This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/oct/17/government-defends-israel-embassy-move-discussion-politics-live

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Barnaby Joyce says if the Nationals leadership was offered he 'would take it' – politics live Barnaby Joyce says if the Nationals leadership was offered he 'would take it' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Simon Birmingham told David Speers on Sky that the decision to have a discussion about moving our Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem had been agreed upon by cabinet.
“Yes,” he said in answer to Speers’s question on that.
On Tuesday, Scott Morrison seemed to suggest he would be talking to cabinet about it – because it was only a discussion, and not a change in policy:
So Australia and I as Prime Minister, am open to that suggestion. What I’ll do in the months ahead is obviously confer with Cabinet colleagues. I will obviously take the opportunity during the upcoming summit season to confer with other leaders around the world and gauge their perception about this and to make the case that Dave [Sharma] himself has made about whether this can actually provide an alternative way forward and aid the cause that I believe all of us are interested in pursuing. So, no decision has been made in regarding the recognition of a capital or the movement of an embassy, and I should be clear – those two things, they are the two issues.”
The Senate debate on removing discrimination law exemptions for religious schoolsis underway.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale said Australians were “horrified” to learn religious schools can fire teachers and expel students on grounds of sexuality and gender, and this should be fixed. The government leader in the Senate Mathias Cormann confirmed the government will not support the bill, because it does not agree on removing the exemption for teachers.
Labor senator Jacinta Collins also made some very interesting remarks about the need to respect the right of religious schools to be run in accordance with their beliefs, and parents to have their children educated “in accordance with their religious convictions”.
Collins said that schools expect teachers and staff to “respect the ethos, values and principles of the particular faith and not to act in ways that undermine schools’ mission”.
Collins said that while religious exemptions to discrimination law are “out of step with community expectations” legislators need to ensure that schools are “positively entitled to operate in accordance with their belief and mission”. While the Greens bill cures the former problem, it only “addresses one side of the equation” by doing nothing on the latter.
Here’s the kicker:
“We would also like to see in legislation a recognition that religious schools are entitled to require employees to act in their roles in a way that upholds the ethos and values of that faith; and this requirement can be taken into account when a person is first employed and in the course of their employment.”
This sounds like Labor is giving a red light to discrimination on the grounds of sexuality but a green light to positively selecting people that uphold a school’s ethos. I’m seeking clarification on that, and how it might be achieved.
Labor, the Greens and enough of the crossbench are already against the government’s ‘life time ban’ on Nauru and Manus Island asylum seekers to keep the bill in purgatory, but New Zealand is also against it.
The New Zealand’s Herald reports foreign minister and sometimes acting prime minister Winston Peters says it would create two tiers of NZ citizenship, which, obviously, NZ is against.
From the NZ Herald story:
Peters said that would, in effect, create one group of New Zealand citizens that could travel and work in Australia, and another group that could not.
“We’re going to have to consider whether or not, as a result of our 2013 commitment (to offer to take 150 refugees from Nauru), we end up with people who are second-class citizens in New Zealand.
“Do we, in our endeavour to be humanitarian about it, end up with a substandard level of citizenship, which is not what this country is about?”
The Greens have attempted to strip former governor general Peter Hollingworth of his pension, after survivors of institutional childhood abuse called for it because of how he handled abuse claims in the Anglican church.The Greens have attempted to strip former governor general Peter Hollingworth of his pension, after survivors of institutional childhood abuse called for it because of how he handled abuse claims in the Anglican church.
That part of the motion was defeated and Rachel Siewert said the Senate was “ignoring the wishes of survivors”.That part of the motion was defeated and Rachel Siewert said the Senate was “ignoring the wishes of survivors”.
“While the Senate supported clauses a to c of my motion, including the clause expressing concern about the current situation, the key clause (d) calling for amendments to the Act were not supported by either of the major parties,” she said.“While the Senate supported clauses a to c of my motion, including the clause expressing concern about the current situation, the key clause (d) calling for amendments to the Act were not supported by either of the major parties,” she said.
“Survivors have approached all parties and requested this change and we need to listen to them.“Survivors have approached all parties and requested this change and we need to listen to them.
