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Furious Scott Morrison vows to ‘fight’ Nauru bill as pressure builds on government – politics live
Senate votes on Nauru bill Scott Morrison has vowed to fight – question time live
(35 minutes later)
The Storer amendment is coming into the Senate vote very soon:
Bill Shorten to Josh Frydenberg:
· These amendments are about making sure vulnerable and sick people in Australia’s care can receive the medical treatment they need.
Can the Prime Minister please tell the house which clause in his divestments legislation prevents the government from forcing states to privatise the electricity assets.
· These amendments-
That is what we were talking about earlier.
o Ensure sick people – including children and their families – can be transferred to Australia for medical treatment;
It’s all about getting to Bob Katter right now.
o Mean if two or more treating doctors recommend a medical transfer, the Minister must take action on (approve or deny) a medical transfer within 24 hours of being notified;
Section four, schedule one, item one, page 25, lines pre18, he made it very clear that if the body corporate is an authority of the Commonwealth or an authority of the state or territory, the court may order the body corporate to dispose of those assets... This is the amendment that the member for Kennedy was making clear. To avoid doubt the court can not make an order under subsection three for the body corporate to dispose of interest in securities or assets otherwise in accordance with paragraph three A.
o Ensure the Minister – not the Department – is the final decision maker for medical transfers;
It really says something about this question time that no one noticed a member jumping up in fright and spilling water everywhere.
o Creates transparency and reporting measures to make the Minister accountable for his decisions; and
There was a spider in the House
o Establishes an Independent Health Advice Panel to provide greater medical and mental health advice and oversight over the regional processing cohort.
Claire O’Neil just jumped up like a bolt of lighting.
· Labor will not outsource the powers of the Migration Act to an individual who is not the Minister or a delegate of the Minister.
Stephen Jones killed it with his iPad.
· The Minister can refuse the transfer if the Minister reasonably believes that the transfer of the person to Australia would be prejudicial to security within the meaning of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, including because an adverse security assessment in respect of the person is in force under that Act.
IT IS ALL HAPPENING
Cutting through the convoluted language there, it does say you can flog off a company, including to the same government.
There was another question on energy.
But in order to do it, they have to be in competition with each other. Which is a little difficult, because it would be like the government setting up a second Australia Post in competition to the original one.
I’m keeping an eye on the Senate and dipping in and out, so you might not get the same level of Q and A back and forth at the moment.
On that issue of privatisation (which the government says is a scare campaign and can’t happen) Chris Bowen and Mark Butler have just released this:
There are 15 amendments being put forward on the medical evacuation bill.
It’s clear the Morrison Government’s “big stick” Bill will be able to force the privatisation of state and Commonwealth owned energy assets, like Snowy Hydro.
So it is going to be a bit of a procedual mess before it arrives in the House.
This isn’t a “big stick” policy, it’s the latest version of the Liberals’ ‘big sell-off’ – going after the publicly owned electricity assets that Labor Governments have refused to privatise.
Scott Ryan has cut down each division to a minute and is trying to pass as many as possible on the voices.
Privatisation means higher power prices for families. Privatising energy assets hasn’t led to lower prices or better outcomes for consumers; it has led to massive private profits and electricity prices that keep going up and up. Yet electricity privatisation remains in the Liberals’ DNA.
Bill Shorten to Scott Morrison:
When asked whether his “big stick” Bill could lead to electricity privatisation, the Treasurer said “absolutely not”. This is a blatant lie.
Is he aware that yesterday the Queensland LNP leader, Deb Frecklington, said about the government plans to force Queensland to privatise electricity assets: ‘The prime minister’s plan is out of touch. Queenslanders want lower power prices, not asset sales.’ Isn’t the leader of the Queensland party correct when she says the prime minister’s plans are completely out of touch?
The Explanatory Memorandum to the Bill makes it clear that divestment involves the sale of assets of one corporation to any other (unrelated) corporation (section 5.28).
Here is what Frecklington said to Sarah Vogler from the Courier Mail yesterday:
In addition, it states that if the corporation subject to a divestment order is publicly owned, under strict conditions (section 5.30), the sale of divested assets can (but is not required to) be to other government owned corporations.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has also dismissed the federal government’s divestiture threat.
