And on that note, we might call it a day. Because we have another three to go, and then a whole other week.
Aren’t. We. So. Lucky.
It doesn’t take much of a genius to work out that “what’s the go with the au pairs” is going to dominate much of tomorrow, especially now there are hints of a third case.
Stay tuned for that.
There’s not a lot of legislation to keep an eye on but there are always lapel flag pins, so keep your eyes peeled. We’ll continue to keep one of those eyes on the Senate to see if Lucy Gichuhi steps up to the plate.
And of course, Tuesday is party room day, where Scott Morrison is sure to invite the cameras in to get pics of the happy, happy, joy, joy party room family getting on with the job in action.
A very big thank you to the Guardian brains’ trust for dragging me across the line and, of course, to Mike Bowers, who is indefatigable. You can see more of his day at @mpbowers and @mikepbowers.
And a very big thank you to everyone who followed along today. I haven’t got through all the emails or comments as yet but I promise I am reading them all.
We’ll be back early tomorrow morning but, in the meantime, take care of you.
Updated
Back in another former prime minister’s patch for a moment:
Kerryn Phelps will run in Wentworth - and many senior Liberals believe she will win. So there will be a female member for Wentworth, but not necessarily the one that Andrew Bragg is standing aside for, on the promise of entering the Senate in a winnable spot. https://t.co/P5i6e7evDH
— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) September 10, 2018
Updated
Former prime minister Julia Gillard is speaking to Patricia Karvelas on ABC radio, wearing her hat as chair of Beyond Blue on World Suicide Prevention Day (of which you’ll find more information in this tweet):
Talking to someone about suicide could be one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have. Read our tips on how to have the conversation: https://t.co/PI8SMggkNU #YouCanTalk #WSPD2018 pic.twitter.com/q0pwqAjp9l
— beyondblue (@beyondblue) September 10, 2018
But she is of course asked about the Liberal leadership change and had this to say:
“I think it is a mistake to put it all together [all of Australia’s leadership swaps] and say it is all the same ... and I think on the conservative side this is in many years a reflection of the kind of shake out in conservative politics around the world.
“...I think, right around the world – are the Republicans the party of Donald Trump or the party of dear departed John McCain ... are the parties of Europe centrist right parties as we’ve known them, or are they fracturing to the further right?
She says that when you “take the personalities out of it”, the Coalition is experiencing symptoms of the same trend.
Updated
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are on their way to Australia.
Praise be the power of the lapel flag pins.
Prime minister Scott Morrison released this statement:
I am pleased to confirm the Australian Government has invited The Duke and The Duchess of Sussex to undertake an official visit to Australia between Tuesday 16 and Sunday 28 October 2018.
Australia will be Their Royal Highnesses first stop on a three week tour of the region, which includes visits to Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand.
Along with Sydney, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Dubbo, Melbourne and Fraser Island.
Their visit will be an opportunity to promote the incredible achievements of Invictus athletes from around the world, and showcase Australian programmes promoting youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts, and will include a visit to a dedication to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative on Fraser Island.
I look forward to welcoming The Duke and The Duchess of Sussex to Australia next month.
Updated
For all those asking about whether or not Lucy Gichuhi used her parliamentary privilege today to name the names, the answer is no.
But there also wasn’t an easy opportunity to do so.
Most punters have identified the adjournment debates as the easiest way to do it. Gichuhi could seek leave to do it, but that seems unlikely (if indeed she is still planning on following through - she is not saying) or there are the senators’ statements, which are usually just before 1pm on Wednesday.
Sussan Ley and Sarah Henderson have released a joint statement on Labor’s attempt to have the live export ban bill the Senate passed debated in the house:
Labor’s actions today were a disingenuous attempt to disrupt parliament masquerading behind the cause of animal welfare.
As members of the ministry, it is no longer open to us to support any Private Member’s Bill or the Bill passed by the Senate today.
Our personal conviction on this issue remains and we will continue to advocate for a change in Coalition policy and for a phase out of this awful trade.
The Private Member’s Bill we introduced on 21 May 2018 to phase out long haul live sheep exports is currently being debated in the House of Representatives.
Combined with advocacy from many thousands of Australians, we are pleased our strong stand along with the minister for agriculture’s determination to hold the regulator to account, has resulted in the shutting down of the industry’s biggest offender. The impending release of the Moss Review provides the government with a further opportunity to impose tough new rules relating to live exports.
Updated
It now appears that Peter Dutton didn't just have a personal connection with the man he helped, contrary to what he told Parl in March, but that they spoke to each other too, contradicting his 'no personal contact' claim to Parl today. If he won't resign, the PM must sack him. https://t.co/nPNx58FZaW
— Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) September 10, 2018
Former Border Force chief raises possibility of new au pair case
The former Border Force commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg has written to the Senate inquiry examining Peter Dutton’s handling of the au pair cases.
Quaedvlieg has clarified earlier evidence that he fielded a phone call from Dutton’s office in June 2015 by suggesting his memory of that phone call related to an as-yet unreported case.
Details are a bit sketchy, but Quaedvlieg suggested the new case relates to “a young European female” from “a western or southern European country” and occurred between October 2015 and 2016.
Quaedvlieg repeats his claim that Dutton’s chief of staff Craig MacLachlan said he needed help for the “boss’s mate in Brisbane” whose au pair had been stopped at the airport.
Quaedvlieg said he thought it strange Dutton’s chief of staff would call him for a “low-level transactional issue”.
Quaedvlieg said when he asked Border Force agents about it he was told “boss, this is solid. The comms and her intent are clear. It’s a good stop” – as they confirmed they had good grounds to believe the au pair intended to work in Australia in breach of visa conditions.
Maclachlan then asked “What needs to be done to fix this? Can the boss overturn it?”, and Quaedvlieg suggested they get a departmental brief for ministerial intervention.
Where does this leave us? If there is a fresh au pair case – that’s bad for Dutton. This case can’t be used to argue he mislead parliament, because he wasn’t asked about it, but it does tend to help establish a pattern of behaviour of using the discretionary powers for mates.
Labor can also point to the email from Russell Keag which begins “long time between calls” to say that Dutton did mislead parliament about the original “Brisbane case” in June 2015.
The Senate inquiry has asked for an extension until next Wednesday, so there’s more to see here.
Updated
Ask and you shall receive:
"Long time between calls" - the email from Russell Keag to Peter Dutton just tabled. So they had spoken previously? Not a complete nobody to the home affairs minister? #auspol @AmyRemeikis pic.twitter.com/m6wImL0FNq
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) September 10, 2018
Peter Dutton has tabled the email he received regarding the au pair (the one he mentioned today in his statement).
Paul Karp is working on getting a copy of that for you.
Updated
Meanwhile, Rebehka Sharkie has released this statement:
Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie will not support a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the Morrison Government while the seat of Wentworth remains vacant.
“The period until the Wentworth by-election will be a time of examination of the current government’s ability to provide stable, good government,” Rebekha said.
“The prime minister contacted me the day after his appointment and I met personally with the prime minister soon after.
“We received confirmation in writing from the prime minister of more than $21m in promises made during the byelection and confirmation of the commitments made to Centre Alliance during the 45th Parliament.”
The by-election promises included:
- $10m for a new aquatic centre in Mount Barker
- $4.4m for a sports hub in Mount Barker
- $3.9m for extra bed licences at the Strathalbyn aged care facility
- $1.17m to boost mental health services in South Australia
- $1m for a strategic traffic planning study for Hahndorf
- $750,000 to redevelop trails on Kangaroo Island
- $200,000 for the SteamRanger heritage railway
- $200,000 to upgrade the Yankalilla Football Club
- $145,000 in Black Spot funding to upgrade the Playford Highway, Kingscote
- $145,000 in Black Spot funding to upgrade the Goolwa to Strathalbyn Road
- $145,000 in Black Spot funding to upgrade Inman Valley Road, Yankalilla
- $29,000 for Woodside Defence Families Association
- $20,000 for Grain Producers SA to develop an industry recruitment pathway
- $11,590 solar grant for Nairne Oval
- $10,249 solar grant for Hills Radio
- $9,790 solar grant for the Macclesfield Recreation Grounds Committee
- $8,897 solar grant for the Strathalbyn Woolshed
- $6,737 for McLaren Vale and District RSL
- $4,000 for Port Elliot RSL
- $2,564 for Hillsview Village Residents Association.
“When the new member for Wentworth is elected to the parliament I and my Centre Alliance colleagues Senator Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick will reconsider our position,” Rebekha said.
“In the meantime, I will not support a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the current government.
“In relation to other motions and Bills, I will continue to do what I have always done and that is to examine every piece of legislation on its merits and to vote in the best interests of Mayo.
“If it eventuates that a motion goes before the parliament to refer Minister Peter Dutton to the high court in relation to allegations of pecuniary interest, Centre Alliance will support that motion.
