Summary
And with that, we’ll be closing the blog for today. The brilliant Amy Remeikis will be back again tomorrow morning.
Here’s what happened today:
- The prime minister, Scott Morrison, responded to a question about the government’s handling of sexual misconduct at Parliament House by claiming there was a current investigation at News Corp regarding a female staff member harassed in a toilet.
- Morrison told Sky News’s Andrew Clennell and other media to be “careful” and that they were “[sitting] in glass houses”.
- The chairman of News Corp Australia, Michael Miller, responded, saying that no such investigation or report had been made and that Morrison had “conflated” other reports.
- Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Morrison’s press conference had been “too much about him” and not about women who had been victims of sexual harassment or assault.
- The managing director of the ABC, David Anderson, defended the reporting of Four Corners and Louise Milligan, who are being sued by Christian Porter. Anderson told an estimates hearing that the reporting was “of the highest quality” and “we will defend the case and our reporting”.
- Morrison confirmed that he was now getting the solicitor general’s advice on ministerial standards and Porter’s fitness to remain in the ministry.
- Australia and New Zealand’s foreign ministers raised “grave concerns” about China’s human rights abuses against Uighurs, and welcomed sanctions imposed by other countries.
Thanks for reading, and we’ll be back tomorrow.
The teachers’ union has released a new survey that says most Australians believe public school funding should be increased.
The Australian Education Union released the survey of 1,200 people today, which found that 80% of people think increasing public school funding should be a priority at the next federal election, AAP reports.
The federal president of the AEU, Correna Haythorpe, said the union will be active in lobbying politicians and working to increase school funding.
Updated
Earlier today, climate activists in Melbourne chained themselves to a barricade in the middle of a central city street, disrupting peak-hour traffic.
AAP reports the demonstrators staged a sit-down at the intersection of Flinders Lane and Queen Street on Tuesday as part of week-long Extinction Rebellion protests.
A group of three women was seen chained to a metal barricade in the middle of the CBD street. At least one of the activists had a bike lock around her neck.
A number of protesters were detained, including a man in a wheelchair.
The police assistant commissioner, Luke Cornelius, said about 2,000 police members had been tasked with keeping an eye on the climate protests throughout the week.
The movement wants the government to declare a climate emergency and commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
The acting premier, James Merlino, warned the group they risked getting the public offside with their non-violent resistance tactics.
“If you disrupt people’s lives, that’s not a great way to win an argument,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Updated
Here is today’s news wrap on that extraordinary earlier press conference – updated to include News Corp’s denial of any complaint:
Updated
The foreign ministers of Australia and New Zealand, Marise Payne and Nanaia Mahuta, have welcomed sanctions against China due to its human rights abuses against Uighurs.
But while they approved of sanctions announced by the UK, US, EU and Canada, neither country has announced any of their own.
Daniel Hurst has the story:
Updated
Hi all, it’s Naaman Zhou here taking over the blog. Thanks to Amy Remeikis for her incredible work, as always.
Updated
And on that note, after another very tough day, I’ll hand you over to the lovely Naaman Zhou to take you through the evening.
I know these issues are really tough to read and think about. Really tough. And I know a lot of people are tired of it. And that others are struggling to deal with things in their own lives, and this doesn’t help. I get it. It is traumatising and exhausting and there is no end in sight. Please make sure you are talking to people if you need to, or just surrounding yourself with people who bring you some comfort, or things which bring you joy. It’s hard, but you’re not alone.
I’ll be back tomorrow morning. In the meantime, please – take care of you.
Updated
The prime minister has addressed Coalition staffers this afternoon and told them of ‘key’ actions he is planning on taking, on top of the confidential support hotline:
1. Mandatory WHS training for all Coalition staff and that the training is face to face.
2. Ministerial Register for Staff Induction and Professional Conduct for all ministerial offices.
3. Coalition Human Resources Team to promote best practice and provide guidance.
4. Coalition Staff Reference Group.
Updated
Michael Rowland* asked Simon Birmingham about the security breach that resulted in the staffer alleged to have raped Brittany Higgins being sacked.
Rowland: Let’s go to the revelations on Four Corners last night. The prime minister has always said that the Liberal staffer allegedly who raped Brittany Higgins was sacked for a security breach. Nikola Anderson, a security guard on duty on the fateful night, told Four Corners last night there was no security breach, the alleged rapist and Brittany Higgins had clearance to be in Linda Reynolds’ office. What do you say to that?
Birmingham:
Indeed, a staff member is entitled to be admitted to an office by security officers and I would in no way suggest the security officer did anything wrong in her decision-making of allowing them access to the office.
But in relation to ministerial offices and sensitive ministerial offices, there’s another level of protocols that exist, and going in for non-work purposes, when intoxicated out of hours, constitutes absolutely a security breach managed by the ministerial office itself, which in this case, as it resulted in the termination of that employee.
And, again, clearly issues that Brittany Higgins didn’t at the time feel the necessary support to proceed after she spoke with federal police to a full investigation. But we very much welcome the fact that she has done that now. And that we are in a position where we will give absolutely every support to that police investigation to hopefully see it succeed and succeed in prosecuting this alleged sexual assault.
*An earlier version of this post said Michelle Rowand. It was Michael Rowland of the ABC. (My fault, apologies!)
Updated
The Daily Telegraph story detailing today’s press conference included this:
In the wake of Tuesday’s explosive press conference, which saw the Prime Minister raise the issue of a human resources matter at News Corp, the company’s Executive Chairman, Michael Miller, sent Mr Morrison a forceful text expressing his disappointment about the reference to a sensitive, private matter.
It is understood that Mr Miller’s text strongly criticised the Prime Minister for choosing to raise a human resources allegation in the very public context of a media conference, especially as publicising such a complaint could undermine the confidence individuals have in coming forward to report allegations of misconduct and harassment without fearing that their privacy would be compromised.
It is understood that Mr Morrison later rang Mr Miller to discuss his concerns.
News Corp says there is no harassment report as detailed by Scott Morrison
In case you can’t read that tweet, here is the News Corp statement:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was wrong today to claim an investigation is under way into a complaint accusing an employee of harassment against a woman in a female toilet. No complaint has been received and News Corp and Sky News are not dealing with a complaint.
News Corp and Sky News take seriously any issues raised by staff and our utmost priority is to respect their privacy and confidentiality. This is standard business practice and because of this, we do not normally comment on private matters.
However given the Prime Minister’s extraordinary public claims made at a press conference broadcast live across the nation, I want to put to rest any suggestion that an employee of our company is being investigated for conduct suggested by Mr Morrison.
In recent weeks, following the reporting of matters of sexually inappropriate behaviour at Parliament House, our HR team proactively gave our staff the opportunity to talk to us in confidence about their well-being. I thank those who did so.
During these proactive conversations, the News Corp’s HR team learned of a verbal exchange between two News Corp employees in Parliament House in Canberra last year. The exchange was about a workplace-related issue, it was not of a sexual nature, it did not take place in a toilet and neither person made a complaint. Following those inquiries, our HR team wrote to one of the people involved and the matter was resolved.
The Prime Minister appears to have joined these two matters and conflated them into an episode of harassment in a toilet that is under current investigation.
This is simply untrue and it undermines the principle that people must be able to raise issues safely and in confidence.
News Corp has no further statements to make on this matter.
News Corp has responded to Scott Morrison’s allegation it was dealing with a harassment complaint:
News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller replies to Scott Morrison’s comments earlier today pic.twitter.com/pZmFpTvq44
— Kylar Loussikian (@kloussikian) March 23, 2021
Updated
Katharine Murphy has written up her observations on the day.
I recommend, if you haven’t already, that you give it a read:
Why wasn’t a rape enough?
Why is it never enough?
I tell you what else isn’t enough.
Words.
Words are not enough.
Australian women will need more than words from the prime minister, they will need action.
After a month of appalling deafness from the highest office in the land, women will need more than an acknowledgment of being seen.
Russell Broadbent:
What about respect? Reasonable relationships? Common sense when there seems to be no common sense?
These are the things that we grew up with, which were normal, and normalcy has seemed to be blown out the window.
I can’t understand what sort of a nation produces this in the Parliament House, even though so much of it is fly in fly out as compared to what it used to be, and that is staff and all. And so it is a unique situation, however, it is representative of the nation.
So therefore what sort of a national culture do we have that produces this in the federal parliament?
I think you have just got to go back to basics and say, what is my relationship with other people? Whether they are female or male.
Q: So do you think there is a toxic male culture?
Broadbent:
Well, the proof is in the pudding. If women feel threatened in this place, you would have to say yes.
I have never experienced it, but then again I have never been the person in, supposedly, in the powerful position, so I don’t know.
I haven’t been the person on the other end of the stick, Patricia. And we have to address that that this is about the interaction of powerful people with others who may be threatened, and that is the honest situation that we’re facing here.
And that is why I want to give the people of Australia the opportunity to have their say. It is not about inquiries, it is about politicians like myself owning the issues, facing up to the issues and then addressing them.
Updated
Asked by Patricia Karvelas if he is ashamed to sit in federal parliament, with everything that has gone on, Russell Broadbent says:
I am not ashamed of being a federal member of parliament because I feel honoured every time I walk into the building to represent the people I represent. Including the nation as a whole.
I am crestfallen, brokenhearted, smashed about what has happened in the last 24 hours. It has been very distressing for a lot of people, but no more distressing for the women who relive the trauma of the 15th of February on the Monday when they gathered across Australia to voice their opinions.
Updated
The Liberal MP Russell Broadbent is asked about Scott Morrison’s decision to weaponise a sexual harassment complaint he had heard occurred in a media organisation in his press conference today, and tells the ABC:
Is it appropriate? It was strange. I thought he understood the situation.
He has obviously been having a lot of conversations with a number of women, as we all have, and has come to an understanding of the appropriate responses.
No, the Clennell response wasn’t something I understood at all, but moving on from that, I’ve got to say to you that what I have looked at is not what the experience of women because we know what that is. It has been very clear what that is.
I would also say to you there has been a lot of discussion about women but I think this is a man’s problem, Patricia. A man’s problem.
The culture has to change, but only our workplaces and buildings like this, but it must be stunning that this whole tsunami of sexual innuendo allegation and actual actions has flowed out in the parliament of Australia.
Not in some ordinary workplace somewhere, right here in the parliament of Australia. In the seat of power for the nation. I think there is a message in that but if it is pervasive here, and we are representative of the committee, Patricia, it is pervasive across the whole nation.
Updated
Malcolm Turnbull:
I understand this incident occurred in 2019 but, look, that isn’t a big point. I don’t make an issue as to when it happens.
It is, the fact is, whenever it happened, it was wrong. But the point is, to say that there is a cultural problem at parliament, remember at the time of the rightwing coup that brought an end to my prime ministership?
There were women in the parliament who went up and spoke up, Linda Reynolds, prominently, and talked about the bullying and threats. I talked about them.
There is a thuggish, blokey, sexist and misogynist culture in parliament and politics that I called out and addressed when I was PM and took action on, probably made a few enemies in the process, I am sure. But I did the right thing, but it is still there.
You see, in the absence of strong leadership, and we have no leadership on the issue at the moment, it is going to continue and people think they can get away with it because nobody is being held accountable. It is this lack of accountability that is right at the heart of this.
You see, if ministers are not accountable, if they are seen as not being accountable, they are seen as being able to get away with anything, and the staff will feel the same. It is that old story that the fish rights from the head and it is also inspiration and good things come from the leadership as well.
Updated
Patricia Karvelas:
Do you think it’s odd that the prime minister knows about the allegation at News Corp but didn’t know about the Brittany Higgins rape allegation that happens just metres from his office?
Malcolm Turnbull:
I do not believe that the prime minister’s office was not advised of the Brittany Higgins rape allegation or indeed the incident even before the allegation of rape was made.
I do not believe that the PMO was not told about that immediately.
And by the way, nobody else does.
As to whether Scott Morrison was told about it, you know, it beggars belief that he wasn’t, but ultimately, you know, he has said that he wasn’t.
I know how prime ministers operate obviously, but it would be inconceivable that something of that kind wouldn’t be advised to the PMO.
His office must have known.
Q: I mean, you wouldn’t know why he knows but it seems odd that he knows about an allegation in News Corp?
Turnbull:
What he basically did in the press conference was say to the media, I challenge you to compare the standards in your workplace to mine. And Andrew Clennell did, say, well, our standards are better than what is going on here, prime minister.
To which Morrison then flew back into him with this allegation about a sexual harassment complaint that has apparently been made at News Corp. Now that was a completely confidential matter before this. Scott had presumably heard about it from someone but he decided just to weaponise it, and the message there is exactly the same message he’s delivered to Labor. ‘If you come out and have a go at us, we have got stuff on you.’
