The day has been dominated by the prospect of massive change in the superannuation sector and discussion on Barnaby Joyce's paid television interview.
The blog will be back tomorrow to cover all the latest developments out of Parliament House.
Until then, you can find me on Facebook here and Twitter here. And thanks to Alex Ellinghausen and Dominic Lorrimer for the photos today. You can find them on Twitter here and here.
And, as always, feel me to send your hot tips and feedback at fergus.hunter@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Barnaby Joyce in Question Time today.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
O'Dwyer declines to say industry super funds outperform retail rivals
Revenue and Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer has repeatedly refused to concede that industry superannuation funds outperform retail funds, a key finding of the Productivity Commission's report into the sector.
The report found that, overall, not-for-profit industry have super funds "systemically" outperformed retail funds – but were also among the underperforming funds.
Asked on on Sky News if she agreed with the finding that industry funds were beating out their for-profit rivals, O'Dwyer said said there was no question the were high-performing industry funds.
Pressed specifically on whether they were systemically beating retail funds, she observed both varieties were found in the underperforming category.
Pushed again, O'Dwyer said the Productivity Commission found problems across the board.
"They have said that industry funds on the whole have performed very well," she said.
"I agree that there are many very well-performing funds."
Asked again whether she agrees with the commission's conclusion, she said: "I absolutely take on face value what the Productivity Commission have recommended."
She then said there were a lot of elements to the report and dismissed a focus on one chapter.
The minister was also asked the recommendation that people are presented with a "best in show" top ten list of options when taking on a new job rather than a default fund stipulated by their employer.
"I think it's a really interesting idea but I've got to go through my own processes within government to give you a definitive government response on it," she said.
O'Dwyer during Question Time today.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Nationals leader locks in behind company tax cuts
By David Crowe
The Turnbull government is closing ranks on its $35.6 billion company tax cut after signs of nerves over the controversial plan, as Labor challenges ministers over whether they will take the policy to the next election.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack declared the government would stick with the policy all the way to the election, clarifying an earlier statement that he would “see what happens” after a Senate vote on the bill.
“It’s the government’s policy to take it to the next election and we will do that,” the Nationals leader told Fairfax Media.
“It’s a good policy and the pressure is on Bill Shorten to say why he doesn’t support business, why he doesn’t support jobs, why he doesn’t support higher wages.
“Tax cuts do lead to higher wages and more jobs and that’s what we stand for.”
Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg and Labor finance spokesman Jim Chalmers chat during Question Time.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Kelly O'Dwyer speaks during Question Time.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Tony Abbott watches on.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Japan slaughters more than 120 pregnant whales for 'research'
By Nicole Hasham
More than 120 pregnant whales were slaughtered in the latest Japanese whale hunt in Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, new documents show, reigniting calls for Australia to step up efforts to stop the annual killing spree.
A further 114 immature whales were killed as part of the so-called “scientific” whaling program, according to meeting papers from the International Whaling Commission’s scientific committee meeting this month.
Japan insists on conducting its annual summer whale hunt – including killing in Australian whale sanctuaries – despite international condemnation.
Abbott fires warning shot at party leadership on energy
By David Crowe
Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has assured Coalition MPs that electricity customers were “through the worst” of the price spikes of recent years, as former prime minister Tony Abbott fired another warning shot over the government’s energy policy.
Frydenberg told Liberal and Nationals colleagues that he expected prices to fall in Queensland and stay relatively flat in NSW and South Australia according to forecasts for the next pricing period from July.
The assurance came as several MPs expressed their concern about energy and Abbott sought an assurance that the government’s policy would go back to the Coalition party room for a decision by all members.
Question from Liberal MP Jason Wood to Small Business Minister Craig Laundy.
Wood asks how businesses are benefiting from government policies to reduce red tape.
Laundy says the government's latest red tape report found a reduction worth $800 million over the last financial year.
He says Labor is a danger to this because of its "secret" dealings with the union movement.
And that's the end of Question Time.
Q18
Question from Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull.
Shorten asks why Turnbull – "a former banker" – is pursuing tax cuts for large companies while cutting funding for schools and hospitals and failing to penalise employers who do not pay employees' super.
Turnbull says Shorten has laid out a "litany of falsehoods" and showed Labor's contempot for the Australian people.
He says the government is spending record amounts on education and funding and Labor would be a "trainwreck for the economy" and put all that at risk.
Q17
Question from Liberal MP Nicolle Flint to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.
Flint asks about the importance of a "unified and resolute approach to tackling criminal people-smuggling syndicates".
Dutton goes straight to Labor's policy in asylum seekers, saying the party "is at war with itself".
He says Labor is doctoring transcripts, deleting social media posts and shutting down policy debates as it struggles with immigration policy.
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Q16
Question from deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull.
Plibersek asks why the government is cutting education funding, compared to Labor's levels, while pursuing company tax cuts.
Turnbull says education funding is the highest it's ever been and will be nationally consistent and needs-based.
He says the government, in response to the Gonski 2.0 report, wants a more student-focused approach in education.
