So just when you thought we were up to the long winter break, it looks like we will get a bonus edition of Parliament!
On that exciting note, we leave you for the evening.
But before that, what did we learn today?
- Cory Bernardi is a conservative with a big reform agenda;
- Joe Hockey is sticking with Plan A for the budget. Albeit with a "small variation";
- Ian Macdonald and Bill Heffernan disagree over the wearing of fluro tops in the Senate;
- The carbon tax is dead. SRSLY;
- But the fight over what comes next is only just beginning.
Many thanks for tuning in for what was a historic day - whatever you think about the carbon tax.
And a shout out to all those who commented. More than 1000 comments!
Alex Ellinghausen and I will be back tomorrow for one last Pulse before the break.
Prime Minister Tony Abbot after the carbon tax repeal on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The Senate has taken a dinner break until 7.30pm.
It will then have until 11pm to debate the mining tax repeal.
There may be a vote. There may not.
(Sorry not to be more specific!)
The House is debating changes to the Seniors Health Card.
It has extended its hours today but is not likely to sit as late as the Senate tonight.
There is a good chance both houses of Parliament will be back tomorrow for a special Friday sitting.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaks on a MPI after question time. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor's Claire Moore also asks for "guidance" on the use of advertising material in the chamber.
As does the Greens Rachel Siewert, who also notes she would like to know if the fluro tops have been provided to Senators for the purpose of wearing them in the chamber.
Macdonald hops back up and says he does not see what the problem is.
He notes his name on the top: "perhaps I'm advertising myself."
And re: Australians for Coal: "I'm not sure which company that is".
The matter has been referred to Senate President Stephen Parry.
Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald speaks on the mining tax repeal as Bill Heffernan storms off. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
But don't think this is the end of the orange top.
Fellow Coalition MP Bill Heffernan gets up multiple times to protest Macdonald's fluro.
This is embossed with "Macdonald" and also bears the logo for "Australians for Coal".
Heffernan seems to be brandishing his own top, still in the plastic packaging.
He is unhappy about advertising material in the chamber.
"It sets a precedent."
"Bill Heffernan, Friends of Coca Cola," he suggests.
"I've told the Minerals Council to shove this!"
Senator Bill Heffernan on the orange tops. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
"I proudly wear this high-vis vest in the chamber today..."
Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald on the mining tax. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Macdonald has been having a grand old go at the Greens and their involvement in the mining tax.
"Don't let the Greens fool you. They were in it up to their neck with the Labor government!"
While all this is going on, Greens senator Scott Ludlam wanders around and sits behind Macdonald.
He holds up a sign that reads: "SRSLY!"
It doesn't not take long for Cory Bernardi - who is the chair - to discipline Ludlam.
Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald speaks on the mining tax repeal while Scott Ludlam holds up a sign. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald stands to argue in favour of the repeal.
He is wearing a bright orange mining uniform.
He says he is supporting the miners and those who work in the industry.
The mining tax "discouraged investment and therefore, discouraged jobs".
(The orange is clashing wildly with the Senate's red decor.)
Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald speaks on the mining tax repeal. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
"Rather than seeing this tax repealed, we should fix this tax!"
Christine Milne is telling the Senate that loopholes in the mining tax should be closed to bring in the big tax dollars.
She points out that Joe Hockey has a revenue issue at the moment.
"I'm ready to give him more revenue!"
"I am standing here ready to help Mr Hockey..."
As the Senate continues to chat mining tax, here is some Ellinghausen magic.
The full set of the nine booted Labor MPs - in order of their dismissal from the House during question time today.
The last QT for more than a month. But the first in a post-carbon tax world.
Madam Speaker boots out 9 Labor MPs in today's carbon tax-free Question Time pic.twitter.com/atPGLMSVwv
— Alex Ellinghausen (@ellinghausen) July 17, 2014
New Defence chief Mark Binskin was also on hand.
(You don't get away with falling asleep in the military. Imagine the push ups!)
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop (centre) and Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin (right) meet with General Fan Changlong, Vice Chair of China's Central Military Commission. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
We trust that the Defence Minister was not snoozing in his meeting this afternoon with the equal most senior military figure in China.
General Fan Changlong is the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and is out in Australia.