“It is deeply concerning that governors general who have lost the confidence of the public and may have acted illegally or brought the office into disrepute, should continue to receive government-funded payments of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.“It is deeply concerning that governors general who have lost the confidence of the public and may have acted illegally or brought the office into disrepute, should continue to receive government-funded payments of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
“The Greens will introduce a private members bill to amend the governors general Act.“The Greens will introduce a private members bill to amend the governors general Act.
“I will continue to work with the community on this issue”.“I will continue to work with the community on this issue”.
Fairfax has updated David Crowe’s story:Fairfax has updated David Crowe’s story:
UPDATE: Phil Glendenning, the president of the Refugee Council of Australia, was at last night's dinner and has gone on the record to confirm senator Pat Dodson's version of what Melissa Price said is "100 per cent accurate"https://t.co/CSaFyUoUYl #auspolUPDATE: Phil Glendenning, the president of the Refugee Council of Australia, was at last night's dinner and has gone on the record to confirm senator Pat Dodson's version of what Melissa Price said is "100 per cent accurate"https://t.co/CSaFyUoUYl #auspol
Barnaby Joyce speaking on the Nationals leadership would not be reassuring if you were Michael McCormack or his supporters:Barnaby Joyce speaking on the Nationals leadership would not be reassuring if you were Michael McCormack or his supporters:
“Can we just deal with that? I am not surprised that journalists like yourself [David Speers on Sky] are asking me questions like that and come up and see me about it. That is not a surprise.“Can we just deal with that? I am not surprised that journalists like yourself [David Speers on Sky] are asking me questions like that and come up and see me about it. That is not a surprise.
“... That is what journalists do, generally.“... That is what journalists do, generally.
“... I have always said that if anything was offered to me, I would take it. It is faux modesty to say if you are offered a job, you’ll turn it down. That is garbage, otherwise there wouldn’t be a cabinet minister, there wouldn’t be a leader, there wouldn’t be a deputy leader.“... I have always said that if anything was offered to me, I would take it. It is faux modesty to say if you are offered a job, you’ll turn it down. That is garbage, otherwise there wouldn’t be a cabinet minister, there wouldn’t be a leader, there wouldn’t be a deputy leader.
“... If it came up, and it was offered to me, I would take it, but I am not touting for it, I am not collecting the numbers for it.”“... If it came up, and it was offered to me, I would take it, but I am not touting for it, I am not collecting the numbers for it.”
So why was the answer wrong, according to Burke?So why was the answer wrong, according to Burke?
Well, according to the government, the answer was up to 19% can be spent on admin costs (about 10% of the fund on administration and about 10% on sub-contracts)Well, according to the government, the answer was up to 19% can be spent on admin costs (about 10% of the fund on administration and about 10% on sub-contracts)
So that would be about $84 million, on that measure.So that would be about $84 million, on that measure.
The foundation itself has admitted that last year, the cost of administration to fundraising ratio was 19.7%The foundation itself has admitted that last year, the cost of administration to fundraising ratio was 19.7%
And the agreement allows for administration and scaling up and subcontract performance, meaning a funding recipient subcontractor can use 10% of the funds it has been given for its own admin.And the agreement allows for administration and scaling up and subcontract performance, meaning a funding recipient subcontractor can use 10% of the funds it has been given for its own admin.
Mark Butler:Mark Butler:
Melissa Price in the parliament this afternoon tried to deny this conversation took place, or that she said these words.Melissa Price in the parliament this afternoon tried to deny this conversation took place, or that she said these words.
Pat Dodson has put them in writing and they were witnessed by a number of other people at the dinner table as well.Pat Dodson has put them in writing and they were witnessed by a number of other people at the dinner table as well.
What we have here is a situation where Melissa Price has made a series of appalling comments to the former president of Kiribati, and instead of facing up to those comments, apologising and withdrawing them, has sought to deny them in the parliament of Australia.What we have here is a situation where Melissa Price has made a series of appalling comments to the former president of Kiribati, and instead of facing up to those comments, apologising and withdrawing them, has sought to deny them in the parliament of Australia.
