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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/oct/14/george-brandis-to-appear-at-senate-committee-over-solicitor-general-politics-live

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George Brandis to appear at Senate committee over solicitor general – politics live George Brandis to appear at Senate committee over solicitor general – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.16am BST
00:16
Lastly Malcolm Turnbull comes to the plebiscite. He notes the bill is not through the house yet and mentions that “Labor has listed extra speakers”.
We are calling on the senators to support it.
This goes to the speculation around yesterday that the length of the plebiscite debate in the lower house was quite long given it was scheduled to go to the senate on Wednesday. It is yet to be voted on in the lower house and now cannot go to the senate until the week of November 7, even if it does pass the house next week.
It is the practice with very controversial bills (where everyone may want to have a say) to shorten the speeches to allow for more speakers without holding up house business.
On a side note, just observing the debate yesterday, it did underline the fact this debate has been going on so long, pretty much every argument has been heard in the public domain on both sides. As Warren Entsch said months ago, funding a yes and no case for the plebiscite is completely unnecessary. If people haven’t made up their mind by now, they never will.
12.09am BST
00:09
Malcolm Turnbull goes to the politicians “entitlements”. He wants to start by calling them something different such as work expenses.
I think what used to happen in many years past was politicians were reluctant to increase their salaries and so compensated themselves by having more generous fringe benefits and perks of gold cards and that sort of thing.
It is much better to have a completely transparent system as is the case now and...everything is completely above board.
Now this was responding to a call from Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan yesterday for reform and full implementation of the recommendations out of the Bronwyn Bishop Choppergate report.
12.01am BST
00:01
Malcolm Turnbull says he has full confidence in his financial services minister, Kelly O’Dwyer. And in his justice minister, Michael Keenan.
As one of the saints said, to err is human.
Neil suggests there is a perception of chaos around government.
Oh no there’s not, Neil, seriously.
The Labor party had a success because our guys weren’t paying attention … that is one of the few pleasures of opposition and I don’t begrudge Bill Shorten savouring.
He then notes all the government’s achievements this week, ergo tax cuts, Singapore trade deals, CFA legislation, etc etc.
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11.57pm BST
23:57
Malcolm Turnbull will not commit to the idea of linking home loans to the cash rate. This is the idea where the home loan is in “lockstep” with the cash rate, says Mitchell. The house economics committee, which grilled the bank chiefs, is considering the idea.
Turnbull explains the banks get funding from different sources, which make up the cost of lending. He says the banks have done a “woeful job” of explaining how the business works.
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11.53pm BST11.53pm BST
23:5323:53
Neil Mitchell notes the NSW parliament’s upper house has formally called Donald Trump a “revolting slug”. Malcolm Turnbull says he does not think it’s a big deal and his focus is on government. Mitchell is exercised by Frydenberg’s comments as well. Turnbull is dead batting it in a barrister-ly way. Neil Mitchell notes the NSW parliament’s upper house has formally called Donald Trump a “revolting slug”. Malcolm Turnbull says he doesn’t think it’s a big deal and his focus is on government. Mitchell is exercised by Frydenberg’s comments as well. Turnbull is dead batting it in a barrister-ly way.
Neil says the real meaning of “drop kick” (Frydenberg’s words) are obscene. He is offended by the sound of it. Neil says the real meaning of “dropkick” (Frydenberg’s word) is obscene. He is offended by the sound of it.
Turnbull is not going to buy into the American debate. He will buy into the American congress’ view on the Trans Pacific Partnership. Support it, he says. Turnbull is not going to buy into the American debate. He will buy into the American Congress’s view on the Trans Pacific Partnership. Support it, he says.
I suggest Mr Frydenberg look up way “drop kick” means, says Neil. I suggest Mr Frydenberg look up what “dropkick” means, says Neil.
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11.41pm BST11.41pm BST
23:4123:41
Good morning, blogans.Good morning, blogans.
I know I told you all #politicslive would be back next week but, hey, there is just too much around not to share it with you.I know I told you all #politicslive would be back next week but, hey, there is just too much around not to share it with you.
The main news dish is the attorney general’s appearance at the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee over the dispute with the solicitor general, Justin Gleeson.The main news dish is the attorney general’s appearance at the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee over the dispute with the solicitor general, Justin Gleeson.
The solicitor general will appear at 10.30am followed by a short break and then George Brandis will appear at 12.30pm. He was due to appear earlier but he asked to appear slightly later, for reasons unknown. Things will wind up at 2.15pm.The solicitor general will appear at 10.30am followed by a short break and then George Brandis will appear at 12.30pm. He was due to appear earlier but he asked to appear slightly later, for reasons unknown. Things will wind up at 2.15pm.
But don’t despair, people. There are three other committees on. Malcolm Turnbull has been on radio with Neil Mitchell. I will have a full report but the bit I heard so far involves Turnbull refusing to carpet his energy minister, Josh Frydenberg, for calling Donald Trump a “dropkick”. In my mind, this would seem a perfectly reasonable thing to say.But don’t despair, people. There are three other committees on. Malcolm Turnbull has been on radio with Neil Mitchell. I will have a full report but the bit I heard so far involves Turnbull refusing to carpet his energy minister, Josh Frydenberg, for calling Donald Trump a “dropkick”. In my mind, this would seem a perfectly reasonable thing to say.
And Tony Abbott has been out ahead of the NSW Liberal democratic convention, which is going to have full fireworks at the weekend.And Tony Abbott has been out ahead of the NSW Liberal democratic convention, which is going to have full fireworks at the weekend.
You can speak to me on the Twits @gabriellechan or below in the comments thread. Feel free to ask any questions and I will endeavour to find an answer if I don’t know it.You can speak to me on the Twits @gabriellechan or below in the comments thread. Feel free to ask any questions and I will endeavour to find an answer if I don’t know it.
TGIF.TGIF.
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