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Malcolm Turnbull expected to get Stuart Robert report this afternoon – politics live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
1.52am GMT | |
01:52 | |
The trade minister Andrew Robb has followed Truss in bidding a quick farewell. | |
Politics, he says, tests strength of character. | |
To advance the country is a test of our mettle. | |
I arrived a bit late, probably, at 53, and I feel in some ways I have been in a hurry ever since, because I was conscious, even though I have had experience as a person in the back room, the parliamentary machine, but I do feel that I arrived a bit late and I knew I had to go through the steps. | |
Even though I had experience in politics, you still have to learn a lot. | |
There is a lot to learn in this place to be effective and to learn how to influence decisions and to get them through. | |
1.48am GMT | |
01:48 | |
Truss ends thus, with an interesting observation and in characteristically low key fashion. | |
Warren Truss: | |
I came from a small farming district and went to avery small state school, and I had the privilege now to become deputy prime minister of our country. | |
I wonder whether I’ll be the last person with a limited education who comes from one of the poorest electorates in the country to become deputy prime minister. | |
I hope not, because I think we do need amongst the leadership of our country, a breadth of experience and skills. | |
I want to thank the people of Australia for the opportunity that they have given me to serve in this regard. I’ll take away many happy memories and I hope that people may be kind enough to recognise that I have made something of a contribution towards public life in this country. It’s been an honour for me and a privilege to work with everyone in this room. | |
Thank you. | |
1.45am GMT | |
01:45 | |
A shout out for the staff, a remarkably stable office, with only two chiefs of staff during his entire parliamentary career. | |
And Mrs Truss: | |
I want to acknowledge my family,particularly my wife, Lyn. We were married only a few months before I was elected to parliament and she worked for my predecessor. So, in reality, she knew more about the job than I did when we came here, but we have been very much a team and I could not have done it without her and she’s just been absolutely marvellous for me and I love her dearly. | |
1.43am GMT | |
01:43 | |
1.42am GMT | |
01:42 | |
There’s salutations for the colleagues, the various Liberal leaders, the Nationals colleagues, the opposite numbers. Not a bad word about anyone. | |
1.40am GMT | |
01:40 | |
Truss says he’d like to be here for the opening of the second airport in Sydney. He knows this is impossible. He quips his actual objective is still to be alive at that time. | |
1.39am GMT | |
01:39 | |
Truss is winding through his time in various ministries. Some true confessions. | |
I was trade minister for a while, my least fulfilling portfolio, I have to say, particularly with the great comparison of the great successes of the current trade minister, my achievements were very small. | |
We were certainly – they were still trying to breathe oxygen into the Doha round at that stage and it was really a wasted period and I just stand in awe of what Andrew Robb has achieved in his time as trade minister, it is truly a remarkable time in our history. | |
1.36am GMT | |
01:36 | |
I took the leadership to rebuild the party, and I’ve done that. | |
What I guess my objective was, when I became leader, somewhat reluctantly, was to rebuild a party that was at that stage at a pretty low ebb. We lost the 2007 election, everybody was pretty dispirited, our numbers had declined and, indeed, the media was saying yet again that the Nationals were finished. | |
Of course, we are used to that, they have been saying that for over 80 years now and we seem to have managed to survive most of our critics. | |
I am sure that the party will be in good and strong hands in the years ahead. | |
1.34am GMT | |
01:34 | |
A zinger. | |
Warren Truss: | |
It’s been particularly an honour to be leader of the Nationals over the last eight years. When I became leader in 2007, nobody wanted the job, including me. | |
I am pleased to say that now things are different, and everyone wants the job. | |
1.31am GMT | |
01:31 | |
Gather round, it's Warren Time | |
Warren Truss is at the dispatch box, telling the chamber he will retire at the next election, and the Nationals will choose a new leadership tonight. | |
I was always talked about as the youngest national president of rural youth, the youngest counsellor, youngest mayor – but now that I’m numbered amongst the oldest, I think it’s time to go. | |
1.20am GMT | |
01:20 | |
Barnaby Joyce taking the Nationals leadership unopposed makes the evening less cluttered. There’ll still be an arm wrestle for deputy leader, however, unless the field suddenly contracts over the course of the afternoon. | |
1.14am GMT | 1.14am GMT |
01:14 | 01:14 |
