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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Amy Remeikis

Michaelia Cash goes on attack over AWU raid – as it happened

We are, to borrow from Murph, going to land this plane today.

But we will take off again early tomorrow morning. Even if your pilot is the walking dead.

It’s the last day of sitting until the budget is handed down in April. And then, from all indications, the election will be called shortly after.

What will tomorrow bring? How many ‘weaks’? More Helloworld? A Michael McCormack dixer answer which makes sense?

Who knows. But, if the rest of the week has been any indication, it will at least be entertaining.

Thank you to Mike Bowers, Lyndal Curtis, Katharine Murphy, Paul Karp and every other member of the Guardian’s brains trust. They more than earned their wage today keeping me standing and the fingers moving.

And as always, thank you to you, for reading. You make it all worthwhile.

We’ll see you early tomorrow morning. In the meantime, take care of you.

Charities commissioner doubles down on removal of Indigenous acknowledgment

Remember this story from Calla?

Labor has called on the Indigenous affairs minister, Nigel Scullion, to investigate the “offensive” views of the charities commissioner, Gary Johns, after the former Labor MP refused to back away from past comments that pregnant Indigenous women were being used as “cash cows”.

Johns, a minister in the Keating government, told a Senate estimates hearing this week that he had questioned his staff over the inclusion of an acknowledgement of traditional owners in their email signature, saying it could suggest the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission had a “bias” towards Indigenous charities.

Labor senator Jenny McAllister asked Johns if his own past statements – which included a comment on the Bolt Report in 2015 that Indigenous women were being “kept pregnant and producing children for the cash” – could be taken to suggest that he had a negative bias toward Indigenous charities, and whether he disavowed those statements now. Johns answered: “Absolutely not.””

Well, we have an update, courtesy of estimates.

Jenny McAllister: Dr Johns, the last time you appeared before this committee we had a conversation about acknowledgment of country. Subsequent to the exchange that we had, I understand that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs wrote to you and reassured you directly, saying “I do not believe that such an inference could be drawn from such references in the signature blocks of ACNC officers.”

So it must have been something of a relief to realise that you can acknowledge country without creating a perception of bias.

Did you respond to Mr Scullion – Senator Scullion I should say?

Gary Johns:

Yes, and I made it clear that the decision of bias is mine - the question is whether I consider it an issue on my signature block in my commission. So the Senator’s view does not carry any weight in my decision.

Sorry, it might be a useful piece of information, but it’s not determinative of my view.

JM: So your evidence to this committee is that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs’ view
about this matter carries no weight with you?

GJ: It’s not determinative; it’s my view that carries the issue of whether I consider the particular form of acknowledgment to carry with it the risk of perceived bias.

Updated

All of the hugs

Jenny Macklin and Penny Wong
Jenny Macklin and Penny Wong. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Jenny Macklin and Tanya Plibersek
Jenny Macklin and Tanya Plibersek. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten
Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Kelly O’Dwyer and Julia Banks
Kelly O’Dwyer and Julia Banks. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Kelly O’Dwyer and Scott Morrison
Kelly O’Dwyer and Scott Morrison. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Kelly O’Dwyer and Tim Wilson
Kelly O’Dwyer and Tim Wilson. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Kelly O’Dwyer and Jenny Macklin
Kelly O’Dwyer and Jenny Macklin. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated

The Defence department has confirmed it no longer pays taxpayer dollars to social media influencers.

The Herald Sun reported on Wednesday that swimmer Lachlan Carter was one of 14 social media influencers who were paid a total of $54,908 by the department in the past two years.

Carter was spruiking the Navy’s Young Endeavour sailing program with instagram hashtags like: #hotguys and #sixpackvibes.

Under questioning from Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, Defence officials told a Senate estimates hearing the department stopped using influencers in August last year.

An official said the decision coincided with a discovery that two influencers used as part of a defence force recruiting campaign “were not aligned with Defence values”.

Updated

Anthony Albanese takes to the despatch box to thank Kelly O’Dwyer for her speech and her contribution to the parliament, on behalf of the Labor party, and says he wants to acknowledge the sacrifice she has made, to her family, in order to be able to serve as a MP and minister.

Updated

Catherine King on the number of opt-outs in MyHealth:

Under Labor questioning in Senate estimates on Wednesday, the Australian Digital Health Agency revealed 2,517,921 opted out of the system before the end of January.

And that figure doesn’t include an estimated 300,000 others who had records but cancelled them.

That’s a dramatic increase on the 1,147,000 figure the Agency revealed in October – showing 1.4 million Australians scrambled to opt out after the government’s original planned end date.

Labor supports a national digital health record – which is why we created one when we were last in government.

But the government’s rushed implementation of an opt-out model created a range of problems and severely undermined public support for a system that could deliver enormous health benefits for all Australians.”

Updated

She concludes with:

I want to thank my colleagues, including a number who I have worked with across the aisle, and in particular Julie Bishop for her friendship and guidance.

I am lucky that before I came into this place I had two life-long friends who were already here – the speaker of the house, Tony Smith, and the president of the Senate, Scott Ryan – who are like big brothers to me, and like big brothers can both delight and infuriate me.

I want to place on record my thanks to Malcolm Turnbull for his friendship and also his great support of me when I gave birth – the first serving Cabinet Minister to do so.

He also made me the youngest female cabinet minister and, together with Scott Morrison, gave me portfolios with complex policy issues to work through. I have loved the intellectual stimulation and technical detail that has come with the second largest legislative workload in this place.

I would like to place on record my gratitude to the many hard-working public servants in my various portfolios and the teams of people who enable our Parliament to function.

To the prime minister, thank you for your friendship, determination, courage and leadership. It has never been more needed than now and I know that with you our country is in good hands.

I thank the house for its indulgence.”

Updated

Kelly O’Dwyer uses her final speech to back a call from Scott Ryan:

As my final observation in this place, I think that elected governments should be able to implement their mandates. I support the proposition endorsed by the Senate president for major parties to consider implementing an Australian version of the Salisbury Convention. This would mean parties agreeing to abide by a convention that the Senate won’t obstruct the passage of legislation to effect government policy which has been fully and fairly disclosed to the Australian people well before voting commences in an election.”

Updated

Sarah Hanson-Young looks like she is in the chamber to hear Kelly O’Dwyer’s speech.

A lot of Labor and the crossbench have stayed. And while there are more government MPs then there was for Jenny Macklin, there are still a lot of empty chairs for a minister delivering her valedictory.

Looks like Health estimates is getting some updates on how many people have opted out of MyHealth.

It might be easier to count those who are left.

Updated

Kelly O’Dwyer:

My time in this place has coincided with a deterioration of trust in both this institution and, indeed, the very concept of democracy.

Social media, and a proliferation of tribal echo chambers, have led to warped perceptions of Australians’ views, a failure to listen to alternative ideas and a decline in genuine policy debate an civil discourse. Time spent in the community is the best antidote.

However technology has accelerated our lives and our expectations. Complex policy issues in an increasingly complex world don’t usually have an easy answer. The default response here should not be to immediately outsource decision making to unelected people.

And sometimes parliamentarians need to prosecute the case for patience and a deeper conversation with their electorates.”

Kelly O’Dwyer begins her valedictory speech.

I start today with the words that concluded my very first speech in this place:

‘I will never forget that politics is about people. And that people can make a difference. That is why I am here. I look forward to playing my part in building an even better Australia.’

Going on a decade as the Federal Member for Higgins, I believe that I have been able to do that.

As anyone who has had the honour of serving in this place knows, you can’t make a contribution here without a lot of support.

I want to start by thanking the people of Higgins for the privilege of representing them in this place and for entrusting me to represent their issues both big and small. I especially want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to share in the important moments in their lives, and those of their families.

I also want to thank the extraordinary members of the Liberal party.

I joined the party as a 17 year old because I believe people should be free to choose their own paths in life, that they should be rewarded for hard work and enterprise, and that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves respect and the opportunity to live their best life.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to prosecute those values in this place.”

Updated

Jenny Macklin finishes with love:

My first vote was in 1974 – for Gough and for Labor.

I couldn’t vote in the 1972 “It’s Time” election, because 18 year olds weren’t allowed to vote back then – though Gough would change that.

But I do remember being swept up in the energy and urgency of that election – the infectious feeling that change was finally coming.

Gough said, “It’s time” – and it was.

And now “It’s time” for me.

Time to move on. Time to step back. Time for this new generation of brilliant people to make their impact – as I know you will.

There is nothing wrong with having a big heart in politics. Seriously there is nothing wrong at all with having a big heart.

There are people who really need us, who really need on us.

Heed the words of Martin Luther King:

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anaemic.

“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”

Jenny Macklin also thanks the Coalition:

I should say something about those opposite.

It doesn’t happen often, but when we find a common cause, it’s important and impactful. What an amazing day it was when we all voted together for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.”

As with Wayne Swan’s speech yesterday, there is barely anyone on the government benches to hear this speech. There may be a couple more in the hook, but I count less than 12.

As predicted (by her) Jenny Macklin tears up, as she talks about the people she has met, before turning to her thankyous:

Tanya Plibersek – much younger than me, from a different generation.

And Wayne Swan, from the Queensland Right – practically another planet. I am originally a Queenslander so it must be that!

But both so special to me. I thank them for their friendship.

Also Anthony Albanese, who has always had my back. And Linda Burney, who has the biggest heart.

Tony Burke, as the leader of opposition business, who has kept me on the tactics committee longer than anyone should.

As well as our leaders, it’s our whips who keep us all together.

Chris Hayes is a true gentleman of politics, whose only failing of leadership has been his decision to appoint me as captain of our parliamentary swimming team.

In all this time we’ve only beaten the Coalition swimmers once, and that’s only thanks to Matt Thistlethwaite, and we’ve never beaten the Press Gallery team.

Chris and I have spent many hours with our arms around our colleagues when they needed professional and personal support.

That’s something that people don’t see. There is just so much about this place that people don’t see.

There have been many speakers in my time here, and a few unusual ones.

You, Mr Speaker, have been far too patient with me when I’m being cheeky or shouting something inappropriate.

To you, and all the staff of the Parliament, my thanks.

The dozens and dozens of staff I’ve had over the years have been renowned for their kindness, their brilliance, their commitment to Labor values, and … their incredible fertility.”

Updated

If you are wondering what happened to the Michaelia Cash estimates updates, the committee has moved on to the spending of the department.

