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Anthony Albanese accuses Coalition of 'running from democracy' – politics live
Question time under way as Labor says Coalition 'running from democracy' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
I’m just about to run into the chamber for question time – so let me know what you think is going to happen.
The minister for reducing electricity prices and also big sticks, Angus Taylor is up next with the dixers, which perks Labor up, because there is nothing they seem to like more these days, then referencing big sticks.
What’s your bet on first question?
Anne Aly to......Josh Frydenberg
Richard Di Natale has had a chat to Sky about the code of conduct he is (again) trying to introduce to the Senate:
I refer to reports that the Treasurer has cancelled his planned trip to meet with his international counterparts at the G20, because of government chaos and division. Now, given the Treasurer’s recent success as a cinematographer, has the Treasurer considered sending a video message to the G20 instead?
.@RichardDiNatale on Senate conduct: We are a Chamber that should be setting an example for people all around Australia. Asking people to behave better is not working, that is why I have announced the introduction of a Code of Conduct. MORE: https://t.co/LFchC4I3td #newsday pic.twitter.com/YxNevkYct5
There is laughter, and Frydenberg looks jovial as he approaches the despatch box (I mean, you have to find the joy where you can, right? And if you can’t laugh at your own accidental hostage video homage, what can you laugh at) but Scott Morrison gives him the little shake of the head.
Kerryn Phelps *plans* on introducing a private member’s bill to amend the Migration Act to get any remaining children off Nauru (with their families). It will be introduced on December 3.
Which means – serious face.
At this stage it looks to be lacking the absolute majority needed to suspend standing orders to bring on the debate.
Frydenberg pivots mid answer.
The modern slavery bill – which aims to stop slavery, rather than you know, introduce it – should pass the Senate today.
Both the Prime Minister and I are having a session with Mark Humphries shortly.
It aims to “establish a Modern Slavery Reporting Requirement to require certain large businesses and other entities in Australia to make annual public reports (Modern Slavery Statements) on their actions to address modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains’.
The reality is the economy is a serious business. The Australian economy and the jobs of more than 100,000 young people who have been in a job, put in a job as a result of a strong economy, that we have helped create is a serious business. The Labor Party left us an economy where there was unemployment that was rising, investment that was in free-fall and debt was rising and as the Deputy Prime Minister reminds this place, confidence was falling. Now, Mr Speaker in contrast, we have delivered what Liberal and National Parties do - more jobs, lower taxes, and unemployment which is now at its lowest level since 20112.
Queensland is on fire and NSW is under deluge, so Canberra is taking the opportunity to let mother nature take centre stage for a moment.
The Prime Minister will represent this country at the G20 meeting, accompanied by the Finance Minister and he will be talking Australia up, unlike the Labor Party, which talks Australia down.
But question time is coming.
Parliament House is experiencing a few temperature issues at the moment, and half the building is freezing and the other half is hot.
This is a little bit of late shade, after a certain Queensland MP (Andrew Laming) made some ill-advised comments about how many holidays teachers had each year.
Given that the house of reps is in the half of the building which is distinctly icy these days, it is, entirely possible that hell has actually frozen over.
Shout out to all the MPs and candidates who have commented about teachers not working full time... 🤓👩🏫 https://t.co/byQyRRKYKC
Dear Beyonce, I don’t know what hell mouth has been opened, but Josh Frydenberg is being forced to answer his third question in a row, and really no one, no one deserves that sort of punishment.
The Greens are once again trying to get a code of conduct into the Senate. Richard Di Natale is giving notice of this motion:
He was just forced to make a Taylor Swift joke.
I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that –
Oh this is why he’s here – Bob Katter has the crossbench question.
(1) That the Senate adopts the following code of conduct, to be introduced into the standing orders –
And he is taking advantage of every extra second given to the crossbench to ask their questions – it’s the Katter rule, because he never managed to get a question in under the 30 seconds. But Katter is yet to give a question he can’t pontificate on, so here we are.
The [House of Representatives and the] Senate have reached agreement on a code of conduct which is to apply to all members of parliament.