This afternoon he has been meeting with David Johnston, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and then Tony Abbott (in three separate meetings).
Prime Minister Tony Abbott meets with General Fan Changlong, Vice Chair of China's Central Military Commission on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
It has been a long day.
So can you blame Defence Minister David Johnston for closing his eyes in the Senate during the Asset Recycling Fund debate just now?
Sleepy times in the Senate?
Did Defence Minister David Johnston nod off in the Senate on Thursday? You be the judge...
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Coalition staffers were called together after the carbon tax repeal today for a collective yay.
But at the end of the meeting, in an unusual move, Tony Abbott's chief-of-staff Peta Credlin asked the 80 or so female staff to stay behind.
Credlin also told the crowd about the hurt she suffered when Clive Palmer attacked her personally over the government's PPL scheme.
The Asset Recycling Fund bills (there are two) have passed the Senate.
With amendments.
The Senate is now debating the Minerals Resource Rent Tax Repeal and Other Measures Bill.
AKA the mining tax.
"The imaginary banner behind Tony Abbott might have read 'Emission accomplished!' such was his obvious delight as he strode to the lectern on Thursday..."
Chief political correspondent Mark Kenny writes on the carbon tax repeal.
And the policy hollow that has accompanied it.
The Senate continues to debate the Asset Recycling Bill. But the mining tax loiters on the not-too-distant horizon.
While this happens, the analysis about the carbon tax repeal continues.
SMH environment editor Peter Hannam has written on the winners and losers out of today:
On the face of it, the winners from the repeal of Australia’s carbon price will be the 371 liable entities paying the tax and consumers who forked out more for goods and services as the emissions charge was passed on.
Losers will include firms that have profited from their relatively low carbon output compared with rivals, such as Snowy Hydro and Hydro Tasmania. Accounting and corporate advisory firms are also likely to cut jobs as demand for their expertise dims.
We reported earlier that Bernardi had some interesting things to say about the state of political play.
But unfortunately the Liberal Senator was bumped from our TV screens for the PM's press conference, so we didn't get to hear the rest of his lunchtime speech.
Luckily, Matthew Knott went and had beef and mash at the Press Club for Cory Bernardi's address.
Matt reports that Bernardi had plenty of other provocative thoughts.
Including, that senators should be banned from serving as ministers, corporate donations should be outlawed and all perks should end when politicians leave office.
Liberal Democratic Party senator David Leyonhjelm has also talked of his increasing frustration with Clive Palmer and his PUPs, for their reluctance to engage properly with other MPs.
And for not basing their votes on a "consistent position".
"Senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan are fine, I mean, I understand their position," Leyonhjelm told Lateline last night.
"Senator Bob Day is fine. It’s just the Palmer people and Ricky Muir who I’m finding very hard to follow their position."
(There may be a few other people within the Parliamentary compound who are having similar difficulties, just quietly.)
Indeed, other non-carbon tax things are happening today.
As David Wroe reports, Tony Abbott has urged journalists not to report on national security matters that could endanger the country.
This comes as he defends proposed laws that would criminalise the disclosure of certain ASIO operations.
"I'd ask for a sense of responsibility, a sense of national interest, as well as simply commercial interest," the PM said.
And having said that, the Senate is back to legislative business - as we type - to consider the Asset Recycling Bill.
If states and territories reinvest the money in things like roads and ports they will receive a 15 per cent bonus from the Commonwealth.
Labor wants to amend the bill so Parliament can veto the 15 per cent payments on a project-by-project basis.
It also wants a cost-benefit analysis by Infrastructure Australia before payments are approved.
The Senate is due to re-debate legislation no later than 4.30pm.
It still has a long list to get through, including the Asset Recycling Fund, mining tax, Qantas Sale Amendment Bill and the Land Transport Infrastructure Bill.
It can sit through to 11pm if it needs to.
And then come back tomorrow to keep going.
After question time, Labor has launched into a Matter of Public Importance discussion.
It is entitled:
"The Prime Minister's chaotic and unfair budget hurting Australians."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaks on an MPI after QT. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Leader of the house Christopher Pyne comes to the despatch box to note that the House may need to sit later than usual tonight.
