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| Labor continues its attack on the special minister of state, Mal Brough– question time live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.21am GMT03:21 | |
| A question from Bob Katter on water to the prime minister. | |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | |
| Mr Speaker, it reminds me of the great wisdom of Mark Twain, who says whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over. | |
| 3.19am GMT03:19 | |
| Mark Dreyfus. | |
| Q: My question is to the special minister of state. This week in question time, the minister said, and I quote: “I at no time passed any diaries to any journalists. Can I be any clearer than that?” Can the minister be clear with the House now. Did the minister pass any documents concerning the former Speaker to anyone, including but not limited to, members of parliament or staff? | |
| Mal Brough: | |
| I can confirm for the member for Isaacs that every document that I have ever had any part to do with have been in the federal court. They have been presented to the federal court. There is no more – there are no less – and the federal court ... so any document that you are referring to that has gone to my lawyers to the federal court, is the sum total. | |
| (If there was a direct answer in there, I missed it.) | |
| Updated at 3.21am GMT | |
| 3.14am GMT03:14 | |
| Mark Dreyfus. | |
| Q: I refer to the claims made by James Ashby about the assistant minister for innovation, and I quote, “he says that he presented me with a sheet of paper with instructions of what I should do and one the first steps was to get a copy of the office diary.” Was the minister aware of or did he have any input into drafting these discussions? Is conduct of this nature – is conduct of this nature consistent with the standards of this government? | |
| Manager of government business Christopher Pyne objects to this question. This is purely a fishing expedition that probably wouldn’t be allowed in a court of law. This goes beyond the scope of his responsibilities and knowledge. | |
| Quite frankly, it’s not the job of the member for Isaacs to interrogate the special minister of state although he is in a court of law in a case. | |
| Speaker Smith isn’t happy either. He directs Brough to answer the last part of the question. If he remembers. | |
| There’s some shouting from the opposition. | |
| Brough, at the dispatch box, over reaching again. | |
| Oh, oh, you poor diddums. | |
| (This man really doesn’t know how to help himself, although if he’s here, the over reach today likely reflects his confidence that he will see out the sitting week in his job.) | |
| Dreyfus puts the last part of the question again. | |
| Brough: | |
| He asked me to reflect on conduct, about a document I have never seen, that I do not know - what’s contained in that document, and then I’m to make a judgment upon it. That would seem to be the approach that the Member for Isaacs has taken for the last two weeks. | |
| 3.04am GMT03:04 | |
| Question time | |
| Labor opens on Mal Brough, and seeks to widen the circle of interest. | |
| Shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus. | |
| Q: I refer to the minister’s answers and statements in the House. What discussions did the minister have with the assistant minister for innovation about the Ashby affair? | |
| (This is referring to Wyatt Roy.) | |
| Brough says he has conversations all the time with colleagues, but if this is a specific question about Ashby discussions, then the answer is no. | |
| Updated at 3.06am GMT | |
| 2.59am GMT02:59 | |
| Shalailah Medhora | |
| Just before question time – today is International Day of People with Disability, and there are a couple of announcements to do with the sector that we should note here. Firstly, the federal social services minister, Christian Porter, has announced that the commonwealth and Tasmania have reached an agreement of the full rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). A trial of the scheme is under way now, and by the time it’s fully rolled out, in July 2019, the NDIS is expected to support 10,600 people living with disability. | |
| Also, on Thursday, Labor announced that it would put $2m back into the disability advocacy sector, which lost over $1m in budget cuts after the Coalition took office. Labor’s funding boost would reinstate the cuts plus add a little bit of extra money it says is aimed at smaller organisations that have sprung up as a result of the NDIS. | |
| “It’s important because it makes sure that people with disability have their own voices heard, that they can say that they hope for their lives, about where they live, about the work they do, about their human rights, about the things that make them happy,” the shadow minister for disability reform, Jenny Macklin, said. Disability advocacy also took a hit when the Coalition decided not to replace the disability discrimination commissioner, Graeme Innes, when his term at the Human Rights Commission expired in July 2014. | |
| Updated at 3.02am GMT | |
| 2.56am GMT02:56 | |
| I think Mal Brough should join the Nationals to bring these two streams together. Can’t stop laughing, sorry, that kind of day. The hour of glower beckons. Boil the kettle. Let’s get into it. | |
| 2.41am GMT02:41 | 2.41am GMT02:41 |
| Queensland Liberal Steve Ciobo is on Sky, clearly unimpressed with the little Queensland breakout on the final sitting day of the year. | Queensland Liberal Steve Ciobo is on Sky, clearly unimpressed with the little Queensland breakout on the final sitting day of the year. |
| Ciobo says Macfarlane clearly was aggrieved he was not kept in cabinet. He felt he had more to give and saw this as a pathway to getting back in the ministry. | Ciobo says Macfarlane clearly was aggrieved he was not kept in cabinet. He felt he had more to give and saw this as a pathway to getting back in the ministry. |
| This is about Ian Macfarlane serving his own interests. | This is about Ian Macfarlane serving his own interests. |
| Ciobo is asked if there’s a Liberals rush to the Nationals, would this trigger a reshuffle? (Cabinet spots are determined by a balanced ratio of Liberals and Nationals. More Nats, more representation.) | Ciobo is asked if there’s a Liberals rush to the Nationals, would this trigger a reshuffle? (Cabinet spots are determined by a balanced ratio of Liberals and Nationals. More Nats, more representation.) |
| Ciobo says when Warren Truss departs the party leadership, perhaps that might open the batting. (Yes, that is a snark.) | Ciobo says when Warren Truss departs the party leadership, perhaps that might open the batting. (Yes, that is a snark.) |
| Updated at 2.45am GMT | Updated at 2.45am GMT |
| 2.28am GMT02:28 | 2.28am GMT02:28 |
| Shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, on the ABC, taking his turn on the Brough tenderising mission ahead of question time. | Shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, on the ABC, taking his turn on the Brough tenderising mission ahead of question time. |
| I’ve been in parliament 11 years now, I’ve been a close observer of parliament for a lot longer than that. | I’ve been in parliament 11 years now, I’ve been a close observer of parliament for a lot longer than that. |
| I have never seen a clearer case of a minister having to resign, he should be resigning. This is open and shut that Mal Brough should resign. It is open and shut that Malcolm Turnbull should sack him. | I have never seen a clearer case of a minister having to resign, he should be resigning. This is open and shut that Mal Brough should resign. It is open and shut that Malcolm Turnbull should sack him. |
