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| The prime minister announces new terrorism threat advisory system – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.21am GMT02:21 | |
| Shorten ends with a bipartisan note. | |
| I can assure those who are listening that despite our very fierce debates, about many aspects of Australia, that we go together into the future with a united strength in terms of national security. There can be no 100% guarantee against terrorism occurring here. We already know this. There can be even perhaps a lesser guarantee for the safety of Australians overseas, no matter how much we wish to protect our family and friends and children when they travel....But Australians should be reassured that our defence forces and security forces, indeed our parliament, indeed leaders across various faith communities, are committed to securing our future together.. | |
| 2.18am GMT02:18 | |
| Shorten: don't cut defence and technology, it will slow the fight against terrorism | |
| Shorten says Labor supports giving agencies and communities “all the support we can to enhance their capability and to counter the radicalisation of vulnerable youth”. | |
| He calls on engagement with international organisations to “cripple” financial operations of terrorist organisations and counter the adoption of low-cost technology which aid terrorists. | |
| That is why it’s essential for Australia to nurture its national defence, research and development effort. If we are not in the business of creating new ideas and quickly turning new ideas into new technologies, the ADF will become slower to respond and less effective over time. Now is not the time to be making cuts to important organisations like the Defence, science and technology group. | |
| 2.11am GMT02:11 | |
| Bill Shorten says the events in the Middle East has profound consequences for Australia, which has already suffered from terrorist incidents in the region. | |
| In the medium term we face the risk of people returning from Syria not just to Australia but to the region, poisoned by fanaticism with ill-intent in their hearts and skilled in combat and conflict. Australia has to show leadership here, particularly through multilateral institutions. | |
| 2.08am GMT02:08 | |
| Shorten: Assad should be in jail, not in charge | |
| Bill Shorten talks about the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria. | |
| Talk of pragmatism in the search of peace is fine but it cannot result in Assad remaining permanently in power. His ongoing presence would only serve as a spur to armed resistance and provide a rallying call for extremists. A leader who uses chemical weapons against his civilians, who orders massacres of the innocent with impunity, who commands the imprisonment and torture of children for painting graffiti on the wall, who thinks nothing of the mass slaughter of his own, belongs in a jail cell, not in charge. | |
| 2.05am GMT02:05 | |
| Bill Shorten raises the prospect of the 2003 Iraq invasion and makes the point that interventions cannot create dependency but should build capacity. | |
| Since day one of Australia’s involvement in this conflict, Labor has said success in the Iraq depends most upon the government and the people of Iraq themselves. The conflict in Iraq is for Iraq to win. Australia’s role in the regionis to build capacity, not dependency. We do not want to perpetuate another cycle as occurred following the invasion of 2003. A large-scale troop movement, civil unrest and ongoing violence, escalation, withdrawal and eventual return. We can and we must provide Iraqi armed forces with the skills and trainings to repe land overcome Daesh, to focus on building their own capacity to train themselves and to protect themselves. | |
| 2.01am GMT02:01 | |
| Labor has supported all of the national security legislation, says Shorten. | |
| Labor has engaged with the issues deeply and thoughtfully and, in doing so, we have supported and enhanced four rounds of national security legislation including the citizenship legislation which is currently before the parliament. We will work with the government to progress the fifth round of legislation which was introduced into the Senate in the last sittings. We have made over 100 substantive amendments to the national security bills put forward by this government, including 26 substantive amendments to the citizenship bill before the Parliament. Many of these amendments have established new measures to strengthen accountability and oversight of newly-created powers and include measures such as the creation of a public interest advocate to help protect the sources of journalists and freedom of the press. | |
| 1.58am GMT01:58 | |
| Bill Shorten has delivered a bipartisan speech on national security. | |
| In recent times, we have been reminded that whilst we may be an island, we are not immune to the fanaticism and the psychopathic crime that we have seen witness. Terrorism is an affront to all humanity. Wherever it occurs and whoever it affects. It’s a crime engineered expressly to strike at the innocent, to spread fear, to engender hatred and, at times when terror threatens our way of life, it is right that Australians expect cooperation from their national leaders. That is why Labor has consistently sought bipartisanship on national security. We worked with Mr Abbott and we will do so again with Mr Turnbull. | |
| 1.55am GMT01:55 | |
| Malcolm Turnbull finishes with a promise to engage in domestic and region counter-terrorism efforts. | |
| Across the region, our engagement will intensify, pursuing collective counter-terrorism objectives by better prioritising and coordinating with regional partners. We will defeat these terrorists. And the strongest weapons we bring to this battle are ourselves, our values, our way of life. Our unity mocks their attempts to divide us. Our freedom under law mocks their cruel tyranny. Our mutual respect mocks their bitter intolerance. And the strength of our free people will see off these thugs and tyrants as it has seen off so many of their kind before. | |
| 1.53am GMT01:53 | |
| Turnbull thanked Muslim leaders who made statements condemning the Paris attacks. | |
| Importantly, governments cannot win this battle alone. Community leaders and groups have great responsibility both in denouncing violent extremism and teaching unity in diversity, mutual respect instead of hatred. | |
| 1.51am GMT01:51 | |
| The Turnbull government’s counter-terrorism strategy calls for partnerships, he says. | |
| It emphasises the need to limit the spread and influence of violent extremist ideas. The root cause of the current threat we face is a perverted strain of Islamist extremist ideology. Not all extremism ends in violence but all politically motivated violence begins with extremist ideology. | |