This is reminiscent of Peter Dutton’s boom-mic moment when he was caught laughing at the fact that our Pacific island neighbours have seawater lapping at their doorsteps, because of the consequences of climate change. It says everything you need to know, not only about our government’s attitude to climate change but this government’s attitude to some of our closest neighbours.This is reminiscent of Peter Dutton’s boom-mic moment when he was caught laughing at the fact that our Pacific island neighbours have seawater lapping at their doorsteps, because of the consequences of climate change. It says everything you need to know, not only about our government’s attitude to climate change but this government’s attitude to some of our closest neighbours.
Tony Burke:Tony Burke:
If there is one thing that an environment minister should be across in this government, it is what happening with the money that is going to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. This was the largest single removal of money from the commonwealth environment in history, leaving the commonwealth and going to a small, private foundation.If there is one thing that an environment minister should be across in this government, it is what happening with the money that is going to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. This was the largest single removal of money from the commonwealth environment in history, leaving the commonwealth and going to a small, private foundation.
Melissa Price was asked twice how much of that money is spent on administration. And the answer she gave was wrong. Factually wrong. First of all she claimed it was a small amount of money, and then she said it was 5%. When you are coming off the base of half a billion dollars, 5% is hard to argue as a small amount of money.Melissa Price was asked twice how much of that money is spent on administration. And the answer she gave was wrong. Factually wrong. First of all she claimed it was a small amount of money, and then she said it was 5%. When you are coming off the base of half a billion dollars, 5% is hard to argue as a small amount of money.
Mark Butler and Tony Burke have held a press conference to say that Melissa Price may have “misled the parliament” when she denied the account of Patrick Dodson about what happened when she met the former president of Kiribati Anote Tong, by denying Dodson’s account in question time.Mark Butler and Tony Burke have held a press conference to say that Melissa Price may have “misled the parliament” when she denied the account of Patrick Dodson about what happened when she met the former president of Kiribati Anote Tong, by denying Dodson’s account in question time.
For those who missed it, this has come from Fairfax’s David Crowe’s story about a conversation Dodson, Tong and Price had when they met by chance in a restaurant overnight.For those who missed it, this has come from Fairfax’s David Crowe’s story about a conversation Dodson, Tong and Price had when they met by chance in a restaurant overnight.
From Crowe’s story:From Crowe’s story:
One witness to the conversation told Fairfax Media that Ms Price discussed a possible meeting with Mr Tong and then made a remark about demands for cash.One witness to the conversation told Fairfax Media that Ms Price discussed a possible meeting with Mr Tong and then made a remark about demands for cash.
Ms Price asked Mr Tong why he was in Canberra and was told by Senator Dodson that the former Kiribati leader was in Australia to talk about climate change and was hoping to have a meeting with her.Ms Price asked Mr Tong why he was in Canberra and was told by Senator Dodson that the former Kiribati leader was in Australia to talk about climate change and was hoping to have a meeting with her.
“Is it about the cash?” Ms Price replied, according to the witness.“Is it about the cash?” Ms Price replied, according to the witness.
“It’s always about the cash. I’ve got my chequebook over there. How much do you want?”“It’s always about the cash. I’ve got my chequebook over there. How much do you want?”
Price has denied the conversation.Price has denied the conversation.
Then we get David Littleproud talking about all those people sitting around kitchen tables.Then we get David Littleproud talking about all those people sitting around kitchen tables.
I do not know anyone who has time to sit around a kitchen table and talk anymore, but apparently I am hanging out in the wrong electorates.I do not know anyone who has time to sit around a kitchen table and talk anymore, but apparently I am hanging out in the wrong electorates.
Question time ends and we all breathe a sigh of relief.Question time ends and we all breathe a sigh of relief.
