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Turnbull government in last-minute negotiations for final weeks of parliament – politics live Turnbull government in last-minute negotiations for final weeks of parliament – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.00am GMT
00:00
With Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum drawing to a close, you might like to review the best and worst of Apec fashion. My personal favourite is South Korea but I will take other nominations.
11.41pm GMT
23:41
In less than an hour, One Nation senator Rod Culleton will wander down to the High Court for his case regarding his own eligibility for the senate. Two former business associates have questioned his eligibility because at the time he was elected, Culleton was convicted of larceny of a tow truck key. The conviction was later annulled.
Straight afterwards Culleton is hoping to attend a rally to push for a royal commission into the banking industry.
11.31pm GMT
23:31
Labor’s Catherine King is proposing a private member’s bill which would block the use of the Eureka Flag on political logos.
It would force the Australian Electoral Commission to consider the historical and cultural context of flags and symbols proposed for party logos.
It will also allow anyone to object to a party logo on the grounds that its use of a flag or symbol is inconsistent with the history or cultural significance of that flag or symbol.
Are you confused?
Recently the Australian Electoral Commission approved the use of the Eureka Flag - which features the southern cross - on the logo of right wing party Australia First in NSW. The Australia First party president is Jim Saleam, formerly of National Front. He has defended its use.
There is no actual property in the Eureka flag itself. The Eureka flag is a common emblem, used by a lot of community groups and social groups, and other groups. Therefore the Electoral Commission was simply following the law.
King, who is the MP for Ballarat, agrees that the AEC had no choice due to the law. That’s why the law should be changed. The original flag is housed in the Australian Museum of Democracy in her electorate.
11.13pm GMT11.13pm GMT
23:1323:13
Both chambers have just started. There is private members business in the lower house and the senate is straight on to the registered organisations bill. Senator Doug Cameron opens the batting for Labor.Both chambers have just started. There is private members business in the lower house and the senate is straight on to the registered organisations bill. Senator Doug Cameron opens the batting for Labor.
11.12pm GMT11.12pm GMT
23:1223:12
Jamie Walker at the Oz reports Melbourne property devel­oper, Bill McNee, is one of the major bankrollers of One Nation.Jamie Walker at the Oz reports Melbourne property devel­oper, Bill McNee, is one of the major bankrollers of One Nation.
[McNee’s] company, Vic­land, funded a year’s rent on One Nation’s headquarters in Brisbane as part of a donation package worth nearly $70,000, financial returns filed with the Electoral Commission of Queensland show.[McNee’s] company, Vic­land, funded a year’s rent on One Nation’s headquarters in Brisbane as part of a donation package worth nearly $70,000, financial returns filed with the Electoral Commission of Queensland show.
He stumped up at a critical time for Senator Hanson last year when she was rebuilding the party from scratch, helping lay the platform for her return to federal parliament at the head of a team of four in the Senate.He stumped up at a critical time for Senator Hanson last year when she was rebuilding the party from scratch, helping lay the platform for her return to federal parliament at the head of a team of four in the Senate.
Confirming his financial support for One Nation yesterday, Mr McNee said: “We wanted to be involved if they were to take government in Queensland. That was the basis of our decision.”Confirming his financial support for One Nation yesterday, Mr McNee said: “We wanted to be involved if they were to take government in Queensland. That was the basis of our decision.”
One Nation is likely to be a key player in the next Queensland election. McNee had wound back donations after reportedly donating $150,000 to the Liberals and $70,000-$80,000 to the ALP since 2014.One Nation is likely to be a key player in the next Queensland election. McNee had wound back donations after reportedly donating $150,000 to the Liberals and $70,000-$80,000 to the ALP since 2014.
11.01pm GMT11.01pm GMT
23:0123:01
The Senate will debate David Leyonhjelm’s proposed lifting of the Adler shotgun import ban at 5pm, followed by a One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts’ special on climate change.The Senate will debate David Leyonhjelm’s proposed lifting of the Adler shotgun import ban at 5pm, followed by a One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts’ special on climate change.