| Any war with ISIL is not just one in a military sense, but also a war of ideas. Through their extensive use of social media, they seek the maximum propaganda advantage from any territorial gains as cover for their fundamental military weakness and the barbaric nature of their mindset. | |
| 1.49am GMT01:49 | 1.49am GMT01:49 |
| Turnbull has asked that law enforcement agencies test their responses to a mass casualty attack. | Turnbull has asked that law enforcement agencies test their responses to a mass casualty attack. |
| Such an attack leaves little, if any, room for negotiation. | Such an attack leaves little, if any, room for negotiation. |
| 1.47am GMT01:47 | 1.47am GMT01:47 |
| New national terrorism threat advisory system | New national terrorism threat advisory system |
| Turnbull has announced a transition to a new system after the Council of Australian governments (Coag) agreed in July to develop a new threat advisory system to make current threats clearer to the public . | Turnbull has announced a transition to a new system after the Council of Australian governments (Coag) agreed in July to develop a new threat advisory system to make current threats clearer to the public . |
| The new framework has been recommended by ASIO. | The new framework has been recommended by ASIO. |
| I can inform the House...that the national threat assessment centre, or NTAC, that sits within ASIO will this week transition to the new national terrorism threat advisory system. The new system will provide the public with more information on the nature of the threat we are facing, the adoption of a five-tiered system will also provide ASIO with greater flexibility in determining threat levels, reflecting the need to adapt to an evolving security environment. | I can inform the House...that the national threat assessment centre, or NTAC, that sits within ASIO will this week transition to the new national terrorism threat advisory system. The new system will provide the public with more information on the nature of the threat we are facing, the adoption of a five-tiered system will also provide ASIO with greater flexibility in determining threat levels, reflecting the need to adapt to an evolving security environment. |
| 1.44am GMT01:44 | 1.44am GMT01:44 |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | Malcolm Turnbull: |
| As your Prime Minister, my highest duty, and that of my government, is to keep Australians safe. We cannot eliminate entirely the risk of terror is many more than we can eliminate entirely the risk of any serious crime but we can mitigate it and we will continue to thwart and frustrate many attacks before they occur. | As your Prime Minister, my highest duty, and that of my government, is to keep Australians safe. We cannot eliminate entirely the risk of terror is many more than we can eliminate entirely the risk of any serious crime but we can mitigate it and we will continue to thwart and frustrate many attacks before they occur. |
| 1.42am GMT01:42 | 1.42am GMT01:42 |
| Malcolm Turnbull: A terrorist incident in Australia remains likely | Malcolm Turnbull: A terrorist incident in Australia remains likely |
| The Paris attacks demonstrate ISIL has an ability to launch concerted attacks in Western cities. It was also a reminder that, while coordinated, there is not much sophisticated planning required for armed fanatics to slaughter unarmed civilians with military assault rifles and suicide vests. As Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of the heads of ASIO and the AFP, as well as the Chief of the Defence Force, I want Australians to be aware that a terrorist incident on our soil remains likely but also that Australians should be reassured that our security agencies are working diligently and expertly to prevent that happening. | The Paris attacks demonstrate ISIL has an ability to launch concerted attacks in Western cities. It was also a reminder that, while coordinated, there is not much sophisticated planning required for armed fanatics to slaughter unarmed civilians with military assault rifles and suicide vests. As Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of the heads of ASIO and the AFP, as well as the Chief of the Defence Force, I want Australians to be aware that a terrorist incident on our soil remains likely but also that Australians should be reassured that our security agencies are working diligently and expertly to prevent that happening. |
| Updated at 1.42am GMT | Updated at 1.42am GMT |
| 1.40am GMT01:40 | 1.40am GMT01:40 |
| Turnbull says the advice from military experts suggests ground troops are not feasible or practical. | Turnbull says the advice from military experts suggests ground troops are not feasible or practical. |
| Under the circumstances that I have outlined, and mindful that Australia has a range of security priorities across the globe and in our own region,there are currently no plans for a significant change in the level or the nature of Australia’s military commitment in Iraq and Syria. No such change has been sought by our allies...The current advice to the government is that the unilateral deployment of Australian combat troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria is neither feasible nor practical. | Under the circumstances that I have outlined, and mindful that Australia has a range of security priorities across the globe and in our own region,there are currently no plans for a significant change in the level or the nature of Australia’s military commitment in Iraq and Syria. No such change has been sought by our allies...The current advice to the government is that the unilateral deployment of Australian combat troops on the ground in Iraq or Syria is neither feasible nor practical. |
| 1.38am GMT01:38 | 1.38am GMT01:38 |
| Speaking to the chamber, which includes Tony Abbott who has called for boots on the ground, Turnbull says: | Speaking to the chamber, which includes Tony Abbott who has called for boots on the ground, Turnbull says: |
| the consensus of the leaders I met at the G20, at APEC, and at the East Asia Summit is that there is no support currently for a large US-led Western army to attempt to conquer and hold ISIL-controlled areas. In Syria, the broader conflict and the absence of a central government that the West can work with makes action against ISIL even more complicated. Following the destruction of the Russian Airliner over the Sinai and the Paris attacks, Russia and France have raised their operational tempo against ISIL. But ultimately a political solution is needed in Syria. | the consensus of the leaders I met at the G20, at APEC, and at the East Asia Summit is that there is no support currently for a large US-led Western army to attempt to conquer and hold ISIL-controlled areas. In Syria, the broader conflict and the absence of a central government that the West can work with makes action against ISIL even more complicated. Following the destruction of the Russian Airliner over the Sinai and the Paris attacks, Russia and France have raised their operational tempo against ISIL. But ultimately a political solution is needed in Syria. |
