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Peter Dutton's comments on Lebanese migrants 'loud, lazy disrespect', says Bill Shorten – question time live Peter Dutton's comments on Lebanese migrants 'loud, lazy disrespect', says Bill Shorten – question time live
(35 minutes later)
4.16am GMT
04:16
Earlier Paul Karp reported on the One Nation split in a senate vote. The vote was on superannuation: Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts voted with the Greens, while Brian Burston and Rod Culleton voted with Labor and the government.
Hanson and Culleton were absent during Question time. Burston and Roberts were in the senate.
4.13am GMT
04:13
There was a government question on electricity supply and then another Murray Darling question.
Shorten to Turnbull: I refer to the Deputy Prime Minister’s letter of 17 November indicating to the SA Government, indicating that the Government would abandon its obligation to deliver 450 gigalitres of water to the Murray-Darling Basin through efficiency measures. Does the Deputy Prime Minister’s letter reflect Government policy?
The Leader of the Opposition could you assist us by showing where in the letter does the word “abandonment” is used? Not once.
Turnbull says the government supports the plan but the plan has conditions which the government must adhere to.
4.09am GMT
04:09
Labor’s Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull: When the deputy prime minister personally insisted on receiving the water portfolio, did he keep secret from the prime minister his intention to undermine the additional 450 gigalitres on the Murray-Darling Basin plan? Did the prime minister have any idea prior to Friday that his deputy had put in writing that the basin plan wouldn’t be completed and since then, has the prime minister in any way reprimanded the deputy prime minister for free ranging on the basin plan?
(These two are both former water ministers.)
Turnbull says Burke’s question amounts to one misrepresentation after another. He says the clause about the requirement for no negative impact on communities comes from the 2012 version of the Murray Darling Basin plan, which Tony Burke oversaw.
This is the plan the honourable member promulgated as minister and the section to which I referred is in his plan and that is part of the plan to which we are committed.
Updated
at 4.17am GMT
4.05am GMT
04:05
A government question to social services minister Christian Porter on the improvement of the domestic violence hotline.
4.03am GMT
04:03
Government threatening to sue over use of Medicare logo on Save Medicare website
Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull: Can the prime minister confirm his government has threatened to sue Mark Rogers, a Sydney grandfather, over his use of the Medicare logo on his Save Medicare website? Will the government be threatening legal action against the Liberal party, the member for Ford, the minister for trade, the member for Bonner and the health minister who have all used the Medicare logo in their own political material?
Turnbull says yes to the substantive question.
That litigation is as he has described.
Updated
at 4.09am GMT
4.00am GMT
04:00
Peter Dutton gets a government question on securing borders and third-party settlements. He says the US Homeland Security department has been out to work out rapid screening methods for the refugees taken into Australia. But most of the answer goes to whacking Labor on asylum seekers.
Updated
at 4.11am GMT
3.58am GMT
03:58
Not happy, Bowers.
3.56am GMT
03:56
Labor to Turnbull: I refer to the video of a Brisbane 7-Eleven employee being forced to return half her wages to her employer in cash. As a result of this cashback scam, staff are paid $11 an hour below the minimum wage. Given the prime minister’s own ministerial standards requires ministers to act with the highest standard of integrity, how can the prime minister possibly justify his ongoing holdings in managed funds which invest in 7-Eleven?
Turnbull says his managed funds are managed by an external advisor at arms’ length, much like a superannuation fund. He says to Labor, if you want to go there, check what all MPs superannuation funds invest in.
Updated
at 4.10am GMT
3.54am GMT
03:54
Next government question is on unions.
3.52am GMT
03:52
Labor to Malcolm Turnbull: The member for Mallee said the deputy prime minister was right to abandon the bipartisan commitment for an additional 450 gigalitres in the Murray-Darling Basin plan, saying “SA will get more water than it can actually handle”. Is it the position of the government that the basin plan delivers more water than SA can actually handle?
Turnbull quotes section 7.17 of the basin plan.
What it makes very clear is that it must be neutral or improved socioeconomic outcomes to be associated with the removal or the conversion of water from consumptive to environmental uses. That is what is in the plan. That is what the plan says. Nobody is saying it is easy. I think it was Mark Twain who said whisky is for drinking and water is for fighting over.
