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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/oct/23/senate-estimates-budget-nbn-getup-malcolm-turnbull-bill-shorten-politics-live
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| Labor lays into Turnbull over 'second-rate' NBN – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.00am BST | |
| 06:00 | |
| In round #4,578 between Penny Wong and George Brandis, Wong has asked Brandis about Michaelia Cash’s knowledge of Nigel Hadgkiss. | |
| Wong: She is aware in October 2016 of the conduct, which was subsequently found to be unlawful. | |
| Brandis: I think you’ll find she was made aware of allegations. | |
| Wong: The conduct which was subsequently found to be unlawful, I want to know at which stage the prime minister or is office became aware of that conduct. | |
| Brandis: If at all. | |
| Wong: I would also like to know, did the department attend, or does the department have any record of Senator Cash advising the prime minister of Mr Hadgkiss’s conduct? | |
| Brandis: Senator, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet wouldn’t ordinarily keep a record of a meeting or a conversation between the prime minister and a minister. | |
| (James Paterson attempts to go to a break) | |
| Wong: Well, hang on. He has’t answered the question, I will ask it again. Is the department aware of any advice ... | |
| Brandis: We’ll take the question on notice, but I simply make the point, that ordinarily, if a minister has a conversation with the prime minister, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet would not ordinarily have visibility or awareness of that conversation. It may, but not ordinarily. | |
| And the committee takes a break. | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.03am BST | |
| 5.41am BST | |
| 05:41 | |
| Paul Karp | |
| A little earlier ... | |
| In estimates, Penny Wong has been grilling prime minister and cabinet officials about the former small business minister Bruce Billson’s failure to declare that he was paid a salary by the Franchise Council of Australia while still an MP. | |
| The deputy secretary, David Gruen, sets out the timeline that Billson ceased being a minister in September 2015, his appointment as executive chairman of the Franchise Council was announced on 23 March 2016 and he left parliament on 9 May. | |
| He then reads a briefing note on the outcome of an investigation by the secretary, Martin Parkinson, which concluded: | |
| Billson didn’t breach post ministerial employment provisions because his advocacy on joint employer liability for franchisors and franchisees “fell within the portfolio responsibilities of minister for employment”, not his responsibilities as small business minister; and | |
| Billson didn’t breach lobbying rules because he was not engaged in lobbying activities on matters which he dealt with in the last 18 months as small business minister and didn’t fall within definition of lobbyist in code of conduct, because he was not lobbying for a third-party client. Bilson does not need to be and isn’t registered as a lobbyist on the lobbyist register. | |
| Wong asks a broader question – is it appropriate to receive remuneration from another employer while still an MP? | |
| The attorney general, George Brandis, replies: | |
| It is very appropriate for backbench members to receive remuneration from third-party sources not inconsistent with their responsibilities as members of parliament ... It is both consistent and commonplace. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.55am BST | |
| 5.39am BST | |
| 05:39 | |
| George Brandis is still in the hot seat in the finance and administration committee and Penny Wong is asking about Nigel Hadgkiss. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.53am BST | |
| 5.28am BST | 5.28am BST |
| 05:28 | 05:28 |
| Michaelia Cash’s office has released another statement on the outcome of a court case involving a union and its delegate. Here is is in full: | Michaelia Cash’s office has released another statement on the outcome of a court case involving a union and its delegate. Here is is in full: |
| Today the militant CFMEU incurred yet another penalty in the Federal Court for breaking Australia’s industrial laws at a Victorian building site. | Today the militant CFMEU incurred yet another penalty in the Federal Court for breaking Australia’s industrial laws at a Victorian building site. |
| The CFMEU and its delegate, Andrew Harisiou were penalised $90,000 and $8,000 respectively for breaches of laws relating to coercion, at the Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre site in 2015. | The CFMEU and its delegate, Andrew Harisiou were penalised $90,000 and $8,000 respectively for breaches of laws relating to coercion, at the Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre site in 2015. |
| The court found that the CFMEU prevented workers from working on the construction site unless they joined the CFMEU and immediately paid the required membership fees. | The court found that the CFMEU prevented workers from working on the construction site unless they joined the CFMEU and immediately paid the required membership fees. |
| In handing down his decision, Justice Tracey made the following remarks; | In handing down his decision, Justice Tracey made the following remarks; |
| Having regard to the history of offending by the CFMEU to which I have referred, it may be doubted that any penalty falling within the available range for contraventions of the kind presently under consideration would be “sufficiently high to deter repetition”. Any penalty will be paid and treated as a necessary cost of enforcing the CFMEU’s demand that all workers on certain classes of construction sites be union members. | Having regard to the history of offending by the CFMEU to which I have referred, it may be doubted that any penalty falling within the available range for contraventions of the kind presently under consideration would be “sufficiently high to deter repetition”. Any penalty will be paid and treated as a necessary cost of enforcing the CFMEU’s demand that all workers on certain classes of construction sites be union members. |
