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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

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Version 6 Version 7
Nationals call for import of rapid-fire Adler with restrictions – politics live Nationals call for import of rapid-fire Adler with restrictions – politics live
(35 minutes later)
2.43am BST
02:43
I am a bad blogger for not posting this earlier.
This was Peta Credlin on the Adler:
Peta Credlin says there was no deal to allow Adler gun's into Australia between @TonyAbbottMHR and @DavidLeyonhjelm https://t.co/vO3NawO3xU
This was senator Leyonhjelm’s response.
Conflating licensed firearms owners with terrorists. When you don't know what you are talking about, you should STFU. https://t.co/Z4JXo8HtnG
If you don’t know what STFU is, google it.
2.40am BST
02:40
NSW government trolls education minister Birmingham
As we know, the commonwealth and the states are in the process of trying to agree to the years five and six of the school funding agreements. Birmingham flagged before the election he would not honour Labor’s agreements because more money does not equal results in the Coalition mind. The states went ballistic, as expected. This is an ongoing battle. But here is the latest release from their NSW counterparts, which suggests more money does equal results if it is used in the right places.
NSW public schools will receive a record $219 million in additional needs-based education funding in 2017, made possible by NSW signing the Gonski agreement.
Announcing the funding boost at Hurstville South Public School, NSW Premier Mike Baird said needs-based funding helps schools and students facing the greatest challenge to lift their results.
“There is absolutely no doubt that needs-based funding, made possible by Gonski, has been of enormous benefit to students right across NSW,” Mr Baird said.
“That is why NSW signed the six-year agreement and why we continue to press the Commonwealth Government to honour its commitments.
“The extra support students are receiving is showing real results. Funding now follows students and their needs and principals have the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of their students.”
Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli said Hurstville South Public School has used its additional needs-based funding to employ additional staff to provide targeted teaching for students who need extra support in literacy and numeracy.
“At Hurstville South in 2016, 58 per cent of Year 5 students were achieving results that put them in the top two bands of NAPLAN for reading and numeracy combined, up from 39 per cent in 2012,” Mr Piccoli said.
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2.20am BST
02:20
Foreign minister Julie Bishop has been speaking about the battle to retake Mosul and fears that foreign nationals will return to home countries.
That’s why we’re working to closely with partners throughout Europe and, particularly, in our region, to detect those who have been fighting, who are experienced terrorist fighters, and ensure that they cannot carry out a terrorist attack in Europe or, indeed, in our region. And, more particularly, here in Australia.
She was at a Smart Traveller event this morning.
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2.12am BST2.12am BST
02:1202:12
NSW premier Mike Baird has weighed into the gun debate following his deputy Troy Grant. NSW premier Mike Baird has weighed into the gun debate following his deputy, Troy Grant.
I think the Prime Minister made it very clear yesterday, there can be no dilution of the Howard gun laws and we totally and utterly support that. There are other issues that state ministers are considering. We’ll obviously play a constructive role in that but the principle of diluting the Howard gun laws, that is something that will not change and the Prime Minister made that clear yesterday. NSW, as always, is happy to play a constructive role, but on those sort of matters guided by experts and obviously consensus, any sort of changes would require consensus of all states. I think the prime minister made it very clear yesterday, there can be no dilution of the Howard gun laws and we totally and utterly support that. There are other issues that state ministers are considering. We’ll obviously play a constructive role in that but the principle of diluting the Howard gun laws, that is something that will not change and the prime minister made that clear yesterday. NSW, as always, is happy to play a constructive role, but on those sort of matters guided by experts and obviously consensus, any sort of changes would require consensus of all states.
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1.59am BST1.59am BST
01:5901:59
Malcolm Turnbull has written to Bill Shorten asking him to back a bill which would impose mandatory jail terms on anyone caught trafficking in firearms.Malcolm Turnbull has written to Bill Shorten asking him to back a bill which would impose mandatory jail terms on anyone caught trafficking in firearms.
