This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/oct/19/nationals-call-for-import-of-rapid-fire-adler-with-restrictions-politics-live

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Turnbull asked if Adler shotgun ban is temporary or permanent – question time live Turnbull backs Brandis's administrative appeals tribunal appointments – politics live
(35 minutes later)
5.43am BST
05:43
STOP SHOUTING!
A very shouty #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/oxbNNUVMau pic.twitter.com/9PNAyhIe7Y
5.40am BST
05:40
Scott Morrison will not buy into Xenophon’s amendments to the ABCC bill, such as nationally consistent payment rules for subcontractors.
We are back to the CFMEU.
While he does not confirm the government will amend for Xenophon, it sounds like it will.
Given NXT voted for the bill, no doubt some deal has been done.
5.38am BST
05:38
Morrison also refuses to say - following Xenophon’s rejection of the one month wait for the dole for young people - whether the government will take the savings out of the budget.
There will be a point at which those decisions will be taken.
He says if the savings are not found with this cut, other cuts will need to be made.
5.36am BST
05:36
Scott Morrison is speaking to David Speers on Sky. Nick Xenophon has indicated he will not support tax cuts for companies with turnovers above $10m. You may remember in this years budget the government’s enterprise tax plans cut company tax for big businesses as part of a 10 year plan.
Morrison does not say whether the government will break up elements of the package to get the tax cuts through for those businesses under $10m.
5.31am BST
05:31
5.29am BST
05:29
5.26am BST
05:26
5.23am BST
05:23
Carried away with the clam bake.
5.16am BST
05:16
The CFMEU questions are starting to remind me of the Abbott’s carbon tax questions for three years up to 2013. On. And on. And on.
5.12am BST
05:12
There was one more CFMEU question.
CFMEU uses Trojan Horse to infiltrate Commonwealth Games #auspol pic.twitter.com/DAxEToSWC1
5.11am BST
05:11
Turnbull backs Brandis' election-eve AAT appointments
Burke to Turnbull: Just days before caretaker, the attorney-general [George Brandis] announced 37 new appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. During Senate Estimates last night it was revealed none of these positions were advertised, there was no merit based selection process or departmental advice. None of the candidates were recommended by department. There was no consideration of any conflicts of interest. Given the 37 jobs have a salary of up to $370,000 each year, does the PM consider this process acceptable?
Turnbull:
The appointment of Australians to offices of this kind is a very important responsibility of government. The government takes that responsibility very seriously. The Attorney-General is an officeholder of considerable discernment. I have no doubt that all the persons appointed were excellently qualified for the position that they have been selected for.
5.08am BST5.08am BST
05:0805:08
There was another CFMEU question first.There was another CFMEU question first.
Then Richard Marles to Christopher Pyne: And then Labor I refer to evidence given by the Minister for Defence in Senate Estimates today and ask, given the Minister forDefence was unable to answer this important question, can the minister advise the house who is actually the senior minister in the defence portfolio? Is the information on the web site of the Department of Defence correct? Is it still to be advised?Then Richard Marles to Christopher Pyne: And then Labor I refer to evidence given by the Minister for Defence in Senate Estimates today and ask, given the Minister forDefence was unable to answer this important question, can the minister advise the house who is actually the senior minister in the defence portfolio? Is the information on the web site of the Department of Defence correct? Is it still to be advised?
(Remember this issue in estimates?)(Remember this issue in estimates?)
Christopher Pyne refers to the the Marles story on the South China Sea:Christopher Pyne refers to the the Marles story on the South China Sea:
I am absolutely shocked, as I am sure many other members of this house are, that the member for Corio would have been given a question at all to ask in the House of Representatives, to lead with his rather large glass chin on this occasion.I am absolutely shocked, as I am sure many other members of this house are, that the member for Corio would have been given a question at all to ask in the House of Representatives, to lead with his rather large glass chin on this occasion.
This is the shadow minister for defence who advised, when he was carried away with a clam bake in Honolulu, advised that the policy should be of the Australian government that we sail our navy within 12 nautical miles of disputed territory in the South China Sea. He fell for the old trick. He was with an experienced journalist Paul Kelly and he would have sat down and thought I want to get myself on the front page of The Australian, the front page, Paul would have said “You have to say something important though. We can’t put you on the front page because you’re a nice guy, Richard”.This is the shadow minister for defence who advised, when he was carried away with a clam bake in Honolulu, advised that the policy should be of the Australian government that we sail our navy within 12 nautical miles of disputed territory in the South China Sea. He fell for the old trick. He was with an experienced journalist Paul Kelly and he would have sat down and thought I want to get myself on the front page of The Australian, the front page, Paul would have said “You have to say something important though. We can’t put you on the front page because you’re a nice guy, Richard”.
Marles calls on the speaker to bring Pyne to relevance on the question. Speaker says no point of order. Pyne continues, warming to the theme.Marles calls on the speaker to bring Pyne to relevance on the question. Speaker says no point of order. Pyne continues, warming to the theme.
