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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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| Refugee crisis, China free trade deal and heavy school bags – politics live | Refugee crisis, China free trade deal and heavy school bags – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.19am BST04:19 | |
| Same sex marriage debate resumes in the federation chamber | |
| The government we know is trying to get past its internal fights of recent times on same sex marriage. But the legislative debate has resumed today in the federation chamber. Labor’s Terri Butler is leading off the contributions to the second reading debate on the cross party marriage legislation amendment bill. | |
| I note the Liberal MP Teresa Gambaro is sitting in the chamber. | |
| 4.04am BST04:04 | |
| Is this a wallaroo I see before me? | |
| Updated at 4.07am BST | |
| 3.57am BST03:57 | |
| ACTU ups the ante on the China FTA: renegotiate with Beijing | |
| Daniel Hurst | |
| Outside the treaties committee, the ACTU assistant secretary, Scott Connolly, has been taking a hard line on the China-Australia free trade agreement. The ACTU held a media conference after its appearance before the treaties committee earlier today. | |
| Connolly: | |
| This deal is nothing more than a dud. | |
| He is now demanding the government renegotiate the deal with Beijing. This is a harder line than adopted by some Labor figures who have argued some of the concerns could be addressed through domestic legislation without reopening negotiations with Chinese counterparts. Connolly says the issue is with the “black and white text” of the agreement and the fix needs to be enforceable. | |
| Q: What’s your message to the Labor party? Should they block it if there’s not an actual renegotiation with Beijing? Putting aside any domestic law concessions that could be found, if there’s not a renegotiation with Beijing about the text of the agreement should Labor block the deal? | |
| Scott Connolly: | |
| Our message is that the issue in relation to labour market testing and the issues associated with that has to be addressed. How they’re addressed… | |
| Q: With a renegotiation with Beijing? | |
| That’s what we’re saying. In terms of the detail and what’s required, current advice is that it’s very clear that we need to get the agreement in relation to Chafta clear in relation to labour market testing. | |
| Q: Could the whole deal fall over then? | |
| I think that’s a matter for the government and a matter for the committee we’ve just presented our position to going forward about how we deal with these issues on behalf of Australian workers and their families. | |
| Q: Is it worth risking the whole deal with China for that, if the whole FTA could collapse? | |
| I think, on behalf of Australian workers and their families, the issue of their jobs and their futures is a matter that we need to get right. It’s not a matter of risking things, it’s a matter of ensuring that we take the time in relation to this agreement to ensure that these concerns are adequately addressed. | |
| 3.52am BST03:52 | |
| Shalailah Medhora | |
| The domestic violence panel held its inaugural meeting in Parliament House earlier today. Co-chairs of the committee, Australian of the year Rosie Batty, and former Victorian police commissioner Ken Lay, met with ministers and media representatives to discuss how best to build awareness on the issue. After the meeting, the communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, told reporters that men in particular need to be aware of the problem of family violence. | |
| It is unmanly. It is not some expression of macho virtue. It is the absolute antithesis of this. Real men don’t bully women and children. Respect for women ... is so important. | |
| Turnbull praised the media for its “enormous role in changing cultural attitudes”. Representatives from some of the country’s biggest news outlets agreed on guidelines on how to report on violence against women and children. | |
| Updated at 3.59am BST | |
| 3.43am BST03:43 | 3.43am BST03:43 |
| A snake, a sleeve and a senator .. | A snake, a sleeve and a senator .. |
| A Stimsons Python performs a sleeve trick on Sen. Lazarus-special appearance from @James_Jeffrey @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/XlGLWkq8SP | A Stimsons Python performs a sleeve trick on Sen. Lazarus-special appearance from @James_Jeffrey @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/XlGLWkq8SP |
| And a jot more analysis of the government’s standing in the opinion polls from Christopher Pyne. | And a jot more analysis of the government’s standing in the opinion polls from Christopher Pyne. |
| We are sometimes distracting ourselves from the agenda that is important to the Australian people. | We are sometimes distracting ourselves from the agenda that is important to the Australian people. |
| 3.40am BST03:40 | 3.40am BST03:40 |
| Sticky politics this lunchtime | Sticky politics this lunchtime |
| Various things are still under way simultaneously, as is the way of the parliamentary day. But now seems an opportune moment to take stock. | |
| Today, Monday: | Today, Monday: |
| Onwards. | Onwards. |
| Upwards. | Upwards. |
| Sideways. | Sideways. |
| Updated at 4.01am BST | |
| 3.10am BST03:10 | 3.10am BST03:10 |
| While I’m on pictures here’s one I should have shared earlier. Just because really. The agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, flashing his winter tan on the way into the building this morning. | While I’m on pictures here’s one I should have shared earlier. Just because really. The agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, flashing his winter tan on the way into the building this morning. |
| Speaking of Joyce, the former member for New England, Tony Windsor, spent a portion of the weekend needling about a recent decision by the government to shift the BAE flying contract away from Tamworth to Sale. | Speaking of Joyce, the former member for New England, Tony Windsor, spent a portion of the weekend needling about a recent decision by the government to shift the BAE flying contract away from Tamworth to Sale. |
| Tamworth loses BAE Flying College contract to Sale even tho Barnaby Joyce said it would be over his dead body - no influence in Cabinet | Tamworth loses BAE Flying College contract to Sale even tho Barnaby Joyce said it would be over his dead body - no influence in Cabinet |
