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Labor attempts to censure Turnbull for failing to sack Robert – politics live Labor attempts to censure Turnbull for failing to sack Robert – politics live
(35 minutes later)
4.34am GMT
04:34
Shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus has taken it outside. He’s in the courtyard talking to the cameras. What else does the prime minister need to know, he wonders? What more information do you need in order to sack Stuart Robert?
4.25am GMT
04:25
As Mr Bowers so neatly terms it, Stuart Robert, walking the green pile.
4.20am GMT
04:20
Further questions have been placed on the notice paper. I’ll be back shortly with pictures and particulars.
4.12am GMT4.12am GMT
04:1204:12
Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, seconding the motion.Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, seconding the motion.
He needs to be sacked, everybody knows it. But the prime minister can’t make a decision!He needs to be sacked, everybody knows it. But the prime minister can’t make a decision!
Christopher Pyne:Christopher Pyne:
I move the member be no longer heard.I move the member be no longer heard.
4.04am GMT4.04am GMT
04:0404:04
Bill Shorten:Bill Shorten:
It is time for this do nothing prime minister to do something. We must sack the minister!It is time for this do nothing prime minister to do something. We must sack the minister!
Manager of government business, Christopher Pyne.Manager of government business, Christopher Pyne.
I’ll put the leader of the opposition out of his misery. I move the member be no longer heard.I’ll put the leader of the opposition out of his misery. I move the member be no longer heard.
Speaker Smith is not amused. He advises Pyne to leave off the commentary.Speaker Smith is not amused. He advises Pyne to leave off the commentary.
4.01am GMT4.01am GMT
04:0104:01
Shorten is now launching into a suspension of the standing orders, which culminates in censuring the prime minister for failing to sack Stuart Robert.Shorten is now launching into a suspension of the standing orders, which culminates in censuring the prime minister for failing to sack Stuart Robert.
3.59am GMT3.59am GMT
03:5903:59
Is that the time? Here comes the censure motion.Is that the time? Here comes the censure motion.
3.57am GMT3.57am GMT
03:5703:57
Bill Shorten is back wondering whether the prime minister is too arrogant to sack his minister while the parliament sits?Bill Shorten is back wondering whether the prime minister is too arrogant to sack his minister while the parliament sits?
The Speaker Tony Smith thinks that’s a bit rude.The Speaker Tony Smith thinks that’s a bit rude.
The prime minister says won’t detain the House by repeating his last answer, but then proceeds to repeat it.The prime minister says won’t detain the House by repeating his last answer, but then proceeds to repeat it.
And he ends with a zinger.And he ends with a zinger.
The leader of the opposition is as convincing in his indignation as he was in his defence of the lettuces of Australia.The leader of the opposition is as convincing in his indignation as he was in his defence of the lettuces of Australia.
3.54am GMT3.54am GMT
03:5403:54
‘Now, Stuart.’ A shepherd, tending his flock.‘Now, Stuart.’ A shepherd, tending his flock.
3.52am GMT3.52am GMT
03:5203:52
Bill Shorten takes his turn now. He’s back with the ministerial code. Given there’s a breach of the code, Shorten reasons, why hasn’t the prime minister sacked the minister?Bill Shorten takes his turn now. He’s back with the ministerial code. Given there’s a breach of the code, Shorten reasons, why hasn’t the prime minister sacked the minister?
Malcolm Turnbull says, because, well, the Parkinson review. Which you keep referencing. Bill.Malcolm Turnbull says, because, well, the Parkinson review. Which you keep referencing. Bill.
The prime minister, who doesn’t approve of this pumped up indignation, yet remains genial in the face of it, chortling, to better project his profound non-concern with this small controversy .. offers the following:The prime minister, who doesn’t approve of this pumped up indignation, yet remains genial in the face of it, chortling, to better project his profound non-concern with this small controversy .. offers the following:
Dr Parkinson will complete his inquiry and when he does I will review it and obviously the House will be very well aware of the conclusions I will make.Dr Parkinson will complete his inquiry and when he does I will review it and obviously the House will be very well aware of the conclusions I will make.
