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Coalition divisions on Safe Schools widen as Senate marathon sitting continues – politics live Coalition divisions on Safe Schools widen as Senate marathon sitting continues – question time live
(35 minutes later)
3.40am GMT
03:40
Shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen.
Q: My question is to the treasurer. Despite the treasurer’s talk, isn’t it the case that the tax to GDP ratio is now higher than at any time than under the former Labor government? Isn’t this just another example of the government being all talk and no action?
The treasurer is currently working through the greatest hits on Labor policies of the past. Grocery Watch. Fuel Watch.
Speaker Tony Smith says he’s delighted by Morrison’s analogies but an analogy can’t be the whole answer. Bit of sass there from the chair.
Morrison ignores him and frolics on. Carbon tax. Mining tax.
Labor says Morrison should follow the speaker’s advice.
Smith says it’s ok, he’s back on tax now. But I’m listening.
3.34am GMT
03:34
Labor’s questions have been framed around the prime minister caving to the right wing of the Liberal party on expenditure cuts. Two questions on health.
The government has bowled up the virtues of yesterday’s decision on the effects test. The small business minister Kelly O’Dwyer. Why Labor. Why?
Now, one might wonder why is it that those opposite do not support free enterprise, do not support small business, do not support innovation and do not support the strengthening of competition laws?
3.31am GMT
03:31
Things that make you go hmmmm.
3.24am GMT
03:24
Rather unkindly, the treasurer, Scott Morrison, uses the question from McGowan to plug the Liberal party candidate, Sophie Mirrabella.
3.22am GMT
03:22
My Speaker is to the treasurer.
This is independent Cathy McGowan.
It’s ok. I totally understand.
3.18am GMT
03:18
Turnbull, astride a barbed wire fence
Bill Shorten returns to the dispatch box to ask a question about whether the prime minister will cave in to the right wing of his party and privatise Medicare.
For some reason, Turnbull thinks this is a question about Safe Schools.
The prime minister provides this rather limp formulation, where he both attacks Shorten for extracting partisan advantage while validating the concerns about Safe Schools and rebuking the complainants in his own side.
I think when you stand astride a barbed wire fence, you risk doing yourself an injury. A nasty one.
Malcolm Turnbull:
The way the leader of the opposition has sought to extract partisan advantage from this is thoroughly unworthy.
The way that he has sought to describe any critic of the Safe Schools program as being an extremist or an ideologue or worse is utterly unworthy and he should recognise that inflaming this debate is unworthy.
I repeat what I said on the last time we discussed this and I address this to every member of this House - all members expressing views on this program should choose their words carefully and remember the impact their statements can have on young people and their families.
3.09am GMT3.09am GMT
03:0903:09
The act is the actThe act is the act
Just while the Dorothy Dixer happens, here’s the Christensen exchange on not acting on your urges, via Shalailah Medhora. Just while the Dorothy Dixer happens, here’s the Christensen exchange on acting or not acting on your urges, via Shalailah Medhora.
Q: Do you think [sexuality] is a choice?Q: Do you think [sexuality] is a choice?
George Christensen:George Christensen:
Obviously it’s a choice... Or they can be born that way. They can choose it.Obviously it’s a choice... Or they can be born that way. They can choose it.
Q: Well which one is it?Q: Well which one is it?
George Christensen:George Christensen:
Whatever it is. If the person is born gay, then they’re gay. If someone makes the choice that they’re going to have homosexual sex, that’s up to them.Whatever it is. If the person is born gay, then they’re gay. If someone makes the choice that they’re going to have homosexual sex, that’s up to them.
It’s a free world.It’s a free world.
Q: If you think being gay is a choice -Q: If you think being gay is a choice -
George Christensen:George Christensen:
I didn’t say it was a choice. I said people could choose if they want. So I’m not saying it’s a choice people have, that they’re not born gay... You can choose to enter into homosexual relationships if you want to. It’s a free society.I didn’t say it was a choice. I said people could choose if they want. So I’m not saying it’s a choice people have, that they’re not born gay... You can choose to enter into homosexual relationships if you want to. It’s a free society.
Q: What’s the difference?Q: What’s the difference?
George Christensen:George Christensen:
There’s no difference... There’s no difference in the act. If you’ve chosen it of if you’re born with it. The act is the act.There’s no difference... There’s no difference in the act. If you’ve chosen it of if you’re born with it. The act is the act.
