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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/oct/25/labor-calls-australian-workers-union-raids-an-abuse-of-power-politics-live
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| AFP won't hand over seized documents until at least Friday – politics live | AFP won't hand over seized documents until at least Friday – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.28am BST | |
| 07:28 | |
| Everyone is waiting on the Registered Organisations Commission to front the employment estimates. They were scheduled to appear at 4.50pm, but it looks like the government is fillibustering. | |
| 7.25am BST | |
| 07:25 | |
| We haven’t spent a lot of time in the house today, outside question time, but the firearms trafficking bill is being discussed. Labor objects to the mandatory minimum sentences. So does Kennedy MP Bob Katter, who got quite incensed when justice minister Michael Keenan implied opposing mandatory sentencing was a ‘leftie’ move. | |
| 7.13am BST | |
| 07:13 | |
| And then there is also this one: | |
| Tonight on reddit from 5:30 Qld time. Ask me anything.https://t.co/s0AGRfxFdw pic.twitter.com/xNtsnOeIut | |
| 7.11am BST | |
| 07:11 | |
| We end the day with this alert, because of course we do | |
| Prime Minister @TurnbullMalcolm will launch the Betoota Advocate’s book ‘Betoota’s Australia’ at 5:20pm, Parliament House, Canberra #auspol | |
| 6.47am BST | 6.47am BST |
| 06:47 | 06:47 |
| Oh, and he ends with a little warning to the NSW Liberals, regarding the Roseville ‘one member, one vote’ resolutions, interrupting host Ben Fordham to make sure he can get it in. | Oh, and he ends with a little warning to the NSW Liberals, regarding the Roseville ‘one member, one vote’ resolutions, interrupting host Ben Fordham to make sure he can get it in. |
| “This is make or break time for the NSW Liberal party ... early December ... and you know, there was the Roseville resolutions overwhelmingly carried by the biggest meeting of NSW Liberals in many, many years and it would just be, I think, appalling if those resolutions were thwarted by some machinations and exploitation of the rules. But let’s talk about it next time.” | “This is make or break time for the NSW Liberal party ... early December ... and you know, there was the Roseville resolutions overwhelmingly carried by the biggest meeting of NSW Liberals in many, many years and it would just be, I think, appalling if those resolutions were thwarted by some machinations and exploitation of the rules. But let’s talk about it next time.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.50am BST | at 6.50am BST |
| 6.42am BST | 6.42am BST |
| 06:42 | 06:42 |
| Should the PM be able to live in Point Piper, given the security costs, Mr Abbott? | Should the PM be able to live in Point Piper, given the security costs, Mr Abbott? |
| “This is I think a reasonable question to pose and yes I got advice back in late 2013 that it would be quite costly for Margie, me and the Abbotts to stay in suburban Forestville in the end, I don’t know what advice [Turnbull] got, but where he lives is a matter for him.” | “This is I think a reasonable question to pose and yes I got advice back in late 2013 that it would be quite costly for Margie, me and the Abbotts to stay in suburban Forestville in the end, I don’t know what advice [Turnbull] got, but where he lives is a matter for him.” |
| 6.38am BST | 6.38am BST |
| 06:38 | 06:38 |
| Tony Abbott is on 2GB for his regular chat. | Tony Abbott is on 2GB for his regular chat. |
| Grab your popcorn. | Grab your popcorn. |
| And we are straight into it. | And we are straight into it. |
| “Bill Shorten’s problem is he is always making excuses for unions ... and if he got to be our prime minister, he would effectively be the PM for the CFMEU, the CFMEU PM.” | “Bill Shorten’s problem is he is always making excuses for unions ... and if he got to be our prime minister, he would effectively be the PM for the CFMEU, the CFMEU PM.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.40am BST | at 6.40am BST |
| 6.37am BST | 6.37am BST |
| 06:37 | 06:37 |
| Who told the media about the AWU raids? | Who told the media about the AWU raids? |
| I can’t tell you. But I can tell you, that despite handing the government the votes it needed to make the Registered Organisations Commission a reality, which he does not say he regrets, Nick Xenophon believes there needs to be an investigation into how the cameras made it to the AWU offices, before the police. | I can’t tell you. But I can tell you, that despite handing the government the votes it needed to make the Registered Organisations Commission a reality, which he does not say he regrets, Nick Xenophon believes there needs to be an investigation into how the cameras made it to the AWU offices, before the police. |
| It taints the whole process, it should be rule of law, not a media circus, particularly with serious allegations. That is what I am interested in at the moment. People of integrity in government have said to me ‘there is no way we were involved in this in any way and any suggestion that we were is completely wrong and offensive’ but someone leaked this to the media. It shouldn’t have been leaked because I think it casts a cloud over the whole process in terms of the investigation and the process that now needs to take place. | It taints the whole process, it should be rule of law, not a media circus, particularly with serious allegations. That is what I am interested in at the moment. People of integrity in government have said to me ‘there is no way we were involved in this in any way and any suggestion that we were is completely wrong and offensive’ but someone leaked this to the media. It shouldn’t have been leaked because I think it casts a cloud over the whole process in terms of the investigation and the process that now needs to take place. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.40am BST | at 6.40am BST |