As a results of a ballot conducted this morning the senate will debate the following matter between 5- 6pm this afternoon #climatechange pic.twitter.com/FY0lKyyw0uAs a results of a ballot conducted this morning the senate will debate the following matter between 5- 6pm this afternoon #climatechange pic.twitter.com/FY0lKyyw0u
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.02pm GMTat 11.02pm GMT
10.56pm GMT10.56pm GMT
22:5622:56
Scott Morrison is up again in a doorstop. He really is the man today.Scott Morrison is up again in a doorstop. He really is the man today.
His main messages:His main messages:
There is hope yet: delighted @ScottMorrisonMP is quoting my work as good policy. Should be more of it.There is hope yet: delighted @ScottMorrisonMP is quoting my work as good policy. Should be more of it.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.01pm GMTat 11.01pm GMT
10.50pm GMT10.50pm GMT
22:5022:50
After the death of the Coalition’s plebiscite bill, there is still a crossbench marriage equality bill and this will come up for debate today. It is sponsored by Greens MP Adam Bandt, Indi indie Cathy McGowan and Denison indie Andrew Wilkie.After the death of the Coalition’s plebiscite bill, there is still a crossbench marriage equality bill and this will come up for debate today. It is sponsored by Greens MP Adam Bandt, Indi indie Cathy McGowan and Denison indie Andrew Wilkie.
It does this:It does this:
Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to:Amends the Marriage Act 1961 to:
There will be two speakers with five minutes each, expected this morning during private members business. Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan will speak to the bill.There will be two speakers with five minutes each, expected this morning during private members business. Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan will speak to the bill.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.57pm GMTat 10.57pm GMT
10.38pm GMT10.38pm GMT
22:3822:38
Scott Morrison is talking about the registered organisations bill. He says union officials should be subject to the same rules as company directors.Scott Morrison is talking about the registered organisations bill. He says union officials should be subject to the same rules as company directors.
The government needs eight of the 10 crossbenchers to pass this or any other bill. That means One Nation, Nick Xenophon and David Leyonhjelm. Xenophon is seeking amendments to protect whistleblowers.The government needs eight of the 10 crossbenchers to pass this or any other bill. That means One Nation, Nick Xenophon and David Leyonhjelm. Xenophon is seeking amendments to protect whistleblowers.
By way of explanation, Labor is moving five amendments to the registered orgs bill.By way of explanation, Labor is moving five amendments to the registered orgs bill.
It wants to make the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) the regulator of union officials rather than the proposed registered organisations commission.It wants to make the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) the regulator of union officials rather than the proposed registered organisations commission.
It also wants volunteers to be exempt from the new regulations.It also wants volunteers to be exempt from the new regulations.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.48pm GMTat 10.48pm GMT
10.32pm GMT10.32pm GMT
22:3222:32
Scott Morrison is being interviewed by Ray Hadley on 2GB. They are talking about the removal of their gallbladders. Just so you know.Scott Morrison is being interviewed by Ray Hadley on 2GB. They are talking about the removal of their gallbladders. Just so you know.
10.15pm GMT10.15pm GMT
22:1522:15
A farewell selfie after a final meeting with President Obama!#apec2016A farewell selfie after a final meeting with President Obama!#apec2016
A photo posted by Malcolm Turnbull (@turnbullmalcolm) on Nov 20, 2016 at 11:52am PSTA photo posted by Malcolm Turnbull (@turnbullmalcolm) on Nov 20, 2016 at 11:52am PST
10.14pm GMT10.14pm GMT
22:1422:14
Well hello.Well hello.
Hi!Hi!
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.21pm GMTat 10.21pm GMT
10.09pm GMT
22:09
Elevators can take such a long time.
“Of course he is fit to be a senator,” says Pauline Hanson.