| It’s frankly very clear that Malcolm Turnbull should not have appointed him. He is the special minister of state – he is responsible for integrity. This is not just some sort of routine search for documents. There was a federal police raid of his house with those documents showing the police had reasonable suspicion of procuring documents. This is just crystal clear. | It’s frankly very clear that Malcolm Turnbull should not have appointed him. He is the special minister of state – he is responsible for integrity. This is not just some sort of routine search for documents. There was a federal police raid of his house with those documents showing the police had reasonable suspicion of procuring documents. This is just crystal clear. |
| And the fact that Malcolm Turnbull appointed him – Malcolm Turnbull gets up in the House and says, “We already knew this.” | And the fact that Malcolm Turnbull appointed him – Malcolm Turnbull gets up in the House and says, “We already knew this.” |
| Yes, Malcolm, that’s the point, it goes to your fundamental lack of judgment in appointing this man. | Yes, Malcolm, that’s the point, it goes to your fundamental lack of judgment in appointing this man. |
| We know you appointed him because he is a numbers henchman and we know why you’re sticking by him – for the exactly same reason. | We know you appointed him because he is a numbers henchman and we know why you’re sticking by him – for the exactly same reason. |
| Updated at 2.30am GMT | Updated at 2.30am GMT |
| 2.20am GMT02:20 | 2.20am GMT02:20 |
| I think it’s fair to say that for Malcolm Turnbull, the honeymoon is, officially, over. | I think it’s fair to say that for Malcolm Turnbull, the honeymoon is, officially, over. |
| 2.11am GMT02:11 | 2.11am GMT02:11 |
| Last day of school shenanigans as Libs defect to the Nats #auspol https://t.co/fg20gqxzcD pic.twitter.com/HrU72ZGzav | Last day of school shenanigans as Libs defect to the Nats #auspol https://t.co/fg20gqxzcD pic.twitter.com/HrU72ZGzav |
| 1.59am GMT01:59 | 1.59am GMT01:59 |
| Macfarlane: hang on to your hats, it's a movement | Macfarlane: hang on to your hats, it's a movement |
| The Australian Financial Review’s chief political correspondent Phil Coorey is reporting the defections may not stop with Macfarlane. He says two other MPs are considering joining him. He names one of the other wavering folks as Scott Buchholz. Buchholz lost his job as party whip when Turnbull took the party leadership. There will apparently be a meeting of Nationals later this afternoon. | The Australian Financial Review’s chief political correspondent Phil Coorey is reporting the defections may not stop with Macfarlane. He says two other MPs are considering joining him. He names one of the other wavering folks as Scott Buchholz. Buchholz lost his job as party whip when Turnbull took the party leadership. There will apparently be a meeting of Nationals later this afternoon. |
| It’s all happening. Hope you’ve stocked up on water and canned goods, we could be here for some time. | It’s all happening. Hope you’ve stocked up on water and canned goods, we could be here for some time. |
| 1.52am GMT01:52 | 1.52am GMT01:52 |
| Facts, claims, counter claims: tax | Facts, claims, counter claims: tax |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| 1.48am GMT01:48 | 1.48am GMT01:48 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| If you are confused by the developments leading up to today’s Greens/government deal on multinational tax/transparency, here are the ten steps of background leading up to this morning. | If you are confused by the developments leading up to today’s Greens/government deal on multinational tax/transparency, here are the ten steps of background leading up to this morning. |
| 1.38am GMT01:38 | 1.38am GMT01:38 |
| Politics this lunchtime | Politics this lunchtime |
| Let’s take stock of our hectic last day of school with a lunchtime summary. | Let’s take stock of our hectic last day of school with a lunchtime summary. |
| Onwards, ever onwards. | Onwards, ever onwards. |
| Updated at 1.43am GMT | Updated at 1.43am GMT |
| 1.02am GMT01:02 | 1.02am GMT01:02 |
| That Macfarlane move to the Nationals really is astounding. (Sorry to process that one on five second delay.) Pragmatic at one level. Potentially, it’s a fast track back into the ministry and possibly a fast track into the leadership team of the junior coalition partner. | That Macfarlane move to the Nationals really is astounding. (Sorry to process that one on five second delay.) Pragmatic at one level. Potentially, it’s a fast track back into the ministry and possibly a fast track into the leadership team of the junior coalition partner. |
| But, still astounding. | But, still astounding. |
| But then it was astounding that Turnbull couldn’t find a spot for Macca in the ministry given the two men have considerable personal history. That was the first astounding development that doubtless contributed to the second astounding development. In exciting times, we must expect to remain constantly astounded. | But then it was astounding that Turnbull couldn’t find a spot for Macca in the ministry given the two men have considerable personal history. That was the first astounding development that doubtless contributed to the second astounding development. In exciting times, we must expect to remain constantly astounded. |
| 12.47am GMT00:47 | 12.47am GMT00:47 |
| Given we can’t photograph very much in the Senate at all, this contribution from The Matt Hatter – (who Mike, Gabi and I wish all the very best for the festive season) – is even more than usually welcome. | Given we can’t photograph very much in the Senate at all, this contribution from The Matt Hatter – (who Mike, Gabi and I wish all the very best for the festive season) – is even more than usually welcome. |
| @murpharoo Mixing Liberal Blue & Greens Green makes Labor Aquarage. #Redchamberbloodbath pic.twitter.com/kVpLB555yT | @murpharoo Mixing Liberal Blue & Greens Green makes Labor Aquarage. #Redchamberbloodbath pic.twitter.com/kVpLB555yT |
| This was it, pretty much. | This was it, pretty much. |
| Updated at 12.49am GMT | Updated at 12.49am GMT |
| 12.43am GMT00:43 | 12.43am GMT00:43 |
| Back to tax before I check if there’s actually more I’m not across. | Back to tax before I check if there’s actually more I’m not across. |
| Mr Bowers and I joked this morning we might consider a name change from Politics Live to NFI Live – because it seemed today could easily pan out that way. But we chose instead to believe in ourselves, and press on like the good soldiers we are. (And we couldn’t change the header of the blog without permission from our dear sister-in-live, the lady we refer to respectfully as The Chan.) | Mr Bowers and I joked this morning we might consider a name change from Politics Live to NFI Live – because it seemed today could easily pan out that way. But we chose instead to believe in ourselves, and press on like the good soldiers we are. (And we couldn’t change the header of the blog without permission from our dear sister-in-live, the lady we refer to respectfully as The Chan.) |
| Moving on. | Moving on. |
| Labor has just made an argument in the chamber debate that the Greens have made a significant tactical miscalculation by rolling over to the government on this bill today. The argument is this legislation had to pass before the budget next year in order to ensure Australia kept key G20 commitments. If the Greens held firm with Labor and the crossbenchers, the government would have either have had to abandon the measure or give the Senate what it wanted up until last night and this morning. | Labor has just made an argument in the chamber debate that the Greens have made a significant tactical miscalculation by rolling over to the government on this bill today. The argument is this legislation had to pass before the budget next year in order to ensure Australia kept key G20 commitments. If the Greens held firm with Labor and the crossbenchers, the government would have either have had to abandon the measure or give the Senate what it wanted up until last night and this morning. |
| This might be completely wishful thinking on Labor’s part, but that’s the argument. | This might be completely wishful thinking on Labor’s part, but that’s the argument. |
