Greens senator David Shoebridge argues blame for debt rests with major parties for selling off Australian assets. Follow today’s news live
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18m agoIndigenous Australians ‘denied an equal response’ to racism, antisemitism royal commission hears
51m agoDebt shouldn’t become an ‘intergenerational legacy’, says Wilson
1h agoWells ‘confident’ government will be able to make opt-out system work on gambling ads
2h ago‘These numbers are unacceptable’: Steggall urges action over domestic violence deaths
2h agoLambie delivers impassioned speech over veterans’ health access: ‘We are suffering enough’
3h agoVictorian premier to call royal commission into constructor sector
3h ago‘A gratuitous insult’: government ministers react to IDF dismissing Frankcom investigation
3h agoHuman rights expert says Wong should expel Israeli ambassador: ‘This bloke is clearly an unacceptable representative’
4h agoGambling reforms pass into law after late night vote
4h agoGaming platform Roblox accepts undertaking by eSafety to improve safety
4h agoGovernor general ‘devastated for the women’ hurt by Sydney Swans incident
4h agoGovernment ‘outraged’ over IDF decision not to investigate killing of aid workers
Tim Wilson stopped to talk to journos in the press gallery corridor this morning, slamming the government’s financial credentials as the country soon hits $1tn of gross national debt.
Gross debt is the total amount of money a country owes, but we tend to use net debt figures more often which is the total amount of debt minus income including taxes, financial assets, etc.
We know that it’s costing about $2,000 per Australian taxpayer to continue to finance this debt, and as a consequence, it could be a $2,000 tax cut that was offered if it wasn’t there. This is why the task is so important, to confront debt, to make sure it doesn’t continue to be part of an intergenerational legacy that’s being left behind.
But Greens senator David Shoebridge, earlier told News24 the problem was on both major parties for selling off Australian assets and not adequately taxing our resources.
We’ve had Labor and the coalition, sell off every income producing asset that most state and federal governments have: banks, insurance companies, airlines, airports, flogged the lot off, privatised the whole lot, and then refused to put in revenue measures on, public theft, like zero tax on export gas. So you flog off all the publicly owned income producing assets, you don’t tax the corporations that you give them to and gift them to, and you wonder about why debt is increasing.
We’ve had Labor and the coalition, sell off every income producing asset that most state and federal governments have: banks, insurance companies, airlines, airports, flogged the lot off, privatised the whole lot, and then refused to put in revenue measures on, public theft, like zero tax on export gas.
So you flog off all the publicly owned income producing assets, you don’t tax the corporations that you give them to and gift them to, and you wonder about why debt is increasing.
Liberal party ‘hyperventilating’ over debt figure, says Chalmers
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has defended the government’s budget position and says debt would have been even worse under the Liberal party.
In a statement, Chalmers says under the Coalition gross debt would have crossed the trillion dollar mark three years ago.
No amount of hyperventilating from the Liberal Party today will change the fact that debt is $200 billion lower this year than what they left us … If the Coalition had been in power today, gross debt this year would already be approaching $1.2 trillion.
Chalmers says two international ratings agencies, Moody’s and S&P Global, this month reaffirmed Australia’s AAA credit rating.
Israeli ambassador arrives at Parliament House
The Israeli ambassador, Hillel Newman, has arrived at Parliament to meet with Penny Wong.
The foreign minister said this morning she would express Australia’s outrage to the ambassador, over the Israel Defense Forces’ decision to not criminally investigate the killing of Australian Zomi Frankcom and other World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza.
Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner, Katie Kiss, has told the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion that Australia will not be able to address racism towards any other community that has settled in this country until it deals with its racism towards First Peoples.
She said there was a tendency to invisibilise racism towards First Nations communities:
[First Peoples] have consistently come to the table seeking the ability to engage with the broader community in genuine good faith. Some of those conversations are had genuinely, and some of them are not. The exposure to racism has been ongoing and persistent. When you can’t engage safely in broad political debate… that erodes trust and sense of belonging. When you’re followed by security guards, you’re not feeling safe; when you’re tagged by police, you’re not feeling safe. In terms of the system and structures, we’ve engaged in good faith to build a cohesive set of values that also see Aboriginal people as part of the community. Over time and time again, we’ve had that dismantled because of the way that engagement has come back to us. We get denied an equal response.
[First Peoples] have consistently come to the table seeking the ability to engage with the broader community in genuine good faith. Some of those conversations are had genuinely, and some of them are not.
The exposure to racism has been ongoing and persistent.
When you can’t engage safely in broad political debate… that erodes trust and sense of belonging.
When you’re followed by security guards, you’re not feeling safe; when you’re tagged by police, you’re not feeling safe.