“I note that the Opposition no longer intends to pursue a motion of ‘no confidence’ relating to Minister Dutton and allegations of misleading parliament in relation to the exercising of ministerial discretion.
“While I do not agree with many of the policy positions of Minister Dutton, I believe he explained himself quite clearly in parliament this morning in relation to these allegations.
“I would like to thank the many people in my electorate who have contacted my office in recent weeks to share their views on the leadership changes within the government.”
Updated
Liberal champions for banning live sheep exports - Sussan Ley, Sarah Henderson and Jason Wood - have all voted with the government against Labor’s attempt to force a debate on the bill. Nobody crossed the floor, despite the Senate passing a bill to ban live exports.
Labor has now attempted to suspend standing orders but the government is set to shut that down too.
Updated
Labor loses that vote:
72 to 70
The amendment is being brought to a division, but meanwhile, on Sky:
The Senate has passed a bill to phase out live sheep exports over a five-year period and stop trade to the Middle East during the northern summer@D_LittleproudMP: We will not back away from the live export of sheep and cattle from this country.https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #Speers pic.twitter.com/mhcHnZRgpc
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 10, 2018
Rebekha Sharkie is lending her support to the amendment to ensure the live sheep export ban bill is debated.
Bob Katter katters his objections but is told to add his name to the speaking list if he has something to say.
Updated
Over in the Federation Chamber, Andrew Leigh had a few things to say about the new “every man PM” Scott Morrison – the key word there being “man”:
The prime minister du jour has said some questionable things during his first fortnight but the one I want to draw attention to just one of them.
Speaking with a football coach over the weekend, he invited him to Canberra to quote “give the boys a bit of a rev-up”.
Let me repeat that – “the boys”.
Now deputy speaker, I’m not here talking about sport. I’m here talking about gender equity and what message that comment sends to young girls and women in Australia contemplating a parliamentary career.
The Liberals now have more than three men for every woman in their party room. There was a higher share of women in the Liberal party room a decade ago than there is today. There is a higher share of women on Australian ASX 200 boards and in the judiciary than in the Liberal federal party room.
Labor, thanks to our adoption of quotas in the 1990s, is now nearly at parity and that’s made a difference in how we think through issues like the tampon tax, reinstating the time use survey and standing against attempts to water down our progressive tax system and shift the tax mix towards consumption.
Updated
Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie are both arguing for MPs to support the amendment that would ensure the Senate bill banning live sheep exports is actually dealt with, and not “kicked off into the long grass”.
That’s because the government has removed Sussan Ley’s private members’ bill, which basically called for the same thing from the notice paper.
If this motion fails, the government can just never bring the bill on for debate. Which, in effect, kills it.
Updated
Naming education, health, a fair deal with Western Australia and restoring faith in democratic traditions, as some of his goals as a parliamentarian, Patrick Gorman opened his speech with:
Ultimately, the work of the parliament of Australia is about love. Love of the community you represent. Love of your fellow humans whatever their background. Love of the values you and your Party stand for. Love of this country and what it can achieve.
And for me, having had the privilege to work in this building, the parliament of Australia, meant I found love and met Jess.
The Australia Jess and I love is a country that makes, creates and exports everything from arts to ore.
The Australia we love is a country that pays everyone a secure, fair wage from cleaner to construction worker.
The Australia we love is a country that builds a fair society through adequate pensions, a fair tax system and a free and public health system.
The Australia we love is a country that creates opportunity through unashamed major investment in the education of our people.
The Australia we love is a country committed to continuous reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples so badly wronged, dispossessed and ignored.
The Australia we love protects our environment and climate for future generations.
The Australia we love is a country that believes gender equality is more than just an aspiration.
The Australia Jess and I love voted “yes” to marriage equality.
And fortunately, Jess loves me. A failed pilot, a guitar hoarder, a former shift manager at McDonald’s, childhood member of the Double Helix Club, a former adviser to an Australian prime minister and a pun-loving, ukulele learning dad of one.
Thank you to my Australian Labor Party family and my community who have honoured me to add Labor parliamentarian to that list.
There is no greater agent for change, no volunteer organisation more effective, no cause more just than that of the Australian Labor party.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities this country has afforded me.
Grateful the Whitlam Labor government opened up our universities, ensuring my parents met at Claremont teachers college.
Grateful to have been surrounded by driven, independent women all my life.
My great-grandmother Rooke who worked as a proud public servant for decades at the Australian Taxation Office in the Perth CBD.
My grandma Pat, a working single mum who lived on Walcott Street just metres from where Jess and I now raise our son, Leo.
My grandmother Joan who for more than 50 years has run one of Western Australia’s most successful family-owned farm supplies businesses.
As a chronic asthmatic child my parents broke most parts of the traffic code at one time or another rushing me to Fremantle hospital. I am here because of Medicare and our public health system.
I benefited immeasurably from a world-class education at Lance Holt school, Melville senior high school, Curtin university and the University of Western Australia and am indebted to Australia’s teachers.
That education drove me to have a career dedicated to delivering fairness.
I worked for Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd, who delivered fairness in the wake of the global financial crisis, grew Australia’s international development program, and enacted reforms to give party members a real say and ensure stable leadership of the Australian Labor party.
This prepared me to serve as state secretary of WA Labor, lead our 2017 state election campaign and work to elect Mark McGowan as premier of Western Australia. Mark is a great Australian, a good friend and I thank him for his support.
We built a team that wrote new electoral history in Western Australia, elected the greatest number of women ever seen in the State’s parliament and delivered on a landmark plan for jobs.
Both the prime minister and I share the honour of having served as state secretary of our respective political parties.
Political parties are an essential and precious part of our democracy.
But right now, our party system, this parliament and our executive government are being weakened.
Diminished by populism, racism and a strong sense that our institutions are no longer effective.
Too often the Australian people look to this parliament and see the worst reflection of our society. It shouldn’t be this way. I hope, one day, people will again look here and see role models.
And ends with a reminder to his future self:
Therefore, I end with the words of the greatest Western Australian to serve in this place, John Curtin.
I do this to remind me, for however long I may be here, and in whatever capacities I may have the honour to serve, the purpose of electing Labor members to the parliament of Australia. Curtin said: “Labor is a peace-loving party. Its struggle has always been on behalf of the weak against the strong; for the poor, for those who never had a chance as against those whose privileged positions enabled them to prosper – even though millions suffer.
Updated
Greens senator Rachel Siewart has introduced a bill to the Senate to raise the Newstart allowance by $75 a week:
“Newstart and Youth Allowance payments have not increased since 1994, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“For over two decades, Liberal and Labor governments have simply refused to increase these vital income support payments.
“They have let us down by giving massive tax handouts to their wealthy mates and letting them get away with not paying their fair share of tax instead of investing in the public and social services we all need.
“That’s why, while big corporate profits are soaring, and one in three of the largest corporations pay no tax, we’ve been left with rising economic inequality, poverty and cuts to health, education, income support and social services.
“We need to urgently address income inequality. At just $38 a day, people looking for work, disabled people, students, older Australians and single parents are extremely stressed trying to survive on the Newstart and Youth Allowance payments that deny them a dignified life.
“In a wealthy country like Australia, no one should be left behind like this.”
Patrick Gorman delivers his first speech. He thanked his parents for all their support (and for the middle name Possum, before pointing out his brother’s middle name is Anarchy). His dad was in the public gallery and got a little teary.
I’ll bring you some more of the speech, soonest.
Tony Burke is attempting to move an amendment to ensure the bill is actually dealt with, instead of disappearing “into the ether”.
The live export ban bill that passed the Senate has made its way to the House – Christopher Pyne wants it dealt with in the next sitting.
Updated
I wasn’t joking about lapel flag pin watch:
Only Angus Taylor seems to be wearing his Australian Flag lapel pin given to all front bench by PM Morrison on day 1. #reportToPMafterclass @AmyRemeikis @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/JZKyCmW8TK pic.twitter.com/exGAKzcpBc
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) September 10, 2018
I guess that’s what happens when you make a point of public displays of nationalism as one of your first acts as leader of a nation, by presenting a flag pin as the parliamentary acceptable version of a southern cross tattoo.
When you finally get the good spot on the couch – and the remote
Oh, the hilarity
Getting on with the job
TFW you realise lapel flag pin watch is now legitimately part of parliamentary proceedings
Before it got messy
Updated
From Mike Bowers’s lens to your eyeballs:
Updated
Patrick Gorman is delivering his first speech to the parliament. He won the seat of Perth following Tim Hammond’s resignation.
I’ll bring you some of that in just a moment.
Question time ends.
It might be worth pointing out that the solicitor general also argued that Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash were both totally fine under section 44.
Updated
Mark Dreyfus to Scott Morrison:
S. 44 of the constitution provides that any person who has a financial interest in an agreement with the commonwealth is disqualified from sitting in parliament. Is the prime minister aware of a letter sent to a childcare centre owned by the minister for home affairs’ family trust which says “This approval letter together with the conditions of funding makes up the agreement between the commonwealth and you”. When will the prime minister refer the home affairs minister to the high court so doubts about his qualifications to be a member of parliament under s.44 of the constitution can be resolved?
