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Andrew Wilkie says fourth Crown whistleblower 'is in fears of his life' – politics live Federal police reported to be raiding AWU offices – politics live
(35 minutes later)
7.29am BST
07:29
Statement from AWU National Secretary re AFP raids pic.twitter.com/v59uPUiljS
7.23am BST
07:23
Sky News has been showing images of the AFP raid on the AWU offices. Looks like it is going to go on for a while.
We believe Bill Shorten’s lawyer just walked into the AWU offices currently being raided by AFP
7.18am BST
07:18
Over in the legal affairs estimates hearing and George Brandis and Penny Wong have been discussing the appointments of former Coalition MPs to things like the administrative appeals tribunal.
It has been jokingly referred to by some wags as the “no Liberal left behind” policy.
Wong pointed out that six of the 23 full-time members of the AAT have strong links back to the Liberal party, or 26%.
Brandis says that he does not “consider service in parliament as a disqualification”.
A rough transcript of some of the afternoon’s hearing follows:
Wong: It is the case that the 76 appointments you made on the eve of the election last year, none were made through committee process?
Brandis: Most of those appointments were reappointments.
[Secretary of AG department] Chris Moraitis: I cannot recall any committee process being used in those appointments, or recently.
Wong: How many of all the appointments you made were advertised, or recommended by selection committee?
Brandis: [Takes on notice]
Wong: Do you recall a selection committee being established at all by this government in any appointments?
Moraitis: No.
Wong: How many of the appointments that the government has made to the AAT since protocol put in place have been recommended for appointment without any process whatsoever?
Brandis: There’s always been a process …
Wong: What is it?
Brandis: [Neither] Justice Kerr nor [David] Thomas [president of the AAT] have ever raised a complaint with me that they were dissatisfied about how complaints were being handled.
Wong: You announced appointments at end of September. Did the president supply you with a list of positions that needed to be filled? If so when?
Brandis: I have had a very full process with the president about appointments.
Wong: How many were reappointments recommended? How many were publicly advertised ...
Brandis: [Takes on notice]
Wong: Did you advertise any of them? You don’t remember?
Brandis: I want to check. [Takes further questions about full-time v part-time appointments on notice]
Wong: You’re responsible for about 95% of appointments to the AAT?
Brandis: Sounds about right.
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I am going to take an educated guess that the AFP raid has something to do with the allegations in this story, published by the Australian yesterday
Brad Norington reported:
Bill Shorten faces investigation over a large sum of union funds he donated to his own election campaign in 2007 – possibly without proper approval – when he led the Australian Workers Union and first ran for parliament.
The Registered Organisations Commission is understood to be inquiring into a $25,000 union payment that Mr Shorten arranged to help his campaign as Labor’s candidate in the federal Victorian seat of Maribyrnong.
Also under scrutiny are two other AWU donations to Labor candidates in federal seats that were handled by Mr Shorten when he was in charge of the union — $25,000 for Petrie in Queensland and $20,000 for Stirling in Western Australia.
The commission’s investigation of these AWU donations during the 2008 financial year is in addition to another it started on Friday into Mr Shorten’s union handout to GetUp! in 2006 when he sat on the activist group’s board as well as leading the AWU.
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The AFP is currently raiding The Australian Workers’ Union offices in Melbourne and Sydney, via @StephieBorys @abcnewsThe AFP is currently raiding The Australian Workers’ Union offices in Melbourne and Sydney, via @StephieBorys @abcnews
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A bird (a currawong, I think) was trapped in the mural hall this afternoon. It’s bogong moth season in Canberra, which sends the birds inside.A bird (a currawong, I think) was trapped in the mural hall this afternoon. It’s bogong moth season in Canberra, which sends the birds inside.
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Here is the announcement on the high court judgments.Here is the announcement on the high court judgments.
Please be advised the following judgments will be handed down in Canberra this week:Please be advised the following judgments will be handed down in Canberra this week:
Friday 27 October 2017 at 2.15pmFriday 27 October 2017 at 2.15pm
1. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator the Hon. Matthew Canavan (C11/2017)1. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator the Hon. Matthew Canavan (C11/2017)
2. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Mr Scott Ludlam (C12/2017)2. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Mr Scott Ludlam (C12/2017)
3. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Ms Larissa Waters (C13/2017)3. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Ms Larissa Waters (C13/2017)
4. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator Malcolm Roberts (C14/2017)4. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator Malcolm Roberts (C14/2017)
5. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP (C15/2017)5. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP (C15/2017)
6. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator the Hon. Fiona Nash (C17/2017)6. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator the Hon. Fiona Nash (C17/2017)
7. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator Nick Xenophon (C18/2017)7. In the matter of questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator Nick Xenophon (C18/2017)
Copies of the judgment summaries will be accessible on the High Court website following the delivery of judgment.Copies of the judgment summaries will be accessible on the High Court website following the delivery of judgment.