| Joyce – like some others in the cabinet – has been very outspoken in recent times. Being outspoken is generally not rewarded in this government. | Joyce – like some others in the cabinet – has been very outspoken in recent times. Being outspoken is generally not rewarded in this government. |
| Updated at 3.16am BST | Updated at 3.16am BST |
| 2.56am BST02:56 | 2.56am BST02:56 |
| While I’m listening intently to China being the pork centre of the world I have a moment to share some quality two-year anniversary material from Mike Bowers and Jonny Weeks. This pictorial presentation is rated onion. | While I’m listening intently to China being the pork centre of the world I have a moment to share some quality two-year anniversary material from Mike Bowers and Jonny Weeks. This pictorial presentation is rated onion. |
| Related: Two years of Tony Abbott as prime minister – in pictures | Related: Two years of Tony Abbott as prime minister – in pictures |
| Updated at 3.03am BST | Updated at 3.03am BST |
| 2.44am BST02:44 | 2.44am BST02:44 |
| Another cheeky customer. | Another cheeky customer. |
| Updated at 3.04am BST | Updated at 3.04am BST |
| 2.33am BST02:33 | 2.33am BST02:33 |
| Look. Dingo puppies. | Look. Dingo puppies. |
| Parliament petting zoo to mark 2 years of the Abbott Gov't?? No, it is Threatened Species Day #dingopups pic.twitter.com/FEKib8OIdU | Parliament petting zoo to mark 2 years of the Abbott Gov't?? No, it is Threatened Species Day #dingopups pic.twitter.com/FEKib8OIdU |
| 2.31am BST02:31 | 2.31am BST02:31 |
| Meanwhile, back to the treaties committee, Liberal MPs are still facing off against ACTU witnesses about the China FTA. | Meanwhile, back to the treaties committee, Liberal MPs are still facing off against ACTU witnesses about the China FTA. |
| Tasmanian Liberal MP Brett Whiteley to ACTU assistant secretary Scott Connolly: | Tasmanian Liberal MP Brett Whiteley to ACTU assistant secretary Scott Connolly: |
| It’s really not about the issue. It’s really about the Chinese. | It’s really not about the issue. It’s really about the Chinese. |
| What have you got against the Chinese? | What have you got against the Chinese? |
| Connolly can’t get a word in. | Connolly can’t get a word in. |
| 2.25am BST02:25 | 2.25am BST02:25 |
| Back to heavy bags, Joanne Ryan, the member for Lalor, and a former teacher, has expressed confusion as to why parliament is debating overladen bags when it could be considering issues that have some impact on educational outcomes and equity. | Back to heavy bags, Joanne Ryan, the member for Lalor, and a former teacher, has expressed confusion as to why parliament is debating overladen bags when it could be considering issues that have some impact on educational outcomes and equity. |
| Updated at 3.04am BST | Updated at 3.04am BST |
| 2.18am BST02:18 | 2.18am BST02:18 |
| Jacqui Lambie calls for the sacking of the veterans' affairs minister. Again. | Jacqui Lambie calls for the sacking of the veterans' affairs minister. Again. |
| Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
| Over in the Senate, Jacqui Lambie has had a spray at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the minister in charge of the department, Michael Ronaldson, when speaking against a bill that would limit veterans’ right to appeal determinations. | Over in the Senate, Jacqui Lambie has had a spray at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the minister in charge of the department, Michael Ronaldson, when speaking against a bill that would limit veterans’ right to appeal determinations. |
| I’m sick of the cover-ups, I’m sick of the lies, and so are the bloody veterans, that come out daily of the department’s mouth. | I’m sick of the cover-ups, I’m sick of the lies, and so are the bloody veterans, that come out daily of the department’s mouth. |
| We’ve had a gutful. | We’ve had a gutful. |
| Lambie accused Ronaldson of being “dysfunctional and incompetent”. | Lambie accused Ronaldson of being “dysfunctional and incompetent”. |
| The prime minister must act now and sack Senator Ronaldson. | The prime minister must act now and sack Senator Ronaldson. |
| I’ve asked for it before and I will continue to ask for it. | I’ve asked for it before and I will continue to ask for it. |
| And at least put someone in the position who at least gives a shit about veterans more, and does not care about overseas junkets. | And at least put someone in the position who at least gives a shit about veterans more, and does not care about overseas junkets. |
| Lambie, a former soldier, engaged in a decade-long battle with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs over compensation and had vowed to clean up DVA after being elected to the upper house last year. | Lambie, a former soldier, engaged in a decade-long battle with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs over compensation and had vowed to clean up DVA after being elected to the upper house last year. |
| Updated at 3.05am BST | Updated at 3.05am BST |
| 2.14am BST02:14 | 2.14am BST02:14 |
| Much as I strongly encourage my son and daughter to lighten their daily load once they arrive at school, I’m not sure I need the commonwealth involved in the contents of school bags. | Much as I strongly encourage my son and daughter to lighten their daily load once they arrive at school, I’m not sure I need the commonwealth involved in the contents of school bags. |
| I’d probably like the parliament to crack on with more significant tasks. Thanks for caring, though. | I’d probably like the parliament to crack on with more significant tasks. Thanks for caring, though. |
| Updated at 3.06am BST | Updated at 3.06am BST |
| 2.11am BST02:11 | 2.11am BST02:11 |
| Meanwhile, down in the federation chamber, members are debating the vexed issue of heavy school bags. There is a motion before the chamber which deplores the practice of young people carrying heavy school bags. | Meanwhile, down in the federation chamber, members are debating the vexed issue of heavy school bags. There is a motion before the chamber which deplores the practice of young people carrying heavy school bags. |
| West Australian Liberal Luke Simpkins believes it is time to introduce the wheelie bag. Coag must become involved. | West Australian Liberal Luke Simpkins believes it is time to introduce the wheelie bag. Coag must become involved. |
