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| Labor asks about 'radical plan to privatise Medicare' – question time live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.38am GMT | |
| 03:38 | |
| The man of the hour, by Mr Bowers. | |
| 3.35am GMT | |
| 03:35 | |
| Labor’s deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek. | |
| Q: My question is to the minister for foreign affairs. Is it usual for ministers to meet with ministers or vice ministers of foreign countries when travelling overseas without informing the minister for foreign affairs or her department? | |
| Julie Bishop: | |
| It would depend on the circumstances. There is no widespread practice, it would depend on a case by case basis. | |
| 3.31am GMT | |
| 03:31 | |
| Back to Stuart Robert. Labor’s Jim Chalmers to the trade minister, Andrew Robb. | |
| Q: My question is to the minister for trade. What assistance did Austrade provide Nimrod Resources? Was any assistance provided leading up to or on the day of the signing ceremony in Beijing in August 2014 or in relation to any other events, and has Austrade provided any other assistance to any other companies associated with Mr Paul Marks? | |
| Andrew Robb says talk to the hand. | |
| In answer to the member, the prime minister informed the House that he had sought all information associated with the issues that have been raised on the other side of the House. | |
| When that information is available, I am sure that you will hear about it. | |
| (Grand moments in public accountability: a case study.) | |
| 3.25am GMT | |
| 03:25 | |
| The prime minister, answering a question from Queensland’s Bob Katter. | |
| I can assure the honourable member that there is a great passion for the development of water in the north of Australia right through our side of politics, we understand water is the source of life. | |
| 3.22am GMT | |
| 03:22 | |
| Labor is winding round now to Stuart Robert. A question to Peter Dutton, the immigration minister, from Richard Marles. | |
| Q: People leaving Australia declare that the information they provide on the outgoing passenger card is ‘true, correct and complete.’ On his outgoing passenger card for his trip to China, what did the minister for human services declare was the main reason for overseas travel? Business, visiting friends or relatives, holiday, employment or other? If the minister does not have this information now, could he please advise the House once it is accessed? | |
| Manager of government business, Christopher Pyne, bangs his gavel and cries objection. | |
| This is a question about a private matter ... which couldn’t possibly be within the knowledge of the minister for immigration. | |
| Speaker Tony Smith is letting this run. | |
| PDuddy looms at the dispatch box. | |
| There are two points to make here. | |
| The first is that there are millions of people movements across the borders each year and I haven’t brought the passenger cards down to question time with me. Nor could I expect to have avail myself of that information, nor would it be appropriate for me to do so because of the privacy issues involved. | |
| That demonstrates that this question was nothing more than a stunt. | |
| 3.15am GMT | |
| 03:15 | |
| A Dorothy Dixer to the treasurer. | |
| Q: Will the treasurer update the House on how Australia is successfully transitioning from the mining investment boom to a more diversified economy? What are the trade opportunities, especially with the transitioning Chinese economy, for Australian exports? | |
| (China brings some titters from across the chamber.) | |
| Shame, Labor, shame, suggests Scott Morrison. How can you laugh about Australia’s economy in transition? | |
| 3.12am GMT | |
| 03:12 | |
| Labor takes the opportunity of asking the privatisation question to Stuart Robert, who, when not in the soup about travel, is the human services minister. | |
| Shadow health minister, Catherine King. | |
| Q: My question is to the minister for human services. The front page of today’s West Australian newspaper reveals that the government has a radical plan to privatise Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Won’t this mean that the electronic health data of Australians, such as Medicare information, could be sold to a foreign company? | |
| (Very cheeky indeed.) | |
| Stuart Robert is all about technology. In case anyone wondered, Robert clarifies his portfolio interest. | |
| I run the computing technology that pays for Medicare, that pays for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and for aged care payments. | |
| (So noted.) | |
| 3.08am GMT | |
| 03:08 | |
| The first Dorothy Dixer is on innovation and workforce participation. There has never been a more exciting time .. | |
| 3.05am GMT | |
| 03:05 | |
| Question time | |
| As I more or less predicted in the summary, Labor opens on the privatisation story. | |
| Bill Shorten says the West Australian has revealed that the government has a radical plan to privatise Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Can the government rule out privatising Medicare or the PBS – yes or no? | |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | |
| Let me reassure the leader of the opposition that the government is, as always, totally committed to Medicare. | |
| What we are looking at, as we look at in every area, is improving the delivery of government services, improving the delivery of government services, looking at ways to take the health and aged care payment system into the 21st century. | |
