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Labor lets fly at embattled Kelly O'Dwyer – politics live Labor lets fly at embattled Kelly O'Dwyer – politics live
(35 minutes later)
7.39am BST
07:39
If you haven’t been following the Williamtown story, it is awful. There was a senate inquiry last year about it. But it is still going.
This story is just one of many, run by the ABC this week.
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has backed down on threatening foreclosure on homes in the NSW town of Salt Ash which have been contaminated by chemicals used at the nearby Williamtown defence base.
Property values in the area have plunged after it was declared to be in the “red zone”, because chemicals from the RAAF base had leached into the area’s bore water.
Banks had threatened foreclosure, but after the matter was raised at last week’s parliamentary inquiry into the banking sector, CBA says its foreclosure letters were the result of an administrative error.
Rob Roseworne, a home and business owner in Salt Ash who is a CBA customer, said his bank had been spooked by his properties’ subsequent drop in value.
“Initially I felt that I was being harassed and bullied and threatened with foreclosure,” he said.
Greens senator Lee Rhiannon is speaking now, saying none of the banks will lend in the contaminated area. She says in spite of the government admission that it is fully responsible for the contamination through the defence department, the residents effected have not been assisted. Rhiannon said the senate inquiry found the residents should be compensated and provided free health care.
7.26am BST
07:26
Now National senator John Williams says he is horrified at this Williamtown problem which he had only heard about in the past few days due to Burston’s motion.
He has contacted the banks because he learned a lot of the victims of this contamination had had their houses devalued. The big four banks and the Bankers Association told Williams they would look at it.
Through no fault of their own because of where they bought near Williamtown...
7.21am BST
07:21
It is Gabi back again.
I have retained some composure now. The house has adjourned but the senate is still going. One Nation’s Brian Burston has moved a motion that appears to have the support of Labor or at least senator Doug Cameron.
This is the motion.
To move—That the Senate—
(a) supports the efforts of the Department of Defence and other Commonwealth and state government agencies responding to environmental and health issues arising out of firefighting foam contamination at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales and Army Aviation Centre Oakey in Queensland, including engaging the University of Newcastle Family Action Centre (UNFAC) to develop and deliver mental health awareness and stress management activities in the Williamtown area;
(b) notes that:
(i) some landholders in the immediate vicinity of Williamtown Air Base and Oakey Army Aviation Centre are reporting difficulties accessing equity, property value impacts and difficulty selling their land,
(ii) the Department of Defence has met with a number of lending institutions and the Australian Property Institute to discuss property lending policies and practices and how valuations are conducted in the Williamtown area, and
(iii) the Department of Defence has committed to review the issue of property acquisition once detailed environmental investigations at No. 10—13October20169RAAF Base Williamtown and Army Aviation Centre Oakey have been concluded; and
(c) calls on the Government to expedite environmental investigations of the impact of firefighting foam contamination at Williamtown and Oakey to enable landholders to address thedilemma of land remediation or relocation, and move on with their lives and deal with issues of mental health and stress management.
In a speech out of the “how to win friends and influence people” bucket, Cameron says he thinks a lot of what One Nation talks about is total rubbish. But this motion, Cameron says, is a good one and if he brings more like these - Burston will have a successful career in the senate.
6.55am BST6.55am BST
06:5506:55
Why hello again! I am back for the adjournment debate. Thanks to Paul Karp for stepping into the breach.Why hello again! I am back for the adjournment debate. Thanks to Paul Karp for stepping into the breach.
Arrghhhh I’m losing it.Arrghhhh I’m losing it.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.00am BSTat 7.00am BST
6.40am BST6.40am BST
06:4006:40
Senator Derryn Hinch on Sky News has said that he wants to bring a motion in the Senate on Thursday so that the new photography rules apply from the next sitting day, 7 November (instead of 28 November).Senator Derryn Hinch on Sky News has said that he wants to bring a motion in the Senate on Thursday so that the new photography rules apply from the next sitting day, 7 November (instead of 28 November).
Hinch also said his initial view was that a plebiscite as a last resort would be a good idea.Hinch also said his initial view was that a plebiscite as a last resort would be a good idea.
Then I saw the cost of it. And It’s not fair, we’re not here to judge people’s lives and who loves who, it’s not our call.Then I saw the cost of it. And It’s not fair, we’re not here to judge people’s lives and who loves who, it’s not our call.
6.34am BST6.34am BST
06:3406:34
Liberal MP Craig Kelly is speaking on the plebiscite bill.Liberal MP Craig Kelly is speaking on the plebiscite bill.
He’s attacked Labor for sending out text messages that “appeared to be official communications from Medicare” at the federal election, linking the two issues by arguing they both represent a disdain for democracy:He’s attacked Labor for sending out text messages that “appeared to be official communications from Medicare” at the federal election, linking the two issues by arguing they both represent a disdain for democracy:
There was no embarrassment, no apology, just a ha ha ha we tricked you. That is the disdain we’re seeing for the democratic process.There was no embarrassment, no apology, just a ha ha ha we tricked you. That is the disdain we’re seeing for the democratic process.
If false statements are made in trade or commerce they are unlawful, Kelly said.If false statements are made in trade or commerce they are unlawful, Kelly said.
It’s an interesting point but it does tend to lend weight to the concern that the set up of the plebiscite allows third-party groups to run advertisements without any restraint on the nature or truth of their messages.It’s an interesting point but it does tend to lend weight to the concern that the set up of the plebiscite allows third-party groups to run advertisements without any restraint on the nature or truth of their messages.
