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Nick Xenophon says Coalition may be 'wasting billions' on defence – politics live Malcolm Turnbull introduces the Closing the Gap report – politics live
(35 minutes later)
1.21am GMT
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The prime minister says the government is changing the way the Indigenous affairs portfolio operates from:
from transactional government to enablement, from paying for services to linking funding to outcomes, and from a one-size-fits-all mindset for program design to local solutions.
The Productivity Commission will have a new Indigenous commissioner to assess Indigenous policy and $50m for policy research and implementation with the guidance of the Indigenous Advisory Council.
1.18am GMT
01:18
Turnbull says Indigenous life expectancy is increasing over the longer term, babies are being born healthier, more people are studying and gaining post-school qualifications, and those adults are participating in work.
But he says incarceration rates and rates of child protection remain too high with 63% of Indigenous people incarcerated last year in prison for violent offences and offences that cause harm.
Central to reducing incarceration is reducing the violence and, of course, protecting the victims of violence.
1.15am GMT
01:15
Malcolm Turnbull again balances the acknowledgement of progress in the last 50 years with the need for further improvement in Closing the Gap. He says:
This report demonstrates that all Australian governments have much more work to do. The proportion of Indigenous 20-to 24-year-olds who have achieved Year 1 or equivalent is 61.5%, up from 45.4% in 2008. This target is on track to halve the gap. A new target for Indigenous four-year-olds enrolled in early childhood education is 95% by 2025...
We’ve seen improvements in reading and numeracy for Indigenous students, but this target is not on track. Last year, 640 more children needed to read at the Year 3 benchmark to halve the gap. This year, that figure is around 440...
Around 20% of the gap in school performance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students can be explained by poor attendance. But there are examples of real progress with families and communities.
I’m very saddened and disappointed that the target to halve the gap in Indigenous child mortality is not on track. With the 2015 data being just outside the target. We must redouble our efforts to reduce smoking rates during pregnancy, continue to improve immunisation rates, lift rates of anti-natal care, reduce foetal trauma and keep our children safe.
We’ve seen improvements in reducing mortality from chronic diseases, however the mortality rates from cancer are rising. The overall mortality rate has declined by 15% since 1998. And life expectancy is increasing. However, it is not accelerating at the pace it should.
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01:07
Malcolm Turnbull starts his speech with Indigenous language. And then:
We’re meeting together on the land and we acknowledge and pay our respects to their elders, past and present. And we pay our deep respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gathered here today, including our Aboriginal members of parliament and all across Australia who have been the custodians of these lands and whose elders hold the knowledge of their rich and diverse cultures.
He is introducing the Closing the Gap report. He acknowledges Kevin Rudd in the House.
Nothing brought a quiet moment of humanity to the 2016 election campaign more than the handing of the title deeds to the elder Raelene Singh, 37 years after the Larakiya people submitted a claim to what had always been theirs. For families like Raelene’s, despite their old people passing on before the Kenbi land claim was settled, the past continues to live in the present. And acknowledging past wrongs enables healing to begin. And we saw that with the national apology to the stolen generations, delivered by prime minister Rudd, who also joins us today.
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On this day.
February 14, 1966: Australia changed to a decimal currency, replacing pounds, shillings and pence. pic.twitter.com/2Xv1Hiu5yp
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Closing the Gap statement by Malcolm Turnbull coming up at midday.
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The other eventful part of the Hadley-Brandis exchange was about the Liberal-One Nation preferencing deal in Western Australia.The other eventful part of the Hadley-Brandis exchange was about the Liberal-One Nation preferencing deal in Western Australia.
It gave Ray Hadley a chance to agree with the government line that the Greens were also an extremist party, and Labor was prepared to trade preferences with them. It gave Ray Hadley a chance to agree with the government line that the Greens were also an extremist party and Labor was prepared to trade preferences with them.
