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Malcolm Turnbull praises Peter Dutton after 'Lebanese-Muslim' remarks – politics live Malcolm Turnbull praises Peter Dutton after 'Lebanese-Muslim' remarks – politics live
(35 minutes later)
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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.
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The ABCC debate has begun in the Senate and the house has started on superannuation.
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You madame, you with the question … let me make some witty aside lest I have to answer it (rhetorical flourish).
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(Live blogger picks herself up off floor.)(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.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:Wong:
Where were the Nationals ministers? Where were the Nationals cabinet ministers? Were they here? I have to say— Where were the Nationals ministers? Where were the Nationals cabinet ministers? Were they here? I have to say –
Brandis:Brandis:
It was a mick.It was a mick.
Wong: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. 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.
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PM takes the mickey on the NatsPM 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.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.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.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.)(Live blogger falls off chair.)
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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?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 andTurnbull 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.that’s obviously been reflected in his ongoing remuneration.
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Malcolm Turnbull is asked about the Murray-Darling Basin plan. Following a review of the socioeconomic impact of the basin plan on local communities, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority announced a reduced target of 320 gigalitres, down from an initial level of 390GL.Malcolm Turnbull is asked about the Murray-Darling Basin plan. Following a review of the socioeconomic impact of the basin plan on local communities, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority announced a reduced target of 320 gigalitres, down from an initial level of 390GL.
A key element in the plan was to restore water to the environment. But to do so, by investing in infrastructure, both off-farm and on-farm, that enabled us to produce the same amount, if not more, food and fibre with less water ... That was the big idea in 2007 and, for whatever reasons, laziness, failure to understand it – you will have you to ask the Labor party – they abandoned that and spent a lot of money buying water back in a very, very non-strategic way that did disadvantage many irrigation communities.A key element in the plan was to restore water to the environment. But to do so, by investing in infrastructure, both off-farm and on-farm, that enabled us to produce the same amount, if not more, food and fibre with less water ... That was the big idea in 2007 and, for whatever reasons, laziness, failure to understand it – you will have you to ask the Labor party – they abandoned that and spent a lot of money buying water back in a very, very non-strategic way that did disadvantage many irrigation communities.
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Dennis Atkins asks: Do you think that the return, electorally, of the One Nation party warrants a review of the 2008 deal between the Liberal party and National party in Queensland? Or should the LNP merger stand?Dennis Atkins asks: Do you think that the return, electorally, of the One Nation party warrants a review of the 2008 deal between the Liberal party and National party in Queensland? Or should the LNP merger stand?
Turnbull says the Queensland LNP is working very effectively.Turnbull says the Queensland LNP is working very effectively.
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David Speers follows up on Massola and Murph’s questions regarding Dutton: do you support your minister’s comments about Lebanese Muslim immigration in the 70s?David Speers follows up on Massola and Murph’s questions regarding Dutton: do you support your minister’s comments about Lebanese Muslim immigration in the 70s?
There is no question that there are lessons to be learned from previous immigration policies and the minister was reflecting on, you know, on policies many years ago. He’s entitled to do that.There is no question that there are lessons to be learned from previous immigration policies and the minister was reflecting on, you know, on policies many years ago. He’s entitled to do that.
But the critical thing is – I’m not making any comment on his remarks other than to say that it’s fair for all of us to reflect on past policies and how effective they were or not and seek to improve, in the light of that, to improve what we’re doing now.But the critical thing is – I’m not making any comment on his remarks other than to say that it’s fair for all of us to reflect on past policies and how effective they were or not and seek to improve, in the light of that, to improve what we’re doing now.
(This is excruciating.)(This is excruciating.)
The Labor party is constantly envious of Dutton’s record as an immigration minister, because every day, by his effectiveness, he demonstrates what failures they were when they were responsible for our nation’s borders.The Labor party is constantly envious of Dutton’s record as an immigration minister, because every day, by his effectiveness, he demonstrates what failures they were when they were responsible for our nation’s borders.
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Katharine Murphy asks Turnbull: In the 1970s, should Malcolm Fraser have let Lebanese Muslims into Australia, on on the basis that a handful of their descendants might commit crimes?Katharine Murphy asks Turnbull: In the 1970s, should Malcolm Fraser have let Lebanese Muslims into Australia, on on the basis that a handful of their descendants might commit crimes?