| Here is the motion, lest you think I’m having a lend. | Here is the motion, lest you think I’m having a lend. |
| Mr Simpkins, pursuant to notice, moved — that this House: | Mr Simpkins, pursuant to notice, moved — that this House: |
| (1) notes that every school day across Australia, school students are carrying heavy schoolbags on their way to and around schools and this poses a risk to the long-term health of young people in Australia; | (1) notes that every school day across Australia, school students are carrying heavy schoolbags on their way to and around schools and this poses a risk to the long-term health of young people in Australia; |
| (2) acknowledges that reference sources are an important part of the curriculum and for individual courses; and | (2) acknowledges that reference sources are an important part of the curriculum and for individual courses; and |
| (3) encourages the Australian and state and territory governments to: | (3) encourages the Australian and state and territory governments to: |
| (a) replace hard copy reference books with CD and thumb drive versions of reference materials to lighten the load of students and reduce the incidences of muscular and skeletal injuries to the developing bodies of school students; and | (a) replace hard copy reference books with CD and thumb drive versions of reference materials to lighten the load of students and reduce the incidences of muscular and skeletal injuries to the developing bodies of school students; and |
| (b) set a target timeline for the replacement of reference materials for school students. | (b) set a target timeline for the replacement of reference materials for school students. |
| Updated at 3.07am BST | Updated at 3.07am BST |
| 2.05am BST02:05 | 2.05am BST02:05 |
| If you’ve approached the whole debate around the China FTA as a bit of “me” time – scope to insert your fingers in your ears and wander around the house singing LA LA LA – my dear colleague and the co-owner of Politics Live Gabrielle Chan has written a backgrounder to help you sift out facts from contentions. | If you’ve approached the whole debate around the China FTA as a bit of “me” time – scope to insert your fingers in your ears and wander around the house singing LA LA LA – my dear colleague and the co-owner of Politics Live Gabrielle Chan has written a backgrounder to help you sift out facts from contentions. |
| As she notes, the four contentious issues are: | As she notes, the four contentious issues are: |
| Back in the room, the ACTU representatives are copping a grilling from Liberal MPs on the committee, who are taking issue with statements the ACT is making in its television advertising campaign critical of the China FTA. | Back in the room, the ACTU representatives are copping a grilling from Liberal MPs on the committee, who are taking issue with statements the ACT is making in its television advertising campaign critical of the China FTA. |
| Scott Connolly: | Scott Connolly: |
| If you let me answer the question ... | If you let me answer the question ... |
| Updated at 3.08am BST | Updated at 3.08am BST |
| 1.55am BST01:55 | 1.55am BST01:55 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| The ACTU is currently giving evidence on the China FTA before the treaties committee. Committee chair, Liberal Wyatt Roy wants to know whether the ACTU would be satisfied if the committee can demonstrate there is mandatory labour market testing in the agreement. | The ACTU is currently giving evidence on the China FTA before the treaties committee. Committee chair, Liberal Wyatt Roy wants to know whether the ACTU would be satisfied if the committee can demonstrate there is mandatory labour market testing in the agreement. |
| ACTU assistant secretary Scott Connolly. | ACTU assistant secretary Scott Connolly. |
| We’d welcome it. | We’d welcome it. |
| The peak union council has made an opening statement. | The peak union council has made an opening statement. |
| Rigorous labour market testing is more important now than ever before. With unemployment stubbornly high at or above 6%… We emphasise again today Australian unions are not anti-trade – we recognise the value of lower tariffs, increased exports and freer access to overseas markets for australian businesses. | Rigorous labour market testing is more important now than ever before. With unemployment stubbornly high at or above 6%… We emphasise again today Australian unions are not anti-trade – we recognise the value of lower tariffs, increased exports and freer access to overseas markets for australian businesses. |
| We welcome the opportunities for workers that come from participating in a 21st century global economy. We can believe in all these benefits of free trade agreements and at the same time have a rock solid commitment to ensuring other provisions of free trade agreements do not jeopardise Australian jobs. | We welcome the opportunities for workers that come from participating in a 21st century global economy. We can believe in all these benefits of free trade agreements and at the same time have a rock solid commitment to ensuring other provisions of free trade agreements do not jeopardise Australian jobs. |
| In his most strongly worded comment, Connolly said: | In his most strongly worded comment, Connolly said: |
| Without the requirement for labour market testing the potential is there for whole projects to be staffed by Chinese workforces in skilled and semi-skilled occupations with Australian workers excluded. | Without the requirement for labour market testing the potential is there for whole projects to be staffed by Chinese workforces in skilled and semi-skilled occupations with Australian workers excluded. |
| 1.46am BST01:46 | 1.46am BST01:46 |
| Quick glance around the place. The senate is underway for the day, currently considering veteran’s legislation. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie is speaking. Over in parliamentary committee land various bods are giving evidence about the China free trade deal – the big story of the past couple of weeks. | Quick glance around the place. The senate is underway for the day, currently considering veteran’s legislation. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie is speaking. Over in parliamentary committee land various bods are giving evidence about the China free trade deal – the big story of the past couple of weeks. |
| 1.26am BST01:26 | 1.26am BST01:26 |
