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Malcolm Turnbull calls Trump's comments 'loathsome' – politics live Turnbull and Shorten reaffirm 'non-discriminatory' immigration policy – politics live
(35 minutes later)
1.10am BST
01:10
Malcolm Turnbull was asked about Gina Rinehart’s joint bid for Kidman and Co.
Would the government look favourably upon that?
Turnbull:
Well it is always great to see Australians investing in Australian agriculture, but the matter will go before the Foreign Investment Review Board (Firb) of course because there is a minority foreign investor. Of course there is a minority foreign investment in Kidman now. I always welcome seeing Australian investment in Australian agriculture, as I believe all Australians do.
1.07am BST
01:07
This is important.
Attorney general George Brandis has announced a free legal advisory service for people engaging with the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), the Children in Care and Youth Detention Advice Service will receive $1.1m from the government this financial year.
This is also important, from March last year.
The North Australian Aboriginal justice agency (Naaja) earlier this month told a Senate inquiry budget cuts of about $1.6m would cost 10 to 15 jobs.
From the end of this month Naaja would cease all criminal legal services in Darwin and Katherine for Aboriginal adults, other than those currently in custody and, as well as cut back on civil services, it was further reported on Wednesday.
12.59am BST
00:59
I should also tell you that the Committee on Economic Development of Australia is on in Canberra today. CEDA does a state of the nation conference annually.
The speakers include secretary of the department of the prime minister and cabinet, Martin Parkinson, industry innovation and science minister Greg Hunt, NSW treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas and chair of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Jillian Broadbent.
Parkinson, who is the headline act, is not on until tonight at dinner.
The theme is pretty close to jobs and growth. Otherwise known as “A new policy agenda: innovation, growth and the future economy”.
12.47am BST
00:47
12.40am BST
00:40
PM Malcolm Turnbull with govt. & oppositon at Shimon Peres condolence book this morning @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/PiuorMKJX3
12.38am BST12.38am BST
00:3800:38
Turnbull and Shorten to reaffirm a non-discriminatory immigration policy in response to One NationTurnbull and Shorten to reaffirm a non-discriminatory immigration policy in response to One Nation
Malcolm Turnbull will move Bill Shorten motion regarding non-discriminatory immigration policy around midday. Labor initiated this motion which is similar to one moved by John Howard and Kim Beazley in 1996 when Pauline Hanson first came to the parliament. After negotiation between Turnbull and Shorten, the PM agreed to move it.Malcolm Turnbull will move Bill Shorten motion regarding non-discriminatory immigration policy around midday. Labor initiated this motion which is similar to one moved by John Howard and Kim Beazley in 1996 when Pauline Hanson first came to the parliament. After negotiation between Turnbull and Shorten, the PM agreed to move it.
The motion says:The motion says:
That this House:That this House:
(1) reaffirms its commitment to the right of all Australians to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect regardless of race, colour, creed or origin;(1) reaffirms its commitment to the right of all Australians to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect regardless of race, colour, creed or origin;
(2) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining an immigration policy wholly non-discriminatory on grounds of race, colour, creed or origin;(2) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining an immigration policy wholly non-discriminatory on grounds of race, colour, creed or origin;
(3) reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in the context of redressing their profound social and economic disadvantage;(3) reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in the context of redressing their profound social and economic disadvantage;
(4) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining Australia as a culturally diverse, tolerant and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation, and its democratic institutions and values; and(4) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining Australia as a culturally diverse, tolerant and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation, and its democratic institutions and values; and
(5) denounces racial intolerance in any form as incompatible with the kind of society we are and want to be.(5) denounces racial intolerance in any form as incompatible with the kind of society we are and want to be.
12.32am BST12.32am BST
00:3200:32
Katter is outlining cases of banks foreclosing on clients who defaulted on loans as a result of banks failing in responsible lending practice. He says the banks, as a result, get the asset and the client is made a “debt slave”. He says the banks have a “punitive discretionary power”.Katter is outlining cases of banks foreclosing on clients who defaulted on loans as a result of banks failing in responsible lending practice. He says the banks, as a result, get the asset and the client is made a “debt slave”. He says the banks have a “punitive discretionary power”.
Indi MP Cathy McGowan seconds the motion.Indi MP Cathy McGowan seconds the motion.
12.28am BST12.28am BST
00:2800:28
In the senate, they are debating the CFA volunteers bill. There are 13 senators waiting to speak. In the Senate, they are debating the CFA volunteers bill. There are 13 senators waiting to speak.