Turnbull refuses to answer the direct question. He simply says Peter Dutton is doing a great job and Australia has a great migration program.Turnbull refuses to answer the direct question. He simply says Peter Dutton is doing a great job and Australia has a great migration program.
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Asked about Lebanese Muslim migration, Turnbull backs Dutton's job as minister.Asked about Lebanese Muslim migration, Turnbull backs Dutton's job as minister.
James Massola of Fairfax asks: on Lebanese Muslim immigration, Trent Zimmerman told the party room he had concerns about the mixed messaging we have heard in the last few days. Do you grow with Mr Zimmerman or do you agree with Michael Sukkar who told the party today that Peter Dutton’s commentary is spot on.James Massola of Fairfax asks: on Lebanese Muslim immigration, Trent Zimmerman told the party room he had concerns about the mixed messaging we have heard in the last few days. Do you grow with Mr Zimmerman or do you agree with Michael Sukkar who told the party today that Peter Dutton’s commentary is spot on.
Malcolm Turnbull backs Peter Dutton.Malcolm Turnbull backs Peter Dutton.
Peter Dutton is doing a great job as minister ... Of course, Peter has been outstanding in his work, in our work together as a government, in reaching agreement for resettlement with third countries. So, he’s doing an outstanding job as immigration minister and if you want to look at a failure in immigration policy, you don’t have to look very far back.Peter Dutton is doing a great job as minister ... Of course, Peter has been outstanding in his work, in our work together as a government, in reaching agreement for resettlement with third countries. So, he’s doing an outstanding job as immigration minister and if you want to look at a failure in immigration policy, you don’t have to look very far back.
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Michaelia Cash is asked if she is offended by Doug Cameron’s comments regarding her need for hand-holding by fellow minister.Michaelia Cash is asked if she is offended by Doug Cameron’s comments regarding her need for hand-holding by fellow minister.
Someone asked me if I was offended last night. The only thing that offended me last night is the fact that the Labor party consistently failed to stand up for the 2m members of registered organisations.Someone asked me if I was offended last night. The only thing that offended me last night is the fact that the Labor party consistently failed to stand up for the 2m members of registered organisations.
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1.25am GMT1.25am GMT
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Turnbull is asked how many jobs will be created by the legislation?Turnbull is asked how many jobs will be created by the legislation?
The PM won’t say how many jobs but it will be of economic benefit, he says.The PM won’t say how many jobs but it will be of economic benefit, he says.
It is perfectly clear that if you reduce the potential for corruption and abuse and malfeasance, that is a benefit to the economy.It is perfectly clear that if you reduce the potential for corruption and abuse and malfeasance, that is a benefit to the economy.
1.23am GMT1.23am GMT
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Cash says the registered orgs bill was required because unions handle $1.5bn annually, they have net assets of $2.5bn and they have a special tax exempt status.Cash says the registered orgs bill was required because unions handle $1.5bn annually, they have net assets of $2.5bn and they have a special tax exempt status.
[Labor] continue to condone the using of members’ funds in registered organisations by some union officials for their own personal piggy bank.[Labor] continue to condone the using of members’ funds in registered organisations by some union officials for their own personal piggy bank.
1.21am GMT1.21am GMT
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Malcolm Turnbull crowing after the registered organisations bill win in the Senate last night.Malcolm Turnbull crowing after the registered organisations bill win in the Senate last night.
He is doubling down on the ABCC bill.He is doubling down on the ABCC bill.
The employment minister, Michaelia Cash, thanked the crossbench.The employment minister, Michaelia Cash, thanked the crossbench.
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Xenophon is happy if the Trans-Pacific Partnership dies but Hinch does not agree.Xenophon is happy if the Trans-Pacific Partnership dies but Hinch does not agree.
Xenophon and Hinch both support the government’s 19% backpacker tax . Xenophon says “someone” is floating 15% as a compromise with Labor’s 10% tax.Xenophon and Hinch both support the government’s 19% backpacker tax . Xenophon says “someone” is floating 15% as a compromise with Labor’s 10% tax.
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