| 1.36am GMT01:36 | 1.36am GMT01:36 |
| Australia’s contribution to coalition forces is second only to the United States. | Australia’s contribution to coalition forces is second only to the United States. |
| Larger, for example, than that of any European nation. Larger than Canada or any of the neighbouring Arab States. We have six FA-18s involved in missions in that theatre with 240 personnel in the air task group. Ninety Special Forces advisers and around 300 soldiers training the Iraqi Army. | Larger, for example, than that of any European nation. Larger than Canada or any of the neighbouring Arab States. We have six FA-18s involved in missions in that theatre with 240 personnel in the air task group. Ninety Special Forces advisers and around 300 soldiers training the Iraqi Army. |
| 1.34am GMT01:34 | 1.34am GMT01:34 |
| Turnbull says Isil has more smart phones and guns. He makes the point that we should not believe the hype about Isil. By its actions, it has strengthened the resolve of nations around the world to defeat it, including Russia. | Turnbull says Isil has more smart phones and guns. He makes the point that we should not believe the hype about Isil. By its actions, it has strengthened the resolve of nations around the world to defeat it, including Russia. |
| 1.33am GMT01:33 | 1.33am GMT01:33 |
| Malcolm Turnbull begins his statement. | Malcolm Turnbull begins his statement. |
| He says after the killings around the world, anger and grief is understandable but says the attacks call for a clear-eyed strategic response. | He says after the killings around the world, anger and grief is understandable but says the attacks call for a clear-eyed strategic response. |
| 1.19am GMT01:19 | 1.19am GMT01:19 |
| Bill Shorten is asked again about his leadership. Shorten replies that when he came to the job, media editorials said Tony Abbott would be around for a long time. Now he is gone because Labor has been strong. Shorten says that he is offering the tobacco excise policy in the “spirit of bipartisanship”. | Bill Shorten is asked again about his leadership. Shorten replies that when he came to the job, media editorials said Tony Abbott would be around for a long time. Now he is gone because Labor has been strong. Shorten says that he is offering the tobacco excise policy in the “spirit of bipartisanship”. |
| Labor has been doing a job as a strong opposition. Today again we are fronting up. | Labor has been doing a job as a strong opposition. Today again we are fronting up. |
| 1.13am GMT01:13 | 1.13am GMT01:13 |
| Shorten has been asked about the tax transparency debate, which is due in the senate later this afternoon. | Shorten has been asked about the tax transparency debate, which is due in the senate later this afternoon. |
| If you want the rest of us to pay tax and accept the system’s working, I think it’s very important that the big end of town be transparent and clear in what they do. | If you want the rest of us to pay tax and accept the system’s working, I think it’s very important that the big end of town be transparent and clear in what they do. |
| 1.10am GMT01:10 | 1.10am GMT01:10 |
| Bill Shorten moves to climate change and describes the governments targets of 26-28% as “knee high expectations”. | Bill Shorten moves to climate change and describes the governments targets of 26-28% as “knee high expectations”. |
| He says Labor’s targets will be revealed shortly. | He says Labor’s targets will be revealed shortly. |
| Asked if he will increase the excise on alcohol - given its health effects - Labor is focussing on tobacco at this stage. | Asked if he will increase the excise on alcohol - given its health effects - Labor is focussing on tobacco at this stage. |
| 1.08am GMT01:08 | 1.08am GMT01:08 |
| Asked whether he will lead the Labor party at the next election, Bill Shorten says he will never give up. | Asked whether he will lead the Labor party at the next election, Bill Shorten says he will never give up. |
| I accept what’s going on with Malcolm Turnbull at the moment. Truth be told, I share in the national relief that Tony Abbott’s no longer prime minister of Australia. I understand that’s what’s happening. But what I also understand is Malcolm Turnbull hasn’t been subject to any real economic tests yet. | I accept what’s going on with Malcolm Turnbull at the moment. Truth be told, I share in the national relief that Tony Abbott’s no longer prime minister of Australia. I understand that’s what’s happening. But what I also understand is Malcolm Turnbull hasn’t been subject to any real economic tests yet. |
| 1.06am GMT01:06 | 1.06am GMT01:06 |
| Bill Shorten makes the point Labor is prepared to put policies out there rather than making itself a small target - as Tony Abbott did. | Bill Shorten makes the point Labor is prepared to put policies out there rather than making itself a small target - as Tony Abbott did. |
| Q: In order to implement the policy,you have to win the next election. Aren’t you alienating the people who are going to vote for you? | Q: In order to implement the policy,you have to win the next election. Aren’t you alienating the people who are going to vote for you? |
| Actually, we are showing a degree of trust in the Australian people that Malcolm Turnbull is not. You are all experienced political writers, the game book says ‘don’t announce your policies until the election and be a small target’. We have taken a different approach. We have outlined what we will do in terms of reining the excessive superannuation tax concessions which currently exist. We have proposed measures to make sure multinationals pay their fair share. Today we announce further measures. We are not treating the Australian people inappropriately. We are not engaging in an insincere debate. We have seen the debate in parliament ‘let’s have every idea on the table’ but we never hear any of them. | Actually, we are showing a degree of trust in the Australian people that Malcolm Turnbull is not. You are all experienced political writers, the game book says ‘don’t announce your policies until the election and be a small target’. We have taken a different approach. We have outlined what we will do in terms of reining the excessive superannuation tax concessions which currently exist. We have proposed measures to make sure multinationals pay their fair share. Today we announce further measures. We are not treating the Australian people inappropriately. We are not engaging in an insincere debate. We have seen the debate in parliament ‘let’s have every idea on the table’ but we never hear any of them. |
| 1.01am GMT01:01 | 1.01am GMT01:01 |
