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Andrew Wilkie says prosecuting Timor-Leste bugging whistleblower is 'insane' – politics live Labor asks about 'any agreements with One Nation in last 48 hours' – 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”: Kelly O’Dwyer just tried to slip in a “disposa-Bill” into her answer.
“Our river is on life support and our government is in witness protection,” Greens Murray Darling Basin Hanson-Young said in a statement. Is there something about holding an economics portfolio which compels you to make bad puns?
“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. Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull:
“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. Will the Government reveal the details of its secret deal with One Nation before the July 28 by-elections or after them?
“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’. Turnbull:
“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. “Talking about personal discussions and conversations, I just noted in the shadow Minister for small business’s interview with Alan Jones today. He was, he was slipping and sliding, failing to defend his leader’s captain’s call - “I’m not going to go into personal conversations that the leadership group or Bill has with us or I have with him.”
“The Turnbull Government and the MDBA have questions to answer. But they’re going to the courts instead of going to the Commission. So there it is. He says he always take as very consultive approach. But there will be nothing more consultive than the event in Devonport on July 4.
“It’s cowardice. And what’s more, it’s disrespectful to the people of South Australia. It is when the Leader of the Opposition is having a business luncheon. And he’s going to reveal Labor’s plan for Braddon. And it’s advertised nicely. The Leader of the Opposition and there’s two young men there in hard hats and high vis, and I’m just sort of wondering who they work for? Do you think they might be working for Penguin Composites?”
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 That sort of answer just reminds me of how I answered essay questions for exams I was not prepared for. ‘Oh, you have asked me about elephants? Elephants are grey. Funny thing about grey, there can be up to 50 shades of grey....”
Today has all the hallmarks of a last day at school – a mad rush in the morning, and then giant lulls. Tony Burke asks for relevance and Chris Bowen adds his own point of order:
But we still have question time in front of us, so get ready for that – predictions below. “Can I ask the PM to table the transcript of myself and Alan Jones and any of himself on Alan Jones?”
There was a time when backbenchers could talk to their local radio stations and we never heard hide nor hair of the chat. Lols all around, and the prime minister stays seated.
Then social media was invented. And on those shadow cabinet updates, Bill Shorten’s office has issued this statement:
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. Today I announce minor changes to Labor’s shadow ministerial team.
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. It’s my pleasure to welcome Madeleine King to my Shadow Ministry as the Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Shadow Minister Assisting for Resources and Shadow Minister Assisting for Small Business.
Apparently not. Reflecting Labor’s strong commitment to ending the scourge of family violence, I am proud to elevate this portfolio to a Shadow Ministerial position, with Linda Burney becoming the Shadow Minister for Preventing Family Violence.
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/AmSMTQkdal After her terrific work leading Labor’s policy agenda on family violence prevention, I have asked Terri Butler to take on a new role as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Young Australians and Youth Affairs.
Whoever put this tweet together had to have had a small smile as they did it: Chris Bowen will add Small Business to his portfolios. Unlike the Liberals, Labor believes small business is a portfolio that deserves Cabinet-level representation. Along with Madeleine, Julie Owens will continue to assist Chris as Shadow Assistant Minister for Small Business.
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/mwkbchRb78 Clare O’Neil will join Labor’s economic team as Shadow Minister for Financial Services, in addition to her existing duties.
The Senate just passed my motion calling on the govt to extend the #BanksRC #Greens pic.twitter.com/kbYLWqd70e Jacinta Collins will take on Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.
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/CIC1NtoR01 Glenn Sterle will become the Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety.
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 Hinch Oh great, Michael McCormack is back, this time with a dixer.
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. Meanwhile, those sitting on the hook of the government benches - Craig Laundy, Darren Chester, Angus Taylor and Ken Wyatt are all wearing grey suits and just got in trouble for holding up signs, which apparently, had something to do with Paul Fletcher.
Which means that the Senate will sit from 4.30pm until the bills are done. Cathy McGowan, who, like all on the crossbench actually ask questions their electorates would want answers to, unlike dixer questions, which are written by ministers for backbenches and just prosecute the government’s press release lines for the day asks Michael McCormack:
Peter Georgiou just told Sky News the government attempted to “poach” him. “My question is on the $235million north-east Vic rail lineproject. And in February the then Minister said the scope of works would be released for community consultation in about the middle of the year and it’s now the middle of the year. My community’s asking when will the scope of works be released for community consultation? Who is responsible for developing and implementing the community strategy? And will you please provide us the leadership we need to deliver on this multimillion-dollar commitment?”
