This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/feb/14/nick-xenophon-rules-out-support-for-omnibus-savings-bill-politics-live

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Government grilled on energy policy – live Government grilled on energy policy – live
(35 minutes later)
5.27am GMT
05:27
Barnaby Joyce has been speaking to David Speers on Sky re the preference deal in Western Australia.
Joyce could see the Coalition fight coming after the Liberals did the preference deal with One Nation ahead of the Nationals, he says.
This is what happens when you start picking on your business partner or your girlfriend. One scratches and the other one scratches back.
Now the Nats have done a preference deal with the Greens - a move Joyce thinks is a bad idea.
He is not keen to talk about whether One Nation is a different outfit in its latest incarnation.
Their delivery is more sophisticated, isn’t it?
Joyce acknowledges the question of preferences needs to be dealt with in future elections. He says he will sit down and work out where One Nation is.
The deputy prime minister says the Labor party has “bat poo crazy ideas” about renewables (the 50% target).
If you say ‘coal fire power station’ it is like exorcist, they jump back...I think all electrons are born equal, it doesn’t matter what they come from.
Finally, Joyce thinks the Victorian government should step in and ensure Hazelwood coal mine does not shut.
5.04am GMT
05:04
Audit report critical of WestConnex loan
Paul Karp
A $2bn concessional loan from the Abbott government to pay for the WestConnex road project in western Sydney failed to protect federal interests or to speed up the project by up to two years, the audit office has found.
The Australian National Audit Office report, released on Tuesday, found that both the Abbott and Gillard governments committed at least $1.5bn to the WestConnex project while the project was still in a formative phase.
In May 2014 the Abbott government made a $500m advance payment and the $2bn loan, which the report said resulted in “the project being approved without there being any documented analysis and advice to ministers that the statutory criteria for giving such approvals had been met”.
Further, criteria for progress payments were set after milestones had already been achieved, ensuring payments flowed without providing accountability. The infrastructure department denies this charge.
The report concluded upfront payments “did not adequately protect the [federal] government’s financial interests”.
Labor transport spokesman, Anthony Albanese, said the use of a concessional rather than commercial loan had cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars which could have been spent on more ready projects.
Updated
at 5.28am GMT
4.47am GMT4.47am GMT
04:4704:47
4.43am GMT4.43am GMT
04:4304:43
4.40am GMT4.40am GMT
04:4004:40
@gabriellechan @samanthamaiden @guardian how are 9% of greens voting for the Bernardipardy!?@gabriellechan @samanthamaiden @guardian how are 9% of greens voting for the Bernardipardy!?
Our political editor Katharine Murphy was overheard in the office, answering this very question.Our political editor Katharine Murphy was overheard in the office, answering this very question.
Just for the LOLs.Just for the LOLs.
4.38am GMT4.38am GMT
04:3804:38
4.35am GMT4.35am GMT
04:3504:35
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.37am GMTat 4.37am GMT
4.23am GMT4.23am GMT
04:2304:23
Bill Shorten makes a personal explanation, which basically says it was poor form of the prime minister to attack the Pratt family (in that speech). Shorten said he doesn’t mind personal attacks but it was not fair to attack the Pratts over their long-standing friendship between his ex-wife’s family.Bill Shorten makes a personal explanation, which basically says it was poor form of the prime minister to attack the Pratt family (in that speech). Shorten said he doesn’t mind personal attacks but it was not fair to attack the Pratts over their long-standing friendship between his ex-wife’s family.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.26am GMTat 4.26am GMT
4.17am GMT4.17am GMT
04:1704:17
Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon to Barnaby Joyce: Yesterday in the Senate, the minister for defence confirmed she was aware before the election of the potential requirements for the expansion of the Shoalwater Bay and Townsville Field military training areas. Given the deputy prime minister is also deputy chair of the national security committee of the cabinet, and the minister for agriculture, and the leader of the National party, did he first become aware that the expansion could require the acquisition of prime agricultural land before or after the election?Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon to Barnaby Joyce: Yesterday in the Senate, the minister for defence confirmed she was aware before the election of the potential requirements for the expansion of the Shoalwater Bay and Townsville Field military training areas. Given the deputy prime minister is also deputy chair of the national security committee of the cabinet, and the minister for agriculture, and the leader of the National party, did he first become aware that the expansion could require the acquisition of prime agricultural land before or after the election?
