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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/oct/24/nbn-estimates-broadband-energy-turnbull-shorten-rudd-politics-live
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| High court to hand down citizenship decision on Friday – politics live | High court to hand down citizenship decision on Friday – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.49am BST | |
| 03:49 | |
| But Sarah Henderson has managed her own uncomfortable situation by trying to argue the national energy guarantee will mean lower prices, which, as Kristina Keneally points out, can’t be guaranteed, given there is no modelling and nothing to really back it up. | |
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| at 3.59am BST | |
| 3.47am BST | |
| 03:47 | |
| Tim Watts, debating Sarah Henderson, live on Sky, just told Henderson to “shut up”. It didn’t go over well, and judging by the look on Watts’ face as he continued, he knew it. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.49am BST | |
| 3.44am BST | |
| 03:44 | |
| While we wait on question time (and from what I can see, the estimates hearings are in a bit of a lull) here is portrait from Mike Bowers on the “man in the mirror” Wal Merriman. | |
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| at 3.46am BST | |
| 3.39am BST | |
| 03:39 | |
| Coming up to question time, so let me know what is on your QT bingo card today. I’ve got NBN, energy, with some productivity commission-related issues and maybe a nice high court reminder. | |
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| at 3.47am BST | |
| 3.23am BST | 3.23am BST |
| 03:23 | 03:23 |
| Peter Garrett is using his NPC speech as a rallying call against Adani’s plans to open up the Carmichael mine in Queensland | Peter Garrett is using his NPC speech as a rallying call against Adani’s plans to open up the Carmichael mine in Queensland |
| Stopping Adani is emerging as the battle of our times, just as the Franklin dam and Jabiluka were to earlier people. The Stop Adani campaign is a defining moment that must be won if we are to have any hope of preserving a safe climate and the reef itself … The medical journal Lancet recently published research that claimed 9 million premature deaths already occurring over 2015-16 [were due] to pollution. Fifteen times the losses from war and violence. The burning of Adani’s low-grade Carmichael coal will only lead to more deaths, making a mockery of Josh Frydenberg’s so-called moral case for coal. Added to this, if Adani’s mine and rail link ever get off the line, the entire Galilee basin coal reserve could be opened up as well. The Galilee is the largest untapped coal basin in the world, containing 29bn tonnes of low-grade coal. That would be a nightmare scenario for the world’s coral reefs and oceans, which absorb 93% of global carbon pollution. A quarter of all marine life use coral reefs for their life cycle, so losing coral reefs would have a devastating knock-on effect. Such a gargantuan expansion of coalmining would completely undermined the world trying desperately to reduce greenhouse emissions with action is large and small. Yet the federal and Queensland governments still remain in thrall to Adani, and despite significant reservations concerning the corporation’s business practices, and both the economics and operations of the proposed mine and existing port, that situation remains. | |
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| at 3.48am BST | |
| 3.14am BST | 3.14am BST |
| 03:14 | 03:14 |
| Paul Karp | Paul Karp |
| Malcolm Turnbull discussed the national energy guarantee in the Coalition party room, noting that even the government’s “usual critics” have said it is a “very elegant” solution to the need to achieve affordable, reliable energy that meets greenhouse gas reduction commitments. | Malcolm Turnbull discussed the national energy guarantee in the Coalition party room, noting that even the government’s “usual critics” have said it is a “very elegant” solution to the need to achieve affordable, reliable energy that meets greenhouse gas reduction commitments. |
| He predicted Labor would argue for a higher mix of renewable energy but would do so within the same framework, and households and manufacturers would be on the Coalition’s side. | He predicted Labor would argue for a higher mix of renewable energy but would do so within the same framework, and households and manufacturers would be on the Coalition’s side. |
| Barnaby Joyce claimed Labor was divided between those backing blue collar workers and those backing “basket-weavers”. | Barnaby Joyce claimed Labor was divided between those backing blue collar workers and those backing “basket-weavers”. |
