Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

The Guardian - AU

National

Elias Visontay (now) and Amy Remeikis (earlier)

Climate debate heats up question time – as it happened

9.04am BST

What happened on Wednesday 20 October, 2021

With that, we’ll wrap up our live coverage.

Here’s a recap of the major news developments of the day:

Booster vaccines against Covid 19 will be rolled out to the aged care sector within weeks, with the government expecting to offer third shots for all vaccinated Australians by the end of the year.
Former New South Wales premier Mike Baird has told Icac he was “incredulous” his successor, Gladys Berejiklian, had been in a secret relationship with the former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire and believed it “should have been disclosed”. Separately, the watchdog was told an ex adviser of Baird’s wrote that Berejiklian put a proposed $5.5m grant – which is now being examined by Icac – back on the agenda of an expenditure committee after “Daryl fired up”.
Victorian authorities have warned excited Melbourne revellers not to jump the gun and plan “freedom” parties ahead of the official end of lockdown at 11.59pm Thursday.
Covid-19 vaccinations will become compulsory for most Western Australian workers, including teachers and supermarket staff, by the end of the year. The premier, Mark McGowan, said the drastic step is necessary to prepare the state for community transmission of the virus.
Former attorney general Christian Porter won’t be investigated for possible contempt of parliament over his acceptance of anonymous legal fees, after MPs voted down a Labor motion for Porter to be referred to the privileges committee to determine if he acted in contempt of parliament. Speaker Tony Smith told parliament on Wednesday he was “satisfied that a prima facie case has been made out”, opening the way for the vote.
An article by the former NSW Liberal minister Pru Goward which portrayed lower socio-economic Australians as dysfunctional and lazy “proles” has been condemned as disturbing, abusive and inaccurate by anti-poverty advocates.
Novak Djokovic could be at risk of missing the Australian Open next year, with health minister Greg Hunt and immigration minister Alex Hawke declaring that unvaccinated travellers will be prevented from entering Australia. Djokovic has refused to reveal his vaccination status in recent interviews.

Have a pleasant evening. We’ll be back to do it all again tomorrow.

Updated at 9.09am BST

8.48am BST

Novak Djokovic has been a lightning rod for discussion throughout the pandemic given his brilliance on the court and his role as a fledgling union leader for tennis players off it.

It has proven the case again this week after the 20-time major winner refused to outline his vaccination status in an interview with Serbian website Blic when asked about next January’s Australian Open.

The declaration by federal government ministers Greg Hunt and Alex Hawke on Wednesday that unvaccinated travellers will be prevented entry into the country has raised the stakes for Djokovic.

Will this development preclude the nine-time Australian Open champion from playing in Melbourne next year? What impact would the absence of his star power have on the tournament? And more broadly, what effect will this edict have on the first major of 2022, given it is estimated between half to one-third of the world’s top 100 players on both tours are not yet vaccinated?

Rio Tinto to switch Pilbara iron ore mines to renewables

Mining group Rio Tinto says it will switch its iron ore mines in the Pilbara to renewables as part of a multi-billion-dollar pledge to accelerate its decarbonisation.

The move, announced to investors on Wednesday evening, would see gas phased out at the company’s Pilbara mines and coal eliminated from the electricity supply to its aluminium smelters.

It has warned that the future of its Australian smelters, at Boyne Island and Tomago, depends on being able to decarbonise their power supplies.

The accelerated decarbonisation planned by one of Australia’s biggest companies flies in the face of efforts by National party politicians to prop up the coal industry and heaps extra pressure on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, as he prepares for climate talks in Glasgow at the end of the month.

Rio said it aimed to reduce direct emissions from operations (scope 1) and ones from electricity it consumes (scope 2) by 50% by 2030, which it said was triple its previous target.

And it has brought forward a promise to reduce emissions by 15% by five years, to 2025.

Meeting the targets will involve spending about $7.5bn over the next eight years.

The company made no new commitments on scope 3 emissions – those created by its customers, largely steel mills in China, but chief executive Jakob Stausholm said the company was working on the problem.

Earlier this year Rio said it would work with steel mills to reduce their emissions by 30% by 2030, but environmental activists say the commitment is not enough and rival BHP has pledged to halve its scope 3 emissions by 2030.

Stausholm said Rio needed to assess how much the steel industry was doing about decarbonisation.

“That means we can firm up a number when it comes to the annual report,” he told reporters ahead of making a presentation to investors.

Stausholm said about 70% of the company’s planned emissions reduction would come from the aluminium smelters, which Rio says will require about 5GW of solar and wind power, together with “a robust firming solution” to ensure consistent supply.

“It’s fairly existential in my view, for those assets,” he said.

Updated at 7.51am BST

7.30am BST

Just on a point of fact, when Peter Dutton was listing the ‘anonymous’ donors in Sarah Hanson-Young’s GoFundMe legal fund, he neglected to mention that they were under the donation threshold.

As Paul Karp has previously reported:

MPs are required to disclose a list of “registrable interests” including “gifts valued at more than $750 received from official sources, or at more than $300 where received from other than official sources”; and “any other interests where a conflict of interest with a member’s public duties could foreseeably arise or be seen to arise”.

So the A Anon and co Dutton mentioned donated less than $300. Those who donated over the threshold were named in Hanson-Young’s register.

Not exactly an equivalence.

7.22am BST

Anthony Albanese is now moving to suspend standing orders to try and talk about a federal integrity commission.

The government has moved to gag the debate.

7.21am BST

So the government went against convention, which has been set down since federation, on the grounds it has asked for a clarification of the rules already.

7.20am BST

This is the reason Peter Dutton gave for the government denying the Christian Porter referral – because he had asked the privileges committee to clarify the rules on declarations for legal funds:

Peter Dutton has asked the privileges committee to clarify the rules about declaration of donations for legal funds - but it's no inquiry, and no substitute for a referral into Porter's declaration.#auspol pic.twitter.com/ciG4VC8wc5
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) October 20, 2021

7.18am BST

Daniel Hurst has that motion:

Order for production of documents – Modelling – 2050 net-zero emissions reduction

*1251 Senators Patrick and Canavan:

To move— That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, by no later than 10.00 on 21 October 2021, the detailed modelling that the Government has that forecasts Australian exports in gas, resources and agriculture under the Government’s 2050 net zero emissions reduction strategy.

Notice of motion altered on 19 October 2021 pursuant to standing order 77.

Chamber
Senate

Notice Given
19/10/2021

Updated at 7.20am BST

7.17am BST

Back in the senate and Matt Canavan has had a motion pass demanding the government release the emissions modelling it has shown the Liberals and Nationals the results of.

Canavan is a LNP MP. So he is demanding his own government release its modelling.

7.13am BST

Christian Porter will not be referred

After the government voted against referring Christian Porter (the first time since federation the house has voted down a privileges referral which the speaker gave precedence to) and won on their numbers.

So the privileges committee will not examine Porter’s declaration.

7.11am BST

While that happens, over in the Senate, Rex Patrick is introducing Helen Haines’ federal integrity bill.

Haines is in the senate chamber to witness the introduction.

South Australian senator Rex Patrick with the member for Indi Helen Haines in the senate chamber. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

South Australian senator Rex Patrick introduces the bill. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 7.14am BST

7.07am BST

The house is dividing on the matter of whether or not to refer Christian Porter to the privileges committee.

The government is voting against a referral. So unless someone crosses the floor, it won’t happen.

Updated at 7.09am BST

6.58am BST

NSW government blocks attempt to bring forward debate on voluntary assisted dying bill

The New South Wales government has blocked an attempt to bring forward debate on a voluntary assisted dying bill, all but confirming that debate on the legislation will not be heard until next year.

MPs in the state’s upper house were accused of “playing politics” with the bill on Tuesday after referring the legislation to a committee that won’t begin its review until the lower house votes on the legislation.

On Wednesday the bill’s chief sponsor, independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, attempted to head off the delay by fast-tracking debate on the bill in the lower house to tomorrow by suspending other private members bills.

Greenwich characterised the upper house’s actions as “downright cruel”, and accused MPs of “playing political games”.

“[The upper house inquiry] was done without any consultation with me, despite the ongoing consultative approach I have taken for over a year with this bill,” Greenwich said.

“Without a re-order this parliament will struggle to address this issue this year.

“Playing games to delay this debate is downright cruel. These games that are being played will force people [with a terminal disease] to wait or even miss out on a peaceful death.

“If members feel [those people] should be forced into a cruel and painful death that they don’t want, explain themselves on the floor of parliament, don’t do it behind closed doors playing political games.”

Labor supported the move to push the bill to a committee in the upper house, but the party’s manager of opposition business in the lower house, Ron Hoenig, said the party would support a move to suspend government business to fast-track debate on the legislation to Friday.

“Clearly there is a public mood to debate, at least the voluntary assisted dying legislation in the Legislative Assembly,” he told the parliament.

But the attempt was defeated, with the government using its numbers – and the support of the Shooters party, whose MPs in lower house actually support the bill – to block the move.

Updated at 7.05am BST

6.57am BST

Anthony Albanese is defending the motion and says since federation, the house has not voted down a matter where the Speaker has given precedence.

He asks that the tradition continues.

6.55am BST

Government will not support Christian Porter referral

The leader of the house, Peter Dutton, is countering Labor’s attempted referral of Christian Porter by arguing that the same issues arise in other members’ funding of defamation cases.

Dutton said:

For example, the same transparency issues arise in circumstances of Go Fund Me pages. Or if [members] receive a reimbursement from the Liberal party or the Labor party for costs, that provides a flow-through vehicle.”

Dutton is citing the example of Sarah Hanson-Young using a Go Fund Me page for her defamation case, claiming some of the donors were listed by names such as “A Non” and “Anne559” to demonstrate the identity of donors was not clear.

Dutton reveals he has written to the chair of the privileges committee Russell Broadbent to consider the broader issues.

Dutton said there is a “sensible discussion” for the government and the opposition but the government is OPPOSING the referral because this makes the Porter referral “redundant”.

He said:

For the reasons I’ve detailed today, the government is not going to support the motion before the house.”

Updated at 6.57am BST

6.54am BST

Peter Dutton is saying there is “no transparency” in things like Go Fund Me pages as he claims that Christian Porter is not the only MP to have not listed his donors.

Which is not true – Go Fund Me does have the details of everyone who donates and Sarah Hanson-Young (the example Dutton raises) did have to list individual names on her register of interests – and they include Kevin Rudd.

The government is not going to support the referral.

Updated at 6.58am BST

6.45am BST

Tony Burke says the resolution “is a test” for everyone in the House.

Peter Dutton is now responding on behalf of the government

6.40am BST

Tony Burke:

I move that the following matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests.

One, whether the conduct of the member for Pearce by refusing to disclose on the Register of Members’ Interests the identities of individual donors to a trust used to pay his private legal fees has failed to properly register an interest where a conflict of interest with his public duties could foreseeably arise or be seen to arise, and in doing so created a precedent which threatens the integrity of the Register of Members’ Interests.

Two, whether the member for Pearce has knowingly provided false or misleading information to the registrar of members’ interests.

