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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/sep/07/peter-dutton-heads-to-geneva-for-talks-on-syrian-refugee-crisis-politics-live
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| Tony Abbott signals extending military campaign to Syria – politics live | Tony Abbott signals extending military campaign to Syria – politics live |
| (4 months later) | |
| 8.51am BST | |
| 08:51 | |
| It's been real | It's been real |
| As wonderful as your company has been, I suspect that’s enough for Monday. The enduring lesson from Ian Macdonald is a good one for all of us – always back away from an open microphone before your latest idea seems too compelling not to share. | As wonderful as your company has been, I suspect that’s enough for Monday. The enduring lesson from Ian Macdonald is a good one for all of us – always back away from an open microphone before your latest idea seems too compelling not to share. |
| Let’s follow our orderly habits and summarise today, Monday. | Let’s follow our orderly habits and summarise today, Monday. |
| There was more, but that’s enough. | There was more, but that’s enough. |
| Thanks for your comments, here and on the Twits. We’ll be back, bright and early, doing it all again tomorrow. See you then. | Thanks for your comments, here and on the Twits. We’ll be back, bright and early, doing it all again tomorrow. See you then. |
| Updated | |
| at 8.58am BST | |
| 8.12am BST | |
| 08:12 | |
| What is known in the trade as the Full Macdonald | What is known in the trade as the Full Macdonald |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| In the red chamber, the Queensland Liberal senator Ian Macdonald has been musing about the plight of Syrians: | In the red chamber, the Queensland Liberal senator Ian Macdonald has been musing about the plight of Syrians: |
| I don’t know, I confess, enough about the call for Syrian refugees. I just wish that the Syrian people could sort out their own problems. I note on Facebook, not always a good authority, but questions about how many other Middle Eastern countries are actually taking refugees into their countries and that’s an interesting question that I must ask of the appropriate authorities … Are the wealthy, very very wealthy countries in the Middle East taking their share? I don’t know the answer but I do intend to find out. | I don’t know, I confess, enough about the call for Syrian refugees. I just wish that the Syrian people could sort out their own problems. I note on Facebook, not always a good authority, but questions about how many other Middle Eastern countries are actually taking refugees into their countries and that’s an interesting question that I must ask of the appropriate authorities … Are the wealthy, very very wealthy countries in the Middle East taking their share? I don’t know the answer but I do intend to find out. |
| Macdonald made his contribution in the context of a Greens motion that he dismissed as being “all care and no responsibility”. He insisted Australia had “nothing to be ashamed of “in terms of its refugee intake.” | Macdonald made his contribution in the context of a Greens motion that he dismissed as being “all care and no responsibility”. He insisted Australia had “nothing to be ashamed of “in terms of its refugee intake.” |
| I just congratulate the government on what it’s done so far. It has increased the number of refugees coming in. I am cautious about announcements by our prime minister that there will be more Syrians coming in, because if more Syrians are being brought in it means more others who’ve been waiting in squalid refugee camps around the world for years and years have to wait yet another year. | I just congratulate the government on what it’s done so far. It has increased the number of refugees coming in. I am cautious about announcements by our prime minister that there will be more Syrians coming in, because if more Syrians are being brought in it means more others who’ve been waiting in squalid refugee camps around the world for years and years have to wait yet another year. |
| 8.02am BST | |
| 08:02 | |
| If you missed the Shorten press conference advancing a one-off 10,000 increase in the humanitarian intake, and fancy a brief recap, here’s some video. | If you missed the Shorten press conference advancing a one-off 10,000 increase in the humanitarian intake, and fancy a brief recap, here’s some video. |
| 7.35am BST | |
| 07:35 | |
| Melissa Davey | Melissa Davey |
| Just tracking back to the press conference held this afternoon with co-sponsors of the cross-party marriage equality bill and members of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), a few particulars. Liberal MP Warren Entsch has said Australians would “feel a bloody darned sight better about ourselves” once given the chance to vote on same-sex marriage. Debate around the bill, which Entsch introduced, resumed in the parliamentary chamber on Monday. | Just tracking back to the press conference held this afternoon with co-sponsors of the cross-party marriage equality bill and members of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), a few particulars. Liberal MP Warren Entsch has said Australians would “feel a bloody darned sight better about ourselves” once given the chance to vote on same-sex marriage. Debate around the bill, which Entsch introduced, resumed in the parliamentary chamber on Monday. |
