Nothing is happening (that’s Senate only week for you) and my capacity to deal with stupid is at an all time low after this week so far, so we are going to finish up a little earlier.
Plus, the main thing is that everyone stay on top of what is happening with the fires, so make sure you continue to follow the coverage with that.
A massive thank you to Mike Bowers, Katharine Murphy, Sarah Martin and Paul Karp, as well as everyone else in the Guardian brainstrust.
And of course, to you, for following along. It has been a weird week in politics land, so we appreciate you turning up to make it a little easier.
We will be back tomorrow. Until then - take care of you.
I can’t see this tweet, because Malcolm Roberts blocked me on Twitter a really long time ago (about the time Adam Gartrell and my reporting got him section 44’d, and also our reporting on his staffer being accused, and then later convicted, of rape).
But apparently Roberts has responded to this quote from Justine Keay with “Ok Doomer”
Go away for a very, very long time, YOU IDIOT. 11,000 scientist or you....REALITY CHECK, you’re the stupid one.
— Justine Keay (@justinekeay) November 11, 2019
The stupid remains strong.
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#Senate #qt is over. @murpharoo @mpbowers @AmyRemeikis pic.twitter.com/hR4OUOga2Y
— Lyndal Curtis (@lyndalcurtis) November 13, 2019
Lyndal Curtis is in the chamber, working with Mike Bowers again.
The #senate trying to organise if it can say “p!ss up in a brewery” #qt @murpharoo @AmyRemeikis @mpbowers pic.twitter.com/HW6eOncefV
— Lyndal Curtis (@lyndalcurtis) November 13, 2019
And #senate #qt is underway. First up, counting with @MathiasCormann and @SenatorWong @AmyRemeikis @murpharoo @mpbowers pic.twitter.com/2Nm6io7xbr
— Lyndal Curtis (@lyndalcurtis) November 13, 2019
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Chris Kenny wasn’t on Sky this afternoon – because he was in Canberra for this:
The first meeting of the Senior Advisory Group to guide the development of an Indigenous voice was held at Old Parliament House in Canberra today.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, welcomed co-chairs Professor Marcia Langton AM and Professor Tom Calma AO and other group members before reflecting on the historic significance of the meeting.
“We have a unique opportunity in front of us to enact meaningful, long-lasting change for not just Indigenous Australians but for our entire nation. And along the way, everyone will get to have their say,” minister Wyatt said.
“We may not agree all the time, and members of the Senior Advisory Group may not agree with each other, but the advice they will provide to me will be invaluable and appreciated.”
“It is important that we remain respectful of each other – we’re here to grasp hold of this opportunity to create lasting positive change for Indigenous Australians.”
The Senior Advisory Group has been established to advise minister Wyatt on the co-design process to develop options and models for an Indigenous voice to government.
The group agreed clear communication is critical so everyone has the opportunity to engage with and understand the co-design process. The group also recognises all the work to date, and the need to ensure we learn from current and past models.
The members will now consider the membership of the Local/Regional Advisory Group and the National Advisory Group.
“It was clear from the meeting that there is enormous goodwill from those involved to see this process work; we share a common goal to ensure that the voices of Indigenous Australians are heard and their lives improved,” minister Wyatt concluded.
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Meanwhile, the Senate just had a debate over whether the term “piss up” could be used, when it is part of a direct quote - as in: [Bridget McKenzie] “couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery”.
I would hate for the Senate president to see what the Guardian style guide allows.
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Again, for the people at the back: hazard reduction burns were done, have been done, were never stopped from being done.
Fire authorities have said that repeatedly. They have also said the season where they can carry out those preparations is getting shorter. But they have still done them. It’s just that RAINFOREST IS BURNING and that hasn’t happened before, and also, it is dry [as insert dead thing here] because, as we know, climate change is making droughts worse, and that is not just raving lunatics saying it, it is the drought co-ordinator general in a government-commissioned report.
Secondly, the reason wildfires have declined is because humans have taken over more land for agriculture, which means that areas which traditionally burned, don’t – because we have changed the land.
So basically, we took over the environment and we don’t tend to let it burn as it once may have.
And thirdly, FFS, EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO IS WATCHING THE EAST COAST BURN IN NOVEMBER, BEFORE THE TRADITIONAL FIRE SEASON HAS EVEN BEGUN, KNOWS THIS IS NOT NORMAL.