| This man is absolutely on to it. As always. My kingdom for a plan. Anyone know what The Plan is? | This man is absolutely on to it. As always. My kingdom for a plan. Anyone know what The Plan is? |
| @murpharoo Hello! *exclusive* First picture of The Plan. #ThePlan #politicslive pic.twitter.com/m2kS7MDF3V | @murpharoo Hello! *exclusive* First picture of The Plan. #ThePlan #politicslive pic.twitter.com/m2kS7MDF3V |
| 1.24am BST01:24 | 1.24am BST01:24 |
| We’ve heard a number of times from government folks this morning (as part of the various herograms to ourselves about our nobility and generosity) that Australia takes more refugees on a per capita basis than any other country in the world. Gareth Hutchens in The Sydney Morning Herald has produced a good fact check on this claim. | We’ve heard a number of times from government folks this morning (as part of the various herograms to ourselves about our nobility and generosity) that Australia takes more refugees on a per capita basis than any other country in the world. Gareth Hutchens in The Sydney Morning Herald has produced a good fact check on this claim. |
| Prime minister Tony Abbott says Australia will take more refugees from Syria in response to the growing international crisis but it will not increase the total number of asylum seekers it accepts. | Prime minister Tony Abbott says Australia will take more refugees from Syria in response to the growing international crisis but it will not increase the total number of asylum seekers it accepts. |
| He says Australia is already doing a lot when it comes to accepting asylum seekers, and that “we take more refugees than any other through the UNHCR on a per capita basis.” | He says Australia is already doing a lot when it comes to accepting asylum seekers, and that “we take more refugees than any other through the UNHCR on a per capita basis.” |
| But is that statement correct? | But is that statement correct? |
| No. | No. |
| According to the Refugee Council of Australia, Australia is not the world’s most generous country when it comes to accepting refugees. It does not even rank in the top 20 countries. What Mr Abbott means when he says Australia takes more refugees on a per capita basis is that Australia takes more refugees on a per capita basis through its re-settlement program. | According to the Refugee Council of Australia, Australia is not the world’s most generous country when it comes to accepting refugees. It does not even rank in the top 20 countries. What Mr Abbott means when he says Australia takes more refugees on a per capita basis is that Australia takes more refugees on a per capita basis through its re-settlement program. |
| Resettlement programs only provide places for a miniscule proportion of the global population of refugees. According to the UNHCR, in 2012 less than one per cent of the world’s refugees were officially ‘re-settled’. | Resettlement programs only provide places for a miniscule proportion of the global population of refugees. According to the UNHCR, in 2012 less than one per cent of the world’s refugees were officially ‘re-settled’. |
| 1.11am BST01:11 | 1.11am BST01:11 |
| Meanwhile, back in the real world as opposed to the land of weasel words. | Meanwhile, back in the real world as opposed to the land of weasel words. |
| Families being taken off Szeged-Budapest train to a camp earlier this evening. Welcome to Hungary. #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/SHSQtEojrM | Families being taken off Szeged-Budapest train to a camp earlier this evening. Welcome to Hungary. #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/SHSQtEojrM |
| 1.06am BST01:06 | 1.06am BST01:06 |
| The only reasonable response to that line of argument from Morrison is this: are you kidding me? | The only reasonable response to that line of argument from Morrison is this: are you kidding me? |
| Updated at 1.12am BST | Updated at 1.12am BST |
| 1.02am BST01:02 | 1.02am BST01:02 |
| Could nope, nope, nope become yep, yep, yep? | Could nope, nope, nope become yep, yep, yep? |
| Scott Morrison has been stopped by reporters after the Hadley interview. | Scott Morrison has been stopped by reporters after the Hadley interview. |
| Q: On the issue of the refugee crisis in Syria, you were instrumental in implementing policies that stop the flow of illegal people smuggling trade to Australia. Do you think now that that’s happened there is a case that we can take a special intake of refugees from Syria – refugees from Syria outside of Australia’s humanitarian intake? | Q: On the issue of the refugee crisis in Syria, you were instrumental in implementing policies that stop the flow of illegal people smuggling trade to Australia. Do you think now that that’s happened there is a case that we can take a special intake of refugees from Syria – refugees from Syria outside of Australia’s humanitarian intake? |
| Scott Morrison: | Scott Morrison: |
| We already have. In the last financial year we freed up 4,500 places within our refugee and humanitarian intake. Those are places that would not have been available, were it not for this government’s success in stopping the boats. | We already have. In the last financial year we freed up 4,500 places within our refugee and humanitarian intake. Those are places that would not have been available, were it not for this government’s success in stopping the boats. |
| Morrison says Australia also needs to keep an eye to our own region. | Morrison says Australia also needs to keep an eye to our own region. |
| It wasn’t that long ago, it wasn’t that long ago where we were talking about the issues of the Rohingya refugee crisis in our own region. The government hasn’t, I believe, forgotten about that issue as well. | It wasn’t that long ago, it wasn’t that long ago where we were talking about the issues of the Rohingya refugee crisis in our own region. The government hasn’t, I believe, forgotten about that issue as well. |
| The Rohingya are predominantly in Malaysia and we also increased our intake of refugees out of Malaysia for Burmese refugees. | The Rohingya are predominantly in Malaysia and we also increased our intake of refugees out of Malaysia for Burmese refugees. |
| So it remains that we have challenges in our own region and those challenges are just as important because they deal with the human souls that are affected in our own region as well. | So it remains that we have challenges in our own region and those challenges are just as important because they deal with the human souls that are affected in our own region as well. |
