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Malcolm Turnbull to present the Closing the Gap report – politics live Malcolm Turnbull to present the Closing the Gap report – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.24pm GMT
22:24
Today's #auspol theme @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/nCRNvIDqKO
10.16pm GMT
22:16
Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, seconding the motion:
The prime minister is incapable of making a decision!
Trade minister Andrew Robb:
I move the member be no longer heard.
Things moving to their inevitable, numerical conclusion here.
10.10pm GMT
22:10
Here’s the motion.
That the House:
Notes that during a trip to China in August 2014, the minister for human services provided assistance to Nimrod Resources by:
(a) Participating in a signing ceremony which sealed a mining deal between Nimrod Resources and a Chinese state-owned company;
(b) Presenting what have been described as a “letter of appointment” and “a medal” from the prime minister to an official of the Chinese state-owned company; and
(c) Meeting with the Chinese vice-minister for Land and Resources accompanied by executives of Nimrod Resources; and
Notes that:
(a) The minister himself has stated in the House that his visit to China was in a “personal capacity”;
(b) 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 personal capacity; and
(c) The minister repeatedly answers each question asked in the House by referring to his earlier statement even where it bears no relevance to the question being asked; and
Calls on the minister for human services to immediately attend the House to:
(a) Give a full and comprehensive account of his activities during his trip to China, including a full account of his itinerary, program, meetings and speeches; and
(b) Explain to the House and to the people of Australia why he has not yet resigned for breaching the prime minister’s statement of ministerial standards.
10.07pm GMT
22:07
Down in the House, procedural fun times, Labor is again attempting to suspend the standing orders.
10.03pm GMT
22:03
The Labor leader Bill Shorten has been stopped by reporters.
Q: What do you think about Greg Hunt’s award?
I’d like to see what competition he was up against. Goodness only knows what the entry requirement was.
Q: Why should Stuart Robert go?
It doesn’t take a Rolex watch to know the time is up for Stuart Robert.
10.00pm GMT
22:00
I’ll have to get back to you.
9.53pm GMT
21:53
Meanwhile, back at One World Government, sorry, the World Government Summit, Greg Hunt wound up in appreciation of his accolade, thus.
The environment minister:
Our work as ministers may seem hard some days. But it can be deeply meaningful. We could not do it without our departments or our offices and I have been magnificently supported by both.
In the end though, I am optimistic that we can achieve our goals. I am optimistic because of the lessons that my father taught me about the value of a vision supported by a plan.
I am optimistic because of the lessons my mother taught me about community, because of the determination I learnt my friend and mentor Alexander Downer. I am optimistic because of the support I have had from two successive Australian prime ministers.
Above all else I am optimistic, because as husband to Paula and father to Poppy and James, I can see the same inviolable truth that all parents see...in the end, humanity and the environment are both fundamentally worthy and fundamentally linked.
9.42pm GMT9.42pm GMT
21:4221:42
Parkinson, to the assembled rats, contemplating their drain pipe.Parkinson, to the assembled rats, contemplating their drain pipe.
Martin Parkinson to press waiting to ask him questions on inquiry into Stuart Robert: you need something better to do, guys" @murpharooMartin Parkinson to press waiting to ask him questions on inquiry into Stuart Robert: you need something better to do, guys" @murpharoo
9.41pm GMT9.41pm GMT
21:4121:41
Here’s Martin Parkinson, the man of the hour, watching on. Parkinson has only just landed in the job. Lucky he’s used to hardship posts.Here’s Martin Parkinson, the man of the hour, watching on. Parkinson has only just landed in the job. Lucky he’s used to hardship posts.
9.39pm GMT9.39pm GMT
21:3921:39
Bill Shorten has also made his contribution to the breakfast. It was a good speech. He observed we have to resist the conservative cliche that life in Indigenous communities would be better if people would just pull themselves up by the bootstraps. You can’t pull yourself up if you don’t have the boots.Bill Shorten has also made his contribution to the breakfast. It was a good speech. He observed we have to resist the conservative cliche that life in Indigenous communities would be better if people would just pull themselves up by the bootstraps. You can’t pull yourself up if you don’t have the boots.
9.35pm GMT9.35pm GMT
21:3521:35
Malcolm Turnbull is warming up his themes for his closing the gap speech to parliament later today. Here’s a couple of chunks that will give you some key points.Malcolm Turnbull is warming up his themes for his closing the gap speech to parliament later today. Here’s a couple of chunks that will give you some key points.
Progress is mixed:Progress is mixed:
Under successive governments of both sides,progress across the closing the gap’s target has been mixed. We have to be honest and recognise that reality. But I do believe we have witnessed true commitment and collaboration and we’re seeing positive trends as a result. Our investments in parenting, in early childhood education, in maternal and child programs has supported a positive start to life which is an investment in that child’s future. Indigenous infant mortality rates have more than halved over the past 16 years. Immunisation rates for indigenous children are high and by the age of 5 more indigenous children are immunised compared with the overall Australian population.Under successive governments of both sides,progress across the closing the gap’s target has been mixed. We have to be honest and recognise that reality. But I do believe we have witnessed true commitment and collaboration and we’re seeing positive trends as a result. Our investments in parenting, in early childhood education, in maternal and child programs has supported a positive start to life which is an investment in that child’s future. Indigenous infant mortality rates have more than halved over the past 16 years. Immunisation rates for indigenous children are high and by the age of 5 more indigenous children are immunised compared with the overall Australian population.
