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Bill Shorten says Tony Abbott is winning marriage debate as bill goes back to parliament – politics live Bill Shorten says Tony Abbott is winning marriage debate as bill goes back to parliament – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.37am BST
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Former treasurer Wayne Swan has given an explosive speech accusing BHP of aggressive transfer pricing schemes to avoid tax. He goes through the whole mining tax episode.
Corporations are not ends in themselves...we live in a community not a corporation.
There are two tax systems, one for the super wealthy and one for the rest of us.
I am scrambling to find the text as I missed the beginning due to previous legislation. Swan is speaking to an empty chamber but it is certainly worth following up. He talked about BHP using Singapore for transfer tax pricing, which is interesting given his was the last speech before the address by the Singaporean PM.
I shall bring you more shortly.
12.24am BST
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Peter Dutton, immigration minister, has introduced the criminal code amendment (war crimes) bill. This is the law change that allows Australian forces to target combat support services and was revealed by Malcolm Turnbull in his statement to parliament at the beginning of September. Labor has provided in-principle support but was waiting to see the legislation.
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Scott Morrison has also introduced the bill to establish a register of foreign ownership of water entitlements to be administered by the commissioner of taxation.Scott Morrison has also introduced the bill to establish a register of foreign ownership of water entitlements to be administered by the commissioner of taxation.
This bill provides for the collection of information and publication of statistics about foreign holdings of registrable water entitlements and long term contractual water rights.This bill provides for the collection of information and publication of statistics about foreign holdings of registrable water entitlements and long term contractual water rights.
That is, it will give us a picture of who owns the water entitlements in Australia – in line with the register of who owns agricultural land.That is, it will give us a picture of who owns the water entitlements in Australia – in line with the register of who owns agricultural land.
As an aside, there have been significant purchases of Australian water entitlements by foreign pension funds. The former Murray MP Sharman Stone talked about this in the last parliament and Sue Neales of the Oz has reported on it here.As an aside, there have been significant purchases of Australian water entitlements by foreign pension funds. The former Murray MP Sharman Stone talked about this in the last parliament and Sue Neales of the Oz has reported on it here.
Neales reported last year that soaring irrigation water prices and a water shortage in northern Victoria were “forcing hundreds of dairy farmers to sell cows, cut milk production and stop irrigating once-green paddocks despite booming demand for Australian food in China.Neales reported last year that soaring irrigation water prices and a water shortage in northern Victoria were “forcing hundreds of dairy farmers to sell cows, cut milk production and stop irrigating once-green paddocks despite booming demand for Australian food in China.
Overseas pension funds — including one owned by New York firefighters and another by Canadian teachers — currently own water in the Goulburn Murray ­irrigation district, with their quest for the highest returns believed to have led to water being held back until the drought deepens and ­prices rise well above $300/ML.Overseas pension funds — including one owned by New York firefighters and another by Canadian teachers — currently own water in the Goulburn Murray ­irrigation district, with their quest for the highest returns believed to have led to water being held back until the drought deepens and ­prices rise well above $300/ML.
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Scott Morrison is ripping through the backpacker bills in the house. Now the former head of Tourism Australia is speaking to the $5 increase in the passenger movement charge.Scott Morrison is ripping through the backpacker bills in the house. Now the former head of Tourism Australia is speaking to the $5 increase in the passenger movement charge.
He segues into lecturing on how, if Labor doesn’t support the $5 increase on tourists, it will be asking taxpayers to pay for a reduction in the backpacker tax.He segues into lecturing on how, if Labor doesn’t support the $5 increase on tourists, it will be asking taxpayers to pay for a reduction in the backpacker tax.
Breaking: This bill is NOT A REDUCTION IN THE BACKPACKER TAX.Breaking: This bill is NOT A REDUCTION IN THE BACKPACKER TAX.
IT IS AN INCREASE TO 19% FROM ZERO.IT IS AN INCREASE TO 19% FROM ZERO.
(runs off screaming into corridor … )(runs off screaming into corridor … )
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Dear Liberals, co-sponsor a bill with me. Signed Penny WongDear Liberals, co-sponsor a bill with me. Signed Penny Wong
We are working on the assumption that the plebiscite bill is dead. Penny Wong has been asked what about the tactics will be over the next few years.We are working on the assumption that the plebiscite bill is dead. Penny Wong has been asked what about the tactics will be over the next few years.
