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Pauline Hanson claims Australia 'will be swamped by the Chinese' – politics live Bill Shorten expected to tell Labor MPs to block marriage equality plebiscite – politics live
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Bill Shorten is expected to recommend to the caucus that Labor blocks the Coalition’s plebiscite legislation. Shorten and Labor have been equivocating on what they will do with the legislation even though they oppose a plebiscite and believe there should be a free vote in parliament.
Last night Labor said Shorten would be consulting with groups and people effected by the plebiscite debate. This expected recommendation this morning to block the bill is a move forward. Possibly to leave his own caucus is in no doubt as to what his position is. Labor will still do the consultations but from a known leadership position of blocking the plebiscite bill.
There are twists with double pikes going on here. Bear with me.
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Senate is debating tobacco excise hike which was a Labor initiative taken up by the government. There are a lot of government speakers on this. Methinks there is a little buying of time for the government in the red chamber.
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First speech juxtaposition: Pauline Hanson’s first speech at 5:00, immediately followed by Labor Indigenous senator Malarndirri McCarthy.
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Every prime minister needs a spine.Every prime minister needs a spine.
Labor MP Ed Husic is showing his usual cheek by bringing a spine for Malcolm Turnbull. He thought, given recent decisions, Turnbull might need it. The Labor MP Ed Husic is showing his usual cheek by bringing a spine for Malcolm Turnbull. He thought, given recent decisions, Turnbull might need it.
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There have been many words written on Malcolm Turnbull’s one-year anniversary. In case you missed it, Katharine Murphy wrote about it last Friday – which could be characterised as no time like the present.There have been many words written on Malcolm Turnbull’s one-year anniversary. In case you missed it, Katharine Murphy wrote about it last Friday – which could be characterised as no time like the present.
Turnbull has been acting like a prime minister with time on his hands – time to recover from an election setback, time to plug in to the great geopolitical developments of our age, time to play a part, time to determine a new agenda for a new parliament, time to do some good on a range of fronts, time to fight on and live another day, another week, another month, another term.Turnbull has been acting like a prime minister with time on his hands – time to recover from an election setback, time to plug in to the great geopolitical developments of our age, time to play a part, time to determine a new agenda for a new parliament, time to do some good on a range of fronts, time to fight on and live another day, another week, another month, another term.
Perhaps he’s acutely aware of the difficulties he’s in, yet he’s seemed slow to grasp the harsh political realities of his post-election position – landmines everywhere, contingency everywhere.Perhaps he’s acutely aware of the difficulties he’s in, yet he’s seemed slow to grasp the harsh political realities of his post-election position – landmines everywhere, contingency everywhere.
Here is the brutal reality facing Malcolm Turnbull as he faces his first anniversary in the job he’d always wanted.Here is the brutal reality facing Malcolm Turnbull as he faces his first anniversary in the job he’d always wanted.
He doesn’t have time.He doesn’t have time.
He has now, and he wastes now at his peril.He has now, and he wastes now at his peril.
Laura Tingle of the Australian Financial Review has written a piece today that takes a different tack. She started the piece with former Labor leader and US ambassador Kim Beazley, backing in Turnbull on the Kevin Rudd nomination for UN secretary general. Beazley’s conversations with the prime minister confirm the view that Turnbull did not consider Rudd a suitable candidate. And that a government could not nominate someone without endorsing. She uses the example for a wider point.Laura Tingle of the Australian Financial Review has written a piece today that takes a different tack. She started the piece with former Labor leader and US ambassador Kim Beazley, backing in Turnbull on the Kevin Rudd nomination for UN secretary general. Beazley’s conversations with the prime minister confirm the view that Turnbull did not consider Rudd a suitable candidate. And that a government could not nominate someone without endorsing. She uses the example for a wider point.
Beazley’s intervention forces us to think again about this incident, and opens a wider appraisal of Turnbull’s prime ministership than has generally been seen in the orgy of words marking 12 months since he toppled Tony Abbott.Beazley’s intervention forces us to think again about this incident, and opens a wider appraisal of Turnbull’s prime ministership than has generally been seen in the orgy of words marking 12 months since he toppled Tony Abbott.
Much has been made in the past year – and the past week – of the high expectations voters had that Turnbull would transform politics and their disappointment that he has not.Much has been made in the past year – and the past week – of the high expectations voters had that Turnbull would transform politics and their disappointment that he has not.