Weather can’t be linked to events, but trends can.
I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW
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Greens 'exploiting tragedy to pump up their cult', says Liberal MP
Craig Kelly just Craig Kelly’ed his way through another Sky interview, because apparently he is allowed on TV again, which just makes you question - why?
We see the best of firefighters putting their lives on the frontline to stop those fires, and we see the worse when we see the Greens politicians exploiting this tragedy to pump up their cult, by saying things that are completely untrue, against the science and just trying to recruit more members to the cult.
The facts are, if you look at globally, you look at the peer-reviewed science, wildfires have declined over the last 25 years, since we have had satellite monitoring, more than 24%. That’s what the peer-reviewed science tells us.
Wildfires in the global environment are not getting worse, they are actually declining.
Sure, that is definitely what California is experiencing. And Brazil. And Siberia
But Craig Kelly continues, because he is Craig Kelly and can’t stop, won’t stop:
We know what causes a bushfire: it is the drought, it is the dry of the environment, it is strong winds and it is a point of ignition, and also it is where we don’t do the adequate hazard reduction burns, that is what causes fire. And to ignore our nation’s history, to say this is how somehow something unique and never happened before, we have had a long history of bushfires in this nation, going back to 1851, where something like 5m hectares would burn in Victoria. Even the 74/75 fires in NSW it was 4.5m hectares that were burnt out.
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Mathias Cormann is talking about how great the economy is, and how great wage growth is, because it was worse under Labor. WHICH IS WHEN THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS WAS – OMG
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Senate question time has begun, and honestly, induced comas have never seemed more attractive.
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Oh dear Beyonce.
Someone has allowed Craig Kelly onto Sky News to speak about the bushfires.
“Wildfires have declined over the last 25 years, over 24%,” he says.
Jim Molan on the most obvious statement in this government’s six-year history, maybe ever:
The one thing that struck me over the last couple of years was just how much backbenchers can actually do and influence, both on a policy basis and an individual basis on the problems being brought to you.
A lack of climate policy, three prime ministers and just general paralysis on anything curly speaks volumes to back up that observation.
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Jim Molan is on Sky News reminding viewers that firefighters are much better at fighting fires than the military.
That’s because there have been a lot of calls to bring in the army to help fight the bushfire emergency. They remain on standby, to help in any way they are needed – but, by and large, they are not trained to fight fires.
Much like hazard-reduction burns and climate change, facts – not emotion and feelpinons – are needed here, more than ever.
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The political discourse on the other hand ... sigh.
From Anne Davies:
As bushfire conditions were declared “catastrophic” on Tuesday, New South Wales bureaucrats attending a conference on adaption to climate change were directed not discuss the link between climate change and bushfires.
Bureaucrats from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment were sent an email soon after the AdaptNSW 2019 Forum began, causing consternation among some attendees who saw it as tantamount to gagging them.
The email said: “For those attending AdaptNSW today, public affairs has issued advice not to discuss the link between climate change and bushfires.
“Refer questions in session and plenaries to bushfire reps.”
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The founder of the #MeToo movement (not the hashtag), Tarana Burke, is addressing the National Press Club.
Tarana Burke now up. Says to journos, you don’t have to defame anyone to paint a picture of what the landscape of sexual violence looks like in this country or show its breadth. Says we should stop focusing on stories about individual perpetrators.
— Hannah Ryan (@HannahD15) November 13, 2019
Burke spoke to Melissa Davey late last month:
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The former NSW fire chief Greg Mullins has been working hard to try to inject some facts into the hazard-reduction burn debate. If you missed his appearance on The Project earlier this week, it is worth watching.
Climate change is not only making conditions hotter and drier, it's also decreasing the number of days it's possible to do fuel reduction. Listen to the science and the experts, not the furphies. @Barnaby_Joyce @CharisChang2 @MaxKoslowski @dlmcculloch @emritchiejourno #NSWfires pic.twitter.com/W8MtlDWRjO
— Climate Council (@climatecouncil) November 12, 2019
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This issue is slowly starting to gain momentum in parliament. From the Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson’s office:
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson will today table a petition calling on the government to intervene and ensure Julian Assange’s safe passage home or to another place of his choosing.
“With over 200,000 signatories, this is one of the largest ever petitions presented to the Senate,” Senator Whish-Wilson said.