| Justice Tracey is the second judge in two weeks to express concern that penalties that can be imposed by the courts are too small to act as a deterrent in light of the CFMEU’s ongoing policy of deliberate law-breaking. | Justice Tracey is the second judge in two weeks to express concern that penalties that can be imposed by the courts are too small to act as a deterrent in light of the CFMEU’s ongoing policy of deliberate law-breaking. |
| Last week, Justice Vasta of the Federal Court remarked that; | Last week, Justice Vasta of the Federal Court remarked that; |
| There has been no remorse from the CFMEU. There has been no evidence of the CFMEU training any of its officers as to the provisions of the FW Act to ensure that such abominable behaviour is not undertaken by any of its representatives ever again. | There has been no remorse from the CFMEU. There has been no evidence of the CFMEU training any of its officers as to the provisions of the FW Act to ensure that such abominable behaviour is not undertaken by any of its representatives ever again. |
| As I have noted, the approach of the CFMEU has been that the imposition of pecuniary penalties are nothing more than an occupational hazard. | As I have noted, the approach of the CFMEU has been that the imposition of pecuniary penalties are nothing more than an occupational hazard. |
| This Court has been asked to ensure that the industrial relations regime as created by Parliament is observed and complied with. The Parliament has given the Court only one weapon to ensure such compliance, and that is the ability to impose pecuniary penalties. | This Court has been asked to ensure that the industrial relations regime as created by Parliament is observed and complied with. The Parliament has given the Court only one weapon to ensure such compliance, and that is the ability to impose pecuniary penalties. |
| In the main, this weapon has been of great value. If a Court has dealt with an employer who has contravened the FW Act in an appropriate manner, the use of the pecuniary penalty has deterred that employer from breaching the FW Act again. Very rarely has the FWO, or a union, had to bring a recalcitrant employer back to the Court for breaching the FW Act a second time. | In the main, this weapon has been of great value. If a Court has dealt with an employer who has contravened the FW Act in an appropriate manner, the use of the pecuniary penalty has deterred that employer from breaching the FW Act again. Very rarely has the FWO, or a union, had to bring a recalcitrant employer back to the Court for breaching the FW Act a second time. |
| But this cannot be said of the CFMEU. The deterrent aspect of the pecuniary penalty system is not having the desired effect. The CFMEU has not changed its attitude in any meaningful way. The Court can only impose the maximum penalty in an attempt to fulfil its duty and deter the CFMEU from acting in the nefarious way in which it does. | But this cannot be said of the CFMEU. The deterrent aspect of the pecuniary penalty system is not having the desired effect. The CFMEU has not changed its attitude in any meaningful way. The Court can only impose the maximum penalty in an attempt to fulfil its duty and deter the CFMEU from acting in the nefarious way in which it does. |
| If I could have imposed a greater penalty for these contraventions, I most certainly would have done so. | If I could have imposed a greater penalty for these contraventions, I most certainly would have done so. |
| The Court can do no more with the tools available to it to ensure compliance with the industrial relations regime. If the community at large are not satisfied with the actions of the Court to ensure compliance with the FW Act, then the next step is a matter for the Parliament. | The Court can do no more with the tools available to it to ensure compliance with the industrial relations regime. If the community at large are not satisfied with the actions of the Court to ensure compliance with the FW Act, then the next step is a matter for the Parliament. |
| While the CFMEU continues to pay out significant penalties on a regular basis, it also continues to funnel millions of dollars to the Australian Labor Party. | While the CFMEU continues to pay out significant penalties on a regular basis, it also continues to funnel millions of dollars to the Australian Labor Party. |
| Labor Shadow Employment spokesman Brendan O’Connor recently confirmed that penalties for such behaviour would be “lower” under a Shorten-led Labor Government. What he failed to say was that the penalties under Labor would in fact be zero, as Labor’s policy is to abolish the ABCC and have nothing in its place to enforce the law. | Labor Shadow Employment spokesman Brendan O’Connor recently confirmed that penalties for such behaviour would be “lower” under a Shorten-led Labor Government. What he failed to say was that the penalties under Labor would in fact be zero, as Labor’s policy is to abolish the ABCC and have nothing in its place to enforce the law. |
| Whilst judge after judge condemns the CFMEU for its deliberate flouting of the law, and complain that penalties are not sufficient, Bill Shorten’s policy is to give the green light to the CFMEU with no penalties whatsoever. Nothing more starkly illustrates Mr Shorten’s unfitness for government than his approach to the CFMEU. | Whilst judge after judge condemns the CFMEU for its deliberate flouting of the law, and complain that penalties are not sufficient, Bill Shorten’s policy is to give the green light to the CFMEU with no penalties whatsoever. Nothing more starkly illustrates Mr Shorten’s unfitness for government than his approach to the CFMEU. |
