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Version 18 Version 19
Tony Abbott urges discipline amid pressure over Dyson Heydon and same-sex marriage – as it happened Tony Abbott urges discipline amid pressure over Dyson Heydon and same-sex marriage – as it happened
(about 4 hours later)
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Night time political summaryNight time political summary
I think that is enough words from me. Thanks to Lenore Taylor, Daniel Hurst and Shalailah Medhora for their assistance. And Mike Bowers, take a bow. Excellent pictures.I think that is enough words from me. Thanks to Lenore Taylor, Daniel Hurst and Shalailah Medhora for their assistance. And Mike Bowers, take a bow. Excellent pictures.
Good night and see you on the morrow.Good night and see you on the morrow.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.19am BSTat 9.19am BST
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Lenore Taylor has unpicked the issues underlying the Abbott government war against environmental and community groups - following the federal court decision to overturn government approval for the Carmichael coal mine.Lenore Taylor has unpicked the issues underlying the Abbott government war against environmental and community groups - following the federal court decision to overturn government approval for the Carmichael coal mine.
This follows the government announcement that it will attempt to tighten the eligibility rules around who can take legal action against development projects.This follows the government announcement that it will attempt to tighten the eligibility rules around who can take legal action against development projects.
Lenore writes:Lenore writes:
The biggest danger to the Adani mine is its own business case, not environmental legal cases, and the Indian energy minister has unveiled plans for a rapid expansion of domestic coal production, as well as renewables, and said India aims to stop imports of thermal coal within three years, which undercuts somewhat the idea that the Adani mine’s coal is the only thing that can possibly provide power to impoverished Indians.The biggest danger to the Adani mine is its own business case, not environmental legal cases, and the Indian energy minister has unveiled plans for a rapid expansion of domestic coal production, as well as renewables, and said India aims to stop imports of thermal coal within three years, which undercuts somewhat the idea that the Adani mine’s coal is the only thing that can possibly provide power to impoverished Indians.
And the tired old meme that says environmental protection and job creation are conflicting and contradictory objectives doesn’t fly any more. And it isn’t only “greenies” questioning the impact of mines and CSG wells, it’s farmers and rural communities as well. Ones often represented by the National party.And the tired old meme that says environmental protection and job creation are conflicting and contradictory objectives doesn’t fly any more. And it isn’t only “greenies” questioning the impact of mines and CSG wells, it’s farmers and rural communities as well. Ones often represented by the National party.
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Jacqui Lambie also speaks to the Labor matter of importance, suggesting Dyson Heydon has shown bias.Jacqui Lambie also speaks to the Labor matter of importance, suggesting Dyson Heydon has shown bias.
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National senator Barry O’Sullivan says in all of the hundreds of hours, Labor has only once mentioned the importance of transparency and accountability.National senator Barry O’Sullivan says in all of the hundreds of hours, Labor has only once mentioned the importance of transparency and accountability.
He accuses some unionists of “criminal behaviour impacting on the productivity of this country”.He accuses some unionists of “criminal behaviour impacting on the productivity of this country”.
People who are doing this are being protected by the Labor party.People who are doing this are being protected by the Labor party.
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Back in the senate, senator Glenn Lazarus says Tony Abbott must remove Dyson Heydon.Back in the senate, senator Glenn Lazarus says Tony Abbott must remove Dyson Heydon.
Then Labor frontbencher Stephen Conroy goes through establishment of the trade union royal commission and the links between lawyers appearing at the commission.Then Labor frontbencher Stephen Conroy goes through establishment of the trade union royal commission and the links between lawyers appearing at the commission.
Just a note on this move by Labor. Even if Labor wins the support of the senate cross benchers and the senate sends a message to the governor general to terminate the TURC - it would be up to Peter Cosgrove to act.Just a note on this move by Labor. Even if Labor wins the support of the senate cross benchers and the senate sends a message to the governor general to terminate the TURC - it would be up to Peter Cosgrove to act.
Cosgrove takes advice from the prime minister. And for the governor general to intervene, well I would suggest we would see a constitutional crisis to rival 1975.Cosgrove takes advice from the prime minister. And for the governor general to intervene, well I would suggest we would see a constitutional crisis to rival 1975.
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Find a happy place! Find a happy place!Find a happy place! Find a happy place!
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THINGS ARE NOT GETTING ANY SLOWER HERE.THINGS ARE NOT GETTING ANY SLOWER HERE.
Sorry to shout.Sorry to shout.
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Labor's extraordinary motion calling on GG to terminate trade union royal commission.Labor's extraordinary motion calling on GG to terminate trade union royal commission.
Daniel HurstDaniel Hurst
From Daniel Hurst:From Daniel Hurst:
Labor has given notice that it will seek Senate support for an extraordinary motion calling on the governor general, Peter Cosgrove, to terminate the royal commission into trade unions because of the dispute over the commissioner, Dyson Heydon.Labor has given notice that it will seek Senate support for an extraordinary motion calling on the governor general, Peter Cosgrove, to terminate the royal commission into trade unions because of the dispute over the commissioner, Dyson Heydon.
If the majority of senators agree to the motion, the Senate would send a message to Cosgrove saying that Heydon “by his conduct in accepting an invitation to speak at a function raising campaign funds for the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division) has failed to uphold the standards of impartiality expected of a holder of the office of Royal Commissioner”.If the majority of senators agree to the motion, the Senate would send a message to Cosgrove saying that Heydon “by his conduct in accepting an invitation to speak at a function raising campaign funds for the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division) has failed to uphold the standards of impartiality expected of a holder of the office of Royal Commissioner”.
“Accordingly we respectfully request Your Excellency to revoke the Letters Patent issued to the Honourable John Dyson Heydon AC QC,” the proposed motion states.“Accordingly we respectfully request Your Excellency to revoke the Letters Patent issued to the Honourable John Dyson Heydon AC QC,” the proposed motion states.
Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, gave notice on Tuesday that she intended to move the motion on the following sitting day, Wednesday.Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, gave notice on Tuesday that she intended to move the motion on the following sitting day, Wednesday.
In a statement, she said parliament had a responsibility to take the unusual step because the prime minister, Tony Abbott, had refused to take action.In a statement, she said parliament had a responsibility to take the unusual step because the prime minister, Tony Abbott, had refused to take action.
“Mr Abbott’s refusal to budge means the appropriate way for the Senate to express its view is through an address to the governor governor,” Wong said.“Mr Abbott’s refusal to budge means the appropriate way for the Senate to express its view is through an address to the governor governor,” Wong said.
The clerk of the Senate, Rosemary Laing, has provided advice to Wong about the upper house’s power to address the governor general.The clerk of the Senate, Rosemary Laing, has provided advice to Wong about the upper house’s power to address the governor general.
Laing said the most common form of address to the governor general was an expression of thanks for a speech at the opening of parliament, but the Senate had made use of addresses “for several significant purposes” in the first half of the 20th century.Laing said the most common form of address to the governor general was an expression of thanks for a speech at the opening of parliament, but the Senate had made use of addresses “for several significant purposes” in the first half of the 20th century.
This included a motion in 1931 urging the governor general to refuse to approve regulations in the current session that were the same in substance as regulations already disallowed by the Senate, and a motion in 1914 asking the governor general to submit six constitution alternation proposals to the people even though they had not been passed by the House of Representatives.This included a motion in 1931 urging the governor general to refuse to approve regulations in the current session that were the same in substance as regulations already disallowed by the Senate, and a motion in 1914 asking the governor general to submit six constitution alternation proposals to the people even though they had not been passed by the House of Representatives.
“In summary, an address is the appropriate form for communications at the highest level between a legislature and another arm of government, namely, the executive,” Laing wrote.“In summary, an address is the appropriate form for communications at the highest level between a legislature and another arm of government, namely, the executive,” Laing wrote.
“Indeed, it could be argued that only the legislature can undertake such a serious task as is envisaged by an address concerning the letters patent for a royal commissioner.”“Indeed, it could be argued that only the legislature can undertake such a serious task as is envisaged by an address concerning the letters patent for a royal commissioner.”
The full text of the proposed motion is:The full text of the proposed motion is:
(1) That the following Address to His Excellency, the Governor-General be agreed to:(1) That the following Address to His Excellency, the Governor-General be agreed to:
“To His Excellency the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)“To His Excellency the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)
May it please Your Excellency-May it please Your Excellency-
We, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia in Parliament assembled, respectfully submit that the Honourable John Dyson Heydon AC QC, whom Your Excellency requested to make inquiry into and report upon the governance arrangements of separate entities established by employee associations or their officers (Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption), by his conduct in accepting an invitation to speak at a function raising campaign funds for the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division) has failed to uphold the standards of impartiality expected of a holder of the office of Royal Commissioner.We, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia in Parliament assembled, respectfully submit that the Honourable John Dyson Heydon AC QC, whom Your Excellency requested to make inquiry into and report upon the governance arrangements of separate entities established by employee associations or their officers (Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption), by his conduct in accepting an invitation to speak at a function raising campaign funds for the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division) has failed to uphold the standards of impartiality expected of a holder of the office of Royal Commissioner.
Accordingly we respectfully request Your Excellency to revoke the Letters Patent issued to the Honourable John Dyson Heydon AC QC.”Accordingly we respectfully request Your Excellency to revoke the Letters Patent issued to the Honourable John Dyson Heydon AC QC.”
(2) That so much of standing order 172 be suspended as would prevent the President transmitting the Address to His Excellency in writing only.(2) That so much of standing order 172 be suspended as would prevent the President transmitting the Address to His Excellency in writing only.
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Having gone off the script regarding marriage equality, Attorney general, George Brandis, has veered back on track at Sky following Tony Abbott’s little pep talk to cabinet this morning. #readtheriotactHaving gone off the script regarding marriage equality, Attorney general, George Brandis, has veered back on track at Sky following Tony Abbott’s little pep talk to cabinet this morning. #readtheriotact
The prime minister is very good at the bring out the best of all the members of his team. He’s a bit like a coach. I’m not going to discuss obviously what takes place in cabinet but one of this prime minister’s great virtues is the store he places on collegiality....one of the reasons Tony Abbott is such a great leader is because like the captain or perhaps the coach of a team, he always insists of a team game and he always brings out the best in the players.The prime minister is very good at the bring out the best of all the members of his team. He’s a bit like a coach. I’m not going to discuss obviously what takes place in cabinet but one of this prime minister’s great virtues is the store he places on collegiality....one of the reasons Tony Abbott is such a great leader is because like the captain or perhaps the coach of a team, he always insists of a team game and he always brings out the best in the players.
Brandis says the government is playing a good game now.Brandis says the government is playing a good game now.
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Labor’s Joe Ludwig has begun speaking on a matter of public importance in the senate relating to Dyson Heydon.Labor’s Joe Ludwig has begun speaking on a matter of public importance in the senate relating to Dyson Heydon.
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Red faces.Red faces.
Speaker Smith punts first govt member the winner is @EwenJonesMP @GuardianAus @gabriellechan http://t.co/uozJsUwecd pic.twitter.com/U88upOVnAHSpeaker Smith punts first govt member the winner is @EwenJonesMP @GuardianAus @gabriellechan http://t.co/uozJsUwecd pic.twitter.com/U88upOVnAH
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Shalailah MedhoraShalailah Medhora
A message from the senate, via Shalailah.A message from the senate, via Shalailah.