| (These would be the people that Tony Abbott said could not come to Australia. You remember that? Hard to forget it. Will we resettle the Rohingya Mr Abbott? Nope, nope, nope.) | (These would be the people that Tony Abbott said could not come to Australia. You remember that? Hard to forget it. Will we resettle the Rohingya Mr Abbott? Nope, nope, nope.) |
| 12.48am BST00:48 | 12.48am BST00:48 |
| Who wore it best? | Who wore it best? |
| Sadly I have to swerve away from the bromance on Hadley to listen in to the foreign minister Julie Bishop, who is intent with reporters on setting the record straight about Kosovo and special refugee intakes. ‘Josh, who?’ | Sadly I have to swerve away from the bromance on Hadley to listen in to the foreign minister Julie Bishop, who is intent with reporters on setting the record straight about Kosovo and special refugee intakes. ‘Josh, who?’ |
| Q: Josh Frydenberg suggested a ... | Q: Josh Frydenberg suggested a ... |
| Julie Bishop: | Julie Bishop: |
| No, I said that yesterday. | No, I said that yesterday. |
| I actually spoke about the Kosovo matter yesterday and said that’s something we should consider and that’s something that I will be raising with other foreign ministers – whether that’s an international response that would work in these circumstances and we’ll certainly take advice on that. | I actually spoke about the Kosovo matter yesterday and said that’s something we should consider and that’s something that I will be raising with other foreign ministers – whether that’s an international response that would work in these circumstances and we’ll certainly take advice on that. |
| 12.41am BST00:41 | 12.41am BST00:41 |
| From Alan Jones, to Ray Hadley. Social services minister Scott Morrison is currently having his weekly fireside chat with Hadley, the Sydney radio host. Hadley wants to know how Morrison would he characterise the first two years of the Abbott government? | From Alan Jones, to Ray Hadley. Social services minister Scott Morrison is currently having his weekly fireside chat with Hadley, the Sydney radio host. Hadley wants to know how Morrison would he characterise the first two years of the Abbott government? |
| Scott Morrison: | Scott Morrison: |
| Busy and effective. | Busy and effective. |
| 12.38am BST00:38 | 12.38am BST00:38 |
| Persisting with anger. Down in the thread, a kind reader has drawn my attention to this page from Lock the Gate which is a crowdsourcing exercise to raise funds to get the Jones anti-lawfare ad on the air. Evidently enough funds have been raised to get the ad as far as Sky News. | Persisting with anger. Down in the thread, a kind reader has drawn my attention to this page from Lock the Gate which is a crowdsourcing exercise to raise funds to get the Jones anti-lawfare ad on the air. Evidently enough funds have been raised to get the ad as far as Sky News. |
| 12.28am BST00:28 | 12.28am BST00:28 |
| In case you are checking in while you are in the coffee line ... | In case you are checking in while you are in the coffee line ... |
| The morning has been brisk enough to warrant a quick summary in the event you are chancing a sneaky look at Politics Live while out for a cronut which you will later deny ever consuming. | The morning has been brisk enough to warrant a quick summary in the event you are chancing a sneaky look at Politics Live while out for a cronut which you will later deny ever consuming. |
| Today, Monday: | Today, Monday: |
| Refugees: | Refugees: |
| Polls: | Polls: |
| Ambivalence: | Ambivalence: |
| Anger: | Anger: |
| Updated at 12.39am BST | Updated at 12.39am BST |
| 12.15am BST00:15 | 12.15am BST00:15 |
| We (the royal Guardian Australia Canberra bureau plural) are making some inquiries to see who is funding the Jones ads. The Sky version has an authorisation from a person we believe is connected with Lock the Gate. | We (the royal Guardian Australia Canberra bureau plural) are making some inquiries to see who is funding the Jones ads. The Sky version has an authorisation from a person we believe is connected with Lock the Gate. |
| Updated at 12.37am BST | Updated at 12.37am BST |
| 12.08am BST00:08 | 12.08am BST00:08 |
| It isolates us, it means we are not allowed to care. | It isolates us, it means we are not allowed to care. |
| Thanks muchly to Kate Ausburn who flicked me the link via Twitter. | Thanks muchly to Kate Ausburn who flicked me the link via Twitter. |
| 11.53pm BST23:53 | 11.53pm BST23:53 |
| Angry Alan | Angry Alan |
| The voluble broadcaster and Abbott confidant Alan Jones is fronting a new advertising campaign against the Abbott government’s “lawfare” changes – the changes that aim to limit the number of people who can intervene in court actions on environmental grounds against big developments. Alan is unhappy, the changes he says are undemocratic and divisive. | The voluble broadcaster and Abbott confidant Alan Jones is fronting a new advertising campaign against the Abbott government’s “lawfare” changes – the changes that aim to limit the number of people who can intervene in court actions on environmental grounds against big developments. Alan is unhappy, the changes he says are undemocratic and divisive. |
| It is quite simply, unbelievable. | It is quite simply, unbelievable. |
| The ad has been running on Sky News this morning. | The ad has been running on Sky News this morning. |
| Updated at 12.36am BST | Updated at 12.36am BST |
| 11.43pm BST23:43 | 11.43pm BST23:43 |
| What would John Howard do? | What would John Howard do? |
| Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
| Just for the record, here’s what Josh Frydenberg said on asylum this morning. | Just for the record, here’s what Josh Frydenberg said on asylum this morning. |
| Maybe what John Howard did in 1999 with the Kosovans could be a bit of a guide for us. He took 4000 at that time. | Maybe what John Howard did in 1999 with the Kosovans could be a bit of a guide for us. He took 4000 at that time. |
| Some of those went home, but he did provide humanitarian response and shelter for those people who are fleeing persecution. | Some of those went home, but he did provide humanitarian response and shelter for those people who are fleeing persecution. |
| There is a very good case here for a specific response to what we are seeing from those tragic pictures in Europe. | There is a very good case here for a specific response to what we are seeing from those tragic pictures in Europe. |