“This is an outpouring of public support for Julian Assange – a Walkley Award-winning journalist, an activist, a computer whiz and an Australian citizen.
“Julian is imprisoned in the UK for committing an act of journalism. He’s currently awaiting the outcome of an extradition request by the US government because he dared to expose its war crimes and because he dared to democratise whistleblowing in the 21st century.
“This petition is the voice of hundreds of thousands of people asking the Australian government to defend one of its citizens, to defend our freedoms and to defend the freedom of the press.”
A cross-parliament working group is trying to negotiate with the UK government to have a representative – possibly George Christensen – visit Assange before his extradition trial.
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Not only do we not get a number in terms of population growth, we also don’t get to see the resettlement report the government ordered, to see how its “let’s move to the regions” plan would go.
Andrew Giles, Maria Vamvakinou and Lisa Chesters have some thoughts on that:
This is an important report that aims to improve the integration, employment and settlement outcomes of refugees in this country. The Australian public have a right to see it. Failing to release this report is treating the public with contempt, as well as letting down refugees and our communities.
It is clear the Morrison government lacks a whole-of-government regional settlement strategy.
We know highly skilled refugees under the Humanitarian Settlement Program are finding it very difficult to find a suitable job through job active network providers.
In Victoria, particularly Bendigo, there is a great record of private sector and community engagement with humanitarian migrants in recognising and addressing the challenges to participate actively in the regional economy. Specific settlement services such as workplace familiarisation training programs and programs that provide a logical extension to the English training deliver genuine professional employability pathways for skilled migrants and refugees.
Implementing effective programs for the attraction and retention of migrants and refugees in regional areas is essential in building strong regional communities, as well as the ongoing wellbeing of migrants and refugees living in those areas.
We should be doing everything we can to help people get the support they need, find work and integrate into the community. Clearly the Morrison government is not doing enough.
Just add that to the list of stuff we don’t get to see.
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Matt Canavan is now on Sky News, also speaking on “why can’t we all just get along”.
Matt. Canavan.
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Anthony Albanese, who is in Perth today, having made a promise to visit the west every six weeks, was speaking to Adelaide radio 5AA this morning. He was asked about Jordon Steele-John’s “no better than arsonists” and Barnaby Joyce’s “most likely voted Green party” comments. This was his response:
But, you know, there’s no place for the comments of the senator from the Greens party or from Barnaby Joyce.
I just find that astonishing. And I’ve been criticised, I’ve got to say, for not trying to politicise these bushfires.
I have a strong view about climate change. Climate change clearly is leading to what the science told us would happen.
The seasons are starting earlier and they’re more intense. But the priority right now has got to be about saving lives and about practical measures to provide assistance.
And that is what people should be concentrating on. And overwhelmingly that is the case.
I was at a Casino with the local National party MP that we invited to come along with us, Kevin Hogan. You know, this is a time where we’re all Australians and no other labels matter as much as that.
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OK, so reading through the wages report for the September quarter (and remember it has been a long time since I studied economics, so I am by no means an expert) it looks as though wage growth for those three years was 0.5% – but over the whole year, it has been just 2.2%. Which is a slowdown of about 0.1%, for anyone paying attention (or just looking at their wages not going up).
The Reserve Bank has been telling us, through rate cuts, memos, and pleas for fiscal intervention, that it doesn’t think there will be any actual significant wage growth for quite some time (years), which is telling.
Then there is consumer confidence, where more of us are feeling worse about the economy than optimistic about it. That’s important because if you don’t feel like the economy is getting better, than you don’t spend money and around and around we go.
So while the confidence index rose by around 4.5%, that is still down from 7% last year, which is not great, at this point, for Christmas trade – which quite a lot of retailers are relying on to get them through to the next year.
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First time annual wage growth under 2.3% since June quarter last year (when it was 2.1%).
— Shane Wright (@swrighteconomy) November 13, 2019
Greens push for governors general to be stripped of entitlements after misconduct
The Greens are moving to have former governors general stripped of their entitlements, if they are found to have engaged in misconduct. Rachel Siewert will introduce a private member’s bill into the Senate later today. She said in a statement:
Under the current legislative framework, a former Governor-General or their spouse will continue to receive retirement allowances worth millions of dollars, even where they have engaged in serious misconduct including conviction and imprisonment for a crime.
