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| Malcolm Turnbull expected to get Stuart Robert report this afternoon – politics live | Malcolm Turnbull expected to get Stuart Robert report this afternoon – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.27am GMT | |
| 02:27 | |
| 2.24am GMT | |
| 02:24 | |
| Barnaby Joyce: | |
| When they think of Truss they will think of decency: a decent man, a gentle man, a good man. | |
| 2.21am GMT | |
| 02:21 | |
| Barnaby Joyce is taking his turn now. His description of the departing leader’s personal qualities is very precise. | |
| Warren has personified decency, self-control, attention to detail, leadership, strength. | |
| Warren, Joyce says, does not wing it. | |
| If he gets the file, he reads the file. He will read yours as well. He does not rise to the bait of the personal barb. | |
| Warren’s capacity to hold a confidence is legendary. As we have said, there are probably three people who know what Warren is thinking on sensitive issues. Warren, his wife and his God. | |
| 2.17am GMT | |
| 02:17 | |
| Shorten pays tribute to Andrew Robb’s pragmatism, an inclination he suspects will be missed around the corridors after he departs political life. He also pays tribute to the courage Robb has shown in managing his depression. | |
| What you did, your example, your honesty, has helped break down some of the counter-productive and ill-informed stigma that inflicts many who suffer in silence. Because of you and your honesty, other people will have better lives. There is not much more than a member of this parliament can claim to do. | |
| 2.14am GMT | |
| 02:14 | |
| Bill Shorten, in his tribute to Warren Truss, reminds the chamber that Truss has the distinct honour of having a cameo in the US TV show, Lost. | |
| Bill Shorten: | |
| There was a character named Sawyer, he is dragged before a detective who had extremely unconvincing Australian accent. He is told he is being charged with involvement in a bar fight to which he protests that this is a badge of honour in Australia, at which point the detective leans in to tell him the bad news and I quote exactly: “You head-butted the honourable Warren Truss, minister for agriculture, forestries and fishery, one of the most important people.” Sawyer interrupts: “He head-butted me.” | |
| For some reason I’m just not sold on the image of Warren Truss, bar-room brawler. | |
| 2.11am GMT | |
| 02:11 | |
| 2.08am GMT | |
| 02:08 | |
| Malcolm Turnbull: | |
| Mr Speaker, the most important thing for all of us to say to these men is thank you. They have made Australia different. They’ve made Australia better. They’ve shaped Australia. They’ve shaped our future, whether it is in trade or it is in infrastructure – or in their example of clear, warm, humane patriotism, a love of country. | |
| 2.06am GMT | |
| 02:06 | |
| Turnbull is pressing on with the salutations. Robb is the best trade minister in Australian history. Truss is a coalitionist – knowing the Liberal and National parties are stronger together than at loggerheads. | |
| The prime minister: | |
| He understands the importance of the National party distinct identity, but also the reality that we are so much stronger when we are working closely together. | |
| (Are you listening, Barnaby, hint hint.) | |
| 2.04am GMT | |
| 02:04 | |
| The National senators in the House, watching on. And the senate leader George Brandis of course. | |
| 2.02am GMT | |
| 02:02 | |
| Malcolm Turnbull stands up now to salute both colleagues. Both were sons of farmers. Each have long, strong, marriages. | |
| Now we are into the jokes. | |
| 2.00am GMT | |
| 02:00 | |
| Robb winds up in this way. | |
| It’s been a great privilege, a pleasure and not too many people get the sort of opportunities I’ve been given and I thank all of you for your part – and to all of you who have had some part in that contribution. | |
| Thank you. | |
| 1.56am GMT | |
| 01:56 | |
| Robb talks about his depression. He pays tribute to Malcolm Turnbull for dealing with him sensitively when he was ill during their period in opposition, and for Tony Abbott’s treatment of him subsequently. | |
| The support helped me achieve good health, to manage the problem, and to be able to demonstrate to others in the community that in fact you cannot only manage the problem ... you can go back and actually assume even greater responsibility. | |
| It was the trust, not only of Malcolm and Tony Abbott, but so many of my colleagues here, and many on the Opposition benches, and I thank all of you. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.57am GMT | |
| 1.52am GMT | 1.52am GMT |
| 01:52 | 01:52 |
| The trade minister Andrew Robb has followed Truss in bidding a quick farewell. | The trade minister Andrew Robb has followed Truss in bidding a quick farewell. |
| Politics, he says, tests strength of character. | Politics, he says, tests strength of character. |
| To advance the country is a test of our mettle. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 1.48am GMT |
| 01:48 | 01:48 |
| Truss ends thus, with an interesting observation and in characteristically low key fashion. | Truss ends thus, with an interesting observation and in characteristically low key fashion. |
| Warren Truss: | 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 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 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 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. | 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. | Thank you. |
| 1.45am GMT | 1.45am GMT |
| 01:45 | 01:45 |
| A shout out for the staff, a remarkably stable office, with only two chiefs of staff during his entire parliamentary career. | A shout out for the staff, a remarkably stable office, with only two chiefs of staff during his entire parliamentary career. |
| And Mrs Truss: | 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. | 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 | 1.43am GMT |
| 01:43 | 01:43 |
| 1.42am GMT | 1.42am GMT |
| 01:42 | 01:42 |
| There’s salutations for the colleagues, the various Liberal leaders, the Nationals colleagues, the opposite numbers. Not a bad word about anyone. | 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 | 1.40am GMT |
| 01:40 | 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. | 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 | 1.39am GMT |
| 01:39 | 01:39 |
| Truss is winding through his time in various ministries. Some true confessions. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 1.36am GMT |
| 01:36 | 01:36 |
| I took the leadership to rebuild the party, and I’ve done that. | 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. | 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. | 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. | I am sure that the party will be in good and strong hands in the years ahead. |
| 1.34am GMT | 1.34am GMT |
| 01:34 | 01:34 |
| A zinger. | A zinger. |
| Warren Truss: | 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. | 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. | I am pleased to say that now things are different, and everyone wants the job. |
| 1.31am GMT | 1.31am GMT |
| 01:31 | 01:31 |
| Gather round, it's Warren Time | 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. | 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. | 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 | 1.20am GMT |
| 01:20 | 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. | 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 |