David Shoebridge calls AI committee a ‘farce’
The Greens leader, David Shoebridge, has called the parliamentary AI committee a “farce” after it was found a staffer in the prime minister’s office had appeared to sign off on language, and suggested edits to the letter, before it was handed to Anthony Albanese.
Independent senator David Pocock, a member of the committee, accused Albanese’s office of “heavily vetting” the letter and its recommendations.
Shoebridge already had a bone to pick with this one because the then Greens leader, Larissa Waters, had tried to put him forward for the committee but the government refused, and then the Greens refused to offer up anyone else. Labor instead put it to a vote in the Senate – allowing senators to choose either Shoebridge or Pocock for the last spot.
In a statement, Shoebridge says:
double quotation markCaptive committees doing pretend inquiries serve no one but a government ducking for cover. The letter to the PM from this committee being edited by the PM’s office is a farce worthy of Utopia.
Sometimes you look back and have to be grateful – not being part of this Labor farce was a blessing after all.
Updated at 22.49 EDT
Key events
Albanese asked to support households and businesses in Western Sydney facing super El Nino
Dai Le, who represents south-western Sydney says there’s a super El Nino on the way and asks the prime minister what he will do to protect struggling families and small businesses ahead of summer in her area which “can be 10 degrees hotter than the east”.
The short answer: Anthony Albanese doesn’t say.
He talks about bushfire preparedness and acknowledges that Western Sydney faces tougher conditions with heat from the Blue Mountains and western plains. He doesn’t say whether the government will provide any additional support to directly help those families and businesses battle the heat.
double quotation markPreparedness in areas in which bushfires, in particular, can have an impact is very important that people use this time to do things such as clean gutters and follow the expert advice to make sure that moves forward.
In our cities – including in Western Sydney which, because of the geography and topography and climate there, can actually be a capture of heat in between the Blue Mountains and the Plains that occur to the east of the mountains – often, that heat can be captured there that can provide quite dangerous circumstances unless it is dealt with ahead. This is just one of the reasons why the government is continuing to act on climate change.
‘It’s not acceptable’: minister apologises to parents of slain soldier not invited to Afghanistan commemoration
The minister for veterans’ affairs, Matt Keogh, has apologised to the parents of Sean McCarthy, who were not invited to the 25th anniversary of the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan.
McCarthy was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2008.
Keogh says the Australian War Memorial reached out to the next of kin for all the men and women who were killed in Afghanistan, but “some of those contact details were clearly out of date”.
double quotation markThere were two attempts at trying to contact Mr and Mrs McCarthy because of that. And they didn’t receive that communication. I learned of that on the weekend … I have spoken to David and Mary to pass on my apologies that there was clearly a deficiency in contact details and that they weren’t reached out to.
It’s not acceptable, and everyone wants to make sure that we give all families the opportunity to participate in commemorations such as this.
Matt Keogh during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 23.59 EDT
Why did the small business minister not get advance notice from the ATO on credit card ban, asks Coalition
The spotlight has come back to the small business minister, Anne Aly, who is asked by the Liberal backbencher Melissa Price why the treasurer was informed by the ATO that it would ban credit card payments on 25 September, but she was only informed six days later with the rest of the public on 1 October.
Aly says she answered questions on this yesterday (which is when she revealed she wasn’t told in advance).
She says:
double quotation markI answered questions on this yesterday. I’ve been clear that small businesses should have been consulted on the credit card ban, and I recognise that the treasurer acted really swiftly to provide transitional funding so that the ATO can continue accepting credit card transactions until the end of the financial year.
Tim Wilson gets a warning from the speaker to stop interjecting or he’ll lose his MPI. MPI stands for matters of public importance – it’s a dedicated time every sitting day after question time for an opposition MP, crossbencher or government backbencher to make a speech on any issue.
Anne Aly speaks during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 23.55 EDT
Coalition targets Labor on fuel prices
The Coalition is changing tack again, and the Nationals deputy leader, Darren Chester, asks the government whether – as fuel prices skyrocket – it will support the Coalition’s policy to automatically lower fuel prices when global oil prices spike.
Anthony Albanese talks about the government securing fuel supply in the aftermath of the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran.
The opposition makes a point of order, saying it asked about future price, not previous supply.
Milton Dick shuts the point of order down and says Albanese is being relevant.
Albanese continues and goes on the attack:
double quotation markThey stand here and ask about fiscal policy and ask about saving, and then they say – why don’t you spend more money? That is what they are saying.
