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| Scott Morrison trumpets strong jobs figures – question time live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.19am GMT03:19 | |
| Julie Bishop gets a Dixer on the upcoming APEC meetings. | |
| 3.18am GMT03:18 | |
| 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. | |
| 3.15am GMT03:15 | |
| 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. | |
| 3.09am GMT03:09 | |
| A Dixer to Scott Morrison asks how he is improving the budget position. He waxes lyrical on the job figures. | |
| 3.08am GMT03:08 | |
| 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* | |
| 3.05am GMT03:05 | |
| Warren Truss gets a Dixer on how Coalition policies are helping regional Australia. | |
| 3.04am GMT03:04 | |
| 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. | |
| 3.02am GMT03:02 | |
| 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. | |
| 3.00am GMT03:00 | |
| Old tennis players never die... | |
| 2.59am GMT02:59 | |
| Remember question time will be Malcolm-less, so deputy prime minister Warren Truss will be there for your viewing pleasure. | |
| 2.56am GMT02:56 | |
| 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 2.59am GMT | |
| 2.34am GMT02:34 | 2.34am GMT02:34 |
| Lunch time politics | Lunch time politics |
| 2.00am GMT02:00 | 2.00am GMT02:00 |
| Shorten also managed to roll all the issues of the day into one. | 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. | 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. |
| 1.55am GMT01:55 | 1.55am GMT01:55 |
| Bill Shorten is having a press conference to announce Labor will reinstate the Commonwealth cleaning service guidelines. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 1.50am GMT01:50 | 1.50am GMT01:50 |
| Take a bow Bowers. | Take a bow Bowers. |
| 1.48am GMT01:48 | 1.48am GMT01:48 |
| Party man. Peter Hendy. | Party man. Peter Hendy. |
| 1.43am GMT01:43 | 1.43am GMT01:43 |
| Liberal backbencher, Cory Bernardi, has questioned Julie Bishop’s decision to wait until Monday before telling Tony Abbott of moves against him. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Overwhelmingly, I’ m just disappointed that members of the Liberal party made this decision, and I thought we’d moved on, quite frankly. |
| 1.17am GMT01:17 | 1.17am GMT01:17 |
| Scott Morrison will not comment on Julie Bishop, except to say she is an outstanding deputy leader and foreign minister. | 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. | 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. |
| 1.14am GMT01:14 | 1.14am GMT01:14 |
| There has been a fall in the unemployment rate for October, dropping to 5.9%, which has surprised market analysts somewhat. | 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. | 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? | 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. | 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. |
| 1.10am GMT01:10 | 1.10am GMT01:10 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| The shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, said the government was creating a dispute between the houses by refusing to accept the transparency measures. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 1.08am GMT01:08 | 1.08am GMT01:08 |
| 1.07am GMT01:07 | 1.07am GMT01:07 |
| Bishop steps out. | Bishop steps out. |
| 1.05am GMT01:05 | 1.05am GMT01:05 |
| Scott Morrison gave this reason, contained in the parliamentary minutes, for his rejection of the senate tax amendment. | 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. | 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. |
| 12.54am GMT00:54 | 12.54am GMT00:54 |
| Labor’s Andrew Leigh has spoken on the multinational tax bill. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 12.50am GMT00:50 | 12.50am GMT00:50 |
| Julie Bishop said Murray Hansen reported back to her on Monday morning. | 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. | 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. |
| 12.47am GMT00:47 | 12.47am GMT00:47 |
| It’s totes normal. Nothing to see here. | It’s totes normal. Nothing to see here. |
| 12.43am GMT00:43 | 12.43am GMT00:43 |
| 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | I am just checking with the treasurer’s office as to what happens now. And how much tax is forgone. |
| 12.37am GMT00:37 | 12.37am GMT00:37 |
| Do you belong to #pantsdown52? | 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 | @gabriellechan I would support any PM willing to publicly embrace my new favourite unit of measurement. #pantsdown52 pic.twitter.com/4bQt7P3PrC |
| 12.35am GMT00:35 | 12.35am GMT00:35 |
| Why didn't you call, JBish? | 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? | 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. | 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. |
| 12.32am GMT00:32 | 12.32am GMT00:32 |
| Mark Dreyfus is now speaking on the citizenship allegiance to Australia bill. | Mark Dreyfus is now speaking on the citizenship allegiance to Australia bill. |
| 12.31am GMT00:31 | 12.31am GMT00:31 |
| The house has rejected the senate’s kidnap amendment 78-54. | The house has rejected the senate’s kidnap amendment 78-54. |
| 12.30am GMT00:30 | 12.30am GMT00:30 |
| Bishop says she did not know who would be at Hendy meeting | 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? | Was your chief of staff on fact finding mission or was he plotting? |
| Julie Bishop: | 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. | 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. |
| 12.28am GMT00:28 | 12.28am GMT00:28 |
| The government will vote it down in the house obviously. | The government will vote it down in the house obviously. |
| 12.28am GMT00:28 | 12.28am GMT00:28 |
| The house is dividing to reject the Greens/Labor tax avoidance amendment. | The house is dividing to reject the Greens/Labor tax avoidance amendment. |