3.45am GMT3.45am GMT
03:4503:45
Dreyfus is persisting. What has Robert given to the Parkinson inquiry? Has the minister provided the Parkinson inquiry with a copy of the letter of appointment he presented to an official of a state Chinese state-owned company? Will the minister also provide this letter to the parliament?Dreyfus is persisting. What has Robert given to the Parkinson inquiry? Has the minister provided the Parkinson inquiry with a copy of the letter of appointment he presented to an official of a state Chinese state-owned company? Will the minister also provide this letter to the parliament?
No comment.No comment.
Stuart Robert:Stuart Robert:
I thank the honourable member for his question and I refer him to my response yesterday.I thank the honourable member for his question and I refer him to my response yesterday.
3.42am GMT3.42am GMT
03:4203:42
Third question on Robert. Mark Dreyfus says the holding line is insufficient because the short statement the minister has given to parliament contains no particulars.Third question on Robert. Mark Dreyfus says the holding line is insufficient because the short statement the minister has given to parliament contains no particulars.
Q: I refer to the minister’s previous answer. The minister has referred the parliament to his statement yesterday, given that his statement was silent on what would be provided to the Parkinson inquiry, will he now answer the question: has the minister provided the Parkinson inquiry with evidence that proves that at the time he undertook his trip to China, the minister paid for his own flights, accommodation, internal travel and incidentals?Q: I refer to the minister’s previous answer. The minister has referred the parliament to his statement yesterday, given that his statement was silent on what would be provided to the Parkinson inquiry, will he now answer the question: has the minister provided the Parkinson inquiry with evidence that proves that at the time he undertook his trip to China, the minister paid for his own flights, accommodation, internal travel and incidentals?
Nope, nope, nope.Nope, nope, nope.
Stuart Robert:Stuart Robert:
I thank the member for his question and I refer the member to my previous response yesterday.I thank the member for his question and I refer the member to my previous response yesterday.
3.37am GMT3.37am GMT
03:3703:37
The second question on Robert. Still on the theme of assisting the Parkinson inquiry.The second question on Robert. Still on the theme of assisting the Parkinson inquiry.
Q: Has the minister provided the Parkinson inquiry with evidence that proves that at the time he undertook his trip to China the minister paid for his own flights to and from China, accommodation in China, internal travel in China and incidentals, including meals in China? Will the minister also provide this evidence to the parliament?Q: Has the minister provided the Parkinson inquiry with evidence that proves that at the time he undertook his trip to China the minister paid for his own flights to and from China, accommodation in China, internal travel in China and incidentals, including meals in China? Will the minister also provide this evidence to the parliament?
No, he will not.No, he will not.
Stuart Robert:Stuart Robert:
I thank the member for his question and I refer the member to my response yesterday.I thank the member for his question and I refer the member to my response yesterday.
3.32am GMT3.32am GMT
03:3203:32
We are back now to Stuart Robert. The shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus wants to know whether Robert is providing assistance to Turnbull’s departmental head by informing him that he met a Chinese minister while on holidays in Beijing, and was accompanied to that meeting by a representative of Nimrod Resources.We are back now to Stuart Robert. The shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus wants to know whether Robert is providing assistance to Turnbull’s departmental head by informing him that he met a Chinese minister while on holidays in Beijing, and was accompanied to that meeting by a representative of Nimrod Resources.
Q: Will he also give that information to the parliament?Q: Will he also give that information to the parliament?
No, Robert will not.No, Robert will not.
Stuart Robert:Stuart Robert:
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the member for his question and I refer the member to my previous answer yesterday.Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the member for his question and I refer the member to my previous answer yesterday.
3.27am GMT3.27am GMT
03:2703:27
Clive Palmer decides today is a day to troll the government on the lack of women’s representation. Where are all the women, Malcolm, is a paraphrase of the Palmer question. Don’t they have merit?Clive Palmer decides today is a day to troll the government on the lack of women’s representation. Where are all the women, Malcolm, is a paraphrase of the Palmer question. Don’t they have merit?