Mark Dreyfus asks about this tweet:Mark Dreyfus asks about this tweet:
It’s OK to be white. It’s OK to be Aboriginal. It’s OK to be Asian.It’s OK to be any ethnicity. If you’re for all of the above, good on you. If you’re against any then you’re a racist and that’s fairly unAustralian. And it’s GREAT to be Australian! pic.twitter.com/FIPyWYanV5It’s OK to be white. It’s OK to be Aboriginal. It’s OK to be Asian.It’s OK to be any ethnicity. If you’re for all of the above, good on you. If you’re against any then you’re a racist and that’s fairly unAustralian. And it’s GREAT to be Australian! pic.twitter.com/FIPyWYanV5
And then also this story in the AustralianAnd then also this story in the Australian
“How can the prime minister possibly claim that the government voting for a motion that contained a white supremacist slogan was just an administrative error, when it was repeated [in a] tweet yesterday afternoon by the member for Dawson. Has the minister sought an explanation for [Senators Stoker and Paterson] who reportedly yesterday attended a conference with groups with links to white supremacist groups. Was this also just an administrative error?”“How can the prime minister possibly claim that the government voting for a motion that contained a white supremacist slogan was just an administrative error, when it was repeated [in a] tweet yesterday afternoon by the member for Dawson. Has the minister sought an explanation for [Senators Stoker and Paterson] who reportedly yesterday attended a conference with groups with links to white supremacist groups. Was this also just an administrative error?”
The question is ruled out of order.The question is ruled out of order.
Ged Kearney to ...Ged Kearney to ...
MELISSA PRICE.MELISSA PRICE.
Kearney: “Will the government be providing any additional money to the emissions reduction fund, and if so, when?”Kearney: “Will the government be providing any additional money to the emissions reduction fund, and if so, when?”
Price:Price:
As people will know, an excellent policy that was worth over $2 billion, we’re down to $250 million. Of course you would expect a responsible government is looking at a full suite of policies, which would include the ERM. That is not a matter for me to talk about today, it is a matter for cabinet.As people will know, an excellent policy that was worth over $2 billion, we’re down to $250 million. Of course you would expect a responsible government is looking at a full suite of policies, which would include the ERM. That is not a matter for me to talk about today, it is a matter for cabinet.
Trent Zimmerman actually just uttered the words “why he believes in delivering central transport services” and I have never felt more like stabbing my pen through my hand.Trent Zimmerman actually just uttered the words “why he believes in delivering central transport services” and I have never felt more like stabbing my pen through my hand.
No, wait, I spoke too soon. Listening to Alan Tudge deliver the answer is the new pen-through-the-hand benchmark #deathtodixersNo, wait, I spoke too soon. Listening to Alan Tudge deliver the answer is the new pen-through-the-hand benchmark #deathtodixers
Peter Dutton gives us his dire predictions of direness, but it is October, so I guess he’s just being festive.Peter Dutton gives us his dire predictions of direness, but it is October, so I guess he’s just being festive.
Then Melissa Price is back! A star is born, ladies and gentlemen.Then Melissa Price is back! A star is born, ladies and gentlemen.
Mark Butler:Mark Butler:
Last week when asked how Australia would meet its Paris carbon reduction pollution targets she said it would build 1 billion trees. Does the Minister plan on sharing this environmental breakthrough with other nations and other amazing forestry breakthroughs to avoid real action on climate change”Last week when asked how Australia would meet its Paris carbon reduction pollution targets she said it would build 1 billion trees. Does the Minister plan on sharing this environmental breakthrough with other nations and other amazing forestry breakthroughs to avoid real action on climate change”
Price: (Who seems just as surprised to be the star of the hour as everyone else)Price: (Who seems just as surprised to be the star of the hour as everyone else)
I’m thrilled to be getting so many questions on the environment! We love to talk about the environment on this side because we are doing a good job, people can trust us, they know they can’t trust you. I would say growing 1 billion trees, people may have noticed going back a few weeks, the agricultural minister announced the new forestry plan that is what I was referring to in the media.I’m thrilled to be getting so many questions on the environment! We love to talk about the environment on this side because we are doing a good job, people can trust us, they know they can’t trust you. I would say growing 1 billion trees, people may have noticed going back a few weeks, the agricultural minister announced the new forestry plan that is what I was referring to in the media.
Should I make an apology for focusing on getting electricity prices down?Should I make an apology for focusing on getting electricity prices down?
We can look after the environment and the economy at the same time, we are doing this in a responsible way while growing the economy, the Australian people know they can trust us to do this, but you can’t trust those opposite, they are talking about a 45% emissions target, 50% renewable energy target, you cannot trust them.”We can look after the environment and the economy at the same time, we are doing this in a responsible way while growing the economy, the Australian people know they can trust us to do this, but you can’t trust those opposite, they are talking about a 45% emissions target, 50% renewable energy target, you cannot trust them.”