Updated
at 12.45am BST
12.27am BST12.27am BST
00:2700:27
Is that the time?Is that the time?
PM Malcolm Turnbull & Bill Shorten at Shimon Peres condolence book signing this morning @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/Ejf7I5SwxVPM Malcolm Turnbull & Bill Shorten at Shimon Peres condolence book signing this morning @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/Ejf7I5SwxV
12.26am BST12.26am BST
00:2600:26
Katters moves next to the bank commission of inquiry “with the powers of a royal commission”.Katters moves next to the bank commission of inquiry “with the powers of a royal commission”.
The point of this bill is for Katter with the Greens and Labor et al to try to get the numbers in both houses to force a royal-commission-like inquiry on the government and the banking industry.The point of this bill is for Katter with the Greens and Labor et al to try to get the numbers in both houses to force a royal-commission-like inquiry on the government and the banking industry.
He refers to The Big Short book and movie.He refers to The Big Short book and movie.
He is talking about the danger of recourse loans.He is talking about the danger of recourse loans.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.26am BSTat 12.26am BST
12.20am BST12.20am BST
00:2000:20
The banks commission of inquiry bill has been deferred. Now Bob Katter is speaking to a private member’s bill on the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975. He starts in on the decision of the Norther Territory government to sell the lease of the Darwin port to a Chinese owned company. He reminds the chamber that Australians always thought they would be protected by the British in the second world war until …The banks commission of inquiry bill has been deferred. Now Bob Katter is speaking to a private member’s bill on the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975. He starts in on the decision of the Norther Territory government to sell the lease of the Darwin port to a Chinese owned company. He reminds the chamber that Australians always thought they would be protected by the British in the second world war until …
Katter is talking about the vertical integration exercised by foreign companies like Adani (“even though I am a fan of Adani”). He talks about Chinese mining companies that bring in “their own food”.Katter is talking about the vertical integration exercised by foreign companies like Adani (“even though I am a fan of Adani”). He talks about Chinese mining companies that bring in “their own food”.
Where are the benefits for Australians … it has been negative, Mr Speaker.Where are the benefits for Australians … it has been negative, Mr Speaker.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.38am BSTat 12.38am BST
12.05am BST12.05am BST
00:0500:05
I have already noted Labor’s final position on the plebiscite bill will be nailed down at caucus tomorrow. The caucus will also decide who will take retiring Labor senator Stephen Conroy’s position as deputy leader in the senate. It is ordained to be Don Farrell, Faceless Man and party powerbroker who is back after the last election. He will also take Conroy’s special minister of state shadow position. I have already noted Labor’s final position on the plebiscite bill will be nailed down at caucus tomorrow. The caucus will also decide who will take retiring Labor senator Stephen Conroy’s position as deputy leader in the Senate. It is ordained to be Don Farrell, Faceless Man and party powerbroker who is back after the last election. He will also take Conroy’s special minister of state shadow position.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.06am BST at 12.45am BST
11.56pm BST11.56pm BST
23:5623:56
Loathsome. Demeaning. Disappointing. Trump.Loathsome. Demeaning. Disappointing. Trump.
Malcolm Turnbull has weighed in on Trump, describing his comments as “loathsome”. And the minister for women Michaela Cash, described the comments as demeaning and disappointing.Malcolm Turnbull has weighed in on Trump, describing his comments as “loathsome”. And the minister for women Michaela Cash, described the comments as demeaning and disappointing.
11.32pm BST11.32pm BST
23:3223:32
I’m told the legal and constitutional affairs committee is likely to have a hearing on Friday re the Brandis-Gleeson matter, an argument between the first and second legal officers of the nation.I’m told the legal and constitutional affairs committee is likely to have a hearing on Friday re the Brandis-Gleeson matter, an argument between the first and second legal officers of the nation.
They are arguing over the details around a directive that would allow George Brandis to veto whether the solicitor general provided advice to government departments.They are arguing over the details around a directive that would allow George Brandis to veto whether the solicitor general provided advice to government departments.
Given the solicitor-general, Justin Gleeson, made a submission to the inquiry, everyone is assuming he will want to front the committee. But it is an assumption at this stage. Whether Brandis wants to appear is anyone’s guess.Given the solicitor-general, Justin Gleeson, made a submission to the inquiry, everyone is assuming he will want to front the committee. But it is an assumption at this stage. Whether Brandis wants to appear is anyone’s guess.
