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Malcolm Turnbull has a 'warm conversation' with Donald Trump – politics live Australia ratifies Paris climate agreement – politics live
(35 minutes later)
2.42am GMT
02:42
George Brandis repeals his own "Justin Gleeson" legal direction to avoid embarrassing vote
Paul 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.
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.
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”.
2.41am GMT
02:41
The senate is currently 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?
No, said the Coalition. We don’t want to. (We will lose.)
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.
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.)
2.24am GMT
02:24
Lunchtime politics
Updated
at 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.
Updated
at 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
1.12am GMT
01:12
Turnbull: Trump is a pragmatist
The prime minister said he and Trump talked about their shared business background.
I suppose as both being businessmen who found our way into politics, somewhat later in life, we come to the problems of our own nations and indeed world problems with a pragmatic approach. Mr Trump is a deal maker. He is a businessman, a deal maker and he will, I have no doubt, view the world in a very practical and pragmatic way.
1.10am GMT
01:10
Katharine Murphy asks what if the US pulls out of the Paris agreement under Trump? She also asks about opposition to the Paris agreement from One Nation and within his own party.
We have ratified the agreement. It takes four years to withdraw. If a country sought to withdraw from the agreement it takes four years. Secondly, this is a global agreement. When Australia makes a commitment to a global agreement, we follow through, and that is exactly what we are doing.
Updated
at 1.35am GMT
1.08am GMT
01:08
Turnbull: Trump recognises importance of strong alliance
Malcolm Turnbull says he had a “warm conversation” with Donald Trump.
We canvassed a number of issues. Most importantly, we absolutely agreed on the vital importance of our strong alliance. Mr Trump recognises the solidarity that Australia has shown the United States and the United States has shown Australia over 98 years, during which we have fought side-by-side with the United States in every major conflict. Mr Trump recognises that. He has observed the success of our economy and congratulated me on that. We discussed the vital importance of the United States’ continued strong presence in our region.
Updated
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1.06am GMT
01:06
The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, notes the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (Jscot) has recommended ratification after considering the “national interest analysis” and holding four public hearings and receiving almost 50 submissions. It will provide great business opportunities, says Bishop.
The global low-emissions economy is estimated to be worth around $6tn and is growing at some 4%to 5% per annum. We believe, through the use of technology and research and science and innovation, there will be many opportunities for Australian businesses, Australian jobs, in a low-emissions economy.
Australia joins, as the prime minister said, 103 other countries at this point in ratifying the Paris agreement. This accounts for over 70% of the world’s emissions, over 75% of the global GDP and 85% of Australia’s two-way trade.
Updated
at 1.33am GMT
1.02am GMT
01:02
Malcolm Turnbull: the Paris agreement is a watershed, we are doing our part
Malcolm Turnbull opens up on the Paris agreement.
Almost a year from the Paris conference, it is clear the agreement was a watershed, a turning point and the adoption of a comprehensive strategy has galvanised the international community and spurred on global action. As you know, we are playing our part with ambitious targets. We are on track to meet and indeed beat our 2020 targets. We will review our climate and energy policies next year to ensure that we meet, as we believe we will, and are committed to meeting our 2030 targets under the agreement.
Updated
at 1.32am GMT
12.49am GMT
00:49
OK, a couple of points:
Updated
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12.41am GMT
00:41
Here is a part of Andrew Wilkie’s speech, in which he rips into Labor, the Liberals and the National party over asylum seeker policy.
He was speaking on the lifetime ban bill for those on Manus and Nauru.
His key message: how about you stop treating asylum seekers as a political problem and start treating them like human beings?
Updated
at 12.51am GMT
12.26am GMT
00:26
Greens MP Adam Bandt says a bill to ban those on Manus and Nauru from Australia for life was a bill “Donald Trump would be proud of”.
12.03am GMT
00:03
Andrew Wilkie: treatment of asylum seekers will be considered like the Stolen Generation by future Australians
Updated
at 12.04am GMT
11.52pm GMT
23:52
Andrew Wilkie, Cathy McGowan and Adam Bandt speak out again refugee lifetime ban bill
Over in the lower house, the chamber is debating the lifetime ban on refugees. Labor has already said it would oppose the bill and we have seen a range of Labor speakers denouncing it.
Denison independent, Andrew Wilkie, is speaking about the bill that would ban people on Manus and Nauru ever coming to Australia again once they are settled in another country.
He says in the future, people will talk about Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers like they do of the stolen generations, the Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families.
Wilkie says the handwringing about people drowning – and the need for tough boat policies – is rubbish.
He says the major-party MPs are happy to play politics with the lives of people, happy to pander to the bigots and xenophobes in the community.
He is moving an amendment with the Indi independent, Cathy McGowan, to stop the bill for a lifetime ban and create a compassionate response.
You are both peas in the pod, you are both as bad as each other.
If you started acting like leaders it might actually work in your self interest, yells Wilkie across the chamber. That’s why people are voting for minor parties and independents.
Cathy McGowan is not allowed to speak because she has already spoken on the bill and she is not “given leave” by the majors.
But this is a bit of what she said earlier in a statement. She says Indi voters have given her an overwhelmingly message that Australia should do better on asylum seekers. The proposed legislation failed the “principle” test of good legislation and the test of equality.
A local Indi business owner summed up the sentiment of my electorate: ‘I find this new policy appalling. We are a better society than this. I cannot believe this policy will succeed’.
It fails the test of being able to be administered or delivered or enforced. It is based on fear. Its focus is to create a deterrent and punishment without a balance of reward, rehabilitation, against a long-term humanitarian approach.
I call on the government to outline a plan for migration policy in this country. How can we bring more compassion into government policy without encouraging the false hope pedalled by those who prey on the vulnerable and desperate?
Any response will require a genuinely regional solution involving most, if not all south-east Asian countries, including Australia and New Zealand. Any solution must involve the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Pope Francis says the best antidote to fear is mercy: ‘Mercy and courage are needed to respond to the huge wave of refugees, migrants and displaced people all over the world.’ And I agree with him.
Given the government has the numbers in the lower house, the amendment will not pass unless all crossbenchers support the bill and two government MPs cross the floor.
Unlikely.
Updated
at 12.10am GMT