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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/sep/14/malcolm-turnbull-same-sex-marriage-plebiscite-bill-labor-coalition-politics-live

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Bill Shorten expected to tell Labor MPs to block marriage equality plebiscite – politics live Bill Shorten expected to tell Labor MPs to block marriage equality plebiscite – politics live
(35 minutes later)
2.41am BST
02:41
Ok Bandt’s amendment was voted down. Now the house is moving onto the amendments agreed between Labor and the Coalition.
Adam Bandt is asking the treasurer about the Clean Energy Innovation fund, quoting Mikey Slezak’s story this morning.
The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has said the Coalition’s deal with Labor to save some funding for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) will be balanced by a new cut to the Clean Energy Innovation Fund – but Labor has denied that was the agreement.
Speaking on Sky News, Cormann said: “Labor has asked for us to restore $800m of that for grants funding so we will do that but the capital available to the Clean Energy Innovation Fund will be reduced accordingly.”
It is understood that would in effect be cutting the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) by $800m, because the innovation fund is part of the CEFC.
He also stated that the proposed $1.3bn in cuts to Arena were actually going to be diverted from Arena to the innovation fund, suggesting that the new deal is reversing that move.
Bandt wants to know where the money is coming from to save Arena. General confusion ensues.
2.29am BST
02:29
Adam Bandt, Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan voted against the first of many procedural questions on the budget omnibus bill. The fifth crossbencher, NXT MP Rebekha Sharkie, is the only crossbencher not there.
Bandt, Katter, Wilkie & McGowan vote against the Govt. & Opposition on the omnibus bill @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/TqK1OSNjur
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The House is dividing still on the Greens’ amendment to the budget omnibus bill.
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There have been some questions in the thread about why the government is filibustering in government business. In the parliamentary program, there are certain times set down for certain business, such as government biz or private member’s biz or indeed question time.
At the beginning of a parliament, obviously while the lower house is debating things, the Senate has got little to do because they are waiting for bills to pass. Things like the budget bills were being nutted out, the plebiscite bill had to be sorted in cabinet and party room and other bills were not simply not ready to go. Labor’s clear grasp on procedural matters also allowed a slowing of the process.
Therefore, if the government business session has no business, they have to talk about something else or they move on to Other People’s Agendas. Which is not good for a government.
If you want to know more, the parliament has live minutes in both the Senate and the lower house, which gives you an idea of the timing of sessions like government business and other matters. Keep refreshing so you are up to date.
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Coalition announces a national gun amnesty for illegal weaponsCoalition announces a national gun amnesty for illegal weapons
Gareth HutchensGareth Hutchens
The Turnbull government has made two gun-related announcements this morning.The Turnbull government has made two gun-related announcements this morning.
It says it will be introducing legislation to parliament this week to crack down on illegal guns.It says it will be introducing legislation to parliament this week to crack down on illegal guns.
The legislation will increase the maximum penalties for gun smuggling to up to 20 years, and make mandatory minimum sentencing of 5 years for those who are convicted of gun smuggling. The legislation will increase the maximum penalties for gun smuggling to up to 20 years and make mandatory minimum sentencing of five years for those who are convicted of gun smuggling.
The government also plans to start a national gun amnesty so people can hand in their illegal guns without penalty. It will not be a buy-back. The government also plans to start a national gun amnesty so people can hand in their illegal guns without penalty. It will not be a buyback.
Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, said his state and territory colleagues have agreed in principle to the plan, but the details will have to be worked out. The justice minister, Michael Keenan, said his state and territory colleagues have agreed in principle to the plan but the details will have to be worked out.
He said his National Party colleagues were onboard. He said his National party colleagues were onboard.
“Everybody is on board with this because there’s no one in the Coalition wants to see more illegal guns on the streets,” he said.“Everybody is on board with this because there’s no one in the Coalition wants to see more illegal guns on the streets,” he said.
“This isn’t about targeting people who legally own firearms. This is about targeting the grey market, the black market for guns, and getting guns that are not registered or held properly off our streets.”“This isn’t about targeting people who legally own firearms. This is about targeting the grey market, the black market for guns, and getting guns that are not registered or held properly off our streets.”
Fairfax Media reported on Wednesday that the crackdown comes after an unprecedented wave of violent firearm-related crime in Melbourne.Fairfax Media reported on Wednesday that the crackdown comes after an unprecedented wave of violent firearm-related crime in Melbourne.
