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Labor targets Malcolm Turnbull over carbon emissions – politics live Mobile numbers of former PMs and politicians reportedly published online – politics live
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Politicians phone numbers reportedly published
Fairfax’s Adam Gartrell reports the private mobile phone numbers of hundreds of federal politicians, former prime ministers and senior political staffers have been inadvertently published online.
It allegedly happened after the Department of Parliamentary Services did not properly delete the numbers before they published the most recent round of politicians’ phone bills.
While in previous years the numbers were taken out of the PDF documents altogether, this time it appears the font was merely turned white – meaning they could still be accessed using copy and paste.
The only numbers absent were those of the very top cabinet ministers including prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, treasurer Scott Morrison, attorney general George Brandis and a handful of others.
But who was on the list?
Julia Gillard
John Howard
Paul Keating
Bill Shorten and some staff
Barnaby Joyce
Christopher Pyne
Mitch Fifield (communications minister)
Christian Porter
Richard Di Natale
Former Liberal trade minister Andrew Robb
Former Liberal minister Jamie Briggs
But the department is blaming a private contractor, Telco Management. I have requested a comment from Telco.
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File this under B for bizarre.File this under B for bizarre.
Sharri Markson of the Daily Tele has reported that Coalition conservatives are actually considering a marriage plebiscite by postal vote. Markson has confirmed with the Australian Electoral Commission that it is an option.Sharri Markson of the Daily Tele has reported that Coalition conservatives are actually considering a marriage plebiscite by postal vote. Markson has confirmed with the Australian Electoral Commission that it is an option.
Under this model, the Australian Electoral Commission would send out postal ballots and it would be voluntary for Australians to partake in the vote on same-sex marriage.Under this model, the Australian Electoral Commission would send out postal ballots and it would be voluntary for Australians to partake in the vote on same-sex marriage.
MPs told the Daily Telegraph this option did not require legislation change and would get around the decision by Labor and the Greens to kill off the plebiscite.MPs told the Daily Telegraph this option did not require legislation change and would get around the decision by Labor and the Greens to kill off the plebiscite.
The Australian Electoral Commission’s chief legal officer, Paul Pirani, has confirmed to the parliament that a plebiscite could be held without the parliament passing enabling legislation, using a “voluntary postal vote methodology”.The Australian Electoral Commission’s chief legal officer, Paul Pirani, has confirmed to the parliament that a plebiscite could be held without the parliament passing enabling legislation, using a “voluntary postal vote methodology”.
The point would be that the voluntary ballot could be held without the need for legislation through the parliament.The point would be that the voluntary ballot could be held without the need for legislation through the parliament.
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Gareth HutchensGareth Hutchens
Luci Ellis, a Reserve Bank assistant governor, just spoke at the ACT launch of the Women in Economics Network in Parliament House in Canberra.Luci Ellis, a Reserve Bank assistant governor, just spoke at the ACT launch of the Women in Economics Network in Parliament House in Canberra.
The topic of her speech was “women in the economy and in economics,” and she made some fascinating points about the gender divide in Australia’s workforce.The topic of her speech was “women in the economy and in economics,” and she made some fascinating points about the gender divide in Australia’s workforce.
During the Q&A session, when talking about the reasons why some professions were dominated by men or women, she was asked by a young woman working in Treasury how the RBA was teaching all of its staff – both men and women – that everyone would benefit from a gender-diverse workforce.During the Q&A session, when talking about the reasons why some professions were dominated by men or women, she was asked by a young woman working in Treasury how the RBA was teaching all of its staff – both men and women – that everyone would benefit from a gender-diverse workforce.
Ellis replied by saying people needed to understand that diversity was actually about merit selection, because no one could honestly believe that 90% of the talent in economics was male.Ellis replied by saying people needed to understand that diversity was actually about merit selection, because no one could honestly believe that 90% of the talent in economics was male.
