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Labor questions Australia Post board member 'headlining' Liberal fundraiser – politics live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
1.54am GMT | |
01:54 | |
The government has moved the gag. | |
1.54am GMT | |
01:54 | |
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: | |
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. | |
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. | |
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: | |
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 | |
01:48 | |
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. | |
1.40am GMT | |
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. | |
Wilson, rebutting: | |
That’s not possible! | |
1.36am GMT | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
1.25am GMT | |
01:25 | |
Sam Dastyari: | |
Frankly, I think he should be pulling out. It is highly inappropriate. I am happy to leave it at that. | |
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. | |
It’s a farewell function. | |
1.20am GMT | |
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 | |
1.18am GMT | 1.18am GMT |
01:18 | 01:18 |
Dastyari is pushing past the Fifield dead bat. Was the minister aware of this fundraising event? (He was.) When did he become aware? (Recently). Has the board considered the appropriateness of this issue? (No, it hasn’t met since McIver was appointed to his post.) The next board meeting is scheduled for a couple of days before the farewell/fundraiser. | Dastyari is pushing past the Fifield dead bat. Was the minister aware of this fundraising event? (He was.) When did he become aware? (Recently). Has the board considered the appropriateness of this issue? (No, it hasn’t met since McIver was appointed to his post.) The next board meeting is scheduled for a couple of days before the farewell/fundraiser. |
1.12am GMT | 1.12am GMT |
01:12 | 01:12 |
Fundraising takes a fresh turn | Fundraising takes a fresh turn |
Over in communications estimates, the Labor senator Sam Dastyari is on the trail of a decision by the government to appoint Bruce McIver, a past president of the LNP in Queensland, to the board of Australia Post. This appointment happened last December. | Over in communications estimates, the Labor senator Sam Dastyari is on the trail of a decision by the government to appoint Bruce McIver, a past president of the LNP in Queensland, to the board of Australia Post. This appointment happened last December. |
Dastyari thinks he sees a potential breach of the guidelines governing government business enterprises. He cites part of the code which stipulates “the government expects GBE boards to establish and maintain a code of conduct for directors (including any subsidiaries), employees and contractors and that GBEs, in undertaking their business, avoid activities that could give rise to questions about their political impartiality. For example, GBEs should not make direct or indirect political donations or participate in activities that would bring the government into disrepute.” | |
He says McIver is listed as a participant in a looming political fundraiser, in late February. | He says McIver is listed as a participant in a looming political fundraiser, in late February. |
Sam Dastyari: | Sam Dastyari: |
A board member headlining a fundraiser for the Liberal party under his own name would be a clear breach of the GBE guidelines. | A board member headlining a fundraiser for the Liberal party under his own name would be a clear breach of the GBE guidelines. |
If this doesn’t raise questions about political impartiality – what will? | If this doesn’t raise questions about political impartiality – what will? |
Mitch Fifield: | Mitch Fifield: |
It’s a farewell function for Mr McIver. It does not relate to the activities of Australia Post. | It’s a farewell function for Mr McIver. It does not relate to the activities of Australia Post. |
Dastyari says the flyer makes it plain the event will be a fundraiser for the looming federal election. | Dastyari says the flyer makes it plain the event will be a fundraiser for the looming federal election. |
Fifield, squarely in nice try Sam but no banana, mode: | Fifield, squarely in nice try Sam but no banana, mode: |
He’s attending a farewell event in his honour. | He’s attending a farewell event in his honour. |
Dastyari: | Dastyari: |
It’s a fundraiser. He’s headlining it. Do you have any concerns this breaches the GBE guidelines? | It’s a fundraiser. He’s headlining it. Do you have any concerns this breaches the GBE guidelines? |
