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Nauru accuses ABC of coaching refugee children as Turnbull rejects Amnesty claims – politics live Tony Abbott joins Bill Shorten's criticism of 'horse-trading' on gun laws – politics live
(35 minutes later)
2.47am BST
02:47
DON’T SHOUT!
Ian Macdonald, Senator for hypocrisy? #estimates pic.twitter.com/f3jgYafixT
2.36am BST
02:36
Our favourite legal and constitutional affairs committee has broken for lunch.
As have the others. Chairman Ian Macdonald did counsel people to get food and not survive on snakes and lollies.
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02:34
Labor’s new strong man.
2.30am BST
02:30
Tony Burke says that, unless the Coalition supports Labor’s motion, they cannot be trusted not to water down the gun laws.
A vote on the motion is deferred.
The House in on to the vocational education bills.
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2.29am BST
02:29
Malcolm Turnbull says:
Let me be very clear ... we stand by John Howard’s gun reforms.
The Adler is a seven-shot lever-action gun.
Turnbull says the Adler gun is category A, the easiest guns of four categories to acquire.
That is why there has been an import ban. But its classification still has to be considered by the Coag group that does these things.
Turnbull says his government has ensured that no lever-action guns with more than five rounds can be imported.
We stand by the agreement and want to see it stronger, says Turnbull.
Labor’s attempt to use this is a disgrace, he says.
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2.20am BST
02:20
Tanya Plibersek now speaks.
Everyone in Australia would remember exactly where they were when they heard of the Port Arthur massacre.
2.19am BST
02:19
Turnbull does not look happy.
We want to get on with the business of government, says Pyne.
He notes Turnbull wants to speak.
2.16am BST
02:16
Bill Shorten ends, saying at least Tony Abbott is strong.
Gawd.
Now Christopher Pyne is responding, stepping everyone through the Labor factional wars.
The prime minister appears.
2.13am BST2.13am BST
02:1302:13
At the very same time that Labor moves their motion:At the very same time that Labor moves their motion:
Disturbing to see reports of horse-trading on gun laws. ABCC should be supported on its merits.Disturbing to see reports of horse-trading on gun laws. ABCC should be supported on its merits.
Here to help.Here to help.
2.11am BST2.11am BST
02:1102:11
This is the Labor motion:This is the Labor motion:
That the House:That the House:
1. Notes that:1. Notes that:
a) This morning, there are reports the Prime Minister will do a deal on gun laws to pass the Abbott Government’s industrial relations bills; and a) This morning, there are reports the prime minister will do a deal on gun laws to pass the Abbott government’s industrial relations bills; and
b) The Prime Minister has on at least five occasions just this morning refused to rule out trading away John Howard’s gun laws to pass the Abbott Government’s industrial relations bills; and b) The prime minister has on at least five occasions just this morning refused to rule out trading away John Howard’s gun laws to pass the Abbott government’s industrial relations bills; and
2. Therefore, the House resolves that:2. Therefore, the House resolves that:
a) It will never put the safety of Australians at risk by trading away John Howard’s gun laws to pursue an Abbott Government attack on workers; and a) It will never put the safety of Australians at risk by trading away John Howard’s gun laws to pursue an Abbott government attack on workers; and
b) It will never water down Australia’s gun laws.b) It will never water down Australia’s gun laws.
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2.10am BST2.10am BST
02:1002:10
Bill Shorten on the Coalition:Bill Shorten on the Coalition:
This is not the party of John Howard anymore....they are not fit to clean his shoes on this issue. This is not the party of John Howard anymore ... they are not fit to clean his shoes on this issue.
He notes Howard opposes the watering down on laws for the Adler shotgun.He notes Howard opposes the watering down on laws for the Adler shotgun.
A reminder: senate crossbencher David Leyonjhelm wants to horse trade to allowed the Adler into Australia in return for his vote on the ABCC. A reminder: Senate crossbencher David Leyonjhelm wants to horse-trade to allow the Adler into Australia in return for his vote on the ABCC.
This morning, Turnbull supported Howard’s gun reforms but said he would not flag his negotiations in the media.This morning, Turnbull supported Howard’s gun reforms but said he would not flag his negotiations in the media.
