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Coalition attacked over forced energy divestments – politics live Coalition wants voter ID laws for federal elections – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Christopher Pyne moved a motion that the second reading debate (on the energy motion) be set for a “later hour” and Chris Bowen amended that motion to say the “later hour” be the first parliamentary sitting in 2019.
The House is dividing again and it looks like Cathy McGowan is changing her vote.
AYES: 75
NOES: 70
While we wait to see the outcome of the House division, it is worth mentioning this:
Tasmanian Greens Senators Nick McKim and Peter Whish-Wilson have tabled the Senate’s largest ever petition, calling for takayna/Tarkine to be protected as a World Heritage Area.
“takayna/Tarkine is a precious part of Tasmania that should be looked after on behalf of the entire world,” Senator McKim said.
“Some 270,000 people have signed this petition, which just shows the depth of feeling about takayna across Tasmania, Australia and the world.”
“We invite Prime Minister Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to visit takayna/Tarkine and see for themselves why this area is worthy of World Heritage protection.”
Senator Whish-Wilson said:“takayna is a place of incredible natural and Aboriginal heritage value.”“It is one of the last strongholds for the Tasmanian devil and contains one of Australia’s largest temperate rainforests.”
“It’s time for the Labor and Liberal parties to step up.”
“We thank the Bob Brown Foundation and Patagonia for their ongoing campaign to protect takayna.”
Tony Abbott is talking to Ben Fordham on 2GB.
Asked about the new Liberal party leadership rules, he says: “if we had been better they wouldn’t be needed” and “even members of parliament can have character deficits and conviction deficits” and when he became PM in 2013 he thought “we would have learned that lesson” about changing leaders and have now “learnt that lesson the very hard way.
He also says things like this:
"We need more people like Craig Kelly in the Parliament" - @TonyAbbottMHR on @CraigKellyMP #auspol
"If I'd been a preselector, Jim Molan would have been my number one choice" - @TonyAbbottMHR on Senator @JimMolan #auspol
The government is attempting to bring its energy bill in the House.
Stay tuned.
Coalition members have asked for voter ID laws in the JSCEM report on 2016 election! #auspol pic.twitter.com/FKOQVTY4Hb
Queensland is waging its own little war in the Senate.
James McGrath moved this motion:
That the Senate–
And Larissa Waters responded with this:
The Greens are supportive of parts A and B of this motion – many regional towns in Queensland are doing it tough. Social support networks and hubs have an important role to play in these areas. However, this motion calling for the burden of licensing fees of pubs and hotels to be reduced has been moved by a Senator who’s accepted more than 190 bottles of wine and 21 cases of beer from the Queensland and Australian Hotels Associations over the past six months, and whose party accepted more than $1.1 million from the gaming, alcohol and hotels industries over the past five years. You cannot expect to gain support from the Greens for a motion that advances the interests of that industry.
In the Senate, Nick McKim has just won a suspension of standing orders and successfully moved his and Tim Storer’s motion to bring on a non-contentious government migration bill for debate and a vote by 1.50pm on Thursday.In the Senate, Nick McKim has just won a suspension of standing orders and successfully moved his and Tim Storer’s motion to bring on a non-contentious government migration bill for debate and a vote by 1.50pm on Thursday.
Why would he be doing that? It’s part of a crossbench plan to pass the Kerryn Phelps bill for emergency medical transfers from offshore detention in the Senate by adding it to a government bill.Why would he be doing that? It’s part of a crossbench plan to pass the Kerryn Phelps bill for emergency medical transfers from offshore detention in the Senate by adding it to a government bill.
I wrote about this on Tuesday – it didn’t succeed then because Labor and Phelps were still in negotiations about the conditions on which it could support her bill. Perhaps Labor voting with McKim and Storer indicates a deal has now been done, I will find this out for you ASAP.I wrote about this on Tuesday – it didn’t succeed then because Labor and Phelps were still in negotiations about the conditions on which it could support her bill. Perhaps Labor voting with McKim and Storer indicates a deal has now been done, I will find this out for you ASAP.
