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| Labor targets Scott Morrrison over negative gearing – question time live | Labor targets Scott Morrrison over negative gearing – question time live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.08am GMT | |
| 06:08 | |
| Politics doesn't have to be politics | |
| A bit more from Dodson earlier. | |
| Q: Mr Dodson, you’ve aligned yourself politically now, that’s an act that attracts natural enemies just by doing it. Do you feel or did you give consideration to the fact that you know the bipartisan nature of your advocacy may be affected or do you think you’ll be able to work equally with people like Ken Wyatt and the other side of politics on issues that (inaudible)? | |
| Pat Dodson: | |
| Now I’m not sure why it should be de-facto naturally antagonistic. | |
| Q: That’s politics. | |
| Pat Dodson: | |
| It’s politics but it doesn’t have to be politics. Politics is about achieving real good outcomes in my view and about working collaboratively with those who may have a different point of view as you, and trying to find a common ground basis to go ahead. I do understand the fine distinction you make but I think that people with goodwill across the party and in the parliament and between the Houses - those who’ve got a genuine desire to see this nation go forward, resolve some of the residual problems that we constantly have thrown up that as a nation is an embarrassment to us and - we can find some solutions to this. I’m happy to be working with anyone, and I know Mr Wyatt very well. | |
| Q: Mr Dodson, can I just ask, among the many things in your life, unless I am mistaken, you were a Roman Catholic priest at one stage. Joe Bullock is leaving the parliament because he does not believe that in conscience that he can vote for same-sex marriage. Do you think that it is a good thing for the Labor Party that that kind of diversity might not feel it has a home in the party any longer? | |
| Bill Shorten: | |
| Chris, if you’re asking about the whole Labor party policy, whilst Pat will be outstanding, he is going to give his view in a moment. Let me just make it clear - people in the Labor party are entitled to have their own opinions. Joe Bullock has served with distinction for the needs of retail workers over 37 years. But what I also know is that we have a conscience vote in the Labor party. So I don’t want you to mischaracterise our current position, but Pat can go to substance of your issue. | |
| Pat Dodson: | |
| The debate between church and state has gone on for millennia. And the questions of the custodians of the morals of individuals is a real problematic issue. Of course, the respect for human dignity is also a very important factor. And I think in the case of conscience votes, well that’s a matter for people to make their own minds up and to live by their consciences and I respect those that do so, who may have a different view. | |
| But when it comes to our civil society or the society we live in, any discrimination or disadvantage caused to people who make their own choices then as a parliament we should try to eliminate those in order to facilitate the quality of life that individuals want to pursue. | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.12am GMT | |
| 5.55am GMT | |
| 05:55 | |
| A statement from Louise Pratt, who says she’ll withdraw from the WA Senate (non) race for the Bullock vacancy. She says she’ll be on the ticket come polling day, and will campaign with Dodson in the west. | |
| Louise Pratt's statement on Pat Dodson #auspol @Louise_Pratt pic.twitter.com/MmOz24CbdE | |
| 5.51am GMT | |
| 05:51 | |
| I want to roll back for a bit as well, given so much was happening when Bill Shorten announced Pat Dodson was coming to the Senate to replace Joe Bullock, I really didn’t cover the remarks extensively. Let me try and rectify that now. This was Dodson’s opening gambit. | |
| Patrick Dodson | |
| [Shorten’s] phone call came as a surprise, and it took me a little while to adjust to the idea that you had proposed. I was a member of the Labor party for a short period in the ‘80s but since then I’ve been not aligned to any particular party, so to decide to do so now at this stage of my life took some deep thought. I did seek counsel from some close friends, family and others for whom I hold the highest respect and regard. I couldn’t contact all. For some, this move may come as a surprise. However, after many conversations it became clear to me that this was a good opportunity and one that should not be passed up. | |
| Having spent much of my adult life trying to influence our national conversations, debate, government and the parliament from the outside, it is now time for me to step up to the plate and have a go at trying to influence those same conversations, debates and public policies from the inside as a member of the Senate and representing Western Australia. | |
