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Jimmy Barnes furious at government for using his name and songs – politics live Jimmy Barnes furious at government for using his name and songs – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Right, we’ve just heard a little more on the same-sex marriage debate. The Senate will resume its consideration of the bill from 10.30am.
Conservative MPs have proposed a series of amendments to Dean Smith’s bill. They’re designed to give stronger protections on freedom of religion, conscience, parental choice, and expression. In a nutshell, they’re designed to protect people who don’t like or believe in same-sex marriage and give them the right to express such views without retribution.
Labor are concerned the amendments might derail the smooth passage of the same-sex marriage bill proposed by Dean Smith, which has cross-party support.
Labor’s Penny Wong said the Dean Smith bill, while not perfect, was a sensible and workable bill. She said the bill was giving effect to the will of the Australian people, and warned against any amendments that would hinder its progress.
I hope and believe that the majority of senators respect the view of the Australian people, so emphatically put in these last couple of weeks, that they want marriage equality.
The shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, said the bill hadcross-party support and was “an acceptable compromise”. It’s not exactly the bill that Labor would have put forward, “but that’s in the nature of compromises”.
A little earlier, the Liberal senator James Paterson was on Sky News to explain the amendments. They include:
The definition of marriage should separately recognises both man-woman marriage and “two-person marriage” as valid.
Stronger protections for civil celebrants and conscientious objectors. Paterson wants to protect civil celebrants who are opposed to same-sex marriage and don’t want to be involved in such ceremonies.
Protections for freedom of expression and to recognise legitimate beliefs.
An anti-detriment shield protecting individuals and organisations with genuine convictions about traditional marriage. This would ensure they are not subject to unfavourable treatment by public authorities owing to their views.
Freedom from being required to express, associate with, or endorse statement or opinion about marriage, which conflicts with genuine religious or conscientious convictions about marriage.
Protections for charities that hold traditional views on marriage. This would allow charities like St Vincent de Paul’s, for example, to continue to express their views. It would not allow them to refuse to offer services to same-sex couples.
Protection of religious bodies and schools and parents to have the right to withdraw children from certain classes. Paterson argues that parents now have the right to pull their kids from religious classes. He just wants the same for parents who don’t agree with same-sex marriage.
Just casting our gaze over to the national broadband network for a moment.Just casting our gaze over to the national broadband network for a moment.
You’ll remember yesterday the NBN announced that new delays will affect millions of their broadband customers. You’ll remember yesterday NBN Co announced that new delays will affect millions of their broadband customers.
Customers who are having their NBN connected via existing pay television or internet cables - via the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) network - will have to wait up to nine more months to be connected. The delay is necessary because a small number of customers have experienced technical difficulties with the HFC cables, according to the NBN Customers who are having their NBN connected via existing pay television or internet cables – via the hybrid fibre coaxial network – will have to wait up to nine more months to be connected. The delay is necessary because a small number of customers have experienced technical difficulties with the HFC cables, according to the NBN.
A bit earlier, communications minister Mitch Fifield was asked on Sky News whether it was a mistake to use the HFC cables to deliver NBN broadband. A bit earlier, the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, was asked on Sky News whether it was a mistake to use the HFC cables to deliver NBN broadband.
No, absolutely not. And it is one of the reasons why the NBN will be completed by 2020, which is still the case, which is six to eight years sooner than would have been the case under our predecessors.No, absolutely not. And it is one of the reasons why the NBN will be completed by 2020, which is still the case, which is six to eight years sooner than would have been the case under our predecessors.
He’s asked whether the HFC pay television cables are up to the task.He’s asked whether the HFC pay television cables are up to the task.
Absolutely, there are hundreds of thousands of Australians who in the pre-NBN world are already accessing fast broadband over the HFC pay tv cables. In fact, in the United States most people who have broadband access it over the HFC pay tv cables. So it’s a good product.Absolutely, there are hundreds of thousands of Australians who in the pre-NBN world are already accessing fast broadband over the HFC pay tv cables. In fact, in the United States most people who have broadband access it over the HFC pay tv cables. So it’s a good product.
The issues with HFC are “very fixable” and the cables are cheaper and still allows 100 Mbps. The issues with HFC are “very fixable” and the cables are cheaper and still allows 100 megabits per second.