There is nothing in the “big stick” Bill that requires the sale of government assets to go to other government bodies and there is nothing in the Bill that stops the Morrison Liberal government from forcing the privatisation of government owned electricity assets, including Snowy Hydro, and government electricity companies in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
“I don’t support the federal government’s plan.
There’s only one guarantee with Morrison – more power privatisation and higher power prices.”
“The people of Queensland have spoken in relation to the sale of assets and there is no appetite for that.
The whole explanatory memorandum they refer to says:
“… The PM’s plan is out of touch,” Ms Frecklington said.
5.28 The body corporate can dispose of the relevant interest to any entity that is not a body corporate that is related to it (within the meaning of subsection 4A(5) of the CCA) or is not an associate of the body corporate. Essentially, this requires the body corporate to make the disposal to an arm’s length third party purchaser. [Schedule 1, item 1, paragraph 153ZB(2)(a)]
“Queenslanders want lower power prices but they don’t want asset sales.
and
“We believe our electricity assets should be kept in public hands, so the government can control the prices.
5.30 The body corporate subject to the divesture order can dispose of the relevant interest to any entity that is a body corporate that is related to it or is an associate of the body corporate if: • the related body corporate or associate is an authority of the Commonwealth, or a State or Territory government (as defined in section 4 of the CCA); • the body corporate subject to the divestiture order is an authority of the same government as the purchasing body corporate or associate; and • the related body corporate or associate is genuinely in competition in relation to electricity markets with the body corporate subject to the divestiture order. [Schedule 1, item 1, subsection 153ZB(3)]
“You can lower power prices and keep assets in public hands which my plan will do.”
5.31 This means that a divestiture order would allow a government owned vendor body corporate to dispose of the interest to a purchaser body corporate owned by the same government, if they are genuinely in competition with each other in relation to the electricity markets.
Josh Frydenberg takes it:
Here’s a release from the Bureau of Statistics today.
The leader of the opposition refers to the LNP leader in Queensland, Deb Frecklington.
Prison numbers
I would share with their house a statement.
The number of adults in prison has risen for the seventh consecutive year in Australia.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington has welcomed confirmation that the federal government’s legislation to prohibit misconduct in the energy sector will not allow Queensland’s electricity assets to be sold. We welcome efforts to stamp out misconduct and ensure the lowest possible prices for consumers.
Between 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018, the number of prisoners in adult corrective services increased by 4%, from 41,202 to 42,974.
Queenslanders want lower prices, but they don’t want asset sales, Mr Speaker.
The national imprisonment rate increased by 3%, from 216 prisoners to 221 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.
Then, this is what is difficult for the leader of the opposition, from Deb Frecklington,
In the last 12 months there was a 10% increase in the number of people imprisoned for illicit drugs and sexual assault and related offences.
“Unfortunately, the Annastacia Palaszczuk government has been using electricity as a secret tax for years,” Mr Speaker.
There has also been a large increase - in the last decade - in the number of people who are in custody but who haven’t yet been sentenced.
“Labor is drunk on the revenue this tax generates and, according to its own budget, will rip off more than $8.5bn from Queensland electricity customers over five years, so which side is the leader of the opposition on, Queensland consumers, or Queensland energy companies and the state government?” And she goes on. She goes on.
In 2008, the proportion of prisoners who were unsentenced was 23%. That figure is now 32.2%.
Instead of lowering prices, the Annastacia Palaszczuk Labor government is solely focused on profit maximisation and has allowed government owned generators to abuse their market power and price gouge, Mr Speaker. And it goes on.
And the phenomenon has occurred in ever state and territory.
This is the most relevant statement from Deb Frecklington for the leader of the opposition, because she says Bill Shorten, the leader of the opposition’s reckless 45% emissions reduction target well, according to Queensland’s Labor’s expert panel on renewable energy, courts and early closures of Queensland coal fired power stations.
In the last year, Victoria experienced the biggest jump in unsentenced prisoners (by 22%, or 485 prisoners). The state has recently undergone extensive bail reform, including presumption against bail for serious crimes such as rape, armed robbery and culpable driving causing death, and a reduction in judicial discretion.
