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Scott Morrison faces MPs after intervention in Craig Kelly saga – question time live Scott Morrison faces MPs after intervention in Craig Kelly saga – question time live
(35 minutes later)
Scott Morrison: After last week accidentally saying that the NSW Liberal party would like to see Ian Macdonald, her own colleague sent to Siberia in this Senate question time exchange:
“On the weekend I had the opportunity to pass on the condolences of our nation directly to President Trump. Who, when I met with him and advised me that President Bush was very, very gravely ill and close to death, and indeed the next day that prove to be the case. Doug Cameron: Does this minister agree with her colleagues in NSW who are saying the Prime Minister should go to Siberia?”
We have no greater friend than the United States. We have no greater ally. We have been together for a century and more. It is a bond that is built in what we believe and the sort of world we want to live in. And George Bush personified that division and those beliefs. As much as any other great president of the United States could have, and we thank him, for his friendship, we thank him for his service, and we pray for his family and may God bless America.” Ryan: “There was a lot in that question, Senator Cameron.”
Mathias Cormann has successfully suspended standing orders in the Senate, and has won a vote to overturn a decision the Senate made on Thursday that the debate on the Sex Discrimination bill (to protect LGBT students) end at 1:50pm. Marise Payne: “I think there would be an enormous amount of enthusiasm in the NSW Labor Party for a one-way ticket to Siberia for Senator Macdonald.”
The suspension succeeded 34-33 - with Centre Alliance senators Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick voting with the government this time instead of supporting the gag as they did on Thursday. Marise Payne has just accidentally referred to Senate president Scott Ryan as “Mr Terrorist”.
The motion then succeeded (35-33) - so the gag has been overturned. Cormann told the Senate the crossbench want more time to examine the government amendments, and moves to refer it to committee. On that last point Christian Porter raised, a quick check of the Senate committee’s website shows the AFP have not made a public submission.
Penny Wong is outraged, accusing Cormann of “perverting the course of the Senate” because the government is concerned about losing a vote in the House of Representatives. Wong said the “whole purpose of the shenanigans, aided and abetted by Centre Alliance” is to help “put off a vote”. Janet Rice was also upset by the government’s move (supported by enough of the crossbenchers, including Centre Alliance, that it got through) to stop debate on the religious discrimination bill:
“Call an election instead of lying about this issue as you have through the Wentworth byelection ... and shame on you senator Patrick for aiding and abetting this.” This is an appalling use of Senate process, and it is leaving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in despair. Three-quarters of the Australian community want to see discrimination ended in schools, full stop—no ifs or buts—and they want it to end now. The Prime Minister himself, before the Wentworth by-election, said that it was urgent to act to end discrimination now. Yet we have just seen this appalling use of Senate process. This bill has been pushed off into the long grass.
What this means is: we won’t necessarily get a vote on Labor’s private members bill to protect LGBT students today. We had the opportunity today to change our laws for the better, so that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students would have been protected, would have felt safe and would have felt supported in their school communities, regardless of what school they went to. But the appalling actions of this government, together with Centre Alliance—who have shown their true colours in what they are doing today—have meant that this opportunity is passing us by. The Greens believed that we had the numbers in this place to end discrimination against teachers as well. But the government, coupled with Centre Alliance, are not allowing this debate to occur and not allowing a vote to occur today. It is an absolute travesty and it is incredibly sad for those many people in our community, the same people who fought a year ago for marriage equality, who were hoping that a year later, as part of the anniversary of marriage equality, we would act to end discrimination and support young people in all of our schools. But it is not to be, because of the outrageous actions of this government and the Centre Alliance senators.”
This relieves the pressure on the government, as a successful Senate bill would go to the lower house and be another trigger to test government numbers on the floor. Christian Porter continues:
Christopher Pyne is over at the crossbench, having a chat to Cathy McGowan. The shadow attorney general says that appears to be some form of confidential communication and as I have noted, will give me for wanting to speak with the commission first to determine whether or not that was all was not some form of confidential communication and to discuss that matter with him.
