This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/sep/09/abbott-expected-to-confirm-syrian-airstrikes-and-a-refugee-package-politics-live
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Australia to accept an extra 12,000 Syrian refugees and join air strikes against Isis in Syria – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.28am BST03:28 | |
| He’s asked whether this military campaign is an open commitment, and is he concerned that Australia may be entering a wider conflict – involving US forces and Russian forces? | |
| Tony Abbott: | |
| Well, I don’t think there is a real risk of that. I don’t think there is a real risk of that although it is well known that Russia has been a supporter of the Assad regime. That’s been the case for years, many, many years indeed. And given the difficulty and the pressure that the Assad regime is under, it’s not really surprising that the Russians have lifted their level of support for the Assad regime. | |
| I just want to stress that we are targeting Daesh. We are targeting the death cult. That is where our strikes will be directed. We have no legal basis at this point in time for wider strikes in Syria and we don’t intend to make wider strikes in Syria. | |
| Do we want Assad gone? Of course we do. | |
| Do our military operations contribute to that at this time? | |
| No, they don’t. | |
| 3.25am BST03:25 | |
| Abbott is asked why he thought at the weekend that we should not expand the current humanitarian quota and three days later he’s unveiling a package with a special 12,000 intake. | |
| The prime minister says he didn’t want to be rash. | |
| Well, it’s important that we act with our head as well as with our heart here. I really do want to stress that and while I think we are all in the grip of grief, really, as we saw the tragedy unfolding on our television screens, the responsibility of government, the responsibility of prime ministers in particular is to act in a measured and considered way – and I didn’t want to rush into something before receiving advice. | |
| 3.23am BST03:23 | |
| Questions now. | |
| Q: The extra 12,000 refugees, is there any element of a bring forward from the expansion? They’re all brand new? | |
| Tony Abbott: | |
| They’re all over and above the existing program and as you know, the program is 13,750 this year and next year 16,250 the year after that and 18,750 in the final year. So this is 12,000 in addition to that. | |
| Q: By singling out persecuted minorities, you’re sending a message to Muslims in Australia that we’re discriminating against them? | |
| Well look, I can certainly appreciate the importance of ensuring that that isn’t the case, Paul. | |
| It certainly isn’t the case. | |
| 3.18am BST03:18 | |
| Here’s the military action. We are going after Daesh, not Assad, Abbott says. | |
| The government has also decided to extend Australia’s current air strikes against Daesh in Iraq to Daesh targets in Syria as well. | |
| There can be no stability and no end to the persecution and suffering in the Middle East until the Daesh death cult is degraded and ultimately destroyed. | |
| That’s what our armed forces are doing in Iraq and we need to do it in Syria too. | |
| As we all know, Daesh does not respect borders and its onslaught in Iraq is supported from bases in Syria. We cannot defeat Daesh in Iraq without defeating Daesh in Syria too. | |
| I emphasise that our aircraft will be targeting Daesh, not the Assad regime, evil though it is. | |
| 3.15am BST03:15 | |
| Here’s the money. | |
| The government is also announcing that we will directly pay for the support of 240,000 displaced people in countries neighbouring Syria and Iraq through the UNHCR and other agencies. This additional direct assistance will deliver food and blankets and other emergency supplies for the coming winter and is expected to cost $44m – bringing to $230m our total humanitarian contribution to the Syria/Iraq conflict. | |
| 3.14am BST03:14 | |
| Tony Abbott addresses reporters | |
| The prime minister’s opening remarks confirm the new intake will be permanent places. | |
| These will be permanent resettlement places over and above Australia’s existing humanitarian program of 13,750 this year rising to 18,750 in 3 years time. | |
| This is a very significant increase in Australia’s humanitarian intake and it’s a generous response to the current emergency. | |
| As I indicated yesterday, and confirmed today, our focus for these new 12,000 permanent resettlement places will be those people most in need of permanent protection – women, children and families from persecuted minorities who have sought temporary refuge in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. | |
| I do want to stress women, children and families, the most vulnerable of all. | |
| We will move very quickly but everyone who is resettled in Australia will be subject to the usual security, health and character checks. These checks are absolutely necessary. We must play our part in this humanitarian crisis but as prime minister I must always act in our national interest to promote community safety. | |
| 3.10am BST03:10 | |
| TWO FLAGS = TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS. 12,000 refugees + $44million to UNHCR and bombing IS in Syria. pic.twitter.com/ZDOz610GHU | |
| 2.56am BST02:56 | |
| The prime minister will address reporters in fifteen minutes. I expect he will confirm senator Bernardi’s announcement. | |
| Updated at 2.57am BST | |
| 2.53am BST02:53 | 2.53am BST02:53 |
| The ABC has just caught the Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who has been concerned about “opportunism” in the current wave of migration sweeping through Europe. | The ABC has just caught the Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who has been concerned about “opportunism” in the current wave of migration sweeping through Europe. |
| But today, all smiles. | But today, all smiles. |
| For someone who’s been an advocate for persecuted Christians in the Middle East for many, many years, this is excellent news. Essentially, they’ve brought forward the increase in the humanitarian intake that was scheduled for 2018, they’ve brought it forward to today and they’re going to increase by a couple of thousand. | For someone who’s been an advocate for persecuted Christians in the Middle East for many, many years, this is excellent news. Essentially, they’ve brought forward the increase in the humanitarian intake that was scheduled for 2018, they’ve brought it forward to today and they’re going to increase by a couple of thousand. |
