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Penny Wong attacks George Brandis in 18C debate – politics live Labor attacks Malcolm Turnbull over penalty rates – question time live
(35 minutes later)
4.42am BST
04:42
Labor’s Clare O’Neill asks Turnbull: Today the Opposition Leader and I are meeting with members of the Australian Federal Police association. Is the Prime Minister aware AFP officers, including his own protection detail, are concerned they will lose $35,000 every year because of planned cuts to allowances for working late nights and weekends? Why does the Prime Minister want to add police officers to the list of Australians who will have their pay cut at the same time as millionaires will get a tax cut.
Turnbull says the Coalition have provided unprecedented support for the AFP. He flicks the question to justice minister Michael Keenan who bluffs and blusters but does not answer the question.
4.35am BST
04:35
Turnbull accuses Shorten of post-truth politics with a vengence
Shorten to Turnbull: I met with private sector aged-care nurses including Deli (sp). She’s in the gallery today. Her husband Ken works in retail and faces a pay cut. Deli’s worried once they start cutting some penalty rates in some awards, her pay could be cut as well. Why isn’t the prime minister doing anything to support the rates for all Australians?
Turnbull says Shorten knows that nurses are employed under state awards and are not covered by the decision by the Fair Work Commission.
Shorten intervenes and says he was talking about nurses in the private sector. Turnbull says rubbish.
The decision of the Fair Work Commission applies to workers in the retail, hospitality, fast food areas. It does not apply to nurses. The honourable member knows very well it doesn’t apply to nurses …
What he and his colleagues have been endeavouring to do, is as usual, misleading and frighten Australians with their untruths.
This is post-truth politics with a vengeance. Heedless of the truth, having no regard for the facts, determined to frighten and scare Australians.
Updated
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4.27am BST
04:27
Indi MP Cathy McGowan asks fellow independent Andrew Wilkie under standing order 99:
I refer to the private members bill... relating to the mandatory banking code of conduct.It’s a great example why we we have independent representation inParliament, and demonstrates how we as independents are representing our communities in this place. Can the minister tell the house when he thinks the debate on the bill will be resumed and what process is needed for the house to fully consider this bill so that this important matter can be fully debated and our communities informed?
This is allowed under the standing orders and a clever thing for the independent members.
Wilkie speaks for a short time, urging the parliament to get on board with his banking code of conduct.
Leader of the house Christopher Pyne waits and then objects, starting his statement with,
as much as I hate to be the Grinch that stole Christmas....
Speaker Tony Smith reminds him the rules state that Wilkie has to confine himself to the timing and procedure of the private members bill.
Wilkie thanks the Speaker for guidance.
This is not headmasterly and it’s not guidance because it is not optional, says Speaker Smith.
Get the car back on the road...
Wilkie wants the parliamentary selection committee to choose his bill. Which is the definition of hope.
4.20am BST
04:20
Labor to Turnbull: The prime minister supports cutting the penalty rates of nearly 700,000 Australians by up to $77 every week. And under this, prime minister, a nurse in New South Wales could lose eight weeks of paid parental leave, a cut of around $5,300. When will the prime minister stop fighting other Liberals and start fighting for Australians?
Turnbull flicks the question to the social services minister, Christian Porter.
Porter says there was once a time when Labor supported helping those who had the least.
What you do not support is near to 60% of all families who receive paid parental leave having a very substantial average gain of $1,300 during the period of paid parental leave. That’s what you’re opposing and that group of 58%, that is 96,310 recipients, that group are the lowest income earners inside the paid parental leave.
Updated
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4.15am BST
04:15
Swanny is trolling the PM.
Labor in the middle of a global recession grew the economy by 16%, that was good for business and workers #auspol #qt
4.14am BST
04:14
A government question to the defence industry minister, Christopher Pyne, is on defence force preparations to support emergency crews. Pyne:
Our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of north Queensland, going through another destructive cyclone, mother nature wreaking her revenge on us poor humans here on earth.
Updated
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4.12am BST
04:12
Shorten to Turnbull: With know the prime minister is prepared to give into his Liberal opponents on every other issue, so why won’t the prime minister now give in to Labor and support our private member’s bill to protect penalty rates? When will the government stop fighting itself and start fighting for the conditions of the Australian workers?