The prime minister’s performance is rated in terms of these expectations. Many of those who criticise him notably do so because he has not delivered what they particularly want.The prime minister’s performance is rated in terms of these expectations. Many of those who criticise him notably do so because he has not delivered what they particularly want.
On the left, there is disappointment on issues like climate change and same-sex marriage. On the right, the criticism is he hasn’t done enough on tax reform, budget repair and industrial relations.On the left, there is disappointment on issues like climate change and same-sex marriage. On the right, the criticism is he hasn’t done enough on tax reform, budget repair and industrial relations.
But there is very little said about the way the Turnbull prime ministership actually works. Whether it is good, bad or indifferent, it is certainly a very, very different prime ministership.But there is very little said about the way the Turnbull prime ministership actually works. Whether it is good, bad or indifferent, it is certainly a very, very different prime ministership.
Let’s be blunt here. This is a bloke who is not particularly good at retail politics, nor particularly concerned about running to the beat of the retail politics drum.Let’s be blunt here. This is a bloke who is not particularly good at retail politics, nor particularly concerned about running to the beat of the retail politics drum.
As one cabinet minister says, “You will observe that a particular issue isn’t quite zooming down the ski slope politically and he thinks that’s fine, he’s relaxed. He doesn’t mind things being a bit ‘off piste’.”As one cabinet minister says, “You will observe that a particular issue isn’t quite zooming down the ski slope politically and he thinks that’s fine, he’s relaxed. He doesn’t mind things being a bit ‘off piste’.”
Yet all those who have moaned about three-word slogans and politicians driven by the 24-hour media cycle and “announceables” still don’t seem happy with an approach so conspicuously lacking such frenzy.Yet all those who have moaned about three-word slogans and politicians driven by the 24-hour media cycle and “announceables” still don’t seem happy with an approach so conspicuously lacking such frenzy.
Few doubt Turnbull’s intellectual capacities. But few also observe that the prime minister sees his job foremost as head of the “Office of Wicked Problems”, not first as the beating heart of a political organisation focused on winning the next election.Few doubt Turnbull’s intellectual capacities. But few also observe that the prime minister sees his job foremost as head of the “Office of Wicked Problems”, not first as the beating heart of a political organisation focused on winning the next election.
Discuss.Discuss.
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Bowen says, hey government, there is more we can do to fix the budget together. He names private health insurance and VET fees. He also thanks the treasurer, Scott Morrison.Bowen says, hey government, there is more we can do to fix the budget together. He names private health insurance and VET fees. He also thanks the treasurer, Scott Morrison.
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In the lower house, we begin.In the lower house, we begin.
Chris Bowen is speaking on the budget bill. This is the resumption of a debate, which had already begun. After the compromise deal yesterday, amendments will be moved to accommodate the deal and then the vote will happen.Chris Bowen is speaking on the budget bill. This is the resumption of a debate, which had already begun. After the compromise deal yesterday, amendments will be moved to accommodate the deal and then the vote will happen.
Bowen is reinforcing the point that they wanted budget cuts that are fair. He says the “baby bonus” was unaffordable and he congratulated the government for dropping it. He notes Labor’s opposition to the baby bonus was compared to China’s one child policy by government members.Bowen is reinforcing the point that they wanted budget cuts that are fair. He says the “baby bonus” was unaffordable and he congratulated the government for dropping it. He notes Labor’s opposition to the baby bonus was compared to China’s one child policy by government members.
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As a bookend for the Hanson post, you must check out Gareth Hutchens’ piece on her One Nation colleague Malcolm Roberts.As a bookend for the Hanson post, you must check out Gareth Hutchens’ piece on her One Nation colleague Malcolm Roberts.
The One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has used his first speech to pour scorn on modern climate science, call for Australia to leave the United Nations and question the reliability of data from Australian government departments and agencies.The One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has used his first speech to pour scorn on modern climate science, call for Australia to leave the United Nations and question the reliability of data from Australian government departments and agencies.
He railed against the level of taxation in Australia and thanked his colleagues in the Galileo Movement, such as Ian Plimer, the radio host Alan Jones and the late professor Bob Carter for their constant questioning of climate science. He said he loved to ask questions to get to the truth, like Socrates.He railed against the level of taxation in Australia and thanked his colleagues in the Galileo Movement, such as Ian Plimer, the radio host Alan Jones and the late professor Bob Carter for their constant questioning of climate science. He said he loved to ask questions to get to the truth, like Socrates.
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Parliament calling space.Parliament calling space.