That is so wrong. What he should be doing is saying, I’m not going to try to delve into other workplaces or other people’s situations, you have got a great report from Kate Jenkins, respect at work, which should be implemented, it is a very straightforward thing to get on with.
But in the meantime, parliament, what he needs to do is clearly state what the principles are. In fact, the principles, the good starting place would be the values and principles I put into the ministerial code in 2018 that he removed.
And they are about leading by example, respect, living your values. And to do that and hold people to account.
Updated
The government has voted against Zali Steggall’s motion in the House from this morning:
I seek leave to move the following motion —
(1) That the House notes:
(a) the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Law Council of
Australia have identified that the Sex Discrimination Act does not
prohibit sexual harassment in all circumstance and workplaces;
(b) the events exposed in Parliament House over the past month have
highlighted the urgent need to amend the Act to ensure that Members of
Parliament are liable for and protected from sexual harassment;
(c) in 2008, the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional
Affairs recommended amending the Act to include a broad prohibition
on sexual harassment in any area of public life;
(d) following the Dyson Heydon inquiry, the Law Council of Australia
launched its National Action Plan to Address Sexual Harassment in the
Legal Profession which recommends that the Sex Discrimination Act be
amended to include the language that “a person must not sexually harass
another person”; and
(e) the Sex Discrimination Act (Prohibiting All Sexual Harassment) Bill
2021 seeks to make that amendment; and
(2) that so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent private
members’ business order of the day No. 29, the Sex Discrimination
Amendment (Prohibiting All Sexual Harassment) Bill 2021, being called on
immediately and given priority over all other business for final
determination of the House.
The earliest the debate can be picked up on the amendments is now May.
Updated
Patricia Karvelas:
Let’s go to that. The prime minister went to a journalist about a sexual harassment claim that has happened at News Corp. Sky News says it hasn’t happened there. What did you make of what the prime minister did because Labor says he is weaponising that complaint?
Malcolm Turnbull:
What he is doing to Andrew Clennell is the same he has done in the House to Anthony Albanese, which is essentially threatening them and saying that if you raise issues about wrongdoing in the Coalition, what about the wrongdoings of the Labor side or in the media companies.
It is a diversion and you see the problem is constantly reminding other people that they live in glass houses does not absolve you of the responsibility of addressing the problems in your own house.
And so what I am looking for, and I think millions of Australians are looking for, and I am sure millions of Australian women are looking for, is for the government to take responsibility, to be accountable, to address the issue and take action.
Now, again, just as a way of comparison, you know, there were ministers in my government to do the wrong thing, including one who behaved improperly with a young woman. What happened?
They lost their job, and others lost their job too. I held people accountable and I made sure that the standards were complied with. I mean, what do you have to do to lose your job in this government? It is a question Leigh Sales addressed to Josh Frydenberg the other night on 7.30 and even the eloquent Josh Frydenberg couldn’t come up with a good answer.
PK:
The prime minister said that he would be looking into whether ministerial standards had been met with Christian Porter. It seemed like a shift. What did you make of that?
Turnbull:
I’m not sure what advice he is seeking. Porter is obviously suing the ABC. That raises a number of issues in terms of how he discharges his duties as attorney general.
And there has been talk of delegating part of his job as attorney general to another minister.
I imagine that is the area they are seeking advice on. But, you know, the fundamental issue with Christian Porter, the historical rape allegation against Christian Porter is a very important issue but it is separate to the problem that, you know, we have talked about before and I have written about before in my book and talked about when I was prime minister, is that the standards, attitudes in that political environment are utterly anachronistic and is not consistent with modern Australia.
With all due respect to Scott Morrison, he is just wrong in saying everyone else is like parliament and politics, it is not. I mean, the truth is, I had to change the ministerial code to say that ministers must not sleep with their staff. That has been out of order in the corporate world for decades and yet I had to change the rules because frankly far too many of my colleagues thought that it was OK.
Christian Porter denies all allegations against him.
Updated
Patricia Karvelas:
The prime minister referred to his wife and his children pretty passionately. He fought back tears when he talked about them. Is that what you mean when saying he was making it about himself?
Malcolm Turnbull:
Look, I just don’t think ... I think he was in affect seeking our sympathy, and seeking our sympathy when in fact the people who deserve sympathy and action are women who have been let down.
Let me give you a good example of something that is in the Kate Jenkins’ respect at work report, which obviously Christian Porter hasn’t read and the prime minister hasn’t either.
Recommendation 15 ... 17 is the most important of the 55. It recommends the Sex Discrimination Act be amended to impose a positive duty on employers to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace.
So this is absolutely consistent with the principles I set out back in 2018 when I changed the ministerial code. It is about leaders taking responsibility. What Kate Jenkins is saying there is that if you are a boss, you are an employer, you have got an obligation to ensure that there is not sexual harassment in the workplace.
Clearly, you can’t stop people doing the wrong thing but you can do everything you can to discourage it and if they do it, then they can be sacked or disciplined in some way or another. Now leadership is what is called for here, not, you know, whataboutisms and diversions, threatening people. It has got to be just take responsibility – leadership.
Updated
Patricia Karvelas:
A Senate committee has also heard that the federal attorney general, Christian Porter, hasn’t met his department to discuss that major workplace report the government has had on its desk for more than a year. Are you surprised by that?
Malcolm Turnbull:
I’m disappointed but not entirely surprised. What it tells you is that ensuring that women are respected in the workplace is not a priority of the government, it was a priority of my government ,which was why the report was undertaken and written, but sadly it’s not been a priority of this government.
I am so disappointed.
The lack of accountability that the government shows, of course, gets transmitted through the staff and staffers.
I mean, the solution to this issue and these issues in the parliament are exactly as I described them, some years ago, at the time of the Barnaby Joyce issue.
It is all about leading by example, leading with your values and respect. And so ministers have got to be responsible for the staff who work for them.
A minister has got to be responsible for what their staff do and if their staff step out of line, they have got to deal with it. You know, sack them, caution them, and if they do it again, sack them, whatever. That is their job, to be responsible for those people, and to fail in that responsibility, the prime minister has to deal with the minister.
Updated
Scott Morrison press conference 'too much about him', says Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull is now on Afternoon Briefing.
He is not a fan of Scott Morrison’s press conference:
Well look, I was very disappointed to be honest. It seems to be, seems to have too much self-pity in it’s too much about him.
It really should have been about the women who have been the victims of discrimination and disrespect, sexual harassment, and indeed of rape.
So it wasn’t his trauma. He could have invited women to stand with him, but he should have said I am standing with women, I am standing with women, I hear what you said and I am with you.
So I think it was too much of it was about him, too much of the vertical pronoun, let me put it that way.
The other thing that it lacked was any action. Kate Jenkins was commissioned when I was prime minister, and Kelly O’Dwyer was the minister for women, to do a report, a study into sexual harassment in the workplace.
And so we got that under way and that was consistent with my commitment to ensuring that women were respected everywhere, and in particular the parliament also, I might add. But anyway, Kate Jenkins did that work, it was presented to the government at the beginning of last year and nothing has been done about it. So one thing he could have said is we are going to implement the recommendations and there are some very valuable recommendations in it.
Updated
David Littleproud is on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing where he is asked about the prime minister’s press conference:
Patricia Karvelas: Was the prime minister wrong to highlight an allegation of sexual harassment at News Corp during his press conference?
Littleproud:
He didn’t identify any individual. I think the point that he was trying to make was that while we are deeply disappointed with the behaviour of what has happened in this house, Parliament House, the people’s house that should be above reproach, is that it happens across society and that isn’t good enough. It can’t happen. We’ve got to stop this. It comes back to one word. That is respect.
Respect for one another, and respect the responsibility that you have in respecting your fellow Australian, and there is a lot of anger out there and hurt and we are all expressing it in different ways.
PK: Wasn’t he weaponising an allegation of sexual harassment to make a political point today?
Littleproud:
No. I think what it was was to demonstrate that as a society we have a deep problem and when you have people, men and women, standing up and protesting, saying that something needs to happen, that you actually get the community understand that this is beyond the Parliament House that the problem exists, it is across the community and that is what those men and women were saying last week.
They want action and it extends past this Parliament House. That is what those brave victims have come forward to say.
PK: Do you accept it was a pretty clumsy way of making the point that you are now making?
Littleproud:
I’m probably making it pretty clumsily as well.
PK: You haven’t yet weaponised an allegation of sexual harassment but you are defending it. Do you think it is really defendable?
Littleproud:
What I’m saying is we are all made up differently, we all have different experiences that shape our response, our emotional intelligence of how we deal with these very, very traumatic situations. I do think that takes away from the level of trauma and hurt that an individual feels. Some of us express it differently to others. Some of that he has expressed is emotion and I know many have of his press conference. But we all do this differently and it doesn’t diminish his pain, hurt and feeling about trying to fix this. That is what it is about.
PK: What pain? With respect, he is not a victim of sexual harassment or assault. It is women who feel the pain, isn’t it?
Littleproud:
We all are.
Updated
This is referring to the first Four Corners episode that aired in November.
Scott Morrison said he had heard a rumour, but did not follow it up or check which cabinet minister the rumour related to. The journalist, Louise Milligan, has said she was unable to report on the historical rape allegation (which has been very strongly denied) against Christian Porter at the time of the first Four Corners story.
The government tried to have the original program stopped from going to air.
Paul Fletcher then wrote to the ABC board asking it explain the story. In estimates, we have learned Scott Morrison was consulted over the complaint letter. Which was sent while members of the government had heard of the allegations that the program was unable to report on at the time.
UPDATE ABC #estimates: The Prime Minister was consulted “as a matter of course” by Minister Fletcher about the letter he sent to the ABC Chair about the Four Corners program.
— Senator Nita Green (@nitagreenqld) March 23, 2021
But no one told him about an allegations of rape in a Ministers office? #auspoI
Updated
AAP has an estimates update on the fake Telegram app account set up in Simon Birmingham’s name:
Parliamentarians have been warned after cyber-criminals set up a fake Telegram app account in the name of the finance minister, Simon Birmingham, and messaged contacts.
His old mobile phone is now with the AFP who are checking for any data compromise and working to get Telegram to shut down the false account, Birmingham told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.
“After a sophisticated process of pretending to be someone else, it ultimately ends in a relatively crude attempt to get someone to transfer money to an international account,” he said.
“It appears that an attempt at engagement with me by a person pretending to be an official proved to be what triggered the connection.”
Only those who had their own Telegram account were targeted from his “account” and none of his other devices were compromised.
The home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, alerted ministers and the Department of Parliamentary Services warned parliamentarians and staff after the weekend attack.
“Don’t engage with it and don’t click through to any of the things they suggest,” Birmingham said.
“I want people to just pay their taxes on time.”
Updated
Chinese embassy accuses Australian government of 'smearing China' after Xinjiang statement
The Chinese embassy in Australia has accused the Australian government of engaging in “the despicable tactic of smearing China”. It has also called on the Australian government to “reflect upon and address its own problems” such as “the worsening situation of racial discrimination”.
The criticism from the embassy comes after the foreign minister, Marise Payne, issued a joint statement with her New Zealand counterpart raising grave concerns about growing evidence of severe human rights abuses in Xinjiang. A spokesperson for the embassy issued this statement a short time ago:
We strongly oppose the so-called statement on Xinjiang made by the Australian Foreign Minister today.
The allegations, in disregard of facts and based on disinformation and lies, are unwarranted attacks against China and out of pure political manipulation.
They once again fully expose the deep-seated ideological prejudices and the despicable tactic of smearing China on the Australian side. Such attempt is entirely futile. Our commitment to national sovereignty, security and development interests remains firm and strong.
We urge the Australian government to stop vilifying China, refrain from meddling in China’s internal affairs and cease to apply double standards on human rights. We call on Australia to reflect upon and address its own problems, in particular the killings of innocent civilians by Australian overseas military personnel, the worsening situation of racial discrimination, the long-standing insufficiency in the protection of the rights of aboriginal peoples as well as the inhumane treatment of detainees in the off-shore detention centers.
Updated
Question time ends.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
Now that both the House of Representatives and Senate have called for the government to establish a royal commission into veteran suicide, will he now respect the will of the people and our parliamentary democracy by unequivocally announcing that he will establish one?
Morrison:
As the leader of the opposition would know, what I have been seeking to do as a government is put in place a permanent statutory, independent commission, with the powers of a royal commission, to address these issues. I have made it clear in the way the government has responded to that motion we intend to go down this path, but I’m working through those issues currently, and working with crossbenchers in the Senate, because I believe both of these matters are very important.