The Senate will shortly debate the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) bill, an omnibus piece of legislation that, among other things, seeks to strengthen the penalty for forced marriages. The most contentious part of the bill, however, is the clause creating a five year mandatory sentence for the trafficking of firearms. Both Labor and the Greens are opposed to this part of the bill.The Senate will shortly debate the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) bill, an omnibus piece of legislation that, among other things, seeks to strengthen the penalty for forced marriages. The most contentious part of the bill, however, is the clause creating a five year mandatory sentence for the trafficking of firearms. Both Labor and the Greens are opposed to this part of the bill.
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From question time, Labor members asked to leave the chamber included Jones, Husic, Chalmers, Butler, Perrett and Watts.From question time, Labor members asked to leave the chamber included Jones, Husic, Chalmers, Butler, Perrett and Watts.
From the government side, Ewen Jones was asked to leave.From the government side, Ewen Jones was asked to leave.
If it pleases you, Mr Speaker.If it pleases you, Mr Speaker.
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Is it getting hot in here?Is it getting hot in here?
Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus http://t.co/4w9M71U4ru pic.twitter.com/qoBzRqFMmpCommunications minister Malcolm Turnbull #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus http://t.co/4w9M71U4ru pic.twitter.com/qoBzRqFMmp
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In the Senate, Daniel Hurst reports that Labor is speaking onIn the Senate, Daniel Hurst reports that Labor is speaking on
the need for a royal commissioner to appear to be unprejudiced and impartial.the need for a royal commissioner to appear to be unprejudiced and impartial.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.25am BSTat 6.25am BST
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Labor is speaking to a matter of public importance, namely that the government is “failing to properly invest in Australian jobs and well-planned infrastructure”.Labor is speaking to a matter of public importance, namely that the government is “failing to properly invest in Australian jobs and well-planned infrastructure”.
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The quiet member for Wentworth.The quiet member for Wentworth.
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The final question is for small business minister Bruce Billson.The final question is for small business minister Bruce Billson.
And question time is over.And question time is over.
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Daniel HurstDaniel Hurst
In the Senate, Labor has also continued its line of attack on the royal commission into trade unions, prompting a fiery exchange between ALP senator Jacinta Collins and the attorney general, George Brandis.In the Senate, Labor has also continued its line of attack on the royal commission into trade unions, prompting a fiery exchange between ALP senator Jacinta Collins and the attorney general, George Brandis.
Brandis insisted the Sir Garfield Barwick address was “not an event of a political character, notwithstanding the fact that it is promoted by members of the bar who are members of the Liberal party”.Brandis insisted the Sir Garfield Barwick address was “not an event of a political character, notwithstanding the fact that it is promoted by members of the bar who are members of the Liberal party”.
Brandis: “It is not a fundraiser if by a fundraiser you mean an event that makes a profit. It was provided for at cost price … To my mind a fundraiser is an event that raises funds. This did not.”Brandis: “It is not a fundraiser if by a fundraiser you mean an event that makes a profit. It was provided for at cost price … To my mind a fundraiser is an event that raises funds. This did not.”
Collins: “That just makes it an unsuccessful fundraiser. Can the attorney general confirm that the commissioner was advised that the event was a Liberal party function, had agreed to attend the function, had received at least four emails confirming it was a Liberal party event and had done nothing about it until he was caught out by the media. If that’s not grounds for commissioner Heydon’s resignation what is; what else has he overlooked and why does he apply higher standards to others?”Collins: “That just makes it an unsuccessful fundraiser. Can the attorney general confirm that the commissioner was advised that the event was a Liberal party function, had agreed to attend the function, had received at least four emails confirming it was a Liberal party event and had done nothing about it until he was caught out by the media. If that’s not grounds for commissioner Heydon’s resignation what is; what else has he overlooked and why does he apply higher standards to others?”
Brandis: “Take caution in your tone … because it seems to me, Senator Collins, that you are now attacking the credibility and the integrity of a very distinguished Australian. Mr Heydon withdrew from this function at his own initiative, not as you dishonestly and sleazily say having been caught out by the media, but of his own initiative at a time earlier than any report into the matter had surfaced in the media.Brandis: “Take caution in your tone … because it seems to me, Senator Collins, that you are now attacking the credibility and the integrity of a very distinguished Australian. Mr Heydon withdrew from this function at his own initiative, not as you dishonestly and sleazily say having been caught out by the media, but of his own initiative at a time earlier than any report into the matter had surfaced in the media.
Take caution in your tone, Senator Collins. You’re talking about a justice of the high court of Australia, a man appointed to the NSW court of appeal by a Labor state government … one of the most eminent and distinguished Australians this country has ever produced. Thank God we have Australians of the integrity and intellectual weight of Dyson Heydon who are prepared to take up public service notwithstanding they subject themselves to the slings and arrows of creatures like you.”Take caution in your tone, Senator Collins. You’re talking about a justice of the high court of Australia, a man appointed to the NSW court of appeal by a Labor state government … one of the most eminent and distinguished Australians this country has ever produced. Thank God we have Australians of the integrity and intellectual weight of Dyson Heydon who are prepared to take up public service notwithstanding they subject themselves to the slings and arrows of creatures like you.”
The Senate president, Stephen Parry, asked Brandis to withdraw that last remark.The Senate president, Stephen Parry, asked Brandis to withdraw that last remark.
Brandis said: “We’re all God’s creatures but if Senator Collins takes offence I withdraw.”Brandis said: “We’re all God’s creatures but if Senator Collins takes offence I withdraw.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.24am BSTat 6.24am BST
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If unions think there’s a problem they should bring an application.If unions think there’s a problem they should bring an application.
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A question to the immigration minister PDuddy - Peter Dutton - about the 457 visa program - by way of noting how many 457 visa employees the unions employ.A question to the immigration minister PDuddy - Peter Dutton - about the 457 visa program - by way of noting how many 457 visa employees the unions employ.
Then a question to Abbott on Dyson Heydon.Then a question to Abbott on Dyson Heydon.