Already, Labor is moving a motion to debate Brandis’s behaviour today, expected around 4.30pm.Already, Labor is moving a motion to debate Brandis’s behaviour today, expected around 4.30pm.
Labor’s leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, has moved a motion to strike down the Brandis regulation but it has been deferred until after committee reports on 8 November.Labor’s leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, has moved a motion to strike down the Brandis regulation but it has been deferred until after committee reports on 8 November.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.42pm BSTat 11.42pm BST
11.18pm BST
23:18
Somehow, Leyonhjelm supports and condemns Trump's obscene comments #auspol pic.twitter.com/AZiyVCFgm0
11.17pm BST
23:17
From Greens advisor Tim Beshara:
Parliament will debate how Brandis is a dill. pic.twitter.com/jX1Nh7E94P
This relates to the controversy about the circumstances around attorney general George Brandis’s directive and whether he properly consulted the second legal officer, solicitor general Justin Gleeson.
The matter is now the subject of an inquiry by the Senate standing committee on legal and constitutional affairs. I am checking on the committee’s next moves.
11.01pm BST
23:01
The Senate also starts at 10am. The senators have a number of bills to consider, including the CFA bill and the bracket creep bill later today.
This week we will have first speechs from One Nation senators Brian Burston and Rod Culleton, NXT senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore and Labor senator David Chisholm.
Updated
at 11.10pm BST
10.52pm BST
22:52
The lower house starts at 10am this morning.
Private members’ bills run all morning. Among them is a Bob Katter version of a banking “commission of inquiry”. The bill states it would have the same powers as a royal commission and outlines the mechanics that Katter prefers:
(1) The treasurer must, within six weeks after the governor general in council assents to this act, appoint persons to:
(a) conduct an inquiry into the matters specified in section 6; and
(b) report to the treasurer on the matters (including any recommendations relating to the matters) within six months after the governor general in council assents to this act.
(2) The appointment must be by notifiable instrument.
(3) The appointment takes effect on the day after the instrument of appointment is made.
(4) The commission’s report is not a legislative instrument.
(5) The members of the commission have the privileges of members of the House of Representatives.
Updated
at 10.57pm BST
10.35pm BST
22:35
Oh look. Trump does have a fan in Australia.
David Leyonhjelm says Trump's comments show's he's a man of his time and maybe we should "cut him some slack" #auspol
It is hard to get attention on the expanded Senate crossbench.
Updated
at 10.40pm BST
10.34pm BST
22:34
Poll numbers. It must be Monday. Thanks to our friends at AAP for this.
Malcolm Turnbull is more popular with voters than Bill Shorten, but support for the government continues to trail the opposition party, a new poll shows.
The Australian reports the latest Newspoll shows the prime minister’s popularity at 45% – the highest level in the 100 days since the tight election win – compared with the Labor leader’s four-month low of 30%.
In two-party preferred terms, Labor has 52% compared with the Coalition’s 48%, the second time voters’ support for the government has been lower than when Turnbull ousted Tony Abbott as prime minister 13 months ago.
The primary vote for the government rose to 39%, while Labor’s slipped to 37% and the Greens were static at 10%.
Independent popular support was at 15%, with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party taking 6%, while Nick Xenophon’s party was at about 2%, the Australian reports.
Updated
at 10.59pm BST
10.28pm BST
22:28
Malcolm Turnbull is meeting CFA volunteers with employment minister Michaela Cash. He is challenging Bill Shorten to stand up for the volunteers, who defend Victorian lives in the “inferno of summer”.
Mike Bowers is down there at the minute. Some pictures to you shortly.
10.22pm BST
22:22
Hanson and Hinch clash over Donald Trump
The Clinton-Trump debate is coming up and the Donald has declared he will dig the hole deeper and delve into Bill Clinton’s behaviour. (Because you know a woman must always be held to account for her husband’s crimes.)
Pauline Hanson was speaking about Trump’s comments today.
It was vulgar. It wasn’t said publicly, [it was] said behind the scenes in a tape recording. That was 10 years ago. I do believe that the people of America are fed up with the major political parties of Republicans and the Democrats and the way the country has been.
I know Trump is standing as a Republican. The whole fact is they are looking for change. They have seen the destruction of their country, their way of life, the standard of living and want someone who will fight for them. It is up to the people …
Then Hanson and Hinch met up at the lifts and Hinch said Trump was a disgrace.
Donald Trump, in any manner or form, is absolutely disgraceful. [That] you as a woman can even make any justification for what he has said …
Hanson:
I didn’t condone what he said. The people of America will decide.