| “When you have a look at Ireland, when you have a look at New Zealand three years ago, the last time I had a look at New Zealand it is still the land of the long white cloud,” Entsch told reporters. “The one thing that has changed dramatically when you talk to the people of New Zealand and people from Ireland? They feel a darned-sight better about themselves because they made the decision to do what they’ve done, and I can say to you, we would feel a bloody darned sight better about ourselves once we get an opportunity to put this [vote] out there.” | “When you have a look at Ireland, when you have a look at New Zealand three years ago, the last time I had a look at New Zealand it is still the land of the long white cloud,” Entsch told reporters. “The one thing that has changed dramatically when you talk to the people of New Zealand and people from Ireland? They feel a darned-sight better about themselves because they made the decision to do what they’ve done, and I can say to you, we would feel a bloody darned sight better about ourselves once we get an opportunity to put this [vote] out there.” |
| New Zealand’s parliament voted to make same-sex marriage legal in 2013, and in a referendum held in May, Ireland voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage. | New Zealand’s parliament voted to make same-sex marriage legal in 2013, and in a referendum held in May, Ireland voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage. |
| Updated | |
| at 8.59am BST | |
| 7.32am BST | |
| 07:32 | |
| Labor’s immigration spokesman Richard Marles is being interviewed now on Sky News. How did Labor arrive at this number that has been advanced today – a special one-off intake of 10,000 displaced persons from Syria? | Labor’s immigration spokesman Richard Marles is being interviewed now on Sky News. How did Labor arrive at this number that has been advanced today – a special one-off intake of 10,000 displaced persons from Syria? |
| Richard Marles: | Richard Marles: |
| Firstly we think it’s a doable number. | Firstly we think it’s a doable number. |
| We think it is an achievable goal. | We think it is an achievable goal. |
| Q: Do you have a ballpark cost? | Q: Do you have a ballpark cost? |
| It depends how you do it. | It depends how you do it. |
| Q: Are we talking millions, Hundreds of millions? | Q: Are we talking millions, Hundreds of millions? |
| I’m not going to walk down that path. | I’m not going to walk down that path. |
| Marles says it depends whether people get work rights, whether communities are involved. | Marles says it depends whether people get work rights, whether communities are involved. |
| Q: And $100m on top of that for the UNHCR? | Q: And $100m on top of that for the UNHCR? |
| We think $100m is an appropriate figure to put out there. | We think $100m is an appropriate figure to put out there. |
| Marles also says most people displaced from Syria will want to go home. (I can’t really imagine that myself, given the instability in the region, but perhaps I’m wrong.) | Marles also says most people displaced from Syria will want to go home. (I can’t really imagine that myself, given the instability in the region, but perhaps I’m wrong.) |
| Q: This has been going on for years, why take a position now? | Q: This has been going on for years, why take a position now? |
| Marles says Labor has taken a position before. He says Labor put a policy through the national conference that included a boost in the humanitarian intake. | Marles says Labor has taken a position before. He says Labor put a policy through the national conference that included a boost in the humanitarian intake. |
| It’s not like we just discovered this today. | It’s not like we just discovered this today. |
| Q: What about the Rohingya. Why not a response on that? | Q: What about the Rohingya. Why not a response on that? |
| Marles says that particular displacement is complex. | Marles says that particular displacement is complex. |
| These are difficult questions to grapple with. They each have their own story. | These are difficult questions to grapple with. They each have their own story. |
| 7.15am BST | |
| 07:15 | |
| I did miss this earlier because time got compressed in that rapid fifteen minutes before question time. Given the prime minister has all but said Australia will extend military action to Syria, I need to record what Bill Shorten has said on the subject. | I did miss this earlier because time got compressed in that rapid fifteen minutes before question time. Given the prime minister has all but said Australia will extend military action to Syria, I need to record what Bill Shorten has said on the subject. |
| Shorten was asked whether he’d support air strikes in Syria. This was his response. | Shorten was asked whether he’d support air strikes in Syria. This was his response. |
