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Turnbull and Shorten to reaffirm 'non-discriminatory' immigration policy – politics live 'Our multicultural character began long before Europeans,' says Turnbull – politics live
(35 minutes later)
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This is Labor’s motion.
Despite the Prime Minister claiming he had heard a “very clear lesson” about his attacks on Medicare, 100 days since the election not one cut to Medicare has been reversed; and b) Therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to:
i. Guarantee to keep Medicare in public hands as a universal health insurance scheme for all Australians;
ii.Guarantee to protect bulk billing so that every Australian can see their doctor when they need to and not only when they can afford to;
iii. Reverse his harmful cuts to Medicare by unfreezing the indexation of the Medicare Benefits Schedule;
iv. Reverse his cuts to pathology that will mean Australians with cancer will pay more for blood tests; v.Reverse his cuts to breast screening, MRIs, X-rays and other diagnostic imaging which will mean Australians will pay more for vital scans;
vi. Abandon his plans to make all Australians, even pensioners, pay more for vital medicines; and
vii. Develop a long-term agreement to properly fund our public hospitals so Australians don’t languish in our emergency departments or on long waiting lists for important surgery.
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02:56
The Medicare suspension is a chance for Bill Shorten to go back to the election result and Labor’s campaign. He reminds the chamber of image of Malcolm Turnbull’s shocking election night.
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02:52
Labor moves a suspension of the house to debate Medicare
I need to break from the speech text.
Bill Shorten is moving to suspend standing orders on the issue of health. The house was in the middle of a debate on migration measures, so the former health minister, now immigration minister, Peter Dutton is looking a little flummoxed.
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02:50
And here is the quote regarding the person in the senate - left unnamed by both leaders:
Bill Shorten says the facts are these:
In Australia, we are not being ‘swamped’ by anyone.
Migrants are not filling our dole queues, or taking our jobs, or clogging up our highways – or doing all three at the same time.
Migration is not a cost, or a burden.
It is a powerful force for our continuing economic growth and future prosperity.
Migration boosts productivity, participation and population.
It enhances and complements the skills of our workforce – and it adds new knowledge to our national understanding.
In their first year of arrival, migrants contribute a net economic benefit of around $880 million.
Ten years later, the same group will contribute around $2 billion to our national economy.
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02:48
Bill Shorten:
The word ‘tolerance’ doesn’t do justice to the society we treasure.
We tolerate traffic jams, we tolerate flight delays, we tolerate headaches.
We tolerate Brussel sprouts – we embrace diversity.
The Bible does not tell us to ‘tolerate’ thy neighbour.
Diversity is not a minor inconvenience to be endured, it’s not a device of political correctness … it’s the collective power of our nation, of all of us.
We know today’s immigrants and refugees are tomorrow’s community leaders, business leaders, doctors, nurses and teachers.
We know inclusion, openness, cohesion are universal values to build upon.
We know multiculturalism is not a passing fashion – it is at the very heart of our national identity.
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02:42
So Shorten’s argument was that attacks on minorities are weaker when the parliament shows the way.
He makes the point that none of us are described by one feature of our lives – be it religion or anything else. He urges the parliament to reject the false choice between faith and nation or us versus them.
With this motion, we say to Australians no one part of you defines all of you and it should not define your destiny.
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Bear with me. Trying to find the text here.
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02:33
Shorten: We are not being swamped by anyone
He says not so long ago his mother was turned away from a job for being Catholic.
Shorten is building the case for diversity, making the bridge between extremists and the right in western countries, who argue Muslims cannot integrate.
2.28am BST
02:28
Bill Shorten says there is much disagreement in the parliament. He makes the point diversity and multiculturalism should be embraced rather than just tolerated. He says all but five members in parliament have come from migrants. Shorten says some of his descendants were convicts but it does not mean he is better or worse than anyone else.
We must thoroughly publicly reject racism wherever it occurs, no matter who says it ... as leaders we cannot choose to pass by on the other side of the road.
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02:2402:24
Labor filed into the house slowly as Malcolm Turnbull was speaking in time to fill the chamber for Bill Shorten’s speech. Now that Shorten has begun, government MPs are filing out.Labor filed into the house slowly as Malcolm Turnbull was speaking in time to fill the chamber for Bill Shorten’s speech. Now that Shorten has begun, government MPs are filing out.