| Bill Shorten addresses the effect on the poor. | Bill Shorten addresses the effect on the poor. |
| This argument which is often used by big tobacco, says somehow making people pay more for cigarettes is anti-poor people. Both my parents smoked. Both my parents had tobacco-related diseases. Neither of my parents have lived to the age which I hoped they would have. | This argument which is often used by big tobacco, says somehow making people pay more for cigarettes is anti-poor people. Both my parents smoked. Both my parents had tobacco-related diseases. Neither of my parents have lived to the age which I hoped they would have. |
| 12.59am GMT00:59 | 12.59am GMT00:59 |
| Labor health shadow Catherine King gives the numbers. | Labor health shadow Catherine King gives the numbers. |
| Updated at 1.02am GMT | Updated at 1.02am GMT |
| 12.58am GMT00:58 | 12.58am GMT00:58 |
| Bill Shorten, Chris Bowen and Catherine King are now speaking on Labor’s policy for an increase in tobacco excise. | Bill Shorten, Chris Bowen and Catherine King are now speaking on Labor’s policy for an increase in tobacco excise. |
| Bowen is dealing with an issue he has touched on already this morning. | Bowen is dealing with an issue he has touched on already this morning. |
| This is a decision which will be controversial. We know some people won’t like this decision. We have always said that tough and controversial decisions will be necessary. Let me deal with one matter head-on. Poor people do smoke more. Poor people die earlier. That is unacceptable to us in the Labor Party. Peoples’ wealth is leading to lower life expectancy right across the country. There is a number of reasons why that is the case. Smoking is up there as a cause for people who are on low incomes dying earlier than people on high incomes. That is offensive to us as the Labor Party. This is a measure which will make a contribution to doing something about that. | This is a decision which will be controversial. We know some people won’t like this decision. We have always said that tough and controversial decisions will be necessary. Let me deal with one matter head-on. Poor people do smoke more. Poor people die earlier. That is unacceptable to us in the Labor Party. Peoples’ wealth is leading to lower life expectancy right across the country. There is a number of reasons why that is the case. Smoking is up there as a cause for people who are on low incomes dying earlier than people on high incomes. That is offensive to us as the Labor Party. This is a measure which will make a contribution to doing something about that. |
| 12.54am GMT00:54 | 12.54am GMT00:54 |
| One of the more controversial aspects of the Harper review was around a so-called “effects test” to curb the misuse of market power by big business. | One of the more controversial aspects of the Harper review was around a so-called “effects test” to curb the misuse of market power by big business. |
| Former small biz minister Billson was in favour of an effects test but was meeting stiff opposition in the cabinet, some of whom were particularly worried about a campaign by the Business Council of Australia. The National party lined up with Billson on the issue - particularly given the issue of food producers supplying big supermarkets like Woolies and Coles. | Former small biz minister Billson was in favour of an effects test but was meeting stiff opposition in the cabinet, some of whom were particularly worried about a campaign by the Business Council of Australia. The National party lined up with Billson on the issue - particularly given the issue of food producers supplying big supermarkets like Woolies and Coles. |
| When he negotiated the Coalition agreement after coming to the leadership, Turnbull agreed to push the effects test in cabinet - though he is not bound to enact the test, if the cabinet does not agree. | When he negotiated the Coalition agreement after coming to the leadership, Turnbull agreed to push the effects test in cabinet - though he is not bound to enact the test, if the cabinet does not agree. |
| 12.36am GMT00:36 | 12.36am GMT00:36 |
| A stocktake. | A stocktake. |
| Bill Shorten coming up soon. | Bill Shorten coming up soon. |
| Turnbull’s national security statement at midday. | Turnbull’s national security statement at midday. |
| The government is expected to release its response to the Harper competition review shortly after that. The report by Ian Harper was released in March this year. | The government is expected to release its response to the Harper competition review shortly after that. The report by Ian Harper was released in March this year. |
| You can remind yourself of the recommendations using Daniel Hurst’s story here: | You can remind yourself of the recommendations using Daniel Hurst’s story here: |
| A review of Australia’s competition laws has called for pharmacy regulations to be pared back, the full deregulation of retail trading hours and the removal of import restrictions on books and secondhand cars. | A review of Australia’s competition laws has called for pharmacy regulations to be pared back, the full deregulation of retail trading hours and the removal of import restrictions on books and secondhand cars. |
| The final report of the Coalition-commissioned review also called on the government to reform a “deficient” section of the Competition and Consumer Act dealing with companies that misuse their market power. | The final report of the Coalition-commissioned review also called on the government to reform a “deficient” section of the Competition and Consumer Act dealing with companies that misuse their market power. |
| A further review of taxi regulation was placed on the agenda, but the report stopped short of backing some Coalition politicians’ calls for changes to prevent environmental groups campaigning for boycotts against particular companies. | A further review of taxi regulation was placed on the agenda, but the report stopped short of backing some Coalition politicians’ calls for changes to prevent environmental groups campaigning for boycotts against particular companies. |
| Prof Ian Harper, the economist who headed the review, said the 56 recommendations were “the result of widespread consultation” and aimed to reinvigorate competition to encourage innovation and improve productivity. | Prof Ian Harper, the economist who headed the review, said the 56 recommendations were “the result of widespread consultation” and aimed to reinvigorate competition to encourage innovation and improve productivity. |
| Updated at 12.58am GMT | Updated at 12.58am GMT |
| 11.57pm GMT23:57 | 11.57pm GMT23:57 |
| Bruce Billson: I've loved these days | Bruce Billson: I've loved these days |
| Serial enthusiast Bruce Billson has channelled Billy Joel in his statement announcing his retirement. | Serial enthusiast Bruce Billson has channelled Billy Joel in his statement announcing his retirement. |