| Labor also appears genuinely astounded that the Greens didn’t get anything more from the government than just an adjustment in the threshold for transparency. This is something for nothing, Doug Cameron has just told the chamber. | Labor also appears genuinely astounded that the Greens didn’t get anything more from the government than just an adjustment in the threshold for transparency. This is something for nothing, Doug Cameron has just told the chamber. |
| This was the Greens leader Richard Di Natale’s rationale for coming to terms with the government, when he fronted reporters briefly this morning. | This was the Greens leader Richard Di Natale’s rationale for coming to terms with the government, when he fronted reporters briefly this morning. |
| I said when I took on this job I want to get some outcomes here. The easiest thing for us to do would have been to shout from the sidelines and to have said this government isn’t serious about multinational tax avoidance when we had the opportunity to do something about it. | I said when I took on this job I want to get some outcomes here. The easiest thing for us to do would have been to shout from the sidelines and to have said this government isn’t serious about multinational tax avoidance when we had the opportunity to do something about it. |
| The easiest thing in this business is to walk away and shout from the sidelines. | The easiest thing in this business is to walk away and shout from the sidelines. |
| We would have walked away today, multinationals would have had another year where they would not have published their accounts, we would have got nothing. | We would have walked away today, multinationals would have had another year where they would not have published their accounts, we would have got nothing. |
| We would have continued with our campaign but from the sidelines. | We would have continued with our campaign but from the sidelines. |
| What we have got is an outcome. | What we have got is an outcome. |
| Updated at 1.03am GMT | Updated at 1.03am GMT |
| 12.30am GMT00:30 | 12.30am GMT00:30 |
| The other thing is the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The Defence Science and Technology Group has provided further analysis to inform the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s latest report: MH 370 Definition of Underwater Search Area Update – which reaffirms the highest probability of the resting place of the aircraft is within the current 120,000 sq km search zone. Nationals leader Warren Truss has held a press conference about this which I couldn’t stretch to cover. | The other thing is the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The Defence Science and Technology Group has provided further analysis to inform the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s latest report: MH 370 Definition of Underwater Search Area Update – which reaffirms the highest probability of the resting place of the aircraft is within the current 120,000 sq km search zone. Nationals leader Warren Truss has held a press conference about this which I couldn’t stretch to cover. |
| 12.17am GMT00:17 | 12.17am GMT00:17 |
| Ok, let’s catch up on a few things that have broken out while we’ve been occupied elsewhere. | Ok, let’s catch up on a few things that have broken out while we’ve been occupied elsewhere. |
| Herald Sun reporter Ellen Whinnett reports that the former industry minister and once Turnbull confidant (until he was dumped) Ian Macfarlane is “set to defect from the Liberals and join the Nationals party room under a deal orchestrated by agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce.” | Herald Sun reporter Ellen Whinnett reports that the former industry minister and once Turnbull confidant (until he was dumped) Ian Macfarlane is “set to defect from the Liberals and join the Nationals party room under a deal orchestrated by agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce.” |
| Will wonders never cease? | Will wonders never cease? |
| 12.09am GMT00:09 | 12.09am GMT00:09 |
| The Labor efforts to throw out consideration of the tax bill failed. | The Labor efforts to throw out consideration of the tax bill failed. |
| The #Senate has agreed to rearrange today's business | The #Senate has agreed to rearrange today's business |
| It’s coming on for consideration now. | It’s coming on for consideration now. |
| 12.04am GMT00:04 | 12.04am GMT00:04 |
| What was I saying about that pitched battle for progressive votes? | What was I saying about that pitched battle for progressive votes? |
| The Greens and the Liberals have agreed to exempt 2/3 of Australia's large private companies from tax transparency. pic.twitter.com/94111j9U5I | The Greens and the Liberals have agreed to exempt 2/3 of Australia's large private companies from tax transparency. pic.twitter.com/94111j9U5I |
| 12.03am GMT00:03 | 12.03am GMT00:03 |
| We are still coming to terms with the practical impact of the deal between the government and the Greens. Labor’s view certainly is there is nothing in these Greens amendments that will stop the government from achieving what the opposition says is their primary objective: the objective of shielding their biggest political donors from tax transparency. | We are still coming to terms with the practical impact of the deal between the government and the Greens. Labor’s view certainly is there is nothing in these Greens amendments that will stop the government from achieving what the opposition says is their primary objective: the objective of shielding their biggest political donors from tax transparency. |
| The Greens view is some transparency is better than no transparency, and today is a down payment. They concede there is more work to do. | The Greens view is some transparency is better than no transparency, and today is a down payment. They concede there is more work to do. |
| Labor and the Greens are of course locked in a pitched battle for progressive votes. Both parties use every opportunity they have to turn a spotlight on their respective deficiencies. Both parties use opportunities like today to talk to all swinging progressive voters, and convince them to land in one place and stay there. Labor is using today’s deal to try to persuade progressive voters they need to look a bit deeper at what the Greens do in parliament, not only at what the Greens say. | Labor and the Greens are of course locked in a pitched battle for progressive votes. Both parties use every opportunity they have to turn a spotlight on their respective deficiencies. Both parties use opportunities like today to talk to all swinging progressive voters, and convince them to land in one place and stay there. Labor is using today’s deal to try to persuade progressive voters they need to look a bit deeper at what the Greens do in parliament, not only at what the Greens say. |
| Stephen Conroy has just told the chamber that the Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, is the Greens version of Democrat Andrew Murray. If you are as old as me you’ll know immediately who that is. If you aren’t, then Murray was a pragmatic small ‘l’ liberal who favoured doing deals with the Howard government on various economic policies if he thought they had merit. | Stephen Conroy has just told the chamber that the Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, is the Greens version of Democrat Andrew Murray. If you are as old as me you’ll know immediately who that is. If you aren’t, then Murray was a pragmatic small ‘l’ liberal who favoured doing deals with the Howard government on various economic policies if he thought they had merit. |