| Updated at 12.02am BST | Updated at 12.02am BST |
| 11.39pm BST23:39 | 11.39pm BST23:39 |
| Speaking of jogging on the spot, the trade minister, Andrew Robb, is being asked whether he agrees with Josh Frydenberg’s call this morning to do more on refugees. Does Robb agree with Frydenberg’s argument that John Howard during his prime ministership made an exception for refugees from Kosovo, so Tony Abbott could do the same thing with the Syrians now? | Speaking of jogging on the spot, the trade minister, Andrew Robb, is being asked whether he agrees with Josh Frydenberg’s call this morning to do more on refugees. Does Robb agree with Frydenberg’s argument that John Howard during his prime ministership made an exception for refugees from Kosovo, so Tony Abbott could do the same thing with the Syrians now? |
| Andrew Robb: | Andrew Robb: |
| We’ll have to wait and see. We’ll do this in a considered way. | We’ll have to wait and see. We’ll do this in a considered way. |
| Updated at 12.01am BST | Updated at 12.01am BST |
| 11.35pm BST23:35 | 11.35pm BST23:35 |
| Mikearoo threw in a question to our star baker about whether or not he intended to centrally approve all stunts performed by Xenophon candidates in the forthcoming federal election. This would, to our observation, be a full time gig. Xenophon reserved his position. | Mikearoo threw in a question to our star baker about whether or not he intended to centrally approve all stunts performed by Xenophon candidates in the forthcoming federal election. This would, to our observation, be a full time gig. Xenophon reserved his position. |
| Speaking of reserving positions and keeping options open – if you are confused by the prime minister on Syrian refugees this morning, don’t worry. | Speaking of reserving positions and keeping options open – if you are confused by the prime minister on Syrian refugees this morning, don’t worry. |
| Tony Abbott is in fact saying we will do more and we will not do more, simultaneously. Jogging on the spot. Keeping an eye to the prevailing winds. | Tony Abbott is in fact saying we will do more and we will not do more, simultaneously. Jogging on the spot. Keeping an eye to the prevailing winds. |
| Yes, no, maybe. Strong and cuddly. | Yes, no, maybe. Strong and cuddly. |
| 11.27pm BST23:27 | 11.27pm BST23:27 |
| Good morning, Mikearoo, and good morning, Nick Xenophon, who has whipped up a submarine cake to remind the prime minister about his pre-election promise to build submarines in Adelaide. | Good morning, Mikearoo, and good morning, Nick Xenophon, who has whipped up a submarine cake to remind the prime minister about his pre-election promise to build submarines in Adelaide. |
| Happy days on the doors. | Happy days on the doors. |
| Updated at 12.00am BST | Updated at 12.00am BST |
| 11.23pm BST23:23 | 11.23pm BST23:23 |
| Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
| Ever the optimist, the assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, on Sky just now, on the new Newspoll: | Ever the optimist, the assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, on Sky just now, on the new Newspoll: |
| There’s also a glass half full in every poll, and I can see that our primary vote has gone up in today’s poll. | There’s also a glass half full in every poll, and I can see that our primary vote has gone up in today’s poll. |
| Phil Hudson, writing in the Australian about the Newspoll and the government’s primary vote. | Phil Hudson, writing in the Australian about the Newspoll and the government’s primary vote. |
| The poll of 1655 voters shows the Coalition’s primary vote recovered one point over the past fortnight to 39% but is 6.6 points lower than the election-winning result of 45.6%. | The poll of 1655 voters shows the Coalition’s primary vote recovered one point over the past fortnight to 39% but is 6.6 points lower than the election-winning result of 45.6%. |
| Updated at 11.59pm BST | Updated at 11.59pm BST |
| 11.20pm BST23:20 | 11.20pm BST23:20 |
| A cunning (invisible) plan and Canberra gossip | A cunning (invisible) plan and Canberra gossip |
| Out at potting mix central, the prime minister also got a couple of questions on polls and internals. Answering a question about the clear poll trend that shows the government would be cleaned up in any election held now, Tony Abbott offered ... | Out at potting mix central, the prime minister also got a couple of questions on polls and internals. Answering a question about the clear poll trend that shows the government would be cleaned up in any election held now, Tony Abbott offered ... |
| We are sticking with the plan. We have a plan to get taxes down, to get regulation down, to get productivity up, to create jobs, to reduce taxes, to boost prosperity. The plan is working and we are sticking with it. | We are sticking with the plan. We have a plan to get taxes down, to get regulation down, to get productivity up, to create jobs, to reduce taxes, to boost prosperity. The plan is working and we are sticking with it. |
| (The Plan. The Plan. The Plan. If I can ever leave my desk and get to a press conference I’ll inquire what this plan actually is because it’s not entirely evident from my slightly distant live post. A cunning plan, this one.) | (The Plan. The Plan. The Plan. If I can ever leave my desk and get to a press conference I’ll inquire what this plan actually is because it’s not entirely evident from my slightly distant live post. A cunning plan, this one.) |
| Then about the burst of Get Hockey which I flagged first up. How frustrating are the continuing reports about Hockey’s future? | Then about the burst of Get Hockey which I flagged first up. How frustrating are the continuing reports about Hockey’s future? |
| Abbott: | Abbott: |
| I just don’t get into Canberra gossip. | I just don’t get into Canberra gossip. |
| (Apart from suggesting none too gently on breakfast TV this morning that the treasurer may or may not be the treasurer this time next year, that is. Apart from that digression, our prime minister is a strictly gossip free zone.) | (Apart from suggesting none too gently on breakfast TV this morning that the treasurer may or may not be the treasurer this time next year, that is. Apart from that digression, our prime minister is a strictly gossip free zone.) |