It would usually rise at 5pm, but given the Senate is still sitting - and may have changes that it needs to send back to the lower house for approval - the House needs to stay open.
Pyne says that he and Tony Burke have agreed they will make a call later this afternoon on what is needed.
MPs then agree that "automatic adjournment of the House" today be "suspended".
At 3.10pm, Tony Abbott calls an end to question time and the jellyfish metaphors.
Nine Labor MPs did not last the distance. Zero Coalition MPs were sent out.
We finish question time with a dixer to Scott Morrison on why it is so important to be resolute in dealing with the scourge of people smuggling.
Yesterday, Morrison labelled the Labor frontbench a "school of jellyfish" when it came to border protection.
Today, he goes with: "swarm" and then "bloom of jellyfish".
"But if they ever get back in to government, it won't be a jellyfish with a sting ... it will be a jellyfish that will just be taken away by every single current that would take them in whatever direction ..."
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison during QT. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
We have a dixer to Small Business Minister Bruce Billson (on what else, but the carbon tax) before BS comes back to TA.
Shorten is sticking like sticky tape with Joe Hockey's talk of budget cuts that parliament does not need to legislate.
How much more will Australian families have to suffer under the Treasurer's alternative budget?
Abbott is unmoved.
"Madam Speaker, as a result of this government's budget, there will continue to be a strong and generous social safety net ...
"Members opposite just cannot be trusted with the budget. They have proved that over six years. They just cannot be trusted with the economy and that means they just can't be trusted in government."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott during QT. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor's health spokeswoman Catherine King asks Tony Abbott why sick and elderly patients should be stopped from getting the GP treatment they need because of the co-payment?
"What sort of deficit do they [Labor] want us to skyrocket towards?" the PM wonders as Labor's Joanne Ryan is kicked out.
After another Labor question to the PM, asking what further cuts the government is planning (this time for apprentices), Environment Minister Greg Hunt gets a moment in the post-carbon tax sun.
NSW Liberal MP Ann Sudmalis asks:
Will you update the House on the benefit of business growth from scrapping the carbon tax?
"I can inform the House the carbon tax is gone," a delighted Hunt says.
He also has a serious message for Australian households:
"You don't need to do anything. We'll make sure you receive all your savings."
The carbon tax is a "rotting, stinking carcass" around Bill Shorten's neck, according to Christopher Pyne.
That's an image for your Thursday afternoon.
Pyne has just been dixered on how scrapping the carbon tax will support jobs.
He tells Shorten that by backing an ETS, "you have given the Coalition a whole new lease of life".
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Leader of the House Christopher Pyne during QT. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
A dixer to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on international approaches to taxing carbon is too much for Labor MP Andrew Giles.
He, too, is out for an hour.
Labor MP Andrew Giles leaves under 94a. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
An update on Jacqui Lambie, PUP and the ETS.
Lisa Cox tells us:
Clive Palmer says the government has not given PUP a guarantee it will move to an ETS.
He said what Lambie meant to say was she "anticipated" the government would agree to an ETS.
He said negotiations have not begun with the government over its ETS amendment because it was still being drafted.
From here we step lightly over to a dixer to Joe Hockey.
Will the Treasurer outline the economic imperative of fixing the budget?
And then on to a question from BS to TA.
Now the Treasurer's confirmed the government's looking at further cuts, will the Prime Minister be cutting the National Disability Insurance Scheme as recommended by his Commission of Audit?
"Madam Speaker, I can assure the Leader of the Opposition, that contrary to his assertions, there are no cuts of the nature that he suggests - none whatsoever.
"The Leader of the Opposition should stop scaring vulnerable people."
Mark Dreyfus is kicked out in the process.
Labor's Pat Conroy has a question for the PM:
I refer to the Prime Minister's claim that Whyalla will be wiped off the map as a result of the carbon price. Can the PM advise as to the date when reconstruction of Whyalla will begin?
(Conroy also holds up a picture of a lamb roast in Whyalla.)
Madam Speaker describes the question as "curious". But allows it through.
The PM replies that previous modelling showed that cities like Whyalla were in "big trouble".
"I am looking forward to visiting the people of Whyalla and reassuring them at last they have a government that's on their side," Abbott says.