| There was a bit of a kerfuffle about codeine, which is due to change classification so that people need a doctor’s script to buy it at the pharmacy. Guardian Australia understands that six or seven people raised codeine in the party room, citing the inconvenience and cost of needing a script to access it. | There was a bit of a kerfuffle about codeine, which is due to change classification so that people need a doctor’s script to buy it at the pharmacy. Guardian Australia understands that six or seven people raised codeine in the party room, citing the inconvenience and cost of needing a script to access it. |
| The health minister, Greg Hunt, said the reclassification had occurred on the basis of advice from the chief medical and pharmaceutical officers of the states and territories, and since it was a state and territory responsibility they had the power not to follow the recommendation and continue to allow codeine without a script. | The health minister, Greg Hunt, said the reclassification had occurred on the basis of advice from the chief medical and pharmaceutical officers of the states and territories, and since it was a state and territory responsibility they had the power not to follow the recommendation and continue to allow codeine without a script. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.17am BST | at 3.17am BST |
| 3.01am BST | 3.01am BST |
| 03:01 | 03:01 |
| High court to hand down its decision on Friday | High court to hand down its decision on Friday |
| Sound the klaxon: the high court decision on the citizenship issue will be handed down at 2.15pm Friday. | Sound the klaxon: the high court decision on the citizenship issue will be handed down at 2.15pm Friday. |
| Which means – no stranger in the house. | Which means – no stranger in the house. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.03am BST | at 3.03am BST |
| 2.58am BST | 2.58am BST |
| 02:58 | 02:58 |
| Paul Karp | Paul Karp |
| The Australia Post chief executive, Christine Corbett, has told Senate estimates that it refused to distribute one piece of unaddressed mail during the marriage law survey period because it was offensive. | The Australia Post chief executive, Christine Corbett, has told Senate estimates that it refused to distribute one piece of unaddressed mail during the marriage law survey period because it was offensive. |
| Guardian Australia has established the mail was not about same-sex marriage, though, it was a promotion which the Courier Mail has ably reported on: Burger Urge’s flyers for its Kim Jong Yum burger featuring “ballistic” pork belly and “oppressive” sweet potato crisps. | Guardian Australia has established the mail was not about same-sex marriage, though, it was a promotion which the Courier Mail has ably reported on: Burger Urge’s flyers for its Kim Jong Yum burger featuring “ballistic” pork belly and “oppressive” sweet potato crisps. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.00am BST | at 3.00am BST |
| 2.49am BST | 2.49am BST |
| 02:49 | 02:49 |
| Former Labor minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett is speaking to the National Press Club this afternoon. | Former Labor minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett is speaking to the National Press Club this afternoon. |
| Here is a taste: | Here is a taste: |
| I believe this is the most critical address I’ve given here. After many years both outside and inside the system, in inverted commas, I’m convinced more than ever that we face an existential threat greater than any other as humans literally upend the world’s climate and natural ecosystems. To do nothing in the face of this threat, of which we are well aware, is to acquiesce to a world diminishing in front of us. We will deservedly reap the scorn and anger of our children if we fail to act now. There’s a fundamental divide in our response but it’s not between insiders and outsiders, it’s between those who are willing to [change] and those clinging desperately to an corrupted ideology. I’m willing to open their eyes or their hearts to what’s happening around them. Regardless of our day jobs and status in the political environment, it still boils down to one basic proposition: are we part of the problem or part of the solution? Our world is astonishing in its diversity and beauty, but one thing is crystal clear. The oceans, the continents, the atmospheres, they are finite. | I believe this is the most critical address I’ve given here. After many years both outside and inside the system, in inverted commas, I’m convinced more than ever that we face an existential threat greater than any other as humans literally upend the world’s climate and natural ecosystems. To do nothing in the face of this threat, of which we are well aware, is to acquiesce to a world diminishing in front of us. We will deservedly reap the scorn and anger of our children if we fail to act now. There’s a fundamental divide in our response but it’s not between insiders and outsiders, it’s between those who are willing to [change] and those clinging desperately to an corrupted ideology. I’m willing to open their eyes or their hearts to what’s happening around them. Regardless of our day jobs and status in the political environment, it still boils down to one basic proposition: are we part of the problem or part of the solution? Our world is astonishing in its diversity and beauty, but one thing is crystal clear. The oceans, the continents, the atmospheres, they are finite. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.51am BST | at 2.51am BST |