| I have loved these days and make public this decision with no regret, remorse or bitterness. | I have loved these days and make public this decision with no regret, remorse or bitterness. |
| Billson is known for his infectious enthusiasm, particularly for his former ministry of small business. But like all good gigs, it had to come to an end, which happened with the rise of ReTurnbull. | Billson is known for his infectious enthusiasm, particularly for his former ministry of small business. But like all good gigs, it had to come to an end, which happened with the rise of ReTurnbull. |
| Then, like politicians everywhere, as soon as the climb ends, it becomes very important to spend more time with family. | Then, like politicians everywhere, as soon as the climb ends, it becomes very important to spend more time with family. |
| Today I advised my parliamentary colleagues I will not be seeking to earn the support of my beloved Dunkley community at the next election to represent ‘Melbourne’s Riviera’ for an eighth term. | Today I advised my parliamentary colleagues I will not be seeking to earn the support of my beloved Dunkley community at the next election to represent ‘Melbourne’s Riviera’ for an eighth term. |
| After two decades in public life, my family and I have reflected on circumstances following the change of leadership and decided it is the right time to ‘hang up the campaign R.M. Williams’. | After two decades in public life, my family and I have reflected on circumstances following the change of leadership and decided it is the right time to ‘hang up the campaign R.M. Williams’. |
| It has become clear to us that while I love what I do, it is not possible for me to fully do what I love.... | It has become clear to us that while I love what I do, it is not possible for me to fully do what I love.... |
| Billson committed not to white-ant the Turnbull government to ensure the Coalition has “maximum opportunity for ‘clear air’ and a sure-footed start”. | Billson committed not to white-ant the Turnbull government to ensure the Coalition has “maximum opportunity for ‘clear air’ and a sure-footed start”. |
| Doing this means curtailing my disposition to seek to lead, strongly advocate and implement policy initiatives and reform ideas. | Doing this means curtailing my disposition to seek to lead, strongly advocate and implement policy initiatives and reform ideas. |
| Our [family] conclusion after much consideration is that the goal of a more family-friendly professional life of purpose, challenge and impact is best pursued in another field. | Our [family] conclusion after much consideration is that the goal of a more family-friendly professional life of purpose, challenge and impact is best pursued in another field. |
| Goodbye Bruce, via Billy. | Goodbye Bruce, via Billy. |
| We drown our doubts in dry champagneAnd soothe our souls with fine cocaineI don’t know why I even careWe’ll get so high and get nowhereWe’ll have to change our jaded waysBut I’ve loved these daysSo before we end and then beginWe’ll drink a toast to how it’s beenA few more hours to be completeA few more nights on satin sheetsA few more times that I can sayI’ve loved these days. | We drown our doubts in dry champagneAnd soothe our souls with fine cocaineI don’t know why I even careWe’ll get so high and get nowhereWe’ll have to change our jaded waysBut I’ve loved these daysSo before we end and then beginWe’ll drink a toast to how it’s beenA few more hours to be completeA few more nights on satin sheetsA few more times that I can sayI’ve loved these days. |
| 11.20pm GMT23:20 | 11.20pm GMT23:20 |
| Confirmation, @BruceBillsonMP to retire at the next election #auspol | Confirmation, @BruceBillsonMP to retire at the next election #auspol |
| 10.53pm GMT22:53 | 10.53pm GMT22:53 |
| Many people have commented on the different tone of the national security debate with the change from Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull, while noting there has not been a change in policy. | Many people have commented on the different tone of the national security debate with the change from Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull, while noting there has not been a change in policy. |
| In June this year, Tony Abbott commented after a lone wolf terrorist attack in France. | In June this year, Tony Abbott commented after a lone wolf terrorist attack in France. |
| Regrettably, as we saw in France, all you need for terrorism these days is a knife, a flag, a camera phone and a victim. | Regrettably, as we saw in France, all you need for terrorism these days is a knife, a flag, a camera phone and a victim. |
| The Turnbull government appears to have moved from that to a mode of assurance. Justice minister Michael Keenan is worth quoting at some length to contrast the tone of the debate. Keenan was asked about the possibility of a Paris-style attack in Australia. | The Turnbull government appears to have moved from that to a mode of assurance. Justice minister Michael Keenan is worth quoting at some length to contrast the tone of the debate. Keenan was asked about the possibility of a Paris-style attack in Australia. |
| I mean I think we’ve got some natural advantages that unfortunately European countries don’t have at the moment, including the fact thatwe’re in control over people who come to Australia. | I mean I think we’ve got some natural advantages that unfortunately European countries don’t have at the moment, including the fact thatwe’re in control over people who come to Australia. |
| Now obviously at the moment they’ve got great security vulnerabilities in the fact they’ve got hundreds of thousands of people moving around in a completely uncontrolled way. | Now obviously at the moment they’ve got great security vulnerabilities in the fact they’ve got hundreds of thousands of people moving around in a completely uncontrolled way. |
| Secondly, the robust gun control that we’ve had in Australia for the past 20 years would mean that it would be very difficult to get your hands on those sort o f high-powered weapons that we saw used in those Paris attacks. | Secondly, the robust gun control that we’ve had in Australia for the past 20 years would mean that it would be very difficult to get your hands on those sort o f high-powered weapons that we saw used in those Paris attacks. |
| And finally our community relations here are as good as anywhere in the world and we’ve made an enormous effort to work with the Muslim community in Australia, to make sure that they are our partners in addressing this challenge. | And finally our community relations here are as good as anywhere in the world and we’ve made an enormous effort to work with the Muslim community in Australia, to make sure that they are our partners in addressing this challenge. |
