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Malcolm Turnbull meets News Corp editors as parliament resumes – politics live Malcolm Turnbull meets News Corp editors as parliament resumes – politics live
(35 minutes later)
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Top 50 domain visits in PM's office since Malcolm Turnbull took over #auspol #estimates pic.twitter.com/F85zA69jcw
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Senate president employs former Liberal MP for additional work
So just to be straight. Eric Hutchinson, former Liberal MP, who lost his seat at the last election, has been hired as an advisor to the senate president for his presidential role - not his party role. It was made possible by an “extra allocation” by the prime minister.
But senate president Stephen Parry confirms Hutchinson will do extra “representational work” in Tasmania.
(Which sounds like rebuilding the Liberal brand in Tassie.)
You appointed a mate to do work in your electorate, says Wong.
If you were there senator Wong, you would equally...(Parry’s voice trails off...)
Parry says Hutchinson’s experience as an ex-parliamentarian made him suitable.
It was my fortune and his misfortune...a round plug into a round hole, says Parry.
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I’m told the Parry staffer is Eric Hutchinson, former Liberal MP for Lyons.
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Wong notes that the crossbenchers have received extra funds from the prime minister’s office for extra staff to get across all the legislation. They receive an extra three staff – giving them seven staff in total.
Wong says, however, that the Senate department that supports the crossbenchers has received no extra budget.
The clerk of the Senate, Rosemary Laing, says she is hoping crossbenchers get more self-sufficient, such that they can:
navigate simple procedures for themselves.
But Stephen Parry, LNP senator and president, says he has received an extra staff member to deal with lots of extra work as president, including representational events in Tasmania.
The prime minister has approved an extra staff member for the extra work as Senate president.
Wong makes the point the extra staffer was for Senate work – rather than doing party work such as “representational events”. Parry counters that all his staff are Liberal members so he may attend party events but “not formally”.
Parry says the staffer is a former MP who lost his seat at the last election. (Remember there was the Liberal Tasmanian wipe-out.)
Trying to find out who …
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Wong’s questioning has borne some fruit. Senate department admit that a shortage of staff led to absence of an officer within one of the public galleries last week.Wong’s questioning has borne some fruit. Senate department admit that a shortage of staff led to absence of an officer within one of the public galleries last week.
The deputy usher of the black rod says “staffing across the galleries were a little bit stretched”. He says there was a couple of instances where officers were only outside the door.The deputy usher of the black rod says “staffing across the galleries were a little bit stretched”. He says there was a couple of instances where officers were only outside the door.
The security staff make sure there are no breaches of security, such as protests.The security staff make sure there are no breaches of security, such as protests.
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The finance committee will drill down into the workings and budgets of the parliamentary building. Penny Wong is starting in the senate department and its security checkpoints. Her presence is usually a good sign of where the interesting stuff is happening. She is Labor’s chief prosecutor in senate estimates. The finance committee will drill down into the workings and budgets of the parliamentary building. Penny Wong is starting in the Senate department and its security checkpoints. Her presence is usually a good sign of where the interesting stuff is happening. She is Labor’s chief prosecutor in Senate estimates.
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Hold on to your hats. LNP senator James “Blue Poles” Paterson is chairing the finance and public admin committee which will start with the department of senate. Senate prez Stephen Parry is in the chair. Hold on to your hats. The LNP senator James “Blue Poles” Paterson is chairing the finance and public admin committee which will start with the Department of the Senate. The Senate prez, Stephen Parry, is in the chair.
And that well known conciliator LNP senator Ian Macdonald is chairing the legal and constitutional committee with the Australian Federal Police up first. And that well-known conciliator LNP senator Ian Macdonald is chairing the legal and constitutional committee with the Australian federal police up first.
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There has been significant movement on Liberals’ attempts to open up the NSW division to plebiscites, similar to moves Labor has made, though not stretching as far as a vote for the parliamentary leader.There has been significant movement on Liberals’ attempts to open up the NSW division to plebiscites, similar to moves Labor has made, though not stretching as far as a vote for the parliamentary leader.
All smoke signals suggest Turnbull is going to back a Warringah motion to offer plebiscites for all financial members.All smoke signals suggest Turnbull is going to back a Warringah motion to offer plebiscites for all financial members.
Malcolm Turnbull is expected to support a motion to the New South Wales Liberal state council from Tony Abbott’s own Warringah branches which could open up preselections to ordinary members for all federal and NSW candidates.Malcolm Turnbull is expected to support a motion to the New South Wales Liberal state council from Tony Abbott’s own Warringah branches which could open up preselections to ordinary members for all federal and NSW candidates.
If passed by the Liberal state council on 22 October, the motion from the Warringah federal electoral conference (FEC) would amend the NSW division’s constitution to allow each financial party member a vote for their local, state and federal Liberal candidates, senators and state upper house members.If passed by the Liberal state council on 22 October, the motion from the Warringah federal electoral conference (FEC) would amend the NSW division’s constitution to allow each financial party member a vote for their local, state and federal Liberal candidates, senators and state upper house members.