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Malcolm Turnbull says he hopes the constitution will some day reflect the First Australians and mentions all Indigenous members by name.Malcolm Turnbull says he hopes the constitution will some day reflect the First Australians and mentions all Indigenous members by name.
What unites us is that we call ourselves Australian - a nation defined by shared political values of democracy, the rule of law, a fair go.What unites us is that we call ourselves Australian - a nation defined by shared political values of democracy, the rule of law, a fair go.
And surely, if someone, whoever they are, ascribes to the values we hold as important in Australia, and sees themselves as Australian - with all that means in terms of freedom, rule of law, social cohesion through the acceptance of fundamental democratic principles - then they deserve our respect and our welcome. And surely, if someone, whoever they are, ascribes to the values we hold as important in Australia, and sees themselves as Australian – with all that means in terms of freedom, rule of law, social cohesion through the acceptance of fundamental democratic principles – then they deserve our respect and our welcome.
Mr Speaker, we are citizens of a most remarkable nation. Our people are our greatest assets - a nation of immigration, multicultural, with a shared destiny. Mr Speaker, we are citizens of a most remarkable nation. Our people are our greatest assets – a nation of immigration, multicultural, with a shared destiny.
This is our home. We have no other. Unity in diversity, harmony at home in the midst of a turbulent world - we have much of which to be proud, to cherish and defend.This is our home. We have no other. Unity in diversity, harmony at home in the midst of a turbulent world - we have much of which to be proud, to cherish and defend.
And that is our duty, the 45th Parliament’s duty, to stand up today for the timeless values of the motion which together we commend to the House. And that is our duty, the 45th parliament’s duty, to stand up today for the timeless values of the motion which together we commend to the House.
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02:2002:20
Malcolm Turnbull acknowledged Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations. Malcolm Turnbull acknowledges Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations.
Kevin Rudd’s apology for these past injustices has gone some way to heal our nation. Our democratic institutions and the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people that have steered them, mean our journey towards reconciliation has taken great leaps forward in the half a century that has passed since Wave Hill, but there is still more healing to be done, still relationships that can be built, and still many steps we must walk together on the journey of reconciliation. Kevin Rudd’s apology for these past injustices has gone some way to heal our nation. Our democratic institutions, and the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people that have steered them, mean our journey towards reconciliation has taken great leaps forward in the half a century that has passed since Wave Hill, but there is still more healing to be done, still relationships that can be built, and still many steps we must walk together on the journey of reconciliation.
Which is why today, this parliament reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and we rededicate ourselves to redressing the profound social and economic disadvantage our nation’s First Peoples face. Which is why today this parliament reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and we rededicate ourselves to redressing the profound social and economic disadvantage our nation’s First Peoples face.
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02:1802:18
Turnbull: our multicultural character began long before EuropeansTurnbull: our multicultural character began long before Europeans
Turnbull goes on to note the role of Gough Whitlam and former Labor premier Don Dunstan in overturning the support for a white Australia policy in the Labor party. He says they fought long and hard to do it.Turnbull goes on to note the role of Gough Whitlam and former Labor premier Don Dunstan in overturning the support for a white Australia policy in the Labor party. He says they fought long and hard to do it.
He also pays tribute to Vincent Lingiari, who led the Wave Hill walk off.He also pays tribute to Vincent Lingiari, who led the Wave Hill walk off.
We are a multicultural nation and our multicultural character began long before Europeans set foot on this land.We are a multicultural nation and our multicultural character began long before Europeans set foot on this land.
Before European settlement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples spoke hundreds of languages, including more than 600 dialects, and for tens of thousands of years Indigenous cultures lived side by side with the shared purpose of caring for this country.Before European settlement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples spoke hundreds of languages, including more than 600 dialects, and for tens of thousands of years Indigenous cultures lived side by side with the shared purpose of caring for this country.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - language is not just a collection of words. Language is knowledge. And knowledge is what protects and maintains culture.For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - language is not just a collection of words. Language is knowledge. And knowledge is what protects and maintains culture.
My government is deeply committed to the preservation of these ancient languages and to their recognition by the wider Australian community, and ensuring Indigenous language organisations can teach them to future generations, so the stories, the knowledge and the cultures lives on.My government is deeply committed to the preservation of these ancient languages and to their recognition by the wider Australian community, and ensuring Indigenous language organisations can teach them to future generations, so the stories, the knowledge and the cultures lives on.
