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| Labor accuses Malcolm Turnbull of misleading parliament – politics live | Labor accuses Malcolm Turnbull of misleading parliament – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.05am GMT | |
| 03:05 | |
| Question time | |
| It being 2pm, let’s have a break from the pre question time madness and supplement it with the question time madness. | |
| Bill Shorten, opening the batting today on the prime minister misleading the House over capital gains tax. How can people trust you when you say one thing and do something else, Shorten wonders. | |
| The prime minister rises to say he has not, by his own account, misled the House. Turnbull says he can’t help it if Labor failed to understand what he was talking about. He’s pleading “taken out of context.” | |
| 2.48am GMT | |
| 02:48 | |
| The Australian Christian Lobby, by contrast, looks to have had had sufficient advance warning (just speculation on my part) to issue a small screed. I can safely spare you most of it. It ends this way. | |
| Lyle Shelton, ACL managing director, on the scourge of rainbow ideology: | |
| Many people are asking questions about where rainbow ideology is taking our politics. The government should immediately pay out its contract with the program providers. The break fee would be a small price to pay to ensure all children could be safe at school. | |
| 2.41am GMT | |
| 02:41 | |
| I promised I would share the statement on the safe schools review from the education minister, Simon Birmingham, when it arrived. Here it is. Two lines. | |
| Homophobia should be no more tolerated than racism, especially in the school environment. However, it is essential that all material is age appropriate and that parents have confidence in any resources used in a school to support the right of all students, staff and families to feel safe at school. | |
| Apparently I can also assert as fact that an independent review will happen and report to the minister in March. | |
| No other particulars. | |
| Chaos, much? | |
| I suspect the education minister has had better days. | |
| 2.30am GMT | |
| 02:30 | |
| Bernardi wound up that interview with a couple of observations on tax: I haven’t seen any justification for any change to negative gearing; and don’t tinker with it (CGT) lightly. | |
| 2.23am GMT | 2.23am GMT |
| 02:23 | 02:23 |
| The ABC is now playing a pre-recorded interview with the South Australian Liberal, Cory Bernardi. Schools just need to stick to the three R’s, he says. Not experiment in radical gender theory. | The ABC is now playing a pre-recorded interview with the South Australian Liberal, Cory Bernardi. Schools just need to stick to the three R’s, he says. Not experiment in radical gender theory. |
| I’m a parent. I want my children to go to school learning how to read, to write and to do their maths. We already have problems with literacy and numeracy in our school system. Yet what we’ve discovered is that federal funds and resources from schools are pushing a social engineering agenda that is radically at odds with the aspirations of many parents. | I’m a parent. I want my children to go to school learning how to read, to write and to do their maths. We already have problems with literacy and numeracy in our school system. Yet what we’ve discovered is that federal funds and resources from schools are pushing a social engineering agenda that is radically at odds with the aspirations of many parents. |
| We have got children as young as 11 being told to imagine they’re 16 and in a sexualised environment, either in a same-sex or opposite sex attraction, to imagine themselves without genitals and being bullied and intimidated into complying with a radical program such that if they don’t answer the questions correctly, they are left humiliated in front of the class. | We have got children as young as 11 being told to imagine they’re 16 and in a sexualised environment, either in a same-sex or opposite sex attraction, to imagine themselves without genitals and being bullied and intimidated into complying with a radical program such that if they don’t answer the questions correctly, they are left humiliated in front of the class. |
| Q: Would you concede there are some children and teenagers where gender issues are a problem and they need to feel they can be in a safe environment in their school? | Q: Would you concede there are some children and teenagers where gender issues are a problem and they need to feel they can be in a safe environment in their school? |
| Cory Bernardi: | Cory Bernardi: |
| Children have all sorts of issues in dealing and coping with puberty and growing into adulthood. We need to teach them resilience. We also need to teach them acceptance and responsibility. | Children have all sorts of issues in dealing and coping with puberty and growing into adulthood. We need to teach them resilience. We also need to teach them acceptance and responsibility. |
| 2.18am GMT | 2.18am GMT |
| 02:18 | 02:18 |
| Penny Wong is asked about the safe schools program review. She says it is important to remember what this program is actually about. It’s about trying to ensure kids don’t die, or harm themselves. | Penny Wong is asked about the safe schools program review. She says it is important to remember what this program is actually about. It’s about trying to ensure kids don’t die, or harm themselves. |
