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Andrew Wilkie says prosecuting Timor-Leste bugging whistleblower is 'insane' – politics live Andrew Wilkie says prosecuting Timor-Leste bugging whistleblower is 'insane' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
The Senate has supported Sarah Hanson-Young’s motion to condemn the government for “hiding from the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission”:
“Our river is on life support and our government is in witness protection,” Greens Murray Darling Basin Hanson-Young said in a statement.
“The Senate has sent a clear message to this government: this isn’t good enough. Give the people of South Australia the respect they deserve and stop hiding, show up and tell the truth.
“The South Australian Royal Commission has this week heard allegations from a former CSIRO scientist the MDBA actively suppressed the CSIRO’s evidence that the Basin Plan target of 2,750GL would fail to secure the future of the River.
“This Royal Commission has brought to light allegations of the MDBA suppressing research, doctoring reports, and ignoring its legal obligation to the ‘best available science’.
“The Turnbull Government says it’s committed to transparency. Meanwhile it’s hiding from scrutiny departmental officials, MDBA officials past and present, documents and the CSIRO.
“The Turnbull Government and the MDBA have questions to answer. But they’re going to the courts instead of going to the Commission.
“It’s cowardice. And what’s more, it’s disrespectful to the people of South Australia.
South Australian senators from across the political spectrum vote together this afternoon-left from Centre Alliance Rex Patrick, Greens Sarah Hanson-Young, CA Stirling Griff, Australian Conservative Cory Bernardi and Independent Tim Storrer @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/FAzVPQbh9q
Today has all the hallmarks of a last day at school – a mad rush in the morning, and then giant lulls.
But we still have question time in front of us, so get ready for that – predictions below.
There was a time when backbenchers could talk to their local radio stations and we never heard hide nor hair of the chat.There was a time when backbenchers could talk to their local radio stations and we never heard hide nor hair of the chat.
The social media was invented. Then social media was invented.
Gai Brodtmann spoke to Radio 2CC, her local Canberra station, this morning where host Tim Shaw, of course, asked her if she supported the company tax cut policy Bill Shorten announced earlier in the week. Gai Brodtmann spoke to Radio 2CC, her local Canberra station, this morning where the host, Tim Shaw, of course asked her if she supported the company tax cut policy Bill Shorten announced earlier in the week.
Which, you would think would be the obvious question, after Ross Hart’s interview with LA FM yesterday, where he took 13 times to say whether or not he supported both his leader, and the policy. Which you would think would be the obvious question, after Ross Hart’s interview with LA FM yesterday, where he took 13 times to say whether or not he supported both his leader and the policy.
Apparently not.Apparently not.
Canberra MP Gai Brodtmann didn't say if she agrees with Bill Shorten's rollback of small business tax cuts on @2CC with Tim Shaw this morning #auspol pic.twitter.com/AmSMTQkdalCanberra MP Gai Brodtmann didn't say if she agrees with Bill Shorten's rollback of small business tax cuts on @2CC with Tim Shaw this morning #auspol pic.twitter.com/AmSMTQkdal
Whoever put this tweet together had to have had a small smile as they did it:Whoever put this tweet together had to have had a small smile as they did it:
Great to meet w. @BirdlifeOz at @Aust_Parliament yesterday. Birdlife Australia has been working for the conservation of our native birds & their habitats since 1901, incl. on Christmas Island where our recent EPBC Act decision protects birds such as the endangered Abbott's Booby. pic.twitter.com/mwkbchRb78Great to meet w. @BirdlifeOz at @Aust_Parliament yesterday. Birdlife Australia has been working for the conservation of our native birds & their habitats since 1901, incl. on Christmas Island where our recent EPBC Act decision protects birds such as the endangered Abbott's Booby. pic.twitter.com/mwkbchRb78
The Senate just passed my motion calling on the govt to extend the #BanksRC #Greens pic.twitter.com/kbYLWqd70eThe Senate just passed my motion calling on the govt to extend the #BanksRC #Greens pic.twitter.com/kbYLWqd70e
Fraser Anning's motion calling on the government to allow the import of pepper spray, mace & tasers so women can protect themselves has been voted down by Senate 46 to 5.IN FAVOR:Fraser AnningDavid LeyonhjelmPeter GeorgiouBrian BurstonCory Bernardi pic.twitter.com/CIC1NtoR01Fraser Anning's motion calling on the government to allow the import of pepper spray, mace & tasers so women can protect themselves has been voted down by Senate 46 to 5.IN FAVOR:Fraser AnningDavid LeyonhjelmPeter GeorgiouBrian BurstonCory Bernardi pic.twitter.com/CIC1NtoR01
