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Australian officials to speak with Indonesians over Israel embassy concerns – politics live Australian officials to speak with Indonesians over Israel embassy concerns – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
And we will leave the blog here tonight.
What a week huh? (Insert Liz Lemon joke here)
There are more fun and games to be had tomorrow. Maybe even some *gasp* policy discussion. Don’t hold your breath though.
Labor and the crossbench pushing the government into temporarily bringing the children of asylum seekers, and their families, to Australia for medical treatment, as decreed by the AMA in a fairly unprecedented intervention by the good doctors, should be something we talk about tomorrow.
Should be.
At the moment, it is all coming down to the New Zealand offer to accept 150 refugees, an offer which has been on the table since 2013 mind you, and how the government navigates that.
The government says it will look at the offer, if its legislation creating a “lifetime ban” for any of the Nauru or Manus Island detained asylum seekers is passed by the parliament.
Labor says that will never happen, and that the US deal was not contingent on it.
The government wants it for New Zealand because of the freedom of movement between the two countries under the Trans-Tasman agreement. It says the New Zealand offer provides a “backdoor” to living in Australia without the ban, and Peter Dutton has told parliament New Zealand is being touted as a way to get into Australia by people smugglers.
But the parliament seems to have finally caught up to the public – which has been softening its views on Nauru and Manus Island over the last couple of years, as people begin to wonder just how long we plan on keeping asylum seekers there.
And more and more people are against indefinitely being the answer to that question.
I’ll be back with the Guardian’s brains trust tomorrow to bring you all the days events. I imagine the government senators are counting down the hours to Thursday night, given the Senate just has the one week sitting this time round.
A big thank you to everyone who followed today’s twists and turns. I hope you can take a moment to shut off, because tomorrow as they say, is another day.
And in the meantime – take care of you.
Back to the Senate, the government “denied formality” to this motion put forward by Pauline Hanson.
That the Senate is of the opinion that anti-Semitism should be defined, as it is by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as:
(a) hatred toward Jews; and
(b) rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism directed toward:
(i) Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property, and
(ii) Jewish community institutions and religious facilities
Motions get denied formality all the time – it is basically a way of saying, no, the Senate will not be debating that.
But it was the decision of the Labour party in the UK to move away from the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism which caused so many of its recent problems
One Nation was being a little sneaky here, by forcing the government to confirm its position on the definition of Semitism, as defined by the IHRA. You can find that working definition here
And it follows the decision last year, by the IHRA to upgrade Australia’s status “in the organisation from observer to liaison” following “three years of engagement by Australian diplomats and experts under the leadership of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and encouragement from Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop and prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to deepen that engagement.”
But it looks like the government has been burned and is not willing to see complex and nuanced policy positions debated as Senate motions put forward by Pauline Hanson. At least not today.
Further to Rebehka Sharkie’s question in QT about the crossbenchers’ bill to temporarily remove children on Nauru for medical treatment, Bill Shorten has written to Scott Morrison announcing Labor’s legislation:Further to Rebehka Sharkie’s question in QT about the crossbenchers’ bill to temporarily remove children on Nauru for medical treatment, Bill Shorten has written to Scott Morrison announcing Labor’s legislation:
Bill Shorten has written to Scott Morrison about the temporary removal of children of asylum seekers off Nauru for treatment pic.twitter.com/TYbLF000lTBill Shorten has written to Scott Morrison about the temporary removal of children of asylum seekers off Nauru for treatment pic.twitter.com/TYbLF000lT
Labor has officially responded to the idea put forward (again) by the government – that it wants a lifetime ban on asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island from ever entering Australia, before it would consider New Zealand’s resettlement offer.Labor has officially responded to the idea put forward (again) by the government – that it wants a lifetime ban on asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island from ever entering Australia, before it would consider New Zealand’s resettlement offer.
The problem there, is that New Zealand has freedom of movement with us (and vice versa) so by creating a lifetime ban, it is essentially creating a second tier of New Zealand citizenship. The problem there is that New Zealand has freedom of movement with us (and vice versa) so, by creating a lifetime ban, it is essentially creating a second tier of New Zealand citizenship.