| Can I be clear about what this program is designed to address? Remember, it’s a program that has had bipartisan support. | Can I be clear about what this program is designed to address? Remember, it’s a program that has had bipartisan support. |
| It’s designed to address the terrifying statistics - I’d invite you to look at what Beyond Blue has said about young people, gay and lesbian, young LGBTI people, the number that have experienced abuse and the terrifyingly high numbers who have attempted suicide or self-harm. | It’s designed to address the terrifying statistics - I’d invite you to look at what Beyond Blue has said about young people, gay and lesbian, young LGBTI people, the number that have experienced abuse and the terrifyingly high numbers who have attempted suicide or self-harm. |
| We all want our children to be safe. I hope the more sensible people in the Liberal party will continue to focus on that very important objective. | We all want our children to be safe. I hope the more sensible people in the Liberal party will continue to focus on that very important objective. |
| 2.12am GMT | 2.12am GMT |
| 02:12 | 02:12 |
| Back to Senate voting reform momentarily. Labor’s Senate leader Penny Wong is on the ABC now making the case for why the opposition won’t back the government’s package. | Back to Senate voting reform momentarily. Labor’s Senate leader Penny Wong is on the ABC now making the case for why the opposition won’t back the government’s package. |
| Penny Wong: | Penny Wong: |
| We recognise the current system isn’t perfect but no system is. | We recognise the current system isn’t perfect but no system is. |
| Our concern is what has been presented to the parliament is a deal done behind closed doors. The largest change to Senate voting in 30 years – that’s going to be rushed through the parliament with the consent and willingness of the Greens. | Our concern is what has been presented to the parliament is a deal done behind closed doors. The largest change to Senate voting in 30 years – that’s going to be rushed through the parliament with the consent and willingness of the Greens. |
| Let’s understand what the deal does. | Let’s understand what the deal does. |
| It is designed to purge the parliament, not just for now but, if possible, forever, of all minor parties. That’s what it’s designed to do. We think there’s a problem with that. | It is designed to purge the parliament, not just for now but, if possible, forever, of all minor parties. That’s what it’s designed to do. We think there’s a problem with that. |
| This is a purge, frankly. | This is a purge, frankly. |
| We don’t think it’s appropriate. | We don’t think it’s appropriate. |
| 2.09am GMT | 2.09am GMT |
| 02:09 | 02:09 |
| I’m yet to see any sort of statement from the education minister. Once that is forthcoming, I’ll give you more details about this proposed review. Until then, let’s power on. | I’m yet to see any sort of statement from the education minister. Once that is forthcoming, I’ll give you more details about this proposed review. Until then, let’s power on. |
| 2.06am GMT | 2.06am GMT |
| 02:06 | 02:06 |
| I’d say *drink* in response to this but that isn’t really appropriate on a family blog. No drinking before question time. This is News Corp’s Samantha Maiden, recording some of the discussion from the party room. | I’d say *drink* in response to this but that isn’t really appropriate on a family blog. No drinking before question time. This is News Corp’s Samantha Maiden, recording some of the discussion from the party room. |
| One MP raised safe schools program re "indoctrinate children into Marxist agenda of cultural relativism" and six other MPs spoke | One MP raised safe schools program re "indoctrinate children into Marxist agenda of cultural relativism" and six other MPs spoke |
| Good grief. I might join Mathias Cormann in a bit of ensuite screaming and rejoin you momentarily. | Good grief. I might join Mathias Cormann in a bit of ensuite screaming and rejoin you momentarily. |
| 1.59am GMT | 1.59am GMT |
| 01:59 | 01:59 |
| On the safe schools inquiry that I flagged a moment ago. | On the safe schools inquiry that I flagged a moment ago. |
| Confirmation that Bernardi raised concerns in party room about Safer Schools program; many other MPs criticised it. @murpharoo | Confirmation that Bernardi raised concerns in party room about Safer Schools program; many other MPs criticised it. @murpharoo |
| At PM's invitation, Birmingham will report back to the party room on the operation of the Safer Schools program. @murpharoo | At PM's invitation, Birmingham will report back to the party room on the operation of the Safer Schools program. @murpharoo |
| Simon Birmingham is the education minister. | Simon Birmingham is the education minister. |
| 1.55am GMT | 1.55am GMT |
| 01:55 | 01:55 |
