to startle her. |
| I’ve just come back from a whirlwind trip to Queensland (the greatest nation on earth) and I can tell you the Coalition are W-O-R-R-I-E-D. The big election story is in Victoria this year, at least at this stage, but in Queensland, the state that held in 2016, things are looking a bit wobbly. One of the seats on the bubble is Ross Vasta’s seat of Bonner. | I’ve just come back from a whirlwind trip to Queensland (the greatest nation on earth) and I can tell you the Coalition are W-O-R-R-I-E-D. The big election story is in Victoria this year, at least at this stage, but in Queensland, the state that held in 2016, things are looking a bit wobbly. One of the seats on the bubble is Ross Vasta’s seat of Bonner. |
| Which makes this email blast from Australian Christian Lobby head Wendy Francis verrrrrrry interesting: | Which makes this email blast from Australian Christian Lobby head Wendy Francis verrrrrrry interesting: |
| Dear ACL friends | Dear ACL friends |
| I have worked with ACL now for 9 years and I am well placed to know the DNA of this organisation. We do not support one political party over another. That being said, I believe that the upcoming federal election is the most important in my lifetime and there are huge ramifications associated with the outcome. To educate voters I have been asking the following three questions of candidates and sitting members. | I have worked with ACL now for 9 years and I am well placed to know the DNA of this organisation. We do not support one political party over another. That being said, I believe that the upcoming federal election is the most important in my lifetime and there are huge ramifications associated with the outcome. To educate voters I have been asking the following three questions of candidates and sitting members. |
| Abortion | Abortion |
| What is your response to the news that the ALP will use federal funding to ensure free abortions are offered in public hospitals even to full term? | What is your response to the news that the ALP will use federal funding to ensure free abortions are offered in public hospitals even to full term? |
| Freedom of belief | Freedom of belief |
| Do you believe that schools, Bible colleges, and religious institutions should be forced to employ people who fundamentally disagree with their beliefs? | Do you believe that schools, Bible colleges, and religious institutions should be forced to employ people who fundamentally disagree with their beliefs? |
| Gender | Gender |
| Do you agree with States being required to remove gender from all documents such as birth certificates, drivers licenses, social security forms? | Do you agree with States being required to remove gender from all documents such as birth certificates, drivers licenses, social security forms? |
| In your electorate of Bonner, your sitting member, Ross Vasta, has a voting record which aligns with Truth on all of these issues and many others. | In your electorate of Bonner, your sitting member, Ross Vasta, has a voting record which aligns with Truth on all of these issues and many others. |
| He has asked me if there would be any of our supporters who would be prepared to support him by placing one of his signs in their yard. I pass this on for your consideration. If you would be happy to assist him with this request can you please contact his office at ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au I know he would be very grateful. | He has asked me if there would be any of our supporters who would be prepared to support him by placing one of his signs in their yard. I pass this on for your consideration. If you would be happy to assist him with this request can you please contact his office at ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au I know he would be very grateful. |
| Please pray for our nation. | Please pray for our nation. |
| Kind regards, Wendy | Kind regards, Wendy |
| *extreme David Attenborough voice* | *extreme David Attenborough voice* |
| It is a very rare sighting of the Melissa Price environment minister in the open. | It is a very rare sighting of the Melissa Price environment minister in the open. |
| The Price environment minister usually does press conferences on the run, if at all. We’re excited to see her not only standing still, but attempting to communicate. | The Price environment minister usually does press conferences on the run, if at all. We’re excited to see her not only standing still, but attempting to communicate. |
| This was just announced: | This was just announced: |
| Minister for the Environment, Melissa Price, and Minister for Energy, Angus Taylor, will hold a doorstop to discuss Labor’s economy wrecking climate announcement.” | Minister for the Environment, Melissa Price, and Minister for Energy, Angus Taylor, will hold a doorstop to discuss Labor’s economy wrecking climate announcement.” |