Brings up a key point on why the government would be delaying the religious freedoms bill in the Senate – they don’t want it getting to the House this week. Because they don’t control the numbers in the House anymore, and they can’t control what would happen with it. And if he takes the view that some action should be taken I will of course listen to that view.
Just something to keep in mind. But if only it were the case that the shadow attorney general were as concerned about the national security of Australians who face terrorist attacks as he were about smearing the prime minister, or any member on the side of the house.
Ahead of question time, we have the indulgence motions for George HW Bush, the 41st president of the United States. And this is classic modus operandi of this member opposite. Whenever he runs into problems because of his own failure to act in a reasonable way, run a smokescreen.
What happened with the NSW state executive move? Run a smear campaign. The difficulty that the shadow attorney general has, Mr Speaker, is that no Australian could physically be as smart as he thinks he is”
Katharine Murphy and Anne Davies report: I really don’t think that is the burn Porter thinks it is.
The outspoken conservative Craig Kelly will remain the Liberal candidate for Hughes at the next federal election after the New South Wales party executive bowed to Scott Morrison’s wishes rather than allow the prime minister to be publicly humiliated. Mark Dreyfus to Christian Porter:
Kelly chose to blow up an internal war within the Liberal party over his future by signalling last week he was prepared to go to the crossbench – following the Victorian Liberal Julia Banks – if he was dumped as the Liberal party candidate. I refer to his previous answer and the front page of the Australian newspaper, which appears to quote directly from a confidential solution to the intelligence committee about the government’s encryption bill, which is a criminal offence under national security legislation, punishable with up to two years in prison.
With the government finishing a torrid political year in a parlous parliamentary position, party figures went into overdrive to stop moderates from knocking off Kelly and triggering a fresh managerial crisis in Canberra. Under national security legislation, prosecution for this offence can only be instigated by the Attorney General, all with his consent. Can the Attorney General guarantee to this house that he will not stand in the way of any prosecution for this criminal leak?
Read their full story here: Porter:
NSW party bows to Morrison pressure to save Craig Kelly from preselection I think the shadow Attorney General for his question and it is the case that an article in the Australian today reads that the Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin wrote to the joint committee on intelligence and security to express concerns about Labor’s proposal to split the encryption bill.
Right, Paul Karp is working on the update, but the Senate suspension was the government reversing the order made last week, which essentially stopped the religious freedom bill from being debated today. The AFP is concerned that a purpose -based approach would impose a variety of significant issues that would challenge the effectiveness of the regime and undermined the policy intent of the measures.
It won Mr Speaker, whether that was a confidential communication or not, I simply cannot answer. The shadow Attorney General’s questioned said that it appears to be. Well, you know, forgive me if I will reserve my view as to whether or not it appears or does not appear to be until I have had the chance to speak to the Commissioner about that”
Right, it was Who’s that MP time – and it was Trevor Evans Christian Porter used his dixer to talk about the encryption laws, which seems a little strange, given that both parties are now back at the table and meant to be negotiating a compromise.
In the Senate, the government is attempting to suspend standing orders. Bill Shorten associated the opposition with McCormack’s remarks:
This caused some furious debate, from what I could see, from Penny Wong. President Scott Ryan got to his feet to stop it. There are 109 fires still burning. The loss of life is devastating. We send our condolences to the family. To the professionals and volunteers, thank you, thank you, thank you”
Am working on finding out what it was. Michael McCormack used his dixer to thank those fighting Queensland’s insane bushfires, and the communities they have swept through:
It is almost question time. I’ll be heading into the chamber, so you know the drill – hit me with those predictions That is the Queensland spirit and the spirit of good and true Australians that we are seeing across these fire affected regions. People west of Mackay, we can call them angels because they are ordinary everyday people doing extraordinary deeds.
And of course, you can’t have Australian politics without safari suits (Ian Goodenough added himself to this prestigious gallery today) Helping to cook for the firefighters, going beyond exhaustion to continue to help out with SES, help out with other volunteers, making sure people who have no home have something to eat and wear. Being there for a chat, it is these small gestures which make a difference.
Gough, of course. pic.twitter.com/rupdbFtaMm They are inspiring. There so many efforts like that. You can see what a tremendous job the firefighters have done to save homes and property. Firefighters showed me a home surrounded by smoke and charred trees.
pic.twitter.com/fsRbsYBvIL Somehow those heroes on the frontline managed to save it from the flames.