And I would call on the opposition to support the ... independent statutory commission that can make sure we have actions and powers in place now as well. I would invite the opposition to support that, Mr Speaker.
Updated
Chris Bowen to Angus Taylor:
I refer to his pre-election commitment to spend $4m of taxpayer money to deliver a feasibility study for a Collinsville power plant. Can the minister confirm the auditor general finding that the company said it couldn’t deliver a feasibility study but the government gave away the grant anyway ...
Taylor:
Thank you, and I thank the member for McMahon for his question, his first question in his new role. His predecessor was sacked. This is a question that relates to the coal industry. We know his views on the coal industry.
We took to the election a commitment to a feasibility study for a new generation of projects to support the stability and security of the grid in Queensland based on work that was done that said that security needed to be looked after. We are supporting our pump hydro scheme, working with the Queensland government on the electrification of Curtis Island and a feasibility study he a moment ago referred to.
Let me be clear in response to his question. The department recommended the grant. The department made an unequivocal recommendation.
Let me read from the report, the two funding recommendations, the requirement for clear recommendations, clear recommendations that funding be awarded to each applicant.
That’s what the department said because the department understands, unlike those opposite, that Australia needs affordable, reliable generation in this country. It needs a balance of energy sources to do that, with the renewables, gas or coal. And those opposite are opposed to the reliable, affordable generation that Australians need.
Updated
The report was handed to the government more than a year ago.
BREAKING: It appears that the AG hasn’t spoken to his department once about implementing the Respect@Work report. It’s pretty clear this is a low priority for the Morrison Government. #SenateEstimates #auspoI pic.twitter.com/1W7zPfHi7U
— Senator Jenny McAllister (@jennymcallister) March 23, 2021
Updated
Australia and New Zealand have raised “grave concerns” about human rights abuses against Muslim minorities in China’s Xinjiang region, citing “the growing number of credible reports” of severe violations.
But while both countries have welcomed new coordinated sanctions announced by the UK, US, the EU and Canada, they have not announced any such measures of their own.
The Guardian understands this is because Australia and New Zealand lack Magnitsky-style laws that would allow the swift rollout of targeted sanctions against individuals for human rights abuses – but the Morrison government is expected to table draft legislation later this year.
You can read the full story here:
Updated
Jim Chalmers to Josh Frydenberg:
On budget night in October last year the treasurer announced that his hiring credit for under-35s would support around 450,000 jobs for young people. Can the treasurer confirm that as of this month only 521 new hires had been delivered under his scheme?
Frydenberg:
We have provided that information as the shadow treasurer understands, but the key point is the program is still in its early stages.
Only the member for Rankin would ask a question about the labour market after it had had a stunning result, after it had a stunning result. When it comes to the jobmaker hiring credit, the member for Rankin has indicated what has been in the media reports over the last few months as a result of this program’s early take-up.
What we do know is that when it comes ... when it comes to the labour market, the unemployment rate for those under the age of 35 today is 8.5%, Mr Speaker. For those aged over 35, the unemployment rate is 4.2%, Mr Speaker.
And what we have taken from Australia’s experience with previous recessions is the scarring of the labour market can be particularly acute when it comes to young people.
And that is why we designed a program that was designed to get younger people who were unemployed into work, Mr Speaker, to get young people who are unemployed into work.
And what we also know is that there have been 876,000 jobs that have been created in the last nine months, Mr Speaker.
And what we saw in the jobs numbers for February, more than 40% of the 88,700 jobs that were created went to young people, Mr Speaker. So the reality is the labour market is showing remarkable resilience, but there is still the challenge in getting younger people aged under 35 into work.
The unemployment rate, repeat, is 8.5% for those aged under 35, where it is 4.2% for those aged above 35. That is what the jobmaker hiring credit is designed for. And what we are focused on this side of the House is getting more people into work.
Updated
Catherine King to Scott Morrison:
I ask for the 12th time, is it true the prime minister’s staff sought to undermine Brittany Higgins’ loved ones? Has the prime minister asked his staff? If not, why not?
Morrison:
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have no information to suggest that, Mr Speaker, and my answer is the same I’ve provided to the question on every other occasion.
Which is a very passive response.
I have no information to suggest that is not the same as saying he has asked the question. It is a very deliberate use of language.
Updated
Richard Marles to Scott Morrison:
My question is to the prime minister. Who guided the Department of Finance and asked for the scheduled cleaning of the defence minister’s office to be brought forward to Saturday, the day Brittany Higgins was found?
Morrison:
I’m not aware of any instructions that were provided by any ministers or anyone else in relation to that matter. That was a matter determined by the department. If there is any other suggestion being made, that’s a very serious suggestion to have been made, that is a matter that was dealt with by officials of the Department of Finance, that is what I am advised.
Updated
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
My question is to the prime minister. Why has he failed to even take responsibility when he himself misleads parliament? Why is someone else always to blame?
Morrison:
Mr Speaker, wrapping up a whole bunch of abuse into a question, abuse, Mr Speaker, and making unfounded allegations when I clearly answered the matters the leader of the opposition has raised, goes to the character of the leader of the opposition, not to the prime minister.
Updated
Anthony Albanese:
My question is to the prime minister, why nine days after Mr Phil Gaetjens told him he was putting his inquiry on hold, that the prime minister told the House about the inquiry saying quote, “this work is being done by the secretary of my department” ... when in fact, inquiries were not being made, the work was not being done and Mr Phil Gaetjens hadn’t provided an update. Why did the prime minister mislead the House?
Scott Morrison:
I have not, because I have not, and the leader of the opposition says, but it wasn’t the end of the quote was it? He said he had not provided me with a further quote about when I might expect that report ... and he did not. He did not give me a date or a time, Mr Speaker, about in that report would be provided.
And as I responded to a question on this in my media conference this morning, the secretary was continuing to conduct interviews.
So, Mr Speaker of what the leader of the opposition has brought to this place is a desperate attempt to smear, a desperate attempt to smear and it’s not true. It’s not true, this leader of the opposition seeks to only smear, when at a time like this, he should be seeking to engage in productive effort.
Albanese:
I ask that it be withdrawn.
Tony Smith:
The interjections were so loud, I don’t want you to repeat what it was, when you were interjection, many others were.
Albanese:
It was a very straight question, a quote of what the prime minister said and the gap between that and what has actually happened, and he responds with abuse.
Smith:
I have mentioned this before. And there is a wall of interjections. It’s very difficult for me to make a judgement on this. What I’m judging from the leader of the opposition is, he didn’t like the way the prime minister was answering the question.
But if members want me to be able to rule on these matters, they need to cease interjecting, and that’s a timely point now, halfway through question time, I will issue a general warning.
Morrison has completed his answer.
Updated
ABC managing director defends Four Corners reporting
The ABC managing director, David Anderson, has delivered an opening statement to the ABC estimates hearing.
Here is part of it:
I will be as open with the committee today as possible, but given that the attorney general has now commenced proceedings against the ABC, I hope you will all appreciate there are limits on what I can discuss in relation to matters that have been put in dispute in those proceedings. As part of that, I cannot engage with questions about those matters in this forum.
I can, however, make the following brief statement in response to commentary that has surrounded these publications.
At all times I believe the ABC has acted in accordance with its statutory obligations of impartiality and its Charter in its reporting.
The Attorney-General continues to be entitled to the presumption of innocence and the public broadcaster has reflected this in its reporting.
The ABC broke the story about a letter concerning the historical rape allegation sent to senior federal politicians with an online piece on February 26, reporting the existence of the anonymous letter and who had been sent it. All the recipients referred the letter to the federal police.
No reputable media organisation could have ignored the existence of the letter or the fact that politicians on both sides of the despatch box had referred it to police.
We did not name or identify the cabinet minister mentioned in the material. Forty-eight hours passed before the Prime Minister publicly defended the unnamed minister and two days later the Attorney-General revealed the allegation was about him.
Four Corners revisited the story in its “Bursting the Canberra Bubble” episode on March 8, which placed equal emphasis on the Attorney-General’s categorical denial and the untested historical allegation. It also featured an interview with Arthur Moses SC, the former president of the Law Council of Australia, saying that without a sworn statement or a witness there is no criminal case.
The program also described how the woman had reported to NSW police, but her plan to make a formal statement was thwarted by the COVID shutdown. She became depressed, was struggling with mental health issues, told police she did not want to proceed and tragically took her own life.
The ABC chose never to identify her. No unpixellated image has been used; her voice has not been heard. Her story has been told through her friends who cared deeply about her. Many of the details of her account of the alleged rape have not been reported on ABC platforms. As editorial standards require, the ABC sought to minimise the distress to her bereaved family.
A legal affairs commentator in The Australian said last week that he hopes the case will “expose Milligan and her supervisors to the scrutiny they deserve”. The ABC has also been accused of selectively quoting from the material sent to the politicians. The Statement of Claim filed includes alleged aggravated damages particulars that echo those kinds of allegations.
As I said earlier: it is not appropriate that I be drawn on those issues now because many of them may be discussed in open court proceedings.
But I will say this: those allegations are denied and I am confident that the journalism was of the highest quality and that this will be borne out in the court proceedings.
We will defend the case and our reporting which we believe is in the public interest.
Speaking more generally, the ABC is already the most scrutinised and accountable media organisation in Australia. We welcome that scrutiny and accountability and hope other media organisations would welcome the same degree of oversight.
Updated
PM says report about sex workers being brought to parliament 'referred to a former minister'
Scott Morrison has answered that he understands the report about sex workers being brought to parliament “referred to a former minister, not a current minister”.
The Channel 10 story referred to prostitutes and rent boys (their words) being brought to Parliament House “for the pleasure of Coalition MPs”. It didn’t specify they were ministers, current or former, just MPs.
Later in the story, the journalist said “for legal reasons we are not able to name the individuals involved or indeed the ministers that they worked for”. It is unclear if that use of “ministers” referred to those for who sex workers were procured.
Morrison does seem to have narrowed it down somewhat by his answer – indicating he and his office know more than what went to air (or think they do).
Updated
Peta Murphy to Scott Morrison:
It has been reported that for two years no one talked to the security guard who discovered Brittany Higgins after her reported sexual assault in the defence minister’s office. How is this possible?
Peter Dutton objects to the question, and delivers a nice little morality lecture along with it:
Firstly, there are matters in this house that are properly dealt with by the presiding officers, so questions are best put to the speaker or ... that is the appropriate course of action in relation to some of these matters.
The second point, Mr Speaker, is that the Australian federal police commissioner, Mr Kershaw, has been very clear in relation to the Brittany Higgins matter, that is that there is a police investigation under way at the moment, it may well result in an arrest and a criminal trial here in the ACT or in some other jurisdiction.
He has made it very clear to members in this house that his preference is to allow the police to conduct the operation without public commentary, without further public commentary that may potentially compromise either an investigation, the gathering of evidence, or indeed a successful prosecution.
Mr Speaker, I would asked that on that basis the Leader of the Opposition should the appropriateness of that question. We didn’t ask it but you directed for it to be asked and you should withdraw it and consider, consider, Mr Speaker ... the view of the police commissioner. I think that you should prevail in this matter.
Tony Burke:
The question in front of us is that no-one asked questions.
Now, given that we are talking about something that happened to a member of staff within the ministerial wing, given that the prime minister subsequently has initiated a number of different inquiries, there are many different points where questions could be asked. None have. I don’t discount for a minute the issues that have been raised, had the question presumes that we are asking why haven’t the police asked, but that is not what this questions is.
Tony Smith:
I am going to rule on this very clearly, for the benefit of all members. Not all members will have been watching Senate estimates yesterday, but the president of this and made very clear as approach and indeed my approach to answering questions once a criminal investigation has begun. Made that abundantly clear.
And I completely concur with him. And statements on our behalf have made that very clear. I’ve listened to the manager of opposition business, I’ve listened to what he has had to say, but the question as it is framed is not within the responsibility of the prime minister. I will move to the next question.
Updated
Brendan O’Connor to Scott Morrison:
My question is to the prime minister. The 10 Network reported government staffers had allegedly brought in sex workers to Parliament House for government MPs, including a minister. What steps has the prime minister taken to investigate these very serious allegations, which constitute a blackmail risk and potentially jeopardise national security?
Morrison:
It is indeed a very, very serious issue in terms of what was reported yesterday afternoon, deeply distressing, deeply shocking.
I understand the report referred to a former minister, not a current minister*, so I would simply make that point, and I don’t think that is disputed or any other implication was being suggested by the member in the question that was being raised.
