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US embassy responds to Andrew Hastie disclosure – politics live Derryn Hinch: One Nation pressured me to support company tax cuts – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Jenny Macklin to Malcolm Turnbull:
“What is the point of this prime minister and his government, given his signature tax policy, to give $80 billion to big business, appears doomed. Is the prime minister’s big business tax cut as doomed as his colleagues are claiming?”
Turnbull punts the question to Scott Morrison, because there is no such thing as too much Scott Morrison:
“Our side of the house, the government believes lower, simpler, fairer and more competitive taxes is good for the economy and a reward for effort and grows the economy. As I said yesterday, when the Member for Fenner who gave us the benefit of his behavioural impacts on the tax treatment of mammals in his own references to these matters, Mr Speaker, I was mistaken to think the Labor Party supported low and further fairer taxes but I found the reason for the apparent contradiction in their view because it seems the Member for Fenner is familiar with the work of Ross Gittens. This was brought to our attention in 2005 when a book was written, Happiness, lessons from new science, and drawing on studies of monkeys, Mr Speaker, he concludes we need to keep the tax rates high to discourage people from working to make them happier.
Eureka! The Member for Fenner must have said ‘I’ve finally seen the light,higher taxes is good for people and they’ve decided to go down that path’
“I’ve got some advice for the Member for Fenner, stop listening to monkeys when you set tax policies.”
Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull:
“A decade ago, the prime minister said he was not willing to lead a party that was not as committed to action on climate change as he was so now, is the prime minister willing to lead a government that is not as committed to big business tax cuts as he is?”
Turnbull (his glasses are off and in his hand, so you know he’s serious):
“I thank the honourable member for Watson to his question. I just remind him that he, like the member for McMahon, who are studied imitators of the great Paul Keating, would know very well that their master, their great mentor, PJK, he was the one who stood here like the leader of the opposition did in government and said cutting company tax delivers more investment, more jobs and better paid jobs and underlined the need to be competitive so Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, the only Labor leader that has abandoned that economic common sense in just another one of his numerous backflips to make Australians realise he cannot be trusted, is the leader of the opposition, the member for Maribyrnong, the unbelieva-Bill leader of the opposition.”
Before Tony Burke can even open his mouth, Tony Smith pulls Turnbull up on the “unbelieva-Bill” line:
This started with the treasurer. I’ve had cause to read today the origin of it but it’s not coming in here. I’m making it very clear. I’d like the prime minister just to withdraw.”
The prime minister does, making Scott Morrison use his “I have now read my order out to you five times, OMG, how can you not get that I don’t want onions” voice in a dixer.
Another Queensland MP is given the first dixer. This week IS a time loop.
We open with company tax.
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull:
“Now it is reported The Nationals have lost faith in the prime minister’s ability to deliver his economic plans. Will the prime minister tell the entire parliament including The Nationals that he won’t give up on his core belief and signature tax policy, to give $80bn to big business?”
Turnbull:
“I assume the honourable member is referring to the government’s enterprise tax plan which involves reducing company tax to 25%. That of course was described by the member for McMahon as a Labor thing and a great objective it was. It was described by the leader of the opposition’s [predecessor that] cutting company tax, increasing investment and productivity, resulting in more jobs and better paid jobs and Labour leaders before him has supported reducing company tax because they know it delivers more jobs and greater investment and Mr Speaker, that is what we have been seeing.
“We have, in the last calendar year, the largest jobs growth in our history, the largest jobs growth in our history and since the Coalition was elected under the leadership of the member for Warringah in 2013, 13,600 jobs created. So the Labor Party say that the government’s economic plan is not delivering but it’s delivering record jobs growth. I remember when Labor leaders going right back to Neville Wran, great leaders in the Labor arty, used to stand up and say it was all about jobs, jobs, jobs. Not any more.
“What a clown, Mr Speaker. Seriously. What an embarrassing clown. What an embarrassing clown. Here we are with record jobs growth, record jobs growth and all he wants to do is catcall, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, he has got as much chance of getting away with his jobs destroying, against business, against job creating policies as he does of doctoring transcripts.
Bob Katter is campaigning with Rebekha Sharkie, his former crossbench colleague currently fighting for the seat of Mayo after being made to stand down because of section 44 issues.