Morrison punts (sorry, I don’t think he actually supports an AFL team) *passes* the question to attorney general Christian Porter.
Morrison:
The short answer is that those matters were understood by the solicitor general at the time of the previous advice being prepared. I’ll ask the attorney general to speak more on this but I tell you what I won’t allow, the Australian people have had a gutful of these games. They want us to get on with business and that agency what my government is going to do.
Porter:
The history to this is that Labor commissioned advice from Mr Walker and Mr Mack, that advice made a conclusion, not one shared by three other pieces of public advice that are now available. The solicitor general’s advice dealt with the agreement you’ve spoken about. What Labor now contend is that the conclusion contains in the Walker and Mack advice is absolutely critical to the integrity of this parliament.
If that is so, if the conclusion contained in the Labor advice is so absolutely critical to the integrity of this parliament, there is one obvious and very important question that requires answering before we proceed any further: that is why did Labor wait 126 days before deciding to provide that advice to the parliament? When you look at the cover page of that advice that’s now so important, the date written on MrWalker and Mr Mack’s advice is “18April 2018”. It was sent to me as attorney general 126 days later, late on the evening of 22 August 2018. If any of us here as members of parliament thought we had information truly critical to the integrity of this parliament, do you think we would sit on it for 126 days?
What happened? It couldn’t be the case that someone as learned as the shadow attorney general took 126 days to read it? A novel has been written in three weeks. What happened shadow attorney general, so important you had to sit on it for126 days? Surely, if any of us truly believed that we had information that critical to the parliament, that important, striking at the heart of the integrity of this fine institution, that we would abide by your duty to this parliament to disclose it to the parliament. Three members of the Labor party sat on an entire parliamentary committee into s. 44. Seven public hearings and we’re meant to believe that they had advice that they believed utterly critical to this issue and didn’t disclose it to this parliament? Give us a break.
Updated
Whatever the gee-up order was given at the MPs meeting Scott Morrison called just before question time, it doesn’t appear to have worked.
It’s a very flat backbench getting on with the job today.
Updated
Shayne Neumann to Peter Dutton:
Today the minister said that the employer of the Brisbane au pair wrote an email to the minister’s publicly available email account. Will he table that email now and if he doesn’t have it with him, will he provide it to the parliament by 5pm today?
In one of the surest signs yet that Dutton is actually under pressure on this issue, he answers the question without a single smart arse remark:
I don’t have the email with me but I’m happy to table it.
Updated
Muppet Show is currently trending on Twitter.
Tony Burke raises relevance. Tony Smith tells him to get to the question:
“Australians want us to get on with the job”.
This period in Australian political history is absolutely covered in glory. Absolutely. Covered. In. It.
Ed Husic to Michael Keenan:
Can the minister confirm that when he told the House he supported Malcolm Turnbull on Monday and Wednesday, he had already decided to support someone else and he therefore misled parliament?”
Christopher Pyne:
I would direct you to the standing orders in the parliamentary practice with respect to the responsibilities of the minister and, particularly, in p. 553 that ministers should not be asked questions about party leadership and related issues where there’s no connection with a matter in which - in respect of which the minister’s responsible to the house.”
Tony Smith (who has done his homework)
The difference here is once a minister has answered a question, it’s quite – he would be right in the normal course of events but it’s quite in order for that previous answer to be asked about again and that’s what has been done on this occasion. I will allow the question to stand and call the minister.
Keenan:
Talks about hearing tests.
Updated
Mark Butler to Angus Taylor:
Can the minister confirm the last time this house met he supported a Turnbull government on Monday, voted for a Dutton government on Tuesday, said he supported a Turnbull government again on Wednesday, called for a Dutton government again on Thursday and pledged loyalty to a Morrison government on Friday? Can the minister confirm when he told the house he supported Malcolm Turnbull, he’d already decided to support someone else and was misleading parliament?”
Christopher Pyne:
The first reason this question should be ruled out of order is because accusing a minister of misleading the house can only be done by substantive motion, not in a question.
The second reason that the question should be ruled out of order is it is about matters to do with the parliamentary party and traditionally, those matters have not been within the ministerial responsibility of members and therefore they should not be questioned about.
Tony Smith:
I disagree with the header of the House on the term misleading. The term deliberately misleading is the trigger point that he’s referring to and there are many instances where the word “misleading” has been used in questions and indeed in answers by ministers. Referring to the minister’s previous answer, he’s obviously – the substantive point but it is not the substantive part of that question and, whilst it was there, it was the last line. I’ve said before I’m not going to allow a whole range of material as commentary in the 30 seconds and just bolt on at the very end in the last instance the only part of the question that’s in order. On that basis, I’m going to rule the question out of order, not on the basis the leader of the opposition said and I call the next question.
Updated
Labor has asked the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, about his decision to switch support away from Malcolm Turnbull after backing him on the first three days of the leadership spill week.
He replied:
All of these statements [of support] were – of course – entirely accurate at the time. I know that the Labor party thinks this is all very humorous. I explained my position, my judgments, my reason for my judgments openly and transparently all the way through. I offered my resignation … indeed I did resign … because I followed through on my judgments at the time.
In response to a follow-up on how Scott Morrison can trust Cormann when Turnbull couldn’t, he replies with this gem:
Well, Malcolm Turnbull could until I advised him openly, until I advised him very clearly.
And later:
I stand by the judgments I’ve made, the way I’ve conducted myself. I sought to handle a difficult situation with integrity, openness and transparency, as honourably as you possibly can in these sorts of circumstances.
Updated
Label pin watch has also hit the Senate:
Not wearing it:
Mathias Cormann
Simon Birmingham
Mitch Fifield
Marise Payne
Matt Canavan
Actually, it doesn’t look like anyone on the Senate frontbench is wearing it. At this rate it might be easier if we could find a minister who IS wearing the sacred pin of Australian-ness. Don’t they know that every time they neglect to wear it, a meat pie loses its wings?
Updated
Catherine King to Greg Hunt:
Can the minister confirm that the last time this house met, he supported a Turnbull government on Monday, voted for a Dutton government on Tuesday, said he supported a Turnbull government on Wednesday, called for a Dutton government on Thursday and pledged his loyalty to a Morrison government on Friday?
Can the minister confirm when he told the house he supported Malcolm Turnbull he’d already decided to support someone else? What is the minister’s response to the prime minister describing his behaviour as ‘like being the Muppet Show’?
Hunt:
He talks about the PBS and health funding.
Anthony Albanese pops up to say the question was about misleading parliament. Christopher Pyne counters he didn’t hear that in the question. Speaker Tony Smith says he didn’t believe the question to be in order, but allowed it, so is giving the minister some leeway with his answer.
None of us are getting those minutes back.
Oh goodie. Angus Taylor is now giving his first Dixer as the “minister for bringing electricity prices down” and the last vestiges of my post-holiday glow dims, never to return.
Updated
Fresh off his dramatic retelling of the Muppet show opener, Julian Hill comes up with the “Minister for home au pairs” as Peter Dutton took the floor, I’m told.
Updated
It’s the first dose of Peter Dutton’s safety lecture under the Morrison government.
You are still very safe. Unions are still terrible. Labor can’t be trusted.
Ahhh, the more things change ...
Updated
Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:
I refer to the standards required of ministers under the ministerial standards. Is the prime minister aware that the member for Leichhardt has today called for the bullies within his government to be named and held accountable for their actions? What process has the prime minister commenced to assure himself that none of his ministers or assistant ministers are guilty of bullying or intimidation their Liberal colleagues in breach of ministerial standards?
Morrison:
I’ve had a chat with the member for Leichhardt today and he’s fully satisfied with the way that the party is managing all issues that are germane to the internal running of the Liberal party and the support of all colleagues. We have a clear process for handling the welfare of our members. It’s handled by our whips as I’m sure as it is handled by the opposition party whips. They have a care role when it comes to issues of management with colleagues and our chief whip has served as a whip in this parliament. The member for Forrest, for the last 11 years. I want to welcome the appointment of the new deputy whip in the Senate in Senator Hume will be part of that task.
What I won’t do is take lectures from the leader of the opposition on bullying.
I‘m not going to take lectures from a leader of the opposition who could not have a warmer embrace with John Setka, the head of the Victorian CFMEU. If they were any closer, they would be Siamese twins. Joined at the head, joined at the hip and joined at the heart. The Labor party, when it comes to bullying and intimidation. I remember Peter Baldwin, I remember seeing him ... I tell you why I’m talking about Peter Baldwin, because my introduction as a young person to the Labor party was seeing his bashed face on the television, so I won’t be taking...
He then decides he has finished answering that question.
For the record, Warren Entsch was talking about the bullying his female colleagues had reported experiencing.
Updated
The change of leader has not changed how Michael McCormack delivers Dixer answers.