Copies of the full judgment will be accessible on http://eresources.hcourt.gov.au/browse once uploaded.Copies of the full judgment will be accessible on http://eresources.hcourt.gov.au/browse once uploaded.
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In other One Nation news, one of the party’s policies has managed to pull off the impossible and has united both the Queensland Labor party and the LNP in condemnation.In other One Nation news, one of the party’s policies has managed to pull off the impossible and has united both the Queensland Labor party and the LNP in condemnation.
Terri Butler also had a few things to say about it:Terri Butler also had a few things to say about it:
One Nation’s policy, announced today, to allow visitation rights to fathers regardless of an emergency protection order, puts women and children’s safety at risk.One Nation’s policy, announced today, to allow visitation rights to fathers regardless of an emergency protection order, puts women and children’s safety at risk.
This policy is abhorrent. Why is One Nation ignoring Australia’s family violence crisis? Australians look to elected representatives to keep women and children safe, not recklessly expose them to the risk of violence and harm.This policy is abhorrent. Why is One Nation ignoring Australia’s family violence crisis? Australians look to elected representatives to keep women and children safe, not recklessly expose them to the risk of violence and harm.
This policy is life-threatening.This policy is life-threatening.
Pauline Hanson has a woeful record in relation to violence against women and children.Pauline Hanson has a woeful record in relation to violence against women and children.
In June 2016, the Townsville Bulletin reported on her comments as follows:In June 2016, the Townsville Bulletin reported on her comments as follows:
“We need a full overview of the child support system and the family law courts to find the answers (because) you know some (women) are going out there and claiming domestic violence because they’re told ‘I don’t like the colour of your dress’,” Ms Hanson said.“We need a full overview of the child support system and the family law courts to find the answers (because) you know some (women) are going out there and claiming domestic violence because they’re told ‘I don’t like the colour of your dress’,” Ms Hanson said.
“They (women) are making frivolous complaints and it’s time that our court system (is looked at) – especially for men who are the subject of domestic violence themselves.“They (women) are making frivolous complaints and it’s time that our court system (is looked at) – especially for men who are the subject of domestic violence themselves.
“Men have nowhere to go – (domestic violence against males) is very widely spread.“Men have nowhere to go – (domestic violence against males) is very widely spread.
“I want to sit down with these (male-focused) organisations, these groups, and give them a voice, because they feel like they’re not being heard.”“I want to sit down with these (male-focused) organisations, these groups, and give them a voice, because they feel like they’re not being heard.”
Townsville Bulletin – 10 June 2016Townsville Bulletin – 10 June 2016
And in her recent first speech to Senate, when she returned to the Parliament, she said:And in her recent first speech to Senate, when she returned to the Parliament, she said:
HANSON: Children are used as pawns in custody battles where women make frivolous claims and believe they have the sole right to the children.HANSON: Children are used as pawns in custody battles where women make frivolous claims and believe they have the sole right to the children.
Children have two parents and, until we treat mums and dads with the same courtesy and rights, we will continue to see murders due to sheer frustration and depression and mental illness caused by this unworkable system.Children have two parents and, until we treat mums and dads with the same courtesy and rights, we will continue to see murders due to sheer frustration and depression and mental illness caused by this unworkable system.
First Speech to Parliament – 14 September 2016First Speech to Parliament – 14 September 2016
Violence against women is an epidemic. Victim-blaming, and making victims less safe, is destructive and wrong.Violence against women is an epidemic. Victim-blaming, and making victims less safe, is destructive and wrong.
I congratulate the Queensland Minister, Shannon Fentiman, and the Shadow Minister, for jointly opposing One Nation’s latest policy today.I congratulate the Queensland Minister, Shannon Fentiman, and the Shadow Minister, for jointly opposing One Nation’s latest policy today.
It stands in stark contrast to the actions of the Minister for Women, Liberal Senator Cash, who hugged Senator Hanson.It stands in stark contrast to the actions of the Minister for Women, Liberal Senator Cash, who hugged Senator Hanson.
The policy that One Nation has today announced is not only ignorant; it is incredibly dangerous for women and their children.The policy that One Nation has today announced is not only ignorant; it is incredibly dangerous for women and their children.
One Nation have stooped to a new low with this policy, proving that they cannot be trusted to keep the community safe.One Nation have stooped to a new low with this policy, proving that they cannot be trusted to keep the community safe.
