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Australia ratifies Paris climate agreement – politics live George Brandis repeals his Justin Gleeson direction – politics live
(35 minutes later)
3.18am GMT
03:18
First question is Shorten to Turnbull: This morning on social media the Member for Hughes said in response to Donald Trump’s plan to cancel the Paris agreement on climate change “Paris is cactus”. Is this comment from the Member for Hughes [Craig Kelly] consistent with the Prime Minister’s announcement today Australia has ratified the Paris agreement?
Turnbull says the government has ratified the Paris Agreement, (in many more words than that).
Kelly of course, is chair of the Coalition’s environment backbench committee which means he overseas the consultations on environmental policy. Climate change. He does not accept the science and only this week linked renewable energy policies and their effect on electricity prices with childhood drownings.
Here is his post:
Good to see he is reading the Guardian.
Updated
at 3.18am GMT
3.14am GMT
03:14
Bill Shorten on Trump: the alliance doesn't mean trading away shared values
But Shorten also says this:
Ours is a partnership between two nations which look at each other and see something of themselves. The frontier and the bush, spacious skies and boundless plains, the fair go and the American dream.
The abiding friendship between our nations is strong enough for honesty. In fact, true friendship demands nothing less. It is never acceptable to mock people for their disability. It is never acceptable to ridicule prisoners of war for their service.
When this parliament sees women being disrespected we have an obligation to speak up.
When this parliament sees people being discriminated against because of the colour of their skin or their religion, we have an obligation to speak up. The US alliance does not mean trading away our shared values, it means standing up for them.
Updated
at 3.20am GMT
3.11am GMT
03:11
Bill Shorten now:
As fierce and as hard as we fought this year’s election, I believe we can be proud of the standards and relative civility we held ourselves to. Now, Mr Speaker, the American people have spoken, they have made their choice. As common believers in democracy, as servants of the people ourselves, we respect their decision. On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his victory. Seasoned pundits and pollsters under-estimated his electoral appeal and the resonance of his message.
3.09am GMT
03:09
Turnbull:
It is in our nation’s mutual interest to maintain the strongest and closest ties between the United States and Australia’s defence forces, a relationship that has seen American and Australian troops fight side-by-side in every major conflict in the last century. Indeed, tomorrow, Remembrance Day, we will commemorate the day 98 years ago when the guns fell silent on the Great War. A victory won in no small measure by the brilliance of Australia’s General John Monash and the courage of the Australian, British and American troops that went into battle.
Australia has close, indeed intimate, security arrangements with other friends and allies but our alliance with the United States is unquestionably our single most important security relationship underpinned by our mutual security pact, the ANZUS treaty, concluded between Australia, New Zealand and the United States in1951.
The ties that bind Australia and the United States are strong, profound, they’re based on the experience, on the engagement of millions of Australians andAmericans but, above all, they are based on our enduring national interests. Americans know they have no better ally, no better friend, than Australia.
Turnbull talks about trade relationships and Americans and Australians fighting against Daesh now.
The decision in the United States election has been a great and momentous one and we wish President-elect Trump and his Administration all the best in their work in the future.
The fate of the world, the future of the world, depends on strong American global leadership. America has been the bedrock of global stability, of peace in the world and we look forward to a strong America, a committed America and Australia will be, as it has been in the past, a strong and committed ally as America stands for peace in the world today.
3.04am GMT
03:04
Statement on indulgence Mr Speaker.
Turnbull talks about his Trump call.
As President Obama said overnight: Campaigns are hard and sometimes contentious and noisy. He added “Many Americans are exalted today, a lot of Americans are less so but that’s the nature of campaigns, that’s the nature of democracy”. It shows the enduring strength of the democratic system where the power to choose the Government resides with the people.There has been perhaps no greater demonstration of that process than in the United States.
More people voted in this United States election than in 2012 with voter turnout up nearly 5%. That’s a very good thing for democracy. It was noticeable that, despite an intense and at times very confronting campaign, President-elect Trump immediately reached out to bring Americans together in his victory speech and, in doing so, praised and thanked Secretary Clinton for her public service.
3.01am GMT
03:01
Crikey I almost forgot question time. *live blogger gets a hold of herself*
2.54am GMT
02:54
Leading Jewish community group says no case to alter 18C
Peter Wertheim of the Executive Council of Australia Jewry has said there is no case to change 18C and 18D.
He does not believe a case has been made to change the law but he does believe the changes could be made to improve the likely of striking out claims without merit earlier.
We do not believe that any case has been made to alter sections 18C and 18D of the RDA. We believe sections 18C and 18D of the RDA strike a careful balance between freedom of expression and freedom from racial vilification. Indeed, the actual result in the QUT case entirely vindicates the correctness of that balance. The decision expressly confirmed that section 18C does not extend to “trivial slights” but requires “profound and serious effects”.
Whilst there is no evidence whatsoever that the percentage of unmeritorious claims made under section 18C of the RDA is higher than under any other statutory regime for relief, such as the law of defamation, copyright, consumer protection and trade practices, we nevertheless welcome any constructive and appropriate proposal to improve the complaints-handling process and to identify and filter out unmeritorious complaints at an early stage.