Labor MP Pat Conroy on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
We note that at the halfway-ish mark, there are six Labor MPs gone.
(Tim Watts joined the rebel kids outside during the crossbench question.)
After the crossbench question (Cathy McGowan to Malcolm Turnbull about mobile phone coverage) we have a dixer to Joe Hockey.
Nola Marino asks the Treasurer to outline the significance of scrapping the world's biggest carbon tax?
Hockey tells the chamber that good money times are here again.
"Our population will be wealthier, there will be more job opportunities, and the only problem is - the only threat is - that if anyone ever votes for the Labor Party again, we'll see the carbon tax back."
What did Husic do?
He was being sent out anyway for an hour - by Madam Speaker - for his interjecting.
She told him to leave "quickly".
He replied: "I'll be quicker than a Warren Truss answer".
Labor MP Ed Husic leaves after being named. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The House votes ayes 84, noes 49 to suspend Husic for 24 hours.
Noice early mark for him.
Labor MP Ed Husic leaves the House for 24 hours. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
And the chamber is now voting on whether to kick Ed Husic out for 24 hours.
Bronwyn Bishop has named the member for Chifley for his spirited interjecting in the next question from Labor's Tim Watts to Tony Abbott about further cuts the government is planning.
Back in the House, we have lost a whole lotta Labor MPs.
A dixer to Warren Truss on the carbon tax has done it.
Graham Perrett, Terri Butler and Lisa Chesters have all gone.
Labor MP Graham Perrett leaves under 94a. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
We note these Jacqui Lambie's comments in her doorstop with Wilkie just before question time.
Journalist: "The Coalition have given you the assurance there will be an emissions trading scheme?" PUP Senator Jacqui Lambie: "Absolutely"
— Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) July 17, 2014
Sen Lambie: "It is an iron clad guarantee (from Libs).... it would be a really, really bad career move from Mr Abbott (to not support it)
— Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) July 17, 2014
Labor's second question is from Chris Bowen and is to Joe Hockey.
I refer to the Treasurer's new approach of pursuing alternative savings measures.
Will the Treasurer consider the following alternatives: scrapping the Prime Minister's signature $20 billion paid parental leave scheme, scrapping the $2.6 billion Direct Action policy, dropping tax breaks for multi-national companies and stopping the reversal of Labor's measures to ensure higher income earners pay a fair tax on superannuation?
"I really appreciate that question," Hockey says.
"Becuase, obviously, it's started to dawn on the Labor Party that they have to have an alternative to their [budget] approach."
Labor's Nick Champion becomes the first MP to be kicked out.
(During that dixer to the PM.)
Labor MP Nick Champion leaves under 94a. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Sydney Liberal MP and tennis ace John Alexander asks the first dixer.
It is to the PM.
And is on the carbon tax.
Will the Prime Minister inform the House how all Australian families and businesses will benefit now that the world's biggest carbon tax has been scrapped?
And are there any circumstances under which the carbon tax could return?
Abbott begins by stating the very obvious:
"The carbon tax is finally gone."
And then he keeps up the fight against Labor.
"The carbon tax is unloved by the Australian people. But it is still loved by members opposite."
First question.
BS to TA
And he goes straight for the Hockey jugular.
Given the Treasurer spectacularly failed to justify his unfair budget, that the Treasurer is threatening to hurt Australians even more if he doesn't get his way in the Senate and given that senior Liberals are questioning the Treasurer's judgment, does he still have the confidence of the PM, or will the Treasurer be another victim of this unfair budget?
The PM knocks it back.
"I do thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, because it gives me an opportunity to say that I am proud, I am proud, of this Treasurer."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott takes a question from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Question time.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Treasurer Joe Hockey arrive for QT. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The transport option for other PUP peeps was more luxurious today.
(Palmer's Bentley was used to ferry staffers from their hotel to Parliament.)
Staffer to Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer board the Bentley to work on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
It has been a busy day for Lambie.
Along with hugging people about the carbon tax and discussing Tasmanian economy, she has also had a ride on a timber push bike (the "carbon cycle") to promote forest industry products and support CSIRO forestry scientists who face job cuts.
PUP Senator Jacqui Lambie on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
In non-carbon tax repeal news, Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie has teamed up with Tasmanian PUP senator Jacqui Lambie to discuss the economic crisis on the west coast of Tasmania.