From Sky News reporter Laura Jayes. | From Sky News reporter Laura Jayes. |
.@Barnaby_Joyce will get Nats leadership unopposed. @M_McCormackMP will not be in the running. @SkyNewsAust | .@Barnaby_Joyce will get Nats leadership unopposed. @M_McCormackMP will not be in the running. @SkyNewsAust |
1.12am GMT | 1.12am GMT |
01:12 | 01:12 |
Politics this lunchtime | Politics this lunchtime |
Just a very quick lunchtime summary before Warren Truss performs his swan song in the chamber at 12.30pm. | Just a very quick lunchtime summary before Warren Truss performs his swan song in the chamber at 12.30pm. |
It is all happening. Stay with us. | It is all happening. Stay with us. |
12.46am GMT | 12.46am GMT |
00:46 | 00:46 |
DFAT secretary, Peter Varghese, is also having a long day in the estimates committee. | DFAT secretary, Peter Varghese, is also having a long day in the estimates committee. |
12.41am GMT | 12.41am GMT |
00:41 | 00:41 |
It's going to be a long day | It's going to be a long day |
Back to the main business of the day. A quick update. | Back to the main business of the day. A quick update. |
I said super Thursday this morning, You got that, right? | I said super Thursday this morning, You got that, right? |
12.35am GMT | 12.35am GMT |
00:35 | 00:35 |
“Imagine the reaction if I said you were womansplaining” | “Imagine the reaction if I said you were womansplaining” |
Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
A companion piece to the Vine Murph shared before from estimates of Bill Heffernan spouting the f-word. Here’s great moments in estimates, part two. | A companion piece to the Vine Murph shared before from estimates of Bill Heffernan spouting the f-word. Here’s great moments in estimates, part two. |
There has been a blow-up in the community affairs committee over the use of the term “mansplaining”. Incidentally, Malcolm Turnbull has previously been accused of MalSplaining.® | There has been a blow-up in the community affairs committee over the use of the term “mansplaining”. Incidentally, Malcolm Turnbull has previously been accused of MalSplaining.® |
The Labor senator Katy Gallagher, who is a former ACT chief minister, was questioning the communications minister Mitch Fifield. Fifield was referring to legislative and party room processes and the need to pursue certain questions during the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet estimates. | The Labor senator Katy Gallagher, who is a former ACT chief minister, was questioning the communications minister Mitch Fifield. Fifield was referring to legislative and party room processes and the need to pursue certain questions during the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet estimates. |
Here is the full exchange: | Here is the full exchange: |
Fifield: Let me just stop you, so you don’t waste a line of questioning. I’m just giving you… | Fifield: Let me just stop you, so you don’t waste a line of questioning. I’m just giving you… |
Gallagher: I love the mansplaining. I’m enjoying it. | Gallagher: I love the mansplaining. I’m enjoying it. |
Fifield: You’re loving what? | Fifield: You’re loving what? |
Gallagher: The mansplaining that’s going on. | Gallagher: The mansplaining that’s going on. |
Fifield: What’s, what…? | Fifield: What’s, what…? |
Gallagher: Just talking me through how; well, by not answering the question | Gallagher: Just talking me through how; well, by not answering the question |
Fifield: What are you suggesting? | Fifield: What are you suggesting? |
Gallagher: …by repeating processes which are not related to the question that I’ve asked. | Gallagher: …by repeating processes which are not related to the question that I’ve asked. |
Fifield: What’s mansplaining, Senator? | Fifield: What’s mansplaining, Senator? |
Gallagher: It’s the slightly patronising and condescending way that you’re responding to my questions. | Gallagher: It’s the slightly patronising and condescending way that you’re responding to my questions. |
Fifield: I would suggest, Senator, that if you’re putting the word man in front of some description of what I’m doing, you are doing that which I’m sure you’re very much against, [which] is making a sexist implication about how I’m conducting my role as a man. Is that what you’re saying senator? | Fifield: I would suggest, Senator, that if you’re putting the word man in front of some description of what I’m doing, you are doing that which I’m sure you’re very much against, [which] is making a sexist implication about how I’m conducting my role as a man. Is that what you’re saying senator? |
Gallagher: What I’m saying is the way you’ve been responding to me has been patronising and condescending and I have responded to that, so the easiest way to deal with this is not to have that way in responding to questions I’ve asked… | Gallagher: What I’m saying is the way you’ve been responding to me has been patronising and condescending and I have responded to that, so the easiest way to deal with this is not to have that way in responding to questions I’ve asked… |
