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Senate changes rules to combat sledging after Barry O'Sullivan comments – politics live Senate changes rules to combat sledging after Barry O'Sullivan comments – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
The parliament is winding down, so we are going to leave the blog here today.
Scott Morrison will head off to the G20 tomorrow after question time. He’ll be back in time for Monday’s question time, so you won’t get the Michael McCormack hour.
Thursday is the last sitting day off this week and then it’s just next week and BAM we are done for the year. At this stage, the parliament will reconvene on February 12. Then it’s budget, then election and then, who knows.
So pay attention to what will absolutely, be a bumpy ride.
A massive thank you to everyone who sent messages and asides, let me know when I messed up (truly) and then came along and cleaned up those messes I missed. Thank you.
And as always, thank you for following along with us. It really does make it easier.
We’ll be back early tomorrow morning, so, as always – take care of you.
The intelligence committee which is looking at the encryption laws is moving ahead with its public hearings:
The chair, Andrew Hastie, and the deputy chair, Anthony Byrne, of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security make the following joint statement:
“The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security is assessing the timeframe for its report. The committee continues to operate in a cooperative and bipartisan manner as it considers the telecommunications and other legislation (assistance and access) bill 2018. The committee has met today and confirmed that the scheduled hearing for Friday will proceed.
“The public hearing on Friday will include representatives from industry and community groups. ”
A program for the hearing will be published later today.
It is not just Australia – New Zealand is now also banning Huawei from being involved in its telecommunications. From AAP:It is not just Australia – New Zealand is now also banning Huawei from being involved in its telecommunications. From AAP:
New Zealand’s electronic intelligence agency has told the country’s largest internet company it can’t use technology from China’s Huawei to upgrade its network due to significant security concerns.New Zealand’s electronic intelligence agency has told the country’s largest internet company it can’t use technology from China’s Huawei to upgrade its network due to significant security concerns.
The Government Communications Security Bureau has notified telco Spark that using Huawei RAN equipment in its introduction of 5G would raise a national security risk.The Government Communications Security Bureau has notified telco Spark that using Huawei RAN equipment in its introduction of 5G would raise a national security risk.
Spark said in a statement on Wednesday it would review the decision before deciding if further steps were needed and that, while disappointed, it was confident of meeting its 2020 network rollout target.Spark said in a statement on Wednesday it would review the decision before deciding if further steps were needed and that, while disappointed, it was confident of meeting its 2020 network rollout target.
After her “this is the natural government for Australian women” comment, which was followed with a nod to Julia Gillard and the “I will not be lectured” speech, Kelly O’Dwyer has gone on a tweet storm:After her “this is the natural government for Australian women” comment, which was followed with a nod to Julia Gillard and the “I will not be lectured” speech, Kelly O’Dwyer has gone on a tweet storm:
Under the Coalition there are more women in work than ever before: 5,945,100 (up from 5,278,900 under Labor).Under the Coalition there are more women in work than ever before: 5,945,100 (up from 5,278,900 under Labor).
The Gender Pay Gap is at a record low under the Coalition Government at 14.5% (down from 17.2% under Labor).The Gender Pay Gap is at a record low under the Coalition Government at 14.5% (down from 17.2% under Labor).
Plus! Women's labour force participation rate reached a record of 60.6% in 2018 under the Coalition Government.Plus! Women's labour force participation rate reached a record of 60.6% in 2018 under the Coalition Government.
The tampon tax is (almost) no more.The tampon tax is (almost) no more.
From Kelly O’Dwyer and Josh Frydenberg:From Kelly O’Dwyer and Josh Frydenberg:
The Coalition government has today signed the determination that will remove the goods and services tax (GST) on feminine hygiene products from 1 January 2019.The Coalition government has today signed the determination that will remove the goods and services tax (GST) on feminine hygiene products from 1 January 2019.
The determination delivers on our government’s commitment to achieving this long overdue reform to remove GST from feminine hygiene products.The determination delivers on our government’s commitment to achieving this long overdue reform to remove GST from feminine hygiene products.
The determination follows the completion of a public consultation on the definition of feminine hygiene products to be exempt of the GST.The determination follows the completion of a public consultation on the definition of feminine hygiene products to be exempt of the GST.