"I call on the federal and state Liberal Governments to start showing some genuine interest in this matter, rather than going missing in action or just telling workers to ring Centrelink," Wilkie has said.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie and PUP Senator Jacqui Lambie on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Alex Ellinghausen has captured the moment the repeal went through this morning.
The Greens watch as the PUP senators embrace.
Greens Senators observe PUP Senators celebrating after the carbon tax repeal bill goes through. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Meanwhile, Cory Bernardi has been down at the National Press Club, giving an address about how Australian politics is in need of "serious reform".
He is very concerned about voter disenchantment.
"There is a distinct disconnect between the people and the people that represent them," he has said.
"It is as if politicians have forgotten that Parliament House was deliberately built within the hill, not on top of it.
"The public now, sadly expect pollies to break their promise ... it is as if political opinions are like Lotto numbers, chosen at random to suit the mood of the day."
Senator Cory Bernardi at the National Press Club. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
In other godly news, Sydney Morning Herald political editor Peter Hartcher tells us that at the time the carbon tax repeal vote went through the Senate, there was a rainbow over Lake Burley Griffin.
Is God being sarcastic here?
Congratulations to @TonyAbbottMHR and Australia on repealing the #carbontax, thus bringing humanity one step closer to defeating the Earth.
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) July 17, 2014
"We are a conservationist government."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Environment Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Another question to the PM:
Just to clarify - because I'm not sure you answered it - do you rule out ever introducing a carbon-pricing mechanism?
"Well, we certainly will not do anything that damages our economy or puts our people and our businesses at an unfair competitive disadvantage," he replies.
"We're never ever going to do that. We stand up for Australia."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Environment Minister Greg Hunt address the media after the carbon tax repeal bill goes through the Senate. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Is Direct Action a long-term policy? Can it reduce Australia's emissions by 5 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020?
"Can I just say that Direct Action is a long-term policy. It is designed to be flexible," the PM says.
"It is very clear you can reduce emissions, we will reduce emissions. We will do it without a carbon tax..."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Environment Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The PM is asked:
Are you saying that never ever should Australia have a price on carbon in any way?
"What I'm saying is that we've scrapped the carbon tax and Bill Shorten is still committed to it ... whether it is a floating tax or a fixed tax."
Is it the case that Australia is now in a sort of environmental limbo without an actual mechanism for achieving our emissions reductions target?
"I don't accept that at all ... We are a conservationist government. We are a government which absolutely appreciates that we have only got one planet and we should pass it on to our children and grandchildren in at least as good shape as we found it."
After Barnaby Joyce's warm up act, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Environment Minister Greg Hunt are now offering their thoughts on the repeal of the carbon tax.
They are in the PM's courtyard.
"If I could address a few words to the Australian people," Abbott begins.
"You voted to scrap the tax in September last year and today the Parliament has finally listened."
Abbott says the Hunt is "entitled to feel some pride today".
The Environment Minister is still in campaign mode.
"It was pain without gain," he says of the tax.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Environment Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Here's a question for Bill Shorten (courtesy of Channel Seven's Mark Riley):
Kevin Rudd argued for an ETS and lost his job. Malcolm Turnbull argued for an ETS and he lost his job. Julia Gillard [argued for an ETS and] she lost his job. Kevin Rudd came back and argued for an ETS and lost his job.
What makes you think you can argue for an ETS and win an election?
"Australians aren't silly," the Labor leader says.
"Australians get that climate change is real."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Penny Wong on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor leader Bill Shorten is in the Opposition Party Room with Penny Wong.
They are reacting to the big repeal.
"An emissions trading scheme is the policy which Labor will take to the next election," he says.
Are there any circumstances in which Labor would support the Coalition's Direct Action policy?
All serious experts view Direct Action as "nothing far removed from a boondoggle," Shorten replies.
"An inefficient mechanism where you pay wads of taxpayer money to big polluters for little likely result."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Penny Wong on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
"Australia is in a climate coma."
The Age's environment editor Tom Arup has filed an analysis of this morning's repeal.
What has been lost with the repeal?
"Australia no longer has a hard cap on the amount of planet-warming gases that can be released by Australia's largest companies.