Fifield: | Fifield: |
There’s a farewell function that’s been organised. | There’s a farewell function that’s been organised. |
Dastyari: | Dastyari: |
Which is a fundraiser. | Which is a fundraiser. |
Updated | |
at 1.30am GMT | |
12.57am GMT | 12.57am GMT |
00:57 | 00:57 |
Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
A quick update following the Labor caucus meeting. | A quick update following the Labor caucus meeting. |
Here’s a direct quote from the Shorten pep talk/political positioning vis the prime minister. | Here’s a direct quote from the Shorten pep talk/political positioning vis the prime minister. |
Malcolm Turnbull gave his full support to Stuart Robert. You only need to ask marriage equality campaigners, climate change campaigners, and the republican campaigners what Malcolm Turnbull’s full support means. You can also ask CSIRO scientists what his full support means. | Malcolm Turnbull gave his full support to Stuart Robert. You only need to ask marriage equality campaigners, climate change campaigners, and the republican campaigners what Malcolm Turnbull’s full support means. You can also ask CSIRO scientists what his full support means. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.58am GMT | at 12.58am GMT |
12.35am GMT | 12.35am GMT |
00:35 | 00:35 |
Inconvenient alternative explanations notwithstanding, O’Sullivan would like Gillian Triggs to review the Hansard of yesterday’s evidence from the border protection chief, Mike Pezzullo. | Inconvenient alternative explanations notwithstanding, O’Sullivan would like Gillian Triggs to review the Hansard of yesterday’s evidence from the border protection chief, Mike Pezzullo. |
More fizz than pop. And the hearing moves on. | More fizz than pop. And the hearing moves on. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.45am GMT | at 12.45am GMT |
12.33am GMT | 12.33am GMT |
00:33 | 00:33 |
O’Sullivan asks whether Triggs knows why children are being held in detention. The HRC president says children are held in detention in compliance with the law. O’Sullivan begs to differ. He says children are detained because of concern about their parents. Triggs then begs to differ. That’s correct in some cases, she says, but incorrect in others. The attorney general points out that some children are in detention because they are babies, and they need to be with their mothers. | O’Sullivan asks whether Triggs knows why children are being held in detention. The HRC president says children are held in detention in compliance with the law. O’Sullivan begs to differ. He says children are detained because of concern about their parents. Triggs then begs to differ. That’s correct in some cases, she says, but incorrect in others. The attorney general points out that some children are in detention because they are babies, and they need to be with their mothers. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.45am GMT | at 12.45am GMT |
12.30am GMT | 12.30am GMT |
00:30 | 00:30 |
As promised, the LNP senator Barry O’Sullivan is now performing a warm up lap in order to set “the professor” straight. | As promised, the LNP senator Barry O’Sullivan is now performing a warm up lap in order to set “the professor” straight. |
O’Sullivan wonders whether Gillian Triggs accepts the high court’s decision on offshore detention, that children are detained by Nauru? She does. | O’Sullivan wonders whether Gillian Triggs accepts the high court’s decision on offshore detention, that children are detained by Nauru? She does. |
I think O’Sullivan intends to suggest that Australia has no responsibility for what goes on on Nauru because asylum seekers are detained by Nauru, not by Australia. The attorney general is having to translate his interventions slightly. I think. You’ll have to bear with me. | I think O’Sullivan intends to suggest that Australia has no responsibility for what goes on on Nauru because asylum seekers are detained by Nauru, not by Australia. The attorney general is having to translate his interventions slightly. I think. You’ll have to bear with me. |
O’Sullivan then asks Triggs whether she believes children detained on Nauru are being tortured? | O’Sullivan then asks Triggs whether she believes children detained on Nauru are being tortured? |
Gillian Triggs: | Gillian Triggs: |
We have never, ever, made that assertion. | We have never, ever, made that assertion. |