The energy operator says it has found extra power to cover shortfalls over summer, and says it is ready to “regain that confidence of the public”.The energy operator says it has found extra power to cover shortfalls over summer, and says it is ready to “regain that confidence of the public”.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified almost 2000 megawatts of extra power, which it says will replace the 1600 megawatts that went offline when Victoria’s Hazelwood power station closed in March, according to AAP. It is now as confident as possible Australia enters this summer with many of the problems from last year resolved, chief executive Audrey Zibelman says.“What we all want to do, and I think I can speak for the entire energy industry, is to get through the summer and regain that confidence of the public,” she told ABC radio on Tuesday.“We want to get back to the point where energy is boring and nobody’s interested just because we’re doing it so well.”The extra power will be necessary, as research also found consumers weren’t likely to cut their power usage during heatwaves as much as previously thought.More than 800 MW will come from gas generators that were previously offline or not operating at full capacity last summer.A further 1000 MW can come from asking large energy users to either use less power or generate their own.The summer plans also include the massive new lithium battery billionaire businessman Elon Musk has built in South Australia, which is being tested this week and should be ready to join the grid on Friday. The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified almost 2,000 megawatts of extra power, which it says will replace the 1,600MW that went offline when Victoria’s Hazelwood power station closed in March, according to AAP. It is now as confident as possible Australia enters this summer with many of the problems from last year resolved, says its chief executive, Audrey Zibelman.“What we all want to do, and I think I can speak for the entire energy industry, is to get through the summer and regain that confidence of the public,” she told ABC radio on Tuesday.“We want to get back to the point where energy is boring and nobody’s interested just because we’re doing it so well.”The extra power will be necessary, as research also found consumers weren’t likely to cut their power usage during heatwaves as much as previously thought.More than 800MW will come from gas generators that were previously offline or not operating at full capacity last summer.A further 1,000MW can come from asking large energy users to either use less power or generate their own.The summer plans also include the massive new lithium battery that the billionaire businessman Elon Musk has built in South Australia, which is being tested this week and should be ready to join the grid on Friday.
One of the senior Nationals opposed to a banking inquiry is the resources minister, Matt Canavan. Regardless of his position, the inquiry appears to have the numbers to pass. He’s asked why the government, given it no longer has the numbers, doesn’t just change its position, push ahead with an inquiry, and take control of the issue. Canavan responds:One of the senior Nationals opposed to a banking inquiry is the resources minister, Matt Canavan. Regardless of his position, the inquiry appears to have the numbers to pass. He’s asked why the government, given it no longer has the numbers, doesn’t just change its position, push ahead with an inquiry, and take control of the issue. Canavan responds:
You’ve got to stick to your ground on these sort of debates, you don’t just change your position because of a couple of members. Now ultimately if that’s the way a votes goes in the parliament, or is going to go, that’s something we’ll have to deal with at the time.You’ve got to stick to your ground on these sort of debates, you don’t just change your position because of a couple of members. Now ultimately if that’s the way a votes goes in the parliament, or is going to go, that’s something we’ll have to deal with at the time.
Canavan said he doesn’t support a royal commission because it will not achieve anything, will cost a lot, and will take a long time. He also thinks there’s a risk to the banking sector’s reputation.Canavan said he doesn’t support a royal commission because it will not achieve anything, will cost a lot, and will take a long time. He also thinks there’s a risk to the banking sector’s reputation.
Canavan is asked about a story in the Courier-Mail this morning, which describes a “pineapple rebellion” of Queensland LNP Nationals. They want to run a separate campaign and differentiate themselves from the Liberal party at the next federal election. Canavan says:Canavan is asked about a story in the Courier-Mail this morning, which describes a “pineapple rebellion” of Queensland LNP Nationals. They want to run a separate campaign and differentiate themselves from the Liberal party at the next federal election. Canavan says:
Well the pineapple rebellion is not the brand name we’re running under, I can clarify that.Well the pineapple rebellion is not the brand name we’re running under, I can clarify that.
I do think we need to do a better job in Queensland of marketing and selling what we do here in Canberra.I do think we need to do a better job in Queensland of marketing and selling what we do here in Canberra.
We need to tell the Queensland people in a crowded marketplace, a crowded political marketplace, tell them what we do and what we achieve for them. Clearly in regional Queensland there’s a demand for a party that sticks up for them, that is in their corner, fighting for them. Some of that has gone to One Nation and Katter as well, in north Queensland.We need to tell the Queensland people in a crowded marketplace, a crowded political marketplace, tell them what we do and what we achieve for them. Clearly in regional Queensland there’s a demand for a party that sticks up for them, that is in their corner, fighting for them. Some of that has gone to One Nation and Katter as well, in north Queensland.
