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Coalition braced for estimates budget grilling – politics live Coalition braced for estimates budget grilling – politics live
(35 minutes later)
11.36pm BST
23:36
In the Senate and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Labor is questioning Senate president Stephen Parry over whether LNP Senator Barry O’Sullivan has conflict of interests in regards to the senate committees he chairs.
It’s getting quite heated
Senator Murray Watt: “What I am saying is Senator O’Sullivan is asking questions about things he is making money of”. Senator Bridget Mackenzie says the questions are ridiculous, given so many of the Nationals MPs own farms, or have interests in the agricultural industry.
11.02pm BST11.02pm BST
23:0223:02
Question time is at 2pm, but the main show before that is the estimate hearings, with environment and communications catching a lot of attention– mostly because it is being seen as (potentially) Malcolm Roberts last chance to question the Bureau of Metrology over climate data. Question time is at 2pm, but the main show before that is the estimate hearings, with environment and communications catching a lot of attention mostly because it is being seen as (potentially) Malcolm Roberts last chance to question the Bureau of Metrology over climate data.
Stay tuned for that!Stay tuned for that!
In more serious news, expect Labor to hammer the government over its clean energy target.In more serious news, expect Labor to hammer the government over its clean energy target.
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at 11.12pm BST
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Special minister of state Scott Ryan has kept the ball running on the NBN publicity blitz, saying the cost of fibre-to-the-premises rollout for some individual premises, revealed the “folly” of the Labor plan.Special minister of state Scott Ryan has kept the ball running on the NBN publicity blitz, saying the cost of fibre-to-the-premises rollout for some individual premises, revealed the “folly” of the Labor plan.
Pauline Hanson has weighed in:Pauline Hanson has weighed in:
The original with fibre to the premises should be done. You’ve got NBN and then Telstra. It should be one company like the same as what New Zealand did and I just think the costs, the blow-out is unbelievable, the workmanship is poor in a lot of cases, and there’s a lot of questions to be asked over this. Good advice wasn’t taken initially from the beginning, trying to, you know, cut costs. That’s been a big issue here. And initially – if that had been done, it would have been cheaper to the taxpayer. Now, I believe it won’t do the job when it is finished. You have businesses who are not going to get the service they need, like the rest of the world is providing. They will leave our shores and I think that many should be put into it now to get it right from the very beginning. Wear the cost of it, but get it right.”The original with fibre to the premises should be done. You’ve got NBN and then Telstra. It should be one company like the same as what New Zealand did and I just think the costs, the blow-out is unbelievable, the workmanship is poor in a lot of cases, and there’s a lot of questions to be asked over this. Good advice wasn’t taken initially from the beginning, trying to, you know, cut costs. That’s been a big issue here. And initially – if that had been done, it would have been cheaper to the taxpayer. Now, I believe it won’t do the job when it is finished. You have businesses who are not going to get the service they need, like the rest of the world is providing. They will leave our shores and I think that many should be put into it now to get it right from the very beginning. Wear the cost of it, but get it right.”
For those who are interested, advocacy levels on NBN technology were discussed in June this year in the last estimate hearings: 35% of people would advocate for fibre to the node, while 66% of people would advocate for fibre to the premise.For those who are interested, advocacy levels on NBN technology were discussed in June this year in the last estimate hearings: 35% of people would advocate for fibre to the node, while 66% of people would advocate for fibre to the premise.
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at 11.00pm BSTat 11.00pm BST
10.38pm BST10.38pm BST
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Independent senator Jacqui Lambie’s campaign to reform the lobbyist rules is slowly bubbling along. Fellow crossbencher Cathy McGowan announced her support for it on Friday, saying she believed it was time to “restore respect and trust in the system”:Independent senator Jacqui Lambie’s campaign to reform the lobbyist rules is slowly bubbling along. Fellow crossbencher Cathy McGowan announced her support for it on Friday, saying she believed it was time to “restore respect and trust in the system”:
Lobbying is an important way people can participate in the democratic process. It must be transparent and equally available to all. Lobbying is an important way people can participate in the democratic process. It must be transparent and equally available to all ... As an independent voice my call to the government is for effective change to make sure processes in parliament reflect community expectations.
“… As an independent voice my call to the government is for effective change to make sure processes in parliament reflect community expectations. Enshrining these expectations in law would be an important step forward.”
“Enshrining these expectations in law would be an important step forward.”