In terms of the system and structures, we’ve engaged in good faith to build a cohesive set of values that also see Aboriginal people as part of the community. Over time and time again, we’ve had that dismantled because of the way that engagement has come back to us.
We get denied an equal response.
Labor ‘squandered a golden opportunity’ on gambling reforms, David Pocock says
David Pocock is still, safe to say, very disappointed by the gambling reforms that passed through the parliament yesterday.
He says the changes fall well short of what was recommended by the landmark 2023 Murphy report. The “you win some, you lose more” report made 31 recommendations, including a phased out comprehensive ban of online gambling ads, and the establishment of a national regulator – neither of which were accepted by the government.
Pocock tells News24 it was a squandered opportunity:
Nothing happened for three years, they were finally sort of forced into doing something, and they’ve done the absolute bare minimum. And I think they’ve just squandered a golden opportunity to, one, do what the Australian people want, what the Murphy report said, what experts say is evidence based policy. I hope that they pay the price for it. It says a lot that at the end of the day, they had to do a deal with the Coalition.
Nothing happened for three years, they were finally sort of forced into doing something, and they’ve done the absolute bare minimum. And I think they’ve just squandered a golden opportunity to, one, do what the Australian people want, what the Murphy report said, what experts say is evidence based policy.
I hope that they pay the price for it. It says a lot that at the end of the day, they had to do a deal with the Coalition.
Wells welcomes governor general’s intervention on Swans investigation
Anika Wells says she’s glad the governor general, Sam Mostyn, spoke out over an allegation of sexual assault linked to several Sydney Swans players.
In remarks published by the ABC, Mostyn said the allegation “shocked and troubled” her, and said she is “devastated for the women” affected by the alleged behaviour of Sydney Swans players linked with the allegation.
At her earlier press conference, Wells said women’s safety, wellbeing and dignity must come first, “before an immediate discussion about how this impacts finals”.
I was glad that she [Mostyn] added her voice to it, I’ve tried to do that today. I thought the AFL CEO statement was good, I think everyone could do more.
I was glad that she [Mostyn] added her voice to it, I’ve tried to do that today.
I thought the AFL CEO statement was good, I think everyone could do more.
How technically feasible will the government’s one stop ‘opt-out’ shop really be, asks my colleague, Josh Butler, and what advice has the government received on this?
Anika Wells says the opt-out service will be akin to the existing BetStop service, which is the national self-exclusion register that lets a user exclude themselves from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering services in a single step.
Wells says that gambling companies already have to jump through a number of hoops and checkpoints to ensure that a user has not opted out of BetStop before they’re allowed to promote their services.
The number one way you can make sure that you comply with the law that is, as of last night, the law is to not show gambling ads, and if you want to show gambling ads, then you’re going to have to jump through these hoops … So we are confident on the basis that we have built BetStop, that we’re going to be able to do that.
The number one way you can make sure that you comply with the law that is, as of last night, the law is to not show gambling ads, and if you want to show gambling ads, then you’re going to have to jump through these hoops …
So we are confident on the basis that we have built BetStop, that we’re going to be able to do that.
Identifying high risk gambling users won’t be gambling service providers marking ‘their own homework’: Wells
Anika Wells says there’s been some misunderstanding around how high-risk gambling users will be identified.
Yesterday, Liberal MP Andrew Wallace said allowing gambling companies to identify those users was akin to putting “Dracula in charge of a blood bank”.
Wells, addressing the media at Parliament, says the legislation will set out thresholds.
I want to correct a misunderstanding floating around out there, it is not for gambling service providers to mark their own homework. It will be set by legislative instrument that I and [communications regulator] ACMA will work together to set. We want it set by legislative instruments so that it can take into account the latest expert technical advice .. At risk indicators might be continual deposits, overnight deposits, failed deposits, those are some of the at risk indicators that we’ll be looking at, but that’s something that I should be taking advice on and that’s why we want it done by legislative instrument.
I want to correct a misunderstanding floating around out there, it is not for gambling service providers to mark their own homework. It will be set by legislative instrument that I and [communications regulator] ACMA will work together to set. We want it set by legislative instruments so that it can take into account the latest expert technical advice ..
At risk indicators might be continual deposits, overnight deposits, failed deposits, those are some of the at risk indicators that we’ll be looking at, but that’s something that I should be taking advice on and that’s why we want it done by legislative instrument.
Greens push for compulsory super for under-18s
Over on the other side of parliament, Greens senator Barbara Pocock is pushing for kids under the age of 18 to be paid compulsory superannuation.
Right now, workers under 18 only get guaranteed super payments if they work more than 30 hours.
The Greens have a private member’s bill, and despite the Labor national platform endorsing an amendment to give under-18s compulsory super, it’s pretty unlikely the government will support this legislation, because, well … politics.