Shayne Neumann confirms Labor is still against the proposal:Shayne Neumann confirms Labor is still against the proposal:
The “lifetime ban” legislation permanently excludes any person who travelled to Australia by means other than the normal channels for immigration, including by boat, from ever entering Australia.The “lifetime ban” legislation permanently excludes any person who travelled to Australia by means other than the normal channels for immigration, including by boat, from ever entering Australia.
This would include someone who has subsequently settled in the United States and, decades later, needs to come to Australia for a short business trip, or to visit a dying relative.This would include someone who has subsequently settled in the United States and, decades later, needs to come to Australia for a short business trip, or to visit a dying relative.
Other examples of people who would be banned from ever coming to Australia include:Other examples of people who would be banned from ever coming to Australia include:
politicians undertaking a political exchange;politicians undertaking a political exchange;
elite athletes hoping to compete in Australian sport events;elite athletes hoping to compete in Australian sport events;
tourist visits by former refugees who are now citizens of another country; andtourist visits by former refugees who are now citizens of another country; and
business owners or employees visiting in Australia to discuss the expansion of companies and businesses into the Australia market.business owners or employees visiting in Australia to discuss the expansion of companies and businesses into the Australia market.
The legislation is a ridiculous overreach and is irrelevant to securing third country resettlement arrangements and Labor does not agree to the legislation in its current form.The legislation is a ridiculous overreach and is irrelevant to securing third country resettlement arrangements and Labor does not agree to the legislation in its current form.
The discrimination issue is not going away any time soon, no matter how many times Scott Morrison says the government is taking its time to respond to the Ruddock review to ensure it gets it right.The discrimination issue is not going away any time soon, no matter how many times Scott Morrison says the government is taking its time to respond to the Ruddock review to ensure it gets it right.
Janet Rice says voting for the Greens’ discrimination-free schools bill will put the issue to bed. The senator introduced it this afternoon. She said in a statement:Janet Rice says voting for the Greens’ discrimination-free schools bill will put the issue to bed. The senator introduced it this afternoon. She said in a statement:
Prime minister Scott Morrison is right: we need to ‘act right now’ to end this unfair discrimination while both parties are feeling the pressure in Wentworth.Prime minister Scott Morrison is right: we need to ‘act right now’ to end this unfair discrimination while both parties are feeling the pressure in Wentworth.
Under intense community pressure, both the Labor and Liberal parties have changed their position and are now talking big about removing discrimination against LGBT+ students and teachers from our laws.Under intense community pressure, both the Labor and Liberal parties have changed their position and are now talking big about removing discrimination against LGBT+ students and teachers from our laws.
It’s time they turn their words into action and vote for the Greens’ bill to protect students, teachers and staff members from being expelled or fired by religious schools because of who they are.It’s time they turn their words into action and vote for the Greens’ bill to protect students, teachers and staff members from being expelled or fired by religious schools because of who they are.
If we delay, we risk Scott Morrison caving into the conservatives and Bill Shorten selling out LGBT+ Australians once again after the Wentworth byelection and missing our opportunity to end this legal discrimination ‘once and for all’.If we delay, we risk Scott Morrison caving into the conservatives and Bill Shorten selling out LGBT+ Australians once again after the Wentworth byelection and missing our opportunity to end this legal discrimination ‘once and for all’.
The Palestinian foreign minister is more blunt:The Palestinian foreign minister is more blunt:
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki says Australia’s position re Israel embassy threatens its trade and business with other nations pic.twitter.com/yTqS1sNnkDPalestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki says Australia’s position re Israel embassy threatens its trade and business with other nations pic.twitter.com/yTqS1sNnkD
From the Indonesian foreign minister’s statement, as reported by the ABC’s David Lipson.From the Indonesian foreign minister’s statement, as reported by the ABC’s David Lipson.
You can take from this Indonesia is critical of the proposal Australia is looking at, but it is not clear whether the trade deal will be pulled because of it.You can take from this Indonesia is critical of the proposal Australia is looking at, but it is not clear whether the trade deal will be pulled because of it.
