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Coalition attacks Kristina Keneally and labels her Bill Shorten's 'girl' – politics live Coalition attacks Kristina Keneally and labels her Bill Shorten's 'girl' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
The shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said Labor is closely considering support for a federal anti-corruption body. He said a formal position will be adopted one way or another before the federal election. Just a bit more on the ombudsman’s report. It has found the breach was only detected as a result of prompting of the AFP from an external agency.
The ombudsman has also warned there is ambiguity about when a journalist information warrant is required, which will no doubt cause concern among media outlets. The ombudsman found:
During the course of our inspection, we also identified that there is ambiguity surrounding the circumstances of when a Journalist Information Warrant is required. It appears that the intention of the Journalist Information Warrant provisions is to require a warrant prior to authorising the disclosure of metadata to identify a journalist’s source. It is arguable, however, that those provisions only apply in the more limited circumstance where the authorisation is seeking to access the metadata of a journalist or their employer. That is, if an authorisation was issued for the purpose of identifying a journalist’s source but is not made directly in relation to that journalist or their employer, a warrant is not required.
The commonwealth ombudsman has released its report on the federal police’s unauthorised access of a journalist’s metadata earlier this year.
In April, the AFP commissioner, Andrew Colvin, revealed his officers had inadvertently accessed the metadata of a journalist without the special warrant needed. The professional standards unit (PRS) had accessed the metadata to identify the journalist’s source. Colvin’s office waited three days after informing the ombudsman’s office to tell the public. He was yet to tell the journalist at the time of the public announcement.
The ombudsman’s office found a number of factors were involved in the breach, including:
insufficient awareness of the requirements for a journalist information warrant within the PRS
A failure by the PRS to appreciate their responsibilities when exercising their metadata powers
the AFP relied too heavily on manual checks and did not have “strong system controls” in place to prevent unauthorised access
It asked the AFP to review its approach to metadata awareness and training.
The attorney general, George Brandis, welcomed the report and said the AFP had already made significant progress in implementing its advice.
I congratulate the AFP for the cooperative, open and transparent approach it has taken in engaging with the ombudsman throughout this inspection.
Metadata is a vital investigative tool, used in virtually all counter-terrorism and serious criminal investigations. Journalist information warrants were one of the additional safeguards introduced as part of the Government’s data retention legislation.
The shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, says Labor is closely considering support for a federal anti-corruption body. He said a formal position would be adopted one way or another before the federal election.
But he appears to be speaking favourably about the concept. Dreyfus spoke to Sky News a little earlier.But he appears to be speaking favourably about the concept. Dreyfus spoke to Sky News a little earlier.
We’ve certainly never ruled this out. Labor senators participated in a senate select committee, which was unfortunately interrupted by the election last year. It was re-constituted after the election and reported in September and the call that that all party committee made was for the federal government to examine a broad-based anti-corruption agency. The federal government has not responded to that recommendation made in September. We’re looking very closely at this and could not but be impressed by the call from retired judges of the eminence of those you interviewed yesterday. They are but two of a larger group of very eminent retired judges. We’ve certainly never ruled this out. Labor senators participated in a Senate select committee, which was unfortunately interrupted by the election last year. It was reconstituted after the election and reported in September and the call that that all-party committee made was for the federal government to examine a broad-based anti-corruption agency. The federal government has not responded to that recommendation made in September. We’re looking very closely at this and could not but be impressed by the call from retired judges of the eminence of those you interviewed yesterday. They are but two of a larger group of very eminent retired judges.
Between now and the next election, I can say that labor will adopt a formal position one way or another. and I think I can say on behalf of my colleagues that we are looking and listening to what appear to be rising calls for such a body at the federal level. Between now and the next election, I can say that Labor will adopt a formal position one way or another. And I think I can say on behalf of my colleagues that we are looking and listening to what appear to be rising calls for such a body at the federal level.
Watch this space.Watch this space.
We witnessed history this morning when the same-sex marriage bill passed its second reading stage.We witnessed history this morning when the same-sex marriage bill passed its second reading stage.
It was the first time either chamber has voted in favour of proceeding with marriage equality. There have been 23 bills dealing with same-sex marriage in the past but only four have previously come to a vote.It was the first time either chamber has voted in favour of proceeding with marriage equality. There have been 23 bills dealing with same-sex marriage in the past but only four have previously come to a vote.