| My colleague Shalailah Medhora is down at the Coalition party room debrief getting the official account of the prime minister’s pep talk to colleagues this morning. Looks like the prime minister has been channelling his inner Abbott once again, to borrow from Dennis Shanahan of The Australian. | My colleague Shalailah Medhora is down at the Coalition party room debrief getting the official account of the prime minister’s pep talk to colleagues this morning. Looks like the prime minister has been channelling his inner Abbott once again, to borrow from Dennis Shanahan of The Australian. |
| PM rubbishes ALP capital gains tax policy in party room, labelling it a "significant shock to largest single asset class in Aust" @murpharoo | PM rubbishes ALP capital gains tax policy in party room, labelling it a "significant shock to largest single asset class in Aust" @murpharoo |
| PM rubbishes ALP capital gains tax policy in party room, labelling it a "significant shock to largest single asset class in Aust" @murpharoo | PM rubbishes ALP capital gains tax policy in party room, labelling it a "significant shock to largest single asset class in Aust" @murpharoo |
| 1.42am GMT | 1.42am GMT |
| 01:42 | 01:42 |
| Here’s a pithy summary of that safe schools program investigation by BuzzFeed’s Lane Sainty. | Here’s a pithy summary of that safe schools program investigation by BuzzFeed’s Lane Sainty. |
| Safe Schools investigation winners: - Aus Christian Lobby- The Australian- Cory Bernardi - Others in far rightLosers:- LGBTI kids | Safe Schools investigation winners: - Aus Christian Lobby- The Australian- Cory Bernardi - Others in far rightLosers:- LGBTI kids |
| Probably a bit early to chalk up a loss for kids, an investigation of the program could of course lead to an affirmation of the program, but I get her general point. | Probably a bit early to chalk up a loss for kids, an investigation of the program could of course lead to an affirmation of the program, but I get her general point. |
| 1.39am GMT | 1.39am GMT |
| 01:39 | 01:39 |
| While we’ve been knee deep in procedural antics and caucus, the ABC reports the prime minister has agreed to an investigation into a taxpayer funded program aimed at helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI) school students. | While we’ve been knee deep in procedural antics and caucus, the ABC reports the prime minister has agreed to an investigation into a taxpayer funded program aimed at helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI) school students. |
| Parliamentarians like Cory Bernardi have been hot to trot against this particular program on the basis, (as the South Australian senator told the ABC today): “It makes everyone fall into line with a political agenda. Our schools should be places of learning, not indoctrination.” | Parliamentarians like Cory Bernardi have been hot to trot against this particular program on the basis, (as the South Australian senator told the ABC today): “It makes everyone fall into line with a political agenda. Our schools should be places of learning, not indoctrination.” |
| I’ll update you when there’s more to know. | I’ll update you when there’s more to know. |
| 1.32am GMT | 1.32am GMT |
| 01:32 | 01:32 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| Backtracking briefly now to deliver something more comprehensive on today’s caucus meeting. After Bill Shorten’s “dig a little deeper” pep talk to his caucus colleagues, the Labor party discussed its stance on a range of bills - mostly uncontentious. | Backtracking briefly now to deliver something more comprehensive on today’s caucus meeting. After Bill Shorten’s “dig a little deeper” pep talk to his caucus colleagues, the Labor party discussed its stance on a range of bills - mostly uncontentious. |
| Senate voting reform, however, drew a range of questions from people, including how the Coalition’s proposal would work and the party’s reasons for opposing it. The shadow special minister of state, Gary Gray – who has been on the record vigorously supporting reform – had to do the duty of recommending the shadow cabinet’s collective decision. That decision was to oppose the bill, while moving amendments to increase the transparency of the political donation system. | Senate voting reform, however, drew a range of questions from people, including how the Coalition’s proposal would work and the party’s reasons for opposing it. The shadow special minister of state, Gary Gray – who has been on the record vigorously supporting reform – had to do the duty of recommending the shadow cabinet’s collective decision. That decision was to oppose the bill, while moving amendments to increase the transparency of the political donation system. |
| Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, said the government’s legislation was different from what the joint standing committee on electoral matters - which included Gray - unanimously recommended in 2014. | Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, said the government’s legislation was different from what the joint standing committee on electoral matters - which included Gray - unanimously recommended in 2014. |
| We understand Wong explained Labor’s stance in the following terms: | We understand Wong explained Labor’s stance in the following terms: |
| 1. At the last election 3.3 million people voted for minor parties. This would exhaust their votes. | 1. At the last election 3.3 million people voted for minor parties. This would exhaust their votes. |
