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Version 14 Version 15
Morrison tells National Press Club: election will be after the budget – politics live Morrison tells National Press Club: election will be after the budget – politics live
(35 minutes later)
For those wondering, beyond Labor supporting the amended medical evacuation bill in the Senate, this is what the party decided on at the conference late last year:
339. Labor recognises that successive Coalition Governments have failed to negotiate viable and timely regional resettlement arrangements, which has left refugees and asylum seekers including children languishing in indefinite detention.
Labor believes that whilst these arrangements are negotiated, the Australian Government is not absolved of its obligation to provide appropriate health, security, and welfare services to asylum seekers.
Labor will:
Work to negotiate on, and agree to, regional resettlement arrangements and resettle eligible refugees as a priority;
Continue to support the United States Refugee Resettlement Agreement and accept New Zealand’s generous offer to resettle refugees by negotiating an agreement on similar terms as the United States Agreement;
and
Ensure appropriate health, security, and welfare services for asylum seekers;
and
Improve the medical transfer process, establish an Independent Health Advice Panel to provide medical advice and maintain ministerial discretion in all decision making
Earlier today I stepped you through what the medical transfers legislation says rather than relying on the high velocity political bollocks of the past week or so. Now, here is my account of a brief from the Home Affairs Department that was leaked selectively to some news outlets last week. That leak is now the subject of a police investigation.
The government has now released a redacted version of the Home Affairs brief. The first thing to note is it is not a classified brief (as at least one outlet suggested). It’s status is “protected, sensitive, legal”.
News reports of this brief suggested that security agencies had warned the floodgates would be opened on border protection if the parliament ultimately passes the medical transfer legislation. Well, sort of. There are a lot of contentions in the advice, and some of them are hedged.
Officials argue the current ministerial discretion in the bill to reject people cleared for medical transfer on security grounds isn’t wide enough.
Consistent with the culture of the Home Affairs department, the briefers also clearly object to doctors being decision-makers.The officials say a lot of doctors don’t like offshore detention, ipso facto: “Many doctors in Australia and their professional associations have called for an end to regional processing and it is expected that their recommendations under these amendments would be forthcoming in a short period”.
“It is expected that within four weeks of Royal Assent, should the bill pass the House of Representatives, that most of the 1000 individuals would be in contact with ‘treating doctors’ willing to recommend their transfer to Australia for at least medical assessment if not treatment. The fact that treatment is available in PNG, Taiwan or Nauru would not restrict the recommendations by treating doctors to transfer. The individual would not be required to accept treatment in their regional processing country or another location that is not Australia”.
“Some doctors have publically [sic] asserted that all transferees should be removed from Nauru and PNG for mental health reasons. Provided those doctors are appropriately registered or licensed and have ‘assessed’ transferees either remotely or in person, it will be open to him or her to form the opinion that any or all of the transferees are ‘relevant transitory persons’ and give the secretary notice of this, triggering the provisions in the amendments”.
A contention, unless I’m not mistaken. Doctors. Gotta watch them. Always up to something.
Moving on, the briefers note something the government hasn’t exactly highlighted. “On transfer to Australia, the individuals would be detained under the Migration Act 1958 (Migration Act) and placed in held detention or in community detention by way of a residence determination”.
So this isn’t quite “two doctors say you can come to Australia, and freedom beckons”, as a number of government frontbenchers have suggested during the past few hyperbolic days. It’s come to Australia (maybe, if you meet the criteria) and get detained again.
Despite the brief confirming medical transferees would continue to be detained, this is framed by the authors as a problem.
“Placing up to 1000 people in held detention will put pressure on the detention network and with risk assessments, some, but not all, may be suitable for community detention. Those not suitable for community detention would be placed in held detention, likely necessitating the stand-up of the Christmas Island facility and removing our hot contingency fall back for Operation Sovereign Borders”.
The briefers worry word will get back to the people smugglers. “This path to Australia will likely reach people smugglers in a short period and they could rightly advise their clients that if they were sent at a future time to a regional processing location, they would only need to stay long enough to seek the recommendations of ‘treating doctors’ for transfer to Australia.”
“We expect that this may encourage those prospective clients of people smugglers who, to date, have not decided to travel due to the dissuasion of returns, turnbacks and regional processing. This bill removes the third pillar - regional processing”.
Sounds bad, but several paragraphs later, the advice becomes more hedged.After noting the softening in Australia will feed in to marketing by people smugglers, the story becomes more complicated. “Although people smugglers may claim there has been a shift in Australian policy and entry to Australia is now possible with just the opinion of two doctors, the resumption of large-scale people smuggling to Australia will remain dependent on a shift in Potential Illegal Immigrant (PII) intent — not smuggler marketing”.