| 6.13am BST | 6.13am BST |
| 06:13 | 06:13 |
| PM Malcolm Turnbull as labor attempts a suspension of standing orders #qt @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/v8k5g2jOQZ | PM Malcolm Turnbull as labor attempts a suspension of standing orders #qt @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/v8k5g2jOQZ |
| 6.11am BST | 6.11am BST |
| 06:11 | 06:11 |
| Nick Xenophon says the leak to the media “cast a shadow over the whole process” and needs to be investigated. | Nick Xenophon says the leak to the media “cast a shadow over the whole process” and needs to be investigated. |
| Meanwhile, in Brisbane, the ABC offices are being raided with police apparently looking for state cabinet documents in relation to LNP government cuts to the environmental department. | Meanwhile, in Brisbane, the ABC offices are being raided with police apparently looking for state cabinet documents in relation to LNP government cuts to the environmental department. |
| 6.07am BST | 6.07am BST |
| 06:07 | 06:07 |
| Back in the community affairs estimates hearing, and it looks as though the government’s proposed drug testing trial will be delayed. The department says no contract has gone out to tender as yet, and doesn’t seem overly confident it would begin on January 1 as the government had wanted (that’s when it wants it reforms to kick in). Still no idea of the cost though | Back in the community affairs estimates hearing, and it looks as though the government’s proposed drug testing trial will be delayed. The department says no contract has gone out to tender as yet, and doesn’t seem overly confident it would begin on January 1 as the government had wanted (that’s when it wants it reforms to kick in). Still no idea of the cost though |
| 6.02am BST | 6.02am BST |
| 06:02 | 06:02 |
| Labor have joined Nick Xenophon’s call into an inquiry into how the media found out about the raids on the AWU offices. Here is what Brendan O’Connor had to say in a statement: | Labor have joined Nick Xenophon’s call into an inquiry into how the media found out about the raids on the AWU offices. Here is what Brendan O’Connor had to say in a statement: |
| Labor backs Senator Nick Xenophon’s call for an independent inquiry to establish who tipped off the media prior to the AFP raids on the Australian Workers Union (AWU). Turnbull and the minister have failed to answer simple yet serious questions about who tipped off the media before the raids actually occurred. If Turnbull and his Liberals have nothing to hide, then they must support this inquiry. Turnbull and his Liberals need to immediately answer what they knew, when they knew it and who they told. On the same day parliament was told that Turnbull’s cuts to the AFP have meant serious crimes like drug smuggling could not be properly investigated, we saw more than 25 AFP officers used to execute these extraordinary raids. Turnbull and his Liberals will stop at nothing to attack workers and their representatives. Australians will see this for the desperate tactic that it is. | Labor backs Senator Nick Xenophon’s call for an independent inquiry to establish who tipped off the media prior to the AFP raids on the Australian Workers Union (AWU). Turnbull and the minister have failed to answer simple yet serious questions about who tipped off the media before the raids actually occurred. If Turnbull and his Liberals have nothing to hide, then they must support this inquiry. Turnbull and his Liberals need to immediately answer what they knew, when they knew it and who they told. On the same day parliament was told that Turnbull’s cuts to the AFP have meant serious crimes like drug smuggling could not be properly investigated, we saw more than 25 AFP officers used to execute these extraordinary raids. Turnbull and his Liberals will stop at nothing to attack workers and their representatives. Australians will see this for the desperate tactic that it is. |
| *end statement* | *end statement* |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.06am BST | at 6.06am BST |
| 6.01am BST | 6.01am BST |
| 06:01 | 06:01 |
| No documents to be handed over until at least Friday | No documents to be handed over until at least Friday |
| Maurice Blackburn principal Josh Bornstein has just left the federal court. He confirms that the AFP will not hand over any documents that it seized and the regulator will not accept any seized documents until the court hears the case. That probably won’t be for a few days. | Maurice Blackburn principal Josh Bornstein has just left the federal court. He confirms that the AFP will not hand over any documents that it seized and the regulator will not accept any seized documents until the court hears the case. That probably won’t be for a few days. |
