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| Andrew Wilkie calls lack of support for casino inquiry 'scandalous' – politics live | Andrew Wilkie calls lack of support for casino inquiry 'scandalous' – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.16am BST | |
| 04:16 | |
| Trent Zimmerman then picks up the first dixer, which just happens to be on–you guessed it, the unemployment figures. | |
| Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t even try to hide his grin, telling the chamber: | |
| 375,500 more Australians in work than a year ago [the longest run of] monthly jobs growth since 1994. That is an extraordinary achievement and it is a tribute to the enterprise and the hard work of Australian businesses that are benefitting from the leadership and economic leader... The parliament has approved, applying to small and medium businesses. To remain competitive, Australian businesses need affordable and reliable energy. They need to have the gas they need, they need to have the electricity for their businesses and it needs to be reliable and affordable. And that is what we are delivering. Now, when it comes to energy, the Leader of the Opposition talks, writes charming letters to me occasionally, talking about bipartisanship. He went completely off the reservation this morning, Mr Speaker. He talked, he described the considered advice from the Energy Security Board,appointed by COAG, five of the most knowledgeable people in the energy sector. He talked...Science-fiction! That is what he said. Then he described it, then as he started to foam and froth he described it as propaganda from the government! This is a recommendation from an independent board appointed by COAG, accountable to COAG, more Labor government appointments thanLiberal people. The energy market operator, the Energy Regulator, the chairman of the AMC, and Dr Kerry Schott and Claire Savage, independent chair and Deputy Chair. Excellent appointments, praised by the member for Port Adelaide at the time, and he was right then. But now they don’t like the outcome and so all they can do is smear and play politics. Mr Speaker, Australians deserve better. The reality is this: Labor has failed to put Australian families first. They have failed to prioritise affordability and reliability. They have allowedAustralians to see energy prices rise, gas becoming short supply all because of ideology and stupidity and now we see, Mr Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition complaining about jobs lost in renewables, so he forecasts. What about the 5,000 jobs in Snowy Hydro 2.0? What about that?” | |
| It’s at this point, I should probably make a comment about the Snowy Hydro 2.0 plan not being more than a feasibility study at this stage, but I think most of you know that. | |
| 4.10am BST | |
| 04:10 | |
| Question time begins | |
| Technology issues that are too boring to go into here have prevented me from heading to the chamber today, unfortunately. | |
| But question time has begun and it is straight into energy. | |
| Malcolm Turnbull answers Bill Shorten’s question over whether Australians should be expected to be grateful over such little savings. | |
| Turnbull turns that into a gloat over the economy and the jobs numbers: | |
| Over the last few years there are more Australians in jobs and since we were first elected four years ago, 825,500 jobs have been created. Mr Speaker, jobs and growth is not just a slogan, it is an outcome. It is an outcome. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.17am BST | |
| 4.06am BST | |
| 04:06 | |
| Just as we wait to head into question time, a reminder New Zealand is waiting to see who will be its leader. | |
| Our other live blog for the day is on all the action across the Tasman, where New Zealand is waiting with bated breath for minor party leader Winston Peters to tell them who their next prime minister will be. Peters’ New Zealand First party was left in the position of kingmaker after the national election almost a month ago and has been meeting with National’s Bill English and Labour’s Jacinda Ardern since then. He has said he will make an announcement today, but gave no indication of when or what it might be ... | |
| Follow along with that, here. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.10am BST | |
| 4.04am BST | |
| 04:04 | |
| The Labor MP for Bruce, Julian Hill, has done his best to entertain the chamber ahead of question time. | |
| Speaking in appreciation for “the generosity of our compassionate and benevolent leader”, he said: | |
| The prime minister has thoughtfully offered struggling families some help with out-of-control power bills. He is giving families 50c a week. He is so generous, he is so loving, he is so kind, he understands his subjects, he is one of us. He is so in touch. | |
