This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/aug/20/dyson-heydon-unlikely-to-stand-down-says-abbott-minister-politics-live
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Philip Ruddock sets out expectations for Australian citizens – politics live | Philip Ruddock sets out expectations for Australian citizens – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.51am AEST02:51 | |
| Sport. National security. Sport. | |
| 11.48am AEST02:48 | |
| Who doesn’t love a velvet bow tie? | |
| #tbt With Sir Billy at the '74 Young Liberal Convention #auspol @FedYL pic.twitter.com/iPf2xG62IY | |
| Philip Ruddock continues his walk down memory lane. | |
| 11.47am AEST02:47 | |
| National security. Sport. National security. | |
| 11.41am AEST02:41 | |
| Tony Abbott has been meeting with Indigenous leaders and we will have more details shortly. | |
| In the meantime, he will attend a reception for the Australian netball team - The Diamonds. | |
| 11.40am AEST02:40 | |
| People always underestimate Tony Abbott, says Morrison, who rules out leadership | |
| Q: Josh Frydenberg this morning has described Tony Abbott as the next John Howard in terms from coming from behind in the polls and making it. What do you think of that description? | |
| People always underestimate Tony Abbott, the Labor Party always have and Tony Abbott is someone who sticks and he is someone who is determined to bring about the sort of Australia that I think all Australians can realise their aspirations and expectations. That is why he has such strong support in the Liberal Party and National Party as well within the Coalition. My message to Bill Shorten is never underestimate Tony Abbott, mate. | |
| Is Tony Abbott underestimating you? We have heard you might be a future contender for leader and we haven’t seen you rule that out? | |
| I did actually. | |
| 11.36am AEST02:36 | |
| I heart negative gearing: Scott Morrison | |
| Scott Morrison does not buy the rhetoric on negative gearing pushing up housing prices. | |
| What negative gearing has done for many years is ensure that there is a supply of rental accommodation, not just new but old and there is houses out there that people can actually rent. The average person who was engaged in investing in residential real estate using those arrangements has a taxable income of around about $80,000 a year and they own one property. The other thing those families are doing is they are providing for their own retirement and many of them are engaging in negative gearing so they can get a foot hold into the housing market to buy their own home. I don’t buy the rhetoric which is run by many commentators when it comes to negative gearing. | |
| 11.33am AEST02:33 | |
| Social services minister Scott Morrison is speaking about a report which my colleague Shalailah Medhora has reported on here: | |
| Young Australians are better educated than in the past but more likely to be unemployed, unmarried and living at home with their parents, a snapshot of demographic trends has found. | |
| More young people are joining the dole queue, with the youth unemployment rate increasing from 8.8% in 2008 to 13.3% in 2014, according to the biennial welfare report card from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). | |
| 11.24am AEST02:24 | |
| I need to come back to a report by Nicole Haslem at Fairfax. She reports: | |
| An Australian-paid guard at Nauru is accused of falsely claiming an asylum seeker violently assaulted him then perjuring himself in court, before confessing to the lie in a secret recording made by a colleague. | |
| Peter Dutton said if people have evidence that someone has done the wrong thing, they should report it to police. | |
| In relation to the contracts that the department has with any of the providers, whether it’s in Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne, wherever it might be, there are contractual arrangements in relation to those - the provision of those services and if there is non-performance or issues otherwise, there is provision for that under contract as you would expect. | |
| 11.13am AEST02:13 | 11.13am AEST02:13 |
| Sport. National security. Sport. National security. | Sport. National security. Sport. National security. |
| 10.54am AEST01:54 | 10.54am AEST01:54 |
| Peter Dutton helps journalists write reports on national security | Peter Dutton helps journalists write reports on national security |
| Journalists have been asking both the prime minister and Dutton for a few more details on the young Australians stopped at Sydney Airport. | Journalists have been asking both the prime minister and Dutton for a few more details on the young Australians stopped at Sydney Airport. |
| Chris Uhlmann of the ABC: If you want us to report things accurately, you might provide some information. What has been going on at the airport and the borders, give us more detail about the people who have been arrested or detained, how are we supposed to report that? | Chris Uhlmann of the ABC: If you want us to report things accurately, you might provide some information. What has been going on at the airport and the borders, give us more detail about the people who have been arrested or detained, how are we supposed to report that? |
| One of the ways you could report it is to say national security advisors to the government, intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies currently have matters under investigation and making comments beyond what we have made already may jeopardise some of those investigations. That is as you would expect in relation to any investigation. | One of the ways you could report it is to say national security advisors to the government, intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies currently have matters under investigation and making comments beyond what we have made already may jeopardise some of those investigations. That is as you would expect in relation to any investigation. |