This represents a clear oversight in legislation that should be rectified.
The bill outlines that serious misconduct also includes an omission to act. I think it is significant that we include an omission to act in the definition of serious misconduct because it sends a clear signal to people in power that the cover up of abuse and illegal behaviour is never acceptable.
Siewert said the bill came after a coalition of groups wrote to the prime minister seeking changes in the wake of the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.
This group included Bravehearts, the Blue Knot Foundation, Care Leavers Australasia Network, End Rape on Campus, Beyond Abuse and the Queensland Child Sexual Abuse Legislative Reform Council.
This bill represents an important step towards redress for the survivors of abuse. It sends a clear message that no one is above the law and abusers and those who protect abusers must be held accountable.
I urge the Parliament to consider this bill, not only from a public accountability perspective, but also as a way of achieving healing, closure and justice for survivors of sexual abuse.
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Just glanced up to see the Sky News ticker “UK floods become political blame game”, which makes sense.
We came by our toxic political debate culture quite honestly in this country.
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We’ll be chatting all things defence with China tomorrow. From the defence department:
Senior defence officials from Australia and China will meet tomorrow in Sydney for the 22nd Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.
Held since 1997, the annual Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue is the peak forum for discussions between Australia’s Department of Defence and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
This year China’s delegation will be led by Director of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, General Li Zuocheng.
Australia will be represented by the Department of Defence Secretary, Greg Moriarty and the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC.
Mr Moriarty said defence engagement with China serves as an important part of the broader Australia-China bilateral relationship.
“Regular meetings between defence officials offers both sides an opportunity to discuss a range of regional security matters in frank and open terms, including important issues such as peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and evolving regional dynamics,” Mr Moriarty said.
General Campbell said the dialogue builds trust and understanding between the militaries of Australia and China.
“Tomorrow we will discuss with General Li the many benefits our defence cooperation has brought throughout 2019 and how we look forward to continuing engagement into the future.”
The 23rd Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue will take place in China next year.
Wages have risen a whole 0.5% – sound the klaxons.
Wages rise 0.5% in the September quarter 2019, says @ABSStats #auspol pic.twitter.com/RUrSfJhrpw
— Political Alert (@political_alert) November 13, 2019
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Also – it is wage figures day.
Huzzah!
If that is anything like the last few runs of wage figures, we’ll all get to see by just how much our wages didn’t grow!
Expect to hear this March quote from Mathias Cormann brought up again:
“The whole point – it is important to ensure that wages can adjust in the context of economic conditions – is to avoid massive spikes in unemployment, which are incredibly disruptive,” Cormann said.
“This is a deliberate feature of our economic architecture.”
And then, this gem from Linda Reynolds, in her best no/oh/yes performance to date.
.@David_Speers: Do you agree flexibility in wages and keeping wages at a modest level is a deliberate feature of our economic architecture? @lindareynoldswa: No absolutely not. For Bill Shorten to even suggest that...
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) March 10, 2019
DS: I'm quoting Mathias Cormann.https://t.co/aYBwbeRGPk pic.twitter.com/SSKF51zw06
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This is an important update.
UPDATED - the court has referred leave to appeal to hear "as on appeal". So TECHNICALLY the full court will be hearing BOTH substantive appeal arguments and the threshold question of whether to grant leave TOGETHER. #auspol #auslaw #Pelltrial https://t.co/NfEd8uthCd
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) November 13, 2019
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Linda Burney has responded to reports from Annabel Hennessy at the West Australian that the Morrison government is considering scrapping the Indigenous advisory council – and why that has Indigenous Australians worried about a voice to parliament being legislated, rather than constitutionally enshrined:
This is a perfect example of why First Nations people are so anxious about the security of a voice to the Parliament.
The Prime Minister has not met with the Council for almost a year.
And it is clear there has been a severe lack of communication from the Prime Minister to the Council and its Chair Roy Ah-See.
If the Prime Minister is not even talking to the Council, how can he be listening to it?
There is no doubt that the Council was controversial among First Nations people.
But the Council was the Government’s own mechanism through which First Nations people could provide advice on the decisions, laws and policies which affect us.
And not only has it been sidelined for the better part of a year, it looks to be scrapped.
Time and again, First Nations people have had our voice to government chopped and changed, and with no consultation.