Three, whether this constitutes a contempt of the House and,

Four, whether paragraph 2K of the House resolution on the registration of members’ interests requires members to provide reasonable identifying details of the sources of gifts that meet the relevant thresholds.

Mr Speaker, if I can start by thanking you for considering the matters that I raised, and thank you for, in weighing those issues up, making the decision to grant precedence.

Had you not done so, I’d be in a position of having to move a suspension of standing orders instead of us being able to put it to this House.

I note that, for the entire time of your speakership, there have not been many occasions where privileges references have been made, but in every instance when you have decided to not give precedence, the House has accepted that, and no suspension has been moved and where you have given precedence, the House has then resolved to send the matter to the privileges committee, and I urge the House to do exactly that today.

6.38am BST

Here is what Tony Smith said in making his ruling:

I just have a statement to make, as members would be aware on Monday, the manager of opposition business raised as a matter of privilege whether the member for Pearce had failed to comply with the resolution of the house regarding the registration of members’ interests, such as would constitute a contempt of the house.

I’m satisfied the manager of business has raised at the earliest opportunity. The manager of opposition business tabled a number of related documents and I have examined these as well as his statement to the House. The matter arises from an alteration made by the member for Pearce to his statement of interests on 13 September of 2021.

As recorded in the register of members’ interest this alteration addresses payments related to a defamation case in the court.

In the alteration the member lists ‘Part contribution to the payment of my fees by a blind trust known as the legal services trust. As a potential beneficiary, I have no access to information about the conduct and funding of the trust.’

The manager of opposition business claims that by not including detail as to the source of the donated funds in his statement of interest, the member for Pearce has deliberately evaded the purpose of the register.

I also note that while the member for Pearce made a public statement on 19 September about obtaining information from the trustee of the legal services trust, that information did not include detail as to the source of the donated funds.

The House has several rules about the pecuniary interests of members in standing orders and the resolution for the registration of members’ interests.

In 1986 the House provided that certain behaviours in relation to registration of members’ interests would be included as a category of contempt of the house. Since the passage of the Parliamentary Privileges Act in 1987, section 4 of that act provides the test which applies to consideration of all that is in its nature a disclosure regime and transparency is a key feature.

All members of this house would be familiar with their obligations in relation to completing and maintaining a statement of registrable interests. And the fact that these obligations require them to exercise their judgement about the disclosures. The explanatory notes published by the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests state, ‘the purpose of the statement of registrable interest formed is to place on the public record members’ interests which may conflict or may be seen to conflict with their with their public duty.’ The notes also state no form could bear all consequences and members should consequently bear in mind the purpose when deciding which matters should be registered.

Based on my careful consideration of all of the information available to me, I am satisfied that a prima facie case has been made out and I’m willing to give precedence to a motion concerning privilege or contempt as raised by the manager of opposition business, referring the matter to the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests.

As members would also be aware, and as House of Representatives practice makes clear, an opinion by the Speaker that a prima facie case has been made out does not imply a conclusion that a breach of privilege or contempt has occurred.

In giving precedence for a motion to be moved, I am simply allowing the House the opportunity to consider a motion immediately and debate and decide on whether the matter should be referred to the committee for inquiry and report.

The manager of opposition business, Tony Burke. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated at 6.47am BST

6.35am BST

Tony Smith agrees 'prima facie case' for Christian Porter privileges referral

The speaker, Tony Smith, has given precedence for a motion to refer Liberal MP Christian Porter to the privileges committee.

On Monday Labor’s manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, attempted to refer Porter to the privileges committee to investigate whether he is in contempt of the House of Representatives resolutions relating to disclosure of members’ interests.

Burke cited Porter’s declaration that the Legal Services Trust had part-paid his legal fees arising from the private defamation case against the ABC.

Smith told the House of Representatives that the purpose of the register is to record interests that “may or may be seen” to conflict interests with a member’s public duty.

Smith noted that “no form can cover all possible circumstances but members should bear in mind the purpose and spirit” of the requirement.

He said:

Based on my careful consideration I am satisfied a prima facie case has been made out, I will give precedence to a motion [for a referral to the privileges committee].

Porter has said he has complied with his requirements, and as a potential beneficiary of the trust he had no access to information about the original source of the funds.
Burke is now on his feet asking the House to agree to a referral, in line with Smith saying there is a prima facie case.

Minister for industry, Christian Porter. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Updated at 6.51am BST

6.34am BST

Sydney theatre companies to bar unvaccinated patrons until end of the year

Sydney theatres will not be welcoming unvaccinated patrons even after the proposed easing of restrictions in NSW for unvaccinated people from 1 December.

In an unusual joint statement, 10 theatre companies and one theatre venue have announced they will “require all visitors to our venues to be fully vaccinated while on-site through to 31 December”. (Children under the age of 16 are excluded from this requirement.)

The statement also mandates audiences aged 12+ to continue wearing masks in the theatre and foyers regardless of any further changes in the NSW Public Health Orders around masks.

The statement is signed by Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, Darlinghurst Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, Flight Path Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Hayes Theatre Co, KXT Theatre in Kings Cross, Red Line Productions and the Seymour Centre.

“We believe as a collective of theatres operating in Sydney that consistency across theatre venues provides certainty and security to our artists, audiences, employees, partners, donors, funders and other stakeholders that is beneficial for the sector as a whole as well as individual theatre companies and producers, both large and small,” the statement said.

The two major commercial theatres – Sydney Lyric Theatre and Capitol Theatre – are not included in the statement but ticket holders for Hamilton and Come From Away already have to agree to a long list of requirements including masks and double vaccinations. The Sydney Opera House is yet to announce its policy.

Updated at 6.53am BST

6.33am BST

Australia delivers 60,000 vaccines to Papua New Guinea as cases surge

The foreign minister, Marise Payne, says Australia delivered another 60,000 vaccine doses to Papua New Guinea last night. An Australian medical team – known as Ausmat – arrived on Saturday (also delivering 40 oxygen concentrators) and is set to remain on the ground for three weeks.

Giving an update during Senate question time this afternoon, Payne said the situation in PNG was “very concerning, as we’re seeing a new surge in cases associated with the Delta strain, and it is placing significant pressure on the health system”.

“Both the prime minister and I have spoken with our Papua New Guinea colleagues to discuss the challenges that they’re dealing with, including to assure them that Australia is standing by them at this very difficult time.”

Payne said Australia was “supporting Papua New Guinea to vaccinate more frontline health workers and expanding commercial vaccination hubs including in major urban centres like Lae”.

“The Australian Defence Force is providing logistics support and vaccination training to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and I acknowledge the exceptional working relationship between the PNGDF and the ADF. Australia will continue to meet Papua New Guinea’s vaccine supply needs and support their vaccination roll-out program in partnership with the Papua New Guinean government.”

Payne said an Australian-funded clinic in Port Moresby had itself administered more than 13% of the vaccinations administered nationally, and Australia was also supporting pop-up clinics at convenient locations like shopping centres.

“Last night, Australia delivered a further 60,000 vaccine doses to Papua New Guinea. We are committed to working with them to meet the needs of the country. We are partnering with the government, with business and with NGOs to promote the importance of vaccinations, and we have launched a campaign with the Papua New Guinea Council of Churches to address hesitancy issues.”

A makeshift Covid-19 hospital in Port Moresby. Photograph: Andrew Kutan/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 7.08am BST

6.32am BST

Tony Smith has ruled – he wants the house to vote on whether Christian Porter be referred to the privileges committee.

Tony Burke is now moving a motion on this.

Paul Karp will have more detail for you in just a moment

6.29am BST

Back in the house, Tony Smith is addressing Labor’s request to have Christian Porter referred to the privileges committee for not revealing who the donors were to his legal fund.

6.13am BST

Scott Morrison was once again cut out of question time as Labor made the point that when it comes to climate, it is the Nationals and Barnaby Joyce who are calling the shots.

Here is what Mike Bowers saw the prime minister doing during his spare hour or so:

Being very interested ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Touching shoulders — ... touching shoulders ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Playing charades — ... playing charades ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Practicing power stances — ... practicing power stances ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Being amused — ... being amused ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Remembering he wanted this — ... remembering he wanted this. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 6.17am BST

6.05am BST

Earlier in Senate question time, Katy Gallagher asked Anne Ruston – representing Keith Pitt – whether the resources minister accepted his obligation to cabinet solidarity.

Ruston said: “Obviously as you would expect all ministers in the Morrison-Joyce government accept their responsibilities” under the code. Ruston said Pitt had made comments about issues “he feels strongly about”.

“Of course as a government we remain absolutely committed to sticking together.”

The Coalition is working “respectfully” on the issue, and representing their constituents.

It’s a “respectful conversation”, she added.

A follow up question: does Keith Pitt support Scott Morrison’s position of adopting a net zero by 2050 target?

Ruston: “The whole government supports a platform and a plan that allows the Australian economy to be about to transition to a low-emissions future by developing a plan ... Right now we are in the midst of a respectful conversation ... We have not made any decisions in relation to the finality of that.”

Updated at 6.08am BST

6.05am BST

At a doorstop before question time, Labor’s home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally explained the circumstances in which she met Hung Ly, the president of the the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC).

Hung Ly is a Chinese-Vietnamese Australian, who has been awarded an OAM, but the meeting is controversial because the ACPPRC is a United Front group that supports the Chinese Communist Party.

It was great to meet with the Australian Chinese Teochew Association in Cabramatta last week

Thank you to President Hung Ly & Clr TK Ly for having me! & I was touched by the framed photo they had from 2010! 😉

The Chinese community in Fowler deserves a Govt that is #onyourside pic.twitter.com/Erl3boDP7c
— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) October 19, 2021

Keneally told reporters in Canberra she had met him in his capacity as the president of the Teochew Association in Fowler, after an invitation from a local councillor.
She said:

I can guess from the insinuation you’re concerned about some aspect of foreign interference – so am I. So am I. Indeed the committee I am a member of, the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security, is reviewing the foreign influence transparency scheme ... But what we should not do is look upon those Australian citizens who have migrated to this country, whether it is from China, Cambodia, or anywhere else and assume that they are all somehow agents of foreign influence. They are Australians.”

Keneally said she would not shy away from meeting community groups representing Australians from multicultural backgrounds.

Keneally said before the meeting she only knew Hung Ly was the head of the Teochew Association, not his ACPPRC role. She said she didn’t regret the meeting, because she had “no information from national security agencies subsequent to my meeting that there was any risk at all”.

Updated at 6.10am BST

5.43am BST

Morrison government to announce more funding for global climate finance

A Coalition minister has hinted the Morrison government is poised to promise more funding for climate finance in the lead-up to the Glasgow summit. In Senate question time, the Greens asked whether the government would step up on climate finance, or whether Australian would continue to be an “outlier”.

The minister for international development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, accused the Greens of trying to “talk our country down”.

“We have a proud record … we will continue to do our bit.”

The Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi noted that Australia had been instrumental in discussions at Cop15 about establishing the Green Climate Fund – but the Coalition had stopped such funding in 2018. She asked why the Australian government had “abrogated its responsibility” and whether it would commit any money to that again.

Seselja:

“In terms of specific issues around the Green Climate Fund, they are decisions that will be made not by me ... Going forward we have committed $1.5bn to climate finance around the world, with at least $500m of that to go to the Pacific, and we intend to make further announcements in that space.”

