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Taxpayers will 'assist' with Michaelia Cash's subpoena fight bill – politics live | Taxpayers will 'assist' with Michaelia Cash's subpoena fight bill – politics live |
(35 minutes later) | |
Craig Kelly is talking to David Speers about the national energy guarantee debate in the Coalition party room. | |
Just in case you missed it, Tony Abbott told the room that he has been, per Katharine Murphy’s sources, misled by bureaucrats during the Paris process – that being the agreement he voluntarily signed Australia up to, and since losing the leadership, has argued against. | |
Kelly, who once supported the Neg, now has his own concerns: | |
“I am concerned how it will work, how much it will cost and what it will do to the comparable advantage to the those industries, internationally.” | |
In Senate question time the jobs and innovation minister, Michaelia Cash, was asked about news taxpayers would be footing the bill for her legal bid to have subpoenas set aside in the Australian Workers Union challenge of the police raid on its headquarters. | |
Cash: | |
“Everything I’ve stated is on the Hansard record, I have absolutely nothing to hide. It’s politically motivated by the AWU. The case is between the AWU and Registered Organisations Commission, because the AWU does not want to produce documents that show … donations [to GetUp] were properly authorised.” | |
The subpoenas are seeking documents including communications between Cash and her staff about the raid, in an attempt to discover who was responsible for the leak to the media and to bolster the union’s case that the raid was politically motivated. | |
Cash took on notice a further question about the estimate of her legal bill to fight the subpoenas. | |
Labor then tried a question about “thuggery” in the Liberal party after the dust-up outside the chicken shop, but Mathias Cormann objected on the basis it was not a supplementary question. | |
The Senate will be sitting late tonight. Here is the motion which was just passed: | |
That today— | |
(a) the routine of business from not later than 7pm shall be government business order of the day No 3 (Treasury laws amendment (personal income tax plan) bill 2018); | |
(b) if a division is called for after 7pm, the matter before the Senate shall be adjourned until the next day of sitting at a time fixed by the Senate; and | |
(c) the Senate shall adjourn without debate after it has completed the second reading of the bill, or at 10.30pm, or a motion for the adjournment is moved by a minister, whichever is the earlier. | |
Steve Irons with a question to Dan Tehan (included here because this is how dixers should be used) | |
“Will the minister update the house on the progress of the national redress bill and the significance of this important piece of legislation to survivors of child sex abuse?” | |
Tehan: | |
“... Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the member for Hughes question and can I acknowledge this is an issue which is very dear to his heart, and I know it has touched his family. I would like to thank him for the contribution he has made to this debate and the passage of this bill. Today, the Senate passed the national redress scheme. What it showed was that this Parliament,every single member of this Parliament, both here in the house and in the Senate, was able to put survivors first. And today will mean a lot to those survivors. Come July 1, we will be able to provide them with redress and our task now, and I say this very much in a bipartisan fashion, is to make sure we deliver that redress to the best of our ability. It will involve a payment of up to $150,000, access to psychological counselling services, and a personal apology by the institution. | |
“Not only do we have a commitment from every state and territory government to join the national redress scheme, but we also have the Anglican Church, the Catholic Church, the Uniting Church, the Scouts and others agreeing to be part of the scheme. | |
“That takes coverage to over 90%. I look forward to other institutions joining over the coming weeks. When we met with survivors and with the premiers of Victoria and New South Wales and their attorney generals at Kirribilli, Leone Sheedy was there, who has advocated very strongly for this. You will remember, she cut your in half. She cut Dan Andrews’s tie in half. Then she headed to cut my tie in half. I said to her I didn’t want to do that, because I wanted to see the passage of the bill through before I cut the tie in half that I wore that day. | |
“I will be going back to my office, I will be cutting that tie in half, and I will be sending it to Leone.” | |
He then calls on Jenny Macklin to add her words: | |
“I think the minister very much, and maybe he should wait until he sees Leone and lets her cut his tie. I’m sure she will take great pleasure in doing so. I do want to associate the opposition with the words of the minister and thank him for his commitment and his hard work, frankly, to get to today. As he said, it is an extraordinary achievement, first and foremost, for the survivors of child sexual abuse, for the care leavers from institutions. As all of us no, no amount of money will give these people who were abused as children, they won’t get their childhoods back. There will be a way in which all of us, all Australians, can acknowledge and a sum compensation for the horrific abuse that people have suffered. | |
“Today is a very significant day. It will be a difficult task, a very difficult task, for this redress to be delivered. A lot of people will have to remember again the abuse that they suffered, but it is something that people have worked very hard for, and I thank the government for their efforts.” | |
And question time ends on that bipartisan note. | |
Speaking of Tanya Plibesek, her time in the sin bin is over: | |
Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull: | |