| This was the period in which the Democrats went from the key balance of power player in the Senate to irrelevance. Obviously that trajectory was far more complex than the inclinations of one senator. And for what it’s worth, Murray in my experience was a substantial person and a savvy political operator. | This was the period in which the Democrats went from the key balance of power player in the Senate to irrelevance. Obviously that trajectory was far more complex than the inclinations of one senator. And for what it’s worth, Murray in my experience was a substantial person and a savvy political operator. |
| But Conroy’s point is there are dangers for progressive balance-of-power parties in doing deals with centre-right governments. The Democrats catch cry was ‘keep the bastards honest’ and voters didn’t like it when they thought the Democrats transformed themselves into political players rather than a voice of accountability. | But Conroy’s point is there are dangers for progressive balance-of-power parties in doing deals with centre-right governments. The Democrats catch cry was ‘keep the bastards honest’ and voters didn’t like it when they thought the Democrats transformed themselves into political players rather than a voice of accountability. |
| Conroy tells Di Natale when the Democrats sold out on their core principles the party collapsed. For what it’s worth, the Greens are doing everything possible to ignore the Labor interventions in the chamber. | Conroy tells Di Natale when the Democrats sold out on their core principles the party collapsed. For what it’s worth, the Greens are doing everything possible to ignore the Labor interventions in the chamber. |
| Labor is pressing on with procedural efforts to disrupt the consideration of business this morning. | Labor is pressing on with procedural efforts to disrupt the consideration of business this morning. |
| Updated at 1.06am GMT | Updated at 1.06am GMT |
| 11.40pm GMT23:40 | 11.40pm GMT23:40 |
| Labor’s Doug Cameron, undaunted. | Labor’s Doug Cameron, undaunted. |
| I don’t think lickspittle goes far enough describing what you’ve done… [it] seems too small a smear. | I don’t think lickspittle goes far enough describing what you’ve done… [it] seems too small a smear. |
| 11.39pm GMT23:39 | 11.39pm GMT23:39 |
| Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, on the current Senate screaming match. | Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, on the current Senate screaming match. |
| I wonder if anyone will be issuing Oscars after this performance in the Senate today. | I wonder if anyone will be issuing Oscars after this performance in the Senate today. |
| Updated at 1.07am GMT | Updated at 1.07am GMT |
| 11.37pm GMT23:37 | 11.37pm GMT23:37 |
| Let's take this outside .. | Let's take this outside .. |
| Things are getting more restive than festive in the Senate. I think (it was hard to hear) the Liberal senator Bill Heffernan has told Labor senator Kim Carr that he’s happy to take this argument outside. | Things are getting more restive than festive in the Senate. I think (it was hard to hear) the Liberal senator Bill Heffernan has told Labor senator Kim Carr that he’s happy to take this argument outside. |
| As a consequence, things are seriously surly now. | As a consequence, things are seriously surly now. |
| Heffernan has been told to withdraw. He wants to know what he’s withdrawing – is he withdrawing calling Stephen Conroy a “boofhead”? Heffernan is pushing his luck and he knows it. He withdraws. | Heffernan has been told to withdraw. He wants to know what he’s withdrawing – is he withdrawing calling Stephen Conroy a “boofhead”? Heffernan is pushing his luck and he knows it. He withdraws. |
| Labor’s Doug Cameron: | Labor’s Doug Cameron: |
| Who ever would have thought that senator Heffernan would be in here defending the Greens? | Who ever would have thought that senator Heffernan would be in here defending the Greens? |
| Cameron says there is no way the Greens are on the side of the angels in this transaction. | Cameron says there is no way the Greens are on the side of the angels in this transaction. |
| You’re on the side of Lucifer on this one, you’re definitely on the side of the forces of evil. | You’re on the side of Lucifer on this one, you’re definitely on the side of the forces of evil. |
| Updated at 1.07am GMT | Updated at 1.07am GMT |
| 11.30pm GMT23:30 | 11.30pm GMT23:30 |
| Another outrage shift change in the Senate. Now it’s the turn of Labor frontbencher Kim Carr, who declares the Greens have become the party of the ultra rich, in lock-step with the blue bloods (by this he means the Liberal party.) | Another outrage shift change in the Senate. Now it’s the turn of Labor frontbencher Kim Carr, who declares the Greens have become the party of the ultra rich, in lock-step with the blue bloods (by this he means the Liberal party.) |
| The best social conscience money can buy! | The best social conscience money can buy! |
| Updated at 1.08am GMT | Updated at 1.08am GMT |
| 11.22pm GMT23:22 | 11.22pm GMT23:22 |
| Labor has executed a shift change in the Senate to extend this session of hollering in fury at the Greens. | Labor has executed a shift change in the Senate to extend this session of hollering in fury at the Greens. |
| Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong. | Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong. |
| They fold. They fold. | They fold. They fold. |
| They pretend they are holier than thou, but then they fold and sell out their constituents! | They pretend they are holier than thou, but then they fold and sell out their constituents! |
| Wong is currently attempting to amend the proposal to change today’s order of Senate business to omit consideration of the tax bill. | Wong is currently attempting to amend the proposal to change today’s order of Senate business to omit consideration of the tax bill. |
| Updated at 1.08am GMT | Updated at 1.08am GMT |
| 11.16pm GMT23:16 | 11.16pm GMT23:16 |
| Just while I’m in a brief transition, a Mike Bowers sequence from that censure motion division earlier on this morning. Deadpan in Brough’s circumstances really is the best course. Didn’t happen though. | Just while I’m in a brief transition, a Mike Bowers sequence from that censure motion division earlier on this morning. Deadpan in Brough’s circumstances really is the best course. Didn’t happen though. |
| 11.08pm GMT23:08 | 11.08pm GMT23:08 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| Just a quick taking stock of tax transparency and the current furore in the other chamber. | Just a quick taking stock of tax transparency and the current furore in the other chamber. |
| Australians will gain access to the tax information of about 280 big private companies but about 500 will continue to be shielded from disclosure, as part of a last-minute deal between the Turnbull government and the Greens this morning. | Australians will gain access to the tax information of about 280 big private companies but about 500 will continue to be shielded from disclosure, as part of a last-minute deal between the Turnbull government and the Greens this morning. |
| But the Senate has descended into uproar on the final sitting day of the year, with Labor immediately accusing the Greens of “selling out” to Scott Morrison and predicting the party would lose supporters. | But the Senate has descended into uproar on the final sitting day of the year, with Labor immediately accusing the Greens of “selling out” to Scott Morrison and predicting the party would lose supporters. |
| The Greens defended the deal as a win for outcomes over shouting from the sidelines, and said they had also secured agreement to force multinational corporations with global revenue of at least $1bn to prepare “general purpose” financial statements for the corporate regulator, instead of “flimsy” special purpose statements. | The Greens defended the deal as a win for outcomes over shouting from the sidelines, and said they had also secured agreement to force multinational corporations with global revenue of at least $1bn to prepare “general purpose” financial statements for the corporate regulator, instead of “flimsy” special purpose statements. |