| This is about making it simpler and faster for patients to be able to transact with Medicare, to get the services they are entitled to. | |
| 3.00am GMT | 3.00am GMT |
| 03:00 | 03:00 |
| Amanda Meade | Amanda Meade |
| The outgoing managing director of the ABC, Mark Scott, is appearing at estimates today. The first question to Scott was about the ABC’s decision to program Foreign Correspondent at the same time as SBS’ Dateline, as revealed by Guardian Australia. The popular international current affairs show is moving from its prime-time spot of 8pm on a Tuesday night to the less populated 9.30pm slot for the 2016 schedule – and SBS is furious. | The outgoing managing director of the ABC, Mark Scott, is appearing at estimates today. The first question to Scott was about the ABC’s decision to program Foreign Correspondent at the same time as SBS’ Dateline, as revealed by Guardian Australia. The popular international current affairs show is moving from its prime-time spot of 8pm on a Tuesday night to the less populated 9.30pm slot for the 2016 schedule – and SBS is furious. |
| Scott has told the senators the two “totally distinct” public broadcasters do not sit down and program together and occasionally they have programs that clash. He encourages people to watch the shows on catch-up TV platforms if they clash. | Scott has told the senators the two “totally distinct” public broadcasters do not sit down and program together and occasionally they have programs that clash. He encourages people to watch the shows on catch-up TV platforms if they clash. |
| But then, the hearing got interesting, as questions were asked about whether SBS should even exist, when there is already one public broadcaster. | But then, the hearing got interesting, as questions were asked about whether SBS should even exist, when there is already one public broadcaster. |
| Scott says it is a question for government but – probably needs to be reviewed. | Scott says it is a question for government but – probably needs to be reviewed. |
| 2.47am GMT | 2.47am GMT |
| 02:47 | 02:47 |
| Some cheery round the House from Mr Bowers that I’ve not yet had time to share. | Some cheery round the House from Mr Bowers that I’ve not yet had time to share. |
| Pour a double scotch. Question time is taunting us, just over the horizon. | Pour a double scotch. Question time is taunting us, just over the horizon. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.00am GMT | at 3.00am GMT |
| 2.40am GMT | 2.40am GMT |
| 02:40 | 02:40 |
| Politics this lunchtime | Politics this lunchtime |
| Good crikey, today is groaning with content. Let’s pause a moment and try and make sense of where we are. This lunchtime update is powered by a Bill Shorten photobomb. | Good crikey, today is groaning with content. Let’s pause a moment and try and make sense of where we are. This lunchtime update is powered by a Bill Shorten photobomb. |
| Today, Tuesday: | Today, Tuesday: |
| Until then, onwards, upwards. | Until then, onwards, upwards. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.42am GMT | at 2.42am GMT |
| 2.13am GMT | 2.13am GMT |
| 02:13 | 02:13 |
| The point of that little deep dive from Daniel is a simple one. Robert has said the China trip was not official, it was personal. But the official finance records show the minister was in Singapore (just immediately after the contentious meeting in Beijing) – for an official engagement. | The point of that little deep dive from Daniel is a simple one. Robert has said the China trip was not official, it was personal. But the official finance records show the minister was in Singapore (just immediately after the contentious meeting in Beijing) – for an official engagement. |
| The question then is who paid for the side trip to Beijing? Daniel has tried to get an answer for 24 hours without success. | The question then is who paid for the side trip to Beijing? Daniel has tried to get an answer for 24 hours without success. |
| 2.07am GMT | 2.07am GMT |
| 02:07 | 02:07 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| Some new material on the trip. The embattled minister Stuart Robert took his controversial “private” trip to China several days before he was due in Singapore for official business – raising questions about portions of his international travel being taxpayer-funded. I’ve asked Robert whether he had undertaken the controversial Beijing visit as a side trip to his $10,450 government-funded trip to Singapore, but he and his office declined to answer. Finance Department entitlement records showed he claimed $10,449.83 “to attend the Singapore-Australia joint ministerial meeting and the defence ministers’ dialogue” from 21 August to 23 August 2014. PM&C confirmed Robert had requested personal leave for the period 15 to 22 August 2014 and this been approved by the then prime minister, Tony Abbott. I’ve repeatedly asked Robert and his spokesman whether the Beijing trip constituted a side-trip to the official engagement in Singapore, and sought clarity about which flights were paid for by taxpayers and which flights were paid for privately. There was no response to the direct queries, first submitted on Monday. | Some new material on the trip. The embattled minister Stuart Robert took his controversial “private” trip to China several days