| And I am told our nation will be doing more to honour dear leader’s generosity: planning is already under way for the festival of the half dollar. The Australian mint will be issuing a commemorative 50c coin and thousands of Australians will be making one local call in celebration. | |
| We thank the prime minister for his compassion and his big heart. People who can’t pay their power bills can now pay for a soft serve at Macca’s or save for a month and buy a can of Coke. Tis is a truly remarkable offer from our most charitable and excellent leader. We do not deserve his kindness, but we are grateful for it nonetheless. There really has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.08am BST | |
| 3.52am BST | |
| 03:52 | |
| The Productivity Commission has released its final report on the NDIS and has concluded that people waiting on the service could be made to wait another 12 months before they can join. | |
| The social services minister, Christian Porter, told the ABC he believed the rollout may have been a little ambitious. | |
| I think that the Productivity Commission says as much. They noted that originally the estimates about the number of Australians who are transitioning at given points in time over the next several years were their own estimates back from pre-2013 and the Productivity Commission says those estimates were highly ambitious to the extent that the Productivity Commission note themselves they were so ambitious they were unlikely to ever be met. | |
| But he said it will eventually happen: | |
| Every state has a bilateral agreement where we agree with the states that the NDIS will be, if you like, open for business in a certain region at a certain time and nothing changes there and we are not planning to change anything there. So all of the bilateral rollout targets will be met, which means that if you are expecting in Gosford or Wagga Wagga or wherever you are in Australia, we have the ability to apply for the NDIS at a certain time. Nothing changes there. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.56am BST | |
| 3.37am BST | 3.37am BST |
| 03:37 | 03:37 |
| Speaking of the economy, the National Fiscal Outlook is out today from the PBO. You’ll find it here, but a very quick look reveals the need for “continued vigilance” for both the states and the economy. AAP reported it as: | |
| The national fiscal outlook deteriorated by $13.4bn for the period 2016-17 to 2019-20, compared to a forecast a year ago, while net debt was $22.9bn worse across commonwealth and state budgets. | |
| Even so, over the next four years, the national net operating balance – budget balances minus net capital investments – is expected to improve from a deficit of 1.4% of GDP to a surplus of 1.6% of GDP.“This improvement relies on a pick-up in commonwealth personal income tax revenue largely driven by higher wages growth,” the PBO says. | Even so, over the next four years, the national net operating balance – budget balances minus net capital investments – is expected to improve from a deficit of 1.4% of GDP to a surplus of 1.6% of GDP.“This improvement relies on a pick-up in commonwealth personal income tax revenue largely driven by higher wages growth,” the PBO says. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.46am BST | |
| 3.33am BST | 3.33am BST |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| The employment minister, Michaelia Cash, is quite pleased with the latest job figures. | The employment minister, Michaelia Cash, is quite pleased with the latest job figures. |
| The economy under the Turnbull government is now creating jobs at a rate of in excess of four jobs to one. Again what we are now seeing is trends setting in. But in terms of full-time jobs, I am pleased to say that of those jobs created in the last 12 months [371,500] almost 316,000 of those jobs were full-time jobs. Compare that to last 12 months of the former Labor government, where full-time jobs growth actually went backwards. The reason is, the policies of the Turnbull government, the Coalition government puts in place, every lever that we pull is all about growing our economy. | The economy under the Turnbull government is now creating jobs at a rate of in excess of four jobs to one. Again what we are now seeing is trends setting in. But in terms of full-time jobs, I am pleased to say that of those jobs created in the last 12 months [371,500] almost 316,000 of those jobs were full-time jobs. Compare that to last 12 months of the former Labor government, where full-time jobs growth actually went backwards. The reason is, the policies of the Turnbull government, the Coalition government puts in place, every lever that we pull is all about growing our economy. |
