Backroom Baz: Bev McArthur, Nicole Werner learn fate over poo prank stunt
You get slapped with a ban on bringing guests into Parliament House. So found out Liberal MP Bev McArthur who caused a stink after she was referred to the parliament's privileges committee, alongside Warrandyte MP Nicole Werner, amid allegations they helped organise the gift wrapped cow patty to be left at Jacinta Allan's office in protest to the government's new fire services levy.
Baz is told the matter has now been settled, with no further action to come, and the only sanction was that which was slapped on McArthur – nothing for Werner.
Not that it had much of an impact, McArthur just used party room chums Moira Deeming and Joe McCracken to sign guests in on her behalf, meaning all was well in Bev's world and she could hold court at lunch as anyone who has frequented one of the parliament's cafes knows she so loves to do.
The ban runs out at the end of the month. Premier avoids the plunge but chips in for great cause
Baz loves seeing pollies get along, particularly when they are as ideologically opposed as the Nationals and the Greens. Political staffers, business figures, journos and a host of MPs from across politics gathered in the parliament gardens for the spectacle in support of MP Emma Vulin, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease.
While couch-bound Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth pulled out at the last minute, 11 other pollies from all sides of the chamber were left shivering and shaking after the epic dunking.
The inaugural FREEZE Parliament event was a huge success, with donations surpassing the $50,000 target before the dunkings even started.
Despite Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's best efforts, Strictly Ballroom star turned Labor MP Paul Mercurio snatched the fundraising crown by just $300, bringing in $11,000 out of a total $56,000.
Premier Jacinta Allan declined a dunking but was among the top donors, chipping in $1000, alongside former Labor MP Philip Dalidakis. Maybe she'll take the plunge next year? Great Debate pits pollies against journos
Spring St's newest annual event, the Great Debate between pollies and journalists, returned for the second time this week.
And it was bigger and better than last year's inaugural event. Parliament's legislative assembly was packed to the rafters on Thursday to see the unlikely coalition of MPs Gabriellie Williams, Jade Benham and David Hodgett, take on the ABC's Raf Epstein, the AFR's Sumeyya Ilanbey and 3AW's Tom Elliott arguing that MPs should be replaced by AI versions.
Singing speaker Sammy J made a comeback as adjudicator, with thousands raised for Need for Feed to support drought-stricken farmers.
The media team took home the cup this year. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, health minster Mary-Anne Thomas and Nationals leader Danny O'Brien were among a host of MPs turning out to support the event. Secret Service makes their mark on Spring St
It's not often you see the United States Secret Service marching around Spring St.
They briefly took over the hallways this week during a visit from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who was in town to strengthen business ties, and tout her state's industry sectors.
Sources close to Premier Jacinta Allan said the pair hit it off, 'like a house on fire'.
Hardly surprising, ahead of their meeting Whitmer tweeted about her plans to build affordable housing all across Michigan 'revitalising communities and helping more families make it in Michigan.'
Right up JA's alley. Baz will be keeping watch to see which homes get built faster. Regional revolt against Premier from the regions
She might be a Premier from the regions, but that hasn't stopped the regional revolt against Jacinta Allan.
Complaints about her government's tardy response to the drought crisis alongside the threat of the new fire services levy- which has been paused for 12 months but will increase fees for farmers by up to 200 per cent in some cases if resumed next year – have made her somewhat of a target regionally.
Take the Willaura Bakery in western Victoria, where the Premier has been unceremoniously banned. Which means no award-winning vanilla slices for her.
Locals say the slices are the best in the state. Don't they all say that? Guess who?
Which minister quietly celebrated their 40th birthday this week? Overheard
'I loathe laziness and those who are just intellectual pygmies.' – Finance Minister Danny Pearson attacking shadow treasurerJames Newbury.
