Australia politics live: Butler tells states to ‘get back around the table’ on plan to return fuel GST windfall to motorists

Meanwhile government and opposition MPs all refuse to provide ‘commentary’ on Trump’s latest rebuke to allies. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian council of social services (ACOSS) says frontline services are struggling to operate, and are concerned they will lose volunteers as the fuel crisis worsens.The body says challenges are increasing for services that provide in-home support for Australians – including aged care, mental health and disability services.Our members are reporting staff who can’t get to clients, volunteers not showing up, and food supply chains breaking down. This is happening while multiple states and territories are simultaneously dealing with extreme weather events.They did agree at the national cabinet on Monday to pass this windfall gain back to motorists. We wanted that to happen through an arrangement between the commonwealth and the states whereby we’d be able to deliver an additional cut to the fuel excise, which would flow in the same way through to bowsers. But they haven’t yet been able to agree that amongst themselves. We want them to do that. We want them to get back around the table over the course of the next day or so. Continue reading...