Obviously this is pushback on the gun-law debate to pressure Labor, which has already blocked the bill twice before.Obviously this is pushback on the gun-law debate to pressure Labor, which has already blocked the bill twice before.
The bill would mean those found guilty of trafficking illegal firearms would receive a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment with jail terms up to 20 years – double the existing maximum.The bill would mean those found guilty of trafficking illegal firearms would receive a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment with jail terms up to 20 years – double the existing maximum.
Labor has opposed the bill because they oppose mandatory sentencing.Labor has opposed the bill because they oppose mandatory sentencing.
In the letter reported in the Oz, Turnbull wrote to Shorten:In the letter reported in the Oz, Turnbull wrote to Shorten:
The legislation has again been introduced to the parliament and I seek your support in ensuring its smooth passage. I urge you to reconsider your opposition to legislation for tougher gun penalties for gun smugglers.The legislation has again been introduced to the parliament and I seek your support in ensuring its smooth passage. I urge you to reconsider your opposition to legislation for tougher gun penalties for gun smugglers.
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1.37am BST1.37am BST
01:3701:37
Hot socks DPM.Hot socks DPM.
1.34am BST1.34am BST
01:3401:34
Just another day in paradise.Just another day in paradise.
1.31am BST1.31am BST
01:3101:31
Now the foreign affairs and defence committee is on to defence force uniforms.Now the foreign affairs and defence committee is on to defence force uniforms.
Major General David Coghlan says the uniform he is wearing is made in China. But the slouch hat and the combat uniform is made in Australia.Major General David Coghlan says the uniform he is wearing is made in China. But the slouch hat and the combat uniform is made in Australia.
1.27am BST1.27am BST
01:2701:27
In the foreign affairs estimates committee, Labor’s Kim Carr is pressing the secretary of defence Dennis Richardson and defence minister Marise Payne who is the senior minister between Payne and defence industry minister Christopher Pyne.In the foreign affairs estimates committee, Labor’s Kim Carr is pressing the secretary of defence Dennis Richardson and defence minister Marise Payne who is the senior minister between Payne and defence industry minister Christopher Pyne.
Payne refused, even though Pyne is listed as higher in terms of cabinet. Payne then insists they are of equal rank.Payne refused, even though Pyne is listed as higher in terms of cabinet. Payne then insists they are of equal rank.
1.20am BST1.20am BST
01:2001:20
He did appear happier when leaving the chamber.He did appear happier when leaving the chamber.
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at 1.21am BSTat 1.21am BST
1.18am BST
01:18
Expedition in the house with Burke and Pyne.
1.15am BST
01:15
That’s it. Registered organisations passes the lower house.
1.15am BST
01:15
Updated
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1.10am BST
01:10
There are another series of procedural votes on the registered organisations bill. Labor’s Ed Husic got thrown out just as the votes were beginning.
Updated
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1.07am BST
01:07
Shorten clarifies: I love youse all
Katharine Murphy
Bill Shorten’s office has had to clarify a statement from the Labor leader at a press conference on Wednesday, after he failed to give unqualified backing to his current parliamentary team.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, the Labor leader was asked about his controversial backing of the lawyer Kimberley Kitching to replace Stephen Conroy in the Senate, and about turmoil that has erupted in Victorian Labor in the wake of that decision.
Shorten responded to the questions on Wednesday by issuing only qualified endorsement of Labor’s team, and he told reporters he believed Kitching would make “a positive contribution” in the Senate.
In response to a question about recent threats to the preselections of leftwingers including Andrew Giles, Jenny Macklin and Catherine King, Shorten replied:
On balance, I am happy with the team I have got in the parliament, including some of the people you just mentioned.
Shorten’s office later qualified the leader’s statement at his press conference.
Bill is very happy with his entire team, a spokesman said.