Two things have directly been done. Obviously we’re seeking to pursue those matters with those who are already known to us, and there is only one individual that was subject of the reports yesterday and that person has had their employment terminated.
But we have reached out, through whatever avenues we have, for people who have knowledge of that, to bring the knowledge forward.
So not only can it be addressed by the government, Mr Speaker, and proper authorities, but they have no doubt the presiding officers as well with the use of certain parts of this building would be equally distressing and shocking to the presiding officers will not I find this just absolutely abhorrent that this could occur. We are in no position to establish its truth or accuracy and that has not been established, but if anyone has information on this issue, Mr Speaker, I would be very keen for them to make that available to us.
*That it was a former minister was not made clear in the report aired last night. So that is new information which has been given to the prime minister.
Updated
Helen Haines asks Scott Morrison:
The nation is watching this parliament’s response to events of the past month in crying out for action on the appalling treatment of women. Right now there are two bills before the House, the sex discrimination bill in the commonwealth parliamentary standards bill I introduced in October. These are two good-faith bills that have passed would make a concrete difference and demonstrate to the nation the prime minister is willing to finally act and show real leadership, why won’t you support these bills so we can pass them as a matter of urgency?
Morrison details what has already been done, and says the government is waiting on the Jenkins review before moving forward with legislation.
Haines asks about relevance, but Morrison has concluded his answer.
Updated
Tanya Plibersek:
My question is again to the prime minister. Why is it the prime minister knew about the confidential complaint in a media organisation but claims he didn’t know about the reported sexual assault, that allegedly occurred just metres from his office, for two years?
Scott Morrison:
Because it’s the truth, Mr Speaker.
Updated
The current deputy prime minister has worked out that rain is measured in mm.
Progress.
Tanya Plibersek to Scott Morrison:
Today the Prime Minister sought to use a confidential complaint about alleged workplace misconduct inside a media organisation to dismiss questions.
Is it any wonder victims of sexual assault and harassment in this building and around Australia are afraid of coming forward when the Prime Minister of this country uses a confidential complaint in a nationally televised media conference as a way to try to stop journalists asking questions about these important issues?
Morrison:
I thank the Member for the question, that is not what I was doing today
I was making the broader point that the matters we are dealing with in this place and all of us in this place, all members have responsibility for getting this House in order when it comes to these issues, these issues are not combined to one side of politics and we have read in the reports.
These things that have been reported are disgusting and shameful. They have no place in this House, I was simply making the point, the problems that we are experiencing this country are not confined simply to the offices of member for senators and ministers in this place, and go well beyond that. Go well beyond that, and the way I refered to these matters to date was an anonymised* way.
The broader point is the one I sought to highlight today, the broader problem of women having to put up with this rubbish. Long has to stop and it takes all of us to stop it.
*He misidentified the network. But narrowed down the media organisations.
I’m told that a MP in the Coalition party room said that Scott Morrison was like ‘a light piercing the fog’.
And then, Vince Connolly, who continues to deliver speeches like he has been observing people speaking his entire life and has just now built up the confidence, if not the ability, to mimic them, just delivered this speech ahead of question time.
Connolly risks losing his seat at the next election after the AEC recommended his seat of Stirling be abolished.
Then we get this from Connolly during the 90-second statements:
Like most people, I have had both good and bad leaders. Firstly in the Australian Army and then spending a decade and a half in business and every leader knows that leadership brings a burden of service of sacrifice, and intense loneliness.
I can tell you, having spent two years now, working with my current boss that this is the best leader that I have had.
This is the man who is leading our COVID response to the envy of the entire world. He shut our borders, early and kept Australians safe, and at the same time, kept afloat, our national economy, and kept Australians in jobs.
Now, a lot of disturbing allegations which have arisen around sexual harassment associated with all parties, and the media, this PM is a leader who is stepping up, he has announced that there will be a Commonwealth parliamentary workplace review, led by the sex discrimination committee, Commissioner.
He’s also taken immediate action to expand advice, education and support services to everyone in Parliament and I know that my staff appreciate those efforts, the pm made impassioned comments at this morning’s press conference, and I will be sharing that link.
Our Prime Minister continues to lead by example.
He is listening, and acting, and I stand as a fiercely proud member of his team.
It was said with a straight face.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
If the prime minister was really listening to the concerns of women, why hasn’t he started by listening to the concerns of Brittany Higgins and asked his own staff what they knew and when about her reported sexual assault, only metres from his office?
And asked his own staff whether they have undermined the loved ones of Brittany Higgins, why does the prime minister claim his listing when he is not only failing to listen but failing to act?
Morrison:
I have asked my staff regarding the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins and reported to this House on the matter, I did that and answered numerous questions. When I first became aware on 12 February and 15 February, that is my evidence to this very House and I stand by that, Mr Speaker, I’ve been very clear about this the entire time.
He did not answer the question of whether he has asked his staff about whether they were backgrounding against Higgins’ loved ones.
Again.
Updated
Question time begins
It starts with an acknowledgement of the floods.
Left out of the transcript from PMO was journalists loudly exclaiming “no he didn’t” at the end of this answer. It was loud enough to be picked up by the TV cameras, despite people not being miked up, but it’s not here.
Q: Prime minister, I just want to pick up on what you said to Andrew before. How is it that you did not know about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in Linda Reynolds’ office, yet you know about some incident that has happened in the media or among journalists, and have aired that publicly despite that maybe being against the wishes of the victim, we don’t know?
Scott Morrison:
That was brought to my attention late last night, and the issue of Brittany Higgins was only brought to my attention on 15 February as I have said. The suggestion was made by a member of the press gallery that things like this do not happen in the media and I think that would be unfair.
Journalists responded “no he didn’t” but Morrison moved on.
To be clear, the journalist had (in response to Morrison’s comment on comparing standards).
Well, they’re better than these I would suggest, prime minister.
The journalist had said he was not aware of the complaint Morrison had raised (and his office later confirmed the complaint was not related to Sky News, where the journalist works) not that “things like this do not happen in the media”.
Just one question later and Morrison was bemoaning people misinterpreting him.
Q: Prime minister, can I ask you about the comments that you made about Phil Gaetjens report yesterday. Do you concede that you misled parliament by omission when you said you had not received an update when in fact, you had more than received an update, you had received an email through the PMO, he had spoken to you personally about the fact that he was putting his inquiry on ice, and what efforts have you made personally to work out what five or six of your members of staff actually knew?
Morrison:
Two things, first of all, you have mischaracterised what I said in the House, and that is why I don’t agree with your assessment. I said that I hadn’t been updated on when I had received the report, and I hadn’t been updated when I had received the report, and I said subsequently …
Q: But you had been.
Morrison:
No I had not. There was no finishing date provided to me by the secretary, because he could not provide me with one. I was asked in the House about when I would receive it, and that is what I responded to. I also made it clear that it was the secretary that was undertaking this at arms length, it is the secretary that is undertaking that at arms length, and I know that there were further interviews being conducted even at that point. What he was referring to is that he was not in a position to finalise the report, and provided to me, based on the advice that he had received from the commissioner of Federal Police which was also clarified yesterday. So what I would ask is that these statements not be mischaracterised. I expect my political opponents to do that, that is politics, that is part and parcel of this process. I will deal with those matters as I have appropriately in the House, but no, I don’t accept that, that is a mischaracterisation of what has occurred, and so I don’t accept that.
Updated
Here is where Scott Morrison aired that HR complaint:
Q: Prime minister, if you’re the boss at a business and there had been an alleged rape on your watch and this incident we heard about last night on your watch, your job would probably be in a bit of jeopardy, wouldn’t it? Doesn’t it look like you have lost control of your ministerial staff?
Morrison: I will let you editorialise as you like, Andrew, but if anyone in this room wants to offer up the standards in their own workplaces by comparison I would invite you to do so.
Q: Well, they’re better than these I would suggest, prime minister.
Morrison: Let me take you up on that. Let me take you up on that. Right now, you would be aware that in your own organisation that there is a person who has had a complaint made against them for harassment of a woman in a women’s toilet and that matter is being pursued by your own HR department.
Q: I am not aware of it.
Morrison: You are not aware of it. So let’s not all of us who sit in glass houses here start getting into that.
Journalists: [Inaudible]
PM:
What I am suggesting to you is that there are serious issues here that no one individual can be overwatch on every single inch of this place every second of the day and I don’t think any Australian has that reasonable expectation. As far as I’m aware, the incident that was reported last night occurred long before I was prime minister of this place. So it is not a matter that occurred while I was even prime minister. That goes to a long-standing culture of despicable behaviour in this place. So that is not something that I could be directly held accountable even when I wasn’t in the role. What I am held accountable is what I do now and that is what I am outlining to you today. So you are free to make your criticisms and to stand on that pedestal but be careful.
Updated
Here is the lead-up to that clip of Katy Gallagher speaking to Simon Birmingham in Senate estimates about Scott Morrison making public an assault complaint he had heard about in a media workplace:
Gallagher: Would you do it? Minister Birmingham, would you drop an anonymous complaint that you might know about in a press conference? In the same press conference supposedly where you’re encouraging women to come forward?
Birmingham: Senator Gallagher, from what I heard of what Senator Ayres said, no identifying details where necessarily made in the comments. So, I think that’s it ...
KG: He nominated the employer, the HR department, and specifics of the complaint. Would you do that?
SB: Senator Gallagher, that’s a hypothetical question about an exchange that I did not see. Because I was at this table, and do not understand or know the context of because this is the first that I’ve heard of it.
Tim Ayres: Well, the prime minister went from tears to smears in about 10 minutes. Isn’t that the problem? Doesn’t culture on this start from the top? If there is going to be real culture change in this institution doesn’t that require long term commitment to leadership from the top.
SB: And I can assure you Senator Ayres that the prime minister is deeply aggrieved at the revelations that have occurred. It was ultimately his decision that termination that occurred last night of a staff member would occur and the standard be set, as an example that demonstrates to anyone a zero-tolerance approach will be put in place. It was his determination to pursue the parliamentary workplaces inquiry that Commissioner Jenkins is undertaking and his absolute resolve that we shift perceptions of this place as they have been painted in recent weeks, from ones of negativity to ones where we can set that example for the nation. And that is something that we must do and achieve and as I’ve done publicly. I also know there are partisan questions that will be asked and exchanges that occur. I do acknowledge all parties who have worked to establish that longer-term process and recognise that it is in everybody’s interests to do so, such that we can all attract the best and brightest to work for us and such that we can all better handle issues that have been raised in each of our parties in the future.
TA: Yeah, there’s a lot of work to do. And absolutely should not be a partisan approach. And that’s why I acknowledged your response yesterday. I don’t have any further questions on this stage.
KG: I’ve just got a couple on this. Minister, you said it’s a hypothetical question. So can I put this question to you – have you ever disclosed a confidential complaint to the prime minister’s office?
SB: No, I do not believe so Senator Gallagher.
KG: Have you ever disclosed a confidential complaint that you’re aware of in a media conference?
SB: No, I do not believe so Senator Gallagher.
KG: Do you think it’s important if someone has come confidentially and disclosed something that that should be kept confidential and that decisions should be taken with the knowledge and support of the complainant?
SB: Senator, I think those principles are, broadly speaking, important principles. And I agree with that. I stress in relation to at least what Senator Ayres read to me before that complainants were not identified. That I do not know the context in which either the prime minister was aware of that incident, or that complaint. Nor am I aware of the full context in which his remarks were made.
KG: So, the prime minister and I watched the press conference, urged women to come forward and to have the strength and support around them if they had a complaint. And then in the same press conference, detailed and disclosed details of an alleged complaint in an HR department being dealt with by a media company. How do those two things go together? How do you urge women to come forward and then in the same breath almost disclose confidential details on national television about a complaint he knows of? I mean, how did that how do you reconcile that?
SB: Senator Gallagher, I’ll again refer to my remarks in terms of not knowing the context or the details of the other matter, including knowing whether or not your assertion of its confidentiality verses ...
KG: Trust me. It is.
SB: I’m just saying I have been sitting here all morning. I did not have the opportunity to watch the press conference. And I’m not aware of exactly what was said or the context of it, let alone the background to the issue itself. What I would emphasise, not only to women but importantly to women, but to everyone is that people should come forward with complaints, with information. We have put in place for parliamentary staff, both current and former, a serious incident hotline, 1 800 SPT – sorry, 1 800 APH SPT –for individuals to contact, and that was an initiative of the prime minister’s in response to the work Ms. Foster has done. It has access to trauma skilled counsellors who can help individuals, but it’s important be you a woman who has faced sexual harassment or assault, or a man who has knowledge of it, to make sure that you are calling out wrong behaviour, that you are supporting the stamping out of inappropriate behaviour. And that’s absolutely the type of approach that we want to create - a culture that supports in this place. And it’s what interim steps we are taking and will continue to take over coming weeks and months ahead of Commissioner Jenkins providing her final report towards the end of the year.