To which Brandis replied:To which Brandis replied:
Sure, I mean [Greens senator] Lee Rhiannon is an old commo and you scratch the surface… Sure, I mean [Greens senator] Lee Rhiannon is an old commo and you scratch the surface …
Hadley laughed.Brandis:Hadley laughed.Brandis:
Well she is.Well she is.
Hadley:Hadley:
Well she may take offence to the old part, but she’s certainly a commo. Well she may take offence to the old part but she’s certainly a commo.
Brandis:Brandis:
Well a lifelong commo.Well a lifelong commo.
Then Brandis criticised Labor senate leader Penny Wong for not being able to open her mouth without insulting Pauline Hanson. Brandis says: Then Brandis criticised Labor Senate leader Penny Wong for not being able to open her mouth without insulting Pauline Hanson. Brandis says:
She’s an extremely pleasant person. She’s very polite. All she wants, as everyone is entitled to, is to be treated with professional courtesy but that’s what the Labor Party refuses to do. She’s an extremely pleasant person. She’s very polite. All she wants, as everyone is entitled to, is to be treated with professional courtesy but that’s what the Labor party refuses to do.
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George Brandis said the native title issue is a particular problem for Queensland* because there are about 130 registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements of which 109 are in Queensland*. George Brandis said the native title issue is a particular problem for Queensland* because there are about 130 registered Indigenous land use agreements of which 109 are in Queensland*.
Then Brandis says he does not want to play politics while accusing Labor of possibly playing politics.Then Brandis says he does not want to play politics while accusing Labor of possibly playing politics.
So it is a particular priority for that state. And look, I don’t want to be party political about this. I’ve worked with the Queensland Government, I’ve been in discussions with the Queensland Mines Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, who has been very cooperative. So on this occasion, please, please, let the Federal Labor Party break the habits of a lifetime and not play politics. So it is a particular priority for that state. And look, I don’t want to be party political about this. I’ve worked with the Queensland Government, I’ve been in discussions with the Queensland mines minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, who has been very cooperative. So on this occasion, please, please, let the federal Labor party break the habits of a lifetime and not play politics.
*Queensland election this year. * Queensland election this year.
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at 12.40am GMT at 12.52am GMT
12.32am GMT12.32am GMT
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This is Labor’s position on the native title legislation being proposed by George Brandis.This is Labor’s position on the native title legislation being proposed by George Brandis.
In short, maybe.In short, maybe.
Labor recognises the concerns expressed by Indigenous groups, industry and different levels of government over this court ruling, which has the potential to impact not only resource projects but also the designation of new national parks.Labor recognises the concerns expressed by Indigenous groups, industry and different levels of government over this court ruling, which has the potential to impact not only resource projects but also the designation of new national parks.
Labor has received a briefing from the attorney general’s department and will wait to see the details of any proposed legislation before commenting further.Labor has received a briefing from the attorney general’s department and will wait to see the details of any proposed legislation before commenting further.
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at 12.42am GMTat 12.42am GMT
12.29am GMT12.29am GMT
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The Greens have ruled out supporting the omnibus bill as it stands. They will clarify their reasons in a press conference later.The Greens have ruled out supporting the omnibus bill as it stands. They will clarify their reasons in a press conference later.
This is important because it rules out the possibility of a last minute backpacker-style deal between the Coalition and the Greens. At this stage.This is important because it rules out the possibility of a last minute backpacker-style deal between the Coalition and the Greens. At this stage.
(Remember the Greens came in at the last minute to support a compromise on the backpacker tax at the end of last year.)(Remember the Greens came in at the last minute to support a compromise on the backpacker tax at the end of last year.)
12.21am GMT12.21am GMT
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Readers may be familiar with the federal court ruling relating to native title in the past fortnight regarding the Adani coalmine.Readers may be familiar with the federal court ruling relating to native title in the past fortnight regarding the Adani coalmine.