#youreuptodate
Updated
First count of Ministers refusing to wear the lapel pin Morrison gave them:
— Shorten Suite 👊 (@Shorten_Suite) September 10, 2018
Dutton
Pyne
Ken Wyatt
Paul Fletcher
Ciobo
Karen Andrews
Porter
Keenan
Chester
Littleproud.#auspol #qt
Adam Bandt has the crossbench question today and it is on ...
Peter Dutton.
When I asked him on 27 March this year, the minister for home affairs categorically ruled out any personal connection or other relationship with the intended employers in the au pair stories. He went on to say “I don’t know these people”. But he later publicly confirmed he does know one of them, calling him a former police colleague he worked with over a period of two years. TV news aired a photo apparently of the two of them together. This morning in parliament, the minister even implied they spoke to each other whilst working together but simply hadn’t spoken since that time. Prime minister, hasn’t the minister clearly misled parliament? Isn’t this a clear breach of your ministerial standards? Will you now dismiss him?”
Scott Morrison:
“No.”
That’s not me condensing – that’s the whole answer.
Updated
I’m not sure that the prime minister has quite worked out yet that he keeps referring to his own side as muppets.
Tanya Plibersek to Scott Morrison:
(There was a Dixer in between that, but #deathtodixers)
Can the prime minister confirm just last week the government’s entire infrastructure plan was leaked on Monday? It’s plan to end conflict with Catholic schools was leaked on Tuesday. It’s latest corporate tax plan was leaked on Wednesday. All week there was leaking about the prime minister plotting to tear downturn Turnbull. Is this what the prime minister said when he said his own government was a Muppet show?”
Morrison: (who is doing his best to ensure his voice makes it through the first QT)
As I said, the curtain is down on that performance. The long running performance of the Muppet show on that side of the House is setting new records. We don’t hold a candle when it comes to their performance. It is the longest running show in the history of the Australian parliament on that side of the House.
In terms of the issues raised by the member, yes, I can confirm we have a policy and we have a plan we’re implementing to ensure we have got congestion-busting infrastructure going all over our cities. I can confirm as a government, we have not only moved on delivering needs-based education funding but we are making great progress in ensuring there is absolute certainty that every parent, every parent who wants the choice to send their children to an independent school, like I do, I send them there because it reflects my faith. That’s great. It is wonderful. Everyone should have that choice.
Whether it’s a Catholic school or an independent school or anywhere else, I want them to have that choice and we will make sure they will have that choice, just like we will ensure that when it comes to religious freedoms, they will be protected in this country under my government. I can confirm we will be moving to ensure we reduce the tax burden further on small and medium sized businesses and I can confirm the Labor party will increase that burden on small and medium sized businesses which the member for Batman says “Tax is a privilege”.
No, when it is weighing down on a business, on a low income earner it is a burden that removes their hope and takes them away from the choices they want to make. My government will deliver the strong economic growth that Australians need to have the choices they want, whether it’s congestion-busting in the cities that means they can move around, see their families, get to work and get on with their lives. We support Australians living the life of their choice and we will enable their choices.
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Prime minister Scott Morrison shakes hands with opposition leader Bill Shorten before #qt gets underway @AmyRemeikis @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/JZKyCmW8TK pic.twitter.com/39GNofZ9WW
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) September 10, 2018
Given the debate about how women are treated in the Liberal party – those who are actually there – it might be worth noting that the new seating arrangement shows Scott Morrison being completely surrounded by blokes when he takes the despatch box, at least for the broadcast.
Ann Sudmalis is there but she’s positioned so you can’t see her when someone is standing at the box.
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Bill Shorten is back – saying he asked, not how but *why* Malcolm Turnbull is no longer prime minister.
Scott Morrison:
“The party chooses the person they want to lead ... to ensure that we can put the best foot forward at the next election to ensure we are connecting with Australians all around the country.”
The rest can be summed up with something-something-we’re-doing-great-and-will-keep-doing-better-something-something-can’t-trust-Labor.
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Rowan Ramsey gets the first dixer (on the drought) and delivers it by saying it gives him great pleasure to be able to ask prime minister Scott Morrison the first government question.
Simple pleasures, I suppose.
Question time begins
Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:
“Malcolm Turnbull is no longer prime minister of Australia. Why?”
Morrison:
John Howard used to say something quite simple and that is the privilege of serving as the leader of your parliamentary party is the decision of your parliamentary party. That’s what it is. That’s who decides who the leader of the parliamentary party is, just as it is true that caucus members of the Labor party decide who the leader of the Labor Party is.”
He goes on to talk about how great a job the Coalition has done (then why change leaders?) leading to Shorten asking a point of order to bring Morrison back to the question.
I thank the member for his interjection. He must be a little hard of hearing. His ears must be painted on and that’s what we see from this leader of the opposition. He roams around the country, he’s doing a lot of talking, he’s doing a lot of promising but he’s not doing a lot of listening. I made it pretty clear, the privilege of serving as the leader of the Liberal party is a decision of the parliamentary party and they have made their decision. I have accepted their decision and, more than that, I have decided to take charge of that situation and deliver the strong economic growth, the even stronger Australia that we’ve been delivering now for five years, and that is three simple points. Keeping our economy strong. Keeping Australians safe and keeping Australians together. That’s my plan and Australians will be backing it.
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Bill Shorten also made a statement on indulgence on John McCain’s passing:
We all remember John McCain as a devoted friend of Australia. I had the privilege of meeting him when he was here last year. He addressed our Labor caucus, spoke of how his admiration and affection for our nation stretched back to his father’s time here as a submarine commander in the second world war. Through public life he was one of the greatest supporters of the alliance between our nations. Not because of sentiment, although fondness for us ran deep within him. Not because of strategy, although he was alive to the geopolitical challenges of our region as much as anyone. He believed in our alliance because he believed we share a moral responsibility to advance the cause of freedom right around the world. At his best, the late John McCain typified the very best of American politics and idealism, opposing tyranny, defending liberty, extending justice to all. As Australians we honour his life and as parliamentarians we reflect on his example. Our condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.
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Question time is delayed as Scott Morrison pays tribute to US senator John McCain, who recently passed away:
It is not a usual thing in this House to express condolences for overseas politicians who are not the heads of governments or heads of state but I think all in this house would agree that Senator John McCain is a worthy exception. We honour him in this house today because of his service of the United States but his service to this country as well through his friendship. From prime ministers Hawke to Turnbull, John McCain was a steadfast friend who understood that our alliance is a reflection of two similar peoples. As he put it, ‘We are both societies of immigrants and pioneers who put our faith in the rule of law and who believe that our destinies are inseparable from the character of the broader world order.’
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Bill Shorten acknowledges Malcolm Turnbull’s service and congratulates Scott Morrison:
This is a great country, a remarkable country, and it’s a distinct and special privilege to be elected prime minister. I also wish to record our acknowledgement of the service of the previous prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull. I want to put on record our acknowledgement whilst we didn’t always see eye to eye, he served this country for nearly three years. We wish him and Lucy all the best. I acknowledge the outgoing deputy leader of the Liberal party, Ms Julie Bishop. We acknowledge your service and we thank you for it.
“Thank you” mouths @JulieBishopMP from the backbench, as Opposition Leader @billshortenmp acknowledges her contribution as Foreign Minister and Deputy Liberal Leader #auspol @SBSNews
— Brett Mason (@BrettMasonNews) September 10, 2018
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Scott Morrison opens the first question time since he became prime minister with a statement acknowledging he is now prime minister.
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As we slide into the first question time, Alice Workman has put together a guide on who is repping who in the Senate:
Here's your guide to #SenateQT and who is repping each minister in Morrison government
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) September 10, 2018
Cormann PM & Treasurer
McKenzie DPM & Infrastructure
Cash is Home Affairs & Immigration
Payne gets Jobs & IR
Scullion Health
Fifield Social & Human Services
Birmo Enviro & Energy pic.twitter.com/hSaa6FvaEd
It has just been pointed out to me that the only NSW Liberal spot available at the next election is Jim Molan’s. The Nats get the second pick. So, does the Coalition give up on a woman in one of the two definitely winnable spots AND shuffle Molan off?
There is no set date on when preselections will be done. I guess that depends on when Scott Morrison intends on holding the next election.
Progressive Liberals (ie, not the conservatives) control a lot of the power structures in NSW, so strap in.
Also not out of the woods – Craig Kelly.
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Preselections haven’t finished for the NSW Liberals yet – any bets on whether Andrew Bragg shows up on the Senate ticket?
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Ahhhh the second attempt to suspend standing orders was not the no-confidence motion in Peter Dutton – but a motion on Dutton misleading the House.