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Pauline Hanson: We're still being swamped by Chinese. And watch out for a recession.Pauline Hanson: We're still being swamped by Chinese. And watch out for a recession.
The second first Pauline Hanson speech is on tonight. This morning, she was doorstopped in the press gallery.The second first Pauline Hanson speech is on tonight. This morning, she was doorstopped in the press gallery.
If we keep heading down the path of selling our land and our houses and everything, we will be swamped by the Chinese. They talk about there is a smaller amount than other interests, foreign, even owned, but if Kidman station was sold they would be second to Britain.If we keep heading down the path of selling our land and our houses and everything, we will be swamped by the Chinese. They talk about there is a smaller amount than other interests, foreign, even owned, but if Kidman station was sold they would be second to Britain.
Q: What do you make of Malcolm Turnbull’s performance given this is the first anniversary of him becoming PM?Q: What do you make of Malcolm Turnbull’s performance given this is the first anniversary of him becoming PM?
I think a lot of people have been disappointed with him. They have expected more of him and his performance. He is treading very, what can I say, on thin water at the moment because he hasn’t got the numbers in the lower house. So the last election I think has been a big wake-up to the Liberal party and the National party. So people will want to see something happening. If they don’t start reining in the budget, I believe we will be heading down the path of a recession.I think a lot of people have been disappointed with him. They have expected more of him and his performance. He is treading very, what can I say, on thin water at the moment because he hasn’t got the numbers in the lower house. So the last election I think has been a big wake-up to the Liberal party and the National party. So people will want to see something happening. If they don’t start reining in the budget, I believe we will be heading down the path of a recession.
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And yes, the Senate has guvvie business.And yes, the Senate has guvvie business.
And, if these bills make it up to the red chamber, these will be debated too:And, if these bills make it up to the red chamber, these will be debated too:
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These are the bills on the program for the lower house today:
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Paul Karp
The shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, has also spoken to Radio National about a $6.3bn savings deal agreed between the government and opposition on Tuesday.
Asked about the remaining $12bn of the government’s “zombie” savings blocked in the Senate, Bowen said there was no room for compromise.
We’ve been very clear and consistent about those.
He said the 2014 budget measures were “unfair”, including making unemployed people wait for the dole or making people work until 70 to get the pension.
Speaking about the marriage equality plebiscite, Bowen said legislation could change the Marriage Act but a referendum is needed to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution.
While we are having this debate about a plebiscite and making the people do what parliament should, we’re not progressing Indigenous recognition. There’s not enough bandwidth in the political debate to allow us to have a referendum on Indigenous recognition and plebiscite on marriage equality at the same time.
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Katharine Murphy wrote a piece last night about a reference to joint standing committee on electoral matters (JSCEM). Malcolm Turnbull’s answer to donation reform post-Dastyari was that the JSCEM would look at all of these issues and then make recommendations (which are often ignored).
Here is Murph’s piece:
The government is poised to send a reference to the joint standing committee on electoral matters requiring a fresh look at Australia’s donations and disclosure system after negotiations with key Senate crossbenchers and the ALP.
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, has signalled he will ask the committee to examine the question of foreign donations, fundraising, and activity by third parties, reporting by March.
While negotiations were still underway on Tuesday night with Labor and other key stakeholders, the new inquiry is expected to be confirmed by the Turnbull government on Wednesday.
The likelihood of imminent agreement has prompted the Nick Xenophon Team to withdraw a motion it wanted to push through the Senate calling for an inquiry foreign political donations; sources of private (including corporate and union donations) and public funding and contribution limits and caps; alternative funding practices including consideration of comparative overseas models operating in Canada and the UK; transparency, accountability and reporting measures, and potential limits on election expenses.
No doubt JSCEM may get a submission from the Americans, if the ambassador’s comments are any indication.
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The Coalition-Labor compromise on the $6.3bn budget bill was a welcome relief – a sign that politicians can get in a room and find some common ground. If you wondered why Tony Abbott’s prime ministership was such a dogfight, it may have been because he does not appear to believe in compromise.
Tony Abbott says there will be no 'magical consensus' on budget repair https://t.co/9RB0MMpp6i https://t.co/bcKWloXFft
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Free Ruddesque advice from Peta Credlin.
Peta Credlin says she has no doubt that Tony Abbott would have won the election with more than a one seat majority https://t.co/XB2wjhmIiT
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Paul Karp
The environment and energy minister, Josh Frydenberg, has been on Radio National explaining the government’s compromise with Labor to retain $800m in the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The decision decreases the planned cut from $1.3bn to $500m over four years.