(Note those promises are through other means – not via the Green Climate Fund.)

Minister for international development and the Pacific Zed Seselja. — Minister for international development and the Pacific Zed Seselja: Greens are ‘trying to talk our country down’. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 6.14am BST

5.34am BST

Anyways. The Barnaby hour ended. Thank goodness.

It made even less sense than usual.

Updated at 5.40am BST

5.33am BST

Meanwhile, part of the reason there hasn’t been a jobs boom in renewables in Australia is because of the lack of certainty over what we are doing in the energy space, because the Coalition government has not had a policy for eight years.

But there are plenty of jobs with renewables.

As Murph reported recently:

The group Beyond Zero Emissions released a report based on economic analysis from ACIL Allen. This work found that establishing renewable energy industrial precincts in two Australian regions would create 45,000 new jobs and generate revenue of $13bn a year by 2032. The two regions the report identified were the Hunter in New South Wales and Gladstone in central Queensland.

Updated at 5.35am BST

5.31am BST

Barnaby Joyce is not alone in the Nationals in talking down jobs in renewable industries – here was Bridget McKenzie not that long ago:

After saying it was “fantastic” that a large solar farm in the NSW town of Moree had provided “a couple of hundred jobs during construction”, she added:

You know how many jobs are there right now? Five – and they’re mostly mowing the lawns under the panels.”

5.29am BST

Matt Thistlethwaite to Barnaby Joyce:

Given the potential of renewable energy projects in the regions to create jobs, and make electricity cheaper. Does the minister agree with the prime minister, that a renewable energy target is nuts.

Joyce:

Mr Speaker, I must say, and I’d like to thank the member for Kingsford Smith for letting me back right through the innings, because it’s obviously been great to have a full day of questions.

But, Mr. Speaker I reject the premise of the question on the basis that I have not seen in my electorate which is a major renewable electorate, the thousands of jobs that he claims that they support.

I can assure you Mr Speaker, that as he goes past the major renewable precincts, you certainly see lots of wind towers, but you don’t see the so-called thousands of jobs. And that is why we make sure that we support where the jobs are.

That is why the job of the Nationals party is to diligently go over this proposal in such a form as that we can report back to our people, that we have done our best endeavours to make sure that we protect their jobs that over the coming decades, that over the coming decades, we protect their standard of living, protect their capacity to pay off the house that they have that they have bought for their families, the car, the education that that is the role of the Nationals in regional areas.

And, Mr Speaker, I’m happy for the member of Kingston Smith, to come to the New England, it’s an open invitation, and we can travel around, and if he can find these thousands of jobs, then I would thank him very much for that because they are just not, there.

Updated at 5.37am BST

5.20am BST

Tanya Plibersek to Barnaby Joyce:

My question is to the deputy prime minister and minister for regional development and I refer to the answers he gave yesterday on government modelling, Senator Canavan is demanding the release of government modelling that forecast the impact of net zero emissions on agriculture. Even the deputy prime minister has admitted that he has the modelling, which shows regional impacts. Will he release it.

Joyce:

I might say to the member to Sydney, I said quite clearly I’d seen the results, results.

... If the member for Sydney [wants to check the Hansard], the Labor party can read the answer, if they want to go back and read the Hansard.

I think right now the Hansard is and [Anthony Albanese], the Hansard is most definitely out there and you’re out there with it.

And so the Hansard is out there, you will note that I said the results of the modelling is now, Mr Speaker. I also said earlier on, that I don’t pretend for one second, to be an expert in nonlinear regression analysis, linear regression analysis, all the statistical models that are pertinent to our standard of the cabinet, Mr Speaker, but there is one person who is.

[Matt Canavan] because he has the competency and skill set to go over that, and that is a very small subset of the people that reside in that with that expertise in [this place].

Here is Canavan’s “interest” in the modelling (as reported by Sky News)

It’s not the results that are important, because you can get any result you want … what you need is the assumptions and the inputs that have gone to generate that result.

We just haven’t been given the detail here on how it is going to work. There is no credible plan to get to net zero by 2050.

We’re getting very little detail about this and I’m in a position of being asked to marry a girl that I haven’t met. That’s not how the Nationals party room works.

If this modelling is so good why does it have to remain a secret? pic.twitter.com/dtGMHA2Ip2
— Matthew Canavan (@mattjcan) October 18, 2021

Updated at 5.27am BST

5.12am BST

Barnaby Joyce gets another question, but he just spends it talking about the Hunter electorate and windfarms in Manly and anything else but the issue at hand.

He is told [by what sounded like Scott Morrison but I can’t be sure] that he could refer the answer before he answered it, but he chooses not to, because this is Barnaby Joyce and no one puts Barnaby in a corner.

But of course, being Barnaby Joyce none of it makes sense. And not just because the average person uses 70 muscles to form a word, while Joyce employs just three.

5.05am BST

Madeleine King to Barnaby Joyce:

My question is to be minister for regional development. BHP and Rio Tinto had committed to net zero emissions by 2050 for their companies. Given the mining, farming and livestock industries all support this, why won’t the minister?

Joyce:

I do not agree with the premise of the question that all farming industries support zero emissions.It was certainly mentioned that an all mining industry support zero emission – I acknowledge the statements of BHP and Rio – BHP and Rio. And the statements of the NFF, I acknowledge the statements made by the NFF. They certainly, caveats, there is no doubt about that, and I have not heard BHP and Rio ...

... Mr Speaker, it is an incredibly incredibly important that we understand that the CEO of BHP, or the CEO of Rio, who I think resides in London – one thing I don’t know, one thing I do know is that they don’t reside in Muswellbrook, or Singleton and they don’t reside in south Tamworth where I once lived.

They don’t reside in Emerald or in Gladstone so those people who – good luck to them and god bless them – had a fortunate life, will not live with the same outcomes if we do not do this properly as the people in the original towns that we represent, that we represent.

So to talk about the abuse of someone that lives in the rarefied air of – as a senior business person – although we have got no problems with that whatsoever, it is not really the people that the Nationals represent. The people of Gladstone have been deserted by the Labor party and we represent the miners who had been deserted by the Labor party and might I quote the member for Hunter who realises this as well who says that the Labor party has done nothing in regards to greenhouse gas in the last 14 years.

If there is one person that I think Warren is listening to on this one it is the member for Hunter and he lives, unsurprisingly, in a mining seat, so we will not listen to people in the boardrooms or be bullied by people in the boardrooms.

We will listen to be people who are actually our constituency.

Updated at 5.16am BST

5.01am BST

Alan Tudge takes a dixer so he can try, once more, to reignite the history wars.

The curriculum is currently under review but I have got to say that I would not support what the independent Australian curriculum authority has presently put out, and the reason being, Mr Speaker, is that in some cases, standards have not been lifted but have in fact gone backwards.

And the clearest example of that is in the teaching of the times tables where, presently, kids have been taught that in Year 3, but under the revised national curriculum, which Acara has put out, the independent body, it would be taught in Year 4.

In some countries, it is taught in Year 2. I can tell you what will be taught in Year 2 and that is to analyse whether a statue is racist.

So you can’t learn the timetables but you can do an analysis of a statue in Year 2 when you are seven.

My biggest problem is actually in the history curriculum and it is in this history curriculum, Mr Speaker, where I had the greatest problem.

As you know, we live in the greatest inegalitarian, freest, wealthiest country that has almost never existed in the history of humankind, but if you read that national draft curriculum on the history, you would not think this.

It has such a miserable view of our history*, Mr Speaker, and frankly, we’re not going to stand for that.

Because there is a reason that we are one of the best countries in the world and kids need to learn that reason so they can defend it and be proud about it and so they can do what previous generations have done.

I noticed whenever I talk about this topic, whenever I talk about pride in Australia, I talk about pride in our history, the Labor party opposite gets so upset because they have equally such a miserable view of our history, and they want that miserable view imparted on kids. Well, we don’t on this side of the house. We are proud of our country. We know that mums and dads are proud of their country and we want to ensure that kids are equally proud.

*Australia’s history has been miserable. Of course there are moments of triumphs. But those triumphs were rarely equally shared. Australia has to reckon with its history if it is to ever move forward. Teaching children that colonisation was hunky dory and everyone had a smashing great time building Australia is not education. It is propaganda.

Alan Tudge: reigniting the culture wars. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated at 5.21am BST

4.53am BST

Chris Bowen to Barnaby Joyce:

The minister opposes the New South Wales government New England renewable energy zone, saying it will turn the region into a sea of windfarms for that zone will create thousands of jobs, cheaper electricity at $11bn of investment in his own electorate. Why does the minister for regional development oppose regional jobs?

The current deputy prime minister decides now is the time to renew the wind farm wars:

I thank the honourable member for his question and I must say we are looking forward, if that is the case, to seeing windfarms in Sydney. I suppose if all these jobs are being created that there is absolutely no reason we can’t put them off the coast of Manly. There is no reason at all.

If it creates all of these thousands of jobs - you would have no problem with that?

So, I acknowledge that the Shadow Minister has clearly stated that he has got no problems with windfarms off the coast of Manly.

He has no problems with windfarms off the coast of Manly, and you probably might hear about that in the paper, and it looks like we have other members who have got no problems – in the Labor party – with windfarms on the coast of Manly, but Mr Speaker, this is a vexed issue because I actually disagree with him fervently that windfarms create thousands of jobs in New England.

They don’t. They don’t, right? They can produce power, there is no doubt about that, but they don’t produce thousands of jobs.

You are not aware of this at the moment but we now have a very vexed issue with the divide between those who are for windfarms and against windfarms in the areas where there are windfarms, and if you actually had any knowledge of regional areas, you would be aware of that. Do you disagree with that, member for Eden Monaro – I don’t think so. This is the area where we divide communities right down the middle.

We are making sure just as we are on other policies that we listen to the people and do not come up with glib one-liners that completely misunderstand the issues. So, the member for McMahon has clearly stated today that he wants windfarms off the coast of Manly and I will make you stand by that statement.

surfer rides a big wave at manly beach — Windfarms off Manly Beach? Photograph: Lee Hulsman/Getty Images

Updated at 5.06am BST

4.50am BST

David Gillespie just took a dixer from the MP who used to hold his ministerial job, and was shunted to make way for Gillespie. Which just seems a bit mean?

4.49am BST

In the Senate, Penny Wong asked Bridget McKenzie a direct question: “Does the minister support net zero emissions by 2050?”

She replies: “I’ve written a couple of pieces which outline my views on this matter going back several months.”

McKenzie says she is not a member of parliament who has ever denied the science of climate change, nor has she ever signed up to policies that would “decimate jobs in rural and regional Australia”.

She says she has made it very clear that she “will not be signing up to any policy that is not right for rural and regional Australia – not just to get us through the next election but to get us through the next 3 decades”.

McKenzie says it is “very easy” for those who don’t live in, and represent, rural and regional communities to take a different approach. She starts talking about Anthony Albanese and coal. Wong raises a point of order on direct relevance.

The new Senate president, Slade Brockman, says: “I agree that towards the end she strayed from direct relevance.”

