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George Brandis may face snap Senate inquiry – politics live George Brandis may face snap Senate inquiry – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.26pm GMT
22:26
Malcolm Turnbull appoints Susan Kiefel, the first woman in the role of chief justice
On the retirement of chief justice Robert French, Turnbull and attorney general George Brandis appoints the first woman to become the 13th chief justice of Australia.
Turnbull:
Susan Kiefel’s story is one that is an inspiration. She left school at 15. She began her working life as a legal secretary. She studied for her completion o fhigh school qualifications part-time. She studied law part-time through the barristers admission board. She was admitted to the bar in 1975. She went on after practising at the bar to win a Master of laws at the University of Cambridge. She took silk in 1987. The first woman in Queensland to do so. In 1993 she became the first woman to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland. She has been one of Australia’s most outstanding judicial officers.
Brandis said Justice Kiefel emerged as the “consensus candidate” after extensive consultations with the legal profession.
James Edelman has been appointed to fill Justice Kiefel’s role on the high court, a person who Turnbull describes as “one of the most outstanding legal minds of his generation”.
He was born on the 9 January 1974 so he is a different generation to most of the other judges of the High Court but he was a professor of law at Oxford at the age of 34. Quite precocious. He became a judge in Western Australia in 2011 when he sat on the Supreme Court of Western Australia and since 2015 he has been a judge of the Federal Court of Australia. He has established himself by practising at the Western Australian bar and indeed at the London bar. 2008 he was professor of the law of obligations at the University of Oxford. He has a dispute which career and reputation as a barrister, as a legal academic and as a judge. George and I are delighted, as is the government, to have been able to recommend his appointment to the Governor General. So, these are two critically important, historic appointments as all High Court appointments are to this court which stands at the very apex of our judicial system.
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at 10.27pm GMT
10.16pm GMT
22:16
Labor is to introduce a private members bill on political donation reform. Given the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) is in the middle of reviewing the last election, political donations and truth in advertising, the government will probably suggest Labor wait until the report.
But Labor want to make the point they are ready with a reform package, which would:
10.02pm GMT
22:02
Malcolm Turnbull and George Brandis have a press conference at 9.15am.
Hang on to your hats.
10.01pm GMT
22:01
Mark Kenny of Fairfax reports that non-elites - ordinary people - may not be allowed to walk over the laws on top of the parliamentary building.
An imminent tightening of security at Parliament House threatens to deny public access to its signature sloping lawns, as authorities worry about the iconic building’s ongoing vulnerability to a terrorist attack.
The restriction of access to the upper lawns - which has been pushed by security agencies in the past but never eventuated on heritage grounds - could alter the nature of the giant complex, which was designed to allow the people of Australia to walk over the heads of their elected representatives.
While details of the proposed upgrade are being tightly held, Fairfax Media understands a number of changes have already received the support of the major parties in the House of Representatives and will be progressed with senators this week, with a view to works beginning over summer.
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, has just told Sky that it is a matter for the presiding officers, being the speaker and president.
Ryan and Labor frontbencher Matt Thistlethwaite both agreed the security environment had changed markedly and members of the public, staff and pollies need to be kept safe.
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at 10.01pm GMT
9.47pm GMT9.47pm GMT
21:4721:47
Penny Wong was also asked on Lateline about Labor’s policy to crackdown on 457 visas which require stronger labour market testing before temporary foreign workers are employed.Penny Wong was also asked on Lateline about Labor’s policy to crackdown on 457 visas which require stronger labour market testing before temporary foreign workers are employed.
Wong said 457 workers have been a part of the Australian labour market for a long time.Wong said 457 workers have been a part of the Australian labour market for a long time.
The key policy question that I think most Australians want to ensure is that those jobs are available first to Australians who are willing and able to do them.The key policy question that I think most Australians want to ensure is that those jobs are available first to Australians who are willing and able to do them.
Emma Alberici: Labor gave 285 foreign workers jobs at McDonald’s in Australia, 74 at Hungry Jack’s and 88 at KFC. Were there no Australians that could do those jobs when Labor was in Government? Emma Alberici: Labor gave 285 foreign workers jobs at McDonald’s in Australia, 74 at Hungry Jack’s and 88 at KFC. Were there no Australians that could do those jobs when Labor was in government?
I’m responding to the direct policy point which is we had an approach which required labour market testing, that is the safeguard.I’m responding to the direct policy point which is we had an approach which required labour market testing, that is the safeguard.
Alberici: These happened...when you were in government. Alberici: These happened … when you were in government.
I’m not able to tell you what happened in respect of every single one of those workers.I’m not able to tell you what happened in respect of every single one of those workers.
Alberici: Bill Shorten was Employment Minister at the time. Alberici: Bill Shorten was employment minister at the time.
The reality is there was a safeguard which existed under the Labor government. The government sought to remove that under trade agreements. I and others raised concerns about that because we think it’s legitimate and a fair safeguard. At the time, I recall being criticised, as Labor was, by the government about that fact.The reality is there was a safeguard which existed under the Labor government. The government sought to remove that under trade agreements. I and others raised concerns about that because we think it’s legitimate and a fair safeguard. At the time, I recall being criticised, as Labor was, by the government about that fact.