The prime minister notes he is concerned for the women who have lost their jobs in one of Palmer’s businesses, Queensland Nickel.The prime minister notes he is concerned for the women who have lost their jobs in one of Palmer’s businesses, Queensland Nickel.
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
The honourable member for Fairfax should consider his responsibilities to those men and women when he - when he raises issues of this kind.The honourable member for Fairfax should consider his responsibilities to those men and women when he - when he raises issues of this kind.
(A government backbencher was just turfed by the Speaker, Tony Smith, for making precisely this point.)(A government backbencher was just turfed by the Speaker, Tony Smith, for making precisely this point.)
3.22am GMT3.22am GMT
03:2203:22
Morrison: why wouldn't we look at negative gearing?Morrison: why wouldn't we look at negative gearing?
Back to question time now.Back to question time now.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is attempting to bait the treasurer Scott Morrison.Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is attempting to bait the treasurer Scott Morrison.
Q: My question is to the treasurer. Last year when asked about changing negative gearing, the treasurer replied: “No, I don’t think we should change it.” Is that still the treasurer’s position?Q: My question is to the treasurer. Last year when asked about changing negative gearing, the treasurer replied: “No, I don’t think we should change it.” Is that still the treasurer’s position?
Morrison is slightly between rock and hard place here. Morrison is the self appointed champion of the strivers. But the government right now is clearly considering winding back the generosity of current negative gearing concessions.Morrison is slightly between rock and hard place here. Morrison is the self appointed champion of the strivers. But the government right now is clearly considering winding back the generosity of current negative gearing concessions.
Scott Morrison:Scott Morrison:
If there are areas where the system is being abused or where they’re excessive and there’s away to channel that sort of high end investment into other areas, Mr Speaker, of course the government would look at those things.If there are areas where the system is being abused or where they’re excessive and there’s away to channel that sort of high end investment into other areas, Mr Speaker, of course the government would look at those things.
Why wouldn’t the government look at those things?Why wouldn’t the government look at those things?
(The eternal why, right there. Except this is a new construction from the treasurer.)(The eternal why, right there. Except this is a new construction from the treasurer.)
3.15am GMT3.15am GMT
03:1503:15
Tax commissioner reads the riot act to multinationalsTax commissioner reads the riot act to multinationals
Lenore TaylorLenore Taylor
Sorry we need to cut into question time with some breaking news in another forum. Tax commissioner Chris Jordan says he has run out of patience with multinational companies using “over the top excuses” to “string along” the tax department and “game the system” – promising more legal action and a “much harder stance” to force them to pay tax in Australia.Sorry we need to cut into question time with some breaking news in another forum. Tax commissioner Chris Jordan says he has run out of patience with multinational companies using “over the top excuses” to “string along” the tax department and “game the system” – promising more legal action and a “much harder stance” to force them to pay tax in Australia.
“The excuses we hear from these companies are frankly over the top,” Jordan told a Senate estimates committee, acknowledging he was responding to deep public concerns about revelations of tax avoidance and profit shifting by major corporations.“The excuses we hear from these companies are frankly over the top,” Jordan told a Senate estimates committee, acknowledging he was responding to deep public concerns about revelations of tax avoidance and profit shifting by major corporations.
Chris Jordan:Chris Jordan:
How is it possible that companies known for their new-age technology and innovative products and services, fail to be able to furnish us with basic reports showing their business structures, their profits, how much tax they’ve paid and where. Their clear tactic is to delay and obstruct. They game the system. They even have the gall to complain that we are uncooperative and unreasonable simply because we don’t agree with them or their advisors on what are, at times, quite outlandish claims.How is it possible that companies known for their new-age technology and innovative products and services, fail to be able to furnish us with basic reports showing their business structures, their profits, how much tax they’ve paid and where. Their clear tactic is to delay and obstruct. They game the system. They even have the gall to complain that we are uncooperative and unreasonable simply because we don’t agree with them or their advisors on what are, at times, quite outlandish claims.