Wong follows up: “Does the minister support the PM’s position that the Australian government needs to adopt a net zero by 2050 commitment?”

McKenzie:

I support the prime minister pursuing a technology not taxes approach to lowering emissions … As a species, the human species, over eons, has progressed through the adoption of technologies.”

McKenzie tells her opponents to “get on board” with “smart unions who are backing nuclear”.

Wong:

If the minister isn’t prepared to support the prime minister publicly and her in the parliament, is she prepared to resign from his cabinet?

McKenzie doesn’t answer:

Once again Senator Wong is scoping out using question time to cheaply score political points.

Wong says the question go to her obligations as a cabinet minister.

McKenzie, who lost her job over the sports grants issue, finishes with the following line:

I, more than any other, am very aware of cabinet standards.

Updated at 4.57am BST

4.48am BST

Anthony Albanese to Barnaby Joyce:

My question is to the minister for transport. Does the minister agree with the prime minister that electric vehicles will end the weekend?

Joyce:

Well Mr Speaker I don’t know whether that is a complete quote. Whether it was taken in context, I have a suspicion, Mr Speaker that is not taken in context. I think that it might’ve been a reflection of another party’s policies and not our own. I don’t think that was a reflection of our policies. And Mr Speaker, it is quite clear that we understand the dynamics of this nation.

For the record, here is what Scott Morrison had to say (and then later walk back) during the 2019 election campaign:

In typical Labor fashion, they want to ram it down the necks of all Australians. So the cheapest car you can currently buy, as an electric vehicle, presently, my understanding is, including all on road costs and the rest of it, is about $45,000 to $50,000 a year.

That’s the cheapest car Bill Shorten wants to make available to you to buy in the future, and I’ll tell you what – it’s not going to tow your trailer. It’s not going to tow your boat. It’s not going to get you out to your favourite camping spot with your family.

Bill Shorten wants to end the weekend when it comes to his policy on electric vehicles where you’ve got Australians who love being out there in their four-wheel drives.

He wants to say see you later to the SUV when it comes to the choices of Australians. And this is fundamentally the difference between us and Labor when it comes to these issues.

Joyce:

We note also Mr Speaker the first electric cars, Boris Johnson has a policy on electric cars at the moment. I am sure in some areas they are very pertinent but of course in other areas they are not.

... I believe the context of the question was on the premise of a policy brought forward by the then Leader of the Labor party the member for Maribyrnong, what I can say is that he seems to have more substantial policy direction in regards to any policy direction than the member for Grayndler– he has not presented any policy on how he would achieve the objectives of what he wants.

What we have in this place is quite clear. We have a policy that has been developed and planned diligently over I imagine an incredibly long period of time by the leader of the Liberal party, the prime minister of the commonwealth of Australia, and an analysis conducted by myself and the Nationals and a complete and utter void on the other side.

Updated at 5.02am BST

4.42am BST

Lisa Chesters to Barnaby Joyce:

“Does the minister agree with the National Farmers’ Federation president, Fiona Simson, who says a lack of a net zero target will ‘punish farmers’?”

Deputy prime minister has the call.

Joyce:

Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. And I would say I have a great respect for the National Farmers’ Federation, great respect. But I am not here as a member of the National Farmers’ Federation.

I am a member of the National party and to make sure that those people in regional Australia who we represent are treated with respect and are given the best, our best endeavours on an incredibly important decision that they know that we have been dutiful in our task.

Now Mr Speaker, I also say, and this is really important, that every time someone mentions the National party, they – a great kernel within our party is farmers. But even in my own electorate Mr Speaker, only 12% of my electorate are farmers. 12% of my electorate are farmers, of which I am one.

And of course Mr Speaker what we have done for those people in those electorates is the reason overwhelmingly that those seats are held by Nationals and Liberal party members, because what they have heard from the Labor party in regards their future has been pretty dire.

If we go back through the record of the Labor party, whether it is a carbon tax or the closure of the live cattle trade, it is not a good record at all.

But Mr Speaker, we are also making sure, and this is fundamentally important, that we understand people in the working-class areas of Gladstone ... We are mindful of the people of Singleton and Muswellbrook. Those people who live in the streets may not be farmers but it is just as important they know that the Nationals are in there fighting for them.

Updated at 5.10am BST

4.40am BST

Greg Hunt once again tries his statesman character on for size.

It does not get the rousing response he thought it would when practicing in the mirror.

4.39am BST

Anthony Albanese to Barnaby Joyce (you may notice that Labor is making the point here that the prime minister has been shoved aside in terms of relevance in this debate and that Joyce is calling the shots by directing all these questions to him):

“My question is to the minister for regional development. The business case of Australia’s recent modelling shows that in dollar terms regional Australians will be three times better off from a transition to net zero by 2050 than people in cities. Does the minister agree with that modelling? What does the government’s own modelling show?

Joyce:

Mr Speaker, one part of that question is very simple. I do not agree with the Business Council of Australia’s modelling.

Nor should I have to do because that is the Business Council of Australia’s modelling, and so they are entitled to their modelling, and modelling is not a letter from God.

It is no more ... It is no more than the opinion of people. Maybe, maybe the member for Grayndler is now is an expert in regression analysis. I am not. I am not going to say, well, you certainly are not.

And the issue, of course, Mr Speaker, is I doubt whether the skill sets for analysis of things such as regression analysis reside in many corners of this chamber at all.

Maybe it does. Maybe I am confounded in my ignorance about who is an expert in that, so when we talk about modelling and when I talk about have I been aware of modelling, I have to say, Mr Speaker, the people with the capacity to do a deep dive into modelling, to get you to the very bottom of it, would be a very, very small group indeed, very, very small group indeed.

What I am interested in though, Mr Speaker, is the result of modelling and for that the member for Hume, the minister, has shown sections of that and we are aware of that and, Mr Speaker ...

On the premise of that we have used the time – one week – to deal with something that will go for decades into the future. To do our very best to make sure that we are able to correspond with our people and our electorates, our best analysis, so that we can give them the best deliberations on an incredibly important decision.

Now, the Liberal party, and obviously the prime minister as leader of the Liberal party, has had the capacity from their analysis of this, but the Labor party, Mr Speaker, has told us that in the last eight years they have been calling for something and in eight years, Mr Speaker, they have not come up with a plan*.

They have not come up with a plan and we do not know what they have been doing**. They have not given us any costing, but they have said that is there something they will buy? They don’t quite know.

*UMMMMMMMMMM I know Joyce isn’t known for paying attention, but to say that the Labor party haven’t had a climate plan in eight years, when it was what the government used to help tank the opposition at the last election is a bit rich.

**I mean seriously.

Updated at 4.56am BST

4.30am BST

Zali Steggall to Scott Morrison:

A number of climate denying members for your government have been holding climate policy to ransom – so other members can reflect their communities calls to rapidly act on climate change, will you allow an open debate and conscience vote on the climate change bill before parliament while the Nationals vote is the most powerful within the Coalition?

Tony Smith:

Just before I call the prime minister, the first part of the question had some descriptions in it that really don’t belong in a question. I need to say – assertions like that, and I think all members, including the Member for Warringah, would not like it there was a question that made an assertion about them so I am just going to point that out – that that is not really what question time is for. There are other forms of the house where people can engage in political combat of that nature. The prime minister has the call.

Morrison:

The world’s response to climate change, and that will be the subject of the summit that is being held in Glasgow in a few weeks’ time, will be seeking to bring people together on this issue.

And, Mr Speaker, the response that is being made around the world to climate change will have a significant impact on Australia. It will have a significant impact, particularly on rural and regional Australia, and it will be, I think, unfair for this place to send anything other than a message to those Australians that we understand that, that we understand that people in rural and regional Australia will face some real challenges to their economic futures because of what is happening around the world and be changes in the global economy.

Now, the Liberal party and the National party understand that and we think it is important that we don’t engage, I think, Mr Speaker, with those who have a different view to us, or even different views in a discussion in any sort of pejorative way.

I do not think that is very helpful, Mr Speaker, in what we’re trying to achieve because I think Australians, Mr Speaker, want to embrace the changes that are occurring but I also think they want to ensure that all Australians can go ahead together, Mr Speaker, in rural and regional areas and that we have a clear and considered plan for how that is going to be achieved so we can [consider] both the negative impacts of what is going to occur and realise the opportunities that can be there for all Australians, but particularly in rural and regional areas.

Now, Mr Speaker, that is what the government is working through, and the government will make a decision about the position that will be taken to Cop26, Mr Speaker.

The date has not changed. It has been the same date all year, Mr Speaker. We have been working towards that date over the course of the year so when I attend that summit I will take the government’s position, and the government’s position, Mr Speaker, and determined local government positions ...

He goes on about “meeting and beating” Kyoto, once again not mentioning that Australia was allowed to increase emissions under Kyoto one, and honestly, we just don’t need to hear any more of that guff right now.

The prime minister Scott Morrison in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 5.06am BST

4.26am BST

In Senate question time, after saying net zero without Nationals’ support would be “ugly”, Bridget McKenzie also said that “our party room has primacy in this”. It was not, she said, a position for the leader to take in a top-down process. She said the Nationals were taking issues forward “as a group”.

McKenzie said it “would be best obviously” for the Coalition to come to an agreement.

She was then asked how many Nationals would be at risk of resigning if the government adopts net zero by 2050.

“Talking about resignations over climate change policy, and going to what Nationals may or may not do is a hypothetical.”

Updated at 4.35am BST

4.26am BST

Sorry – I am still digesting Alex Hawke claiming it was not the Australian policy to deport Aboriginal people, when the government tried to do exactly that and was only stopped by the high court, and is still trying to win the power to do that, and is back in the high court arguing for it.

4.25am BST

Hawke also commented on an ABC report that an Afghan interpreter seeking to come to Australia has been killed by the Taliban:

The situation in Afghanistan is very dire. We have a regime in place that isn’t internationally recognised, by almost every major country. We’ve been raising this issue with all our major partners ... It is unsafe, it is dangerous, and we condemn the Taliban and the acts they are committing, the atrocities against minorities.

Hawke said he would not comment on individual cases, but the Australian government had brought 4,100 people from Afghanistan.

Hawke said people on temporary visas have cleared quarantine and are “fitting well into their new life here already”.

He said:

We’re going to make some further announcements about their visa outcomes, and we’re confident those will be very successful for everyone who has come here. This will be a very positive migration for people we’ve rescued out of a very difficult situation.

Updated at 4.34am BST

4.24am BST

The immigration minister, Alex Hawke, has called a press conference to deliver attack lines against Labor for blocking the visa cancellation bill.

Asked about Kristina Keneally’s claim that he had reneged on a deal to amend and pass it with Labor, Hawke said: “This legislation has been before parliament for many years now, it is straightforward.”

He gave no answer to whether he reneged on a deal and was overruled by Scott Morrison. Hawke acknowledged the Coalition and Labor had been working on the issue “for a number of years”, but refused to say what he and Keneally discussed on Tuesday.

Asked about his comments this morning that the government had “no intent” to deport Aboriginal people – despite running a case in the high court seeking the power to deport Aboriginal people – Hawke said:

The government of course will await the outcome of that court case. This is a highly legal matter. My comments are about the policy intentions – there has never been a policy intention to do that. Of course when you get lawyers involved in these questions you get some very technical outcomes ... It’s a matter before the court.