So, Mr Speaker, Deb Frecklington has a lot to say today, she has a lot to say. She says the leader of the opposition is sending up our prices for Queenslanders, she says about the blue-collar workers in Queensland at those coal-fired power stations that Labor is selling it out and she says she is on the side of the Liberal and National government at the federal level and that they are doing everything they can to lower the power prices.
Victoria has experienced the biggest jump in unsentenced prisoners in the last decade, too.
Mr Speaker, this legislation is a test, this legislation is a clear test of the leader of the opposition. Will he continue to be a proxy for big business and big energy companies, or will he join with us to stamp out misconduct to ensure the lowest possible energy prices for Australian families and businesses?
See these numbers for the rise in the proportion of each state’s prison population that is unsentenced:
The first dixer, from Trevor Evans is on border security.
NSW
It’s a repeat of the “what we did, what I did” press conference from earlier.
2008: 23.4%
Scott Morrison is working very, very hard at not yelling.
2018: 33.5%
Tony Burke to Scott Morrison:
Victoria
Can the prime minister confirm that since deposing Malcolm Turnbull, he lost Wentworth, lost the member for Chisholm, ensured just 10 sitting days in eight months? Can he also confirm that today he lost control of himself delivering one of the most hysterical press conferences in Australian political history. Why isn’t Malcolm Turnbull prime minister? None of it happened under him.
2008: 19.2%
Morrison:
2018: 35.3%
When it comes to losing control, the Labor party lost control of our borders and they should be ashamed of it.
Queensland
That’s it. That’s the whole answer.
2008: 22.4%
Senate question time is delayed while these votes play out.
2018: 30%
We are still facing the prospect of the House adjourning at 4.30pm.
South Australia
That’s almost as bad as losing a legislative vote. Both say you don’t have control of the floor.
2008: 33.3%
The Senate is dealing with the last bit of the medical evacuation bill.
2018: 37.3%
Mathias Cormann attempted to adjourn the debate. That failed 32 to 30.
Western Australia
House of Representatives Practice has this to say on headwear: 'Members [are] permitted to wear hats in the Chamber but not while entering or leaving or while speaking.'https://t.co/A2TO00cYY2 https://t.co/L0nvVWqaEv
2008: 20.3%
We are in the chamber for the final question time of the year.
2018: 27.8%
Scott Morrison has just arrived.
Tasmania
Cormann’s motion to adjourn the bill was defeated 32 votes to 30.
2008: 20.8%
Senate president Scott Ryan says the time allotted has expired, so we’re now onto votes of substance on each amendment.
2018: 28.8%
Cory Bernardi’s second reading amendments are up first, he wants them split because senators may have different views.
Northern Territory
2008: 24.4%
2018: 28.9%
Australian Capital Territory
2008: 32.8%
2018: 37.8%
Australia
2008: 23%
2018: 32.2%
A small point in this madness – Bob Katter just asked for clarification on whether the energy bill will allow the government to privatise assets.
It is a massive deal in Queensland. Privatisation brought down the Bligh and Newman governments. MASSIVE. Queenslanders hate privatisation. Especially of power assets. Thank you Joh.
Labor started this attack yesterday. The government straight up denied it and said it is just a scare campaign. But both the Queensland Labor premier and the opposition leader came out in unison to tell the government to back off.
Katter is looking a little shaky, suddenly. That is a massive deal for the government, who needs his vote.
So with no leave to consider the bill as a whole, the energy bill is put to the side for a moment and we move onto 90 second statements.
There is 20 minutes left in the Senate debate on the (basically) medical evacuation bill.
It’s almost on its way to the House.
Right.
Where are we?
The Senate is discussing the bill which will carry the medical evacuation bill through to the House. A sort of trojan horse, if you will.
That finishes at 1.50pm. The government can not extend that debate.
Then the Senate will deal with encryption, which will succeed because Labor is voting for it.
Then that goes back to the House to become law and the security and intelligence agencies can start sending out those notices which will allow them to read encrypted messages.
And then we deal with the home affairs bill which has the medical transfers as part of it.
Unless the House is adjourned at 4.30pm.
Timing is critical.
The second reading debate on the energy bill looks like happening.
Labor has denied leave for the bill to be determined as a whole.
The games are continuing – the government is attempting to delay its own bill by referring it to the intelligence and security committee. With a reporting date of 30 March.
(There is no parliament in March.)