| It is good news. | It is good news. |
| Q: The immigration minister Peter Dutton said Australians would be proud of this response, that it is a generous response. Do you think it is that? | Q: The immigration minister Peter Dutton said Australians would be proud of this response, that it is a generous response. Do you think it is that? |
| I think it’s absolutely generous but I also think it’s in accordance with the sentiment thatAustralians are feeling at the moment. We want to do something but we want to make sure we’re acting with our heads not just our hearts. We want to make sure we’re acting in Australia’s national interest and that we’re helping those who are most vulnerable – and the most vulnerable people in the Middle East quite frankly are persecuted Christians, women, children and families. | I think it’s absolutely generous but I also think it’s in accordance with the sentiment thatAustralians are feeling at the moment. We want to do something but we want to make sure we’re acting with our heads not just our hearts. We want to make sure we’re acting in Australia’s national interest and that we’re helping those who are most vulnerable – and the most vulnerable people in the Middle East quite frankly are persecuted Christians, women, children and families. |
| 2.48am BST02:48 | 2.48am BST02:48 |
| We’ve just published a story about polling that shows a majority of the community supports increasing the intake of refugees. | We’ve just published a story about polling that shows a majority of the community supports increasing the intake of refugees. |
| Here are the key stats. | Here are the key stats. |
| Some additional context from Lenore Taylor. | Some additional context from Lenore Taylor. |
| Both major parties went to the last election promising that no asylum seekers arriving by boat would be resettled in Australia and all would be processed offshore, and a Lowy Institute poll taken last year showed 71% of those surveyed backed the policy of turning back boats. | Both major parties went to the last election promising that no asylum seekers arriving by boat would be resettled in Australia and all would be processed offshore, and a Lowy Institute poll taken last year showed 71% of those surveyed backed the policy of turning back boats. |
| 2.41am BST02:41 | 2.41am BST02:41 |
| Some quick points of clarification. | Some quick points of clarification. |
| 2.31am BST02:31 | 2.31am BST02:31 |
| Just by the by. My colleague Daniel Hurst has asked the prime minister’s office about the Telegraph report indicating that Tony Abbott had told defence chiefs he wanted an airstrike by week’s end. They have declined to confirm. | Just by the by. My colleague Daniel Hurst has asked the prime minister’s office about the Telegraph report indicating that Tony Abbott had told defence chiefs he wanted an airstrike by week’s end. They have declined to confirm. |
| 2.28am BST02:28 | 2.28am BST02:28 |
| The Coalition has also approved airstrikes in Syria. | The Coalition has also approved airstrikes in Syria. |
| 2.26am BST02:26 | 2.26am BST02:26 |
| Apologies, the number for the UNCHR and agencies is $44m, according to party sources. | Apologies, the number for the UNCHR and agencies is $44m, according to party sources. |
| Updated at 2.28am BST | Updated at 2.28am BST |
| 2.22am BST02:22 | 2.22am BST02:22 |
| Coalition party room has agreed to accept 12 000 refugees from persecuted minorities & about $40 million for @UNrefugees #auspol @abcnews | Coalition party room has agreed to accept 12 000 refugees from persecuted minorities & about $40 million for @UNrefugees #auspol @abcnews |
| 2.21am BST02:21 | 2.21am BST02:21 |
| The Coalition party room has wrapped, so I suspect the various confirmations are not far away. Numbers this morning about the refugee intake have been more than 10,000, 12,000 and 13,000. 12,000 is the number coming out if the partyroom. We’ll see shortly. | The Coalition party room has wrapped, so I suspect the various confirmations are not far away. Numbers this morning about the refugee intake have been more than 10,000, 12,000 and 13,000. 12,000 is the number coming out if the partyroom. We’ll see shortly. |
| 2.16am BST02:16 | 2.16am BST02:16 |
| Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
| At his event this morning, social services minister Scott Morrison has indicated that the government will drop its plans to scrap the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) due to lack of support in parliament for the move. The Coalition introduced legislation in early 2014 to abolish the regulator, but the legislation has languished as the government struggles to convince Labor and the crossbench to support it. Morrison on Wednesday told reporters that he had “consulted widely, and there is very strong support for the ACNC, and I don’t believe there would be support in the Senate for there to be any change”. | At his event this morning, social services minister Scott Morrison has indicated that the government will drop its plans to scrap the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) due to lack of support in parliament for the move. The Coalition introduced legislation in early 2014 to abolish the regulator, but the legislation has languished as the government struggles to convince Labor and the crossbench to support it. Morrison on Wednesday told reporters that he had “consulted widely, and there is very strong support for the ACNC, and I don’t believe there would be support in the Senate for there to be any change”. |
| 2.08am BST02:08 | 2.08am BST02:08 |
| Love this sequence of the social services minister Scott Morrison, who has been delivering a speech this morning. | Love this sequence of the social services minister Scott Morrison, who has been delivering a speech this morning. |
| 2.04am BST02:04 | 2.04am BST02:04 |
| I’m still shaking my head about airstrikes by the end of the week. | I’m still shaking my head about airstrikes by the end of the week. |
| One, that you’d think it. Two, that you’d tell a journalist that you are thinking it. | One, that you’d think it. Two, that you’d tell a journalist that you are thinking it. |
| 1.57am BST01:57 | 1.57am BST01:57 |
| NSW Premier Mike Baird on which refugees from Syria should get priority "A life is a life is my response" | NSW Premier Mike Baird on which refugees from Syria should get priority "A life is a life is my response" |
| 1.53am BST01:53 | 1.53am BST01:53 |