| The government is currently seeking to change the order of business to prioritise dealing with the multinational tax bill that was previously looking likely to be shelved until early next year. | The government is currently seeking to change the order of business to prioritise dealing with the multinational tax bill that was previously looking likely to be shelved until early next year. |
| 11.04pm GMT23:04 | 11.04pm GMT23:04 |
| As long as the truffles are up to standard .. | As long as the truffles are up to standard .. |
| The Labor leader is wrapping up now, with a touch of sarcasm and a touch of self deprecation. | The Labor leader is wrapping up now, with a touch of sarcasm and a touch of self deprecation. |
| Mr Speaker, predictions and assumptions in politics can be a fraught business. If you had told me in January that by December we would have a new treasurer, a new speaker and a new prime minister, I’d have been rapt .. but I had an election in mind! | Mr Speaker, predictions and assumptions in politics can be a fraught business. If you had told me in January that by December we would have a new treasurer, a new speaker and a new prime minister, I’d have been rapt .. but I had an election in mind! |
| There is a long way to go and a lot more to happen in the months ahead of us. So with that in mind, I want to wish the prime minister a restful and happy Christmas with Lucy and the family. | There is a long way to go and a lot more to happen in the months ahead of us. So with that in mind, I want to wish the prime minister a restful and happy Christmas with Lucy and the family. |
| As long as the truffles are up to standard, it’s never been a more exciting time to be Malcolm Turnbull! | As long as the truffles are up to standard, it’s never been a more exciting time to be Malcolm Turnbull! |
| 11.01pm GMT23:01 | 11.01pm GMT23:01 |
| Shorten, continuing. | Shorten, continuing. |
| I also want to thank my Comcar drivers, Steve Smith and Peter Taylor. I know my youngest daughter appreciates your high standard of I spy work just as I’m sure they appreciate my navigation skills and driving tips. | I also want to thank my Comcar drivers, Steve Smith and Peter Taylor. I know my youngest daughter appreciates your high standard of I spy work just as I’m sure they appreciate my navigation skills and driving tips. |
| On the subject of people working behind the scenes to much a much appreciated contribution, I want to thank the members of the press gallery. | On the subject of people working behind the scenes to much a much appreciated contribution, I want to thank the members of the press gallery. |
| Your advice is always ... available. | Your advice is always ... available. |
| 11.00pm GMT23:00 | 11.00pm GMT23:00 |
| The Labor leader Bill Shorten has launched into his Christmas valedictory now but while he’s talking in the other chamber Labor’s deputy senate leader Stephen Conroy is screaming (volume, 11) about the Greens rolling over on tax transparency. | The Labor leader Bill Shorten has launched into his Christmas valedictory now but while he’s talking in the other chamber Labor’s deputy senate leader Stephen Conroy is screaming (volume, 11) about the Greens rolling over on tax transparency. |
| Screaming is not an exaggeration. | Screaming is not an exaggeration. |
| Shorten by contrast is calm as a clam. | Shorten by contrast is calm as a clam. |
| As a parliament and a nation, we commemorated the centenary of a chilly dawn when a group of brave young men clamoured out of small boats on to an unfamiliar beach and into history. For our sports-loving country, there was much to cherish. Our netballers and cricketers both won World Cups. In England, the Southern Stars reclaimed the Ashes. At Flemington Michelle Payne made history by half a length and told every bloke who ever doubted any woman to get stuffed. | As a parliament and a nation, we commemorated the centenary of a chilly dawn when a group of brave young men clamoured out of small boats on to an unfamiliar beach and into history. For our sports-loving country, there was much to cherish. Our netballers and cricketers both won World Cups. In England, the Southern Stars reclaimed the Ashes. At Flemington Michelle Payne made history by half a length and told every bloke who ever doubted any woman to get stuffed. |
| 10.56pm GMT22:56 | 10.56pm GMT22:56 |
| Thanks, Tony, for being a great prime minister | Thanks, Tony, for being a great prime minister |
| There is a section on the economy-in-transition, and the government’s “laser like” focus on jobs. Another section on violence against women and the importance of rising to the challenge. | There is a section on the economy-in-transition, and the government’s “laser like” focus on jobs. Another section on violence against women and the importance of rising to the challenge. |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | Malcolm Turnbull: |
| It is a very important issue for all of us to recognise, that we must ensure that particularly our children, particularly our sons, are brought up to respect their mothers and their sisters. | It is a very important issue for all of us to recognise, that we must ensure that particularly our children, particularly our sons, are brought up to respect their mothers and their sisters. |
| There are tributes to people in politics who have died this year, to members of the Australian parliamentary staff, to ministerial colleagues, to Turnbull’s own political staff. | There are tributes to people in politics who have died this year, to members of the Australian parliamentary staff, to ministerial colleagues, to Turnbull’s own political staff. |
| Finally on the thanks, can I acknowledge once again my thanks and the debt we all owe on our side of the parliament and I believe right across the parliament and the community to the great service of my predecessor as prime minister and leader of the Liberal party, Tony Abbott. | Finally on the thanks, can I acknowledge once again my thanks and the debt we all owe on our side of the parliament and I believe right across the parliament and the community to the great service of my predecessor as prime minister and leader of the Liberal party, Tony Abbott. |
| He has been a great prime minister and I thank him for his service and I thank him for his support today as a member of our party. | He has been a great prime minister and I thank him for his service and I thank him for his support today as a member of our party. |
| In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I encourage everyone to have a joyful and restful Christmas and new year’s break. Spend time with your families and your loved ones. | In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I encourage everyone to have a joyful and restful Christmas and new year’s break. Spend time with your families and your loved ones. |
| We will all come back, I believe, re-energised for, dare I say it, excited in 2016 and looking forward to a year of great opportunities. | We will all come back, I believe, re-energised for, dare I say it, excited in 2016 and looking forward to a year of great opportunities. |
| 10.49pm GMT22:49 | 10.49pm GMT22:49 |
| We must not allow our enemies to divide us. And we are not France. | We must not allow our enemies to divide us. And we are not France. |
| There’s a big chunk in the speech which is aimed to reinforce Turnbull’s key messages on the importance of investing in societal cohesion. The implied rebuke here is very clear to the folks who have, in recent days, been out on the subject of extremism, stirring the pot. | There’s a big chunk in the speech which is aimed to reinforce Turnbull’s key messages on the importance of investing in societal cohesion. The implied rebuke here is very clear to the folks who have, in recent days, been out on the subject of extremism, stirring the pot. |