Fifield: Imagine the reaction, Senator, if I said you were womansplaining. You’re saying that I’m mansplaining. | Fifield: Imagine the reaction, Senator, if I said you were womansplaining. You’re saying that I’m mansplaining. |
Gallagher: It is a term that’s used. | Gallagher: It is a term that’s used. |
Fifield: By whom? By rude senators. By senators who are seeking to make gender an issue. | Fifield: By whom? By rude senators. By senators who are seeking to make gender an issue. |
Gallagher: No, I’m not. I’m just saying your answers to me have been condescending, and patronising and so I have responded to that and the way not to have that is not to have that approach in the way you’ve answered the questions. | Gallagher: No, I’m not. I’m just saying your answers to me have been condescending, and patronising and so I have responded to that and the way not to have that is not to have that approach in the way you’ve answered the questions. |
Fifield: I’m not being patronising, Senator. I thought we were having a good-hearted exchange until you said I was mansplaining. Do you want to reconsider what you said? | Fifield: I’m not being patronising, Senator. I thought we were having a good-hearted exchange until you said I was mansplaining. Do you want to reconsider what you said? |
Gallagher: No, I don’t. | Gallagher: No, I don’t. |
Fifield: I just find it extraordinary, Senator, that you or any senator at this table would seek to invoke gender in impugning how a senator is responding. Mansplaining. Let the record show, chair, that Senator Gallagher thinks it’s appropriate to refer to a senator as mansplaining. | Fifield: I just find it extraordinary, Senator, that you or any senator at this table would seek to invoke gender in impugning how a senator is responding. Mansplaining. Let the record show, chair, that Senator Gallagher thinks it’s appropriate to refer to a senator as mansplaining. |
Gallagher: It’s already there on the record. | Gallagher: It’s already there on the record. |
Fifield: Senator, I’m quite frankly appalled... Take a good look at yourself. I mean, sitting here and saying to a male senator you’re mansplaining. If I said to a female senator that you are womansplaining there would be uproar.Stop being a hypocrite. Conduct yourself appropriately for this place. | Fifield: Senator, I’m quite frankly appalled... Take a good look at yourself. I mean, sitting here and saying to a male senator you’re mansplaining. If I said to a female senator that you are womansplaining there would be uproar.Stop being a hypocrite. Conduct yourself appropriately for this place. |
Gallagher: I’m sorry you’re so offended by the use of the word. It is a word that’s used. I’m surprised that you’re so shocked by the use of the word. | Gallagher: I’m sorry you’re so offended by the use of the word. It is a word that’s used. I’m surprised that you’re so shocked by the use of the word. |
Fifield: No, I’m just calling hypocrisy. Hypocrisy, thy name is Labor. Thy name is Senator Gallagher. | Fifield: No, I’m just calling hypocrisy. Hypocrisy, thy name is Labor. Thy name is Senator Gallagher. |
Gallagher: I think you need to settle down actually; I don’t think it was that big a deal. Your answers to me were patronising and condescending. | Gallagher: I think you need to settle down actually; I don’t think it was that big a deal. Your answers to me were patronising and condescending. |
Fifield: They weren’t. | Fifield: They weren’t. |
Gallagher: They were. | Gallagher: They were. |
Fifield: Senator, welcome to federal parliament. Welcome to federal parliament. | Fifield: Senator, welcome to federal parliament. Welcome to federal parliament. |
Gallagher: Where the big people play is it? I’m not the one having a breakdown over this. | Gallagher: Where the big people play is it? I’m not the one having a breakdown over this. |
Chair: ORDER! | Chair: ORDER! |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.36am GMT | at 12.36am GMT |
12.29am GMT | 12.29am GMT |
00:29 | 00:29 |
It’s worth pausing just now to take stock of a couple of things. | It’s worth pausing just now to take stock of a couple of things. |
In the DFAT estimates this morning, Labor has extracted a couple of significant statements from the head of the department of foreign affairs and trade regarding the Stuart Robert imbroglio. It’s worth spelling them out. | In the DFAT estimates this morning, Labor has extracted a couple of significant statements from the head of the department of foreign affairs and trade regarding the Stuart Robert imbroglio. It’s worth spelling them out. |
These are important points of logic. It’s interesting too that the government didn’t really run any interference during the Labor questioning on this front. | These are important points of logic. It’s interesting too that the government didn’t really run any interference during the Labor questioning on this front. |
12.14am GMT | 12.14am GMT |
00:14 | 00:14 |