| With the caveat that I am not an economist, I would have thought that a big part of the reason job growth wasn’t overly strong in 2011-12 was the nation was still recovering from some of the delayed impacts of the global financial crisis. But sure, let’s put it ALL down to policy differences. | With the caveat that I am not an economist, I would have thought that a big part of the reason job growth wasn’t overly strong in 2011-12 was the nation was still recovering from some of the delayed impacts of the global financial crisis. But sure, let’s put it ALL down to policy differences. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.03am BST | |
| 3.25am BST | 3.25am BST |
| 03:25 | 03:25 |
| Andrew Wilkie has not held back in expressing his disappointment over Labor not supporting a senate inquiry into casinos and the gaming industry. | Andrew Wilkie has not held back in expressing his disappointment over Labor not supporting a senate inquiry into casinos and the gaming industry. |
| Here is a bit of what he had to say just a few minutes ago: | Here is a bit of what he had to say just a few minutes ago: |
| Was it the casinos, was it the clubs, was that the factional warlords, or did no one ring him and he just turned into jelly on his own? Whatever has happened, the comment from the opposition leader today is, I think, quite scandalous. | |
| I didn’t hold out great hope of the Liberal National government supporting a parliamentary inquiry into the allegations against the poker machine industry, but I did hold out some hope that alternative prime minister would show some leadership, would understand the seriousness of these allegations, and that in the Senate he would be agreeable to an inquiry into these allegations, allegations not just against Crown casino, but allegations also against the Victorian gambling regulator, allegations that point to systemic issues across the poker machine industry, if those allegations are true, of course. | |
| He went on: | He went on: |
| The fact that the Labor party and the Liberal party are both sidestepping the issue shows that they continue to grovel to the poker machine industry. And I think that is scandalous, quite frankly. It is absolutely scandalous. And they are being very dishonest about it. To say that this is a matter for the Victorian government and Victorian authorities is entirely misleading, because the serious allegations include money laundering and that, of course, is a serious federal offence. If for that reason alone the federal parliament should be involved in trying to get to the bottom of these issues. | The fact that the Labor party and the Liberal party are both sidestepping the issue shows that they continue to grovel to the poker machine industry. And I think that is scandalous, quite frankly. It is absolutely scandalous. And they are being very dishonest about it. To say that this is a matter for the Victorian government and Victorian authorities is entirely misleading, because the serious allegations include money laundering and that, of course, is a serious federal offence. If for that reason alone the federal parliament should be involved in trying to get to the bottom of these issues. |
| Also, to suggest that state and territory governments can be trusted these days to enquire into the poker machine industry is just laughable. We know for a fact that state and territory governments are deeply conflicted because at the same time they are meant to be ensuring that the poker machine industry operates properly, they are also recipients of enormous sums of taxpayer revenue. They have shown they cannot be trusted, that is another reason for the federal parliament and the federal government, or at least the federal opposition, to be involved in these issues. | Also, to suggest that state and territory governments can be trusted these days to enquire into the poker machine industry is just laughable. We know for a fact that state and territory governments are deeply conflicted because at the same time they are meant to be ensuring that the poker machine industry operates properly, they are also recipients of enormous sums of taxpayer revenue. They have shown they cannot be trusted, that is another reason for the federal parliament and the federal government, or at least the federal opposition, to be involved in these issues. |