These companies have pushed the envelope on reasonableness – they play games, they string us along, they believe we can be stooged. Enough is enough. No more. We will be reasonable with those that genuinely cooperate, but we will now take a much harder stance on those who do not. We will not be rolling over and giving further extensions of time. We are ruling the line under these protracted negotiations and proceeding immediately to raise assessments and create liabilities on these cases –potentially taking them all the way to court if necessary.These companies have pushed the envelope on reasonableness – they play games, they string us along, they believe we can be stooged. Enough is enough. No more. We will be reasonable with those that genuinely cooperate, but we will now take a much harder stance on those who do not. We will not be rolling over and giving further extensions of time. We are ruling the line under these protracted negotiations and proceeding immediately to raise assessments and create liabilities on these cases –potentially taking them all the way to court if necessary.
3.08am GMT3.08am GMT
03:0803:08
Question timeQuestion time
Here we go, the hour of glower.Here we go, the hour of glower.
Labor opens on the government’s secret plan to privatise Medicare. The one it flagged in 2014.Labor opens on the government’s secret plan to privatise Medicare. The one it flagged in 2014.
Q: This morning it was revealed in senate estimates committee that the prime minister has established a 20-person taskforce at a cost of $5m to taxpayers to oversee his radical plan to privatise Medicare. Isn’t this just another case of the PM saying one thing and doing something completely different?Q: This morning it was revealed in senate estimates committee that the prime minister has established a 20-person taskforce at a cost of $5m to taxpayers to oversee his radical plan to privatise Medicare. Isn’t this just another case of the PM saying one thing and doing something completely different?
The prime minister says this secret plan to privatise government service delivery was hiding in plain sight in the 2014-15 budget.The prime minister says this secret plan to privatise government service delivery was hiding in plain sight in the 2014-15 budget.
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
There was an expression of interest issued or called for in August 2014, and the current request for quotations are all part of a carefully considered approach. Any outsourcing would only apply to back office operations and the administrative actions of making payments to individuals and providers. It doesn’t include setting fees or rebates and it doesn’t have any impact on the cost of health care,other than that it may result in services being delivered more efficiently.There was an expression of interest issued or called for in August 2014, and the current request for quotations are all part of a carefully considered approach. Any outsourcing would only apply to back office operations and the administrative actions of making payments to individuals and providers. It doesn’t include setting fees or rebates and it doesn’t have any impact on the cost of health care,other than that it may result in services being delivered more efficiently.
2.59am GMT2.59am GMT
02:5902:59
Daniel HurstDaniel Hurst
Just an inflection on the South China Sea issue and Plibersek’s reluctance at the press club to endorse announcements about Australia’s exercises because they might be seen as deliberately provocative.Just an inflection on the South China Sea issue and Plibersek’s reluctance at the press club to endorse announcements about Australia’s exercises because they might be seen as deliberately provocative.
This is shadow defence minister Stephen Conroy last month, saying the opposite:This is shadow defence minister Stephen Conroy last month, saying the opposite:
Firstly, Australia currently has ships and planes that engage in activities across this region, but neither the prime minister nor the defence minister will actually state what they’re doing. In fact recently – as I’m sure you heard, and your listeners heard – a BBC recording was made of China challenging an Australian plane that wasn’t, we understand, within any disputed territorial waters.Firstly, Australia currently has ships and planes that engage in activities across this region, but neither the prime minister nor the defence minister will actually state what they’re doing. In fact recently – as I’m sure you heard, and your listeners heard – a BBC recording was made of China challenging an Australian plane that wasn’t, we understand, within any disputed territorial waters.
So the first thing is, why are the government hiding what activities our planes and our ships are engaged in? I don’t understand why the Australian government refuses to outline to the Australian public what activities our military assets are engaged in. Why are we hiding it, why won’t we talk about it?So the first thing is, why are the government hiding what activities our planes and our ships are engaged in? I don’t understand why the Australian government refuses to outline to the Australian public what activities our military assets are engaged in. Why are we hiding it, why won’t we talk about it?