Labor’s Jim Chalmers interjected with a comment which brought stony faces from the government benches. Perhaps someone who heard it could let us know. I could not hear it over the din.Labor’s Jim Chalmers interjected with a comment which brought stony faces from the government benches. Perhaps someone who heard it could let us know. I could not hear it over the din.
Chalmers is thrown out under 94A.Chalmers is thrown out under 94A.
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Labor to Julie Bishop, representing George Brandis: In question time on Thursday after being asked specifically about when the attorney or his office was first aware that Dyson Heydon had agreed to be keynote speaker at a Liberal party event, the minister answered by referring that there had been contact that morning. Given that it emerged on the weekend that the attorney general’s office received notice on 11 April, why has the minister failed yet again to come into this house to correct the record at the first available opportunity?Labor to Julie Bishop, representing George Brandis: In question time on Thursday after being asked specifically about when the attorney or his office was first aware that Dyson Heydon had agreed to be keynote speaker at a Liberal party event, the minister answered by referring that there had been contact that morning. Given that it emerged on the weekend that the attorney general’s office received notice on 11 April, why has the minister failed yet again to come into this house to correct the record at the first available opportunity?
Delivered by Julie Bishop with maximum attitood:Delivered by Julie Bishop with maximum attitood:
The answer I gave last Thursday was a direct relevant response to the question. I am advised the attorney general first heard about this through the media. He telephoned the commission about 11:30 this morning. The commissioner advised he already confirmed he would not be attending the Sir Garfield Barwick address. Fact.The answer I gave last Thursday was a direct relevant response to the question. I am advised the attorney general first heard about this through the media. He telephoned the commission about 11:30 this morning. The commissioner advised he already confirmed he would not be attending the Sir Garfield Barwick address. Fact.
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When I wake up, you lot will be gone.When I wake up, you lot will be gone.
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Foreign minister Julie Bishop is attacking Tanya Plibersek for her comments on Syria.Foreign minister Julie Bishop is attacking Tanya Plibersek for her comments on Syria.
We moved onto a question from Bob Katter on the railway to the Gallilee Basin. It was ruled a statement rather than a question.We moved onto a question from Bob Katter on the railway to the Gallilee Basin. It was ruled a statement rather than a question.
Julie Bishop is up again speaking about “dodgy union bosses” and Labor’s attempts to smear a royal commissioner.Julie Bishop is up again speaking about “dodgy union bosses” and Labor’s attempts to smear a royal commissioner.
It is a very unedifying question time today.It is a very unedifying question time today.
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Speaker Tony Smith again asks the government benches to stop interjecting.Speaker Tony Smith again asks the government benches to stop interjecting.
Mark Dreyfus QC asks Abbott:Mark Dreyfus QC asks Abbott:
The PM has continued to defend Dyson Heydon by referring to comments made by Julian Burnside QC. Is the PM aware of comments made by Mr Burnside today that, and I quote, it really was never a tenable possibility for him to appear to be impartial on the royal commission whilst being so closely associated with the Liberal party as to accept that invitation.The PM has continued to defend Dyson Heydon by referring to comments made by Julian Burnside QC. Is the PM aware of comments made by Mr Burnside today that, and I quote, it really was never a tenable possibility for him to appear to be impartial on the royal commission whilst being so closely associated with the Liberal party as to accept that invitation.
Abbott is highly offended.Abbott is highly offended.
Frankly, for someone who rejoices in the title QC to be engaged in this grubby exercise is beyond contempt. It really is beyond contempt.Frankly, for someone who rejoices in the title QC to be engaged in this grubby exercise is beyond contempt. It really is beyond contempt.
He quotes Duncan McConnel, president of the Law Council, who released a statement to this effect.He quotes Duncan McConnel, president of the Law Council, who released a statement to this effect.
The person who sits as a royal commissioner is entitled to the same respect, inside and outside of the inquiry, as a judge in a court. In this case, Mr John Dyson Heydon AC QC is a highly regarded former judicial officer. The proper way for dealing with any question of bias, including apprehended bias, is to make an application for the commissioner to recuse himself, and for the commissioner to consider and rule on the application.The person who sits as a royal commissioner is entitled to the same respect, inside and outside of the inquiry, as a judge in a court. In this case, Mr John Dyson Heydon AC QC is a highly regarded former judicial officer. The proper way for dealing with any question of bias, including apprehended bias, is to make an application for the commissioner to recuse himself, and for the commissioner to consider and rule on the application.
Abbott says of Dreyfus:Abbott says of Dreyfus:
Why does the QC opposite not know that? Why does the QC opposite not respect that? Frankly the QC opposite has demeaned himself, he has demeaned this parliament and he has demeaned his leader by asking that question.Why does the QC opposite not know that? Why does the QC opposite not respect that? Frankly the QC opposite has demeaned himself, he has demeaned this parliament and he has demeaned his leader by asking that question.
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Hockey gets on to the China Free Trade Agreement.
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Joe Hockey gets a question on jobs. Jim Chalmers, who used to work for Wayne Swan, interrupts to note the high unemployment numbers.
Hockey calls Chalmers the brains behind Swan, whom he described as “the worst treasurer”.
Labor’s Terri Butler takes a point, saying Chalmers has never worked for Hockey.
She is booted out of the chamber for disorderly conduct.
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There is another question from the Nationals’ Bruce Scott to industry minister Ian Macfarlane on the Carmichael mine. Macfarlane says the legal actions of environmental groups stop not only coalmines but other infrastructure.
Then a question on Dyson Heydon to the prime minister. The question goes nowhere. Joel Fitzgibbon asks the Speaker to silence the government benches because he cannot hear. Tony Smith asks a government MP to cease interjecting.
Whose side are you on? (comes the interjection)
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Deputy prime minister and leader of the National party, Warren Truss, suggests those taking developments to court are not community motivated.