First, on the broader issue, I think the community will keep the pressure on. I think the community have moved. In the period I have been in this parliament I have seen an enormous shift in the Australian community and it has been heart-warming. So I don’t think the community are going to accept people continuing to vote not to have a vote. But, I’m happy to talk about tactics, and I want to say this: any Liberal senator who is prepared to move a marriage equality bill, I’m up for it. If you want to co-sponsor a bill with me in the Senate, I’m up for it.First, on the broader issue, I think the community will keep the pressure on. I think the community have moved. In the period I have been in this parliament I have seen an enormous shift in the Australian community and it has been heart-warming. So I don’t think the community are going to accept people continuing to vote not to have a vote. But, I’m happy to talk about tactics, and I want to say this: any Liberal senator who is prepared to move a marriage equality bill, I’m up for it. If you want to co-sponsor a bill with me in the Senate, I’m up for it.
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Malcolm Turnbull has gone into a meeting with the Singaporean PM, Lee Hsien Loong.Malcolm Turnbull has gone into a meeting with the Singaporean PM, Lee Hsien Loong.
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The house and Senate begin.The house and Senate begin.
Scott Morrison is in the lower house introducing the backpacker tax bills.Scott Morrison is in the lower house introducing the backpacker tax bills.
The Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson is in the Senate asking questions about the income tax “bracket creep” bill which lowers the rate for people earning more than $80,000.The Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson is in the Senate asking questions about the income tax “bracket creep” bill which lowers the rate for people earning more than $80,000.
Morrison says under the Labor government, backpackers were having a working holiday and a tax holiday.Morrison says under the Labor government, backpackers were having a working holiday and a tax holiday.
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You can see why Albo was such a good leader of the lower house. No one got away under his watch.You can see why Albo was such a good leader of the lower house. No one got away under his watch.
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Shameless, that Albo.Shameless, that Albo.
Bowers reports that the press gallery is into the grand final and the pollies came second last or fifth out of six teams. He speculated that it was the loss of Stephen Conroy which did the pollies down. Conroy was an enthusiastic, some say brutal, player. Albo may be taking the mantle.Bowers reports that the press gallery is into the grand final and the pollies came second last or fifth out of six teams. He speculated that it was the loss of Stephen Conroy which did the pollies down. Conroy was an enthusiastic, some say brutal, player. Albo may be taking the mantle.
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The Big Issue’s Parliamentary Street Soccer Cup in Canberra was on this morning.The Big Issue’s Parliamentary Street Soccer Cup in Canberra was on this morning.
This is a very good cause that raises awareness for the Big Issue’s federally funded Community Street Soccer Program, which supports homeless and disadvantaged men and women around Australia.This is a very good cause that raises awareness for the Big Issue’s federally funded Community Street Soccer Program, which supports homeless and disadvantaged men and women around Australia.
These are hard-fought games and Mike Bowers played and took photos – showing his many talents.These are hard-fought games and Mike Bowers played and took photos – showing his many talents.
I am no football expert but I am not sure this tackle by Anthony Albanese is legal.I am no football expert but I am not sure this tackle by Anthony Albanese is legal.
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The sound of canons ...The sound of canons ...
Don’t panic. It is the gun salute for the Singaporean PM.Don’t panic. It is the gun salute for the Singaporean PM.
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Resources minister pushes BP to 'make good' on commitments in the bightResources minister pushes BP to 'make good' on commitments in the bight
Gareth HutchensGareth Hutchens
The resources minister, Matt Canavan, says he is “bitterly disappointed” with BP’s decision to not go ahead with its controversial plan to drill for oil in the commonwealth marine reserve in the Great Australian Bight.The resources minister, Matt Canavan, says he is “bitterly disappointed” with BP’s decision to not go ahead with its controversial plan to drill for oil in the commonwealth marine reserve in the Great Australian Bight.
He said BP had been allowed to explore for oil in the marine reserve by making almost half a billion dollars worth of commitments to do work in the area, and now it had walked away.He said BP had been allowed to explore for oil in the marine reserve by making almost half a billion dollars worth of commitments to do work in the area, and now it had walked away.
[So] I would expect them to make good some of those commitments in other ways. I’ll be very interested in discussing with them in coming days what those plans might be.[So] I would expect them to make good some of those commitments in other ways. I’ll be very interested in discussing with them in coming days what those plans might be.
