JobSeeker could rise from end of March 07/02/2021|1min
A decision will be made by March by the PM on whether to take JobSeeker back to its pre-pandemic rate, according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
Mr Clennell said it will be likely that “the rate will be changed permanently this time and it will be higher than the older rate although not necessarily the same as the coronavirus supplement”.
“As one government source said to me: Reserve Bank Governors don t normally go off script and we know Philip Lowe said this week at the Press Club that the payment should increase and it was a ‘fairness issue’,” Mr Clennell said.
Government, Google put down their weapons in meeting04/02/2021|1min
Both the government and the head of Google “put down their weapons” in the meeting about the new media code, according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and the CEO of Google’s parent company Sundar Pichai held the meeting on Thursday morning.
“It’s been in the pipeline for a week after Google threatened to leave Australia over the government’s new media code,” Mr Clennell said.
“It is not definitive that the Google threat to leave has been removed, but it appears to be heading in that direction.”
Labor and its union allies are once again “on the attack” over the Morrison government’s Industrial Relations (IR) bill which was first announced at the end of 2020, according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
The industrial relations legislation includes Christian Porter's controversial changes to the Better Off Overall Test and is expected to be in parliament in early March after a Senate committee reports on the Bill.
Mr Clennell said the first of many television advertising campaigns is being launched on Sunday by the Electrical Trades Union.
“Anthony Albanese last week flagged an industrial relations announcement next week in Brisbane as part of a policy push for the year,” he said.
“Speculation is that the policy will address stagnating wages. Perhaps a new minimum wage with suggestions Albanese is keen to help gig workers and people falling through the cracks of the IR system.”
Speaking about possible adjustments to the legislation from the C
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles was the main, if not only, winner of Anthony Albanese’ shadow cabinet reshuffle because he was actually promoted, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
Mr Albanese today unveiled his new front bench following a shadow cabinet reshuffle – which saw Mr Marles expand his portfolio to take on the role of Shadow Minister for Science, as well as for national reconstruction, employment skills and small business.
“Perhaps he [Marles] is almost the only winner … because he’s the one being promoted you could say,” Mr Clennell said.
He told Sky News Chris Bowen has been given a “hospital pass” as he steps into his new climate role.
Australia’s 72-hour suspension of its travel bubble with New Zealand after one COVID-19 cases demonstrates a “definite switch” in Prime Minster Scott Morrison’s approach to the virus according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
Mr Clennell said the prime minster is moving toward the hard-line states approach which has worked electorally for the state premiers who are very popular among their voters.
“I think Morrison’s seen the polling, he’s sniffed the wind, he’s going to go the same direction,” he said.
“That’s not good news if you want to see loved ones or holiday in different states by the way.
“If he’s going to support these border lockdowns and snap lockdowns after just one or two cases”.
This comes amid speculation there could be an early election later this year.