Minister for Small Business Michaelia Cash before the senate Education and Employment committee.
Minister for Small Business Michaelia Cash before the senate Education and Employment committee Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
And another thing
And another thing. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
And then
And then ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
But also
But also ... Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Because
Because. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated

Jenny Macklin is delivering her valedictory speech, after 23 years in parliament.

To her colleagues she says:

You are the custodians of our democracy now. And our democracy really must be nurtured.

In my first speech I spoke about citizenship.

I said it wasn’t just about having a vote or holding a passport. It means being able to share in the life of the community. It means enjoying a certain level of security. It means belonging.

The truth is, we need each other. We need to look out for each other, protect each other, and protect the institutions that bind us together.

There are some things in life we should all be able to rely on.

We all deserve to know that no matter what – old or young, city or bush, rich or poor – we’ll be able to lead good, meaningful lives full of purpose.

That Australians everywhere can afford to see a doctor.

That the children I met in Fitzroy Crossing get the same chance at a great education as children in Melbourne.

That pensioners in West Heidelberg can have dignity and security in retirement, just like others.

That my children’s generation can fulfil the dream of home ownership.

Each of us is subject to the twists and turns of fate. Our social safety net is there to protect everyone – and everyone deserves the security of knowing it’s there when they need it.

If these fundamentals of Australian life break down, or only exist for the better off, then our social fabric breaks down.

The same goes for our national institutions.”

Updated

We haven’t done this for a little bit, but I just went back through the Hansard to count how many times the word ‘weak’ has featured in Coalition questions or answers this week.

At my count

Monday – 9

Tuesday – 12

Wednesday – 17

Updated

The navy has flagged all of Australia’s ageing Collins class submarines may need upgrading before the new fleet of French-built vessels are operational.

“We are yet to fully determine how many of the boats we will upgrade,” the navy chief, Mike Noonan, told a Senate estimates in hearing in Canberra on Wednesday.

“We’re expecting that we will upgrade at least five.”

The first of the new subs is supposed to be delivered by Naval Group in the early 2030s, with the final sub delivered in the 2050s.

Defence had previously planned to retire the six Collins subs around 2026.

The foreign minister, Marise Payne, who was previously defence minister, also claimed credit for naming the new submarines the “attack class”.

Jenny Macklin will deliver her valedictory speech very shortly, after which, Kelly O’Dwyer will deliver hers.

For those asking, all of the crossbench, except Bob Katter, who was not in the chamber, voted with Labor to suspend standing orders.

Labor had lost three MPs (I think) to 94a

Ayes - 71

Noes - 71

But there is no absolute majority, so the motion fails.

And Scott Morrison calls an end to question time.

Mark Dreyfus takes his opportunity to speak on the motion and then the time for debate is concluded.

A division is called.

Suspending standing orders takes an absolute majority (I am pretty sure) which is 76.

So Labor is unlikely to win this one.

Updated

Here is that Helloworld statement to the ASX Christopher Pyne was talking about:

Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX: HLO) provides the following information in relation to media reports today:

Travel Services in the United States

This morning an article appeared in the Age and Sydney Morning Herald suggesting the Australian Ambassador to the United States, the Hon Joe Hockey “pushed for a contract” (print version) or “requested a meeting” (revised online version) with Helloworld subsidiary QBT in relation to the provision of travel services to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in the United States.

QBT was awarded a contract in 2015 to provide travel management services to Commonwealth Government Agencies, including DFAT.

In 2017, QBT requested a meeting with DFAT personnel in the United States to discuss the provision of travel management services in the US and this meeting took place.

QBT understands DFAT personnel met a number of travel services providers as part of its considerations in relation to the provision of travel services in the United States.

In August 2018, DFAT started a formal tender process, which QBT has responded to. No announcement has been made in relation to this tender.

At no time has Ambassador Hockey or Helloworld CEO Andrew Burnes discussed the DFAT tender and neither Mr Hockey nor Mr Burnes have had any involvement in the tender process.

Mr Burnes did not request the meeting with DFAT personnel in the United States.

At all times Helloworld and Mr Burnes have acted properly in the tender process.

Updated

Christopher Pyne:

Now, let’s just turn to this issue itself – this pathetic case that was put by the member for Rankin – the facts are, Mr Speaker, the ambassador in Washington declared his shareholding in Helloworld before the tender process for the Australian embassy in Washington travel services began.*

The tender process commenced with a register for expressions of interest advertised in August 2018. Mr Hockey has had no role in the tender process.

He declared his business interests in accordance with the DFAT guidelines.

The Australian embassy staff meeting with QBT on 26 April 2017 was not in relation to the tender process. QBT was then and continues to be a travel provider for DFAT through whole-of-government supplier arrangements.

Mr Hockey declared his business interests in Helloworld to embassy staff ahead of that meeting. He did not instruct staff to meet QBT or any other companies in relation to the tender.

As part of the normal business, Australian embassy staff have met and corresponded with a range of travel providers to discuss the embassy’s travel requirements. They are the facts, Mr Speaker.

And Helloworld has put out a statement today to the Australian Stock Exchange, not to the Guardian, not to the ABC, not to the Fairfax press, not to the Labor party machine men who are trying to distract the Australian public from their complete failure on border protection and taxes, no, to the Australian Stock Exchange.

So it’s a very high standard required if you declare something to the Australian Stock Exchange. But I tell you what they declared – they said at no time has embassy Hockey or Helloworld CEO Andrew Burnes discussed the DFAT tender and neither Mr Hockey nor Mr Burns have had any involvement in the tender process.”

*Just a thought – how did that conversation come up? Good morning, oh, and by the way, I need to declare this completely unrelated thing?

Updated

Mark Dreyfus seconds the motion and reserves his right to speak.

Christopher Pyne takes up the government case.

Of course the government will not be agreeing to the suspension of standing orders. Mr Speaker, that was really one of the weakest performances I have seen in this place for a very long time.

This is the man who is apparently the great white hope of the Queensland right-wing, Mr Speaker.

His performance was enough to make himself cry, Mr Speaker. As we know, it’s been the case before in the past when he hasn’t been able to get his own way, Mr Speaker, as was exposed by the previous prime minister, Mr Rudd.

This is one of the most – the weakest cases I have ever seen in this House, Mr Speaker, to condemn either a minister or in this case the ambassador to Washington DC.

It is a straight out smear and a straight out slur, Mr Speaker, and what the Labor party have been saying in the press gallery all day today to anybody who wanted to hear, bragging about how they have had this story for months, they have known about the Helloworld story for a long time and they were just waiting to drop it to distract from their own problems, Mr Speaker.

To distract from their woes which they have created themselves in the last few weeks. They thought they were coming back to Canberra.

... But they completely mistake the fact that the Canberra bubble is not the Australian public. That is not what the people of Australia are talking about, Mr Speaker.”

Updated

Lyndal Curtis is having some fun:

Updated

Jim Chalmers is now attempting to suspend standing orders on the same issue.

... It’s a very, very Liberal scandal. And what we’ve seen today – what we’ve seen today in this House is the alternative universe that those opposite inhabit.

The alternative universe where it’s entirely normal, when you want to book the 3.30 flight out of Perth you ring up the CEO of an ASX-listed company. That’s the alternative universe they live in. The alternative universe when you don’t actually notice when somebody picks up a $3,000 tab for you.

You haven’t noticed it comes out of your credit card. The alternative universe those opposite occupy where there is one set of rules for their rich Liberal party mates and another set of rules for ordinary Australians and communities that we represent right around this country.

Now there are so many things today, Mr Speaker, that the prime minister and his sidekick, his offsider, the member for Sturt, were unable to explain.

So many things they were unable to explain. They couldn’t provide a simple answer to a simple question about whether the documents which prove that Mr Hockey asked one of the embassy officials to take a meeting with a company – the company at the centre of this scandal – whether or not that document exists, and when the member for Sturt was asked about this, he basically told the House, ‘Look, when we get around to checking it out, we’ll see how we go.’ Well, that’s not good enough.

That’s not good enough – the Australian people deserve answers about this latest grubby scandal which is engulfing the government which sits opposite – opposite from us today.

... There are so many aspects to this, but perhaps the one that the prime minister needs to explain from his own answers today, I think – there’s a lot of explaining to do from the prime minister, there’s a lot of explaining that he needs to do.

But he said today, and he scurried out of the House, he has gone and hid in his office, but he said today, ‘I’m advised Mr Hockey did not instruct staff to meet QBT or any other companies in relation to the tender and as part of normal business’, and what the prime minister needs to explain, when he speaks, when he next speaks, or when the member for Sturt does, is that he is claiming that Mr Hockey didn’t request embassy staff to meet with QBT at all. Now, this is a very serious issue here, this is a very serious issue.

The prime minister is denying something ... of which there are reports of documents which exist from officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. That is a very, very serious matter, Mr Speaker, and that’s why we need to suspend standing orders to get to the bottom of these very, very important issues.”

Updated

Jim Chalmers is attempting to move this motion:

I seek leave to move the following motion – that the House,

one, notes that yesterday it was revealed the finance minister received free flights to Singapore from Helloworld, which he booked by calling the CEO of this ASX-listed company directly, just before it was awarded a multimillion-dollar whole-of-government contract by the minister’s own department,

(b) today, it has been reported that US ambassador Joe Hockey, who has a million-dollar shareholding in Helloworld, helped a Helloworld subsidiary lobby for the embassy’s travel contract,

(c) the CEO of Helloworld and one of its largest shareholders, Andrew Burnes, is a Liberal party heavyweight and currently Liberal party treasurer with connections to a number of Liberal party politicians,

(d) the finance minister told Senate estimates yesterday that he had “a close personal relationship” with Mr Burnes,

(e) Mr Burnes was previously a colleague of the now-prime minister during the prime minister’s time at Tourism Australia,

(f) since being awarded government contracts, the share price of Helloworld has skyrocketed, making shareholders like Mr Hockey and Mr Burns rich,

and (g) it was reported that the Herald Sun asked almost all of the 82 Liberal MPs in parliament whether they had received free travel from Helloworld, but only 14 said that they had not,

and, (2) therefore calls on the prime minister to investigate and report to the House how far this Helloworld scandal reaches into his government.

He is denied on the voices.