This is not some kind of accidental or community motivated process. The reality was that a prospectus was put out in November 2011 talking about an almost $1m campaign to stop the Australian coal-mining boom. This is a deliberate strategy and the strategy was circulated by Greenpeace, the Graham Wood Foundation, mentioned through the document of well-known people like Drew Hutton from Shut the Gate who has been involved in every protest I can remember since my childhood. The reality is that these people have got a deliberate strategy, raising substantial amounts of money, to stop projects.
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Labor asks Abbott: Will the PM show some leadership and deal with his captain’s pick for royal commissioner?
Read earlier answers.
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Joe Hockey gets a Dixer on the economy which is used for an attack on environmental groups and their threat to jobs at the Carmichael coalmine.
These jobs are now absolutely threatened by the militancy of the green movement led by the Mackay Conservation society. The Mackay Conservation Group was the main legal challenger against the Adani Carmichael mine. The Mackay Conservation Group is located 600 kilometres from the mine, 10 hours’ drive from the mine. And they are represented by the NSW Environmental Defenders Office which is located 13.5 hours from the mine.
He says the government will:
stand up to the bullies in the green movement who want to see an end to prosperity.
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A Labor question to Abbott: Dyson Heydon AC QC yesterday confirmed he accepted an invitation to speak at an event, knowing full well it was organised by the Liberal party, when he was royal commissioner. Don’t Mr Heydon’s own admissions show that this royal commission has been politicised from the start and Mr Heydon’s commission should be withdrawn?
Abbott makes three points:
Updated
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Green lawfare: take note Liverpool Plains
Dixer to Abbott: Will the PM update the house on how the government is acting to protect jobs against extreme green lawfare while ensuring the highest environmental standards are maintained.
I regret to say, Mr Speaker, that some green groups are doing their best to sabotage investment and jobs in our country. Now, Mr Speaker, let me make it absolutely crystal clear. We want the highest environmental standards to apply to investment in Australia. We want the highest environmental standards to apply in new projects in Australia but once those standards have been met, those projects must be allowed to proceed.
The government will repeal section 487 (2) of the EPBC Act.
That means, this section of the Act is excised:
An individual is taken to be a person aggrieved by the decision, failure or conduct if:
(a) the individual is an Australian citizen or ordinarily resident in Australia or an external Territory; and
(b) at any time in the 2 years immediately before the decision, failure or conduct, the individual has engaged in a series of activities in Australia or an external Territory for protection or conservation of, or research into, the environment.
So the government is going to severely restrict who can take action.
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Shorten to Abbott: Is it not the case that the PM’s series of disastrous captain’s picks continue to completely paralyse this government?
What sort of question is that, asks the treasurer.
Tony Abbott goes on to mention the scourge of ice and stopping the boats.
Yet another piece of empty bombast from a leader of the opposition who has no answers, no answers for the questions facing our country … just for once I say to members opposite, why not stop playing politics and actually engage? Actually engage in the big challenges facing our country.
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Bill Shorten urges “lasting support and the full respect of history” to Vietnam veterans and other veterans.
The war in Vietnam was a difficult ordeal for tens of thousands of young Australians, knowing any moment could bring a deadly encounter with a skilled and determined enemy – but as always, the courage of all who served should give us cause for pride.
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05:08
Tony Abbott:
This year ... marks a half-century since the first contingent of the first battalion Royal Australian Regiment departed and today marks the 49th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Courage, determination, resourcefulness and unflinching loyalty to mates marked the Australian experience in Vietnam. Throughout that war, that courage and that selflessness was on display. I regret to say that back home we did not always appreciate our veterans and their virtues at the time. While people were entitled to question the war, they should never have doubted our soldiers.
Updated
at 5.51am BST
5.06am BST
05:06
Tony Abbott makes another statement on indulgence to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day.
5.05am BST
05:05
Tony Abbott makes a statement on indulgence regarding the vicious bombing attack in Bangkok overnight.
The attack was clearly aimed at innocent people and while full details are yet to be entirely known, we do know that at least 20 people have been killed and at least 125 have been injured. This is yet another attack on innocent people going about their daily lives.
The Australian government has offered help to Thai police in the investigation. There are no Australians reported amongst the death toll.
Abbott says Australians should not be intimidated by such attacks but should remain vigilant.
He offers sympathies to the Thai people and their government.
Bill Shorten also speaks and offers condolences.
A crime of hatred, designed to provoke fear.
4.55am BST
04:55
Question time coming up people. Grab a hot beverage.
4.50am BST
04:50
“I don’t seem to have many friends since I came home”
Nam.
Lest we forget.
4.23am BST
04:23
Coalition to change EPBC Act against environmental groups
The Coalition government has decided to repeal a section of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act relating to who can bring legal challenges to developments such as coalmines like the Adani project.
This is the step forward from comments by the attorney general George Brandis and Tony Abbott on the federal court decision on the Adani Carmichael coalmine, which overturned the government’s approval of the project.
The court has ruled the environment minister, Greg Hunt, ignored his own department’s advice about the mine’s impact on two vulnerable species, the yakka skink and the ornamental snake.
Abbott said yesterday:
I don’t want any development, whether it’s a mine or a building or a road, to go ahead if it doesn’t meet the highest environmental standards. But once the tests have been applied, once the tests have been passed, the projects must be able to go ahead, and what we’ve seen is again and again and again new fronts being opened, all of a sudden new issues being raised after the matter has seemingly been resolved. This is just unfair.
Updated
at 5.50am BST
4.12am BST
04:12
Lunchtime politics
3.45am BST
03:45
That earlier report from Daniel Hurst on the party room was gathered from MPs. A briefing happening now. More shortly.
3.43am BST
03:43
The prime minister has spoken on Vietnam Veterans Day.
