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Malcolm Turnbull says Julie Bishop has his '110% confidence' – as it happened
Malcolm Turnbull says Julie Bishop has his '110% confidence' – as it happened
(2 months later)
4.47pm AEST05:47
5.47am GMT
05:47
Night time politics
Night time politics
So I have to rush off to a First Dog gig so here is an early summary, at the end of quite a relentless sitting week.
So I have to rush off to a First Dog gig so here is an early summary, at the end of quite a relentless sitting week.
Tonight, we have:
Tonight, we have:
Thanks for your company and thanks to my brains trust: Shalailah Medhora, Daniel Hurst and Lenore Taylor. Mike Bowers did a grand job. We need to crowdfund some of those wheely shoes to get across all the jobs in the day.
Thanks for your company and thanks to my brains trust: Shalailah Medhora, Daniel Hurst and Lenore Taylor. Mike Bowers did a grand job. We need to crowdfund some of those wheely shoes to get across all the jobs in the day.
Now parliament is off for a week and then back on for two weeks, before closing for the year. Katharine Murphy is winging her way around the world as we speak, so keep an eye out for her Malcolm reports. They will be sterling.
Now parliament is off for a week and then back on for two weeks, before closing for the year. Katharine Murphy is winging her way around the world as we speak, so keep an eye out for her Malcolm reports. They will be sterling.
Good night.
Good night.
Updated at 5.13pm AEST
Updated
3.46pm AEST04:46
at 6.13am GMT
4.46am GMT
04:46
Not again? Musical chairs is LESS chairs than people @edhusicMP now try it again with some mates pic.twitter.com/d8zynrd9bi
Not again? Musical chairs is LESS chairs than people @edhusicMP now try it again with some mates pic.twitter.com/d8zynrd9bi
@lenoretaylor @gabriellechan @mpbowers new seating arrangements for those waiting 94a treatment (just missing David Jones food hall tix)
@lenoretaylor @gabriellechan @mpbowers new seating arrangements for those waiting 94a treatment (just missing David Jones food hall tix)
Updated at 4.27pm AEST
Updated
3.44pm AEST04:44
at 5.27am GMT
4.44am GMT
04:44
The speaker will never know its you interjecting in that crowd @terrimbutler @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/l4MvG5qzGJ
The speaker will never know its you interjecting in that crowd @terrimbutler @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/l4MvG5qzGJ
3.41pm AEST04:41
4.41am GMT
04:41
Senate inquiry into coal seam gas mining
Senate inquiry into coal seam gas mining
Glenn Lazarus has succeeding in getting a senate select inquiry into unconventional gas mining.
Glenn Lazarus has succeeding in getting a senate select inquiry into unconventional gas mining.
The committee consist of 6 senators:
The committee consist of 6 senators:
Lazarus says ultimately what is needed as a policy response is a veto for farmers if they do not want mining on their land.
Lazarus says ultimately what is needed as a policy response is a veto for farmers if they do not want mining on their land.
Asked whether such an inquiry would achieve anything, given past inquiries have led to know action, Lazarus:
Asked whether such an inquiry would achieve anything, given past inquiries have led to know action, Lazarus:
I’m confident that people will have a platform to be heard and provide evidence. Whether or not the mining and energy companies listen well, that’s up to them. I’ve got to try for these people. No-one’s listening to them. I’ve got to give them some hope that people will listen and act upon whatever evidence we find in this committee hearing.
I’m confident that people will have a platform to be heard and provide evidence. Whether or not the mining and energy companies listen well, that’s up to them. I’ve got to try for these people. No-one’s listening to them. I’ve got to give them some hope that people will listen and act upon whatever evidence we find in this committee hearing.
3.27pm AEST04:27
4.27am GMT
04:27
Malcolm Turnbull is up now in Indonesia.
Malcolm Turnbull is up now in Indonesia.
So trade, investment, economic growth, stronger economies in both Indonesia and Australia for the benefit of both sides is the focus of the discussions and next week we have Andrew Robb our trade minister leading a very large delegation of over 300 Australian business leaders to Indonesia in the Indonesia-Australia Business Week.
So trade, investment, economic growth, stronger economies in both Indonesia and Australia for the benefit of both sides is the focus of the discussions and next week we have Andrew Robb our trade minister leading a very large delegation of over 300 Australian business leaders to Indonesia in the Indonesia-Australia Business Week.
He is refusing to comment on the Julie Bishop story.
He is refusing to comment on the Julie Bishop story.
How can you trust her as deputy, Turnbull has been asked.
How can you trust her as deputy, Turnbull has been asked.
Julie Bishop is a dear friend. She’s an outstanding foreign minister, she’s been a long-standing and excellent deputy leader of the party, so she has my 110%confidence.
Julie Bishop is a dear friend. She’s an outstanding foreign minister, she’s been a long-standing and excellent deputy leader of the party, so she has my 110%confidence.