The current constitution has candidates chosen by a small group of party delegates.The current constitution has candidates chosen by a small group of party delegates.
Senior Liberal sources said the prime minister, who has long privately supported party plebiscites, was expected to support the motion.Senior Liberal sources said the prime minister, who has long privately supported party plebiscites, was expected to support the motion.
It is a bold move by Turnbull, given the reform campaign has been run by Abbott’s own FEC president, Walter Villatora, and championed by Abbott in recent months. The prime minister is also expected to attend the state council but it is not yet known whether he would speak to the motion.It is a bold move by Turnbull, given the reform campaign has been run by Abbott’s own FEC president, Walter Villatora, and championed by Abbott in recent months. The prime minister is also expected to attend the state council but it is not yet known whether he would speak to the motion.
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
Snap analysis from Paul Karp:Snap analysis from Paul Karp:
The Australian has reported that One Nation’s support has quadrupled nationwide, and almost doubled to 10% in Queensland.The Australian has reported that One Nation’s support has quadrupled nationwide, and almost doubled to 10% in Queensland.
Drill down and the results are not nearly as impressive as they appear. The Australian has compared One Nation’s 6% support in Newspolls since the 2 July election, with their 1.3% lower house primary vote at the election.Drill down and the results are not nearly as impressive as they appear. The Australian has compared One Nation’s 6% support in Newspolls since the 2 July election, with their 1.3% lower house primary vote at the election.
But according to the article, One Nation only ran candidates in 12 Queensland seats and three in New South Wales, meaning only about one in 10 voters could vote for One Nation in the lower house at the election.But according to the article, One Nation only ran candidates in 12 Queensland seats and three in New South Wales, meaning only about one in 10 voters could vote for One Nation in the lower house at the election.
When you compare the Newspoll results to One Nation’s Senate vote, the party’s vote has increased from 4.3% at the election to 6% in the poll averages. This is arguably a fairer comparison because voters in all states had a One Nation candidate on the ballot.When you compare the Newspoll results to One Nation’s Senate vote, the party’s vote has increased from 4.3% at the election to 6% in the poll averages. This is arguably a fairer comparison because voters in all states had a One Nation candidate on the ballot.
The Australian reported in Queensland One Nation has almost doubled its 5.5% lower house vote at the election to 10% in the poll averages. But its Senate vote at the election in Queensland was 9.2%, pointing again to a much more modest rise.The Australian reported in Queensland One Nation has almost doubled its 5.5% lower house vote at the election to 10% in the poll averages. But its Senate vote at the election in Queensland was 9.2%, pointing again to a much more modest rise.
What it does show is that One Nation’s lower house vote would increase if it ran candidates in every lower house seat – fair enough, but not as surprising a result as a “quadrupling” of the One Nation vote nationwide.What it does show is that One Nation’s lower house vote would increase if it ran candidates in every lower house seat – fair enough, but not as surprising a result as a “quadrupling” of the One Nation vote nationwide.
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Good morning, blogan family,Good morning, blogan family,
I am strangely calm this morning. It could be that we are in the eye of the storm. It could be that I have crossed into a parliamentary twilight zone. It is most likely to be this agenda today.I am strangely calm this morning. It could be that we are in the eye of the storm. It could be that I have crossed into a parliamentary twilight zone. It is most likely to be this agenda today.
There is also lots of news.There is also lots of news.
We know from Tom McIlroy of Fairfax that media bigwigs dined at the Lodge ahead of another parliamentary sitting week. It was informal, says Tom. I’m thinking open shirts, kicking back on the sofas, a few beers under the wisteria. A bit of cross-media conviviality.We know from Tom McIlroy of Fairfax that media bigwigs dined at the Lodge ahead of another parliamentary sitting week. It was informal, says Tom. I’m thinking open shirts, kicking back on the sofas, a few beers under the wisteria. A bit of cross-media conviviality.
The guestlist is understood to have included editor of the Australian, Paul Whittaker, Chris Dore from Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun’s Damon Johnston, and Courier-Mail boss Lachlan Heywood.The guestlist is understood to have included editor of the Australian, Paul Whittaker, Chris Dore from Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun’s Damon Johnston, and Courier-Mail boss Lachlan Heywood.
It comes weeks after editors from Fairfax Media met with Mr Turnbull at an afternoon tea event in Sydney.It comes weeks after editors from Fairfax Media met with Mr Turnbull at an afternoon tea event in Sydney.
ABC and SBS chiefs are set to appear before Senate estimates hearings at Parliament House on Tuesday, while a parliamentary inquiry considering the government’s proposed media reforms is due to present its report next month.ABC and SBS chiefs are set to appear before Senate estimates hearings at Parliament House on Tuesday, while a parliamentary inquiry considering the government’s proposed media reforms is due to present its report next month.