| 12.25am GMT00:25 | 12.25am GMT00:25 |
| Bishop confirms she knew her chief of staff was at the Turnbull leadership meeting | Bishop confirms she knew her chief of staff was at the Turnbull leadership meeting |
| Julie Bishop is speaking now. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 12.21am GMT00:21 | 12.21am GMT00:21 |
| Scott Morrison refuses to overturns tax transparency exemption for large private companies | 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. | 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. | Back up. |
| Morrison called the senate process a | Morrison called the senate process a |
| shabby and irresponsible way | shabby and irresponsible way |
| to deal with such an important bill - that is, make sure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax. | 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 | Morrison also says the opposition “failed to act in good faith” and chose |
| cheap opportunist politics over good policy process. | cheap opportunist politics over good policy process. |
| This is the old politics of the past. | This is the old politics of the past. |
| The government will not accept policy which is | The government will not accept policy which is |
| cobbled together back of the envelope. | cobbled together back of the envelope. |
| 11.51pm GMT23:51 | 11.51pm GMT23:51 |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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... | 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. | Tasmanian Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic makes a point of order. |
| Revisionist history. | Revisionist history. |
| Marles says: | Marles says: |
| National security is not a matter which is owned by either party. | National security is not a matter which is owned by either party. |
| 11.32pm GMT23:32 | 11.32pm GMT23:32 |
| Julie Bishop is appearing at an event in parliament soon. | Julie Bishop is appearing at an event in parliament soon. |
| 11.23pm GMT23:23 | 11.23pm GMT23:23 |
| Innovation. *Drink* | Innovation. *Drink* |
| Labor is holding its inaugural Innovation Investment Partnership roundtable. | Labor is holding its inaugural Innovation Investment Partnership roundtable. |
| Updated at 2.26am GMT | Updated at 2.26am GMT |
| 11.19pm GMT23:19 | 11.19pm GMT23:19 |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 11.13pm GMT23:13 | 11.13pm GMT23:13 |
| 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’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). | Labor is supporting the bill with its amendments, based on the recommendations of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security (PSCJIS). |
| Updated at 11.16pm GMT | Updated at 11.16pm GMT |
| 11.05pm GMT23:05 | 11.05pm GMT23:05 |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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). | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 10.45pm GMT22:45 | 10.45pm GMT22:45 |
| I may have over-egged the Hadley interview. Ray says he has “moved on” and says everyone has to get behind Malcolm Turnbull. | 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. | 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. |
| 10.28pm GMT22:28 | 10.28pm GMT22:28 |
| Sarah Hanson-Young has her marriage equality bill debated in the senate today. | 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. | 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. | 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 10.31pm GMT | Updated at 10.31pm GMT |
| 10.15pm GMT22:15 | 10.15pm GMT22:15 |
| Luggage sir? | Luggage sir? |
| Bowers remarked this morning was the first time he had seen a PM/first woman handle their own luggage. | Bowers remarked this morning was the first time he had seen a PM/first woman handle their own luggage. |
| 10.10pm GMT22:10 | 10.10pm GMT22:10 |
| Parliament has begun with the treasury legislation amendment a.k.a. repeal day. | Parliament has begun with the treasury legislation amendment a.k.a. repeal day. |
| 10.06pm GMT22:06 | 10.06pm GMT22:06 |
| 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. | 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: | 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. | The government looks healthy but it has an ulcer in its stomach and it will be coughing up blood very soon. |
| 9.57pm GMT21:57 | 9.57pm GMT21:57 |
| Pants down 52 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Rule number one, if you have the numbers, use them. |
| Sinodinos reportedly told the group to “strike now”. | 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. | 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”. | 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. | That is, the number of members who would vote for Turnbull even if he forgot to wear pants. |
| 9.33pm GMT21:33 | 9.33pm GMT21:33 |
| TPlibs: JBish - up to her neck in it | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 9.20pm GMT21:20 | 9.20pm GMT21:20 |
| Julie Bishop has questions to answer on Turnbull plotters meeting | Julie Bishop has questions to answer on Turnbull plotters meeting |
| Good morning blogsters, | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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? | Are you suggesting she might have been more involved in the coup than previously alluded to? |
| That might be the conclusion people come 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. | 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. | 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). | 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! | 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. | I’m @gabriellechan and he is @mpbowers and get stuck in below or on the Twits. More to come. |
| Updated at 9.24pm GMT | Updated at 9.24pm GMT |