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.
Frydenberg knew expansion of Snowy Hydro could cost nearly double what Turnbull flagged – politics live
Turnbull speaks of mistreatment of First Australians to mark 50 years since referendum – politics live
(35 minutes later)
1.18am BST
01:18
Bill Shorten recognises constitutional recognition is hard and is not the final word, but it says Australians are prepared to write a new chapter.
It has to be as real as Australia can make it.
He says the parliament waits for the advice from the meeting at Uluru. Shorten acknowledges the government in 1967 did not fund the “no” case in the referendum.
Both sides supported the referendum, so 50 years on, Shorten says surely the parliament can find bipartisanship on constitutional referendum.
It is our turn to step up, not to find fault but to find common ground.
Shorten says then in the future we can look back and say remember when we stepped up.
1.15am BST
01:15
Bill Shorten says in too many ways, not enough has changed.
Too many Indigenous men are more likely to go to jail than to university.
Too many mothers still lose their precious babies through preventable disease.
Changing this means tackling the nitty gritty of disadvantage.
He says the regional differences and community differences have their own cultures and particular circumstances.
But every community has the right to participate in the Australian community.
1.12am BST
01:12
Bill Shorten honours one of the campaigners, Pastor Doug, a former footballer, who screened a film showing Aboriginal hardship in 1957.
It captured hunger and disease. It showed children too weak to brush flies from their faces. One newspaper said there were cries of disgust and horror, and people openly wept.
The meeting attended by 1500, supported by the Australian Workers Union, launched the first petition to parliament for constitutional change. In the years that followed, folding tables and clipboards were set up in church halls and shopping streets, in country towns and big cities.
And by 1963, campaigners for change had collected 103,000 names before the internet, before social media, before smartphones. It was human commitment, face-to-face meetings, persuasive arguing.
Updated
at 1.16am BST
1.07am BST
01:07
Shorten: census a racist system which broke families and shattered connections
Bill Shorten calls out the racism of the census as it existed pre-1967.
Exclusion from the census was a disgraceful insult. A bitter legacy of the better fight over federation and [its obsession with] race. Far more harm was done by the failure to make laws with regards to Australians. This gave successive federal commonwealth governments an alibi for failure. It left First Australians at the mercy of patchwork policies. Fighting against institutionalised prejudice with inequality and [denied] basic freedoms. A racist system which broke families and shattered connections with the country.
Updated
at 1.09am BST
1.03am BST
01:03
Bill Shorten says today’s events commemorate and celebrate two signal moments in the Australian story.
We honour the heroes who made it possible. The 1967 referendum, and the High Court’s Mabo decision were triumphs for true telling and decency. Both were platforms for further progress. And, overwhelmingly, both were victories authored by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. People who for so long had been relegated to silent roles, written out of the script altogether, finally took centre stage. In 1967, they looked non-Indigenous Australia in the eye and said, “Count us together, make us one people”.
Updated
at 1.07am BST
1.00am BST
01:00
Bill Shorten begins his statement to the house.
I want to thank our friends from the Torres Strait for that welcome ceremony. It is always astonishing to see the world’s oldest culture brought to life right in front of you. And on behalf of the opposition, I want to give a special welcome to the original warriors for change, and their proud family members. Your presence here today enriches this day. It puts a human face on our history. In fighting to be part of the Australian identity, you, in fact, gifted, a larger identity to all Australians. You and your guests simply make us more proud to be Australian.
12.58am BST
00:58
The PM has announced a $138m Indigenous education package “to enable the economic and social inclusion for which the 1967 campaign was fought”.
We are joined today by 50 Indigenous youths parliamentarians who stand today on the shoulders of these giants. I want to thank the ‘67 referendum campaigners and the Mabo campaigners for the gift they gave our nation. I thank all First Australians, who preserved their ancient culture. Your culture defines who you are, it speaks to your country, your identity, your belonging. And as we embrace in reconciliation, your culture enriches us all. For time out of mind, for more than 50,000 years, your people and your culture have shaped and been shaped, cared for and been cared by, defined and been defined by this land, our land, Australia.
12.55am BST
00:55
The prime minister names too many Indigenous people to record who were involved in the campaign, who worked towards the 1967 referendum.
He moves on to the Mabo case, acknowledging Eddie’s widow Bonita.
It was Eddie Mabo and the other plaintiffs, James Rice and others, whose perseverance brought about the High Court’s decision to bring about the rights of the people of the Murray islands and the Torres Strait. They are all represented here today. I want to acknowledge the presence of Eddie Mabo’s wife and their daughter Gale. Eddie Mabo was an advocate of the 1967 referendum, fighting for equal rights, including education. But despite the success of the ‘67 campaign in 1972, Eddie Mabo still had to get permission of the Queensland authorities to visit his dying father. That permission was denied. Six weeks later he died.