| So look, there’s things, there’s natural advantages that we have here. But I think that’s twinned with the fact that we have done so much to equip our agencies to address it. And the proof that our agencies are successful in keeping us safe is the fact that over the past 12 months, they have stopped 6 terror attacks on Australian soil. | So look, there’s things, there’s natural advantages that we have here. But I think that’s twinned with the fact that we have done so much to equip our agencies to address it. And the proof that our agencies are successful in keeping us safe is the fact that over the past 12 months, they have stopped 6 terror attacks on Australian soil. |
| 10.37pm GMT22:37 | 10.37pm GMT22:37 |
| No country for old zingers. | No country for old zingers. |
| 10.13pm GMT22:13 | 10.13pm GMT22:13 |
| Bill Shorten gave a pretty strong speech at the event organised by the minister Michaelia Cash which focused on media reporting of domestic violence. Shorten thanked Cash and said this: | Bill Shorten gave a pretty strong speech at the event organised by the minister Michaelia Cash which focused on media reporting of domestic violence. Shorten thanked Cash and said this: |
| Family violence, violence against women, is all about power. It is about power and it is about gender. Family violence does not respect geography. It’s not about alcohol or drug abuse. It’s not caused by that. It is not caused by poverty, it is not caused by ethnicity or religion. It occurs principally when men assault, hurt and even murder women. It is a terrible crime – it is carried out by people who say that they once loved someone and are now in a position where they are hurting someone. But it is caused fundamentally by an imbalance in our society. | Family violence, violence against women, is all about power. It is about power and it is about gender. Family violence does not respect geography. It’s not about alcohol or drug abuse. It’s not caused by that. It is not caused by poverty, it is not caused by ethnicity or religion. It occurs principally when men assault, hurt and even murder women. It is a terrible crime – it is carried out by people who say that they once loved someone and are now in a position where they are hurting someone. But it is caused fundamentally by an imbalance in our society. |
| He also had a reminder for the media about (false) balance on the issue. | He also had a reminder for the media about (false) balance on the issue. |
| What the media choose to say and report about family violence can make a big difference to how people feel about speaking up. | What the media choose to say and report about family violence can make a big difference to how people feel about speaking up. |
| What we need to be very clear about, I think in the reporting, is we shouldn’t always assume there are two sides to every story, that each are of equal weight and both deserving of equal respect. | What we need to be very clear about, I think in the reporting, is we shouldn’t always assume there are two sides to every story, that each are of equal weight and both deserving of equal respect. |
| Women deserve more than the lazy moral relativism which says there is his side and then there’s her side, that must be it and they must be of competing weights. | Women deserve more than the lazy moral relativism which says there is his side and then there’s her side, that must be it and they must be of competing weights. |
| I think we are right in our society to call out offensive and outdated attitudes to women and not call them ‘harmless fun’. | I think we are right in our society to call out offensive and outdated attitudes to women and not call them ‘harmless fun’. |
| Updated at 10.37pm GMT | Updated at 10.37pm GMT |
| 10.03pm GMT22:03 | 10.03pm GMT22:03 |
| The house sits at midday, the Senate slightly later at 12.30pm. | The house sits at midday, the Senate slightly later at 12.30pm. |
| Turnbull’s national security statement will be at 12.30pm in the house. | Turnbull’s national security statement will be at 12.30pm in the house. |
| In the lower house, the legislation is as follows: | In the lower house, the legislation is as follows: |
| In the Senate: | In the Senate: |
| That last bill on multinational tax avoidance was amended, you will remember, last sitting week by a Greens/Labor motion. | That last bill on multinational tax avoidance was amended, you will remember, last sitting week by a Greens/Labor motion. |
| The Senate voted to change the laws that shield large private companies (earning more than $100m a year) from publishing tax details. This was the so-called “kidnap clause” – that is, if people knew rich people like Gina Rinehart were rich, their lives might be at risk from extortion or kidnapping. | The Senate voted to change the laws that shield large private companies (earning more than $100m a year) from publishing tax details. This was the so-called “kidnap clause” – that is, if people knew rich people like Gina Rinehart were rich, their lives might be at risk from extortion or kidnapping. |
| The amendment was a bit of an add-on – because Labor forgot to call a division last month on the bill that the kidnap clause actually related to. So the Greens found a way to include it in the “combating multinational tax” bill. | The amendment was a bit of an add-on – because Labor forgot to call a division last month on the bill that the kidnap clause actually related to. So the Greens found a way to include it in the “combating multinational tax” bill. |
| Treasurer Scott Morrison rejected the Senate’s changes and has sent it back to the Senate. In doing so, he risks losing the whole bill – which does good things like stop multinationals avoiding their tax through transfer pricing and other tricky accounting measures. If he makes a stand, it will be on the issue of protecting very rich people from tax scrutiny. | Treasurer Scott Morrison rejected the Senate’s changes and has sent it back to the Senate. In doing so, he risks losing the whole bill – which does good things like stop multinationals avoiding their tax through transfer pricing and other tricky accounting measures. If he makes a stand, it will be on the issue of protecting very rich people from tax scrutiny. |
| So that forms the basis for a showdown in the Senate today. | So that forms the basis for a showdown in the Senate today. |
| Updated at 10.41pm GMT | Updated at 10.41pm GMT |
| 9.40pm GMT21:40 | 9.40pm GMT21:40 |
| As treasurer, Peter Costello gave a strong speech in 2006 in which he complained about “mushy misguided multiculturalism”. In an echo of recent debates, Costello then warned migrants who do not share Australian values should be stripped of their citizenship. | As treasurer, Peter Costello gave a strong speech in 2006 in which he complained about “mushy misguided multiculturalism”. In an echo of recent debates, Costello then warned migrants who do not share Australian values should be stripped of their citizenship. |