| Labor’s considering its position on that. We recognise the argument which has been put which is Australian aeroplanes bombing Daesh who cross into the border from Syria into Iraq and then pursuing them back into Syria is allowed under international law in terms of the principle of collective self-defence. Labor hasn’t finalised its position on that today. | Labor’s considering its position on that. We recognise the argument which has been put which is Australian aeroplanes bombing Daesh who cross into the border from Syria into Iraq and then pursuing them back into Syria is allowed under international law in terms of the principle of collective self-defence. Labor hasn’t finalised its position on that today. |
| (To decode, Shorten is accepting the rationale that Abbott invoked in the House in question time – the principle of collective self defence. Labor is clearly positioning to support the extension, although there’s a little way to go before we can call that definitively.) | (To decode, Shorten is accepting the rationale that Abbott invoked in the House in question time – the principle of collective self defence. Labor is clearly positioning to support the extension, although there’s a little way to go before we can call that definitively.) |
| Updated | |
| at 7.18am BST | |
| 7.07am BST | |
| 07:07 | |
| Parents have hit parliament today to meet with MPs in order to press the case for marriage equality. | Parents have hit parliament today to meet with MPs in order to press the case for marriage equality. |
| I was honoured to meet @PFLAGAustralia representatives today & hear their stories in favour of #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/KKVayKxXFO | I was honoured to meet @PFLAGAustralia representatives today & hear their stories in favour of #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/KKVayKxXFO |
| Members of the cross party group in favour of changing the marriage act held a press conference just a little while ago – and several of the visiting families joined them. | Members of the cross party group in favour of changing the marriage act held a press conference just a little while ago – and several of the visiting families joined them. |
| 6.33am BST | |
| 06:33 | |
| Assume the Tele will play fair and photoshop up @JulieBishopMP for talking aid for Syria #auspol pic.twitter.com/xim9cWd4ZC | Assume the Tele will play fair and photoshop up @JulieBishopMP for talking aid for Syria #auspol pic.twitter.com/xim9cWd4ZC |
| Today’s developments do provide the Daily Telegraph with something of a conundrum. | Today’s developments do provide the Daily Telegraph with something of a conundrum. |
| I mentioned in question time the government has manifestly changed its collective tone on Syria and aid after its sortie a few weeks back when Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek was accused by the government of wanting a terrorist picnic in Syria when she raised the prospect of humanitarian relief. The Tele may also have to reverse the ferret, as my Fairfax colleague, Heath Aston, notes this afternoon. | I mentioned in question time the government has manifestly changed its collective tone on Syria and aid after its sortie a few weeks back when Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek was accused by the government of wanting a terrorist picnic in Syria when she raised the prospect of humanitarian relief. The Tele may also have to reverse the ferret, as my Fairfax colleague, Heath Aston, notes this afternoon. |
| This gem (which ran with the mock up tweeted by Aston) ran on August 15. | This gem (which ran with the mock up tweeted by Aston) ran on August 15. |
| Tanya Plibersek wants to send aid to Syria rather than bomb terrorists. The deputy Labor leader yesterday split with her boss Bill Shorten and criticised the Abbott government over discussions with the US about expanding aerial bombing raids from Iraq to Syria. Ms Plibersek, who has twice described Africa as a country instead of a continent, said Australia had a humanitarian responsibility to Syria, in contrast to Mr Shorten’s position that stopping Islamic State is a priority. | Tanya Plibersek wants to send aid to Syria rather than bomb terrorists. The deputy Labor leader yesterday split with her boss Bill Shorten and criticised the Abbott government over discussions with the US about expanding aerial bombing raids from Iraq to Syria. Ms Plibersek, who has twice described Africa as a country instead of a continent, said Australia had a humanitarian responsibility to Syria, in contrast to Mr Shorten’s position that stopping Islamic State is a priority. |
| 6.18am BST | |
| 06:18 | |
| Cats paw aficionado. | Cats paw aficionado. |
| 6.12am BST | |
| 06:12 | |
| From cats paws to dingy’s. | From cats paws to dingy’s. |
| Assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, on Bill Shorten. | Assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, on Bill Shorten. |
| Because his reckless obstruction of the China/Australia free trade agreement is like seeing him sitting on his dingy against an armada of support which includes former Labor prime ministers, Labor state premiers and the former president of the ACTU. | Because his reckless obstruction of the China/Australia free trade agreement is like seeing him sitting on his dingy against an armada of support which includes former Labor prime ministers, Labor state premiers and the former president of the ACTU. |
