This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/oct/23/senate-estimates-budget-nbn-getup-malcolm-turnbull-bill-shorten-politics-live
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 17 | Version 18 |
|---|---|
| Labor lays into Turnbull over 'second-rate' NBN – as it happened | Labor lays into Turnbull over 'second-rate' NBN – as it happened |
| (12 days later) | |
| On that note, Mike Bowers and I shall leave you for the night. | On that note, Mike Bowers and I shall leave you for the night. |
| We’ll be back early tomorrow morning to update you on what happened overnight. Including the fallout from the Four Corners report into the NBN which has had the government in a right tizz all day. | We’ll be back early tomorrow morning to update you on what happened overnight. Including the fallout from the Four Corners report into the NBN which has had the government in a right tizz all day. |
| So what happened? What did we learn and what’s coming up? | So what happened? What did we learn and what’s coming up? |
| Everyone in the governent seems very worried about what Four Corners will say about the NBN, which has resulted in a PR blitz by both the government and NBN Co. | Everyone in the governent seems very worried about what Four Corners will say about the NBN, which has resulted in a PR blitz by both the government and NBN Co. |
| Senate estimates revealed a 1,000-page security manual was lost, but don’t worry, it’s not a security risk, for reasons that can’t be stated because of security concerns. | Senate estimates revealed a 1,000-page security manual was lost, but don’t worry, it’s not a security risk, for reasons that can’t be stated because of security concerns. |
| The “remuneration” Bill Billson received from a lobby group while still a minister was fine because “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.” | The “remuneration” Bill Billson received from a lobby group while still a minister was fine because “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.” |
| Immigration estimates found the Australian Border Force had been without a commissioner since July and didn’t know when its commissioner would return. | Immigration estimates found the Australian Border Force had been without a commissioner since July and didn’t know when its commissioner would return. |
| Malcolm Turnbull is still attempting to sell his energy policy, along with Josh Frydenberg, going so far as to host his own Q&A session during a press call today. | Malcolm Turnbull is still attempting to sell his energy policy, along with Josh Frydenberg, going so far as to host his own Q&A session during a press call today. |
| Attorney general, communications, finance, agriculture, and the arts are among tomorrows estimates hearings | Attorney general, communications, finance, agriculture, and the arts are among tomorrows estimates hearings |
| The parliamentary security fence is on budget and on schedule. | The parliamentary security fence is on budget and on schedule. |
| Electioneering has begun, both for Queensland and New England, despite the former yet to be called and the latter still waiting on a high court decision. | Electioneering has begun, both for Queensland and New England, despite the former yet to be called and the latter still waiting on a high court decision. |
| Scott Ryan has returned from medical leave. | Scott Ryan has returned from medical leave. |
| We’ll hopefully see you back here just after 8am tomorrow. In the meantime, you can reach Mike Bowers at @mpbowers and @mikepbowers and you can grab me at @amyremeikis. | We’ll hopefully see you back here just after 8am tomorrow. In the meantime, you can reach Mike Bowers at @mpbowers and @mikepbowers and you can grab me at @amyremeikis. |
| Have a lovely evening, try not to yell at the TV too much tonight and we’ll catch you soon. | Have a lovely evening, try not to yell at the TV too much tonight and we’ll catch you soon. |
| In Senate estimates the Greens immigration spokesman, Nick McKim, has said a speech given by the head of the immigration department, Michael Pezzullo, showed “fascist tendencies”. | In Senate estimates the Greens immigration spokesman, Nick McKim, has said a speech given by the head of the immigration department, Michael Pezzullo, showed “fascist tendencies”. |
| McKim was referring to a speech given by Pezzullo to justify the home affairs department, of which he is secretary-designate. According to the Mandarin, Pezzullo warned a “dark universe” was emerging as a consequence of globalisation and Australia needs the new security mega-department to confront the forces of evil. | McKim was referring to a speech given by Pezzullo to justify the home affairs department, of which he is secretary-designate. According to the Mandarin, Pezzullo warned a “dark universe” was emerging as a consequence of globalisation and Australia needs the new security mega-department to confront the forces of evil. |
| McKim: “I read your speech you gave for the philosophical context of the new department with interest and terror – equal parts I might say.” | McKim: “I read your speech you gave for the philosophical context of the new department with interest and terror – equal parts I might say.” |
| Pezzullo: “Sorry, you were terrified?” | Pezzullo: “Sorry, you were terrified?” |
| McKim: “I was terrified of your thought processes, yes, I don’t like fascists and authoritarians.” | McKim: “I was terrified of your thought processes, yes, I don’t like fascists and authoritarians.” |
| Pezzullo: “I beg your pardon?” | Pezzullo: “I beg your pardon?” |
| McKim: “I thought that some fascist tendencies came out in that speech.” | McKim: “I thought that some fascist tendencies came out in that speech.” |