Updated
at 3.58am GMT
3.47am GMT
03:47
A government question to health minister Sussan Ley on union regulation.
3.46am GMT
03:46
Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull: Yesterday the minister for revenue said she wanted to lift superannuation funds to the same standards as the banks. Is the former NSW Liberal leader and chairman of Industry Super Australia Peter Collins accurately describing Government policy when he says “If super funds were responsible for failures in financial advice, failure to pass on interest rates cuts and remuneration and other forms of profit gauging by banks, there would have been a Royal Commission into super funds in a flash”.
Turnbull:
The honourable member knows very well that the Government’s sought to ensure that there are independent directors on industry super funds. That is hardly a radical proposal. This has been resisted by a number of the vested interests associated with the industry super funds where, in many cases, as the honourable member knows, the directors are drawn solely from the employers and the unions. All we are seeking into is to install what is regarded as corporate governance 101 in the rest of the corporate world. The honourable member should take care to represent the interests of the members as opposed to once again representing the interests of union bosses who are very happy to sit in those well paid directorships.
3.41am GMT3.41am GMT
03:4103:41
Bob Katter invokes the spirit of the Magna Carta during a question to Barnaby Joyce #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/8U3lm5Axj8Bob Katter invokes the spirit of the Magna Carta during a question to Barnaby Joyce #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/8U3lm5Axj8
3.40am GMT3.40am GMT
03:4003:40
Defence industry minister Christopher Pyne gets a government question on the registered organisations bill that passed this week.Defence industry minister Christopher Pyne gets a government question on the registered organisations bill that passed this week.
3.39am GMT3.39am GMT
03:3903:39
Tanya Plibersek to Kelly O’Dwyer: It has been revealed that Australia’s biggest banks will have to pay almost $180 million in compensation because they spent years charging over 200 customers fees for services that they didn’t actually receive.Is this what the minister meant when she said she wanted to lift superannuation funds to the same standards as banks? Does the minister really want superannuation account holders to be treated the way banks treat their customers? Tanya Plibersek to Kelly O’Dwyer: It has been revealed that Australia’s biggest banks will have to pay almost $180 million in compensation because they spent years charging over 200 customers fees for services that they didn’t actually receive. Is this what the minister meant when she said she wanted to lift superannuation funds to the same standards as banks? Does the minister really want superannuation account holders to be treated the way banks treat their customers?
This relates to Gareth Hutchens’ story yesterday about a speech O’Dwyer gave to the superannuation industry. O’Dwyer defends the This relates to Gareth Hutchens’ story yesterday about a speech O’Dwyer gave to the superannuation industry.
They think it is acceptable that they have lower governance standards than that that currently applies to banks and life insurance companies. It is ridiculous. It is ridiculous to think that millions ofAustralians who have their money in superannuation funds would have funds that have lower governance standards than that currently applying to banks and to life insurance companies. It is not actually something that we have dreamt up on this side of the house. There was a review that was undertaken under Labor’s watch by Jeremy Cooper, a hand-picked person from Labor for the job who concluded that the governance standards for superannuation funds was not up to the mark. They [super funds] think it is acceptable that they have lower governance standards than that that currently applies to banks and life insurance companies. It is ridiculous. It is ridiculous to think that millions of Australians who have their money in superannuation funds would have funds that have lower governance standards than that currently applying to banks and to life insurance companies. It is not actually something that we have dreamt up on this side of the house. There was a review that was undertaken under Labor’s watch by Jeremy Cooper, a hand-picked person from Labor for the job, who concluded that the governance standard for superannuation funds was not up to the mark.
Updated
at 3.54am GMT
3.31am GMT3.31am GMT
03:3103:31
Shorten to Turnbull: Today ratings agency Standard & Poor’s warned Australia’s AAA credit rating will be at risk unless the government stands by its commitment to a surplus in 2021. On this basis, why is the prime minister still persisting with his $50bn tax handout to big business when a ratings downgrade will push up the mortgage repayments for Australian homeowners?Shorten to Turnbull: Today ratings agency Standard & Poor’s warned Australia’s AAA credit rating will be at risk unless the government stands by its commitment to a surplus in 2021. On this basis, why is the prime minister still persisting with his $50bn tax handout to big business when a ratings downgrade will push up the mortgage repayments for Australian homeowners?