One Nation's @PaulineHansonOz on today's 1st High Court hearing re the validity of her WA colleague @SenatorCulleton's election @abcnews pic.twitter.com/gHLSy4D61M
10.01pm GMT
22:01
While there is a long list of legislation, there are a few tasty morsels from private members and others.
Labor is still trying a manoeuvre on the George Brandis solicitor general direction, which led to the resignation of Justin Gleeson. This direction forced all SG advice to get approval from the attorney general. While Brandis chucked it out anyway, Labor wanted to ensure it did not come back in the future.
There is also a vote on Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm’s disallowance on the Adler shotgun import ban. If it succeeds, the temporary ban would be lifted. We will be watching the National party benches for that vote, particularly keen sporting shooter, senator Bridget McKenzie.
Updated
at 10.42pm GMT
9.55pm GMT
21:55
Malcolm Turnbull says when Obama was campaigning he was critical of free trade agreements but was a champion of them in government.
He briefly enters the domestic realm, saying he hopes the Senate sees fit to pass the industrial relations bills, given the disruption of building projects by the “CFMEU’s lawlessness”.
There are not a lot of news lines in the prime minister’s press conference but there is a clear emphasis on Australian interests, Australian children and Australian grandchildren.
Updated
at 9.56pm GMT
9.49pm GMT
21:49
Malcolm Turnbull is in Lima, pontificating on his relationship with Barack Obama.
He says Obama wants Donald Trump to do well. He wants America do well.
We will always be doing this by protecting Australia’s interests, says Turnbull.
9.43pm GMT
21:43
If the budget is worse than we thought, Scott Morrison is asked if Australia can afford the government’s planned company tax cuts.
Wage earners aren’t earning enough and that’s why revenue is down. You don’t improve people’s hours, get them to work more, by taxing businesses more. I mean, it’s just completely counterintuitive. You don’t squeeze the lemon harder. Labor say we have to tax people more. You need to tax, tax, tax. What we say is that we need businesses to be more profitable and productive. We need employees to get more hours per week.
Updated
at 9.49pm GMT
9.30pm GMT
21:30
More ScoMo, just in case you missed his message. The budget won’t be fixed by a commodities price blip.
Q: What do we think of Chris Richardson’s projections then?
Again, what he said about the revenue side of the equation is telling and I think it puts to rest some of the more enthusiastic commentary, which says that the budget will all be fixed by the movement in the iron ore price.
9.26pm GMT
21:26
With simple maths, treasurer Scott Morrison lays groundwork for no surplus by 2021
You may remember the Coalition promised a balanced budget by 2021 in the July election. This is looking less likely, Scott Morrison confirms.
Q: Your pledge was to balance the budget by 2021?
What I said was that the projections would return to balance in 2021. I’ve always been careful about that and that’s why I pull you up on that. I know others in the past have made bold predictions and promises about this. The 2021 budget was a prediction based on the numbers. The numbers move. They always have.
Q: Right, so if the numbers aren’t there, you won’t get to that.
That’s simple maths. But no one has made that call yet and no one is suggesting that yet.
Updated
at 9.40pm GMT
9.20pm GMT
21:20
Scott Morrison basically suggests things are not great.
Chris Richardson [of Deloitte’s] is right to point out that it is actually the wage earnings and the profit earnings of companies that has the most significant impact on revenue.
In other words, even though there has been a bit of a lift in commodity prices, wage growth is pretty stuffed and profit earnings are down so there will be less tax collected. The Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (Myefo) is not looking good.
9.14pm GMT
21:14
There is a Deloitte’s report out this morning which suggests another deficit blowout.
Gareth Hutchens reports:
The federal budget deficit is projected to expand by another $24.3bn over the next four years, as Australia’s record-low wages growth and a shortfall in company tax blow a hole in the income tax take.
It means the Turnbull government’s hopes of returning the budget to balance in 2020-21 have become even slimmer, raising the spectre of a major credit ratings downgrade.
