Federal Politics

Live

Politics live: Government threatens tax rises if welfare changes not passed

No progress on Aboriginal child mortality

The latest Aboriginal report card is out and there's few signs any government has been able to bridge the gap.

Greens senator Lee Rhiannon said the allowance should be deposited into a special purpose bank account.

Receipts should also have to be provided.

If money was being incorrectly claimed then the Greens think the MP should have to repay four times the original amount.

MPs found to be rorting the system would also face jail time, under the amendment.

The allowance is meant to cover expenses incurred during day-to-day duties as a local representative, including gifts to community groups, presentations, donations and raffle tickets.

The money is paid into the bank accounts of MPs who are supposed to threat the leftover cash as taxable income.

But the Greens say the system is open to rorting (I can't imagine why).
 

No sign yet of the Senate debate on MPs' entitlements.

The legislation has not yet been sent over from the House of Representatives.

But the Greens have an amendment ready and waiting to go which would tighten the rules around the electoral allowance each MP receives.

The allowance ranges from $32,000 per year to $46,000 per year depending on the size of the MP's electorate.

You can catch up on the government's latest threats in this video.

Government hints at tax rises

If savings measures aren't passed, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says the government will have to look at other options to repair the budget. Courtesy ABC.

Nothing like a quick dash through the marble foyer in your soccer gear.

One might say it's a dash of shame considering the press gallery had just vanquished the MPs in their annual soccer match but there's no shame in losing.

Labor MP Graham Perrett returning fom the politicians vs press gallery football match on Wednesday.
Labor MP Graham Perrett returning fom the politicians vs press gallery football match on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Back to top

Chief political correspondent Mark Kenny has been thinking about Mr Turnbull's campaign on power prices.

"Like the best political attacks, Turnbull aims to reduce a complex policy argument to a basic equation: South Australia has the highest level of non-synchronous wind-solar energy, yet it also has the most expensive, least reliable electricity supply in the country," Mark writes

"Sexual and reproductive health challenges are leading causes of death and disability among women and girls in the world today," Ms Bishop said.

Sexual and reproductive rights "are critical to empowering women, improving gender equality, and reducing maternal and child mortality".

"These services help women and girls to stay healthy, remain in education, and participate equally in society and the economy when communities recover from crises," she said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares

You might be familiar with a recent order from US President Donald Trump that foreign aid cannot be spent on family planning or abortion.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop is having none of it.

Last year she appointed former Liberal MP and reproductive choice campaigner Sharman Stone as the new Ambassador for Women and Girls.

This morning she announced the Australian  government would be continuing its relationship with International Planned Parenthood Federation to deliver its sexual and reproductive health program in the Indo-Pacific region.

There's $9.5 million for the organisation to help women during times of humanitarian crises.

 

He is asked if he supports the axing of the gold travel pass for former prime ministers.

"Probably," he says before saying he will look at the legislation.

Labor leader Bill Shorten say the Coalition is "luke warm" on the NDIS.

"If they stopped going ahead with tax cuts for the top end of town there is more than enough to look after the less fortunate in Australia," Mr Shorten says.

"This is a government who's obsessed about their corporate tax cut."

Back to top

Labor's treasury spokesman, Chris Bowen, says the government is throwing a "massive tantrum" about its welfare changes.

Mr Turnbull says he does not have any problem with the welfare cuts being linked to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Everyone supports the scheme, Mr Turnbull says, but the scheme's funding is not there.

"Your commitment to the NIDS is not measured in words, it's measured in deeds," Mr Turnbull says.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addresses the media with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addresses the media with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Turnbull is asked about future taxes raises.

He says Mr Morrison made "a penetrating glimpse of the obvious".

"Those who are opposing savings are supporting tax raises."

Mr Wickremesinghe has a message for Tamil asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru.

"Come back. All is forgiven. It is quite safe in Sri Lanka," Mr Wickremesinghe says.

He says anyone who chooses to return to Sri Lanka will not be prosecuted.

But, he notes, they broke the law in escaping from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during a joint press comference with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during a joint press comference with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Turnbull and Mr Wickremesinghe have signed a memorandum of understanding on sport which includes athlete exchange programs and sharing anti doping technology.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Back to top

The two men agreed that the only area in which the two countries are rivals is cricket.

Mr Turnbull is welcoming Mr Wickremesinghe.

He notes Australia and Sri Lanka are "Indian Ocean neighbours" and that the two countries have worked hard to stop people smugglers.

Thousands of Sri Lankan students come to Australia to study.

A couple of things to look out for later in the day - the Senate debate on MPs entitlements and the release of a committee report on the exposure draft of legislation for a marriage equality plebiscite.

The visiting Sri Lankan press pack were enchanted by the magpies. Just as well they weren't visiting in spring.

Members of the Sri Lankan media check out a magpie on Wednesday.
Members of the Sri Lankan media check out a magpie on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with hold a press conference with Mr Wickremesinghe in the next few minutes.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe at Parliament House.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe at Parliament House. Photo: Andrew Meares
Back to top