Updated at 00.00 EDT
Labor won’t say whether commonwealth will approve or reject massive coalmine extension in NSW
Will the government reject an application for the largest coalmine extension in NSW history, asks the independent MP Nicolette Boele. She points out that the minister in charge is the minister for the environment, not the minister against the environment.
The short answer is: no comment.
Tony Burke, representing the environment minister Senator Murray Watt, gives us a recount of what’s going on but won’t say what will happen next:
double quotation markMy understanding is that Hunter Valley Operations have proposed an extension. It’s an extension to existing mines in previously mined areas. The NSW state Independent Planning Commission has already given its approval, with strict conditions. The state approval does not pre-empt the federal approval – they’re separate processes.
The National Environmental Protection Agency – I’m proud to say we now have a federal EPA – is currently considering the project and whether it should be approved under federal law.
… while the matter remains under consideration, it’s not appropriate for me to comment further.
Updated at 23.41 EDT
Liberal party ‘circling the drain’, Chalmers says as Labor MP booted
The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, is up next to the dispatch box, and asks Jim Chalmers when he will “admit his out-of-control spending is driving up inflation and interest rates?”. He quotes an unnamed Labor source who told the Daily Telegraph the treasurer is acting like a “used car salesman”.
Before Chalmers can even stand up, the Labor MP Emma Comer gets kicked out for shouting between the question and answer. Labor MPs around her shout: “On her birthday?!” Maybe she did it on purpose – a little birthday treat for herself!
Chalmers talks about Australia’s triple-A credit rating before quickly pivoting into an attack, taking a stab at Angus Taylor’s attendance at the “far-right conference in Brisbane” over the weekend (he’s referring to CPAC).
The opposition doesn’t like this, but Milton Dick says the question had “some colour and movement” and so he will allow the answer.
Chalmers continues:
double quotation markWhen the leader of the opposition went to that far-right conference in Brisbane, he had a shot at Josh Frydenberg, and he said one of the big mistakes that they made in office was they made a mess of the budget, that they spent too much money. And a lot of our work in the four-and-a-half years we’ve been in office has been to clean up the mess that Josh Frydenberg left behind.
Is it any wonder that the member for Canning [Andrew Hastie] is stalking him inside this place, the former member for Kooyong is stalking him from outside this place? Josh Frydenberg thinks the Liberal party is circling the drain on your watch, and he’s right.
Jim Chalmers speaks during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 23.42 EDT
It’s question time!
Angus Taylor has his sights set on the small business minister, Anne Aly, again today, asking when Labor will listen and “stop waging war” on small businesses.
Aly says she does listen and travels to talk to small businesses across the country, and tries to say the Coalition doesn’t.
double quotation markI’ve heard from small businesses in hospitality, in construction, in farming, right across the board …
Unlike those opposite – because the only thing that the leader of the opposition could do was to cosplay a reel that was put up on social media where he pretended to be visiting a small business, instead of actually visiting one.
Taylor and the shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, throw their hands up looking confused by the accusation.
There’s plenty of noise from the benches, one Coalition MP shouts, “small business has no confidence in you, minister”.
Tim Wilson and Angus Taylor during question time. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 23.50 EDT
Sarah Basford Canales
Public servants offered 9% pay rise over coming three years
Federal public servants have been offered a pay rise of 9% over three years after months of Australian Public Service-wide bargaining between government negotiators and unions.
The Australian Public Service Commission announced the offer this afternoon that will include a 3.2% rise for bureaucrats from next March, 3% from March 2028 and finally 2.8% in March 2029.
Some government workers in agencies with lower pay grades will be offered further salary increases up to 0.5% each year or a total of up to 1.5% in an effort to close the pay gap between departments.
Beyond pay rises, other APS-wide conditions are being negotiated, including consistent flexible working arrangements, reduced qualifying periods for higher duties allowance, and stronger leave portability when joining the APS from another government employer.
The APS chief negotiator, Alison Stott, said the offer would establish more “consistent salary advancement across the APS”.
double quotation markWe’re building on the work of the previous bargaining round to increase commonality across APS agencies. This measure will uplift at least one classification in 92% of agencies. This pay is part of an overall package of conditions. These are preliminary positions within this package, not agreed outcomes. Bargaining is continuing and we will keep working with unions and individual bargaining representatives in good faith.
Unions and APS delegates will now continue the bargaining process until they reach agreement.
Updated at 22.53 EDT
Opposition MP says PM and minister should be ‘shamed and stoned’ over ATO credit card ban
Things got a little heated in the house earlier, when the Liberal frontbencher Angie Bell called for the prime minister and small business minister, Anne Aly to be “shamed and stoned”.