| By PDuddy. | By PDuddy. |
| Q: Can you give us some dates and more details? | Q: Can you give us some dates and more details? |
| If there is detail we can release later in the day, we will. | If there is detail we can release later in the day, we will. |
| Updated at 11.02am AEST | Updated at 11.02am AEST |
| 10.46am AEST01:46 | 10.46am AEST01:46 |
| On the citizenship laws, Peter Dutton was asked about the provisions to remove citizenship from dual nationals for vandalising property. Given constitutional experts have been critical of that provision, the minister was asked if he would consider amending the bill. | On the citizenship laws, Peter Dutton was asked about the provisions to remove citizenship from dual nationals for vandalising property. Given constitutional experts have been critical of that provision, the minister was asked if he would consider amending the bill. |
| There was specific advice in relation to an attack on parliament house. There has been specific advice in relation to the desire to undertake an attack on commonwealth assets otherwise, including police stations owned by theStates. There was an intention to make sure that that type of offence was covered. There has never been an intention to go beyond that. | There was specific advice in relation to an attack on parliament house. There has been specific advice in relation to the desire to undertake an attack on commonwealth assets otherwise, including police stations owned by theStates. There was an intention to make sure that that type of offence was covered. There has never been an intention to go beyond that. |
| 10.42am AEST01:42 | 10.42am AEST01:42 |
| Bear with me. There was a whole lot of stuff in that citizenship press conference. | Bear with me. There was a whole lot of stuff in that citizenship press conference. |
| 10.40am AEST01:40 | 10.40am AEST01:40 |
| How do you ensure community anger doesn’t make it worse, Peter Dutton is asked. | How do you ensure community anger doesn’t make it worse, Peter Dutton is asked. |
| We work with those communities but we work with the broader society to provide a better future, not only for all of us but for those people at the moment who are answering the call of these evil perpetrators of terrorism overseas. | We work with those communities but we work with the broader society to provide a better future, not only for all of us but for those people at the moment who are answering the call of these evil perpetrators of terrorism overseas. |
| And this issue is going to get worse for us. I think Australians need to understand that the threat from terrorism is at its highest level. And it’s not going to abate any time soon | And this issue is going to get worse for us. I think Australians need to understand that the threat from terrorism is at its highest level. And it’s not going to abate any time soon |
| 10.37am AEST01:37 | 10.37am AEST01:37 |
| Peter Dutton has been asked about worries amongst Muslims that the laws target them. | Peter Dutton has been asked about worries amongst Muslims that the laws target them. |
| People have contributed to this country since settlement and people have made us into a great country . But we are having a look at the very important issue of citizenship in the current context. The fact is that people would seek to do us harm. | People have contributed to this country since settlement and people have made us into a great country . But we are having a look at the very important issue of citizenship in the current context. The fact is that people would seek to do us harm. |
| 10.35am AEST01:35 | 10.35am AEST01:35 |
| Peter Dutton says the timeframe of citizenship legislation depends on the consultation process. | Peter Dutton says the timeframe of citizenship legislation depends on the consultation process. |
| I’d just encourage people to attend the public consultations to express their views. It is a very important issue, as Phillip points out. We’re not going to render people stateless but as you recall...the second limb of the UK legislation essentially allows for somebody to avail themselves of citizenship through the process that Phillip spoke about before in relation to parentage. | I’d just encourage people to attend the public consultations to express their views. It is a very important issue, as Phillip points out. We’re not going to render people stateless but as you recall...the second limb of the UK legislation essentially allows for somebody to avail themselves of citizenship through the process that Phillip spoke about before in relation to parentage. |
| 10.29am AEST01:29 | 10.29am AEST01:29 |
| Stripping citizenship from sole nationals: strong trend of sanction | Stripping citizenship from sole nationals: strong trend of sanction |
| Connie Fierravanti-Wells says two trends have come out of their citizenship discussions so far. | Connie Fierravanti-Wells says two trends have come out of their citizenship discussions so far. |
