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Malcolm Turnbull praises Peter Dutton after 'Lebanese-Muslim' remarks – politics live Malcolm Turnbull says Labor can't stand that Dutton 'succeeded where they failed' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
3.59am GMT
03:59
In the lower house, Labor loses the final suspension vote.
3.56am GMT
03:56
Sarah Hanson-Young calls Dutton a "racist bigot", then forced to withdraw
In Senate question time Greens leader Richard Di Natale has asked attorney general George Brandis about immigration minister Peter Dutton’s comments that allowing generations of hardworking Lebanese immigrants to Australia was “a mistake”.
Brandis backed Dutton in:
A more thoughtful or compassionate minister you will not find.
The evidence? There are no children in detention, because of Peter Dutton. There are no drownings at sea, because of Peter Dutton.
Di Natale raises several points of order that Brandis hadn’t addressed the part of his question about Dutton singling the Lebanese community out. The answer is relevant, the president rules.
Brandis then begins riffing on John Howard’s “we decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come” and Malcolm Turnbull’s claim the success of the migration program depends on control of the borders.
Sarah Hanson Young interjects, calling Dutton a “racist bigot”. Asked to withdraw, she at first refuses, then withdraws “for the sake of the chamber” but adds “honestly - I believe it”.
3.50am GMT
03:50
The government wins the second gag motion. Now they are voting to get on with the suspension vote.
3.48am GMT
03:48
Government wins the gag, as expected.
Labor’s Tony Burke jumps up to second the motion.
He can’t manage the parliament, the cabinet or the country.
Christopher Pyne moves to gag.
There is another vote on the gag motion.
3.46am GMT
03:46
Shorten to Turnbull on Dutton. Dutton checks phone.
Updated
at 3.52am GMT
3.43am GMT
03:43
This is the Labor suspension motion.
That the House:
Updated
at 3.46am GMT
3.41am GMT
03:41
The government moves to gag Bill Shorten. The House divides on the vote.
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at 3.46am GMT
3.40am GMT
03:40
Bill Shorten moves a suspension of standing orders on cabinet division, following the National party’s defection on the Adler gun ban.
3.37am GMT
03:37
Energy and environment minister Josh Frydenberg is asked about energy infrastructure and segues into ... ABCC.
Updated
at 3.39am GMT
3.36am GMT
03:36
Shorten to Turnbull: Clause 23 of the prime minister’s cabinet handbook states: “Cabinet ministers cannot disassociate themselves from or repudiate the decisions of their cabinet colleagues unless they resign from the cabinet.” It is the prime minister’s role to enforce cabinet solidarity. Given it is up to the prime minister to enforce cabinet solidarity, why hasn’t he sacked these three disloyal ministers? Is it that he genuinely believes their absence was a coincidence or is he just too weak to run his cabinet?
Turnbull quotes from Paul Kelly’s book regarding the Labor leadership fights of the past.
The distrust between Rudd and Shorten was enduring. It was weak and duplicitous, neither side trusted him and neither side revised his view. The Australian people won’t revise their view of him either.
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at 3.38am GMT
3.29am GMT
03:29
Sussan Ley, health minister, is asked about why the ABCC is needed to build hospitals, such as the
Adelaide Hospital which is the third most expensive building in the history of the world.
Updated
at 3.30am GMT
3.28am GMT
03:28
Christopher Pyne gets an ABCC question.
Shorten to Turnbull: Given last night no member of the National party Senate team, no member of the National party Senate team voted to keep the government’s ban on the Adler shotgun and given that the prime minister has just confirmed that the deputy prime minister and leader of the National party backed the ban in the cabinet, does the prime minister’s deputy still support the ban on the importation of the Adler shotgun and if so, why did none of his team in the Senate back up the cabinet decision?
The Speaker rules the question is out of order because it relates to another party of which he is not a member.
Updated
at 3.31am GMT
3.25am GMT3.25am GMT
03:2503:25
Shorten to Turnbull: I refer to the Prime Minister’s previous answer about his missing National cabinet ministers.How can the Prime Minister claim the absence of all three National Party cabinet ministers in the Senate was insignificant when Senator Leyonhjelm has confirmed to Sky News that these cabinet ministers deliberately refused to back the cabinet position because they didn’t agree with it? Shorten to Turnbull: I refer to the prime minister’s previous answer about his missing National cabinet ministers. How can the prime minister claim the absence of all three National party cabinet ministers in the Senate was insignificant when Senator Leyonhjelm has confirmed to Sky News that these cabinet ministers deliberately refused to back the cabinet position because they didn’t agree with it?
Turnbull repeats that the Adler ban is cabinet policy and has been extended until the states agree on a classification.Turnbull repeats that the Adler ban is cabinet policy and has been extended until the states agree on a classification.