How many discussions did you have with her before the leadership spill before toppling Tony Abbott?
How many discussions did you have with her before the leadership spill before toppling Tony Abbott?
Politicians speak to each other all the time. That’s why you have Parliament. Bring people together and they talk and they talk about their political fortunes and they talk about policies and they talk about personalities. It’s no revelation to know that politicians are talking or that Julie and I are talking. We are as ministers, whether in Tony’s government or in my government or indeed in the Howard Government, we are always talking. That is what parliament is about.
Politicians speak to each other all the time. That’s why you have Parliament. Bring people together and they talk and they talk about their political fortunes and they talk about policies and they talk about personalities. It’s no revelation to know that politicians are talking or that Julie and I are talking. We are as ministers, whether in Tony’s government or in my government or indeed in the Howard Government, we are always talking. That is what parliament is about.
3.22pm AEST04:22
4.22am GMT
04:22
They’re only human.
They’re only human.
Who says Parliament is boring? #auspol #qt @abcnews @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/x7t6MKikey
Who says Parliament is boring? #auspol #qt @abcnews @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/x7t6MKikey
3.18pm AEST04:18
4.18am GMT
3.13pm AEST04:13
04:18
4.13am GMT
04:13
Thursday afternoon early mark.
Thursday afternoon early mark.
3.12pm AEST04:12
4.12am GMT
04:12
Chris Bowen is prosecuting a matter of public importance now:
Chris Bowen is prosecuting a matter of public importance now:
The Government’s plan to hit the household budgets of all Australians by jacking up the GST.
The Government’s plan to hit the household budgets of all Australians by jacking up the GST.
3.11pm AEST04:11
4.11am GMT
04:11
Jenny Macklin to social services minister Christian Porter: Bronte works part-time and is asingle mother of three children in Mount Barker in SA. She says, “I’m really concerned about how my family will cope financially if the proposed family tax benefits cuts comeinto effect. We’re only just floating now.” How could the government possibly compensate Bronte for a 15% GST if it has just cut her family payments by $4,700?
Jenny Macklin to social services minister Christian Porter: Bronte works part-time and is asingle mother of three children in Mount Barker in SA. She says, “I’m really concerned about how my family will cope financially if the proposed family tax benefits cuts comeinto effect. We’re only just floating now.” How could the government possibly compensate Bronte for a 15% GST if it has just cut her family payments by $4,700?
Porter says the savings were being reinvested in a childcare package which would benefit 165,000 families. When you make spending cuts, there are always some people who have a better or worse capacity to make the transition, he says. Just like when Labor moved single mothers off their pension, he says.
Porter says the savings were being reinvested in a childcare package which would benefit 165,000 families. When you make spending cuts, there are always some people who have a better or worse capacity to make the transition, he says. Just like when Labor moved single mothers off their pension, he says.
Then a Dixer to Paul Fletcher: What action is the Coalition Government taking to reverse Labor’s inaction and pathetic uselessness and help my constituents in the Ascot exchange?
Then a Dixer to Paul Fletcher: What action is the Coalition Government taking to reverse Labor’s inaction and pathetic uselessness and help my constituents in the Ascot exchange?
That question was OK’ed by the Speaker and Fletcher answered. After time was called, Speaker Tony Smith said he had not heard the inflammatory bits of the question because there was too many interjections.
That question was OK’ed by the Speaker and Fletcher answered. After time was called, Speaker Tony Smith said he had not heard the inflammatory bits of the question because there was too many interjections.
That’s it. QT over, red rover.
That’s it. QT over, red rover.
3.02pm AEST04:02
4.02am GMT
04:02
Kevin 07.
Kevin 07.
3.01pm AEST04:01
4.01am GMT
04:01
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
.@JulieBishopMP refused to look at @tanya_plibersek as she questioned her loyalty to previous Liberal leaders in #qt pic.twitter.com/CmpIDN3lix
.@JulieBishopMP refused to look at @tanya_plibersek as she questioned her loyalty to previous Liberal leaders in #qt pic.twitter.com/CmpIDN3lix
2.59pm AEST03:59
3.59am GMT
03:59
A constituency question! Goodie.
A constituency question! Goodie.
Teresa Gambaro to innovation minister Christopher Pyne: Craig Devson, CEO of Cloud Manager, has been a tireless advocate of innovation, working in the Brisbane technology start-up industry for many years. His business is just one of the many who’ve received a $500,000 grant as part of the Government’s accelerating commercialeration program. How do targeted programs like this benefit businesses like Cloud Manager in my electorate and in the broader community?
Teresa Gambaro to innovation minister Christopher Pyne: Craig Devson, CEO of Cloud Manager, has been a tireless advocate of innovation, working in the Brisbane technology start-up industry for many years. His business is just one of the many who’ve received a $500,000 grant as part of the Government’s accelerating commercialeration program. How do targeted programs like this benefit businesses like Cloud Manager in my electorate and in the broader community?