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02:1402:14
Turnbull turns to the “thoroughly diverse” Muslim Australian community. While there are Muslim converts who seek to do us harm, they are a tiny minority. He says the Muslim community is just as horrified at that minority. Don’t play into the terrorist campaign which seeks to make Muslims feel unwanted, he says.Turnbull turns to the “thoroughly diverse” Muslim Australian community. While there are Muslim converts who seek to do us harm, they are a tiny minority. He says the Muslim community is just as horrified at that minority. Don’t play into the terrorist campaign which seeks to make Muslims feel unwanted, he says.
2.11am BST2.11am BST
02:1102:11
It looks as though there is a full house behind Turnbull but I will get eyes on the full chamber in a moment.It looks as though there is a full house behind Turnbull but I will get eyes on the full chamber in a moment.
He continues, saying not every Australian always welcomes newcomers. There has been disharmony but:He continues, saying not every Australian always welcomes newcomers. There has been disharmony but:
We have much more of which to be proud than self-rapproaching.We have much more of which to be proud than self-rapproaching.
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02:09
Turnbull tells the story of refugee and AFL player Aliir Aliir. He says Australians are bound together by shared political values, “the glue that holds us together is mutual respect”.
Our natural inclination is to welcome newcomers ... we are open and tolerant because we are confident in our culture.
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02:05
Malcolm Turnbull is moving the motion to a non-discriminatory immigration policy, reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, and denounces racial intolerance in any form.
He is going back through previous Liberal governments’ achievements to end the White Australia policy and reaffirms his commitment to “common Australian values”.
We rise in this parliament today as John Howard and Kim Beazley did 20 years ago ... a 20-year-old unity ticket. We are as old as our first Australians ... and as young as the baby in the arms of her migrant mother.
Australia is an immigration nation, he says, and notes Australia is much more diverse than the United States.
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01:51
Denison Independent Andrew Wilkie is introducing a private member’s bill to ban foreign political donations. He references Sam Dastyari, who stood down from his frontbench roles after he requested a Chinese-linked company pay his travel bill.
Wilkie says the reason we can’t get meaningful action on foreign donations is because self-interest by the major parties is put above the national interest.
He suggests Australia has some of the weakest donations laws in the world.
He calls for a $1000 threshold on domestic donations.
He calls for quicker disclosure, if not in real time then in a matter of weeks.
He calls for consistent laws across the states and commonwealth that stop donors hiding donations in different jurisdictions.
Once again its left to us on the crossbench to listen to the Australian people.
Wilkie asks the major parties to work with him and the crossbench.
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01:41
Commission of Inquiry into Lionel Murphy: 30 years on, access to records still being decided.
This statement was made in both houses this morning:
PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON RECORDS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
In May 1986 the Parliament established, by legislation, a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry to advise the Parliament whether any conduct of the Honourable Lionel Keith Murphy was such as to amount, in its opinion, to proved misbehaviour within the meaning of section 72 of the Constitution.
In August 1986, following a special report to the Presiding Officers relating to the terminal illness of the judge, the inquiry was discontinued and the Act establishing the Commission repealed. The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (Repeal) Act 1986 gave to the Presiding Officers exclusive possession of the documents of the Commission for 30 years from its commencement.
The repeal Act commenced on 25 September 1986 and the period of exclusive possession expired from 26 September 2016. The Presiding Officers may now grant access to documents of the Commission by written authority.
With the expiration of the period of exclusive possession, the Speaker and I have determined that the Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives and other nominees approved by us can access and examine the records of the Commission for the purposes of providing advice to assist in our responses to requests for access.
The examination of the records by parliamentary officers commenced on 29 September 2016.
We are awaiting advice on the contents of the records before determining any arrangements for wider access to them. It should be understood that this process may take some time as the records are extensive.
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01:24
Just because:
I have no idea who is responsible for this Trumpkin. It's wonderful. pic.twitter.com/VilR9Bellv
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Independent @WilkieMP will introduce a Private Member’s Bill to ban foreign donations to political parties & candidates at 11:35am #auspol
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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.
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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.
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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”.
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