And on that note, we are going to bid you adieu because honestly who can take any more of today?

The worst news? We have two more days of this. (Runs screaming into a wall)

Other than the Trump stuff that will be picked apart FOR DAYS because that is how media works, the electoral donation changes are something you should be keeping an eye on, and that is something which will most likely pop up tomorrow.

Also interesting from today – what happens when the Coalition have to respond to something it is not prepared for. There isn’t a lot of strategy with this Coalition (which is obvious to any observer) other than to attack and divide and deflect as much as possible (Dutton and the Coalition are great at DARVO). It was obvious the Coalition had a plan today to attack the Labor government over Trump as much as possible – including past comments, Kevin Rudd as ambassador and the inability of Anthony Albanese to reach Trump when needed. Except – Albanese did reach Trump. And Trump did confirm he was considering Australia being exempt from his tariffs. And that’s with Rudd as ambassador. Putting aside the craven belief that Australia must kowtow to Trump (and the US) with ‘favourable’ ambassadors, rather than ones Australia believe will defend its own interests (oh no, Trump doesn’t like Australia’s representative, get a new one mum!), the opposition has not been reading the tea leaves on this at all.

Trump. Doesn’t. Care. And. He’ll. Never. Love. You. Back.

Trump is going to do what works for Trump. Not even America. Trump is for Trump and that is where it starts and ends. Which is something Dutton should understand, because Dutton is for Dutton.

Dutton’s transparent attempts to remind the US president of previous critical comments Albanese and Rudd have made about Trump, while claiming unity with the Albanese government in supporting the tariff push back were laughable, because even while claiming bipartisanship, he has to play the politics.

He then walked into the house of representatives and spoke about civility in politics. It’s just another reminder that it doesn’t matter what you do, Dutton is going to Dutton. Just as Trump is going to Trump.

We’ll hopefully see you tomorrow (and yes, we are working on comments). So until then, rest, recharge and find some joy. And as always, take care of you. Amy x

Q: I want to pursue whether there’s a difference between how steel and aluminium might be treated. The White House reed out said, “Australia has disregarded its verbal commitment to voluntarily restrain its aluminium exports to a reasonable level.” That’s from the White House today. Is there an issue going on with aluminium that they’re identifying and do we have to address it?

Husic:

We have worked with previous Administrations, stressing the desirability of Australian aluminium above other markets. We think that through the course of the negotiations it will be pointed out that there are only a few, as I indicated, with you a few moments ago, that make and export aluminium and make good aluminium.

Q: They obviously see aluminium and steel as different. Do you think it might be different treatment in tempts of exemptions?

Husic:

We’re working through that. In terms of steel I think we produce off the top of my head 5,000 tonnes, a lot is for domestic consumption, terrific quality steel. But I don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves because we have to work this stuff through, and I think it’s early timing in terms of the days.

Does Ed Husic think the tariffs will hit Australia before any exemption would be put in place?

Husic:

Our intention is to lift the uncertainty as quickly as we can and work with our friends in the US on that. Sometimes it takes a bit of time. If you note, the last time this occurred, Prime Minister Turnbull, with others, worked to get us those exemptions and it took a bit of time to secure that. And so – you know, while we are focused on trying to get that done as soon as possible f you look at the history it’s not always that easy. We just hope that we can make new history this time, get it sorted out quickly, provide the certainty people need.

Industry minister is speaking to the ABC where he is doing his best to remind US embassy staff who will be clipping this up and sending it through their diplomatic channels to Trump’s White House that Australia is totally cool friends with the US.

On the possibility of an exemption from the trade tariffs, Husic says:

We would want this as soon as possible. Removing the uncertainty, I think, would be welcomed here. I think the points that have been stressed by the Prime Minister but I might add there have been a number of people within government, across government that, have been making the points. We have a trade surplus with the US. We are long-standing allies. We have a lot of things that we’re working on together. Australian aluminium in particular, while we do make a bit of money exporting it, it makes up a very small part of the total number of imports that are coming in to the US in terms of aluminium. And the aluminium – there is a requirement by the US, they need aluminium. We’re a reliable supplier of it and there are only a few countries in the world that do supply – Russia, China, the Middle East, Canada, Australia – that are producing and exporting aluminium and we think as an ally we’re in a strong position to support that and we would think those arguments would be pretty powerful and taken into account by the Administration.

The house is hearing the valedictory speech from Labor’s Stephen Jones.

His family is also in the chamber for this farewell. Mike Bowers was there to capture the moment:

Question time ends.

Did we learn anything?

No.

It seems like the Coalition had been planning a ‘Albanese is to blame for Australian steel and aluminum products getting Trump tariffs’ question time attack, but when Trump specifically said Australia was under consideration for a rare exemption and Albanese was a “fine man” then that question time pack had to go out the window.

So instead we had a mishmash of issues with no real point.

Angus Taylor has the next non-government question:

Prior to the last election, the Prime Minister ruled out any changes to the superannuation. Why is the Treasurer persisting for the first time in our history to tax unrealised capital gains on superannuation assets?

Jim Chalmers:

It’s becoming clearer and clearer to us that they had a very different Question Time pack in mind for today and so they’ve gone back to the reserve pack and all of the old chestnuts, Mr Speaker, all of the questions that we’ve answered before in this place and outside this place as well.

Which I’m happy to repeat for him, Mr Speaker. What we are proposing to do is for people with balances more than $3 million in superannuation to make a very modest change to turn very concessional tax arrangements into concessional tax arrangements for people with the biggest balances, Mr Speaker. And we announced this policy more than two years ago, Mr Speaker.

Chalmers goes on taunting Taylor, but it has to be said, if everyone is so worried about farmers who have put their farms into their superannuation, then maybe don’t put your farm into your superannuation in order to pay less tax?

And as Greg Jericho has just reminded me, According to the ATO, in 2020-21, 178 Australians under 30 years of age had more than $2m in their super – but also had a taxable income of less than $18,200.”

So somehow, 178 Australians under 30 (at that time) had managed to put at least $2m, despite earning less (for tax purposes) less than minimum wage.

Make it make sense.

Just stepping out of politics for a moment: former ABC managing chair Ita Buttrose is giving evidence in the Antoinette Lattouf wrongful dismissal case against the ABC.

You can follow live, here

A reminder that back in July last year, Lattouf offered to settle for $85,000, an apology and her final two shifts and the ABC refused. Knowing what lawyers charge, the ABC would not be getting much change from $850,000 right now. AT LEAST.

Photographer at large Mike Bowers is in the house today it seems.

When Mark Butler asked his question about why was bulk billing in such bad shape in Australia, this was the response (they are pointing at Peter Dutton)

We love a blog reader who knows their history (Sukkar topped the list for MPs booted under 94A last year. He has to behave now he has a serious chamber job, although at times it seemed he was booted because it was less painful then remaining in the house)