| At this very moment, legislation to strip Australian citizenship from dual nationals is making its way through the parliament. While some have expressed concerns at its extent, only the Greens Adam Bandt, independents Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie have spoken against it. | At this very moment, legislation to strip Australian citizenship from dual nationals is making its way through the parliament. While some have expressed concerns at its extent, only the Greens Adam Bandt, independents Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie have spoken against it. |
| Costello’s 2006 speech reported in the Age said migrants should be forced to honour a pledge of allegiance to Australia or face the prospect of being kicked out. | Costello’s 2006 speech reported in the Age said migrants should be forced to honour a pledge of allegiance to Australia or face the prospect of being kicked out. |
| Those who are outside this compact threaten the rights and liberties of others. They should be refused citizenship if they apply for it. Where they have it they should be stripped of it if they are dual citizens and have some other country that recognises them as citizens. | Those who are outside this compact threaten the rights and liberties of others. They should be refused citizenship if they apply for it. Where they have it they should be stripped of it if they are dual citizens and have some other country that recognises them as citizens. |
| Mr Costello said the citizenship pledge should be “a big flashing warning sign” to Muslims wanting to live under sharia law. | Mr Costello said the citizenship pledge should be “a big flashing warning sign” to Muslims wanting to live under sharia law. |
| Before entering a mosque visitors are asked to take off their shoes. This is a sign of respect. If you have a strong objection to walking in your socks don’t enter the mosque. Before becoming an Australian you will be asked to subscribe to certain values. If you have strong objection to those values don’t come to Australia. | Before entering a mosque visitors are asked to take off their shoes. This is a sign of respect. If you have a strong objection to walking in your socks don’t enter the mosque. Before becoming an Australian you will be asked to subscribe to certain values. If you have strong objection to those values don’t come to Australia. |
| Updated at 10.41pm GMT | Updated at 10.41pm GMT |
| 9.28pm GMT21:28 | 9.28pm GMT21:28 |
| Former treasurer Peter Costello has written a column for the Tele on terrorism. It has some confronting | Former treasurer Peter Costello has written a column for the Tele on terrorism. It has some confronting |
| After each atrocity complacent political leaders trot out the same platitudes. They tell us: “This has nothing to do with Islam, etc.” It is wearing thin with the public. All these attacks are coming from people who subscribe to one religion, which is not Catholic or Protestant or Jewish or Buddhist or Yazidi. Plainly it has something to do with Islam. And the people who are doing it think it has everything to do with Islam. That is why they shout Allahu Akbar while firing their guns and detonating their explosives. | After each atrocity complacent political leaders trot out the same platitudes. They tell us: “This has nothing to do with Islam, etc.” It is wearing thin with the public. All these attacks are coming from people who subscribe to one religion, which is not Catholic or Protestant or Jewish or Buddhist or Yazidi. Plainly it has something to do with Islam. And the people who are doing it think it has everything to do with Islam. That is why they shout Allahu Akbar while firing their guns and detonating their explosives. |
| Now it may be they have got Islam all wrong — and the good thing is that their interpretation seems to be a tiny, minority one. But the fact is this interpretation has followers from different continents and different cultures, which tells us there is something in the source documents and history of Islam that gives them a peg to hang their hat on. If there were an easy demolition of this school of theology why hasn’t it been done by now? | Now it may be they have got Islam all wrong — and the good thing is that their interpretation seems to be a tiny, minority one. But the fact is this interpretation has followers from different continents and different cultures, which tells us there is something in the source documents and history of Islam that gives them a peg to hang their hat on. If there were an easy demolition of this school of theology why hasn’t it been done by now? |
| These are difficult questions to ask, but after the level of death in recent years we have to be honest and ask them. | These are difficult questions to ask, but after the level of death in recent years we have to be honest and ask them. |
| One great illusion that Western liberals use to console themselves is that all religions are more or less the same. They know little of religion but find this belief to be comforting. It means there is no need to worry that Muslim immigration is bringing unique problems to Western cities. Everyone just believes the same thing anyway. | One great illusion that Western liberals use to console themselves is that all religions are more or less the same. They know little of religion but find this belief to be comforting. It means there is no need to worry that Muslim immigration is bringing unique problems to Western cities. Everyone just believes the same thing anyway. |
| Peter Costello rejects this idea. He singles out Islam in a very specific way. | Peter Costello rejects this idea. He singles out Islam in a very specific way. |
| Religions are not all the same. Christ never sought to establish an earthly kingdom — “My kingdom is not of this world,” he said. But Mohammed did. He led an army in the conquest of Mecca. As an earthly ruler he had quite a lot to say about how to wage war and make peace. These are the teachings radical Islamists rely on to justify their conduct. | Religions are not all the same. Christ never sought to establish an earthly kingdom — “My kingdom is not of this world,” he said. But Mohammed did. He led an army in the conquest of Mecca. As an earthly ruler he had quite a lot to say about how to wage war and make peace. These are the teachings radical Islamists rely on to justify their conduct. |