Guardian Australia reported on Monday that the left caucus convened a special meeting to try and head off a damaging bout of infighting in Victoria, and a deputation from the left has asked Shorten to intervene to ensure the current ill feeling doesn’t escalate.
On Monday, the Victorian Labor senator Gavin Marshall – a senator closely aligned with Carr – signalled publicly that he intended to back a preselection challenge to Giles, and the two frontbenchers, Catherine King and Jenny Macklin, the threat which triggered the special caucus discussion.
During Wednesday’s press conference, the Labor leader issued a general warning about disparaging colleagues. Shorten suggested the current bout of ill-discipline extended beyond Marshall.
I don’t want to hurt the feelings of the media but I encourage all my members of parliament, including but not limited to Senator Marshall, not to either on the record or off the record, disparage colleagues.
The Carr group – which has split from the national left – feels Giles and other Victorian leftwingers are aligned with Anthony Albanese and the left power structure in New South Wales, and have displayed disloyalty both to the faction and to the Labor leader.
Marshall recently lost the support of the majority of the faction to maintain his position of Senate deputy president in the new parliament, and stood aside at Shorten’s behest. Carr ultimately remained on the frontbench after an intervention from the right faction and Shorten.
On Tuesday Albanese publicly slapped down the insurgency in the Victorian left, and delicately criticised Shorten’s captain’s call to put Kitching in the Senate. Albanese said ALP members should have input into preselections, which was a rebuke about the process installing Kitching.
Shorten on Wednesday agreed with Albanese’s call for more participation from the membership.
The process of change is ongoing. I agree we could look at improving opportunities for people to participate more in the Labor party.
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1.03am BST
01:03
Malcolm Turnbull said the time to end the rip-offs is long overdue. He asks Labor:
Whose side are you on are you on, the side of the members or are you on the side of the officials?
Turnbull says Labor remains “stubborn apologists” for union bosses who misuse their power.
The house divides on the vote.
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at 1.05am BST
12.58am BST
00:58
Brendan O’Connor says Labor would make amendments to improve the bill from “political puffery”.
First, rather than creating a new government bureaucracy, the Registered Organisations Commission, Labor proposes that the Australian Securities and Investment Commission use its extensive coercive powers to investigate serious breaches of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act.
Second, we will increase penalties for behaviour which is intended to deceive union members or the regulator.
We will double the maximum penalties for all criminal offences under the Act.
We will increase the fine for false and misleading conduct from $10,800 to $18,000- and for paid officials who act in a way that materially prejudices the interests of the union or its members – we will increase the fine from $10,800 to $216,000
12.56am BST
00:56
Just back to Brendan O’Connor first. He pointed out the registered organisations act already does a couple of things.
Let’s be clear about what is already in the Registered Organisations Act:
12.54am BST
00:54
Malcolm Turnbull is up in the house now. He is speaking to the bill, after which, the house will vote.
12.52am BST
00:52
Smashed avocado myth smashed
Following on from Treasury secretary John Fraser’s comments, the Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson who extracted the information has put out a statement.
At least the Treasury secretary did not accept the premise put forward by Bernard Salt that the reason that younger people aren’t buying homes is because they are blowing their income on smashed-avocado hipster breakfasts.
I put to Mr Fraser that 25-34 year olds are less well off than the same age group a decade ago and every other older age group has significantly increased in wealth. He accepted that this was true but could only talk in the abstract on how we could address it.
Mr Fraser said that he knew that more and more people are relying on the “bank of mum and dad” to enter the housing market. Clearly, given the pre-existing inequality, this situation will only worsen over time.
Investors are using their property-delivered wealth and generous tax concessions to outbid an entire generation who are losing hope at ever being able to own their own home.
The issue of housing affordability, along with income inequality and climate change is completely absent from the Treasury’s corporate plan. It’s time for a root-and-branch review of intergenerational inequity in the tax system to fix this worsening stain on our society.
Updated
at 12.54am BST