He was asked about the Liberal candidate Georgina Downer - and said he found her too right wing.
Yes, you read that correctly - Bob Katter thinks Georgina Downer is too right wing.
Let a thousand blossoms bloom.
Oh - and just a reminder, it is Reconciliation Day on Monday, so there is no parliament sitting.Oh - and just a reminder, it is Reconciliation Day on Monday, so there is no parliament sitting.
And no blog. But we will be back as normal, on Tuesday.And no blog. But we will be back as normal, on Tuesday.
We are sliding towards question time ... hit us up with your predictions.We are sliding towards question time ... hit us up with your predictions.
Derryn Hinch says he will support all three parts of the government’s income tax plan, and if someone wants to negate the stage three later, they can.Derryn Hinch says he will support all three parts of the government’s income tax plan, and if someone wants to negate the stage three later, they can.
“I think I am going to support the government, all three, send me a plan and we’ll go for it,” he told Sky.“I think I am going to support the government, all three, send me a plan and we’ll go for it,” he told Sky.
“Put it through and if another government comes through next year, and it will be next year, Labor comes through next year, they can negate it.”“Put it through and if another government comes through next year, and it will be next year, Labor comes through next year, they can negate it.”
He also opened up about One Nation’s lobbying of him two weekends ago, to get his support for the government’s company tax cut.He also opened up about One Nation’s lobbying of him two weekends ago, to get his support for the government’s company tax cut.
Two weeks ago, One Nation was heavying me in extraordinary long texts to tell me that I must support the government 100% on the government tax cuts.Two weeks ago, One Nation was heavying me in extraordinary long texts to tell me that I must support the government 100% on the government tax cuts.
One of them even said, ‘you had a transplant to extend your life and save your life, the government and Australia needs a transplant to save the economy. That’s how hard they were going.”One of them even said, ‘you had a transplant to extend your life and save your life, the government and Australia needs a transplant to save the economy. That’s how hard they were going.”
Derryn Hinch believes that the discrepancies in the Linda Burney transcript were, in his view, done on purpose:Derryn Hinch believes that the discrepancies in the Linda Burney transcript were, in his view, done on purpose:
“This was not a mistake, this was deliberate censorship, this was something which was done to clean up something which could damage the party and the national conference down the track,” he told Sky.“This was not a mistake, this was deliberate censorship, this was something which was done to clean up something which could damage the party and the national conference down the track,” he told Sky.
Labor has been probing whether the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has enough funding to prosecute financial crimes.Labor has been probing whether the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has enough funding to prosecute financial crimes.
The Commonwealth DPP, Sarah McNaughton, tells Senate estimates it has $3.7m for the 2018-19 financial year from the serious financial crimes taskforce funding, a commitment of $127.6m over four years that the Coalition made in the 2015 budget.The Commonwealth DPP, Sarah McNaughton, tells Senate estimates it has $3.7m for the 2018-19 financial year from the serious financial crimes taskforce funding, a commitment of $127.6m over four years that the Coalition made in the 2015 budget.
Asked by Labor’s Murray Watt if it’s due to expire, McNaughton confirms, “that’s as I understand it”. She says the DPP has had discussions amongst itself about asking for an extension of funding, but hasn’t requested it from the Attorney General’s Department or the attorney.Asked by Labor’s Murray Watt if it’s due to expire, McNaughton confirms, “that’s as I understand it”. She says the DPP has had discussions amongst itself about asking for an extension of funding, but hasn’t requested it from the Attorney General’s Department or the attorney.
Watt asks whether the DPP will need extra funding to prosecute wrongdoing uncovered by the banking royal commission.Watt asks whether the DPP will need extra funding to prosecute wrongdoing uncovered by the banking royal commission.
McNaughton: “It’s so theoretical at this point, we don’t have any need to have the discussion [of extra funding]. There’s no request to make.”McNaughton: “It’s so theoretical at this point, we don’t have any need to have the discussion [of extra funding]. There’s no request to make.”
Michaelia Cash says the government will consider the need for extra funding when the royal commission hands down its report.Michaelia Cash says the government will consider the need for extra funding when the royal commission hands down its report.
