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/aug/14/liberal-party-labor-immigration-marriage-equality-tax-politics-live

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Commonwealth Bank chief Ian Narev retires – politics live Barnaby Joyce refers himself to high court over citizenship – politics live
(35 minutes later)
1.36am BST
01:36
Bring out your dead
Dear Bill,
Feel free to nominate any Labor members or senators who might not have done their homework.
Love Mal.
PM's letter to Bill Shorten over citizenship issues. pic.twitter.com/ihBluZQgU3
1.34am BST
01:34
From the NZ government website on getting a NZ parliament:
Who can get it
If you were born overseas and at least 1 of your parents is a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant, you are an NZ citizen by descent. To get yourself an NZ passport, you need to register your citizenship. You can order a passport at the same time by ticking a box on the form.
1.32am BST
01:32
Barnaby Joyce's full statement on citizenship
Last Thursday afternoon, the New Zealand High Commission contacted me to advise that on the basis of preliminary advice from the department of internal affairs which had received inquiries, considered that I could be a citizen of New Zealand by descent.
Needless to say, I was shocked about this. I’ve always been an Australian citizen born in Tamworth. Neither my or my parents had any reason to believe that I may be a citizen of any other country.
I was born in Australia in1967 to an Australian mother and I think I’m fifth generation. My father was born in New Zealand, came to Australia in 1947 as a British subject. In fact, we were all British subjects at this time.
The concept of New Zealand-Australian citizenship was not created until 1948. Neither my parents nor I had ever applied to register me as a New Zealand citizen. The New Zealand Government has no record of registering me as a New Zealand citizen.
The government has taken legal advice from the Solicitor-General. On the basis of the Solicitor-General’s advice, they’re of the firm view that [I] will not be found to be disqualified by the operation of section 44.1 of the constitution of serving as a member for New England.
However, to provide clarification to this very important area of the law, for this and future Parliaments, I have asked the government to refer the matter in accordance with Section 376 of the Commonwealth electoral act to the High Court sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns.
Given the strength of the legal advice the government has received, the prime minister has asked that I remain deputy prime minister and continue my ministerial duties.
1.22am BST
01:22
Barnaby Joyce will stay in parliament and in the deputy prime minister’s role while the case is heard. The government appears confident that Joyce is OK – which seems a little premature, given the twists and turns in this citizenship issue.
Updated
at 1.29am BST
1.16am BST
01:16
The curious case of Barnaby Joyce's citizenship
As it turns out, I have been digging on this in the past few weeks and the government guidance was always that Joyce was OK on citizenship.
But I was advised otherwise by various sources and here is the nub of the issue.
I have been told the original versions of the Citizenship Act 1977 (NZ) provided for citizenship by descent to lapse if a birth overseas was not registered within a specified period.
However, I understand the lapsing provision was repealed after complaints, and citizenship restored to those whose citizenship had lapsed by amending acts passed in 2000 and 2001.
These are the various links for those citizen journos who want to pursue this.
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0009/latest/whole.html#DLM54927
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0095/latest/whole.html#DLM121275
Joyce’s spokesman said Joyce was not a dual citizen and had establis­hed that “many years prior to entering parliament”. (He entered parliament in the Senate in 2005.)
Joyce said his parents had never registered his birth and his citizenship by descent. In which case, it would have lapsed when he was a young man.
However, the amendments of 2000-01 would have restored his citizenship by descent with effect from the date his citizenship had originally lapsed. In other words, under current NZ citizenship law, it may be that he is and always has been a New Zealand citizen.
Updated
at 1.26am BST
1.08am BST
01:08
So Joyce will join the high court cases of One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, former resources minister Matt Canavan and Greens senator Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters.
1.05am BST
01:05
Barnaby Joyce has asked to refer his own citizenship to the high court
Deputy prime minister Joyce’s father was a citizen of New Zealand.
1.01am BST1.01am BST
01:0101:01
"I have a relationship with my mates who I go cycling with on the weekend but I'm not married to them." - Kevin Andrews weighs in..."I have a relationship with my mates who I go cycling with on the weekend but I'm not married to them." - Kevin Andrews weighs in...
Andrews says he has affectionate relationships with friends but there's no law about friendship...Andrews says he has affectionate relationships with friends but there's no law about friendship...
I’m so confused...I’m so confused...