The immigration minister Alex Hawke speaks in Canberra on Wednesday. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

I noted the commonwealth has tried to deport Aboriginal people – Daniel Love and Brendan Thoms – that’s what the original court case the government is seeking to overturn was about, and if he’d rule out deporting any Aboriginal people in future.

Hawke replied:

It’s clearly not Australian policy to do so ... I think it’s a very straightforward statement.

Updated at 4.39am BST

4.23am BST

Anthony Albanese to Barnaby Joyce:

The minister for regionalisation [Bridget McKenzie] has said that if the prime minister adopts net zero without the approval of the National party, “it will be ugly”. Does the minister agree?

The current deputy prime minister:

Mr Speaker, what I can say is that the process of going through this has been diligently followed.

The process, and I have been in close contact – in close contact – with the prime minister through this process, and what I can say, Mr Speaker, in a committee of four which is Minister McKenzie, Minister Pitt, Minister Littleproud and Minister Hogan have all been working on this process and as recently as today I had a meeting because we are going to make sure that the prime minister of Australia is reported back there as soon as possible. In fact, I believe within the day, within the next day, we will get back to him because we are not grandstanding.

(Labor [figuratively] explodes)

... What I would like to hear, Mr Speaker, is like you so often that the Labor Party have been wanting this for eight years, I think, but we have not received one dot of a costing, not one proposed plan. Even though they have not provided us one skerrick of evidence as to how they would achieve their outcome after eight years, and by gosh, Mr Speaker, they have had a lot of spare time in that eight years, in that eight years ...

Mr Speaker, we will make sure that we follow a prudent process. I acknowledge the work of the senator of Victoria but I stated that it will be a prudent process for which our party can stand behind, and we will work constructively to make sure that that is not only the best outcome for regional people, that we respect the role of the National party room, that the final arbiter will be the National party room of our position, of our position.

[I’ll take that interjection] I am the Deputy prime minister and you [Albanese] are the leader of the opposition and long may that be the case.

Updated at 4.36am BST

4.19am BST

'It will be ugly' if PM adopts net zero without the Nationals, McKenzie says

The Nationals’ Senate leader, Bridget McKenzie, says “it will be ugly” if Scott Morrison adopts a net zero emissions target without Nationals’ approval.

Labor’s Kristina Keneally asked McKenzie at the start of Senate question time about comments by Matt Canavan that it would be “ugly” if Morrison adopted net zero without the junior Coalition partner’s support.

McKenzie, who represents Barnaby Joyce in the Senate, was asked whether the deputy prime minister agreed.

She replied:

I think it will be ugly. I think it will be ugly. I agree with Senator Canavan – you’ll have to check with Barnaby if he doesn’t. What we’re doing as a political party is carefully considering the proposal before us and this proposal will set up a net zero position for this country over the next three decades.

McKenzie said as the party that represented miners, foresters, fishers, manufacturers, farmers and rural and regional people, it was only right that the Nationals assessed the impact.

Updated at 4.23am BST

4.18am BST

Kristy McBain to Barnaby Joyce:

“My question is again to the minister for regional development. Can the minister confirm the government has spent funds on the north Sydney pool but rejected a fund for applications for the bigger War Memorial pool?

The current deputy prime minister:

“Mr Speaker, I find it rather ... peculiar that the member for Gellibrand refers to Ronald McDonald, you must think that is humourous, member for Gellibrand, I’m sure the people by watching ... ”

Tony Smith says to leave the cautioning to him (he cautions Tim Watts for interjections).

Joyce:

Thank you very much Mr Speaker. The building better regions fund, the last round was $1.7bn worth of requests which shows that this is an incredibly well responded to grant system. And within that system we have, we had over 1,000 applications in the last round. Mr Speaker, there are so many areas in regional Australia and I acknowledged the member for Eden-Monaro’s question where she talked about a certain grant which unfortunately within the envelope that we have we were unable to help on that issue.

What we can say quite clearly is that in the last round ... we extended a further hundred million dollars, a $300m package because we look towards those corners of our nation which we can help.

(The interjections get so loud, Smith has to issue a general shut up)

Joyce:

Of course we are making sure we continue this program, obviously we hope that the Australian people find it prudent for the real action of the Coalition government and we are striving our very best to make sure that they see us in that light.

We look forward to the Labor party putting forward their views on what they intend to do with the building better regions fund. And it is interesting that you bring that up, member for Eden-Monaro, because I noticed that back in 2014 in the electorate of, we know they don’t want to hear this ...

Smith:

I can anticipate where the deputy prime minister is going, which is back seven years. The question was very specific. It asked whether the deputy prime minister could confirm one grant had been received and another one hadn’t. Within that context he has been very relevant up until this point but he doesn’t have the ability to go down a track of looking at another grants.

Joyce:

Of course Mr Speaker I can confirm that one grant has been received and another hasn’t.

He slumps back to his seat.

Updated at 4.28am BST

4.07am BST

Question time begins

Kristy McBain asks Barnaby Joyce about the latest ANAO report, which Sarah Martin explains here:

Joyce says the funds pay for things like Ronald McDonald House and take the cost burdens for infrastructure that regional communities would not be able to afford otherwise.

Updated at 4.12am BST

4.02am BST

Before question time, the house has a moment of silence for murdered UK MP Sir David Amess.

4.00am BST

The members 90 second statements are continuing to bring the goods.

Patrick Gorman used his to hit back at Barnaby Joyce for comparing WA to North Korea.

Everything is going well.

3.37am BST

Nationals’ Senate leader Bridget McKenzie is rolling out the pearlers in her latest ABC interview when it comes to trying to explain what the Nationals are doing on climate policy (which, to be fair, is as easy as explaining what air feels like).

I have made it clear to our party room that we’re all going on a journey together as a room.

Updated at 3.41am BST

3.35am BST

Rex Patrick will introduce the federal Icac bill proposed by independent MP Helen Haines (and already in the House) in the Senate.

So that is now a cross chamber push by the crossbenchers to have a commonwealth integrity commission that actually does something.

From Patrick:

Helen is a tireless champion of this cause, and it is independent members of the Federal Parliament who have been leading the push for a Federal Integrity Commission with real teeth, able to root out corruption and misconduct at all levels of the Australian Government.

We need a strong anti-corruption body, with the investigatory powers of a standing Royal Commission coupled with proper safeguards to ensure due process and accountability. This Bill delivers on those requirements.

The proposed Australian Federal Integrity Commission has the backing of eminent legal and anti-corruption experts around the country, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison hasn’t wanted to debate it. Indeed he’s dragged the chain on this issue from the very beginning. His Government have long stalled and delayed on their own proposal, which is quite unfit for the task.

It’s interesting that those in power are the most aggrieved at the idea of a strong corruption watchdog.

Whether it’s Sports rorts, Car Park rorts, dodgy water purchases, jobs for the boys, JobKeeper rorts – the Government’s track record on integrity is a disgrace. They have undermined public confidence in politicians and officials.

Updated at 3.40am BST

3.25am BST

This email has just lobbed:

“Minister [Alex] Hawke will address Labor’s decision to vote against provisions to strengthen the character test in the Migration Act.”

(It wasn’t just Labor, and ultimately the government couldn’t convince the crossbench).

That’s happening just before QT

Updated at 3.34am BST

3.23am BST

Question time is almost upon us.

You have been warned.

Updated at 3.25am BST

3.16am BST

In recent months, I’ve been reporting on a series of federal government incentives handed to Empire Energy to frack the Beetaloo Basin, including $21m in exploratory drilling grants and a $5m research and development tax offset.

Opening up the Beetaloo to fracking forms part of the Coalition’s gas-fired recovery from the pandemic.

Despite receiving the commonwealth incentives, the company was still waiting on approvals from the Northern Territory government that were needed for it to begin fracking. Those approvals have now been given. It allows the company to frack up to seven horizontal wells.

Activists were quick to criticise the decision. Protect Country Alliance spokesperson Graeme Sawyer said:

History will not look kindly on the Gunner Government and its foolish decision to approve this polluting fracking project.

We are just weeks away from the most important climate meeting since the Paris Agreement was forged. We need immediate action to halt the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

Updated at 3.22am BST

3.06am BST

The Senate committee looking into job security in publicly-funded jobs has handed down its second interim report. You can find that here.

The Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, a committee member, said it was time to tackle wage theft at universities, particularly given what has happened over the past two years:

Wage theft at our universities is out of control. What’s worse, most universities are continuing to wipe their hands of it and dismiss the systemic and serious nature of the underpayments.

Casual workers, and particularly women who are overrepresented as casuals, are bearing the brunt of this wage theft that has been allowed to flourish, almost completely unchecked until now. Casualisation and wage theft are inextricably linked. We heard from so many university staff during this inquiry about their horrific experiences.

An entire generation of casual academics have been hung out to dry.

Updated at 3.14am BST

2.53am BST

AAP has another update on the Covid situation in New Zealand:

Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins has drastically upped case estimates for New Zealand’s Delta outbreak, saying daily counts could reach the “high hundreds”.

On Wednesday, health officials reported 60 community cases, down from Tuesday’s 94 which was the country’s highest daily number of the pandemic.

Modellers advising the government believe the “R” value - or how many people each individual case infects - is around 1.25, which will see a doubling of cases each fortnight.

NZ has avoided the worst of the pandemic, with 28 deaths compared to Australia’s 1577.

However, a significantly less resourced health system - including half of the intensive care beds than Australia, per capita - means NZ could endure poor health outcomes should cases increase.

“We’re likely to see case numbers continue to increase for a period and we do need to be prepared for that,” Mr Hipkins told Radio NZ.

“The modellers have different views on where we are likely to top out. It could be as low as 200 or it could be higher than that ... up into the high hundreds.”

Updated at 3.02am BST

2.40am BST

This is quite the document.

"Sometimes you gotta say WTF". Nigel Blunden's advice to his then-boss, former premier Mike Baird, on the proposal for a $5.5m clay target shooting centre in Wagga Wagga now at the centre of Icac's investigation. "Daryl fired up and Gladys put it back on," he wrote. pic.twitter.com/USUzpkpicA
— Michael McGowan (@mmcgowan) October 20, 2021

Updated at 2.42am BST

2.32am BST

This is not every jurisdiction though.

South Australia, Qld, WA and the NT have not hit these marks as yet.

We did it! ✅

70% of Australians aged 16+ are now fully vaccinated against COVID.

Thank you, Australia. Now let’s bring this home across the country and hit the 80% target in the National Plan so we can continue to safely reopen and stay safely open.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) October 20, 2021

Updated at 2.34am BST

2.18am BST

Labor is hoping it might have a chance in north Queensland in the federal election (Herbert and Leichardt are on the list) so there has been an effort to do a lot more media there.

This morning it was Cairn’s radio 4CA, where Anthony Albanese criticised the Nationals over their climate policy hold out stance:

Well, they’re not fair dinkum. There is enormous opportunities for regional Australia to benefit from a shift in the economy. Just today, Annastacia Palaszczuk’s in Maryborough, in Queensland there, announcing an expansion of rail manufacturing, a significant expansion of jobs there at Downer EDI at the centre of Maryborough’s economy. And that’s an example of whereby the former LNP government under Campbell Newman made trains overseas, not in Australia. And that costs Australian jobs.