Christopher Pyne knows all about Cloud Manager.
Christopher Pyne knows all about Cloud Manager.
Cloud manager is a business that has brought together a number of different kinds of online services that another business can access in the one place, rather than having to find them all separately themselves. It increases profit, saves them money and time it is a very successful service and so the government is going to try and accelerate that particular innovative business through the entrepreneur’s program.
Cloud manager is a business that has brought together a number of different kinds of online services that another business can access in the one place, rather than having to find them all separately themselves. It increases profit, saves them money and time it is a very successful service and so the government is going to try and accelerate that particular innovative business through the entrepreneur’s program.
2.54pm AEST03:54
3.54am GMT
03:54
Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: if the GST is jacked up to 15%, how would compensation be delivered to self-funded retirees?
Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: if the GST is jacked up to 15%, how would compensation be delivered to self-funded retirees?
I refer the member to my former answers....
I refer the member to my former answers....
2.53pm AEST03:53
3.53am GMT
03:53
Paul Fletcher, representing communications minister Mitch Fifield, has had a number of questions on the National Broadband Network.
Paul Fletcher, representing communications minister Mitch Fifield, has had a number of questions on the National Broadband Network.
What’s changed is under the previous government if you asked that question you didn’t get a very satisfactory answer. When you called the NBN they had an interactive voice response system. Press 1 for media releases, 2 for photo opportunities, 3 for electoral visitors, 4 for Stephen Conroy rolling out fibre, press 5 for other election campaign stunts, press 6 for Julia Gillard in a high-viz vest, that was what NBN was doing under the previous government but under this government, NBN is delivering.
What’s changed is under the previous government if you asked that question you didn’t get a very satisfactory answer. When you called the NBN they had an interactive voice response system. Press 1 for media releases, 2 for photo opportunities, 3 for electoral visitors, 4 for Stephen Conroy rolling out fibre, press 5 for other election campaign stunts, press 6 for Julia Gillard in a high-viz vest, that was what NBN was doing under the previous government but under this government, NBN is delivering.
Those in high-viz vests should not throw stones.
Those in high-viz vests should not throw stones.
2.48pm AEST03:48
3.48am GMT
03:48
There is a Dixer on the sports diplomacy program and then another GST question from Labor about the increased cost in remote communities.
There is a Dixer on the sports diplomacy program and then another GST question from Labor about the increased cost in remote communities.
2.46pm AEST03:46
3.46am GMT
03:46
Tony and Bert.
Tony and Bert.
2.42pm AEST03:42
3.42am GMT
03:42
Labor to Morrison: A part time retail worker will earn in the order of $18,000 a year and therefore pay no income tax. Given there is no longer a wholesale sales tax to abolish and wages of this order attract no income tax, what mechanisms would be available to the government to compensate workers in this position were they to increase the GST to 15%?
Labor to Morrison: A part time retail worker will earn in the order of $18,000 a year and therefore pay no income tax. Given there is no longer a wholesale sales tax to abolish and wages of this order attract no income tax, what mechanisms would be available to the government to compensate workers in this position were they to increase the GST to 15%?
Morrison says the government has no such “preferred option” for such a policy.
Morrison says the government has no such “preferred option” for such a policy.
2.40pm AEST03:40
3.40am GMT
03:40
A quiet moment before question time.
A quiet moment before question time.
2.39pm AEST03:39
3.39am GMT
03:39
Peter Dutton gets a Dixer on protecting the community from terrorism.
Peter Dutton gets a Dixer on protecting the community from terrorism.
Then Chris Bowen asks Morrison: Brian Abbott of St. Clair is 39, single with no children. He works but doesn’t earn enough to pay income tax. Brian wrote to me on Tuesday. He wrote, “People relying on their savings not claiming welfare payments, not paying tax, are likely to be significantly impacted by a rise in the GST and not compensated for it. How would the government compensate people like Brian for increasing the price of everything by jacking the GST up to 15%?
Then Chris Bowen asks Morrison: Brian Abbott of St. Clair is 39, single with no children. He works but doesn’t earn enough to pay income tax. Brian wrote to me on Tuesday. He wrote, “People relying on their savings not claiming welfare payments, not paying tax, are likely to be significantly impacted by a rise in the GST and not compensated for it. How would the government compensate people like Brian for increasing the price of everything by jacking the GST up to 15%?
Morrison says the last time major tax reform was carried out was under the Howard-Costello government. Etc, etc.
Morrison says the last time major tax reform was carried out was under the Howard-Costello government. Etc, etc.
2.33pm AEST03:33
3.33am GMT
03:33
Dreyfus to Bishop: The Minister did at least three major media interviews on September 15 this year, the morning after her party brought down their PM. I refer to a suggestion this afternoon from journalist...that the minister removed these transcripts from her ministerial website after media questions about her involvement in the knifing of the former Prime Minister. What has the minister got to hide?
