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Scott Morrison says he won't horse-trade with Labor on asylum seekers – politics live Scott Morrison says he won't 'horse-trade' with Labor on asylum seekers – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Yesterday, Craig Laundy was the only Coalition MP at the launch of David Speer’s book ‘On Mutiny’ which looked at what happened during the spill. Australia’s doctors have spoken up, as have the lawyers.
And now – the Wiggles have gone political, in the name of getting children and their families off Nauru.
the yellow Wiggle AND the blue Wiggle have joined the #kidsoffnauru campaign“We sing and dance with millions of children all over the world who have those opportunities - but there are more than 100 children trapped in detention on Nauru who don’t have this freedom" pic.twitter.com/gGnx4J8Fxb
Looks like a few more Labor MPs have dropped by to watch Kevin Rudd launch his book.
My spies tell me Chris Bowen has popped by, while Ed Husic and Andrew Giles have been spotted up the back.
At his book launch Kevin Rudd is talking about the importance of having the “alternative narrative” in the public
Rudd says all pollies have the "delusion" of being able to write the objective autobiography but they are "the definition of subjectivity". Says he wrote for importance of historical record. #auspol @AmyRemeikis
Rudd thanks the "extraordinary team" behind the govt GFC response - Ken Henry and the Australian treasury. No mention of Swanny. #auspol
A dispatch from New Zealand:
Despite the New Zealand foreign minister, Winston Peters, saying that Australia’s conditions would make the Nauru refugees “second-class citizens” in New Zealand, refugee experts in New Zealand agree that the Ardern government is likely to keep its offer on the table as the humanitarian situation escalates.
Australia is likely to have offered New Zealand a significant cash inducement to aid in the refugees care and resettlement, and while New Zealand may push for more flexible conditions – such as a five-year ban rather than a lifetime – the country is heavily reliant on Australia for border protection and has built a reputation as a humanitarian country since taking in 150 refugees from the sunken Tampa in 2001.
Refugee agencies in New Zealand say they have had no communication from the government regarding the imminent arrival of refugees from Nauru, suggesting any deal agreed upon between Australia and New Zealand will not proceed quickly.
It’s all happening:
Rudd book launch - Barnaby Joyce, Julie Bishop and Albo on attendance. Claire Moore has warmed up and revealed that Rudd does a killer Alexander Downer impression apparently! @AmyRemeikis #auspol pic.twitter.com/s02p2BP8IB
Penny Wong has responded to Marise Payne’s update on how Australia is handling the Myanmar situation:
Labor welcomes the government’s decision to impose targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against five Myanmar military officers responsible for human rights violations committed by units under their command in Rakhine state.
Labor last month endorsed the foreign minister’s decision to flag targeted sanctions following the release of the full report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar which found the Myanmar military was directly responsible for “gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law”.
That report concluded there was sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation and prosecutions for genocide perpetrated against the Rohingya.
Australia’s actions today again make clear the bipartisan position of the government and opposition that the Myanmar government can no longer ignore its responsibilities and must act to rein in the Tatmadaw and hold to account those responsible for these horrific crimes.
Australia’s humanitarian contribution to those affected by this crisis has strong bipartisan support.
We encourage the government to continue to work with Myanmar and our partners in the region towards a durable solution to the crisis.”
Yesterday Craig Laundy was the only Coalition MP at the launch of David Speers’ book, On Mutiny, which looked at what happened during the spill.
So far, Julie Bishop and Barnaby Joyce have showed up to Kevin Rudd’s.So far, Julie Bishop and Barnaby Joyce have showed up to Kevin Rudd’s.
Claire Moore, the outgoing Queensland Labor senator is helping to launch Rudd’s book. Albo is there, but he launched Speers. Claire Moore, the outgoing Queensland Labor senator, is helping to launch Rudd’s book. Albo is there, but he launched Speers.
I guess everyone else in Labor was just a bit busy today?I guess everyone else in Labor was just a bit busy today?