| The Jay Weatherill armada. Could be bigger than Mission Impossible. | The Jay Weatherill armada. Could be bigger than Mission Impossible. |
| Further questions have been placed on the notice paper. | Further questions have been placed on the notice paper. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.14am BST | |
| 6.05am BST | |
| 06:05 | |
| Christopher Pyne on cats paws. | Christopher Pyne on cats paws. |
| Labor is the cats paw of the CFMEU. For short-term political gain, for short-term political gain, they are hopping into bed with the CFMEU to oppose the China/Australia free trade agreement and with that opposition are denying jobs and growth to the higher education market in Australia and they should be ashamed of themselves. | Labor is the cats paw of the CFMEU. For short-term political gain, for short-term political gain, they are hopping into bed with the CFMEU to oppose the China/Australia free trade agreement and with that opposition are denying jobs and growth to the higher education market in Australia and they should be ashamed of themselves. |
| 6.02am BST | |
| 06:02 | |
| A side note to the God of Canning by-elections, from the prime minister, who would like the chamber to understand his deep affection for the Liberal candidate, Andrew Hastie. | A side note to the God of Canning by-elections, from the prime minister, who would like the chamber to understand his deep affection for the Liberal candidate, Andrew Hastie. |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| This (Hastie) is someone who knows what it is like to fight for our country. This is someone with the character to stand up for the Australian people and, having served our country in the army, he is just waiting for his opportunity to serve our country and the people of Canning in this parliament. | This (Hastie) is someone who knows what it is like to fight for our country. This is someone with the character to stand up for the Australian people and, having served our country in the army, he is just waiting for his opportunity to serve our country and the people of Canning in this parliament. |
| I pray to God that that will be given to him. | I pray to God that that will be given to him. |
| 5.59am BST | |
| 05:59 | |
| A Dorothy Dixer on the China FTA, which gives the trade minister Andrew Robb the opportunity to sink the boot back into Labor. | A Dorothy Dixer on the China FTA, which gives the trade minister Andrew Robb the opportunity to sink the boot back into Labor. |
| Robb, to Shorten. | Robb, to Shorten. |
| You are embarking on a massive con of the Australian people, aiding and abetting the CFMEU in their political campaign to destabilise this government. | You are embarking on a massive con of the Australian people, aiding and abetting the CFMEU in their political campaign to destabilise this government. |
| Please, it is too expensive to the Australian community. Get out of the road and let this agreement go through. | Please, it is too expensive to the Australian community. Get out of the road and let this agreement go through. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.20am BST | |
| 5.57am BST | |
| 05:57 | |
| Labor’s Anthony Albanese asks about the reports last week that a government bureaucrat advised a cruise operator to sack its Australian staff and hire foreign crew on cheaper wages to remain competitive under the Coalition’s proposed new shipping laws. If you missed this story, you can find it here. | Labor’s Anthony Albanese asks about the reports last week that a government bureaucrat advised a cruise operator to sack its Australian staff and hire foreign crew on cheaper wages to remain competitive under the Coalition’s proposed new shipping laws. If you missed this story, you can find it here. |
| Infrastructure minister Warren Truss says this isn’t true. | Infrastructure minister Warren Truss says this isn’t true. |
| It is also important to note that if the advice was given, it would in fact be inaccurate because it is not possible under the proposed legislation to go before the parliament for an Australian cruise ship to have foreign crew and operate on the Australian coast for 12 months of the year. That is simply not possible. That is not accurate. | It is also important to note that if the advice was given, it would in fact be inaccurate because it is not possible under the proposed legislation to go before the parliament for an Australian cruise ship to have foreign crew and operate on the Australian coast for 12 months of the year. That is simply not possible. That is not accurate. |
| Since the purported advice is not even in keeping with the content of the Act, that tends to support the suggestion by the secretary of my department that the evidence or the reporting of the alleged conversation is not accurate. | Since the purported advice is not even in keeping with the content of the Act, that tends to support the suggestion by the secretary of my department that the evidence or the reporting of the alleged conversation is not accurate. |
| 5.52am BST | |
| 05:52 | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.10am BST | |
| 5.48am BST | |
| 05:48 | |
| Should we choose to extend our airstrikes into Syria, we will be doing this in the collective self-defence of Iraq: Abbott | Should we choose to extend our airstrikes into Syria, we will be doing this in the collective self-defence of Iraq: Abbott |
| Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt asks how bombing Syria helps anything. | Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt asks how bombing Syria helps anything. |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| Should we choose to extend our airstrikes into Syria, we will be doing this in the collective self-defence of Iraq. We would be doing this out of a responsibility to protect innocent people at risk of horrible death from the most violent people imaginable. | Should we choose to extend our airstrikes into Syria, we will be doing this in the collective self-defence of Iraq. We would be doing this out of a responsibility to protect innocent people at risk of horrible death from the most violent people imaginable. |
| We would be doing this in defence of our own country. We would be doing this in defence of our own country because this government, all governments, this parliament, all parliaments, have a responsibility to keep our country safe. | We would be doing this in defence of our own country. We would be doing this in defence of our own country because this government, all governments, this parliament, all parliaments, have a responsibility to keep our country safe. |
| 5.44am BST | |
| 05:44 | |
| Labor would like further and better particulars about The Plan. The prime minister has said today, in response to questions about the persistent negative poll trend, that the government has a plan, and it intends to stick to it. How’s the plan working for the 800,000 Australians who aren’t working, Bill Shorten wants to know? | Labor would like further and better particulars about The Plan. The prime minister has said today, in response to questions about the persistent negative poll trend, that the government has a plan, and it intends to stick to it. How’s the plan working for the 800,000 Australians who aren’t working, Bill Shorten wants to know? |
| The prime minister says the government has a plan to be open for business. At the heart of our plan is lower taxes, more infrastructure and freer trade. That is our plan. | The prime minister says the government has a plan to be open for business. At the heart of our plan is lower taxes, more infrastructure and freer trade. That is our plan. |
| Labor, by contrast, has a plan to stymie the China free trade agreement, he says. | Labor, by contrast, has a plan to stymie the China free trade agreement, he says. |
| Updated | |
| at 5.49am BST | |
| 5.39am BST | |
| 05:39 | |
| Forget boat phone. Bishop has plane phone. | Forget boat phone. Bishop has plane phone. |
| Tanya Plibersek asks the foreign minister Julie Bishop whether the government will invest $100m in the region to address the humanitarian crisis. | Tanya Plibersek asks the foreign minister Julie Bishop whether the government will invest $100m in the region to address the humanitarian crisis. |
| Bishop takes the opportunity to tell anyone listening she’s already been on the phone to Peter Dutton en route to Geneva. | Bishop takes the opportunity to tell anyone listening she’s already been on the phone to Peter Dutton en route to Geneva. |
| I have been in contact with him en route to Geneva and I have asked him to ascertain these concerns that we have about ensuring that the humanitarian assistance is reaching the necessary civilians and organisations. | I have been in contact with him en route to Geneva and I have asked him to ascertain these concerns that we have about ensuring that the humanitarian assistance is reaching the necessary civilians and organisations. |
| Busy, busy, busy. | Busy, busy, busy. |
| Bishop, still busy. This morning it was Josh, who? This afternoon, it’s PDuddy, who? | Bishop, still busy. This morning it was Josh, who? This afternoon, it’s PDuddy, who? |
| We are still considering what more needs to be done and I will be in touch with the immigration minister to confirm the further amounts that we will be making to the humanitarian crisis. | We are still considering what more needs to be done and I will be in touch with the immigration minister to confirm the further amounts that we will be making to the humanitarian crisis. |
| 5.32am BST | |
| 05:32 | |
| All of us were moved to tears by that poignant image of the drowned child on a beach in Turkey: Abbott | All of us were moved to tears by that poignant image of the drowned child on a beach in Turkey: Abbott |
| More than twenty minutes into question time, we are rolling now into the hour of glower. Shorten, to the prime minister, on Syria: | More than twenty minutes into question time, we are rolling now into the hour of glower. Shorten, to the prime minister, on Syria: |
| Q: My question is to the prime minister. There is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria and surrounding countries. All Australians have been shocked by those horrifying images that have emerged, including the tragic photo of the police officer carrying the body of the poor deceased little 3-year-old boy. Will the prime minister join with Labor in a bipartisan fashion and commit to offering 10,000 extra humanitarian places in Australia to refugees displaced by the Syrian crisis? | Q: My question is to the prime minister. There is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria and surrounding countries. All Australians have been shocked by those horrifying images that have emerged, including the tragic photo of the police officer carrying the body of the poor deceased little 3-year-old boy. Will the prime minister join with Labor in a bipartisan fashion and commit to offering 10,000 extra humanitarian places in Australia to refugees displaced by the Syrian crisis? |