Photographer Mike Bowers has spent most of the day capturing the colour and movement in the Senate, where same-sex marriage has again dominated. We’re nearly ready to resume the debate on the bill. Until then, have a look at the day through Bowers’ eyes.Photographer Mike Bowers has spent most of the day capturing the colour and movement in the Senate, where same-sex marriage has again dominated. We’re nearly ready to resume the debate on the bill. Until then, have a look at the day through Bowers’ eyes.
Liberal senator James Paterson revealed to the Senate earlier today he was a fan of electronic dance music (EDM).Liberal senator James Paterson revealed to the Senate earlier today he was a fan of electronic dance music (EDM).
The internet, as it tends to do, has taken that morsel and run with it. Good times abound.The internet, as it tends to do, has taken that morsel and run with it. Good times abound.
It's obvious now... pic.twitter.com/N5dU0r42fuIt's obvious now... pic.twitter.com/N5dU0r42fu
James Paterson turns his hat backwards, put on his most beige slacks and loudly complains that Triple J is too mainstream https://t.co/GQPFN7XSIFJames Paterson turns his hat backwards, put on his most beige slacks and loudly complains that Triple J is too mainstream https://t.co/GQPFN7XSIF
James Paterson reveals he is "more of an EDM man" when talking about Triple J moving the date of the Hottest 100 pic.twitter.com/dvMblkKomcJames Paterson reveals he is "more of an EDM man" when talking about Triple J moving the date of the Hottest 100 pic.twitter.com/dvMblkKomc
Senator James Paterson (L), pictured c. 1999 pic.twitter.com/1txl8GHjQXSenator James Paterson (L), pictured c. 1999 pic.twitter.com/1txl8GHjQX
In the spotlight-PHON leader Pauline Hanson during voting on amendments to the bill to change the marriage act in the senate @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/NdPIu52fyz pic.twitter.com/4PAqOywesGIn the spotlight-PHON leader Pauline Hanson during voting on amendments to the bill to change the marriage act in the senate @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/NdPIu52fyz pic.twitter.com/4PAqOywesG
We mentioned the powerful address given by George Brandis a bit earlier today. We’ve just got some vision through of some of the highlights.We mentioned the powerful address given by George Brandis a bit earlier today. We’ve just got some vision through of some of the highlights.
And my colleague Paul Karp has written a fuller take on the speech here:And my colleague Paul Karp has written a fuller take on the speech here:
The government is using the last of question time to give a Dixer to the communications minister Mitch Fifield on the Hottest 100.The government is using the last of question time to give a Dixer to the communications minister Mitch Fifield on the Hottest 100.
The question is met with groans from the opposite side of the chamber.The question is met with groans from the opposite side of the chamber.
Fifield uses it as another chance to kick the ABC. The ABC shouldn’t be inserting themselves into political debates, apparently.Fifield uses it as another chance to kick the ABC. The ABC shouldn’t be inserting themselves into political debates, apparently.
It’s been the soundtrack for Australia Day. The decision taken by the ABC to remove the hottest 100 from Australia Day is quite frankly bewildering. It is one that the government does not support.It’s been the soundtrack for Australia Day. The decision taken by the ABC to remove the hottest 100 from Australia Day is quite frankly bewildering. It is one that the government does not support.
The questioner, Liberal senator James Paterson, goes on to reveal he doesn’t listen to Triple J.The questioner, Liberal senator James Paterson, goes on to reveal he doesn’t listen to Triple J.
He’s more of an EDM (electronic dance music) fan, he tells the Senate. Lucky there’s nothing important to talk about.He’s more of an EDM (electronic dance music) fan, he tells the Senate. Lucky there’s nothing important to talk about.
Fifield later says he has written to the ABC in protest of the decision.Fifield later says he has written to the ABC in protest of the decision.
The attorney general, George Brandis, is asked about his comments on Monday, describing One Nation as “poison” for his side of politics.The attorney general, George Brandis, is asked about his comments on Monday, describing One Nation as “poison” for his side of politics.
Labor’s Penny Wong asks why, given those comments, the government allowed the Queensland LNP to preference One Nation in 49 seats in the state election.Labor’s Penny Wong asks why, given those comments, the government allowed the Queensland LNP to preference One Nation in 49 seats in the state election.
Brandis tells Wong that she is “the last person to be asking that question”.Brandis tells Wong that she is “the last person to be asking that question”.
From you of all people, whose government has apparently been elected in Queensland on One Nation preferences, on One Nation preferences. Let that never be forgotten, Mr President.From you of all people, whose government has apparently been elected in Queensland on One Nation preferences, on One Nation preferences. Let that never be forgotten, Mr President.