12.51am BST12.51am BST
00:5100:51
Housekeeping is in order with parliament resuming at 10am.Housekeeping is in order with parliament resuming at 10am.
In the Senate, we have government bills on a telecommunications regime “to better manage national security risks of espionage, sabotage and foreign interference, and better protect networks and the confidentiality of information stored on and carried across them from unauthorised interference and access”.In the Senate, we have government bills on a telecommunications regime “to better manage national security risks of espionage, sabotage and foreign interference, and better protect networks and the confidentiality of information stored on and carried across them from unauthorised interference and access”.
The bill to implement the effects test, the competition bill on the misuse of market power, is number two on the government’s list. That bill would strengthen legal protections for small businesses and farmers against abuse of market power by big businesses.The bill to implement the effects test, the competition bill on the misuse of market power, is number two on the government’s list. That bill would strengthen legal protections for small businesses and farmers against abuse of market power by big businesses.
In the lower house, we have citizenship changes that toughen the English language test and the residency requirements.In the lower house, we have citizenship changes that toughen the English language test and the residency requirements.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.53am BSTat 12.53am BST
12.45am BST12.45am BST
00:4500:45
The Australia Institute has done an interesting study on the gaps in federal corruption laws, apropos the case for a national corruption body.The Australia Institute has done an interesting study on the gaps in federal corruption laws, apropos the case for a national corruption body.
The report finds:The report finds:
There are significant gaps in the jurisdiction and investigative powers of the federal agencies responsible for scrutinising the public sector and governmentThere are significant gaps in the jurisdiction and investigative powers of the federal agencies responsible for scrutinising the public sector and government
No agency has the power to investigate corrupt conduct as defined by our state-based commissionsNo agency has the power to investigate corrupt conduct as defined by our state-based commissions
No agency can investigate misconduct of MPs, ministers or the judiciaryNo agency can investigate misconduct of MPs, ministers or the judiciary
The only agencies that have strong investigative powers can only use them when investigating criminal chargesThe only agencies that have strong investigative powers can only use them when investigating criminal charges
No agency holds regular public hearings, meaning that corruption and misconduct is not properly exposed to the publicNo agency holds regular public hearings, meaning that corruption and misconduct is not properly exposed to the public
To fill these gaps, a federal anti-corruption commission will need strong investigative powers and broad jurisdiction similar to NSW Icac and other successful state-based commissions.To fill these gaps, a federal anti-corruption commission will need strong investigative powers and broad jurisdiction similar to NSW Icac and other successful state-based commissions.
The institute is holding a conference on this issue on Thursday, with a stellar line up, including former NSW Icac commissioner David Ipp, former NSW director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery, counsel assisting NSW Icac Geoffrey Watson, shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus, Greens leader Richard Di Natale, Senator Nick Xenophon, Senator Jacqui Lambie, professor George Williams, former independent national security legislation monitor Bret Walker, Noel Hutley, Law Council president Fiona McLeod, Anthony Whealy, associate professor Joo Cheong Tham, associate professor Gabrielle Appleby, and professor AJ Brown.The institute is holding a conference on this issue on Thursday, with a stellar line up, including former NSW Icac commissioner David Ipp, former NSW director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery, counsel assisting NSW Icac Geoffrey Watson, shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus, Greens leader Richard Di Natale, Senator Nick Xenophon, Senator Jacqui Lambie, professor George Williams, former independent national security legislation monitor Bret Walker, Noel Hutley, Law Council president Fiona McLeod, Anthony Whealy, associate professor Joo Cheong Tham, associate professor Gabrielle Appleby, and professor AJ Brown.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.54am BSTat 12.54am BST
12.30am BST12.30am BST
00:3000:30
Sweet parliamentary business from Cormac Farrell, house bee wrangler.Sweet parliamentary business from Cormac Farrell, house bee wrangler.
This frame of #honey wasn't in there going into winter - all from our nation's Parliament! @Aust_Parliament @Aurecon @ANU_Bees pic.twitter.com/8951whtTkqThis frame of #honey wasn't in there going into winter - all from our nation's Parliament! @Aust_Parliament @Aurecon @ANU_Bees pic.twitter.com/8951whtTkq
12.25am BST12.25am BST
00:2500:25
Lee Rhiannon: Bob Brown is hurting the Greens with his attacksLee Rhiannon: Bob Brown is hurting the Greens with his attacks
Four Corners is doing an instalment on the Greens tonight, in which Bob Brown continues his sharp criticism of NSW Greens senator Lee Rhiannon.Four Corners is doing an instalment on the Greens tonight, in which Bob Brown continues his sharp criticism of NSW Greens senator Lee Rhiannon.