Bell was supporting Tim Wilson’s motion to suspend standing orders to bring on legislation to remove the ATO’s credit card ban – which failed.
Bell shouted to the chamber:
double quotation markThis minister and this prime minister should be absolutely shamed and stoned in the square.
For background: the ATO announced that it would, from November, ban the use of credit cards for payment, after the RBA banned credit card surcharges.
The government was forced to intervene and provided additional funding to delay that ban until the end of June. The Coalition spent much of question time yesterday hammering the small business minister, Anne Aly, over the decision.
Updated at 23.10 EDT
David Shoebridge calls AI committee a ‘farce’
The Greens leader, David Shoebridge, has called the parliamentary AI committee a “farce” after it was found a staffer in the prime minister’s office had appeared to sign off on language, and suggested edits to the letter, before it was handed to Anthony Albanese.
Independent senator David Pocock, a member of the committee, accused Albanese’s office of “heavily vetting” the letter and its recommendations.
Shoebridge already had a bone to pick with this one because the then Greens leader, Larissa Waters, had tried to put him forward for the committee but the government refused, and then the Greens refused to offer up anyone else. Labor instead put it to a vote in the Senate – allowing senators to choose either Shoebridge or Pocock for the last spot.
In a statement, Shoebridge says:
double quotation markCaptive committees doing pretend inquiries serve no one but a government ducking for cover. The letter to the PM from this committee being edited by the PM’s office is a farce worthy of Utopia.
Sometimes you look back and have to be grateful – not being part of this Labor farce was a blessing after all.
Updated at 22.49 EDT
In pictures: Angus Taylor addresses the Coalition party room
Earlier I mentioned cameras were allowed in to record Angus Taylor revving up his party room for the week.
Here’s a little look in.
Angus Taylor gees up his party room. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPTaylor says the ‘Albanese project has failed’. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPAngus Taylor sits with the Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, who spent the weekend at CPAC dressed in hi-vis. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 22.09 EDT
The bells are ringing in the House and Senate
The Greens and Coalition are separately suspending standing orders in both Houses this morning.
In the Senate, Mehreen Faruqi has moved a motion to debate the war in Gaza. She says:
double quotation markThree years of violently and rapidly expanding settlements in the West Bank, three years and counting.
The Albanese government has done nothing, that is why the matter is urgent … rather than stopping the arms trade, rather than imposing sanctions on Israel to stop this genocide, they’ve been trying to shut down those of us who have been calling out this injustice.
Faruqi’s motion is voted down by the government and Coalition.
Immediately after, independent and former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe has her own motion to suspend standing orders to call the Albanese government to take more action against Israel, including applying further sanctions on Israel and Israeli politicians, and prohibiting trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. It fails without support from the government or Coalition.
Meanwhile, in the House, the Coalition tries to suspend standing orders to bring on a bill to immediately reinstate credit card payments to the Australian tax office. It also fails.
Mehreen Faruqi. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 21.44 EDT
Graham Readfearn
Government’s climate centre to identify ‘hotspots’ for impacts around the country
A priority for the government’s climate science centre will be identifying “hotspots” around the country where impacts will cause social and economic losses, according to a new three-year strategy for the centre.
The Australian Climate Service is made up of scientists and specialists at the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Geoscience Australia.
The new strategy says a priority until 2029 will be work that identifies “who is most affected by climate risk” and what can be done to “reduce harm and strengthen wellbeing.”
The assistant climate change minister, Josh Wilson, said the strategy had come after the release last year of Australia’s first ever national climate risk assessment. He said:
double quotation markThe challenge of a climate that is warming and shifting to volatile extremes is unlike anything we’ve faced before, and responding to those circumstances will require governments, businesses and communities to work together in new ways.
The strategy notes:
double quotation markFuture hazards will not mirror the past – impacts are shifting in timing, location and severity, placing growing strain on response and recovery systems.
Updated at 21.36 EDT
Josh Butler
Digital duty of care may be delayed by Senate inquiry
The Greens are considering seeking to refer Labor’s digital duty of care legislation to a Senate inquiry, potentially delaying the bill which is expected to be introduced this week.
The communications minister, Anika Wells, is at the National Press Club on Thursday to discuss the legislation. But with the Coalition again dealing itself out of negotiations and refusing to consider it, the Greens are in the box seat for this legislation and the minor party may want to see it pushed to an inquiry.
Anika Wells. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
The Greens will seek “improvements” to the bill but say they are not interested in “killing” the proposal. The parliament’s sitting calendar only has two Senate weeks between now and the end of the year, with Senate estimates at the end of October, so the Greens say they want to look at the bill now, before the usual end-of-year chaos.