| In Turkey, interviewed by the ABC after a weekend G20 meeting, Joe Hockey for his part had the official talking point too. How about all this static around you and your position as treasurer? | In Turkey, interviewed by the ABC after a weekend G20 meeting, Joe Hockey for his part had the official talking point too. How about all this static around you and your position as treasurer? |
| Joe Hockey: | Joe Hockey: |
| That’s just gossip. I’m focused on doing the job the treasurer should do. | That’s just gossip. I’m focused on doing the job the treasurer should do. |
| I don’t respond to gossip. | I don’t respond to gossip. |
| Updated at 11.58pm BST | Updated at 11.58pm BST |
| 11.06pm BST23:06 | 11.06pm BST23:06 |
| The assault of the open microphone continues. Tony Abbott is now outside in Pialligo flanked by about 10 colleagues. He’s moved to a press conference. | The assault of the open microphone continues. Tony Abbott is now outside in Pialligo flanked by about 10 colleagues. He’s moved to a press conference. |
| Abbott is asked about Josh Frydenberg’s off piste comments which I referenced in the first post: Australia can do more and should do more. | Abbott is asked about Josh Frydenberg’s off piste comments which I referenced in the first post: Australia can do more and should do more. |
| Q: What would you say to him and other Liberal members that would like to see an increased intake from Syria the overall humanitarian intake from Australia? | Q: What would you say to him and other Liberal members that would like to see an increased intake from Syria the overall humanitarian intake from Australia? |
| Abbott: | Abbott: |
| That is exactly what we are doing. Last year, the conflict in Syria and Iraq was responsible for some 30% of our overall intake. The overall intake is going up to 18,000 in the next couple of years. This is one of the dividends of stopping the boats. Because we have stopped the boats, it’s the Australian government which is now able to select people who come in under our refugee and humanitarian intake. | That is exactly what we are doing. Last year, the conflict in Syria and Iraq was responsible for some 30% of our overall intake. The overall intake is going up to 18,000 in the next couple of years. This is one of the dividends of stopping the boats. Because we have stopped the boats, it’s the Australian government which is now able to select people who come in under our refugee and humanitarian intake. |
| Under the former government it was the people smugglers doing the selection. So now we are in a position to say there is a crisis in Syria. We are prepared to respond. And we will take from camps family groups of persecuted minorities. | Under the former government it was the people smugglers doing the selection. So now we are in a position to say there is a crisis in Syria. We are prepared to respond. And we will take from camps family groups of persecuted minorities. |
| That is what we will do. | That is what we will do. |
| Q: New Zealand prime minister John Key is going to take hundreds of extra Syrian refugees above their annual humanitarian intake of 750. Can you see any circumstance in which Australia should take increased Syrian refugees outside of the humanitarian intake that we are already taking in? | Q: New Zealand prime minister John Key is going to take hundreds of extra Syrian refugees above their annual humanitarian intake of 750. Can you see any circumstance in which Australia should take increased Syrian refugees outside of the humanitarian intake that we are already taking in? |
| Abbott: | Abbott: |
| I think your question says it all. New Zealand takes 700. We take 13,750 now, and we are building up to 18,000. On a per capita basis Australia takes more refugees through the UN high commissioner for refugees than any other country. | I think your question says it all. New Zealand takes 700. We take 13,750 now, and we are building up to 18,000. On a per capita basis Australia takes more refugees through the UN high commissioner for refugees than any other country. |
| And, yes, good on New Zealand for announcing that they’re going to take a few hundred. Australia has already taken 4500. Australia has already taken 4500 and, yes, we will do more. We will do more because this is an ongoing crisis. | And, yes, good on New Zealand for announcing that they’re going to take a few hundred. Australia has already taken 4500. Australia has already taken 4500 and, yes, we will do more. We will do more because this is an ongoing crisis. |
| Q: If the UNHCR suggests to minister Dutton we should increase Australia’s humanitarian intake would that be considered by the Abbott government? | Q: If the UNHCR suggests to minister Dutton we should increase Australia’s humanitarian intake would that be considered by the Abbott government? |
| Abbott: | Abbott: |
| Let’s not pre-empt the results of those discussions. | Let’s not pre-empt the results of those discussions. |
| What we are determined to do is to take more people from Syria and that war-torn part of the world as a response to this particular crisis, but again I stress we are taking people from camps because the last thing we want to do is to encourage and reward people smuggling. | What we are determined to do is to take more people from Syria and that war-torn part of the world as a response to this particular crisis, but again I stress we are taking people from camps because the last thing we want to do is to encourage and reward people smuggling. |
| We are taking people from camps and we are taking family groups; our focus will be on family groups, from persecuted minorities. | We are taking people from camps and we are taking family groups; our focus will be on family groups, from persecuted minorities. |
| Updated at 11.57pm BST | Updated at 11.57pm BST |
| 10.51pm BST22:51 | 10.51pm BST22:51 |
| A morning of strong expectations and stepping up | A morning of strong expectations and stepping up |
| Hello lovely people and welcome to Monday in Canberra. It’s only early in the parliamentary day but the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, is winging his way to Geneva for talks on the Syrian refugee crisis. The prime minister is in Pialligo, a place of potting mix, garden ornaments, hipster pottery and smoked goods. Tony Abbott’s purpose in Pialligo is to be open for business, to have a plan, and stick to it. | Hello lovely people and welcome to Monday in Canberra. It’s only early in the parliamentary day but the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, is winging his way to Geneva for talks on the Syrian refugee crisis. The prime minister is in Pialligo, a place of potting mix, garden ornaments, hipster pottery and smoked goods. Tony Abbott’s purpose in Pialligo is to be open for business, to have a plan, and stick to it. |