| 2.41am BST | 2.41am BST |
| 02:41 | 02:41 |
| The “man-in-the-mirror” scandal which has engulfed the Australian Wool Innovation boss has been the object of much fascination in estimates (and the press gallery). That has a lot to do with both the case (the AWI secretly monitored woolgrowers who had been invited to take part in a focus group) and the fact that Wal Merriman later told a ABC journalist who asked about it to “fuck off”. | The “man-in-the-mirror” scandal which has engulfed the Australian Wool Innovation boss has been the object of much fascination in estimates (and the press gallery). That has a lot to do with both the case (the AWI secretly monitored woolgrowers who had been invited to take part in a focus group) and the fact that Wal Merriman later told a ABC journalist who asked about it to “fuck off”. |
| He apologised for both. AAP have covered the hearing here. Key point: Merriman, who is facing calls to resign said: “Never before have meetings been held in a room with a one-way mirror ... this was all very strange to me when I went to observe the process.” | He apologised for both. AAP have covered the hearing here. Key point: Merriman, who is facing calls to resign said: “Never before have meetings been held in a room with a one-way mirror ... this was all very strange to me when I went to observe the process.” |
| As for his use of profanity, that was because he was “from the bush” and “occasionally come across in a way that causes offence”. | As for his use of profanity, that was because he was “from the bush” and “occasionally come across in a way that causes offence”. |
| I’ll let one of the experts in this field have the last word here: | I’ll let one of the experts in this field have the last word here: |
| In 10 years rural reporting I don't recall anyone "from the bush" telling me to "f*ck off" while doing my job. Let alone an industry leader. https://t.co/qMUds54lMF | In 10 years rural reporting I don't recall anyone "from the bush" telling me to "f*ck off" while doing my job. Let alone an industry leader. https://t.co/qMUds54lMF |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.45am BST | at 2.45am BST |
| 2.25am BST | 2.25am BST |
| 02:25 | 02:25 |
| Given the opportunity from Penny Wong to explain what she saw as the commission’s role, Rosalind Croucher talks about the educational outreach programs and conciliation programs, which she describes as “quiet achievements” and “quiet service”. She adds to the list of “quiets” with “quiet assistance”, which she says occurs when the commission acts as an invited intervenor. | Given the opportunity from Penny Wong to explain what she saw as the commission’s role, Rosalind Croucher talks about the educational outreach programs and conciliation programs, which she describes as “quiet achievements” and “quiet service”. She adds to the list of “quiets” with “quiet assistance”, which she says occurs when the commission acts as an invited intervenor. |
| Asked why she used the adjective “quiet”, Croucher said: | Asked why she used the adjective “quiet”, Croucher said: |
| “I chose the word quiet because I think it is the aspects of the commission’s work that I think are often not observed or not out in the observance.” | “I chose the word quiet because I think it is the aspects of the commission’s work that I think are often not observed or not out in the observance.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.26am BST | at 2.26am BST |
| 2.14am BST | 2.14am BST |
| 02:14 | 02:14 |
| Paul Karp | Paul Karp |
| Australia Post chief executive, Christine Corbett, has told Senate estimates that 100% of the marriage law postal survey forms were delivered. | Australia Post chief executive, Christine Corbett, has told Senate estimates that 100% of the marriage law postal survey forms were delivered. |
| Of course, that only means that the letters went where the Australian Electoral Commission and Australian Bureau of Statistics sent them, not that they always had the right address. | Of course, that only means that the letters went where the Australian Electoral Commission and Australian Bureau of Statistics sent them, not that they always had the right address. |