Christopher Pyne rises and says the question should go to the person representing the defence minister in the lower house (running interference for Joyce).Christopher Pyne rises and says the question should go to the person representing the defence minister in the lower house (running interference for Joyce).
Labor’s Tony Burke says fair go, government members ask Joyce about issues relating to agriculture (in this case the land acquisitions) all the time. Speaker Smith says the question is not in order. Which allows the prime minister to call the end of question time (something that is set by the time or the number of questions).Labor’s Tony Burke says fair go, government members ask Joyce about issues relating to agriculture (in this case the land acquisitions) all the time. Speaker Smith says the question is not in order. Which allows the prime minister to call the end of question time (something that is set by the time or the number of questions).
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.19am GMTat 4.19am GMT
4.13am GMT4.13am GMT
04:1304:13
Plibersek to Turnbull: Last night, the Senate passed a motion demanding the minister for education immediately release the government’s plan for school funding. Sir, when will the prime minister end the uncertainty and come clean about just how badly schools will be hit by his $30bn of cuts?Plibersek to Turnbull: Last night, the Senate passed a motion demanding the minister for education immediately release the government’s plan for school funding. Sir, when will the prime minister end the uncertainty and come clean about just how badly schools will be hit by his $30bn of cuts?
Turnbull says we investing more money than ever before in education funding (I covered this earlier) and he then goes to the VET-FEE help debacle which saw some private colleges ripping off students. The policy was implemented under Labor.Turnbull says we investing more money than ever before in education funding (I covered this earlier) and he then goes to the VET-FEE help debacle which saw some private colleges ripping off students. The policy was implemented under Labor.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.15am GMTat 4.15am GMT
4.09am GMT4.09am GMT
04:0904:09
A government question to the energy minister, Josh Frydenberg: Will the minister update the House on the government’s actions to reduce emissions and lower electricity bills for hardworking Australians, without compromising their energy security? What hurdles stand in the way to achieving this security for hardworking Australian families?A government question to the energy minister, Josh Frydenberg: Will the minister update the House on the government’s actions to reduce emissions and lower electricity bills for hardworking Australians, without compromising their energy security? What hurdles stand in the way to achieving this security for hardworking Australian families?
Frydenberg mentions the new standards to reduce emissions.Frydenberg mentions the new standards to reduce emissions.
A national energy productivity plan to get a 40% boost by 2030. You can reduce pressure on the grid, creating more stability.A national energy productivity plan to get a 40% boost by 2030. You can reduce pressure on the grid, creating more stability.
If you can reduce consumption, you can lower costs.If you can reduce consumption, you can lower costs.
If you can reduce consumption, you can also lower emissions.If you can reduce consumption, you can also lower emissions.
He says the government has introduced:He says the government has introduced:
new standards for buildings through the commercial disclosures program, which “could lead to a $50m energy saving”,new standards for buildings through the commercial disclosures program, which “could lead to a $50m energy saving”,
new standards around appliances which means a state-of-the-art are air-conditioner sold in Australia in 2003 wouldn’t meet the minimum conditions and standards todaynew standards around appliances which means a state-of-the-art are air-conditioner sold in Australia in 2003 wouldn’t meet the minimum conditions and standards today
new lighting standards as well which could save a household up to $2,400 over the next 10 years.new lighting standards as well which could save a household up to $2,400 over the next 10 years.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.15am GMTat 4.15am GMT
4.02am GMT4.02am GMT
04:0204:02
Trade minister Steve Ciobo gets a Dixer which allows him to run a Counterfeit Bill (Shorten) joke.Trade minister Steve Ciobo gets a Dixer which allows him to run a Counterfeit Bill (Shorten) joke.
Then Labor to Scott Morrison: Now that the minor parties have joined with Labor to oppose the government’s latest unfair cuts, will the treasurer take his cuts to families, pensioners and carers and new mums out of the parliament and out of the budget? Why does the treasurer continue Joe Hockey’s practise of artificially propping up his budget with measures that will not pass the parliament?Then Labor to Scott Morrison: Now that the minor parties have joined with Labor to oppose the government’s latest unfair cuts, will the treasurer take his cuts to families, pensioners and carers and new mums out of the parliament and out of the budget? Why does the treasurer continue Joe Hockey’s practise of artificially propping up his budget with measures that will not pass the parliament?
Shorter Morrison is that people have to cop the cuts because the budget is unsustainable.Shorter Morrison is that people have to cop the cuts because the budget is unsustainable.