This last one also included singing It was quite unbelievable. I visited a school narrowly avoided being raised. School is in today, saved by a whisker. Emergency services risk their lives to save entire community. I know the people who live in those areas at the appreciative and grateful.
Gos! pic.twitter.com/MdazZFL8SI Tragically, one young man, just 21 lost his life while clearing a fire break on his family property. We mourn for his loss, we grieve with his community. While the fire still rage, we need people to stay calm, heed the advice of local authorities.
Let it be said that politics is not all cynicism and snark It is very important to have a fire plan. We pay to be to the firefighters paid and unpaid. They are inspiring, great Australian. I urge Australians to keep the community than people and volunteers in mind, and to those affected, please be patient, stay calm, stay safe. Australians, we have your back.
Today is the International Day of People with Disabilities. Today for me is about so much more than passive recognition. It is a day for celebration, commemoration, mourning and a recommitment to the fight for our lives and our rights #idpwd #IDPWD2018 #auspol Mark Dreyfus to Scott Morrison:
Last sitting week for 2018. Even after 10 years as a MP, it remains an enormous honour and great privilege for a bloke from Sale High School to walk in these doors and represent Gippslanders #lovegippsland #myvalley #auspol pic.twitter.com/D7H5P5ndoB Can the Prime Minister guarantee that no minister, government member or their office played any role in the leaking of what appears to be a confidential submission to the intelligence committee which is a criminal offence under national security laws?
A bit more from the House earlier today: This is the quote Labor is talking about:
Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox today: "We urge all political parties to avoid the temptation of pushing the proposed decryption legislation too quickly through the Parliament" #auspol https://t.co/80k3Kdw6nq Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin wrote to the joint committee on intelligence and security to express concern about Labor’s proposal to split the encryption bill.
It had to be done “The AFP is very concerned such a purpose-based approach would pose a variety of significant issues that would challenge the effectiveness of the regime and undermine the policy intent of the measures,” Mr Colvin wrote.
Who wore it better?#auspol #politicslive pic.twitter.com/8bny48wuAG After some back and forth over whether Morrison is responsible for answering it, he says he is unaware of what Dreyfus is talking about and follows with:
We are two and a bit years on from when this address was made. “If the Attorney General, shadow Attorney General wants to come in here and make these sort of grubby sneers, which is his habit in this place, he is well acquainted with the bottom of the chum bucket, the shadow Attorney General. He does this on a regular occasion, comes in here... Makes the most outrageous and offensive sneers without any evident what the weather. What I do know is as a member of the Labor Party, the shadow Attorney General voted against tougher penalties for paedophiles and gunrunners. I know that. I know that for a fact. So did the member of the Watson”
This morning Senate President, @SenatorRyan, presented the address-in-reply to His Excellency the Governor-General Find out more about the address-in-reply here: https://t.co/vqOIKXINF7 pic.twitter.com/43SmnUccWY Tony Burke interrupts to say the answer has nothing to do with the question.
I could make a snarky comment about how the federal court wasn’t needed in regards to this doctor’s advice, but I am sure it has already been done. The prime minister has concluded his answer.
I will remain on medical leave this week on the advice of my doctor. The AG will continue to act for me during my absence. Mathias Cormann during that same debate:
This should fix it. The Government does support what this legislation is seeking to achieve, but we support it with reasonable amendments to ensure that, for example, religious schools can provide appropriate rules for the proper conduct of their schools. We believe the government put forward five very sensible amendments.
In honour of the 75th anniversary of the election of the first women to parliament, the House of Representatives and Senate alcoves are being renamed in honour of Dame Dorothy Tangney and Dame Enid Lyons. Some of the crossbenchers have indicated to us in good faith that they needed some more time in order to consider the issues that they raise, and rather than doing what Senator Wong has indicated, upending the Senate, what we are doing is making sure that the Senate has proper opportunity to consider all of the issues, which is actually our job. What was in place was a guillotine to prevent the Senate from properly canvassing al of the issues, properly considering all of the issues.