| You have referred to the need for a lasting settlement outside of the framework of the constitutional change that I hope will come over the next little while. But the constitutional recognition that we are currently seeking remains fundamental. And if we are ever to begin coming to terms with the national narrative, and its consequences for this nation, we need to pursue that. | |
| Any lasting settlement, however, if it is finally to emerge can only come as a result of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s being at the centre of the discussion and the debate, and not on the periphery as is currently the case. That is another reason why I am pleased to accept Bill’s invitation and offer. Just as I am pleased that there are more Aboriginal people being preselected for Parliament. And of course as I’ve said I want to acknowledge the already sitting members here and those that have gone before. | |
| As a nation I believe we should be open to all sorts of possibilities, some see treaty or some compact as being the course to pursue. For others the idea of a formal regional agreement, setting out rights and responsibilities is another. They are of course clearly not mutually exclusive and I note that some are already pursuing these courses of actions or some elements of it. I hope that we can move forward for all Australians, recognise that the Constitutional Recognition and any future settlement is important for our maturity as a nation. I know that across the Parliament and in the wider Australian community, there are people of goodwill, who want to engage in these processes so that we can achieve a mutually acceptable outcome. An outcome that we can all be proud of. | |
| There’s much to be said about the future of Northern Australia and the need for its development. Much of the discussion centres on infrastructure such as roads and ports and these are all necessary. However I’m concerned that this discussion has not paid sufficient attention to the human capital of the north. In particular, there need to be a far deeper conversation about the importance and value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this development and the basic needs to address the importance of elevating poverty and disadvantage for so many in the north across the board. | |
| If we don’t address this then it will become a permanent drag on our future development. I’m confident that with this there’s a discussion which the nation is pretty much up to having around all the development and various passages, economic and cultural passage. And it will not happen unless we can agree around these and so many other similar issues across the Parliament to deliver wins for all. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.52am GMT | |
| 5.42am GMT | |
| 05:42 | |
| Checking in on super Tuesday, the consensus seems to be good for Hillary, not bad for Bernie, good for Trump, reasonable for Cruz, washout for Rubio. | |
| 5.33am GMT | 5.33am GMT |
| 05:33 | 05:33 |
| Shalailah Medhora | Shalailah Medhora |
| Rolling back slightly. The education minister, Simon Birmingham, spoke to media before question time. He issued a “final warning” to four Islamic schools whose Commonwealth funding is under review, telling them they must clean up their act by April 11 or face being cut off. | Rolling back slightly. The education minister, Simon Birmingham, spoke to media before question time. He issued a “final warning” to four Islamic schools whose Commonwealth funding is under review, telling them they must clean up their act by April 11 or face being cut off. |
| The four schools - in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth - are accused of not being properly accountable for public funds. All four are affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (Afic). Another two Afic affiliated schools - in Sydney and Canberra - has already had its funding axed. | The four schools - in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth - are accused of not being properly accountable for public funds. All four are affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (Afic). Another two Afic affiliated schools - in Sydney and Canberra - has already had its funding axed. |
| Birmingham said the schools must clean up their act. “It is very clear that this is a last chance and a final warning that these four schools must ensure that they comply with the conditions that they have offered to the Commonwealth,” he said. | Birmingham said the schools must clean up their act. “It is very clear that this is a last chance and a final warning that these four schools must ensure that they comply with the conditions that they have offered to the Commonwealth,” he said. |
| Afic has told Guardian Australia that it will appeal the decision to cut off funding for its Sydney and Canberra schools, but as of Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Education had not received any notices of appeal. | Afic has told Guardian Australia that it will appeal the decision to cut off funding for its Sydney and Canberra schools, but as of Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Education had not received any notices of appeal. |
