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Labor's support for Coalition energy policy under microscope – politics live Labor's support for Coalition energy policy under microscope – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.53pm BST
22:53
Tony Burke has called the Peter Dutton-led citizenship changes “appalling”, likening it to the White Australia Policy.
“If you came from China to Australia you need university-level English, if you came from Canada, you didn’t need university-level English. If you came from India, you needed university-level English, if you came from Great Britain you didn’t,” he told Sky News.
“It was an appalling policy, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the White Australia Policy. I am glad it has been knocked back. Peter Dutton should back down on this.”
Updated
at 10.56pm BST
10.27pm BST10.27pm BST
22:2722:27
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Speaking on Radio National communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has responded to calls from Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon for an inquiry into allegations Crown casino tampered with poker machines and avoided reporting transactions of more than $10,000 to Austrac.Fifield replied: Speaking on Radio National, the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has responded to calls from Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon for an inquiry into allegations Crown casino tampered with poker machines and avoided reporting transactions of more than $10,000 to Austrac.
“In relation to allegations Mr Wilkie has made, the justice minister, Michael Keenan, has already made clear that Austrac, our financial intelligence agency, will, as it always does, investigate claims of wrongdoing.” Fifield replied:
But casinos and venue-based poker machines are “matters that fall squarely within the jurisdictions of the states”, he said. Fifield said federal parliament can’t assume responsibility for those, but then concedes the Senate can establish a parliamentary inquiry.Fifield suggests the states can move more quickly: In relation to allegations Mr Wilkie has made, the justice minister, Michael Keenan, has already made clear that Austrac, our financial intelligence agency, will, as it always does, investigate claims of wrongdoing.
“There are state regulatory bodies there are state law enforcement agencies, they have the responsibility in this area … That is fairly and squarely a matter for those state governments. They have the power, they have the legislative authority, they are the people who can move swiftly in this area.” But casinos and venue-based poker machines are “matters that fall squarely within the jurisdictions of the states”, he said. Fifield said federal parliament can’t assume responsibility for those, but then concedes the Senate can establish a parliamentary inquiry.
Fifield suggests the states can move more quickly:
There are state regulatory bodies there are state law enforcement agencies, they have the responsibility in this area … That is fairly and squarely a matter for those state governments. They have the power, they have the legislative authority, they are the people who can move swiftly in this area.
Updated
at 10.41pm BST
10.27pm BST10.27pm BST
22:2722:27
While a former prime minister openly question whether climate change is real, and if it is, “probably doing good” the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science were handed out overnight. While a former prime minister openly questions whether climate change is real, and if it is “probably doing good” the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science were handed out overnight.
The 2017 recipients are:The 2017 recipients are:
Prime Minister’s Prize for Science: Distinguished Professor Jenny Graves AO, La Trobe UniversityPrime Minister’s Prize for Science: Distinguished Professor Jenny Graves AO, La Trobe University
Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation: Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO, The University of Melbourne/Oral Health CRC Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation: Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO, the University of Melbourne/Oral Health CRC
Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year: Professor Jian Yang, The University of Queensland Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year: Professor Jian Yang, the University of Queensland
Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year: Professor Dayong Jin, University of Technology SydneyMalcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year: Professor Dayong Jin, University of Technology Sydney
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools: Neil Bramsen, Mount Ousley Public School, WollongongPrime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools: Neil Bramsen, Mount Ousley Public School, Wollongong
Prime Minister’s Priz for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools: Brett McKay, Kirrawee High School, Sydney.Prime Minister’s Priz for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools: Brett McKay, Kirrawee High School, Sydney.
Updated
at 10.42pm BST
10.13pm BST10.13pm BST
22:1322:13
We still don’t know when the high court will return its judgment on the seven MPs facing questions over their eligibility to sit in parliament, but Nick Xenophon was taking no chances, seizing the opportunity to make a valedictory speech over night. We still don’t know when the high court will return its judgment on the seven MPs facing questions over their eligibility to sit in parliament, but Nick Xenophon was taking no chances, seizing the opportunity to make a valedictory speech overnight.