“Tafe teaches students and apprentices from all around the country are gathered around today. Can the PM explain why he is cutting another $270m from skills and apprenticeships in this year’s budget, while giving $80bn to big business. Will the PM reverse his opposition to Labor’s plans to cover upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE places and train more Australians?” | |
Josh Frydenberg, representing Simon Birmingham, takes the question: | |
(After criticising Labor’s record) | |
“The Liberal party is supporting 300,000 aspirational apprentices. A $70bn infrastructure rollout is looking to support apprentices all the way, and of course the VET system is now getting going. At the end of the day you can look at the Labor party record, where they cut all the apprentices, cut money out of the program, and in contrast we are creating hundreds of thousands of new positions for aspirational apprentices across the country.” | |
Paul Fletcher takes a nice little potshot at Tanya Plibersek in his dixer answer: | |
“… If you are a well-paid Labor MP married to a well-paid bureaucrat, aspiration may be very puzzling to you as you sip your decaf soy latte, as you munch your kale and quinoa salad, but in Mount Gambier, the fact that there could be up to 3,270 additional jobs, because of the NBN being connected, delivering jobs and economic opportunities, because the NBN is being rolled out across the country, that is what the coalition government is doing. We are delivering for the people of Australia with the NBN rollout and in so many other ways.” | |
Mark Butler to Malcolm Turnbull: | |
How can Australians have confidence in a government that fights with itself over energy policy everywhere? In the party room, the parliament, through the media, and even in charcoal chicken shops? | |
Turnbull: | |
“As the honourable member knows full well … because of the time when he is at home in South Australia he knows what it is like to have energy policy … he knows what it is like when you combine Labor Greens ideology and idiocy, which is what happened in South Australia, where you got to the point where the wind resource in South Australia could generate more than 100% one minute and then 0% the next minute. | |
“There was no planning to storage or back it up. The honourable member knows that, as do all South Australia. The reality is this – our policies are working. Labor failed in allowing export of gas from the east coast without looking after the Australian domestic industry and demand. | |
“We have ensured there is sufficient gas available and we have seen wholesale gas prices come down over the last 18 months by around 50%. | |
“The honourable member is well aware of that. We have seen wholesale generation costs come down by about 30% over the last year. We are starting to see reductions in retail prices across the east coast. The markets of the national electricity market. There is a lot more to do with the national energy guarantee. We are already seeing and delivering lower energy prices. There is more work to do, Labor should support the national energy guarantee. It will deliver affordable and reliable power and the same time enable us to meet Paris commitments.” | |
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: | Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: |
Can the government confirm that it is unwilling to have a parliament vote on the legislation which only deals with the July first tax cuts even though it would pass both houses today. Lower middle income earners will get nothing now. | Can the government confirm that it is unwilling to have a parliament vote on the legislation which only deals with the July first tax cuts even though it would pass both houses today. Lower middle income earners will get nothing now. |
Turnbull: | Turnbull: |
“We have compared his personal income tax plan. A comprehensive plan for reform. The Leader of the Opposition voted for it in the House of Representatives.All of them, they all voted for it.They would vote for it again in the Senate. They are filled with confidence about their prospects at the next election, they could sweep back into government and they could amend it and repeal it. Why do they do that? It is open to them. The only people that are standing in the way of tax relief Australians on July one other members opposite.” | “We have compared his personal income tax plan. A comprehensive plan for reform. The Leader of the Opposition voted for it in the House of Representatives.All of them, they all voted for it.They would vote for it again in the Senate. They are filled with confidence about their prospects at the next election, they could sweep back into government and they could amend it and repeal it. Why do they do that? It is open to them. The only people that are standing in the way of tax relief Australians on July one other members opposite.” |
Greg Hunt, after all but yelling his dixer answer yesterday, today reverts back to ‘very disappointed university lecturer tone’ | Greg Hunt, after all but yelling his dixer answer yesterday, today reverts back to ‘very disappointed university lecturer tone’ |
Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull: | Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull: |
“How can the prime minister possibly justify spending $25bn a year on stage three of the government’s personal income tax scheme and on its big tax cut, when under this prime minister, gross debt has reached half $1tn for the first time in Australian history?” | “How can the prime minister possibly justify spending $25bn a year on stage three of the government’s personal income tax scheme and on its big tax cut, when under this prime minister, gross debt has reached half $1tn for the first time in Australian history?” |
Turnbull: | Turnbull: |