| There is strong support for mechanisms for removing suspending of privileges of Australian citizens from people who - citizens from people who would stand against Australia. So there is a trend emerging from the responses right across the spectrum that Australian citizenship is very important, it’s to be valued and anybody who does something to put that in jeopardy should have some sanction against them. | There is strong support for mechanisms for removing suspending of privileges of Australian citizens from people who - citizens from people who would stand against Australia. So there is a trend emerging from the responses right across the spectrum that Australian citizenship is very important, it’s to be valued and anybody who does something to put that in jeopardy should have some sanction against them. |
| So this is the strong trend. | So this is the strong trend. |
| 10.23am AEST01:23 | 10.23am AEST01:23 |
| Peter Dutton is asked about the current citizenship leglisation to strip dual nationals, given many constitutional experts had appeared before a senate committee and said the law would certainly be unconstitutional. | Peter Dutton is asked about the current citizenship leglisation to strip dual nationals, given many constitutional experts had appeared before a senate committee and said the law would certainly be unconstitutional. |
| So we have sought the advice and the advice is that the bill in its current form is the best way for us to mitigate risk in relation to a constitutional challenge. I think it’s important to point out that there is constitutional risk in any of these bills of course and we have sought to minimise that as best we can on the available advice. | So we have sought the advice and the advice is that the bill in its current form is the best way for us to mitigate risk in relation to a constitutional challenge. I think it’s important to point out that there is constitutional risk in any of these bills of course and we have sought to minimise that as best we can on the available advice. |
| 10.20am AEST01:20 | 10.20am AEST01:20 |
| Philip Ruddock on citizenship expectations again. | Philip Ruddock on citizenship expectations again. |
| But I must say my impressions to date have been that people do have an understanding that with Australian citizenship there are benefits that are derived from being part of a society that is diverse in terms of different faiths, different cultures, in people of different races. We have been able to demonstrate to the rest of the world that this works well. But there is an anxiety amongst many that those who make a commitment to being Australian also have an understanding that there is the rule of law, there are certain shared values such as gender equity and there is a national language, there is parliamentary democracy and there is an expectation that that will be supported. And I think that is coming through very strongly and as we conclude through these meetings I think we will be in a position to come to a view to advise the Government as to the way forward. | But I must say my impressions to date have been that people do have an understanding that with Australian citizenship there are benefits that are derived from being part of a society that is diverse in terms of different faiths, different cultures, in people of different races. We have been able to demonstrate to the rest of the world that this works well. But there is an anxiety amongst many that those who make a commitment to being Australian also have an understanding that there is the rule of law, there are certain shared values such as gender equity and there is a national language, there is parliamentary democracy and there is an expectation that that will be supported. And I think that is coming through very strongly and as we conclude through these meetings I think we will be in a position to come to a view to advise the Government as to the way forward. |
| 10.14am AEST01:14 | 10.14am AEST01:14 |
| Areas for citizenship consultation | Areas for citizenship consultation |
| Philip Ruddock: | Philip Ruddock: |
| So if I identify some of the locations you will understand how I address that. We will be in Hurstville, we will be in Brisbane, we will be in the Dandenongs south-east of Victoria, we will be in Darwin. We will be in Adelaide in the western area of the city. And we will be in the areas just north of Perth and we will be around Brighton which has been an interesting place in Tasmania. And I certainly suspect, given the nature of those electorates, that if there are significant differences of view, that might emerge. | So if I identify some of the locations you will understand how I address that. We will be in Hurstville, we will be in Brisbane, we will be in the Dandenongs south-east of Victoria, we will be in Darwin. We will be in Adelaide in the western area of the city. And we will be in the areas just north of Perth and we will be around Brighton which has been an interesting place in Tasmania. And I certainly suspect, given the nature of those electorates, that if there are significant differences of view, that might emerge. |
| 10.12am AEST01:12 | 10.12am AEST01:12 |
| Govt to begin community meetings on citizenship | Govt to begin community meetings on citizenship |
| The senate committee report into stripping citizenship from dual nationals is due shortly, says Dutton. | The senate committee report into stripping citizenship from dual nationals is due shortly, says Dutton. |
| Concetta Fiervanti-Wells and Philip Ruddock were consulting on stripping citizenship from dual and sole nationals. | Concetta Fiervanti-Wells and Philip Ruddock were consulting on stripping citizenship from dual and sole nationals. |
| In the next fortnight they will have discussions around Australia in communities to talk about the questions from the government’s paper. | In the next fortnight they will have discussions around Australia in communities to talk about the questions from the government’s paper. |
