dailynewsnblog
Key events
Joyce says no to One Nation joining the Coalition
Barnaby Joyce says One Nation is on the up and up, and will “go for government” after bagging its first federal lower house win.
But the former deputy prime minister, who defected to the minor right wing party late last year, says he’s not open to his new party joining his old one, ruling out a larger Coalition.
He tells channel Nine this morning, One Nation is prepared to offer “supply and confidence” but no more than that.
We’ll offer supply and confidence on policy outcomes … and that is not a Coalition. We don’t want your ministries, keep your ministries and your salaries.
You’ve got all the prizes, but you will deliver policy outcomes because we are not going to be constricted by cabinet solidarity that has done over the Australian people and the conservative side of balance of power so badly.
Ah cabinet solidarity, that old chestnut. It basically means that Joyce wants to be able to say what he wants to say on policy and not have to toe the Coalition party line.
One Nation win in Farrer, not a ‘protest vote’ says Farley
David Farley, the soon-to-be One Nation representative for Farrer, says he was humbled and excited winning Saturday’s byelection that was triggered by for Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s resignation.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, he says he doesn’t believe his victory was a “protest vote” against the major parties.
I don’t think it’s actually a protest vote. It was a vote of relief, someone seeking a better future.
Farley is an interesting character because his stance on migration is slightly more nuanced that leader Pauline Hanson’s. Farrer has a large and essential migrant population that work across the region, and Farley says he’ll ensure those workers are still coming in:
I will definitely continue to fight for skilled visas into Farrer. We are a big user of skilled labour, immigration labour, the Palm plan, the skilled aged care nursing plan, all those programs are still there.
Josh Butler
Government repatriating passengers from hantavirus ship
The federal government will charter a jet to repatriate five Australians from Tenerife, who had been on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship hit by hantavirus.
A government spokesperson overnight said four citizens, a permanent resident, and a New Zealand citizen will be repatriated on a flight due to leave today. None of the passengers have symptoms of the virus, according to government sources. The Australians live in NSW and Queensland.
The Australian Government is working closely with state authorities to coordinate arrival, health and transport arrangements. Quarantine and health arrangements are managed by states in accordance with their public health requirements.
The flight is expected to land in Perth on Tuesday, with quarantine arrangements being finalised. It’s expected the passengers will be transferred directly to a quarantine location upon arrival. A range of government departments, including Communicable Diseases Network and the National Emergency Management Agency’s national Crisis Coordination Team, are involved in the operation.
Tom McIlroy
Chalmers talks up faster approvals processes as productivity boost
Ahead of delivering his fifth budget tomorrow night, Jim Chalmers says the government’s moves to fast track approvals for priority projects is a key productivity measure for the country.
Our big productivity push is all about getting compliance costs down and cutting red tape, making it easier and faster to build, and making Australia a more attractive place to invest and that’s what we’re doing through the EPBC.
We’re fast-tracking approvals to build more homes for Australians.
More efficient approvals mean projects get off the ground quicker and Australians get into homes sooner.
Budget to include $500m for faster environmental approvals
Tom McIlroy
Tomorrow night’s federal budget will include $500m in new funding for faster approvals for housing, energy and critical minerals projects, part of changes to national environment laws.
The government will also provide funding to states and territories to speed up environmental assessments around the country.
As part of the plans, $105.9m will be spent over four years to provide better access to information needed for approvals, including using AI to better access environmental data.
Labor passed major changes to Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act last year, and sluggish approval times have been identified as a key area of delays across the economy. The environment minister, Murray Watt, says:
Now, this new funding will put those laws to work, unlocking major projects and helping proponents get a faster yes or a faster no.
That’s a win-win for our economy and our precious natural environment.
Krishani Dhanji
Good morning, Krishani Dhanji here with you. Friends, it’s budget week, and it has come very quickly if you ask me!
We’re getting a few final announcements from the government before Jim Chalmers hands down his budget tomorrow. That includes some money to speed up environmental approvals to boost productivity (more on that in a moment). Of course, all the big-ticket items – including reforms to capital gains tax, negative gearing and trusts, have already been out for weeks.
Saturday’s byelection has (as many have commented) created huge waves across Canberra, and there will be plenty of reaction to it – and its impacts – today.
Stick with us, it’s going to be a huge day.
