Andrew Leigh

GOVERNMENT DEVOTES HALF A PERSON TO ITS “HIGH IMPORTANCE” TRADE DEAL

The Turnbull Government’s pretence of action on trade liberalisation has again been exposed by revelations at Senate Estimates that there is less than one staff member in the government currently working on one of its top trade priorities.

Last September, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo told an audience in Brussels that the Trade in Services Agreement was ‘of high importance to both our policy and commercial interests and to the future health of the global economy’.

(Source: website of The Hon Steve Ciobo MP,  Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment – Speeches, Address to the European Parliament, 8 September 2016).

State Agreement Will Stamp Out Charity Scammers, The Daily Telegraph, 3 March 2017

Camp Gallipoli claimed it was a charity established to raise funds for veterans and their families. On that basis, it received $2.5 million dollars in taxpayers’ money from the federal government, plus permission to use the word ‘Anzac’ on its promotional merchandise.

Except it wasn’t a charity.

E&OE TRANSCRIPT

DOORSTOP

CANBERRA

THURSDAY, 2 MARCH 2017

SUBJECT/S: Please explain whether One Nation is complying with tax laws; revelations arising in Estimates about the Government’s leaking of personal information of individuals harassed by Centrelink.

ANDREW LEIGH, SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER: Thanks very much for coming along today, my name is Andrew Leigh the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and I'm here with Murray Watt. It's been revealed yesterday in questions from Katy Gallagher in Senate Estimates that no entity is allowed to collect GST but then not pass that onto the tax office. 

IS ONE NATION COMPLYING WITH TAX LAWS?

According to the Australian Business Register, One Nation’s Queensland division is not registered for GST. Yet their website offers memberships to people with prices that are GST inclusive.

I have moved a private member's motion in the House of Representatives on the US's reinstatement of the global gag rule. Here's the text:

To move—That this House:

(1)         notes that:

(a)         the Global Gag Rule (GGR), as implemented by the United States, will prove detrimental to millions of women and girls around the world;

GOVERNMENT MUST CRACK DOWN ON DODGY PHOENIX OPERATORS 

Labor welcomes the third and final report by the Melbourne Law School and Monash Business School ‘Phoenix Project’.

The Turnbull Government has been suspiciously silent on the harm phoenix activity has on employees, businesses, and their families. The Phoenix Project report is a chance for them to catch up on their responsibilities to small businesses and consumers.

Harmful phoenix activity – deliberate related-party asset transfers and insolvency – is a tactic used by some directors to explicitly avoid paying employees their entitlements, avoid paying taxes, and avoid paying creditors – particularly subcontractors and other small businesses.

LABOR WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY SECTOR

Today, I was pleased to bring together around 100 community leaders in Parliament House to discuss innovative ideas to strengthen community life.

Over recent generations, Australia has become more disconnected. We are less likely to join mass membership organisations, to attend church, to volunteer, or to be part of a union.

Government plays a role in strengthening civic life, which is why Labor fought hard to keep the Coalition from abolishing the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission. 

Tanking in business is known as "Phoenix Activity", Sydney Morning Herald,                  21 February 2017

Perhaps my most famous constituent is Nick Kyrgios, Australia's top-ranked male tennis player. But despite his extraordinary serve and blasting forehand, there is one aspect of Kyrgios's game that I, along with other Australian sports fans, cannot condone.

Not trying. Failing on purpose. Tanking.                                 

Australians hate it when their stars don't play to win. So when Nick tanked a tennis match at the Shanghai Masters last year, he copped it from all corners (when John McEnroe is criticising your attitude, you know there's a problem).

It's not just in tennis. We've seen allegations of tanking in the AFL, as well as major league baseball, Olympic badminton, Asian soccer and the National Hockey League.

Tanking in sport lets down the fans. But when it happens in business, people can lose their jobs and companies. Tanking in business is known as "phoenix activity".

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CANBERRA

WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2017

Dr Leigh (Fenner) (11:24): Perhaps the most poignant thing to come out of the tragedy that took place in Bourke Street on 20 January this year was a letter by Henry Dow, which was read at the Federal Square remembrance for the victims. He told the story of Lou, a taxi driver. He said: 'Administering first aid with me under that skinny little tree is a man named Lou. He's everything great and courageous you've seen, heard or read rolled into one authentically humble bloke.' He talked about how, having seen the car fly by, he managed to help some passers-by, and he said that was the moment at which Lou came over. 'Lou grabbed my hand and firmly told me to "keep it together", that I was okay and that we needed to keep strong for this woman. In a level and loud voice Lou barked orders at other pedestrians standing by, having not fled but still too stunned to think or move. He directed assistance to several of the victims lying on the pavement around us, all whilst keeping me calm and speaking lovingly to this woman: "I'm Lou. You're going to be okay. We are looking after you."'

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CANBERRA

THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2017

Dr Leigh (Fenner) (16:48): If you have ever referred to 'the one per cent', you are using the work of Tony Atkinson. Tony, who died on New Year's Day this year, aged 72, contributed as much as any modern economist to the study of poverty and inequality.

When I first met Tony in the early 2000s, I was struck by the contrast between his exalted status and his willingness to engage with a mere PhD student. He was the head of Oxford's prestigious Nuffield College, and had recently been knighted by both the British and French governments. It always made me smile when I thought about the fact that the only 'Sir' that I knew well was my inequality co-author.