In particular we welcome the ideas put forward by Julian Leeser MP, the Member for Berowra, in his address to the Chinese Australian Services Society on 4 November 2016, proposing that the Australian Human Rights Commission Act be amended so as to minimise the likelihood of unmeritorious claims proceeding to court.
2.42am GMT2.42am GMT
02:4202:42
George Brandis repeals his own "Justin Gleeson" legal direction to avoid embarrassing voteGeorge Brandis repeals his own "Justin Gleeson" legal direction to avoid embarrassing vote
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Attorney general George Brandis has issued a new legal instrument that repeals the part of a legal services direction that gave him control over the process of seeking advice from the solicitor general.Attorney general George Brandis has issued a new legal instrument that repeals the part of a legal services direction that gave him control over the process of seeking advice from the solicitor general.
The direction sparked a public spat between Brandis and former solicitor general Justin Gleeson, who first contradicted Brandis’s claim he had consulted him before making the direction, ignored the direction claiming it was invalid, then resigned under a flurry of criticism from the Coalition for allegedly politicising his office.The direction sparked a public spat between Brandis and former solicitor general Justin Gleeson, who first contradicted Brandis’s claim he had consulted him before making the direction, ignored the direction claiming it was invalid, then resigned under a flurry of criticism from the Coalition for allegedly politicising his office.
On Tuesday the opposition-controlled legal and constitutional affairs references committee said the attorney general should be censuredfor misleading the Senate about the consultation and recommended it tear up the direction. On Tuesday the opposition-controlled legal and constitutional affairs references committee said the attorney general should be censured for misleading the Senate about the consultation and recommended it tear up the direction.
Brandis denies that he misled the Senate or failed to consult.Labor, the Greens and Nick Xenophon Team were set to disallow the direction at 3:30pm on Thursday, although it appears Labor and the Greens lack the numbers for a censure. Brandis denies that he misled the Senate or failed to consult. Labor, the Greens and Nick Xenophon Team were set to disallow the direction at 3:30pm on Thursday, although it appears Labor and the Greens lack the numbers for a censure.
But the Legal Services Amendment (Repeal of Solicitor-General Opinions) Direction 2016 made by Brandis on Thursday saves them the bother of disallowing the direction, repealing the part that former solicitor general Gavin Griffith said recalled the image of a “dog on a lead”.But the Legal Services Amendment (Repeal of Solicitor-General Opinions) Direction 2016 made by Brandis on Thursday saves them the bother of disallowing the direction, repealing the part that former solicitor general Gavin Griffith said recalled the image of a “dog on a lead”.
Updated
at 2.49am GMT
2.41am GMT2.41am GMT
02:4102:41
The senate is currently filibustering because it did not want to debate the backpacker tax bill (which is likely to be amended). The Senate is filibustering because it did not want to debate the backpacker-tax bill (which is likely to be amended).
Although the backpacker bill was not listed, Labor decided to move to force the Coalition to bring it on. Labor argued, you reckon this bill is urgent, well bring it on? Although the backpacker bill was not listed, Labor decided to move to force the Coalition to bring it on. Labor argued, you reckon this bill is urgent, well bring it on.
No, said the Coalition. We don’t want to. (We will lose.)No, said the Coalition. We don’t want to. (We will lose.)
The government tried to gag the debate but lost.The government tried to gag the debate but lost.
Under the Labor motion, the senate only has up until question time at 2pm to debate the backpacker tax. Under the Labor motion, the Senate only has up until question time at 2pm to debate the backpacker tax.
So now government members are filibustering on other bills to get to 2pm so they don’t have to bring their own (urgent) backpacker tax bill on for debate.So now government members are filibustering on other bills to get to 2pm so they don’t have to bring their own (urgent) backpacker tax bill on for debate.
The filibuster saw Liberal senator Ian Macdonald reminiscing about time the police raided his farm because they thought he was growing dope. Of course, he was doing nothing of the sort. He doesn’t smoke dope. (Unlike some others around here, according to Macdonald.) The filibuster saw Liberal senator Ian Macdonald reminiscing about the time the police raided his farm because they thought he was growing dope. Of course, he was doing nothing of the sort. He doesn’t smoke dope. (Unlike some others around here, according to Macdonald.)
Updated
at 2.47am GMT
2.24am GMT2.24am GMT
02:2402:24
Lunchtime politicsLunchtime politics
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.32am GMTat 2.32am GMT
2.03am GMT2.03am GMT
02:0302:03
The lifetime ban bill has passed 73-69. It will now go to the Senate.The lifetime ban bill has passed 73-69. It will now go to the Senate.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.31am GMTat 2.31am GMT
1.53am GMT1.53am GMT
01:5301:53
The lower house is now voting on the lifetime ban bill.The lower house is now voting on the lifetime ban bill.
Andrew Wilkie’s amendment has been defeated.Andrew Wilkie’s amendment has been defeated.