| Let’s remember here that a parliamentary inquiry, where the witnesses would have parliamentary privilege, would be just the sort of mechanism to get to the bottom of these allegations. Somewhere where witnesses, perhaps the three whistleblowers who have already approached me, or perhaps other people, could front committee and they could tell us what they know and they could do it with the protection of the parliament. That is why there is a pressing need for a senate inquiry. | Let’s remember here that a parliamentary inquiry, where the witnesses would have parliamentary privilege, would be just the sort of mechanism to get to the bottom of these allegations. Somewhere where witnesses, perhaps the three whistleblowers who have already approached me, or perhaps other people, could front committee and they could tell us what they know and they could do it with the protection of the parliament. That is why there is a pressing need for a senate inquiry. |
| Now, I note that both the government and the opposition have made it quite clear they won’t support an inquiry in the senate. Well, the challenge is to them. These are very serious allegations. They are completely out of step with the public interest, with the public’s expectation of what leaders in this place should be doing. | |
| I would hope that when this parliament comes back next week that the opposition leader, at least, grows a bit of a backbone, shows a bit of leadership, stops kowtowing to the poker machine industry, and rings back whoever called him last night and tells them that there will be a parliamentary inquiry. | |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.04am BST | |
| 3.13am BST | 3.13am BST |
| 03:13 | 03:13 |
| Back on energy, just before we prepare to head into question time, Bill Shorten has laid out Labor’s attack strategy: | Back on energy, just before we prepare to head into question time, Bill Shorten has laid out Labor’s attack strategy: |
| I am not going to let the government off. They have cooked up a bunch of headlines and thought bubbles. This is pure Turnbull 2.0. Make it up on the run. Keep Abbott happy. This is a hostage note written by Malcolm Turnbull to Tony Abbott: ‘please stop brutalising my energy policies, I’ll give you everything you want’. | |
| And then | And then |
| ... Let me go here for a second. The government has announced a policy on Monday or Tuesday. I get that you are more interested in Labor’s policies because we all know the government’s stuff is nonsense. This is classic Turnbull policy. It’d be interesting to see if it survives to Christmas, won’t it? The government are the ones who said they’ve got the game changer. Turnbull and his self-congratulation was saying, ‘I’ve changed the game, it’s fantastic’. Yet even within the last 48 hours, can the government guarantee any price reduction at all? Nope. Can they even provide us modelling? Nope. | |
| The government is still busy denying it has created a policy which has an emissions intensity scheme or carbon price, but I think we can expect this is where question time is going to go. | The government is still busy denying it has created a policy which has an emissions intensity scheme or carbon price, but I think we can expect this is where question time is going to go. |
| Updated | |
| at 4.05am BST | |
| 3.09am BST | 3.09am BST |
| 03:09 | 03:09 |
| With how quick this morning was moving, I didn’t get a chance to transcribe Mitch Fifield’s chat on RN Breakfast. Given the interest in the ABC legislation yesterday, I thought there may be some interest in this exchange between Fran Kelly and the communications minister. | With how quick this morning was moving, I didn’t get a chance to transcribe Mitch Fifield’s chat on RN Breakfast. Given the interest in the ABC legislation yesterday, I thought there may be some interest in this exchange between Fran Kelly and the communications minister. |
| Kelly: In your second reading speech on the ABC legislation yesterday, you said, I quote, people expect the publicly funded broadcaster to canvass a broad range of issues in a fair and balanced manner. Are you suggesting that we don’t do that? Can you give us an example of where the ABC hasn’t been fair and balanced? | Kelly: In your second reading speech on the ABC legislation yesterday, you said, I quote, people expect the publicly funded broadcaster to canvass a broad range of issues in a fair and balanced manner. Are you suggesting that we don’t do that? Can you give us an example of where the ABC hasn’t been fair and balanced? |
| Fifield: All media organisations need to strive to be their best selves. There is no media organisation in Australia that is perfect. Where the ABC differs from the commercial media organisations is that is receives more than a billion dollars a year in taxpayer funding. Now what that means is that the public are entitled to expect a degree of confidence in the way the ABC executes its duties … | Fifield: All media organisations need to strive to be their best selves. There is no media organisation in Australia that is perfect. Where the ABC differs from the commercial media organisations is that is receives more than a billion dollars a year in taxpayer funding. Now what that means is that the public are entitled to expect a degree of confidence in the way the ABC executes its duties … |