“Of course, we have seen a net debt peaking. We are turning the corner of the debt that he and his colleagues and the Labor party created. Turning the corner on debt and, Mr Speaker, I noticed the honourable member referred to a reduction in tax as spending. You can’t spend money that is not your own, you know. That is the Labor party thing. The Labor party think that every dollar every person earns and every business to the government so if you reduce tax, it is spending. It is their money, that’s the difference. And you know what? They have an aspiration keep more of it.” | “Of course, we have seen a net debt peaking. We are turning the corner of the debt that he and his colleagues and the Labor party created. Turning the corner on debt and, Mr Speaker, I noticed the honourable member referred to a reduction in tax as spending. You can’t spend money that is not your own, you know. That is the Labor party thing. The Labor party think that every dollar every person earns and every business to the government so if you reduce tax, it is spending. It is their money, that’s the difference. And you know what? They have an aspiration keep more of it.” |
Also worth noting, because I forgot yesterday, but Michael McCormack referred to the Liberal-National government yesterday, instead of the Turnbull-McCormack government, which had been his habit. | Also worth noting, because I forgot yesterday, but Michael McCormack referred to the Liberal-National government yesterday, instead of the Turnbull-McCormack government, which had been his habit. |
Had someone had a little chat to him about the proper terminology – or did he just give up on making “fetch” happen? | Had someone had a little chat to him about the proper terminology – or did he just give up on making “fetch” happen? |
Michael McCormack is giving the impression of someone who cares about infrastructure and totally understands what he is talking about, or at least he is giving it a red hot go. #deathtodixers | Michael McCormack is giving the impression of someone who cares about infrastructure and totally understands what he is talking about, or at least he is giving it a red hot go. #deathtodixers |
Mark Dreyfus to Malcolm Turnbull: | Mark Dreyfus to Malcolm Turnbull: |
“When the prime minister met with the prime minister of the Solomon Islands last week did they agree to provide environmental [compensation] after the logging practices on the Solomon Islands were described as amongst the worst in the world? And given the prime minister was chair of Axiom at the time, is the prime minister providing any advice about the delivery of this Australian government aid?” | “When the prime minister met with the prime minister of the Solomon Islands last week did they agree to provide environmental [compensation] after the logging practices on the Solomon Islands were described as amongst the worst in the world? And given the prime minister was chair of Axiom at the time, is the prime minister providing any advice about the delivery of this Australian government aid?” |
Turnbull: | Turnbull: |
“The prime minister of the Solomon Islands and I talked about many matters that did not include the matters brought up by the member.” | “The prime minister of the Solomon Islands and I talked about many matters that did not include the matters brought up by the member.” |
Mark Dreyfus to Malcolm Turnbull: | Mark Dreyfus to Malcolm Turnbull: |
“Is the PM aware that racist hate speech was hurled during a violent brawl at a Liberal party meeting last night, with a witness reporting ‘they started bashing him, they took him outside and started kicking him, I thought he was going to die’. Will these people be referred to the Human Rights Commission under the Racial Discrimination Act, notwithstanding the PM’s personal objection to that section?” | “Is the PM aware that racist hate speech was hurled during a violent brawl at a Liberal party meeting last night, with a witness reporting ‘they started bashing him, they took him outside and started kicking him, I thought he was going to die’. Will these people be referred to the Human Rights Commission under the Racial Discrimination Act, notwithstanding the PM’s personal objection to that section?” |
Christopher Pyne jumps in: | Christopher Pyne jumps in: |
“There are many things within the PM’s responsibility, but this is not one of them. It is a serious matter that has been raised, it has been referred to the police and that is the appropriate place in which it should be dealt with, and it is not the responsibility of the PM. | “There are many things within the PM’s responsibility, but this is not one of them. It is a serious matter that has been raised, it has been referred to the police and that is the appropriate place in which it should be dealt with, and it is not the responsibility of the PM. |
Tony Smith: | Tony Smith: |
“I am happy to hear from the deputy manager of opposition business, but I think the responsibilities of ministers and the PM are very clear. We have been over this ground many times, the PM is not responsible for party matters. Actually, the leader of the opposition is not either. I don’t think the question is in order. I am happy to hear the case from the deputy manager of opposition business, but …” | “I am happy to hear from the deputy manager of opposition business, but I think the responsibilities of ministers and the PM are very clear. We have been over this ground many times, the PM is not responsible for party matters. Actually, the leader of the opposition is not either. I don’t think the question is in order. I am happy to hear the case from the deputy manager of opposition business, but …” |
Dreyfus: | Dreyfus: |
“Mr Speaker, it goes directly to the Racial Discrimination Act, section 18C, and the possibility of a referral of any Australian citizen who has used racist hate speech to the Human Rights Commission. It is something on which the PM has often spoken, and indeed supported attempts to repeal this section of the racial discrimination act. That is what the question goes to.” | “Mr Speaker, it goes directly to the Racial Discrimination Act, section 18C, and the possibility of a referral of any Australian citizen who has used racist hate speech to the Human Rights Commission. It is something on which the PM has often spoken, and indeed supported attempts to repeal this section of the racial discrimination act. That is what the question goes to.” |