In typical Xenophon humblebrag style, the South Australian senator said he was not one for valedictories, but he had a few more words to say on a few more topics. Those would be donations reform and the gambling industry.In typical Xenophon humblebrag style, the South Australian senator said he was not one for valedictories, but he had a few more words to say on a few more topics. Those would be donations reform and the gambling industry.
I do not know when I’ll be making my last speech in the Senate. I hope this won’t be it, because I have a lot to say about many issues affecting my home state of South Australia, but, like others, being part of the ‘citizenship seven’, I am in the hands of the High Court—of the wise women and men of the High Court. I will be leaving this place, however, one way or the other and sooner rather than later, once that decision is handed down.” I do not know when I’ll be making my last speech in the Senate. I hope this won’t be it, because I have a lot to say about many issues affecting my home state of South Australia, but, like others, being part of the ‘citizenship seven’, I am in the hands of the high court – of the wise women and men of the high court. I will be leaving this place, however, one way or the other and sooner rather than later, once that decision is handed down.”
That sent George Brandis running back into the chamber:That sent George Brandis running back into the chamber:
I wasn’t proposing to participate in the adjournment debate this evening, but I understand that Senator Xenophon has intimated that may very well have been his last speech to the chamber, depending upon the High Court. I suspect this was not your last speech to the chamber, Senator Xenophon, because if it was, you’ve had a complete personality change. The speech has been delivered in a lowprofile, unflamboyant, discreet way and there’s not a single journalist or, indeed, photographer in the gallery. So all of the indicators suggest that this isn’t your last speech. But against the possibility that it is, I do want to say to you on behalf of the government, while we do not wish you success in the South Australian election because we in the government are strongly of the view that the election of Steven Marshall as the Premier of South Australia is far and away in the best interests of the state of South Australia. Nevertheless, I did want, in the event that this is your last speech, to wish you well in a personal sense on behalf of the government and to thank you for your service in this chamber, which has been very conspicuous and very consequential. We have found that you have agreed with the government more often than you have not agreed with us. But, whether you’ve agreed with us or not, you’ve always dealt with us in a considerate, constructive and collegial manner. May I say to you, Senator Xenophon, on my own personal behalf, that when the day comes that you leave us, I for one will miss you. I don’t think every one of my government colleagues would say the same, but you and I have become friends. I’ve enjoyed our friendship. I hope it will continue and, in a personal sense as well, I wish you all of the best for the future, and I wish you success in the High Court as well.” I wasn’t proposing to participate in the adjournment debate this evening, but I understand that Senator Xenophon has intimated that may very well have been his last speech to the chamber, depending upon the high court. I suspect this was not your last speech to the chamber, Senator Xenophon, because if it was, you’ve had a complete personality change. The speech has been delivered in a low-profile, unflamboyant, discreet way and there’s not a single journalist or, indeed, photographer in the gallery. So all of the indicators suggest that this isn’t your last speech. But against the possibility that it is, I do want to say to you on behalf of the government, while we do not wish you success in the South Australian election because we in the government are strongly of the view that the election of Steven Marshall as the premier of South Australia is far and away in the best interests of the state of South Australia. Nevertheless, I did want, in the event that this is your last speech, to wish you well in a personal sense on behalf of the government and to thank you for your service in this chamber, which has been very conspicuous and very consequential. We have found that you have agreed with the government more often than you have not agreed with us. But, whether you’ve agreed with us or not, you’ve always dealt with us in a considerate, constructive and collegial manner. May I say to you, Senator Xenophon, on my own personal behalf, that when the day comes that you leave us, I for one will miss you. I don’t think every one of my government colleagues would say the same, but you and I have become friends. I’ve enjoyed our friendship. I hope it will continue and, in a personal sense as well, I wish you all of the best for the future, and I wish you success in the high court as well.”
