This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/mar/17/senate-enters-a-marathon-sitting-to-pass-voting-reform-politics-live

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Coalition divisions on Safe Schools widen as Senate marathon sitting continues – question time live Coalition divisions on Safe Schools widen as Senate marathon sitting continues – question time live
(35 minutes later)
4.19am GMT
04:19
Swan is suspended from the House for 24 hours.
The prime minister places further questions on the notice paper. A few minutes to reorient myself and I’ll be back with the afternoon.
4.15am GMT
04:15
The social services minister Christian Porter has just used an answer to argue that Wayne Swan, when treasurer in the last Labor government, did not leave enough money that was secured and identifiable for the NDIS.
Swan hollers that’s a lie.
Speaker Tony Smith asks Swan to withdraw because lie is an unparliamentary term.
Wayne Swan:
I will not withdraw, it is a lie.
Smith names Swan. The government moves over top of Smith to suspend Swan from the services of the House.
4.07am GMT
04:07
Speaker Tony Smith:
Just before I call the member for Herbert, if members could just pause for a second. I just want to address some remarks to the member for Griffith. During the minister for immigration’s answer it was very loud in the chamber and I was attempting to listen to some interjections and I’ve consulted with the clerk and I want to say to the member for Griffith, I don’t want her to be shocked but I think she had a valid point of order, and ministers will direct their remarks through the chair.
(Terri Butler is the member for Griffith.)
4.04am GMT
04:04
Labor's @terrimbutler fires up during an answer by @PeterDutton_MP #QT @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/7OVSg3Iwj8
4.03am GMT
04:03
Peter Dutton:
I’m going to come to you next, sunshine, don’t worry. I’m coming to you next.
(A Keatingism? PDuddy? Yeah, nah.)
3.58am GMT
03:58
Immigration minister Peter Dutton is asked how he’s making our community safer by strengthening visa cancellation provisions for NUN citizens – and is there an alternative approach?
(Nuns? Surely not.)
PDuddy rolls on regardless. Not deporting the nuns.
3.56am GMT
03:56
Come on. Vogue.
Chris Bowen, to Morrison.
Q: Despite the talk since you became treasurer, private sector wages growth is the lowest since records began, while living standards have fallen for a record consecutive quarter. Isn’t this just yet another case of the Liberal government being all talk and no action?
Morrison says the economy is in a transition.
We have a real rate of growth in this country which is the envy of the developed world, Mr Speaker, and the member for McMahon coming up here in his audition for Vogue magazine, Mr Speaker, wants to talk down the economy. He wants to talk down the economy, Mr Speaker.
3.53am GMT
03:53
The shadow treasurer Chris Bowen would like to know whether the only steps the government has taken on income tax has been to freeze the tax-free threshold and increase the top tax rate? Morrison tells Bowen the government got rid of Labor’s taxes.
Manager of government business Christopher Pyne is absolutely shocked, Mr Speaker [because Bill Shorten] strongly, enthusiastically supported the CFMEU.
In case you were wondering, Pyne wasn’t really shocked at what Shorten said recently on the 730 Report. He’s just pretending about that to build to his crescendo.
Christopher Pyne:
If Labor wins the next election, the CFMEU win and is back at the Cabinet table just like we’ve seen in Victoria in the Daniel Andrews government, just like we’ve seen in the ACT here in the Barr Government.
If Labor wins the next election, the CFMEU wins, Mr Speaker.
3.46am GMT
03:46
The trade minister Steve Ciobo is quoting his Indonesian counterpart on #chemistry as the catalyst to get the Australia/Indonesia back on track. This is the Indonesian trade minister talking, via Ciobo.
I would like to point out that this is a direct result of the excellent chemistry between president Jokowi and prime minister Turnbull. I think we’re all benefitting from having two very business-minded leaders leading our two countries and I would add that I’m struck by the vibrancy and freshness I think both leaders and so far both sides in this negotiation have brought to the table.
If you were rude, you’d say this was a backhander against Tony Abbott. If you were rude.
3.40am GMT3.40am GMT
03:4003:40
Shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen.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?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.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.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.Morrison ignores him and frolics on. Carbon tax. Mining tax.
Labor says Morrison should follow the speaker’s advice.Labor says Morrison should follow the speaker’s advice.
Smith says it’s ok, he’s back on tax now. But I’m listening.Smith says it’s ok, he’s back on tax now. But I’m listening.
3.34am GMT3.34am GMT
03:3403:34
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.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?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?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 GMT3.31am GMT
03:3103:31
Things that make you go hmmmm.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 GMT
03:09
The act is the act
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?
George Christensen:
Obviously it’s a choice... Or they can be born that way. They can choose it.
Q: Well which one is it?
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.
It’s a free world.
Q: If you think being gay is a choice -
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.
Q: What’s the difference?
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.
Updated
at 3.10am GMT
3.05am GMT
03:05
Question time
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?
Turnbull’s response to Shorten is I talk to premiers all the time. Confidentially, he adds.
3.00am GMT
03:00
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.
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.
2.57am GMT
02:57
Christensen also, according to my colleague Shalailah Medhora, observed that people could be gay but refuse to act on their urges. That old chestnut.
I’ll get the quote from her and bring it to you when I can. Question time now.
2.51am GMT
02:51
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.
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.
2.47am GMT
02:47
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.
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 GMT
02:41
I 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.
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.
I don’t want to see sexual liberation of young people.
Updated
at 2.41am GMT