He criticised environmental groups that had campaigned against BP’s project.He criticised environmental groups that had campaigned against BP’s project.
I do think it’s the ugly side of green activism, that yesterday a decision was made which impacts around 25 businesses ... in South Australia, we think up to 100 workers will be impacted, and those workers I’m sure went to bed last night a little restless ... but we had other people in this country popping the champagne corks and celebrating that fact. What does frustrate me is sometimes those workers in these industries, who tend to be fairly quiet, reticent types of people, aren’t the ones on the radio or in the media telling their stories.I do think it’s the ugly side of green activism, that yesterday a decision was made which impacts around 25 businesses ... in South Australia, we think up to 100 workers will be impacted, and those workers I’m sure went to bed last night a little restless ... but we had other people in this country popping the champagne corks and celebrating that fact. What does frustrate me is sometimes those workers in these industries, who tend to be fairly quiet, reticent types of people, aren’t the ones on the radio or in the media telling their stories.
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There is a longstanding fight in the NSW Liberal party over reform. It goes to the way preselections are conducted. Katharine Murphy reported on the issue spilling into the party room yesterday when it was raised by Tony Abbott and knocked down by Christopher Pyne on the grounds that state party business should not be discussed in the federal party room.There is a longstanding fight in the NSW Liberal party over reform. It goes to the way preselections are conducted. Katharine Murphy reported on the issue spilling into the party room yesterday when it was raised by Tony Abbott and knocked down by Christopher Pyne on the grounds that state party business should not be discussed in the federal party room.
Peta Credlin, Abbott’s former chief of staff, hit back on her Sky platform last night. She said if a NSW MP (Abbott) cannot raise it in the party room led by a NSW PM (Turnbull), then what is the world coming to?Peta Credlin, Abbott’s former chief of staff, hit back on her Sky platform last night. She said if a NSW MP (Abbott) cannot raise it in the party room led by a NSW PM (Turnbull), then what is the world coming to?
Abbott also hit back at the leaks in a chat with Murpharoo.Abbott also hit back at the leaks in a chat with Murpharoo.
Tony Abbott has publicly challenged Malcolm Turnbull to lead a democratisation push in New South Wales as he launched a stinging broadside against colleagues for leaking his tussle in Tuesday’s party-room meeting.Tony Abbott has publicly challenged Malcolm Turnbull to lead a democratisation push in New South Wales as he launched a stinging broadside against colleagues for leaking his tussle in Tuesday’s party-room meeting.
The former prime minister told Guardian Australia he was “dismayed” by the leaks after Tuesday’s regular party room meeting in Canberra. “It’s a cancer on our polity – this culture of leaking.”The former prime minister told Guardian Australia he was “dismayed” by the leaks after Tuesday’s regular party room meeting in Canberra. “It’s a cancer on our polity – this culture of leaking.”
“The fact that people readily leak pejorative stuff to damage colleagues is pretty dishonourable I think,” Abbott said on Tuesday afternoon.“The fact that people readily leak pejorative stuff to damage colleagues is pretty dishonourable I think,” Abbott said on Tuesday afternoon.
“Leaks are poisoning our political culture.”“Leaks are poisoning our political culture.”
He went further … it really is worth a read.He went further … it really is worth a read.
He remarked that it was “just crackers” to say state organisational issues could not be considered during party-room meetings in Canberra given organisational issues in electorates and in various states were considered all the time.He remarked that it was “just crackers” to say state organisational issues could not be considered during party-room meetings in Canberra given organisational issues in electorates and in various states were considered all the time.
“This line that it shouldn’t be raised in the party room is self-serving at best,” Abbott said – returning the rebuke to Pyne.“This line that it shouldn’t be raised in the party room is self-serving at best,” Abbott said – returning the rebuke to Pyne.
On the issue of reform of preselections, Abbott said it was important to revitalise procedures in NSW, which was a division that had been run by “factional warlords”.On the issue of reform of preselections, Abbott said it was important to revitalise procedures in NSW, which was a division that had been run by “factional warlords”.
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Barnaby Joyce: ring your Labor member to support backpacker tax and plebisciteBarnaby Joyce: ring your Labor member to support backpacker tax and plebiscite
As I said the backpacker bills will come into parliament, which sits at 9.30am.As I said the backpacker bills will come into parliament, which sits at 9.30am.
