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Malcolm Turnbull says there is 'no chance' of Coalition watering down gun laws – politics live
Malcolm Turnbull says there is 'no chance' of Coalition watering down gun laws – politics live
(35 minutes later)
8.38am BST
08:38
Night time politics
I better step away from the live publishing tool now.
Tomorrow we have more estimates and more lower house. Thanks to the blog feeders, Paul Karp, Gareth Hutchens, Amanda Meade, Jasper Lindell and Mikey Bowers. As well as you, dear readers.
Good night.
8.19am BST
08:19
The ABCC bill has just gone through the lower house.
NXT senator Rebekha Sharkie voted for the bill. Which gives you an idea of where Nick Xenophon is going to go in the Senate. He is looking to amend in the Senate.
Indi independent Cathy McGowan also voted for the bill.
Denison independent Andrew Wilkie voted against.
Bob Katter was not listed in the vote.
Updated
at 8.21am BST
8.06am BST
08:06
Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s CEO Lesley Podesta has been meeting with MPs in Canberra today to urge them to maintain strong gun laws.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is calling for urgent action to ensure that our firearm laws remain strong, and asks that:
1. All states and territories pledge to ensure their gun laws are maintained in line with the National Firearms Agreement 1996, and continue to do so.
2. All firearms capable of firing multiple shots in quick succession and which could be used to harm a number of people in a short amount of time should be restricted, including the Adler A110.
The Foundation is running a petition to that effect.
Updated
at 8.11am BST
7.56am BST
7.56am BST
07:56
07:56
The prime minister is speaking on the ABCC bill. Given most government questions spoke to this bill during question time, I won’t give you chapter and verse on it.
The prime minister is speaking on the ABCC bill. Given most government questions spoke to this bill during question time, I won’t give you chapter and verse on it.
7.45am BST
7.45am BST
07:45
07:45
Liberal senator Jane Hume complimenting the ABC's Howard on Menzies and requests a return of Spicks and Specks #estimates
Liberal senator Jane Hume complimenting the ABC's Howard on Menzies and requests a return of Spicks and Specks #estimates
7.45am BST
7.45am BST
07:45
07:45
ABC ed director Alan Sunderland telling Jane Hume he won't launch inquiry into @4corners simply bc she didn't like Nauru program #estimates
ABC ed director Alan Sunderland telling Jane Hume he won't launch inquiry into @4corners simply bc she didn't like Nauru program #estimates
Updated
at 8.14am BST
7.40am BST
7.40am BST
07:40
07:40
Updated
at 8.14am BST
7.37am BST
7.37am BST
07:37
07:37
Updated
at 8.14am BST
7.35am BST
7.35am BST
07:35
07:35
Diversity warrior Eric Abetz.
Diversity warrior Eric Abetz.
Updated
at 8.15am BST
7.31am BST
7.31am BST
07:31
07:31
Legal and Constitutional is running well behind because of the marathon five hour questioning of Gillian Triggs, who was only scheduled to appear for 45 minutes.
Legal and Constitutional is running well behind because of the marathon five-hour questioning of Gillian Triggs, who was only scheduled to appear for 45 minutes.
7.28am BST
07:28
Amanda Meade
ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie is facing one of the ABC’s biggest critics, Senator Eric Abetz, at a senate estimates communications committee.
The ABC’s editorial director Alan Sunderland is answering many of the questions for her as he is more across the detail.
Abetz is asking about an ABC News story about a five-year-old being raped on Nauru which the ABC later retracted.
Abetz does not believe the ABC’s apology was comprehensive enough.
“Serious and important errors” were admitted, Sunderland says, but we corrected the error.
Abetz then turns to Guthrie and asks her about her statement about diversity:
I note in recent times you were looking for diversity of presenters on the ABC, is that correct?
Guthrie:
One of the opportunities we have is to be more reflective of the community.
Abetz:
May I suggest you get some diversity in relation to people’s views.
7.04am BST
07:04
One of our readers has taken issue with my characterisation of the Adler as a more lethal weapon than the ones in the same category (if it stays in A).
Reader reasons if a weapon can kill, a faster or more powerful weapon cannot kill you even more. I take the point.