| I wonder what their take will be? The media alert is so ambiguous. | I wonder what their take will be? The media alert is so ambiguous. |
| Mike Bowers has been out and about this morning: | Mike Bowers has been out and about this morning: |
| Which reminds me – we have officially entered Australian politicians and would-be politicians looking at things season: | Which reminds me – we have officially entered Australian politicians and would-be politicians looking at things season: |
| It’s always the summer of 69 in some people’s hearts. | It’s always the summer of 69 in some people’s hearts. |
| It is a cast of thousands for Labor’s official climate announcement (which is being held at an electric vehicle charging station in Civic, in Canberra’s centre). | It is a cast of thousands for Labor’s official climate announcement (which is being held at an electric vehicle charging station in Civic, in Canberra’s centre). |
| Mark Butler, Anthony Albanese, Kim Carr, Pat Conroy and (candidate) Alicia Payne have joined Bill Shorten: | Mark Butler, Anthony Albanese, Kim Carr, Pat Conroy and (candidate) Alicia Payne have joined Bill Shorten: |
| First of all – what is the cost of not taking action on climate change? It is huge. It was estimated that last year $18bn is the cost of the extreme weather events we’ve been having in insurance, in property values, in damage, in lost production. | First of all – what is the cost of not taking action on climate change? It is huge. It was estimated that last year $18bn is the cost of the extreme weather events we’ve been having in insurance, in property values, in damage, in lost production. |
| There is a huge opportunity cost when we don’t take action. We’re confident by the sensible, evidence-based, pragmatic and consultative policies we’re putting forward, that we can protect traditional jobs in steel, in cement, in aluminium. | There is a huge opportunity cost when we don’t take action. We’re confident by the sensible, evidence-based, pragmatic and consultative policies we’re putting forward, that we can protect traditional jobs in steel, in cement, in aluminium. |
| Industries I’ve spent my working life representing blue-collar workers in. I’m confident that with our fund to work with emissions intensive trade sectors like that, we can make sure that the changes for them are done in a way which protects those jobs. | Industries I’ve spent my working life representing blue-collar workers in. I’m confident that with our fund to work with emissions intensive trade sectors like that, we can make sure that the changes for them are done in a way which protects those jobs. |
| But I’m ambitious for new jobs in Australia. I don’t want us just to be ... financial service vendors or casualised part time workers. I want us to have full-time jobs in renewable energy. We have the best scientists in the world, so why on earth aren’t we adding that to value-added manufacturing? We have some of the best resources of lithium in the world. We can put together ... in Australia, we have all of the parts for a lithium battery. So why can’t we be a nation that says we want to step up and have more manufacturing jobs? | But I’m ambitious for new jobs in Australia. I don’t want us just to be ... financial service vendors or casualised part time workers. I want us to have full-time jobs in renewable energy. We have the best scientists in the world, so why on earth aren’t we adding that to value-added manufacturing? We have some of the best resources of lithium in the world. We can put together ... in Australia, we have all of the parts for a lithium battery. So why can’t we be a nation that says we want to step up and have more manufacturing jobs? |
| In terms of electricity, we see that under this current government, even in the last three years since they got elected the second time around, the price has gone up 20%. I don’t know if it was you, Mark [Butler], or someone observed yesterday, who observed yesterday, that this $1.45 a week for pensioners, a one-off payment, a total of $75. | In terms of electricity, we see that under this current government, even in the last three years since they got elected the second time around, the price has gone up 20%. I don’t know if it was you, Mark [Butler], or someone observed yesterday, who observed yesterday, that this $1.45 a week for pensioners, a one-off payment, a total of $75. |
| It’s like a very small refund for their failure to do anything on energy policy in the last three years. I have no doubt that we will put downward pressure on energy prices.” | It’s like a very small refund for their failure to do anything on energy policy in the last three years. I have no doubt that we will put downward pressure on energy prices.” |