That the House:
1. Notes:
a) The bill currently before the House is urgent and should be given precedence over all other items other than question time and this motion for the remainder of the day;
b) That at 11.23am today, the minister for home affairs made a statement to the House in which he said: “On the 26th of March 2018 the shadow minister for immigration asked me a question asserting I had granted a visa for a person to be employed by me and by my wife as a nanny”;
c) However, on the 26th of March, the actual question asked by the shadow minister for immigration, the member for Blair, made no reference to whether the minister had granted a visa to a person to be employed by him and his wife as a nanny. Instead it read “I refer to concerns raised in the media today relating to the minister’s use of his ministerial discretion to grant a tourist visa to an au pair. Was his decision based on departmental advice? If not, what prompted the minister to intervene? And will the minister undertake to provide the opposition with a departmental briefing at the earliest opportunity so the facts can be made clear?”;
d) Today, the minister for home affairs also stated “On the 27th of March, the member for Melbourne, after a short preamble, asked me ‘Can you rule out any personal relationship between you or the intended employer of any of the au pairs’”;
e) However, once again the minister for home affairs changed the words of the question to make it look like he had not misled the parliament; and
f) The question the member for Melbourne actually asked read, “I note your recent statements in relation to your personal intervention to prevent the deportation of two foreign intended au pairs. Can you categorically rule out any personal connection or any other relationship between you and the intended employer of either of the au pairs?”; and
2. Therefore, resolves to provide an opportunity for the Minister to act in accordance with the ministerial standards to explain why he provided the House with false information in his statement today when he next attends the House.
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While we are on threatened species:
#Newspoll First netsats for new Prime Ministers:
— Kevin Bonham (@kevinbonham) September 9, 2018
Keating -21
Howard +33
Rudd +48
Gillard +19
Rudd (2) zero
Abbott +13
Turnbull +18
Morrison +2
Can you spot the threatened species?Environment minister Melissa Price, assistant treasurer Stuart Robert, Luke Howarth and Chris Crewther at a function for threatened species day in parliament house @murpharoo @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/JZKyCmW8TK pic.twitter.com/BntQ8Exaol
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) September 10, 2018
When nominations for the Wentworth preselections closed, these were the three women on the list:
Mary-Lou Jarvis
Katherine O’Regan
Maxine Szramka
Andrew Bragg himself has confirmed Sharri Markson’s report, with a statement on Facebook:
I am stepping aside from the Wentworth preselection.
I believe the Liberal party should preselect a woman and my withdrawal can pave the way.
The allegations made by the member for Chisholm genuinely shocked me.
Julia Banks is an incredibly impressive woman who has made it in the upper echelons of corporate Australia.
Julia Banks’ exit from public life is a loss for all of us. Julia is exactly the type of professional woman that the Liberal party must be able to attract and keep in parliament. Her loss is an enormous step in the wrong direction.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop’s comments that it was not acceptable for our party to drag the nation’s female parliamentary representation ranking from 15th in 1999 to 50th today equally ring true.
I believe these recent events and comments have changed the mood and accordingly I will withdraw my nomination.
I am also a father and a husband who wants to see professional women make it into the highest offices in the land as representatives of the Liberal party.
This preselection provides that opportunity.
I believe in public service and I hope to serve the people of New South Wales in future.
Wentworth will be best served by a Liberal in the Morrison government. I wish all remaining candidates the very best.
Updated
Malcolm Turnbull's anointed Wentworth successor drops out of race
Sharri Markson from the Daily Telegraph is reporting Andrew Bragg is withdrawing from the preselection battle for Wentworth.
Exclusive: Andrew Bragg pulls out of Wentworth contest to make way for a woman. https://t.co/5RthajpFt2
— Sharri Markson (@SharriMarkson) September 10, 2018
He had been considered the frontrunner, following Malcolm Turnbull’s endorsement.
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“All this will do is put our democracy ... under greater strain,” Tim Wilson says over calls to refer Peter Dutton to the high court.
He says Dutton has been the member for Dickson for “quite some time” and that it’s “funny” when these things pop up.
But here is where a fact check comes in – the potential problem occurred when the Coalition government changed how the childcare subsidy was paid. It used to go to parents. It now goes directly to the childcare centres. When that switch happened, it potentially made the Duttons’ childcare businesses a direct/indirect beneficiary of commonwealth funds. Which is in conflict with section 44.
The only group of people who can actually say what the case in this sort of situation is, is the high court justices.
But because of changes the government made, electors can no longer refer members to the parliament more than three months after the election.
Which means a majority of the chamber would have to refer him.
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Also a “non-story”, according to Tim Wilson, is whether Peter Dutton is in conflict with section 44.
Well then, that’s that settled!
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Tim Wilson declares the Peter Dutton au pair story is the “biggest non-story going round” on Sky.
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Tony Burke loses his battle to move the motion to suspend standing orders for a no-confidence motion in Peter Dutton – Labor will try again at a later time.
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Liberal party MPs – party whip Nola Marino wants to remind you that you are required to “please attend the members’ annex at 1.50pm for a briefing from the prime minister”.
Thank you to the secret squirrel who passed that memo on.
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Tony Burke has started the no-confidence motion proceedings against Peter Dutton.
Christopher Pyne points out that Burke can’t do it, as the parliament is in the middle of a debate.
Burke is pushing back.
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It’s less than an hour before Scott Morrison’s first question time as prime minister.
Hit us up with your predictions and your QT bingo guesses.
Bonus guess – how often will the word “muppet” be used?
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Updated
There are snakes in parliament
With @Josh4Freo @BrianMitchellMP and #Dutton the Olive Python in Parliament House for Threatened Species Day 🐍 pic.twitter.com/pTF7dL8jo2
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 10, 2018
And the result of that division – the government wins, 72 to 68.
From my peep into the chamber, Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie voted with Labor, Bob Katter voted with the government and Rebehka Sharkie and Cathy McGowan abstained.
Updated
The House of Representatives is dividing on Labor’s motion to suspend standing orders.
The chamber is very slowly filling.
So – will we see another of these attempts during question time? Hit me up with your predictions.
And for those on Peter Dutton watch, Cathy McGowan was spotted having a chat to the home affairs minister outside the chamber shortly after he gave his statement.
McGowan had said she wanted to see what he had to say before she decided which way to go on a no-confidence motion.
Which is completely separate from the second push to have the Dickson MP referred to the high court over section 44 concerns, regarding changes the government made to the childcare subsidy – which now sees the payment made to the childcare centres, instead of parents, potentially putting Dutton in hot water, given his spouse has an interest in childcare centres. And section 44 also prohibits MPs from receiving direct or indirect benefit from the commonwealth.
And yes, he has legal advice saying he’s fine. But so did every other MP who had to resign.
Meanwhile, some more footage of the protests outside Parliament House this morning:
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.@cpyne: @AustralianLabor was a party that changed its leader very routinely. And I agree with them, the change in the leader is not the right thing to do. The Australian public are quite rightly most disconcerted with what’s occurred.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 10, 2018
MORE: https://t.co/tqfTbRmL6e #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/70Rgnqkagx
Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff might vote no against a no confidence motion against Peter Dutton in the Senate, but I wouldn’t necessarily count Rebehka Sharkie in the house as automatically following suit.
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Rex Patrick is on Sky indicating he (and therefore Centre Alliance) would not be supporting a no confidence motion in Peter Dutton.
He says on the basis of what he heard from Dutton (the statement), he doesn’t believe it sounds like anything unusual occurred – that he himself has contacted ministers on behalf of constituents.
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The opposition – apparently so powerful it’s to blame for its political rivals changing leaders, for reasons yet to be articulated.
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The vote on whether there should be a vote to suspend standing orders is postponed until noon.
Which is nowish
Christopher Pyne really is giving this his best shot, but Labor is in hysterics:
... I got news for the Labor party – we’re getting on with the job on this side of the house. We are getting on with the job.
... Because the policies of this government, the policy of the former treasurer, now the prime minister [and] the former prime minister, have been driving economic growth in this country, creating growth, creating jobs. This government, Mr Speaker, has got the runs on the board.
This government, Mr Speaker, has reduced income tax for personal income tax for Australia. The average families struggling to make ends meet, we are reducing income tax for those families. We are reducing the company tax for small businesses. We are driving small and medium enterprises in this country to reinvest in their own businesses, to create the jobs that are driving the economy. We have record levels of infrastructure spending right across the nation in roads, in bridges, in new airports, in defence industry infrastructure, in bases – $75 billion worth of infrastructure spending, according to the new minister, Mr Speaker – and he’s going to get the opportunity to keep expanding on that and outlining that infrastructure spend.
That’s helping to create jobs and growth in the Australian economy, unlike the Rip van Winkle years of the Labor party from 2007 to 2013. We’re getting electricity prices down. They have already started coming down in certain markets around Australia including in South Australia and Queensland, Mr Speaker. And we’re going to be focused like a laser beam on electricity prices with the new minister.
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While Christopher Pyne continues to blame Labor for the government’s leadership woes, this invitation has just dropped into inboxes from the minister for environment:
On behalf of the Hon Melissa Price MP, minister for the environment and member for Durack, you are invited to celebrate Threatened Species Day at Parliament House.