Updated

Jim Chalmers with the Nick Champion question (just cut down) to Scott Morrison:

Is the prime minister confident that trips like the one by the minister for home affairs and Joe Hockey with Helloworld’s CEO and Liberal treasurer Mr Andrew Burnes to Las Vegas, were paid at the full commercial rate?

Morrison:

Again, Mr Speaker, the member comes here and just makes assertions ...

He makes ... and then he asks me to respond as if those assertions are true, Mr Speaker. No, he is not asking – it is said to me, how dare he answer the question, he is not asking a question, he is making an assertion about something he hasn’t even established as a fact and on that basis, Mr Speaker, I don’t agree necessarily with the presumption of the question and therefore, on what basis should I allow a member to come and simply just come to the despatch box, cast aspersions on people in this chamber and the other chamber and former members of the chamber simply because the Labor party wants to distract attention from the fact they’ve come into this place and undermined Australia’s border protection regime, Mr Speaker?

We know, because they’ve been boasting around the media for some time, that they have had this little issue for some time in the drawer and when the pressure is on, they pull it out.

He finishes before Tony Burke can ask him about relevance.

Updated

Josh Frydenberg is now referencing sledgehammers and now I have Peter Gabriel stuck in my head and there is NO excuse for that.

Updated

Josh Frydenberg is now talking about a couple who “plucked up the courage” to buy a two-bedroom apartment.

Not all heroes wear capes, people.

Christian Porter takes a dixer where he makes reference to a “ring of steel” and I just can not.

Jim Chalmers to Scott Morrison:

Nine reports, and I quote, ‘In Mr Hockey’s case, DFAT documents seen by the Age and Sydney Morning Herald show that he asked embassy staff to set up a meeting between minister councillor Justin Phillips who oversees the embassy’s operations and an executive from Helloworld Sydney Qantas Business travel.”

Does the prime minister deny such documents exist?

Christopher Pyne takes this one, but with permission first this time.

The prime minister was asked about conflict of interest in that question and let me say this about conflict of interest – the Labor party, since we got into power in 2013, have opposed every single attempt we have made to make the unions accountable in this country, Mr Speaker.”

He’s told that is not the question. So he starts again.

Well, thank you, Mr Speaker, and if such documents exist, and if such reports exist, I’m sure that we can find those things out when we actually investigate the efficacy of this question, Mr Speaker, and I’m not going to simply accept on face value that because the opposition says something, it makes it true, Mr Speaker.

We see time and time again that in fact that is not the case – that the Labor party take long bows, exaggerations, use all sorts of means to try and twist the truth, and I’ve seen that for a quarter of a century in this place. So I’m hardly going to simply accept what the member for Rankin says, and respond to it as though it’s factual.

But I was asked – I thought generally the question was an implication of conflict of interest, Mr Speaker. Conflict of interest of our ambassador in Washington, DC and, as I said before in my answer, the government has absolute confidence in our ambassador in Washington, DC, and we’re not going to take lectures from the Labor party about integrity in politics.”

He goes on to repeat his answer from the last question, but is sat down for straying off topic by Smith.

Updated

Channel 7 host Larry Emdur’s recent half-hour flight in a fighter jet was worth about $8,000.

Emdur underwent flight training and dressed up in a fighter pilot’s uniform for a segment on the Morning Show and was accompanied by the defence minister, Christopher Pyne, at an Australian air force base.

“It’s the most amazing thing I’ve done in my life,” Emdur said.

A fighter pilot tells Emdur in the footage if he throws up in the jet he has to clean it up.

Pyne told Emdur his name in Top Gun would be Viper.

The Labor senator Kimberley Kitching quizzed defence officials about the filming opportunity during a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday.

The foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, said media access to defence bases was a timely way to show the Australian people defence capability and hopefully interest youngsters in joining the military.

Asked about the costs, the air force chief, Leo Davies, said there was a standard rate per hour for aircraft – $16,000 an hour for the F18 Hornet.

“It was part of the already budgeted F18 flying hours, it was not an additional cost,” Davies said.

Updated

Jim Chalmers to Scott Morrison:

It’s reported that an Australian foreign affairs official expressed concerns about a potential conflict of interest after Joe Hockey directed embassy staff to meet with a subsidiary of Helloworld, a company in which Mr Hockey has a million-dollar shareholding.

When did this official first express concerns about Mr Hockey’s conflict of interest and will the prime minister undertake to table, within 24 hours, all relevant documents about this matter in this House?

Christopher Pyne decides to take this. Without the nod from the prime minister.

I represent the minister for foreign affairs in the House of Representatives, so I’ll answer this question.

Tony Smith:

No, just before – no, I’m not satisfied with that. I mean, I need to...

Scott Morrison gives the nod.

Pyne:

Happy to take the question, prime minister.

We always check. We always check every single claim the Labor party make about any sort of report, especially in the media, before we decide whether it’s fact or not, that has been our tradition in this place.

I can tell you, Mr Speaker, as the minister who represents the minister for foreign affairs, we have every confidence in Joe Hockey as our ambassador in Washington, DC.

He is a former distinguished member of this House.

He is a former distinguished treasurer. He is a great – he did a great deal more to get this economy back on track than any member the Labor party ever had and one of the reasons we are reaping the benefits today of budget surpluses and a strong economy is because of the work that Joe Hockey did when he was a distinguished member of this House, Mr Speaker.

(That was not the question)

So first point I would make ... is that we have every confidence in the integrity of Joe Hockey, our ambassador in Washington. The second point I would make is we have absolutely no confidence in the integrity of many members of the Labor party over the many years that I have been in this place and to be lectured – to be lectured by the Labor party about fiscal rectitude, the party of Eddie Obeid, the party of Joe Triponi, the party of Rex Jackson, if you want to go back a few decades, Mr Speaker...

The party who required a royal commission, a royal commission, to get out of the leader of the opposition a donation that he had forgotten all about, Mr Speaker. It took eight years, the party of John Setker, Mr Speaker, who they revere and put into a position of importance in the Labor party. The party of Ian Macdonald. There were almost as many people in prison...

So we will not be lectured by the Labor party about integrity or fiscal rectitude in this place and we all know what’s going on here. The prime minister nailed it earlier. The Labor party have had a shocker of a couple of weeks, Mr Speaker.

They thought the big story out of this fortnight would be the Canberra bubble, would be about votes in the House of Representatives, who was up and who was down. But it isn’t, Mr Speaker.

The story out of this fortnight is that Labor is weak on border protection and cannot be trusted...”

Updated

Nick Champion to Scott Morrison:

Yesterday, it was revealed the finance minister received free flights to Singapore from Helloworld just before it was awarded a multimillion-dollar whole-of-government contract by the minister’s own department and today it was reported that US ambassador Joe Hockey, who has a million-dollar shareholding in Helloworld, helped a Helloworld subsidiary lobby for embassy travel contracts. Is the prime minister confident that trips like the one by the Minister for Home Affairs and Joe Hockey ...

He doesn’t finish. Tony Smith says there is no question there.

Wayne Swan says he couldn’t hear the question and there was “clearly” an issue. Smith lets him ask the question again. Champion RUSHES it out.

But he doesn’t get the question out in time.

“No issue with the microphone there, and again there was no question,” Smith rules.

We move on to Ian Goodenough’s dixer.

Josh Frydenberg congratulates him on “being able to ask a question properly”.

“That’s how you do it!” a government MP yells out. So loudly I can hear it through the broadcast.

I’m not sure that is the compliment they think it is, though.

Updated

Jim Chalmers to Scott Morrison:

Can the prime minister confirm reports that US ambassador Joe Hockey was contacted by Helloworld’s CEO and Liberal party treasurer Andrew Burnes. Mr Hockey then directed embassy staff to meet with the Helloworld to discuss travel arrangements and the embassy staff were not aware of Joe Hockey’s interest in Helloworld until after that meeting had taken place. Is the prime minister seriously telling the Australian people that this behaviour is completely acceptable?

Morrison:

Again, the member is misrepresenting the truth. He does this constantly. His mentor up there [Wayne Swan] misrepresented the truth when he said he was going to deliver four surpluses, Mr Speaker, and they turned out to be deficits.

The prince of deficits is leaving the chamber, Mr Speaker, sadly. He is leaving the chamber, but I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr Speaker, I can advise the Australian embassy staff meeting ... on 26 April 2017, I’m advised, was not in relation to the tender process.

QBT was then, and continues to be, a travel agency for DFAT through a whole-of-government supply arrangement. Mr Joe Hockey declared his interest in Helloworld to embassy staff ahead of the meeting.

I’m advised embassy staff did not meet QBT or other staff in relation to the tender and embassy staff have met and corresponded with a whole range of travel providers to discuss the embassy’s travel requirements.

So, Mr Speaker, what this is, just again, is the Labor party trying to distract attention with all these slurs, all these smears, all these grubby claims, Mr Speaker, because ... they know they have been caught out doing the wrong thing by the Australian people and well outside this bubble here, Mr Speaker, whether it is out in Penrith or up in Townsville or over in Bunbury, they know one thing and that is the Labor party cannot be trusted on border protection because the leader of the Labor party is a weak soul when it comes to this issue, Mr Speaker.

He cannot be trusted and his party is riven and divided on the issue of border protection.

Only today – only today, we had the deputy leader of the opposition agreeing with the member for Wentworth, who had said – now, I wouldn’t suggest the member for Wentworth take geography lessons from the member for Sydney, Mr Speaker, that said these people should not come to ... Christmas Island, they should come to Australia, Mr Speaker. They should come to – they shouldn’t come to Christmas Island, they should come to Australia. Now, I can see the member for Sydney agrees with that, Mr Speaker ... but honestly they should be taken to a place, Mr Speaker, where we can be sure that any persons who come to this place who shouldn’t be are held in detention.

He finishes, but Tony Smith issues a warning for answers to stay on subject matter.

Updated

Senator Derryn Hinch has offered this critique of Michaelia Cash’s evidence: “It sounds like a round robin. You tell Senate estimates it’s before the courts, you told the police you told Senate estimates. It sounds like a round-robin.”

Cash responded: “No, I actually answered copious questions [in Senate estimates]”. She said after she provided the AFP with a transcript of her evidence in Senate estimates, they “didn’t have further questions” even though they “had every opportunity” to ask follow-ups.

Hinch then asks if in a meeting with Malcolm Turnbull and two staffers (including former chief of staff Ben Davies) whether either of them piped up when she denied knowledge of the leaks. Cash takes the question on notice, to check the estimates transcript about what she’s already said on the topic.