| McKim is asked to withdraw the comment, and he does so. He did not elaborate which part of the speech he was referring to. | McKim is asked to withdraw the comment, and he does so. He did not elaborate which part of the speech he was referring to. |
| Just on Kevin Rudd being blamed for the “train wreck” (Malcolm Turnbull’s description, not mine) of the NBN, he’s had a few things to say. | Just on Kevin Rudd being blamed for the “train wreck” (Malcolm Turnbull’s description, not mine) of the NBN, he’s had a few things to say. |
| .@MrKRudd responds to @TurnbullMalcolm blaming Labor for the #NBN “train wreck”. More tonight on #abc730. #auspol @4corners pic.twitter.com/hcM7RZiVYJ | .@MrKRudd responds to @TurnbullMalcolm blaming Labor for the #NBN “train wreck”. More tonight on #abc730. #auspol @4corners pic.twitter.com/hcM7RZiVYJ |
| Penny Wong says she has “quite a few questions” from John Lloyd’s description of how Nigel Hadgkiss’s resignation came about. | Penny Wong says she has “quite a few questions” from John Lloyd’s description of how Nigel Hadgkiss’s resignation came about. |
| Was he aware of the fact of the federal court proceedings? No | Was he aware of the fact of the federal court proceedings? No |
| Was he aware of the fact of the behaviour which formed the basis of the court proceedings? No | Was he aware of the fact of the behaviour which formed the basis of the court proceedings? No |
| Was he ever asked to provide advice? No | Was he ever asked to provide advice? No |
| He took no notes, that he recalls, during his discussions with Hadgkiss over his resignation. He can not recall if there are any records of those conversations, which included over the telephone. Over the two days, there were between eight and 1o phone calls. | He took no notes, that he recalls, during his discussions with Hadgkiss over his resignation. He can not recall if there are any records of those conversations, which included over the telephone. Over the two days, there were between eight and 1o phone calls. |
| Was he particularly unhappy with being asked to resign? “I think that initially he was surprised, as I say initially he took some time to consider it before he rang me back. Then I think he came to the view that as a senior public servant, that that was the course that was going to eventuate.” | Was he particularly unhappy with being asked to resign? “I think that initially he was surprised, as I say initially he took some time to consider it before he rang me back. Then I think he came to the view that as a senior public servant, that that was the course that was going to eventuate.” |
| Lloyd said he would describe Hadgkiss’s initial reaction as “surprised” he was being asked to resign. | Lloyd said he would describe Hadgkiss’s initial reaction as “surprised” he was being asked to resign. |
| How many other persons, in statutory office, has Lloyd been asked to procure a resignation from? Lloyd can’t think of any. | How many other persons, in statutory office, has Lloyd been asked to procure a resignation from? Lloyd can’t think of any. |
| “It wouldn’t the usual role for the Australian public service commissioner to procure the resignation of a statutory officer?,” Wong asks. | “It wouldn’t the usual role for the Australian public service commissioner to procure the resignation of a statutory officer?,” Wong asks. |
| Lloyd says he talks to other secretaries about the performance of statutory officers. | Lloyd says he talks to other secretaries about the performance of statutory officers. |
| As for how he convinced Hadgkiss he should resign – “As the minister and I had discussed, there was nothing more to add to it than that, really. It was up to him to consider it.” | As for how he convinced Hadgkiss he should resign – “As the minister and I had discussed, there was nothing more to add to it than that, really. It was up to him to consider it.” |
| Back on the house debate over increasing the Medicare Levy, Chris Bowen had this to say in a statement: | Back on the house debate over increasing the Medicare Levy, Chris Bowen had this to say in a statement: |
| The Turnbull Government’s plan to increase the Medicare Levy would increase the tax burden on Australians earning a little as $21,000 a year. | The Turnbull Government’s plan to increase the Medicare Levy would increase the tax burden on Australians earning a little as $21,000 a year. |
| This from the party of lower taxes. | This from the party of lower taxes. |
| Mr Turnbull’s tax increase will mean a worker on $55,000 would pay $275 extra a year in tax, while someone on $80,000 would face an extra $400 in tax. | Mr Turnbull’s tax increase will mean a worker on $55,000 would pay $275 extra a year in tax, while someone on $80,000 would face an extra $400 in tax. |
| Picking up on one of those headlines, Labor’s health spokeswoman, Catherine King, has taken a different view on the Victorian euthanasia debate to the former PM Paul Keating: | Picking up on one of those headlines, Labor’s health spokeswoman, Catherine King, has taken a different view on the Victorian euthanasia debate to the former PM Paul Keating: |
