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Key Events
Turnbull backs in Labor’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has just stopped for a quick doorstop with the Canberra press gallery.
Asked about the Albanese Government’s openness to sending Australian peacekeepers to Ukraine for the “coalition of the willing” peacekeeping force, Mr Turnbull backed the plan.
It puts him at odds with the current Liberal leadership, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton against the idea.
Mr Turnbull said he thought Australia was “better off being on the side of the people that are defending freedom in Ukraine”.
“Obviously, the Europeans are in the lead. They’ve asked Australia if we would be interested,” he said.
“Our government has said yes, in principle, we’ll have a look at it.
“I think that’s the responsible way to do it. I think the alternative is you look like you’re lining up with others.”
Of course, sending peacekeepers is contingent on there being a peace to keep. Mr Turnbull said he thought the chances of Russia agreeing to a ceasefire were “very low”.
Less work, same pay: Greens push for four-day work week
The Greens have announced a four-day work week policy that could see businesses lose 20 per cent of a worker’s time, with no impact on the worker’s pay.
“Ordinary Australians have been working hard for decades and not seeing a fair share of the results,” Senator Barbara Pocock said.
“A four-day week will share more fairly the products of their labour.
“Productivity gains over the past two decades have fed into higher profits while real wages have stagnated.
“A shorter working week alleviates the burden of stress and burn-out.
Senator Pocock said international trials have shown productivity increases.
“The Greens’ policy will initiate a series of national trials in different industries where workers work 80 per cent of their normal hours while maintaining 100 per cent of pay,” she said.
“It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Independent makes minority government ‘safeguard’ pitch
Independent Senator David Pocock has pitched himself as a politician critical to “safeguarding” action on climate change if Opposition Leader Peter Dutton wins minority government at the upcoming federal election.
The former rugby union star is vying for a second term as an ACT senator and launched his re-election campaign at Old Parliament House late on Sunday.
“Particularly if we see a Dutton minority government, the Senate will be critical on safeguarding some of the very hard-won gains on things like climate,” Senator Pocock told his supporters.
Finance Minister Katie Gallagher holds the only other ACT Senate spot and until Senator Pocock was elected, the two seats were usually occupied by one representative each from Labor and the Liberals.
Mr Pocock said he was “just getting started” and that standing up to major parties would be a bigger part of his campaign centred around climate, cost-of-living, housing and health.
Budget forecast a warning ahead of election ‘sweeteners’
Politicians have been warned against “election sweeteners” as economists flag growing fiscal holes in Australia’s budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has started feeding commitments to the public ahead of the March 25 budget and is expected to announce disaster recovery funds for Queensland and northern NSW communities battered by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
More promises are expected in the coming days, but politicians have been urged to be prudent as the Deloitte Access Economics’ Budget Monitor, released on Monday, has forecast a $26.1 billion underlying cash deficit and revenue downgrades of $11.3 billion over four years.
The projection is slightly smaller than the $26.9 billion deficit predicted in the December mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, but report co-author Stephen Smith remained concerned about the deterioration of the budget bottom line.
“(This should be) a reality check for politicians wanting to announce election sweeteners in the weeks ahead,” he said.
“The long-term budget projections show deficits as far as the eye can see and ineffective spending is the last thing Australia needs.”
‘We’re cracking down’: Labor defends efforts to bring down grocery bills
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says the Labor Government is “cracking down” on supermarkets after a new survey revealed Australians are spending $3,000 more on groceries annually.
“We’ve given the ACCC stronger powers to go after supermarket chains that are behaving badly,” Ms Plibersek told Sunrise.
“We’ve enforced a mandatory grocery Code of Conduct with fines of up to $10 million for supermarkets that are doing the wrong thing.
Ms Plibersek blamed the situation Labor inherited from the Liberals.
Returning fire, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce blamed Labor’s energy plan for the price rise.
“You pay (more) with Labor ideology,” Mr Joyce said.
“We see them shutting down the live sheep trade. All these are driving restrictions on how farmers do their job,” adding this drove grocery prices up.