before he was due in Singapore for official business – raising questions about portions of his international travel being taxpayer-funded. I’ve asked Robert whether he had undertaken the controversial Beijing visit as a side trip to his $10,450 government-funded trip to Singapore, but he and his office declined to answer. Finance Department entitlement records showed he claimed $10,449.83 “to attend the Singapore-Australia joint ministerial meeting and the defence ministers’ dialogue” from 21 August to 23 August 2014. PM&C confirmed Robert had requested personal leave for the period 15 to 22 August 2014 and this been approved by the then prime minister, Tony Abbott. I’ve repeatedly asked Robert and his spokesman whether the Beijing trip constituted a side-trip to the official engagement in Singapore, and sought clarity about which flights were paid for by taxpayers and which flights were paid for privately. There was no response to the direct queries, first submitted on Monday. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.08am GMT | at 2.08am GMT |
| 2.01am GMT | 2.01am GMT |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| Meanwhile, back in the chamber. | Meanwhile, back in the chamber. |
| Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke: | Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke: |
| The Turnbull government can’t cover up for this minister forever! | The Turnbull government can’t cover up for this minister forever! |
| Manager of government business, Christopher Pyne: | Manager of government business, Christopher Pyne: |
| I move that the member be no longer heard. | I move that the member be no longer heard. |
| 1.59am GMT | 1.59am GMT |
| 01:59 | 01:59 |
| Just while this division is underway, some rhetoric from Dreyfus this morning that has the bonus of articulating precisely the questions the opposition wants answered about Stuart Robert. | Just while this division is underway, some rhetoric from Dreyfus this morning that has the bonus of articulating precisely the questions the opposition wants answered about Stuart Robert. |
| I have bolded the relevant paragraph. (Good to spell these things out when we get a chance, given we have about ten separate threads running in Canberra right at the moment.) | I have bolded the relevant paragraph. (Good to spell these things out when we get a chance, given we have about ten separate threads running in Canberra right at the moment.) |
| I say again, he’s got to now make a full statement about as to what it was he was doing in Beijing. It can’t be both a trip for private purposes and a trip on which he met with a Vice Minister in the Chinese Government. | I say again, he’s got to now make a full statement about as to what it was he was doing in Beijing. It can’t be both a trip for private purposes and a trip on which he met with a Vice Minister in the Chinese Government. |
| What did his visa application say? What assistance did he get from the Australian embassy in Beijing? Who paid for his trip? Who paid for his accommodation? Who paid for his expenses? | What did his visa application say? What assistance did he get from the Australian embassy in Beijing? Who paid for his trip? Who paid for his accommodation? Who paid for his expenses? |
| All of these questions need to be answered. It’s time for Mr Robert to answer those questions and it’s time for Mr Turnbull to show some leadership. | All of these questions need to be answered. It’s time for Mr Robert to answer those questions and it’s time for Mr Turnbull to show some leadership. |
| 1.54am GMT | 1.54am GMT |
| 01:54 | 01:54 |
| The government has moved the gag. | The government has moved the gag. |
| 1.54am GMT | 1.54am GMT |
| 01:54 | 01:54 |
| Here’s the motion, moved by the shadow attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus: | Here’s the motion, moved by the shadow attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus: |
| I move that so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Isaacs from moving the following motion forthwith, that the House notes that: | I move that so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Isaacs from moving the following motion forthwith, that the House notes that: |
| A: Except where the prime minister has given permission to continue an interest in a family business, the prime minister’s own statement of ministerial standards puts a blanket ban on ministers providing assistance to companies in a private capacity. | A: Except where the prime minister has given permission to continue an interest in a family business, the prime minister’s own statement of ministerial standards puts a blanket ban on ministers providing assistance to companies in a private capacity. |
| B: The minister for veterans’ affairs provided assistance in a private capacity to Nimrod resources to seal a mining deal with a Chinese State-owned company during a trip to China. | B: The minister for veterans’ affairs provided assistance in a private capacity to Nimrod resources to seal a mining deal with a Chinese State-owned company during a trip to China. |
| C: The principal of Nimrod resources, who the minister accompanied to China, has donated more than $2m to the Liberal party, and; | C: The principal of Nimrod resources, who the minister accompanied to China, has donated more than $2m to the Liberal party, and; |