Indonesian Foreign Minister: We have conveyed to Australia our opposition Re Embassy issue.... Indonesia encourages Aust and other nations to continue to support the peace process and not conduct any action that could undermine the peace process and global security pic.twitter.com/JpiOAYACLHIndonesian Foreign Minister: We have conveyed to Australia our opposition Re Embassy issue.... Indonesia encourages Aust and other nations to continue to support the peace process and not conduct any action that could undermine the peace process and global security pic.twitter.com/JpiOAYACLH
Katharine Murphy with an update on the ‘backdoor’ closure Scott Morrison wants before looking at accepting New Zealand’s offer:Katharine Murphy with an update on the ‘backdoor’ closure Scott Morrison wants before looking at accepting New Zealand’s offer:
Morrison put NZ back on the table both yesterday and today in the party room in response to Zimmerman's question. Govt wants to revive the old no back door legislation. Labor says it won't support it; if the Coalition wants NZ resettlement, pick up the phone to Ardern #auspolMorrison put NZ back on the table both yesterday and today in the party room in response to Zimmerman's question. Govt wants to revive the old no back door legislation. Labor says it won't support it; if the Coalition wants NZ resettlement, pick up the phone to Ardern #auspol
And the ABC is to be the subject of another inquiry:And the ABC is to be the subject of another inquiry:
Breaking: the Senate has established an inquiry into the independence of the ABC #auspolBreaking: the Senate has established an inquiry into the independence of the ABC #auspol
And now this:And now this:
Indonesia's trade minister tells Reuters no plans to suspend trade deal with Australia after PM flags moving Australian embassy to Jerusalem. He expects it to be signed later this year.Indonesia's trade minister tells Reuters no plans to suspend trade deal with Australia after PM flags moving Australian embassy to Jerusalem. He expects it to be signed later this year.
The motion Penny Wong flagged yesterday:The motion Penny Wong flagged yesterday:
That the Senate –That the Senate –
(a) notes that:(a) notes that:
(i) Australia is a tolerant and accepting nation and discrimination against LGBTI Australians has no place in our national laws;(i) Australia is a tolerant and accepting nation and discrimination against LGBTI Australians has no place in our national laws;
(ii) the government has had the review into religious freedoms since May 2018, and has so far refused to release it so Australia can have a proper debate about these important issues;(ii) the government has had the review into religious freedoms since May 2018, and has so far refused to release it so Australia can have a proper debate about these important issues;
(iii) repeated leaks over the last week have suggested that the review will recommend changes to exemptions from anti-discrimination legislation in relation to LGBTI students and staff;(iii) repeated leaks over the last week have suggested that the review will recommend changes to exemptions from anti-discrimination legislation in relation to LGBTI students and staff;
(iv) many religious education institutions have made clear that they do not use, nor do they want, these exemptions; and(iv) many religious education institutions have made clear that they do not use, nor do they want, these exemptions; and
(v) these exemptions are out of step with the views and beliefs of most Australians; and(v) these exemptions are out of step with the views and beliefs of most Australians; and
(b) calls on the federal government to:(b) calls on the federal government to:
(i) immediately introduce legislation which would abolish the current exemptions that permit discrimination against LGBTI students and staff in religious schools; and(i) immediately introduce legislation which would abolish the current exemptions that permit discrimination against LGBTI students and staff in religious schools; and
(ii) immediately release the review into religious freedoms so the Australian people can have a mature debate about how we can best balance protection of religious freedom with the rights of people to live free from discrimination, in compliance with the orders of the Senate of 19 September and 20 September 2018.(ii) immediately release the review into religious freedoms so the Australian people can have a mature debate about how we can best balance protection of religious freedom with the rights of people to live free from discrimination, in compliance with the orders of the Senate of 19 September and 20 September 2018.
Was just passed, despite the government voting against it, 32 to 29.Was just passed, despite the government voting against it, 32 to 29.
A Senate committee will soon decide if federal police can use documents seized in a raid on the home affairs department for its investigation into leaks concerning the visa cases of two foreign au pairs.A Senate committee will soon decide if federal police can use documents seized in a raid on the home affairs department for its investigation into leaks concerning the visa cases of two foreign au pairs.
The Senate on Tuesday afternoon voted to refer the issue to its privileges committee, which is due to meet on Thursday.The Senate on Tuesday afternoon voted to refer the issue to its privileges committee, which is due to meet on Thursday.