That was his angry face. We now have seen his angry face. What really happened after he got carried away at the clan bake in Honolulu. He gets back to Australia and he has discovered he has created a storm about Labor Party foreign policy. Because the Leader of the Opposition is his best friend, he can’t repudiate him but Penny Wong didn’t feel that way. Penny...Being from the left in the Senate, she was more than happy to utterly humiliate and repudiate the member for Corio by saying the Labor Party’s policy was the same as the government’s policy.That was his angry face. We now have seen his angry face. What really happened after he got carried away at the clan bake in Honolulu. He gets back to Australia and he has discovered he has created a storm about Labor Party foreign policy. Because the Leader of the Opposition is his best friend, he can’t repudiate him but Penny Wong didn’t feel that way. Penny...Being from the left in the Senate, she was more than happy to utterly humiliate and repudiate the member for Corio by saying the Labor Party’s policy was the same as the government’s policy.
The question, however, remained unanswered.The question, however, remained unanswered.
4.55am BST4.55am BST
04:5504:55
Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: The Treasurer claimed this year’s Budget was an economic plan not just another Budget. Given the centre piece of the Treasurer’s so-called plan, a $50bn tax cut for big business is now dead in the water and will not pass the parliament, Treasurer what’s plan B or will it just be more Budget chaos?Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: The Treasurer claimed this year’s Budget was an economic plan not just another Budget. Given the centre piece of the Treasurer’s so-called plan, a $50bn tax cut for big business is now dead in the water and will not pass the parliament, Treasurer what’s plan B or will it just be more Budget chaos?
Morrison goes to small and medium businesses but not big businesses. And he does not go to the situation in the senate which looks like knocking off the tax cuts for businesses with turnovers more than $10m.Morrison goes to small and medium businesses but not big businesses. And he does not go to the situation in the senate which looks like knocking off the tax cuts for businesses with turnovers more than $10m.
One thing at a time.One thing at a time.
4.50am BST4.50am BST
04:5004:50
Innovation minister Greg Hunt gets a government question which segues to....the CFMEU.Innovation minister Greg Hunt gets a government question which segues to....the CFMEU.
4.49am BST4.49am BST
04:4904:49
Albanese to infrastructure minister, Darren Chester: I refer to the gap between the government’s infrastructure rhetoric and its action. In the 2014 budget, the government promised to invest over $8bn on transport infrastructure in the 2015-16 financial year. Is the final outcome for this investment not $8bn but $5.5bn and was this more than 30% cut achieved by cutting the Pacific highway, the Bruce highway, Gateway North...Albanese to infrastructure minister, Darren Chester: I refer to the gap between the government’s infrastructure rhetoric and its action. In the 2014 budget, the government promised to invest over $8bn on transport infrastructure in the 2015-16 financial year. Is the final outcome for this investment not $8bn but $5.5bn and was this more than 30% cut achieved by cutting the Pacific highway, the Bruce highway, Gateway North...
Chester:Chester:
In this year alone, there is $9bn in our infrastructure investment program. That is a record investment in the 2016-17 financial year in the foundation.In this year alone, there is $9bn in our infrastructure investment program. That is a record investment in the 2016-17 financial year in the foundation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.59am BSTat 4.59am BST
4.46am BST4.46am BST
04:4604:46
Gareth HutchensGareth Hutchens
Over at Senate estimates, the heads of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission have just wrapped up.Over at Senate estimates, the heads of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission have just wrapped up.
They revealed that they have repeatedly asked successive federal governments for extra funding over the years to upgrade Asic’s ageing corporate registry, which is up for sale. But it has been to no avail.They revealed that they have repeatedly asked successive federal governments for extra funding over the years to upgrade Asic’s ageing corporate registry, which is up for sale. But it has been to no avail.
Greg Tanner, Asic commissioner, said some of the technology underpinning Asic’s corporate registry was now 25 years old, making it unfit for the modern age.Greg Tanner, Asic commissioner, said some of the technology underpinning Asic’s corporate registry was now 25 years old, making it unfit for the modern age.
He said if Asic’s corporate registry was privatised it would provide millions of dollars for a much-needed upgrade.He said if Asic’s corporate registry was privatised it would provide millions of dollars for a much-needed upgrade.
They said the upgrade would cost over $100m.They said the upgrade would cost over $100m.
They said the corporate registry cost roughly $60m to run annually but it generated $380m in revenue, which goes to the federal government.They said the corporate registry cost roughly $60m to run annually but it generated $380m in revenue, which goes to the federal government.
When asked if the government had been using it as a “cash cow” for years, Tanner said he couldn’t answer that.When asked if the government had been using it as a “cash cow” for years, Tanner said he couldn’t answer that.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.58am BSTat 4.58am BST
4.43am BST
04:43
There is another question on the ABCC to Darren Chester, transport minister.
4.41am BST
04:41
Plibersek to Joyce: Does the Deputy PM support the lifting of the import ban on the Adler shotgun for use in Australian agriculture. Was his department consulted on this ban?
Joyce avoids the question.
What I can say is this is obviously a question that will be discussed by the relevant state ministers. I look forward to their deliberations, says Joyce.
It sounds like the National party leader does not have a position on the Adler ahead of the Coag meeting on Friday either.
So let me summarise.