"The requirement for industry to take account of the broader social cost of their emissions is gone."
If you're just tuning it, the Senate voted to repeal the carbon tax, just under an hour ago.
39 votes to 32.
The news is already attracting international attention.
The BBC is reporting that despite a "fierce row about the tax for years" the tax is gone.
Says Barnaby Joyce:
"I believe that there is climate change happening, I just don't believe that we are going to change it with a broad-based consumption tax."
Joyce isn't resting on the laurels of the Senate vote.
He is keeping up the fight.
"Even though we've got rid of the carbon tax today, if you want the carbon tax back, if you want to pay more than you should again, it's quite simple.
"Put Mr Shorten into government and you will get it back. It's still his policy."
(Labor's policy, BTW, is to move to an emissions trading scheme.)
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce stands up for the government for a post-repeal presser.
This does not happen from the serious surrounds of the Blue Room.
Joyce joins the line-up in the Senate courtyard.
"I am glad that the carbon tax has been repealed and I know that the Australian Greens are upset by that," he says.
Milne is also asked about the Greens opposition to Kevin Rudd's ETS in 2009.
(i.e. What if you hadn't killed it off?)
"Let's just put this one to bed.
"Kevin Rudd went and negotiated with the Liberals.
"Penny Wong and Ian Macfarlane browned that scheme down to the point where it was worse than useless and any responsibility for the disaster of that lies with the Liberal and Labor parties of the time."
Greens leader Senator Christine Milne and Greens MP Adam Bandt on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Milne is asked if it is time for the Greens to work with Labor to come up with a compromise on climate change that would maintain public support.
(Rather than the Greens' push for a 40 to 60 per cent reductions in emissions by 2030.)
"What we have on the table is what the Climate Change Authority recommended," she says.
"This is the Australian Parliament's asbestos moment, our tobacco moment. When we knew what we were doing was harmful," says Greens deputy Adam Bandt.
The Greens are out in the Senate courtyard.
"Don't despair," Christine Milne says to people who are angry about the repeal of the carbon tax this morning.
"This is going to be a short-lived moment for the Abbott government. Because global warming is not going away."
Greens leader Senator Christine Milne and Greens MP Adam Bandt address the media after the carbon tax repeal bill goes through the Senate. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has just sent an email to supporters with the subject: "the Carbon Tax is gone!"
"This is great news for Australian families and for our nation's small businesses," he writes.
"Scrapping the Carbon Tax will save the average family $550 a year.
"You’ll see the benefits in coming power bills."
"One down, one to go!"
PUP Senator Jacqui Lambie has done a brief doorstop outside the Senate chamber.
She is talking of course of the mining tax repeal, which is also on the to-do list today.
As this happens, we note a report by SMH environment editor Peter Hannam this morning:
Australia cut carbon dioxide emissions from its electricity sector by as much as 17 million tonnes because of the carbon price and would have curbed more had industry expected the price to be permanent, according to an Australian National University study.
The report, due to be submitted for peer-reviewed publication, found the two years of the carbon price had a discernible impact on emissions - even assuming conservative responses by consumers and businesses.
Lisa Cox reports that Australia has become the first country in the world to abolish a price on carbon.
This comes after two weeks of negotiations with the crossbench and numerous false starts.
But the Abbott government has finally achieved its election commitment to axe the "toxic" tax.
Outside the Senate, however, the reaction is revving up:
Dear children & grandchildren, I am sorry. We did our very best. But we will continue to work & work for your future. #AustralianGreens
— Senator Penny Wright (@PennyWrites) July 17, 2014
Tony Abbott’s Carbon Repeal Bills abolish Australia’s targets to reduce its carbon pollution by 2020 and 2050. #climatechange #shame
— Mark Butler MP (@Mark_Butler_MP) July 17, 2014
The CARBON TAX is GONE and Palmer United has ENSURED that the cost savings will be PASSED on to Australians in... http://t.co/ZfNSb3A3Z1
— Glenn Lazarus (@GlennLazarusPUP) July 17, 2014
Excited that this toxic Carbon Tax will be repealed, which will save Australian families an average of $550 per year! #auspol #wapol
— Dennis Jensen MP (@DennisJensenMP) July 17, 2014
The Senate does not dwell on the moment.