Turnbull:Turnbull:
Turning to the ratings agencies, they have been absolutely crystal clear their concern is that the government’s budget will not be passed through the parliament because of the reckless opposition of the Labor party. That is what their concern is. They recognise that we have a plan, we have an economic plan, which sets out a path towards a budget surplus.Turning to the ratings agencies, they have been absolutely crystal clear their concern is that the government’s budget will not be passed through the parliament because of the reckless opposition of the Labor party. That is what their concern is. They recognise that we have a plan, we have an economic plan, which sets out a path towards a budget surplus.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.40am GMTat 3.40am GMT
3.28am GMT3.28am GMT
03:2803:28
Paul KarpPaul Karp
In the Senate: Greens senator Nick McKim has asked the attorney general, George Brandis, whether immigration minister Peter Dutton’s comments about letting Lebanese immigrants to Australia being a “mistake” had harmed deradicalisation efforts.In the Senate: Greens senator Nick McKim has asked the attorney general, George Brandis, whether immigration minister Peter Dutton’s comments about letting Lebanese immigrants to Australia being a “mistake” had harmed deradicalisation efforts.
Brandis replies:Brandis replies:
That is certainly not the case ... nothing Mr Dutton has said has in any way prejudiced or compromised that engagement. There has been no suggestion from [the national security] agencies or my department to that effect.That is certainly not the case ... nothing Mr Dutton has said has in any way prejudiced or compromised that engagement. There has been no suggestion from [the national security] agencies or my department to that effect.
He says the Australian government and its agencies work in “in close collaboration with Australia’s Muslim leadership” to counter “the siren song of terrorism recruiters … who would lure their youth onto the path of self-destruction”.He says the Australian government and its agencies work in “in close collaboration with Australia’s Muslim leadership” to counter “the siren song of terrorism recruiters … who would lure their youth onto the path of self-destruction”.
McKim then quotes Asio director, Duncan Lewis, who told Senate estimates last month that “comments about members of Islamic faith being unwelcome here made engagement with Islamic community more difficult”.McKim then quotes Asio director, Duncan Lewis, who told Senate estimates last month that “comments about members of Islamic faith being unwelcome here made engagement with Islamic community more difficult”.
Brandis replies that Lewis “wasn’t asked about Dutton’s remark” and he had met Lewis as recently as yesterday and he did not express concern about the immigration minister’s comments.Brandis replies that Lewis “wasn’t asked about Dutton’s remark” and he had met Lewis as recently as yesterday and he did not express concern about the immigration minister’s comments.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.36am GMTat 3.36am GMT
3.25am GMT
03:25
Bob Katter to Barnaby Joyce: you are aware of the notorious Flinders river water allocations. Almost all of these waters are worth over $180m have been granted to two [large] corporations. This was in contrast to a refusal to even consider submissions from the people of the area itself that were based upon economic development, industry and community benefit. The most serious questions of ministerial and departmental impropriety are raised here. In light of this ... to provide for the enrichment of the rich, would the minister consider right-to-sustenance legislation, rights enshrined in and from the time of the Magna Carta itself?
The nub of Joyce’s answer:
The water licences are predominantly a state issue, especially on the Flinders. I note the concerns you have and we too are wanting to develop the north and build more water infrastructure.
The government question is also to Joyce on the ABCC.
Updated
at 3.33am GMT
3.19am GMT
03:19
Jim Chalmers to Scott Morrison: Ratings agency Standard & Poors has today warned that Australia’s AAA rating will be at risk unless revenue is increased in a sustained way. Why is the treasurer refusing to support sensible reforms on negative gearing and capital gains?
Morrison does not touch on negative gearing as such.
Those opposite are a one trick pony when it comes to the budget. The only thing they are able to come up with is just tax people more. They are addicted to tax.
Updated
at 3.27am GMT
3.12am GMT
03:12
The next government question is on Labor blocking the government’s savings.
3.12am GMT
03:12
Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has today warned that Australia’s AAA credit rating will be at risk unless the treasurer stands by his commitment to a surplus in 2021. A commitment which is in the treasurer’s own budget papers bearing his name. Does the treasurer take any responsibility for placing Australia’s AAA rating at risk with his chaotic management of the budget?