Updated
at 3.10am GMT
3.05am GMT3.05am GMT
03:0503:05
Question timeQuestion time
Labor opens on Ian Macfarlane, and his job offer in Queensland. The Courier Mail story I pointed to earlier this morning.Labor opens on Ian Macfarlane, and his job offer in Queensland. The Courier Mail story I pointed to earlier this morning.
Q: Can the prime minister confirm that he spoke to the Queensland premier on Friday morning about the appointment of the member for Groom as Queensland Resources Investment Commissioner. Did the prime minister attempt to interfere in the independent process, including but not limited to, requesting the appointment be delayed until after the federal election?Q: Can the prime minister confirm that he spoke to the Queensland premier on Friday morning about the appointment of the member for Groom as Queensland Resources Investment Commissioner. Did the prime minister attempt to interfere in the independent process, including but not limited to, requesting the appointment be delayed until after the federal election?
Turnbull’s response to Shorten is I talk to premiers all the time. Confidentially, he adds.Turnbull’s response to Shorten is I talk to premiers all the time. Confidentially, he adds.
3.00am GMT3.00am GMT
03:0003:00
The Labor leader Bill Shorten is using his 90 second statement before question time to speak about Safe Schools. His message is directed at the prime minister. The prime minister needs to stand up on this issue.The Labor leader Bill Shorten is using his 90 second statement before question time to speak about Safe Schools. His message is directed at the prime minister. The prime minister needs to stand up on this issue.
Bill Shorten:Bill Shorten:
When you give into a bully, they come back wanting more. When you give into bullies on the right wing of your party, they come back wanting more.When you give into a bully, they come back wanting more. When you give into bullies on the right wing of your party, they come back wanting more.
2.57am GMT2.57am GMT
02:5702:57
Christensen also, according to my colleague Shalailah Medhora, observed that people could be gay but refuse to act on their urges. That old chestnut.Christensen also, according to my colleague Shalailah Medhora, observed that people could be gay but refuse to act on their urges. That old chestnut.
I’ll get the quote from her and bring it to you when I can. Question time now.I’ll get the quote from her and bring it to you when I can. Question time now.
2.51am GMT2.51am GMT
02:5102:51
More George, on the scourge of Marxist gayness.More George, on the scourge of Marxist gayness.
It’s trying to put queer gender theory into schools and I think that needs to stand in university.It’s trying to put queer gender theory into schools and I think that needs to stand in university.
If you want an anti-bullying program, have an anti-bullying program, but don’t bring queer gender theory into schools.If you want an anti-bullying program, have an anti-bullying program, but don’t bring queer gender theory into schools.
That’s for the esoteric part of the university, too, not mainstream schools.That’s for the esoteric part of the university, too, not mainstream schools.
2.47am GMT2.47am GMT
02:4702:47
Christensen has told reporters he raised concerns about the program when Tony Abbott was prime minister. Nothing happened at that point.Christensen has told reporters he raised concerns about the program when Tony Abbott was prime minister. Nothing happened at that point.
A fairly salient point to bear in mind, given the former prime minister is now rolling along on this backlash bandwagon. Rolling, rolling, rolling.A fairly salient point to bear in mind, given the former prime minister is now rolling along on this backlash bandwagon. Rolling, rolling, rolling.
While I’m catching up on Christensen, on my television, the Liberal senator Cory Bernardi says this program is about implementing the Marxist agenda through the school system.While I’m catching up on Christensen, on my television, the Liberal senator Cory Bernardi says this program is about implementing the Marxist agenda through the school system.
2.41am GMT2.41am GMT
02:4102:41
I don't want to see the sexual liberation of young peopleI don't want to see the sexual liberation of young people
Christensen, who is looking so delighted with himself he can hardly function, has held court in the corridor.Christensen, who is looking so delighted with himself he can hardly function, has held court in the corridor.
Q: Do you concede [the Safe Schools program] is stamping out bullying?Q: Do you concede [the Safe Schools program] is stamping out bullying?
That’s obviously one of its outcomes, but I’m just saying it’s obviously one of its outcomes, but it’s got other outcomes as well and again, Ros Ward has talked about sexual liberation of young people.That’s obviously one of its outcomes, but I’m just saying it’s obviously one of its outcomes, but it’s got other outcomes as well and again, Ros Ward has talked about sexual liberation of young people.
I don’t want to see sexual liberation of young people.I don’t want to see sexual liberation of young people.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.41am GMTat 2.41am GMT
2.35am GMT
02:35
Politics, this lunchtime
Let’s take stock of Thursday.