| Thanks to readers who have ventured thoughts in the thread and on Twitter about political memoirs. Not surprised to see a showing for Don Watson’s bleeding heart, it is marvellous. My good friend Tom Dusevic on Twitter has also prodded me to nominate James Button’s book Speechless as a must-read. It’s a gem. Keep the thoughts coming. I’m interested to see if you can all recommend some new reading for me. | Thanks to readers who have ventured thoughts in the thread and on Twitter about political memoirs. Not surprised to see a showing for Don Watson’s bleeding heart, it is marvellous. My good friend Tom Dusevic on Twitter has also prodded me to nominate James Button’s book Speechless as a must-read. It’s a gem. Keep the thoughts coming. I’m interested to see if you can all recommend some new reading for me. |
| Updated at 2.09am BST | Updated at 2.09am BST |
| 1.39am BST01:39 | 1.39am BST01:39 |
| Bombs. Stat. | Bombs. Stat. |
| Man, I can’t believe I missed this in my morning survey, apologies. | Man, I can’t believe I missed this in my morning survey, apologies. |
| On Syria and airstrikes, the Daily Telegraph is quoting an intelligence source indicating the prime minister has “told defence chiefs that if and when the decision was made, he wanted at least one air strike by the end of this week”. | On Syria and airstrikes, the Daily Telegraph is quoting an intelligence source indicating the prime minister has “told defence chiefs that if and when the decision was made, he wanted at least one air strike by the end of this week”. |
| I don’t know about you, but I find the haste somewhat disconcerting. What do we want? Airstrikes. When do we want them? Now. | I don’t know about you, but I find the haste somewhat disconcerting. What do we want? Airstrikes. When do we want them? Now. |
| Updated at 2.05am BST | Updated at 2.05am BST |
| 1.30am BST01:30 | 1.30am BST01:30 |
| One person's generosity ... | One person's generosity ... |
| Another perspective on generosity from World Vision chief executive, Tim Costello. | Another perspective on generosity from World Vision chief executive, Tim Costello. |
| Well a generous response in terms of our share, Australia’s share of funding this crisis, would be $144m in this year. The government keeps saying we’ve been generous because we’ve given $150m over the last four years. But the global Syrian appeal figures show that Australia’s share is $144m and we’ve only given $16m, so it’s a huge jump. And that really is the big game changer because we’re running out of food. The conditions are desperate. People therefore are fleeing. And the world hasn’t funded the Syrian refugee crisis adequately. In fact, it’s 65% under-subscribed. | Well a generous response in terms of our share, Australia’s share of funding this crisis, would be $144m in this year. The government keeps saying we’ve been generous because we’ve given $150m over the last four years. But the global Syrian appeal figures show that Australia’s share is $144m and we’ve only given $16m, so it’s a huge jump. And that really is the big game changer because we’re running out of food. The conditions are desperate. People therefore are fleeing. And the world hasn’t funded the Syrian refugee crisis adequately. In fact, it’s 65% under-subscribed. |
| Q: Okay. And you’re also suggesting that we should take an intake of refugees of 30,000. Would anything less seem less generous? | Q: Okay. And you’re also suggesting that we should take an intake of refugees of 30,000. Would anything less seem less generous? |
| Tim Costello: | Tim Costello: |
| Look, at the end of the day the intake is sort of the pimple on the hippopotamus. It’s small because “generous” has now redefined by Germany, with 800,000. | Look, at the end of the day the intake is sort of the pimple on the hippopotamus. It’s small because “generous” has now redefined by Germany, with 800,000. |
| On a per capita basis for Australia to be generous we’d increase our intake by 215,000. No-one’s suggesting that. We’re going between 10 to 20 to 30. We were at 20,000 just two years ago. It was cut by 30% by the Abbott government when they came to power. So just restoring it to where we were two years ago is 20,000. Generous, we would say, is 30,000. But that’s a very small number and it’s not really the main game. | On a per capita basis for Australia to be generous we’d increase our intake by 215,000. No-one’s suggesting that. We’re going between 10 to 20 to 30. We were at 20,000 just two years ago. It was cut by 30% by the Abbott government when they came to power. So just restoring it to where we were two years ago is 20,000. Generous, we would say, is 30,000. But that’s a very small number and it’s not really the main game. |
| He made these comments on the AM program this morning. | He made these comments on the AM program this morning. |
| 1.21am BST01:21 | 1.21am BST01:21 |
| Shorten’s slap then at George Christensen was mild compared to the Labor MP Graham Perrett. Have a look. | Shorten’s slap then at George Christensen was mild compared to the Labor MP Graham Perrett. Have a look. |
| @GChristensenMP If you have a look at yourself in the mirror you'll realise how easy it is for people to pose as Christians. | @GChristensenMP If you have a look at yourself in the mirror you'll realise how easy it is for people to pose as Christians. |
| 1.18am BST01:18 | 1.18am BST01:18 |
| Shorten is asked by a reporter whether he still believes fair trade is bullshit. Shorten says he made that remark at a union meeting 15 years ago. On the China free trade agreement, Shorten says the Abbott government should just negotiate. | Shorten is asked by a reporter whether he still believes fair trade is bullshit. Shorten says he made that remark at a union meeting 15 years ago. On the China free trade agreement, Shorten says the Abbott government should just negotiate. |
| We want to to make sure that the skills of people coming into Australia are up to Australian standards. And we also want to make sure there’s no undercutting of Australian wages. Our position is entirely reasonable. It’s entirely sensible and no amount of shouting from the government ... they should just negotiate. | We want to to make sure that the skills of people coming into Australia are up to Australian standards. And we also want to make sure there’s no undercutting of Australian wages. Our position is entirely reasonable. It’s entirely sensible and no amount of shouting from the government ... they should just negotiate. |