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Sorry, jumped the gun. The first vote was on the consideration of the bill. There will be a number of amendments coming. The first is a Greens amendment to take out the cuts to Arena, which is $500m off its $1.3m funding package, leaving it with $800m.Sorry, jumped the gun. The first vote was on the consideration of the bill. There will be a number of amendments coming. The first is a Greens amendment to take out the cuts to Arena, which is $500m off its $1.3m funding package, leaving it with $800m.
Wind back the tax breaks to the mining companies or the banks, says Greens MP Adam Bandt. Wind back the tax breaks to the mining companies or the banks, says the Greens MP Adam Bandt.
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Not happy Bill.Not happy Bill.
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The lower house is now voting on the budget omnibus bill.The lower house is now voting on the budget omnibus bill.
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I just want to clarify the Labor position on the plebiscite. While Bill Shorten is understood to be recommending blocking the plebiscite, it has yet to be ticked off by both the shadow cabinet and the caucus – both required processes in Labor policy formulation. #justsayingI just want to clarify the Labor position on the plebiscite. While Bill Shorten is understood to be recommending blocking the plebiscite, it has yet to be ticked off by both the shadow cabinet and the caucus – both required processes in Labor policy formulation. #justsaying
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The treasurer is back in the house to close off on the omnibus bill.The treasurer is back in the house to close off on the omnibus bill.
In the meantime, have a read of Paul Karp’s story about finance department advice warning government it may not make its planned surplus in 2020.In the meantime, have a read of Paul Karp’s story about finance department advice warning government it may not make its planned surplus in 2020.
The finance department has warned the re-elected Turnbull government that a number of “significant downside risks” may prevent its planned slim surplus in 2020.The finance department has warned the re-elected Turnbull government that a number of “significant downside risks” may prevent its planned slim surplus in 2020.
The risks include blocked “zombie” budget savings measures and cost blowouts in the national disability insurance scheme.The risks include blocked “zombie” budget savings measures and cost blowouts in the national disability insurance scheme.
This is the guts of the advice:This is the guts of the advice:
The brief noted the government planned to achieve a 0.2% budget surplus by 2020-21 and to shrink payments as a proportion of GDP from 25.8% to 25.2% in that time.The brief noted the government planned to achieve a 0.2% budget surplus by 2020-21 and to shrink payments as a proportion of GDP from 25.8% to 25.2% in that time.
The “significant downside risks” which might ruin the planned surplus included:The “significant downside risks” which might ruin the planned surplus included:
1.52am BST1.52am BST
01:5201:52
It’s a really good speech from Andrew Wilkie in its breadth. He has covered refugees and climate change as well as budget measures. He says its important to look after the community and as climate change is the biggest threat to Australia, he does not shy away from talking about it. The term “quisling” is repeated regularly – and he ends on it, in regard to Labor.It’s a really good speech from Andrew Wilkie in its breadth. He has covered refugees and climate change as well as budget measures. He says its important to look after the community and as climate change is the biggest threat to Australia, he does not shy away from talking about it. The term “quisling” is repeated regularly – and he ends on it, in regard to Labor.
You are a pack of quislings.You are a pack of quislings.
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In the house, Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie are tearing strips off Labor for doing the budget deal with the Coalition.In the house, Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie are tearing strips off Labor for doing the budget deal with the Coalition.
Wilkie describes the budget omnibus bill as aWilkie describes the budget omnibus bill as a
black-hearted bill ... it is not a fair-minded bill ... it betrays Labor voters.black-hearted bill ... it is not a fair-minded bill ... it betrays Labor voters.
He asks:He asks:
Why not go after high-income earners ... people like us.Why not go after high-income earners ... people like us.
By way of contrast, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Income Tax Relief) is coming into the house later this afternoon. This is the “bracket creep” bill that:By way of contrast, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Income Tax Relief) is coming into the house later this afternoon. This is the “bracket creep” bill that:
Amends the Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to increase the third personal income tax threshold so that the rate of tax payable on taxable incomes from $80 001 to $87 000 for individuals is 32.5%.Amends the Income Tax Rates Act 1986 to increase the third personal income tax threshold so that the rate of tax payable on taxable incomes from $80 001 to $87 000 for individuals is 32.5%.
It effectively gives people earning more than $80,000 a $315 tax cut.It effectively gives people earning more than $80,000 a $315 tax cut.
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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.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.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.There are twists with double pikes going on here. Bear with me.
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01:20
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.
1.01am BST
01:01
Every prime minister needs a spine.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
12.30am BST
00:30
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.
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.
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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.
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?
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, if these bills make it up to the red chamber, these will be debated too:
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