Turnbull says the government is creating more growth and jobs. As opposed to jobs and growth.
Less investment, less business, fewer jobs. It’s the path to poverty. That is what Labor leads. They used to be committed to prosperity but no only longer. They have abandoned Australian workers, they have abandoned the commitment to growth, they have abandoned the future.
Updated
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4.07am BST4.07am BST
04:0704:07
Malcolm Turnbull addresses cyclone Debbie after a question from one of the local members, George Christensen. He says it has made landfall and is a category four. He again gives emergency advice. Take care and heed advice. Look out for each other. Malcolm Turnbull addresses Cyclone Debbie after a question from one of the local members, George Christensen. He says it has made landfall and is a category-four storm. He again gives emergency advice. Take care and heed advice. Look out for each other.
Shorten adds his sympathies and thanks emergency workers.Shorten adds his sympathies and thanks emergency workers.
UpdatedUpdated
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4.05am BST4.05am BST
04:0504:05
China and community legal centres – just another day in the Coalition party roomChina and community legal centres – just another day in the Coalition party room
Katharine MurphyKatharine Murphy
Just a quick update on today’s joint Coalition party room – readers already know the prime minister grounded the contentious China extradition treaty before the issue would have been hotly debated during the regular meeting of government MPs.Just a quick update on today’s joint Coalition party room – readers already know the prime minister grounded the contentious China extradition treaty before the issue would have been hotly debated during the regular meeting of government MPs.
But one backbencher, Eric Abetz, did press on and raise his opposition to the deal during today’s discussion. He’d made it known to some colleagues he was prepared to cross the floor to disallow the treaty if it had come to a vote.But one backbencher, Eric Abetz, did press on and raise his opposition to the deal during today’s discussion. He’d made it known to some colleagues he was prepared to cross the floor to disallow the treaty if it had come to a vote.
There was also an interesting discussion about the funding of community legal centres. Two Liberal MPs and two Nationals raised concerns that there weren’t sufficient funds for the centres to to their job. This has been an issue of contention in Canberra this week.There was also an interesting discussion about the funding of community legal centres. Two Liberal MPs and two Nationals raised concerns that there weren’t sufficient funds for the centres to to their job. This has been an issue of contention in Canberra this week.
One of the Liberal MPs, the former police officer Jason Wood, told the prime minister during his contribution that if the government was serious about combating domestic violence, it needed to give the centres more money. Wood pointed out domestic violence impacted one in four people in some areas of his electorate. Colleagues tell me his advice to the prime minister was pretty blunt.One of the Liberal MPs, the former police officer Jason Wood, told the prime minister during his contribution that if the government was serious about combating domestic violence, it needed to give the centres more money. Wood pointed out domestic violence impacted one in four people in some areas of his electorate. Colleagues tell me his advice to the prime minister was pretty blunt.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.08am BSTat 4.08am BST
4.04am BST4.04am BST
04:0404:04
Shorten to Turnbull: We know that prime minister changes his policies when he feels pressure from the Liberal party room. So why doesn’t he feel any pressure to act when nearly 700,000 workers are facing penalty rate cuts on Sundays?Shorten to Turnbull: We know that prime minister changes his policies when he feels pressure from the Liberal party room. So why doesn’t he feel any pressure to act when nearly 700,000 workers are facing penalty rate cuts on Sundays?
Turnbull says it was the Fair Work Commission decision. Turnbull says it was the Fair Work Commission’s decision.
It was an inquiry started by Shorten as workplace minister.It was an inquiry started by Shorten as workplace minister.
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3.56am BST3.56am BST
03:5603:56
Five minutes to question time. Which is like five minutes to midnight.Five minutes to question time. Which is like five minutes to midnight.
3.55am BST3.55am BST
03:5503:55
Penny Wong channels The Lord of the Rings in her speech.Penny Wong channels The Lord of the Rings in her speech.
18C: you shall not pass.18C: you shall not pass.
UpdatedUpdated
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3.47am BST3.47am BST
03:4703:47
Nick Xenophon and his senators are opposing the amendments to 18C but voted to bring on the debate with the government.Nick Xenophon and his senators are opposing the amendments to 18C but voted to bring on the debate with the government.