As someone who has never... served in our armed forces, I stand in humble awe of all who have. Particularly the decorated veterans I see before me.
3.37am BST
03:37
Prime minister warns cabinet of consequences for leaks
Daniel Hurst
A snap from Daniel Hurst on the party room:
Tony Abbott has warned cabinet ministers they faced consequences if they were caught leaking, as he sought to draw a line under government divisions on same-sex marriage and urged colleagues to stay on message.
The prime minister emphasised the need for cabinet discipline during a meeting of the Coalition joint party room meeting on Tuesday.
The comment about cabinet ministers facing consequences was interpreted by some MPs as an attempt to appease backbenchers who have been dismayed about the public divisions at the highest levels of government about the form and timing of a community vote on same-sex marriage.
The deputy Liberal leader and senior West Australian MP Julie Bishop also stressed the need for discipline ahead of the Canning by-election on 19 September. A Newspoll published in The Australian on Tuesday suggested the Coalition was set to suffer a big swing against it in the WA seat but might narrowly retain it.
It is understood Bishop told the meeting she wanted the Coalition to secure a swing towards it, not against it.
The Coalition’s party room meeting also included an extensive discussion on the China-Australia free trade agreement, which has been the target of campaigns by unions warning against labour movement provisions and has prompted Labor to demand changes to the proposed deal. The trade minister, Andrew Robb, spoke to the meeting about efforts to counter those claims.
Updated
at 3.44am BST
3.11am BST
03:11
Thanks to Twitter corro Matt Hatter for this reconstruction of the party room meeting.
@gabriellechan Hello. It would seem that the effluxion really hit the fan in the Coalition party room this morning. pic.twitter.com/QKUw05hIF0
3.07am BST
03:07
I overlooked a very interesting story from Laura Tingle in the Fin Review on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the federal government’s attempt to slow down the rollout.
Divisions have emerged within federal cabinet’s powerful expenditure review committee about the national disability insurance scheme amid a renewed push to try to slow down its rollout, only weeks before Canberra is due to sign deals with the states on the multi-billion dollar scheme.
This year’s budget papers put the cost of the NDIS at $37 billion over the next four years, of which the federal government is to fund $18.9 billion, making the nascent scheme a constant source of angst within the cash-strapped government.
However, any change to the scheduled rollout would raise howls of protest from the politically sensitive disability community, causing new political problems for the embattled Abbott government and embarrassing the newly re-elected NSW Premier Mike Baird.
All of which will leave Baird pretty cranky, given he has been pushing the prime minister’s tax reform agenda (on GST). As Laura notes, Baird made a big deal of the NDIS rollout in his recent election campaign.
The federal and NSW governments have completed discussions about the scheme’s funding agreement. State officials are mystified why the federal government has not yet signed it, given an August deadline for the deal.
Senior sources insist the NSW deal will proceed as planned. Sources argue the Abbott government “owes Baird big time” and could not afford to back out of the agreement at this late point.
Updated
at 3.11am BST
2.56am BST
02:56
Meanwhile Liberal MP Craig Laundy has posted on Facebook.
6 police cars, 6 fire trucks and 1 Hazmat unit…
The emergency response today when my staff found a suspicious package in our PO Box was tremendous.
It has since been discovered that it was a stupid stunt by GetUp. I’m all for organisations making contact with me, but to send any undeclared substance through the mail to the office of a Member of Parliament will inevitably cause alarm and divert important police and emergency services from their critical work.
Thank you to Burwood LAC - NSW Police Force for their outstanding effort in undertaking a professional response to a grossly irresponsible act.
We are thinking it must have been a bit of glitter from GetUp on the marriage equality debate but we are checking.
Laundy then tweeted:
To clarify the envelope was unopened but it clearly had a powder-like substance inside. The police dealt with the matter accordingly.
2.49am BST
02:49
Laura Jayes of Sky has also tweeted:
.@TonyAbbottMHR told #partyroom things "were a bit scrappy" and said problems started with cabinet ministers. (more)
2.45am BST
02:45
Ministers read riot act
.@TonyAbbottMHR told #partyroom ministers had been "read the riot act" and if they go "off script" there would be "consequences"@SkyNewsAust
For script, see 11:38 post.
2.43am BST
02:43
The party room must nearly be over as the PM is due to attend a Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony 2015 in less than 10 minutes.
2.38am BST
02:38
Predictive speeches: what the PM might say to the Coalition party room
While we await the party room briefing, the Guardian brains trust has had a stab at what the prime minister might say.
This is not a leak. This is entirely fictitious:
The prime minister addressed the party room meeting this morning. He acknowledged the difficult issues facing the nation at the moment but said he and every member had to remain focussed on the core task of jobs, growth and community safety.
He said there has been strong community support for his proposal to take same-sex marriage to a people’s vote rather than a politicians’ pick and he will have more to say on that in the next few weeks.
He told MPs if the Labor party thinks that smearing the reputation of an eminent former high court judge like Dyson Heydon is going to get around addressing the very damning issues raised by the TURC, they are wrong.
Yesterday Labor proved they have learned nothing from the union scandals and are determined to protect their union masters when they voted against laws which would have simply required union officials to face the same penalties as company directors.
He said obviously the Canning by-election is very important but the Coalition has an excellent candidate in the form of former SAS soldier Andrew Hastie.
But he said he was very proud of the respectful way that the party room conducted the same sex marriage debate. It is an issue on which decent people can disagree, within the community, political parties and families.
The important thing is we are letting the people have a say on this important social matter rather than the politicians, etc, etc.
No other agenda items.
Updated
at 2.41am BST
2.15am BST
02:15
I did promise to come back to the word of the day:
Effluxion.
Here is a selection of the cleaner entries from our comments thread:
AlmostAlwaysWrong:
The Prime Minister and his Cabinet and Federal Government in all has been completely effluxed for some time now. I think they have effluxed around long enough and it is time for the Governor General to at least call a meeting of the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader to see if they can unflux it.