| My view is yes it should be passed. I think this is a very limited form of voluntary assisted dying, a very conservative model that the Victorian proponents of the legislation, Jill Hennessy as the health minister has put forward. It’s been something that has been, not suddenly put before the parliament, there has been a major inquiry in Victoria into the area. This is a very conservative model that the Victorians are putting forward. Obviously it now has the support of the lower house, there will be a couple of weeks break and then debate in the upper house and I do think it is time for this legislation to be passed in Victoria. | My view is yes it should be passed. I think this is a very limited form of voluntary assisted dying, a very conservative model that the Victorian proponents of the legislation, Jill Hennessy as the health minister has put forward. It’s been something that has been, not suddenly put before the parliament, there has been a major inquiry in Victoria into the area. This is a very conservative model that the Victorians are putting forward. Obviously it now has the support of the lower house, there will be a couple of weeks break and then debate in the upper house and I do think it is time for this legislation to be passed in Victoria. |
| Kevin Rudd is the latest MP to launch a book (part one). | Kevin Rudd is the latest MP to launch a book (part one). |
| He’ll be chatting to 7.30 tonight but this morning had this to say: | He’ll be chatting to 7.30 tonight but this morning had this to say: |
| I'm launching my book today that deals with the impact of Murdoch on the deterioration of Australian democracy, and they run this. #classic pic.twitter.com/D3FVgiU9x6 | I'm launching my book today that deals with the impact of Murdoch on the deterioration of Australian democracy, and they run this. #classic pic.twitter.com/D3FVgiU9x6 |
| Under questioning from Penny Wong, John Lloyd described how Nigel Hadkiss’s resignation came about: | Under questioning from Penny Wong, John Lloyd described how Nigel Hadkiss’s resignation came about: |
| Following a discussion with the minister and [her staff] I later on in the evening conveyed to Mr Hadgkiss the government’s position that he consider his position, tendering his resignation. Following that, there were several discussions in the evening with Mr Hadgkiss. He obviously took some time, to consider the developments and the advice he received from me, so there were a number of discussions and some the next day and the arrangements were worked through, things like timing of the resignation, when it ought to take effect, and how an announcement would be made. Those arrangements are quite common in a situation like this. | Following a discussion with the minister and [her staff] I later on in the evening conveyed to Mr Hadgkiss the government’s position that he consider his position, tendering his resignation. Following that, there were several discussions in the evening with Mr Hadgkiss. He obviously took some time, to consider the developments and the advice he received from me, so there were a number of discussions and some the next day and the arrangements were worked through, things like timing of the resignation, when it ought to take effect, and how an announcement would be made. Those arrangements are quite common in a situation like this. |
| Tony Abbott has decided to weigh in on the Manus situation: | Tony Abbott has decided to weigh in on the Manus situation: |
| For years, Greens and Labor allies demanded Manus close. Now it's closing, they're still complaining. They just can't be trusted on borders | For years, Greens and Labor allies demanded Manus close. Now it's closing, they're still complaining. They just can't be trusted on borders |
| What they are “complaining” about is whether or not there are any services, like health and security, in place for the remaining refugees (about 600), given that the centre is closing in a few days. | What they are “complaining” about is whether or not there are any services, like health and security, in place for the remaining refugees (about 600), given that the centre is closing in a few days. |
| Penny Wong has now turned her attention to John Lloyd, the public service commissioner, over Nigel Hadgkiss’s resignation. | Penny Wong has now turned her attention to John Lloyd, the public service commissioner, over Nigel Hadgkiss’s resignation. |
| Talking about estimates hearings which are coming up, this has just lobbed from Joel Fitzgibbon: | Talking about estimates hearings which are coming up, this has just lobbed from Joel Fitzgibbon: |
| The Government tabled the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture & Water Resources after Question Time today despite the fact Barnaby Joyce received it on September 27. | The Government tabled the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture & Water Resources after Question Time today despite the fact Barnaby Joyce received it on September 27. |
| Senate Estimates for the Department begin tomorrow. | Senate Estimates for the Department begin tomorrow. |
| The 11th hour tabling of the Annual Report is a shameless attempt by the Turnbull Government to protect Barnaby Joyce and his mismanagement of his portfolio. | The 11th hour tabling of the Annual Report is a shameless attempt by the Turnbull Government to protect Barnaby Joyce and his mismanagement of his portfolio. |
| The Annual Report is a critical document for Senate Committee scrutiny and the Opposition should have been given more time to study it. The Department no doubt has found it challenging to justify Barnaby Joyce’s various boondoggles, pork barrelling exercises and massively underspent, poorly thought-through programs. | The Annual Report is a critical document for Senate Committee scrutiny and the Opposition should have been given more time to study it. The Department no doubt has found it challenging to justify Barnaby Joyce’s various boondoggles, pork barrelling exercises and massively underspent, poorly thought-through programs. |
| Barnaby Joyce can run but he can’t hide. | Barnaby Joyce can run but he can’t hide. |
| *end statement* | *end statement* |