As we start to wind down for the year and prepare for our final politics live for 2018, I would love to know what stood out for you this year. Positive or negative – and I don’t just mean the usual political take aways. It’s been a huge year. A huge one. So what will you remember from 2018 in the Australian parliament?As we start to wind down for the year and prepare for our final politics live for 2018, I would love to know what stood out for you this year. Positive or negative – and I don’t just mean the usual political take aways. It’s been a huge year. A huge one. So what will you remember from 2018 in the Australian parliament?
Keep it short and sweet and I’ll do my best to include the most thoughtful ones in the final blog tomorrow – tweet at @amyremeikis or send me a short couple of paragraphs to amy.remeikis@theguardian.comKeep it short and sweet and I’ll do my best to include the most thoughtful ones in the final blog tomorrow – tweet at @amyremeikis or send me a short couple of paragraphs to amy.remeikis@theguardian.com
Josh Frydenberg has issued his official statement on the National Accounts:Josh Frydenberg has issued his official statement on the National Accounts:
Today’s National Accounts for the September quarter 2018 show the strength of the Australian economy and the strong economic management of the Liberal National government.Today’s National Accounts for the September quarter 2018 show the strength of the Australian economy and the strong economic management of the Liberal National government.
We have completed our 27th consecutive year of economic growth, the unemployment rate has fallen to 5% and nearly 1.2 million jobs have been created under the Coalition government. The strength of the Australian economy has recently been recognised by the International Monetary Fund, the OECD and through our AAA credit rating being reaffirmed.We have completed our 27th consecutive year of economic growth, the unemployment rate has fallen to 5% and nearly 1.2 million jobs have been created under the Coalition government. The strength of the Australian economy has recently been recognised by the International Monetary Fund, the OECD and through our AAA credit rating being reaffirmed.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, real GDP grew by 0.3% in the September quarter and by 2.8% through the year and this sees Australia growing faster than the OECD average and all of the G7 nations except the United States.According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, real GDP grew by 0.3% in the September quarter and by 2.8% through the year and this sees Australia growing faster than the OECD average and all of the G7 nations except the United States.
Growth continues to be broad-based with household consumption, dwelling investment, net exports and new public final demand contributing to growth. These were partially offset by a significant fall in mining investment as the last of the major LNG projects near completion.Growth continues to be broad-based with household consumption, dwelling investment, net exports and new public final demand contributing to growth. These were partially offset by a significant fall in mining investment as the last of the major LNG projects near completion.
New public investment grew by 5.1% in the quarter to be 4% higher through the year. Public investment will continue to be underpinned by the government’s record $75 billion infrastructure rollout.New public investment grew by 5.1% in the quarter to be 4% higher through the year. Public investment will continue to be underpinned by the government’s record $75 billion infrastructure rollout.
Compensation of employees, which records total wages and salaries across the economy, rose by 1% in the quarter to be 4.3% higher through the year. Growth was driven by strength in employment.Compensation of employees, which records total wages and salaries across the economy, rose by 1% in the quarter to be 4.3% higher through the year. Growth was driven by strength in employment.
Because of the Coalition’s strong economic management we will deliver next April the first budget surplus in more than a decade.Because of the Coalition’s strong economic management we will deliver next April the first budget surplus in more than a decade.
The strength of the Australian economy is no accident. The government’s plan of lower taxes and stronger economic growth is working and today’s numbers show the strength of the Australian economy is helping to provide the essential services all Australians rely on.The strength of the Australian economy is no accident. The government’s plan of lower taxes and stronger economic growth is working and today’s numbers show the strength of the Australian economy is helping to provide the essential services all Australians rely on.
Community attitudes towards violence against women https://t.co/H0lmTG5rZI pic.twitter.com/pkf0f3Rbr5Community attitudes towards violence against women https://t.co/H0lmTG5rZI pic.twitter.com/pkf0f3Rbr5
Including this here because it is very human and also adorable.Including this here because it is very human and also adorable.