Dreyfus to Bishop: The Minister did at least three major media interviews on September 15 this year, the morning after her party brought down their PM. I refer to a suggestion this afternoon from journalist...that the minister removed these transcripts from her ministerial website after media questions about her involvement in the knifing of the former Prime Minister. What has the minister got to hide?
Bishop says the the transcripts were not put on the website because they related to party political matters rather than ministerial matters so in keeping with earlier convention, they were not put up on her website.
Bishop says the the transcripts were not put on the website because they related to party political matters rather than ministerial matters so in keeping with earlier convention, they were not put up on her website.
It just looked mighty suspicious given the transcripts between September 10-25 were missing. The leadership spill was September 14. This was the case this morning first thing, when we were looking for them.
It just looked mighty suspicious given the transcripts between September 10-25 were missing. The leadership spill was September 14. This was the case this morning first thing, when we were looking for them.
Anyways - Bishop said they had reviewed the matter and DFAT said they would put them up.
Anyways - Bishop said they had reviewed the matter and DFAT said they would put them up.
We just checked. The transcripts are there.
We just checked. The transcripts are there.
Updated at 2.34pm AEST
Updated
2.28pm AEST03:28
at 3.34am GMT
3.28am GMT
03:28
Terminally ill will be able to access their superannuation without fees
Terminally ill will be able to access their superannuation without fees
Assistant treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer announces new laws to allow terminally ill people to access their superannuation without fees and charges. It will apply to people who have been diagnosed with less than 2 years to live.
Assistant treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer announces new laws to allow terminally ill people to access their superannuation without fees and charges. It will apply to people who have been diagnosed with less than 2 years to live.
2.25pm AEST03:25
3.25am GMT
03:25
Bishop: leadership is not a joint ticket
Bishop: leadership is not a joint ticket
Plibersek to Bishop: This morning the deputy leader’s colleague, the minister for immigration, said, and I quote, “Obviously the deputy leader in the party owes a special duty of care and special loyalty to the leader.” Can the minister explain to the house what sort of loyalty she showed to Brendan Nelson then Malcolm Turnbull then Tony Abbott and now Malcolm Turnbull again?
Plibersek to Bishop: This morning the deputy leader’s colleague, the minister for immigration, said, and I quote, “Obviously the deputy leader in the party owes a special duty of care and special loyalty to the leader.” Can the minister explain to the house what sort of loyalty she showed to Brendan Nelson then Malcolm Turnbull then Tony Abbott and now Malcolm Turnbull again?
Speaker asks Plibersek to rephrase but it is basically the same question. Bishop answers, with full death stare.
Speaker asks Plibersek to rephrase but it is basically the same question. Bishop answers, with full death stare.
Obviously, the deputy leader is not very adept at rephrasing questions but nevertheless, there are no implications for bilateral, regional or multilateral relations. I might add that the role of deputy is to be the deputy to the prime minister. It is a separate - or the leader - it is a separate role, elected separately. It is not part of a joint ticket and I have fulfilled my responsibilities and my duties as the deputy leader of the Liberal Party since 2007.
Obviously, the deputy leader is not very adept at rephrasing questions but nevertheless, there are no implications for bilateral, regional or multilateral relations. I might add that the role of deputy is to be the deputy to the prime minister. It is a separate - or the leader - it is a separate role, elected separately. It is not part of a joint ticket and I have fulfilled my responsibilities and my duties as the deputy leader of the Liberal Party since 2007.
2.19pm AEST03:19
Julie Bishop gets a Dixer on the upcoming APEC meetings.
2.18pm AEST03:18
Independent Cathy McGowan asked health minister Sussan Ley:
The report for the national review of mental health program and services was provided to the government in December 2014 and consequently you established the mental health expert reference group to report back to you by October 2015. Can you please tell the house how this is going and what are the plans the government has to correct the fundamental structure shortcomings that exist in our mental health service which particularly have impact for rural and regional Australians?
Ley says the plans are coming but the general principles are that the government needs to look at what those who live with mental health want to meet their needs.
2.15pm AEST03:15
Vocational education minister Luke Hartsuyker is asked whether there will be a GST on TAFE fees.
Hartsuyker points out he has had one question in two years from Labor. He is no dynamo, but he was recently named by his colleague as future (deputy) leadership material. It caused a few raised eyebrows in the National party. The faint sound of tittering could be heard.
2.09pm AEST03:09
A Dixer to Scott Morrison asks how he is improving the budget position. He waxes lyrical on the job figures.
2.08pm AEST03:08
Local government minister Paul Fletcher is asked if he will rule out a GST on council rates.
The old politics rule-in-rule-out game is being played.
*Drink*
2.05pm AEST03:05
Warren Truss gets a Dixer on how Coalition policies are helping regional Australia.
2.04pm AEST03:04
Here are the labor force figures.