Deloitte Access Economics’s latest Budget Monitor, released on Monday, shows the commonwealth government’s fortunes are tied uncomfortably to rising global commodity prices and the unlikely prospect of the return of inflation.
The treasurer Scott Morrison is speaking on this now.
Updated
at 9.41pm GMT
9.03pm GMT
21:03
Good morning, why so glum?
Don’t despair blogons. On the way into Canberra, the sunrise was 17 different shades of wonderful. It must be a portent of the final sitting weeks before politicians return to their electorates and everyone hits the beach.
Under such circumstances, we are all optimists. Certainly the prime minister was upbeat in Lima over the weekend. He has just had his last meeting with Barack Obama where both leaders underlined the importance of open trade for both countries.
Obama:
There’s a strong alignment of interests between the US and Australia.
Turnbull said it was a “sad moment” and thanked Obama for the leadership he had shown the world over the past eight years.
One of the key talking points at Apec was what will happen to trade over the Trump years. Turnbull was asked by a reporter, whither to for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)? The PM says don’t bury the TPP yet.
Well you seem such an optimistic young man, really you should be more upbeat – don’t be downcast. Look, free trade is a long game, it really is a long game.
A shorter game, though, is this last sitting fortnight. The Turnbull government has a lot to do before parliament rises, if it wants to show it is governing. There is the registered organisations bill, the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the backpackers tax, superannuation reform, more national security legislation ... the list goes on. But again, the trademark Turnbull glass-half-full attitude was unstoppable.
So much pessimism on this beautiful day. We started off with a gloomy question [on the TPP] and now we’re finishing with another one. Well look, I think with the Senate, again it’s a long game and we work away, we respect every single senator. They are all elected by the Australian people, they all have a vote and we’re working hard to achieve a majority on the floor to get our program and the bills we took to the election passed.
The government’s bus driver is Barnaby Joyce, given Turnbull is not back until Tuesday. Hello question time!
In the Senate, first up is the registered organisations bill which would treat union officials like company directors under law. Then we have the vocational education and training legislation. I will give a more comprehensive list in a minute.
The ABCC bills are still listed for Tuesday but probably won’t get to a vote until next week. The government is less confident on that one than the registered organisations bill.
Superannuation and the backpacker tax bills are listed for Wednesday.
In the House, superannuation is listed for Tuesday, plus a whole lot of other bills which we will look at in a minute.
Outside the house, at around 11.30am this very Monday, there will be a directions hearing on the Senate request to consider the eligibility of Bob Day and Rod Culleton in the court of disputed returns – that being the high court.
Culleton was going to shear a sheep, put the belly fleece on his head and represent himself but he has just written a long letter instead, reports Adam Gartrell.
The government may love burning people’s money but I’ll save my money for Christmas presents. I told Santa to put [attorney general George] Brandis on his naughty list too,” Culleton wrote on his Facebook page.
Culleton has called for a postponement of the case against him, arguing it will be in breach of the law for him to appear on a parliamentary sitting day.
From Labor, we can expect more on jobs, jobs, jobs, in line with its campaign on 457 visas. Meanwhile the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has pivoted from criticising Bill Shorten’s campaign to having his own crackdown, condensing the list of occupations eligible for 457 visas .
When Chris Bowen was in the Gillard government as a minister in the Gillard government, it was expanded out quite dramatically – the difficulty of course is to try and get the balance right. In some parts of the country it is very difficult to get a particular worker, say in hospitality or a doctor, whatever the classification might be, but in other parts of the country there is an abundance and most people want to work in capital cities or close to capital cities, but it is very hard to get people in regional areas.
I best get on with this. Hang about with us, Mike Bowers is hunting wabbits and will have some images shortly. I am @gabriellechan and he is @mpbowers so you can join the conversation on the Twits or on my Facebook page. Optimism people.
Updated
at 9.55pm GMT