She explains there’s a difference between torture and cruel punishment. | She explains there’s a difference between torture and cruel punishment. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.46am GMT | at 12.46am GMT |
12.15am GMT | 12.15am GMT |
00:15 | 00:15 |
The Human Rights Commission estimates are back from their short break. The Labor senator Jacinta Collins wants to know first off the bat whether or not the government considered Tony Abbott’s former chief of staff, Peta Credlin, as Australia’s new (as yet unannounced) sex discrimination commissioner. | The Human Rights Commission estimates are back from their short break. The Labor senator Jacinta Collins wants to know first off the bat whether or not the government considered Tony Abbott’s former chief of staff, Peta Credlin, as Australia’s new (as yet unannounced) sex discrimination commissioner. |
Attorney-general George Brandis: | Attorney-general George Brandis: |
The answer no. | The answer no. |
12.00am GMT | 12.00am GMT |
00:00 | 00:00 |
Also, reporter beavers away on party room updates, and a voice from the ether chimes in. | Also, reporter beavers away on party room updates, and a voice from the ether chimes in. |
David Gillespie tells Coalition party room they can't "wimp out" on tax reform, otherwise why are we here? | David Gillespie tells Coalition party room they can't "wimp out" on tax reform, otherwise why are we here? |
Christopher Pyne replies to David Gillespie: "we are here to get elected" in party room discussion | Christopher Pyne replies to David Gillespie: "we are here to get elected" in party room discussion |
@jamesmassola - if you don't get elected, you can't deliver for the people. Governments deliver, not oppositions or protest parties #auspol | @jamesmassola - if you don't get elected, you can't deliver for the people. Governments deliver, not oppositions or protest parties #auspol |
It being Tuesday, both the Coalition party room and the Labor caucus have been meeting downstairs. | It being Tuesday, both the Coalition party room and the Labor caucus have been meeting downstairs. |
11.56pm GMT | 11.56pm GMT |
23:56 | 23:56 |
Fortunately for all our sanity that committee has broken for tea. | Fortunately for all our sanity that committee has broken for tea. |
On my quick survey of the daily field I see the ABC’s Chris Uhlmann now has a story about the prime minister urging the former small business minister Bruce Billson not to leave politics. Bruce! Don’t gooooo. | On my quick survey of the daily field I see the ABC’s Chris Uhlmann now has a story about the prime minister urging the former small business minister Bruce Billson not to leave politics. Bruce! Don’t gooooo. |
Uhlmann has popped onto ABC24 to flog his wares (as it were). | Uhlmann has popped onto ABC24 to flog his wares (as it were). |
Uhlmann: | Uhlmann: |
In a conversation between Christmas and new year, that he had with the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull urged him not to leave politics. You might recall back in 2010, Malcolm Turnbull himself announced he would leave politics. They talked about that and Malcolm Turnbull held open the possibility that Bruce Billson, at only 50 years of age, could work his way back into cabinet. | In a conversation between Christmas and new year, that he had with the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull urged him not to leave politics. You might recall back in 2010, Malcolm Turnbull himself announced he would leave politics. They talked about that and Malcolm Turnbull held open the possibility that Bruce Billson, at only 50 years of age, could work his way back into cabinet. |
(Readers will remember that a reshuffle is hovering, defiantly, in the background right at the moment. The prime minister is waiting for Warren Truss to reveal his hand before sweeping up his small Christmas messes by the name of Briggs and Brough, and now, of course, Stuart Robert’s future is in play.) | (Readers will remember that a reshuffle is hovering, defiantly, in the background right at the moment. The prime minister is waiting for Warren Truss to reveal his hand before sweeping up his small Christmas messes by the name of Briggs and Brough, and now, of course, Stuart Robert’s future is in play.) |
11.47pm GMT | 11.47pm GMT |
23:47 | 23:47 |
Collins has moved on to asking whether Tim Wilson has resigned as a member of the Liberal party. He says he has. Why did he do that? Wilson says he did that at the request of the attorney general. | Collins has moved on to asking whether Tim Wilson has resigned as a member of the Liberal party. He says he has. Why did he do that? Wilson says he did that at the request of the attorney general. |