Updated
at 9.58pm GMT
9.28pm GMT9.28pm GMT
21:2821:28
Penny Wong appeared on Lateline last night – why not, with the Senate sitting until 1am?Penny Wong appeared on Lateline last night – why not, with the Senate sitting until 1am?
She enunciated the line of attack against George Brandis today.She enunciated the line of attack against George Brandis today.
Let’s start with the primary problem. It is this … statements and undertakings given to the Senate today are inconsistent with statements made by the Western Australian treasurer, to the Western Australian parliament. So either George Brandis isn’t telling the truth in this parliament, or Dr Nahan is not telling the truth in the Western Australian parliament. Because both sets of statements in respect of three key facts cannot be true.Let’s start with the primary problem. It is this … statements and undertakings given to the Senate today are inconsistent with statements made by the Western Australian treasurer, to the Western Australian parliament. So either George Brandis isn’t telling the truth in this parliament, or Dr Nahan is not telling the truth in the Western Australian parliament. Because both sets of statements in respect of three key facts cannot be true.
And the three key differences are: was there any agreement?And the three key differences are: was there any agreement?
Second, the involvement of Christian Porter.Second, the involvement of Christian Porter.
And thirdly, the involvement of Kelly O’Dwyer.And thirdly, the involvement of Kelly O’Dwyer.
Completely inconsistent statements made to two parliaments. Who is telling the truth?Completely inconsistent statements made to two parliaments. Who is telling the truth?
I again remind you and all of the fact that Dr Nahan has said, the treasurer of Western Australia has said, very clearly to the Australian parliament they had a deal. “We had a deal.”I again remind you and all of the fact that Dr Nahan has said, the treasurer of Western Australia has said, very clearly to the Australian parliament they had a deal. “We had a deal.”
That’s inconsistent with what Senator Brandis said today.That’s inconsistent with what Senator Brandis said today.
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at 9.36pm GMTat 9.36pm GMT
9.11pm GMT9.11pm GMT
21:1121:11
Good morning after the night before,Good morning after the night before,
There is a whole lot of bluff and bluster around this morning and the only way to pick our way through it is to follow the chambers like a good kelpie.There is a whole lot of bluff and bluster around this morning and the only way to pick our way through it is to follow the chambers like a good kelpie.
Those chambers don’t sit until midday to allow party-room meetings to occur.Those chambers don’t sit until midday to allow party-room meetings to occur.
The Senate sat until nearly 1am debating the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill to bring back the Howard industry watchdog. The bill has passed its second reading stage which means it now goes to committee stage, when other senators get to act like journalists and fire off questions at the minister in charge.The Senate sat until nearly 1am debating the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill to bring back the Howard industry watchdog. The bill has passed its second reading stage which means it now goes to committee stage, when other senators get to act like journalists and fire off questions at the minister in charge.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, told the ABC this morning the government had One Nation support and David Leyonhjelm but discussions were continuing in efforts to win Nick Xenophon’s three votes and Derryn Hinch.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, told the ABC this morning the government had One Nation support and David Leyonhjelm but discussions were continuing in efforts to win Nick Xenophon’s three votes and Derryn Hinch.
Fifield is asked about the hoary old chestnut, extending the parliamentary sitting past Thursday – being the last sitting day of the year.Fifield is asked about the hoary old chestnut, extending the parliamentary sitting past Thursday – being the last sitting day of the year.
Everything is in the hands of the chamber itself … the crossbench has accepted management of Senate is the responsibility of all senators.Everything is in the hands of the chamber itself … the crossbench has accepted management of Senate is the responsibility of all senators.
The political attention will be heaped on George Brandis today as the Greens and Labor try to get up an inquiry into the Bell Group litigation matter.The political attention will be heaped on George Brandis today as the Greens and Labor try to get up an inquiry into the Bell Group litigation matter.
The Fin’s Laura Tingle, who broke the original story about the falling out between Justin Gleeson and Brandis, neatly encapsulates the key question left hanging after the attorney general’s statement yesterday.The Fin’s Laura Tingle, who broke the original story about the falling out between Justin Gleeson and Brandis, neatly encapsulates the key question left hanging after the attorney general’s statement yesterday.
Did George Brandis prevent, discourage or inhibit attempts to challenge a West Australian bill that would have favoured WA over federal taxpayers to the tune of $300 million?Did George Brandis prevent, discourage or inhibit attempts to challenge a West Australian bill that would have favoured WA over federal taxpayers to the tune of $300 million?
Paul Karp is beavering away to check the numbers for a Brandis Senate inquiry. We know Greens and Labor will support. Xenophon is a no. One Nation is a no as of yesterday. Hinch said Brandis had better have a good explanation. Leyonhjelm and Lambie are maybes.Paul Karp is beavering away to check the numbers for a Brandis Senate inquiry. We know Greens and Labor will support. Xenophon is a no. One Nation is a no as of yesterday. Hinch said Brandis had better have a good explanation. Leyonhjelm and Lambie are maybes.
Onwards and upwards. Talk to us on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers or you can talk to me on Facebook or in the thread.Onwards and upwards. Talk to us on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers or you can talk to me on Facebook or in the thread.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.35pm GMTat 9.35pm GMT