Millthorpe:
Abbott seems to be suffering from effluxion: the running out of ideas and the endless repeating of slogans that are empty vessels. Effluxiastic, Effluxer, Effluxes, Effluxer.
Mprimrose re Dyson Heydon:
Why........... was there not an effluxion of horror at the faint possibility that the perception of bias might be about to occur.
Caligulablushed:
The tenancy ended with effluxion of effluent.
Pedroknows:
Life without [government] ... That would be an effluxury
JanDobson:
Given the high regard in which our parliamentarians are held, I can’t help noticing the relationship between Effluxion and Effluent.
Monkeywrench1:
I think the best interests of this country would be served by the effluxion of this Government.
And my personal favourite from JeremiahBullfrog:
Effluxion? I used to go there all the time, but then they changed chefs ...
Followed by JackFalstaff:
I hear Heston Blumenthal is experimenting with an effluxion of grilled onion, spiced celeriac and frog spawn.
Updated
at 2.24am BST
1.59am BST
01:59
Daniel Hurst
Daniel Hurst reports from the Labor party room:
Bill Shorten addressed his party room this morning and got out early, presumably ready to give as much clear air to the Coalition party room as possible.
He told his members:
This government is paralysed by Tony Abbott’s captain’s picks ... they will be wondering whether it’s time to give up on the captain’s pick and instead pick a new captain.
His main message was: We’re united, they’re a rabble. Sound familiar?
He riffed on Abbott’s recent comments regarding “two great years of government”, contrasting with broken promises.
He framed the Canning byelection as a plebiscite on Abbott’s leadership and dampened down expectations of a Labor win. Difficult seat, etc, etc.
Shorten also maintained his line against a plebiscite or referendum.
The government wants to plunge this nation into a divisive debate, to conduct a taxpayer funded opinion poll to tell us all what we already know.
Updated
at 2.23am BST
1.45am BST
01:45
In the past year, the Abbott government have been running with a line about the magnificence of the Hawke/Keating governments by contrast with the current Labor leadership. The story goes that given their economic reforms, they were a more responsible Labor crowd and they were aided by a responsible Coalition opposition.
In the Fin yesterday, John Howard continued this line of argument.
My two Labor predecessors as prime minister deserve praise for the economic reforms they achieved. So does the opposition of the period because it gave bipartisan support to so many of those reforms.
Paul Keating was having none of it this “creeping orthodoxy” this morning.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is the economy was radically changed; by cheek and by jowl as part of a comprehensive philosophic policy. This was achieved by 13 years of hard slog. And attempts now at rewriting history, that this was all, in some way, facilitated by the opposition, is simply a piece of gratuitous aggrandisement.
Their respective opinion pieces are well worth a read for a bit of modern history.
1.28am BST
01:28
We may have to shout Nick Xenophon a master class with Bowers.
@RJSalmond @Nick_Xenophon some of Nicks work-framing getting better, exposures need some work @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/xuAtKcn60t
1.27am BST
01:27
Following on from cabinet’s Reverse Duck, James Massola at Fairfax reports that the only agreement last night was there would be no change to the Marriage Act in this term of parliament.
The small-l liberals are increasingly flexing their muscles. Christopher Pyne, who began his parliamentary career on the wet side, dried off during the Howard years and under Abbott, has created a role for himself as chief spear carrier.
But in latter days, Pyne appears to be reverting to his earlier dampish incarnation, appearing as he did yesterday on the frontbench with Malcolm T for the marriage equality bill.
This is James:
Moderates view the push for a referendum as a ploy by conservatives that would effectively ensure the legalisation of same-sex marriage would not occur.
During an at-times tense cabinet discussion, Mr Abbott and leader of the House Christopher Pyne faced off over whether last Tuesday’s extraordinary six-hour party room meeting had, in fact, agreed to either a plebiscite or referendum.
“Almost everyone spoke on a people’s vote,” one cabinet minister said, adding that “there was no possibility of a referendum.”
Perhaps Pyne is in a more reflective mood, after the launch of his book, A Letter to my Children, which is described as:
Christopher Pyne’s honest account of how a belief in the power of public service led him to pursue a career in politics, driven by the ambition of leaving a legacy for the next generation.
Updated
at 1.48am BST
1.04am BST
01:04
A captain picks a captain.
Or just a captain’s pick.
The magic of Michael Peter Bowers.
Updated
at 1.46am BST
12.54am BST
00:54
We have a year to turn the ship around
Assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg has addressed the L word. Leadership. And the E word. Election. He was asked whether he had been “sounded out” by leadership aspirants and/or their representatives.
I certainly haven’t and I’m a very strong supporter of the PM. Look, we’ve been behind in the polls before and if you go back to 2001 when John Howard was trailing Kim Beazley, 2004 when again he was trailing Mark Latham, by greater amounts than we are behind today in the polls, and with a year still to go to the next election, sure, we need to get the debate back to growth and jobs. But we can turn the ship around and I think Tony Abbott will retain the prime ministership and lead us to victory at the next election.
Given the fair work (registered organisations) bill was voted down for a second time, it is worth reprising the rules of double dissolutions – notwithstanding the government’s bad polling numbers.
The registered orgs bill could form a trigger and indeed there was some talk earlier in the year that it was a live option. But talk in the halls this morning – not to mention from Frydenberg – appear to have ruled that out.
(Sings … Those were the days, my friends, we thought they’d never end.)
Here is the relevant section in the constitution.
Section 57 of the Australian constitution provides that:
If the House of Representatives passes any proposed law, and the Senate rejects or fails to pass it, or passes it with amendments to which the House of Representatives will not agree, and if after an interval of three months the House of Representatives, in the same or the next session, again passes the proposed law with or without any amendments which have been made, suggested, or agreed to by the Senate, and the Senate rejects or fails to pass it, or passes it with amendments to which the House of Representatives will not agree, the governor general may dissolve the Senate and the House of Representatives simultaneously. But such dissolution shall not take place within six months before the date of the expiry of the House of Representatives by effluxion of time.