Now they are voting on the bill to ban asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru from ever coming to Australia.Now they are voting on the bill to ban asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru from ever coming to Australia.
1.48am GMT1.48am GMT
01:4801:48
The leadership is happy today. Trump? Pffft!The leadership is happy today. Trump? Pffft!
Bowers notes that it’s probably because the markets did not crash.Bowers notes that it’s probably because the markets did not crash.
(I might just blog this office.)(I might just blog this office.)
1.42am GMT1.42am GMT
01:4201:42
The deputy prime ministers sings his voters home.The deputy prime ministers sings his voters home.
I am not going to bore you with all our philosophies. I am happy with the vote I got personally in a hotly-contested seat and what the party got across the board. I never take our voters for granted. We will continue to work incredibly hard. That’s what we did and what we do.I am not going to bore you with all our philosophies. I am happy with the vote I got personally in a hotly-contested seat and what the party got across the board. I never take our voters for granted. We will continue to work incredibly hard. That’s what we did and what we do.
1.34am GMT1.34am GMT
01:3401:34
Now back to the house. The lifetime ban bill is still going with Labor speakers.Now back to the house. The lifetime ban bill is still going with Labor speakers.
Given Wilkie and Bandt gave the major parties such a bollocking, here is a clip of Gellibrand MP Tim Watts.Given Wilkie and Bandt gave the major parties such a bollocking, here is a clip of Gellibrand MP Tim Watts.
He is less worried about the crossbench and more worried about Turnbull “being led by the nose” by his immigration minister, Peter Dutton.He is less worried about the crossbench and more worried about Turnbull “being led by the nose” by his immigration minister, Peter Dutton.
They cannot be solved by simplistic, scapegoating or snake-oil politics ... Don’t reduce yourself to the politics of scapegoating. If you ride that tiger’s back, in the current environment you will soon be eaten.They cannot be solved by simplistic, scapegoating or snake-oil politics ... Don’t reduce yourself to the politics of scapegoating. If you ride that tiger’s back, in the current environment you will soon be eaten.
If any Coalition MPs would like to send a snippet of their speech on this bill, send up a smoke signal.If any Coalition MPs would like to send a snippet of their speech on this bill, send up a smoke signal.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.54am GMTat 1.54am GMT
1.25am GMT1.25am GMT
01:2501:25
The prime minister is asked about the TPP again. He notes that both Trump and Clinton were against the TPP. But he says the government’s job to advocate for the national interest and he and the cabinet believe that it is in Australia’s interests that like minded countries sign the TPP. It looks like its toast now.The prime minister is asked about the TPP again. He notes that both Trump and Clinton were against the TPP. But he says the government’s job to advocate for the national interest and he and the cabinet believe that it is in Australia’s interests that like minded countries sign the TPP. It looks like its toast now.
1.22am GMT1.22am GMT
01:2201:22
Energy and environment minister Josh Frydenberg concedes perhaps he should not have called the president elect a “dropkick”.Energy and environment minister Josh Frydenberg concedes perhaps he should not have called the president elect a “dropkick”.
In the lead-up to the vote, I think the prime minister and foreign minister hit the right note. I concede I probably should have followed their lead.In the lead-up to the vote, I think the prime minister and foreign minister hit the right note. I concede I probably should have followed their lead.
1.19am GMT1.19am GMT
01:1901:19
Turnbull says America will continue to engage in the Asia-Pacific region because it is in their national interest. Don’t you worry about that.Turnbull says America will continue to engage in the Asia-Pacific region because it is in their national interest. Don’t you worry about that.
There is a reason why the United States has been such a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific for many decades, for many decades. It has been that Pax Americana for the last 40 years that has underpinned the extraordinary growth in prosperity, the raising of billions out of poverty. That has been the foundation of it. That commitment, I am certain, will continue because it is manifestly in America’s national interest.There is a reason why the United States has been such a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific for many decades, for many decades. It has been that Pax Americana for the last 40 years that has underpinned the extraordinary growth in prosperity, the raising of billions out of poverty. That has been the foundation of it. That commitment, I am certain, will continue because it is manifestly in America’s national interest.
As I said, one of the speeches I gave last night, as I think Paul Keating used to say, quoting Jack Lang in the great race of life: always back self-interest because you know it is trying. I have no doubt that America will continue to act in its national interest.As I said, one of the speeches I gave last night, as I think Paul Keating used to say, quoting Jack Lang in the great race of life: always back self-interest because you know it is trying. I have no doubt that America will continue to act in its national interest.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.37am GMTat 1.37am GMT
1.16am GMT1.16am GMT
01:1601:16
Questions revolve around the US-Australia alliance. Asked whether Trump signalled he would withdraw in any way from the region, Turnbull keeps saying Trump is very strong on the alliance.Questions revolve around the US-Australia alliance. Asked whether Trump signalled he would withdraw in any way from the region, Turnbull keeps saying Trump is very strong on the alliance.
On the Trans-Pacific Partnership, it sounds like they agreed to disagree.On the Trans-Pacific Partnership, it sounds like they agreed to disagree.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.36am GMTat 1.36am GMT