And then Penny Wong And then Penny Wong:
I apologise I didn’t quite get here before the Leader of the Government took his seat, but he hasn’t gone yet. I missed the beginning of your speech, Senator Xenophon, and I know you said ‘maybe’, so I don’t know if this is one of those teasing things that you do: ‘I might agree. I might not agree. I might go. I might not’. But in the event that the ‘maybe’ is in fact the case: I think I sent you a text, which, as I chided you today, you hadn’t responded to, when you announced you were running in South Australia and I said, ‘I think I can safely say the Senate won’t be the same without you—stay in touch.’ Certainly, we disagree on a range of policy positions; we agree on some. I do appreciate, notwithstanding those differences, that you have dealt with me courteously and with my team courteously, and you have listened to us when we have put a view to you. I particularly remember when in government as finance minister, we had some difficult and personal negotiations on some very big issues, including the NBN and of course the stimulus package. We were very appreciative that we were able to resolve those issues. So, I share Senator Brandis’s distance from your political objectives: he wants Steven Marshall elected and I want the Premier re-elected. Obviously, we have a different political perspective, but I do wish you well.” I apologise I didn’t quite get here before the leader of the government took his seat, but he hasn’t gone yet. I missed the beginning of your speech, Senator Xenophon, and I know you said ‘maybe’, so I don’t know if this is one of those teasing things that you do: ‘I might agree. I might not agree. I might go. I might not.’ But in the event that the ‘maybe’ is in fact the case: I think I sent you a text, which, as I chided you today, you hadn’t responded to, when you announced you were running in South Australia and I said, ‘I think I can safely say the Senate won’t be the same without you – stay in touch.’ Certainly, we disagree on a range of policy positions; we agree on some. I do appreciate, notwithstanding those differences, that you have dealt with me courteously and with my team courteously, and you have listened to us when we have put a view to you. I particularly remember when in government as finance minister, we had some difficult and personal negotiations on some very big issues, including the NBN and of course the stimulus package. We were very appreciative that we were able to resolve those issues. So, I share Senator Brandis’s distance from your political objectives: he wants Steven Marshall elected and I want the premier re-elected. Obviously, we have a different political perspective, but I do wish you well.”
Senate President Stephen Parry had the last word: Senate president Stephen Parry had the last word:
Senator Xenophon, it was a very poor way of exiting if you wanted no fuss; you’ve had some fuss.”Senator Xenophon, it was a very poor way of exiting if you wanted no fuss; you’ve had some fuss.”
And the Senate was adjourned.And the Senate was adjourned.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.27pm BST at 10.34pm BST
10.05pm BST10.05pm BST
22:0522:05
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has said the government “remains committed” to its citizenship package, despite the bill being dropped from the Senate notice paper on Wednesday due to opposition from Labor, the Greens and crossbench. The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has said the government “remains committed” to its citizenship package, despite the bill being dropped from the Senate notice paper on Wednesday due to opposition from Labor, the Greens and crossbench.
Cormann told ABC News Breakfast the reforms are “very important ... and will keep working with all non-government senators to secure the necessary support”.Cormann told ABC News Breakfast the reforms are “very important ... and will keep working with all non-government senators to secure the necessary support”.
Cormann said the government understands it does not have numbers in the Senate but promises to “continue to work with all non-government senators to see how we can best secure consensus to ensure we take a step forward”. Cormann said the government understands it does not have numbers in the Senate but promises to “continue to work with all nongovernment senators to see how we can best secure consensus to ensure we take a step forward”.
He doesn’t list any specific compromises, saying that’s a matter for immigration minister, Peter Dutton. He doesn’t list any specific compromises, saying that’s a matter for the immigration minister, Peter Dutton.
Updated
at 10.35pm BST
10.04pm BST10.04pm BST
22:0422:04
Good morning and welcome to the last sitting day of the weekGood morning and welcome to the last sitting day of the week
Energy is still dominating the headlines, with Labor’s support for the Neg now under the microscope.Energy is still dominating the headlines, with Labor’s support for the Neg now under the microscope.