It comes two months after the open rift in the national Greens over Rhiannon and her opposition to the party negotiating with the government over the Gonski 2 schools funding package.It comes two months after the open rift in the national Greens over Rhiannon and her opposition to the party negotiating with the government over the Gonski 2 schools funding package.
Rhiannon has put out a statement about Brown’s claims she is a team wrecker, saying Brown is upset because the NSW party preferred candidates other than his own.Rhiannon has put out a statement about Brown’s claims she is a team wrecker, saying Brown is upset because the NSW party preferred candidates other than his own.
"Bob Brown accuses me of being a team wrecker": Statement from Greens Senator @leerhiannon #auspol pic.twitter.com/7JhzPHwhnv"Bob Brown accuses me of being a team wrecker": Statement from Greens Senator @leerhiannon #auspol pic.twitter.com/7JhzPHwhnv
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.26am BSTat 12.26am BST
12.20am BST12.20am BST
00:2000:20
Hipster no more.Hipster no more.
The beard is dead. #auspol #shave https://t.co/QdKFFDEeud pic.twitter.com/zStK30wIiIThe beard is dead. #auspol #shave https://t.co/QdKFFDEeud pic.twitter.com/zStK30wIiI
12.17am BST
00:17
Education minister Simon Birmingham has joined Tim Wilson to push back against the Archbishop of Sydney’s scare campaign of “same sex coercion” in schools if Australia votes yes to marriage equality.
Birmingham on Sky:
I have seen no proposals that would change the operations or workings of those provisions in the Sex Discrimination Act that should give absolute confidence to Archbishop Fischer, to church leaders to faith based schools around Australia that they could continue to be able to operate and teach precisely as they do today.
12.09am BST
00:09
12.07am BST
00:07
#BREAKING: CommBank CEO Ian Narev to resign pic.twitter.com/hYz3wr0wOt
12.03am BST
00:03
Commonwealth bank boss Ian Narev to retire (cough)
The embattled bank boss, under the hammer over action against the bank by Austrac over alleged money laundering, will retire by the end of the 2018 financial year.
12.01am BST
00:01
The Catholic archbishop of Sydney is warming up the campaign against a possible yes vote in the marriage plebiscite, claiming religious freedoms could be threatened. Joe Kelly of the Oz reports:
Archbishop Anthony Fisher has warned that religious schools, hospitals, charities and welfare agencies could be jeopardised by a Yes vote for same-sex marriage in the government’s postal ballot.
Firing an opening shot in the church’s campaign, the archbishop has laid down battlelines for the No case by linking the ­redefinition of marriage to broader community concerns about ­issues such as the contentious Safe Schools program.
Liberal MP and marriage equality advocate Tim Wilson has told Kieran Gilbert on Sky News, that is incorrect.
Wilson pulled out his trusty copy of the Australian constitution and has offered to send Fischer a copy. He quoted section 116:
Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion
The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.
Updated
at 12.06am BST
11.54pm BST
23:54
Media laws before the Senate this week
Negotiations continue ahead of the Senate debating media reforms this week. The bill would scrap the two out of three rule, so media could control television, newspapers and radio stations in the same market and the reach rule, 75% reach rule, which prevents Nine Entertainment, Seven West Media and the Ten Network from owning their regional affiliates.
Communications minister Mitch Fifield argues the new media landscape means that Australian media companies need to be able to grow to protect themselves against bigger global companies.
Nick Xenophon wants an inquiry.
We need to have a very thorough inquiry and action on the power of Facebook and Google. They have been complete disruptors in a very negative way in the sense they can cannibalise existing content of existing media outlets. And Facebook and Google are raking in more than $4bn year in advertising revenue which is cutting away from traditional media and hurting journalism, quality journalism in this country.
Labor is opposed to the bill and the government is negotiating with the Greens and crossbenchers like Xenophon.
Updated
at 12.03am BST
11.46pm BST
23:46
In case you missed it, Gareth Hutchens reports:
Six hundred of Australia’s biggest private companies could finally be forced to publish their high-level tax information, under a new push by Labor to repair a notorious piece of legislation.