Treasurer, biggest farm in Australia, dairies owned by China, second biggest one owned by China, biggest grain farm owned by China, Kidman’s, controlled by China, states two and three owned by China, Australia’s most strategic port, Darwin, owned by China, tax hire industry, foreign-owned, car manufacturing, glass, texttiles, white goods, all gone overseas. To Australians free trade means jobs exported, cheap labour imported. Treasurer, do we have a new regime that won’t continue to sell off Australia or is it business as usual - Australia for sale?
Members of parliament recognise that they are in a unique position of responsibility in influencing the nature of civic conduct in Australia.
(I’ve seen this ad. It was awful)
Members of parliament recognise that their words and actions in the Senate (and the House of Representatives) influence issues in the public debate. These include issues relating to multicultural affairs, migration and citizenship, gender equality and professional conduct in the workplace.
Josh Frydenberg:
Members of parliament acknowledge that parliamentary privilege protects the right of members to participate freely in debate in the parliament without fear of prosecution.
Foreign investment, Mr Speaker, is absolutely critical to lifting Australia’s living standards, to jobs and to growth in the Australian economy.
Members of parliament recognise the need to exercise their valuable right of freedom of speech in a responsible manner and a failure to do so may have serious implications for individuals and groups of the Australian community and may diminish the social cohesion that is essential to our national character.
And it’s about meeting the savings gap that we have in Australia, which is about 3.5% of GDP ... Now, we have put in place a number of safeguards around the agriculture space in relation to foreign investment. We’re now requiring more transparency and openness around the sales process. When it comes to critical infrastructure we take the advice and the input that comes from not only the foreign investment review board led by David Irvine but from the Critical Infrastructure Committee which involves a number of the leading agencies.
The code
I would say to the member for Kennedy, it’s about getting the balance right. And that balance is about foreign investment, which is in Australia’s national interests.
1. Uphold the honour of public office
It’s a very serious topic. It’s not a free for all. There’s considered opinions and inputs that are taken and whether it comes - whether it’s in the agriculture or in critical infrastructure or other aspects of the Australian economy, the Morrison government, the Liberal and National government will always take decisions in the national interest.
a. Members of parliament will take all reasonable steps to represent public office in a manner that is consistent with the values of respect and inclusion.
Chris Bowen to Josh Frydenberg:
b. This includes behaviour and language during parliamentary proceedings, including interactions with parliamentary and electorate officer staff.
Why has the treasurer cancelled at the last minute his planned trip to meet with his international counterparts at the G20, the leading forum of the world’s major economies?
2. First Peoples of Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Frydenberg:
a. Members of parliament recognise the value and contribution of the First Peoples of Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Well, as the member for McMahon would know, it’s a leaders’ meeting...
b. Members of parliament recognise that with the exception of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia is a nation of migrants.
Labor loses its mind at this statement.
3. Respect Australians’ diversity
Ed Husic is living his best life heaping heckles on his mate, (“Josh, you’ve changed – I never thought you were that modest”, but is asked to leave. Frydenberg keeps talking, prompting Tony Smith to say “treasurer, just stop talking for a moment” and Husic leaves, having delivered his gift.
a. Members of parliament recognise that Australia has been enriched by the diversity of colour, ethnic origin, culture and religious belief that exists within our nation.
Frydenberg talks more about Australia’s economy being the envy of the world, but there is room for only one star here, and for this brief shining moment, it’s Husic.
b. Members of Parliament recognise that principles including respect for religious and cultural diversity, tolerance, and justice should be upheld in parliamentary debate in a respectful manner.
Craig Laundry has the next dixer. And if things weren’t despairing enough in that corner of the Liberal party, it’s to Michael McCormack.
4. Respect gender equality and diversity
Labor asks him when he’s coming over to the crossbench. He does seem to look over there for a moment.
a. Members of parliament recognise that women and LGBT+ individuals are more likely to experience gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace.
But then Bob Katter (he made it!) wanders over to talk to Julia Banks, and the moment is lost. The grass, it seems, is not always greener.
b. Members of parliament recognise that the Australian parliament, including the Senate and House of Representatives chamber, is the primary workplace for elected representatives.
Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:
c. Female and elected representatives from LGBT+ communities should be free from gender and sexuality based bullying, harassment or abuse of any kind in their workplace.