I again assure you, this is not the Onion. Despite all the recent evidence to the contrary.
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Christopher Pyne has managed to blame Labor for the Liberal party room decision to ambush its leader.
This is not the Onion, I promise.
... You got to admire their chutzpah. Because a lot of these members on the other side of the house, they come from a government, an opposition, a Labor party, that changed their leader in five years’ time from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard to Kevin Rudd and when they’re in opposition they had Kim Beazley, they had Simon Crean, and then Kim Beazley again; they tried Mark Latham who they now reject completely as a member of the Labor party. Then they went to Kevin Rudd, Mr Speaker. They were a party that changed their leaders very routinely. And I agree with them – I agree with them – the change in the leader is not the right thing to do.
The Australian public are quite rightly most disconcerted with what’s occurred and I do think – I agree – the last 10 years of politics in Australia, the instability that was initiated by the Labor party from 2007 to 2013, was the wrong way to treat the Australian public. It was the wrong way to behave, Mr Speaker, and now Labor says they had to do it. But they began – they began the process, that has led to this 10 years of instability in Australia.
After the 11.5 years of stability by the Howard government. So we had..following relative instability in the Hawke and Keating Governments or Fraser Government, of course, we had the aberration that was the Whitlam Government and before that we had 21 years of continuous power from the Coalition. And Labor created a very unfortunate atmosphere in Australian politics in the last 10 years where changing the leader became de rigueur in Australian politics and it’s the wrong thing to have done.
And I agree with the Australian public that what they want is stability, they want a calm government in Australia that is getting on with the job. And coming from the Leader of the Opposition, it is particularly galling to be lectured about stability and unity.”
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Christopher Pyne is up defending the government against the motion, as the leader of the house.
He opens with “of course Labor wants to blow up the parliament”.
Which may have carried more weight, if the government hadn’t cancelled parliament on the last sitting Thursday before the spill. And also cancelled a week at the end of last year in the midst of the section 44 cluster.
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No Ministers wearing their Aus flag badges. #libspill5. #auspol
— Rob Mitchell (@RobMitchellMP) September 10, 2018
Mahreen Faruqi’s office is very quick off the mark following the Senate vote on the live export ban:
The Senate has agreed with the majority of Australians who want an end to this cruel trade in misery. The only thing now standing in the way of this bill becoming law is Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The ball is now in the prime minister’s court. We know that this bill has majority support in the House of Representatives. Scott Morrison should allow a debate and a free vote to end the horrors and suffering of the live export trade. No amount of tinkering around the edges will stop the misery of animals, so the question is will he continue to support this cruel industry?
The sheer breadth of support for this bill shows that animal welfare is well and truly on the political agenda. The live export business model is built on cruelty. Deaths from high temperatures, illness, injury and starvation on board the ships are unavoidable with thousands of sheep dying on voyages.
Like many others, I was completely sickened by the footage of sheep being cooked to death on these live export ships. But Australians are even more sickened by the fact that this trade has been allowed to continue.
With the passing of this bill, the clock is well and truly ticking for the cruel live export trade. The reality is that no reform can change the fact that live exports are completely incompatible with animal welfare.
“The Greens have been opposed to live exports since day one, so it is incredibly heartening to see this bill has passed the Senate and is so close to becoming law. We remain committed to ending live exports entirely and this bill would eliminate the worst aspects of the trade.
I want to pay tribute to Lee Rhiannon whose hard work and passion for animals has driven this campaign for the Greens.
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Tanya Plibersek seconds the motion. There are not a lot of Coalition MPs in the chamber, from what I can see.
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The motion Bill Shorten is seeking to move is this one:
That the house:
1. Notes: a) The last time this parliament sat, the government shut down this house because this government was unable and unwilling to govern itself
b) The next day, the government deposed the elected prime minister but nobody is able to explain why
c) The government continues to be wracked by infighting, with government members leaking against each other on an almost daily basis
d) The current prime minister claims he remained loyal to Malcolm Turnbull, but his own Liberal party colleagues have been briefing that he was plotting to depose the former prime minister for some time
e) The current prime minister has described his own government as a Muppet Show and his own colleagues as Muppets
f) Government members don’t trust each other, are only focussed on fighting themselves, and cannot possibly be trusted to look out for the interests of the Australian people; and
2. Therefore condemns this Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government for only being focussed on itself and not on helping Australians.
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Back in the Senate for a moment:
We're now voting on live export ban bill for a 3rd reading stage. Ian MacDonald: "3 gags in one bill! where is all the outrage from the Xenophons about gagging?". Doug Cameron: "you've been well and truly gagged - you're not coming back" #auspol
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) September 10, 2018
Bill Shorten says the government can’t explain why it ditched Malcolm Turnbull and remains at war with itself:
On morning television last week, the prime minister said ‘the curtain had gone down on the Muppet show’. But already we can see it wasn’t an end – it was only an intermission! Since he said that, Monday last week, some kind patriot in the Liberal party and the resistance leaked the entire infrastructure plan for the government. Not to be outdone on Tuesday, another patriot in the resistance leaked the whole of the plan to fix up Catholic school education, neglected of course to look after public schools, but that’s their DNA. Wednesday – another patriot in the resistance leaks the entire business tax options for the government, and on Thursday, for good measure, one of the anonymous bullies of the Liberal party pays back the member for Chisholm for speaking up against the bullies.
And of course all week we had the freedom fighters out there on and off the record explaining how Prime Minister Morrison outmanoeuvred would-be prime minister Dutton and former prime minister Turnbull. But what is – who is – actually the director of the production. Who is the Jim Henson of the Muppet show of the government of Australia? And it is tamer than it’s ever been – the member for Warringah! Two weeks ago wasn’t the end of the civil war, it was just the opening shot, and the next battle we see every day. We already see the recriminations. The campaign of leaks against the poor old minister for home affairs over his conflict of interest, his visas for mates, not mates – depends on what we know and when we know it – and of course the debate over his constitutional eligibility under section 44.
And we have seen the recriminations much more seriously, indeed, even than that. The shocking allegations of bullying and intimidation. We see women members of parliament, like the member for Chisholm. We have seen Senator Gichuhi, we have seen the member for Curtin, even the minister for women talking about serious allegations of thuggery and standover tactics. And, of course, you had the member for Leichhardt out again today making the same point. But of course, on the other hand, against the victims of the bullying, we got the member for Hughes saying they should roll with the punches! This is indeed a character test for the new prime minister.
Bullies are not entitled to the protection of secrecy, do not deserve a deliberate silence from the prime minister of Australia. The simple point is this: the best place for the Liberal party to resolve all of these toxic poisonous issues, the best place for them to get it out of their system, is a good, long stint in opposition.
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Labor moves to suspend standing orders
Bill Shorten follows Peter Dutton’s statement with a motion to suspend standing orders over the leadership spill.
Peter Dutton statement:
Mr Speaker, on the 27th March, the member for Melbourne, after a short preamble asked me ‘can you rule out any personal relationship between you or the intended employer of any of the au pairs’.
There’s two points, Mr Speaker, to make here. My answer was in the context of the baseless allegation of the employment of his person by my family. As I stated on the 27th March, I do not have a personal connection or [that] kind of relationship with the people involved in these matters. Secondly, in regards to the matters referred to as the ‘Adelaide matter’, as I stated previously to the best of my knowledge, I have never met the visa holder, or anyone else involved in that matter. I would also like to put the following on the record in regard to that particular matter.
A representation was received by my office, specifically my chief of staff, from an AFL government relations officer. My chief of staff requested information, regarding the matter, from the department. The department compiled a submission, including all relevant information.
As was provided in evidence to the Senate inquiry hearing last week, on the front page of that submission was a recommendation to intervene. I actioned the submission on the facts of the case before me. In regards to the other matter, that has been referred to as the ‘Brisbane matter’, to the best of my knowledge, I have not socialised met with, or had personal contact with the man involved – and in fact, I worked, I finished work, with the Queensland police service in July of 1999. There were 5,500 police officers within the Queensland police service. He doesn’t have my personal phone number or email address.
The terms of personal relationship used by the member for Melbourne signify a much closer relationship between two people than working in the same organisation two decades ago, and not speaking with each other since that time. No reasonable person could come to the conclusion that my profession association through working in the same large public service some 20 years ago constitutes either a personal connection or relationship. Mr Speaker, I put on the record the following in regard to the matter: The individual did not have contact with me, in regard to this matter. He wrote an email to my publicly available email account, which can be accessed by anyone online. That email account is monitored by my staff. Staff member in my office asked me, whether I knew this person, my initial response was “who?” My staffer asked for information from the department to examine the facts. A staff member from my office sought further information through the DLO, and at no time did I speak with the ABF commissioner, the departmental liaison officer or any other member of the department regarding this matter.