He wouldn’t say who made the approach, but said he turned it down. McCormack:
“I’m a One Nation senator,” he said. The coming months. (That is the exceptionally short version)
You can find the whole speech Andrew Wilkie just made here. Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull:
Andrew Wilkie has just wrapped up his speech. “Has the government reached any agreements with One Nation in the last 48 hours”.
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. Turnbull:
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. I thank the honorable member for his question and understand his curiosity but we never discuss negotiations with the crossbench. We don’t. And we have found that the most important thing to do when negotiating with other members of parliament is to treat them with respect and that’s what we do.”
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. Australia hasn’t had a youth minister since 2013, when Tony Abbott scrapped it from the ministry
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. Very excited to take on new responsibility for young Australians and youth affairs today.The Turnbull government needs to stop waging its war on young people and start thinking long-term. #qt #auspol
So, fast forward to the federation chamber and Wilkie. Pleased my former family violence portfolio has been elevated to be a shadow ministry. Absolutely delighted that @LindaBurneyMP will be the shadow minister responsible. She will be a great champion for victims and survivors.#endVAW #qt #auspol
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: Chris Bowen to Malcolm Turnbull:
“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. “Has the government reached any agreements with One Nation in the last 48 hours?”
“It seems that with the diplomacy out of the way, it is time to bury the bodies. Turnbull:
“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. I thank the honorable member and I congratulate him on his recent appointment as the Shadow Minister for small business.
“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.” Of course, there are many ways to create a mall business. Most people start off with no business at all and build it up. Others, and I think the Shadow Minister would fall into this category, would start with a large business and turn it into a small one. That’s exactly what he will do to Australia’s economy. It’s exactly what he will do with Australia’s economy and Australia’s businesses.”
Tony Burke asks for the relevance, but the prime minister has decided he is done with that question.
Shorter version - #theprimeministerdidnotanswerthequestion
We move on to Scott Morrison’s first lesson in how to coordinate your loud noises with pointy fingers. #deathtodixers
Let’s head to the Senate while Malcolm Turnbull makes his way through this first dixer:
At his presser Mathias Cormann asked voters to send a message on company tax cuts to Labor in Longman and Braddon, in Senate #qt he has added "and Mayo". Oh yes, that one. #auspol
It is the last question time for six weeks!
Before we start, Bill Shorten announces the changes to his frontbench:
“I present a revised list of the shadow ministry. The member for Brand will join the shadow ministry as shadow minister for consumer affairs. The member for Barton will add shadow minister for preventing family violence to her existing role. The member for Griffith will take on a new role. The member for McMahon [Chris Bowen] will add shadow minister for small business to his existing responsibilities as shadow treasurer.
The member for Hotham will join Labor’s economic team as shadow minister for financial services in addition to her existing role.
Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull:
Why did the PM abandon his vote on his centrepiece $80bn handout to big business today? Is this just another failure of this PM? Or has the PM struck a secret deal with the One Nation party to delay the vote giving $80bn to big business until after the upcoming byelections?”
Turnbull:
I thank the honorable member for his question. Speaking about secrets, Mr Speaker, the honorable member kept his slashing assault on small business a secret from his shadow cabinet from his caucus, from his mystified colleagues, including the deputy leader. Kept a secret from them until he dropped that bombshell and announced he was going to put at risk five million jobs. 4.8 million to be precise. Australians work for businesses with a turnover of under $50 million.
And those jobs are put at risk by this Leader of the Opposition, in this captain’s call, this relentless assault on small and family business.
The parliament will be breaking for six weeks or so and everyone will be out campaigning hard no doubt. It will be very interesting for the Leader of the Opposition - where will he go?
“He will bow visiting small business perhaps. A high vis opportunity. Oh, yes, he could be going to Stubbs Constructions. He could be seeing Penguin Composites. And doing that with the candidate in Braddon, the candidate in Braddon announced on her Facebook page how they were backing Penguin Composites.
That company was denouncing the savage assault on their business by the Labor Party. Where is he going to go? He can’t go to any family business, any small and medium business. No more high vis. He could-a cup of tea with some seniors and talk about the 28% of their income he’s taking away. He can talk to some workers in the construction sector and talk about his assault on the property industry. Or he could talk to some of the members of what he describes as the top end of town, people on average weekly earnings. Sort of $80,000, $90,000, and explain how he is going to deny them, if he gets into government, the opportunity of a lower tax rate.
Right around the country Australians will know that the Leader of the Opposition and the Labor Party stand for higher taxes. They stand for higher taxes on business, large and small. They stand for higher taxes on families. Higher taxes on property and investment and on retirees. That means the Labor Party stands for less economic growth, fewer jobs and lower wages.
I look forward to the Leader of the Opposition’s tip toeing through all the land mines he’s created around Australia.