| Some interesting reflections too on the French difficulties with intergration of their Muslim community. | Some interesting reflections too on the French difficulties with intergration of their Muslim community. |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | Malcolm Turnbull: |
| It is very important that we ensure that we do not allow our enemies to divide us. That is what they seek to do. They seek to divide us and cause us to turn against, in this case, the Muslim Australians. That is their objective. We know from a practical point of view we are the most successful multicultural society in the world. Having just returned from Paris, you can see the challenges when you centre, in France - when you have, in France’s case, a large Muslim minority where the levels of integration and harmonisation, if you like, have been well below those of Australia. They face great challenges. They recognise - the French recognise that they do and they recognise they have to make changes but it will take a long time. | It is very important that we ensure that we do not allow our enemies to divide us. That is what they seek to do. They seek to divide us and cause us to turn against, in this case, the Muslim Australians. That is their objective. We know from a practical point of view we are the most successful multicultural society in the world. Having just returned from Paris, you can see the challenges when you centre, in France - when you have, in France’s case, a large Muslim minority where the levels of integration and harmonisation, if you like, have been well below those of Australia. They face great challenges. They recognise - the French recognise that they do and they recognise they have to make changes but it will take a long time. |
| We have a much stronger foundation upon which our security is built but we have to maintain it. At the heart of our security, yes, there is the hard edge, if you like -national security, strong laws, the laws we have passed and passed with the support of the opposition too, again I thank them for that, professional agencies, good intelligence, strong law enforcement, all of that is important but at the heart of all of this is a culture of mutual respect and a sense that all Australians, regardless of their race, their cultural background, their ethnicity, their religion, have a common share in this great Australian project. | We have a much stronger foundation upon which our security is built but we have to maintain it. At the heart of our security, yes, there is the hard edge, if you like -national security, strong laws, the laws we have passed and passed with the support of the opposition too, again I thank them for that, professional agencies, good intelligence, strong law enforcement, all of that is important but at the heart of all of this is a culture of mutual respect and a sense that all Australians, regardless of their race, their cultural background, their ethnicity, their religion, have a common share in this great Australian project. |
| 10.43pm GMT22:43 | 10.43pm GMT22:43 |
| Turnbull says if there is a call for further Australian military involvement in the Middle East that will certainly be considered. | Turnbull says if there is a call for further Australian military involvement in the Middle East that will certainly be considered. |
| But. | But. |
| The goal is to see – from the Australian government’s point of view – we would like to see other like-minded countries making a larger contribution. Australia is making a very large contribution there relative to others given the size of our economy and our proximity to the conflict. | The goal is to see – from the Australian government’s point of view – we would like to see other like-minded countries making a larger contribution. Australia is making a very large contribution there relative to others given the size of our economy and our proximity to the conflict. |
| 10.41pm GMT22:41 | 10.41pm GMT22:41 |
| Turnbull delivers his Christmas valedictory | Turnbull delivers his Christmas valedictory |
| I’ve asked Daniel Hurst to deliver a guest post taking us through the tax deal because I know you are interested by right now I have to keep going. I’ll post that soon. | I’ve asked Daniel Hurst to deliver a guest post taking us through the tax deal because I know you are interested by right now I have to keep going. I’ll post that soon. |
| For now, the prime minister is delivering his Christmas valedictory in the chamber. He’s opening on a sombre note. | For now, the prime minister is delivering his Christmas valedictory in the chamber. He’s opening on a sombre note. |
| In 2015, there have been great challenges to our security, both at home and abroad. It is about a year since the Martin Place siege that shocked the nation and shocked the city in which my wife and I live, Sydney, and many other members live. It is only weeks ago that Curtis Cheng, the police worker, was murdered in Parramatta. | In 2015, there have been great challenges to our security, both at home and abroad. It is about a year since the Martin Place siege that shocked the nation and shocked the city in which my wife and I live, Sydney, and many other members live. It is only weeks ago that Curtis Cheng, the police worker, was murdered in Parramatta. |
| The battle against violent extremism, against terrorism, is one that all nations are now engaged in. In my recent travels to many summits, I have had the opportunity to discuss with many other leaders the way in which we can better work together to cooperate in a military sense. | The battle against violent extremism, against terrorism, is one that all nations are now engaged in. In my recent travels to many summits, I have had the opportunity to discuss with many other leaders the way in which we can better work together to cooperate in a military sense. |
| There is an important military dimension. The single most important objective in the battle against the extremism, the violent extremism as practised by Daesh is to defeat them in the field. To defeat them in the field in Syria and Iraq. That has a military dimension and, of course, a political dimension. | There is an important military dimension. The single most important objective in the battle against the extremism, the violent extremism as practised by Daesh is to defeat them in the field. To defeat them in the field in Syria and Iraq. That has a military dimension and, of course, a political dimension. |
| We are very keenly interested in securing a stronger commitment both on the military side of this solution and on the political side. But as I have discussed in the national security statement I made last week, it is a very complex environment and one where the limitations of military power have to be recognised and the complexity of the political solution has to be recognised as well. | We are very keenly interested in securing a stronger commitment both on the military side of this solution and on the political side. But as I have discussed in the national security statement I made last week, it is a very complex environment and one where the limitations of military power have to be recognised and the complexity of the political solution has to be recognised as well. |
| 10.34pm GMT22:34 | 10.34pm GMT22:34 |
| Meanwhile, in another hemisphere, after a marathon parliamentary debate overnight, my UK colleague Patrick Wintour has some breaking news. | Meanwhile, in another hemisphere, after a marathon parliamentary debate overnight, my UK colleague Patrick Wintour has some breaking news. |
| The UK will launch airstrikes in Syria. | The UK will launch airstrikes in Syria. |
| Commons authorises extending RAF air strikes from Iraq to Syria by 397 votes to 223. | Commons authorises extending RAF air strikes from Iraq to Syria by 397 votes to 223. |
| 10.30pm GMT22:30 | 10.30pm GMT22:30 |
| What could possibly go wrong with this gesture once the interwebz gets hold of it? I don’t know .. maybe .. | What could possibly go wrong with this gesture once the interwebz gets hold of it? I don’t know .. maybe .. |