To foreign affairs estimates again. Labor’s Penny Wong is pointing now to a press release from Chinese state owned enterprise MinMetals which recorded Stuart Robert’s visit with the donor and mining boss Paul Marks. This document surfaced earlier in the week in The Australian Financial Review. She confirms with one of the Chinese speaking DFAT officials that the document records Stuart Robert appearing at the contract signing as a minister in the Australian government. How is this consistent with the minister’s account, that he was at the signing ceremony in a private capacity, Wong asks Varghese? | To foreign affairs estimates again. Labor’s Penny Wong is pointing now to a press release from Chinese state owned enterprise MinMetals which recorded Stuart Robert’s visit with the donor and mining boss Paul Marks. This document surfaced earlier in the week in The Australian Financial Review. She confirms with one of the Chinese speaking DFAT officials that the document records Stuart Robert appearing at the contract signing as a minister in the Australian government. How is this consistent with the minister’s account, that he was at the signing ceremony in a private capacity, Wong asks Varghese? |
Peter Varghese: | Peter Varghese: |
On the face of it it’s not. | On the face of it it’s not. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.14am GMT | at 12.14am GMT |
12.07am GMT | 12.07am GMT |
00:07 | 00:07 |
Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
Independent MP, Andrew Wilkie, has written to the International Criminal Court over the plight of the 267 asylum seekers currently in limbo following a failed bid to challenge offshore detention in the high court. | Independent MP, Andrew Wilkie, has written to the International Criminal Court over the plight of the 267 asylum seekers currently in limbo following a failed bid to challenge offshore detention in the high court. |
Wilkie wrote to the ICC in October 2014 asking the organisation to investigate Australia for crimes against humanity over its treatment of asylum seekers. Thursday’s letter aims to supplement the original case. | Wilkie wrote to the ICC in October 2014 asking the organisation to investigate Australia for crimes against humanity over its treatment of asylum seekers. Thursday’s letter aims to supplement the original case. |
Andrew Wilkie: | Andrew Wilkie: |
The government is in contravention of the Rome Statute because it continues to incarcerate people indefinitely without trial, forcibly transfer people to third countries and places them in conditions causing great suffering and serious injury to mental and physical health. If the government won’t listen to the outrage of the Australian people, then let’s hope they listen to the ICC. | The government is in contravention of the Rome Statute because it continues to incarcerate people indefinitely without trial, forcibly transfer people to third countries and places them in conditions causing great suffering and serious injury to mental and physical health. If the government won’t listen to the outrage of the Australian people, then let’s hope they listen to the ICC. |
11.59pm GMT | 11.59pm GMT |
23:59 | 23:59 |
Great moments in estimates, part one. | Great moments in estimates, part one. |
Here's the vine of Aussie Senator Bill Heffernan hilariously telling #estimates: "F*ck that's risky shit" https://t.co/1VX8T8kQ0b | Here's the vine of Aussie Senator Bill Heffernan hilariously telling #estimates: "F*ck that's risky shit" https://t.co/1VX8T8kQ0b |
11.45pm GMT | 11.45pm GMT |
23:45 | 23:45 |
Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
Back to Peter Dutton, who got trampled by leave letters, an official Truss timetable and a Rolex. In his radio interview earlier this morning, Dutton was asked about the fate of five children said to be stranded in an Isis stronghold in Syria. This follows reports that Tara Nettleton- the widow of Australian Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf - has died, leaving her children in Raqqa. | Back to Peter Dutton, who got trampled by leave letters, an official Truss timetable and a Rolex. In his radio interview earlier this morning, Dutton was asked about the fate of five children said to be stranded in an Isis stronghold in Syria. This follows reports that Tara Nettleton- the widow of Australian Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf - has died, leaving her children in Raqqa. |
Dutton told 2GB he was unable to confirm the reports but “if there’s an Australian citizen of any age, and most definitely children, regardless of circumstance, we will provide consular assistance”. He avoided making any specific commitment about the children’s return to Australia, saying the government would prioritise public safety. | Dutton told 2GB he was unable to confirm the reports but “if there’s an Australian citizen of any age, and most definitely children, regardless of circumstance, we will provide consular assistance”. He avoided making any specific commitment about the children’s return to Australia, saying the government would prioritise public safety. |