We think that the generation that is incurring this expenditure has to be the generation that pays for that expenditure. Now, we think that expenditure should be more affordable. We think that expenditure should be more sustainable.We think that the generation that is incurring this expenditure has to be the generation that pays for that expenditure. Now, we think that expenditure should be more affordable. We think that expenditure should be more sustainable.
3.58am GMT3.58am GMT
03:5803:58
Labor to Turnbull: Under the government’s latest cuts to paid parental leave, a female police officer in Victoria will lose 12 weeks of paid parental leave. That’s a loss of around $8,000. Can the prime minister explain to police officers who sacrifice so much to protect our community why he wants them to return to their challenging work sooner, with less money, because of his cuts to paid parental leave?Labor to Turnbull: Under the government’s latest cuts to paid parental leave, a female police officer in Victoria will lose 12 weeks of paid parental leave. That’s a loss of around $8,000. Can the prime minister explain to police officers who sacrifice so much to protect our community why he wants them to return to their challenging work sooner, with less money, because of his cuts to paid parental leave?
Turnbull said the government stands by police, defence forces, etc etc.Turnbull said the government stands by police, defence forces, etc etc.
He flicks the question to social services minister Christian Porter, who does not go to the detail of the question.He flicks the question to social services minister Christian Porter, who does not go to the detail of the question.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.02am GMTat 4.02am GMT
3.52am GMT3.52am GMT
03:5203:52
A government question to foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop: Will the minister advise the House how high-efficiency, low-emissions coal technology is helping countries meet their Paris agreement targets? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches that would increase cost-of-living pressures for hardworking families?A government question to foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop: Will the minister advise the House how high-efficiency, low-emissions coal technology is helping countries meet their Paris agreement targets? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches that would increase cost-of-living pressures for hardworking families?
Julie Bishop says the International Energy Agency clean coal centre in London, found in a report in September 2015 that new Healy technology, “the high-energy, low-emissions technology”, in 10 Asian economies, has already reduced carbon emissions by some 479m tonnes per year.Julie Bishop says the International Energy Agency clean coal centre in London, found in a report in September 2015 that new Healy technology, “the high-energy, low-emissions technology”, in 10 Asian economies, has already reduced carbon emissions by some 479m tonnes per year.
Now, the assessment by the International Energy Agency clean coal centre in London is: if all the new power stations embracing high-efficiency, low-emissions technology had been ultra-super-critical, the decrease in emissions would have been not 479 million tonnes a year, but over 2 billion tonnes a year.Now, the assessment by the International Energy Agency clean coal centre in London is: if all the new power stations embracing high-efficiency, low-emissions technology had been ultra-super-critical, the decrease in emissions would have been not 479 million tonnes a year, but over 2 billion tonnes a year.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.00am GMTat 4.00am GMT
3.47am GMT3.47am GMT
03:4703:47
Jenny Macklin to Malcolm Turnbull: Why is the prime minister choosing to harm 1.5 million Australian families, and threaten the national disability insurance scheme, instead of scrapping his $50bn handout to big business?Jenny Macklin to Malcolm Turnbull: Why is the prime minister choosing to harm 1.5 million Australian families, and threaten the national disability insurance scheme, instead of scrapping his $50bn handout to big business?
Turnbull:Turnbull:
The honourable member – she has a great heart, and I don’t doubt that. And I’m sure she wants the NDIS to work. But, Mr Speaker, somebody has to pay for it. You cannot keep on borrowing your way into the future. I wish the honourable members opposite would show one-tenth of the compassion they talk about all the time for the generations to come. Their failure to provide to live within our means is imposing an unconscionable burden of debt on our children and grandchildren.The honourable member – she has a great heart, and I don’t doubt that. And I’m sure she wants the NDIS to work. But, Mr Speaker, somebody has to pay for it. You cannot keep on borrowing your way into the future. I wish the honourable members opposite would show one-tenth of the compassion they talk about all the time for the generations to come. Their failure to provide to live within our means is imposing an unconscionable burden of debt on our children and grandchildren.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.53am GMTat 3.53am GMT
3.43am GMT3.43am GMT
03:4303:43
In the Senate...In the Senate...
One nation leader Pauline Hanson during #QT in the #Senate @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/ljDxjLgIcqOne nation leader Pauline Hanson during #QT in the #Senate @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/ljDxjLgIcq
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.44am GMTat 3.44am GMT