Last week, investigators were ordered to hand over any documentation to the Senate clerk for safekeeping until Labor senator Louise Pratt’s claim for parliamentary privilege could be settled.Last week, investigators were ordered to hand over any documentation to the Senate clerk for safekeeping until Labor senator Louise Pratt’s claim for parliamentary privilege could be settled.
The privileges committee is expected to offer affected parties the opportunity to make submissions and has left the door open to examining the seized material if necessary, according to a Senate motion.The privileges committee is expected to offer affected parties the opportunity to make submissions and has left the door open to examining the seized material if necessary, according to a Senate motion.
Eight senators are on the committee – government backbenchers Dean Smith, Eric Abetz, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and David Bushby, Labor’s Jacinta Collins, Deborah O’Neill and Lisa Singh as well as Greens senator Nick McKim.Eight senators are on the committee – government backbenchers Dean Smith, Eric Abetz, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and David Bushby, Labor’s Jacinta Collins, Deborah O’Neill and Lisa Singh as well as Greens senator Nick McKim.
During a Senate inquiry hearing into the au pair saga last month, Pratt warned department boss Mike Pezzullo that any federal police investigation would have to take into account parliamentary privilege.During a Senate inquiry hearing into the au pair saga last month, Pratt warned department boss Mike Pezzullo that any federal police investigation would have to take into account parliamentary privilege.
Looks like there are some Eurovision fans in the department of human services:Looks like there are some Eurovision fans in the department of human services:
Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest Wikipedia article edited anonymously from Department of Human Services https://t.co/C8JaObe9ee pic.twitter.com/SzZhvrtnwOAustralia in the Eurovision Song Contest Wikipedia article edited anonymously from Department of Human Services https://t.co/C8JaObe9ee pic.twitter.com/SzZhvrtnwO
From Primrose Riordan at the Australian:From Primrose Riordan at the Australian:
Sources saying the issue of the FTA was not raised in the recent exchange between Indonesian president Jokowi and Scott Morrison. Full story here soon https://t.co/sLgntIvuHv https://t.co/cITpoHROqmSources saying the issue of the FTA was not raised in the recent exchange between Indonesian president Jokowi and Scott Morrison. Full story here soon https://t.co/sLgntIvuHv https://t.co/cITpoHROqm
Michelle Grattan was reduced to using all caps in a tweet earlier today.Michelle Grattan was reduced to using all caps in a tweet earlier today.
amazing statement from Porter who is ATTORNEY-GENERALamazing statement from Porter who is ATTORNEY-GENERAL
And now Andrew Bolt is coming through with the logic:And now Andrew Bolt is coming through with the logic:
you know it's a bad day when ... pic.twitter.com/z0xiUQ7l2Wyou know it's a bad day when ... pic.twitter.com/z0xiUQ7l2W
I’m not saying today is broken, but I am not, not saying that.I’m not saying today is broken, but I am not, not saying that.
And question time ends.And question time ends.
I assume Scott Morrison has some phone calls to make.I assume Scott Morrison has some phone calls to make.
What a treat Joel Fitzgibbon has just given us – more Michael McCormack!What a treat Joel Fitzgibbon has just given us – more Michael McCormack!
Fitzgibbon:Fitzgibbon:
Is the minister aware of a [news] report that a very well-known national stakeholder has been ringing around for about three weeks in the face of ineffective representation on the agricultural sector? What is the minister’s response to that stakeholder, and will they say who we all know who he is?Is the minister aware of a [news] report that a very well-known national stakeholder has been ringing around for about three weeks in the face of ineffective representation on the agricultural sector? What is the minister’s response to that stakeholder, and will they say who we all know who he is?
McCormack:McCormack:
I have to say that back when we first got into government, Mr Speaker, I always put my name, always have, put my name to a story, I don’t listen to anything where people are not prepared to put their name to it, Mr Speaker.I have to say that back when we first got into government, Mr Speaker, I always put my name, always have, put my name to a story, I don’t listen to anything where people are not prepared to put their name to it, Mr Speaker.
And you should listen well...while they are picking on me, they are leaving you alone so rest assured Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, I have always been prepared to put my name to anything I have ever spoken to a journalist about.And you should listen well...while they are picking on me, they are leaving you alone so rest assured Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, I have always been prepared to put my name to anything I have ever spoken to a journalist about.