Labor has been very critical of the process, and has hit out against the lack of modelling and what they are calling an “eight-page policy” but have not ruled out supporting it. That’s what Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg are hoping for, as Labor’s support would not only mean a political win, it will help bring the states, particularly Queensland, South Australia and Victoria on board, which is the easiest way of bringing the Neg into existence. Meanwhile, the Greens say the Neg is worse for renewables than no action. More on that here Labor has been very critical of the process, and has hit out against the lack of modelling and what they are calling an “eight-page policy” but have not ruled out supporting it. That’s what Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg are hoping for, as Labor’s support would not only mean a political win, it will help bring the states, particularly Queensland, South Australia and Victoria on board, which is the easiest way of bringing the Neg into existence. Meanwhile, the Greens say the Neg is worse for renewables than no action. More on that here.
Turnbull was up early, this time talking all things Neg with industry. Katharine Murphy will be able to give us an update on that a little later.Turnbull was up early, this time talking all things Neg with industry. Katharine Murphy will be able to give us an update on that a little later.
Also floating around today, as the parliamentary sitting week draws to a close, the government has not given up on its citizenship changes, despite the Senate, led by the Greens and Labor, forcing it off the agenda on Wednesday. Peter Dutton made some last minute overtures to the Nick Xenophon Team to try and keep it in the land of the legislatively living, but no dice. But Mathias Cormann says it will be back. Also floating around today, as the parliamentary sitting week draws to a close, the government has not given up on its citizenship changes, despite the Senate, led by the Greens and Labor, forcing it off the agenda on Wednesday. Peter Dutton made some last-minute overtures to the Nick Xenophon Team to try and keep it in the land of the legislatively living, but no dice. But Mathias Cormann says it will be back.
Communications minister Mitch Fifield has been up and about doing his best to defend the need to include ‘fair and balanced’ in the ABC charter, after introducing the changes One Nation wanted in regards to the national broadcaster, in exchange for their support for the media reforms. The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has been up and about doing his best to defend the need to include “fair and balanced” in the ABC charter, after introducing the changes One Nation wanted in regards to the national broadcaster, in exchange for their support for the media reforms.
Labor is sticking to its no minimum mandatory sentencing policy. Justice minister Michael Keenan wants compulsory sentences for convicted child abusers, but Labor has cited concerns within the legal community of unintended consequences–like juries being less likely to convict if judges have no control over the sentence. Labor is sticking to its no minimum mandatory sentencing policy. The justice minister, Michael Keenan, wants compulsory sentences for convicted child abusers, but Labor has cited concerns within the legal community of unintended consequences – like juries being less likely to convict if judges have no control over the sentence.
A leaked poll conducted by the banking industry has found Nick Xenophon is South Australia’s preferred premier. Xenophon announced earlier this month he plans on resigning from the Senate, no matter what the high court finds in regards to his citizenship, to run for a state seat in the South Australian parliament.A leaked poll conducted by the banking industry has found Nick Xenophon is South Australia’s preferred premier. Xenophon announced earlier this month he plans on resigning from the Senate, no matter what the high court finds in regards to his citizenship, to run for a state seat in the South Australian parliament.
And calls for an inquiry into the casino industry are continuing after Andrew Wilkie tabled allegations of machine tampering and worse in parliament on Wednesday.And calls for an inquiry into the casino industry are continuing after Andrew Wilkie tabled allegations of machine tampering and worse in parliament on Wednesday.
Soit’s a busy day ahead of us, ahead of estimates and the House sitting next week. The Guardian Australia brains trust will help keep you updated, along with Mike Bowers on the lens and myself. Follow along in the comments or on Twitter (@mpbowers and @amyremeikis) and we’ll do our best to get back to you. So it’s a busy day ahead of us, ahead of estimates and the House sitting next week. The Guardian Australia brains trust will help keep you updated, along with Mike Bowers on the lens and myself. Follow along in the comments or on Twitter (@mpbowers and @amyremeikis) and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Let’s get started!Let’s get started!
Updated
at 10.39pm BST