Mitch Fifield has launched another broadside at the ABC. He says the ABC shouldn’t change the date just because “a few people” don’t think Australia Day should be on 26 January. He was speaking to Sky News’s Kieran Gilbert.Mitch Fifield has launched another broadside at the ABC. He says the ABC shouldn’t change the date just because “a few people” don’t think Australia Day should be on 26 January. He was speaking to Sky News’s Kieran Gilbert.
The ABC should just leave the Hottest 100 alone. The ABC and Triple J should not seek to politicise Australia Day by removing the Hottest 100 from Australia Day because there are a few people who don’t think Australia Day should be celebrated on the 26th of January.The ABC should just leave the Hottest 100 alone. The ABC and Triple J should not seek to politicise Australia Day by removing the Hottest 100 from Australia Day because there are a few people who don’t think Australia Day should be celebrated on the 26th of January.
You’ll no doubt have seen that the ABC surveyed almost 65,000 of people and found 60% support for changing the date of the Hottest 100. So it’s a bit of a stretch for Fifield to describe that as a “few people”.You’ll no doubt have seen that the ABC surveyed almost 65,000 of people and found 60% support for changing the date of the Hottest 100. So it’s a bit of a stretch for Fifield to describe that as a “few people”.
Kieran Gilbert challenges him on the statement:Kieran Gilbert challenges him on the statement:
But they did a voluntary non-binding survey. You guys know a little bit about that?But they did a voluntary non-binding survey. You guys know a little bit about that?
Fifield responds:Fifield responds:
Well the ABC has a broader responsibility to the whole community, not just to one particular entire market segment. Kieran, there are some days in this gig as minister when I slap my forehead and say what were these guys thinking.Well the ABC has a broader responsibility to the whole community, not just to one particular entire market segment. Kieran, there are some days in this gig as minister when I slap my forehead and say what were these guys thinking.
You might remember Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg appeared in Port Kembla yesterday to spruik their national energy guarantee. In doing so, Frydenberg channelled the Australian rock star Jimmy Barnes.You might remember Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg appeared in Port Kembla yesterday to spruik their national energy guarantee. In doing so, Frydenberg channelled the Australian rock star Jimmy Barnes.
More than 30 years ago Jimmy Barnes came to Port Kembla to make the film clip for Working Class Man. Today the prime minister has come to Port Kembla to create jobs for Australia’s working-class men and women.More than 30 years ago Jimmy Barnes came to Port Kembla to make the film clip for Working Class Man. Today the prime minister has come to Port Kembla to create jobs for Australia’s working-class men and women.
Well, that hasn’t impressed Jimmy. Far from it.Well, that hasn’t impressed Jimmy. Far from it.
He’s just tweeted his anger at being used to sell the government’s “shitty policies”.He’s just tweeted his anger at being used to sell the government’s “shitty policies”.
Hey @JoshFrydenberg don’t use my name or my songs to sell your shitty policies. You don’t represent me #portkembla #workingclassman #auspolHey @JoshFrydenberg don’t use my name or my songs to sell your shitty policies. You don’t represent me #portkembla #workingclassman #auspol
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has insisted to a Senate inquiry that he was not the cabinet minister who told the former Senate president Stephen Parry to keep his concerns quiet about his dual citizenship.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has insisted to a Senate inquiry that he was not the cabinet minister who told the former Senate president Stephen Parry to keep his concerns quiet about his dual citizenship.
Appearing before the Senate legal and constitutional affairs references committee on Monday evening, Fifield said he had encouraged Parry to check his family records when Parry had raised the issue with him but it was not his responsibility to ensure that Parry followed through.Appearing before the Senate legal and constitutional affairs references committee on Monday evening, Fifield said he had encouraged Parry to check his family records when Parry had raised the issue with him but it was not his responsibility to ensure that Parry followed through.
He said he had told no one about their conversation, including the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, because that would have been breaching Parry’s confidence.He said he had told no one about their conversation, including the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, because that would have been breaching Parry’s confidence.