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at 10.47pm BST at 11.11pm BST
10.30pm BST10.30pm BST
22:3022:30
The issue of renewables and where Australia is heading with them must have hit a sore spot.The issue of renewables and where Australia is heading with them must have hit a sore spot.
Over the weekend, Josh Frydenberg released a statement defending the government’s action with a listicle:Over the weekend, Josh Frydenberg released a statement defending the government’s action with a listicle:
The inconvenient truth for Labor is that the Coalition’s strong record on renewable energy couldn’t be clearer:The inconvenient truth for Labor is that the Coalition’s strong record on renewable energy couldn’t be clearer:
In 2016 there was a five-fold increase in investment in renewables compared to 2015In 2016 there was a five-fold increase in investment in renewables compared to 2015
2017 is seeing an unprecedented wave of investment in renewable energy worth over $8bn and over 4,000MW of capacity2017 is seeing an unprecedented wave of investment in renewable energy worth over $8bn and over 4,000MW of capacity
$4.3bn in investment commitments have been made by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, more than $3.5bn of which has been made under the Coalition.$4.3bn in investment commitments have been made by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, more than $3.5bn of which has been made under the Coalition.
More than $1bn of grants through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, around half of which has been made under the Coalition.More than $1bn of grants through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, around half of which has been made under the Coalition.
Investing in Snowy Hydro 2.0 which will be the biggest battery in the southern hemisphere and help to make wind and solar more reliable.Investing in Snowy Hydro 2.0 which will be the biggest battery in the southern hemisphere and help to make wind and solar more reliable.
More than one in five Australian households now have solar panels installed on their roof – the highest rate per capita in the world.More than one in five Australian households now have solar panels installed on their roof – the highest rate per capita in the world.
Around 95% of the estimated renewable capacity to meet the large-scale renewable energy target is either operating or under way through firmly announced investment commitments.Around 95% of the estimated renewable capacity to meet the large-scale renewable energy target is either operating or under way through firmly announced investment commitments.
These investments have been based on the existing renewable energy target, which remains unchanged.These investments have been based on the existing renewable energy target, which remains unchanged.
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at 10.49pm BSTat 10.49pm BST
10.24pm BST10.24pm BST
22:2422:24
Just on the Neg, Labor is still criticising the process, while not ruling out supporting the crux of the policy.Just on the Neg, Labor is still criticising the process, while not ruling out supporting the crux of the policy.
Joel Fitzgibbon had this to say on Sky last night:Joel Fitzgibbon had this to say on Sky last night:
This is the fourth policy in 12 months if you count the proposal to extend the life of Liddell power station in my electorate. That lasted some 24 hours. But we are now I think five days after the announcement of this if you like seminal policy and the government still can’t give us the detail. They can’t give us any modelling, they can’t give us any of the numbers that will be involved here. So it’s a really strange environment we are in. It is becoming a bit of a joke but I don’t think anyone out there in the electorate is laughing.”This is the fourth policy in 12 months if you count the proposal to extend the life of Liddell power station in my electorate. That lasted some 24 hours. But we are now I think five days after the announcement of this if you like seminal policy and the government still can’t give us the detail. They can’t give us any modelling, they can’t give us any of the numbers that will be involved here. So it’s a really strange environment we are in. It is becoming a bit of a joke but I don’t think anyone out there in the electorate is laughing.”
Meanwhile the government has responded by putting Kevin Rudd’s energy policies under the spotlight.Meanwhile the government has responded by putting Kevin Rudd’s energy policies under the spotlight.
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at 10.44pm BSTat 10.44pm BST
10.21pm BST10.21pm BST
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I am going to be a little spider like today, as I keep an eye on the estimate hearings as well as watch what is happening in the house.I am going to be a little spider like today, as I keep an eye on the estimate hearings as well as watch what is happening in the house.
You’ll find the schedule here. I’ll update you on the going ons as soon as I can.You’ll find the schedule here. I’ll update you on the going ons as soon as I can.
Cabinet is meeting today, as usual, but first Malcolm Turnbull has some media to do, with Josh Frydenberg. Brace yourself for more Neg news.Cabinet is meeting today, as usual, but first Malcolm Turnbull has some media to do, with Josh Frydenberg. Brace yourself for more Neg news.
10.12pm BST10.12pm BST
22:1222:12
Good morningGood morning
It is week two of the sitting, but only the lower house is meeting this week, with the Senate taken up by estimates hearings.It is week two of the sitting, but only the lower house is meeting this week, with the Senate taken up by estimates hearings.