Working in partnership:Working in partnership:
The message I’ve heard most consistently from Aborigina land Torres Strait Islander people is their design to work in partnership with government in a relationship based on mutual respect. And we must never forget that the success of Australia, the success of ours, the most successful multicultural society in the world is based on mutual respect. That is the glue. Thatis the absolutely essential element that holds us together and provides us with the ability to do better and better in the years ahead. And so we need to listen to and draw on the wisdom, the ingenuity, the insights of indigenous people across the nation from the cities to remote communities.The message I’ve heard most consistently from Aborigina land Torres Strait Islander people is their design to work in partnership with government in a relationship based on mutual respect. And we must never forget that the success of Australia, the success of ours, the most successful multicultural society in the world is based on mutual respect. That is the glue. Thatis the absolutely essential element that holds us together and provides us with the ability to do better and better in the years ahead. And so we need to listen to and draw on the wisdom, the ingenuity, the insights of indigenous people across the nation from the cities to remote communities.
Tally ho chaps, we’ve all got to roll up our sleeves:Tally ho chaps, we’ve all got to roll up our sleeves:
Today I want to reaffirm my government’s commitment to closing the gap. Everyone must play their part in this. Strong partnerships between governments and indigenous Australians are absolutely essential for the achievement of this goal. Now, I know that many of you have dedicated your life to the service of your communities, to your families, to creating a life for your children that is filled with hope and optimism. I want to thank you all for your ongoing commitment to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can share equally in the opportunities of this great country. We have a great future together, a great task ahead of us – with commitment, with love, with mutual respect, with an optimism and a confidence and our ability to overcome all these challenges, we will get there. Aunty Matilda: the little koala, and even some of the big ones, will get there.Today I want to reaffirm my government’s commitment to closing the gap. Everyone must play their part in this. Strong partnerships between governments and indigenous Australians are absolutely essential for the achievement of this goal. Now, I know that many of you have dedicated your life to the service of your communities, to your families, to creating a life for your children that is filled with hope and optimism. I want to thank you all for your ongoing commitment to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can share equally in the opportunities of this great country. We have a great future together, a great task ahead of us – with commitment, with love, with mutual respect, with an optimism and a confidence and our ability to overcome all these challenges, we will get there. Aunty Matilda: the little koala, and even some of the big ones, will get there.
9.26pm GMT9.26pm GMT
21:2621:26
Great pictures rolling in now from Mike Bowers, who is downstairs at a closing the gap breakfast. The prime minister is speaking at that now. I’ll bring you that shortly.Great pictures rolling in now from Mike Bowers, who is downstairs at a closing the gap breakfast. The prime minister is speaking at that now. I’ll bring you that shortly.
I gather Turnbull’s departmental head, Martin Parkinson, is also downstairs. Given he’s the man inquiring into whether or not Stuart Robert has breached the ministerial code, I imagine reporters will be on to him like a rat up a drain pipe.I gather Turnbull’s departmental head, Martin Parkinson, is also downstairs. Given he’s the man inquiring into whether or not Stuart Robert has breached the ministerial code, I imagine reporters will be on to him like a rat up a drain pipe.
9.14pm GMT9.14pm GMT
21:1421:14
Sorry I won’t quite yet. Just one more post for readers who for some strange reason have never heard of the World Government Summit. A description from the website.Sorry I won’t quite yet. Just one more post for readers who for some strange reason have never heard of the World Government Summit. A description from the website.
The World Government Summit is the primary global forum dedicated to shaping the future of government worldwide. Each year, the Summit sets the agenda for the next generation of governments with a focus on how they can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.The World Government Summit is the primary global forum dedicated to shaping the future of government worldwide. Each year, the Summit sets the agenda for the next generation of governments with a focus on how they can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.
The World Government Summit is a knowledge exchange platform at the intersection between government, futurism, technology and innovation. It functions as a thought leadership platform and networking hub for policymakers, experts and pioneers in human development.The World Government Summit is a knowledge exchange platform at the intersection between government, futurism, technology and innovation. It functions as a thought leadership platform and networking hub for policymakers, experts and pioneers in human development.
The Summit is a gateway to the Future as it functions as an analysis platform for the future trends, issues and opportunities facing humanity. It is also an opportunity to showcase innovations, best practice and smart solutions to inspire creativity to tackle these future challenges.The Summit is a gateway to the Future as it functions as an analysis platform for the future trends, issues and opportunities facing humanity. It is also an opportunity to showcase innovations, best practice and smart solutions to inspire creativity to tackle these future challenges.
I’m sure Maurice Newman will be on to this mob like a rat up a drain pipe.I’m sure Maurice Newman will be on to this mob like a rat up a drain pipe.