Labor leaps on this as evidence of a funding cliff:Labor leaps on this as evidence of a funding cliff:
The Commonwealth Public Prosecutor has just revealed that the government is cutting funding for the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce in June next year. In the middle of the #BankingRC. Astonishing. #EstimatesThe Commonwealth Public Prosecutor has just revealed that the government is cutting funding for the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce in June next year. In the middle of the #BankingRC. Astonishing. #Estimates
The Australian Kitsch account, which is well worth a follow if you haven’t already, has dug up this gem from the Sydney Morning Herald in 1972, of ABC bosses dealing with accusations of being “biased”.The Australian Kitsch account, which is well worth a follow if you haven’t already, has dug up this gem from the Sydney Morning Herald in 1972, of ABC bosses dealing with accusations of being “biased”.
ABC bosses to journalists: it's not your job to interpret the newsPic: @smh 1972#auspol #estimates #thisdaytonight #tdt @MikeCarlton01 pic.twitter.com/skLEnz9WtLABC bosses to journalists: it's not your job to interpret the newsPic: @smh 1972#auspol #estimates #thisdaytonight #tdt @MikeCarlton01 pic.twitter.com/skLEnz9WtL
I wasn’t called to #Estimates today but had I been there I would have reassured senators that you can have a Race Discrimination Commissioner AND Johnathan Thurston https://t.co/lWj0AVmJ17 pic.twitter.com/9vGMLuDXkhI wasn’t called to #Estimates today but had I been there I would have reassured senators that you can have a Race Discrimination Commissioner AND Johnathan Thurston https://t.co/lWj0AVmJ17 pic.twitter.com/9vGMLuDXkh
The debate on the National Redress Scheme is seeing quite a few members break down.The debate on the National Redress Scheme is seeing quite a few members break down.
Ann Sudmalis also got emotional, as she said she believed we were still failing children.Ann Sudmalis also got emotional, as she said she believed we were still failing children.
As police fear to follow up, charge the offenders and pursue their own action because they believe the court system will not record a charge or it may not be successful, I fear we are opening a Pandora’s box of bad behaviour which is totally unacceptable.As police fear to follow up, charge the offenders and pursue their own action because they believe the court system will not record a charge or it may not be successful, I fear we are opening a Pandora’s box of bad behaviour which is totally unacceptable.
Surely it is not too much trouble to set the dignity and safety of a child above the inconvenience of bringing the issue of the attention to the court. I know exactly of such an incident and I am greatly concerned of the consequences that could evolve from the lack of action, or action that is non-protective or action which pushes the decision making responsibility back onto the child.Surely it is not too much trouble to set the dignity and safety of a child above the inconvenience of bringing the issue of the attention to the court. I know exactly of such an incident and I am greatly concerned of the consequences that could evolve from the lack of action, or action that is non-protective or action which pushes the decision making responsibility back onto the child.
How can this be? Rape of a 12-year-old child is rape. Whether inflicted by a physical instrument or biologically inflicted, it is wrong.How can this be? Rape of a 12-year-old child is rape. Whether inflicted by a physical instrument or biologically inflicted, it is wrong.
And inside I weep that in this day and age we still don’t fully understand the term child sexual abuse.And inside I weep that in this day and age we still don’t fully understand the term child sexual abuse.
Mike Bowers has been out and about this morning. Here is some of what he saw:Mike Bowers has been out and about this morning. Here is some of what he saw:
Grandmothers against removal is a group working to stop what they say is the mass removal of children from their families by child protection agencies and the authorities - including police and detention centres.Grandmothers against removal is a group working to stop what they say is the mass removal of children from their families by child protection agencies and the authorities - including police and detention centres.
Craig Kelly, who is facing a very strong preselection challenge for Hughes, seems to be enjoying himself this morning.Craig Kelly, who is facing a very strong preselection challenge for Hughes, seems to be enjoying himself this morning.
Over in the Federation Chamber (where overflow speeches go, and where, you may note Andrew Hastie made his speech on Tuesday night) Andrew Leigh was talking about the need for Australia to do more to combat discrimination of the LGBTI community around the world.Over in the Federation Chamber (where overflow speeches go, and where, you may note Andrew Hastie made his speech on Tuesday night) Andrew Leigh was talking about the need for Australia to do more to combat discrimination of the LGBTI community around the world.