Labor will introduce a private senators’ bill on Monday to amend the Taxation Administration Act 1953, to require private companies with more than $100m in turnover to release their tax information to the public annually.
The former Labor government passed similar legislation in 2013 but the provision was wound back by the Coalition in late 2015 before the changes could take effect.
11.43pm BST
23:43
Kevin Rudd: giving the US a blank cheque on North Korea is irresponsible
I want to bring you more of Kevin Rudd’s comments on Malcolm Turnbull’s approach to Anzus.
Rudd wrote a piece for the Financial Times about the real potential for conflict over North Korea:
Some of us fear that we are sleepwalking again, blindly unaware of the abyss that lies ahead.
Rudd told the ABC that we have entered into a difficult and dangerous time. He says war on the peninsula is not probable but it is becoming more and more possible,
which is why we need calm language, solid diplomacy and not the sort of waving of arms into the air which we seem to have seen from Mr Turnbull in recent days about his Anzus pronouncements.
Rudd’s central point about the substantive issue is that China does not seem to think the US is serious about unilateral action against North Korea but in the US, it is a possibility.
But he saved his fire for the Turnbull government’s “joined at the hip” statement.
My response to this statement when I first saw it on the weekend was ‘good God, the conservatives in Australia have learnt nothing from the Iraq experience. John Howard gave president Bush a blank cheque on Iraq. You never as an Australian prime minister, as an ally of the United States, give the Americans before the event a blank cheque. There are multiple scenarios that could arise from the Korean peninsula and we cannot predict predict which if any of them would occur. But for an Australian prime minister to say that we automatically would become militarily involved in the event of a North Korean attack, frankly I think is irresponsible in terms of our core national security interests.
Updated
at 12.04am BST
11.19pm BST
23:19
There has been the sound of cannons this morning around the building, a welcome for Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, prime minister of the Solomon Islands, and his wife, Emmy Sogavare.
Malcolm Turnbull and Sogavare will witness the signing of a bilateral security treaty.
The PM put out this statement last week.
The visit by Prime Minister Sogavare is an important milestone following the conclusion of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (Ramsi) – a 14-year partnership that restored peace and stability to the Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Sogavare and I will discuss the new era ahead for our bilateral development, economic, and security partnership.
Updated
at 11.40pm BST
11.05pm BST
23:05
The long goodbye
Good morning blogans,
It is a glorious morning in Canberra, where a brilliant sunrise has dawned and the symphony of leaf blowers begins in the courtyards of parliament.
The political news is a mix of local and global. Adam Gartrell of Fairfax has dug up a sneaky move from last week which we all missed. The immigration minister Peter Dutton quietly introduced the Australian Border Force Amendment (Protected Information) Bill 2017 which would dump the extreme secrecy provisions that surround detention workers including teachers, lawyers and social workers from blowing the whistle if they saw neglect or abuse. The penalty at the moment is up to two years in prison.
This bill would repeal the definition of protected information – currently any information obtained in a person’s capacity as an entrusted person – and change it to ensure “only specific kinds of information” are covered by the secrecy and disclosure provisions.
From the explanatory memo:
This bill seeks to balance the need to protect certain information, where appropriate, against the Australian government’s commitment to open government.
Doctors for Refugees’ Barri Phataford, who is involved in the court case, says bollocks.
He’s clarifying it now because the government is in the middle of a high court challenge which frankly they know they cannot win.
That bill does not appear to be up this week for debate.
Kevin Rudd has talked to Fran Kelly about the escalating tension between the US and North Korea. He has been highly critical of Malcolm Turnbull’s “arm waving” on any potential conflict between the two countries.
His comments come after Turnbull said on Friday the US were joined at the hip on defence matters.
Rudd suggested the conservative party had learnt nothing from the conflict with Iraq and Australian prime ministers should not be giving the US a “blank cheque”.
I will bring you some more of Rudd’s comments in a moment, in order to get this baby in the air. So grab a beverage, sit back and enjoy the ride of this week in parliament, my last on the #politicslive blog. For those who have missed the previous announcement, I am off to do other projects and Amy Remeikis, currently of Fairfax, will shortly take the reins.
In the meantime, talk to me in the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan or on Facebook.
Updated
at 11.29pm BST