| So what we need from the Islamic scholars is to tell us, and more importantly to tell would-be jihadis, why these difficult sections of the Koran and the Hadiths are not to be taken literally and not to be followed today. They should explain why “jihad”, which once did include warfare, no longer means that, and why what might have been acceptable in the 7th century cannot be justified now. Like the rest of us, it is not in their interest to let one extremist use the Koran to justify mass murder. | So what we need from the Islamic scholars is to tell us, and more importantly to tell would-be jihadis, why these difficult sections of the Koran and the Hadiths are not to be taken literally and not to be followed today. They should explain why “jihad”, which once did include warfare, no longer means that, and why what might have been acceptable in the 7th century cannot be justified now. Like the rest of us, it is not in their interest to let one extremist use the Koran to justify mass murder. |
| Discuss. | Discuss. |
| 9.16pm GMT21:16 | 9.16pm GMT21:16 |
| 9.05pm GMT21:05 | 9.05pm GMT21:05 |
| Why is this man smiling? | Why is this man smiling? |
| Polls, polls, polls, | Polls, polls, polls, |
| polls | polls |
| , POLLS. | , POLLS. |
| The bane of political lives everywhere. Bill Shorten, The Oz has declared, is Mr 15%. | The bane of political lives everywhere. Bill Shorten, The Oz has declared, is Mr 15%. |
| Newspoll shows in the past fortnight on the question of who would make the better prime minister, 15% of voters think Bill Shorten is the person, compared with 64% for Malcolm Turnbull. Shortens numbers are down from 41% in September, ahead of Abbott on 37%. | Newspoll shows in the past fortnight on the question of who would make the better prime minister, 15% of voters think Bill Shorten is the person, compared with 64% for Malcolm Turnbull. Shortens numbers are down from 41% in September, ahead of Abbott on 37%. |
| The interesting this is people have not changed their perception of Shorten’s performance - so it would appear that he has not done anything to put voters off. They just prefer the other bloke. | The interesting this is people have not changed their perception of Shorten’s performance - so it would appear that he has not done anything to put voters off. They just prefer the other bloke. |
| Labor’s primary vote has fallen to 33%, compared with the Coalition on 46. The Greens are up one point to 11%. | Labor’s primary vote has fallen to 33%, compared with the Coalition on 46. The Greens are up one point to 11%. |
| 8.42pm GMT20:42 | 8.42pm GMT20:42 |
| Good morning bloganistas, | Good morning bloganistas, |
| I am sensing a certain acceleration in the new politics. As we roll down towards the final sitting week, I’m getting the feeling that while everything has been on the table, certain priorities are rising to the top. Decisions are being made behind closed doors. Agendas are solidifying. #justsaying | I am sensing a certain acceleration in the new politics. As we roll down towards the final sitting week, I’m getting the feeling that while everything has been on the table, certain priorities are rising to the top. Decisions are being made behind closed doors. Agendas are solidifying. #justsaying |
| Lots on for today. | Lots on for today. |
| There is a national security statement this morning. | There is a national security statement this morning. |
| The prime minister has a speech to an event right now to combat domestic violence. | The prime minister has a speech to an event right now to combat domestic violence. |
| Lenore Taylor has a corker of a story regarding shield laws for wealthy private companies. The exemption for these private companies was a deal done under the Keating government in 1995. There goes his halo. | Lenore Taylor has a corker of a story regarding shield laws for wealthy private companies. The exemption for these private companies was a deal done under the Keating government in 1995. There goes his halo. |
| Private companies associated with Australia’s business elite, including prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, are on a list of entities not required to publish tax information under an historical secrecy provision that will continue if the Senate caves in on its demand that the government introduce new tax transparency rules. | Private companies associated with Australia’s business elite, including prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, are on a list of entities not required to publish tax information under an historical secrecy provision that will continue if the Senate caves in on its demand that the government introduce new tax transparency rules. |
| Guardian Australia can reveal the full list of 1,498 companies that were – as of 2011 – exempted from filing annual financial reports with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) under a deal done by the Keating government in 1995. | Guardian Australia can reveal the full list of 1,498 companies that were – as of 2011 – exempted from filing annual financial reports with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) under a deal done by the Keating government in 1995. |
| The list is a who’s who of corporate Australia, including private companies associated with the Myer family, the Pratt family’s Visy Industries, media proprietor John B. Fairfax, Transfield Holdings, News Corp subsidiaries Courier Newspaper Operations and General Newspapers Pty Ltd, chicken producer Inghams, the Moran Health Care Group, construction giant Grocon and pastoral companies such as S Kidman and Co, currently up for sale. | The list is a who’s who of corporate Australia, including private companies associated with the Myer family, the Pratt family’s Visy Industries, media proprietor John B. Fairfax, Transfield Holdings, News Corp subsidiaries Courier Newspaper Operations and General Newspapers Pty Ltd, chicken producer Inghams, the Moran Health Care Group, construction giant Grocon and pastoral companies such as S Kidman and Co, currently up for sale. |
| Meanwhile, cigs may go up! (My favourite budget headline from the eighties.) | Meanwhile, cigs may go up! (My favourite budget headline from the eighties.) |
| Labor announced the policy to raise the tobacco excise by 12.5% a year which would see a packet of cigarettes cost more than $40 in four years. Treasurer shadow Chris Bowen is speaking on the ABC about the reality that the tax rise will hit the poor, who are more likely to smoke. It’s a health issue, he says, that also helps the budget. | Labor announced the policy to raise the tobacco excise by 12.5% a year which would see a packet of cigarettes cost more than $40 in four years. Treasurer shadow Chris Bowen is speaking on the ABC about the reality that the tax rise will hit the poor, who are more likely to smoke. It’s a health issue, he says, that also helps the budget. |
| There is nothing fair about poorer people dying Fran. | There is nothing fair about poorer people dying Fran. |
| Mike Bowers is chasing the PM as we speak and we are both on Twitter @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. | Mike Bowers is chasing the PM as we speak and we are both on Twitter @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. |