Collins asks Triggs whether that was the right call. She doesn’t want to get into this rooster fight. It’s a matter of judgment, she says, delicately. | Collins asks Triggs whether that was the right call. She doesn’t want to get into this rooster fight. It’s a matter of judgment, she says, delicately. |
Collins then asks Brandis why he asked Wilson to resign his Liberal party membership. Brandis says he’s happy to answer but the question might be out of order. Hint hint. Senator Macdonald. Hint. So prompted, I think the question is deemed out of order, but it’s hard to tell. There’s a steep nosedive under way in this committee. | Collins then asks Brandis why he asked Wilson to resign his Liberal party membership. Brandis says he’s happy to answer but the question might be out of order. Hint hint. Senator Macdonald. Hint. So prompted, I think the question is deemed out of order, but it’s hard to tell. There’s a steep nosedive under way in this committee. |
Daggers at dawn, presently. | Daggers at dawn, presently. |
Ian Macdonald: | Ian Macdonald: |
Senator Collins you are entitled to your own opinions but don’t bore the committee with them. | Senator Collins you are entitled to your own opinions but don’t bore the committee with them. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.09am GMT | at 12.09am GMT |
11.42pm GMT | 11.42pm GMT |
23:42 | 23:42 |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.46pm GMT | at 11.46pm GMT |
11.42pm GMT | 11.42pm GMT |
23:42 | 23:42 |
Barry O’Sullivan is outraged now by the indulgence of Jacinta Collins mining for Tim Wilson’s travel receipts from the Holiday Inn when there has been this outrageous allegation of torture on Nauru. | Barry O’Sullivan is outraged now by the indulgence of Jacinta Collins mining for Tim Wilson’s travel receipts from the Holiday Inn when there has been this outrageous allegation of torture on Nauru. |
Collins inquires of O’Sullivan whether or not he learned anything at the United Nations. (I dimly remember O’Sullivan was on the annual UN delegation.) He informs her that he did. | Collins inquires of O’Sullivan whether or not he learned anything at the United Nations. (I dimly remember O’Sullivan was on the annual UN delegation.) He informs her that he did. |
Jacinta Collins: | Jacinta Collins: |
That’s good. | That’s good. |
There is much muttering about the program. The attorney-general is unhappy we won’t get to the Australian Federal Police and their national security update. | There is much muttering about the program. The attorney-general is unhappy we won’t get to the Australian Federal Police and their national security update. |
11.35pm GMT | 11.35pm GMT |
23:35 | 23:35 |
Outrageous. | Outrageous. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.45pm GMT | at 11.45pm GMT |
11.33pm GMT | 11.33pm GMT |
23:33 | 23:33 |
Sarah Hanson Young tells Ian Macdonald he is the most biased chair in the Senate. Before actual violence breaks out in the committee, we’ve switched back to Tim Wilson’s travel arrangements. | Sarah Hanson Young tells Ian Macdonald he is the most biased chair in the Senate. Before actual violence breaks out in the committee, we’ve switched back to Tim Wilson’s travel arrangements. |
Funny how Barry O’Sullivan and Ian Macdonald missed the memo about the government suing for peace with the HRC. Missed. The. Memo. | Funny how Barry O’Sullivan and Ian Macdonald missed the memo about the government suing for peace with the HRC. Missed. The. Memo. |
11.29pm GMT | 11.29pm GMT |
23:29 | 23:29 |
The committee chairman, Ian Macdonald says it is outrageous, this talk of torturing children. | The committee chairman, Ian Macdonald says it is outrageous, this talk of torturing children. |
Outrageous. | Outrageous. |
11.26pm GMT | 11.26pm GMT |
23:26 | 23:26 |
LNP senator Barry O’Sullivan, listening on as Hanson-Young and Triggs discuss whether we are breaching commitments on torture on Nauru, cracks a wobbly. | LNP senator Barry O’Sullivan, listening on as Hanson-Young and Triggs discuss whether we are breaching commitments on torture on Nauru, cracks a wobbly. |
Barry O’Sullivan, furious: | Barry O’Sullivan, furious: |
Q: Do you share the view, professor, that we are torturing these children? | Q: Do you share the view, professor, that we are torturing these children? |