My love of news & politics comes from my parents. From a young age they encouraged me to ask questions about everything! They visited the ABC for the first time (and loved it). Shout out to @MandyBorys who joined Twitter so she can "like" tweets written by my journo friends 😍 pic.twitter.com/yWdmuhQvNNMy love of news & politics comes from my parents. From a young age they encouraged me to ask questions about everything! They visited the ABC for the first time (and loved it). Shout out to @MandyBorys who joined Twitter so she can "like" tweets written by my journo friends 😍 pic.twitter.com/yWdmuhQvNN
Tomorrow’s question time, today from Katharine Murphy:Tomorrow’s question time, today from Katharine Murphy:
[Malcolm Turnbull] urged his Liberal colleagues to revive the Neg – abandoned as a casualty of the August leadership fight – arguing it was a ‘vital piece of economic policy and has strong support, none stronger I might say, than that of the current prime minister and the current treasurer’.[Malcolm Turnbull] urged his Liberal colleagues to revive the Neg – abandoned as a casualty of the August leadership fight – arguing it was a ‘vital piece of economic policy and has strong support, none stronger I might say, than that of the current prime minister and the current treasurer’.
Labor is proposing to keep the Neg with a 45% emissions reduction target. The text of the speech the former prime minister ultimately delivered on Tuesday morning, now uploaded on his website, did not address the impact of Labor’s higher target.Labor is proposing to keep the Neg with a 45% emissions reduction target. The text of the speech the former prime minister ultimately delivered on Tuesday morning, now uploaded on his website, did not address the impact of Labor’s higher target.
But an earlier draft of the speech, did.But an earlier draft of the speech, did.
‘Labor has announced it will adopt the Neg but with a higher emissions target,’ the early draft, seen by Guardian Australia, said. ‘Ours, as you know, was 26% which was only just above business as usual so it obviously had no adverse impact on prices.‘Labor has announced it will adopt the Neg but with a higher emissions target,’ the early draft, seen by Guardian Australia, said. ‘Ours, as you know, was 26% which was only just above business as usual so it obviously had no adverse impact on prices.
‘There is some modelling already from Frontier Economics which suggests that Labor’s 45% target will not result in higher prices,’ the early draft said. ‘That assertion deserves sceptical assessment, but it is also important regularly to review these models in the light of the latest technology and market information.‘There is some modelling already from Frontier Economics which suggests that Labor’s 45% target will not result in higher prices,’ the early draft said. ‘That assertion deserves sceptical assessment, but it is also important regularly to review these models in the light of the latest technology and market information.
‘A great deal depends too on whether a 45% reduction means simply that emissions in 2030 – in that year – should be 45% less than in 2005. If that were the case, implying a hockey stick, the additional cost may not be as high as it would appear.’‘A great deal depends too on whether a 45% reduction means simply that emissions in 2030 – in that year – should be 45% less than in 2005. If that were the case, implying a hockey stick, the additional cost may not be as high as it would appear.’
You can read that whole story, including Turnbull’s response, here.You can read that whole story, including Turnbull’s response, here.
You may have noticed that was the second question time that Stuart Robert was targeted.
I doubt it will be the last.
Kristina Keneally spoke to the ABC this morning about the stillbirth report:
...There are things that we know help prevent stillbirth, and we are simply not telling parents about them when they are contemplating pregnancy, or when they have fallen pregnant. The first thing is education for parents, and education for clinicians, and, you know, that is supported right across the board.
One mother said to us, you know, ’It’s like when you get on an airplane, and they tell you the worst thing that could happen. Nobody runs screaming from the plane. They take the advice on how to minimise the risk.’ She said stillbirth is the same: it happens more frequently, and yet we never talk about it, so we need to get that as part of education and health information when people are pregnant.
And there are some simple things like falling asleep on your side if you’re pregnant. You know, managing weight, managing smoking, not drinking and smoking. There are things about foetal movement monitoring where people are still getting the wrong advice. Babies don’t slow down before birth, you know. That’s a myth. If there’s a significant change in a baby’s movements, that’s cause to go see your doctor or midwife.
So there is some information. The other thing I would highlight in the time that we have is to point out that Australia does really poorly at investigating why stillbirths happen. About half of them we don’t know why they occurred, in only about 22% of cases do we even do autopsies. We don’t collect data, we don’t give information back to parents on how to avoid it in subsequent pregnancies.