Dutton raised concern about any parent being “crazy enough or dangerous enough” to take children into such a dangerous environment and suggested the experience would “obviously scar those children for life”. When host Ray Hadley asked about the previously published photo of one of the children holding up a severed head, Dutton said: “It’s a barbaric act and I can only imagine what else these children have been exposed to. It shows how evil and pervasive this death cult is and we need to stare it down.” | Dutton raised concern about any parent being “crazy enough or dangerous enough” to take children into such a dangerous environment and suggested the experience would “obviously scar those children for life”. When host Ray Hadley asked about the previously published photo of one of the children holding up a severed head, Dutton said: “It’s a barbaric act and I can only imagine what else these children have been exposed to. It shows how evil and pervasive this death cult is and we need to stare it down.” |
11.33pm GMT | 11.33pm GMT |
23:33 | 23:33 |
I imagine most Politics Live readers will be aware that Liberal backbencher Ian Goodenough last night released the best press release that I have seen in twenty years in this building. I’ve titled this statement: “Ian buys a Rolex.” | I imagine most Politics Live readers will be aware that Liberal backbencher Ian Goodenough last night released the best press release that I have seen in twenty years in this building. I’ve titled this statement: “Ian buys a Rolex.” |
If you missed this last night Daniel Hurst can bring you up to speed. If you just want the short version, suffice to say that Goodenough has burst onto the scene as a minor player in RolexGate over the past 48 hours – he’s exhibited a hitherto unknown talent for spotting authentic luxury goods courtesy of the fact he’s a proud owner of a Rolex. | If you missed this last night Daniel Hurst can bring you up to speed. If you just want the short version, suffice to say that Goodenough has burst onto the scene as a minor player in RolexGate over the past 48 hours – he’s exhibited a hitherto unknown talent for spotting authentic luxury goods courtesy of the fact he’s a proud owner of a Rolex. |
We suspect this is the first sighting of Ian’s Rolex in the Wild. | We suspect this is the first sighting of Ian’s Rolex in the Wild. |
Thank you Magic Mikearoo. Thank you. | Thank you Magic Mikearoo. Thank you. |
11.19pm GMT | 11.19pm GMT |
23:19 | 23:19 |
Deputy PM Warren Truss will address Nationals party room on retirement schedule shortly before statement to the House of Reps @AAPNewswire | Deputy PM Warren Truss will address Nationals party room on retirement schedule shortly before statement to the House of Reps @AAPNewswire |
11.18pm GMT | 11.18pm GMT |
23:18 | 23:18 |
Look out, Andrew. | Look out, Andrew. |
11.15pm GMT | 11.15pm GMT |
23:15 | 23:15 |
Sky News political editor David Speers has just reported that letters approving Stuart Robert’s personal leave have been handed to Malcolm Turnbull by Tony Abbott as part of the current Parkinson inquiry. | Sky News political editor David Speers has just reported that letters approving Stuart Robert’s personal leave have been handed to Malcolm Turnbull by Tony Abbott as part of the current Parkinson inquiry. |
Noting this fact gives me an opportunity to make something clear. | Noting this fact gives me an opportunity to make something clear. |
Right now, it is pretty obvious that Tony Abbott is attempting to position against an eventuality where he is ultimately blamed for allowing this extremely ill-judged visit to proceed – regardless of whether Robert is ultimately pinged or exonerated. | Right now, it is pretty obvious that Tony Abbott is attempting to position against an eventuality where he is ultimately blamed for allowing this extremely ill-judged visit to proceed – regardless of whether Robert is ultimately pinged or exonerated. |
So much interesting, subterranean, hand to hand combat in this transaction between key government figures. | So much interesting, subterranean, hand to hand combat in this transaction between key government figures. |
Also lots of speculation around about where the Robert story emerged from, where this morning’s photograph emerged from – all the standard parlour games. I’m going to leave off the conspiracy theories and try and keep today factual. | Also lots of speculation around about where the Robert story emerged from, where this morning’s photograph emerged from – all the standard parlour games. I’m going to leave off the conspiracy theories and try and keep today factual. |
(Is this woman mad?) | (Is this woman mad?) |
11.06pm GMT | 11.06pm GMT |
23:06 | 23:06 |
Speaking of seeking .. | Speaking of seeking .. |
Warren Truss will be addressing the House of Reps at 1230. PM Turnbull will follow. @AAPNewswire | Warren Truss will be addressing the House of Reps at 1230. PM Turnbull will follow. @AAPNewswire |