AGAINST:Coalition (including Lucy Gichuhi, Marise Payne, Birmo, Linda Reynolds, Richard Colbeck, Steve Martin, Jane Hume, Connie FW, James McGrath, Slade Brockman, James Paterson, Jonathan Duniam, Eric Abetz, David Bushby, Amanda Stoker)LaborGreensCATim StorerDerryn HinchAGAINST:Coalition (including Lucy Gichuhi, Marise Payne, Birmo, Linda Reynolds, Richard Colbeck, Steve Martin, Jane Hume, Connie FW, James McGrath, Slade Brockman, James Paterson, Jonathan Duniam, Eric Abetz, David Bushby, Amanda Stoker)LaborGreensCATim StorerDerryn Hinch
The Senate is now voting on an hours motion to ensure the chamber can deal with the national security bills, as well as the housing affordability bill, internet gambling legislation and other “we agree on this” stuff.The Senate is now voting on an hours motion to ensure the chamber can deal with the national security bills, as well as the housing affordability bill, internet gambling legislation and other “we agree on this” stuff.
Which means that the Senate will sit from 4.30pm until the bills are done.Which means that the Senate will sit from 4.30pm until the bills are done.
Peter Georgiou just told Sky News the government attempted to “poach” him.Peter Georgiou just told Sky News the government attempted to “poach” him.
He wouldn’t say who made the approach, but said he turned it down.He wouldn’t say who made the approach, but said he turned it down.
“I’m a One Nation senator,” he said.“I’m a One Nation senator,” he said.
You can find the whole speech Andrew Wilkie just made here.You can find the whole speech Andrew Wilkie just made here.
Andrew Wilkie has just wrapped up his speech.Andrew Wilkie has just wrapped up his speech.
For those who need a reminder, Australia and Indonesia signed the Timor Gap treaty in 1989 while Timor-Leste was under Indonesian occupation, leaving it with no maritime border.For those who need a reminder, Australia and Indonesia signed the Timor Gap treaty in 1989 while Timor-Leste was under Indonesian occupation, leaving it with no maritime border.
What that meant was Australia was able to claim the oil and gas in what became the Timor Gap. Timor-Leste gained its independence in 2002, but still had no permanent maritime border.What that meant was Australia was able to claim the oil and gas in what became the Timor Gap. Timor-Leste gained its independence in 2002, but still had no permanent maritime border.
Negotiations began as to where the border should sit in 2004. That same year, a former Australian spy, who was known as Witness K, gave testimony at the Hague about an Australian intelligence operation to bug Timor-Leste’s cabinet rooms during those negotiations. Two years later, a $40bn treaty was signed between Australia and Timor-Leste, but no permanent border was set, with the ruling the revenue would be split.Negotiations began as to where the border should sit in 2004. That same year, a former Australian spy, who was known as Witness K, gave testimony at the Hague about an Australian intelligence operation to bug Timor-Leste’s cabinet rooms during those negotiations. Two years later, a $40bn treaty was signed between Australia and Timor-Leste, but no permanent border was set, with the ruling the revenue would be split.
The spying allegations became public in 2013. Timor-Leste dropped the spying case last year, and earlier this year a permanent maritime border was set and agreed between Australia and Timor-Leste and a new treaty over the gas and oil profits was agreed to.The spying allegations became public in 2013. Timor-Leste dropped the spying case last year, and earlier this year a permanent maritime border was set and agreed between Australia and Timor-Leste and a new treaty over the gas and oil profits was agreed to.
So, fast forward to the federation chamber and Wilkie.So, fast forward to the federation chamber and Wilkie.
The whistleblower in the spying case had his passport seized. And despite numerous attempts he is yet to get it back. Now, Wilkie says, he and his lawyer are being prosecuted:The whistleblower in the spying case had his passport seized. And despite numerous attempts he is yet to get it back. Now, Wilkie says, he and his lawyer are being prosecuted:
“This is obviously an insane development in its own right, but an insane development made all the more curious by Australia’s recent commitment to a new treaty with East Timor.“This is obviously an insane development in its own right, but an insane development made all the more curious by Australia’s recent commitment to a new treaty with East Timor.