Eighteen submissions were received during the two-week consultation process, from product manufacturers, retailers, taxation experts and members of the public.Eighteen submissions were received during the two-week consultation process, from product manufacturers, retailers, taxation experts and members of the public.
Items included in the final definition include tampons, disposable and reusable menstrual pads, menstrual cups, panty liners and period or leak-proof underwear.Items included in the final definition include tampons, disposable and reusable menstrual pads, menstrual cups, panty liners and period or leak-proof underwear.
This definition was developed in collaboration with the Department of Health, and approved by the Office for Women.This definition was developed in collaboration with the Department of Health, and approved by the Office for Women.
The change will be made effective on 1 January 2019, removing the 10% GST that currently applies to these products. The treasurer has directed the ACCC to monitor the market of these products.The change will be made effective on 1 January 2019, removing the 10% GST that currently applies to these products. The treasurer has directed the ACCC to monitor the market of these products.
This reform is the result of the Coalition government putting this issue on the agenda of the council of federal financial relations meeting in October, where treasurers unanimously agreed to remove the GST from these products.This reform is the result of the Coalition government putting this issue on the agenda of the council of federal financial relations meeting in October, where treasurers unanimously agreed to remove the GST from these products.
Breaking back into the state sphere, Gracemere residents in central Queensland are being evacuated to Rockhampton, with fire conditions now “catastrophic”.Breaking back into the state sphere, Gracemere residents in central Queensland are being evacuated to Rockhampton, with fire conditions now “catastrophic”.
Resident of Gracemere, please evacuate to Rockhampton Showgrounds. Look out for one another, make sure your neighbours are aware and help the elderly. pic.twitter.com/d737Y5uwDaResident of Gracemere, please evacuate to Rockhampton Showgrounds. Look out for one another, make sure your neighbours are aware and help the elderly. pic.twitter.com/d737Y5uwDa
Labor has also tried to find out what the go was with the au pairs, but lost the vote after only Derryn Hinch voted with them on this motion from Louise Pratt:Labor has also tried to find out what the go was with the au pairs, but lost the vote after only Derryn Hinch voted with them on this motion from Louise Pratt:
Response to Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee report—Allegations concerning inappropriate exercise of ministerial powers with respect to au pairs—Attendance of minister (altered 17 October and 13 November 2018 – SO 77)Response to Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee report—Allegations concerning inappropriate exercise of ministerial powers with respect to au pairs—Attendance of minister (altered 17 October and 13 November 2018 – SO 77)
Here is a video with Barry O’Sullivan’s comments in the Senate yesterday, followed by Richard Di Natale’s response. Earlier today, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young delivered her own riposte.Here is a video with Barry O’Sullivan’s comments in the Senate yesterday, followed by Richard Di Natale’s response. Earlier today, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young delivered her own riposte.
Speaking of the Senate, Jenny McAllister has successfully moved a motion for the production of documents on the rollout of the financial capability and wellbeing grants.Speaking of the Senate, Jenny McAllister has successfully moved a motion for the production of documents on the rollout of the financial capability and wellbeing grants.
McAllister said the government has made five flips on this in the last two weeks, so she has asked for it to produce the documents that have led to the decision.McAllister said the government has made five flips on this in the last two weeks, so she has asked for it to produce the documents that have led to the decision.
The motion reads:The motion reads:
I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:
(1) that the Senate notes that:(1) that the Senate notes that:
a. the Department for Social Services recently completed the tender process for grants for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity, and began notifying applicants of the results in October and November 2018;a. the Department for Social Services recently completed the tender process for grants for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity, and began notifying applicants of the results in October and November 2018;
b. the tender decisions resulted in a number of organisations receiving real cuts to their funding;b. the tender decisions resulted in a number of organisations receiving real cuts to their funding;
c. these cuts were scheduled to take effect in a matter of weeks;c. these cuts were scheduled to take effect in a matter of weeks;
d. over the last fortnight, the Minister has back flipped and extended selected organisations’ existing funding.d. over the last fortnight, the Minister has back flipped and extended selected organisations’ existing funding.