Turnbull: | Turnbull: |
“The attorney just past me a note advising that only an aggrieved party can refer matters to the Australian Human Rights Commission, so that is the first point. I would say also in terms of the incident, the statement that the Liberal party of New South Wales has put says as follows – ‘The Liberal party has been made aware of an incident that allegedly occurred at a meeting this evening. The party will fully co-operate with the police, an internal investigation will also be undertaken and disciplinary action taken against those responsible. The Liberal party strongly condemns the kind of behaviour that is alleged to have occurred.’ And I entirely concur in that condemnation by the New South Wales Liberal party, and look forward to their providing full cooperation with the police in their inquiries.” | “The attorney just past me a note advising that only an aggrieved party can refer matters to the Australian Human Rights Commission, so that is the first point. I would say also in terms of the incident, the statement that the Liberal party of New South Wales has put says as follows – ‘The Liberal party has been made aware of an incident that allegedly occurred at a meeting this evening. The party will fully co-operate with the police, an internal investigation will also be undertaken and disciplinary action taken against those responsible. The Liberal party strongly condemns the kind of behaviour that is alleged to have occurred.’ And I entirely concur in that condemnation by the New South Wales Liberal party, and look forward to their providing full cooperation with the police in their inquiries.” |
Peter Dixon takes a dixer from Craig Kelly (keeping it in the factional family, so to speak) so Dutton can give his usual Labor will allow the boats back speech. | Peter Dixon takes a dixer from Craig Kelly (keeping it in the factional family, so to speak) so Dutton can give his usual Labor will allow the boats back speech. |
He says this: | He says this: |
“I see some interesting words from the Labor candidate for Longman, where Ms Lamb was quoted as saying ‘at this point it is not Labor’s policy to resettle people in Australia’. | “I see some interesting words from the Labor candidate for Longman, where Ms Lamb was quoted as saying ‘at this point it is not Labor’s policy to resettle people in Australia’. |
“Which I guess is the point though. I said this yesterday, but it bears repeating – there have been no changes to Labor’s policies, because the national conference which decides those things has not been held. So a policy idea, from Labor MPs at the moment, has as much power as, I don’t know, a Liberal national council motion vote to sell the ABC.” | “Which I guess is the point though. I said this yesterday, but it bears repeating – there have been no changes to Labor’s policies, because the national conference which decides those things has not been held. So a policy idea, from Labor MPs at the moment, has as much power as, I don’t know, a Liberal national council motion vote to sell the ABC.” |
“A non-binding motion from the Liberal party council has as much power as a policy change idea in the Labor party before the vote has been held – not a lot.” | “A non-binding motion from the Liberal party council has as much power as a policy change idea in the Labor party before the vote has been held – not a lot.” |
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: | Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: |
I ... refer to the PM’s earlier answer when he said his government rewards aspiration. Under this PM, should a 60-year-old aged care worker from Burnie aspire to be an investment banker, so that with a $10 tax cut they can get the PM’s $7,000 a year tax cut for investment bankers?” | I ... refer to the PM’s earlier answer when he said his government rewards aspiration. Under this PM, should a 60-year-old aged care worker from Burnie aspire to be an investment banker, so that with a $10 tax cut they can get the PM’s $7,000 a year tax cut for investment bankers?” |
Turnbull: (after a LOT of loud noises) | Turnbull: (after a LOT of loud noises) |
The honourable member calls out sit down, that is what he’s saying to any one who wants to get ahead. That is what he is saying to every Australian who wants to get ahead. Sit down, he says. He says I am a snob. Honestly, that is what he said. This is the man who sucked up and grovelled to Dick Pratt like there was no tomorrow. | The honourable member calls out sit down, that is what he’s saying to any one who wants to get ahead. That is what he is saying to every Australian who wants to get ahead. Sit down, he says. He says I am a snob. Honestly, that is what he said. This is the man who sucked up and grovelled to Dick Pratt like there was no tomorrow. |
He took three trips overseas, he drank the champagne, he sucked up to the big end of town. He sold out to workers, he sold out the workers and you know what, Mr Speaker? I had seen a lot of wealthy people in my days, and I have never seen anybody more sycophantic in the presence of a billionaire than a Labor politician, and none more so than this sycophant, this groveller, this man who abandoned workers while he tucked his knees under the table and sucked up to Dick Pratt right up until it was no longer useful for him to do it. No integrity, no consistency, no loyalty.” | He took three trips overseas, he drank the champagne, he sucked up to the big end of town. He sold out to workers, he sold out the workers and you know what, Mr Speaker? I had seen a lot of wealthy people in my days, and I have never seen anybody more sycophantic in the presence of a billionaire than a Labor politician, and none more so than this sycophant, this groveller, this man who abandoned workers while he tucked his knees under the table and sucked up to Dick Pratt right up until it was no longer useful for him to do it. No integrity, no consistency, no loyalty.” |