| Kelly: Are you suggesting we’re not doing that now? | Kelly: Are you suggesting we’re not doing that now? |
| Fifield: As you know, Fran, the ABC’s act already requires it to be “impartial” and “accurate” in its news and current affairs presentations. What we’re proposing is that we put alongside that in the act, the requirement to be “fair and balanced”. | Fifield: As you know, Fran, the ABC’s act already requires it to be “impartial” and “accurate” in its news and current affairs presentations. What we’re proposing is that we put alongside that in the act, the requirement to be “fair and balanced”. |
| Kelly: And what’s the difference? As you mentioned the act there and that’s one of the differences where the ABC is different from other media organisations, we have a charter which says, quote, “gathering and presentation of news and information must be accurate and impartial according to the recognised standards of objective journalism”. So what’s the difference of “accurate and impartial” and “fair and balanced”? | Kelly: And what’s the difference? As you mentioned the act there and that’s one of the differences where the ABC is different from other media organisations, we have a charter which says, quote, “gathering and presentation of news and information must be accurate and impartial according to the recognised standards of objective journalism”. So what’s the difference of “accurate and impartial” and “fair and balanced”? |
| Fifield: Well, “fair and balanced” is something that is already in chapter four of the ABC’s own editorial policies, where it talks about the need to have “fair treatment”, where it talks about a “balance which follows the weight of evidence”. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s own journalistic code of ethics talks about fairness on no less than six occasions. These are well-known journalistic concepts … | Fifield: Well, “fair and balanced” is something that is already in chapter four of the ABC’s own editorial policies, where it talks about the need to have “fair treatment”, where it talks about a “balance which follows the weight of evidence”. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s own journalistic code of ethics talks about fairness on no less than six occasions. These are well-known journalistic concepts … |
| Kelly: Already built into our editorial guidelines as you say ... following the weight of evidence. Does fair and balanced mean giving equal weight to both sides of an argument, no matter if one side is spurious, because that seems to be One Nation’s understanding. Is that yours? | Kelly: Already built into our editorial guidelines as you say ... following the weight of evidence. Does fair and balanced mean giving equal weight to both sides of an argument, no matter if one side is spurious, because that seems to be One Nation’s understanding. Is that yours? |
| Fifield: I’m very comfortable with what is in the ABC’s editorial policy, a “balance that follows the weight of evidence”. And if you’re comfortable with that Fran and if I’m comfortable with that, and if ABC journalists are comfortable with what is in the ABC’s editorial policies and think that it’s good journalism, then there should be absolutely no objection to that being enshrined in the ABC’s own act. | Fifield: I’m very comfortable with what is in the ABC’s editorial policy, a “balance that follows the weight of evidence”. And if you’re comfortable with that Fran and if I’m comfortable with that, and if ABC journalists are comfortable with what is in the ABC’s editorial policies and think that it’s good journalism, then there should be absolutely no objection to that being enshrined in the ABC’s own act. |
| Kelly: OK, just so long as legislating I suppose doesn’t mean that then a politician can say well that’s not fair and balanced then for instance when you were covering the anti-vaccine campaign for instance, you didn’t give equal say to an expert with a political opinion from an anti-vaxer. That would be allowed to be charged under the legislation. | Kelly: OK, just so long as legislating I suppose doesn’t mean that then a politician can say well that’s not fair and balanced then for instance when you were covering the anti-vaccine campaign for instance, you didn’t give equal say to an expert with a political opinion from an anti-vaxer. That would be allowed to be charged under the legislation. |