First Nations people have made the modest request for an advisory voice to the Parliament.
And it is only reasonable that it be given security and certainty.
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Just correcting a previous post – the motion to have the independent health advice panel (the one which reports on medevac) won’t be voted on until sometime after 3.30 today. It was meant to be yesterday, but was delayed. Which means we won’t get it today.
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The senior advisory group appointed by Ken Wyatt to co-design the Indigenous voice to parliament is having its first meeting, at Old Parliament House, this morning.
There have been some strong reactions to the list of appointees, who include the Australian’s Chris Kenny.
Ngarrindjerri people who remember the bitter and damaging debate about Hindmarsh Island, about which Kenny wrote to disprove the existence of womens’ sacred sites, have called for a boycott of the process.
This is a kick in the guts for Ngarrindjeri nation. Chris Kenny appoint is treason Aborigobal Voice - SA Aboriginal Elders and nations are standing together to boycott. @BuckskinPeter Chris Kenny added to group working on Indigenous voice to parliament https://t.co/jcl9pfuhgz
— Dr Lester Rigney (@LesterRigney) November 9, 2019
Questions have also been asked about the apparent omission from the group of Prof Megan Davis and Pat Anderson, two key architects of the Uluru statement from the heart.
Also doing the rounds on social media, is this skit, courtesy of ABC TV’s Sammy J and the always brilliant Elaine Crombie.
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This is outside of federal politics, but love should always be celebrated.
Andrew Barr - the ACT chief minister and first gay head of government in Australia - is marrying his longtime partner Anthony Toms today.
— Tom McIlroy (@TomMcIlroy) November 12, 2019
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Larissa Waters will be tabling this petition, calling for Pauline Hanson to be removed from the latest family law inquiry, in parliament later today.
More than 70,000 people have signed the petition, which was started by Sherele Moody – but the numbers aren’t there in the parliament for anything to change. And it is not as though the One Nation leader will be stepping down.
The inquiry will start hearings soon and will report back next October.
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Scott Morrison addressed Barnaby Joyce’s comments yesterday afternoon during a visit to the Australian crisis coordination centre.
His answer here is one of the reason so many in his party have decided that not opening their mouths is often the best course of action.
Question: Prime minister, have you spoken to Barnaby Joyce today and what did you make of his comments?
Morrison: No, I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to him today. And, look, I would just simply say this – I think it’s important that at moments like this, everybody take it down a few notches. What matters is people who are in need and ensuring the operational support is there for the services they need to ensure that we can address this crisis. There are plenty of opportunities for people to say things about any number of other issues on other occasions. But right now what they want to see is Australians coming together. So I would urge people, let’s just focus on what we need to focus on right now. There are plenty of other topics for other days, but today let’s just focus on those who need it most. They’re not helped by this type of argument that is going on. That’s not something that I think is really helping the situation. It’s certainly not something that I would or have been seeking to engage in and the reason for that is simple. It’s not because all of these issues aren’t important. It’s because people need to know that we’re focused on their needs right here and now and the operational support they need.
Question: Prime minister, will your be directing or asking Michael McCormack to discipline Barnaby Joyce?
Morrison: Look, I’ve said all I need to say on that issue. I think everybody – everybody – there’s been a lot of provocative comments made over the last few days from all sides of this debate. And I find it very unhelpful and I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to those who need to know that we are 100% focused on the supporting effort to where they are in their moment of crisis. That’s where my mind is. That’s where my head is. That’s where the premier’s mind is and that’s where the premier’s head is. And that’s what they need to be assured of. And I can tell you, I’m not taking any interest in all of those other distractions. What I’m focused on is what the operational support needs to be at a commonwealth level and to support our state partners in New South Wales and Queensland.
Question: There has been inflammatory rhetoric around this but Barnaby Joyce is a member of the Coalition. What did you make of his remarks specifically and what will be done about it?
Morrison: Well, I think these are very unhelpful. But again, I’m not going to be distracted by debates happening between politicians. The last thing that people in real need and urgent crisis need at the moment is hearing politicians shout at each other. It’s completely unhelpful. And it’s not something that I’m practising. It’s not something the premier is practising. There is a time and a place to debate, you know, controversial issues and important issues. Right now, it’s important to focus on the needs of Australians who need our help. They need our support. They need our practical assistance on the ground. They’re getting it. They’re going to continue to get it and that’s who I am focused on. Thanks very much.