“PIIs will probably be interested in any perceived or actual pathway where resettlement in a Western country is guaranteed, even if such a pathway includes a period spent in detention.
However, PIIs will probably remain sceptical of smuggler marketing and await proof that such a pathway is viable, or that an actual change of policy has occurred, before committing to ventures”.
We are waiting to find out (with everyone else) where Labor lands on the medical evacuation bill, so bear with us.
Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten are attending the Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, a tradition before the start of the parliamentary year.
Tomorrow morning, they will both attend a church service before heading into parliament, another tradition.
Then the bear pit officially reopens.
This is a little awkward (as reported by Paul Karp and Katharine Murphy):This is a little awkward (as reported by Paul Karp and Katharine Murphy):
The prominent economist and Reserve Bank board member Ian Harper has warned the Morrison government against pursuing its controversial “big stick” legislation, declaring “overreach” in Australia’s energy sector would likely be harmful.The prominent economist and Reserve Bank board member Ian Harper has warned the Morrison government against pursuing its controversial “big stick” legislation, declaring “overreach” in Australia’s energy sector would likely be harmful.
Harper, who was appointed by the Coalition to review Australia’s competition policy and serve on the central bank board, has used a submission to a parliamentary inquiry to warn the Morrison government against pursuing special sanctions for the energy sector.Harper, who was appointed by the Coalition to review Australia’s competition policy and serve on the central bank board, has used a submission to a parliamentary inquiry to warn the Morrison government against pursuing special sanctions for the energy sector.
Harper’s competition policy inquiry recommended changes to the misuse of market power provisions in Australian trade practices law, but did not recommend a divestiture power because it was considered unnecessary and undesirable.Harper’s competition policy inquiry recommended changes to the misuse of market power provisions in Australian trade practices law, but did not recommend a divestiture power because it was considered unnecessary and undesirable.
The prominent economist and dean of the Melbourne Business School says in his submission to the inquiry that divestiture powers – which are being proposed in the so-called “big stick” package – were avoided in his review because “they are unpredictable in their impact and may even be counterproductive if the segregated entities prove to be commercially unviable, potentially leaving the market less competitive after forced divestiture than it was beforehand”.The prominent economist and dean of the Melbourne Business School says in his submission to the inquiry that divestiture powers – which are being proposed in the so-called “big stick” package – were avoided in his review because “they are unpredictable in their impact and may even be counterproductive if the segregated entities prove to be commercially unviable, potentially leaving the market less competitive after forced divestiture than it was beforehand”.
Tim Storer also says he would vote (in the Senate) to extend the sitting calendar, to include a sitting in March.Tim Storer also says he would vote (in the Senate) to extend the sitting calendar, to include a sitting in March.
The government seem pretty confident of having headed that prospect off in the House though, and not necessarily because of Bob Katter. So someone on the crossbench is blinking.The government seem pretty confident of having headed that prospect off in the House though, and not necessarily because of Bob Katter. So someone on the crossbench is blinking.
Tim Storer is having a chat to David Speers on Sky about the potential of Labor walking away from the medical evacuation bill.Tim Storer is having a chat to David Speers on Sky about the potential of Labor walking away from the medical evacuation bill.
He “urges” the Labor party not to u-turn, and says it is an “appropriate” amendment. But he says he would look at any compromise.He “urges” the Labor party not to u-turn, and says it is an “appropriate” amendment. But he says he would look at any compromise.
David Leyonhjelm is walking away from the federal parliament for a shot at the NSW parliament.David Leyonhjelm is walking away from the federal parliament for a shot at the NSW parliament.
He has launched a farewell tour (from his release):He has launched a farewell tour (from his release):
The first libertarian elected to the Australian parliament, Senator David Leyonhjelm, will speak for the last time in the chamber this week, ahead of his New South Wales election tilt.The first libertarian elected to the Australian parliament, Senator David Leyonhjelm, will speak for the last time in the chamber this week, ahead of his New South Wales election tilt.
The Liberal Democrats senator, who was elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2016, will give his valedictory speech on Wednesday from 5pm. In it, he will offer some insight into the important role he played as a crossbencher, while lamenting the lack of principles of other political parties.The Liberal Democrats senator, who was elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2016, will give his valedictory speech on Wednesday from 5pm. In it, he will offer some insight into the important role he played as a crossbencher, while lamenting the lack of principles of other political parties.