| It is now clearer than ever that Bill Shorten and the Labor Party have been utterly compromised by the millions of dollars the ALP continue to receive from the CFMEU. Exactly what will it take for Bill Shorten to financial and political ties with this corrupt organisation. | It is now clearer than ever that Bill Shorten and the Labor Party have been utterly compromised by the millions of dollars the ALP continue to receive from the CFMEU. Exactly what will it take for Bill Shorten to financial and political ties with this corrupt organisation. |
| *end statement* | *end statement* |
| Updated | |
| at 5.35am BST | |
| 5.25am BST | 5.25am BST |
| 05:25 | 05:25 |
| The chamber has moved on to debating the Medicare levy amendment – that’s in relation to funding the NDIS. | |
| You can find more on that here | You can find more on that here |
| Updated | |
| at 5.32am BST | |
| 5.23am BST | 5.23am BST |
| 05:23 | 05:23 |
| Some question time visual action, from the wonderful Mike Bowers: | Some question time visual action, from the wonderful Mike Bowers: |
| Updated | |
| at 5.32am BST | |
| 5.20am BST | 5.20am BST |
| 05:20 | 05:20 |
| Steven Michelson, a longtime Bill Shorten staffer, has resigned, the Australian reports. | |
| One of Bill Shorten’s most trusted aides has abruptly resigned amid an escalating ‘blackface’ scandal https://t.co/UyE4EBjogY | One of Bill Shorten’s most trusted aides has abruptly resigned amid an escalating ‘blackface’ scandal https://t.co/UyE4EBjogY |
| Updated | |
| at 5.31am BST | |
| 5.17am BST | 5.17am BST |
| 05:17 | 05:17 |
| Barnaby Joyce gets a question on a Rockhampton flood levy from Jason Clare (Queensland election, what Queensland election?) and why the Coalition won’t commit to funding it. | |
| It’s a complicated issue and Joyce, once he has got his blue-collar worker lines out, says there is some division in the community over whether it is wanted. He then continues his attack. | |
| Question time moves to Dan Tehan who talks about the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the Battle for Beersheba and Malcolm Turnbull says that’s a good time to end question time, on reflection of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. | |
| Which means we made it through another question time – how did you go with those topic bingo cards? | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.30am BST | |
| 5.10am BST | 5.10am BST |
| 05:10 | 05:10 |
| Malcolm Turnbull is asked again why One Nation got to announce $15m of government grants. | Malcolm Turnbull is asked again why One Nation got to announce $15m of government grants. |
| If it also usual for the government grants announced by non-government members and senators, in this case with oversized cheques with the focus on One Nation senators, in Coalition agreement with One Nation, will the prime minister table a copy of that agreement right now? If there is a Coalition agreement with One Nation? | If it also usual for the government grants announced by non-government members and senators, in this case with oversized cheques with the focus on One Nation senators, in Coalition agreement with One Nation, will the prime minister table a copy of that agreement right now? If there is a Coalition agreement with One Nation? |
| Turnbull: | Turnbull: |
| I refer the honourable member to my question, my earlier answer that he obviously noted. All government grants are approved by the appropriate ministers in the normal way. | I refer the honourable member to my question, my earlier answer that he obviously noted. All government grants are approved by the appropriate ministers in the normal way. |
| That announcement got Pauline Hanson a nice front page in the Queensland town of Ipswich, which may go some way to explain why even the Coalition MPs were annoyed. | That announcement got Pauline Hanson a nice front page in the Queensland town of Ipswich, which may go some way to explain why even the Coalition MPs were annoyed. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.17am BST | at 5.17am BST |
| 5.06am BST | 5.06am BST |
| 05:06 | 05:06 |
| Peter Dutton is protecting us all from gangs. | Peter Dutton is protecting us all from gangs. |
| Moving on … | Moving on … |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.17am BST | at 5.17am BST |
| 5.06am BST | 5.06am BST |
| 05:06 | 05:06 |
| Greg Hunt then takes another question on energy policy and once again uses the line keeping the lights on in hospitals and I tune out. So does most of the chamber, by the looks of it. | Greg Hunt then takes another question on energy policy and once again uses the line keeping the lights on in hospitals and I tune out. So does most of the chamber, by the looks of it. |
| On to Bill Shorten: | On to Bill Shorten: |
| “My question as to the prime minister. Can he confirmed that under his government power prices have never been higher, pensioners will lose their energy supplement, weekend workers lose their penalty rates, low- and middle-income families face a tax hike and the only benefit that anyone can look forward to is a lousy 50 cents a week in three years time?” | “My question as to the prime minister. Can he confirmed that under his government power prices have never been higher, pensioners will lose their energy supplement, weekend workers lose their penalty rates, low- and middle-income families face a tax hike and the only benefit that anyone can look forward to is a lousy 50 cents a week in three years time?” |
| Malcolm Turnbull says he has dealt with these issues before. | Malcolm Turnbull says he has dealt with these issues before. |