The commonwealth has no position on the Adler. The feds are leaving it to the states to sort out what category the Adler falls into. The feds will lift the import ban for the Adler when they have decided.
4.36am BST
04:36
A government question to immigration minister Peter Dutton: Will the Government update the house on the steps theGovernment is taking to make Australian society safer, including through the use of s. 501 of the Migration Act? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches.
Dutton:
In May it is reported we had paid CFMEU organiser Mick Powell and union delegate Stu-e Corcoran attend a Rebels protest against the visa cancellation of a Rebels gang member. He may be an extortionist, a robber, he may turn up onto building sites and muscle subcontractors and people in a shocking way but he is not too smart Stu-e. He turned up with his Rebels outfit but what gave the game away was he was using a CFMEU emblazoned megaphone. Automatically, we knew he wasn’t just a bikie lover but he was a CFMEU official. Look at the drab looks from start to finish on this front bench. You know why? The CFMEU has donated $10 million to the Labor Party in recent years and they own and operate the Labor Party....Bikie Bill Shorten needs to realise the Australian people have worked him out.
Dutton is forced to withdraw the last line.
Mark Dreyfus is tossed out of the chamber.
4.32am BST
04:32
Plibersek to Turnbull: This morning it is reported that the member for Parkes has backed calls for the importation of the Adler shotgun saying “I am hoping we can still get this through because I know of one gun dealer who has hundreds on order awaiting this decision”. If the ban is set in stone as the PM said yesterday, why are so many members of his Government preparing for the weapon to enter Australia?
Turnbull:
There is a difference of opinion in the community about the appropriate classification but can I say, I am not aware of anybody that wants to leave the classification as it is. Every argument I have seen involves strengthening the classification and the debate is as to how far it should go. That is a legitimate point of view on which there are differences of opinion. What there should be no difference of opinion on is whether we want to stamp out illegal firearms. That is the real issue.
4.28am BST
04:28
A government question to Christopher Pyne: Will the minister outline to the house the government’s commitment to ensure the employer and employee organisations always act in the best interests of their members and that the rule of law is the norm on building sites across Australia and not the exception?
Pyne quotes from an email by Dean Mighell of the ETU from the trade union royal commission:
The former long-term secretary of the ETU, the electrical trade union, he provided an email to the royal commission that he had sent to other state secretaries in Victoria in mid-to late 2010.
In it he writes ‘Given that the Federal ALP is desperate for funds, surely we can say that we will help them if and only if they abolish the ABCC’. Unions are donating to federal Labor for outcomes, not promises”.
When he was asked by the royal commissioner what unions were engaging in this process of donating to the ALP for outcomes not promises, he said, “I believe that the CFMEU were again seeking the abolition of the ABCC as a policy outcome.”
There we are. Surprise, surprise, it was done. It was done by the leader of the opposition when he was the minister responsible.
Updated
at 4.39am BST
4.24am BST
04:24
WA Premier Colin Barnett says he won't support lifting the ban of the Adler lever-action shotgun @9NewsPerth
4.23am BST
04:23
Cathy McGowan to small business minister Michael McCormack: The Bureau of Statistics forward work program for 2016 and 17 includes a statement from the Australian statistician that the ABS will not have the resources necessary to undertake all the activities that fall within its legislative mandate. [This is] significant for those of us who live in regional Australian. This program identifies regional economic data as an area ABS may cease or wind back. Given the growth and development happening in regional Australia, including both of our electorates, we need more data not less. Can the minister give the guarantee to the people in our electorates and the rest ofAustralia that rural and regional businesses and communities will receive – the ABS will receive –the funding and resources it needs to give people doing planning in rural and regional Australia the information they need.
McCormack says the document referenced by McGowan is a planning document only.
Updated
at 4.37am BST
4.20am BST
04:20
Shorten asks Turnbull: Yesterday in the House the PM said in relation to the Adler shotgun, “It is not a temporary ban. It is permanent. It is set in stone”. But this morning when asked if it was only temporary, the PM responded, “It was always”. Does the PM want the ban to be permanent or should we just direct the question to the leader of the National party?
As Turnbull stands to answer the question, Barnaby Joyce nods wildly.
The position about the import ban is straightforward. It is there until the police ministers of the states and territories agree on their classification of lever-action shotguns and having agreed on it, then implement their measures. Then the import regulations will be adjusted to conform with the classification so agreed on. That is the case, that was the case with the ban imposed in 2015. It is the case with the ban that was imposed in 2016.
So it is set in stone until it isn’t.
Turnbull goes on to contrast Labor’s position opposing mandatory sentencing for illegal firearm crimes. Shorten wrote back to Turnbull today, maintaining his opposition to the illegal firearm bill.
Shorten said “there is no convincing evidence to prove mandatory minimum sentencing acts as an effective deterrent”. That is his view now. Let’s look at the member for Gorton, back in 2011. He boasted of introducing, in respect of people smuggling, a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years ... the reality is the Labor party ... knows mandatory minimum sentences have a very important deterrent affect. They know that.
Updated
at 4.30am BST
4.13am BST
04:13
4.11am BST
04:11
Another government question on the ABCC to treasurer Scott Morrison.