At the time, Helen Davidson reported:At the time, Helen Davidson reported:
Resources projects including Adani’s Carmichael coalmine, pastoral leases and a number of national parks across the country are potentially in doubt following a shock federal court decision striking out a native title deal in Western Australia.Resources projects including Adani’s Carmichael coalmine, pastoral leases and a number of national parks across the country are potentially in doubt following a shock federal court decision striking out a native title deal in Western Australia.
The ruling by a full bench of the federal court on Thursday has prompted speculation the Native Title Act will be amended in response.The ruling by a full bench of the federal court on Thursday has prompted speculation the Native Title Act will be amended in response.
On Thursday the federal court ruled in favour of a challenge against the Noongar Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA), which sought to exchange $1.3bn in land, payments and benefits over 12 years in return for the Noongar people extinguishing native title rights on 200,000 hectares in south-west WA.On Thursday the federal court ruled in favour of a challenge against the Noongar Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA), which sought to exchange $1.3bn in land, payments and benefits over 12 years in return for the Noongar people extinguishing native title rights on 200,000 hectares in south-west WA.
The court agreed with five Noongar applicants who argued the deal was invalid because they had refused to sign on with other representatives. Four of the six agreements struck could not be legally registered, the court found, because the Native Title Act required “all” claim group members to agree.The court agreed with five Noongar applicants who argued the deal was invalid because they had refused to sign on with other representatives. Four of the six agreements struck could not be legally registered, the court found, because the Native Title Act required “all” claim group members to agree.
That’s the background you need to understanding the following comments by the attorney general, George Brandis.That’s the background you need to understanding the following comments by the attorney general, George Brandis.
Brandis told Ray Hadley this morning that the legislation that would remove the need for all representatives to sign land use agreements is ready to be introduced.Brandis told Ray Hadley this morning that the legislation that would remove the need for all representatives to sign land use agreements is ready to be introduced.
Whether it can be passed through the parliament quickly or whether there’s delay is now entirely in the hands of the federal Labor party. The Queensland state government, where most of these projects are at risk of being held up, has called upon the federal Labor party to work with the government to pass this bill. They haven’t ruled it out but they haven’t committed to it either. So once again I’m calling on Mr Shorten and Mr Dreyfus, the shadow attorney general, to cooperate with the government and to pass the bill swiftly.Whether it can be passed through the parliament quickly or whether there’s delay is now entirely in the hands of the federal Labor party. The Queensland state government, where most of these projects are at risk of being held up, has called upon the federal Labor party to work with the government to pass this bill. They haven’t ruled it out but they haven’t committed to it either. So once again I’m calling on Mr Shorten and Mr Dreyfus, the shadow attorney general, to cooperate with the government and to pass the bill swiftly.
I am seeking comment from Dreyfus’ office.I am seeking comment from Dreyfus’ office.
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at 12.41am GMTat 12.41am GMT
12.06am GMT12.06am GMT
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Pat Dodson fan in the caucus.Pat Dodson fan in the caucus.
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11.55pm GMT11.55pm GMT
23:5523:55
You will remember the Senate changed the rules recently to allow media photographers to take pictures of senators who do not have the call (those who are not speaking at the time).You will remember the Senate changed the rules recently to allow media photographers to take pictures of senators who do not have the call (those who are not speaking at the time).
The newly minted independent Cory Bernardi made a complaint yesterday to the chair about a senator taking a photo from the floor. The president is taking up the matter.The newly minted independent Cory Bernardi made a complaint yesterday to the chair about a senator taking a photo from the floor. The president is taking up the matter.
Bernardi said:Bernardi said:
I wonder whether the president has made a ruling in light of a recent event to do with photographs being taken within the chamber. Perhaps it might be pertinent at some point for the president or the deputy president to remind senators about whether it is possible to take photos within the chamber.I wonder whether the president has made a ruling in light of a recent event to do with photographs being taken within the chamber. Perhaps it might be pertinent at some point for the president or the deputy president to remind senators about whether it is possible to take photos within the chamber.
