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Senate president employs ex-Liberal MP on special allocation from PM – politics live Senate president employs ex-Liberal MP on special allocation from PM – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.55am BST
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Katharine Murphy is also trawling the additional information.
We learn more of the Lodge renovations:
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Nick Xenophon is questioning the Department of Parliamentary Services. He wants to know about how the email services for MPs and parliamentary staff are dealt with.
We learn that the:
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Paul Karp
Senator Nick McKim is using Senate estimates to quiz the Australian federal police about the department of immigration revealing that 19 referrals to the Nauruan police have been made over alleged violence and sexual assault.
The AFP deputy commissioner Justine Saunders responded that 14 incidents were referred to the Nauruan police. Of those, nine were closed owing to insufficient evidence, one was withdrawn, in one instance the investigation concluded that no offence was committed and two remain open.
Saunders said of the referrals, one has resulted in the charge of a suspect with an assault offence and the matter is before the court.
Asked why immigration had said the number was 19 and the AFP believed it was 14, Saunders replied to ask the immigration department but “perhaps [they] didn’t meet the threshold to refer to the Nauruan police”.
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Advice for senior government officers travelling to China
Back to supplementary answers:
Back in February, then senator Stephen Conroy
What advice would you give to a high-ranking PM&C official who indicated that they were going on holiday in China? What advice would you give to that government official about their personal communications devices?
This was the answer from PM&C today:
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) would provide a detailed security briefing to the travelling employee. Information on device security, exploitation methods, security measures and considerations while abroad would be provided.
Whole-of-government resources are used in the development of the briefings, with particular emphasis on Information Security Manual (ISM) controls, as published by the Australian Signals Directorate.
PM&C provides the same advice for both personal and business devices. The ISM controls are amended to reflect personal electronic devices and any personal services or accounts the official may use while travelling. Department officials are reminded that the use of consumer or commercial services for the transmission of classified or sensitive official information is not permitted.
This question was getting to assistant defence minister Stuart Roberts.
Conroy wanted to know about Roberts’ personal devices.
The answer provided today:
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is not aware if there is any process in train regarding personal devices issued to the former Assistant Minister for Defence.
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
In Senate Estimates, AFP assistant commissioner Ramsey Jabbour has revealed the federal police have not made any applications for a warrant to access journalists’ metadata in the last 12 months.In Senate Estimates, AFP assistant commissioner Ramsey Jabbour has revealed the federal police have not made any applications for a warrant to access journalists’ metadata in the last 12 months.
Nick Xenophon is annoyed that previously at estimates he was denied this information. AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin concedes he is prohibited from discussing specific cases but can give general numbers.Nick Xenophon is annoyed that previously at estimates he was denied this information. AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin concedes he is prohibited from discussing specific cases but can give general numbers.
Colvin added:Colvin added:
We did say it would be a very rarely used piece of legislation – we’ve been shown to be quite truthful. I won’t say we’ll never use it of course.We did say it would be a very rarely used piece of legislation – we’ve been shown to be quite truthful. I won’t say we’ll never use it of course.
In April Guardian Australia reported the AFP admitted they sought access to reporter Paul Farrell’s metadata without a warrant in 2014 in an attempt to hunt down his sources.In April Guardian Australia reported the AFP admitted they sought access to reporter Paul Farrell’s metadata without a warrant in 2014 in an attempt to hunt down his sources.
That was before the law was changed requiring a warrant. Xenophon moved on to another line of questioning, surprised that the answer was that no warrants were sought. Perhaps he should’ve asked how often police accessed journalists’ metadata before the regime required a warrant.That was before the law was changed requiring a warrant. Xenophon moved on to another line of questioning, surprised that the answer was that no warrants were sought. Perhaps he should’ve asked how often police accessed journalists’ metadata before the regime required a warrant.
12.23am BST12.23am BST
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PM's Lodge luggage lift: $83,535.75PM's Lodge luggage lift: $83,535.75
There has been last minute drop of additional answers to supplementary questions. Let me explain. When the departments cannot answer a question, they take it on notice and the answers are delivered at a later time.There has been last minute drop of additional answers to supplementary questions. Let me explain. When the departments cannot answer a question, they take it on notice and the answers are delivered at a later time.
These additional answers from estimates in February have been dropped just before these estimates - hoping that it will be swept away in the news squall that generally happens around estimates.These additional answers from estimates in February have been dropped just before these estimates - hoping that it will be swept away in the news squall that generally happens around estimates.
Around the extra committees, I will work my way through the answers.Around the extra committees, I will work my way through the answers.
Here is one:Here is one:
The cost of the specialised luggage lift put into the Lodge during the recent renovation was $83,535.75 (excluding GST), including installation.The cost of the specialised luggage lift put into the Lodge during the recent renovation was $83,535.75 (excluding GST), including installation.
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
Treasurer Scott Morrison has spoken on 2GB Radio about the government’s bill to strip people involved in terrorist offences of their citizenship.Treasurer Scott Morrison has spoken on 2GB Radio about the government’s bill to strip people involved in terrorist offences of their citizenship.
Morrison he had “no doubt” that advocates will legally challenge them in the High Court, but said in the meantime they are being implemented and “tightly followed”.Morrison he had “no doubt” that advocates will legally challenge them in the High Court, but said in the meantime they are being implemented and “tightly followed”.
He added:He added:
They’re dual citizens as well, so it’s not like they’re left stateless under these laws. By their own actions they’d be disqualifying themselves to the values of Australia. I’m very proud we put these laws in place – it’s a signal that citizenship matters, and obligations attach to [citizenship], not just rights. Those obligations include holding to our values.They’re dual citizens as well, so it’s not like they’re left stateless under these laws. By their own actions they’d be disqualifying themselves to the values of Australia. I’m very proud we put these laws in place – it’s a signal that citizenship matters, and obligations attach to [citizenship], not just rights. Those obligations include holding to our values.
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The finance committee is finished with the Parliamentary Budget Office and on to the Department of Parliamentary Services. This is the department that supports the functions of parliament and pollies. In another hour, we will be on to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, mustered by George Brandis.The finance committee is finished with the Parliamentary Budget Office and on to the Department of Parliamentary Services. This is the department that supports the functions of parliament and pollies. In another hour, we will be on to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, mustered by George Brandis.
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In case you are wondering what the cost might be of Hutchinson’s new special representational work for the Senate president, it could be up to $160,000 – under a special allocation from Turnbull.In case you are wondering what the cost might be of Hutchinson’s new special representational work for the Senate president, it could be up to $160,000 – under a special allocation from Turnbull.
Government personal employees other than senior staff, such as an adviserGovernment personal employees other than senior staff, such as an adviser
A handy salary guide can be found here.A handy salary guide can be found here.
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A round plug in a round hole.A round plug in a round hole.
11.56pm BST11.56pm BST
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In finance committee, senators are on to the Parliamentary Budget Office.In finance committee, senators are on to the Parliamentary Budget Office.
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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, a former Liberal MP who lost his seat at the last election, has been hired as an adviser 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 the 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 Penny 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.
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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.
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.
11.11pm BST
23:11
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. 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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10.30pm BST
22:30
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 10.36pm BST