We know from Adele Ferguson of the Fin that:We know from Adele Ferguson of the Fin that:
Financial services minister Kelly O’Dywer will on Monday announce the government will create a new independent standards body that will be given broad powers to govern professional standards for financial advisers, including setting a code of ethics.Financial services minister Kelly O’Dywer will on Monday announce the government will create a new independent standards body that will be given broad powers to govern professional standards for financial advisers, including setting a code of ethics.
The big banks and AMP will bankroll the establishment of the statutory body and the minister will appoint members of the board. Once it is up and running, the government will work with the industry to develop an ongoing industry funding model.The big banks and AMP will bankroll the establishment of the statutory body and the minister will appoint members of the board. Once it is up and running, the government will work with the industry to develop an ongoing industry funding model.
A new set of professional standards for financial advisers to be mandated through legislation will be introduced into parliament this year.A new set of professional standards for financial advisers to be mandated through legislation will be introduced into parliament this year.
This is yet another brick in the dam wall to hold off a bank royal commission.This is yet another brick in the dam wall to hold off a bank royal commission.
Malcolm Turnbull has returned to his roots, so to speak, and penned a piece for the Oz about the importance of industrial relations reform, aka the bills that launched a thousand slips at the July election. I’m talking the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the registered organisations bill. He presents a case against the CFMEU and its “sizeable” donations to the Labor party. I’ll just give you the first and last par.Malcolm Turnbull has returned to his roots, so to speak, and penned a piece for the Oz about the importance of industrial relations reform, aka the bills that launched a thousand slips at the July election. I’m talking the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the registered organisations bill. He presents a case against the CFMEU and its “sizeable” donations to the Labor party. I’ll just give you the first and last par.
When politicians are presented with a clear problem for which there is a proven solution, they have a responsibility to act. Parliament will soon be asked to pass legislation reintroducing the Australian Building and Construction Commission. The case is overwhelming and growing …When politicians are presented with a clear problem for which there is a proven solution, they have a responsibility to act. Parliament will soon be asked to pass legislation reintroducing the Australian Building and Construction Commission. The case is overwhelming and growing …
The Senate showed it can work to fix a problem, when 10 crossbenchers supported legislation that will protect Victoria’s Country Fire Authority and its tens of thousands of volunteers from a hostile union takeover. Soon these senators will have the opportunity to stand up to another bully and fix another problem. By restoring the ABCC, we can create a better construction industry, which in turn will build a stronger Australia.The Senate showed it can work to fix a problem, when 10 crossbenchers supported legislation that will protect Victoria’s Country Fire Authority and its tens of thousands of volunteers from a hostile union takeover. Soon these senators will have the opportunity to stand up to another bully and fix another problem. By restoring the ABCC, we can create a better construction industry, which in turn will build a stronger Australia.
Malcolm Turnbull is the prime minister of Australia.Malcolm Turnbull is the prime minister of Australia.
All about problem solving, which is the PM’s preferred narrative these days (noted by Katharine Murphy here). His theme dovetails neatly with Bill Shorten’s choice of his friend and ally Kimberly Kitching to replace Stephen Conroy in the Senate. The trade union royal commission report recommending the Department of Public Prosecutions consider prosecuting Kitching over claims made in the trade union royal commission. Kitching has denied all the claims.All about problem solving, which is the PM’s preferred narrative these days (noted by Katharine Murphy here). His theme dovetails neatly with Bill Shorten’s choice of his friend and ally Kimberly Kitching to replace Stephen Conroy in the Senate. The trade union royal commission report recommending the Department of Public Prosecutions consider prosecuting Kitching over claims made in the trade union royal commission. Kitching has denied all the claims.
So the cabinet secretary, Arthur Sinodinos, was out yesterday, talking up the registered orgs bill which establishes a registered organisations commission to impose criminal penalties on wrongdoers. Segue to Kitching and we have headlines this morning: Coalition attacks Labor’s choice of senator. Breaking.So the cabinet secretary, Arthur Sinodinos, was out yesterday, talking up the registered orgs bill which establishes a registered organisations commission to impose criminal penalties on wrongdoers. Segue to Kitching and we have headlines this morning: Coalition attacks Labor’s choice of senator. Breaking.
There is a Newspoll around which I will bring you shortly. The headline is that Pauline Hanson’s support has skyrocketed. The fineprint is that she is coming off a relatively low base.There is a Newspoll around which I will bring you shortly. The headline is that Pauline Hanson’s support has skyrocketed. The fineprint is that she is coming off a relatively low base.
Mike Bowers is in the building, stalking the halls. He is @mpbowers, I am @gabriellechan on the Twits and we best get on before estimates begin in earnest.Mike Bowers is in the building, stalking the halls. He is @mpbowers, I am @gabriellechan on the Twits and we best get on before estimates begin in earnest.
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