Updated

Josh Frydenberg talks about all the poor, poor retirees on Australia’s “lowest (*coughs TAXABLE*) incomes”.

We move on.

Jim Chalmers to Scott Morrison:

Today, it has been reported that US ambassador Joe Hockey, who has a million-dollar shareholding in Helloworld, helped them lobby for the travel contract. How can it possibly be appropriate for Joe Hockey to use his official position as his ambassador to help Helloworld win a government contract? Why does this Liberal government only ever look after itself and its mates at the top end of town?

Morrison:

I can advise that – I’m advised that Mr Joe Hockey declared his shareholding in Helloworld before the tender process ...

... The tender process commenced with the register for expressions of interest advertised in August 2018. Mr Hockey has had no role in the tender process. He has declared his business interests in accordance with DFAT guidelines.

So, Mr Speaker, this is just another grubby attempt by the Labor party to distract attention from one very simple thing ... they know they have made a very big mistake in showing up the weakness of their own leader by forcing him to back down ...

By forcing the Labor leader to back down to them and come into this place and weaken Australia’s border security arrangements and they can come in here and throw all the mud they like but one thing will be known well outside the Canberra bubble, that is when it comes to border protection, you can’t trust Labor, Mr Speaker.

You cannot trust Labor and I’ll tell you why – it’s because they are so divided on the issue of border protection. This is why they failed so badly in government. They could not agree on this issue from one day to the next, and that’s why you can’t trust Labor.”

Updated

Adam Bandt has the crossbench question. And he uses it to troll Michael McCormack:

Climate change poses massive risks to Australia’s infrastructure including from rising sea levels, floods that are more intense and bushfires like we’ve already seen this year. Deputy prime minister, will you join me in congratulating the courageous school students going on strike on 15 March, right around the country, calling for urgent climate action and the protection of Australia’s infrastructure?

Will you commend these young people and the 15,000 who went on strike last November, for taking time off school to show us what real leadership looks like?”

McCormack (it ... goes places. And we learn just how bad McCormacking can be, when he doesn’t have a script.)

Well, I tell you what, real leadership doesn’t look like anything that the member for Melbourne brings to this chamber, Mr Speaker.

The children should be at school, that’s where they should be.

They should be learning about Australian history, they should be learning about Australian geography, they should be learning about all the lessons that their teachers are willing to teach them.

Mr Speaker, they should be at school, and I’m pleased ... that I’m part of a government that’s spending record funding on schools, Mr Speaker.

Record funding on public schools, record funding on schools in general, Mr Speaker, and the member for Melbourne would do far better off, Mr Speaker, advising those children to go to school and to stay at school.

What would happen – who’s going to look after those kids when they’re out protesting? I know the Greens like to protest, because that’s all you ever bring to the national debate is protests and frivolous rallies.

You’d do far better off joining the Liberal and the National parties in talking about the economic narrative, in talking about how important it is to have a job in this country, because if you want to work in this country, well, there’s a job there for you.

You’d be far better off talking about our record investment in defence and not siding with those on that side who, when they had six years of opportunity, dropped our defence investment spending levels to 1.6% of GDP, down to the same levels of appeasement and I don’t know why the member for Greenway is complaining or laughing – I mean, it’s no laughing matter.

It’s important that we spend money on defence. It’s important that our defence people have the very best of equipment.”

Here, even Tony Smith has reached his limit.

I’m going to say the deputy prime minister was asked a question with a number of elements, but straying into defence is not relevant to the question. The deputy prime minister can resume his answer but he needs to be relevant to the question.”

McCormack, carries on.

“The best place for those children is at school learning about Australian history, learning about all the important things that their teachers, our very best teachers, mind you ...”

Bandt interjects on relevance to ask if McCormack could explain what the students could do with the science they learn in school.

McCormack:

[The member has been here] long enough to know he can’t introduce new material into a question, so you can’t have two goes, you can’t have two goes, but I’m proud to be part of a government that invests in teachers – quality teachers. My daughter is a quality teacher and I tell you what, Mr Speaker, so too are our teachers and you know what, they should be in class, they should be teaching our children, the very best children, and I tell you what, yeah, they’re up there, too, well done for pointing them out, good on you.

Well, I tell you what, I hope they don’t learn too many sentences from you, the member for McMahon, because you haven’t brought much to the national debate lately, and when they get old I hope you’ve got nothing to do with their franking credits and negative gearing. The children should be at school learning all the important things their teachers are going to teach them.”

Fin.

Updated

Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:

Yesterday, the prime minister was asked whether all his ministers had fully complied with the ministerial standards in all of their dealings with Mr Andrew Burnes and Helloworld. The prime minister answered, “I’m advised there’s nothing before me that could conflict with the question that the member just put to me.” Prime Minister, is that still the case?

Morrison (who apparently sees his I WILL NOT BE LECTURED moment)

It is still the case, Mr Speaker, and I’m not going to take lectures from the leader of the Labor party who took eight years to disclose the campaign support he got from unions when he first ran for the parliament, Mr Speaker.

I’m not going to take lectures from those on my right, Mr Speaker, who won’t even cooperate with the police when it comes to taking money out of union members’ pockets and giving it to GetUp himself.

I’m not going to be lectured by this bloke, Mr Speaker.”

Updated

*Extreme Regina George voice*

Stop trying to make Michael McCormack happen. It’s not going to happen.

Michealia Cash has come up as a question time topic.

Brendan O’Connor to Scott Morrison:

Yesterday in question time, the prime minister said that both minister Cash and the Human Services minister cooperated with the Australian Federal Police investigation about a leaked police raid but the police told Estimates they asked ministers for witness statements on at least two separate occasions, but none were provided. Who’s telling the truth - the prime minister or the police? Because both can’t be correct.

Morrison:

Mr Speaker, there’s another option, and that is the member who asked the question is not representing the truth of these proceedings, Mr Speaker, which is no surprise.

No surprise whatsoever. Because, as I said yesterday, at no stage after the statements that were requested by the AFP was - and that was provided - I advised that further information and advice that the statement was provided was insufficient, Mr Speaker, and what I can tell you is that the AFP has acknowledged the receipt of both the correspondence from Minister Keenan and from Minister Cash and in relation to Minister Keenan he said, “I acknowledge receipt of your statement, AFP will review the statement and if we require any further clarification we may reach out to you.”

That was the end of the matter, Mr Speaker.

... My ministers cooperated with the requirements of the AFP, and the ...

... Mr Speaker, the simple explanation is this. The AFP contacted the ministers, the ministers responded, and no further information was sought from the ministers.”

Updated

Labor senator Doug Cameron is still grilling small business minister Michaelia Cash, peppering his speech with the allegation the media tipoff about the raids constituted “criminal leaking”.

Cash said he is being “rather loose” in his language and notes that there “are no proceedings” afoot. Cameron clarifies he is talking about criminal “activity”, even if it hasn’t resulted in charges and proceedings.

Cash said she had no discussions with then justice minister Michael Keenan about the raids, and rejects the suggestion that there was “a conspiracy between ministers”.

Asked about whether she was aware that her chief of staff Ben Davieswas involved (the federal court heard he told her former senior media adviser about the warrants), Cash replied:

“The evidence I gave on Friday was clear: I had no prior knowledge of the raids, of the execution of warrants. Other than what I’ve seen in media reports, I have no way to verify if that’s true, that would be the first time [I learned about that], reading the media reports.”

Updated

All this dixer has taught me is that Scott Morrison is once again yelling in question time.

Question time begins

Cathy O’Toole to Scott Morrison:

Townsville has experienced our worst natural disaster in our recorded history. The devastating flood has affected more than 22,000 homes. Why won’t the prime minister schedule extra sitting days so this parliament can pass laws to make insurance companies treat north Queenslanders fairly? When will the prime minister stop listening to the insurers and start listening to the people of north Queensland?

Morrison says the government has worked quickly to provide an immediate response, including financial support. But he will not be scheduling extra sitting days.

After a point of order on relevance from Tony Burke, he addresses the insurance part of the question (and links it to border protection):

“... Specifically on the matter of insurance that is one of the many issues that the government is dealing with as part of the ministerial task force in our response to the flood crisis in northern Queensland and the assistant treasurer has been working on those issues and I can assure you that the insurance companies are on notice from our government that they need to address the claims and they need to be standing with the people of north Queensland in the same way that our government is doing just that, Mr Speaker.

I’m very disappointed that the government has been put in the situation where we have to spend $500m in the next two years opening a detention centre which we didn’t need to do two weeks ago, Mr Speaker, and the only reason we have to do that is because the leader of the Labor party has no interest in border protection.

Updated

Michaelia Cash has just asked for a “certified” copy of the federal court proceedings, where David de Garis has given testimony. She says she has not seen a copy, and can not answer questions about what he may have said.

For a refresher on what was said, head here

Updated

Michaelia Cash goes on attack in estimates

Michaelia Cash said that Labor’s Doug Cameron has consistently accused her of having prior knowledge of the raids on the Australian Workers Union headquarters, but states she had “no prior knowledge of the execution of the warrants” - and she gave evidence under oath on Friday in the federal court.

She’s back on the attack:

“Mr Bill Shorten could go under oath and say whether he had appropriate authorisations for the [AWU’s] $100k [donation to GetUp] and $25k to his own election campaign. One has to wonder what is in the documents the [Australian Federal Police] have seized from the AWU that they are fighting tooth and nail to ensure the [registered organisations] commission and Australian public never ever see? I wonder if the documents show Mr Shorten did not have the authorisations?”

Cash also rejected the suggestion she had been “demoted” by noting that she is still a cabinet minister, a “privilege” that Cameron has never and will never have (as he’s leaving parliament at next election).

Updated

Michaelia Cash has STILL not seen a transcript of the AFP evidence and says she will not comment on what was said, until she has seen it.

We are also in the downhill slide to question time.

Michaelia Cash is now taking umbrage at Doug Cameron saying last night that she was demoted.

She says that she is a cabinet minister, which is a privilege that Cameron will never have. And she is “delighted” to be the minister for small and family business.

Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong has held a press conference to attack the Coalition’s handling of the $50bn future submarine program.

She said:

“Before the last election [defence minister] Christopher Pyne told South Australians that the local build, the local content, the Australian content would be 90%.... then that became 60%.