‘In my first speech, I promised to the Australian people that I would never vote for a reduction in liberty or an increase in taxes, and I am proud to say I have held true to that promise,’ Senator Leyonhjelm said.‘In my first speech, I promised to the Australian people that I would never vote for a reduction in liberty or an increase in taxes, and I am proud to say I have held true to that promise,’ Senator Leyonhjelm said.
‘Of course, out of the nine crossbench Senators elected in 2013, I am the only one that has remained and survived the turbulent times,’ he said. ‘And since I was elected, my party, the Liberal Democrats, has increased its representation fourfold: from just me, to one in WA and two in Victoria — not including our representatives at the council level.‘Of course, out of the nine crossbench Senators elected in 2013, I am the only one that has remained and survived the turbulent times,’ he said. ‘And since I was elected, my party, the Liberal Democrats, has increased its representation fourfold: from just me, to one in WA and two in Victoria — not including our representatives at the council level.
‘Our saying that libertarians are plotting to take over the world and leave everyone alone is coming along swimmingly.‘Our saying that libertarians are plotting to take over the world and leave everyone alone is coming along swimmingly.
‘While this might be my federal farewell tour, I am not quitting politics — at least, that’s not the plan. Red tape and the nanny state remain the two issues I am passionate about, and I can make more of a difference to these state-based problems if I am elected in NSW on March 23.’‘While this might be my federal farewell tour, I am not quitting politics — at least, that’s not the plan. Red tape and the nanny state remain the two issues I am passionate about, and I can make more of a difference to these state-based problems if I am elected in NSW on March 23.’
Senator Leyonhjelm will return to Canberra this week for the sitting week and a Senate committee hearing into his free speech bills, along with next week for a final grilling of public servants in Additional Estimates.Senator Leyonhjelm will return to Canberra this week for the sitting week and a Senate committee hearing into his free speech bills, along with next week for a final grilling of public servants in Additional Estimates.
A Senate inquiry into the Coalition’s planned crackdown on the R&D tax incentive has recommended the policy be shelved over concerns it could stifle innovation.A Senate inquiry into the Coalition’s planned crackdown on the R&D tax incentive has recommended the policy be shelved over concerns it could stifle innovation.
Then treasurer Scott Morrison announced he would tighten access to the R&D tax incentive in last year’s budget, saying the government would no longer be signing “blank cheques” to business. It’s a big deal. The payments account for one-third of all government spending on science and innovation.Then treasurer Scott Morrison announced he would tighten access to the R&D tax incentive in last year’s budget, saying the government would no longer be signing “blank cheques” to business. It’s a big deal. The payments account for one-third of all government spending on science and innovation.
A new “intensity test’ would be introduced for larger companies to favour higher, more intensive R&D investment, and compliance and enforcement measures would be ramped up significantly. The measure would save the government $2.4bn.A new “intensity test’ would be introduced for larger companies to favour higher, more intensive R&D investment, and compliance and enforcement measures would be ramped up significantly. The measure would save the government $2.4bn.
But a Senate inquiry has heard evidence from a range of businesses and research groups that the policy would threaten innovation and create uncertainty.But a Senate inquiry has heard evidence from a range of businesses and research groups that the policy would threaten innovation and create uncertainty.
The inquiry on Monday recommended that: “On the weight of evidence presented, the committee considers that the bill should not proceed until there is further consideration of the R&D tax incentive measures.”The inquiry on Monday recommended that: “On the weight of evidence presented, the committee considers that the bill should not proceed until there is further consideration of the R&D tax incentive measures.”
The R&D incentive crackdown is attached to an omnibus bill that also includes measures to stamp out tax avoidance.The R&D incentive crackdown is attached to an omnibus bill that also includes measures to stamp out tax avoidance.
That included amendments to prevent companies from loading up debt artificially to shift profits and avoid tax. The inquiry recommended the government proceed on all other parts of the bill.That included amendments to prevent companies from loading up debt artificially to shift profits and avoid tax. The inquiry recommended the government proceed on all other parts of the bill.
I know he has a few fans here, so here you go:I know he has a few fans here, so here you go:
Please welcome one of Labor’s fiercest warriors to the Twitterverse, @SenatorDoug #auspol #welovedougPlease welcome one of Labor’s fiercest warriors to the Twitterverse, @SenatorDoug #auspol #welovedoug
Reading through that question and answer section of the Scott Morrison press club address, there was a lot going on, including this:Reading through that question and answer section of the Scott Morrison press club address, there was a lot going on, including this:
We can’t just focus on terrorism and allow our women to be abused.We can’t just focus on terrorism and allow our women to be abused.