| This image is bound to come in handy, right? Mal Brough pic by @mpbowers @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/7JsMgLgvHS | This image is bound to come in handy, right? Mal Brough pic by @mpbowers @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/7JsMgLgvHS |
| 10.23pm GMT22:23 | 10.23pm GMT22:23 |
| I guess you do put your hands in the air when you are riding front seat of a roller coaster, don’t you? Not the gesture I would have chosen in Mal Brough’s current position, but then I am a notorious wowser. | I guess you do put your hands in the air when you are riding front seat of a roller coaster, don’t you? Not the gesture I would have chosen in Mal Brough’s current position, but then I am a notorious wowser. |
| 10.20pm GMT22:20 | 10.20pm GMT22:20 |
| As I said before .. ho, ho .. ho .. | As I said before .. ho, ho .. ho .. |
| Mal Brough arrives for a division to shut down opposition attempts at a censure motion @murpharoo @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/BvNJwJr2Vc | Mal Brough arrives for a division to shut down opposition attempts at a censure motion @murpharoo @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/BvNJwJr2Vc |
| 10.19pm GMT22:19 | 10.19pm GMT22:19 |
| The government is shutting this down as it did yesterday. Funnily enough the prime minister had planned to deliver his Christmas valedictory at 9.15. That clearly isn’t going to happen. Although it won’t be too late, given the efficiency of the gag now being applied. | The government is shutting this down as it did yesterday. Funnily enough the prime minister had planned to deliver his Christmas valedictory at 9.15. That clearly isn’t going to happen. Although it won’t be too late, given the efficiency of the gag now being applied. |
| 10.16pm GMT22:16 | 10.16pm GMT22:16 |
| For those interested, here’s the full text of this morning’s censure motion. | For those interested, here’s the full text of this morning’s censure motion. |
| That the House: | That the House: |
| 1. Notes that yesterday, the prime minister said in question time in relation to the special minister of state’s involvement in the Ashby affair: “The evidence or the information about them has been in the public domain for some time. There have been no new developments, no changes or additions to that material”; | 1. Notes that yesterday, the prime minister said in question time in relation to the special minister of state’s involvement in the Ashby affair: “The evidence or the information about them has been in the public domain for some time. There have been no new developments, no changes or additions to that material”; |
| 2. Resolves that in making this statement, the prime minister ignored numerous new developments, namely: | 2. Resolves that in making this statement, the prime minister ignored numerous new developments, namely: |
| (a) The Australian Federal Police conducting a raid on the special minister of state’s home in relation to the minister’s involvement in the Ashby affair; | (a) The Australian Federal Police conducting a raid on the special minister of state’s home in relation to the minister’s involvement in the Ashby affair; |
| (b) The special minister of state misleading the parliament on three separate occasions this week; | (b) The special minister of state misleading the parliament on three separate occasions this week; |
| i. On Tuesday in question time when the special minister of state was asked about statements he had made in relation to the Ashby affair, the minister said “In relation to the 60 Minutes interview, what was put to air was not the full question”. But On Channel Nine Television News on Tuesday, in a story by journalist Laurie Oakes, the original vision of the 60 Minutes interview was played and makes it clear that there were no words omitted which could in any way be considered part of the question the minister was asked; | i. On Tuesday in question time when the special minister of state was asked about statements he had made in relation to the Ashby affair, the minister said “In relation to the 60 Minutes interview, what was put to air was not the full question”. But On Channel Nine Television News on Tuesday, in a story by journalist Laurie Oakes, the original vision of the 60 Minutes interview was played and makes it clear that there were no words omitted which could in any way be considered part of the question the minister was asked; |
| ii. On Wednesday, the special minister of state made a statement on indulgence in the House in which he claimed during his interview on 60 Minutes, he was answering a different part of the question which prompted his admission when there was clearly only one question asked; | ii. On Wednesday, the special minister of state made a statement on indulgence in the House in which he claimed during his interview on 60 Minutes, he was answering a different part of the question which prompted his admission when there was clearly only one question asked; |
| iii. On Wednesday in question time when the special minister of state was asked the exact same question that he was asked on 60 Minutes, he changed his answer from “Yes, I did” and said “No”. This was not withstanding the subsequent questions in the 60 Minutes interview which clearly affirmed his statement “Yes, I did”, | iii. On Wednesday in question time when the special minister of state was asked the exact same question that he was asked on 60 Minutes, he changed his answer from “Yes, I did” and said “No”. This was not withstanding the subsequent questions in the 60 Minutes interview which clearly affirmed his statement “Yes, I did”, |
| 3. Therefore censures the prime minister for failing to enforce his own criteria for taking action and sacking the special minister of state for repeatedly misleading the parliament and breaching the prime minister’s own statement of ministerial standards. | 3. Therefore censures the prime minister for failing to enforce his own criteria for taking action and sacking the special minister of state for repeatedly misleading the parliament and breaching the prime minister’s own statement of ministerial standards. |
| 10.07pm GMT22:07 | 10.07pm GMT22:07 |
| The prime minister doesn’t have the character to put this to an end. | The prime minister doesn’t have the character to put this to an end. |
| He doesn’t have the judgment ... | He doesn’t have the judgment ... |
| This is Mark Dreyfus, at the dispatch box. | This is Mark Dreyfus, at the dispatch box. |
| Resources minister Josh Frydenberg, in the Pyne chair this morning, is moving Dreyfus be no longer heard. | Resources minister Josh Frydenberg, in the Pyne chair this morning, is moving Dreyfus be no longer heard. |
| 10.03pm GMT22:03 | 10.03pm GMT22:03 |
| Labor kicks off today's parliamentary assault on Brough | Labor kicks off today's parliamentary assault on Brough |
| Meanwhile in the House, the shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus is kicking off the Brough batting. A censure motion is now underway. | Meanwhile in the House, the shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus is kicking off the Brough batting. A censure motion is now underway. |
| Ho, ho, ho. | Ho, ho, ho. |
| Updated at 1.11am GMT | Updated at 1.11am GMT |
| 10.00pm GMT22:00 | 10.00pm GMT22:00 |
| Breaking: Peace in our time on tax, courtesy of the Greens | Breaking: Peace in our time on tax, courtesy of the Greens |
| I flagged earlier talk around the building that the government and the Greens looked to be coming to terms on the multinational tax/transparency legislation – a development that would allow the government to save its budget measure. | I flagged earlier talk around the building that the government and the Greens looked to be coming to terms on the multinational tax/transparency legislation – a development that would allow the government to save its budget measure. |