Can the prime minister confirm that since moving on Malcolm Turnbull, the government has cancelled parliament because they couldn’t decide who is the prime minister, lost two government members and its majority, and next year will run a part-time parliament? Has the government given up on even pretending to govern? Why isn’t Malcolm Turnbull still the prime minister of Australia?
5. Reject discriminatory or exclusionary statements
Morrison:
a. Members of parliament will not knowingly humiliate or degrade an individual or community based on their colour, national or ethnic origin, culture, religious belief, gender or sexual orientation.
This goes on for a while, but it ends with this:
b. This includes acts which are intended to incite hatred or create fear of a community.
This is a government that knows how to keep our economy strong, how to keep Australians safe, Mr Speaker. We are getting on with the job of doing all of those things. This is a leader of the Opposition who thinks all he has to do is to turn up in parliament”
(2) That this resolution be communicated to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
Which is an interesting way to end the ‘your face is’ point, when you have only scheduled about 10 sitting days before the election next year.
Why is Labor so exercised over the sitting week claims from Christopher Pyne?
We have got to the bottom of the seating plan confusion.
Well it’s the vibe, it’s Mabo, it’s the constitution.
A seating plan was released yesterday after Julia Banks moved to the crossbench, which showed Julie Bishop to have no seat mate.
In that, the constitution, as my resident constitution expert reminds me, won’t let the parliament sit beyond the 15th of April, which is the last date Scott Morrison has to call the house of representatives election. (He will call both houses at the same time, but there is a bit of extra time before, constitutionally, the Senate has to go to the polls)
But then another one was produced sometime between then and now, which moved Jane Prentice next to her.
tl:dr – constitutionally, the parliament can not sit beyond April 15, without an election.
Queensland again gets the first dixer (holy moly, anyone would think they need that state). Ross Vasta asks something about can the prime minister explain how this is the best government to ever govern, ever and are there any alternatives.
Anthony Albanese told Adelaide radio 5AA why he thought next year’s parliamentary sitting calendar put out by the government was rubbish:
Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:
The fact is that – I’ve done the sitting timetable on six occasions and what you do is you look for when Australia Day is, and parliament comes back the week after Australia Day. That’s the normal process. The parliament also sits in March. There is either five or six sitting weeks in the schedule prior to April, and there is no reason why you can’t have five or six sitting weeks prior to the April budget. The only reason why there is not, is because they are running from democracy.
The government has discontinued funding to the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes program, which helps protect women who experienced family violence. This program improves security for women and children, including changing the locks on the front door and sweeping for listening devices in the home. Australian women shouldn’t have to choose between staying at home or staying safe. So will the prime minister match Labor’s announcement from yesterday and commit $18 million to continued support for this vital program?”
Christopher Pyne said it was totally different next year because of the April budget. Or something:
Morrison:
The budget has been brought forward a month. So it’s actually a completely different sitting schedule. There are 17 sitting weeks next year, which is the average, is the norm and everyone knows that – 17 sitting weeks next year.
As the leader of the Opposition would know, this is a program that had a set period of funding and we are in the process of working through interest consultation phase of how that funding can be extended and we’re working through that in the normal budgetary process. (Kelly O’Dwyer interjects that it is still funded until June).
Albo says there are 10 sitting days until August. Pyne says he has his “maths completely wrong”.
It is still funded until June, Mr Speaker. We are providing that funding to address the serious issue of preventing domestic violence.
But that’s because Scott Morrison all but said the election would be in May. It’s just whether it is 11 May or 18 May which is the issue. He want the budget handed down before the election, and that is happening on 2 April. There are two sitting weeks scheduled before then. Then it’s budget week. And then, presumably, parliament is dissolved for the election. Ipso factso – that’s not a lot of sitting days before the election.
Now, Mr Speaker, preventing domestic violence is a shared commitment of every single person in this place.
Something we missed on Tuesday afternoon: the education minister, Dan Tehan, has announced the next round of Australian Research Council grants after a controversy about the Coalition vetoing $4m of grants in previous rounds and Labor’s Kim Carr criticising them for delays.
Mr Speaker, I must say I’m a little disappointed that the leader of the Opposition would seek to make some political capital of this issue in this place.