Updated
at 3.26am GMT
3.19am GMT3.19am GMT
03:1903:19
Treasurer Scott Morrison gets a government question on ... registered orgs.Treasurer Scott Morrison gets a government question on ... registered orgs.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.20am GMTat 3.20am GMT
3.18am GMT3.18am GMT
03:1803:18
Andrew Wilkie to Christopher Pyne, defence industry minister: The government is quick to say increased defence spending will provide an economic stimulus for states and regions in need of a boost. What tangible commitment can you now give that Tasmania will get its fair share of the work? Will Hobart’s Prince of Wales bay defence manufacturing precinct benefit from the as yet to be decided subcontract work on the C-11 offshore patrol vessel and the C 5,000 future frigates projects. Will you commit to vast Prince of Wales bay and meet the companies based there? Tasmania and Hobart need a boost too and there are many firms with the skills and advantages to help build and sustain Australia’s future defence needs.Andrew Wilkie to Christopher Pyne, defence industry minister: The government is quick to say increased defence spending will provide an economic stimulus for states and regions in need of a boost. What tangible commitment can you now give that Tasmania will get its fair share of the work? Will Hobart’s Prince of Wales bay defence manufacturing precinct benefit from the as yet to be decided subcontract work on the C-11 offshore patrol vessel and the C 5,000 future frigates projects. Will you commit to vast Prince of Wales bay and meet the companies based there? Tasmania and Hobart need a boost too and there are many firms with the skills and advantages to help build and sustain Australia’s future defence needs.
Pyne says the work will be spread around the country but in Tassie:Pyne says the work will be spread around the country but in Tassie:
Taylor Brothers, which is near the Prince of Wales precinct you talked about, has provided material for the air warfare destroy program. Things like refrigeration spaces and prefabricated doors. A business in Hobart has provided things to do with fire equipment and fire blankets for the Air Warfare Destroyer program.Taylor Brothers, which is near the Prince of Wales precinct you talked about, has provided material for the air warfare destroy program. Things like refrigeration spaces and prefabricated doors. A business in Hobart has provided things to do with fire equipment and fire blankets for the Air Warfare Destroyer program.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.21am GMTat 3.21am GMT
3.15am GMT3.15am GMT
03:1503:15
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: Clause 23 of the prime minister’s cabinet handbook states: “Members of the cabinet must publicly support all government decisions made in the cabinet even if they do not agree with them”. Has the prime minister disciplined the three cabinet ministers who took the unprecedented disloyal step of failing to vote for the cabinet position? Isn’t it clear this prime minister is so weak his government is so divided he can’t even keep his cabinet in line?Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: Clause 23 of the prime minister’s cabinet handbook states: “Members of the cabinet must publicly support all government decisions made in the cabinet even if they do not agree with them”. Has the prime minister disciplined the three cabinet ministers who took the unprecedented disloyal step of failing to vote for the cabinet position? Isn’t it clear this prime minister is so weak his government is so divided he can’t even keep his cabinet in line?
Turnbull gives his previous answer on the Mickey vote (named after Mickey Mouse because it is not serious). He says a number of Labor shadow cabinet members did not attend.Turnbull gives his previous answer on the Mickey vote (named after Mickey Mouse because it is not serious). He says a number of Labor shadow cabinet members did not attend.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.18am GMTat 3.18am GMT
3.12am GMT3.12am GMT
03:1203:12
Just on those questions about Nationals not voting for the gun ban, the following Liberal ministers did see fit to attend a “mickey” vote.Just on those questions about Nationals not voting for the gun ban, the following Liberal ministers did see fit to attend a “mickey” vote.
3.10am GMT3.10am GMT
03:1003:10
There have been two government questions on registered orgs and unions.There have been two government questions on registered orgs and unions.
3.10am GMT3.10am GMT
03:1003:10
Labor to Turnbull: I refer to reports in the Herald Sun of a panicked two-hour-long extraordinary meeting of the National party last night. Following this meeting, for the first time in the history of Liberal national Coalitions, three Nationals ministers in the cabinet failed to vote for the cabinet position. What are the consequences in the prime minister’s government for cabinet ministers who fail to vote for the cabinet position?Labor to Turnbull: I refer to reports in the Herald Sun of a panicked two-hour-long extraordinary meeting of the National party last night. Following this meeting, for the first time in the history of Liberal national Coalitions, three Nationals ministers in the cabinet failed to vote for the cabinet position. What are the consequences in the prime minister’s government for cabinet ministers who fail to vote for the cabinet position?
I’m not a member of the Nats party room, says Turnbull.I’m not a member of the Nats party room, says Turnbull.
My government, my cabinet, of which I am the prime minister and my colleague is the deputy prime minister, the leader of the Nationals resolve to extend indefinitely the ban on the Adler shotgun that had been previously subject to a sunset clause. That was a cabinet decision.My government, my cabinet, of which I am the prime minister and my colleague is the deputy prime minister, the leader of the Nationals resolve to extend indefinitely the ban on the Adler shotgun that had been previously subject to a sunset clause. That was a cabinet decision.
Except the National cabinet ministers did not publicly show support for that position. #justsayingExcept the National cabinet ministers did not publicly show support for that position. #justsaying
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.19am GMTat 3.19am GMT
3.04am GMT
03:04
Labor opens with Peter Dutton’s comments.