Mike Bowers was down in the chamber for the vote on the same-sex marriage bill amendments earlier this afternoon.
Labor leader Penny Wong looks towards the skylight during voting on amendments to the bill to change the marriage act in the senate @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/NdPIu52fyz pic.twitter.com/80heUQYN9m
Senators Abetz and Macdonald during voting on amendments to the bill to change the marriage act in the senate @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/NdPIu52fyz pic.twitter.com/H3EZfqmzx3
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is using another Dixer to attack Kristina Keneally. I sense a theme emerging.
During her attack, Fierravanti-Wells describes Keneally as Bill Shorten’s “girl”.
The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young jumps to her feet to ask Fierravanti-Wells to reflect on the wording.
I’d just ask the minister reflect on the wording ‘his girl’. I’m not sure it’s appropriate.
Fierravanti-Wells responds:
Considering they were the words that Bill Shorten used the other day, I’m only quoting him.
Labor’s Chris Ketter asks the attorney general, George Brandis, whether he can rule out a royal commission or commission of inquiry into the banks.
Brandis initially ducks the question. He says there have been 17 inquiries since the global financial crisis.
The government has been very, very active in implementing the recommendations of those inquiries.
These royal commissions go for years, they report at the end and aggrieved customers would have years to wait until they got any relief. Years to wait until they got any compensation or recompense.
Then he follows the line of Malcolm Turnbull earlier today. He says the policy is not to have a royal commission. He says nothing of a commission of inquiry.
The new Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has asked why Australia is falling so far behind other nations in improving employment of people with a disability. Steele-John, a noted disability advocate, entered the Senate earlier this month.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, takes his question on behalf of the government. He speaks of the importance of the national disability insurance scheme and the government’s investments in the disability employment services (DES) program.
Fifield:
I well recall from my period as minister for disabilities, that if you were an Australian with a disability, you were twice as likely to be unemployed than other Australians.
I don’t think that there’s anyone in this chamber that would be or could be satisfied by the rates of employment in relation to Australians who have disability.
The education minister, Simon Birmingham, is using a dixer on school funding to launch an attack on Kristina Keneally, Labor’s candidate for Bennelong. He’s saying she was responsible for funding cuts to schools in New South Wales in 2010.
"They all begged to be on her Sky show, now they get up and attack her," quips @samdastyari after Birmo goes after Kristina Keneally in #senateqt
Labor immediately launches an attack on the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, over the national broadband network (NBN).
They are slamming him for delays to some NBN broadband customers – those who use existing pay television cables via the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) network. Technical issues mean the NBN will be delayed by up to another nine months for such customers.
Fifield defends HFC:
HFC is and will remain an important technology for the NBN as the CEO of NBN has identified, there are some issues that are being addressed that are readily fixable to do with interference, in terms of spectrum.
These are all very fixable, HFC is a good product.
Question time is about to start in the Senate. The Senate president, Scott Ryan, is ruling on a fiery question from Greens senator Nick McKim on Monday. McKim asked the government whether it toasted its offshore detention policy as the men on Manus Island were being beaten with metal poles.
Ryan rules the question was not out of order.
But he tells McKim that he’ll need to be prepared to accept similarly provocative questions and statements about his own actions from the government without complaint. The government spent a fair chunk of question time yesterday attacking McKim for going to Manus and allegedly encouraging men to disobey authorities and remain in the camp.
The first amendments to the same-sex marriage bill have been soundly defeated, 41 against to 24 in favour. It’s a strong win for the moderates who want Dean Smith’s bill to pass unchanged.
The Senate considered two amendments. One protected civil celebrants for conscientiously objecting to same-sex marriage, without a religious reason necessary. The second amendment created separate sections for man-woman marriage and two-person marriage.
There are more amendments on civil celebrants to come at a later stage.
On these amendments: 24 ayes and 41 noes, so Labor/Greens/NXT/Hinch/Coalition moderate grouping holding and has first big win #auspol #marriageequality
Senators Reynolds, Hume, Scullion, Birmingham, Payne, NXT, ALP and Greens all opposing the hostile amendments. It will be clearly defeated.
So Coalition senators voting with Labor and Greens on civil celebrants and separate marriage definitions include Smith, Reynolds Birmo Hume Payne Scullion #auspol #marriageequality
O'Sullivan now wants to split them and vote on them separately. It's clear Labor/Greens/NXT/those Coalition moderates have the numbers #auspol #marriageequality