| Ruddock says he has found people who want all Australians to be aware of the obligations that come with Australian citizenship. He will be engaging with all sorts of people, including the ethnic media. | Ruddock says he has found people who want all Australians to be aware of the obligations that come with Australian citizenship. He will be engaging with all sorts of people, including the ethnic media. |
| Most of these consultations will be in areas where there is the interface between Australians of long standing if I can put it that way as well as our newer Australians. | Most of these consultations will be in areas where there is the interface between Australians of long standing if I can put it that way as well as our newer Australians. |
| Updated at 10.13am AEST | Updated at 10.13am AEST |
| 10.05am AEST01:05 | 10.05am AEST01:05 |
| Constable Dutton on arming detention staff: I guess you can sit down and hold hands | Constable Dutton on arming detention staff: I guess you can sit down and hold hands |
| Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
| Immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has urged Labor and the Senate crossbench to support a bill that would arm detention centre staff, telling 2GB Radio that it is “completely beyond” him why they aren’t supporting it. | Immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has urged Labor and the Senate crossbench to support a bill that would arm detention centre staff, telling 2GB Radio that it is “completely beyond” him why they aren’t supporting it. |
| He said that giving security guards the same powers as correctional staff in jails was necessary. | He said that giving security guards the same powers as correctional staff in jails was necessary. |
| I guess you can sit down and hold hands and talk about your issues and your childhood and the rest of it, but if you’re punching some guard in the face, or you’re causing damage to property, it is unacceptable and I’m just not going to let it continue. We will continue our negotiations with Mr Shorten and hopefully common sense prevails. | I guess you can sit down and hold hands and talk about your issues and your childhood and the rest of it, but if you’re punching some guard in the face, or you’re causing damage to property, it is unacceptable and I’m just not going to let it continue. We will continue our negotiations with Mr Shorten and hopefully common sense prevails. |
| The Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill is due to be debated in the Senate this morning. | The Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill is due to be debated in the Senate this morning. |
| 10.03am AEST01:03 | 10.03am AEST01:03 |
| The Daily Telegraph has a story on five Australians stopped at Sydney airport. The headline says: | The Daily Telegraph has a story on five Australians stopped at Sydney airport. The headline says: |
| Jihadis Grounded: gang of five would-be IS terrorists stopped at Sydney Airport. | Jihadis Grounded: gang of five would-be IS terrorists stopped at Sydney Airport. |
| Abbott was asked about it this morning. | Abbott was asked about it this morning. |
| I am not going to go into what effectively is an operational matter, just to say that our Australian Border Force is vigilant and our counter terrorist units operating at all international airports have an important job to do and just recently they did their job in this particularly important and significant way. | I am not going to go into what effectively is an operational matter, just to say that our Australian Border Force is vigilant and our counter terrorist units operating at all international airports have an important job to do and just recently they did their job in this particularly important and significant way. |
| 9.59am AEST00:59 | 9.59am AEST00:59 |
| Coming up shortly, immigration minister Peter Dutton, Concetta Fiervanti-Wells and Philip Ruddock are doing a press conference in the next few minutes on citizenship. | Coming up shortly, immigration minister Peter Dutton, Concetta Fiervanti-Wells and Philip Ruddock are doing a press conference in the next few minutes on citizenship. |
| Updated at 10.08am AEST | Updated at 10.08am AEST |
| 9.48am AEST00:48 | 9.48am AEST00:48 |
| Tony Abbott has just held a brief doorstop at the cricket oval. He is asked why the about face on funding for an Indigenous recognition. Remember he was not in favour of funding a separate Indigenous meeting but today he is meeting with indigenous leaders including Noel Pearson and Patrick Dodson. | Tony Abbott has just held a brief doorstop at the cricket oval. He is asked why the about face on funding for an Indigenous recognition. Remember he was not in favour of funding a separate Indigenous meeting but today he is meeting with indigenous leaders including Noel Pearson and Patrick Dodson. |
| There hasn’t been any about face. What I want to do is to ensure that we have a unifying and unified process which will producing, I hope, a national consensus towards the middle of next year that can then go to the people in the next term of parliament. And what we want to do is to have a unified process which certainly will involve Indigenous people talking - it will involve the wider community talking, and what I want to see is not some kind of them and us process but a we the people process. But as part of a we the people process, obviously it’s important for Indigenous people to have a chance to talk this through as thoroughly as possible. | There hasn’t been any about face. What I want to do is to ensure that we have a unifying and unified process which will producing, I hope, a national consensus towards the middle of next year that can then go to the people in the next term of parliament. And what we want to do is to have a unified process which certainly will involve Indigenous people talking - it will involve the wider community talking, and what I want to see is not some kind of them and us process but a we the people process. But as part of a we the people process, obviously it’s important for Indigenous people to have a chance to talk this through as thoroughly as possible. |