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Herald Sun
4 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Backroom Baz: Bev McArthur, Nicole Werner learn fate over poo prank stunt
You get slapped with a ban on bringing guests into Parliament House. So found out Liberal MP Bev McArthur who caused a stink after she was referred to the parliament's privileges committee, alongside Warrandyte MP Nicole Werner, amid allegations they helped organise the gift wrapped cow patty to be left at Jacinta Allan's office in protest to the government's new fire services levy. Baz is told the matter has now been settled, with no further action to come, and the only sanction was that which was slapped on McArthur – nothing for Werner. Not that it had much of an impact, McArthur just used party room chums Moira Deeming and Joe McCracken to sign guests in on her behalf, meaning all was well in Bev's world and she could hold court at lunch as anyone who has frequented one of the parliament's cafes knows she so loves to do. The ban runs out at the end of the month. Premier avoids the plunge but chips in for great cause Baz loves seeing pollies get along, particularly when they are as ideologically opposed as the Nationals and the Greens. Political staffers, business figures, journos and a host of MPs from across politics gathered in the parliament gardens for the spectacle in support of MP Emma Vulin, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease. While couch-bound Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth pulled out at the last minute, 11 other pollies from all sides of the chamber were left shivering and shaking after the epic dunking. The inaugural FREEZE Parliament event was a huge success, with donations surpassing the $50,000 target before the dunkings even started. Despite Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's best efforts, Strictly Ballroom star turned Labor MP Paul Mercurio snatched the fundraising crown by just $300, bringing in $11,000 out of a total $56,000. Premier Jacinta Allan declined a dunking but was among the top donors, chipping in $1000, alongside former Labor MP Philip Dalidakis. Maybe she'll take the plunge next year? Great Debate pits pollies against journos Spring St's newest annual event, the Great Debate between pollies and journalists, returned for the second time this week. And it was bigger and better than last year's inaugural event. Parliament's legislative assembly was packed to the rafters on Thursday to see the unlikely coalition of MPs Gabriellie Williams, Jade Benham and David Hodgett, take on the ABC's Raf Epstein, the AFR's Sumeyya Ilanbey and 3AW's Tom Elliott arguing that MPs should be replaced by AI versions. Singing speaker Sammy J made a comeback as adjudicator, with thousands raised for Need for Feed to support drought-stricken farmers. The media team took home the cup this year. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, health minster Mary-Anne Thomas and Nationals leader Danny O'Brien were among a host of MPs turning out to support the event. Secret Service makes their mark on Spring St It's not often you see the United States Secret Service marching around Spring St. They briefly took over the hallways this week during a visit from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who was in town to strengthen business ties, and tout her state's industry sectors. Sources close to Premier Jacinta Allan said the pair hit it off, 'like a house on fire'. Hardly surprising, ahead of their meeting Whitmer tweeted about her plans to build affordable housing all across Michigan 'revitalising communities and helping more families make it in Michigan.' Right up JA's alley. Baz will be keeping watch to see which homes get built faster. Regional revolt against Premier from the regions She might be a Premier from the regions, but that hasn't stopped the regional revolt against Jacinta Allan. Complaints about her government's tardy response to the drought crisis alongside the threat of the new fire services levy- which has been paused for 12 months but will increase fees for farmers by up to 200 per cent in some cases if resumed next year – have made her somewhat of a target regionally. Take the Willaura Bakery in western Victoria, where the Premier has been unceremoniously banned. Which means no award-winning vanilla slices for her. Locals say the slices are the best in the state. Don't they all say that? Guess who? Which minister quietly celebrated their 40th birthday this week? Overheard 'I loathe laziness and those who are just intellectual pygmies.' – Finance Minister Danny Pearson attacking shadow treasurerJames Newbury.