| 2. It’s likely to mean that there will be an entrenched 38 senators for the Coalition. That means the 2014 budget would have made it through. | 2. It’s likely to mean that there will be an entrenched 38 senators for the Coalition. That means the 2014 budget would have made it through. |
| 3. This is the biggest change in 30 years and it’s been rushed through in a deal to advance the interests of the Coalition and the Greens political party. | 3. This is the biggest change in 30 years and it’s been rushed through in a deal to advance the interests of the Coalition and the Greens political party. |
| On the substantive issue, one caucus member - believed to be the retiring WA MP Alannah MacTiernan - spoke against the shadow cabinet’s position, arguing the party should not be leaving the issue for a future parliament to resolve. | On the substantive issue, one caucus member - believed to be the retiring WA MP Alannah MacTiernan - spoke against the shadow cabinet’s position, arguing the party should not be leaving the issue for a future parliament to resolve. |
| Senate voting reforms aside, Labor backbenchers were also asking questions of their frontbench team about the plight of Baby Asha and the campaign to let 267 people stay in Australia rather than be transferred to Nauru. | Senate voting reforms aside, Labor backbenchers were also asking questions of their frontbench team about the plight of Baby Asha and the campaign to let 267 people stay in Australia rather than be transferred to Nauru. |
| There was a question about the New Zealand offer to resettle some of the refugees held offshore, and a suggestion to highlight the differences between the government’s and opposition’s approach. | There was a question about the New Zealand offer to resettle some of the refugees held offshore, and a suggestion to highlight the differences between the government’s and opposition’s approach. |
| Shorten told his team a Labor government would get children out of detention, pursue regional resettlement, engage with the UNHCR and ensure mandatory reporting of child abuse. Labor’s immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, accused the government of dropping the ball on regional resettlement. | Shorten told his team a Labor government would get children out of detention, pursue regional resettlement, engage with the UNHCR and ensure mandatory reporting of child abuse. Labor’s immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, accused the government of dropping the ball on regional resettlement. |
| 1.25am GMT | 1.25am GMT |
| 01:25 | 01:25 |
| Stoush in the House, in pictures. | Stoush in the House, in pictures. |
| 1.19am GMT | 1.19am GMT |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| Here’s the Burke motion. | Here’s the Burke motion. |
| I seek leave to move the following motion. | I seek leave to move the following motion. |
| The House: | The House: |
| 1. Notes: | 1. Notes: |
| a. That yesterday in question time, the prime minister said, and I quote, “increasing capital gains tax is no part of our thinking whatsoever”; | a. That yesterday in question time, the prime minister said, and I quote, “increasing capital gains tax is no part of our thinking whatsoever”; |
| b. That just hours later, the prime minister’s own office confirmed to media that not only had the government not ruled out changes to capital gains tax, it was still actively considering changes; | b. That just hours later, the prime minister’s own office confirmed to media that not only had the government not ruled out changes to capital gains tax, it was still actively considering changes; |
| c. That leaked Coalition talking points from the prime minister’s own office contradict the prime minister’s statement in question time yesterday; and | c. That leaked Coalition talking points from the prime minister’s own office contradict the prime minister’s statement in question time yesterday; and |
| d. Therefore, by the admission of his own office the prime minister has misled the parliament and through it the Australian people; and | d. Therefore, by the admission of his own office the prime minister has misled the parliament and through it the Australian people; and |
| 2. Calls on the prime minister to immediately attend the House to correct the record in accordance with Clause 5.1 of the prime minister’s own Statement of Ministerial Standards. | 2. Calls on the prime minister to immediately attend the House to correct the record in accordance with Clause 5.1 of the prime minister’s own Statement of Ministerial Standards. |
| That’s just been defeated. | That’s just been defeated. |
| 1.15am GMT | 1.15am GMT |
| 01:15 | 01:15 |
| Speaker Smith requires Tony Burke to withdraw his unparliamentary language. Lie is unparliamentary language. He withdraws. | Speaker Smith requires Tony Burke to withdraw his unparliamentary language. Lie is unparliamentary language. He withdraws. |
| Chris Bowen rises to second the motion. | Chris Bowen rises to second the motion. |
| We’ve got a treasurer on the witness protection program! | We’ve got a treasurer on the witness protection program! |
| The government moves the gag motion. | The government moves the gag motion. |