| Updated at 9.49am AEST | Updated at 9.49am AEST |
| 9.37am AEST00:37 | 9.37am AEST00:37 |
| Frydenberg is ripping through the legislation this morning. We are onto the: | Frydenberg is ripping through the legislation this morning. We are onto the: |
| Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 4) Bill 2015. | Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 4) Bill 2015. |
| This protects old super funds, according to Frydenberg. | This protects old super funds, according to Frydenberg. |
| We are still awaiting the legislation on the parliament website. Details to you shortly. | We are still awaiting the legislation on the parliament website. Details to you shortly. |
| 9.30am AEST00:30 | 9.30am AEST00:30 |
| The act will cut out section 487 of the EPBC act. He says it stops greens activists but maintains the rights of farmers to object to developments. | The act will cut out section 487 of the EPBC act. He says it stops greens activists but maintains the rights of farmers to object to developments. |
| Now we are moving onto the Tax and Super Laws (Better Targetting the Income Tax Transparency Laws), presented by assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg. | Now we are moving onto the Tax and Super Laws (Better Targetting the Income Tax Transparency Laws), presented by assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg. |
| 9.23am AEST00:23 | 9.23am AEST00:23 |
| In speaking to the EPBC changes, Greg Hunt says the increase in litigation against resource projects by green activists was importing the worst of the American system. | In speaking to the EPBC changes, Greg Hunt says the increase in litigation against resource projects by green activists was importing the worst of the American system. |
| He says the intention of the EPBC act was to provide certainty for the environment and development projects. | He says the intention of the EPBC act was to provide certainty for the environment and development projects. |
| He describes the actions in court as a “well funded coordinated strategy to frustrate the EPBC act” which is caused by the explicit Americanisation of environment campaigning by tying up development projects in the legal system. | He describes the actions in court as a “well funded coordinated strategy to frustrate the EPBC act” which is caused by the explicit Americanisation of environment campaigning by tying up development projects in the legal system. |
| 9.16am AEST00:16 | 9.16am AEST00:16 |
| Joe Hockey has presented on the foreign acquisitions and takeovers legislation and the register of foreign ownership of agricultural land. | Joe Hockey has presented on the foreign acquisitions and takeovers legislation and the register of foreign ownership of agricultural land. |
| The new Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim will be sworn in after 9.30. | The new Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim will be sworn in after 9.30. |
| Now environment minister Greg Hunt is presenting the green lawfare bill. | Now environment minister Greg Hunt is presenting the green lawfare bill. |
| Updated at 9.16am AEST | Updated at 9.16am AEST |
| 9.07am AEST00:07 | 9.07am AEST00:07 |
| Tony Abbott is launching the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra this morning. So there will be more pictures coming. | Tony Abbott is launching the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra this morning. So there will be more pictures coming. |
| 9.05am AEST00:05 | 9.05am AEST00:05 |
| For some reason, this reminds me of a parliament of owls. | For some reason, this reminds me of a parliament of owls. |
| FYI Gareth Evans, former foreign minister in the Hawke-Keating government, is now chancellor of Australian National University. | FYI Gareth Evans, former foreign minister in the Hawke-Keating government, is now chancellor of Australian National University. |
| 8.54am AEST23:54 | 8.54am AEST23:54 |
| The other event last night was the launch of The Money Men, by Labor’s treasury spokesman Chris Bowen. Michelle Grattan of The Conversation has an interesting podcast in which Bowen talks in fairly bi-partisan style about Australia’s treasurers. It is well worth a listen. | The other event last night was the launch of The Money Men, by Labor’s treasury spokesman Chris Bowen. Michelle Grattan of The Conversation has an interesting podcast in which Bowen talks in fairly bi-partisan style about Australia’s treasurers. It is well worth a listen. |
| After a long day, Mike Bowers turned up to the launch last night at Old Parliament House, where Labor members past and present populated the green benches in the chamber. | After a long day, Mike Bowers turned up to the launch last night at Old Parliament House, where Labor members past and present populated the green benches in the chamber. |
| 8.47am AEST23:47 | 8.47am AEST23:47 |
| Cross-code love. | Cross-code love. |
| 8.45am AEST23:45 | 8.45am AEST23:45 |
| Football always brings out the love. | Football always brings out the love. |
| 8.41am AEST23:41 | 8.41am AEST23:41 |