Safe Schools
Senate voting reform
Same sex marriage
Operation Sovereign Borders
Ian Macfarlane bids politics farewell
Onwards, upwards, to 2pm.
Updated
at 2.37am GMT
2.14am GMT
02:14
Today is mad, just quietly. Even though it’s still all on like Donkey Kong, I’m going to stand still and post a summary, next.
2.09am GMT
02:09
Backbenchers at the briefing about professor Louden’s recommendations about Safe Schools the other night say he’s recommended removing some of the resources associated associated with the program.
Not enough for the conservatives. Hence all the watch this space from Birmingham.
Cutting through. Conservatives want the government to kick the issue off to a parliamentary inquiry. That’s the play underway now. Give us the parliamentary inquiry and we’ll stop talking about it. Give us the inquiry or the puppy gets it.
The question is will the prime minister agree to that. Today, asked about the parliamentary inquiry and whether he thought that was a good idea, Christopher Pyne said:
Absolutely not.
2.00am GMT
02:00
Keep calm and carry on
Buying into the Safe Schools row is the education minister Simon Birmingham. he can’t really help it. He’s the one responsible for mopping up this almighty mess.
Simon Birmingham:
There are concerns [about the program]. I understand why people have concerned about the content of some of the resources that were only made available over the last few months. So there is a reason as to why some of the criticisms come about now in relation to the release of those resources around this time and their potential use, for the first time ever, in this school year.
That’s why we are taking and have taken a close look at those resources in particular and Professor Bill Louden, emeritus professor of education from the University of WA, eminently qualified, has done an outstanding job of looking carefully at the content of each resource, assessing it against the national curriculum, considering whether it is age appropriate.
Q: Would you support a broad-ranging parliamentary inquiry?
I’m confident the government’s response will be strong and will give people confidence in how the resources are used. I would urge everybody to hold fire in terms of thinking about what else might be necessary until they’ve seen that government response to give certainty.
Q: The program will survive just with some of those resources excised?
I am not prejudging anything. What I am determining, as I go through the professor’s findings and other criticisms is to make sure we can give people confidence there are resources in schools that support those schools to provide tolerant, inclusive environments, to provide support to students who need it in dealing with issues of sexuality and that is what we will hand down.
Q: Is Tony Abbott one of those people who should hold fire before passing judgment?
I’m not going to pass comment on individual colleagues. It is a message that applies equally to everybody.
1.37am GMT
01:37
Dutton declines to buy in to the Safe Schools row.
1.36am GMT
01:36
Peter Dutton is asked whether he’d be comfortable seeing a large group of Syrian refugees being settled in western Sydney. He says it’s optimal that people settle round and about.
I would like to see people as they come from Syria and Iraq to live around the country. I think that would be a good outcome for them because Australia is avery diverse nation, particularly in regional areas, there is a demand for low-skilled work particularly within the agricultural sectors so there are opportunities.
State governments have expressed a willingness to settle people in each state and territory. I think there is a desire to see people move around the country. That’s the desire of the state premiers. If we can help facilitate that, I think that’d be a good outcome.
1.32am GMT
01:32
Major General Andrew Bottrell tells reporters during February:
We returned a group of potentially illegal immigrants to Sri Lanka in cooperation with the Sri Lankan government. Earlier this month we assisted in the return of a group to Indonesia. In conjunction with partner countries, in addition to the 698 people who have been returned from 25 people smuggling boats, in conjunction with partner countries, around 57 additional people smuggling ventures have been disrupted.
Which has resulted in a further 1,900 people not getting on to a risky people smuggling venture bound for Australia.
1.29am GMT
01:29
Peter Dutton says the number of children in detention has now been reduced to 29 and that number will continue to go down as I consider further cases and try to make arrangements for community detention.
1.27am GMT
01:27
Down the Blue Room, the government is giving an update on Operation Sovereign Borders. Immigration minister Peter Dutton says “in recent weeks” two boats have been intercepted.
Peter Dutton:
Since Operation Sovereign Borders began, 25 boats carrying 698 people have been turned back and safely returned to their country of departure.
The flow of intelligence and recent research informs us we must remain resolute because people smugglers in their operations continue and we stare that threat down on a regular basis.
We do know that 14,000 people are positioned in Indonesia. They are prepared to hop on boats. That is not to speak of the threat that exists in other countries in the region.
1.16am GMT
01:16
See what I mean?
The Labor Party just voted with the Liberal Party against a vote on #MarriageEquality. Very disappointing. pic.twitter.com/E76fTyOZ7j