“It seems that with the diplomacy out of the way, it is time to bury the bodies.“It seems that with the diplomacy out of the way, it is time to bury the bodies.
“The bottom line is that spying on East Timor was indeed illegal and unscrupulous. Although it was the Howard government’s initiative, the crime has subsequently been covered up by all governments ever since and now this government wants to turn the former ASIS officer and his lawyer into political prisoners.“The bottom line is that spying on East Timor was indeed illegal and unscrupulous. Although it was the Howard government’s initiative, the crime has subsequently been covered up by all governments ever since and now this government wants to turn the former ASIS officer and his lawyer into political prisoners.
“But that is what happens in a pre-police state. Where instead of a royal commission, they lock up people who more likely deserve the Order of Australia.”“But that is what happens in a pre-police state. Where instead of a royal commission, they lock up people who more likely deserve the Order of Australia.”
I’ve just been pointed to this exchange from last night - which is missing from the Senate Hansard, but is on the recording.
With 30 seconds to go until the adjournment, David Leyonhjelm, who was in the chair, decided instead of calling the next speaker (who would barely have time to get out of their chair before the deadline), he could entertain the chamber.
Penny Wong was on board, it seems, from this banter:
Leyonhjelm: It’s 30 seconds from 7:20, I think under the circumstances asking Senator Storer to commence his speech might be a bit unreasonable. So I might just sit here and sing to you.
From the benches: Do you take requests?
From the benches: It should be “I did it my way” by the sound of it.
Wong: No, “The Internationale”. You’d know that
Leyonhjelm: I’d never admit to it.
#TBT 25 Years: haven’t aged a day! #auspol pic.twitter.com/DFldLq4fC8
Andrew Wilkie will be making a speech in the federation chamber at 11.30 on “the shameful decision by the federal government to prosecute the intelligence officer who blew the whistle on the operation to bug Timor-Leste’s cabinet rooms in 2004, and his legal counsel, Mr Bernard Collaery.”
Stay tuned for that.
And, not surprisingly, the Institute of Public Affairs has the opposite view. From its statement:
“Bill Shorten this week announced he would reverse legislated company tax cuts for businesses between $10m and $50m turnover.
“The data finds that 1.57 million workers are employed in businesses [with] between $10m-$50m turnover. In addition, 3.68 million workers are employed in businesses with over $50m turnover who would miss out because of Labor’s rejection of the enterprise tax plan number two.“IPA research fellow Matthew Lesh said, ‘Bill Shorten’s corporate tax thought bubble will leave 5.25 million Australian workers worse off. Almost half of all Australians workers are employed by businesses with over $10m turnover.
“ ‘Australia already has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. The United States’ corporate tax rate is now 21%, Britain is at 19%, and, in our region, Singapore’s rate is 17%, and Hong Kong is 16.5%. It’s no coincidence that the Australian economy is stagnating while the rest of the world is growing. Higher corporate tax means less investment, lower wages, and fewer jobs.
“ ‘Labor’s plan would punish companies for becoming successful, selling more products and services, and employing more Australians.“ ‘The IPA released research earlier this week which found that the top 0.33% of all companies paid 63% of all net company tax over the period 2011-16, proving false the Labor claim that big business does not pay its ‘fair’ share of corporate tax.
“ ‘It’s time for the Senate to pass the full enterprise tax plan which treats all businesses fairly and equally.’ ”
The Australia Institute is happy with the company tax cut delay – and wants it to become permanent.
From the thinktank’s statement:
Company tax cuts will not lead to greater economic prosperity. In fact modelling from the Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) shows a fall in gross national income as a result of these cuts with the benefits largely flowing to foreign shareholders,” said Ben Oquist, the executive director of the institute.
The cost to revenue of company tax cuts is enormous, putting future government spending on health, education or public infrastructure at risk.
More than the politics, it is the economic case for the company tax cuts which has failed.
The Senate has held firm and all Australians have them to thank for keeping a sensible economic stance.”
After Huawei’s Australian chairman’s outing at the National Press Club on Wednesday to defend the security of the company and pitch for it to have a role in the 5G network build, it appears the government is unmoved.