This is good news for the job of budget repair ... this is also good news for the renewable sector, because $800m of grants has been restored to Arena. The reality is we have to work with Labor, the Greens and the crossbench to pass savings because 89% of government spending is tied to legislation.
The Arena deal is part of a wider plan to save $6.3bn by dropping the cut to the clean energy supplement to new welfare recipients but also dropping a $1.4bn “baby bonus”.
Frydenberg says the deal is a credit to the treasurer, Scott Morrison, and the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, but only grudgingly gave credit to Labor, noting the total of $6.5bn of budget savings in the omnibus bill were measures the opposition had supported before the election.Asked about the first year of Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministership, Frydenberg rated it as “outstanding”. He rattles off statistics including GDP growth of 3.3% and unemployment of 5.7%.
In the poll published yesterday he [Turnbull] was way ahead of Bill Shorten in terms of preferred prime minister ... don’t subscribe to the Bill Shorten victory lap, he actually lost the election.
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George Brandis: marriage equality is so close now you can touch it
I noted attorney general George Brandis’ plea to Bill Shorten and Labor. Shorten has said it will be three weeks before they will give an answer, which is inexplicable to me. They say they are consulting with the LGBTI community, which would make sense if there had not been extensive and intense consultations in this building and across the country. If Labor opposes the plebiscite, surely they should just put everyone out of their misery and block it.
Here is Brandis:
I would appeal to Mr Shorten and members of the Labor caucus to realise that if they support this plebiscite bill, then there will be a plebiscite on the 11th of February, which all of the opinion poll evidence indicates would be passed overwhelmingly. And if those of us, and I’m one, who believe that we ought to reform our marriage law and there ought to be marriage equality, we can have marriage equality within a matter of months. This is so close now you can touch it. Instead, I’m sorry to say, so far Mr Shorten has been putting political game playing ahead of the merits of the issue. Mr Shorten only a year ago said he did support a plebiscite, he thought it was a good day of dealing with the issue. The fact is that Mr Shorten wants gay people to wait for years and years so that he can play politics and, if that’s the way this lands, then that will be disgraceful.
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Labor’s shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, has been around the traps this morning.
He was asked how he would rate Malcolm Turnbull’s first year.
F. F for Fail.
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US ambassador concerned over Chinese political donations
The Australian’s Paul Kelly has an intervention by the outgoing US ambassador John Berry on the issue of donations by Chinese companies following the fall of Sam Dastyari.
The US has expressed its alarm about the influence of China and the Beijing government in Australia’s domestic politics and wants reforms to eliminate China’s ­ability to use financial donations to influence Australian politicians.
In an exclusive interview, the departing US ambassador to Australia, John Berry, said foreign ­ donations were illegal in America and the US had been “surprised” by Chinese money power in this country and wanted Australia to resolve the issue.
“It is an entirely different ­matter when the government of China is able to directly funnel funds to political candidates to ­advance their national interests in your national campaign,” Mr Berry told the Australian.
“That, to us, is of concern. We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy.”
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Good morning,
A year ago today, Malcolm Turnbull toppled Tony Abbott. The Coalition government became the second government to change a prime minister in the first term.
This was his pitch:
It is clear enough that the government is not successful in providing the economic leadership that we need. It is not the fault of individual ministers. Ultimately, the prime minister has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs.”
Our political editor, Katharine Murphy, looks back at the past year, charting the peaks and troughs of the Turnbull prime ministership. It is well worth your time.
Tony Abbott has been speaking about his demise, suggesting he doesn’t want to go over the entrails. He has to accept the world as it is, rather than as it was or even “as it should be”.
With that year in mind, the prime minister comes to parliament today to present two key bills.
The first is the budget omnibus savings bill, which is the compromise on budget cuts outlined by the Coalition and Labor yesterday. It is worth $6.3bn.
The second is the plebiscite (same-sex marriage) bill, as it is known. The attorney general, George Brandis, has been on ABC already this morning, appealing to Bill Shorten and the Labor caucus to support the bill. Brandis is a supporter of marriage equality and did not support the plebiscite originally. But the moderates in the party have decided this is the only way thy will be done. Brandis tells the ABC there will be plebiscite on February 11 and marriage equality could be a reality “in a matter of months”.
Let’s crack on because there is a bit to catch up with. I am on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers is lurking in the building somewhere. I will try to get to the thread, all things being equal.
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