The ABS data shows a significant drop in the unemployment rate from 6.2% to 5.9% as a result of the economy adding 58,600 jobs to reach a record high of 11,838,200.
A total of 40,000 full time jobs were added in October to also reach a record high of 8,171,600. Similarly, female employment reached a record high, increasing by 28,100 to stand at 6,376,600.
2.02pm AEST03:02
Labor to Scott Morrison: This morning the Treasurer’s colleague, Senator Abetz, in a wide-ranging interview, said, “Once again the government does need to settle the agenda here as to whether an increase to the GST is or is not on the table.” Does the treasurer agree with his colleague, is the GST on the table or not?
The states were requesting the proposal, says Morrison.
2.00pm AEST03:00
Old tennis players never die...
1.59pm AEST02:59
Remember question time will be Malcolm-less, so deputy prime minister Warren Truss will be there for your viewing pleasure.
1.56pm AEST02:56
There has been a lovely moment in the senate recently.
Nick Xenophon has been working with fellow South Australian Christopher Pyne on a bill after lobbying by the family of murdered Adelaide woman Anthea Bradshaw.
The result is the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Harming Australians) Bill 2015 which amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to extend the retrospective operation of the offences of murder and manslaughter of an Australian citizen or resident of Australia to crimes that occurred before 1 October 2002.
Attorney general George Brandis was given credit for bringing the bill to fruition.
The Coalition, Labor and the Greens combined with Xenophon to pass the bill without amendment in the senate about half an hour ago.
Though the chamber was nearly empty, Brandis remarked that it was a pity that the public did not see more of the sort of cooperation, saying it was a good bill and a testament to Nick.
Updated at 1.59pm AEST
1.34pm AEST02:34
Lunch time politics
1.00pm AEST02:00
Shorten also managed to roll all the issues of the day into one.
If the Liberals want people to believe they are fair, here are simple tests: Look after the cleaners, stop trying to hide and make secret the tax arrangements of a few very wealthy companies, backing Labor’s proposals on multi-nationals and do something about superannuation tax concessions and just drop the GST proposals because they’re not fair.
12.55pm AEST01:55
Bill Shorten is having a press conference to announce Labor will reinstate the Commonwealth cleaning service guidelines.
These were the guidelines that were removed under Tony Abbott.
These are the guidelines which effectively put in place a floor price for the payment of cleaners in our Commonwealth buildings. These were the guidelines which set out standards below which cleaners shouldn’t be employed...What Liberals call red tape, we call the minimum wage. What Liberals call too much bureaucracy is actually the difference between these cleaners making ends meet or having to rely on social security.
12.50pm AEST01:50
Take a bow Bowers.
12.48pm AEST01:48
Party man. Peter Hendy.
12.43pm AEST01:43
Liberal backbencher, Cory Bernardi, has questioned Julie Bishop’s decision to wait until Monday before telling Tony Abbott of moves against him.
I’m surprised that something of such pressing importance wasn’t drawn to his attention immediately. Had I known what became apparent from the meeting, I would have phoned the prime minister or his chief of staff immediately. I find it incredulous that what has now been described as a a drinks function was actually the final meeting in a coup to unseat a sitting prime minister.
Bernardi said the spill is a “tawdry thing in the history of the Liberal party.
Overwhelmingly, I’ m just disappointed that members of the Liberal party made this decision, and I thought we’d moved on, quite frankly.
12.17pm AEST01:17
Scott Morrison will not comment on Julie Bishop, except to say she is an outstanding deputy leader and foreign minister.
She is an outstanding deputy leader, always has been, served many leaders very faithfully and loyally. She has always been one who had her ear tightly attuned to all colleagues. That’s the job of a deputy leader - to listen to the colleagues, and to relay faithfully the views of colleagues to the leadership. That’s her job.
12.14pm AEST01:14
There has been a fall in the unemployment rate for October, dropping to 5.9%, which has surprised market analysts somewhat.
Scott Morrison is speaking about them now. He is congratulating the business who employed 58,600 people during that month and the people who took the jobs.
Does the new government take any credit for it?
These figures are released every month, as you know. The numbers will speak for themselves and people will make their own commentary and analysis of them.
12.10pm AEST01:10
Daniel Hurst
The shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, said the government was creating a dispute between the houses by refusing to accept the transparency measures.
From time to time governments lose votes ... and the treasurer has to get used it. You lost a vote, get over it. You lost the support of the crossbench. It happens. It’s not a shabby process, it’s called democracy, it happened to us from time to time when we were in government, we had to deal with it, it’s called losing a vote.
Greens MP Adam Bandt gave a short speech as well.
To come in here and call it a shabby process shows us really what is motivating this government. Only a blue-blood government with a born to rule mentality would call democracy a shabby process.
12.08pm AEST01:08
12.07pm AEST01:07
Bishop steps out.