| D: On the same trip the minister subsequently met with the Chinese vice minister for land and resources. | D: On the same trip the minister subsequently met with the Chinese vice minister for land and resources. |
| And: 2, calls on the minister for veterans’ affairs to immediately attend the House to provide a full explanation of his trip to China and explain why he has not breached the prime minister’s statement of ministerial standards. | And: 2, calls on the minister for veterans’ affairs to immediately attend the House to provide a full explanation of his trip to China and explain why he has not breached the prime minister’s statement of ministerial standards. |
| Mark Dreyfus: | Mark Dreyfus: |
| Deputy speaker, the prime minister needs to show some leadership to this country. This minister has betrayed his duty to the Australian people. He has betrayed his duty. | Deputy speaker, the prime minister needs to show some leadership to this country. This minister has betrayed his duty to the Australian people. He has betrayed his duty. |
| 1.48am GMT | 1.48am GMT |
| 01:48 | 01:48 |
| Labor pursues Stuart Robert in the House | Labor pursues Stuart Robert in the House |
| With the House saddling up for the day, Labor is now attempting to force Stuart Robert to make a statement about his China trip. A procedural skirmish is underway in the House of Representatives now. | With the House saddling up for the day, Labor is now attempting to force Stuart Robert to make a statement about his China trip. A procedural skirmish is underway in the House of Representatives now. |
| 1.40am GMT | 1.40am GMT |
| 01:40 | 01:40 |
| Meanwhile, in the HRC estimates committee, the Liberal senator Ian Macdonald is suggesting he may have to adjust the photographic guidelines in committees given the morning has produced flattering photographs of Gillian Triggs and Sarah Hanson Young, unflattering pictures of himself and Barry O’Sullivan, and a whimsical photograph of Tim Wilson. | Meanwhile, in the HRC estimates committee, the Liberal senator Ian Macdonald is suggesting he may have to adjust the photographic guidelines in committees given the morning has produced flattering photographs of Gillian Triggs and Sarah Hanson Young, unflattering pictures of himself and Barry O’Sullivan, and a whimsical photograph of Tim Wilson. |
| Wilson, rebutting: | Wilson, rebutting: |
| That’s not possible! | That’s not possible! |
| 1.36am GMT | 1.36am GMT |
| 01:36 | 01:36 |
| Just in case I skipped over key details too quickly there, Bruce McIver was the key organisational figure in the LNP in Queensland up until his recent departure. | Just in case I skipped over key details too quickly there, Bruce McIver was the key organisational figure in the LNP in Queensland up until his recent departure. |
| He’s a former National, but he drove the merger of the conservative parties in Queensland. It’s understood he opposed the proposed defection of the Liberal Ian Macfarlane (remember that whole dummy spitting imbroglio late last year) because he was worried party unity would take a blow. | He’s a former National, but he drove the merger of the conservative parties in Queensland. It’s understood he opposed the proposed defection of the Liberal Ian Macfarlane (remember that whole dummy spitting imbroglio late last year) because he was worried party unity would take a blow. |
| McIver was appointed to the board of Australia Post by the government in late December. The three year appointment comes with remuneration of $89,500 per year. | McIver was appointed to the board of Australia Post by the government in late December. The three year appointment comes with remuneration of $89,500 per year. |
| Fifield is quite correct. This is a farewell dinner he’s attending. Dastyari is also correct. the flyer indicates the event is a fundraising event for the looming federal election. | Fifield is quite correct. This is a farewell dinner he’s attending. Dastyari is also correct. the flyer indicates the event is a fundraising event for the looming federal election. |
| My quick analysis? You can, perhaps, have a fabulous, well earned farewell, without elevating it to a fundraiser. I believe it happens all the time. | My quick analysis? You can, perhaps, have a fabulous, well earned farewell, without elevating it to a fundraiser. I believe it happens all the time. |
| 1.25am GMT | 1.25am GMT |
| 01:25 | 01:25 |
| Sam Dastyari: | Sam Dastyari: |
| Frankly, I think he should be pulling out. It is highly inappropriate. I am happy to leave it at that. | Frankly, I think he should be pulling out. It is highly inappropriate. I am happy to leave it at that. |
| Mitch Fifield: | Mitch Fifield: |
| Mr McIver is attending a testimonial dinner. If that function was billed as being ‘a director of Australia Post’ that wouldn’t be appropriate. If there was an Australia Post logo that wouldn’t be appropriate. | Mr McIver is attending a testimonial dinner. If that function was billed as being ‘a director of Australia Post’ that wouldn’t be appropriate. If there was an Australia Post logo that wouldn’t be appropriate. |
| It’s a farewell function. | It’s a farewell function. |
| 1.20am GMT | 1.20am GMT |
| 01:20 | 01:20 |
| Here’s the flyer showing an Australia Post board member as the main event at a federal Liberal Party fundraiser pic.twitter.com/D7gaL55CX5 | Here’s the flyer showing an Australia Post board member as the main event at a federal Liberal Party fundraiser pic.twitter.com/D7gaL55CX5 |