The timing just seems absolutely exquisite. You could not script this stuff.* We are actually as a government facilitating the proper consideration of what is a very important issue. We do want to see this legislation pass, but we want to see it pass in an amended form. We thank the Senate for having made a sensible decision today and having backed our judgment.”
*Turns out you can – we have just been informed that Labor apparently started this process and the presiding officers agreed We’ll head back to the Senate for a moment, to tell you what happened during that suspension of standing orders Paul Karp was telling you about.
This NSW state executive order really puts paid to the “on merit” argument, though doesn’t it. Penny Wong:
An update on encryption: I think that has just belled the cat, hasn’t it? The whole purpose of the shenanigans we have been through, aided and abetted by Central Alliance, who contrary to their indication that they would support LGBTIQ kids, have walked in here and helped Senator Cormann put off a vote on a bill they reckon they support, and this is a bill that Mr Morrison supports.
Am hearing the PJCIS is not going to file its report on encryption today. There were suggestions that there is a surprise Labor-Coalition peace deal in the works. Am trying to confirm this. I know at least: not today. #auspol Let us be clear, the only reason why we have had the shenanigans we have just seen, no notice, coming in and upending the Senate, overturning the previous agreement of the Senate to vote on that legislation for which there was broad support in this chamber by ten to two, the only reason he had to walk in and suspend standing orders and pervert the process of the Senate, is because he is worried about the House of Representatives.
He is worried about the survival of the Government on the floor of the House of Representatives.
He has lost control. This is an indication of the chaos that is the Morrison Government. That they have to upend the Senate and not vote on protecting LGBTIQ kids, because they are so worried about the lack of control they have of the House of Representatives.
Do you know what the decent thing to do would be? Call an election! Call an election and stop perverting the processes of the Senate.
Voting against the position the Prime Minister has had, trying to desperately avoid a vote in the house, call an election instead of lying the way you have about this issue through the Wentworth by-election and through this week.
And shame on you. Senator Patrick, shame on you for doing this and aiding and abetting it.
We get through our first dixer. The backbench seems to be slowly waking up.
Mark Dreyfus to Scott Morrison:
Given the prime minister is extensively quoted in a report on the front page of the Australian newspaper which appear to include a leaked submission to the intelligence committee, and given the report is based on an exclusive interview conducted with the prime minister during his trip to Argentina for the G20, can the prime minister guarantee that neither he or his office played any role in the leaking of a confidential submission, which is a criminal offence?
As Morrison replies the
interjections get so loud, Tony Smith intervenes. Morrison continues:
...if they want to come in here and make grubby sneers against me, I find the suggestion offensive and reject it.”
Mark Dreyfus to Scott Morrison:
Is the Prime Minister aware that the front page of the Australian newspaper appears to quote from a confidential Australian Federal Police submission to the intelligence commission committee about the government’s encryption bill? Is the Prime Minister a way that leaking a confidential submission to the committee is a criminal offence under national security legislation, punishable with up to two years in prison? Has the Prime Minister asked the AFP to investigate this criminal leak?
Morrison takes the question on notice.
“I am happy to take notice the matter that the member has raised, and raise that in a discussion with the AFP, if indeed that is necessary. I would also only note this. That is that encryption is a tool being used by terrorists, organised criminals, paedophile rings, and it is something we must get ahead of by ensuring that our police, that our security agencies, that all our agencies have gauged at a state and federal level have the tools they need to make this stop.
We are committed to doing that. It is why we have brought this legislation into the Parliament. We will continue to engage with the opposition to seek their support for these measures, and I hope that they are able to support us in these efforts.”
Labor has kicked off question time by targeting the government over evidence from the Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin on the Coalition’s proposed encryption bill.
In private evidence to the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security, Colvin wrote: “The AFP is very concerned such a purpose-based approach would pose a variety of significant issues that would challenge the effectiveness of the regime and undermine the policy intent of the measures”.That quote found its way into a Simon Benson story in The Australian.
Labor is concerned whoever gave the material to Benson may have breached the Intelligence Services Act 2001 section 9 which makes it an offence to disclose or publish evidence or documents given to the committee in private. Penalty? Two years in the slammer!