There are four related bills:There are four related bills:
Barnaby Joyce has accused Labor of playing politics *drink* and failing to support the government when the Coalition had fixed the backpacker problem of attracting labour. (Which was a problem entirely of their own making when they whacked a 32.5% tax on backpackers without consulting with their own backbench, tourism or ag industries. They have since revised the tax to 19%.)Barnaby Joyce has accused Labor of playing politics *drink* and failing to support the government when the Coalition had fixed the backpacker problem of attracting labour. (Which was a problem entirely of their own making when they whacked a 32.5% tax on backpackers without consulting with their own backbench, tourism or ag industries. They have since revised the tax to 19%.)
After we went through the process and deliberations and making sure we have a backpacker tax rate to attract labour into the country. Before we did it the Labor party were deriding us and now we have fixed it, they won’t support us. I ask people to ring up their Labor party member, their Labor party senator and ask them to do two things for us – support the backpacker tax to get this issue off the agenda and please support the plebiscite so we can get this issue off the agenda as well.After we went through the process and deliberations and making sure we have a backpacker tax rate to attract labour into the country. Before we did it the Labor party were deriding us and now we have fixed it, they won’t support us. I ask people to ring up their Labor party member, their Labor party senator and ask them to do two things for us – support the backpacker tax to get this issue off the agenda and please support the plebiscite so we can get this issue off the agenda as well.
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Paul Karp reports that Labor and the Greens will combine to push for a Senate committee to examine how best to close coal power stations to meet Australia’s climate change targets.Paul Karp reports that Labor and the Greens will combine to push for a Senate committee to examine how best to close coal power stations to meet Australia’s climate change targets.
The Greens and Labor will move a motion to ask the Senate environment and communications references committee to report on mass closures of electricity generators, and expect sufficient crossbench support to set up the inquiry.The Greens and Labor will move a motion to ask the Senate environment and communications references committee to report on mass closures of electricity generators, and expect sufficient crossbench support to set up the inquiry.
It will consider how the retirement of coal power plants can help meet the Paris climate target of limiting global warming to 2C and how to achieve it with “minimal community and individual impact from closures”. That will include ways to attract new investment and jobs to affected communities.It will consider how the retirement of coal power plants can help meet the Paris climate target of limiting global warming to 2C and how to achieve it with “minimal community and individual impact from closures”. That will include ways to attract new investment and jobs to affected communities.
The committee will also consider the increasing amount of electricity generated by renewables, future demand and the “maintenance of electricity supply, affordability and security”.The committee will also consider the increasing amount of electricity generated by renewables, future demand and the “maintenance of electricity supply, affordability and security”.
10.24pm BST10.24pm BST
22:2422:24
Foreign powers most serious threat to cyber security, says reportForeign powers most serious threat to cyber security, says report
The 2016 Threat Report will be released today by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This is the government body that deals with all of this stuff.The 2016 Threat Report will be released today by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This is the government body that deals with all of this stuff.
The most interesting point is that it identifies foreign powers as “the most serious and rising threat to the security of government networks”, according to the Oz.The most interesting point is that it identifies foreign powers as “the most serious and rising threat to the security of government networks”, according to the Oz.
In the 18 months to 30 June this year, government networks were hit by 1,095 serious cyber assaults from all sources, including foreign espionage.In the 18 months to 30 June this year, government networks were hit by 1,095 serious cyber assaults from all sources, including foreign espionage.
The report says the danger of a single major cyber attack on the government has increased.The report says the danger of a single major cyber attack on the government has increased.
Behaviour by a number of countries is demonstrating a ­willingness to use disruptive and destructive cyber operations to seriously impede or embarrass organisations and governments – equating to foreign interference or coercion. The employment of the tactic in such a brazen manner against high-profile entities has almost certainly lowered the threshold of adversaries seeking to conduct such acts.Behaviour by a number of countries is demonstrating a ­willingness to use disruptive and destructive cyber operations to seriously impede or embarrass organisations and governments – equating to foreign interference or coercion. The employment of the tactic in such a brazen manner against high-profile entities has almost certainly lowered the threshold of adversaries seeking to conduct such acts.
Dan Tehan, the minister assisting the prime minister on cybersecurity, says at the moment the capability is limited but it will increase over time.Dan Tehan, the minister assisting the prime minister on cybersecurity, says at the moment the capability is limited but it will increase over time.