(2) there be laid on the table by no later than 3:30pm on 4 December 2018 by the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services any documents containing the following information:(2) there be laid on the table by no later than 3:30pm on 4 December 2018 by the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services any documents containing the following information:
a. the list of applicants who were successful in the 2018 tenders for each of the grant programs within the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity, including the amount of funding received and the service area to which it relates;a. the list of applicants who were successful in the 2018 tenders for each of the grant programs within the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity, including the amount of funding received and the service area to which it relates;
b. any variations or amendments to the tender outcome;b. any variations or amendments to the tender outcome;
c. the list of existing grant holders who were unsuccessful or received real cuts in funding in the 2018 tenders for each of the grant programs within the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity, including the amount of funding lost and the service area to which it related;c. the list of existing grant holders who were unsuccessful or received real cuts in funding in the 2018 tenders for each of the grant programs within the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity, including the amount of funding lost and the service area to which it related;
d. the list of organisations who were offered extensions of their existing funding after the conclusion of the 2018 tenders for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability grants; including the amount of funding received, the length of the funding extension, and the service area and grant program to which it relates; andd. the list of organisations who were offered extensions of their existing funding after the conclusion of the 2018 tenders for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability grants; including the amount of funding received, the length of the funding extension, and the service area and grant program to which it relates; and
e. any correspondence between the Department and the Minister’s office relating to (a) – (d) above.e. any correspondence between the Department and the Minister’s office relating to (a) – (d) above.
In the fastest I have seen the Senate work since I stepped into this place two and a bit years ago, the procedures committee have come back after Scott Ryan suggested changes to how formal business motions are dealt with this morning, and came back with a resounding, yes, do that.In the fastest I have seen the Senate work since I stepped into this place two and a bit years ago, the procedures committee have come back after Scott Ryan suggested changes to how formal business motions are dealt with this morning, and came back with a resounding, yes, do that.
So now, during formal business, when motions get moved, senators will no longer be able to debate before attempting to suspend standing orders, to bring the debate on.So now, during formal business, when motions get moved, senators will no longer be able to debate before attempting to suspend standing orders, to bring the debate on.
What we are talking about here are some of the crazy motions we have seen put forward in recent months. ‘Formality is denied’ – ie, the Senate says no, but then the Senator can move to suspend standing orders. During that procedure, we have increasingly seen the suspend standing order debates being used as a sledging fest. And it’s all been getting a bit gross. The senators know that the motions have no chance of getting up, that standing orders won’t be suspended, so they use the time as a slanging match.What we are talking about here are some of the crazy motions we have seen put forward in recent months. ‘Formality is denied’ – ie, the Senate says no, but then the Senator can move to suspend standing orders. During that procedure, we have increasingly seen the suspend standing order debates being used as a sledging fest. And it’s all been getting a bit gross. The senators know that the motions have no chance of getting up, that standing orders won’t be suspended, so they use the time as a slanging match.
And a cohort of senators, the collective of which is known as a “Jurassic”, have been using that to go nuts.And a cohort of senators, the collective of which is known as a “Jurassic”, have been using that to go nuts.
But no more.But no more.
Now, for at least the duration of this parliament, when someone wants to suspend standing orders, there will be no debate – just a division.Now, for at least the duration of this parliament, when someone wants to suspend standing orders, there will be no debate – just a division.
Which takes a way one of the main forums for some of the, shall we say grotesque unpleasantness we have seen in the Senate over the last couple of months.Which takes a way one of the main forums for some of the, shall we say grotesque unpleasantness we have seen in the Senate over the last couple of months.
Marise Payne’s office has given us an update on where we are with Afghanistan:Marise Payne’s office has given us an update on where we are with Afghanistan:
Australia will join key partners at the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan to reaffirm our commitment to support Afghanistan’s transition to stability and self-reliance.Australia will join key partners at the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan to reaffirm our commitment to support Afghanistan’s transition to stability and self-reliance.
The Geneva Conference takes place as momentum builds towards meaningful discussions on peace in Afghanistan. Australia welcomes renewed efforts to find a durable and inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led, political solution to the ongoing conflict.The Geneva Conference takes place as momentum builds towards meaningful discussions on peace in Afghanistan. Australia welcomes renewed efforts to find a durable and inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led, political solution to the ongoing conflict.