So perhaps what I should have said is that the Adler would allow someone to kill more things more quickly.
As its advocate David Leyonhjelm said when asked why the Adler was necessary:
[Feral pigs] frequently have substantial litters and so if you have more than five rounds you might kill the entire litter rather than miss some and reload. Shotguns, with the magazine, are slow to reload. Having seven rounds might mean you clean up the litter and rid the country of more pigs.
6.52am BST
06:52
My kingdom for a gun expert.
In the meantime, let me segue to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) that Barnaby Joyce wants to move from Canberra to his electorate. This is a promise he made ahead of his election battle with Tony Windsor.
There is supposed to be a cabinet submission containing a cost benefit analysis about this move. It has not been forthcoming. Lots of APVMA staff have homes and families in Canberra and so they are cranky. They have to move their lives. Or move their jobs.
The issue came up in estimates amongst all the derp of everything that has come before us.
Praise the lords for Aunty, because Anna Vidot was there. She sheds a bit of light with her Twitter feed.
Ag #estimates hears 48 staff left APVMA in '15-16 for various reasons, 23 since 1July. Whether relocation plan was a factor not addressed. pic.twitter.com/QV4UnBptMD
.@SenatorWacka making the case for APVMA and other decentralisation as a way to address housing unaffordability in cap cities. #estimates
Williams to APVMA: Avg price of Canb house $600k, in Armidale 350k. Are people concerned about the price of housing in Armidale? #estimates
APVMA CEO KareenaArthy says it's not cost of Armidale housing that's concerning people, but of relocating to Armidale... >> #estimates
Arthy: [Staff asking] if grants will be provided for real estate fees,stamp duty. "These are things staffing are raising with me" #estimates
South Australian senator Anne Ruston:
Ruston: "Cost-benefit analysis but one element of decision making process,not only instrument gov relies on in fulfilling election cmitmnts"
Ag #estimates committee bumping up against that "public interest immunity" issue from earlier in qns on APVMA relocation plans: #auspol pic.twitter.com/wYznNnUA40
6.34am BST
06:34
The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has just been interviewed by David Speers on Sky. I feel his pain (Speers). He was trying to nail down two points.
Was it OK to horse trade on legislation, ie gun laws for national security legislation?
There was no clear answer.
What is the government’s position on the Adler?
There is a ban. We extended the ban. We support the Coag process, says Dutton.
This does not tell us what the government position is on the gun going into Coag.
The meeting is this Friday.
Updated
Updated
at 6.45am BST
at 8.15am BST
6.26am BST
06:26
6.13am BST
06:13
The Adler story
I just want to step back and summarise this gun debate because it is quite complex. Granted, everyone has had a crack at summarising but this is my version.
So there are two issues:
This has allowed many straw men to flourish.
The National Firearms Agreement – or the Howard gun laws – will still be in place, no matter what the outcome for the Adler. Because this is the framework for the gun laws.
This means that the government can say rightly they are still committed to the Howard gun laws.
But if the Adler is allowed in on the lowest category – as Leyonhjelm wants – there will be a more lethal weapon available to ordinary shooters.
Updated
at 6.47am BST
5.23am BST
05:23
Paul Karp
AHRC president Gillian Triggs is being asked about complaints made under s18C of the Racial Discrimination Act in Senate estimates.
Triggs notes that s18D provides an exemptions for works that are done reasonably and in good faith. Those include fair and accurate reports or comments, and publications with a “genuine academic, artistic or scientific purpose”. Triggs notes that protects cartoons.
Senator David Fawcett asks why the AHRC doesn’t throw out unmeritorious complaints quicker to prevent a chilling effect on speech.
Triggs replies:
We have no decision-making power, we are not a judicial body … We have an obligation under the statute to consider the matter and conciliate the complaint.
She said if parliament doesn’t like it, it can change the act.
Updated
at 5.31am BST
5.22am BST
05:22
The Fixer.
Nicely placed folder by Cathy McGowan. Ten points for product placement.
5.20am BST
05:20
5.15am BST
05:15
The votes continued. Plibersek is shut down. Now a procedural vote before the substantial motion.