She also wondered if it was a good thing for society that finance was still dominated by men.She also wondered if it was a good thing for society that finance was still dominated by men.
Maybe funds management should be reconstructed as a ‘caring profession’, so we’re caring for peoples’ money.Maybe funds management should be reconstructed as a ‘caring profession’, so we’re caring for peoples’ money.
It drew laughter from the mainly female audience but she persisted.It drew laughter from the mainly female audience but she persisted.
I’m actually serious with that proposal [more laughter], because I think how we socially construct these things is really important.I’m actually serious with that proposal [more laughter], because I think how we socially construct these things is really important.
It’s a great point.It’s a great point.
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Labor’s Mark Butler to Turnbull: Will the prime minister reconsider an emissions intensity scheme given an overwhelming number of organisations now support one including BHP, AGL, Energy Australia, the Business Council, the National Farmers’ Federation, Origin Energy, the CSIRO, the chief scientist … how long will the prime minister continue to stand alone in opposing this scheme?Labor’s Mark Butler to Turnbull: Will the prime minister reconsider an emissions intensity scheme given an overwhelming number of organisations now support one including BHP, AGL, Energy Australia, the Business Council, the National Farmers’ Federation, Origin Energy, the CSIRO, the chief scientist … how long will the prime minister continue to stand alone in opposing this scheme?
Turnbull:Turnbull:
He talks about emissions intensity schemes but the fact of the matter is this, that an emissions intensity scheme is designed to shift generations from coal fired power to gas.He talks about emissions intensity schemes but the fact of the matter is this, that an emissions intensity scheme is designed to shift generations from coal fired power to gas.
All of the assumptions that have been built in over the years assumed abundant gas at an affordable price. Again, thanks to the decision of Labor governments locking up our gas resources, we are in a position where gas is not available in the quantities it should be and it is certainly not affordable.All of the assumptions that have been built in over the years assumed abundant gas at an affordable price. Again, thanks to the decision of Labor governments locking up our gas resources, we are in a position where gas is not available in the quantities it should be and it is certainly not affordable.
Which seems to suggest that Australia cannot have an emissions trading scheme because there is not enough gas available.Which seems to suggest that Australia cannot have an emissions trading scheme because there is not enough gas available.
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Shorten to Turnbull: An eminent person, who is often quoted by the prime minister, has described allowing Australians to access super to purchase housing as a thoroughly bad idea. Will the prime minister now rule it out?Shorten to Turnbull: An eminent person, who is often quoted by the prime minister, has described allowing Australians to access super to purchase housing as a thoroughly bad idea. Will the prime minister now rule it out?
Turnbull goes straight to the 1993 Keating policy.Turnbull goes straight to the 1993 Keating policy.
The eminent prime minister does, however, have the contradiction of having advocated the very policy he denounced so graphically on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald. It is remarkable that the 1993 election platform has been so quickly forgotten by so many people, not least the distinguished, eminent person.The eminent prime minister does, however, have the contradiction of having advocated the very policy he denounced so graphically on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald. It is remarkable that the 1993 election platform has been so quickly forgotten by so many people, not least the distinguished, eminent person.
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Greens senator Janet Rice with her knitting during #QT @gabriellechan @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/wNKWi0mL8eGreens senator Janet Rice with her knitting during #QT @gabriellechan @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/wNKWi0mL8e
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Scott Morrison is asked by Chris Bowen about any plans to access superannuation for housing purposes.Scott Morrison is asked by Chris Bowen about any plans to access superannuation for housing purposes.
Morrison says the government has no such proposal but points to Keating’s policy taken to the 1993 election. The only one had formally proposed such a policy is Labor, says Morrison.Morrison says the government has no such proposal but points to Keating’s policy taken to the 1993 election. The only one had formally proposed such a policy is Labor, says Morrison.
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
Labor senator Murray Watt has asked George Brandis whether anything has changed since he told the Senate last year that changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act were off the table.Labor senator Murray Watt has asked George Brandis whether anything has changed since he told the Senate last year that changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act were off the table.