You know, some of the most terrible evidence came from a couple of mothers who’d had more than one stillbirth, and we don’t, as a nation, understand where it’s happening, why it’s happening, and to who it is happening, so that we can help prevent it. And there, as I said, are some simple things that other nations have done – nations just like us – to drive the rate down. We can do these things too.
Christian Porter is sticking to the government line that it is Labor’s fault (pin tweet) that the anti-discrimination legislation won’t be going through the House before the end of the year:
Anyone concerned that exemptions to discrimination against gay students will remain in the Sex Discrimination Act over the parliamentary break should be in no doubt about who is now responsible – Bill Shorten.
It was Bill Shorten’s Labor party that put these specific exemptions into the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) in 2013.
Now Labor says they agree with the government that Labor’s 2013 exemptions, which allowed for discrimination against gay students, should go.
Labor also says it agrees with the government that faith-based schools should be able to educate students consistent with their beliefs and the tenets of their religion.
But Labor is not prepared to accept the common sense principle that religious schools should be able to impose reasonable school rules evenly on all of their students, such as a requirement that all students – regardless of gender – attend chapel. These rules are no different to those imposed in many workplaces.
And worst of all, Bill Shorten will not agree to the common sense process of allowing a conscience vote of all members to allow these common sense changes to happen right now.
In stark contrast, our government has repeatedly offered ways to ensure children don’t face discrimination, and protect religious freedoms.
The government’s proposals simply mean that any action against a school, in a court or the Human Rights Commission, would be decided after consideration of the reasonableness of the rule in the context of the institution’s religion and whether there was regard for the best interests of the student.
Religious leaders and schools have warned Bill Shorten there is a risk that Labor’s current approach would limit faith-based teaching beyond the classroom and extend into churches, synagogues, mosques and temples.
Bill Shorten should be ashamed, and anyone concerned about these exemptions need look no further than to the fact that the Labor party, which put them there in the first place, will not allow a conscience vote to have them removed.
Question time ends.
WE ARE ALMOST THERE PEOPLE! ONE MORE TO GO
Chris Bowen tells Scott Morrison about Stuart Robert appearing at a LNP fundraiser with Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise ombudsman, in November and asks “is that appropriate and in keeping with the statement on ministerial standards?”
Morrison takes it on notice.
That’s about this event:
LNP Small Business LEADER Roundtable breakfast - will be held on Thursday 8th November at the Storybridge Hotel, Brisbane. Speakers -Stuart Robert, assistant treasurer for Australia, and Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise ombudsman. 6.30AM arrival for a 7AM start: Cost $35.00 breakfast and coffee/tea.
This is a workshop – so bring along your best questions, and points of view.
And these are the ministerial standards Bowen mentioned:
APS Values
The APS Values articulate the parliament’s expectations of public servants in terms of performance and standards of behaviour. The principles of good public administration are embodied in the APS Values. The APS Values require that we are:
Impartial
The APS is apolitical and provides the government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence.
Committed to service
The APS is professional, objective, innovative and efficient, and works collaboratively to achieve the best results for the Australian community and the Government.
Accountable
The APS is open and accountable to the Australian community under the law and within the framework of Ministerial responsibility.
Respectful
The APS respects all people, including their rights and their heritage.
Ethical
The APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity, in all that it does.
This is still going on:
The only racism around me is the Greens, who don’t want Indians to have electricity using our clean coal. https://t.co/mJZDammQtK
Labor has released its legal advice claiming Liberal MP Chris Crewther is ineligible to sit in the parliament #auspol pic.twitter.com/SFwBzz7nd9
There is no lie here
They would miss two sitting weeks, based on the current sitting calendar for 2019. https://t.co/7fd2GGvDI8
The prime minister said we’d hear the result of the Israel embassy move conversation before the end of the year. The foreign minister has helpfully narrowed that down to the last month of the year.
You can’t write satire anymore. It is just a series of observations.
Foreign minister Marise Payne says there will be a statement made about the embassy move "in the month of December" #SenateQT
⁦@ClareONeilMP⁩ just asked Stuart Robert how many bank victims he’d met with. The Speaker ruled he wasn’t responsible for banking. Which would be news to those who’ve paid to attend his coming fundraiser #auspol #qt pic.twitter.com/l8KDjp6Fnb