Effluxion is the word of the day.
Your best uses will be included in the blog.
Updated
at 1.45am BST
12.25am BST
00:25
Word from cabinet is that marriage equality was discussed but we are just firming up exactly how that rolled.
It was a short agenda though, as Lenore reported last night. It would appear cabinet is doing a reverse duck. You know how they say ducks stay calm on the surface, while paddling madly underneath. The Abbott government is thrashing madly on the surface, with nothing happening underneath.
Federal cabinet met on Monday night without a single formal cabinet submission to consider.
Amid concerns about the bypassing or breakdown of normal cabinet processes and growing mistrust within the Abbott government, the formal business before cabinet on Monday night comprised a minute relating to infrastructure, a letter on a social services issue, a general political discussion and reports from the chairs of backbench committees.
Quack.
12.11am BST
00:11
Brough in the rough.
11.56pm BST
23:56
Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
Nick Xenophon has a habit of stealing Mike Bowers’ cameras and taking random photos. He is the troublemaker on the Senate doors.
Updated
at 12.31am BST
11.50pm BST
23:50
This being Tuesday, we have party room meetings, which means parliament does not sit until midday.
I did hear the prime minister had a meeting with a wallaby but my invite must have got lost in the mail.
We might see some pictures shortly.
11.44pm BST
23:44
Before I go further, take a look at analysis by Lenore Taylor, which points out the inherent contradictions in the defence of Dyson Heydon.
The government’s defence of Dyson Heydon hinges on the argument that the law lecture the royal commissioner agreed to give was not a fundraiser because it wasn’t going to raise very much money – even though the invitation did solicit donations for the New South Wales Liberals’ election campaign and provide details of the relevant commonwealth electoral disclosure laws.
Apparently not-very-successful fundraisers don’t count as fundraisers.
Heydon’s own explanation hinges on his insistence he never knew it was a fundraiser, “overlooked” the fact that it was a Liberal party event and didn’t read the invitation that clearly showed it was both.
The eminent jurist apparently expects more leeway in terms of not reading things and not remembering things than he would be likely to afford one of his witnesses.
Neither of these somewhat contradictory explanations overcomes the fact that Heydon did agree to give a lecture to a Liberal party event after his appointment as royal commissioner and that this raises the perception of bias.
11.29pm BST
23:29
Good morning: how do you feel, have you shifted?
Good morning blogans one and all,
Mike Bowers have been haunting the grounds of parliament this morning and came across the hardworking maintenance staff offering a little advice for members.
There are slippery surfaces all around this place at the moment, especially for one prime minister. He apparently survived cabinet last night without any blow ups over the marriage equality bill. Thus far.
But then, Tony Abbott went to bed considering a Newspoll released late in the evening in The Australian, which showed the Canning byelection would be a close-run thing. The swing looks like 10% in the electorate of the late Don Randall, who worked up a margin of nearly 12%.
The poll also looked at marriage equality via a referendum/plebiscite versus a vote in the parliament. The Australian article reads:
The poll found the issue of same-sex marriage could provide a surprise boost for Mr Abbott, with 78 per cent of Canning voters, including 79 per cent of Liberal supporters and 72 per cent of Labor supporters, believing the issue should be decided by his idea of a “people’s vote” via a referendum or plebiscite.
Only 20 per cent preferred a vote by politicians in parliament as advocated by Bill Shorten, including 18 per cent of Liberal supporters and 26 per cent of Labor supporters.
It did not appear to poll on the basic question of support for marriage equality.
Of course, the danger of byelections is that voters feel at liberty to kick the incumbents, knowing the outcome won’t change the government. But will it change the leader?
Having gone to bed with the Newspoll, the Coalition woke with leadership grumblings. Phil Coorey in the Fin reports that unnamed supporters of Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull have been indulging in general, kick-the-dirt type conversations on the present difficulties:
Sources have told The Australian Financial Review that “footsoldiers” for both Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison, who are on opposite sides of the same-sex marriage debate, have been taking informal soundings in recent days, targeting colleagues who voted for Mr Abbott in the February leadership spill.
“They’re seeing if there’s shift in the mood since the last spill,” one MP said.
“It’s like ‘it’s not good at the moment, how do you feel, have you shifted?’.”
We all know how Dyson Heydon must feel, given the royal commissioner is awaiting a decision from the ACTU as to whether they will urge his disqualification. The funny thing about this is that Dyson Heydon will consider whether Dyson Heydon should step aside.
Dave Oliver, the head of the ACTU, refused to say whether the union would argue for Heydon’s disqualification because he has to speak to affiliates. I suspect he is hoping the government will do the job.
He says the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill and the Fair Work (registered organisations) bill (which have both been voted down in the Senate in the past 24 hours) were part of the wider campaign. That campaign included the royal commission, and was designed to nail the union movement. Self-evidently.
He says the “unfounded [Turc] allegations being made by some members of parliament” were used to push these bills.” (Though there have been arrests as a result of the commission.)
Oliver told the ABC the whole campaign was part of a push to blunt the union movement ahead of the next election. He said it comes back to 2007, when the Work Choices campaign “tipped out a government”.
They will do what they can to make sure our movement can’t do that again ... This government is trying to diminish the capacity of workers to organise to fight for their rights at work.
The other thing to note is the registered organisations bill could be used as a double-dissolution trigger, as it has been voted down before. I will come back to that point.
Before this turns into War and Peace, I best get on with it. That @mpbowers will have more of his cracking photos and speak to us on the Twits @gabriellechan or below in the thread.
Updated
at 12.29am BST