| Updated at 2.07am BST | Updated at 2.07am BST |
| 1.16am BST01:16 | 1.16am BST01:16 |
| Shorten says he’s not yet been briefed by the government on the decisions about military intervention in Syria or the refugee intake. | Shorten says he’s not yet been briefed by the government on the decisions about military intervention in Syria or the refugee intake. |
| Q: Do you think Australia could get itself into trouble on international law, given we don’t have an invitation from Assad to launch those airstrikes? | Q: Do you think Australia could get itself into trouble on international law, given we don’t have an invitation from Assad to launch those airstrikes? |
| Bill Shorten: | Bill Shorten: |
| I have seen some legal opinions which go the way you’re saying but I have seen other legal opinions which talk about the notion of collective self-defence. That is the proposition, as I understand it, put simply, where a nation is entitled to defend itself. | I have seen some legal opinions which go the way you’re saying but I have seen other legal opinions which talk about the notion of collective self-defence. That is the proposition, as I understand it, put simply, where a nation is entitled to defend itself. |
| Where there is incursions from across the border and there’s nothing being done in that country to stop those incursions, that is an established legal principle: that you can cross that border in the immediate effort to defeat those people seeking to come into your country and cause the death and violence. | Where there is incursions from across the border and there’s nothing being done in that country to stop those incursions, that is an established legal principle: that you can cross that border in the immediate effort to defeat those people seeking to come into your country and cause the death and violence. |
| 1.11am BST01:11 | 1.11am BST01:11 |
| There’s no point in bringing refugees here if we’re not going to defend them when they’re here | There’s no point in bringing refugees here if we’re not going to defend them when they’re here |
| Q: The government looks set to announce a one-off intake of refugees of up to 13,000. Is this a move that you welcome? | Q: The government looks set to announce a one-off intake of refugees of up to 13,000. Is this a move that you welcome? |
| Bill Shorten: | Bill Shorten: |
| I would be really pleased if Mr Abbott and his Liberals join this community upsurge, join Labor and say: yes, we can be more compassionate and decent in terms of the number of refugees we can take. For me, it’s not when he makes that decision, it’s that he makes the decision. I would be really pleased if Mr Abbott hears the calls of people in the community, of people in his own ranks, of Labor, and together he says: we can do more as a nation that we’re already doing. | I would be really pleased if Mr Abbott and his Liberals join this community upsurge, join Labor and say: yes, we can be more compassionate and decent in terms of the number of refugees we can take. For me, it’s not when he makes that decision, it’s that he makes the decision. I would be really pleased if Mr Abbott hears the calls of people in the community, of people in his own ranks, of Labor, and together he says: we can do more as a nation that we’re already doing. |
| But it’s very important that Mr Abbott rein in some of his MPs on the far right who are saying that somehow taking more refugees will cost Australian jobs. We need to stamp out that sort of ridiculous rubbish and call it for what it is. | But it’s very important that Mr Abbott rein in some of his MPs on the far right who are saying that somehow taking more refugees will cost Australian jobs. We need to stamp out that sort of ridiculous rubbish and call it for what it is. |
| (He means George Christensen). | (He means George Christensen). |
| Q: A report says it would be a one-off intake. Is that appropriate given we don’t know how long the Syrian conflict will last and we’re about to in every likelihood join the US coalition there? | Q: A report says it would be a one-off intake. Is that appropriate given we don’t know how long the Syrian conflict will last and we’re about to in every likelihood join the US coalition there? |
| I think that any proposition which takes 10,000 or 13,000 refugees, we have to recognise as you say, this conflict will go on for some period of time. So I’m not sure that simply saying it’s just a short-term temporary measure and that everyone will just be sent home, I’m not sure that’s realistic. | I think that any proposition which takes 10,000 or 13,000 refugees, we have to recognise as you say, this conflict will go on for some period of time. So I’m not sure that simply saying it’s just a short-term temporary measure and that everyone will just be sent home, I’m not sure that’s realistic. |
| So I think that we need to make sure that if we’re going to do the job of taking in refugees, let’s do it right. Let’s do it right first time. Let’s do it properly. Let’s not trying to be cut corners or play any games. | So I think that we need to make sure that if we’re going to do the job of taking in refugees, let’s do it right. Let’s do it right first time. Let’s do it properly. Let’s not trying to be cut corners or play any games. |
| Frankly if Mr Abbott acts today, I welcome it. I will work with him. | Frankly if Mr Abbott acts today, I welcome it. I will work with him. |
| What I’d also say though: leadership does require reining in some of those irresponsible right-wing fringe dwellers – some of the comments I have seen a couple of Mr Abbott’s Liberal MPs make – they’re not internet trolls speaking anonymously. | What I’d also say though: leadership does require reining in some of those irresponsible right-wing fringe dwellers – some of the comments I have seen a couple of Mr Abbott’s Liberal MPs make – they’re not internet trolls speaking anonymously. |
| This is elected members of parliament feeding off the most base, the most ignorant, the most racist parts of Australian political life – and Mr Abbott has to standup and defend these refugees. | This is elected members of parliament feeding off the most base, the most ignorant, the most racist parts of Australian political life – and Mr Abbott has to standup and defend these refugees. |
| There’s no point in bringing refugees here if we’re not going to defend them when they’re here. | There’s no point in bringing refugees here if we’re not going to defend them when they’re here. |