Updated
at 1.20am BST
12.51am BST
12.51am BST
00:51
00:51
Malcolm Turnbull acknowledges the work being done in Uluru on the proposed constitutional referendum.
Malcolm Turnbull acknowledges the work being done in Uluru on the proposed constitutional referendum.
It is vitally important our First Australians consider and debate the models of recognition free of political interference and the diversity of views and opinions within the Indigenous communities are discussed. The next step in constitutional recognition needs to be embraced by all Australians. But it needs first to be embraced by our First Australians if it is to be proposed at all.
It is vitally important our First Australians consider and debate the models of recognition free of political interference and the diversity of views and opinions within the Indigenous communities are discussed. The next step in constitutional recognition needs to be embraced by all Australians. But it needs first to be embraced by our First Australians if it is to be proposed at all.
12.48am BST
12.48am BST
00:48
00:48
Turnbull talks about an Indigenous campaigner, who said:
Turnbull talks about an Indigenous campaigner, who said:
The government counted everything, they counted the cattle, the cars the TV, but they didn’t count us, it was like we were invisible.
The government counted everything, they counted the cattle, the cars the TV, but they didn’t count us, it was like we were invisible.
He reflects on the Australia of 1967.
He reflects on the Australia of 1967.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in many parts of the country could still not freely attend public swimming pools, sit in a public class room without fear of exclusion, have a drink at the pubs with their mates, and fundamentally, our First Australians could not shape their own identity. This discrimination and exclusion diminished us all as Australians. It did not reflect the sacrifice and contribution the First Australians made to our nation, or the humanity of all of us.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in many parts of the country could still not freely attend public swimming pools, sit in a public class room without fear of exclusion, have a drink at the pubs with their mates, and fundamentally, our First Australians could not shape their own identity. This discrimination and exclusion diminished us all as Australians. It did not reflect the sacrifice and contribution the First Australians made to our nation, or the humanity of all of us.
12.45am BST
00:45
Speaker Tony Smith welcomes people in the gallery, including those involved in campaigning for the 1967 referendum and the 25th anniversary of the Mabo decision.
Malcolm Turnbull begins with an acknowledgement in an Indigenous language.
He begins talking about people of diverse backgrounds in Australia living in harmony.
We know that we have not always treated our First Australians with the respect that they deserve. Truth is the first step towards healing.
Turnbull says truth is the first step to healing.
Laws controlled where our First Australians could and couldn’t move, what they could and couldn’t do. Lives demeaned, lives diminished. Generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families and communities and we acknowledge that this separated children from their mothers and fathers, their families, their land, languages and cultures, cared for by their ancestors for over 50,000 years.
Indigenous diggers returned from war having defended our freedoms and the rule of law were denied the rights of citizenship for which they had so fiercely fought. But 50 years ago, our nation was given the opportunity to vote for change and, Mr Speaker, our nation did. No member of this place authorised a “no” case. The parliament and the community were united.
Updated
at 12.50am BST
12.39am BST
00:39
There are ceremonies around the house to mark 50 years since the 1967 referendum in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were first counted.
Paul Daley wrote about how there is quite a job to go on equality.
There was a cultural ceremony just after 9am.
Now the PM is going to make a statement to the house, as is Bill Shorten.
12.24am BST
00:24
Overnight, Labor has released a plan to force company directors to register under an identification number to ensure they cannot wind down companies, take the assets, leave creditors high and dry and start a new company.
Labor’s Andrew Leigh has explained the policy via video.
Pity you had to see him on a burning day.
12.13am BST
00:13
Expansion of Snowy Hydro could cost $2bn more than flagged
From our next-door neighbours at AAP:
Environment minister Josh Frydenberg knew the expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme could cost nearly double the $2bn price Australians were told by the prime minister.
A massive expansion of the iconic hydropower scheme will also require a major upgrade to the poles and wires needed to transmit the electricity it creates.
Snowy Hydro is working with NSW electricity grid operator Transgrid to determine how much that would cost.
Chief operating officer Roger Whitby was reluctant to give a ballpark estimate when he appeared before a Senate committee, saying it depended on many factors, but eventually conceded it was “potentially more than $1bn” but less than $2bn.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the Snowy Mountains in mid-March to announce a feasibility study into expanding the scheme to provide more storage and backup energy capacity.
During interviews in the immediate aftermath, he said it would cost $2bn to build.
But environment department officials revealed to senators they had always known there would be an extra cost for the transmission upgrade.
“The fact that there would be an extra cost of transmission, the transmission augmentation, that’s always been part of all briefings provided,” deputy secretary Rob Heferen told the Senate committee on Tuesday night.