12.05pm AEST01:05
Scott Morrison gave this reason, contained in the parliamentary minutes, for his rejection of the senate tax amendment.
The senate has made three amendments to the bill. These amendments have been made without thorough consultation, and without any detailed analysis of how many companies will be affected. These amendments are made without input from Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office, without proper analysis of the regulatory burden they will impose, and without consideration of whether they can be sensibly administered by the Australian Taxation Office.
11.54am AEST00:54
Labor’s Andrew Leigh has spoken on the multinational tax bill.
Scott Morrison is so keen to help huge companies hide their tax affairs that he is now delaying his own multinational tax bill.
This bill could pass the parliament today if Scott Morrison would accept the senate’s reasonable amendments.
This treasurer thinks shielding a handful of rich firms from scrutiny is more important than passing a bill to ensure everyone pays their fair share.
11.50am AEST00:50
Julie Bishop said Murray Hansen reported back to her on Monday morning.
it was consistent with everything I had learned during the last week when members of Mr Abbott’s cabinet came to see me, when members of the party room came to see me to reflect what was being reported in the newspapers. I mean, this doesn’t occur in a bubble. There were rumours, there were stories, the media, you were all reporting, and when I learned that he’d lost a majority of support, the confidence of his cabinet and the confidence of his party room on the Monday morning, saw him at the earliest opportunity and that’s a division.
11.47am AEST00:47
It’s totes normal. Nothing to see here.
11.43am AEST00:43
Back to the senate’s multinational tax “kidnap” amendment, which has just gone down in the house, the difficulty here is that it was due to start on January 1 next year.
The bill would have:
counter the erosion of the Australian tax base by multinational entities using artificial or contrived arrangements to avoid the attribution of business profits to Australia through a taxable presence in Australia.
I am just checking with the treasurer’s office as to what happens now. And how much tax is forgone.
11.37am AEST00:37
Do you belong to #pantsdown52?
@gabriellechan I would support any PM willing to publicly embrace my new favourite unit of measurement. #pantsdown52 pic.twitter.com/4bQt7P3PrC
11.35am AEST00:35
Why didn't you call, JBish?
Why didn’t you tell the prime minister earlier? Why did you wait until the Monday morning to tell the prime minister these sorts of meetings were taking place? What sort of meeting?
I was aware my chief of staff was going to drinks at Peter Hendy’s place. When I learned who was there on the Monday morning and when cabinet ministers came to see me I made the first opportunity available to see the prime minister, who didn’t have a leadership meeting that morning because he was in Adelaide and was flying. I met him within five minutes of his attendance here in parliament house. This is entirely consistent.
11.32am AEST00:32
Mark Dreyfus is now speaking on the citizenship allegiance to Australia bill.
11.31am AEST00:31
The house has rejected the senate’s kidnap amendment 78-54.
11.30am AEST00:30
Bishop says she did not know who would be at Hendy meeting
Was your chief of staff on fact finding mission or was he plotting?
Julie Bishop:
He was there to meet with Peter Hendy. I did not know who would be attending the meeting and, of course, like all chiefs of staff, they feedback the information that they’ve learned and it was part of my job, as it had been all year, to find out what the backbench were thinking. Indeed, it’s the job of every member of the leadership team, the leader of the senate, the leader of the House , the deputy prime minister, the deputy leader, the prime minister, to know what the back bench is thinking and that’s precisely what I was doing.
11.28am AEST00:28
The government will vote it down in the house obviously.
11.28am AEST00:28
The house is dividing to reject the Greens/Labor tax avoidance amendment.
11.25am AEST00:25
Bishop confirms she knew her chief of staff was at the Turnbull leadership meeting
Julie Bishop is speaking now.
Nothing that has come out in this story contradicts anything that I have said publicly. It completely aligns with what I have said about this matter from the outset, that once I was aware that the prime minister at the time, prime minister, Tony Abbott, had lost the confidence of a majority of the Cabinet room and a majority of his party, I spoke to him about it immediately.
I was aware he was attending at Peter Hendy’s house. It is part of my job as deputy leader to understand what the party room is thinking. It is part of my job to be in touch with member sof the back bench, either through my staff or personally.
That is what I do and it’s why I was able to be in touch with so many people that I was able to conclude the view on the Monday morning that the prime minister had lost the confidence of the majority of his cabinet and a majority of his party room and then I saw him immediately and informed him of that and this is entirely consistent with every public statement I’ve made in relation to this matter.
11.21am AEST00:21
Scott Morrison refuses to overturns tax transparency exemption for large private companies
The treasurer has just categorically rejected the Greens/Labor/crossbench amendment which overturned the exemption for large private companies which prevented the publication of tax details.
Back up.
Morrison called the senate process a
shabby and irresponsible way
to deal with such an important bill - that is, make sure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax.
Morrison also says the opposition “failed to act in good faith” and chose
cheap opportunist politics over good policy process.