9.09pm GMT9.09pm GMT
21:0921:09
“if the weather changes when I fly to the other side if the world is that climate change?” pic.twitter.com/pxKfYdOwQF“if the weather changes when I fly to the other side if the world is that climate change?” pic.twitter.com/pxKfYdOwQF
Sorry, I will move on now.Sorry, I will move on now.
9.08pm GMT9.08pm GMT
21:0821:08
Some people are just rude.Some people are just rude.
TFW a man is handing you a certificate while you are busy trying to work out why it’s summer at home and winter here pic.twitter.com/qxRAttzkOtTFW a man is handing you a certificate while you are busy trying to work out why it’s summer at home and winter here pic.twitter.com/qxRAttzkOt
Not me, though.Not me, though.
9.03pm GMT9.03pm GMT
21:0321:03
Good morning everyone and welcome. I’m at that point in the week when I have to pause to think what day it is. After a brief period of reflection I can report it is Wednesday, in Canberra. Part of my mild disorientation is associated with not knowing quite where to start with this morning’s embarrassment of riches.Good morning everyone and welcome. I’m at that point in the week when I have to pause to think what day it is. After a brief period of reflection I can report it is Wednesday, in Canberra. Part of my mild disorientation is associated with not knowing quite where to start with this morning’s embarrassment of riches.
Overnight, we have learned the environment minister Greg Hunt is the best minister in the world according to the somewhat sinister sounding World Government Summit – which I strongly suspect enjoys the honour of being the only organisation to actually endorse the government’s climate policy. Yay Greg! Yay World Government Summit!Overnight, we have learned the environment minister Greg Hunt is the best minister in the world according to the somewhat sinister sounding World Government Summit – which I strongly suspect enjoys the honour of being the only organisation to actually endorse the government’s climate policy. Yay Greg! Yay World Government Summit!
Courtesy of a high level of attentiveness around the travel arrangements of the human services minister, Stuart Robert, we have also learned that a Chinese billionaire gave Tony Abbott, his chief of staff Peta Credlin, the then opposition industry spokesman Ian Macfarlane, and the then opposition spokesman for defence, science, technology and personnel, Stuart Robert, rolexes worth around $40,000 a pop. We have also learned that Macfarlane thought it was a fake, until he discovered, to his horror, it wasn’t. An order went out that the watches needed to be handed in.Courtesy of a high level of attentiveness around the travel arrangements of the human services minister, Stuart Robert, we have also learned that a Chinese billionaire gave Tony Abbott, his chief of staff Peta Credlin, the then opposition industry spokesman Ian Macfarlane, and the then opposition spokesman for defence, science, technology and personnel, Stuart Robert, rolexes worth around $40,000 a pop. We have also learned that Macfarlane thought it was a fake, until he discovered, to his horror, it wasn’t. An order went out that the watches needed to be handed in.
On the contemporary Stuart Robert imbroglio we learned yesterday, courtesy of my colleague Daniel Hurst, the minister had an official taxpayer funded trip to Singapore around the same time as his holiday sojourn in Beijing witnessing a commercial contract for a mining mate and Liberal party donor, Paul Marks. We learn this morning, courtesy of Sarah Martin in The Australian, that Robert charged taxpayers $900 in flights and travel allowance while on the way to a ­private trip to China, including an airfare to Sydney for what he claims was “official business”. Overnight, the Labor leader Bill Shorten has pushed the nuclear button on Robert. “It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to show the leadership he promised and sack Stuart Robert,” Shorten said.On the contemporary Stuart Robert imbroglio we learned yesterday, courtesy of my colleague Daniel Hurst, the minister had an official taxpayer funded trip to Singapore around the same time as his holiday sojourn in Beijing witnessing a commercial contract for a mining mate and Liberal party donor, Paul Marks. We learn this morning, courtesy of Sarah Martin in The Australian, that Robert charged taxpayers $900 in flights and travel allowance while on the way to a ­private trip to China, including an airfare to Sydney for what he claims was “official business”. Overnight, the Labor leader Bill Shorten has pushed the nuclear button on Robert. “It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to show the leadership he promised and sack Stuart Robert,” Shorten said.
And accompanying the pursuit if Robert, coming up this morning, the government will introduce legislation allowing the medicinal use of cannabis – and Malcolm Turnbull will have the opportunity to set some directions on Indigenous policy when he delivers the closing the gap report around mid morning.And accompanying the pursuit if Robert, coming up this morning, the government will introduce legislation allowing the medicinal use of cannabis – and Malcolm Turnbull will have the opportunity to set some directions on Indigenous policy when he delivers the closing the gap report around mid morning.
So lets gallop onwards, with our nostrils flaring and the wind in our manes. The comments thread is open for your business. You can also get in touch with either me or Magic Mikearoo on the twits. I’m @murpharoo and he’s @mpbowersSo lets gallop onwards, with our nostrils flaring and the wind in our manes. The comments thread is open for your business. You can also get in touch with either me or Magic Mikearoo on the twits. I’m @murpharoo and he’s @mpbowers
Yo ho, let’s go.Yo ho, let’s go.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.21pm GMTat 9.21pm GMT