“Guess what we learned today in Senate estimates: there is no minimum Australian content for our submarines program. No minimum amount of Australian jobs ... utterly contrary to the promises made by Christopher Pyne and others before the election.”

Updated

Michaelia Cash has come in with a statement that points to it all being Bill Shorten’s fault.

She also points out that Joe Ludwig cost the Commonwealth almost $800,000 in legal fees.

Except – that was when the cattle industry sued him. Which is a little different to what we are looking at today.

Updated

Michaelia Cash has turned up in the education and employment estimates.

Doug Cameron is thrilled.

Schools to choose if they want a chaplain under Labor

What about the chaplains program? Tanya Plibersek says Labor will go back to a ‘school’s choice’ position.

This is one of those policy areas that’s gone back and forward with every change of government and we will go back to the position we had when we were last in government, the funding remains.

Schools can choose to employ chaplains if they wish. Or they can choose to employ a secular youth worker, social worker, someone with adequate qualifications to give support, mentoring, deliver social welfare in the students.

When it comes to the teachers, I wouldn’t want the school chaplaincy program paying for that.

But one of the benefits of the $14bn in additional funding that we will give to public schools and the restoration of funding to Catholic and independent schools is you can hire more specialist teachers to reduce some of the workload on teachers and continuing professional development, feeling like you are on top of what you are doing incredibly reduces your stress load.

Most of the extra funding that needs-based funding brought to our schools last time was doing that, it was bringing in specialist teaching, extra teacher aids, it was giving teachers more one-on-one time with students.

It was giving more opportunity for professional development so that people felt confident in the classroom.

I will give you an example. If you are a teacher who has never taught someone with a particular disability and an eight-year-old comes in that year and you really want to do the best for this child, having the opportunity to be, to get some training, to get some mentoring, to work with other teachers to work out how to best teach that child – that changes – it makes the teaching a joy rather than something that’s keeping you awake at night. That is the sort of opportunity we want to give our teachers.”

Updated

Asked again about Adani, Tanya Plibersek gives the response we were talking about a little earlier:

Well, we’ve been very clear about our position. We say first of all that there is no way we would give $1bn of taxpayers’ money to an Indian mining conglomerate to build this mine.

Then we said the project would have to stack up on environmental and economic grounds. That is the way we make decisions about all projects. We don’t make a case-by-case decision about how we feel about a particular project. We have rules, we have laws, we work through them and we make a sensible decision.

The evidence that we’ve seen so far is that the jobs claims of Adani are vastly overstated.

We get that Central and North Queensland need jobs and that is why we’ve committed hundreds of millions of dollars to investing in real infrastructure projects, port upgrades, airport upgrades, road upgrades, that really unlock the agriculture and tourism potential of those regions. As well as the jobs you get in construction in running the new facilities, you get greater access to the world for the products of central Central and north Queensland and greater access of the world to those regions for tourism.

That is really important because that is real jobs, it is not the fake job promises that Adani keeps making and then letting us down on.

Also, when it comes to environmental assessments, there are a number of outstanding environmental questions as you know about this particular project.

I believe the royalties agreement hasn’t been signed yet with the Queensland government. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.

Updated

Tanya Plibersek has also been asked about Richard Marles’s comments on thermal coal:

The first thing to say about coal is it’s not about how we feel about coal, it’s not the vibe.

There is a simple economic fact that the world is moving away from coal-fired power generation, it’s becoming increasingly expensive, we’ve recognised that global warming is a problem, we want to reduce our pollution, some countries are worried about the air quality in their cities.

However you look at it, this is a change that is happening not just in our economy, but around the world. And how I feel about it is not the relevant issue. It is back to the data.

The data shows us that renewables are becoming cheaper all the time. And to fantasise about building new coal-fired power stations with taxpayers’ money as some of the Liberals and Nationals are doing, is irresponsible.”

And a little bit later, when asked about whether there is a divide within Labor on coal, she says this:

I keep reading all these articles about differences of opinion and that’s just not the case. We see the jobs in the coal industry at the moment as very important jobs and that’s why we want to plan long term with affected communities for their future.

What we have seen under this government is coal-fired power stations close with little or no warning, throwing people out of work, with no adjustment, no help to their communities.

But the simple economics of power generation mean that renewables are getting cheaper all the time. We need to be alive to that.”

Updated

Tanya Plibersek has just been asked that very question at the press club:

Your second question pretends there is some difference between Bill and I on the issue of asylum seekers - it is not true.

The proposition is absolutely false. But what I’ll say - I’ll say this: It is up to the government to explain how people who cannot be adequately treated on Manus Island and Nauru can have adequate medical treatment on Christmas Island.

It is up to them to explain how that can happen. It is up to them to explain how they justify the extra expense of doing it this way given that this government has already brought hundreds of people from Manus Island and Nauru to Australia to the mainland for medical treatment.

The last briefing we got, I think the security agency said the number of people who had been brought here for medical treatment by this government in recent times was close to 400.

And the number of accompanying family members was something over 500.

How can it be safe for those people to be brought here by Peter Dutton but we need to open Christmas Island for anybody else? I’d like the government to explain that.”

The Greens leader Richard Di Natale has a few things to say about Labor and the Christmas Island proposal:

Just when you begin to hope that the Labor Party was starting to find a backbone on refugees, Bill Shorten has gone to water,” he said in a statement.

“Despite his deputy saying the government’s policy to transfer sick patients to Christmas island for treatment was ‘difficult to understand’ and his immigration spokesperson saying the reopening the centre was ‘silly’, Bill Shorten thinks it’s ‘fine’.

“Buying into Scott Morrison’s propaganda that there is any need to reopen Christmas Island, or that it has the required medical facilities, is a failure of leadership.

“All it took was a litle criticism from Peter Dutton and one bad poll result for Bill Shorten to get spooked and start aligning himself with the Liberal government on the issue again.

“A government that is determined to shun the will of the parliament and refuse to bring sick people here for treatment, deserves a strong opposition – not a benign collaborator.”

Updated

Departmental officials have defended monitoring social media for complaints about the contentious ParentsNext welfare program, saying they need to correct misinformation.

But they also revealed they have contacted participants’ ParentsNext providers without telling them in order to examine complaints welfare recipients have posted on social media.

Bureaucrats from the Department of Jobs and Small Business were asked at Senate Estimates on Wednesday about the case of single mother and welfare campaigner Ella Buckland, who told Guardian Australia a freedom of information request had shown officials were collecting “background” information about her.

“Our media coverage doesn’t go to individuals … it goes to programs that we are running,” deputy secretary Nathan Smyth told the hearing.

“We need to at times correct misinformation and at times brief ministers’ offices about misinformation that might be out there around the program.”

Department official Greg Manning said staff would only monitor material on social media that used a welfare program’s name or tagged the department.

Officials said they were “not trawling through posts on Twitter”, but Manning said there were a small number of cases where they had contacted the providers of parents who had been critical of the program.

“I think Ms Buckland’s been critical of an activity … we would go to the provider and go, is this right?” Manning said.

Normally, they would not tell the participant before contacting their provider, the hearing was told.

Siewert said that participants viewed that as an “invasion of privacy”, particularly when the first time they were told about their personal social media posts was by their provider.

“People see it as the department being Big Brother,” she said.

Updated

Penny Wong and the South Australian Labor leader Peter Malinauskas (which is absolutely a Lithuanian name, if I am not mistaken. To which I say, labas) will be holding a press conference at 1.15pm.

Tanya Plibersek is part way through delivering her speech:

If I become education minister I want an education for every Australian child that is as good as the education I want for my own children.

That means every school must be a great school.

That means parents shouldn’t have to drive across town or work a second job to pay school fees or buy coaching because they’re worried about the standard of education at the school down the road.

Not every school can have 10 rugby fields or a rifle range but every parent should be confident that the local public school will educate their child as well as the nation’s most elite private school.

That there will books and computers and sporting equipment and buildings that show the value we place as a community on education.

And most importantly, world-class teaching.

If parents want a religious education or private schooling for their child, then Labor absolutely supports that choice.

We respect every parent’s right to choose the school and system that best suits their child.

The reality is that many families have children in more than one system.

They choose the school that best meets the needs of each individual child.

But the truth is there’s no genuine choice if your local public school is struggling.

Updated

He mentioned it in his doorstop – but here is the official line from David Littleproud on those Woolworths shares:

I’ve instructed my broker to sell my 25 shares in Woolworths worth $756.25, which returned $15 last year. Any proceeds will be donated to the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.

The reason I’ve chosen to sell this tiny number of shares was Labor was using it as a distraction from the real issue – dairy farmers aren’t getting paid a fair price for their milk.

The shares and their $15 return created absolutely no conflict of interest and I will continue to bash Coles and Aldi for their poor treatment of farmers, as well as Woolworths when they deserve it. I’ll also criticise other companies I have shares in – Commonwealth Bank, ANZ and Telstra for instance – when they step out of line as I have for the two and a half years I’ve been in politics.

Had I kept the 25 shares and their $15 return, some media would continue to give coverage to Labor highlighting me owning 25 Woolworths shares which returned $15 last year instead of the fact dairy farmers are not being paid fairly, and dairy farmers can’t afford that.”

Updated

Tanya Plibersek is about to address the National Press Club.

She’ll be talking about Labor’s education policy.

Welfare penalties 'distinction'

Departmental officials are being grilled about the government’s new welfare compliance regime, which came into effect in August.

We covered that issue in some detail this morning with a story that revealed the new system had led to a 40% increase in payment suspensions.

But as government senator Linda Reynolds tells the hearing, the number of financial “penalties” has decreased dramatically – by about 95%.

The distinction here is about the difference between a penalty (having a payment docked or cut completely), compared with a suspension, where payments are temporarily suspended until a welfare recipients “re-engages”.

Greens senator Rachel Siewert says the distinction is a myth: “As far as the humans on this are concerned, a suspension is a penalty because it means they don’t get access to any money.”

The department confirms that of all people who’ve received a financial penalty under the Jobactive program, one quarter were Indigenous. “It’s certainly a concern,” the department’s Nathan Smyth concedes.

It also hears that 52% of people considered homeless have received some sort of “demerit point” – and therefore a payment “suspension”. More on that here.

Reynolds says from the government’s perspective “the numbers show that the (compliance regime) is actually working as intended”. She says only 2% of Indigenous people on Jobactive go to the “penalty zone”.