This is the old politics of the past.
The government will not accept policy which is
cobbled together back of the envelope.
10.51am AEST23:51
Richard Marles’ main point on the citizenship bill was that while Labor supported the bill, they had not had the full benefit of the solicitor-general’s report, which the government claims supports the constitutionality of the bill.
Labor and the PJCIS were only offered a “letter of comfort” from the attorney-general George Brandis to reassure that the solicitor-general was satisfied the bill was constitutional.
As a result, Labor supports the bill with the qualification that they have not had legal advice as to the constitutionality.
The other point Marles made was that by forcing the bill on this week with less than 24 hours notice for Labor to scrutinise the bill, the government had politicised national security.
Labor was offered a briefing at 4pm on Tuesday afternoon before the new bill was due to come in on Wednesday. The main concern was to check the new bill reflected the recommendations of the committee report but with 26 amendments, Labor only got briefed on 12 of them.
The other sticking point was that the government would not allow Mark Dreyfus, a former Labor attorney general who was involved in drafting previous legislation, into the briefing. Only Marles was invited.
For want of 24 hours, to give the opposition proper time to scrutinise these amendments, games were being played such to put this into the parliament and to deny us this opportunity...
Tasmanian Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic makes a point of order.
Revisionist history.
Marles says:
National security is not a matter which is owned by either party.
10.32am AEST23:32
Julie Bishop is appearing at an event in parliament soon.
10.23am AEST23:23
Innovation. *Drink*
Labor is holding its inaugural Innovation Investment Partnership roundtable.
Updated at 1.26pm AEST
10.19am AEST23:19
Just as a recap, the bill lists three ways dual nationals can automatically lose Australian citizenship. First, a person renounces citizenship “by conduct” if they engage in terrorist activity. Second, if they go overseas to fight for foreign armies deemed enemies of Australia, or listed terrorist organisations. Third, if they are convicted of terrorism offences or “certain other offences” by an Australian court.
Richard Marles says we are dealing with deeply serious matters that go to the core of what it is to be Australian.
Citizenship of our country is as important an incident of legislative act as there is that has occurred in this place since federation. It is the basic building block of our society.
10.13am AEST23:13
Labor’s immigration shadow Richard Marles is speaking on the allegience to Australia bill, which strips Australian citizenship from dual nationals for terrorism-related offences.
Labor is supporting the bill with its amendments, based on the recommendations of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security (PSCJIS).
Updated at 10.16am AEST
10.05am AEST23:05
My earlier notification, based on the draft program, was that the senate would go back to debating the rules for foreign investors in agricultural land.
That has now fallen off the senate program but in any case, Penny Wong was talking about it this morning.
Under the Coalition proposal, United States, United Kingdom and Chile would have agriculture land and investment thresholds of $1.094bn.
Singapore and Thailand would have an ag land threshold of $50m and $55m for agribusiness.
Japan, Korea, China and the rest of the world would have an ag land threshold of $15m (cumulative) and $55m for agribusiness.
Labor wants to amend the bill to scrap requirements for Foreign Investment Review Board (Firb) screening of agribusiness investments worth more than $55 million.
They will also amend the bill to increase the Firb screening threshold for investment in agricultural land from the government’s proposed $15 million (cumulative) to $50 million (non-cumulative).
Asked if the policy was racist, Wong said:
It certainly is discriminatory, in that it treats investors differently depending on their countries of origin. As you point out, if you’re from Japan, Korea or China you will face much tougher restrictions on foreign investment, investment into Australia, than if you are from the United States or New Zealand.
When Ali Carabine points out Australians can’t buy land in China, Wong says foreign investment has been important since European arrival.
We need to make sure it’s in the national interest, which means you need to have a sensible investment scrutiny regime and the problem with the government’s position is it is not sensible. It lacks any policy rationale and it is disappointing that Malcolm Turnbull, who advocates for an open economy, on this is running the line, frankly, that Barnaby Joyce has come up with because he thinks it’s a good political play in some parts of Australia.
9.45am AEST22:45
I may have over-egged the Hadley interview. Ray says he has “moved on” and says everyone has to get behind Malcolm Turnbull.
Well Ray, everyone wants to get behind Malcolm Turnbull to make sure we win the next election. Obviously the deputy leader owes a special duty of care and a special loyalty to the leader and I don’t even know if this is true. No doubt Julie Bishop will clarify the situation, obviously it’s been claimed in this book and it’s a serious suggestion but no doubt Julie will be able to address it.
9.28am AEST22:28
Sarah Hanson-Young has her marriage equality bill debated in the senate today.
The Greens, David Leyonhjelm and Glenn Lazarus have a press conference at 10am to discuss it. The bill will not be voted on today.
Also on now, Peter Dutton has an interview with Ray Hadley, who is a fierce Abbott supporter. Hadley may have his bible close for PDuddy to swear on, if the question of Julie Bishop arises.