It’s time for young workers to be paid the super they deserve. In practice, what’s going on right now is that hundreds of thousands of young Australians who are under at the age of 18 are missing out, and every year, 530,000 young teenage workers are denied the astonishing sum of $411m in super for no reason other than their age … Hundreds of thousands of young workers are being held back financially before they’ve even had a chance to get ahead.
It’s time for young workers to be paid the super they deserve.
In practice, what’s going on right now is that hundreds of thousands of young Australians who are under at the age of 18 are missing out, and every year, 530,000 young teenage workers are denied the astonishing sum of $411m in super for no reason other than their age …
Hundreds of thousands of young workers are being held back financially before they’ve even had a chance to get ahead.
Independent MP Zali Steggall has moved to suspend proceedings in the lower house over the dozens of deaths of women and children in Australia killed by domestic and family violence, and urge the government to acknowledge that it remains a national crisis despite efforts.
Her motion states that Australian Femicide Watch has recorded 45 women and 19 children killed by violence this year.
She tells the house the government should call a royal commission into femicide and domestic and family violence, establish a domestic violence offender register and address recommendations from previous reviews that have been ignored or not acted on.
This motion calls on the government to act with urgency on so many issues that remain outstanding, too many inquiries, have urgent recommendations that have not been actioned, and there is no real rational explanation as to why that has not occurred to date. Much, much work must be done in this space by the government, including establish things like a DV offender register and for national actions. We need to get to a process of elevating this issue, to ensure women and girls are safe. These numbers are unacceptable.
The minister for social services, Tanya Plibersek, thanks Steggall for bringing the motion forward and says commonwealth, state and territory governments “must be held to account for our progress on ending family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia.”
The member has called for a royal commission. And I understand that this call comes from a very good place … But Mr Speaker, we don’t need another report. As the members themselves have said, last year’s domestic family and sexual violence commissioner’s annual report to parliament pointed out that we have 1000 recommendations already from a variety of reports across eight royal commissions, eight major reports like royal commissions, inquiries, and reviews to guide us … The South Australian royal commission [into domestic, family and sexual violence] took 17 months from its beginning to its end. I don’t want to spend another 17 months examining the same issue that we’ve examined in eight major reports recently. We need to get on and act.
The member has called for a royal commission. And I understand that this call comes from a very good place … But Mr Speaker, we don’t need another report. As the members themselves have said, last year’s domestic family and sexual violence commissioner’s annual report to parliament pointed out that we have 1000 recommendations already from a variety of reports across eight royal commissions, eight major reports like royal commissions, inquiries, and reviews to guide us …
The South Australian royal commission [into domestic, family and sexual violence] took 17 months from its beginning to its end. I don’t want to spend another 17 months examining the same issue that we’ve examined in eight major reports recently. We need to get on and act.
Six months ago, Jacqui Lambie says her vagina started to prolapse, and three months ago it took her “bladder with it”. She says this is directly connected to her military service.
Yesterday in a fiery and emotional speech in the chamber, the Tasmanian independent senator detailed her story of battling with health access as a defence veteran, begging the government to scrap a controversial $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans. She accused the government of a “callous disregard for veterans’ health and wellbeing”.
On Tuesday night, Lambie had told the story of how it took female veteran Kate three years to get surgery for vaginal prolapse because “she couldn’t find a gynaecologist who was happy with the low prices [the Department of Veterans’ Affairs] pay”. On Wednesday, Lambie said she had travelled to the mainland and paid $7,000 to avoid the same fate as Kate.
“That’s how much they care about our vaginas,” Lambie said.
Vaginal prolapse is a condition suffered by one in 12 Australian women, but there is no accurate data, Lambie said. She quoted a survey of nearly 500 female veterans who had completed a minimum of six months’ active duty that found two-thirds reported pelvic health concerns, including 12% who reported pelvic organ collapse.
I would like to ask the prime minister, minister [Richard] Marles and minister [Matt] Keogh what they would do if their penises were hanging by a thread, and what would they do if treatment for that injury directly connected to their military service was denied by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Would they say, ‘OK, no worries. I don’t really need my penis’? I don’t think so. I’m begging you, prime minister. We are already suffering enough. Drop the bloody cap. Drop it, mate. It is so unfair. It is what we do not need. It is enough. Veterans have had enough. Leave us alone.
I would like to ask the prime minister, minister [Richard] Marles and minister [Matt] Keogh what they would do if their penises were hanging by a thread, and what would they do if treatment for that injury directly connected to their military service was denied by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Would they say, ‘OK, no worries. I don’t really need my penis’? I don’t think so.
I’m begging you, prime minister. We are already suffering enough. Drop the bloody cap. Drop it, mate. It is so unfair. It is what we do not need. It is enough. Veterans have had enough. Leave us alone.
