| No images? Click here Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.  Wednesday, 11 May 2022 And apologies for the delay this morning – the tech gods were not on our side… Quote to note“The world is experiencing more than just a realignment in power. The global rules-based order is being manipulated and subverted. The future will likely be less advantageous to Australia than that we once knew.” Said Australian Secret Intelligence Service director general Paul Symon in an address to the Lowy Institute yesterday. That means the spy agency is going to "recruit and work with even more vigour and urgency than at any other point in our 70-year history." But forget any dreams of a trench-coated new career – newbies are more likely to be super-tech-whiz than 007. Making news this morning1. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is behind in Kooyong, trailing Teal challenger Monique Ryan 53:47, according to YouGov research (PW). Liberal Tim Wilson is also poised to lose to a Climate 200-backed independent in the Melbourne electorate of Goldstein. Zoe Daniels is ahead there 52-48. 2. A Labor-supported pay rise of 5%-plus will crush businesses and put upward pressure on interest rates, according to employers and economists (PW). Labor leader Anthony Albanese “absolutely” backs the stance, but PM Scott Morrison accused him of ‘‘running his mouth off’. 3. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on dissent is backfiring. In his wide-ranging address yesterday, ASIS director-general Paul Symon said fed-up Chinese officials are passing on information to Western nations. 4. NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner resigned yesterday. His ‘mic drop moment’ came after delivering the territory’s budget. 5. Seven’s political editor Mark Riley says tonight’s debate will be a less dramatic affair. He has the task of keeping the affairs on track and says: "They’re here to debate, not berate – voters want to hear about their policies, not their put-downs." Going deeper: Does wages growth have anything to do with politicians?Over the political ages… pollies of both stripes have often batted away questions about wages with the line “that’s a matter for the independent umpire.” That’s because it’s the Fair Work Commission that sets the minimum wage as part of its annual review. But this election campaign, things have got a bit more complicated. ● Labor leader Anthony Albanese has taken the unusual step of backing an increase to the minimum wage of at least 5.1%. Yep… that’s spot on the inflation rate. ● Shadow Finance Minister Simon Birmingham called it a “thought bubble” not backed up by any evidence. ● The ACTU has put in a claim for a 5.5% min wage increase – a figure business groups say (PW) risks “entrenching inflation and greater increases in interest rates”. What it means: Labor’s been attacking the Coalition all campaign for a "triple whammy" of rising prices, higher interest rates and falling real wages. Now the Libs are trying to turn the tables saying businesses can’t afford Labor’s planned wage increase. What’s next: This wage debate got a head of steam during Nine’s debate on Sunday, and you can bet Morrison and Albanese will go at it again on the Seven head to head tonight. The Philippines election goes Bongbong’s way He was light on policy detail during the election campaign, and now the world waits to see what Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr will do with his overwhelming victory. The unofficial tally has Marcos Jr winning more than twice the vote of his nearest rival Leni Robredo – 30.8 million v 14.7 million. ● Over the last few months, he’s promised to prioritise jobs and bring down the cost of living, but his slick social media strategy focused more on nostalgia than any concrete plans. ● Marcos Jr has signalled more continuity than change. His VP Sara Duterte-Carpio is the daughter of the outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, and he wants to "expand and improve" Duterte’s "build build build” infrastructure program. What it means: Marcos Jr hasn’t said much about foreign relations. In 2016, Duterte announced a “separation” from traditional ally America while moving closer to China. Analysts are closely watching to see if there’s any shift to that position. What’s next: The new president will be inaugurated on 30 June… But his predecessor Duterte has already promised he won’t be carping from the sidelines… "When I go out of the front gate, there is nothing more," he’s said. NT Chief Minister calls it quits for family After 6 years leading the Northern Territory, Michael Gunner has quit the top job saying his “head and heart” aren’t in it anymore. The 46-year-old says while he’s young for a leader, he’s not for a dad, and the birth of his 2nd son Nash in late April made him realise his time was up. ● Gunner was also the NT’s Treasurer and handed down a Budget as his final act. ● Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison will act as Chief Minister until the Labor caucus meets to decide its new leader. ● Tasmania’s Premier Peter Gutwein also quit just over a month ago, saying he had "nothing left in the tank" after 2 years of managing the pandemic. What does it mean: Gunner was the 4th longest-serving leader around the national cabinet table. There’s been a bit of turnover in the last 6 months or so, with NSW, SA and Tassie all getting new Premiers. Victoria’s Dan Andrews just pips the ACT’s Andrew Barr as longest-serving premier/chief minister. What’s next: If there’s consensus in the NT Labor caucus, there could be a new leader on Friday… but if there’s more than one contender, then the process for a ballot could take a month or so. Quick shotsThe Morrison Government’s stoushes with China is dragging on its chances to retain Sydney seat of Bennelong and Melbourne seat of Chisholm. Both have large ethnic Chinese populations and are at risk of falling to Labor (PW). The United Australia Party has put Peter Dutton 2nd last on its how-to-vote cards in Dickson. Reports say Clive Palmer isn’t a fan of the Defence Minister (PW)… Dinged-up Education Minister Alan Tudge says he intends on making a return to his portfolio if he is “in a position to step up”. He made his first big media appearance of the 2022 election campaign on Sky News yesterday. Julie Bishop has defended her absence from helping out in her old seat of Curtin where Liberal Celia Hammond is fighting off a challenge from Teal independent Kate Chaney. Bishop says her position as Chancellor of ANU means she can’t fundraise (PW). Labor is deploying party heavyweights like Kevin Rudd and Chris Bowen to the southwestern Sydney seat of Fowler to boost Kristina Keneally’s chances of a win. She wants to transition from the Senate to the House of Reps, but independent candidate Dai Le is in her way (PW). Sri Lankan troops have been ordered to shoot law-breakers on sight to quell anti-government protests on the island. There are calls for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after his prime ministerial brother Mahinda resigned on Monday. And an Elon Musk-owned Twitter will allow Donald Trump back on the platform. Banning the former US president was "morally wrong and flat-out stupid", Musk said this morning. Post of the day The Pulitzer Prize for public service was yesterday awarded to the Washington Post for its coverage of the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol. You can read about their take on the honour here. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – WaPo owner and no fan of former president Donald Trump – must be happy with that… What’s on today11.00am – Federal independent MPs Helen Haines and Zali Steggall join the Australia Institutes’ ‘The Integrity Election’ webinar about democratic accountability 12.30pm – Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce gives his federal election address to the National Press Club – Canberra 9.10pm – It’s the 3rd leaders’ debate between Morrison and Albanese – broadcast on Seven ABS Data Release – Housing Statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2018-19 *All times in AEST unless noted Today’s quote for the subject line comes from Revenge of the Nerds actor, Curtis Armstrong. |