| Asked about reports of postal survey forms being dumped around letter boxes, Corbett said Australia Post was aware of two instances of that, one in Brunswick, Melbourne and one in Canberra. | Asked about reports of postal survey forms being dumped around letter boxes, Corbett said Australia Post was aware of two instances of that, one in Brunswick, Melbourne and one in Canberra. |
| Corbett: “In both those two instances, the items were delivered correctly and it appears there was theft from mailboxes after delivery had occurred. | Corbett: “In both those two instances, the items were delivered correctly and it appears there was theft from mailboxes after delivery had occurred. |
| “After the postal survey forms were dumped, Australia Post was contacted by the media and worked with the ABS to communicate to affected residents to get replacement forms.” | “After the postal survey forms were dumped, Australia Post was contacted by the media and worked with the ABS to communicate to affected residents to get replacement forms.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.16am BST | at 2.16am BST |
| 2.13am BST | 2.13am BST |
| 02:13 | 02:13 |
| Further to Gareth’s post on the recommendation from the Productivity Commission to put a price on carbon, you may be interested in this exchange from estimates overnight. (I’m slowly working my way through what happened after I clocked off yesterday.) | Further to Gareth’s post on the recommendation from the Productivity Commission to put a price on carbon, you may be interested in this exchange from estimates overnight. (I’m slowly working my way through what happened after I clocked off yesterday.) |
| Penny Wong (who was very busy yesterday) had some questions for Rob Heferen, the deputy secretary of energy, about the government’s energy policy: | Penny Wong (who was very busy yesterday) had some questions for Rob Heferen, the deputy secretary of energy, about the government’s energy policy: |
| Wong: “So have you assessed what the implicit carbon price might be under a pro rata abatement scenario as we were discussing before, for this mechanism?” Heferen: “So there’s ... when you talk about an implicit carbon price.”Wong: “No, I am because I think there is one and so do many others but ...” | Wong: “So have you assessed what the implicit carbon price might be under a pro rata abatement scenario as we were discussing before, for this mechanism?” Heferen: “So there’s ... when you talk about an implicit carbon price.”Wong: “No, I am because I think there is one and so do many others but ...” |
| Heferen: “I am, I obviously hear what you’re saying but I can’t...” | Heferen: “I am, I obviously hear what you’re saying but I can’t...” |
| Wong: “What do you call the value?” | Wong: “What do you call the value?” |
| Heferen: “There will be a price paid.” | Heferen: “There will be a price paid.” |
| Wong: “Thank you.” | Wong: “Thank you.” |
| Heferen: “And that price paid will reflect the emissions level, the reliability and, of course, the retailers capacity to be able to influence what their customers use.” | Heferen: “And that price paid will reflect the emissions level, the reliability and, of course, the retailers capacity to be able to influence what their customers use.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.18am BST | at 2.18am BST |
| 2.03am BST | 2.03am BST |
| 02:03 | 02:03 |
| Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher, the president of the Human Rights Commission is fronting her first estimates hearing. She said she appreciates the opportunity to “reset” the government’s relationship with the commission. | Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher, the president of the Human Rights Commission is fronting her first estimates hearing. She said she appreciates the opportunity to “reset” the government’s relationship with the commission. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.04am BST | at 2.04am BST |
| 1.51am BST | 1.51am BST |
| 01:51 | 01:51 |
| Simon Birmingham also had some things to say about the Productivity Commission report while talking to Sky this morning: | Simon Birmingham also had some things to say about the Productivity Commission report while talking to Sky this morning: |