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Before I go anywhere else, you might be wondering what the Singaporean PM is doing in town. Katharine Murphy has enlightened us here:Before I go anywhere else, you might be wondering what the Singaporean PM is doing in town. Katharine Murphy has enlightened us here:
The practice is that the senators will head down to the house and they will squash in on the benches to listen to the address.The practice is that the senators will head down to the house and they will squash in on the benches to listen to the address.
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Good morning fellow tragics,Good morning fellow tragics,
It is a very full program today, this hump day in the parliament.It is a very full program today, this hump day in the parliament.
The debate over the marriage plebiscite bill will continue. We heard a number of speeches last night. Longtime Liberal National party advocate Warren Entsch made a heartfelt contribution – in the end arguing for the plebiscite as the “the best possible chance” in a decade. You can argue the point on the plebiscite but you cannot argue with Entsch’s intentions. His frustration with both parties is palpable.The debate over the marriage plebiscite bill will continue. We heard a number of speeches last night. Longtime Liberal National party advocate Warren Entsch made a heartfelt contribution – in the end arguing for the plebiscite as the “the best possible chance” in a decade. You can argue the point on the plebiscite but you cannot argue with Entsch’s intentions. His frustration with both parties is palpable.
It has been a long road to get to this point, and I accept that there are those who are not happy with where we have ended up. The plebiscite certainly is not my preferred position either. I put up a cross-party bill back in 2015 in good faith, but it joined the other 17 unsuccessful bills that have gone before it ... This is a battle that has been going on for decades now. And, while I am not challenging the intention of some individuals across politics in championing this cause or those within the marriage equality movement, I am concerned that people are losing sight of the endgame. For them, it is more about the battle than the outcome.It has been a long road to get to this point, and I accept that there are those who are not happy with where we have ended up. The plebiscite certainly is not my preferred position either. I put up a cross-party bill back in 2015 in good faith, but it joined the other 17 unsuccessful bills that have gone before it ... This is a battle that has been going on for decades now. And, while I am not challenging the intention of some individuals across politics in championing this cause or those within the marriage equality movement, I am concerned that people are losing sight of the endgame. For them, it is more about the battle than the outcome.
But the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, also spoke:But the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, also spoke:
This plebiscite is not about marriage equality. It is about two things and two things only: Tony Abbott’s ideology and Malcolm Turnbull’s job security. Equality for minorities should not be conditional on the approval of majorities. You do not have an opinion poll on rights. That is why they are called rights. Imposing this plebiscite would not just be a waste of money or a failure of leadership; I think it would be a failure of basic decency. It is a glaring contradiction of our national ideal of a fair go for all.This plebiscite is not about marriage equality. It is about two things and two things only: Tony Abbott’s ideology and Malcolm Turnbull’s job security. Equality for minorities should not be conditional on the approval of majorities. You do not have an opinion poll on rights. That is why they are called rights. Imposing this plebiscite would not just be a waste of money or a failure of leadership; I think it would be a failure of basic decency. It is a glaring contradiction of our national ideal of a fair go for all.
We will have more of those speeches throughout the day.We will have more of those speeches throughout the day.
On top of that, the revised legislation for the backpackers tax will also come to the house, with the attached increases in the passenger movement charge and the backpacker superannuation changes. Barnaby Joyce has already been out this morning.On top of that, the revised legislation for the backpackers tax will also come to the house, with the attached increases in the passenger movement charge and the backpacker superannuation changes. Barnaby Joyce has already been out this morning.
The Singaporean prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, will address the house mid-morning.The Singaporean prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, will address the house mid-morning.
There is a big cybersecurity report out. Cameron Stewart of the Oz reports:There is a big cybersecurity report out. Cameron Stewart of the Oz reports:
Terrorists could be able to break into secure Australian government networks to wreak significant disruption or destruction within three years, according to a major government report on cyber security.Terrorists could be able to break into secure Australian government networks to wreak significant disruption or destruction within three years, according to a major government report on cyber security.
I will flesh that out in a minute.I will flesh that out in a minute.
Let’s get this baby up and running. Join us in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. Mike is lurking in the building, I am sure he will paint a thousand words shortly.Let’s get this baby up and running. Join us in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. Mike is lurking in the building, I am sure he will paint a thousand words shortly.
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