“Claims that I directed, told, advised, or suggested that he not take any steps he deemed appropriate until after the high court decision are false,” Fifield said. “It is the responsibility of each senator to assess their own eligibility to stand for, and to sit in, the parliament.”“Claims that I directed, told, advised, or suggested that he not take any steps he deemed appropriate until after the high court decision are false,” Fifield said. “It is the responsibility of each senator to assess their own eligibility to stand for, and to sit in, the parliament.”
Fifield had been asked to appear before the committee on Monday after admitting this month that he knew Parry was concerned about his possible dual citizenship weeks before he resigned from parliament.Fifield had been asked to appear before the committee on Monday after admitting this month that he knew Parry was concerned about his possible dual citizenship weeks before he resigned from parliament.
Parry made a shock announcement on 1 November after being told by UK authorities that he held British citizenship. He admitted he had waited for last month’s high court judgment on the eligibility of seven parliamentary colleagues before seeking advice from British authorities on his own citizenship.Parry made a shock announcement on 1 November after being told by UK authorities that he held British citizenship. He admitted he had waited for last month’s high court judgment on the eligibility of seven parliamentary colleagues before seeking advice from British authorities on his own citizenship.
The revelation angered his senior Coalition colleagues, including Turnbull, because it came at a time when the government believed the citizenship saga was behind it.The revelation angered his senior Coalition colleagues, including Turnbull, because it came at a time when the government believed the citizenship saga was behind it.
Days afterwards, the ABC reported that Parry had actually told some senior colleagues, including a cabinet colleague, about his citizenship concerns in mid-August and had been advised not to raise the alarm until after the high court ruling. He was reportedly told to sit tight because the solicitor general’s advice was that the government would win the citizenship case.Days afterwards, the ABC reported that Parry had actually told some senior colleagues, including a cabinet colleague, about his citizenship concerns in mid-August and had been advised not to raise the alarm until after the high court ruling. He was reportedly told to sit tight because the solicitor general’s advice was that the government would win the citizenship case.
Fifield told the committee on Monday that he objected to the political motivations behind his being summoned to appear before the committee. He said it did not set a “sensible precedent”.Fifield told the committee on Monday that he objected to the political motivations behind his being summoned to appear before the committee. He said it did not set a “sensible precedent”.
Staying with banking for a moment.Staying with banking for a moment.
The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has just been asked whether the government would reconsider its opposition to an inquiry. She responds:The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has just been asked whether the government would reconsider its opposition to an inquiry. She responds:
This is a matter for cabinet and the party room to discuss.This is a matter for cabinet and the party room to discuss.
Bishop said an inquiry would achieve little. She said it may hold out “false hope” of compensation and dispute resolution for victims of banking misconduct.Bishop said an inquiry would achieve little. She said it may hold out “false hope” of compensation and dispute resolution for victims of banking misconduct.
The point that I’m making is that a royal commission or an inquiry, depending on its powers, won’t recover compensation, won’t resolve disputes. All it can do is make recommendations to regulators. The regulators are already taking action on the government’s direction to resolve these disputes and ensure that any failures in the system are addressed. These commissions of inquiry can take months, even years, so I don’t want the Australian government to be holding out false hope for people.The point that I’m making is that a royal commission or an inquiry, depending on its powers, won’t recover compensation, won’t resolve disputes. All it can do is make recommendations to regulators. The regulators are already taking action on the government’s direction to resolve these disputes and ensure that any failures in the system are addressed. These commissions of inquiry can take months, even years, so I don’t want the Australian government to be holding out false hope for people.
She described the Coalition between the Liberals and the Nationals as a positive relationship. The two parties have their differences from time to time, but:She described the Coalition between the Liberals and the Nationals as a positive relationship. The two parties have their differences from time to time, but:
We’re a very successful political movement as a Coalition.We’re a very successful political movement as a Coalition.
The Nationals MP Llew O’Brien has all but confirmed he will cross the floor to support a banking commission of inquiry, meaning the Nationals senator Barry O’Sullivan’s bill has the numbers to pass the Senate and the lower house if it were voted on.The Nationals MP Llew O’Brien has all but confirmed he will cross the floor to support a banking commission of inquiry, meaning the Nationals senator Barry O’Sullivan’s bill has the numbers to pass the Senate and the lower house if it were voted on.
I just can’t see how I wouldn’t vote for it.I just can’t see how I wouldn’t vote for it.
O’Brien has agreed to support the inquiry on the condition that it is expanded to look at the discrimination against people with mental health issues by insurance companies.O’Brien has agreed to support the inquiry on the condition that it is expanded to look at the discrimination against people with mental health issues by insurance companies.