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2.07am BST2.07am BST
02:0702:07
From an ABC News spokesperson:From an ABC News spokesperson:
The Four Corners report “The Forgotten Children” told the story of the more than 100 refugee children who are living on Nauru, recognised as refugees and released from detention but trapped in a legal limbo. It was an important story, of obvious public interest. ABC News and Four Corners stand by the report and reject the claims of the Government of Nauru. The interviews with the children were conducted remotely by Four Corners, and their stories were subjected to the program’s usual rigorous fact-checking processes. The program was made in this way because the Nauruan government routinely refuses journalists access to report on offshore processing, and charges prohibitive fees for media visas which are not refunded if the applications are refused. The Four Corners report ‘The Forgotten Children’ told the story of the more than 100 refugee children who are living on Nauru, recognised as refugees and released from detention but trapped in a legal limbo. It was an important story, of obvious public interest. ABC News and Four Corners stand by the report and reject the claims of the government of Nauru. The interviews with the children were conducted remotely by Four Corners and their stories were subjected to the program’s usual rigorous fact-checking processes. The program was made in this way because the Nauruan government routinely refuses journalists access to report on offshore processing and charges prohibitive fees for media visas, which are not refunded if the applications are refused.
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2.04am BST2.04am BST
02:0402:04
Labor moves to suspend standing orders on gun lawsLabor moves to suspend standing orders on gun laws
The house has begun. The House has begun.
Labor moves immediately to suspend standing orders on reports that Malcolm Turnbull may weaken John Howard’s gun laws.Labor moves immediately to suspend standing orders on reports that Malcolm Turnbull may weaken John Howard’s gun laws.
The prime minister is willing to risk more guns on the streets for one vote in the senate. The prime minister is willing to risk more guns on the streets for one vote in the Senate.
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2.01am BST2.01am BST
02:0102:01
We are back.We are back.
Greens senator Nick McKim asks Ian Macdonald to allow Penny Wong to answer George Brandis’ claim that Wong attacking someones human rights on the basis of a relationship as it is a serious accusation. The Greens senator Nick McKim asks Ian Macdonald to allow Penny Wong to answer George Brandis’ claim that Wong attacking someone’s human rights on the basis of a relationship is a serious accusation.
Macdonald says there is no point of order. He simply stopped the committee because everyone was shouting. [Irony font]Macdonald says there is no point of order. He simply stopped the committee because everyone was shouting. [Irony font]
I won’t have anyone shouting over anyone else.I won’t have anyone shouting over anyone else.
Brandis repeats his assertion.Brandis repeats his assertion.
Wong says it is demonstrably untrue and beneath contempt.Wong says it is demonstrably untrue and beneath contempt.
The flier for the function says the cheques for $40 were made payable to the Liberal party.The flier for the function says the cheques for $40 were made payable to the Liberal party.
Macdonald said at $40, it would hardly be a fundraiser Macdonald said at $40 it would hardly be a fundraiser.
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1.52am BST1.52am BST
01:5201:52
Penny Wong has come back with Tim Wilson’s attendance at a Liberal party event.Penny Wong has come back with Tim Wilson’s attendance at a Liberal party event.
Brandis seeks clarification on a question.Brandis seeks clarification on a question.
Wong:Wong:
Would just like to be pompous the whole day?Would just like to be pompous the whole day?
Brandis:Brandis:
You’re just being boorish now.You’re just being boorish now.
Wong is seeking to separate Wilson’s appearances at Liberal party functions in a private capacity and a public capacity as human rights commissioner.Wong is seeking to separate Wilson’s appearances at Liberal party functions in a private capacity and a public capacity as human rights commissioner.
Brandis says Wilson did not attend Liberal party events while a human rights commissioner but he accompanied his fiance who was a member of the Liberal party. He went along as a “plus one” says Brandis. Brandis says Wilson did not attend Liberal party events while a human rights commissioner but he accompanied his fiance, who was a member of the Liberal party. He went along as a “plus one”, says Brandis.
Wong says Wilson was headlining the role for a Liberal party fundraiser – that is he was the main attraction at the fundraiser. Brandis starts on human rights of individuals and their relationships. Wong says Wilson was headlining the role for a Liberal party fundraiser – that is, he was the main attraction at the fundraiser. Brandis starts on human rights of individuals and their relationships.
He doesn’t have a human right to use his position to generate funds for the Liberal party, says Wong.He doesn’t have a human right to use his position to generate funds for the Liberal party, says Wong.
You of all people, says Brandis.You of all people, says Brandis.
That is not the case, the attorney general is seeking to avoid the answer.That is not the case, the attorney general is seeking to avoid the answer.
Macdonald stops the hearing and the feed goes dead and we cut to a flourish of fairytale music, which was quite appropriate. Macdonald stops the hearing and the feed goes dead and we cut to a flourish of fairy tale music, which was quite appropriate.
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1.41am BST1.41am BST
01:4101:41
Greens senator McKim goes to the Amnesty report. He says the committee heard from the immigration department that Australia was not in breach of refugee convention.Greens senator McKim goes to the Amnesty report. He says the committee heard from the immigration department that Australia was not in breach of refugee convention.