| The union is very pleased at the moment that we at least got to this point, but the case, is going to go back for a hearing on Friday, where we expect a further set of direction, leading up to a full hearing of the case. We continue to believe that this warrant and the use of 32 federal police was a disgraceful overreach. We are talking here about an argument about paperwork. We don’t see 32 federal police with a tip off to the media with major criminal matters, let alone a debate over the internal paperwork of unions. Unions are labouring under some of the most oppressive legislation in the OECD at the moment, they are under constant and relentless attack and the media stunt that was pulled yesterday is another dimension in the ongoing attack that is designed to de-legitimise and paint the trade union in the worst possible light. | The union is very pleased at the moment that we at least got to this point, but the case, is going to go back for a hearing on Friday, where we expect a further set of direction, leading up to a full hearing of the case. We continue to believe that this warrant and the use of 32 federal police was a disgraceful overreach. We are talking here about an argument about paperwork. We don’t see 32 federal police with a tip off to the media with major criminal matters, let alone a debate over the internal paperwork of unions. Unions are labouring under some of the most oppressive legislation in the OECD at the moment, they are under constant and relentless attack and the media stunt that was pulled yesterday is another dimension in the ongoing attack that is designed to de-legitimise and paint the trade union in the worst possible light. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.08am BST | at 6.08am BST |
| 5.38am BST | 5.38am BST |
| 05:38 | 05:38 |
| I wanted a little bit of space in between the mess of question time and the condolences that both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten offered Linda Burney and her family ahead of the official opening of questions. | I wanted a little bit of space in between the mess of question time and the condolences that both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten offered Linda Burney and her family ahead of the official opening of questions. |
| The prime minister: | The prime minister: |
| This morning, I spoke with the member for Barton and expressed Lucy and my deep sadness on the loss of her son at their home last night. As parents, our worst dread is the loss of a child. Linda’s loss is unspeakably sad. She’s not with us today, she has leave. But we are with her, we are all with her in love and in heartfelt sympathy. She is cast deep in grief but she does not grieve alone. She is a strong woman. Stronger because of the love that all of us, the sympathy that all of us, the friendship that all of us share with her at this tragic time for her and for her family. | This morning, I spoke with the member for Barton and expressed Lucy and my deep sadness on the loss of her son at their home last night. As parents, our worst dread is the loss of a child. Linda’s loss is unspeakably sad. She’s not with us today, she has leave. But we are with her, we are all with her in love and in heartfelt sympathy. She is cast deep in grief but she does not grieve alone. She is a strong woman. Stronger because of the love that all of us, the sympathy that all of us, the friendship that all of us share with her at this tragic time for her and for her family. |
| The leader of the opposition: | The leader of the opposition: |
| As honourable members are aware, the member for Barton has taken leave from this parliament following the tragic death of her 33-year-old son Binni. As she said in her touching and sad statement this morning, she “returned to Sydney last night to be with him this one last time.” On behalf of Chloe and I, and on behalf of the whole Labor family, I want to offer our deepest condolences to Linda and her family. | As honourable members are aware, the member for Barton has taken leave from this parliament following the tragic death of her 33-year-old son Binni. As she said in her touching and sad statement this morning, she “returned to Sydney last night to be with him this one last time.” On behalf of Chloe and I, and on behalf of the whole Labor family, I want to offer our deepest condolences to Linda and her family. |
| This is just so sad. As Jenny Macklin and I were speaking to her last night, the grief, the grief is terrible. Losing a child is every parent’s nightmare. It is, as Shakespeare once said, a grief that ‘fills up the room’. We know how much Linda loved her son – and we know how much her son loved Linda. In this time of deep sadness, can I please request that the media respect her family’s privacy, and I know that they will. And – I should add – that the family have asked that instead of flowers, if people are so inclined could they please contribute to Central Coast Drug Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. All of us send our love and our solidarity to our friend and colleague and her family at this time. | This is just so sad. As Jenny Macklin and I were speaking to her last night, the grief, the grief is terrible. Losing a child is every parent’s nightmare. It is, as Shakespeare once said, a grief that ‘fills up the room’. We know how much Linda loved her son – and we know how much her son loved Linda. In this time of deep sadness, can I please request that the media respect her family’s privacy, and I know that they will. And – I should add – that the family have asked that instead of flowers, if people are so inclined could they please contribute to Central Coast Drug Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. All of us send our love and our solidarity to our friend and colleague and her family at this time. |
| There was, as you could imagine, a lot of emotion in the House. | There was, as you could imagine, a lot of emotion in the House. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.01am BST | at 6.01am BST |
| 5.23am BST | 5.23am BST |
| 05:23 | 05:23 |
| Bit more from Mr Bowers | Bit more from Mr Bowers |