John Lord said the company would refuse to hand over data on Australian users to China because complying with such an order would be “completely illegal”, but he struggled to explain the requirements of Chinese law and to account for security assessments against the company’s involvement.
At a doorstop on Thursday, the attorney general, Christian Porter, seemed unconvinced: “I watched it. It didn’t make matters much clearer for me I must say.”
The defence minister, Marise Payne, was a little more diplomatic:
”I’m not going to comment on specific businesses. But what I will say is the government’s first priority is to ensure that in any advances in our telecommunications structure we’re protecting Australia’s interest. That will be at the forefront of our consideration.”
Anyone watching the Mathias Cormann press conference may have noticed he mentioned Longman and Braddon as being a litmus test on the company tax cut package – but not Mayo.
Labor certainly noticed, judging by the messages I received.
But I think it is more that Mayo is not a Labor-Liberal contest like the other two. It is a Centre Alliance-Liberal contest, and Cormann still needs CA’s support to pass these laws, if/when One Nation comes on board.
Tim Storer has said a very firm no. Derryn Hinch wants the banks cut out, which the government has given a very firm no to. So it is down to Centre Alliance and One Nation for these to get across the line.
Mark Dreyfus spoke on the foreign interference laws this morning. Labor has given its support, so they will pass. But there is one part he says has been held up:
Today two significant laws that will curb foreign influence on our politics are expected to pass the parliament.
But the government has only finished half the job. Another part of the package – the ban on foreign donations – is still gathering dust. Why? You have to ask why.
It’s because the government apparently wants to go on raking in foreign donations into the Liberal party’s coffers, completely different to the Labor party because we’ve said 18 months ago now that we are going to stop taking foreign donations.
I’m calling on the government very directly to finish the job, to complete the package of laws that were introduced with great fanfare last December. Labor has worked constructively and hard to get the two other laws – the foreign interference and espionage law, and the foreign influence transparency scheme bill – into the parliament, passed through the House of Representatives. They will pass the Senate today. But the other part of the package is not done. The government has not finished the job. They need to get on with it.
And when parliament returns in August, we expect to see that ban on foreign donations brought back to the parliament for passage.”
We have now entered un-Australian territory. Mathias Cormann:
I said our intention was to deal with this this week. I said our intention was to secure the passage of this legislation this week. That was absolutely our intention. But we believe it is critically important to ensure that these business tax cuts, for all businesses across Australia, can be legislated because we want to protect our economic security into the future.
We want to secure our economic prosperity into the future and making sure that businesses in Australia can be competitive with businesses in other parts of the world is a very important part of that. Let me make one more point in relation to Bill Shorten.
Bill Shorten says he’s against the big end of town. Bill Shorten is helping the big end of town in just about every country overseas take investment and jobs away from Australia. Bill Shorten is locking in a competitive advantage for businesses in other parts of the world by forcing business taxes here in Australia to remain high. He is making a decision, an un-Australian decision, Bill Shorten is making an un-Australian decision to put businesses in Australia at an ongoing disadvantage with businesses in other parts of the world by locking in on an ongoing basis. That is his position, higher taxes here in Australia and he should stand condemned for that.”
Does Mathias Cormann think he’ll have better luck after the byelections?
The byelections will be a referendum on who has the better plan for a stronger economy and more jobs. Mr Shorten, who is pushing higher taxes, which lead to less investment, lower growth, higher unemployment and, hence, lower wages over time, or our plan for a stronger economy and more jobs, which will attract more investment so businesses can be more successful, hire more people and, as there is more competition for workers, drive up wages.
After the byelections, who knows? We might have a more business-friendly Labor leader. All sorts of things could be different on the other side of the byelections.
Bill Shorten is all over the place and he cannot be trusted with the Australian economy. He’s all over the place but one thing is clear: his instinct and his commitment always is to inflict higher taxes on everyone. Higher taxes on business. Higher taxes on hardworking Australians. Higher taxes on retirees. Higher taxes on home owners.
There is not a tax that Bill Shorten doesn’t like. If Bill Shorten does well in these byelections, he will see it as endorsement for his plan of higher taxes which we say would hurt the economy, hurt families and cost jobs. We say to the people in Braddon and Longman: you have the opportunity to send Bill Shorten a message. If you do not support his higher taxes, vote for the Liberal candidate in Braddon and Longman.”