2.53am GMT2.53am GMT
02:5302:53
Delighted to meet with @KristinDavis today to discuss her work in UNHCR and raise awareness of the IWill campaign pic.twitter.com/dTPAmcPpEnDelighted to meet with @KristinDavis today to discuss her work in UNHCR and raise awareness of the IWill campaign pic.twitter.com/dTPAmcPpEn
2.49am GMT2.49am GMT
02:4902:49
We also have a special guest in the parliament today – Kristin Davis of Sex in the City fame. Davis is a refugee advocate working with the UN.We also have a special guest in the parliament today – Kristin Davis of Sex in the City fame. Davis is a refugee advocate working with the UN.
Look where I am! Parliament House, Canberra, AU with @UNrefugees #UNHCR @Refugees pic.twitter.com/7f5DDBCfUPLook where I am! Parliament House, Canberra, AU with @UNrefugees #UNHCR @Refugees pic.twitter.com/7f5DDBCfUP
2.46am GMT2.46am GMT
02:4602:46
Because I need some Magic Mike to power me through question time. Estimates, in two pictures. The defence secretary Dennis Richardson.Because I need some Magic Mike to power me through question time. Estimates, in two pictures. The defence secretary Dennis Richardson.
2.41am GMT2.41am GMT
02:4102:41
Shalailah MedhoraShalailah Medhora
Reaction has started pouring in on today’s Closing the Gap progress report. Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community leaders have welcomed the prime minister’s commitment to talking to and collaborating with Indigenous people.Reaction has started pouring in on today’s Closing the Gap progress report. Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community leaders have welcomed the prime minister’s commitment to talking to and collaborating with Indigenous people.
“We really need to hear the voices of our people,” co-chair of the Close the Gap committee, Jackie Huggins, said. “We are decent, dignified human beings; we expect the best and we expect what is afforded to other people in this country.”“We really need to hear the voices of our people,” co-chair of the Close the Gap committee, Jackie Huggins, said. “We are decent, dignified human beings; we expect the best and we expect what is afforded to other people in this country.”
But Huggins expressed frustration at the slow progress in reaching critical health, education and employment targets. “We are sick and tired of going to funerals on a very regular basis. We want it to stop for our people,” she said. She warned Malcolm Turnbull that Indigenous Australians would “hold him to his word” on his pledge to improve the lives of the nation’s first peoples.But Huggins expressed frustration at the slow progress in reaching critical health, education and employment targets. “We are sick and tired of going to funerals on a very regular basis. We want it to stop for our people,” she said. She warned Malcolm Turnbull that Indigenous Australians would “hold him to his word” on his pledge to improve the lives of the nation’s first peoples.
Labor acknowledged that there were “areas of profound disappointment” in the report, but urged the government to put money towards implementing a plan on improving Indigenous people’s health. It continued its push for a new target on lowering the number of Indigenous people in jail. “We walked free, once many years ago in this country, but now my mob are locked up,” Aboriginal senator, Nova Peris, said.Labor acknowledged that there were “areas of profound disappointment” in the report, but urged the government to put money towards implementing a plan on improving Indigenous people’s health. It continued its push for a new target on lowering the number of Indigenous people in jail. “We walked free, once many years ago in this country, but now my mob are locked up,” Aboriginal senator, Nova Peris, said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.50am GMTat 2.50am GMT
2.38am GMT2.38am GMT
02:3802:38
And that’s a wrap at the press club.And that’s a wrap at the press club.
A quick performance assessment. We need to appraise because Plibersek is a future leadership contender for the Australian Labor party, and she’s very rarely tested. So here’s my thoughts. Strong speech, well articulated. It would have taken a deal of preparation and thought. Questions and answers mainly fine. Small but perceptible wobble on the South China Sea answer, which is odd. That’s the question that she should have prepped for with that speech and in this forum. Really not the question you want to wobble on.A quick performance assessment. We need to appraise because Plibersek is a future leadership contender for the Australian Labor party, and she’s very rarely tested. So here’s my thoughts. Strong speech, well articulated. It would have taken a deal of preparation and thought. Questions and answers mainly fine. Small but perceptible wobble on the South China Sea answer, which is odd. That’s the question that she should have prepped for with that speech and in this forum. Really not the question you want to wobble on.