At the conference, Australia’s ambassador in Geneva will reaffirm Australia’s commitment to helping the Afghan people chart a course towards peace and a more secure and prosperous future.At the conference, Australia’s ambassador in Geneva will reaffirm Australia’s commitment to helping the Afghan people chart a course towards peace and a more secure and prosperous future.
Australia will announce a $5 million contribution to provide emergency assistance to almost 1.4 million Afghans who are on the verge of acute famine. This is in addition to the $5 million the then foreign minister announced in July 2018 to support the most vulnerable to gain immediate access to specialised nutritional products.Australia will announce a $5 million contribution to provide emergency assistance to almost 1.4 million Afghans who are on the verge of acute famine. This is in addition to the $5 million the then foreign minister announced in July 2018 to support the most vulnerable to gain immediate access to specialised nutritional products.
In addition to humanitarian assistance, Australia’s aid program is assisting Afghan farmers to increase community resilience, improve agricultural productivity and access markets, enhancing their economic opportunities.In addition to humanitarian assistance, Australia’s aid program is assisting Afghan farmers to increase community resilience, improve agricultural productivity and access markets, enhancing their economic opportunities.
Australia’s aid also assists women to escape violence and access justice and has helped thousands of girls to attend school, particularly in remote and rural communities.Australia’s aid also assists women to escape violence and access justice and has helped thousands of girls to attend school, particularly in remote and rural communities.
This development assistance is made alongside our longstanding defence commitment to Afghanistan, which includes deployment of around 300 Australian defence force personnel and an ongoing commitment to strengthening the Afghan national security and defence forces.This development assistance is made alongside our longstanding defence commitment to Afghanistan, which includes deployment of around 300 Australian defence force personnel and an ongoing commitment to strengthening the Afghan national security and defence forces.
It really says something about this week that the election date being all but announced is not the biggest news.It really says something about this week that the election date being all but announced is not the biggest news.
And it’s only Wednesday.And it’s only Wednesday.
The green folder never lies.The green folder never lies.
He calls an end to question time.He calls an end to question time.
Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:
Can he confirm that this government last year cancelled an entire week of parliament, this year shut down parliament and next year will come to parliament just 10 days in eight months, creating the first part-time parliament in Australian history. If ordinary workers skipped work like this, they’d get the sack. Why is it there’s always one rule for this divided, dysfunctional and chaotic government and another rule for everyone else?Can he confirm that this government last year cancelled an entire week of parliament, this year shut down parliament and next year will come to parliament just 10 days in eight months, creating the first part-time parliament in Australian history. If ordinary workers skipped work like this, they’d get the sack. Why is it there’s always one rule for this divided, dysfunctional and chaotic government and another rule for everyone else?
Morrison:Morrison:
I can confirm the budget is being brought forward by a month. And the sitting schedule has been prepared to reflect the bringing forward of the budget by a month.I can confirm the budget is being brought forward by a month. And the sitting schedule has been prepared to reflect the bringing forward of the budget by a month.
Mr Speaker, and the number of sitting days that will take place that are scheduled between the start of the year next year and 18 May is exactly the same as it is this year.Mr Speaker, and the number of sitting days that will take place that are scheduled between the start of the year next year and 18 May is exactly the same as it is this year.
We’re bringing the budget forward a month. And in that time before the budget the treasurer and I and the members of the expenditure review committee and the cabinet will be preparing a surplus Mr Speaker. That’s what we’ll be doing at the start of next year, Mr Speaker.We’re bringing the budget forward a month. And in that time before the budget the treasurer and I and the members of the expenditure review committee and the cabinet will be preparing a surplus Mr Speaker. That’s what we’ll be doing at the start of next year, Mr Speaker.
(He is back to yelling. He has had enough)(He is back to yelling. He has had enough)
Our government will be delivering and preparing the first surplus budget in over a decade. That’s what we’ll be hard at work doing at the beginning of next year ...Our government will be delivering and preparing the first surplus budget in over a decade. That’s what we’ll be hard at work doing at the beginning of next year ...