6.28am BST6.28am BST
06:2806:28
I’m back watching the debate on the government’s plebiscite bill in the lower house.I’m back watching the debate on the government’s plebiscite bill in the lower house.
Labor’s Stephen Jones referred to new research on the negative social and psychological impacts of the no campaign in Ireland by researchers at Australia’s University of Queensland and Victoria University.Labor’s Stephen Jones referred to new research on the negative social and psychological impacts of the no campaign in Ireland by researchers at Australia’s University of Queensland and Victoria University.
As Guardian Australia reported the survey of more than 1,600 LGBTI campaigners found:As Guardian Australia reported the survey of more than 1,600 LGBTI campaigners found:
6.21am BST6.21am BST
06:2106:21
NXT senator Stirling Griff calls for public ownership of utilitiesNXT senator Stirling Griff calls for public ownership of utilities
Stirling Griff is setting out an economic agenda quite at odds with the bipartisan consensus of economic rationalism (or neoliberalism, depending who you ask).Stirling Griff is setting out an economic agenda quite at odds with the bipartisan consensus of economic rationalism (or neoliberalism, depending who you ask).
He’s just called for government ownership of essential utilities including electricity, water and gas and the national broadband network.He’s just called for government ownership of essential utilities including electricity, water and gas and the national broadband network.
Griff also called for governments to “buy Australian first”, arguing the country is spending millions of dollars on foreign goods decreasing jobs and economic activity here. Even the crockery with the Australian emblem in the parliament dining rooms is made overseas, he says.Griff also called for governments to “buy Australian first”, arguing the country is spending millions of dollars on foreign goods decreasing jobs and economic activity here. Even the crockery with the Australian emblem in the parliament dining rooms is made overseas, he says.
6.14am BST6.14am BST
06:1406:14
NXT senator Stirling Griff is delivering his first speech in the Senate.NXT senator Stirling Griff is delivering his first speech in the Senate.
Griff called for pre-university internships so young people consider what career is right for them rather than going to university just to get their parents off their backs.Griff called for pre-university internships so young people consider what career is right for them rather than going to university just to get their parents off their backs.
Australia already has too many law graduates that instead of becoming solicitors, end up as baristas. And Nick [Xenophon] didn’t help me with that one.Australia already has too many law graduates that instead of becoming solicitors, end up as baristas. And Nick [Xenophon] didn’t help me with that one.
This post has been amended as Griff was incorrectly called a One Nation senator. Guardian Australia apologises.This post has been amended as Griff was incorrectly called a One Nation senator. Guardian Australia apologises.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.58am BSTat 6.58am BST
6.10am BST6.10am BST
06:1006:10
Paul KarpPaul Karp
A detail I forgot to bring you from Senate question time:A detail I forgot to bring you from Senate question time:
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts asked Simon Birmingham for empirical evidence of climate change, as Birmo was representing the environment and energy minister in Senate question time.One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts asked Simon Birmingham for empirical evidence of climate change, as Birmo was representing the environment and energy minister in Senate question time.
He responded:He responded:
The Turnbull government accepts the science of climate change. We take our advice from the chief scientist, the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and the departments of the environment and energy as well as leading world science organisations.The Turnbull government accepts the science of climate change. We take our advice from the chief scientist, the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and the departments of the environment and energy as well as leading world science organisations.
Birmingham then gives some of that empirical evidence, including:Birmingham then gives some of that empirical evidence, including:
That’s the evidence: it’s getting hot in here.That’s the evidence: it’s getting hot in here.
6.06am BST6.06am BST
06:0606:06
Tony Burke has taken aim particularly at Kelly O’Dwyer, and said the revenue and financial services minister was not able to answer “one simple question” about the government’s multinational tax avoidance bill.Tony Burke has taken aim particularly at Kelly O’Dwyer, and said the revenue and financial services minister was not able to answer “one simple question” about the government’s multinational tax avoidance bill.
That question was shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen’s, question about the tax treatment of affected dividends. Seems that one wasn’t in the question time brief, as my colleague Gabi Chan concluded she was not able to answer the specifics.That question was shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen’s, question about the tax treatment of affected dividends. Seems that one wasn’t in the question time brief, as my colleague Gabi Chan concluded she was not able to answer the specifics.
5.58am BST5.58am BST
05:5805:58
Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, is giving a press conference to suggest that Malcolm Turnbull did not defend his colleagues George Brandis, Sussan Ley, Kelly O’Dwyer and Chris Pyne in question time when asked if they were up to their jobs.Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, is giving a press conference to suggest that Malcolm Turnbull did not defend his colleagues George Brandis, Sussan Ley, Kelly O’Dwyer and Chris Pyne in question time when asked if they were up to their jobs.
He can’t back them in because it’s too humiliating ... but nor can he discipline them, because the instability in the government is extraordinary and he can’t have a former minister joining a former prime minister on the back bench.He can’t back them in because it’s too humiliating ... but nor can he discipline them, because the instability in the government is extraordinary and he can’t have a former minister joining a former prime minister on the back bench.
5.53am BST5.53am BST
05:5305:53
It was this big I tell you!It was this big I tell you!
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.59am BSTat 5.59am BST
5.40am BST5.40am BST
05:4005:40
Kicked out under section 94A? A-OKKicked out under section 94A? A-OK
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.43am BSTat 5.43am BST