Triggs says the commission has been on record as being in breach of the refugee convention in a number of aspects of detention.Triggs says the commission has been on record as being in breach of the refugee convention in a number of aspects of detention.
Brandis says the government does not accept the view that Australia is in breach of the convention.Brandis says the government does not accept the view that Australia is in breach of the convention.
McKim says, you honestly think that Australia is not refouling refugees?McKim says, you honestly think that Australia is not refouling refugees?
Brandis said no.Brandis said no.
McKim:McKim:
By turning boats back at sea, we are not refouling refugees?By turning boats back at sea, we are not refouling refugees?
Brandis says no, in many more words than that.Brandis says no, in many more words than that.
1.33am BST
01:33
The Greens senator Nick McKim is asking about the Opcat (convention on torture). Triggs sees the “enormous importance” of the ratification. McKim tries to draw out a judgment at the slowness of the ratification process by the government.
She says it is not up to her to express those “emotions”.
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1.30am BST
01:30
The Liberal senator Ian Macdonald accuses Labor senator Penny Wong of talking over others.
Penny Wong cracks up.
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1.26am BST
01:26
Nauru government accuses Four Corners of coaching kids
From AAP:
The Nauru government has accused the ABC Four Corners program of coaching refugee children for its documentary about the plight of youngsters detained on the island nation.
It claimed the ABC did not seek comment from the Nauru government before airing the “wild and unsubstantiated” claims by “discredited” former detention welfare services provider Save the Children.
“It was clear that these children were coached, and that the entire process of filming the refugees was stage-managed, as the program has not been to Nauru,” the government said in a statement.
The government accused the ABC of biased political propaganda, saying the report was an embarrassment to journalism.
“From start to finish it was denigrating, racist, false and pure political activism,” it said.
The show aired footage of Nauruans belting-up each other. But the government maintained Nauru was not a violent country and had a lower crime rate than Australia.
Comment has been sought from the ABC.
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1.20am BST
01:20
The Future Fund has told #estimates it has been "taking risk out of the portfolio" and it expects returns will be lower
1.19am BST
01:19
Rosie Lewis of the Oz reports this morning on a bluetooth watch and a minister.
A bluetooth watch given to infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher by Chinese company Huawei has come under heavy scrutiny after Labor suggested it could pose a security risk but the piece has never been worn by its owner.
Labor Senate leader Penny Wong took interest in the watch after it was declared on Mr Fletcher’s updated register of members’ interests alongside a Chinese teapot from the same company.
Senator Wong used Senate estimates yesterday to ask the Department of Parliamentary Services if it had “any concerns” about a device provided by Huawei being connected to its computer network, noting there were a “range of security concerns” on the public record about the telecoms giant.
The former Labor government banned Huawei from participating in the rollout of the National Broadband Network on the basis of security advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Defence Intelligence Organisation.
The Abbott government kept the ban in place.
DPS said intelligence agencies recommended hardware such as USBs received from external sources should not be connected to the parliamentary networks.
But the department assured Senator Wong there was malware detection software that initiated anti-virus checks upon connection.
Fletcher says its all G because he does not wear the watch.
That wag Bowers is amused.
Tea, anyone?
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1.10am BST
01:10
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01:08
Senator Linda Reynolds has begun on Gillian Triggs.
She asks about a Triggs quote in an interview, here in the Saturday Paper.
Ramona Koval asked:
You’ve said, ‘When I was younger I thought one could build on the past. But I have learned that we need to be eternally vigilant in ensuring human rights in a modern democracy.’ Is that a sense of an idea of conservatism, building on the past, not letting go of good things that have been achieved? And feeling that confidence in that idea has been shaken?
Triggs said this:
A shocking phenomenon is Australians don’t even understand their own democratic system. They are quite content to have parliament be complicit with passing legislation to strengthen the powers of the executive and to exclude the courts. They have no idea of the separation of powers and the excessive overreach of executive government.
Reynolds says she understands the need for better civic education but not Triggs’ cynicism about the Australian people.
A conversation ensues about the role of parliamentarians and Triggs’ role.
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12.58am BST
00:58
Both @SBS and the ABC's Michelle Guthrie up at #estimates today pic.twitter.com/XWRziZysNr
12.55am BST
00:55
Pollies v press this morning.
As Mike Bowers was heard to utter, float like a butterball, sting like a flea.
There is speculation that Labor MP Ed Husic simply organises this as a chance to beat up on journalists.
12.51am BST
00:51
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