Fascinating turn out for launch of Kevin Rudd’s book at APH. Big hug and kiss from Julia Bishop. Barnaby Joyce is also here sitting with JBish and Albo. pic.twitter.com/2iaVsLGdHuFascinating turn out for launch of Kevin Rudd’s book at APH. Big hug and kiss from Julia Bishop. Barnaby Joyce is also here sitting with JBish and Albo. pic.twitter.com/2iaVsLGdHu
Bill Shorten gave his caucus a pep talk this morning, after the Liberals’ walloping in the Wentworth byelection on Saturday.Bill Shorten gave his caucus a pep talk this morning, after the Liberals’ walloping in the Wentworth byelection on Saturday.
He said Scott Morrison was like an annoying salesman who had a new slogan every day, and who would say anything to close a deal, but even Labor didn’t predict how desperate he’d become with the Jerusalem announcement.He said Scott Morrison was like an annoying salesman who had a new slogan every day, and who would say anything to close a deal, but even Labor didn’t predict how desperate he’d become with the Jerusalem announcement.
He then claimed Morrison’s speech on the night of the byelection was worse than Malcolm Turnbull’s speech on the night of the 2016 election.He then claimed Morrison’s speech on the night of the byelection was worse than Malcolm Turnbull’s speech on the night of the 2016 election.
“Morrison achieved something incredible on the weekend: he made Turnbull’s election night tantrum look gracious.”“Morrison achieved something incredible on the weekend: he made Turnbull’s election night tantrum look gracious.”
A slight overreach?A slight overreach?
It was confirmed that Labor’s caucus committee that deals with international affairs met separately this morning to deal with the issues surrounding Nauru, and the committee was then fully briefed by shadow immigration minister Shayne Neumann.It was confirmed that Labor’s caucus committee that deals with international affairs met separately this morning to deal with the issues surrounding Nauru, and the committee was then fully briefed by shadow immigration minister Shayne Neumann.
Nobody in caucus objected to the course of action taken by the committee, and it apparently wasn’t discussed further.Nobody in caucus objected to the course of action taken by the committee, and it apparently wasn’t discussed further.
Tony Burke also told his caucus colleagues that they should not expect to be granted leave from parliament over the next few months, while it’s a hung parliament.Tony Burke also told his caucus colleagues that they should not expect to be granted leave from parliament over the next few months, while it’s a hung parliament.
He said obviously they can get leave for family emergencies and bereavement, but not for things they think are important in their electorate.He said obviously they can get leave for family emergencies and bereavement, but not for things they think are important in their electorate.
Every vote will count on the floor before the election.Every vote will count on the floor before the election.
Scott Morrison:Scott Morrison:
Labor have always been for weaker border protection policies. And you don’t get children off Nauru by putting more children on Nauru through weaker border protection policies. I’m interested in getting children off Nauru.Labor have always been for weaker border protection policies. And you don’t get children off Nauru by putting more children on Nauru through weaker border protection policies. I’m interested in getting children off Nauru.
Over 200 children are already come off Nauru. More children have already come off in recent times under the quiet, effective management of these issues that the government is pursuing.Over 200 children are already come off Nauru. More children have already come off in recent times under the quiet, effective management of these issues that the government is pursuing.
We’re not here to Grandstand on this. We’re just here to get the job done. And Labor have always sought to weaken. We’re not here to grandstand on this. We’re just here to get the job done. And Labor have always sought to weaken.
This legislation has been round since 2016 and what they’re showing is what they always do. This legislation has been around since 2016 and what they’re showing is what they always do.
They think this is something to trade over. You don’t get to negotiate with people smugglers based on horsetrading in the Australian Senate.They think this is something to trade over. You don’t get to negotiate with people smugglers based on horsetrading in the Australian Senate.
This is why Labor stuffed it up so much last time they were in. They thought that’s how you manage this. That’s just not how it works.This is why Labor stuffed it up so much last time they were in. They thought that’s how you manage this. That’s just not how it works.