From his speech:From his speech:
During my lifetime we in Australia have decriminalised homosexual acts between consenting adults. We have removed many forms of institutionalised discrimination against LGBT+ Australians. And we have belatedly legislated same-sex marriage.During my lifetime we in Australia have decriminalised homosexual acts between consenting adults. We have removed many forms of institutionalised discrimination against LGBT+ Australians. And we have belatedly legislated same-sex marriage.
There is more to be done in Australia, but there is much more to be done around the world. According to the ILGA’s 2017 report, as of May 2017, 72 states continue to criminalise same-sex consensual activity — that is, more than one-third of the world’s nations. There are currently eight nations in which the death penalty is imposed as a punishment for same-sex consensual sexual acts.There is more to be done in Australia, but there is much more to be done around the world. According to the ILGA’s 2017 report, as of May 2017, 72 states continue to criminalise same-sex consensual activity — that is, more than one-third of the world’s nations. There are currently eight nations in which the death penalty is imposed as a punishment for same-sex consensual sexual acts.
Let me go to some examples. This month in Malaysia we saw the release of Anwar Ibrahim, but it is a reminder that Malaysia continues to make sodomy illegal under section 377 of the Penal Code, which prohibits ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’. In Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka, Xulhaz Mannan, the founder of Bangladesh’s first and only LGBT magazine, was brutally hacked to death as punishment for his activism on behalf of same-sex-attracted Bangladeshis. In Tunisia, Bouhdid Belhedi, a campaigner for LGBT rights, was assaulted by Islamic extremists and beaten by a mob outside his house in Tunis as a policeman watched.Let me go to some examples. This month in Malaysia we saw the release of Anwar Ibrahim, but it is a reminder that Malaysia continues to make sodomy illegal under section 377 of the Penal Code, which prohibits ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’. In Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka, Xulhaz Mannan, the founder of Bangladesh’s first and only LGBT magazine, was brutally hacked to death as punishment for his activism on behalf of same-sex-attracted Bangladeshis. In Tunisia, Bouhdid Belhedi, a campaigner for LGBT rights, was assaulted by Islamic extremists and beaten by a mob outside his house in Tunis as a policeman watched.
In Ecuador, gay people are forced to undergo conversion therapy in secret clinics, where they are raped and beaten even though homosexuality is legal. Since the 2013 military intervention in Egypt, at least 250 LGBT+ people have been arrested. In Aceh, the Indonesian police recently arrested 12 transgender people. In Iran, gay men are sometimes hanged. In Russia, homophobic violence is on the rise. In Syria, there are media reports of LGBT individuals being thrown from tall buildings head first and then stoned by bystanders. And although homosexuality is legal in Turkey, it has one of the worst records of human rights violations against LGBT+ people in Europe.In Ecuador, gay people are forced to undergo conversion therapy in secret clinics, where they are raped and beaten even though homosexuality is legal. Since the 2013 military intervention in Egypt, at least 250 LGBT+ people have been arrested. In Aceh, the Indonesian police recently arrested 12 transgender people. In Iran, gay men are sometimes hanged. In Russia, homophobic violence is on the rise. In Syria, there are media reports of LGBT individuals being thrown from tall buildings head first and then stoned by bystanders. And although homosexuality is legal in Turkey, it has one of the worst records of human rights violations against LGBT+ people in Europe.
Homosexuality is not a choice. Being transgender is not a lifestyle. Equality is indivisible. Human rights are universal. It doesn’t matter whether you approach politics from the standpoint of freedom or from the standpoint of equality. As individuals, as civil society, as government, Australians must do more to stand up for LGBT+ rights around the globe.Homosexuality is not a choice. Being transgender is not a lifestyle. Equality is indivisible. Human rights are universal. It doesn’t matter whether you approach politics from the standpoint of freedom or from the standpoint of equality. As individuals, as civil society, as government, Australians must do more to stand up for LGBT+ rights around the globe.
Can we ever trust transcripts again?Can we ever trust transcripts again?
(To be clear, most of us in the press gallery take our own recordings and transcribe from there, or double check the transcript with our recording.)(To be clear, most of us in the press gallery take our own recordings and transcribe from there, or double check the transcript with our recording.)