If he maintains his opposition to the 18C bill, it will fail.If he maintains his opposition to the 18C bill, it will fail.
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3.40am BST3.40am BST
03:4003:40
While the Senate debate continues, the prime minister has met Snowy Hydro workers for a spot of lunch.While the Senate debate continues, the prime minister has met Snowy Hydro workers for a spot of lunch.
UpdatedUpdated
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3.37am BST3.37am BST
03:3703:37
The Greens senator Nick McKim makes the point that if the 18C amendments were really about freedom of speech, the government would address laws that allow whistleblowers to be jailed for two years for speaking detention centres and defamation laws which have a chilling effect.The Greens senator Nick McKim makes the point that if the 18C amendments were really about freedom of speech, the government would address laws that allow whistleblowers to be jailed for two years for speaking detention centres and defamation laws which have a chilling effect.
He also attacks the Senate committee for not allowing Indigenous people to speak to the snap inquiry on the bill, which had a half-day hearing on Friday.He also attacks the Senate committee for not allowing Indigenous people to speak to the snap inquiry on the bill, which had a half-day hearing on Friday.
Racism started the day Europeans arrived in this country and it is still going today. For the Senate not to hear from Indigenous people was an absolute bloody disgrace.Racism started the day Europeans arrived in this country and it is still going today. For the Senate not to hear from Indigenous people was an absolute bloody disgrace.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.50am BSTat 3.50am BST
3.33am BST3.33am BST
03:3303:33
Penny Wong:Penny Wong:
I hope this parliament will vote this amendment down and can I say it is a poor reflection on this prime minister.I hope this parliament will vote this amendment down and can I say it is a poor reflection on this prime minister.
She says refusing to allow the Aboriginal Legal Service speak to the committee hearing on Friday was a profound statement about whose freedom of speech needed to be protected under this bill.She says refusing to allow the Aboriginal Legal Service speak to the committee hearing on Friday was a profound statement about whose freedom of speech needed to be protected under this bill.
I hope the parliament thinks about what this says to the young Muslim woman on the bus or the young Asian boy in the street or some other member of Australia’s multicultural community who is abused because of who they are. Because not only is the amendment before this place wrong, in many ways what is most wrong and has been most damaging has been the signal that has been sent by a prime minister who believes he is a Liberal moderate.I hope the parliament thinks about what this says to the young Muslim woman on the bus or the young Asian boy in the street or some other member of Australia’s multicultural community who is abused because of who they are. Because not only is the amendment before this place wrong, in many ways what is most wrong and has been most damaging has been the signal that has been sent by a prime minister who believes he is a Liberal moderate.
The signal he is sending in cahoots with this attorney general that this sort of racial abuse is more permissible.The signal he is sending in cahoots with this attorney general that this sort of racial abuse is more permissible.
So I ask my colleagues in this place, think of the people who this legislation is designed to protect and think of the principle that this legislation seeks to send out to the community because what it says to the community, we do not believe in this modern multicultural Australia that it is OK for you to be abused because of your race. And that is a principal we should all stand for.So I ask my colleagues in this place, think of the people who this legislation is designed to protect and think of the principle that this legislation seeks to send out to the community because what it says to the community, we do not believe in this modern multicultural Australia that it is OK for you to be abused because of your race. And that is a principal we should all stand for.
3.19am BST
03:19
Penny Wong says the 18C changes are more a work program for a government which has no agenda.
She turns her attack on the attorney general, George Brandis, whom she describes as a “serial misleader”.
His is a lonely and thankless job leading a dysfunctional government in the Senate.
Wong says with the 18C amendments, Brandis has a purpose. She is riffing on Lord of the Rings and says 18C is “precious” to Brandis.
Updated
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3.14am BST
03:14
Penny Wong says the removal of “insult”, “offend” and “humiliate” from the Racial Discrimination Act says everything about this government. She says inserting “harrass” is not strengthening the act.
Harassment is about generating fear, not protecting freedom.
Updated
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3.11am BST
03:11
That means the 18C debate goes forth from now.
Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, speaks first.