We’ll keep you updated as that progresses.
You can also read more about the legislation, and the disagreement between Labor and the Greens in relation to the proposed laws, here:
Updated at 21.25 EDT
Coalition senator Jonathon Duniam rejects claims PM’s office meddled with AI letter
The outgoing shadow home affairs minister, Jonathon Duniam, has been interviewed on Sky News about his role on a parliamentary committee considering AI policy.
We brought you the news earlier today that a senior adviser in Anthony Albanese’s office had made edits and comments in a bipartisan letter from the committee before it was sent to the prime minister, a move which committee member David Pocock said was concerning.
Pocock said he was concerned at the intervention of Albanese’s team in the letter, which raises concerns about copyright, AI safeguards, sovereign capability and AI literacy.
Duniam, who was the deputy chair of the committee, sent the letter with the Labor MP and inquiry chair, Jo Briskey, last night, on behalf of Labor, Coalition and crossbench MPs.
Duniam had already said there was “no guidance, no interference” with the committee’s work and he would be “the first person out of the blocks to criticise the government if the prime minister wasn’t showing interest in the committee’s work”.
He rejected Pocock’s assertions again during his interview on Sky a short time ago, saying that:
double quotation markWell, I’d love to know what’s not in the letter that should be included that’s been missed out.
I saw some comments that the letter had been heavily vetted, I’m not sure what’s been deleted.
I think it is good that decision making entities like the PMO have been actively interested in what we do… That does not remove the independence of the committee.
The committee does not do what either Anthony Albanese or Angus Taylor says, the committee does what it determines is the right way to go.
And to be clear, the parliament will be master of its own destiny when it comes to things like copyright legislation.
You can read more here:
Updated at 21.16 EDT
Liberal frontbencher Jonathon Duniam to leave Senate by end of October
The shadow home affairs minister, Jonathon Duniam, is expected to give his valedictory speech this week and leave parliament at the end of October.
The frontbencher announced he would be resigning from the Senate back in June but committed to stay until the end of the year.
Duniam is expected to stay for the final sitting week of October, which will include Senate estimates. He was first elected as a Liberal senator representing Tasmania in 2016.
It means the Liberal leader, Angus Taylor, will have another frontbench position to fill – which could see a minor shadow cabinet reshuffle.
Jonathon Duniam. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPShare
Updated at 20.34 EDT
Businesses are increasing prices under cover of credit card surcharge ban: UBS
Patrick Commins
Retailers are using the credit card surcharge ban to justify larger price increases, according to UBS economists.
Businesses were banned from including transaction surcharges from 1 October as part of a Reserve Bank-led reforms aimed at improving transparency for customers and, ultimately, lowering bank fees.
The RBA has predicted that shops would incorporate the bank fees into the final sale price, likely leading to a 0.1 percentage point increase to inflation.
But the UBS economists in a note to clients said this estimate was too low and that there was evidence that businesses, such as cafes, were using the surcharge ban as cover to pass on bigger price rises.
“The RBA’s estimate seems a lower bound estimate, particularly given recent increases in fuel and other input costs,” they said, estimating a 0.2% boost to inflation.
According to a survey of more than 1,500 cafes by Small Flat White, an online coffee price tracker, 17% of cafes have increased their prices since the start of the surcharge ban, with an average increase of 50 cents, or more than 10%.
That is multiples of the typical 1.5% card surcharge fee. The UBS economists said:
double quotation markResilient demand and still-elevated inflation expectations may be allowing merchants to use the change as ‘cover’ to pass through broader cost pressures (wages, fuel, and other input costs).
Following years of above-target inflation, consumers may be more accepting of price rises. Evidence of ‘round up’ pricing in items such as coffee suggests pass-through could exceed the surcharge itself.
Updated at 20.40 EDT
Labor, Greens and Coalition party rooms finish up their meetings before parliament sits
The party rooms are finishing up their meetings that happen every Tuesday during sitting weeks.
They are a chance for the party leaders to give their caucus a bit of a gee-up and discuss their position on upcoming pieces of legislation.
That happens before the parliament sitting at midday today.
This morning, Angus Taylor let cameras in to cover his preamble, declaring “project Albanese has failed”.
double quotation markWe have seen Australia going backwards in the wrong direction like at no time in my lifetime. We have a responsibility to deliver that plan that I just talked about, to fix our economy, to protect our way of life.
Angus Taylor speaks at the joint party room meeting. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 20.31 EDT