Updated
Lidia Thorpe:
Look, I was really disappointed because I thought that we were equal as politicians here.
But it also it also put fear into me. Last night, after senate estimates, you know, which is like 10 o’clock at night, I had to ring my partner in Melbourne to say can you talk to me as I walk my office? Stay on the phone because it’s so scary here at night.
There’s no one around and I look over my shoulder before I walk into my office, and I make sure there’s a rule here that when my staff leave, please make sure all the doors are locked.
I don’t feel safe.
And I even did a Facebook Live to my community and said, I’m I don’t feel safe, but you know, I want to talk to you all, because you make me feel like I’ve got someone here with me.
So it does it makes you scared, and then I don’t know, I just, I just haven’t wanted to say anything. And I suppose I was put on the spot this morning by the media, after that sit in from Labor and Greens staff members about the violence. And I was compelled to, to actually say what’s been happening to me personally.
Thorpe said she was surprised by the behaviour, despite having worked in the Victorian parliament.
The Greens senator Lidia Thorpe has given an interview with the Canberra Times, where she has spoken about the harassment she has faced as a woman in this building.
Thorpe is a senator. And yet, still not immune from this behaviour. Is it no wonder women staffers aren’t protected if this is how some of their bosses are behaving? The senator has given permission for part of her interview answers to be reproduced here:
Thorpe:
I’ve had two older men put their arm around me once. When I was walking to the chamber for question time, a senator, put their arm around me as I was walking down the stairs.
And the other was a House of Reps member who put their arm around me during an inquiry, which made me feel really uncomfortable.
And because I was in the inquiry, I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know what to say, I texted my staff member, and I said, ‘Oh, my God did he just put his hands on me’.
And my staff member just said ‘I can’t believe what just happened’.
So it’s all going to this day I am trying to avoid this particular senator who’s elevating unwanted comments.
And the last time the last thing for me was his arm around me walking down the stairs, and I came back to my staff and said, this is being ... he’s going further, he’s elevating his bad behaviour and, and I don’t know what to do.
I’m new, I spoke to my family about it. And I’ve spoken to my staff about it. I’m trying to do my job, you know.
And, and because of all the other things that have come out of this place, I didn’t want to take other women’s voices away by saying anything as well. So I just said to my staff, if it gets any worse, then I’ll I’ll call it out.
But I want these other women to have their agency and not have it, you know, have a politician come out and take that away.
So that’s why I haven’t said anything.
Thorpe was asked why she thinks it was happening:
I think it’s just about power. And these people, they don’t care, they don’t care what is being said in the media.
It’s not affecting how they think or affecting their behaviour. This particular person is also a bully. And so there is a bit of a fear factor there as well.
And he just couldn’t care less. Nothing is changing these behaviours, because there’s no there’s no repercussions for them.
This, you know, they can do whatever they like here. There’s no code of conduct here for politicians, we’re talking about staff and, and having a code of conduct for them, but politicians can get away with what they like.
I’ve been invited out to a private dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant after a House of Reps [sitting] an elderly gentlemen, basically, outside my office, looked me up and down and said, I want to take you out for dinner and he rang my staff every second day to see why I haven’t responded to his dinner date.
I’ve got to work with these people. I’m a friendly person. And they somehow think that that gives them permission to violate and sexualise me and other women in this place.
Updated
Victorians will no longer have to wear masks in supermarkets and retail shops from Friday 6pm as the state has no active cases of Covid-19.
Acting premier James Merlino announced that from 6pm on Friday the rules will be relaxed to allow up to 200 people to gather outdoors, up to 100 visitors in homes, and face masks would only be required on public transport, in taxis and ride share vehicles, and in hospital and care facilities.
People will still be expected to carry a mask at all times.
There will no longer be a cap of the number of people able to be in an office or worksite, and there will no longer be caps on hospitality venues, save for the one person per two square metre rule.
Indoor non-seated entertainment venues will be able to increase to 75% capacity, with a 1,000 person per space cap and the rule limiting dance floors to 50 people will be lifted.
For round 2 of the AFL, crowds will now be able to increase to 75%. This change will be brought in on Thursday.
The Victorian government will finally mandate that hospitality venues must use the Services Vic app for Covid check-in systems, or one of the third party apps that have access to the government’s API (meaning the government holds the records).
Businesses will have 28 days to comply with the change in record keeping.
Victoria has only been able to get to zero active cases because the government stopped accepting international arrivals after the Holiday Inn outbreak.
Merlino said a review had been completed and indicated there would be announcements later in the week about hotel quarantine returning in Victoria.
Updated
This will be one of the issues raised in question time.
“It’s just unbelievable.
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) March 23, 2021
No wonder woman are so angry.
Because you say one thing and then the PM goes out and retaliates like that when he’s questioned.
What about the woman at the heart of that complaint now?”
My colleague @SenKatyG summing it up. #auspol pic.twitter.com/DlyzLDxHFY
The Australia Post chair, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, has given some more detail about his conversation with the communications minister, Paul Fletcher, on 22 October shortly after then CEO Christine Holgate told Senate estimates about the Cartier watch gifts.
I was contacted by Minister Fletcher ... it would have been after the Senate estimates hearings had concluded but prior to question time. The minister rang, asked if I’d heard the responses in Senate estimates. I said yes, I’d been listening. Then [he] informed me that: 1, they the shareholders through the departments would be conducting an investigation of the circumstances; 2, that Australia Post should support that investigation as necessary; and 3, that we should be seeking to stand Christine down, the CEO down, during the course of this four-week investigation.
Did Fletcher follow up with a request to cease Holgate’s employment?
No, not in the slightest. In fact the investigation had not completed [when Holgate resigned in November]. The reality is events were overtaken by Christine taking the position herself ... Ms Holgate announced her resignation on 2 November, well before the review concluded.
Bridget McKenzie presses the point: she wants to know precisely why Holgate was stood down “given that in this Maddocks report there is no indication of dishonesty, fraud, corruption or intentional misuse of Australia Post funds”. The chair replies:
Ms Holgate was stood down to allow ... the investigation to take place over this four-week period without any perceptions of interference during this process.”
And you stand by your earlier evidence that she resigned?
Yes, she resigned ... In writing, on 2 November and we responded on the same date confirming her resignation on 2 November.”
Di Bartolomeo says the resignation was outlined in an email to each of the Australia Post directors. He says Holgate was released from a requirement in her contract to give six months notice, and indicated that she would not be paid for those six months of salary.
Earlier today, Senate estimates was told that Holgate did not receive severance pay, although she did receive “her due annual leave entitlements”.
Updated
Sky News has confirmed the incident Scott Morrison referred to in the press conference does not involve the broadcaster.
The Prime Minister’s communications director, Andrew Carswell, has confirmed to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell the matter Mr Morrison raised during his news conference today does not pertain to Sky News,” a spokeswoman told Guardian Australia.
News Corp has not clarified whether the alleged harassment incident happened somewhere else in the media company.
Updated
In the party room briefing, it was made clear that Scott Morrison “paused for some time” between his words as he explained to his colleagues how the last month has been.
“This has been,” Morrison told the room, before pausing (the pause was made clear in the briefing, and then it was made clear that he started again) “this has been, a very traumatic time”.
Get that man a deerstalker cap. By Watson, he’s got it! (I think his definition of why it’s been hard in this building for the last month and mine are very, very different.)
Updated
Scott Morrison has told his MPs that it has been a “traumatic” time in Parliament, particularly for female MPs, and has urged the women in his government not to give up.
In a meeting of Coalition MPs this morning, Morrison also asked colleagues to think of what Enid Lyons had endured as the first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first woman to serve in federal cabinet.
He asked female MPs in his party room to continue to step up* to ensure meaningful change in the building.
Blaze the trail and let it burn bright, let it show the way for others to come.
The meeting also heard from sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins, who told MPs that her review would build on the Respect at Work report released in March last year.
It would be an “industry specific” review pertaining to Parliament House, and urged MPs to read the report.
The minister for women, Marise Payne, told MPs a formal government response to the Respect at Work report would be announced in the next few weeks.
Jenkins fielded questions from MPs about her review, including a question about how any allegations of serious misconduct or criminal conduct would be handled.
Jenkins told MPs that she has already spoken to the police commissioner about the prospect, but the review would not investigate individual complaints or incidents.
*It should not be for the women to keep “stepping up”. They’ve done that. This needs leadership from the men.
Updated
Australia Post has argued the organisation will suffer “a significant detrimental impact financially” if it is required to return to daily letter delivery at the end of June.
The comments from the acting chief executive officer, Rodney Boys, at a Senate estimates hearing today strongly suggests that the organisation is asking the government not to require a return to the pre-Covid operating environment.
Given that the government’s temporary regulatory relief is due to expire on 30 June, Boys said Australia Post was working with its workforce and “a range of stakeholders” to understand the impact.
He said 314 million fewer letters were posted in past 11 months, compared with the same period the previous year. Covid-19 had accelerated the annual decline in letters, from about 10% a year to a 17.6% decline in the last 11 months, he said.
“Should we be required to revert our workforce back into every day delivery in particular, that will have a significant detrimental impact financially on the sustainability of the Australia Post but also the workforce who has only just changed and dealt with that change.
“To revert back to the every day delivery model would require a significant shift of those resources from the profitable and growing areas of parcels to the declining and significantly loss-making areas of letters.”
Boys said the impact of the scheduled end of the regulatory relief was “top of mind for Australia Post at the moment”. He said while the regulations were due to expire, he cautioned:
“Operationally we can’t go back to the model we had before … The world is now e-commerce.”
Updated
Victoria has eased some more restrictions
I think this will mean Victoria is roughly at the same level of rules as NSW, except we can dance in clubs.
— Josh Taylor (@joshgnosis) March 23, 2021
There are primary school children in the public gallery, listening to women MPs talk about how terrible the culture is in parliament house.
They’re listening as the House is told that it’s well past time that women are treated seriously.
Children have come to the parliament, and are hearing about how you should be safe in parliament as a woman.
This is where we are at.
Updated
Zali Steggall has moved to suspend standing orders in the house for this motion:
I seek leave to move the following motion —
(1) That the House notes:
(a) the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Law Council of Australia have identified that the Sex Discrimination Act does not prohibit sexual harassment in all circumstance and workplaces;
(b) the events exposed in Parliament House over the past month have highlighted the urgent need to amend the Act to ensure that Members of Parliament are liable for and protected from sexual harassment;
(c) in 2008, the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs recommended amending the Act to include a broad prohibition on sexual harassment in any area of public life;
(d) following the Dyson Heydon inquiry, the Law Council of Australia launched its National Action Plan to Address Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession which recommends that the Sex Discrimination Act be amended to include the language that “a person must not sexually harass another person”; and
(e) the Sex Discrimination Act (Prohibiting All Sexual Harassment) Bill 2021 seeks to make that amendment; and
(2) that so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent private members’ business order of the day No. 29, the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Prohibiting All Sexual Harassment) Bill 2021, being called on immediately and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.
Updated
While we’ve been going through the discussions that occurred between the Australia Post chair and the chief executive officer, Christine Holgate, on the afternoon of 22 October, it’s worth remembering what Scott Morrison told the House of Representatives at 2.40pm that day.
Morrison said of the revelations of Cartier watch gifts as a reward for executives who had sealed a business deal: “I was appalled. It’s disgraceful and it’s not on”. The prime minister then declared: “The chief executive has been instructed to stand aside and, if she doesn’t wish to do that, she can go.”
The communications minister, Paul Fletcher, although milder in his language, also told parliament: “I’ve also asked the chair to inform the chief executive that she will be asked to stand aside during the course of this investigation.”
So there is no doubt of the political pressure that was going on behind the scenes on that fateful day.
Larissa Waters has responded to Scott Morrison’s press conference:
The PM claims he’s now listening to women, but actions speak louder than words. Just last week he refused to listen to the thousands of women at the March 4 Justice, and his outrage at masturbation on furniture has seemed more palpable than his outrage at alleged rapes.
The prime minister expressed what a tough few weeks he’d had, to which the women of Australia say: welcome to our world.
Australian women don’t want words from the PM, we want action.
The prime minister must show leadership in changing the toxic culture of parliament and the patriarchy that imbues our society.