Question time is beckoning. Pop the kettle on everyone, there’s just time to freshen the pot.Question time is beckoning. Pop the kettle on everyone, there’s just time to freshen the pot.
2.27am GMT2.27am GMT
02:2702:27
Plibersek gets a follow up question on the Palestine debate at the NSW Labor conference. She repeats what she said before about trips being beneficial, and hoses down the idea that this will be a big noisy stoush. (If this follows usual practice, there will be a significant amount of arm twisting and bartering and a joint motion with cross factional support will ultimately be put and carried. But maybe this one will be different.)Plibersek gets a follow up question on the Palestine debate at the NSW Labor conference. She repeats what she said before about trips being beneficial, and hoses down the idea that this will be a big noisy stoush. (If this follows usual practice, there will be a significant amount of arm twisting and bartering and a joint motion with cross factional support will ultimately be put and carried. But maybe this one will be different.)
2.23am GMT2.23am GMT
02:2302:23
David Speers from Sky News invites Plibersek to have a crack at Russia in the current airstrikes in Syria. She ponies up on that one.David Speers from Sky News invites Plibersek to have a crack at Russia in the current airstrikes in Syria. She ponies up on that one.
I think that moderate groups are deliberately being targeted by the Russians to strengthen the hand of the Assad government. I think the Russians would prefer the West to be making a choice between the Assad government and IS with no middle way.I think that moderate groups are deliberately being targeted by the Russians to strengthen the hand of the Assad government. I think the Russians would prefer the West to be making a choice between the Assad government and IS with no middle way.
Q: Would she support partition?Q: Would she support partition?
No, she would not.No, she would not.
Where would you even begin to draw the borders?Where would you even begin to draw the borders?
2.20am GMT2.20am GMT
02:2002:20
Mark Kenny from Fairfax invites Plibersek to disavow Australia’s current military contribution in Iraq. Unsurprisingly, she declines to disavow.Mark Kenny from Fairfax invites Plibersek to disavow Australia’s current military contribution in Iraq. Unsurprisingly, she declines to disavow.
I think we have a monstrously complex situation but I continue to believe that the threat from IS or Daesh in attacking civilians across the border into Iraq justifies our engagement.I think we have a monstrously complex situation but I continue to believe that the threat from IS or Daesh in attacking civilians across the border into Iraq justifies our engagement.
2.17am GMT2.17am GMT
02:1702:17
Peter Hartcher, Sydney Morning Herald.Peter Hartcher, Sydney Morning Herald.
Q: Should the Australian navy and air force conduct and announce regular freedom of navigation exercises within the twelve nautical-mile territorial limit on disputed territories and reefs in the South China Sea?Q: Should the Australian navy and air force conduct and announce regular freedom of navigation exercises within the twelve nautical-mile territorial limit on disputed territories and reefs in the South China Sea?
Well, Peter, as you would know, the Australian navy has often sailed through these areas and we urge the Australian navy to continue the practice that it has followed in this area.Well, Peter, as you would know, the Australian navy has often sailed through these areas and we urge the Australian navy to continue the practice that it has followed in this area.
Q: Announcements, though?Q: Announcements, though?
We don’t think it’s useful to raise tension s in the sense that sometimes announcements can be perceived as deliberately provocative so you’d have to take a case-by-case approach depending on the mission you were talking.We don’t think it’s useful to raise tension s in the sense that sometimes announcements can be perceived as deliberately provocative so you’d have to take a case-by-case approach depending on the mission you were talking.
(Sail by quietly? Not entirely convincing, that answer.)(Sail by quietly? Not entirely convincing, that answer.)