Updated
at 12.20am BST
12.08am BST
00:08
Senate estimates will continue today.
The department of finance is in the hot seat today.
All the art galleries – which come under the arts portfolio – will also be answering questions.
The biosecurity sections of the department of agriculture will also be answering questions, presumably around white spot in prawns and a few other juicy bits.
The ABC is up after dinner so we will have reports on that overnight.
Updated
at 12.10am BST
11.48pm BST
23:48
Turnbull was asked, given the bomber was born in Manchester, what Australia is doing to identify and intervene in radicalisation processes.
Turnbull repeated that 63 people had been arrested on terrorism charges and noted the report into the Lindt Cafe siege would come down today.
Today, the coroner’s report on the Lindt Cafe siege will be handed down and this is a moment too to reflect on the tragic loss of life there, of Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson ... and this is a moment too to reflect on the tragic loss of life there ... And again our heartfelt sympathies, condolences and prayers go to their families.
Updated
at 11.53pm BST
11.36pm BST
23:36
Malcolm Turnbull says Australian intelligence services have disrupted and stopped a dozen major terrorist plots since September 2014, including one before Christmas involving plans to detonate a bomb and commit other attacks in and around Federation Square.
He says the key to disrupting plans is good intelligence.
This is a constantly evolving, it’s a dynamic environment. We must be as agile as our enemies. We must be more agile than our enemies. So we have to learn from every incident.
11.29pm BST
23:29
Malcolm Turnbull says security at mass events in Australia is always under constant review.
You’ll see heightened police presences, more obstacles, bollard, barriers put in the way to prevent vehicle-borne attacks.
The PM says the Australian and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee pulls together Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions to develop a national strategy to coordinate state and territory police services, local governments and the owners and operators of various venues and events.
Then the government’s counter-terrorism coordinator will discuss progress at Coag next month. The review should be received and endorsed by the Counter-Terrorism Committee from July.
Updated
at 11.38pm BST
11.21pm BST
23:21
Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the UK PM
The prime minister is speaking on AM.
He has spoken to the UK PM, Theresa May, overnight, offering Australia’s sympathies.
Turnbull repeats May’s message that UK authorities have found evidence of a wider plot.
So in that sense, the attack is not over. Until all of those associated with this criminal have been rounded up, their networks broken and their connections uncovered and brought to justice.
Turnbull has just spoken to the Australian director general of security, the head of Asio and his counter-terrorism coordinator. He repeats that the threat level remains “probable”.
Updated
at 11.36pm BST
11.10pm BST
23:10
Pauline, I don't want to do anything that will destroy your chances
Good morning blogans,
Obviously overnight the terrible aftermath of the bombing in Manchester is still unfolding with the first victims being identified, including an eight-year-old girl Saffie Rose Roussos with a sunny smile. If you want to follow the news, including the unfolding government and security reaction, we are continuing our live blog here.
In Australia, the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has spoken again about the tragic events and its reverberations this morning.
She says there is no evidence that the terrorist threat in Australia – which is “probable” – should change.
If it should change we would act on the advice of our security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies as to what would be appropriate.
In more work-a-day political matters, Pauline Hanson spoke to Sky overnight regarding the pressure on the party over leaked recordings of her chief of staff, James Ashby, suggesting money-making schemes raised from their own candidates. Hanson and Ashby have said the schemes never went ahead. She told Paul Murray that people were trying to get to her through Ashby.
They are trying to undermine me through James Ashby, to get rid of James because we work so well together.
He is capable, very articulate young man who has no ambitions to be a member of parliament because I have already offered that job to him in the last election if he would stand on the ticket with me.
He said, ‘Pauline, no I don’t’, he said, ‘because I don’t want to do anything that will destroy your chances of getting elected to parliament’.
#liabilities
But former One Nation candidate Lynette Keehn has spoken to Primrose Riordan and Rosie Lewis at the Oz. She said she had to put her campaign costs on her credit card.
Despite obtaining 18% of the primary vote, Lynette Keehn says she did not receive any return of funds from the One Nation executive.
“My understanding was that when you got your 4% in votes … anything after that you get paid per vote,” Ms Keehn told The Australian.
“Yes, I did (ask for a refund). Well, I was told that doesn’t happen.”
Ms Keehn, who is now searching for a job while looking after her seriously ill husband, said she was left with debts of $5,000-$7,000 from campaign costs.
The party is now subject to an AFP investigation after Labor’s Murray Watts referred the matter.
Now the house is sitting at 9.30am and Senate estimates continue.
The bill for a Medicare levy rise is coming to the House and the Gonski 2.0 debate continues. Let’s get to it. Talk to me in the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers or on Facebook.
