Politics Live: October 20, 2015

And that's it for the day. What happened?

• the government announced its response to the Murray inquiry into the financial system;
• the government will legislate to prevent businesses gouging consumers with high credit card surcharges;
• it will also introduce higher standards for financial advisors and make it easier for people to choose their superannuation fund;
• the government is changing question time so more time can be spent on backbenchers' concerns; and
• former prime minister Tony Abbott will pay for the cost of a table that was damaged at a party he hosted.

Thanks, as always, to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen and to you for reading and participating.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Andrew, Alex and I will be back in the morning. Until then, good night.

Before I sign off let me point you in the direction of more detail on the news that there will be fewer polling stations at the next federal election than in 2013 (see 1.42 pm post).

The 800 polling stations referred to is about ten per cent of polling stations.

The Australian Electoral Commission admits it was too slow to pick up on the trend for pre poll voting.

And that's it for Mr Morrison.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is speaking to Sky News about the government's response to the financial system.

He is asked if the government's actions will lead to a rise in interest rates.

"That's a commercial decision for banks," Mr Morrison says. "They must own their own commercial decisions, they must explain to their own customers."

Waiter - I'll have a gin and tonic, thanks. With a little slice of lime.

Today's question time gallery is now available on my Facebook page.

In important Wallabies' related news the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, has left to support the team in the Rugby World Cup finals.

"As patron of Australian Rugby Union, the Governor-General has decided to travel privately under his own resources to support the team," a statement from Government House says.

"The World Cup is a contest without equal, and our Wallabies have shown they're hungry to win. Our team is in the best position to make 2015 the year of the Wallabies....There's nothing like cheering on the Wallabies as they campaign to World Cup victory. Lynne [Lady Cosgrove] and I wouldn't miss it for the world."