Madame deputy president, who was in the chair, said president Stephen Parry would be in touch.Madame deputy president, who was in the chair, said president Stephen Parry would be in touch.
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To be clear on school funding, Labor promised to fund the full six years of the Gonski reforms but given a government budget only has four years of forward estimates, years 5 and 6 were promised.To be clear on school funding, Labor promised to fund the full six years of the Gonski reforms but given a government budget only has four years of forward estimates, years 5 and 6 were promised.
The Abbott government cut great whack of money out of the first budget – even though they promised they were on a unity ticket on Gonski at the 2013 election. The Coalition also said they would rewrite the Gonski agreements for years 5 and 6.The Abbott government cut great whack of money out of the first budget – even though they promised they were on a unity ticket on Gonski at the 2013 election. The Coalition also said they would rewrite the Gonski agreements for years 5 and 6.
So that’s the “cut” that Labor is talking about.So that’s the “cut” that Labor is talking about.
The Coalition claims that it is not a cut to education funding because overall education funding is rising as it always does due to indexation.The Coalition claims that it is not a cut to education funding because overall education funding is rising as it always does due to indexation.
Thus – pea and thimble – there is no such funding cut. Because, as McGrath says, decreased growth is not a cut.Thus – pea and thimble – there is no such funding cut. Because, as McGrath says, decreased growth is not a cut.
I think a pub test would determine it is a cut.I think a pub test would determine it is a cut.
And in my opinion, these in-and-out-of-a-feline’s-backside arguments are exactly what gives voters the irrits. Let’s just call it how it is, hey people?And in my opinion, these in-and-out-of-a-feline’s-backside arguments are exactly what gives voters the irrits. Let’s just call it how it is, hey people?
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at 12.10am GMTat 12.10am GMT
11.34pm GMT11.34pm GMT
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
Labor’s deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, and the shadow assistant schools minister, Andrew Giles, are out this morning demanding the government release its proposed schools funding model for 2018 and beyond.Labor’s deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, and the shadow assistant schools minister, Andrew Giles, are out this morning demanding the government release its proposed schools funding model for 2018 and beyond.
On Monday afternoon the Senate passed a motion noting that the government had cut $30bn from the schools budget in the 2014 budget and abandoned years 5 and 6 of needs-based funding agreements negotiated by the Labor government.On Monday afternoon the Senate passed a motion noting that the government had cut $30bn from the schools budget in the 2014 budget and abandoned years 5 and 6 of needs-based funding agreements negotiated by the Labor government.
It called on the education and training minister, Simon Birmingham, to release the new funding model.It called on the education and training minister, Simon Birmingham, to release the new funding model.
The Liberal senator James McGrath spoke against the motion noting schools funding is rising from $16.1 billion in 2016 to $20.2 billion in 2020, and claiming that decreasing the rate of projected funding growth does not amount to a cut in schools funding.The Liberal senator James McGrath spoke against the motion noting schools funding is rising from $16.1 billion in 2016 to $20.2 billion in 2020, and claiming that decreasing the rate of projected funding growth does not amount to a cut in schools funding.
The motion passed on the voices, without a division, which Plibersek and Giles have characterised as the Liberals agreeing to the motion.The motion passed on the voices, without a division, which Plibersek and Giles have characterised as the Liberals agreeing to the motion.
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11.30pm GMT11.30pm GMT
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The Matt Hatter moment has come early in the day.The Matt Hatter moment has come early in the day.
@gabriellechan ✈Hello✈ @Nick_Xenophon has a point; (eg) supporting the barely-fly's can't-shoot-straight F35 is throwing good 💰 after bad. pic.twitter.com/gJPDjxm6re@gabriellechan ✈Hello✈ @Nick_Xenophon has a point; (eg) supporting the barely-fly's can't-shoot-straight F35 is throwing good 💰 after bad. pic.twitter.com/gJPDjxm6re