The Government has circulated a second reading amendment to Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018 #auspol pic.twitter.com/fQW0gOO75M
You can watch the Scott Morrison press conference here.
He is almost vibrating with fury. You can see it.
Hey @AmyRemeikis, about that Siri quote of yours on your live blog... It actually works!! 😳 pic.twitter.com/1BbqJAaXCu
On the Chris Bowen amendment:
Ayes: 70
Noes: 75
Senator Tim Storer is now up on medical transfers, as the Senate debates the government bill which Labor and the crossbench are pushing to amend with provisions of the Kerryn Phelps bill.
Storer noted the tragic case of Hamid Kehazaei, who died of septicemia in offshore detention, and that there have been two suicide attempts in offshore detention in the last 48 hours.Storer:
“[These amendments] will return decisions about the health of asylum seekers to those who always should have been making them in the first place – qualified, independent doctors.”
Storer applauded the courage of Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance for agreeing, giving special tribute to Greens immigration Nick McKim for co-sponsoring the amendments with him.
From Mike Bowers to you
It’s a twitter war
Our Government will always work to keep Australians safe. Today, Labor have been trying to erode our strong border security while delaying important anti-terrorism laws. They haven't learned from the last time they were in Government and we will do everything we can to stop them. pic.twitter.com/bRLD2djDT3
That important work is continuing in the parliament today. Last night, the Liberal chair of the Joint Security and Intelligence Committee praised Labor members for the bipartisan way we have contributed to laws that will help keep Australians safe.
I’ve always taken the view that when it comes to keeping Australians safe, we are all in this together.
I urge the Prime Minister to stop playing politics and start showing some leadership.
The House is moving on to the government’s energy bill, and Chris Bowen has moved this motion:
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question:
That the bill be now read a second time;
And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Bowen, viz; that all words after “that” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“the House declines to give the bill a second reading, and notes:
(1) this unprecedented intervention into markets which will result in higher prices for families and businesses;
(2) the government has abandoned all pretence at being the party of free enterprise and open markets; and
(3) the government has abandoned all proper process, scrutiny and consultation.”
A division has been called.
I guess this is one way to make a room look more crowded? The power of perception.
Nice to see the former minister for women up and speaking in the House again.
From your take aways:
James: The 2018 political year was summed up for me by the following answers given by my 15-year-old son in his year 9 politics exam:
Q: Why would Israel be a topic of interest for the voters of Wentworth? A: Because there are a lot of Jewish people in Wentworth, so by supporting Israel’s irresponsible land grabbing, Scott thought the Jewish population might like him. It didn’t work, and the Liberals lost.
Q: The events of 2018 prove that our system of federal parliament is fundamentally broken. Discuss. A: I do not believe this statement is true. Although our system is not perfect or without flaws, I believe the problems we are having are the fault of the government and political parties in charge. The “culture” of backstabbing within the government has made the public distrust them, and the Coalition is willing to do anything to stay in power. They are not helped by the fact that the population density of spineless people, nasty people and stupid people appears to be much higher in politics than the general population.
.@AmyRemeikis What I'll remember most from the Australian Parliament this year is the sheen being lost. Brazen prejudice against women, races, immigrants, asylum seekers #auspol
Harold: The Liberal party no longer understands the world in which we live. Especially its blundering conservative constituency.
@AmyRemeikis HI Amy. My highlight of the year was learning that Peter Dutton could smile. Err...sort of. Sure I didn't sleep for a few nights without the lights on after I saw this, but there it is. Smiling. #2018 pic.twitter.com/wDqWMWwWjb
Bernadette: My favourite moment could be today if the government is defeated on legislation in the house ... on refugees. Oh could it be?
No press conference from Bill Shorten, but he has put out a statement:
I’ve co-operated with three different Liberal Prime Ministers over the last five years to improve, amend and pass 15 sets of national security legislation.
That important work is continuing in the parliament today.
Last night, the Liberal chair of the Joint Security and Intelligence Committee praised Labor members for the bipartisan way we have contributed to laws that will help keep Australians safe.
I’m disappointed by the prime minister’s behaviour today but I won’t be distracted.
I’ve always taken the view that when it comes to keeping Australians safe, we are all in this together.
I urge the prime minister to stop playing politics and start showing some leadership.