The Universities Australia chief executive, Catriona Jackson, noted that three researchers whose grants had been vetoed by the former education minister Simon Birmingham were successful in this round.
Mr Speaker, our national plan to reduce violence against women and children from 2010-22 is a commitment from all governments through COAG. It will again be addressed at the meeting this year.
“Of course, that still leaves eight research grants that were rejected by Senator Birmingham that remain unfunded by the ARC,” she said.
Since the national plan has been in place the Commonwealth has invested over $700 million to reduce domestic violence.
Tehan said those three grants had been successful this round because they are “now markedly different”.
There’s an additional amount for the 1800 RESPECT service. It will increase the amount of people to ensure people can get help.
Carr said they had been approved after “minor changes to titles”:
In 2018 they answered almost 100,000 telephone and online contacts, which was a 54% increase from the previous year.
ACU – Masculinity and social change in Australia (previously A history of men’s dress)
This year the service is expected to answer more than 160,000 such contacts and through the women’s safety package, the Commonwealth gave some states and territories supplementary funding for the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes and local support coordinator’s program.
UNSW – Rioting and the literary archive (unchanged)
Mr Speaker, we are getting on with the job of delivering these essential services and we should be committed as an entire parliament, together with state and territory, to address the very serious issue of addressing domestic family violence.
ANU – Art of cultural diplomacy (previously Louis XIV prints, medals and materials in the global exchange)
We’re committed to that. I have no doubt that other members in this place, those who sit opposite, in the crossbench, are also committed. I would ask we continue to address these issues in a bipartisan way and not seek to play politics with it.
Ayes 97
Meanwhile, Jane Prentice has been moved to sit next to Julie Bishop in the House.
Noes 5
Bishop seemed a little confused as to what was happening at first, and consulted the new seating plan, (at least that is what it looked like from up here in the press gallery benches) but all is sorted now.
That is not a vote result you see every day in this place.
Labor did a deal with the government to ensure that the legislation would get through.
Funny scene in the House right now – it has divided on the social services amendment bill, which will make new migrants have to wait even longer for access to Newstart and the like and the whole chamber, except for five crossbenchers, is voting for it.
The Big School Walkout for Climate Action has come to Parliament House – and the students are now being let in after a misunderstanding with the police.
An organiser, Georgie Burgess, told Guardian Australia that police had believed the students were coming to protest and conduct a sit-in at parliament but the children were just joking.
“Our plan is to have calm, polite conversations with politicians – we do not want to have any protesting inside the house,” she said.
Carys, from Dickson College, said the students “have come out to show politicians that climate change is an issue that we can’t ignore any more, so much so that we need to strike from school, we need to stop our learning, because our future is at risk”.
Us kids we really need them to help us because they have our futures in their hands, we’re going to ask them whether they’re willing to say no to the Adani coalmine, whether they’ve going to reduce our carbon emissions to zero, whether they are committed to make us a greener country and world leader in climate action, which we are not at the moment – we are the laughing stock of the world.
The students – from Dickson College, Orana Steiner school and Chapman primary school, among others in the ACT – are now entering the building.
Scott Morrison said school students should be in school.
The Greens passed a Senate motion which basically said go well, protesting school students and stick it to the man.
Then some students turned up at Parliament House and were delayed from entering by police, who have since permitted them entry.
It’s quite the lesson in democracy so far.
Dickson college students at Big School Walkout for Climate Action at parliament house. Now getting let in after hold-up with the cops. pic.twitter.com/UNcOjurmPz
If only there was a forum for parliamentarians to parley that wasn’t social media ...
Complete lie from @Tony_Burke and he knows it. There are 9 weeks scheduled for the first half of the year and we have to have an election: like we do every 3 years! #auspol https://t.co/351kXR6PVg
Re Senate behaviour: Simon Birmingham notes Barry O'Sullivan lost his pre-selection: "Perhaps means that he becomes even harder to influence from time to time in terms of what he says or does - but the [National] Party has taken its actions...."#auspol @abcadelaide
A spokesman for the prime minister says there is no concern about the lack of a formal sit-down with Donald Trump at the G20 (remember there are opportunities for lots of “informal chats” at dinners and in corridors and at photo ops and things).
The PM will no doubt have the opportunity to touch base during the G20 meetings.