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Thousands of Victorian businesses to receive payroll tax relief next month
Tens of thousands of Victorian businesses are expected to pay less in tax, with payroll tax changes to be introduced next month. The change will see the payroll tax-free threshold rise from $900,000 to $1 million on July 1. Premier Jacinta Allan said it was expected that 28,000 businesses would be paying less, with an additional 6,000 businesses now exempt from the tax altogether. The changes to payroll tax have been earmarked since 2023, with the government raising the threshold first from $750,000 to $900,000 in July last year. The move comes amid forecasts of record high levels of debt, with the premier conceding there would be some recalculations required. "Yes, this does require an adjustment to our budget and our revenue, but this is an investment in business and jobs and growth," Ms Allan said. Payroll tax was projected to form the biggest source of revenue for the government in the 2025/26 financial year. Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said the affected businesses would save up to $14,500 each. "That has obviously been something that we've factored in over the forwards [projections]," Ms Symes said. Along with the changes to payroll tax, the government will also cut red tape in the planning system. On July 1, the government will scrap the requirement for businesses to apply for planning permits for liquor licensing. Business Wodonga chief executive Graham Jenkin said the permanent changes to licensing requirements had been expected for months but it would be great for regional restaurants and cafes. "This is great because Victoria really has more red tape than any other state government in in Australia, so anything that can reduce red tape which is an obstacle to doing business," Mr Jenkin said. "Business owners don't want to be spending all of their time doing reports." But Mr Jenkin said any changes to payroll tax would make no difference to small businesses who were still recovering from COVID. He said a further range of targeted measures needed to be implemented to help those who were running small-to-medium businesses in Victoria. "A lot of very small businesses will of course see no benefit from it," he said. "It could be a subsidy of council rates, [it] could be less of the Victorian emergency services and volunteers fund levy that small businesses will be forced to pay." Mr Jenkin said more training and development workshops in regional areas and more work in mental health for business owners struggling financially were also essential.
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Former prime minister Scott Morrison backs US strikes on Iran, slams Albanese government's ‘ambiguity'
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the operation a "necessary event". US President Donald Trump ordered strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (Australian time), escalating the Middle East conflict to new heights. Mr Morrison told Sky News on Sunday that the strikes would help to bring peace, and accused the Albanese government of failing to take a clear stance on the conflict. 'This was a necessary event. There were no other options available to the president,' Mr Morrison said. 'This has been the most decisive and the most comprehensive action to terminate that threat.' The former prime minister also criticised the Albanese government for its unclear position on the Iran-Israel conflict. 'It's time for some clarity. I think there's been far too much ambiguity about this from Australia, far too much ambiguity, and it's time for clarity.' Defence Minister Richard Marles earlier had refused to directly back possible US strikes and instead reiterated the government's call for 'de-escalation'. Pressed on whether Australia supported the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, Mr Marles repeatedly avoided a direct answer. 'Uh, uh. Um, I'm... articulating the Australian government's position. That's the only thing I can articulate.' 'We have used our voice to urge de-escalation. And that's our position in respect of both the Iranian program, but also… in respect of this conflict,' he said. While acknowledging that Iran's nuclear ambitions were 'concerning' and 'a threat to peace and stability,' Mr Marles declined to endorse any US military response. The exchange followed Foreign Minister Penny Wong's shifting position on Australia's attitude toward the Israel-Iran conflict. The government has faced criticism in recent weeks for its slow and cautious responses to Iranian aggression and its measured language toward Israel. Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan told Sky News Sunday Agenda that the Albanese government has 'isolated themselves' from the Israeli government. 'I think that has left them in a situation where they're really trying to walk two sides here,' Mr Tehan said. 'I think what we need to see from the government is greater moral clarity as to whether they do, once and for all, want to see Iran rid of its nuclear weapons program.' Liberal Senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma recently criticised Ms Wong for initially calling for de-escalation and diplomacy. 'Part of the reason for this war is the failure of dialogue… there have been multiple rounds of negotiations held with Iran,' Mr Sharma told Sky News. 'I don't see much prospect for dialogue.' The US strikes on Sunday targeted Iran's key nuclear sites at Natanz, Esfahan, and Fordow. President Trump confirmed the operation involved B-2 bombers, with six bunker-buster bombs used to destroy facilities buried deep in the mountains. 'Fordow is gone… Iran must now agree to end this war,' President Trump posted on Truth Social. Mr Morrison praised the US response as a proportionate show of strength after all diplomatic avenues had failed. 'This is not something that I believe (Trump) wants to see widened. But this hopefully resolves that question of their nuclear capability,' he said. The Albanese government has yet to formally comment on the US operation. Sky News has contacted the Defence Minister for comment.