| “But there is one set of statistics that I can confirm. That is in the last 12 months, 371,500 jobs were created in Australia. Of which, 315,900 were full-time. And, Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, that does compare with another 12 month period. The last 12 months when the leader of the opposition was employment minister. During that time, Mr Speaker, there was 129,000 jobs created of which only 32,900 were full-time. Mr Speaker, nearly three times as many jobs created in the last 12 months as in the last 12 months when he had responsibility for employment.” | “But there is one set of statistics that I can confirm. That is in the last 12 months, 371,500 jobs were created in Australia. Of which, 315,900 were full-time. And, Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, that does compare with another 12 month period. The last 12 months when the leader of the opposition was employment minister. During that time, Mr Speaker, there was 129,000 jobs created of which only 32,900 were full-time. Mr Speaker, nearly three times as many jobs created in the last 12 months as in the last 12 months when he had responsibility for employment.” |
| The last year of the Labor government, Australia was still recovering from the delayed affects of the global financial crisis. This may need to become a regular reminder, given this is the second time in two weeks the Coalition has used this line. | The last year of the Labor government, Australia was still recovering from the delayed affects of the global financial crisis. This may need to become a regular reminder, given this is the second time in two weeks the Coalition has used this line. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.09am BST | at 5.09am BST |
| 5.03am BST | 5.03am BST |
| 05:03 | 05:03 |
| Back to the opposition questions and Tanya Plibersek moves the agenda to tax: | Back to the opposition questions and Tanya Plibersek moves the agenda to tax: |
| Thanks to this legislation being debated today, someone earning $60,000 is guaranteed a tax hike of $300 a year. Yet the prime minister cannot even guarantee they will save a lousy 50 cents a week on their energy bills in three years’ time. One is the only guarantee that this prime minister can make is that thanks to him, working Australians will always have less? | Thanks to this legislation being debated today, someone earning $60,000 is guaranteed a tax hike of $300 a year. Yet the prime minister cannot even guarantee they will save a lousy 50 cents a week on their energy bills in three years’ time. One is the only guarantee that this prime minister can make is that thanks to him, working Australians will always have less? |
| Turnbull, whose voice seems on the brink of disappearing all together, seems to think this question is about energy policy and South Australia. Or something: | Turnbull, whose voice seems on the brink of disappearing all together, seems to think this question is about energy policy and South Australia. Or something: |
| Australians know that Labor governments can be guaranteed to deliver higher energy prices and less reliable energy. The Labor party, the Labor party’s track record, Mr Speaker, whether it comes to border protection, the NBN or energy, reveals astounding incompetence. The Labor party has demonstrated both at the federal level and at the state level, particularly in South Australia, that they cannot be trusted with energy policy, but they are are incompetent, the combination of incompetency and actually results in less reliable energy. The lights do not stay on, the air-conditioners do not stay on, the hospitals do not have their plants running. | Australians know that Labor governments can be guaranteed to deliver higher energy prices and less reliable energy. The Labor party, the Labor party’s track record, Mr Speaker, whether it comes to border protection, the NBN or energy, reveals astounding incompetence. The Labor party has demonstrated both at the federal level and at the state level, particularly in South Australia, that they cannot be trusted with energy policy, but they are are incompetent, the combination of incompetency and actually results in less reliable energy. The lights do not stay on, the air-conditioners do not stay on, the hospitals do not have their plants running. |
| The Labor party’s failing to look afterAustralia’s energy security. It is one of their great failures in government and it goes hand in hand with all of those examples of Labor incompetence, whether it is failing to protect our borders, failing to defend the integrity of our nation’s orders, whether it is there incompetence with the NBN, wasting billions of dollars in sheer mismanagement or whether it is putting our energy security at risk. The Labor party cannot manage. They are incompetent and it has been proved by them again and again. | The Labor party’s failing to look afterAustralia’s energy security. It is one of their great failures in government and it goes hand in hand with all of those examples of Labor incompetence, whether it is failing to protect our borders, failing to defend the integrity of our nation’s orders, whether it is there incompetence with the NBN, wasting billions of dollars in sheer mismanagement or whether it is putting our energy security at risk. The Labor party cannot manage. They are incompetent and it has been proved by them again and again. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.18am BST | at 5.18am BST |
| 4.59am BST | 4.59am BST |
| 04:59 | 04:59 |
| Kelly O’Dwyer take a dixer on the Neg and economic growth and, well, she does her best to look as though she believes what she is saying. | Kelly O’Dwyer take a dixer on the Neg and economic growth and, well, she does her best to look as though she believes what she is saying. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.18am BST | at 5.18am BST |