Updated at 9.31am AEST
9.15am AEST22:15
Luggage sir?
Bowers remarked this morning was the first time he had seen a PM/first woman handle their own luggage.
9.10am AEST22:10
Parliament has begun with the treasury legislation amendment a.k.a. repeal day.
9.06am AEST22:06
Assistant minister to the treasurer Alex Hawke has told Sky that some in the government were “understandably hurt” but was not surprising that the deputy leader was taking soundings.
Labor’s Nick Champion countered:
The government looks healthy but it has an ulcer in its stomach and it will be coughing up blood very soon.
8.57am AEST21:57
Pants down 52
Peter Hendy has been doorstopped on the way into parliament, which is sitting at 9am. Hendy holds the bellwether seat, Eden-Monaro and is now the assistant minister for productivity. So his house was handy to Canberra for a meeting the night before a sitting day.
I invite you to review the public record and I’ve got nothing to add.
On the public record is now some more detail from Battleground.
Remember the context of the coup was the Monday before the Canning by-election. Legend has it that the Canning polls were actually not as bad as expected for the seat, providing Abbott with a little ballast at a time when the general polls were diving.
Rule number one, if you have the numbers, use them.
Sinodinos reportedly told the group to “strike now”.
If we win Canning, they will spin it any which way they want. If we have the numbers, we should use them.
James McGrath, Scott Ryan and Mitch Fifield were the numbers men and Ryan’s expression of the numbers on the Sunday was “pants down 52”.
That is, the number of members who would vote for Turnbull even if he forgot to wear pants.
8.33am AEST21:33
TPlibs: JBish - up to her neck in it
Julie Bishop’s opposite in parliament, Tanya Plibersek, has been helpful this morning. JBish and TPlibs are both deputy leaders, both foreign affairs representatives and it would be fair to say there is no love lost.
It’s not just Labor saying that Julie Bishop has questions to answer about her involvement in the stalking and the bringing down of a prime minister. Her own party are saying she has questions to answer, that it’s plain she was was up to her neck in the bringing down of Tony Abbott. Julie Bishop has a very well deserved reputation from her colleagues of being a survivor.
8.24am AEST21:24
Julie Bishop has questions to answer on Turnbull plotters meeting
Good morning blogsters,
Well, as the prime minister jets off to Indonesia, a new book reveals the hitherto snow white deputy leader Julie Bishop had a chief of staff at a critical meeting held by plotters the day before Malcolm Turnbull brought down Tony Abbott.
The details are contained in a book Battleground by Peter Van Onselen and Wayne Errington. The report, by Sid Maher in The Australian, shows Bishop’s chief of staff Murray Hansen represented his minister at the home of then backbencher Peter Hendy just outside Canberra on the Sunday before the coup on Monday.
Also there was Craig Laundy, Mitch Fifield, James McGrath, Arthur Sinodinos, Wyatt Roy, Victorian senator Scott Ryan and Mal Brough. Malcolm Turnbull too.
Bishop has previously said she was unaware of the coup, though she had a meeting with Turnbull on the Saturday. She said she told Abbott around midday on Monday when she first became aware that he had lost the numbers.
All of the plotters have been rewarded with cabinet or ministry positions. One of the losers was Eric Abetz, former employment minister and Abbott cheerleader. Abetz was ready to talk this morning to Sky News reporter Kieran Gilbert.
When I was a minister, I would never have countenanced my chief of staff going to such a meeting without my imprimateur and my approval so I think a question does need to be answered whether the chief of staff was there on a frolic of his own or with the imprimatur of the deputy leader and I think colleagues are entitled to know exactly what was going on at a meeting of that nature, having people from Victoria and Queensland and elsewhere is not organised on a minutes notice.
Abetz is disappointed.
One would imagine if there were such a meeting, there might have been an obligation as a loyal deputy to report that to the leader at the time. But look the facts are sketchy and let’s see what the response is. But I think it is deserving of a response because it would be very disappointing if a deputy was sending a chief of staff to a meeting of that nature.
Are you suggesting she might have been more involved in the coup than previously alluded to?
That might be the conclusion people come to...
Whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know. All I am saying is it is disappointing to read about these things and why people want to talk about these things, ventilate these things, I don’t know, unless for some notoriety. Nevertheless there are some questions that do need to be answered given these revelations that could have only come from one source, that is the people at the meeting.
So there you have it. The first book is out and there is another one coming by Nikki Savva. This day has just got a lot more interesting.
But don’t forget, the wheels of government are still turning. We have the legislation around the rules for foreign investors in agricultural land. We have the bill that strips dual nationals of their Australian citizenship for terrorism related offences. We have the bonfire of red tape repeal legislation (which is usually a filibuster).
Mike Bowers is back with us after royal duty yesterday. Today, republicans unite!
I’m @gabriellechan and he is @mpbowers and get stuck in below or on the Twits. More to come.