*end statement**end statement*
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“One more question here. The ABC, I’ve read somewhere or maybe Ms Guthrie said, has more investigative journalists than anyone else. In Australia. Is that correct?,” Malcolm Roberts asks.“One more question here. The ABC, I’ve read somewhere or maybe Ms Guthrie said, has more investigative journalists than anyone else. In Australia. Is that correct?,” Malcolm Roberts asks.
It is correct, he’s told.It is correct, he’s told.
“Yet, none of the ABC’s investigative journalists have recently confirmed or recently found in what we have done, just ourselves, in investigating the CSIRO through there own presentations. SO there is a whole other side to this climate debate that I never hear about it on the ABC. One of the characteristics of groupthink, people who participate in groupthink actually think they are doing the right thing? ““Yet, none of the ABC’s investigative journalists have recently confirmed or recently found in what we have done, just ourselves, in investigating the CSIRO through there own presentations. SO there is a whole other side to this climate debate that I never hear about it on the ABC. One of the characteristics of groupthink, people who participate in groupthink actually think they are doing the right thing? “
“I am sure we all think we are doing the right thing,” Alan Sunderland says.“I am sure we all think we are doing the right thing,” Alan Sunderland says.
You know what investigative journalists did manage to find out? That Malcolm Roberts was a dual citizen when he nominated to parliament. Despite the repeated denials. And the “hand-on-heart” protestations all the documents were in order. It was reporting, which, like climate reporting, is not based on what we feel, or choose to believe, but in what the facts say.You know what investigative journalists did manage to find out? That Malcolm Roberts was a dual citizen when he nominated to parliament. Despite the repeated denials. And the “hand-on-heart” protestations all the documents were in order. It was reporting, which, like climate reporting, is not based on what we feel, or choose to believe, but in what the facts say.
Let’s see what the high court has to say about those empirical facts on Friday.Let’s see what the high court has to say about those empirical facts on Friday.
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Alan Sunderland responds to the groupthink discussion: “One of the things we pride ourselves on at the ABC, we certainly don’t pride ourselves on being perfect, but we pride ourselves on having the most, the greatest level of commitment of any Australian media organisation, to a set of editorial standards designed to challenge preconceptions, to deliver impartiality, to deliver accuracy, for a whole range of outcomes to make sure we can be trusted as a media organisation that doesn’t engage in bias, in inaccuracies, in group think or anything else you want to discuss.Alan Sunderland responds to the groupthink discussion: “One of the things we pride ourselves on at the ABC, we certainly don’t pride ourselves on being perfect, but we pride ourselves on having the most, the greatest level of commitment of any Australian media organisation, to a set of editorial standards designed to challenge preconceptions, to deliver impartiality, to deliver accuracy, for a whole range of outcomes to make sure we can be trusted as a media organisation that doesn’t engage in bias, in inaccuracies, in group think or anything else you want to discuss.
Malcolm Roberts thanks Sunderland, but says: “I can assure you that a lot of people I listen to across Queensland and around Australia do not see the ABC as anything but groupthink. With the exception of regional reporters in Queensland.”Malcolm Roberts thanks Sunderland, but says: “I can assure you that a lot of people I listen to across Queensland and around Australia do not see the ABC as anything but groupthink. With the exception of regional reporters in Queensland.”
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Malcolm Roberts moves on to groupthink. Without irony.Malcolm Roberts moves on to groupthink. Without irony.
He has made a point of calling it “Your ABC” in his questioning.He has made a point of calling it “Your ABC” in his questioning.
“One definition is group pressures leading to groups making faulty decisions through deterioration through mental efficiency, reality testing and moral judgment,” Roberts offers.“One definition is group pressures leading to groups making faulty decisions through deterioration through mental efficiency, reality testing and moral judgment,” Roberts offers.
“That’s One Nation for ya,” quips Sarah Hanson-Young.“That’s One Nation for ya,” quips Sarah Hanson-Young.
Google tells me that definition came from a site like this, which looks like it was built in the 1990s.Google tells me that definition came from a site like this, which looks like it was built in the 1990s.
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“Let’s consider commentators moonlighting as journalists,” Roberts says. He is talking about Insiders. He says only five of the 32 journalists who recently appeared (the past eight weeks) were “right of centre”.“Let’s consider commentators moonlighting as journalists,” Roberts says. He is talking about Insiders. He says only five of the 32 journalists who recently appeared (the past eight weeks) were “right of centre”.
Also worth noting, one of the biggest ideological warriors in parliament, who is part of the one of the most ideological parties seen in Australia, “does not like the term right and left but that is what our society has degenerated into”.Also worth noting, one of the biggest ideological warriors in parliament, who is part of the one of the most ideological parties seen in Australia, “does not like the term right and left but that is what our society has degenerated into”.