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: The prime minister has had the opportunity to be fully briefed on the minister for immigration’s statement in the House yesterday in which the minister expressed the view that the behaviour of children and grandchildren of immigrants meant Malcolm Fraser made a mistake by allowing their parents and grandparents to migrate to Australia in the late 1970s. Is this the prime minister’s position – yes or no?
Turnbull opens with a shouting defence of Peter Dutton. Which is a bad sign.
I can well understand how members opposite seek to tear down the minister for immigration. They can’t stand the fact that he succeeded where they have failed.
Tony Burke takes a point of order.
Turnbull says he has finished his answer.
Updated
at 3.10am GMT
3.00am GMT
03:00
Question time coming up.
2.56am GMT
02:56
Di Natale on Dutton: "Does the Minister think my Italian relatives shouldn’t have come here because of the Mafia?”
2.54am GMT
02:54
Don't call me a banker. Super funds laugh at Kelly O'Dwyers's comparison to banks.
Gareth Hutchens
Kelly O’Dwyer has just delivered a speech that riled an audience of superannuation representatives at a conference in Parliament House.
She told them – or trolled them? – that superannuation funds were not governed at the same standard as major banks and life insurance companies.
The crowd laughed at her.
“Are you serious?” said one audience member nearby. “She’s gotta be joking,” said another.
The minister was trying to make the case that the boards of industry super funds, which are not-for-profit organisations, ought to have independent directors and an independent chair.
At the moment, they typically have equal numbers of representatives from employer groups and unions. But the Financial Services Council, which represents the interests of major banks, has been lobbying hard for years to have that model broken up. Its members require a minimum of 50% independent directors.
O’Dwyer says the Turnbull government will now reintroduce a bill requiring trustee boards to have a minimum of one third independent directors, including an independent chair.
Peter Collins, the chairman of Industry Super Australia (and former NSW Liberal party leader), said O’Dwyer’s comments were laughable.
The minister for superannuation is saying that she would like super fund governance to be the same as governance for the banks,” he told Guardian Australia.
If super funds had been responsible for systemic failures in financial advice, failure to pass on interest rate cuts, excessive executive remuneration, and other forms of profit gouging by banks, there would have been a royal commission into super funds in a flash.
It is abhorrent and unacceptable in the minds of most Australians that the standards for super funds should be the same as those tolerated for the banks.
Updated
at 2.58am GMT
2.42am GMT
02:42
The Law Council president, Stuart Clark, has described the Xeno/Hinch whistleblower reforms as a major development that should push into the corporate sector.
These crossbench amendments now mean that vital whistleblower protection is moving well behond the public sphere and finding its way into the non-government and private sector. This is why this new legislation is so important.
Reprisals against whistleblowers in registered organisations will now carry civil or criminal penalties with damages.
The government has committed to a wider parliamentary inquiry into whistleblower protection and the establishment of an expert advisory panel.
We can only hope a few cattle dogs on the crossbench keep the government on course to extend whistleblower protections to the corporate sector.
Updated
at 2.46am GMT
2.23am GMT
02:23
The ABCC debate has begun in the Senate and the house has started on superannuation.
Updated
at 2.33am GMT
2.18am GMT
02:18
You madame, you with the question … let me make some witty aside lest I have to answer it (rhetorical flourish).
Updated
at 2.38am GMT
2.06am GMT
02:06
(Live blogger picks herself up off floor.)
Penny Wong gave her best “give me a break” face at George Brandis’ suggestion last night that a mickey vote was the reason for the Nats absence.
Wong:
Where were the Nationals ministers? Where were the Nationals cabinet ministers? Were they here? I have to say –
Brandis:
It was a mick.
Wong:
It was a mick, he says. That was very, very mediocre, Senator Brandis. We will have a bit more to say about mediocrity, I am sure, in the days ahead, as will your colleagues, but that is a different point.
Updated
at 2.24am GMT
1.59am GMT
01:59
PM takes the mickey on the Nats
The last point to mention from the PM’s press conference is about the Nationals abstaining or crossing the floor on the guns motion. He is asked about the “guiding principle” behind the Nats’ decision, given three National cabinet ministers abstained and two backbenchers crossed the floor.
In our parties, backbenchers are able to cross the floor and, indeed, you know, have done so and we respect their right – unlike the Labor party, we don’t expel people from the Coalition parties if they cross the floor.
Then he asked Michaelia Cash to explain the mickey vote. This is if both major parties support a vote, not everyone needs to turn up for the vote. It just so happens that the three senior Nats did not make the gun vote.
(Live blogger falls off chair.)
Updated
at 2.06am GMT
1.53am GMT
01:53
Q: Last night, Peta Credlin said your chief of staff is paid double what an ordinary chief of staff is paid and that’s obviously taxpayer money. Is that correct? And, if so, why?
Turnbull said his “outstanding” chief of staff, Drew Clarke, was one of the most experienced public servants in the city and
that’s obviously been reflected in his ongoing remuneration.
Updated
at 2.06am GMT