Hinch:
If you are even slightly right then God help the country. The man is a sexual predator and he is a disgrace.
Updated
at 11.00pm BST
10.10pm BST
22:10
Before we get to the Hanson-Hinch thing, Katharine Murphy reports the legal counsel to tobacco giant Philip Morris has told a parliamentary committee that people have responded hysterically to a landmark legal case challenging Australia’s plain packaging laws.
This is about the legal case allowed under the investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) clause in a previous trade agreement with Hong Kong. And a similar ISDS clause caused great controversy in the negotiations over the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. It is worth a read.
Updated
at 11.01pm BST
9.51pm BST
21:51
Good morning and it’s good to be back for this fortnight of sitting.
This week, you can expect a veritable smorgasbord of politics.
I’m thinking Country Fire Authority. I’m thinking plebiscite. I’m thinking banking behaviour. I’m thinking tax threshold legislation.
First up, Pauline Hanson has told the ABC that she will support the respect for emergency services volunteers bill. This is the so-called CFA bill, which became an issue in the federal election because of a stoush between the Victorian professional firefighters and the volunteers over an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA). The bill gives emergency service volunteers more power in any EBAs. The government needs nine votes and with four One Nation senators coming across the line, with three Nick Xenophons, Derryn Hinch and Bob Day, the Coalition appears to be in the clear.
As Katharine Murphy reported late yesterday, after um-ing and ah-ing and foot shuffling while still pointing out their vehement opposition, Labor is finally going to decide what to do about the Coalition’s plebiscite bill. This is the legislation which would create a plebiscite on marriage equality. The plebiscite would give an indication of the electorate’s feelings, though its outcome would not bind the parliament or the Coalition to the outcome. At the last sitting, Labor announced it would undergo consultations and those meetings have included both the LGBTI community and church groups who oppose marriage equality. They will take the issue to Tuesday’s party room meeting.
While I was sitting in a quiet corner reading a book last week, the bank bosses appeared at the much-vaunted house economics committee hearings set up by the Turnbull government. There was a fair bit of squirming involved but it did not soften the resolve in Labor, the Greens and Independent Bob Katter among others for a royal commission. The Greens have already flagged they will be moving for a commission of inquiry this week. I reported on this advice from the clerk of the Senate, Rosemary Laing to Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson in August. Her letter then suggested the parliament could force an inquiry like the one into Lionel Murphy in the 80s. (That one was abandoned due to Murphy’s illness.) The problem for those in favour of a banking royal commission is that it can only be established by executive government, that is the Turnbull government. But a commission of inquiry could be – according to Laing – forced by the parliament if their numbers in both houses were there. We shall await developments there.
Also on the agenda are income tax cuts. Today, first thing we shall see Scott Morrison’s bracket creep bill in the house again, which:
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%. The Greens are not having a bar of it but Labor supports it so it is done deal.
Also around this morning, Gina Rinehart, who has lately gone long in cattle, has thrown her weight behind a $365m bid for the Kidman cattle company, confirmed last night. The Stock and Land has a version of this story here:
Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd, Shanghai CRED Real Estate Stock Co Ltd and S. Kidman & Co Ltd (Kidman) have announced today that they have entered into a Bid Implementation Agreement (BIA) under which a joint venture company Australian Outback Beef Pty Ltd (AOB) owned 67 per cent by Hancock and 33pc by Shanghai CRED has committed to make a takeover offer to acquire the Kidman and Co.
In a statement to the media issued by a public relations company acting on behalf of Kidman and Co and Hancock Prospecting, it was revealed the offer was conditional on approval from Australia’s foreign investment regime and Chinese government approvals.
It is also conditional on the completion of the divestment of the Anna Creek station and the Peake by Kidman to other Australian grazing interests.
So you can see where this parliamentary week is going along at a clip already. And if you think this week is full, next week we have the house sitting and budget estimates …
Of course, it will be hard for even the most eventful Australian parliamentary day to compete with the second Clinton-Trump debate after the weekend’s revelations of a sordid little conversation otherwise dismissed as “locker-room banter”. Get me a bucket. We will have live coverage of this elsewhere on the big G. Like duelling banjos, the Australian and American political blogs will create (if not beautiful then) music of sorts.
Join us in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan or @mpbowers. Already there has been a little rigorous debate between Hanson and Hinch at the press gallery lifts over the Trump. More of that in a moment...
Updated
at 10.05pm BST