| Tony Abbott has adopted a very low-key and conciliatory tone. | Tony Abbott has adopted a very low-key and conciliatory tone. |
| I agree with the leader of the opposition that there is an unprecedented crisis. It is, as he said earlier this afternoon, probably the most serious humanitarian crisis that we have seen, the greatest mass movement of people that we have seen since the end of the second world war. It is a very serious crisis. I also agree with the leader of the opposition that all of us were moved to tears by that poignant image of the drowned child on a beach in Turkey. I do agree that this parliament should, as far as is possible, act in a unified, collegial fashion when it comes to responding to crises overseas. This parliament, for all of the difficulties and disagreements we have had, has so far been able to speak pretty much with one voice on national security issues and when it comes to a humanitarian crisis like this, I would like us to continue to speak as far as we can with one voice. To respond as far as we can as one united nation. | I agree with the leader of the opposition that there is an unprecedented crisis. It is, as he said earlier this afternoon, probably the most serious humanitarian crisis that we have seen, the greatest mass movement of people that we have seen since the end of the second world war. It is a very serious crisis. I also agree with the leader of the opposition that all of us were moved to tears by that poignant image of the drowned child on a beach in Turkey. I do agree that this parliament should, as far as is possible, act in a unified, collegial fashion when it comes to responding to crises overseas. This parliament, for all of the difficulties and disagreements we have had, has so far been able to speak pretty much with one voice on national security issues and when it comes to a humanitarian crisis like this, I would like us to continue to speak as far as we can with one voice. To respond as far as we can as one united nation. |
| (Cutting through? Stop the strandings, Bill. Quite a change of tone from a few weeks back, when Labor first floated a fresh humanitarian effort in Syria. The government at that point was hollering about Tanya Plibersek setting out on terrorists’ picnics and the like.) | (Cutting through? Stop the strandings, Bill. Quite a change of tone from a few weeks back, when Labor first floated a fresh humanitarian effort in Syria. The government at that point was hollering about Tanya Plibersek setting out on terrorists’ picnics and the like.) |
| Updated | |
| at 5.54am BST | |
| 5.22am BST | |
| 05:22 | |
| Another condolence motion now for the philanthropist Gordon Darling. | Another condolence motion now for the philanthropist Gordon Darling. |
| 5.17am BST | |
| 05:17 | |
| Bill Shorten also made a statement on indulgence about Syria, which mirrored what he just said at his press conference just a little while ago. | Bill Shorten also made a statement on indulgence about Syria, which mirrored what he just said at his press conference just a little while ago. |
| Now we are on to statements of condolence for the Australian horse racing guru Bart Cummings, who was farewelled at a state funeral earlier today. | Now we are on to statements of condolence for the Australian horse racing guru Bart Cummings, who was farewelled at a state funeral earlier today. |
| 5.10am BST | |
| 05:10 | |
| Question time | Question time |
| Everyone has made the sprint to the house for question time. | Everyone has made the sprint to the house for question time. |
| Just before we launch in, in the last 15 minutes, we’ve had: | Just before we launch in, in the last 15 minutes, we’ve had: |
| The nationals security committee of cabinet was meeting here this morning to determine the government’s position on extending action to Syria. | The nationals security committee of cabinet was meeting here this morning to determine the government’s position on extending action to Syria. |