As has become public, despite his evidence otherwise, no one in my office spoke with the ABF commissioner on his matter. Any statements made by current or former departmental officials are not informed by any communication with me. Mr Speaker, the department then compiled a submission that which was provided in evidence to the Senate inquiry hearing last week, on the front page, states, as the recommendation, to intervene in that matter. I actioned the submission on the facts of the case before me, nothing more, nothing less.
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Peter Dutton makes statement to the House
After the au pair inquiry, Peter Dutton is making a statement to the House of Representatives about his intervention in the au pair visa case.
The live export ban bill passes 2nd reading stage 31-27 with Centre Alliance voting with Labor on the Greens' Derryn Hinch & Tim Storer co-signed bill #auspol
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) September 10, 2018
Greens force vote on live export ban
The Greens won that 31 to 27, which immediately takes us to a second reading debate vote.
The division has been called on that now.
A division has been called in the Senate to have the live export ban bill put – which is basically to bring on the second reading debate vote.
The numbers in the chamber show Labor voting with the Greens on this division.
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Good call by @NAB not to lift mortgage rates. They seem to get it.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) September 10, 2018
From the Senate this morning:
There have been a few new submissions to a Senate committee inquiry examining the 2016 election, particularly on the issue of whether Australia’s electoral system is vulnerable to interference.
The submission from the Digital Industry Group Inc – which represents digital giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter – shows that digital media companies are still getting used to their role in the electoral process.
Digi outlines a number of measures its members are taking, including “improving ranking algorithms in a variety of ways to demote fake news and elevate quality journalism”. Both Facebook and Google have initiatives in that space.
But Digi also says: “Social media and internet companies alone cannot solve the challenge of deliberate misinformation and should not be the arbiters of truth.”
This is the difficulty the digital media giants find themselves in – users expect them to weed out fake news, so new efforts are required to satisfy consumers that something is being done – but the companies do not want to admit they are publishers and responsible for editorial decisions about what is true. How can you weed out fake news without determining truth?
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There doesn’t seem to be a whole heap of government legislation coming up today, but the bill to stop live exports, co-sponsored by Derryn Hinch, Tim Storer and the Greens, is coming up. It looks like they have the numbers ... maybe.
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And for those wondering, Emma Husar is back in the chamber.
Mike Bowers was in the chamber for the Senate opening.
He said once the morning reflections had finished, Doug Cameron remarked he had never seen the Coalition “pray so hard”.
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Over in the Senate, Larissa Waters has been sworn in. Again.
Speaker Tony Smith has given a non-update on the timing of the Wentworth byelection.
He’ll inform the house of any updates, when there is one to give.
Just as we get started, a quick reminder on the numbers: Scott Morrison is ruling over a minority government, with Malcolm Turnbull’s departure and Kevin Hogan’s move to the crossbench.
Hogan has promised confidence and supply, so there is no risk of a no confidence motion getting up (Bob Katter and Cathy McGowan have also indicated they’ll give supply, although that would require Katter to actually appear in Canberra), but Hogan holds the key vote in legislation the crossbench all oppose.
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The bells are ringing – the fun is about to officially begin.
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“We’d all like to see more women down in here in Canberra for the Liberals ... but we don’t want to do it by quotas. Quotas are counter-productive,” Craig Kelly says.
The answer, he says, is for the state party executives to encourage more women to put their name down for preselection. Because, the past two weeks of bullying allegations aside (which Kelly dismisses, saying they should just “roll with the punches”), that has worked SO well in the past. I mean, there are just binders and binders full of Liberal women here.
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Annnnnnd Craig Kelly is on Sky again.
At least you can count on some things to remain constant in this crazy world.
Tony Abbott told 2GB he regards himself as a “conservationist”.
Moving on.
Just ahead of his chat with Ray Hadley, Tony Abbott took the time to retweet this:
Thanks again to the wonderful appearances by @TonyAbbottMHR John Howard @Nigel_Farage @StevenCiobo @mattjcan at todays Spectator Anglo-Australia Forumhttps://t.co/t33O9ihCnB
— SpectatorAustralia (@SpectatorOz) September 7, 2018
Backing another winner, obviously. You may have seen reports that Farage wasn’t having the easiest time selling tickets to his Australian tour, with the Sydney gig moved to a smaller venue.
Katharine Murphy reported on what the crossbench was likely to do in the event of a no-confidence motion against Peter Dutton:
The crossbenchers Cathy McGowan and Rebekha Sharkie say Peter Dutton needs to provide a compelling explanation about why he hasn’t misled the house about the au pair controversy, with the home affairs minister facing a no-confidence motion once parliament resumes.
Neither MP has ruled out supporting the motion, to be moved by the Greens with Labor backing. McGowan told Guardian Australia: ‘I think it’s important Dutton responds to the allegations that he misled the house in the parliament.
‘I will listen carefully to what he’s got to say, and then form my opinion.’
Sharkie said that in addition to seeking a ‘full and frank’ explanation before she resolved her stance on the no-confidence motion, she would support any renewed effort by the parliament to refer the home affairs minister to the high court to determine whether he is eligible to sit. ‘I think Dutton’s case should be tested,’ she said.
Which I think means we can expect Dutton to make a statement to the parliament at some point. Stay tuned
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“The most important part of that poll is that Scott Morrison seems to be more in touch with Australians than Malcolm Turnbull was,” Michael Kroger says of the “silver lining” in the 40th Newspoll loss.
He says Morrison has been able to show Australians he is “one of them”.
Here’s what Paul Karp was describing out the front a littler earlier, as seen by Mike Bowers:
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The bells are yet to ring, but Labor and the Greens are giving warning they want them to toll for Peter Dutton:
.@ALeighMP: No Minister has more personal discretion than the Home Affairs and Immigration Ministers.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 9, 2018
All of those decisions could be challenged if @PeterDutton_MP’s eligibility to sit in Parliament is in doubt.
MORE: https://t.co/zcLpy0S1Ju #amagenda pic.twitter.com/Tv2rHybgLo
Meanwhile, in the hallways:
Pauline Hanson on the coalition's 40th consecutive #newspoll loss: "The public see us carrying on worse than kids in a kindergarten. If their behaviour is going to lose them votes, they got noone else to blame but themselves." #auspol @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/q9R94oG4at
— Brett Mason (@BrettMasonNews) September 9, 2018
The new House of Representatives seating plan is out. Its key features are:
- Julie Bishop now sitting on the backbench next to Julia Banks
- The member for Page, Kevin Hogan, is now sitting with the crossbench – across the aisle from his Nationals colleague, still a National but not sitting with the government now he is no longer a member of the Coalition joint party room
The House sits on Monday, but you'll notice some seating changes following the swearing in of the new Ministry. View the new Seating Plan below, or at https://t.co/q4zAeRZn3D pic.twitter.com/kvWMfV8MiC
— Australian House of Representatives (@AboutTheHouse) September 7, 2018
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Can we all agree that Scott Morrison’s description of the past fortnight to the Seven Network last week as –
“The curtains have come down on that Muppet Show and an absolute new curtain has lifted up, and we’re focused 100 per cent on getting people’s electricity prices down, the drought and backing small business.”
– is very wrong, because the Muppet Show was actually a very good show.
*** THE MUPPET SHOW ***
— ABC Politics (@politicsabc) September 9, 2018
Prime Minister Scott Morrison describes Liberal leadership change week as "the Muppet Show".
To welcome MPs back to Canberra, Labor's Julian Hill has performed his own rendition of the show's theme song.#auspol pic.twitter.com/eDd9dAQe47
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At least one minister isn’t pretending it is business as usual (and yes, I had to check that Christopher Pyne was still a minister, because despite being gone for less than two weeks, I’ve returned to a whole new world).
Here is what the (senior) defence minister had to say about the last fortnight:
The number one lesson – politicians need to listen to the voters of Australia; there are far too many people in Canberra playing parlour games with politics for the last 10 years. It is a Liberal party, Labor party and Nationals party problem. We’ve had five prime ministers and the Wagga Wagga byelection was a very clear message to politicians: Stop playing games in Canberra and focus on us.
You might notice that he included the Wagga Wagga result there. Which is probably the most truth we’ve heard from a government MP all morning.
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Tl;dr – rules were made to be broken. Or something.
Before anyone has a go at them about breaking the rules of parliament to do this... Morrison broke the rules of Parliament to bring coal into the chamber. One of these rules was broken to speak for the planet, one of the rules was broken to speak for fossil fuel donors. #Greens https://t.co/VoEmios5ph
— Peter Whish-Wilson (@SenatorSurfer) September 9, 2018
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But it is business as usual in the House:
Good morning, Twitter. A new sitting fortnight is upon us, and the House will sit today from 10am. Monday mornings are set aside for Private Members' Business. You can see today's selected items on the Daily Program below, or at https://t.co/3XF8cX7rc0 pic.twitter.com/v42f7CUKQ5
— Australian House of Representatives (@AboutTheHouse) September 9, 2018
Simon Birmingham is the latest minister to be trotted out with the “business as usual” message.