Scott Morrison says the government is trying to repair the budget but Labor is standing in the way. He has $40bn in savings up his sleeve, $20bn has passed and $20bn is blocked by Labor.
You know what happened at the last election. You took a $16.5 billion deficit increase to the last election and it is no surprise that the Australian people rejected you.
Updated
at 3.27am GMT
3.07am GMT
03:07
The first government question is about delivering on promises - union regulations and superannuation.
3.07am GMT
03:07
Shorten to Turnbull: Rosie Batty, the Productivity Commission, the Victorian Royal Commission into family violence have recommended that family violence survivors shouldn’t be cross-examined in court by their abusers. Will the Prime Minister join with Labor to amend the Family Law Act to ensure that vulnerable witnesses are protected during court proceedings?
Turnbull gives a fulsome answer:
We all understand the cross-examination of a victim by the alleged perpetrator is a very traumatic experience.
We are working very closely with the stakeholders in this area, in particular the judges and magistrates in the family courts to progress measures to support vulnerable witnesses.
We are establishing integrated duty lawyer and domestic violence support services in the family law courts to improve the support available to victims and that includes assisting them to draft notices of risk and access alternative ways to give evidence.
We have also commissioned a bench book which provides guidance for all judicial officers dealing with domestic and family violence, including guidelines for courtroom management to minimise secondary abuse through court processes of those who have experienced family violence.
Judges and judicial officers always have a discretion in this area and we are encouraging them to use this very actively to ensure that these distressing circumstances don’t occur. I noted what the honourable member opposite proposed this morning and the funding that he recommended which at first examination would not appear to us to be adequate for the task that he has proposed.
3.02am GMT
03:02
Question time now. First question is on domestic violence.
3.01am GMT
03:01
Scott Morrison: Don't look to Sanders and Corbyn, look to Trump
I will just end on one last point from Scott Morrison and Kelly O’Dwyer’s press conference.
The discussion got around to the the rest of the government’s agenda, including the corporate tax cuts.
The objective is to increase the amount of work people can get, the amount of hours they can get, the amount of wages they can earn and the profits the companies can do. That’s what you do. You don’t squeeze a lemon until you get arthritis.
What you do is cut the tax rates particularly for small and medium-sized business to give them to the room to do this. What Labor is doing by blocking this is leaving Australia economically stranded.
They are looking to Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn for their tax policy advice. Not where they should be looking, to Theresa May and, indeed, Donald Trump. He announced it after - I understand - we announced our Budget.
I’m sure he will give the Australian Government credit for that..Nevertheless, it is a great idea to support investment in jobs. It is a great idea. The Labor Party used to believe in it.
2.50am GMT
02:50
Scott Morrison is asked: How confident are you in bringing a surplus in 20-21?
I am as confident as I can be on the basis of the parameter projections in the budget. The real question is – the budget will return to balance where we can be most confident, when the Labor party accepts its economic responsibility to pass the savings that are in this budget. That’s what it boils down to.
Updated
at 2.57am GMT
2.46am GMT
02:46
Scott Morrison is holding a press conference now.
He goes to the Standard & Poors warning about budget repair and the superannuation reforms passing the house.
This was the AAP take on S&P:
As a global credit rating agency issued yet another warning to Australia about the risk of losing its top tier rating, a leading business group believes the Turnbull government is “trying very hard” to repair the budget.
Standard & Poor’s global ratings director Craig Michaels has told a conference in Australia if the budget is returned to surplus in 2020/21 as promised it would still be consistent with the AAA rating.
“But if there’s more slippage beyond that then that probably wouldn’t be,” Mr Michaels warned.
Scott Morrison is asked about the political pain involved in the superannuation reform, given the harrumphing in the conservative end of the Coalition about cutting back concessions for the wealthy.
I think it is a sustainable reform, I think it is a fair reform, I think it is a necessary reform. We have a world-leading superannuation system in this country and this is even more so. Yes, we had to make the case and make the argument, and we had to take it through the parliament, with our colleagues, and work through all of those issues, but that’s the work of government. That’s the work of reform.
Much is often written about where’s the reform by commentators. Well, it is looking you right in the face. Today’s reforms passed through the parliament were not easily won but they were important to achieve.
Updated
at 2.53am GMT