He should immediately fully fund all frontline domestic violence and sexual assault services, legislate all of the Respect@Work recommendations, legislate to end the gender pay gap, strengthen sexual harassment laws, make early childhood education free and build enough social housing.
And in his own ranks he must stand down Minister Porter and initiate an independent inquiry, and appoint a cabinet that is half women and introduce quotas in his party.
Updated
The Australia Post chair, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, is asked about claims Christine Holgate had not received proper notification nor was informed as to why she should be stood down as chief executive in October. (This all stems from the Cartier watch purchases, and follows Scott Morrison’s direct criticism of her in question time.)
Di Bartolomeo replies that the discussions on 22 October were verbal, and took place during breaks in board meetings, but that there was an “agreement reached” that she would stand aside. Public statements were issued to that effect later on 22 October. “That was confirmed on the 25th in writing to her”. Di Bartolomeo says the written material on 25 October “confirmed the arrangements that we had struck on 22 October”.
The chair is asked about the findings of the government-ordered review, which included that there was no indications of dishonesty, fraud or corruption on the part of any individual when it came to the purchase of the Cartier watches.
Di Bartolomeo tells the Senate estimates hearing that Holgate has asserted the watches were purchased following discussion with the chair at the time, but that was “obviously a matter in dispute”.
“This was in 2018 – I was not the chair. The chair of the day, in evidence, said he was not aware she was going to buy these Cartier watches.”
What about a broader knowledge that Holgate was going to purchase gifts?
“I can only go by the report that you quoted earlier and my understanding of his evidence is he was not aware.”
Di Bartolomeo is pressed on the official reason Holgate was stood aside.
He replies that the board elected to take the step “on the basis that the shareholders [that’s the government] had asked the departments to investigate the matters”. The board took the view that “in light of the investigation that was going to take place it was appropriate Christine stand aside so as to ensure the clear and impartial review”. He says he was concerned about any perception of influence that may have occurred if she had remained in the role during the investigation.
Updated
Again, we don’t know if the complainant wanted their allegation made public.
To have the prime minister air that allegation, just moments after talking about how women were afraid to come forward at work, was jarring.
Harassment and abuse complaints are not political weapons. That they are being used as such shows you how wrong this culture is.
Updated
The prime minister’s staff have told Sky News the incident mentioned by Morrison does not involve Sky News, according to Sky political editor Andrew Clennell. It remains unclear whether the incident referred to happened somewhere else in News Corp.
“There is no allegation before Sky News of the type Scott Morrison alleged in his press conference,” Clennell said after the PM’s press conference where he claimed there was an investigation into harassment “in your own organisation”.
“I think he needs to clarify why he felt it was OK to breach the confidence of who might have made a complaint,” Clennell said.
News Corp has been approached for comment about whether the incident happened somewhere else in the company.
Updated
Christine Holgate 'clearly reluctant' to stand aside
Readers will recall that the departure of Australian Post chief executive Christine Holgate was highly contentious, and followed Scott Morrison’s remarks to parliament. The chair of Australia Post, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, is being questioned about the timeline. Asked whether Holgate was suspended from the role or terminated, the chair replied:
The short answer is that she stood aside during the four-week investigation. That came after a number of discussions on the afternoon 22 October where the board met that afternoon to consider the issues that had been identified. Over a number of discussions that I had with Christine Holgate, we advised her that we wished her to stand aside while this investigation took place. She was clearly reluctant to do so initially but over a number of discussions she ultimately agreed late that afternoon that she would stand aside, and in fact we announced we would appoint Rodney [Boys] as an acting group CEO, and advised her accordingly that afternoon.
Di Bartolomeo adds: “On the 2 November we the board received an email from Christine offering to stand aside.”
Coalition senator Bridget McKenzie says the language used is really important. Di Bartolomeo corrects himself:
She emailed us on 2 November and offered her resignation effective immediately and we met consider her position and responded back that afternoon and accepted her resignation and so has not been an employee of Australia since the afternoon of 22 October – sorry, 2 November.”
“Let’s get our facts straight,” McKenzie replies.
Updated
We have just seen this exchange in estimates:
Murray Watt: There’s other roles that the attorney general has. Under the Asio act the attorney-general issues Asio warrants. Will Mr Porter be responsible for issuing Asio warrants when he returns next week?
Michaelia Cash:
Again, I’d have to refer to the previous advice that I’ve given to you.
Watt: Because it’s not unprecedented for Asio to seek a warrant in relation to a journalist, including journalists from the ABC, or in relation to other journalists who may be reporting on his private defamation action. How is it possible that Mr Porter could retain the ability to issue Asio warrants potentially against journalists who are reporting on his own matters?
Cash:
Again, Senator Watt I’ll refer you to my previous evidence.
Watt: And in September 2019, Mr Porter as attorney general issued a direction to the Commonwealth DPP, under which Mr. Porter has the final say on whether or not to approve the prosecution of journalists for a number of prescribed offences. Will Porter be responsible for deciding whether journalists are prosecuted in accordance with that direction when he returns next week?
Cash:
Well again Senator Watt I would have to refer to my previous answer/
Watt: Two ABC journalists, Mr. Sam Clark, and Dan Oakes, and a News Limited journalist, Annika Smethurst, were recently investigated and there was a very real prospect of them being prosecuted. So the prospect of the Morrison government looking to prosecute journalists is not just theoretical, it’s a real risk. So given Mr Porter is currently suing the ABC and an ABC journalist in his personal capacity, isn’t it completely untenable for him to have the final say over whether a journalist is prosecuted?
Cash:
Senator Watt you can continue to go through all of the portfolio responsibilities, but he won’t change the answer that I’ve given to you. As the prime minister has stated, The advice will now be carefully considered, the advice that has been received from the solicitor general, so that arrangements can be put in place that are consistent with it.
Updated
The house will sit at 12.
We’re on to the Cartier watches now. What changes has Australia Post made following investigation?
“We didn’t wait for the investigation, frankly,” says Rodney Boys, acting chief executive.
“On the 22 October we launched our own internal review of a large number of processes … We had around 32 findings if I recall correctly that came out of that review.”
He said that included the the use of credit cards and reward and recognition arrangements.
He says 26 of those internal review recommendations had already been implemented. The subsequent government-ordered report “largely concurred” with the internal review.
Australia post has cancelled a number of credit cards. Boys says that includes the CEO’s one:
“We’re removed the office of the CEO credit card”
The acting chief executive, Rodney Boys, says Australia Post emerged from 2020 with an “enhanced” understanding of what Australians expect of the organisation, including ethical use of public resources. (That would be a reference to watch-gate.)
The questions begin with how many workers’ compensation claims have been received that identify the government’s temporary regulatory relief measures or the new alternative delivery model as contributing to the injury.
Australia Post officials reveal that 17 such claims had been received from workers, as of the end of January. Nick Macdonald, the Australia Post general counsel, says 35.3% of the claims (that’s six in real numbers) related to physical injuries and 64.7% related to psychological injuries (11 people).
The claims related to physical injuries have been almost all accepted, whereas typically the liability for the psychological claims has not been accepted.
Boys plays down the scale of the problem. He says Australia Post has an extremely large workforce of over 35,000. He says there’s been a 40% drop in serious motorcycle injuries (“largely as a result of changing to ADM”).
The point is not that media organisations don’t have their issues. Of course they do.
It’s the way it was used as a “be careful” warning. And why a complaint Scott Morrison had heard was raised on the national stage. Did he receive permission from the complainant? Why was he briefed on that, but not on an alleged rape having occurred just metres from his office?
— Kenny Devine (@TheKennyDevine) March 23, 2021
Updated
Australia Post is up now at estimates. The focus is likely to be the convulsion at the organisation stemming from the forced departure of former chief executive Christine Holgate over the gifts of expensive watches to executives.
The acting chief executive, Rodney Boys, said his thoughts were with people contending with the floods. He said Covid-19 posed a key challenge to Australia Post’s work. Boys has come with an “everything is fine” type message. “Despite all of that Australia Post has achieved very strong outcomes.”
Updated
We’re on standby for Australian Post at estimates. Labor is warming up by asking about the timing of the recent reappointment of Liberal figure Tony Nutt. Departmental officials are taking some questions on notice.
Just to be clear, that was a 30-minute press conference where the prime minister said that after a month of reports, he now understands why people are so angry, that he is listening, and always was listening, and acknowledges that people feel like he hasn’t understood it, but he does.
He acknowledged
That many have not liked or unappreciated some of my own personal responses to this over the course of the last month, I accept that.
Whether that was seeking to openly share how I try and deal with such dramatic events, people might not like the fact that I discuss these with my family. They are the closest people in my world to me. But is how I deal with things, I always have. I have grown up in a loving and supportive family, and I discussed this is my family and those who are closest to me, no offence was intended by me by saying that I discuss these issues with my wife. Equally, that is in no way indicated that these events had not already dramatically affected me already at that point.
Without acknowledging that the criticism stemmed from his saying his wife, Jenny “clarified” the issue of a rape allegation by asking him what he would want done if it were his daughters. Before that, the response was (falsely) “we can’t speak on this because of legal issues” (it was not yet the subject of a police complaint)
There were no answers offered – no solutions (beyond those already made public) as “today is not the day for it”.
The prime minister was defensive over the semantics he used to not make public that a report into what his office knew about a rape allegation had been paused before it was made public.
He raised a sexual assault allegation at a media organisation, which we don’t know if the complainant wanted made public, or gave permission to be discussed on the national stage, when questioned over whether or not people would be thinking the workplace culture at parliament was pretty damn shocking.
He literally said media needed to “be careful” because of “glass houses” which is also what he said when the opposition raised questions.
No one is saying there aren’t issues in other workplaces/political parties. That’s the point. It’s everywhere, always has been, and people have been screaming about it for decades. Don’t get me started on what First Nations and women of colour have been through. I’m very aware they have been shouting from every rooftop about this for a very, very long time and can only imagine the rage and frustration that we are only talking about it now.
But the “be careful” warning seems particularly insidious because it suggests people should not be raising legitimate questions or concerns, in case it is turned back on them. So what? Everyone should stay silent, because there are issues in all workplaces, areas of society? Or are only the most “pure” – I’m assuming newborn babies then – able to ask questions or raise legitimate issues, because there is no chance there will be issues in their own workplaces/lives?
“Be careful” is not that far away from “be quiet”. And that’s how we got here.
Updated
There were no solutions in there – today is “not the day” for that, Scott Morrison says.
But the interesting thing, is apparently, the prime minister is now seeking advice on how the advice he has received from the solicitor general about Christian Porter (which we were told was about what parts of his portfolio he could oversee given his legal action against the ABC) fits in with “ministerial standards”.
Previously, all attempts at an independent inquiry into Porter’s fitness to sit in cabinet were immediately dismissed as dangerous to the “rule of law”.
But in response to a question in that press conference, about whether he has rethought his response to the Porter allegations, Morrison said:
As I indicated, I have been getting advice from the solicitor general. I have received that advice and are now taking advice through the department about how that sits with ministerial standards and I will be making further decisions on that matter. I will alert you to those when they are made.
That’s a huge change.
Updated
The last question goes to a male journalist.
Q: What would you tell them about the life in public service, what pitch would you make to any young girl in Australia about why they would want to be in federal politics?
Morrison:
Because they want things to be better, and they have something to contribute to that. I believe in my girls, I believe in all the women of Australia, thank you very much.
Updated
Q: Do you concede that you misled parliament by omission when you said you had not received an update when … you had received an email to the PMO personally about him putting his inquiry on ice?
Scott Morrison:
Two things, first of it mischaracterised what I said in the House, and that is why do not agree with the assessment. I said that I had not been updated on whether I had received the report, and I had not been updated on when I had received the report, and I said subsequently, no I had not.
There was no finishing date they provided to me by the secretary, because he could not provide me with one. I was asked in the House about when I would receive it, and that is what I responded. I also made it clear that it was the secretary that was undertaking this at arm’s length, it is the secretary that is undertaking that at arm’s length, and I know that there were further interviews being conducted even at that point.
What he was referring to was that he was not in a position to finalise the report, and provided to me, based on the advice that he had received from the commissioner of federal police, which was also clarified yesterday.
What I would ask, is that these statements not be mischaracterised, I expect my political opponents to do that, that is politics, that is part and parcel of this process. I would deal with those matters as I have appropriately in the House, but I do not accept that: that is a mischaracterisation of what has occurred, and I do not accept that.
Updated
Q: How is it that you did not know about the rape of Ms Higgins in the minister’s office, and yet you know about something that that is happening in the media among journalists, and have added that publicly despite the media being against the wishes of the victim you do not know?