You’ve got to have clear policies that protect our borders and you then have to manage the legacy of Labor’s failure, as we have been doing.You’ve got to have clear policies that protect our borders and you then have to manage the legacy of Labor’s failure, as we have been doing.
Closing the detention centres - thousands upon thousands upon thousands of children removed from detention under our government and we’re going to continue doing that job. Closing the detention centres – thousands upon thousands upon thousands of children removed from detention under our government and we’re going to continue doing that job.
So no-one understands this issue I would say more acutely than I do with my experience of this over a long period of time. So no one understands this issue I would say more acutely than I do with my experience of this over a long period of time.
I’m committed to ensuring we can deal with this challenge in terms of the situation with the children and I’m open to every sensible proposal that would also see more children go onto Nauru.I’m committed to ensuring we can deal with this challenge in terms of the situation with the children and I’m open to every sensible proposal that would also see more children go onto Nauru.
Don’t forget it’s not just our policy. It’s the Labor Party’s policy that if a boat turned up and there were children on that boat, that would be horrific enough, because they may have even died along the way, but secondly, those children would go to Nauru under the Labor Party policy. Don’t forget it’s not just our policy. It’s the Labor party’s policy that if a boat turned up and there were children on that boat, that would be horrific enough, because they may have even died along the way, but secondly, those children would go to Nauru under the Labor party policy.
So you don’t get children off Nauru by putting more on through horsetrading and this type of business we’re seeing.”So you don’t get children off Nauru by putting more on through horsetrading and this type of business we’re seeing.”
So that would indicate that Scott Morrison will not accept Labor’s compromise.So that would indicate that Scott Morrison will not accept Labor’s compromise.
Which, if no one budges, means we are no closer to getting the rest of the children, and their families, off Nauru.Which, if no one budges, means we are no closer to getting the rest of the children, and their families, off Nauru.
Scott Morrison has responded to Labor’s offer to support the “one-off” lifetime ban for children and their families accepted by New Zealand, but not the blanket ban.Scott Morrison has responded to Labor’s offer to support the “one-off” lifetime ban for children and their families accepted by New Zealand, but not the blanket ban.
Morrison says the government won’t horse-trade on the issue:Morrison says the government won’t horse-trade on the issue:
The bill we put into the parliament was the right answer. And as I said, you don’t horse-trade on border protection. You don’t do it. Because you run the risk of creating a perverse incentive.The bill we put into the parliament was the right answer. And as I said, you don’t horse-trade on border protection. You don’t do it. Because you run the risk of creating a perverse incentive.
Let’s think this through. The perverse incentive that if you put a child on to a boat, well, you’re more likely at the other end to get the particular outcome you’re looking for.Let’s think this through. The perverse incentive that if you put a child on to a boat, well, you’re more likely at the other end to get the particular outcome you’re looking for.
I understand the grief. I understand the great level of community passion and anxiety on this. I do.I understand the grief. I understand the great level of community passion and anxiety on this. I do.
But I also understand that I must take decisions that don’t put more children at risk, which is the great folly of how the Labor party have always engaged on this issue.But I also understand that I must take decisions that don’t put more children at risk, which is the great folly of how the Labor party have always engaged on this issue.
That’s not how this works. I will consider and take serious advice from people within Operation Sovereign Borders about the potential impact of all of those things.That’s not how this works. I will consider and take serious advice from people within Operation Sovereign Borders about the potential impact of all of those things.
When it comes to the New Zealand legislation, we’ve had that in place for some time. It has never been my preferred outcome. Never been my preferred outcome.When it comes to the New Zealand legislation, we’ve had that in place for some time. It has never been my preferred outcome. Never been my preferred outcome.
We’ve been dealing with our partners in the United States with great effect and one of the other problems with this issue being pursued in this way by the opposition is it can work to actually say to people on Nauru at the moment, ‘Oh, I won’t take the US offer because the Labor party might be offering me a better offer.’ We’ve been dealing with our partners in the United States with great effect and one of the other problems with this issue being pursued in this way by the opposition is it can work to actually say to people on Nauru at the moment, ‘Oh, I won’t take the US offer because the Labor party might be offering me a better offer.’ And so they’re still on there.