Those opposite haven’t delivered a surplus budget from the year Taylor Swift was born in 1989, and now they want to shake it off, Mr Speaker, as if there’s some sort of way of walking away from their failure to deliver a surplus when they were in government, Mr Speaker.Those opposite haven’t delivered a surplus budget from the year Taylor Swift was born in 1989, and now they want to shake it off, Mr Speaker, as if there’s some sort of way of walking away from their failure to deliver a surplus when they were in government, Mr Speaker.
He continues, but he has his yelling voice turned up to 11 and it is hard to hear what he is saying. Then again, I don’t think we could have expected Morrison to make it through two whole days without yelling in question time. He is only human, after all.He continues, but he has his yelling voice turned up to 11 and it is hard to hear what he is saying. Then again, I don’t think we could have expected Morrison to make it through two whole days without yelling in question time. He is only human, after all.
Greg Hunt takes the last dixer.Greg Hunt takes the last dixer.
Scott Morrison is almost ready to go – you can tell, because he starts putting his papers in order and he puts his green folder on top.Scott Morrison is almost ready to go – you can tell, because he starts putting his papers in order and he puts his green folder on top.
It’s a fun organisational tic he seems to have.It’s a fun organisational tic he seems to have.
Chris Bowen to Josh FrydenbergChris Bowen to Josh Frydenberg
Does the Treasurer agree with himself then he said, ‘If you believe in lower power prices, if you want to see Australian households $550 a year better off if you want to see the wholesale price down by 20 per cent... You get behind the National Energy Guarantee.”Does the Treasurer agree with himself then he said, ‘If you believe in lower power prices, if you want to see Australian households $550 a year better off if you want to see the wholesale price down by 20 per cent... You get behind the National Energy Guarantee.”
Frydenberg:Frydenberg:
Well, as the Prime Minister made very clear, the Leader of the Opposition, when the National Energy Guarantee was being discussed, called it a Frankenstein policy, Mr Speaker, and in doing so he revealed everything that he’s about. Just politics. It’s all about politics. It’s not about reducing power prices.Well, as the Prime Minister made very clear, the Leader of the Opposition, when the National Energy Guarantee was being discussed, called it a Frankenstein policy, Mr Speaker, and in doing so he revealed everything that he’s about. Just politics. It’s all about politics. It’s not about reducing power prices.
Frydenberg continues with almost the same answer Scott Morrison gave just a bit ago, which is not surprising given Morrison quickly scribbles down a note, circling part of it and moves it in front of Frydenberg.Frydenberg continues with almost the same answer Scott Morrison gave just a bit ago, which is not surprising given Morrison quickly scribbles down a note, circling part of it and moves it in front of Frydenberg.
You can say one thing about Cory Bernardi – he is incredibly consistent.You can say one thing about Cory Bernardi – he is incredibly consistent.
From his latest blog:From his latest blog:
This week we also saw the Greens party’s prime show phony Sarah Hanson-Young claim her turgid performance and histrionics over the past decade has been due to sexism. She clearly doesn’t realise that her hopelessness and rotten ideas aren’t a product of her gender but of the loathsome ideology she espouses.This week we also saw the Greens party’s prime show phony Sarah Hanson-Young claim her turgid performance and histrionics over the past decade has been due to sexism. She clearly doesn’t realise that her hopelessness and rotten ideas aren’t a product of her gender but of the loathsome ideology she espouses.
There was even a claim by a Labor senator that, the ‘tone’ used by a Coalition Senator during a formal motion was sexist. Honestly, you cannot make this garbage up. But such nonsense isn’t confined to the kooky Greens and Labor.There was even a claim by a Labor senator that, the ‘tone’ used by a Coalition Senator during a formal motion was sexist. Honestly, you cannot make this garbage up. But such nonsense isn’t confined to the kooky Greens and Labor.
Lady Liberals are now piling on to the supposed endemic sexism and bias in the party. Surprisingly, they remained silent while they rose through the ranks and participated in every Machiavellian maneuver to advance their careers but now they can afford to ‘speak out’ to ‘make change’.Lady Liberals are now piling on to the supposed endemic sexism and bias in the party. Surprisingly, they remained silent while they rose through the ranks and participated in every Machiavellian maneuver to advance their careers but now they can afford to ‘speak out’ to ‘make change’.