Alan Sunderland, the director of editorial policies, said Insiders is “a program which does not bring together leftwing and rightwing commentators to provide leftwing and rightwing prospectives on the news. Insiders is a program which by and large seeks to bring together senior journalists, the majority of them working in the press gallery and others who are senior commentators on the matter of politics.”Alan Sunderland, the director of editorial policies, said Insiders is “a program which does not bring together leftwing and rightwing commentators to provide leftwing and rightwing prospectives on the news. Insiders is a program which by and large seeks to bring together senior journalists, the majority of them working in the press gallery and others who are senior commentators on the matter of politics.”
Roberts doesn’t say how he came to the conclusion of who is left and who is right.Roberts doesn’t say how he came to the conclusion of who is left and who is right.
That is an average of 0.625 conservatives per episode and that is not including Talking Pictures presenters. So over a total of eight weeks, 15.6 %, and, if you include the Talking Pictures commentators, it is only 12.5. So I am not advocating you must have rightwing and you must have leftwing, I am advocating you must have balance. Do you consider when we have only 12.5% of the commentators from the right wing, do you consider that to be fair and balanced representation of our society?That is an average of 0.625 conservatives per episode and that is not including Talking Pictures presenters. So over a total of eight weeks, 15.6 %, and, if you include the Talking Pictures commentators, it is only 12.5. So I am not advocating you must have rightwing and you must have leftwing, I am advocating you must have balance. Do you consider when we have only 12.5% of the commentators from the right wing, do you consider that to be fair and balanced representation of our society?
It might be worth noting that it was on Insiders that Pauline Hanson made her now infamous anti-vaccination comments.It might be worth noting that it was on Insiders that Pauline Hanson made her now infamous anti-vaccination comments.
Sunderland says given he doesn’t understand how Roberts has done his analysis on who is left and who is right, it is difficult for him to respond.Sunderland says given he doesn’t understand how Roberts has done his analysis on who is left and who is right, it is difficult for him to respond.
“I take it you are finding it difficult to understand about the concepts of fair and balanced,” Roberts concludes.“I take it you are finding it difficult to understand about the concepts of fair and balanced,” Roberts concludes.
“I am just questioning your assumptions,” Sunderland says.“I am just questioning your assumptions,” Sunderland says.
“Just because it is what you believe, Senator Roberts, doesn’t make it true,” Sarah Hanson-Young says.“Just because it is what you believe, Senator Roberts, doesn’t make it true,” Sarah Hanson-Young says.
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Malcolm Roberts has just stepped up to the microphone for the ABC estimates. “This will be good,” Sarah Hanson-Young says.Malcolm Roberts has just stepped up to the microphone for the ABC estimates. “This will be good,” Sarah Hanson-Young says.
His first question is on how the Australian public “can trust you without the facts, if they just simply go on opinions”.His first question is on how the Australian public “can trust you without the facts, if they just simply go on opinions”.
Michelle Guthrie: “We don’t go on opinions”.Michelle Guthrie: “We don’t go on opinions”.
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Just extraordinary scenes in both question time and estimates.Just extraordinary scenes in both question time and estimates.
Mike Bowers, as always, was catching it all.Mike Bowers, as always, was catching it all.
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
In estimates Michelle Guthrie is being asked about the possibility the competitive neutrality review could conclude that there should be a paywall on the ABC’s iView online TV playback service.In estimates Michelle Guthrie is being asked about the possibility the competitive neutrality review could conclude that there should be a paywall on the ABC’s iView online TV playback service.
Guthrie said that the idea “would seem to be double-dipping” because the Australian public had paid for ABC programming and would have to pay again to access it on iView.Guthrie said that the idea “would seem to be double-dipping” because the Australian public had paid for ABC programming and would have to pay again to access it on iView.
“They’ve already paid for the programming, in terms of taxpayer funding,” she said. “iView is simply taking those programs and making them available in a different window.”“They’ve already paid for the programming, in terms of taxpayer funding,” she said. “iView is simply taking those programs and making them available in a different window.”
Asked if she’d raised this concern with the minister, Guthrie responded:Asked if she’d raised this concern with the minister, Guthrie responded:
I’ve certainly raised my view that ABC has operated within dual environment since the beginning. Just because technology and audience habit is changing doesn’t mean the ABC is the cause of any economic difficulties [of commercial broadcasters]. That trend is happening everywhere in the world. The idea we might have to retract from particular platforms is not the expectation of Australian people.I’ve certainly raised my view that ABC has operated within dual environment since the beginning. Just because technology and audience habit is changing doesn’t mean the ABC is the cause of any economic difficulties [of commercial broadcasters]. That trend is happening everywhere in the world. The idea we might have to retract from particular platforms is not the expectation of Australian people.
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