And so they’re still on there. And so I would caution people to think carefully about the ramifications of this. I’ll be listening carefully to those who are responsible for protecting our borders and stopping kids getting on boats. I’m not sure – to the best of my knowledge – the Labor party did not seek advice from those agencies in the position they’ve put to us.
And so I would caution people to think carefully about the ramifications of this. I’ll be listening carefully to those who are responsible for protecting our borders and stopping kids getting on boats. I’m not sure – to the best of my knowledge, the Labor party did not seek advice from those agencies in the position they’ve put to us. I’m not here to horse-trade on children. I’m not here to horse-trade on children. I’m here to help them.
I’m here to help them.
But will the government be able to get electricity prices down?
Scott Morrison:
That is the pressure we will be placing and I’m saying that under the Liberal and National governments and our policies, electricity prices will be lower under us than they will be under Labor.
Under Labor you will not only pay more on electricity prices, you will pay more in higher taxes, you will pay more in higher private health insurance premiums. Under Labor you will pay more and more and more.”
There are a lot of “we’re for(s)“ coming out of Scott Morrison’s mouth lately, which, I guess you would expect from someone with a marketing background, trying to sell a message, but it also makes my eye twitch.
So far, this is a lot of what the ACCC recommended, which could be covered under ‘government does job’.
On the question of whether coal fired power stations will be part of this plan, Scott Morrison says:
Whether it’s that or any other sort of energy-reliable supply to the market to get electricity prices down, that’s what we’re for.
We’re for lower electricity prices and for people generating more reliable power in Australia.
We don’t take positions on the source of the fuel. What we do is we ensure we meet our broader emissions reduction target, which we do. Everything we’re talking about here is consistent with that position. But it also means ensuring that we can lock in the investment that needs to come into the sector to ensure more power is generated.”
So if you understand what they want to do there, you are doing better than me.
Okay – Scott Morrison and Angus Taylor have come out of the party room meeting with this “plan”. Taylor says it’s about being fair dinkum about bringing power prices down:
That’s why we need the comprehensive package in four parts.
First, stopping the price-gouging by big energy companies. We’re banning sneaky late payments. We’re requiring retailers to pass on wholesale price reductions. And we’re cracking down on dodgy anti-competitive practices. Our plan will be implemented through a comprehensive legislative package that will come through to the parliament this year, as well as a package that will go to the Coag Energy Council.
We’re empowering customers with a fair price safety net. This means removing the loyalty tax as the prime minister said for people who don’t have time to negotiate a price over an extended series of phone conversations. The loyalty tax must go. We also want to see the confusion go when people with the offers and contracts in the market, the confusion must go.
Yesterday, the treasurer and I wrote to the Australian Energy Regulator to introduce a benchmark price, which will be worked up for full implementation by July 1.
Thirdly, we’re backing investment in reliable generation to improve competition, lower prices, and shore up reliability. Today, we begin the consultation process ahead of an expression of interest and we’re aiming to have our first pipeline of projects early next year.
We will be providing mechanisms to ensure that these projects are financed as per the ACCC recommendations. They recommended a floor price. We won’t anticipate the banking. There’ll be other options as well, a broader range of mechanisms that are being discussed in the consultation paper. We also aim to support reliable power through the reliability mechanism we’ll be putting to the Coag Energy Council this week for implementation by 1 July.
Finally, I’m writing to all energy companies, all the energy companies, supplying electricity in Australia to convene a roundtable and I will be asking each company to individually take action to lower prices, specifically their standing offers, by January 1.
This is a downpayment for all Australians on a fairer electricity market.
Foreign affairs update from Marise Payne:
The Rohingya crisis is the largest humanitarian crisis in Australia’s region. The recent UN Fact-Finding Mission found that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and likely genocide had occurred in Rakhine State.