| The prime minister has done a live cross to breakfast television, where he is asked whether Australia should boost its refugee intake to the level under the previous Labor government, not just take more people from Syria from within the current quota, which is what the prime minister has signalled his government will do. | The prime minister has done a live cross to breakfast television, where he is asked whether Australia should boost its refugee intake to the level under the previous Labor government, not just take more people from Syria from within the current quota, which is what the prime minister has signalled his government will do. |
| Tony Abbott thinks probs not ... | Tony Abbott thinks probs not ... |
| Let’s not forget under the former government that number [the humanitarian intake] was filled by the people smugglers. | Let’s not forget under the former government that number [the humanitarian intake] was filled by the people smugglers. |
| But then again ... | But then again ... |
| We are looking at what more we can do. As well as a strong security response we need a strong humanitarian one. | We are looking at what more we can do. As well as a strong security response we need a strong humanitarian one. |
| (Separately on Sky News, the assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, thinks Australia can do more and should do more. Separately again on Radio National, the opposition defence spokesman, Stephen Conroy, points to Labor’s commitment to double the humanitarian intake, from 13,000 to 27,000. That is stepping up.) | (Separately on Sky News, the assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, thinks Australia can do more and should do more. Separately again on Radio National, the opposition defence spokesman, Stephen Conroy, points to Labor’s commitment to double the humanitarian intake, from 13,000 to 27,000. That is stepping up.) |
| Switching back to Abbott, the prime minister notes that Australia is involved in airstrikes against the death cult, and he reasons it is very important to do what we can over time to restore order in a difficult part of the world. (Hint hint. Better bomb Syria. Hint hint.) If your eyes have been firmly elsewhere during the non-sitting weeks, we expect the government to make a decision about whether to expand Australia’s operations into Syria this week. Labor thus far has only supported action in Iraq. (Separately on Radio National, Stephen Conroy: when it comes to Syria, we need a briefing, and we need legal advice. We want answers before we give a commitment.) | Switching back to Abbott, the prime minister notes that Australia is involved in airstrikes against the death cult, and he reasons it is very important to do what we can over time to restore order in a difficult part of the world. (Hint hint. Better bomb Syria. Hint hint.) If your eyes have been firmly elsewhere during the non-sitting weeks, we expect the government to make a decision about whether to expand Australia’s operations into Syria this week. Labor thus far has only supported action in Iraq. (Separately on Radio National, Stephen Conroy: when it comes to Syria, we need a briefing, and we need legal advice. We want answers before we give a commitment.) |
| Switching back to Pialligo, the prime minister is also asked about the Newspoll on the government’s second anniversary of taking power. Like the 29 Newspolls before it, it shows Labor would win a federal election held today at a gallop. Abbott is pointed towards his disapproval rating of 63%. | Switching back to Pialligo, the prime minister is also asked about the Newspoll on the government’s second anniversary of taking power. Like the 29 Newspolls before it, it shows Labor would win a federal election held today at a gallop. Abbott is pointed towards his disapproval rating of 63%. |
| Q: How does that make you feel today? | Q: How does that make you feel today? |
| There’s a sense in which politicians can never work hard enough. | There’s a sense in which politicians can never work hard enough. |
| There’s always a long way to go, but we have a plan, Sam, and we are sticking to the plan. | There’s always a long way to go, but we have a plan, Sam, and we are sticking to the plan. |
| Q: Will Joe Hockey still be the treasurer if the government gets a three-year anniversary? | Q: Will Joe Hockey still be the treasurer if the government gets a three-year anniversary? |
| That’s my very strong expectation, Sam. | That’s my very strong expectation, Sam. |
| Gulp. Again if you’ve had your eyes firmly averted during the non-sitting period, there’s been a unseemly burst of “get Joe” – colleagues briefing various reporters anonymously about the treasurer’s deficiencies. There seems to be some persistent sort of delusion in some quarters of the government that dumping Joe Hockey will solve the government’s problems. It really won’t, but by all means, dream on good peeps. | Gulp. Again if you’ve had your eyes firmly averted during the non-sitting period, there’s been a unseemly burst of “get Joe” – colleagues briefing various reporters anonymously about the treasurer’s deficiencies. There seems to be some persistent sort of delusion in some quarters of the government that dumping Joe Hockey will solve the government’s problems. It really won’t, but by all means, dream on good peeps. |
| That’s enough for a first post. Apologies for choppy opening. Our politicians are lurching on to every open microphone available. They’ve missed you all, and I confess, so have I. Clear your throats and flex your fingers. The Politics Live comments thread is open for your business and you can find Mikearoo and me on the twits @murpharoo and @mpbowers | That’s enough for a first post. Apologies for choppy opening. Our politicians are lurching on to every open microphone available. They’ve missed you all, and I confess, so have I. Clear your throats and flex your fingers. The Politics Live comments thread is open for your business and you can find Mikearoo and me on the twits @murpharoo and @mpbowers |
| Buckle in. Here comes Monday. | Buckle in. Here comes Monday. |
| Updated at 11.54pm BST | Updated at 11.54pm BST |