“That’s not to say it’s perfect,” she adds.

Updated

The nation’s farmer’s lobby is not totally opposed to Labor’s idea of asking the ACCC to look at a floor price for milk. But in a statement, the National Farmers’ Federation “remains highly cautious about simple solutions to the dairy industry’s complex problems”.

“Our dairy sector is under significant pressure, there’s no doubt about that,” NFF president Fiona Simson said.

“We are always willing to listen to new strategies that might ease this pressure and to ensure a fair price for farmers; this includes hearing the ACCC thoughts on the merits of a minimum farm gate milk price.”

However, Simson said Labor’s floor price idea appeared to be a nod to the past rather than a serious strategy for the future.

“We need a dairy sector that is strong, sustainable and competitive at home and on the world stage.

“As an export dependent industry, that exports two-thirds of what we produce, prices for Australian agricultural products are largely determined by international market forces.

“We’d be really interested to see if and how a regulated floor price might enhance the dairy sector’s global competitiveness.”

Updated

Richard Marles is getting a bit of heat over this comment to Sky News this morning:

The global market for thermal coal has collapsed, and wonderful – that’s a good thing – because what that implies is the world is acting in relation to climate change.”

That follows on from the splash in the Australian from Michael McKenna on Bill Ludwig, a former union leader and big deal in old Labor circles, criticising the Queensland deputy premier, Jackie Trad, for not supporting Adani.

Adani is still a very, very fraught issue for Queensland Labor – the government doesn’t want to support it, but it can’t not support it. So it has just gone for a largely hands-off approach.

Which means it’s a tricky issue for federal Labor, which has taken much the same path.

Labor remains united on no public funds for the mine. As for coal, it is attempting to straddle the middle road. Yes to renewables, but coal will still play its role.

Word from Labor is Marles’s comments this morning are being considered “a little clumsy” given the sensitivity around coalmines in Queensland communities, that want them (and Labor wants their seats) but basically on message – let the market decide.

Updated

For those asking (and yes, I know there is a lot), Michaelia Cash is due back in estimates this afternoon.

You can find the program here

Updated

David Littleproud has stood up on why the government voted against Labor’s move to ask the ACCC to examine milk prices. He says it would be giving dairy farmers “false hope that we can regulate an industry”.

I’d rather sit here and look them in the eye and say that won’t happen than to play political stunts with their livelihoods. And speaking of political stunts, can I finish off with the one that Mr Fitzgibbon has played in terms of the shares I have in Woolworths. I think the dividend per year is about $15. I tried to sell these shares some time ago. If that is the level of contribution to the debate, around trying to besmirch my character, I’m fighting for dairy farmers.

Is he fit to be here? Let me say, I’ve got shares in Telstra and big banks and let me tell you I’ve had a stink with all of them and I’m not afraid to have a stink with them because I will support the people I’m here to represent.”

Updated

I have just seen this.

But Christopher Pyne says his Top Gun nickname would be Viper. VIPER.

Pyne is many things. But he is not Tom Skerritt who flew with Maverick’s heroic son-of- a-bitch father who was lost in a battle on the wrong side of some line on a map. No one is going “Holy shit, it’s Christopher Pyne.”

I’m sorry. But Top Gun is very important to me. I do not take it lightly.

Updated

We’re still on the PaTH internships program at department of jobs estimates. Labor senator Deb O’Neill is asking about a business that hosted 17 interns and offered none of them a job afterwards.

Departmental official Greg Manning explains that the business has been excluded from the program.

The department has also sent a letter requesting the business pay back the subsidies they received – $1,000 per intern so $17,000 in total. They asked for a response before December, but haven’t gotten one.

After a short discussion, the department agrees to name the company: JWM Communications. O’Neill tells the hearing the business had benefitted from a year of free labour.

“Hopefully they get the communication and they pay the money back to the government,” O’Neill says.

Updated

Speaking of US-Australian relations, we finally have a new ambassador

John Berry finished his term in September 2016 and the position has been officially empty ever since. Then we were supposed to get Admiral Harry Harris, but he was then diverted to South Korea. So welcome, Arthur B Culvahouse Jr.

Updated

Conclusion

It is in both nations’ interests to have a secure and stable region, and the joint facilities and capabilities all play their role in ensuring regional security and stability is achieved.

But the alliance and regional stability cannot be taken for granted.

This government remains committed to growing and deepening all aspects of the relationship and working with the US to advance our mutual defence and security interests.

Our defence and intelligence cooperation will continue to evolve to meet ever-changing threats and challenges. As it must.

The spirit of innovation shared by our nations will continue to support the Australia-US alliance and continue to be our strength, as the alliance evolves now and into the future.

As we adapt to meet new challenges to the rules-based global order, our defence and intelligence cooperation and joint facilities will endure as our ever-vigilant eyes and ears in the world.

Updated

Full knowledge and concurrence – protecting Australia’s sovereignty

While successive Australian governments have recognised the national security benefits that we gain from the joint facilities and by hosting US capabilities, they have also recognised that our national interests and sovereignty have to be honoured and protected.

This has been achieved by our policy of full knowledge and concurrence.

Full knowledge and concurrence is central to Australia hosting any foreign capability, be they from the US or any other country.

It is an expression of Australia’s sovereignty and a fundamental right to know what activities foreign governments conduct on our soil.

“Full knowledge” equates to Australia having a full and detailed understanding of any capability or activity with a presence on Australian territory or making use of Australian assets.

“Concurrence” means that Australia approves the presence of a capability or function in Australia, in support of mutually agreed goals.

That does not mean Australia approves each and every activity or tasking undertaken; rather, it means that Australia agrees to the purpose of activities conducted in Australia and also understands the outcomes of those activities.

But I can assure the parliament and the Australian public, we maintain appropriate levels of oversight for the activities undertaken.

Importantly, concurrence also means that Australia can withdraw agreement if the government considers that necessary.

At a practical level, full knowledge and concurrence means:

First, that Australia is to be consulted about any new purpose proposed for any activity, or a significant change to an existing purpose, and we will be advised of any significant change to expected outcomes.

Second, it means that Australia will be briefed and advised on outcomes actually achieved.

And finally, proposals for new equipment or significant upgrades to existing equipment, including communications links, will be advised in sufficient time to confirm that the changes align with mutually-agreed purposes, or to seek further clarification, if required.

There is much work undertaken to ensure that the objectives of these practical steps are met.

The Department of Defence regularly reviews the management and implementation of this policy to ensure – and be fully satisfied – that governance is effective and being appropriately and stringently adhered to.

Australians who hold senior positions at these joint facilities, as well as at Australian facilities that are used by foreign governments, are fully and deeply integrated into decision-making and implementation processes.

While the details of the policy and its implementation have evolved over time, to better reflect the changes in our national security environment and to keep pace with technological progress, the fundamental principles of full knowledge and concurrence have not changed, and we are never complacent about its application.

Updated

Protecting and enhancing our economic wellbeing

As outlined in the 2016 defence white paper, defending our maritime trade routes is part of Australia’s primary strategic defence priorities.

These maritime highways are the backbone of our foreign trade coming in and out of Australia. It is crucial for Australian jobs and our economy that these routes remain open and secure, with unimpeded freedom of access.

Regional actions have the ability to adversely impact regional security and economic stability.

Facilities such as Pine Gap help reduce this risk, in support of the rules-based global order, by providing early warning of potentially hostile activities and developments that threaten to destabilise the region.

It is also important to recognise the real economic and social benefits these facilities have in regional Australia.

Apart from the jobs generated directly by these facilities, workers contribute to local economies and form part of the social fabric of these communities.

Updated

More than military and intelligence value

While much of the public debate seems to centre on the military applications of US capabilities in Australia or their contributions to intelligence matters, these capabilities also play a crucial role in our everyday lives.

In 2017, a new space surveillance radar reached full operational capability at the Harold E Holt facility.

This radar serves as a dedicated sensor node in the Global Space Surveillance Network, in support of our Combined Space Operations cooperation with the US, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

It will be joined by a new space surveillance telescope, which is scheduled to reach full operational capability in 2022.

Together, this radar and telescope will identify and track objects in space, which will help satellite owners avoid collisions with space junk and other satellites.

With so many aspects of Australian life and business reliant on satellites, if one were to be severely damaged or knocked out of orbit, that could have disastrous impacts on Australian individuals and businesses.

As another example, the Learmonth solar observatory, also in Western Australia, monitors solar emissions, which helps to protect communications equipment from solar interference.

This space weather facility is jointly operated by the Bureau of Meteorology and the US air force.

Solar weather can affect transmission quality for services, such as mobile phone and internet networks as well as television and radio transmissions.

Solar weather can also affect power grids, causing blackouts.

Predicting solar weather is important because it allows organisations that own infrastructure, such as satellites, communication networks or power grids, to mitigate its impacts.

This is particularly relevant as more people use wireless internet devices as part of their daily lives, whether that be for entertainment, education, social media or business.

Our work with the US has also allowed us to share critical information.

As a result, the intelligence we produce together has saved lives.

It has saved American and Australian lives, not only on the battlefield, but it has saved civilian lives as well.

Updated

The significant value of Australian facilities supporting United States capabilities

While Pine Gap may be the highest-profile joint facility on Australian soil, it is not the only facility in Australia that is jointly operated with the US, or that hosts US defence activities and capabilities.

The Joint Geological and Geophysical Research Station is another joint facility that Australia operates with the US in Alice Springs.

This facility, run by Geoscience Australia and the US air force, was established in 1955 to monitor nuclear explosions during the cold war.

Today, it performs a crucial role as part of the international monitoring system of the comprehensive test-ban treaty, which prohibits “any nuclear weapon test explosion” anywhere in the world.

It is a little-known fact that this research station, in Alice Springs, detected and geolocated North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, on 3 September 2017.

Like Pine Gap, the Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt, in Exmouth, Western Australia, has also contributed to Australia’s national security for over half a century.

This Australian facility, which was previously jointly operated with the US navy until we assumed full control in the 1990s, provides communications for Australian and US submarines and ships.

This includes communications for the submarine-based nuclear deterrence capabilities of the US in the Indo-Pacific, which are crucial to credible deterrence, a stable nuclear balance and our own security.

Another important communications facility is the Australian Defence Satellite Communication Station in Geraldton, Western Australia, which hosts a ground station for US military satellite communications systems used by Australian and US forces on operations.