Updated
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3.10am BST
03:10
In the chamber, Paul Karp tells me One Nation and Nick Xenophon Team are with the government which means Labor’s motion will fail.
Updated
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3.04am BST
03:04
The Senate is now dividing on Labor’s 18C suspension of standing orders.
Updated
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2.55am BST
02:55
Paul Karp
Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, has said the shadow cabinet and caucus had decided not to proceed with ratification of the China extradition treaty “at this time”.
We appreciate that the Chinese government is very clear about wanting the treaty ratified at this stage, however we believe the dissenting report of the Labor members on the joint standing committee on treaties ... expresses a very sensible position.
Labor wants the Extradition Act to be reviewed, not just in relation to the Chinese treaty, but other treaties. The shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, added there were concerns that in the treaty there wasn’t a clause creating a discretion not to extradite if the circumstances were “unjust or oppressive”.
Despite Julie Bishop saying the Chinese did link an extradition treaty with prisoner transfers, Dreyfus said they shouldn’t be linked because they are separate.
The transfer of prisoner arrangement has been working well – we expect that to continue.
Asked about Bishop’s praise of the Labor leadership and surprise that it had opposed the treaty, Wong denied that Labor had changed position since the Jscot process.
She noted that every single member of the Senate crossbench, former prime minister Tony Abbott, and “a great many members of the Liberal party” had expressed concern at the treaty.
Updated
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2.50am BST
02:50
Gareth Hutchens
Labor caucus met this morning. It discussed 18C, two separate banking inquiry bills and the government’s extradition treaty with China.
On 18C, the Indigenous MP Patrick Dodson said the government’s handling of the process had been a “shambles”.
“If it was an Aboriginal organisation it would be sacked,” he said of the government.
He said some Indigenous groups weren’t even allowed to present to the 18C Senate inquiry.
On the banking and financial services commission of inquiry bills, there are two bills: a crossbench bill moved by the Greens and introduced to the Senate, and a bill introduced in the lower house by the independent MP Bob Katter.
Labor says it will support both bills, even though the bills fall short of establishing a full royal commission into the banking industry.
Regarding the extradition treaty with China, Bill Shorten said the recommendation from shadow cabinet was to not ratify the treaty “at this time”.
He said the joint standing committee on treaties provided a clear signal and pathway for the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, which “he should have taken”.
Updated
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2.46am BST
02:46
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, supports the Labor motion to suspend standing orders.
He said he thought the changes to 18C had been dumped, after all if Tony Abbott dumped them (in 2014), no one could bring them back.
But Di Natale says it’s like a bad zombie move, they keep coming back and back and back.
He notes the previous human rights committee report, which had a majority of Coalition members, could not even fully support amending the Racial Discrimination Act.
It’s not often I agree with Barnaby Joyce but he belled the cat. It is not a conversation around kitchen tables.
Updated
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2.44am BST
02:44
The attorney general, George Brandis, says yet again, Labor is delaying the bill. He gives a short history of the 18C amendments, from the Coalition promise to change the act at the 2013 elections.
He says 18C has been:
used for the persecution of innocent Australians.
used for the persecution of the late, great Bill Leak.
used for the persecution over a wisecrack by university students.
He says in the previous human rights committee inquiry, there were nine full days of public hearings including in every single capital city in Australia.
The Senate can deal with the matter as it always intended to do … and should not be used by Senator Wong to play politics on this issue.
Updated
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2.38am BST
02:38
Labor moves to suspend standing orders to delay 18C debate until Thursday
Labor’s leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, is now suspending standing orders in the chamber over the Racial Discrimination Act. She says the whole thing has been rushed through the house, given that the:
Bill was introduced last Wednesday.
Bill referred to a half-day inquiry.
Bill report was just tabled.
No Indigenous representatives were allowed to speak to the half-day hearing.
She wants the debate deferred until Thursday to allow time to digest the bill.
It really does say everything about this government, about its real views on freedom of speech.
Wong says the government just wants to get the vote over with.
They want to just rush it through … the optics of this bill is entirely internal.
Wong says the government has flagged amendments to its own bill which have not been brought to the Senate. And yet, senators have to debate and vote on it.
Updated
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