| Now, this Productivity Commission report really is a call to arms to the Labor party, to the Senate crossbench – particularly the Nick Xenophon Team – to reconsider their position around higher education reforms, because the government is already one step ahead of the Productivity Commission. We’ve already put a focus on how we can get better bang for our buck in education, drive efficiencies and drive the public dollar, the taxpayer dollars further. We’ve already put a focus on how we actually put in place a performance metric for universities that will hold some of their funding contingent upon a range of things including, ultimately, graduate outcomes. We’re taking action here and the only roadblocks are those who seem to want to call for another reform or review. | Now, this Productivity Commission report really is a call to arms to the Labor party, to the Senate crossbench – particularly the Nick Xenophon Team – to reconsider their position around higher education reforms, because the government is already one step ahead of the Productivity Commission. We’ve already put a focus on how we can get better bang for our buck in education, drive efficiencies and drive the public dollar, the taxpayer dollars further. We’ve already put a focus on how we actually put in place a performance metric for universities that will hold some of their funding contingent upon a range of things including, ultimately, graduate outcomes. We’re taking action here and the only roadblocks are those who seem to want to call for another reform or review. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.56am BST | at 1.56am BST |
| 1.49am BST | 1.49am BST |
| 01:49 | 01:49 |
| The ACCC have tabled their annual report. You’ll find it here | The ACCC have tabled their annual report. You’ll find it here |
| 1.47am BST | 1.47am BST |
| 01:47 | 01:47 |
| Gareth Hutchens | Gareth Hutchens |
| The treasurer, Scott Morrison, has been trumpeting the new five-year productivity review from the Productivity Commission, which was released this morning. | The treasurer, Scott Morrison, has been trumpeting the new five-year productivity review from the Productivity Commission, which was released this morning. |
| He’s been curiously quiet about one recommendation. | He’s been curiously quiet about one recommendation. |
| Now that we’ve got a copy of the review, here’s what the PC says the Turnbull government should do to improve Australia’s productivity (remember the PC is the government’s market-obsessed thinktank). | Now that we’ve got a copy of the review, here’s what the PC says the Turnbull government should do to improve Australia’s productivity (remember the PC is the government’s market-obsessed thinktank). |
| Recommendation 5.1: | Recommendation 5.1: |
| “Stop the piecemeal and stop-start approach to emission reduction, and adopt a proper vehicle for reducing carbon emissions that puts a single effective price on carbon.” | “Stop the piecemeal and stop-start approach to emission reduction, and adopt a proper vehicle for reducing carbon emissions that puts a single effective price on carbon.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.51am BST | at 1.51am BST |
| 1.45am BST | 1.45am BST |
| 01:45 | 01:45 |
| Not sure if everyone picked up on this yesterday (it was a loooong day with a lot going on), but I think it may be mentioned in question time, so I thought I would revisit it. | Not sure if everyone picked up on this yesterday (it was a loooong day with a lot going on), but I think it may be mentioned in question time, so I thought I would revisit it. |
| The Bruce Billson investigation (after it was revealed he was being paid by a lobby firm while still sitting in parliament. He was cleared) was discussed yesterday and during that discussion, Penny Wong and George Brandis had this exchange: | The Bruce Billson investigation (after it was revealed he was being paid by a lobby firm while still sitting in parliament. He was cleared) was discussed yesterday and during that discussion, Penny Wong and George Brandis had this exchange: |
| Wong: “I would like to know whether Mr Turnbull thinks it is appropriate for a member of the Liberal party, representing the people of Dunkley, to take a salary from a third party whilst sitting in this parliament?” | Wong: “I would like to know whether Mr Turnbull thinks it is appropriate for a member of the Liberal party, representing the people of Dunkley, to take a salary from a third party whilst sitting in this parliament?” |
| Brandis: “I will take that on notice, but might I point out to you senator, it is very appropriate for backbench members of parliament to receive remuneration from third-party sources not inconsistent with their responsibility as members of parliament.” | Brandis: “I will take that on notice, but might I point out to you senator, it is very appropriate for backbench members of parliament to receive remuneration from third-party sources not inconsistent with their responsibility as members of parliament.” |
| Wong: “Wow. That’s hilarious.” | Wong: “Wow. That’s hilarious.” |
| Brandis: “It’s both consistent and commonplace.” | Brandis: “It’s both consistent and commonplace.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.59am BST | at 1.59am BST |