Initial language around sexual assault allegations ‘unfortunate’, says minister
The emergency services minister, Kristy McBain said some of the language used around an alleged sexual assault in Melbourne in the early hours of Monday morning shows “we still have a long way to go” to fix the culture.
Five Sydney Swans players were banned for the rest of the season on Wednesday for breaching club standards, in relation to their behaviour on a night out. Separately, Victoria police have also said they are investigating an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel near the MCG.
None of the players have been arrested or charged with any offences.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast this morning, the Labor frontbencher said some of the language used by the club “was unfortunate in the first instance”.
On Monday afternoon, Sydney Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich made a brief statement to the media saying the club was “extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place and that the players have found themselves in this situation”.
People don’t find themselves in situations, people put themselves in situations. There’s a range of consequences when those situations don’t play out as people may have intended. So, I think it’s really important that the Sydney Swans have corrected that language now. But it goes to show we still have a long way to go.
‘Time for action’: Greens demand sanctions on Israel
The Greens leader, Larissa Waters, has demanded sanctions be slapped on Israel, telling reporters this morning that statements against Israeli military actions have “done absolutely nothing”.
“I think it is absolutely outrageous that it’s taken two years, and now the Israeli government have exonerated themselves from the murder of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues,” Waters said.
Strong words are not enough … the Australian government sending some strongly worded statements has meant nothing. Now it is time that the Australian government puts on sanctions against the state of Israel and stops sending weapons parts to this genocide. We have said that from day dot, and it’s clear that all of the statements in the world have done absolutely nothing. Zomi Frankcom and her family deserve justice. So it is time for some action, not just some words.
Strong words are not enough … the Australian government sending some strongly worded statements has meant nothing. Now it is time that the Australian government puts on sanctions against the state of Israel and stops sending weapons parts to this genocide. We have said that from day dot, and it’s clear that all of the statements in the world have done absolutely nothing.
Zomi Frankcom and her family deserve justice. So it is time for some action, not just some words.
The Victorian premier, Ben Carroll, will formally call for a royal commission into the construction sector today.
The announcement will follow a special meeting of cabinet at 9am, where ministers will approve the launch of the inquiry, the terms of reference, and likely the commissioner.
The letters patent – the documents that formally establish the royal commission – will be delivered to the Victorian governor for approval after cabinet, then a press conference will be held at about midday.
Carroll’s first act as premier three weeks ago was to announce a royal commission into alleged corruption in the construction sector.
He said the inquiry would leave “no stone unturned” and would examine not just the union but also top tier construction companies, subcontracting arrangements and government.
Carroll also said a special prosecutor would be appointed to work in parallel to the royal commission, and that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission will be bolstered with follow-the-money powers.
His predecessor Jacinta Allan’s leadership had been dogged by allegations of wrongdoing against the CFMEU and others connected to the Big Build. Allan was the minister responsible for transport infrastructure at the time. While she has apologised for criminal allegations that have been uncovered, she had rejected calls for a royal commission. This is put her at odds with a number of MPs who believed the issue couldn’t be contained without one.
Israel move “incredibly concerning”, James Paterson says
Zomi Frankcom “never should have been killed”, the shadow defence spokesperson, James Paterson, said this morning, in some guarded comments raising concern about Israel clearing its military over the strike which destroyed the aid convoy carrying the Australian humanitarian worker and her World Central Kitchen colleagues.
“It’s a tragedy that she was [killed], and it is incredibly concerning to hear this news out of Israel,” Paterson said.
I look forward to receiving a full briefing to understand why this decision was made and the nature of the decision.
Paterson said he had only seen media reports thus far, and said he would keep his comments brief until receiving further information.
Asked further whether Israel’s decision stacked up, Paterson replied:
It’s a very big call for me to make this far away to understand what the factors were that went into that decision, and so I just want to be cautious without being briefed.
The former Liberal staffer, Fiona Brown, says she has settled her claim against the commonwealth for $1.48m – almost $1m less than Brittany Higgins was awarded in the aftermath of claims that Brown and then defence minister Linda Reynolds tried to cover up her rape.
Speaking to the Australian, Brown said the settlement did not make up for the impact of the affair on her career but that she vindicated by the award.
“I feel like I fought a good fight – I stood up for myself,” she told the paper today.
The girl from Earlwood was the underdog in the race. I feel I have ultimately triumphed over those who tore me down. I have been given a second go at life.
The breakdown of Brown’s payout, the Australian reports, are $450,000 in general damages for hurt, humiliation and distress; $490,000 for lost future earning capacity and employment opportunities; $40,000 for medical expenses; and $500,000 for legal fees.