| The prime minister at the start of question time is attempting to clean up his stranding. | The prime minister at the start of question time is attempting to clean up his stranding. |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| When the world is in trouble, Australia responds. Australia is a good, global citizen. In fact, we are an exemplary global citizen and we will act in character here as we always do. I can inform the house that it is the government’s firm intention to take a significant number of people from Syria this year. We will give people refuge, that is the firm intention of this government. The women and children in camps, in particular, the women and children from persecuted minorities in camps, they deserve a compassionate response from Australia and that is exactly what they will get from this government. And there will be more money to do its job as well as can be done in these very difficult circumstances. | When the world is in trouble, Australia responds. Australia is a good, global citizen. In fact, we are an exemplary global citizen and we will act in character here as we always do. I can inform the house that it is the government’s firm intention to take a significant number of people from Syria this year. We will give people refuge, that is the firm intention of this government. The women and children in camps, in particular, the women and children from persecuted minorities in camps, they deserve a compassionate response from Australia and that is exactly what they will get from this government. And there will be more money to do its job as well as can be done in these very difficult circumstances. |
| A very big hint too on the extension of military action to Syria. | A very big hint too on the extension of military action to Syria. |
| This government has already provided a very strong security response to the problems in the Middle East and that response will become stronger in coming days. | This government has already provided a very strong security response to the problems in the Middle East and that response will become stronger in coming days. |
| We have already provided a strong humanitarian response to the problems in the Middle East and that response will be stronger within coming days. | We have already provided a strong humanitarian response to the problems in the Middle East and that response will be stronger within coming days. |
| It is obvious to all members of this house, it would be self-evident to Australians that we cannot save the world single handedly but we will always do what we can to help. That is in our character as a nation, to do what we can to help. | It is obvious to all members of this house, it would be self-evident to Australians that we cannot save the world single handedly but we will always do what we can to help. That is in our character as a nation, to do what we can to help. |
| We will act to build a better world. We always have, we always will. We will act to lend a helping hand, not just here but wherever we humanly can. | We will act to build a better world. We always have, we always will. We will act to lend a helping hand, not just here but wherever we humanly can. |
| Updated | |
| at 5.13am BST | |
| 4.56am BST | |
| 04:56 | |
| Labor postpones a move against Dyson Heydon in the Senate | Labor postpones a move against Dyson Heydon in the Senate |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| Just quickly before question time, Labor has postponed its proposed Senate motion calling on the governor general to dismiss the trade union royal commissioner, Dyson Heydon. With support from the Greens, Labor needs to persuade at least four of the eight crossbenchers to vote for the motion – but as of last week the numbers were looking shaky. A spokeswoman for Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, said: “We have postponed until tomorrow. We are still talking to the crossbench. Our concerns about Mr Heydon’s conduct are undiminished.” | Just quickly before question time, Labor has postponed its proposed Senate motion calling on the governor general to dismiss the trade union royal commissioner, Dyson Heydon. With support from the Greens, Labor needs to persuade at least four of the eight crossbenchers to vote for the motion – but as of last week the numbers were looking shaky. A spokeswoman for Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, said: “We have postponed until tomorrow. We are still talking to the crossbench. Our concerns about Mr Heydon’s conduct are undiminished.” |
| Updated | |
| at 5.00am BST | |
| 4.53am BST | |
| 04:53 | |
| Bill Shorten: | Bill Shorten: |
| I think it’s important that Australia does its bit. Back in 1976 and 77, Malcolm Fraser stood up in terms of the tragedy of the exodus from Vietnam. | I think it’s important that Australia does its bit. Back in 1976 and 77, Malcolm Fraser stood up in terms of the tragedy of the exodus from Vietnam. |
| Bob Hawke of course did the right thing by Chinese students studying here following the Tiananmen Square massacre. | Bob Hawke of course did the right thing by Chinese students studying here following the Tiananmen Square massacre. |
| John Howard, too, when dealing with the plight of Kosovars made a decision to go above and beyond. | John Howard, too, when dealing with the plight of Kosovars made a decision to go above and beyond. |
| It is now time for this parliament and for Mr Abbott to step up and what we’ve said today, Labor believes that it is time for Australia to dig a little deeper, to be a decent and compassionate nation that we know we are, and to provide an extra 10,000 refugees with a better prospect of life than they are currently experiencing. | It is now time for this parliament and for Mr Abbott to step up and what we’ve said today, Labor believes that it is time for Australia to dig a little deeper, to be a decent and compassionate nation that we know we are, and to provide an extra 10,000 refugees with a better prospect of life than they are currently experiencing. |
| Updated | |