But before the government starts defending its spending, its defending the NBN. NBN Co executives have been hitting the airwaves early ahead of a scheduled Four Corners report into the project tonight. A blitz of information has been released, including cost comparisons with Labor’s plan, as the government and the NBN Co point the finger at the retailers for the promised speeds not being delivered.But before the government starts defending its spending, its defending the NBN. NBN Co executives have been hitting the airwaves early ahead of a scheduled Four Corners report into the project tonight. A blitz of information has been released, including cost comparisons with Labor’s plan, as the government and the NBN Co point the finger at the retailers for the promised speeds not being delivered.
In other news, GetUp is being asked to prove it is not an associated entity of the Labor party, with the Australian Electoral Commission taking a deeper look. Paul Karp writes:In other news, GetUp is being asked to prove it is not an associated entity of the Labor party, with the Australian Electoral Commission taking a deeper look. Paul Karp writes:
Guardian Australia understands the AEC wrote to GetUp noting it might have to submit an associated entity disclosure because its 2016 election activities benefited Labor and the Greens.Guardian Australia understands the AEC wrote to GetUp noting it might have to submit an associated entity disclosure because its 2016 election activities benefited Labor and the Greens.
The AEC said it had not come to a final conclusion on whether GetUp was an associated entity, but said the organisation could risk prosecution if it did not complete the return by the deadline of last Friday.The AEC said it had not come to a final conclusion on whether GetUp was an associated entity, but said the organisation could risk prosecution if it did not complete the return by the deadline of last Friday.
GetUp is preparing to go hard against Barnaby Joyce if the high court rules his election was ineligible. The battle for New England is heating up, despite no one firing the starting gun as yet. The Nationals are claiming dirty tricks as fake polling was distributed over the weekend using an old party letterhead. Joyce’s personal life also received an airing over the weekend, but the deputy PM is staying mum on that.GetUp is preparing to go hard against Barnaby Joyce if the high court rules his election was ineligible. The battle for New England is heating up, despite no one firing the starting gun as yet. The Nationals are claiming dirty tricks as fake polling was distributed over the weekend using an old party letterhead. Joyce’s personal life also received an airing over the weekend, but the deputy PM is staying mum on that.
Senate budget estimate hearings are scheduled all week, so that should provide some fun and games. Watch out for Penny Wong, who has become a master at these hearings, as well as some classic Ian Macdonald action.Senate budget estimate hearings are scheduled all week, so that should provide some fun and games. Watch out for Penny Wong, who has become a master at these hearings, as well as some classic Ian Macdonald action.
Looking outside Canberra for a moment, and the Queensland election rumours are only growing stronger. 25 November is the latest date on everyone’s lips, but 2 December is also in the mix. But either way there are a lot of federal eyes looking north for an idea of how the country is feeling at the moment. Looking outside Canberra for a moment, and the Queensland election rumours are only growing stronger. November 25 is the latest date on everyone’s lips, but 2 December is also in the mix. But either way there are a lot of federal eyes looking north for an idea of how the country is feeling at the moment.
Energy will continue to dominate the Canberra agenda, with Labor still looking at whether it will support the Turnbull/Frydenberg Neg plan. But from the mood in the building this morning, it seems like there are some itchy feet walking around, as the government waits on the high court ruling. It seems like everyone is just waiting for that other shoe to drop and treading water in the meantime. Won’t that make for a fun week!Energy will continue to dominate the Canberra agenda, with Labor still looking at whether it will support the Turnbull/Frydenberg Neg plan. But from the mood in the building this morning, it seems like there are some itchy feet walking around, as the government waits on the high court ruling. It seems like everyone is just waiting for that other shoe to drop and treading water in the meantime. Won’t that make for a fun week!
Follow along with the Guardian Australia brains trust. Mike Bowers is already out and about in the hallways and I am standing guard at the keyboard, ready to keep you informed. As always, you can find us at @mpbowers or on instagram or @amyremeikis, as well as the comments.Follow along with the Guardian Australia brains trust. Mike Bowers is already out and about in the hallways and I am standing guard at the keyboard, ready to keep you informed. As always, you can find us at @mpbowers or on instagram or @amyremeikis, as well as the comments.
Grab your coffee and let’s get started!Grab your coffee and let’s get started!
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.43pm BST at 11.09pm BST