| 1.04am BST01:04 | 1.04am BST01:04 |
| The Labor leader Bill Shorten is out and about this morning talking about the national disability insurance scheme with Labor’s families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin – who says the scheme needs to be rolled out pronto. | The Labor leader Bill Shorten is out and about this morning talking about the national disability insurance scheme with Labor’s families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin – who says the scheme needs to be rolled out pronto. |
| We don’t want any delays. The only thing that is holding it up is Tony Abbott. | We don’t want any delays. The only thing that is holding it up is Tony Abbott. |
| Q: Where’s your NDIS policy and how will you fund it over the forward estimates? | Q: Where’s your NDIS policy and how will you fund it over the forward estimates? |
| Shorten hands that one to Macklin. | Shorten hands that one to Macklin. |
| Labor made sure that the national disability insurance scheme was fully funded. Fully funded in the budget. We announce and put through the parliament, with the support of the then opposition, an increase in the Medicare levy and we made other substantial savings in the budget to make sure that the national disability insurance scheme is fully funded. Now even the current minister says now it is fully funded in the budget. | Labor made sure that the national disability insurance scheme was fully funded. Fully funded in the budget. We announce and put through the parliament, with the support of the then opposition, an increase in the Medicare levy and we made other substantial savings in the budget to make sure that the national disability insurance scheme is fully funded. Now even the current minister says now it is fully funded in the budget. |
| So let’s just put this rubbish to one side. It is rubbish and it is frightening to people with disability to hear people say that there is some question about the funding. There is no question. The money is in the budget. | So let’s just put this rubbish to one side. It is rubbish and it is frightening to people with disability to hear people say that there is some question about the funding. There is no question. The money is in the budget. |
| 12.54am BST00:54 | 12.54am BST00:54 |
| Former National leader Tim Fischer is in town at the moment lobbying on behalf of regional media organisations. Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull is keen to overhaul the existing regulations, but Tony Abbott is not keen to proceed with ownership deregulation unless there is an industry consensus. An industry consensus in the Australian media context is a contradiction in terms. | Former National leader Tim Fischer is in town at the moment lobbying on behalf of regional media organisations. Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull is keen to overhaul the existing regulations, but Tony Abbott is not keen to proceed with ownership deregulation unless there is an industry consensus. An industry consensus in the Australian media context is a contradiction in terms. |
| Tim Fischer is keen to persuade Abbott to press ahead regardless of opposition in some quarters of the industry. He’s told the ABC this morning: | Tim Fischer is keen to persuade Abbott to press ahead regardless of opposition in some quarters of the industry. He’s told the ABC this morning: |
| Our local voices do matter, more than ever before. | Our local voices do matter, more than ever before. |
| 12.36am BST00:36 | 12.36am BST00:36 |
| There’s an interesting read on the Conversation about the impact of Australia’s many political memoirs. Jane Messer from Macquarie University nominates the Latham Diaries as the standout. | There’s an interesting read on the Conversation about the impact of Australia’s many political memoirs. Jane Messer from Macquarie University nominates the Latham Diaries as the standout. |
| Mark Latham’s Latham’s Diaries, originally published in 2005, eclipses all other political memoirs and autobiographies in my research for impact, in terms of readers recalling and engaging with its dissection of the Labor party in the post-Keating years, the Australian political system more broadly, and its insistence that there ought to be serious debate about political philosophy. | Mark Latham’s Latham’s Diaries, originally published in 2005, eclipses all other political memoirs and autobiographies in my research for impact, in terms of readers recalling and engaging with its dissection of the Labor party in the post-Keating years, the Australian political system more broadly, and its insistence that there ought to be serious debate about political philosophy. |
| Whatever one may think of Latham today, this memoir has contributed to debate and critiques of Australian democratic process in the new century. Natalie Mast recently argued on the Conversation that, 10 years on from its publication, “the flaws in our political system that Latham highlighted continue to affect us”. | Whatever one may think of Latham today, this memoir has contributed to debate and critiques of Australian democratic process in the new century. Natalie Mast recently argued on the Conversation that, 10 years on from its publication, “the flaws in our political system that Latham highlighted continue to affect us”. |
| I’m interested in views from readers. Two I’ve enjoyed in recent times: Bob Carr’s Diary of a Foreign Minister, and Christopher Pyne’s Letter to my Children (even if that one is actually a letter to his father). I also loved Michael Cooney’s book on working for Julia Gillard as her speechwriter. | I’m interested in views from readers. Two I’ve enjoyed in recent times: Bob Carr’s Diary of a Foreign Minister, and Christopher Pyne’s Letter to my Children (even if that one is actually a letter to his father). I also loved Michael Cooney’s book on working for Julia Gillard as her speechwriter. |
| What have you read? What have you enjoyed and why? | What have you read? What have you enjoyed and why? |
| Updated at 2.08am BST | Updated at 2.08am BST |
| 12.19am BST00:19 | 12.19am BST00:19 |
| I couldn’t quite stretch to this yesterday but it was worth covering. Fortunately Gareth Hutchens from Fairfax Media could stretch to it. Yesterday the parliamentary budget office released a new analysis of how we are travelling in budgetary terms. The news isn’t marvellous. A decade of deficits. | I couldn’t quite stretch to this yesterday but it was worth covering. Fortunately Gareth Hutchens from Fairfax Media could stretch to it. Yesterday the parliamentary budget office released a new analysis of how we are travelling in budgetary terms. The news isn’t marvellous. A decade of deficits. |