| at 5.19am BST | |
| 4.49am BST | |
| 04:49 | |
| UNHCR should determine who comes | UNHCR should determine who comes |
| Q: The prime minister has raised repeatedly the question of bringing minority groups, he specified minority groups. Is there a particular reason why you should or shouldn’t do that? And second if I could also just ask about this idea of safe havens within Syria, whether Labor has thought about that and what the implications that are? | Q: The prime minister has raised repeatedly the question of bringing minority groups, he specified minority groups. Is there a particular reason why you should or shouldn’t do that? And second if I could also just ask about this idea of safe havens within Syria, whether Labor has thought about that and what the implications that are? |
| Richard Marles: | Richard Marles: |
| Well, in terms of ... which minorities come or who comes – that’s ultimately a question that we think should be worked through with the UNHCR. They are the people on the ground who have the best sense of where the greatest need is and what would make sense here is for the government to, if we were in a position to offer 10,000 places, to provide them to the UNHCR in order for those places to be deployed by the UNHCR to the greatest possible effect. | Well, in terms of ... which minorities come or who comes – that’s ultimately a question that we think should be worked through with the UNHCR. They are the people on the ground who have the best sense of where the greatest need is and what would make sense here is for the government to, if we were in a position to offer 10,000 places, to provide them to the UNHCR in order for those places to be deployed by the UNHCR to the greatest possible effect. |
| 4.45am BST | |
| 04:45 | |
| Q: This would be permanent settlement? | Q: This would be permanent settlement? |
| Richard Marles: | Richard Marles: |
| Yes. | Yes. |
| Offering visas, to do this through the permanent humanitarian program, it could be done far more efficiently and so ultimately that helps defray costs as well. | Offering visas, to do this through the permanent humanitarian program, it could be done far more efficiently and so ultimately that helps defray costs as well. |
| We would be trying to do this within the course of the financial year. | We would be trying to do this within the course of the financial year. |
| 4.43am BST | |
| 04:43 | |
| The shadow immigration minister, Richard Marles, says this proposal from Labor is a one-off emergency increase in the humanitarian program. | The shadow immigration minister, Richard Marles, says this proposal from Labor is a one-off emergency increase in the humanitarian program. |
| Richard Marles: | Richard Marles: |
| We are a big enough country to put this proposition together. We don’t underestimate the significance of it, but it can be done. | We are a big enough country to put this proposition together. We don’t underestimate the significance of it, but it can be done. |
| Of course if work rights were provided to these people – and that was not the case with the Kosovars under John Howard – but if work rights were provided to this cohort, then they play their part as well in being here in Australia. | Of course if work rights were provided to these people – and that was not the case with the Kosovars under John Howard – but if work rights were provided to this cohort, then they play their part as well in being here in Australia. |
| We think if you do all of that together, if the prime minister was to show some leadership and get that discussion going, then as a country, we can put 10,000 places out there and that would be a very good thing for this country to do. | We think if you do all of that together, if the prime minister was to show some leadership and get that discussion going, then as a country, we can put 10,000 places out there and that would be a very good thing for this country to do. |
| Updated | |
| at 5.02am BST | |
| 4.38am BST | |
| 04:38 | |
| Bill Shorten calls on Tony Abbott to take 10,000 Syrian refugees | Bill Shorten calls on Tony Abbott to take 10,000 Syrian refugees |
| The Labor leader has called reporters to a press conference. | The Labor leader has called reporters to a press conference. |
| Bill Shorten calls for an emergency bipartisan meeting on the Syrian refugee crisis, but pre-empts it by saying the Abbott government needs to take an additional 10,000 refugees ... | Bill Shorten calls for an emergency bipartisan meeting on the Syrian refugee crisis, but pre-empts it by saying the Abbott government needs to take an additional 10,000 refugees ... |
| ... caught up in a conflict not of their making, and indeed they are part of the greatest peace-time refugee crisis that the world has seen since the conclusion of the second world war. | ... caught up in a conflict not of their making, and indeed they are part of the greatest peace-time refugee crisis that the world has seen since the conclusion of the second world war. |
| Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek is now flagging $100m to help in Syria and in the region. | Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek is now flagging $100m to help in Syria and in the region. |
| Updated | |
| at 4.41am BST | |