Scott Morrison:
That was brought to my attention late last night, and the issue of Brittany Higgins was brought to my attention on 15 February as I have said.
The suggestion was made by a member of the press gallery that things like this do not happen in the media, and I think that would be … I think I would be unfair.
Journalists respond “that’s not true” – as in, that was not true that anyone said it didn’t happen in the media. Morrison moves on.
Updated
Q: The statements you have made today, is this the speech you should have given in front of the women who rallied in front of parliament last Monday?
Scott Morrison:
No, I believe I provided the opportunity to meet with those who came on that day. I applaud, as I said on the day, it was right to, and to do that and I was right to provide the opportunity to meet with me. It is not my habit, as you know, to go out to rallies and things like that that come to Parliament House.
In the course of my program, I am very happy to provide an opportunity for people to come in that way and meet with me. I have met with numerous groups.
From that very day I was meeting with people in the entertainment sector who are happy to meet with me and talk about the issues.
I have very, very open about those sorts of things. What I am saying and I will say it again today, I acknowledge that there has been people who haven’t been happy with how I have responded in every single way to the course of this over the course of the last week. I acknowledge that absolutely. I am setting about to do that right.
Those issues that people have had concerns [about], they occurred in good faith, in the best of faith. You learn a lot.
Updated
On the other staffers Scott Morrison says:
On the other issue, yes of course we will seek to gain as much information on that matter by those who know about it as much as possible.
I would ask given the sensitivity of this issue and I know you understand this, Peter, that is a very traumatic event and we have people at the moment who are on a close watch for their own personal safety, and so I would simply ask for people to be aware of that.
You all have your normal protocols for how you report these things and how you include in your stories the appropriate call numbers and things like that. I am not making a criticism, I want to be clear about that, but I would just ask people that it is a very sensitive time here in this building.
This place has seen events, before my time, under pressure, you will remember them, as will others experienced in the gallery: Michelle, Mark, Chris. Let’s just be careful in the weeks ahead. We will deal with this, but we want to make sure we do things as carefully and sensitive as can.
Updated
Scott Morrison on his support for quotas in the Liberal party:
My colleagues know well that I am very open to these questions. I have had some frustrations about trying to get women preselected and running for the Liberal party to come into this place.
I have had those frustrations for many years going back to the times when I was a state director where I actively sought to recruit female candidates.
... When it comes that issue, I don’t hold the other reservations [others do]. Why? I think other Liberals will come to this view over the point of time. We tried it the other way and it isn’t getting us the results, so I would like to see us do better on that front.
Updated
Scott Morrison now getting solicitor general advice on Christian Porter's 'fitness'
Q: You said in your opening remarks on this subject about the forces that have been at work here over the past month or so with women in Australia and all of these issues raised by this. Does it change your thinking on the handling of the allegations against Mr Porter in terms of the investigation and inquiry into his fitness to remain in the ministry? Or are you still view that your handling of that has been good?
Scott Morrison:
As I indicated, I have been getting advice from the solicitor general. I have received that advice and are now taking advice through the department about how that sits with ministerial standards and I will be making further decisions on that matter and I will alert you to those when they are made.
The advice from the solicitor general, as far as I am aware, was to what parts of his portfolio Christian Porter could carry out given his defamation action against the ABC. Not to ministerial standards.
Updated
PM clashes with Sky News Australia's Andrew Clennell
Q: If you’re the boss at a business and there had been an alleged rape on your watch and this incident we heard about right on your watch, your job would probably be in a bit of jeopardy wouldn’t it? Doesn’t it look like you have lost control of your ministerial staff?
Scott Morrison:
I will let you editorialise as you like, but if anyone in this room wants to offer up the standards in their own work places as comparison I would invite you to do so.
Q: They seem better than what is in yours.
Morrison:
Let me take you up on that. Right now, you would be aware that in your own organisation that there is a person who has had a complaint made against them for harassment of a woman in a women’s toilet. And that matter is being pursued by your own HR department.
Q: I am not aware of it.
Morrison:
You are not aware of it. So let’s not all of us who sit in glass houses here start getting into that.
It’s about taking responsibility
What I am suggesting to you is that there are serious issues here that no single individual can overwatch on every single inch of this place every second of the day.
I don’t think any Australian has that reasonable expectation. As far as I’m aware, the incident that was reported last night occurred long before I was prime minister of this place.
So it is not a matter that occurred while I was even prime minister. That goes to a long-standing culture of despicable behaviour in this place.
That is not something that I could be directly held accountable [for] even when I wasn’t in the role. When I am held accountable is what I do nowadays, what I am outlining outlining to you today. You are free to make your criticisms and to stand on that pedestal, but be careful.
Updated
To the second issue in that question:
I did see that interview last night, obviously the security guard in question doesn’t have the full information about this case and other contributing incidents that preceded this case.
Senator Reynolds has previously confirmed to the Senate there was a security breach involving unauthorised access to her office and I have been advised this followed an earlier security breach by the male staff member that related to classified documents in what is clearly a highly sensitive portfolio area. Consequently, this was considered serious misconduct in relation to the statements of standards of ministerial style.
In other words, he had some form when it came to the security issues regarding that office and this was the final straw. Obviously, the security guard in question would not have been familiar with those aspects.
We are talking about dealing with an office that was dealing with quite sensitive material. It was the defence industry minister’s office at the time, so there was some prior issues here, and this final event was the one that triggered his dismissal.
Updated
PM says staffer terminated over Higgins allegation breached security twice
Q: There will be women listening to your comments this morning wondering why it took you a month to get to their lived reality, that they started this on the day where Brittany Higgins came forward.
Can you explain why it took you a month to get to this position? And another thing, just following on from the Four Corners report last night, the woman interviewed on camera said there was no security breach in relation to the staffer that was alleged to have committed the sexual assault on Brittany Higgins. The government says that staffer was terminated for a security breach. What was the security breach?
Morrison:
Let me take you through that. On the other issue, Katharine.
This has been a terribly difficult month. I was shocked and appalled when I learnt of the situation involving Brittany Higgins.
And I have been shocked and appalled by all of the other matters that have come forward since.
But as the month has progressed, and as I will engage with so many women, what has become the issue, and rightly, is that this is not just about the terrible things that have happened to one woman in this place.
We moved immediately to start addressing issues around that particular case but this is far bigger than that and I think that is the voice that has arisen over the course of this past month. This was a shout about what is happening across Australia, not just the specific events.
If we were to just continue to focus on the events that happen in this place, and we will, and must, as I said, there is something much bigger here.
That has been illuminated thankfully by these rather traumatic reports that have gone right across the spectrum here.
We are all human beings.
What I have sought to do today has been very honest, people. Please don’t think that these events haven’t created great turmoil for me over the course of the past month.
At the same time, as the prime minister, when I am dealing with many other issues at the same time, also very significant, whether it is floods or vaccines or Covid pandemics, international issues, Australians also expect me to be focusing on those as well. That is my honest answer. It is processed, I have heard, I have listened and I will have a lot more to say about this in the next month about further action, but today is not a day for me to list out a list of further actions. I listed some in response to direct questions.
Today, Australian women, but Australians more broadly because it is not just Australian women who have identified this over the past month, Australians need to know that this place has heard them and that I have heard them. And I want to assure you that I have.
Updated
Scott Morrison is making a point on calling on women journalists in this press conference.
No one criticised Scott Morrison for thinking of his daughters. Or for talking to his wife, Jenny.
They criticised him for saying he needed to think of his daughters to have the issue “clarified” for him.
Last year, on International Women’s Day, Morrison said he wanted to see women rise, but not at the expense of men.
When women Liberal MPs raised bullying allegations during the leadership spill, Morrison said he would not be “distracted” by issues.
None of this has been happening in a vacuum.
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Scott Morrison:
To the many other women who are in this place, who have shared their stories with me, I thank you for your feedback, your honesty, your support, your council, and your courage.
I know there are plenty of women who work in this building today, whether they be members or senators, investors, shadow ministers, staff, journalists, who say why should I bother?
Why should I bother? Why should I not just walk away? There has never been a more important time for women to stand in this place. I want to see more women in this place, I have done anything to get more women in this place and I intend to do more. I have put more women in my cabinet than any other prime minister has before, and I look forward to doing more.
I need women to stand with me as we go about this, as we stand together … I need them to stand right where they are, I need that to continue to blaze the trail right here this place, by their courage and I call them.
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Scott Morrison is now crying.
Now, forgive me the indulgent, forgive me this indulgence, I want women to have at least the same opportunities and the same voice and the same safety as men in this country.
I have the deepest of vested interests. Criticise me if you like for speaking about my daughters, but they are the centre of my life.
My wife is the centre of my life. My mother, my widowed mother, is the centre of my life.
They motivate me every day on this issue.
They have motivated me my entire life, they have taught me the values and the faith has sustains me every single day in this job. Which is why I am here, I owe them everything. And to them, I say to you, girls, I will not let you down.
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Scott Morrison:
Whether this is unconscious deafness and blindness, or whether it is wilful malevolence that is behind all of this, it must be acknowledged, it must be called out, and it must stop.
That is all our job, it is my job, it is my ministers’ jobs, it is my members’ and senators’ jobs, it is your job.
This is not something that is of a scale that any government can simply change, it is something we must change as a society, because we know it happens all over this country. But for me and my house, the house I work in here, then we must take responsibility, it is our problem here, it is our responsibility here, and I’m committed to dealing with that. We must do better in this play. All of us, and in our country we must do better.
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Scott Morrison:
Let me tell you what I have heard. Women are too afraid to call out bad behaviour for fear of losing a job for bad behaviour in the workplace. That is not OK, it is not their fault, it is the environment we have allowed to be created.
Women who are afraid to walk to their car from the train, and they carry their keys in their hand like a knife. For fear of being attacked. That is not OK. That is not acceptable. In this country, our country as great as Australia, women walk daily that fear.
I have heard that women are overlooked, talked over, by men, whether it is in boardrooms, meeting rooms, rooms, media conferences, cabinets, or anywhere else.
Overlooked and treated like they have nothing valuable to contribute. I have heard about being marginalised, women being intimidated, women being belittled, women being diminished, and women being objectified. That is not OK.
I have heard that women, when offered a job, take the salary offered because they do not feel they can ask for more. Whereas the blokes do. And they get it. That is not OK.
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Scott Morrison:
I have been doing a lot of listening over this past month, not for the first time, now is not the time for me to run over whether as a minister for immigration or a treasurer, or a minister for social services, the keen interest I have shown in these issues, I’m not going to do that today.
Particularly on these issues … I have been listening carefully, I have had many colleagues, I have had many friends and others that I have regular contact with, talk with me openly about the issues, other traumatic things that they have had to deal with over their lifetimes and members of their family.
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Morrison 'greatly' distressed that women believe he has not heard them
Scott Morrison:
I acknowledge that many have not liked or unappreciated some of my own personal responses to this over the course of the last month, I accept that.
Whether that was seeking to openly share how I try and deal with such dramatic events, people might not like the fact that I discuss these with my family: they are the closest people in my world to me.
But this how I deal with things, I always have. I have grown up in a loving and supportive family, and I discussed this is my family and those who are closest to me, no offence was intended by me by say that I discuss these issues with my wife.
Equally, that is in no way indicated that these events had not already dramatically affected me already at that point. Equally, I accept that many were unhappy with the labels that are used on the day of the protest.
No offence was intended by that either. I could have chosen different words, I have already explained those matters in the house. What I am even more concerned about, even more importantly, I acknowledge that many Australians, especially women, believe that I have not heard them, and that greatly distresses me.
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Scott Morrison:
These events have triggered, right across this building and indeed right across the country, women who have put up with this rubbish and this cloud for their entire lives, as their mothers did, as their grandmothers did.
It has been going on, we have been talking about it in this place for a month, they have been living with it for their entire lives.
The women listening to me today know that to be true, so as much as it has been a topic of discussion here, and around the country, specifically in relation to these disgraceful acts, it is something that has been the lived experience of Australian women for a very long time, and I welcome the spotlight that has now been placed on.
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We then get a little rewriting of history.
This has been a very traumatic month. It began with Brittany Higgins and her revelations of what place in this very building. I remember that day very well, I was equally shocked and stunned at receiving that news* also.
*After speaking to his wife
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Scott Morrison 'completely stunned' over desk desecration
Scott Morrison is now addressing the culture in parliament house.
Now to the other, rather disturbing, events. Those further reports last night. I am shocked, and I am disgusted. It is shameful.
It is just absolutely shameful. I was completely stumped, as I have been on more than one occasion over the course of this last month.