It is straight into a debate about the Asset Recycling Fund bills.
The carbon tax repeal bills have passed.
39 ayes to 32 noes.
There is applause as Stephen Parry makes the announcement.
And a "hear, hear" from the government benches.
(Looking at where people are sitting)
Only Labor and the Greens are voting to block the repeal.
The government and the other crossbenchers have combined to pass it.
That is, all the other crossbenchers except Nick Xenophon, who has been unwell and is not in the chamber.
Vote on the carbon tax repeal on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
President Stephen Parry now proposes that the Carbon Tax Repeal Bill and its seven related bills are read a third time.
This is the final vote.
The bells ring as the chamber divides.
Labor's Lisa Singh addresses the chamber, as it is poised to repeal the carbon tax.
"This is a fundamental moment in Australia's history...
"We are about to devastate the future of this country," she says.
"Labor stands by the science ... Labor will not stand with the government on this."
Coalition Senator Ian Macdonald stands in reply.
"It's typical that the Greens think they know better than everyone and want to guide everyone."
The Greens are heckling back.
"You lied! You deceived!"
"A total con job!"
Senator Ian Macdonald on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
There are not always speeches at this stage - just before the third reading.
But it shows that the Greens really do not want to let this go.
"I am here to say that the Greens will join with everyone across the country in bringing back to this Parliament ... a more rigorous framework of legislation that will get Australia on to the track we need to be on, and that is a 40 to 60 per cent emissions reduction target on 2000 levels by 2030," Milne says.
Greens Leader Christine Milne stands to make another speech.
Her voice wavers with emotion.
"This is a critical moment for our nation ... the vote of every person in this Senate will be the legacy of their political career ...
"A vote for the abolition of the Clean Energy Package is a vote for failure, because it is a recognition that the Parliament doesn't want to face up to the four to six degrees of warming that is the trajectory we are on as a planet.
"They don't want to face up to what is intergenerational theft."
Christine Milne on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The Senate votes 38 yes to 34 noes to adopt the report of the committee.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann now moves that the bills be read a third time.
(Which would make the repeal official.)
The Senate is now voting on whether the "report" of itself sitting in committee format be adopted.
(The report was that last vote.)
This sounds complicated, but don't worry about the process.
If the Senate votes yes here, it is voting to repeal the carbon tax.
The Senate votes 38 to 32 to agree to the carbon tax repeal bills without amendment.
The Senate votes 39 to 32 to keep the current arrangements that would cut ARENA's funding.
Christine Milne gives another speech, urging the Senate to keep funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and to re-appoint people to its board.
"You are killing ARENA through the back door."
Labor is also calling for the funds to be maintained.
Earlier this month, Ricky Muir and PUP combined to save ARENA (which is due to come for abolition later this year).
But they have also agreed to the government's plans to cut ARENA's budget by $435 million.
The carbon tax repeal bills will leave the agency with only $100 million or so over the next four years for new projects.
We are hearing from various Senate sources that the debate/ committee stage of the carbon tax repeal bills should end at about 10.30am.
And this will pave the way for the final round of votes to repeal the carbon tax.
#justlettingyouknow
#appreciatethismaychange
#ficklesenate
The Senate votes 10 ayes and 45 noes against the Greens amendments.
Labor's Lisa Singh also moves some more amendments, to keep the Steel Transformation Plan.
This is voted down, 33 to 38.
The Senate votes on the Greens amendment on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Greens Leader Christine Milne comes back to Mathias Cormann with more questions about what the ACCC will do when the carbon tax is repealed.
And then the bells ring for a Greens amendment (opposing funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency).
Christine Milne on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The Senate votes down Labor's amendment 37 noes to 32 ayes.
This happens as Tony Abbott does a doorstop in Sydney, saying that he is not "blaming" the crossbench for the fact that a carbon prices is still in place.
(He blames Labor.)
The Senate bells are ringing for *a* vote on the carbon tax.
This is for an amendment moved by Labor to move to an emissions trading scheme.
Wong is followed by Coalition Senator Ian Macdonald.
He has a question for Finance Minister Mathias Cormann:
Did the Australian public clearly say at the last election, they wanted to get rid of the carbon tax?