Brandis notes that since then there has been a public discussion about the RDA, including the Australian Human Rights Commission president, Gillian Triggs, suggesting a revised complaints handling procedure and the Australian Law Reform Commission suggesting “substantive” changes.Brandis notes that since then there has been a public discussion about the RDA, including the Australian Human Rights Commission president, Gillian Triggs, suggesting a revised complaints handling procedure and the Australian Law Reform Commission suggesting “substantive” changes.
We’ve seen vigorous debate on these issues, and the government is mindful of that debate. I have no further information to provide.We’ve seen vigorous debate on these issues, and the government is mindful of that debate. I have no further information to provide.
The Labor leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, leapt on the fact he did not repeat the “off the table” formulation:The Labor leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, leapt on the fact he did not repeat the “off the table” formulation:
Brandis refuses to affirm his commitment, given to Senate in August last year, that 18C changes were 'off the table' #senateqtBrandis refuses to affirm his commitment, given to Senate in August last year, that 18C changes were 'off the table' #senateqt
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Kevin Andrews gets a question to the defence industry minister, Christopher Pyne: Can he outline how the government’s commitment to industrial relations reform will help protect employees’ pay and conditions by putting an end to the corrupting benefits paid by businesses to unions and, secondly, can he outline why it is important that the union movement be run honestly on behalf of all hard-working Australians?
Pyne goes through all the payments listed in the trade unions royal commission.
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Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: Can the minister confirm that the minister for finance said, “We went to last election promising no increases in taxes on investments, specifically no reductions in the capital gains tax discount, no changes to negative gearing, we stick to our commitments.” Does this reflect the position of the government? Is the budget being drawn up according to the principles of the finance minister?
Morrison attacks the Labor policy to remove negative gearing on housing and reduce the tax discount on capital gains. He does not give an answer to the question.
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A government question allows the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, to update the house on counter-terrorism.
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Labor’s Jenny Macklin asks Turnbull to rule out pension cuts in the budget. This relates to a story in the Sunday papers.
Turnbull says:
There will be no change to the current rules that provide age pensioners on the taper rate with a minimum rate per fortnight.
It was just a suggestion put forward by the department, he says.
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Scott Morrison gets a question on the G20 meeting.
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Shorten to Turnbull: I refer to reports that the prime minister’s colleagues are seeking to water down protections against race hate speech. Will the prime minister rule out making changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and, if not, what exactly does the government want people to be able to say that they’re not allowed to say now?
Turnbull says his government is considering the report of the human rights committee on the subject.
Nothing to see here.
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Dan Tehan, the assistant minister on cyber security, gets a government question on energy and cyber security and how the Snowy Hydro will strengthen national security. He lists moments when the defence department has had to rely on generators.
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Tony Burke to Turnbull: I refer to his previous answers where he has defended his industry minister describing One Nation as more sophisticated. We had a clear result in WA during – at one time in the campaign One Nation praised Vladimir Putin and made divisive comments ... Will he direct every political party division to put One Nation last an every single ticket across the nation the same way as John Howard did?
Turnbull said he strengthened policies on immunisation, pointed out president Putin’s conduct and association in the shooting down of MH17 and said Australia was the most successful multicultural country in the world.
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Government question to the energy minister, Josh Frydenberg: I ask this question when only moments ago the spot price for electricity in South Australia was approaching 50 times the cost of electricity in Victoria. I ask the minister about a retail business in my electorate in Mt Gambier. This business has seen an increase in the cost of its electricity bill for one month alone of $18,000. Can you update the House on what action the government is taking to ensure Australians have access to affordable and reliable power?
Tony Burke takes a point of order.
Under standing order 100 and the requirement for authentication, we heard in the question about it being, I think, 50 times. Given the spot price is nowhere near 50 times right at this moment could he either table his calculator or table the document he is basing it on.
Speaker Smith says there is no point of order.
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