Australia politics live: Albanese lands in Rio for G20; Greens push Labor to bring forward student debt relief | Australia news
Key events
Chalmers confirms levy on banks to boost regional services being considered
Karen Middleton
The treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed he is considering a levy on banks to help maintain services in regional areas, saying he has not finalised any decision.
Chalmers has told ABC TV that it was no secret that regional banking services were under pressure, and he routinely consulted the banks on what could be done about it.
This is not an especially new thing that we’d be talking to the banks about some of these sorts of challenges. I think every Australian in the bush understands that there has been a withdrawal of services. As the government – which governs for the whole country – we’re very focused on that, and so we engage in these consultations and conversations from time to time.
We don’t have a concluded view. We have a respectful relationship with the major financial institutions. We like to work together where we can. We like to consult where we can.
He said recent media reports about the possible levy should be “seen in that light”.
Clive Palmer has flagged a possible high court challenge to the electoral reforms – does he have a case?
Simon Holmes à Court argued there are “many weaknesses in the bill” and said he’s “not sure which one [Palmer’s] going after.” He instead pointed to a case in Victoria:
There’s an interesting case brewing in Victoria where a group of independent candidates at the last state election are challenging the Victorian laws – which these federal laws seem to be significantly based on.
In the in the Victorian system, the major parties can nominate an entity from which they can receive unlimited funds. So, for example, the $120m Cormack Foundation is allowed to circumvent the donation caps and give as much as it wants to the Liberal party. No such arrangement exists for independents. This group of independents believe that that violates the constitutional right to political communication and are progressing a high court challenge on that.
That’s really one to watch, because this new legislation brings in a similar exemption, such that the federal parties will be able to raid their slush funds. But anyone who’s new to politics won’t be able to set up one of these funds.
Holmes à Court says electoral reform law being ‘rammed through’
Simon Holmes à Court was asked what the electoral reform would mean for future and existing teal candidates running with the assistance of Climate 200. He told ABC RN that the changes would “make it harder for community campaigns to win”.
He said the sole reason for the existence of Climate 200 is to “level that playing field” because as it stands, it is “already too hard for for independents to run against the party machines”.
It’s too early to say how deeply this will affect the model. Between the explanatory memorandum and the legislative mission, there are 410 pages. So people are just starting to get into this, and it’s complex stuff. The definition of a political gift spans four pages, and two of those pages are exceptions. This is a very complex set of changes, the biggest changes to electoral laws since 1984 and it’s being rammed through.
Holmes à Court argued there was talk there wouldn’t be a Senate inquiry or public consultation on the matter and “this is just going to get rammed through”.
We’re very concerned. We don’t understand the rush these, these reforms don’t come in until 2026 so there is time for those processes. But clearly the major parties aren’t welcoming scrutiny for this bill.
Simon Holmes à Court on proposed electoral reforms
Climate 200 founder, Simon Holmes à Court, spoke with ABC RN this morning about the government’s proposed electoral law reform. Paul Karp has an explainer on this, which you can read below:
Holmes à Court said there are “some good bits” to the bill, including the fact “it’s going to kill Clive Palmer’s business model”, but said it “tilts the playing field even further favour of the major parties”.
We’ve already got an electoral system that gives massive advantages to the two major parties. This is going to entrench that [and] put up a wall around incumbency and build a moat, making it hard for outsiders to come in.
Climate 200 has calculated the likely increase in the amount the Labor and Liberal parties could claim in public funding at the 2028 election, showing they will reap a combined $140m under the proposed changes. You can read all the details on this here.
Holmes à Court said this was taxpayer money and “no justification has been given”.
Which is quite incredible, quite courageous, really, that the government is proposing this in a cost-of-living crisis.
The state of play for this sitting fortnight
As we flagged just earlier, there are more than 30 pieces of legislation scheduled to be considered this sitting fortnight – as well as the electoral reform proposals. For the full details on what’s ahead, Josh Butler has written this fantastic explainer:
Greens to push Labor to legislate student debt cut immediately
Caitlin Cassidy
The Greens will push Labor to legislate their pledge to cut 20% of student debt immediately and not wait until after the next election when the federal government’s student support bill is debated today.
The measures, announced in the federal budget, would cut around $3bn in student debt by capping the indexation rate for Hecs and Help loans – tying them to whichever is lower of the consumer price index (CPI) or wage price index (WPI).
The legislation would be retrospective and backdated to 2023, turning back the clock on last year’s indexation rate of 7.1%.
In amendments to be put forward by deputy Greens leader and higher education spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, the Greens will challenge Labor to legislate further election promises on student debt immediately.
The pledges, announced earlier this month, would wipe 20% of current student debts, raise the minimum repayment income to $67,000 and change to a marginal repayment rate.
Faruqi told Guardian Australia spiralling student debt must be tackled “immediately”.
My amendments will be a chance for Labor to show they actually care about those struggling under the weight of student debt right now. There is absolutely no reason to wait to legislate these changes until after the next election.
It’s frankly irresponsible and cruel to be dangling student debt relief to win votes for an election when Labor is in government and we have the opportunity and the numbers to do this now.
Welcome
Emily Wind
Happy Monday, and welcome back to the Australian politics live blog as we enter the final two sitting weeks of this year’s parliament. There are more than 30 pieces of legislation set to be considered this fortnight, which could shape the looming election, just months away.
Questions remain as to whether – or how – the government will negotiate its bills that remain stalled in the Senate, with the prime minister declaring the government’s position “is final” on key legislation. This includes the Help to Buy, mis- and disinformation, Future Made in Australia, Nature Positive and aged care bills. Overnight, the Greens signalled they were prepared to pass the Nature Positive legislation in return for an Australia-wide ban on native-forest logging alone – the second concession on stalled legislation from the party in less than a week.
Anthony Albanese has just wrapped up the Apec economic forum in Peru, and will now attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil, where the climate crisis is expected to be a focus and the PM may meet with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. We will have Richard Marles as acting prime minister in his place.
Meanwhile, the Greens are set to push Labor to legislate their pledge to cut 20% of student debt immediately and not wait until after the next election, when the federal government’s student support bill is debated today. Caitlin Cassidy will bring us those exclusive details in a moment.
I’m Emily Wind and I’ll be helming the live blog this fortnight. As always, the whole Canberra team will be working to bring you the latest – Karen Middleton, Paul Karp, Josh Butler and Sarah Basford Canales, as well as Mike Bowers capturing all the action.
And you can get in touch with any tips via email, emily.wind@theguardian.com. Let’s get started.
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