But you can’t help but think the more the government talks about the low unemployment rate, stronger budget position and growing economy, the more they dig themselves into a hole about why on earth they switched leaders.
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I’m out the front of parliament, where Greenpeace protesters have unfurled their Get Your Hand Off It banner depicting Scott Morrison with his lump of coal.
A Greenpeace spokeswoman, Dominique Rowe, said the message was: “The new prime minister has been captured by the coal industry.” She cites the fact that the new energy minister, Angus Taylor, is “an anti-wind power activist”.
Rowe says Australia has had “no climate policy” now for a decade. Despite criticising the national energy guarantee, Greenpeace wants it reinstated with much stronger emissions reduction targets to reach 100% renewables by 2030.
The climbers were up before 7am and unfurled the banner at 7.30 and are sticking around til 11 – piggybacking off a Farmers for Climate Action rally.
The Greens are here in full force: their leader Richard Di Natale, Jordon Steele-John, Peter Whish-Wilson and Nick McKim.
And then a giant Institute of Public Affairs bus – which I was stuck behind on the Hume Highway – parked on the lawn.
From certain angles the message now reads: “Tax Cuts Work – Get Your Hand Off It.”
The first day of parliament is turning into a circus.
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But, as my mother learnt when she tried to get teenage Amy to adhere to curfew, just because you say something doesn’t make it so.
The hows of the leadership spill are haunting the Coalition just as much as the whys, which means the party room itself is not ready to get on with the job.
Lucy Gichuhi has gone quiet since she saying she was considering naming names over the bullying she said went on during the spill, but she has not backed away from the move.
Her colleague Warren Entsch told the ABC the bullies should be named:
I am of the view you don’t threat, you do it. I think there should be zero tolerance against bullying, whether it be against male or female colleagues. I think it is unacceptable and we’ve seen too much of it in the parliament in recent times.
At the moment, there is a real focus on some of our female Liberal members. But don’t forget, it wasn’t that long ago that it was on the other side of politics as well.
So, I think there should be a zero tolerance there. If there are people responsible for this type of action, I think they should be, at least, identified and counselled, if you like.
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Mathias Cormann might be working under a new leader but he’s sticking to the same old script.
He stopped by Radio National this morning where he told Fran Kelly the loss of Wagga Wagga at the NSW byelection was because of the circumstances around which the previous member had to stand down, and state issues.
Nothing to do with the “difficult judgments” the party had to make to change leaders, apparently, but I’ll let him explain:
We’ve made the judgments. We are now getting on with the job. I would remind everyone that when we came into government in 2013, we inherited from the Labor party, from the government that Bill Shorten was a senior member of, a weakening economy, rising unemployment, a rapidly deteriorating budget position and, as a result of the hard work of the Abbott government and the Turnbull government, which is now going to be built on by the Morrison government, the economy now is stronger, employment growth is stronger, the unemployment rate is well below what it was anticipated to be and the budget is in a stronger position.
We’re getting on with the job. The Australian people expect us to get on with the job.
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Adam Bandt stopped by doors this morning to talk more about the no-confidence motion against Peter Dutton after the Senate inquiry into the au pair visa cases, which was first reported by Lisa Martin:
Peter Dutton’s position as a minister is untenable. He has misled parliament. He’s broken the rules and he has to go and, if Scott Morrison won’t stand him down, then the parliament should.
Peter Dutton told parliament that he had no connection with the people that he helped out with au pairs, and he went further and said he didn’t even know those people. It turns out that he worked with one of them over a period of two years. He was a former police colleague.
The ministerial rules are very, very clear – ministers are not to mislead parliament. There’s no other explanation for what Peter Dutton has done and none that he has offered other than he straight-out misled parliament.
Now, if the rules that ScottMorrison sets for the standards of his ministers are worth the paper that they’re written on, then Peter Dutton should be out of his position as a minister within a matter of days.
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The Greenpeace protest is still going strong outside:
Greenpeace demonstration of the forecourt of Parliament House Canberra this morning @AmyRemeikis @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/jss9HqXY86
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) September 9, 2018
And the latest Newspoll has handed the Coalition its 40th straight loss. So guess that leadership spill was totally worth it.
Katharine Murphy reports on that, here. From her report:
The Coalition’s leadership implosion is continuing to deadweight the Morrison government in the polls, with Labor in front on a two-party-preferred vote of 56% to 44%, according to the latest Newspoll.
Two weeks after Scott Morrison was declared the victor in a poisonous three-way leadership contest that dispatched Malcolm Turnbull from the prime ministership, Labor is in an election-winning position similar to the vote the opposition commanded in 2007 when Kevin Rudd took government from John Howard.
Morrison is ahead of the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, as preferred prime minister 42% to Shorten’s 36%. The Guardian Essential poll a fortnight agohad a similar reading, with Morrison on 39% and Shorten on 29%, but Labor stretching its lead over the Coalition to 10 points.
The new prime minister’s approval rating is 41% and his disapproval rating is 39%. Shorten’s approval is on 37% and his disapproval is on 51%. The poor result is the Coalition’s 40th straight loss in the Newspoll.
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In other news, Larissa Waters returns to the Senate, after Andrew Bartlett’s resignation. Waters was one of the first casualties of section 44 but resigned immediately upon finding out about her citizenship conflict.
Gareth Hutchens has written about her return, here.
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Greenpeace certainly act fast – the group has put out a statement about this morning’s protest:
Greenpeace Australia Pacific climbers have taken to the flagpoles outside Parliament House to send a message to new Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he returns for the first day in parliament since taking over as leader of the country.
The climbers unfurled a banner depicting the now infamous time Morrison brought a lacquered lump of coal into parliament and waved it around ordering his colleagues and the opposition “don’t be afraid”.
“Two weeks ago we saw a coal coup that successfully installed a new Prime Minister,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Program Director, Dominique Rowe, said.
“This is a PM who waved around a piece of coal gifted to him by the Minerals Council, who boasts a former deputy CEO of the Mineral Council as his chief of staff, who made a former mineral industry lawyer his environment minister and whose energy minister is an anti-wind farm activist.
“Today he returns to Parliament with literally no climate policy, which is a slap in the face to the 96 per cent of Australians who want renewable energy solutions, not coal pollution. This irreverent message from the more than one million Greenpeace supporters is here to remind the government who they’re really accountable to – their voters.”
Rowe said Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling for Australia’s federal parliamentarians to examine the influence and intrusion of the coal lobby in politics.
“Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has stated it is impossible for the current government to take meaningful action on emissions due to the influence of lobby groups on parts of the federal coalition,” she said.
“These powerful groups have now managed to topple three sitting prime ministers and stopped the Minerals Resource Rent Tax which would have seen a fair share of revenue flow to all Australians instead of lining the pockets of a few billionaires.
“The coal industry and their lobbyists have taken over parliament house and the people of Australia will not stand for it.”
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A few minutes ago, everyone dashed outside.
Now we know why
Good to see there is a pulse in Canberra morning ! #greenpeace #thankyou pic.twitter.com/s6naYlcdo3
— Peter Whish-Wilson (@SenatorSurfer) September 9, 2018
I give it about two weeks before the idea of a giant fence around the flag poles is floated, under the guise of a “security risk”.
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Good morning and welcome to the first Morrison-led parliament
Well.
That was certainly a wild two weeks. I leave the country for two seconds and come back to anarchy.
But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Mathias Cormann is still trying to convince us all that it is business as usual, the Coalition still can’t get a straight line on energy policy and the polls have not exactly shown the public embracing the new regime – the preferred prime minister measure, which is always pretty bupkis, aside.
Scott Morrison will face his first question time as prime minister and that sound you hear is Labor rubbing its hands with glee. The opposition and the Greens will attempt to move a no-confidence motion against failed leadership challenger Peter Dutton today, but it’s still short on numbers. Still, it will be close and the optics of that are never great.
Especially coming on the back of the Wagga state byelection loss at the weekend, where the Liberals, who will be asking NSW to re-elect them in March next year, lost a seat the party had held for about six decades. The feds are blaming state issues but I think mounting a leadership challenge against a sitting prime minister, giving us the country’s fifth leader in as many years, in the middle of the byelection campaign, probably played more than a small role.
Oh and the Neg is dead. And so is Paris. Apparently. Not that it mattered, because there is no legislated Paris target, and therefore no iron commitment to the emissions reduction the world decided on in an attempt to stop the globe from turning into a flaming trash heap. But it’s not just the environment that suffers there – don’t expect the EU to look upon Australia’s formal abandonment of the target too favourably during trade negotiations. But, you know, as long as the commentators are happy, right?
Mike Bowers is already out and about – I’ll bring you some of his work very soon, and the Guardian brains trust, who, unlike me, have been working through this insanity non-stop are also on deck. A big thank you to Christopher Knaus for keeping you all in the loop in my absence. I can assure you I have been chained to my desk, never to leave again.
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