| The Abbott government has reduced its budget black hole by $30bn over the next decade after its deal with Labor to reintroduce fuel excise indexation. But Australia continues to face more than a decade of uninterrupted budget deficits, with $74bn worth of budget repair initiatives still sitting unlegislated — from three previous budgets. An updated assessment by the independent PBO shows the government is facing a cumulative $74bn budget shortfall between now and 2025-26 after failing to win support for controversial savings measures in the senate. | The Abbott government has reduced its budget black hole by $30bn over the next decade after its deal with Labor to reintroduce fuel excise indexation. But Australia continues to face more than a decade of uninterrupted budget deficits, with $74bn worth of budget repair initiatives still sitting unlegislated — from three previous budgets. An updated assessment by the independent PBO shows the government is facing a cumulative $74bn budget shortfall between now and 2025-26 after failing to win support for controversial savings measures in the senate. |
| 11.55pm BST23:55 | 11.55pm BST23:55 |
| There is lots of discussion around this morning about the wisdom of prioritising various religious groups in any one-off humanitarian intake. My colleague Michael Safi has interviewed the grand mufti. | There is lots of discussion around this morning about the wisdom of prioritising various religious groups in any one-off humanitarian intake. My colleague Michael Safi has interviewed the grand mufti. |
| Calls for Christians to be given priority among Syrian refugees are discriminatory and reinforce a sense Muslims “are always going to be vilified in the Australian community”, the country’s highest Sunni authority has said. | Calls for Christians to be given priority among Syrian refugees are discriminatory and reinforce a sense Muslims “are always going to be vilified in the Australian community”, the country’s highest Sunni authority has said. |
| Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, Australia’s grand mufti, said choosing refugees based on religion or ethnicity was the very kind of sectarian thinking “that got Iraq and Syria into the problems they’re facing now”. | Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, Australia’s grand mufti, said choosing refugees based on religion or ethnicity was the very kind of sectarian thinking “that got Iraq and Syria into the problems they’re facing now”. |
| “When it comes to catastrophes such as these we should be prioritising human beings rather than prioritising a certain religion,” he told Guardian Australia. | “When it comes to catastrophes such as these we should be prioritising human beings rather than prioritising a certain religion,” he told Guardian Australia. |
| Labor’s immigration spokesman Richard Marles is in the Sky studio now. | Labor’s immigration spokesman Richard Marles is in the Sky studio now. |
| Need ought to be the basis. | Need ought to be the basis. |
| Need has to be the criteria. | Need has to be the criteria. |
| 11.49pm BST23:49 | 11.49pm BST23:49 |
| Briggs also took the opportunity to chasten George Christensen for his crass populism. Anybody playing to xenophobia or to the current Australian insecurity about jobs isn’t helping, Briggs says. The unhelpfuls include Labor and the trade unions on the China FTA and Christensen on refugees pinching Aussie jobs. | Briggs also took the opportunity to chasten George Christensen for his crass populism. Anybody playing to xenophobia or to the current Australian insecurity about jobs isn’t helping, Briggs says. The unhelpfuls include Labor and the trade unions on the China FTA and Christensen on refugees pinching Aussie jobs. |
| 11.40pm BST23:40 | 11.40pm BST23:40 |
| Assistant infrastructure minister Jamie Briggs is currently telling Sky News Australians will be pleasantly surprised that the government has such a comprehensive security plan and such a comprehensive humanitarian plan. | Assistant infrastructure minister Jamie Briggs is currently telling Sky News Australians will be pleasantly surprised that the government has such a comprehensive security plan and such a comprehensive humanitarian plan. |
| Pleasantly surprised? | Pleasantly surprised? |
| Err.. | Err.. |
| It’s ok. We know what you mean, Jamie. | It’s ok. We know what you mean, Jamie. |
| Updated at 11.41pm BST | Updated at 11.41pm BST |
| 11.37pm BST23:37 | 11.37pm BST23:37 |
| Mike Bowers has been down to check out the rolling cast of characters talking to reporters at the doors of parliament house this morning. | Mike Bowers has been down to check out the rolling cast of characters talking to reporters at the doors of parliament house this morning. |
| Terrific picture of the Phon, isn’t it? | Terrific picture of the Phon, isn’t it? |
| 11.28pm BST23:28 | 11.28pm BST23:28 |
| Speaking of objections and objectionable, Labor senator Jenny McAllister has taken issue this morning with this tweet from the LNP’s George Christensen. | Speaking of objections and objectionable, Labor senator Jenny McAllister has taken issue this morning with this tweet from the LNP’s George Christensen. |
| Labor refugee response is hypocritical. http://t.co/sVVh8a3vAr #auspol #SyrianRefugees #refugeescrisis #refugeecrisis pic.twitter.com/mHwFf4ZO2S | Labor refugee response is hypocritical. http://t.co/sVVh8a3vAr #auspol #SyrianRefugees #refugeescrisis #refugeecrisis pic.twitter.com/mHwFf4ZO2S |
| It takes a great wit to build a segue between the China free trade agreement and the Syrian refugee crisis but Christensen is not a man to be defeated by tasks that seem beyond mere mortals. | It takes a great wit to build a segue between the China free trade agreement and the Syrian refugee crisis but Christensen is not a man to be defeated by tasks that seem beyond mere mortals. |
| He ought to be a bit cautious, though. The backbencher might find himself stranded if his government unveils a generous resettlement package later on today. | He ought to be a bit cautious, though. The backbencher might find himself stranded if his government unveils a generous resettlement package later on today. |
| 11.20pm BST23:20 | 11.20pm BST23:20 |