Could have done without the “our” there, I think.Could have done without the “our” there, I think.
I’m told that the full shadow ministry is due to meet to discuss the medical evacuation bill nowish.I’m told that the full shadow ministry is due to meet to discuss the medical evacuation bill nowish.
The Labor shadow cabinet is going to meet to talk about what to do with the information from the security briefing on the medical evacuation bill.The Labor shadow cabinet is going to meet to talk about what to do with the information from the security briefing on the medical evacuation bill.
And of course, individual factional caucuses will meet as well.And of course, individual factional caucuses will meet as well.
We won’t have an answer on where Labor lands on this, until later tonight.We won’t have an answer on where Labor lands on this, until later tonight.
Death-to-dixers get democratised.
Or that’s what I’m taking from Tim Storer’s decision to crowdsource his questions to the government for Senate question time from his South Australian constituents.
From Storer:
When I first entered parliament, I spoke about the need for politicians to do better to bring the people into the parliamentary process.
In the internet age, there is no reason for voters to only have their say on polling day.
That is why, going forward, I’ll be asking the South Australian people to choose the topic on which I will ask the government questions during Senate question time.
Voting is now open on my website to select the topic I will ask the government a question on this Thursday 14 February.
So far, 800 people have participated in the poll, which has been a fantastic response.
Voting closes on Wednesday at 5pm ACDT.
I will select future topic options based on feedback from the South Australian community on the issues that are of most pressing concern to them.
I will also be adding a ‘free text’ box for future polls, so voters can suggest additional topics that are not listed.
It’s time to modernise our democracy and give the people we represent more say in what we politicians do in Canberra.
Bill Shorten’s office has confirmed he will be meeting with the family of Hakeem al-Araibi on Wednesday.
From the release:
Labor reiterates our call on Thailand to release Hakeem al-Araibi and return him to his family in Australia.
We remain deeply concerned by Mr Al-Araibi’s ongoing detention in Thailand and the continuing threat of his extradition to Bahrain.
Senator Wong has raised Hakeem’s case directly with the ambassador of Thailand and called for his release and return to Australia.
Labor also urges the prime minister of Thailand to exercise executive discretion in this case – a discretion that both Thailand’s office of the attorney general and the prosecutor have confirmed is allowed under Thailand’s Extradition Act.
Thailand is a good friend of Australia’s. We are confident the Thai people and Government understand the concern so many Australians have for the welfare of a person to whom we have offered sanctuary, and permanent residency.
We wish to thank all those showing their support for Hakeem, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, other governments, Mr Al-Araibi’s local community in Melbourne and in particular Mr Craig Foster, the Football Federation of Australia, and the broader football community.
How Mike Bowers saw the speech:
As the prime minister hammers home his message about national security, the Guardian has revealed that 17 Australian residents are believed to be under house arrest, in prison or detained in China’s secretive “re-education” centres in Xinjiang.The 17 cases – 15 Australian permanent residents and two on spouse visas – have been collected by Nurgul Sawut, an advocate for Uighurs in Australia through interviews with their family members. Sawut says the Australian Uighur community feel “let down” by the Australian government, which they believe is sitting on its hands, despite many of the 17 having lived in Australia for years and having children or spouses who are Australian citizens.“The language [Dfat] is using is very dire. The Australian government is basically saying we can’t do anything right now,” said Sawut.“They say, ‘we are talking to our Chinese counterparts’. What does that mean exactly? When I met Dfat in December, I said, ‘that’s not a good enough answer for us. As an Australian embassy you need to do more to locate these people, to tell us if they’re alive or dead’.”Penny Wong, Labor’s spokeswoman on foreign affairs, said her party was “particularly concerned” by reports of Uighurs who were Australian residents being detained. She said: “Engagement with China is very important to Australia but, as with any other country, it never means we abandon our values, or our sovereignty.”
While you all percolate on that last hour and a bit, Linda Burney, the first Aboriginal woman elected to the House of Representatives, will have her portrait unveiled on Wednesday.
It’s to hang in Parliament House. From the release:
Created by award-winning artist Jude Rae, the portrait was commissioned by the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) for Parliament’s Historic Memorials Collection.
The Historic Memorials Collection, Australia’s longest-running art commissioning program, was founded by prime minister Andrew Fisher in 1911, on the recommendation of artist Tom Roberts. Since then, it has commissioned portraits of the head of state, governors-general, prime ministers, speakers and presidents. On occasion, as is the case with Ms Burney, the committee will commission a one-off portrait of senators and members whose election represents a significant milestone in the history of the Australian parliament.