| 5.31am GMT | 5.31am GMT |
| 05:31 | 05:31 |
| Ben Doherty | Ben Doherty |
| Meanwhile, in the other chamber, the Greens have introduced a private member’s bill into the Senate that would prohibit offshore detention for children and limit the time under-18s can be held in immigration detention in Australia to 30 days. | Meanwhile, in the other chamber, the Greens have introduced a private member’s bill into the Senate that would prohibit offshore detention for children and limit the time under-18s can be held in immigration detention in Australia to 30 days. |
| The ‘Migration Amendment (Free The Children) 2015’ Bill would also mandate that children currently held on Nauru be returned to Australia. Introducing the bill, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young told the Senate “children do not belong in detention”. | The ‘Migration Amendment (Free The Children) 2015’ Bill would also mandate that children currently held on Nauru be returned to Australia. Introducing the bill, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young told the Senate “children do not belong in detention”. |
| “This bill will protect the children in Australia and on Nauru. It’s high time the government stopped locking up children and I appeal to my Senate colleagues to back this essential reform.” | “This bill will protect the children in Australia and on Nauru. It’s high time the government stopped locking up children and I appeal to my Senate colleagues to back this essential reform.” |
| But the bill is not expected to win support from either Coalition or Labor Senators. | But the bill is not expected to win support from either Coalition or Labor Senators. |
| Both major parties support the policy of mandatory detention of boat-borne asylum seekers arriving in Australia, including children. | Both major parties support the policy of mandatory detention of boat-borne asylum seekers arriving in Australia, including children. |
| Mandatory detention was introduced by Labor in 1992, and originally had a time limit of 273 days detention for anybody. The time limit was abandoned in 1994. | Mandatory detention was introduced by Labor in 1992, and originally had a time limit of 273 days detention for anybody. The time limit was abandoned in 1994. |
| Offshore processing began under the Howard government in 2001, and was reinstated by Julia Gillard in 2011. | Offshore processing began under the Howard government in 2001, and was reinstated by Julia Gillard in 2011. |
| 5.21am GMT | 5.21am GMT |
| 05:21 | 05:21 |
| Proving that all is fair in love, war and suspensions of the standing orders. | Proving that all is fair in love, war and suspensions of the standing orders. |
| 5.16am GMT | 5.16am GMT |
| 05:16 | 05:16 |
| Brilliant shot from Magic Mike. I’m sure Gray’s sidelining has absolutely nothing to do with the pitched battle that has riven Labor for months – with Gray on the side of reforming the Senate voting system, and Labor’s Senate leadership on the side of rejecting the government’s proposal. Nothing to do with that I’m sure. | Brilliant shot from Magic Mike. I’m sure Gray’s sidelining has absolutely nothing to do with the pitched battle that has riven Labor for months – with Gray on the side of reforming the Senate voting system, and Labor’s Senate leadership on the side of rejecting the government’s proposal. Nothing to do with that I’m sure. |
| 5.13am GMT | 5.13am GMT |
| 05:13 | 05:13 |
| The Labor leader Bill Shorten announced just before question time that the former special minister of state, Gary Gray, had been relieved of his portfolio command. Gray will remain shadow minister for resources until he retires at the coming poll, but SMOS (my favourite acronym, SMOS) will now sit with Brendan O’Connor. | The Labor leader Bill Shorten announced just before question time that the former special minister of state, Gary Gray, had been relieved of his portfolio command. Gray will remain shadow minister for resources until he retires at the coming poll, but SMOS (my favourite acronym, SMOS) will now sit with Brendan O’Connor. |
| (Who, him? Yes, me.) | (Who, him? Yes, me.) |
| 4.56am GMT | 4.56am GMT |
| 04:56 | 04:56 |
| There’s a few things to catch up on. Give me a few minutes to survey the field and I’ll be back with the remainder of the political afternoon. | There’s a few things to catch up on. Give me a few minutes to survey the field and I’ll be back with the remainder of the political afternoon. |
| 4.55am GMT | 4.55am GMT |
| 04:55 | 04:55 |
| The result of the division means we are not considering marriage equality this afternoon. Put up your hand if you are shocked? | The result of the division means we are not considering marriage equality this afternoon. Put up your hand if you are shocked? |
| 4.53am GMT | 4.53am GMT |
| 04:53 | 04:53 |