| This footage of a camerawoman tripping fleeing refugees is the talk of the interwebs this morning. It really is quite unbelievable. | This footage of a camerawoman tripping fleeing refugees is the talk of the interwebs this morning. It really is quite unbelievable. |
| AFP is reporting the Hungarian TV camerawoman was fired Tuesday after the footage appeared. “The woman, later named as Petra Laszlo, can be seen tripping a man sprinting with a child in his arms, and kicking another running child in two separate incidents.” (Thanks to my colleague Greg Jericho, who shared the AFP report in Twitter.) | AFP is reporting the Hungarian TV camerawoman was fired Tuesday after the footage appeared. “The woman, later named as Petra Laszlo, can be seen tripping a man sprinting with a child in his arms, and kicking another running child in two separate incidents.” (Thanks to my colleague Greg Jericho, who shared the AFP report in Twitter.) |
| 11.13pm BST23:13 | 11.13pm BST23:13 |
| Speaking of climate change, it was a surprise to learn on Tuesday evening that the head of the Climate Change Authority, Bernie Fraser, has resigned his post. The CCA is the independent body the Abbott government has tried (thus far unsuccessfully) to abolish as part of winding back Labor’s clean energy package. | Speaking of climate change, it was a surprise to learn on Tuesday evening that the head of the Climate Change Authority, Bernie Fraser, has resigned his post. The CCA is the independent body the Abbott government has tried (thus far unsuccessfully) to abolish as part of winding back Labor’s clean energy package. |
| My colleague Daniel Hurst reminds us in his news story this morning Fraser was recently involved in a public dispute with the environment minister, Greg Hunt, over the government’s assertion that “Labor’s climate policy” would impose a “$600bn carbon bill”. | My colleague Daniel Hurst reminds us in his news story this morning Fraser was recently involved in a public dispute with the environment minister, Greg Hunt, over the government’s assertion that “Labor’s climate policy” would impose a “$600bn carbon bill”. |
| In August, Fraser told Guardian Australia the claim was “weird” and “misleading” and he also raised concern about the adequacy of the Coalition’s goal of reducing emissions by between 26% and 28% of 2005 levels by 2030. | In August, Fraser told Guardian Australia the claim was “weird” and “misleading” and he also raised concern about the adequacy of the Coalition’s goal of reducing emissions by between 26% and 28% of 2005 levels by 2030. |
| Michelle Grattan, political editor at The Conversation, connects the surprise resignation to poor relations with Hunt. | Michelle Grattan, political editor at The Conversation, connects the surprise resignation to poor relations with Hunt. |
| It is believed Fraser – who is a former secretary of the treasury and former governor of the Reserve Bank – had found the minister very difficult to deal with. Hunt was seen as hostile to the authority. The tension with the minister apparently wore Fraser down. The government was angry that it could not abolish the authority because of the Senate, but was forced to retain it in negotiations with Clive Palmer. | It is believed Fraser – who is a former secretary of the treasury and former governor of the Reserve Bank – had found the minister very difficult to deal with. Hunt was seen as hostile to the authority. The tension with the minister apparently wore Fraser down. The government was angry that it could not abolish the authority because of the Senate, but was forced to retain it in negotiations with Clive Palmer. |
| Hunt has thanked Fraser for his service. “He has had an outstanding career in public service, which I deeply respect and acknowledge,” the minister said in a statement. | Hunt has thanked Fraser for his service. “He has had an outstanding career in public service, which I deeply respect and acknowledge,” the minister said in a statement. |
| 11.05pm BST23:05 | 11.05pm BST23:05 |
| After clearing today’s decisions, the prime minister is due to fly to Papua New Guinea to attend the Pacific Islands Forum, where climate change will be a hot button issue. | After clearing today’s decisions, the prime minister is due to fly to Papua New Guinea to attend the Pacific Islands Forum, where climate change will be a hot button issue. |
| From Lisa Martin at the news wire service AAP. | From Lisa Martin at the news wire service AAP. |
| Prime minister Tony Abbott is due to arrive on Wednesday night and Fiji’s prime minister has boycotted the event, sending his foreign minister instead. | Prime minister Tony Abbott is due to arrive on Wednesday night and Fiji’s prime minister has boycotted the event, sending his foreign minister instead. |
| PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill said the forum was only as strong as its most vulnerable members and had a “collective obligation” to help smaller states like Kiribati, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands on the frontline of global warming. He said communities were living in fear of each high tide and storm front, while changes in ocean temperature and acidity hit fish stocks, and the frequency and intensity of cyclones has increased. “Our people should not have to change their way of life or abandon thousands of years of traditions because of the actions of larger countries and their carbon emissions,” O’Neill told the dinner. | PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill said the forum was only as strong as its most vulnerable members and had a “collective obligation” to help smaller states like Kiribati, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands on the frontline of global warming. He said communities were living in fear of each high tide and storm front, while changes in ocean temperature and acidity hit fish stocks, and the frequency and intensity of cyclones has increased. “Our people should not have to change their way of life or abandon thousands of years of traditions because of the actions of larger countries and their carbon emissions,” O’Neill told the dinner. |
| He said millions of his own people were suffering from what could be PNG’s worst drought in 20 years and a looming food crisis, because of an El Nino weather system which was exacerbated by climate change. | He said millions of his own people were suffering from what could be PNG’s worst drought in 20 years and a looming food crisis, because of an El Nino weather system which was exacerbated by climate change. |
| 10.57pm BST22:57 | 10.57pm BST22:57 |