Over recent engagements at the United Nations General Assembly and at the ASEM Summit, I have raised Australia’s serious concerns in a series of meetings with international partners and senior officials. I also met recently with the International Committee of the Red Cross President Peter Maurer to discuss international efforts to alleviate the humanitarian impacts.
As previously indicated, I have now imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against five Myanmar military officers responsible for human rights violations committed by units under their command. Details of these individuals are in the Consolidated List of people and entities subject to targeted sanctions under Australian laws.
Australia will continue to support the humanitarian needs of those affected, and to work with Myanmar and our partners in the region to encourage efforts towards a long term and durable solution to the crisis.
The party room meeting is done and dusted (as is caucus) and a press conference has been called with Scott Morrison and Angus Taylor.
It’s in the prime minister’s courtyard, so you know they are pleased with whatever is coming.
Given today’s announcement so far has been about adopting part of the ACCC’s recommendations on power prices, I think we will be staying on that theme.
If I was you, I would probably pay particular attention to the recommendation about the government underwriting new investment in electricity.
ABC estimates is not scheduled until 3pm at this stage (it may be a little later, depending on how the day is running) but there has been a taste of it this morning.
Kristina Keneally is in her element in estimates hearings. It’s like all those times she asked questions on Sky and was put off with non-answers haunt her, and now that she has the time, and the space, to really push a point, she is going to get to where she is going.
The Department of Communications confirms in #Estimates that it did not run an open tender to select the recruitment firm that will run the recruitment process of the next ABC Chair. Previously, the tenders for recruitment firms for SBS and ABC Board members have been open.
The Dept says that the successful tenderer was Korn Ferry. Let’s have a look at them.
Executive Chairwoman of Korn Ferry is Katie Lahey, a former CEO of the Business Council of Australia pic.twitter.com/s1KUhjTjiK
Head of Board Services at Korn Ferry is former Liberal NSW MP and Greiner Government Minister Robert Webster. The Dept confirmed that Webster will participate in the ABC recruitment process, and that this was disclosed in Korn Ferry’s tender. pic.twitter.com/ATX1TG4EG0
Korn Ferry is a US-based company, but their local subsidiary is owned by a Dutch firm. This arrangement may help them lower their tax liability in Australia.
In short, the Govt ran a closed - not open - tender proces. It resulted in the selection of a foreign-owned company, with Liberal Party links, to recruit the Chairman of the ABC, and of course, Australian taxpayers will pay for this.
The ABC urgently needs an independent chair who will provide the leadership it needs and who will fiercely defend its independence. We will be watching this recruitment process very closely and carefully.
This was the review into how the ABC and SBS compete with the private sector.
Comms Dept sec Mark Mrdak confirms Competitive Neutrality Review into the ABC was completed on 28 September and is now with Comms Mins Sen Mitch Fifield "for review". Efficiency review is still underway @abcnews #auspol #ausbis
For those who missed the poll news this morning, here is part of Katharine Murphy’s story:
Labor continues to command an election-winning position two months after the Liberal leadership change, and the anticipated loss of Wentworth. The latest Guardian Essential poll finds 59% of respondents say the government Scott Morrison leads has not been refreshed as a consequence of the bloodletting.
This week’s poll has Labor ahead of the Coalition on the two-party preferred measure 53% to 47%, a result that has remained steady for the past month.
A majority – 59% of a sample of 1,027 voters – say the Liberal leadership change in late September has made no difference, and the government remains the same as it was before the shift. Only 20% think the change of prime minister has created a refresh.
While the past fortnight has been punishing for Morrison, with a series of leaks, stumbles and controversies culminating in the likely loss of Malcolm Turnbull’s former seat of Wentworth over the weekend – and a hung parliament – there is some good news for the prime minister in the latest poll.
Liberal voters prefer Morrison as leader than Turnbull 57% to 29%, and 35% of all voters in the sample say they prefer Morrison to Turnbull’s 28%. Labor and Greens voters were more likely to prefer Turnbull.”
You can read the rest of the story, here