Transcripts came up in the February estimates hearings, after Jenny McAllister wanted to know from Mathias Cormann why the official PMO transcript showed Malcolm Turnbull thanking Donald Trump during their meeting just once, while the White House official transcript included a much more generous four thank-yous. THE SCANDAL.Transcripts came up in the February estimates hearings, after Jenny McAllister wanted to know from Mathias Cormann why the official PMO transcript showed Malcolm Turnbull thanking Donald Trump during their meeting just once, while the White House official transcript included a much more generous four thank-yous. THE SCANDAL.
From that estimates’ Hansard transcript (page 134 of the February 26 hearing):From that estimates’ Hansard transcript (page 134 of the February 26 hearing):
Senator McAllister: In the transcript issued by the prime minister, Mr Turnbull thanks President Trump twice, but in the version of the transcript issued by the White House Mr Turnbull’s very effusive. He says, ‘Thank you,’ and, ‘I just say thank you to you and Melania for your hospitality and your friendship,’ and then he goes on to say thank you again. I think we get ‘thank you’, ‘thank you so much’, ‘thank you’ and ‘thank you’. So he was very effusive.Senator McAllister: In the transcript issued by the prime minister, Mr Turnbull thanks President Trump twice, but in the version of the transcript issued by the White House Mr Turnbull’s very effusive. He says, ‘Thank you,’ and, ‘I just say thank you to you and Melania for your hospitality and your friendship,’ and then he goes on to say thank you again. I think we get ‘thank you’, ‘thank you so much’, ‘thank you’ and ‘thank you’. So he was very effusive.
Chair: Senator McAllister, you’ve uncovered thankyou-gate.Chair: Senator McAllister, you’ve uncovered thankyou-gate.
Senator Cormann: I’m really pleased that we are dealing with a major issue.Senator Cormann: I’m really pleased that we are dealing with a major issue.
Senator McAllister: I’m just curious: how does it come about that it gets edited down, that the thank-yous are so much less prominent in the one issued by the prime minister?Senator McAllister: I’m just curious: how does it come about that it gets edited down, that the thank-yous are so much less prominent in the one issued by the prime minister?
I think he’s just being a very thankful guest in the United States.I think he’s just being a very thankful guest in the United States.
Chair: You might be too, Senator McAllister, if you were in the Oval Office.Chair: You might be too, Senator McAllister, if you were in the Oval Office.
Senator McAllister: But is the PMO’s office in some way trying to downplay how effusive Mr Turnbull has been on this occasion?Senator McAllister: But is the PMO’s office in some way trying to downplay how effusive Mr Turnbull has been on this occasion?
Senator Cormann: Sorry, what are you suggesting?Senator Cormann: Sorry, what are you suggesting?
Senator McAllister: I’m asking: is this deliberate or is this just an accident of transcription? Are they trying to downplay how effusive Mr Turnbull was?Senator McAllister: I’m asking: is this deliberate or is this just an accident of transcription? Are they trying to downplay how effusive Mr Turnbull was?
Senator Cormann: I haven’t had a conversation with the prime minister about the transcripts of his relevant remarks, but now that you’ve asked the question I will undertake an investigation as to how the transcript that you’ve referenced has been so edited. It’s not unusual—in the context of Hansard transcription, for example — to remove any repetition of things that are said in the verbal communication that don’t necessarily add anything when you read a written transcript. I think that that is precisely the way Hansard does it. You’ve got Hansard people at the back here, and I think you’ll find that those of us in politics from time to time, for effect — particularly, a non-partisan statement, when you’re in opposition; I may have done the same when I was in opposition — repeat a particular sentence. You’ll find that Hansard will remove any such repetition and only provide what looks like a very eloquent, concise presentation of the point that you wanted to make.Senator Cormann: I haven’t had a conversation with the prime minister about the transcripts of his relevant remarks, but now that you’ve asked the question I will undertake an investigation as to how the transcript that you’ve referenced has been so edited. It’s not unusual—in the context of Hansard transcription, for example — to remove any repetition of things that are said in the verbal communication that don’t necessarily add anything when you read a written transcript. I think that that is precisely the way Hansard does it. You’ve got Hansard people at the back here, and I think you’ll find that those of us in politics from time to time, for effect — particularly, a non-partisan statement, when you’re in opposition; I may have done the same when I was in opposition — repeat a particular sentence. You’ll find that Hansard will remove any such repetition and only provide what looks like a very eloquent, concise presentation of the point that you wanted to make.