The significant opportunities that are there to expand in jobs. We had an extraordinary decision by Keith Pitt, as the minister, to reject the Kaban wind farm proposal there on the Atherton Tablelands. And in the end, in spite of the fact that it was recommended by the board of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, he rejected it. It’s 250 regional jobs and the Queensland government had to step in to support that project, because it was vetoed, a loan of $280 million for the wind farm.

The National party also are never on the side of workers when it comes to issues like same job, same pay for miners. They’ve been in court backing in the company, the federal government, which undermines that permanent, secure work that people need to live in these regional communities. And I just think that there’s a big wake-up call coming for the National party with their rejection of any change in terms of policy dynamic, but in reality, what they’re doing is rejecting jobs and allowing change to be shaped by big corporations, not in the interests of people. We need an economy that works for people, not the other way around.

Scott Morrison is trying to set up a climate battle with Labor, accusing the opposition of signing a “blank cheque” on the policy. But there is no policy at the moment. And after the last election, you can be sure that this time, there will be costings.

Updated at 2.32am BST

2.13am BST

Kristina Keneally has announced a doorstop in just a short while to speak about what’s been going on in the Senate this morning.

Updated at 2.16am BST

2.05am BST

Uh huh.

cool, healthy system https://t.co/KmGESJx0qK
— cammyboo (@cameronwilson) October 20, 2021

Updated at 2.11am BST

2.01am BST

Nick McKim has responded to the Senate voting down the strengthening the character test bill.

The draconian Strengthening the Character Test Bill has just been voted down in the Senate. It would've given the Minister sweeping new powers to deport people who built lives in Australia, undermined the rule of law and stepped us further down the road to early onset fascism.
— Nick McKim (@NickMcKim) October 20, 2021

Updated at 2.08am BST

1.41am BST

Victoria’s Covid commander, Jeroen Weimar, says people identified as primary close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases will no longer have to isolate for a full 14 days from Friday if fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated people will only need to isolate for 7 days, and get a test on their first and sixth days of isolation.

This will be backdated, so vaccinated people who are currently isolating as primary contacts will not need to do longer than 7 days provided they get tested.

Weimar says on today’s 1,842 new cases, a third of the cases were in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, with 575 in places such as Casey and Greater Dandenong. The number of new cases in the northern suburbs is starting to reduce. There were 547 in the western suburbs.

In regional Victoria there were 153 new cases, including 23 in Mitchell Shire, 22 in Greater Bendigo and 21 in Geelong.

Weimar says the curfew will still apply from 9pm til 11.59pm tomorrow night, meaning that people hoping to go to the pub at midnight might not be able to leave home until exactly midnight.

He said:

We all want to go to have a drink at midnight tomorrow night or after midnight – I might wait till the next day. We all want to enjoy those new freedoms and I’m sure we all will but can we all please just remember this is one important step. It’s not a mass freedom day, it’s not a mass ‘let’s go completely nuts’.

There is still a significant risk. We still have 800 people in the hospital at this point in time. We’d like to really make sure they get well. We’d like to minimise the number of new people that go to hospital over the weeks in the months ahead, and our health care workers are going to continue to work very, very hard over November, December, and January to deal with that surge of people who we think will need care, and that’s something we just bear in mind.

He said an announcement on whether the regional Victorian town of Mildura will exit lockdown at the same time as Melbourne will come on Thursday.

Updated at 1.54am BST

1.33am BST

Senate blocks government's character test strengthening bill

The Senate has blocked the government’s visa cancellation bill. A vote was just held on the second reading stage – and it was tied 25-all, meaning the government’s bid to push it through to the next stage did not succeed.

Rex Patrick voted with Labor and the Greens to block it; Stirling Griff also spoke against the bill. Pauline Hanson and Jacqui Lambie’s votes were not recorded, which could mean they were paired, as Lambie had previously expressed concerns about the bill.

Senator Rex Patrick. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Updated at 2.13am BST

1.31am BST

Greg Hunt was also asked about protests in the Northern Territory in which chief minister, Michael Gunner, was forced to evacuate his family from his home.

Hunt became teary as he revealed that “some years ago” his children had been the subject of threats.

“Firstly let me condemn, clearly, absolutely, unequivocally, the attack on Michael Gunner’s house, and what would have been a deep concern for him and his family,” Hunt said.

“I never really talked about it, but there was a period where the lives of my children were threatened quite openly some years ago, and that was a matter of great concern.

“But we have very fine federal police in this country.

“To those that think violence or the threat of violence is acceptable in any way shape or form, it is not. As a country, we have to, I think, really learn the value of respect.”

Updated at 1.48am BST

1.30am BST

Victoria announces live music concert on 30 October

The Victorian assistant treasurer Danny Pearson says of the 12 people who died in Victoria from Covid-19 overnight, there was a woman in her 50s, a man in his 70s, three men and two women in their 80s, three men and a woman in their 90s, and a man in his 100s.

There are 22,596 active cases in the state, 786 people in hospital, 147 in intensive care, and 97 on ventilators.

Of the cases in hospital yesterday, 89% were not fully vaccinated – of those cases in intensive care, 96% were not fully vaccinated.

Pearson then turns to the announcement of the day. He says he hasn’t been this excited since he last bought tickets to Cold Chisel, as he announces that close to 4,000 people will be able to attend a music concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 30 October as part of the trial of large events as Melbourne exits lockdown.

The lineup includes Baker Boy, Amyl and the Sniffers and Grace Cummings.

The tickets will go on sale at 3pm on Friday, the day Victoria exits lockdown.

Pearson said:

This is a first sign of us coming back. They say the darkest hour is the hours before the dawn, while today ... we see the sun rising. Over the horizon, in the distance, begging us back to the things that we love most. The things that we want to do.

We want to see live music, we want to go to the NGV. We want to take to the museum, who want to go and see great sporting events, we want to see this great metropolis, to live.

Baker Boy will perform at the concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 30 October. Photograph: Jackson Gallagher/The Guardian

Updated at 1.42am BST

1.22am BST

Independent senator, Jacqui Lambie, is the swing vote on the government’s visa cancellation bill and has previously expressed concerns about it – which is why it is interesting she has lodged two amendments seeking to soften the proposal.

The amendments:

Set a threshold of six months in prison, so an offender would have to have served some time to have their visa cancelled.
Add protections to ensure that people with longstanding links to Australia (eg. if they’ve been here more than 10 years or came here as a child) could not have their visas cancelled.

However, Kristina Keneally has accused the government of pressing for a vote to wedge Labor.

A spokeswoman for Lambie confirmed the amendments do not have government support, so it doesn’t sound like the Coalition have done a deal with the crossbench.

Updated at 1.34am BST

1.11am BST

The Queensland government is now working on its plan for vaccinated versus unvaccinated residents, once the state is open, in terms of freedoms and responsibilities.

Deputy premier Steven Miles:

“We’re just talking with businesses now about which of them might like to take up the opportunity to only have workers and patrons who are vaccinated at their venues,” he said.

“And those venues will be subject to the least restrictions.

“Other venues that have people who are both vaccinated and unvaccinated, that will continue to have some level of public health restrictions, probably until we make that 90% [vaccination] threshold.”

A restaurant at Brisbane’s Southbank. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Updated at 1.17am BST

1.05am BST

The prime minister’s office has rejected Kristina Keneally’s charge that Scott Morrison forced the immigration minister, Alex Hawke, to renege on a deal to pass the visa cancellation bill after negotiating amendments with Labor.

A PMO spokesperson told Guardian Australia:

Labor have known for two years that we intended to legislate this election commitment and now at five minutes to midnight the candidate for Fowler [Keneally] is trying to cover up the fact she hasn’t done her homework. Labor want to vote down protections that would keep stalkers, domestic violence abusers and sexual assault offenders from having their visa canceled or refused. Time’s up for Labor.

As Keneally noted in her Senate contribution – the government already has the power to cancel the visas of people sentenced to two years or more in prison. The bill is about expanding those powers and lowering the bar to allow visa cancellation where the offence is punishable by a sentence of that length but a lower sentence is given.

Updated at 1.11am BST

12.58am BST

And in New Zealand (via AAP):

Three people with COVID-19 have escaped New Zealand quarantine in the past 24 hours, with one still at large.

Quarantine chief Rose King has labelled the failure as “really disappointing and unacceptable” as authorities continue to search for the missing person.

The runaway was granted permission to return home briefly under security escort to “retrieve personal items, care for a pet and lock their house”, before giving their minders the slip.

“They were given 10 minutes to do what they needed to. At the 10-minute mark the security detail went to retrieve them and found the individual had disappeared from the address,” Ms King said in a statement.

“Police were immediately notified and this individual has yet to be found.”

Ms King said an investigation would take place alongside the police’s continued efforts to find the person.

In a separate incident two men attempted to flee their quarantine at the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport about 5.40pm on Tuesday.

They were watched by security as they absconded, and were captured within five minutes of escaping.

The health ministry believes the public health risk to be low, and the pair will face court on charges of failing to comply with a health order.

Updated at 1.11am BST

12.57am BST

NSW has announced some treats for residents as it focuses on rebuilding the economy. As AAP reports:

Every adult in NSW will get a $50 voucher to spend on a hotel in the state, as the premier promises “a very bright summer after a very dark winter”.

The $250 million voucher scheme – called Stay and Rediscover – builds on the success of the state’s Dine and Discover program and is part of a broader package designed to give the state’s tourism industry a boost after months of lockdown.

“With international borders closed, it has been incredibly challenging for accommodation, for tourism operators,” Premier Dominic Perrottet told reporters on Wednesday.

“What we are doing is getting in front ... we know that the borders will be open and we want to be ahead of the curve.”

Airlines are also set to benefit from the $530 million tourism and events support package, which includes a $60 million aviation attraction fund.

Updated at 1.13am BST

12.55am BST

On Novak Djokovic (and every other player not vaccinated) not being able to enter Australia for the Australian Open if they have not received their vaccinations, Greg Hunt says:

It doesn’t matter where you are number one in the world or anything else. Our rules are about protecting Australians and they apply to everybody. We’ve been very clear on that.

On whether spectators will have to be vaccinated, Hunt says:

I’m supportive of the state authorities of the [rules]. And on the particular question, you have to check with the minister for sport on that. I haven’t, to the best of my knowledge, have been approached but they wouldn’t approach me on that.

Immigration Minister @AlexHawkeMP says that Novak Djokovic will NOT be allowed into Australia if he is not double vaccinated.

"Our health advice is that when we open the borders everyone that comes to Australia will have to be double vaccinated"@AustralianOpen @RNBreakfast
— Julia Holman (@JulesHolman) October 19, 2021

Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open earlier this year. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Updated at 1.18am BST

12.47am BST

Greg Hunt is now doing his regular “thank the prime minister for his leadership and saving us” monologue.