All of this has been a shocking, it has been disgraceful. It has been a month of such reports. Indeed, reports involving the conduct of staff and, of a Coalition government members and ministers, but, as you know, reports of equally disgraceful and despicable activities anonymised of those working in other party. We must get these house in order. We must put the politics aside of these things, and we must recognise this problem, acknowledgement, we must fix it.
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“Now to the other, rather disturbing, events from those reports last night,” the prime minister says.
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Scott Morrison:
We advise that the rain and flood situation does remain dynamic and extremely complex.
This is a complex weather event and becoming more complex – 100mm is forecast across associated catchments today and flood and severe weather warnings have been issued across the country, stemming from South East Queensland to the Victorian border.
A trough on the east coast has merged with a trough extending from the Kimberley is to the east coast causing heavy rain and inland flooding.
This is moving to not just being a coastal event.
The system is expected to ease by late Wednesday but the floodwaters remain persistent for some time. In New South Wales, north-eastern NSW, south-western Queensland and east and west Australia have been affected by inland flooding.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been impacted by heavy rain and that is causing flash flooding.
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Calla is covering the floods over here
The ABC’s investigation into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, had an audience of 708,000 last night, a higher than usual audience for Four Corners.
#BREAKING: Parliament House security guard Nikola Anderson describes finding Brittany Higgins on night of alleged rape in minister's office. https://t.co/I4zs3rXGiU#auspol
— Four Corners (@4corners) March 22, 2021
In a powerful program reporter Sean Nicholls spoke with Nikola Anderson, who has worked as a Parliament House security guard for 12 years. She said she found Higgins in the office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds after the alleged rape, but has never been interviewed.
Scott Morrison press conferences
He starts with the floods.
After that, he wants to address “the rather disgusting and shocking” reports he says were brought to his attention last night.
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We are still waiting on Scott Morrison.
It shouldn’t be too much longer.
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The attorney general’s estimates has returned.
Sarah Henderson, who has taken over from Amanda Stoker as the chair has tried a few times to shut down questions from non-government senators because she doesn’t like them – and each time seems surprised to learn that the chair can’t do that.
Murray Watt’s questions to Michaelia Cash, continue.
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Things are going really well
Legal and Constitutional #estimates shut down for a private meeting in less than 10 minutes. Labor's Murray Watt was asking Michaelia Cash if she's a fit and proper person to be acting Attorney-General, Liberal chair Sarah Henderson objected to the questions and pulled the pin.
— Tom McIlroy (@TomMcIlroy) March 22, 2021
Australia and New Zealand have issued a joint statement on “grave concerns” about human rights abuses in Xinjiang. But it doesn’t seem like there will be sanctions at this point:
The Australian and New Zealand Governments today reiterate their grave concerns about the growing number of credible reports of severe human rights abuses against ethnic Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.
In particular, there is clear evidence of severe human rights abuses that include restrictions on freedom of religion, mass surveillance, large-scale extra-judicial detentions, as well as forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilisation.
Australia and New Zealand welcome the measures announced overnight by Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. We share these countries’ deep concerns, which are held across the Australian and New Zealand communities.
Since 2018, when reports began to emerge about the detention camps in Xinjiang, Australia and New Zealand have consistently called on China in the United Nations to respect the human rights of the Uighur people, and other religious and ethnic minorities.
Today, we underscore the importance of transparency and accountability, and reiterate our call on China to grant meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for United Nations experts, and other independent observers.
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Yup
Senator Kristina Keneally was mid press conference when she was told about Capricornia MP Michelle Landry's comment (see above). @KKeneally @10NewsFirst #auspol pic.twitter.com/ELoOSZbFdN
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) March 22, 2021
And it continues
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan tells @peterstefanovic that Michelle Landry's reaction is a "fair human response to these kind of incidents - that you want to both take action against the conduct but not condemn the person as a human being"
— Trudy McIntosh (@TrudyMcIntosh) March 22, 2021
Scott Morrison to hold press conference at 9.30
That’s ahead of the party room meeting.
This isn’t an issue of manners, or polite behaviour. It’s a systemic, cultural problem, which has gone on for too long, and doesn’t require people “behaving” themselves – because that suggests they know it’s wrong, and are just keeping a lid on it.
It requires change. Actual, proper change. Which needs leadership.
And that we are seeing more outrage over news someone wanked on a desk, than when rape allegations were raised, says a lot about why its a problem in the first place.
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Here is Michelle Landry’s full quote:
I was horrified when I saw that last night. I think there is a real behaviour problem in this place and that we have to address it.
I am certainly strict about what goes on in my office. I don’t think people should be here after hours unless they are working and there needs to be a strict code on that.
In saying that, the young fellow concerned was a good worker and he loved the place. I feel bad for him about this, but it’s unacceptable behaviour by anyone and it should not happen in workplaces like this. This is the federal parliament of Australia and people should behave themselves.
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I am told Labor staffers have joined the meditation/prayer room sit-in – but no Coalition staffers have attended as yet.
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Karen Andrews held a doorstop (quick mini press conference) this morning. Apparently, allegations of a rape in parliament house, and historical rape allegations against the attorney general (which have been very strongly denied) and thousands of women protesting were not enough – but news that staffers sexting and ejaculating at work means she has had “an absolute gutful”.
My conscience will not allow me to remain quiet. There are some specific instances in this building that are absolutely unacceptable. What does it say about an individual that thinks that sort of behaviour is OK.
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Some parliamentary staffers had spoken of a sit-in in the meditation/prayer room in parliament, as part of a protest over the work culture in parliament house, and how the allegations had been handled.
I’m told staff members from the Greens have followed through, but so far, they are alone.
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MP feels bad someone suffers from the consequences of their own actions.
Right.
Well this is an ... interesting ... take. #auspol @10NewsFirst pic.twitter.com/n1KvJO0S9E
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) March 22, 2021
Karen Andrews has continued her interview on ABC radio RN, by saying its time the Liberal party gives “serious consideration” to quotas for women. That’s something we have heard from women Liberal MPs a few times – most recently, after the bullying allegations of women MPs within the party following the Malcolm Turnbull leadership spill.
There’s always the “merit” argument thrown up in response as to why it can’t happen in the Liberal party.
Because apparently, every. single. man. is there on “merit”. Just tripping over merit all over the place.
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Meanwhile, Terri Butler’s husband, Troy, was sent this email this morning. None of this is happening in a vacuum.
Sent to my husband this morning.
— Terri Butler MP (@terrimbutler) March 22, 2021
Many of my colleagues get much worse.
It’s not pleasant being a woman in politics, which is exactly why we need more women in politics.#auspol pic.twitter.com/LlcL4ZqArD
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The broad church in action?
On @RNBreakfast Karen Andrews says she’s had an “absolute gutful” and her conscience will not permit further silence #auspol
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) March 22, 2021
🔥Nationals MP Michelle Landry says she was 'absolutely horrified' by the lewd sex act allegations BUT adds "the young fellow concerned was a really good worker and he loved the place. I feel bad for him about this."
— Trudy McIntosh (@TrudyMcIntosh) March 22, 2021
Before she was famous for losing a Liberal seat to an independent, Sophie Mirabella was infamous for boycotting the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, and claiming there was no evidence any Indigenous children were truly stolen in Victoria.
The Fair Work Commission appointment is her second government appointment since losing her seat.
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Calla Wahlquist is covering off all the flood news - you’ll find that here, if you haven’t visited already.
Gladys Berejiklian just spoke of the NSW situation:
Today also we are watching in addition to the northern rivers and the mid north coast and obviously western Sydney catchment areas where there is further evacuation alerts, the south coast of New South Wales is also an area of concern with heavy rainfall expected today, and we will be watching that as well.
But my strongest message to everybody is please just listen to the advice.
If you have been asked to be on alert for evacuation, please get together your precious belongings, make sure you are safe and are ready to leave at very short notice, it’s really important …
I’m just grateful to all the workers and volunteers in all our frontline people who have saved lives and really made sure that everybody has been able to have somewhere safe to go, but please note that some weather conditions and rainfall on the coasts will be severe today and even if conditions eased tomorrow with the rain, the flood situation can actually worsen.
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The Australian Financial Review reports Sophie Mirabella is the latest former Liberal MP to receive a plum job: she’s been appointed to the Fair Work Commission by Christian Porter.
If she’s a commissioner, she’ll receive $387,000, but if she is a deputy commissioner, she’ll make $470,000 a year.
Tony Abbott appointed Mirabella to the Australian Submarine Corporation two months after she lost her seat of Indi to independent MP Cathy McGowan (Helen Haines now holds the seat)
Mirabella had been a very big supporter of the Howard government Work Choices policy, describing them as “big but fair”. Work Choices was one of the reasons John Howard lost government.
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Vaccines and humanitarian supplies will be sent to Port Moresby today – that was announced last week, after an explosion in Covid cases in PNG over the last two weeks.
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Right before defence estimates, the government has come to an agreement over its submarine program.
Marise Payne’s office has just sent out this press release:
The Morrison Government’s Future Submarine Program has reached a major milestone with the conclusion of negotiations between Defence and Naval Group for the amendments to the Strategic Partnering Agreement.
This will see Naval Group’s commitment to spend at least 60 per cent of the contract value in Australia over the life of the Program reflected formally in the Strategic Partnering Agreement, supporting Australian jobs in the defence industry.
The amendments ensure that the achievement of Naval Group’s commitment is now a contractual obligation, measured during the course of the Program, driving Australian industry involvement as the Attack class submarines are designed and delivered.
The Acting Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne said the conclusion of these negotiations reflects the Morrison Government’s joint commitment with Naval Group to Australian jobs, Australian industry and Australian sovereignty.
Good morning
Well.
We’re back. It’s just not getting any better, is it.
After the story of Coalition staffers performing lewd acts in offices, including on a desk belonging to a female MP, we then heard from a security guard working in the parliament on the night Brittany Higgins alleges she was raped.
Nikola Anderson described finding Higgins in Linda Reynolds’ office at 4.20am sleeping on a couch. She was unclothed. She closed the door and left. Higgins’ male colleague had left the building earlier. Higgins has told her story of what she says happened that night. Police are investigating.
Scott Morrison said the man Higgins accused of raping her had been fired for a “security breach”. Anderson says both the man and Higgins were active pass holders, which gave them access to the building after-hours – even without their passes. The government hasn’t said what the nature of the security breach was. Anderson says she had only just been contacted by police and plans on giving a statement on what she remembers from that night, but had spoken out publicly as she did not want to be “scapegoated” into losing her job.
I can’t imagine what it would have been like for Higgins to have seen that Four Corners program and had parts of your own story told to you.
But it was only yesterday we learned the inquiry into who knew what about the allegations within the prime minister’s office had been “paused” under advice from the Australian federal police on 9 March. Scott Morrison had been told, but didn’t make it public, despite being asked numerous questions about the inquiry’s progress. He chose to focus on semantics – when the report would be completed – to which he said he didn’t know rather than say it had been put on hold.
Embroiled in a political crisis, Scott Morrison is looking tricky, unable to be straight with the public #auspol https://t.co/p7hk5IqXVX
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) March 22, 2021
Asked about that, he accused the opposition of playing political games.
Simon Birmingham, the leader of the Senate, told ABC radio this morning he could understand that people might be going to work at Parliament House with a sense of shame today. I think that underestimates the emotions. There has been righteous anger about the handling of these issues for a long time now. When the “bonk ban” (a phrase Morrison doesn’t like) was put in place by Malcolm Turnbull, issues with the culture were raised. People were told it wasn’t a problem. When Rachelle Miller told her story, it was dismissed as the ending of a consensual relationship, ignoring her point about the lack of recourse for staffers when it came to complaints.
It shouldn’t take what it has for any of this to be taken seriously. It’s not shame being felt. It’s rage.
It’s party room meeting day today, which means we’ll hear what the prime minister tells his colleagues. So far, he’s likened the Coalition to being in a boat, all needing to row in the same direction to move forward. Last week, it was Kokoda – the trail gets narrow and you have to work together to get through it. This isn’t something you get through though. It’s something you fix. That has to be driven through leadership though and so far, we’ve seen word games.
Estimates continues and we’ll bring you all the news as it happens. If you’re in a flood danger zone, we’re thinking of you. Calla Wahlquist has a blog keeping you abreast of all the weather news, so keep an eye on that. Mike Bowers is covering the floods, so it’s just me, Amy Remeikis, on the blog today, although as always you have Katharine Murphy, Daniel Hurst and Paul Karp, and a very warm “Huzzah, she’s back” to Sarah Martin, who has returned from maternity leave.
Grab yourself some fortitude and let’s get into it.
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