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The Senate passed a motion for the latest independent health advice panel report to be tabled today – that’s the medevac report. It’s the one that goes until the end of September.
It’s always harrowing reading, but necessary to understand why the decisions are being made the way they are.
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The Senate will vote this afternoon on a motion to force the government to table information relating to the regional jobs and investment program, which was savaged in a federal audit.
Labor has moved a motion asking for the minister to table all written briefings provided to the ministerial panel which was used to inform the award of grant funding in each of the 10 regions.
The production of order documents will also demand all written responses from the ministerial panels sent to the department after consideration of the department’s advice.
The department and the office of the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, have both refused to release this information in response to media requests, meaning it has been impossible to know which projects the ministerial panels decided to approve against the department’s advice.
Labor is also hoping to see any documents that show which projects identified as ineligible that received funding, and those that were submitted late that were still approved.
If the Senate votes in support of the document order, the government will be forced to table details of the Business Grants Hub, which was engaged to administer aspects of the program at a cost of about $8m.
It will be given a deadline of Thursday afternoon to comply with the document order.
Concerns have been raised about the administration of the program by the auditor general, and Guardian Australia has uncovered at least two instances where funding was granted to organisations that were financially precarious, despite companies needing to show that they could match the grant funding under the guidelines.
In one case, a company in the marginal seat of Gilmore received $750,000 and went bust six months later, while in another, the operator has said he is losing money and the funded project is unlikely to happen for two more years.
The auditor general also revealed that two projects that were granted co-funding exemption were given the reprieve in breach of the program’s guidelines.
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Alan Tudge was on Melbourne radio 3AW talking population – and why we don’t have a number in mind.
Tom Elliott: So why don’t we have a population policy? Why don’t we have a target of, say, 35 or 40 million people by 2050 and work backwards from that?
Alan Tudge: Well, Tom, we do have a population plan and we announced this just a few months ago and in essence, first up we set our objectives. One, we want a population which supports economic growth. Two, we want to support the liveability of our cities and the regions that want to grow more quickly. And thirdly, we want to maintain social cohesion.
TE: Right.
AT: So we’ve put in place some initiatives to support those ends.
TE: So, what’s the number then? If you have all these policies and you look at economic growth and liveability and social cohesion, all good aims but at the end of the day, you have to come down with a number. What’s the number? Where are we headed under this policy?
AT: Well, at the moment, we are growing at about 1.6% per annum, which has been the long-term average since federation.
TE: Yeah, but what’s the policy? What’s the number? Do you want 50 million people or 40?
AT: Well, I think Australia can be bigger. The question is the pace of growth, how well we manage that growth and, critically importantly, the distribution of that growth, because Dick Smith I think only thinks about it from an inner-Sydney perspective, where absolutely it has heavy congestion there. However, you go out to the regions or you go to Adelaide, you go toward Darwin or you go toward Perth, many of those places want more people and do want to grow more quickly. The real challenge that we’ve got in Australia is that nearly all of our population growth, three quarters of it is in Melbourne, Sydney and south-east Queensland.
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Good morning
After a pretty low few days, our politicians have woken up rather quiet this morning.
Which is not surprising. From attacks on those who care about climate change as “raving lunatics”, to not being across key portfolio issues, to raising the voting preferences of those who died in the bushfire emergency, the Liberal’s Coalition partners haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory this week.
Especially at a time when the nation is looking for leadership.
So this morning we have been greeted with radio silence. Which is not a bad thing.
But the rest of the day is ticking over.
George Pell has been granted leave to have his appeal heard by the highest court in the land.
The fires continue to burn.
And the Senate is still sitting (if anyone is paying attention).
There is still no sign of ensuring integrity – it looks as though that has been delayed, although the government is not giving up if it can get Jacqui Lambie across the line – although One Nation isn’t a fan, and Centre Alliance is also just a maybe. So a few issues there, in terms of the numbers.
There is still medevac ticking away as well.
We’ll have all of that and everything else that happens within this building and beyond. Hopefully it’s better than the days that have gone before.
You’ll also have Mike Bowers, Katharine Murphy, Paul Karp and Sarah Martin, as well as the rest of the Guardian’s brains trust on deck.
Ready?
I’m not, but let’s do this.
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