| The whole saga of Mal Brough has largely obscured it, but truth is it’s been a really bad week for the government on the business front: they’ve pulled the medicare safety net bill, a superannuation governance bill, totally amended a VET Fee Help bill – and up until last night looked like losing their key multinational tax budget measure. | The whole saga of Mal Brough has largely obscured it, but truth is it’s been a really bad week for the government on the business front: they’ve pulled the medicare safety net bill, a superannuation governance bill, totally amended a VET Fee Help bill – and up until last night looked like losing their key multinational tax budget measure. |
| But the Greens will, this morning, give the treasurer some good news. | But the Greens will, this morning, give the treasurer some good news. |
| The Greens have secured two amendments: | The Greens have secured two amendments: |
| The Greens will sell this as a victory for tax transparency. I predict Labor and others will not characterise today’s agreement in quite those terms. | The Greens will sell this as a victory for tax transparency. I predict Labor and others will not characterise today’s agreement in quite those terms. |
| 9.22pm GMT21:22 | 9.22pm GMT21:22 |
| Yes I know there are many serious issues today, and they will all be given due care and attention, but in the spirit of muck-up day, and the spirit of seasonal giving, let me share BuzzFeed’s 51 WTF things that happened in Australian politics in 2015. | Yes I know there are many serious issues today, and they will all be given due care and attention, but in the spirit of muck-up day, and the spirit of seasonal giving, let me share BuzzFeed’s 51 WTF things that happened in Australian politics in 2015. |
| I laughed out loud more than once. | I laughed out loud more than once. |
| 9.09pm GMT21:09 | 9.09pm GMT21:09 |
| Hello good citizens of Politics Live | Hello good citizens of Politics Live |
| Good morning and welcome to the final sitting day for 2015. Yes, we’ve actually arrived there. Hard to believe that, but it’s true. | Good morning and welcome to the final sitting day for 2015. Yes, we’ve actually arrived there. Hard to believe that, but it’s true. |
| Labor is polishing the rhetorical ammunition for a final go at the special minister of state, Mal Brough, before MPs make haste for the airport. Readers with me yesterday will know that I now characterise Brough as being in a post-plausible state. There’s really no question in my mind that he should step aside while police are investigating his conduct during the James Ashby/Peter Slipper affair both as a point of principle (my interest) and for the good of the government (the political calculation, which is the government’s interest). | Labor is polishing the rhetorical ammunition for a final go at the special minister of state, Mal Brough, before MPs make haste for the airport. Readers with me yesterday will know that I now characterise Brough as being in a post-plausible state. There’s really no question in my mind that he should step aside while police are investigating his conduct during the James Ashby/Peter Slipper affair both as a point of principle (my interest) and for the good of the government (the political calculation, which is the government’s interest). |
| Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has told the ABC this morning Brough must go because he misled the parliament. The special minister of state has lynched himself on the procedural boo boo, is Albanese’s argument, but not only that. Albanese says the current police investigation is a very serious matter. Getting a staffer to procure a diary is a crime, Albanese says. (Bear in mind Brough denied that actually happened in parliament yesterday – a denial which contradicts an unambiguous statement he appears to have made to 60 Minutes in 2014 that he wanted to purse the diary because he believed Peter Slipper had committed a crime.) | Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has told the ABC this morning Brough must go because he misled the parliament. The special minister of state has lynched himself on the procedural boo boo, is Albanese’s argument, but not only that. Albanese says the current police investigation is a very serious matter. Getting a staffer to procure a diary is a crime, Albanese says. (Bear in mind Brough denied that actually happened in parliament yesterday – a denial which contradicts an unambiguous statement he appears to have made to 60 Minutes in 2014 that he wanted to purse the diary because he believed Peter Slipper had committed a crime.) |
| If you are late to the in’s and out’s of this whole saga, and can’t make sense of the various increments of this week, my colleague Daniel Hurst has put together an excellent backgrounder which you can read here. | If you are late to the in’s and out’s of this whole saga, and can’t make sense of the various increments of this week, my colleague Daniel Hurst has put together an excellent backgrounder which you can read here. |
| So Brough remains the focus. But today the chambers will also be running full tilt to deal with the business of the parliament. I haven’t actually checked (perhaps there’s been a change of policy so apologies if I’m misleading you) but today we conventionally see the valedictories to the 2015 political year given – these are Christmas speeches in the chamber that are often quite fun. | So Brough remains the focus. But today the chambers will also be running full tilt to deal with the business of the parliament. I haven’t actually checked (perhaps there’s been a change of policy so apologies if I’m misleading you) but today we conventionally see the valedictories to the 2015 political year given – these are Christmas speeches in the chamber that are often quite fun. |
| On the legislative front there was a draft document circulating last night that seeks to change the senate order of business for today in order to get the last measures through. The priority is the citizenship laws, which should pass today. | On the legislative front there was a draft document circulating last night that seeks to change the senate order of business for today in order to get the last measures through. The priority is the citizenship laws, which should pass today. |
| Early evening yesterday I was under the impression the government had resolved to pull its multinational tax/transparency bill. Thus far, a standoff between the two houses of parliament has threatened to scuttle a government-backed crackdown on multinational tax avoidance and a Labor-backed plan to increase tax transparency. But then late last night I heard the government was in negotiations with the Greens to secure passage. The Greens party room is meeting this morning as we go live. I don’t have specifics yet. My colleague Daniel Hurst is also chasing details. We’ll see how that goes, and I’ll keep you in touch with developments. | Early evening yesterday I was under the impression the government had resolved to pull its multinational tax/transparency bill. Thus far, a standoff between the two houses of parliament has threatened to scuttle a government-backed crackdown on multinational tax avoidance and a Labor-backed plan to increase tax transparency. But then late last night I heard the government was in negotiations with the Greens to secure passage. The Greens party room is meeting this morning as we go live. I don’t have specifics yet. My colleague Daniel Hurst is also chasing details. We’ll see how that goes, and I’ll keep you in touch with developments. |
| You don’t have to wait for me, however. You can go immediately to the comment thread, which is wide open for your business – or if so inclined, you can give us a shout on the Twits. I’m @murpharoo and Mikearoo’s @mpbowers | You don’t have to wait for me, however. You can go immediately to the comment thread, which is wide open for your business – or if so inclined, you can give us a shout on the Twits. I’m @murpharoo and Mikearoo’s @mpbowers |
| Break out the fruit cake. Here comes Thursday. | Break out the fruit cake. Here comes Thursday. |