The single individual who helped establish the platform for the roadmap was the prime minister. He said in June, we need to have a roadmap that is based on size, based on modelling, that may mean some of the decisions are hard and some of the things we think are deferred but let us have the most science-based roadmap in the world and the PM did that, worked it through the national cabinet and that was adopted.

I looked for a straw but couldn’t find one.

Updated at 12.54am BST

12.44am BST

On third doses, Paul Kelly says:

The booster gives you a boost in your protection and certainly, as the minister has said, Atagi is going through that advice to government about how that should be done and we will have that very soon.

Greg Hunt says Australia has the supply and the mechanisms in place to deliver the third doses, so there won’t be a problem rolling them out when they are approved.

Updated at 12.53am BST

12.42am BST

Commonwealth CHO Prof Paul Kelly says there is no need to panic about the so-called “Delta plus” Covid variant you may have read about in the UK:

Just to be clear, this is not a new variant, it is not a variant of concern or even of interest at the moment, but we continue to have that close vigilant of the international situation, to watch out for what next variant may come from this virus.

In the UK there is a lot of circulating virus, mainly in teenagers, they have recommenced school at the moment. A lot of cases in teenagers and their parents, that is where the majority, 49,000 cases I think yesterday, but very importantly, there has not been the same sort of [rises] we have seen in previous waves into the UK in relation to hospitalisations or deaths and that is because the vaccination rollout in the UK has also been very successful.

Particularly for the people in the population more susceptible to severe disease and that is what we’re seeing in Australia right now.

Updated at 12.52am BST

12.36am BST

Australia hits 70% vaccination target

Greg Hunt is giving an update on the vaccination program – Australia has reached 70% fully vaccinated and is inching closer to its 80% target but he admits there is “some patchiness”.

“There is potential to lift,” he says.

On third doses, there will be a “critical meeting” next week to discuss Pfizer’s booster dose program. Moderna and AstraZeneca haven’t submitted their applications yet.

Aged care would be first, followed by other vulnerable communities.

Updated at 1.20am BST

12.33am BST

Over in the House, Craig Kelly is attempting to move third reading amendments to the the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Updated at 12.39am BST

12.20am BST

You don’t need a Medicare card to access these services:

More Victorians will have easy access to COVID-19 testing, assessment & care closer to home with 20 new GP respiratory clinics on their way & support provided to existing clinics to open longer.
This will provide access to comprehensive assessment & support to manage illness. pic.twitter.com/RFEHIM7itt
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 19, 2021

12.12am BST

Labor’s shadow home affairs minister, Kristina Keneally, has accused the government of reneging on a deal to pass its strengthening character test bill, which lowers the bar for cancelling a person’s visa.

Labor has concerns with the bill, including that by allowing cancellation for offences punishable by two years in prison – regardless of the length of the sentence actually given – it will allow people to be deported for lower-level offending.

Keneally told the Senate she met immigration minister, Alex Hawke, at noon on Tuesday and the pair had made a deal to work on other measures to protect victims of domestic violence, to work on deportation of New Zealanders and to amend the bill “so low-level offending is not captured”, before bringing the bill back in November.

She said Hawke then “reneged” on that deal, informing her office shortly before 5pm to pull the deal, leading her to conclude Hawke’s word “can’t be trusted” and Scott Morrison “would rather play politics with domestic violence” by putting the bill to a vote this week:

[Hawke said] Senator Anne Ruston had told him the bill had to be voted on today. He blamed the Senate leadership for forcing him to renege on that deal. I don’t believe that for one minute ... Only one person can make a cabinet minister renege on a deal. Clearly the PM has yanked Mr Hawke’s chain.

Updated at 12.25am BST

12.09am BST

Q: Do you have a personal view on whether Labor should take a target to 2030 that’s higher than 45%?

Peta Murphy:

I think it’s been made very clear by Chris Bowe, that we have said that Scott Morrison should be taking a more ambitious target to Glasgow and have a more ambitious target for 2030. I mean, we’ve got a prime minister who has said, we’re not going to change anything, he’s hardly even willing to force the Joyce backers to commit to net zero by 2050, let alone anything more ambitious for 2030, 2035, 2040.

And I am absolutely confident that Labor will take to the federal election a suite of environmental policies and targets that will show our commitment to jobs, to investment in renewable energy and to the climate.

Updated at 12.24am BST

12.08am BST

Labor’s Peta Murphy was sent out today to deliver the opposition’s message:

It is almost unbelievable that we’re at the doorstep of Glasgow, and we still have a Joyce/Morrison government that can’t even commit to net zero emissions by 2050. It is almost unbelievable, and it is so devastatingly disappointing.

Devastatingly disappointing for the people in my community of Dunkley, who asked me to come here this week, and say to the government: it’s been eight long years of inaction. The cost of inaction has been missed opportunities for jobs, missed opportunities for investment in industry and manufacturing in this country and missed opportunities for Australia to play our part in reducing emissions for the future of the globe.

Updated at 12.23am BST

12.07am BST

Here is a bit more about where the Nationals heads are at, from David Littleproud’s interview with the ABC this morning:

Q: But hasn’t the prime minister told you there’ll be net positive benefits for the regions and jobs with a 2050 target?

Littleproud:

Well, that’s where you need to overlay that on a regional basis and in a geographical basis. You’ve got to appreciate that some areas may be impacted, and that’s what we’ve got to understand. What are those impacts, and how do we secure their futures and grow their futures, while others will because of new jobs that come in? But I’m not as negative as that.

I think that if we embrace the technology that’s in the roadmap, I think there’s also an opportunity to secure those jobs that are already there.

We’re going to see that if you’re in the coalmining industry today, you shouldn’t be shuddering in your boots. You’re still going to have a job well beyond 2030, well into 2040, because the transition will not happen quickly.

And in fact, if the transition to new technology like carbon capture storage, not only here in Australia, but around the world, could mean that coalmining goes on for some decades to come. And so this is where we’ve just got pragmatic. We’ve got to understand the modelling and work through it calmly but quickly.

Updated at 12.23am BST

11.50pm BST

What do the Nationals want?

Morning everyone. For people glued to the net zero negotiations, here’s a quick update. I reported this morning the Nationals have formed a subgroup of ministers – David Littleproud, Bridget McKenzie, Keith Pitt and Kevin Hogan – to sift through a wish list the Nationals will put to Scott Morrison by the end of this week.

The plan is for the subgroup to finalise that list today. Once that’s done, it is likely the Nationals will have another party room meeting, either today or tomorrow, to ensure everyone is onboard with the priorities.

If everyone is onboard, Barnaby Joyce will take that list to Scott Morrison at the weekend. In addition to what happens today or tomorrow, there is another Nationals party room meeting planned for Sunday.

Then there are the cabinet and the joint party room meetings at the beginning of next week. Morrison goes to Glasgow next Thursday.

In terms of what’s on the list: Nationals MPs have been told this is a no parochial projects exercise – no bridges, no coal plants, no pet unicorns.

Opponents of net zero are championing coal plants, and there is a pre-existing process to examine the feasibility of a new coal-fired power plant at Collinsville. But that idea pre-dates the net zero conversation.

People tell me (as of now at least) coal plants/bridges/unicorns aren’t going on the list.

According to what Nationals MPs have been told, the objective is to leverage existing projects and mechanisms for regional infrastructure and job creation.

Obviously there will be dollars. Not clear how many dollars, but Nationals suggest not eye-popping dollars. Everything being relative of course.

Updated at 1.53am BST

11.36pm BST

The immigration minister, Alex Hawke, has claimed the government has “no intent to deport an Aboriginal from Australia”.

That’s despite Hawke and the home affairs minister, Karen Andrews, applying to the high court to allow them to do just that.

On Wednesday Hawke was asked about that litigation, and told Radio National:

I won’t comment – it’s before the courts. It’s a complex question of law, it’s not about an opinion of the government, and it has to be tested and resolved. That’s what the government is doing. Of course, there is no intent to deport an Aboriginal from Australia, ever.

The commonwealth of Australia tried to deport two Aboriginal people – Daniel Love and Brendan Thoms – but the high court prevented this in February 2020. There have been nine Aboriginal people released from immigration detention as a result of the decision.

So, despite what Hawke said, that’s quite a few Aboriginal people the government has tried to deport.

Updated at 11.41pm BST

11.25pm BST

While the Morrison government still struggles to come to a decision most of the rest of the world, industry and business came to quite a while ago, the climate protests outside the parliament continue:

Extinction Rebellion protesters out the front of Parliament House in Canberra this morning. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Extinction Rebellion protesters on Wednesday — Another view of the demonstration. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Police remove protesters from the road in front of Parliament House. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Legs sticking out from under a pile of coal — ‘Choked by coal’. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 11.31pm BST

11.19pm BST

The immigration minister, Alex Hawke, has been asked on Radio National about when and how many migrants will return to Australia, after a speech by treasurer Josh Frydenberg to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is calling for skilled migrant numbers to be boosted from 120,000 to 200,000.

Hawke said that after borders open on 1 November Australians, permanent residents and their families will return “as a priority”, then cohorts including temporary workers, students, working holiday makers and temporary visa holders, including tourists.

He said skilled migrants “will be a high priority” especially those assessed as “job-enablers”, such as someone with tech skills from Silicon Valley.

Hawke acknowledged that business is “screaming” to get skilled migrants back. As far as numbers are concerned, Australia accepted 160,000 in both 2020 and 2021, at first filled “mostly by partner visas” but with “good numbers to fill skill shortages” after 1 November.

He made no commitment to increase the size of the program – only that the government will look at the flows and whether it is enough to fill critical shortages before deciding the next year’s allocation.

Later he suggested that “skill shortages will ameliorate” when the border opens so, if anything, it sounds like a signal that 160,000 a year will be enough.

Updated at 11.28pm BST

11.13pm BST

Third vaccine shots have been approved for people with severely compromised immune systems but there is no answer yet as to when the rest of the nation will begin receiving their third shots (it’s not really a booster, more of a third dose).

AAP says the AMA wants Atagi to make that decision sooner rather than later:

Australian Medical Association Victorian president Roderick McRae has urged the expert immunisation panel to approve third jabs.

“The vaccine status of those healthcare workers in particular who have had those two booster doses, their protection against COVID-19 is waning,” he said on Wednesday.

“They should be looking after healthcare workers to ensure that they’re as protected as they possibly can be as they have made the decision to open up the community.”

But infectious disease expert Robert Booy said the focus should be on ensuring immunocompromised people were given another dose before Christmas.

“For the rest of the population who might be at higher risk, I can see a booster coming next year at the same time as a flu jab – March, April, May,” he told the Nine Network.

“So no need to panic.”

Updated at 11.26pm BST

11.03pm BST

The government is being forced to split one of its own bills to get at least some of it passed before the end of the year.

From Daniel Hurst:

The Morrison government will push ahead with new laws requiring businesses to report when they are under cyber-attack and, in extreme cases, to allow Australian officials to “step in” to help fend off hackers.

The operators of critical assets will be required to report cyber incidents. The legislation will also allow the government – through the Australian Signals Directorate – to provide direct assistance to industry “as a last resort”.

The rationale for this change is to allow the government to “provide assistance immediately prior, during or after a significant cybersecurity incident to ensure the continued provision of essential services”.