| Everyone looks short next to AFL peeps. | Everyone looks short next to AFL peeps. |
| 8.34am AEST23:34 | 8.34am AEST23:34 |
| Dear leader: Can't catch, run, tackle, kick or pass but can scrummage and sledge | Dear leader: Can't catch, run, tackle, kick or pass but can scrummage and sledge |
| Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten spoke to an AFL function - the parliamentary friends of AFL - in the house last night. This is the chance for starstruck members to meet footy players and talk footy. Most of the jokes went totally over my head, but I did get this one from the PM. | Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten spoke to an AFL function - the parliamentary friends of AFL - in the house last night. This is the chance for starstruck members to meet footy players and talk footy. Most of the jokes went totally over my head, but I did get this one from the PM. |
| As a former rugby union prop, a broken down former rugby union prop, who had trouble catching, running, tackling, kicking or even passing, but I could scrummage and I could sledge, I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary athleticism of the AFL’s players which seems to reach new heights every season. | As a former rugby union prop, a broken down former rugby union prop, who had trouble catching, running, tackling, kicking or even passing, but I could scrummage and I could sledge, I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary athleticism of the AFL’s players which seems to reach new heights every season. |
| You have to give him 10 points for taking the mickey. | You have to give him 10 points for taking the mickey. |
| Updated at 8.44am AEST | Updated at 8.44am AEST |
| 8.18am AEST23:18 | 8.18am AEST23:18 |
| Good morning little bloggies, | Good morning little bloggies, |
| Today the ACTU will hand over their submission to Dyson Heydon, arguing their case that the trade union commissioner should stand down after he accepted an invitation to speak at a Liberal party fundraiser. | Today the ACTU will hand over their submission to Dyson Heydon, arguing their case that the trade union commissioner should stand down after he accepted an invitation to speak at a Liberal party fundraiser. |
| Heydon gets to look over the submission overnight and then his hearing of the matter is set down for Friday. We still do not know whether it will be an open hearing. | Heydon gets to look over the submission overnight and then his hearing of the matter is set down for Friday. We still do not know whether it will be an open hearing. |
| Tony Abbott’s government has been sending signals that it really is not necessary for him to step aside and that the trade union royal commission - henceforth known as Turc - should carry on its work. | Tony Abbott’s government has been sending signals that it really is not necessary for him to step aside and that the trade union royal commission - henceforth known as Turc - should carry on its work. |
| Assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg has been chatting to Fran Kelly. He dismissed it again as a Labor party campaign. | Assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg has been chatting to Fran Kelly. He dismissed it again as a Labor party campaign. |
| I don’t think he will stand aside, and the commission will continue. The Labor party... is seeking to blame the umpire. They’ve been seeking to undermine the commission since day 1. | I don’t think he will stand aside, and the commission will continue. The Labor party... is seeking to blame the umpire. They’ve been seeking to undermine the commission since day 1. |
| And this, from employment minister Eric Abetz: | And this, from employment minister Eric Abetz: |
| I would be asking my colleagues that we should continue (the commission), but of course it would be a matter for the cabinet. | I would be asking my colleagues that we should continue (the commission), but of course it would be a matter for the cabinet. |
| Frydenberg is continuing to remind people that judges Mary Gaudron, Michael McKew and Michael Kirby spoke to Labor functions in their time. | Frydenberg is continuing to remind people that judges Mary Gaudron, Michael McKew and Michael Kirby spoke to Labor functions in their time. |
| He also spoke about those dreaded speaking notes that were leaked to the media yesterday. Asked whether he used them or made up his own lines, Frydenberg said he could speak for all his colleagues: | He also spoke about those dreaded speaking notes that were leaked to the media yesterday. Asked whether he used them or made up his own lines, Frydenberg said he could speak for all his colleagues: |
| We all speak for ourselves. | We all speak for ourselves. |
| Frydenberg says the reason the notes are necessary is that there are so many issues in the public realm. People need to update themselves, he says. | Frydenberg says the reason the notes are necessary is that there are so many issues in the public realm. People need to update themselves, he says. |
| It is the last day of sitting ahead of next week’s prime ministerial Torres Strait trip. (I’m still waiting for the bait). | It is the last day of sitting ahead of next week’s prime ministerial Torres Strait trip. (I’m still waiting for the bait). |
| I have some lovely Mike Bowers’ pictures from several functions around the house last night, which I will roll out shortly. Join us below on the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. | I have some lovely Mike Bowers’ pictures from several functions around the house last night, which I will roll out shortly. Join us below on the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. |