O’Brien:O’Brien:
When you have 45% of Australians anticipated to have some kind of mental ill health throughout their life and then you’ve got insurance companies discriminating in the way that they do, that must have an effect on our country.When you have 45% of Australians anticipated to have some kind of mental ill health throughout their life and then you’ve got insurance companies discriminating in the way that they do, that must have an effect on our country.
O’Brien, a former police officer, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and told ABC AM this “valuable experience” was one he would “not waste” now he was in a position to legislate.O’Brien, a former police officer, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and told ABC AM this “valuable experience” was one he would “not waste” now he was in a position to legislate.
Asked when the inquiry would get up and if it was disloyal to support it, he said:Asked when the inquiry would get up and if it was disloyal to support it, he said:
It could be next week – who knows. It could have been this week, but it vanished … I’m in parliament to serve both my constituents and the people of Australia, they’re the people I answer to.It could be next week – who knows. It could have been this week, but it vanished … I’m in parliament to serve both my constituents and the people of Australia, they’re the people I answer to.
Hello and welcome to the second day of the sitting week.Hello and welcome to the second day of the sitting week.
It’s Christopher Knaus with you again, here for the last day before Amy Remeikis returns and resumes your normal blogging service.It’s Christopher Knaus with you again, here for the last day before Amy Remeikis returns and resumes your normal blogging service.
Between the bank inquiry, same-sex marriage, Manus Island and the Hottest 100, the government looks to have a fairly full dance card again today.Between the bank inquiry, same-sex marriage, Manus Island and the Hottest 100, the government looks to have a fairly full dance card again today.
Here’s what we’re expecting this morning:Here’s what we’re expecting this morning:
An inquiry into the banks is now looking more and more certain. A second Nationals MP, Llew O’Brien, has said he’d be prepared to cross the floor. That gives proponents of an inquiry the numbers in the lower house. We’ll wait to see how Malcolm Turnbull will respond this morning. The PM and other senior ministers have consistently resisted calls for such an inquiry. But he could face an embarrassing vote on the floor of parliament unless the Coalition changes its position.An inquiry into the banks is now looking more and more certain. A second Nationals MP, Llew O’Brien, has said he’d be prepared to cross the floor. That gives proponents of an inquiry the numbers in the lower house. We’ll wait to see how Malcolm Turnbull will respond this morning. The PM and other senior ministers have consistently resisted calls for such an inquiry. But he could face an embarrassing vote on the floor of parliament unless the Coalition changes its position.
The debate on same-sex marriage will continue in the Senate today. The attention continues to be on the amendments proposed by conservatives. Those amendments, they argue, are needed to ensure those opposed to same-sex marriage do not have their freedom of religion, speech or conscience restricted. The conservatives say parents also need protections to take their children out of classes they don’t agree with. Labor largely wants the Dean Smith bill passed as it is. The Greens have proposed their own amendments but say they’re happy with Dean Smith’s bill as a minimum. The debate will continue in the Senate this morning from 10.30am.The debate on same-sex marriage will continue in the Senate today. The attention continues to be on the amendments proposed by conservatives. Those amendments, they argue, are needed to ensure those opposed to same-sex marriage do not have their freedom of religion, speech or conscience restricted. The conservatives say parents also need protections to take their children out of classes they don’t agree with. Labor largely wants the Dean Smith bill passed as it is. The Greens have proposed their own amendments but say they’re happy with Dean Smith’s bill as a minimum. The debate will continue in the Senate this morning from 10.30am.
The debate over the change of the Hottest 100 date is likely to continue this morning. The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has again expressed his anger over the decision this morning. I sense another day of culture warring and ABC bashing. Strap yourselves in.The debate over the change of the Hottest 100 date is likely to continue this morning. The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has again expressed his anger over the decision this morning. I sense another day of culture warring and ABC bashing. Strap yourselves in.
The Greens are also planning to introduce legislation on assisted dying. Their bill hopes to give the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory the right to make their own laws on euthanasia.The Greens are also planning to introduce legislation on assisted dying. Their bill hopes to give the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory the right to make their own laws on euthanasia.
There have you have it. It’s shaping up as another fascinating day in parliament.There have you have it. It’s shaping up as another fascinating day in parliament.
We’ll take you through the news as it develops throughout the day.We’ll take you through the news as it develops throughout the day.