This facility contributes to the safety of deployed Australian and US military personnel.

Updated

The Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap – over 50 years of success

The Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap has made – and continues to make – a critical contribution to the security of both Australia and the US.

It represents one of the finest examples of collaboration, innovation and integration, and has delivered remarkable intelligence dividends to both our nations.

As its name clearly states, Pine Gap is a “joint” defence facility, run by the governments of both Australia and the US – as close and enduring partners.

Pine Gap’s workforce is split approximately 50:50, between Australians and Americans, with Australians holding key decision-making positions at the facility and having direct involvement in operations and tasking.

Since its establishment in 1967, Pine Gap has evolved from its original cold war mission, focused on early warning for Soviet ballistic missiles, to meet new demands and new challenges.

It has acquired cutting-edge, innovative technologies to do so.

Pine Gap has become a central element of our intelligence cooperation with the US and it continues to have relevance in delivering intelligence on a range of contemporary security priorities, such as terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and monitoring foreign weapons development.

Pine Gap also supports compliance monitoring with international arms control and disarmament agreements.

By hosting this capability, Australia supports the verification of adherence to arms control agreements, in keeping with the government’s comprehensive policy approach to arms control and counter-proliferation.

It has provided monitoring and early warning capabilities of ballistic missile launches since 1999, following the closure of Joint Defence Facility Nurrungar.

Reliable, early and accurate warning of ballistic missile launches provides a crucial contribution to global stability, with Pine Gap helping to provide reassurance against the possibility of a surprise missile attack.

Much has been theorised about Pine Gap’s role, for instance its contribution to US operations against terrorism.

While the Australian government, as a matter of longstanding practice, does not comment on intelligence matters, Australians can be assured that the government has full oversight of activities undertaken at Pine Gap and that these activities are undertaken in accordance with Australian and international law.

Updated

The Australia-United States Alliance – underpinning Australian security

The United States is our most important ally. Our military forces work side-by-side around the world, to meet global security challenges and to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

No other global power has values and interests more closely aligned with Australia’s than the United States.

The presence of US military forces across the Indo-Pacific plays a vital role in ensuring regional security, and the strategic and economic weight of the US is essential to the continued effective functioning of the rules-based global order.

Australia’s alliance with the US is enshrined in the Anzus treaty, signed on 1 September 1951.

With the support of successive Australian and US governments, the alliance has grown in depth and complexity over time, and continues to deliver real benefits to both our countries.

The alliance gives us unparalleled access to the most advanced technology, equipment and intelligence, which is central to maintaining the potency of the Australian defence force.

Australia sources much of our most critical combat capability from the US.

Australia would be unable to develop the range of high-end capabilities we need without the alliance.

Crucially, the alliance also means that Australia benefits from the extended nuclear deterrence provided by the US.

During the cold war, the US contributed to the security of its allies through its ability to respond with nuclear weapons if allies were attacked by the Soviet Union.

Today, global geopolitics have changed, but the core principles of extended nuclear deterrence have not.

Potential adversaries understand that an attack on Australia is an attack on the alliance.

This brings me to an important point.

Australia is not only a beneficiary of the US policy of extended nuclear deterrence, it is an active supporter of it, through our joint efforts with the US at Pine Gap and at other facilities, such as the Naval Communications Station Harold E Holt, and the Joint Geological and Geophysical Research Station.

As the then-prime minister, Bob Hawke, noted in his public statement on Pine Gap in 1984, Australia should not claim the protection of nuclear deterrence without being willing to make a contribution to its effectiveness.

Hosting these joint facilities and US strategic capabilities on our soil is Australia’s important contribution to the alliance.

Updated

Christopher Pyne gives update on work performed at joint US-Australia facilities

Bear with me: Christopher Pyne has given an update on the joint operations Australia runs with the US, like Pine Gap. It is rare we are given public updates, so I am going to include the whole statement over the next few posts.

The joint facilities we operate with the United States, such as the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, as well as the Australian facilities that host US strategic capabilities, are some of the most tangible manifestations of the strength and depth of the Australia-United States alliance.

However, due to the classified nature of some of the most sensitive work performed at these facilities, it is necessary that relatively few people are briefed on those roles and functions.

It is therefore in the public interest that governments make periodic public statements on these facilities.

Today, I want to update the parliament and the Australian public on the deliberate policy principles that govern these facilities and the contributions they make, not only to regional and global security, but to our own security and national prosperity.

The public can have confidence that its government is acting lawfully and responsibly in overseeing such activities, and that Australia’s continuing support for these activities is in our nation’s best interests.

Updated

In the House of Representatives the attorney general Christian Porter has introduced a few new bills, including one that makes changes to the foreign influence transparency scheme, which has only been up and running for two months.

The most important change is the definition of “communications activity” would be changed to capture “information or material being distributed to the public”.

That would mean that agents of foreign principals would have to register for distribution pamphlets, for example, in the election.

It makes a few tune-ups for what the explanatory memorandum calls “gaps” in the reporting requirements.

Apparently some reporting requirements were applied only to people who registered under the scheme, and that has to be extended to those who are “liable to register”.

Oops.

Updated

Doug Cameron, who will retire at the next election, had a few things to say about his estimates sparring partner, Michaelia Cash, this morning:

Michaelia Cash is a disgraced minister, she has been demoted and my view is she should resign,

This is a terrible cover-up that’s going on in Senate estimates. When you have the Australian federal police saying that Michaelia Cash has not put statements in then that’s good enough for me.

This is the Australian federal police against a disgraced minister.

Also Michael Keenan is in the same boat. He has not put a statement in and it’s absolutely not acceptable to go to the Senate and argue that you have given a statement when the federal police said that is not the case.

On two occasions they have refused to put statements in. This is a minister who just doesn’t get it.

She should resign, she should be open, she will probably have another option today if she appears at Senate estimates today to correct the record.

Updated

The dairy wars have now descended into the major political parties pointing the finger at the other for defending [insert whatever] supermarket here.

It’s enough to make you lactose intolerant.

The Department of Jobs and Small Business is appearing at Senate estimates and Labor’s Doug Cameron spent the start of the hearing taking issue with what he calls another Michaelia Cash “no show”.

Cash is the minister for small business, but is being represented by Liberal senator Linda Reynolds.

Cameron says he’d prefer to ask Cash questions about her portfolio, rather than a “junior minister”.

“You can insult me all you like,” Reynolds tells him.

“She should stop hiding and she should come here and front up,” an angry Cameron says, prompting the committee to suspend briefly. A sign of things to come, I’d suspect, as Cash will be appearing in this committee later today, according to Reynolds.

Eventually, Cameron lets up and the committee moves to policy questions. The department’s Nathan Smyth tells Labor senator Deb O’Neill that 3,933 businesses have signed up to host PaTH interns since April 2017.

The program, a Turnbull government initiative, was slammed by unions who said people were being paid $4 an hour.

The government had promised 30,000 placements a year – with 18,000-20,000 businesses required to meet this aim. “Is this a policy failure, it looks like one?” O’Neill says.

Smyth tells the hearing that 30,000 figure was more of a “cap” than a target.

We previously covered the poor take up rate in more detail here.

Updated

Josh Frydenberg and Zed Seselja met with retirees upset about Labor’s proposed changes to franking credits.

Expect to hear more of their stories in question time today.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Zed Seselja on their way to a meeting with the alliance for a fairer retirement system in Parliament House, Canberra this morning.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Zed Seselja on their way to a meeting with the alliance for a fairer retirement system in Parliament House, Canberra this morning. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg listens
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg listens. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Retirees watch Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
Retirees watch Frydenberg. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
So much watching
So much watching. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated

Christian Porter has introduced amendments to counter-terrorism laws

The overview of the bill, as according to the legislation:

1. The bill strengthens Australia’s counter-terrorism framework by ensuring that the government has the means to protect the community from the risk of terrorist acts.

2. Schedule 1 of the bill contains measures to introduce new restrictions on the existing arrangements for bail and parole. This implements the agreement of the Council of Australian Governments at its meeting on 9 June 2017. Offenders who have links with, or have shown support for, terrorist activities will not be released on bail or parole unless they can show that there are exceptional circumstances that would justify their release into the community.

3. Schedule 2 of the bill makes amendments to improve the operation of the continuing detention order (CDO) scheme. These amendments address deficiencies in the existing CDO scheme to ensure that the commonwealth is able to seek the continued detention of terrorist offenders serving custodial sentences who are assessed by a judge in civil proceedings to present an unacceptable risk to the community at the time their sentences finish.

Updated

Ugh. Now that I have wrestled with tech demons, I can tell you that as expected, the motion to suspend standing orders goes down, 69 to 74.

The division is called – to see if Labor can suspend standing orders.

It does not look like the Nationals will be backing it.

David Gillespie is not a fan of Labor’s plan for the dairy industry. Because he says most of it is already happening.

Joel Fitzgibbon told the ABC this, this morning:

There is no good just sitting back as a government expecting the market to work out these things for itself. It is clear that is not going to happen. We have waited too long for that. It is clear we are waiting with false hope. So we need to intervene, but we are not just talking about a minimum price: we are going to put into place a mandatory code of conduct to govern behaviour in the industry; we are going to drive energy prices down with some energy policy that returns investment certainty to the energy sector; and we are going to introduce a farm productivity and sustainability plan which helps again make a contribution towards getting the latest innovation out onto the farm to help farmers lift their productivity.

And of course they are calling on the government to get the ACCC involved.

Gillespie says:

“They say they will refer milk pricing to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. They say they will support a mandatory code of conduct. This has all been done and the ACCC’s key recommendation was a mandatory code of conduct, which farmers have asked for and we are delivering on,” he said in a statement.

“As the member for Lyne, I have continued to advocate directly with the ACCC and ministers about market failure not just in the dairy industry, but also other industries my constituents operate in, who have also suffered under competition law.

“The Nationals have been prosecuting the case for changes to competition law for years and Labor has failed to support us.”

“They obviously now know that dairy farmers are doing it tough because they heard it on the news, and so they issue a press release.

“I have spent a lot of time with many of my dairy farmers who have given me a very accurate picture of the contractual arrangements they have had to endure. Some of the processors who they sell their milk to have clearly not been interested in their long term viability, nor have the major supermarkets who have also not understood the significant damage they have inflicted on the industry with their pathetic $1-a-litre milk campaigns.