| Fifield: Fran, the act is given effect to ultimately by the board of the ABC. And it finds expression through the ABC’s editorial policies. The ABC’s editorial policies, as they are today, will be matters that are determined within the organisation, because the ABC has legislated independence … | Fifield: Fran, the act is given effect to ultimately by the board of the ABC. And it finds expression through the ABC’s editorial policies. The ABC’s editorial policies, as they are today, will be matters that are determined within the organisation, because the ABC has legislated independence … |
| Kelly: I understand, but once there’s legislation, people will be able to challenge the ABC for breaching the law if they don’t believe that is happening? | Kelly: I understand, but once there’s legislation, people will be able to challenge the ABC for breaching the law if they don’t believe that is happening? |
| Fifield: Well, Fran, it’s open to members of parliament and members of the public, even today, to question the ABC. To ask whether the ABC is operating within its charter … | Fifield: Well, Fran, it’s open to members of parliament and members of the public, even today, to question the ABC. To ask whether the ABC is operating within its charter … |
| Kelly: As it should be … | Kelly: As it should be … |
| Fifield: As it should be. And that will be the case if this legislation gets through the parliament. The ABC is not beyond question. The ABC isn’t always perfect. The ABC should always be striving to achieve the best journalistic standards … | Fifield: As it should be. And that will be the case if this legislation gets through the parliament. The ABC is not beyond question. The ABC isn’t always perfect. The ABC should always be striving to achieve the best journalistic standards … |
| Kelly: But just in that example I gave, for instance, would there be a case for someone like Pauline Hanson or someone to argue that when it comes to anti-vaxer campaigners they should be given equal say as expert medical opinion? | Kelly: But just in that example I gave, for instance, would there be a case for someone like Pauline Hanson or someone to argue that when it comes to anti-vaxer campaigners they should be given equal say as expert medical opinion? |
| Fifield: Fran, if the MEAA and if the ABC, through its own editorial policies is already comfortable and supports the concept of fairness and balance, then it should be very comfortable with having “fair and balanced” in its own legislation. | Fifield: Fran, if the MEAA and if the ABC, through its own editorial policies is already comfortable and supports the concept of fairness and balance, then it should be very comfortable with having “fair and balanced” in its own legislation. |
| Kelly: And can I just ask you to – the deal with One Nation requires pay disclosure of all ABC and SBS staff earning more than $200,000 and you’ve given the ABC until the end of the month to publish pay and allowances voluntarily, if it doesn’t try and force it do so through legislation. In the commercial world, employee salaries are protected by privacy laws. Why shouldn’t ABC salaries be the same? | Kelly: And can I just ask you to – the deal with One Nation requires pay disclosure of all ABC and SBS staff earning more than $200,000 and you’ve given the ABC until the end of the month to publish pay and allowances voluntarily, if it doesn’t try and force it do so through legislation. In the commercial world, employee salaries are protected by privacy laws. Why shouldn’t ABC salaries be the same? |
| Fifield: The ABC receives more than a billion dollars of taxpayers’ money, Fran. And people in the ABC, paid for by the taxpayer, hold significant positions of public trust. In that environment, it is appropriate that there be the same sort of disclosure in terms of what people are paid as there are for members of parliament, ministers, judges … | Fifield: The ABC receives more than a billion dollars of taxpayers’ money, Fran. And people in the ABC, paid for by the taxpayer, hold significant positions of public trust. In that environment, it is appropriate that there be the same sort of disclosure in terms of what people are paid as there are for members of parliament, ministers, judges … |
| Kelly: But it’s different for members of parliament, because yours are determined by a remuneration tribunal. I mean by definition, they are determined, ABC salaries are not. What are you hoping to achieve by this? Do you think we’re overpaid or …? | Kelly: But it’s different for members of parliament, because yours are determined by a remuneration tribunal. I mean by definition, they are determined, ABC salaries are not. What are you hoping to achieve by this? Do you think we’re overpaid or …? |