But given we have no pressing bilateral issues at the moment, and the PM had an extensive opportunity with Vice-President [Mike] Pence, there is no pressing need for a formal bilateral at this stage.
The relationship is being well-managed.
Julie Bishop also spoke on this:
I’m not involved in the prime minister’s scheduling, nor that of President Trump, so I’m sure if the meeting can take place, it will, but if scheduling conflicts occur, that’s what happens in some of these meetings. The G20 meetings are hectic. They are, from my experience, very busy and you don’t always meet with every one of the other leaders at that time, but there are many opportunities for world leaders to meet, and the Australia-US relationship is strong and deep and it will continue, whomever is in the White House, whomever is in The Lodge.
Julie Bishop has held a short press conference in Canberra before her donation of her now infamous red shoes to the Australian Museum of Democracy.
She had a bit to say about all the shenanigans, and it is best to let her say it. Or not say it, as the case may be *cough Peter Dutton referral cough*.
On whether Peter Dutton should be referred, and whether Christopher Pyne should threaten the crossbench with referrals:
This is a matter for themselves to be eligible to sit in the parliament ... I wasn’t present when Christopher Pyne spoke with or spoke about Kerryn Phelps: I’m not aware of the terms of what he said, but my point is every member has a responsibility to ensure that they are eligible to sit in the parliament. Every member should take their advice. Where there is doubt, then in the past, the people have referred themselves or have been referred. So it is a question for everyone to look at their own eligibility. I’ve certainly considered mine, and I’m perfectly satisfied that I’m eligible and have always been eligible to sit in the federal parliament.
On Julia Banks and women in the Liberal party:
Julia informed me after she had made the statement in parliament. In fact, she informed a number of us after she had made her statement …
Well, it was apparent to everyone who follows politics that she was not happy with the leadership change in August. She put out a statement at the time, so you only have to read her statement that she was obviously not happy with the outcome of that issue …
It is quite evident that there are now a number of women sitting on the crossbench who hold what were once considered safe Liberal seats and that of course is a matter of concern, and I know the party is concerned about that.
In the case of Julia Banks, I’m disappointed that she felt the need to leave the Liberal party, and she had got to that point. However, knowing her as I do, she obviously gave it a lot of thought and she must believe that this is how she can best represent the interests of the people of Chisholm. I believe I can best represent the people of Curtin by being a member of the Liberal party.
On Kelly O’Dwyer’s reported comments that the Liberal party is now viewed as “homophobic, anti-women, climate-change deniers” and on the number of women in the Liberal party:
I understand that they were comments that were attributed to Kelly O’Dwyer. I’m not aware of whether she actually said them. They were attributed to her by someone who was apparently at a meeting, but I think Kelly has expressed before her concern about the level of female representation in the Liberal party.
Indeed, she set up a fighting fund to which I’ve donated money to support women who are contesting marginal seats because she believes that more money is needed to support them and I agree. So, Kelly has long been on the record expressing her concern about the level of female representation on the part of the Liberal party …
What I think is interesting about today is that we have an initiative in the parliament called Girls Taking Over the Parliament ... they have come to parliament to see how it operates, to see what opportunities there are. There are bright young women “taking over parliament”, so there clearly is a need for us to discuss the level of representation of females in the parliament. There is a need for us to increase that. When I talk about a nation not reaching its potential unless is fully harnesses the efforts and energies and skills of 50% of the population, that goes for organisations as well, and that includes the Liberal party.
On Barry O’Sullivan’s comments yesterday in the Senate:
I wasn’t there, I didn’t hear them. I have heard fleetingly reports on it, so I won’t give a running commentary on what goes on in the Senate, but we all have to take personal responsibility for our behaviour, and of course we should be respectful towards each other whether it’s in the parliament or outside the parliament …
I wasn’t here in Canberra yesterday. I had a pair. I was attending a number of meetings in Sydney that were very important, so I wasn’t here. I’m not going to give a running commentary on what every senator says in the Senate. My overall point is that we take personal responsibility, each of us, for the way we behave.
Mathias Cormann has got the call-up for the G20.
He will replace the treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, who now has to remain in Canberra, because, well, it is all a bit of a garbage fire at the moment.