Hanson-Young is furious. She doesn’t want to be interrupted. O’Sullivan suggests “the professor” will have it coming when it is his turn to ask questions. | Hanson-Young is furious. She doesn’t want to be interrupted. O’Sullivan suggests “the professor” will have it coming when it is his turn to ask questions. |
Hanson-Young: | Hanson-Young: |
You can wait to be a pig then. | You can wait to be a pig then. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.33pm GMT | at 11.33pm GMT |
11.22pm GMT | 11.22pm GMT |
23:22 | 23:22 |
A nice estimates sequence from Mr Bowers, as Gillian Triggs speaks about people’s fear for their safety on Nauru. | A nice estimates sequence from Mr Bowers, as Gillian Triggs speaks about people’s fear for their safety on Nauru. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.30pm GMT | at 11.30pm GMT |
11.18pm GMT | 11.18pm GMT |
23:18 | 23:18 |
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has moved on to immigration detention. She asks Triggs whether or not she has a view about whether families should be returned to Nauru in the wake of the recent high court judgment. | Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has moved on to immigration detention. She asks Triggs whether or not she has a view about whether families should be returned to Nauru in the wake of the recent high court judgment. |
Triggs says the commission’s view is conditions on Nauru breach Australia’s international obligations. | Triggs says the commission’s view is conditions on Nauru breach Australia’s international obligations. |
We have a strong view and that is the conditions on Nauru are conditions are dangerous and unsafe. | We have a strong view and that is the conditions on Nauru are conditions are dangerous and unsafe. |
She says the families should not be returned. | She says the families should not be returned. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.28pm GMT | at 11.28pm GMT |
11.09pm GMT | 11.09pm GMT |
23:09 | 23:09 |
Labor is plugging away now at an overseas trip taken by Tim Wilson, the human rights/freedom commissioner. Labor senator Jacinta Collins is perturbed Wilson has tacked on some personal time to a work trip. Wilson says everything is absolutely above board. She’s persisting anyway. | Labor is plugging away now at an overseas trip taken by Tim Wilson, the human rights/freedom commissioner. Labor senator Jacinta Collins is perturbed Wilson has tacked on some personal time to a work trip. Wilson says everything is absolutely above board. She’s persisting anyway. |
Brandis, the minister at the table, eventually chides Collins for being “unfair” to Wilson when she makes a passing reference to the remuneration of a human rights commissioner. Collins digs in, saying she has no dispute with the formal part of Wilson’s program, her questions relate to the private business. | Brandis, the minister at the table, eventually chides Collins for being “unfair” to Wilson when she makes a passing reference to the remuneration of a human rights commissioner. Collins digs in, saying she has no dispute with the formal part of Wilson’s program, her questions relate to the private business. |
The committee’s chair, LNP senator Ian Macdonald, cuts across and asks Gillian Triggs to provide records of everybody’s overseas travel: all commissioners. He chides Collins on her line of questioning. She tells him he has no business reflecting on her questioning. | The committee’s chair, LNP senator Ian Macdonald, cuts across and asks Gillian Triggs to provide records of everybody’s overseas travel: all commissioners. He chides Collins on her line of questioning. She tells him he has no business reflecting on her questioning. |
Ian Macdonald: | Ian Macdonald: |
I’m reluctant to do it. | I’m reluctant to do it. |
Jacinta Collins: | Jacinta Collins: |
Then don’t. | Then don’t. |
Ian Macdonald: | Ian Macdonald: |
It just seems an unfortunate waste of your time. | It just seems an unfortunate waste of your time. |
10.52pm GMT | 10.52pm GMT |
22:52 | 22:52 |
The Attorney General’s Department wasn’t consulted on the Ruddock appointment either. It’s not clear to me whether or not the attorney general George Brandis was consulted. His locution is deliberately convoluted. | The Attorney General’s Department wasn’t consulted on the Ruddock appointment either. It’s not clear to me whether or not the attorney general George Brandis was consulted. His locution is deliberately convoluted. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.24pm GMT | at 11.24pm GMT |