| Readers with us yesterday will know that there is a push within the government to make sure the new refugee intake from Syria prioritises Christians – a group the senate leader Eric Abetz described yesterday as the most persecuted religion in the world. | Readers with us yesterday will know that there is a push within the government to make sure the new refugee intake from Syria prioritises Christians – a group the senate leader Eric Abetz described yesterday as the most persecuted religion in the world. |
| Greens leader Richard Di Natale has been on the ABC this morning, arguing it is very dangerous territory for governments to determine a refugee intake on either racial or religious grounds. | Greens leader Richard Di Natale has been on the ABC this morning, arguing it is very dangerous territory for governments to determine a refugee intake on either racial or religious grounds. |
| Di Natale has also put the Greens view that any military action should come to the parliament for debate, not simply be a decision by the cabinet. Issues of such gravity should be the subject of parliamentary debate. | Di Natale has also put the Greens view that any military action should come to the parliament for debate, not simply be a decision by the cabinet. Issues of such gravity should be the subject of parliamentary debate. |
| 10.45pm BST22:45 | 10.45pm BST22:45 |
| Hello good people and welcome to Wednesday. Wednesday, of course, follows Tuesday evening, and Tuesday evening in Canberra saw locals rally for refugees. Mike Bowers was there and as a consequence we have lovely images to begin our daily conversation today. | Hello good people and welcome to Wednesday. Wednesday, of course, follows Tuesday evening, and Tuesday evening in Canberra saw locals rally for refugees. Mike Bowers was there and as a consequence we have lovely images to begin our daily conversation today. |
| Cabinet this morning is expected to sign off on both military action in Syria, and a refugee package, after days of debate. | Cabinet this morning is expected to sign off on both military action in Syria, and a refugee package, after days of debate. |
| Regular Politics Live readers will know that Labor earlier this week said the humanitarian package should be 10,000 refugees and $100m for the UNHCR. | Regular Politics Live readers will know that Labor earlier this week said the humanitarian package should be 10,000 refugees and $100m for the UNHCR. |
| The immigration minister Peter Dutton has been in Geneva for talks with the UNHCR over the past 48 hours. He’s spoken to reporters this morning, and declined to pre-empt any announcement by the prime minister later today. | The immigration minister Peter Dutton has been in Geneva for talks with the UNHCR over the past 48 hours. He’s spoken to reporters this morning, and declined to pre-empt any announcement by the prime minister later today. |
| But he says Australians will be proud of what their government is proposing. | But he says Australians will be proud of what their government is proposing. |
| Dutton is sticking to the line that Australia is the most generous nation in the world on a per capita basis when it comes to refugees. (We really aren’t, but I suppose if you keep saying it often enough someone might believe you.) He’s pointed out that the humanitarian intake will increase from 13,750 to more than 18,000 by 2018-19. | Dutton is sticking to the line that Australia is the most generous nation in the world on a per capita basis when it comes to refugees. (We really aren’t, but I suppose if you keep saying it often enough someone might believe you.) He’s pointed out that the humanitarian intake will increase from 13,750 to more than 18,000 by 2018-19. |
| Peter Dutton: | Peter Dutton: |
| I think people will be impressed with Australia’s response. I think it will be a generous announcement, both in terms of the dollar amount and the number of places we’ll provide. I think people will be proud of what Australia is proposing. | I think people will be impressed with Australia’s response. I think it will be a generous announcement, both in terms of the dollar amount and the number of places we’ll provide. I think people will be proud of what Australia is proposing. |
| We’ll have to wait and see whether the detail delivers on PDuddy 2.0’s upbeat characterisation. There are a couple of reports this morning that the government is looking at 10,000+. | We’ll have to wait and see whether the detail delivers on PDuddy 2.0’s upbeat characterisation. There are a couple of reports this morning that the government is looking at 10,000+. |
| The Abbott government’s journal of record, the Daily Telegraph, is punting the government will “welcome a separate intake of potentially more than 10,000 stricken Syrian refugees because the Abbott government overwhelmingly believes it is the Australian way.” One might ask why the government didn’t seem to believe extra places was the Australian way as soon as last weekend – but then one would be bitchy – and it would be way too early in the morning for that sort of thing. Fingers crossed that basic human decency prevails. | The Abbott government’s journal of record, the Daily Telegraph, is punting the government will “welcome a separate intake of potentially more than 10,000 stricken Syrian refugees because the Abbott government overwhelmingly believes it is the Australian way.” One might ask why the government didn’t seem to believe extra places was the Australian way as soon as last weekend – but then one would be bitchy – and it would be way too early in the morning for that sort of thing. Fingers crossed that basic human decency prevails. |
| Of course once the military action is confirmed there will be a whole debate around the wisdom of bombings as a course of action – a debate that’s already underway given the government has been telegraphing its intentions for weeks. | Of course once the military action is confirmed there will be a whole debate around the wisdom of bombings as a course of action – a debate that’s already underway given the government has been telegraphing its intentions for weeks. |
| The Politics Live comments thread is wide open for your business and we are up and at ‘em on the twits. Mikearoo is @mpbowers and I’m @murpharoo | The Politics Live comments thread is wide open for your business and we are up and at ‘em on the twits. Mikearoo is @mpbowers and I’m @murpharoo |
| Let’s get cracking. | Let’s get cracking. |
| Updated at 10.58pm BST | Updated at 10.58pm BST |