You can ask any journalist in the gallery, if I have something to say I put my name to it.You can ask any journalist in the gallery, if I have something to say I put my name to it.
We have the member for Warringah sitting up there, and he can full well account for the fact that, Mr Speaker, when I have said things, I put my name to it, because he phoned me a couple of times to ask me why I had made certain statements about things that the government were putting forward, and I said, well, prime minister, he was the prime minister at the time, I said at least I put my name to it. (The camera goes to Tony Abbott. He does not look impressed.)We have the member for Warringah sitting up there, and he can full well account for the fact that, Mr Speaker, when I have said things, I put my name to it, because he phoned me a couple of times to ask me why I had made certain statements about things that the government were putting forward, and I said, well, prime minister, he was the prime minister at the time, I said at least I put my name to it. (The camera goes to Tony Abbott. He does not look impressed.)
You don’t have to worry about somebody who puts their name to something, you have to worry about people who background journalists. You have to worry about people who background journalists.You don’t have to worry about somebody who puts their name to something, you have to worry about people who background journalists. You have to worry about people who background journalists.
There is a cancer in Canberra at the moment, it is people who background journalists, it is no good for politics and no good for parliament. Mr Speaker, there are people opposite who background journalists. You are already finding out.There is a cancer in Canberra at the moment, it is people who background journalists, it is no good for politics and no good for parliament. Mr Speaker, there are people opposite who background journalists. You are already finding out.
The Australian people expect better from politicians, I see the member for Sydney nodding, because she agrees. Whether it is the National party or whether it is the Liberal party or whether it is the Labor party, Mr Speaker, the Australian public just wants to, wants us to focus on what is important to them. And you know what is important to us, Mr Speaker, it is cost of living, it is power prices, it is the price of petrol, it is national security, it is border security.The Australian people expect better from politicians, I see the member for Sydney nodding, because she agrees. Whether it is the National party or whether it is the Liberal party or whether it is the Labor party, Mr Speaker, the Australian public just wants to, wants us to focus on what is important to them. And you know what is important to us, Mr Speaker, it is cost of living, it is power prices, it is the price of petrol, it is national security, it is border security.
They are the things that the people out there watching this telecast, listening to the broadcast, they are the things that people want us to be focused on. I am focused on those things.They are the things that the people out there watching this telecast, listening to the broadcast, they are the things that people want us to be focused on. I am focused on those things.
The prime minister is focused on those things. And those opposite, instead of asking these sorts of questions, should be asking questions about the economy, should be asking questions about the economy, because that is what is important. These inside Canberra games you are playing, they will come back to bite you, don’t worry about that.The prime minister is focused on those things. And those opposite, instead of asking these sorts of questions, should be asking questions about the economy, should be asking questions about the economy, because that is what is important. These inside Canberra games you are playing, they will come back to bite you, don’t worry about that.
People who background journalists have to look in the mirror and ask if that is really serving the people of Australia, is that what I should be doing today.People who background journalists have to look in the mirror and ask if that is really serving the people of Australia, is that what I should be doing today.
No, I am focused on making sure that the people of Australia get well served and I put my name to everything I say to journalists.”No, I am focused on making sure that the people of Australia get well served and I put my name to everything I say to journalists.”
Speaking to Hot Tomato a little earlier, Stuart Robert explained how the $38,000 internet bill happened (which he has agreed to pay back):Speaking to Hot Tomato a little earlier, Stuart Robert explained how the $38,000 internet bill happened (which he has agreed to pay back):
“These things are awkward on our – there’s a management report that comes out every month, in these things, and goes through every single expense, but I probably just wasn’t paying enough attention.”“These things are awkward on our – there’s a management report that comes out every month, in these things, and goes through every single expense, but I probably just wasn’t paying enough attention.”
There you have it. The assistant treasurer was not paying enough attention to what was being spent.There you have it. The assistant treasurer was not paying enough attention to what was being spent.
Case closed.Case closed.
The ABC is reporting the Australian ambassador in Jakarta is seeking urgent talks with the Indonesian foreign minister.The ABC is reporting the Australian ambassador in Jakarta is seeking urgent talks with the Indonesian foreign minister.