“The mandatory code of conduct which everyone has had an opportunity to help develop will provide a solid framework for the supply chain however it is going to take some time to work through the system when it comes into effect in the near future.”

“That is why I have been calling on the supermarkets and the processors to come to the party with measures that provide immediate relief for dairy farmers while a mandatory code of conduct is implemented and a fair dinkum milk price index can be established.”

“Having seen the positive response from Woolworths and the pathetic responses from Coles and Aldi, clearly there are some in this space who have no moral compass.

“ ...I was hoping with a little pressure, the major supermarkets and the processors would all recognise the tough situation the dairy industry is in, particularly the producers, and taken steps to rectify some of the unsustainable farm gate prices they have offered.”

“I have never been one to advocate for government running the market, but where there is market failure, it is my view that we must intervene to make sure the market works for everyone.

Updated

Lyndal Curtis is back today, as Mike Bowers’ “work experience kid”.

(Lyndal has about 25 years’ experience in covering politics, which is why her and Bowers laugh every time one of them refers to her “work experience”. She’s picked up a camera and Bowers is helping her hone her naturally great eye)

Updated

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released its official response to the Bret Walker-led royal commission ordered by the former South Australian government.

It’s basically a series of middle finger emojis in very professional terms.

You can find the whole report here, but below is an excerpt which sets the tone:

The MDBA was established under the Water Act 2007 (the Water Act) to develop, implement and monitor the Basin Plan, for the sustainable management of the Murray-Darling Basin’s water resources.

Management of a generally scarce and highly variable water resource, over such a large area and crossing political boundaries, is a challenging task.

While many stakeholders support the concept of a Basin Plan, there is often sharp disagreement up and down the rivers, and across different stakeholder groups, about the appropriate Basin Plan settings.

This is precisely why the MDBA was created.

Our role as an independent statutory authority, fully funded by the Australian taxpayer and independent of any interest group, is to apply the best available science, feedback from the community and our own expert judgment, to recommend the best Basin Plan we can, consistent with the requirements of the Water Act.

While the SARC Report contains some analysis that we support, our overwhelming view is that the principal conclusion of the report – that we should start all over again and remake the Basin Plan – is reckless and unwarranted.

It would set back progress towards a healthy and sustainable Basin and cause substantial uncertainty for Basin communities.”

Updated

Labor moves to suspends standing orders

Labor is attempting to suspend standing orders to move a motion calling on government intervention for the dairy industry.

Joel Fitzgibbon is leading this one.

Labor is calling on the parliament to pass a motion getting the government to “task the CCC with testing the efficacy of a minimum farm gate milk price and to make recommendations on the best design options”

The big question – how will the Nationals MPs vote?

Updated

Paul Karp has the latest on what Labor plans on doing in response to the banking royal commission:

Banks and financial regulators would be forced to report every six months on their progress fixing cultural problems exposed by the royal commission under a plan proposed by Labor.

Financial firms would also be named and shamed in decisions by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority when it decides in favour of customers if Labor is elected.

On Tuesday Labor released bills to implement five Hayne royal commission recommendations before the election but the opposition is yet to win the crossbench votes needed to recall parliament and also faces a substantial pushback from mortgage brokers about its support for banning trailing commissions.

Under the Labor plan, the big four banks, Australian Banking Association and financial regulators, Apra and Asic, will be required to develop royal commission implementation plans by 1 August.

Stakeholders will have to report on their progress to Labor’s proposed royal commission implementation taskforce in the treasury department every six months.”

Updated

And in case you missed it, Alan Jones has apologised. Again. Turns out practice really can make perfect.

As Katharine Murphy reports:

The controversial Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones has delivered an on-air apology to Malcolm Turnbull for branding him a “traitor to the nation” during a program broadcast by Sky News in February.

Jones delivered the unqualified apology, which is understood to be in response to a lawyer’s letter from the former prime minister, at the start of his television show, Jones and Co, on Tuesday night.

“I went too far in my criticism,” Jones told his viewers. “I accused Mr Turnbull of being a traitor to the nation.

“I acknowledge that I had no justification for making that false statement and I unreservedly apologise to Mr Turnbull for doing so.”

Updated

This is happening in the parliament theatre today.

Sydney’s Treehouse Theatre brings children from refugee backgrounds together to share their own stories of fun, terror, recovery and resettlement.

For one day only at Parliament House in Canberra, Suitcase Stories is a first-person theatre experience performed by young refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan, now attending Holroyd high school and Miller Technology high school.

The students, who have all experienced the horror of war, trauma and persecution, perform their own true stories in a symphony of spoken word, music and movement.

Updated

I’m not sure if you caught the (slightly) super moon last night.

Barnaby Joyce did. And received the ratio* he deserved for this effort.

*The ratio, or ratioing, looks at the number of likes, retweets and replies a tweet gets. If the replies vastly outnumber the like or retweets, you know you’ve sent a terrible tweet.

Updated

Yesterday, in a doorstop, Bill Shorten responded to a question about the Christmas Island proposal with:

If the medical treatment is required and it’s delivered on Christmas Island and it makes people well, well that’s fine.

Which the government immediately seized on as a U-turn from Labor, given that Shorten had said “the opening of Christmas Island, I believe, was a political gesture designed to fuel domestic political unrest but I’m worried that we’ll have tragic consequences because this is a government addicted to slogans and fear”, just last week.

Tanya Plibersek was asked about it this morning.

Updated

Tim Storer had a chat to the ABC this morning about the Nauruan government decision to ban medical transfers based on telehealth assessments.

Storer introduced the amended bill in the Senate late last year, which eventually led to the medical evacuation bill which was passed last week.

Well, I think the regulations have, as you just noted, have just been made. We’ll see the impact of that in terms of how it affects the bill, but what is very important is that there’s inadequate medical facilities on Nauru and PNG for the significant medical assessment and treatment that is required and that is why we have had transfers to Australia which, you know, for many of these people. That’s what this legislation focuses on in terms of advice by doctors to the minister regarding individuals that should come to Australia for assessment and treatment.

And what does he think about the Christmas Island decision (the government wants to send medical transfers to the Australian territory, rather than the mainland):

I think it’s very important to focus on what the facilities are on Christmas Island. Do they provide for the appropriate assessment and medical treatment of asylum seekers that are in need, assessed to be in need that are from our care on Nauru and PNG? It seems that the current facilities on Christmas Island are inadequate and bringing them up to be appropriate would come at great cost. If the government wishes to do so, then of course that is their prerogative, but, you know, it’s something that I would, want to follow carefully.

Updated

Meanwhile, Labor is not letting up on the Paladin contract, either.

Shayne Neumann has sent the auditor general this letter this morning:

Dear Auditor-General,

I am writing to request an urgent audit into the circumstances surrounding the Department of Home Affairs’ procurement of garrison support and welfare services in Papua New Guinea.

In the course of the past week, the Australian Financial Review has highlighted significant concerns related to the companies contracted to provide these services – particularly letters of intent with Paladin Solutions Group and a subsequent contract with Paladin Holding Pte Ltd.

The letters of intent and contract has resulted in the expenditure of $423 million of taxpayers’ money.

The original letters of intent with Paladin Solutions Group were undertaken under section 2.6 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules – with the Department of Home Affairs using these provisions to approach Paladin Solutions Group directly – and Paladin Solutions Group only.

At Senate Estimates yesterday, Department of Home Affairs officials claimed that they were “dealing with an urgent situation” when they signed an initial letter of intent with Paladin Solutions Group in September 2017 – with letters totalling $89 million.

The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs told the Senate Estimates committee, “my very strong preference would have been to have a long lead time, an open tender, a global search, assisted by specialised consultants and advisers.”

Despite this preference, a subsequent contract worth $333 million awarded to Paladin Holding Pte Ltd was signed on 28 February 2018 with no other providers considered – despite reports today indicating that other companies, such as Toll Holdings, were considering bidding.

The ANAO’s report 32 of 2016-2017 titled Offshore Processing Centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea: Contract Management of Garrison Support and Welfare Services concluded that the Department had “fallen well short of effective contract management practice.”

This report was a damning indictment of the Department’s management of these contracts and stated:

- contracts “were established in circumstances of great haste to give effect to government policy decisions”;

- “the Department did not put in place effective mechanisms to manage the contracts”; and

- “contract variations totalling over $1 billion were made without a documented assessment of value for money.”

Labor is acutely aware of the current Government’s abysmal management of Australian-funded regional processing centres and their failure to negotiate other third country resettlement options, leaving vulnerable people languishing in indefinite detention.

Given the level of expenditure associated with these contracts, the Government’s poor track-record, and the concerning reports and allegations related to the entities involved, I seek your urgent investigation of the circumstances surrounding these contract arrangements.

I would be happy to discuss this issue at your earliest convenience.

Updated

Good morning

Happy hump day!

Michaelia Cash turned up to Senate estimates late yesterday and insisted she had cooperated with the AFP investigation into who leaked the Australian Workers’ Union raids to the media.

But that came after federal police told the same Senates committee that Cash and Michael Keenan had not provided witness statements. The deputy AFP commissioner Leanne Close told the committee that both Keenan and Cash had been asked for witness statements but had declined, as was their legal right to do so.

Cash provided a transcript of her answers to a previous Senate estimates hearing on the same issue.

Things got testy. The Labor senator Murray Watt offered to escort Cash to a police station so she could make a statement.

Cash also revealed she had not read the estimates transcript of when the AFP had been asked about her case from the previous day.

Her reason?

“Because I haven’t.”

Cash told the Labor members of the committee she believed their attacks had been unfair:

“I am waiting now for an apology.”

Cash is back today. So that should be fun.

Meanwhile, Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker from the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age have a new installment in the Helloworld saga, which caught up Mathias Cormann yesterday:

Australia’s US ambassador, Joe Hockey, asked embassy staff to meet with a corporate travel company before it lobbied for government work, even though the former treasurer is close friends with the company’s chief executive and now a big shareholder.

In April 2017, Mr Hockey told Washington embassy staff to meet with an executive from Helloworld, the listed travel services company managed by Andrew Burnes, Mr Hockey’s good friend and federal Liberal Party treasurer.”

So what I am saying is today is not going to be boring.

Mike Bowers is on deck already, as is Katharine Murphy and Paul Karp. You’ll have everyone else in the Guardian’s brains trust dropping in across the day as well.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

Updated

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