| Fifield: You’re right, the pay of members of parliament and judges and senior military officers and senior public servants are determined by an independent tribunal. That’s not the case with the ABC. The ABC staff receive taxpayer money, just as we do, and there is no reason why there should not be a similar level of transparency as there is for ministers, judges, members of parliament ... | Fifield: You’re right, the pay of members of parliament and judges and senior military officers and senior public servants are determined by an independent tribunal. That’s not the case with the ABC. The ABC staff receive taxpayer money, just as we do, and there is no reason why there should not be a similar level of transparency as there is for ministers, judges, members of parliament ... |
| Kelly: But what would it achieve? Do you think we’re being overpaid? | Kelly: But what would it achieve? Do you think we’re being overpaid? |
| Fifield: Well, Fran, that will be a determination for the public. When you have transparency, the public forms a view about the value and worth of individuals and what they’re paid. The public has views about members of parliament. The public might form those views about senior people at the ABC as well. | Fifield: Well, Fran, that will be a determination for the public. When you have transparency, the public forms a view about the value and worth of individuals and what they’re paid. The public has views about members of parliament. The public might form those views about senior people at the ABC as well. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.23am BST | at 3.23am BST |
| 2.54am BST | 2.54am BST |
| 02:54 | 02:54 |
| I tend to take a very cynical view of politicians, no matter what side of the fence they sit on, and stunts (like dabbing) – but you guys seem to like it. I covered state politics for years. It leaves a mark on you. | I tend to take a very cynical view of politicians, no matter what side of the fence they sit on, and stunts (like dabbing) – but you guys seem to like it. I covered state politics for years. It leaves a mark on you. |
| But for those of you who liked seeing a photo of kids enjoying themselves, I gift you another. | But for those of you who liked seeing a photo of kids enjoying themselves, I gift you another. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.56am BST | at 2.56am BST |
| 2.38am BST | 2.38am BST |
| 02:38 | 02:38 |
| Taking time out of his busy dabbing schedule, the opposition leader examined a car. | Taking time out of his busy dabbing schedule, the opposition leader examined a car. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.54am BST | at 2.54am BST |
| 2.35am BST | 2.35am BST |
| 02:35 | 02:35 |
| Bill Shorten doesn’t often dab. But when he does, he makes sure the cameras are there. | Bill Shorten doesn’t often dab. But when he does, he makes sure the cameras are there. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.46am BST | at 2.46am BST |
| 2.31am BST | 2.31am BST |
| 02:31 | 02:31 |
| The Greens MP Adam Bandt is not pleased with where he thinks Labor is heading with the energy debate. Earlier today, we reported Bandt called the NEG as being worse for renewables than doing nothing. | The Greens MP Adam Bandt is not pleased with where he thinks Labor is heading with the energy debate. Earlier today, we reported Bandt called the NEG as being worse for renewables than doing nothing. |
| Now Bandt is calling on Labor to join the Greens in its opposition to the policy | Now Bandt is calling on Labor to join the Greens in its opposition to the policy |
| “Cutting support for renewables is appalling, but actively pulling wind and solar out of the system is pure bastardry and Labor must not have a bar of it,” he said in a statement | “Cutting support for renewables is appalling, but actively pulling wind and solar out of the system is pure bastardry and Labor must not have a bar of it,” he said in a statement |
| “Labor did a deal with the Liberals to cut the Renewable Energy Target and they’re getting ready to cut renewables again, sending MPs out to pretend the NEG is some kind of carbon price in disguise. | “Labor did a deal with the Liberals to cut the Renewable Energy Target and they’re getting ready to cut renewables again, sending MPs out to pretend the NEG is some kind of carbon price in disguise. |
| “Doing another deal with the Liberals to cut renewables would be a new low for Labor.” | “Doing another deal with the Liberals to cut renewables would be a new low for Labor.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50am BST | at 2.50am BST |
| 2.27am BST | 2.27am BST |
| 02:27 | 02:27 |
| Andrew Wilkie has responded to Labor and the Coalition’s position on the casino inquiry | Andrew Wilkie has responded to Labor and the Coalition’s position on the casino inquiry |
| Labor and Liberal grovel to poker machine industry, says @WilkieMP #auspol pic.twitter.com/A60U0nf1xl | Labor and Liberal grovel to poker machine industry, says @WilkieMP #auspol pic.twitter.com/A60U0nf1xl |