Cormann hops up and agrees wholeheartedly.
The 2013 election was a referendum on getting rid of the carbon tax.
In the Senate, Labor's Penny Wong is railing against the fact that a carbon tax repeal vote appears imminent.
"There was bi-partisan commitment half a decade a go to do the right thing," she says.
"As long as polluting is free we will see more and more pollution."
Wong - who was Climate Change Minister in 2009 and 2010 when the ETS fell over - says "future generations will be appalled" at Parliament getting rid of the carbon tax.
She describes Abbott as "one of the most selfish people to occupy the office of Prime Minister".
Penny Wong on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
In Sydney the Prime Minister trumpets the fact that the Coalition is getting rid of the carbon tax.
"We know that making life easier for businesses to invest, to employ, to produce and to trade is what drives national growth and prosperity.
"Here in Australia, we are trying to lead by example. We are scrapping bad taxes like the carbon tax and the mining tax and we are cutting company tax," he says.
The PM tells the B20 of the promise he has made about the G20, which is in Brisbane in November.
"I said that the G20 had to be so much more than a talk-fest.
"Otherwise the leaders of the world's largest and most representative economies could be accused of wasting each others' time.
"The whole point of assembling leaders representing some 80 per cent of the world's gross domestic product is jointly and individually to encourage measures that will make everyone on this planet better off.
"This year's G20 will focus on just a few key subjects because progress usually comes one step at a time.
"The G20 will deliver a 3-page communique in plain language because we need to talk not at length about our good intentions but concisely and precisely what we will do to put good intentions into practice ..."
Tony Abbott at the B20 conference in Sydney. Photo: Christopher Pearce/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Luke Malpass from the Australian Financial Review has a good explainer on what the B20 is.
As he writes:
In 2010 the B20 was formed alongside the G20 to help business contribute to the policymaking process in a collaborative manner rather than just being on the receiving end of sometimes ill thought out policy.
In Sydney this year it comprises about 300 international business leaders who plan to "finalise and prioritise recommendations for G20 governments and discuss how business can contribute to the G20 agenda".
The bells have rung in the Senate.
And so, the red room continues to debate the carbon tax repeal.
In Sydney, Tony Abbott is at the lectern addressing the B20.
Mitchell: Have you got a Plan B?
Hockey: Maybe we can have Plan A with a small variation.
Joe Hockey has been out on the airwaves again this morning.
He has told Neil Mitchell on 3AW that the budget needs "everyone to push in the right direction".
To those who oppose the Coalition's budget plans (i.e. the entire rest of the Parliament), Hockey said: "if you don't agree with our plans, what is yours?"
When asked how he would get to the Coalition's promised budget surplus, the Treasurer replied: via the plan the government has "laid down" in the budget.
"But it's been blocked!" Mitchell said.
As this brews, Deloitte Access Economics director Chris Richardson has warned that the budget deficit could be $12 billion larger in four years than originally planned - due the Senate blocking (or planning to block) savings measures.
These include the scrapping of family tax benefits and other welfare changes; the scrapping of the low-income superannuation contribution boost; and the axing of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Gareth Hutchens has the full report here.
Mark Kenny and James Massola report this morning that Joe Hockey's threat yesterday to bypass the Senate with spending cuts that don't need legislation has sparked not only a new Labor scare campaign, but concerns within the government over the Treasurer's judgement.
One long-time Liberal is quoted as saying that budget is in trouble because it lacks consistency.
"[The] only unifying thing [is] how it has unified our enemies."
We do of course have one beady eye - as always - fixed on the Senate and the carbon tax repeal.
But the debate so far this morning is all about the budget.
Remember the budget?
It was handed down more than 2 months ago and there is still a lot of crank and disagreement about it.
Good morning from Canberra.
The House sits from 9am.
The Senate sits from 9.30am.
Tony Abbott will give a speech this morning from Sydney to the B20 Summit.
And Cory Bernardi is at the National Press Club at lunch.
The topic of his address?
"Australian politics is in need of serious reform."
It's the last sitting day before a five week break ... or is it?
The government is "hopeful" that the carbon tax will be repealed today.
But the Senate can sit tomorrow and at the weekend if it doesn't.
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