On Wednesday, the federal government will split its own critical infrastructure bill, delaying some elements that businesses have complained would impose “red tape”.

Updated at 11.07pm BST

11.01pm BST

Victoria records 1,841 local Covid cases overnight; NSW 283

Both NSW and Victoria have released their latest Covid data. Victoria has recorded 1,841 local cases overnight; NSW 283.

Victoria:

Reported yesterday: 1,841 new local cases and 1 case acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
- 38,881 vaccines administered
- 78,928 test results received
- Sadly, 12 people with COVID-19 have died

More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAchah #COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/fHFgWqkYZc
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 19, 2021

NSW:

NSW COVID-19 update – Wednesday 20 October 2021

In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:

- 92.3% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 81.6% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 88,664 tests pic.twitter.com/qGXQBxYuWJ
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 19, 2021

All of the love and condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

Updated at 11.13pm BST

10.59pm BST

Labor SA senator Karen Grogan will deliver her first speech this afternoon.

Updated at 11.01pm BST

10.58pm BST

In case you missed it yesterday, Dorinda Cox made her first speech in the Senate:

My pledge is to assure the people of Australia that my values are anchored in the betterment of our communities’ quality of life, and for further generations of our children to have a healthy and thriving planet to live on. Fighting for that future belongs to all of us – one that benefits many, not just a few. If you feel unheard and unseen then, in my time working here, I want to work to make sure that we change and transform this place so that we can be better allies for you. Climate and social justice is the unfinished business that we must prioritise as elected leaders of this nation, which is here, in the place of the people – the Senate.

I wish to finish in my great-grandmother’s Wajarri Badimaya language. Nganhu garrimanah malga brily marlbayiminah. Together, we stand strong and we rise up.

Newly sworn-in WA Greens senator Dorinda Cox is congratulated by fellow Greens senator Lidia Thorpe. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 11.01pm BST

10.46pm BST

AAP has an update on the resumption of the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial:

The resumption of Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial has been put off until at least the middle of January but no date has been set due to COVID-19 disruption.

The Victoria Cross recipient’s lawsuit against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times was halted in August and slated to resume on November 1 after Sydney went into lockdown.

After hearing different proposals from the parties in the Federal Court on Friday, Justice Anthony Besanko vacated the November slot.

He also rejected a suggestion the trial be relocated to South Australia or resume for a short time from November 8 in Sydney to hear from NSW witnesses.

“I do not propose to fix the date for resumption,” he said. “It seems to me circumstances are too uncertain for me to do that.

“I wish to have the opportunity of resuming the trial on, or some time after, January 17 should the circumstances indicate that is the appropriate course having regard to the interest of the parties and the administration of justice.”

The judge, who will give his reasons at a later date, listed the matter for a further case management hearing on December 3.

The difficulties of continuing the trial include the availability of witnesses from Western Australia flowing from COVID-19 border restrictions in that state.

Updated at 10.55pm BST

10.30pm BST

Meanwhile, the tax commissioner is facing a Senate inquiry, as Daniel Hurst reports:

Australia’s tax commissioner, Chris Jordan, faces an inquiry into whether he “disobeyed a lawful order of the Senate” by declining to release information about jobkeeper payments.

The Senate voted on Tuesday to refer the issue to the powerful privileges committee, the latest development in a long-running battle between non-government senators and the Coalition over the key pandemic economic stimulus measure.

It stems from a Senate decision on 4 August to require Jordan to provide a list of all employers with an annual turnover greater than $10m that received jobkeeper, the number of employees paid, the total amount paid and any amount returned.

Updated at 10.39pm BST

10.13pm BST

Our hot vaxxed summer will only be hot for the vaxxed:

On tennis:

Immigration Minister @AlexHawkeMP says that Novak Djokovic will not be allowed into Australia if he is not double vaccinated.

"Our health advice is that when we open the borders everyone that comes to Australia will have to be double vaccinated"
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) October 19, 2021

Updated at 10.15pm BST

10.02pm BST

And for anyone who still thinks the climate science is disputed (and you don’t have to go far in either parliamentary chamber to find someone who will tell you that) the verdict is in – no it is not. Scientists agree the climate emergency has been caused by humans:

Updated at 10.13pm BST

10.00pm BST

While the Coalition still umms and ahhhs over a bare minimum commitment, one of the industries they say they are considering is pleading with them to get on board.

As Sarah Martin and Katharine Murphy report:

The National Farmers’ Federation has made a final pitch to the National party to support a net zero emissions reduction target before Scott Morrison heads to Glasgow, telling MPs that failure to do so could “punish farmers” as the rest of the world decarbonises.

Morrison is due to depart for the United Nations-led climate conference late next week by the Nationals continue to work a package of measures to accompany any 2050 commitment – including funding for regional jobs and infrastructure projects.

The party’s leader, Barnaby Joyce, has signalled the Nationals’ priorities will be put to Morrison by the end of this week. A Nationals subgroup comprising ministers David Littleproud, Bridget McKenzie, Keith Pitt and Kevin Hogan is coordinating proposals from their colleagues, including ascertaining specific safeguards required for the Nationals to formally agree to adopt the net zero target.

Updated at 10.13pm BST

9.49pm BST

In question time yesterday, Barnaby Joyce said he was anticipating being able to give the prime minister a response from the National party by the end of the week.

Cabinet is meeting today (which Joyce sits in) where the roadmap and plan – which is yet to be made public – will be discussed more. Ultimately, the decision will be one for cabinet. Which means Joyce, Bridget McKenzie and even those outside cabinet, like resources minister Keith Pitt, will have to embrace the decision and sell it, even if they don’t like it (or resign their ministerial positions). You can’t have ministers running around criticising a plan the cabinet has embraced.

Barnaby Joyce at question time yesterday. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

The only thing for certain right now is that if Joyce and co hadn’t rolled Michael McCormack when they did, they would be doing it now and blowing up the entire show. There is no way this point in the discussions would even have been reached if McCormack was leader.

Joyce is being forced to engage because he is the leader, and he’s being forced to be productive in the talks and negotiations because of what he stands to lose, politically. If he wasn’t the leader right now and this situation was playing out, you can guarantee there would have been a leadership battle thrown into the mix. Somewhere in an alternate universe, that very scenario is playing out. So at least we have been spared that.

Updated at 10.24pm BST

9.43pm BST

What is the price of the National party support?

David Littleproud tries to pretend he doesn’t know what ABC host Michael Rowland is talking about, but by the third attempt Littleproud says:

Money makes the world go around, mate.

Cool. So we got there. So what is the price?

Littleproud:

We are working through that to make sure there is not a huge price to this. Using the smarts of technology and reform in protecting regional Australia, we aren’t thinking about 30 pieces of silver.

We are thinking more about the policy settings to ensure we protect regional Australia and help grow it. That is the simple premise we have been tasked by the party room.

We don’t want to ask for billions of dollars, that is not responsible.

We think we can achieve it by being smarter than that and using the mechanisms that are already there rather than going for a cash grab. The National party is more mature and pragmatic than that.

We are working through that now and trying to make sure we get this right. That is the process we have set ourselves and to do it as quick as we can.

Updated at 9.52pm BST

9.43pm BST

Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud has been trotted out again to try to make sense of what is happening in the Coalition at the moment, given there has been eight years for the governing parties to come to this moment, where they have to consider a net zero target (not a zero target) three decades into the future.

He’s on the ABC this morning:

You have to put it into perspective. Our party room only saw this plan less than 36 hours ago. We are trying to move as quickly as we can and be respectful and pragmatic of the process. The vast majority of the party room want to move forward but they want to secure regional Australia’s future but also growing it. Making sure any impacts we can mitigate. We are running the lens over that now and doing that as quickly as we can, understanding there are time pressures on this. We appreciate we only saw this less than 36 hours ago.

Updated at 9.51pm BST

9.43pm BST

Government to 'refine' federal Icac legislation

The federal attorney general, Michaelia Cash, has said the government will refine its proposed federal integrity commission in response to feedback on the draft bill.

The indication from the government comes as the independent senator Rex Patrick prepares to introduce into the Senate legislation to establish a federal integrity commission that is based on the same legislation introduced in the lower house by the independent MP Helen Haines.

Haines and Patrick have been working on securing crossbench support for the bill, and if it secures the numbers, the legislation is expected to be debated and voted on this week. If successful, it will then go to the lower house.

To pass the legislation, 38 Senate votes are needed, meaning support from Labor, the Greens and just three of the the five crossbench senators is needed to pass the bill.

The pressure on the government over the Commonwealth Integrity Commission comes as some Liberal MPs speak out in favour of a tougher CIC, criticising the model for a number of shortcomings.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Cash said the government was still intending to introduce its bill into parliament this year:

The Government has conducted a nation-wide consultation process on draft legislation for the CIC which included civil society, academics and key experts across the government and non government sectors.

The Government is currently considering the extensive feedback received through the consultation process in order to inform further refinement of the draft legislation.

Updated at 9.51pm BST

9.43pm BST

Good morning

We have all made it to hump day! An achievement no matter how you look at it, given how frustrating the weeks can be.

It’s still all climate, climate, climate in the parliament, as the Coalition tussles over a net zero target set 29 years into the future (think about how old you will be then, if you want to put it into perspective) while maintaining that there will be no changes to the fossil fuel industry.

It being Auspol, Scott Morrison is doing his absolute damndest to switch the debate back to Labor. So the government has a plan, but Labor, which has not yet released its policy, is going to cost you jobs, or so goes Morrison’s rhetoric, which really picked up steam during question time yesterday.

So that gives you a little taste of what the coming election campaign is going to be like. Also worth noting, Morrison is still trying to shrug off his own past words – presented with his own quotes, the PM just rejected the premise.

That’s another favoured tactic – you never have to apologise or reflectt.

Meanwhile, in place of saying anything of real value, the current deputy prime minister continues to rattle off every regional and rural town in Australia.

And while it is true that emissions reductions are going to lead to change in rural and regional industries (with many making changes already), the cost of inaction impacts EVERYONE.

Barnaby Joyce is setting it up as a binary choice between the regions and the cities, all but saying that there is no impact to people who live outside a regional or rural postcode.

So obviously he has no memory of just a couple of years ago when Sydney and Canberra were choking on bushfire smoke. Or when major floods swept through cities. Or the increase in storm activity. It’s not binary, is what I’m saying. It impacts us all.

We’ll keep you up to date on all of today’s doings, as well as what is happening elsewhere.

West Australian premier Mark McGowan has all but ruled out any border reopening to NSW and Victoria before the end of the year, saying he doesn’t want to impact the freedoms of people living Covid-free in his state.

Queensland is on a mass vaccination push, with 11 days for people to get vaccinated before the state begins its reopening (that is taking into account the lag between vaccinations and how long until you get antibodies).

And Victoria is about to hit is 80% target, which means more freedoms for people in Melbourne, who deserve all of the goodness given what they have been through.

You have Mike Bowers walking the halls, Amy Remeikis on the blog and Katharine Murphy, Sarah Martin, Paul Karp and Daniel Hurst in Canberra ready to explain it all.

It’s going to be a five-coffee day. I feel it in my cold black heart. Ready?

Updated at 9.49pm BST

Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here