That was the last question.
Question:
You’ve recently been to Townsville and Tasmania to comfort and support Australians suffering from wildfires and unprecedented inundation and flooding.
Now, insurance actuaries are constantly revising risk assessment and are now factoring in climate change as an exacerbating factor in the higher frequencies of extreme weather events.
Do you acknowledge that climate change is now the major factor in more frequent extreme weather events, and if you do, doesn’t that mean that Australia’s national disaster response needs a greater national coordination than what you’ve been able to announce under the national security umbrella that you’ve canvassed today?
Morrison:
I don’t know if I agree with your reasoning. We have a clear commitment to reduce emissions to 26% by 2030. So that is our response. We are taking action on climate change. We do have a response in place to address the very real threats of climate change that you’ve articulated.
That’s part of our government’s plan to do exactly that and right now, in the middle of the fires in Tasmania and the floods in Queensland, they’re not just fires in Tasmania.
As we know, in Victoria and Western Australia and other parts of the country – this is happening at a time when we’ve met the commitments that we have already set forward this time.
So the actions that we’ve taken to address climate change have been taken and we are meeting the commitments we’ve made up until right now when these very even vents that you speak of are occurring.
So my answer to that is – we will continue to take action, just as we I acknowledge it’s a factor – just as we have. I acknowledge it’s a factor. Of course it is. Australians do. The vast majority of Australians. But the issue is how you achieve it. We believe you need sensible, achievable targets to address climate change, and we have them and we’re achieving them.
What we disagree with is having reckless target that is shut down your economy and take people’s jobs, which is what Labor propose.
Their target requires an emissions reduction roughly three times what we still have to achieve by 2030. Now, if you think that the aluminium smelter is still going to be open under Labor’s plan, you’re kidding yourself. It won’t be.
So you have real targets that is you meet with a plan to meet them. That’s our policy on climate change.
Or you have reckless targets that shut down the economy and cost Australians their jobs and their livelihoods. That’s Labor’s plan.
And it brings me back to the same point I’ve been making all day – under my government, Australia will be stronger. Under Bill Shorten’s Labor government, Australia will be weaker.
Question:
A lot of Australians are asking when it comes to border security why can’t they [our policy] be both safe and humane why does it have to be a choice between one or the other?
Morrison:
We are being safe and we are being humane, I don’t agree with that assessment. The Australian government will run the borders, and our government, that is how we will always be under our government.
Over 7,000 women, and children, have come under our official women at risk program, because we have secured the borders. That wasn’t happening before we came to government in 2013, not in those numbers.
One of the first things I did as immigration minister and has been followed on by Peter and from David – making sure people who really need the help can get it.
That’s what we have been delivering. The reason we have put in our transparency and assurance process is to demonstrate to Australians the medical care is provided.
It is provided. I know there will be some who will come in not know what the circumstances are, there will be advocates making claims and they will do all those sorts of things but there is a reason ministers make these decisions and governments make them, because we understand our border responsibilities, I don’t respect those with more narrow responsibilities in the area I respect them absolutely and the motivations, our responsibilities are broader than that, and under my government, we will run the borders.
Question:
There’s been a fair bit of speculation about exactly what date the election will be. Do you rule out 25 May?
Morrison:
Have you got your pen ready? Are you ready? I was almost tempted to tell you the other day when Michael and I were going out to swear in the assistant minister. I was going to text you and say – I’m on my way to Yarralumla.
I thought it was funnier than that, actually!
Gosh, cheer up!
The election will be after the budget.
Question:
Hakeem al-Araibi is in a Thai prison. We can blame Bahrain or Thailand for not taking them. How much responsibility can we take and what responsibilities have you taken to ensure that no other Australians end up in that situation?
Morrison:
I’m not at liberty to go to the last part of the question because of what it relates to. But what I can tell you – the only thing I’m concerned about right now is getting him home.
I want to get Hakeem al-Araibi home. I know that Marise Payne has been working with her consulate and others from Dfat. And our Australians of the year, the number of people, the international sports community, others, have been making this case. But they’ve been making it respectfully, been making it carefully and I will continue to do that as well.
It’s not my job to get upset – it’s my job to get him home and that’s what we’re working towards and we will keep doing that. But I would ask Australians, who I know desperately want to see him come home, that we have to manage this carefully. We have to be patient. It’s not a straight up and down issue. I know it looks like one. Most issues do.
But you know, to solve them requires a lot more patience and a lot more diligence, and that’s what we’re applying to this. He’s getting a lot of great consular support from friends and I thank all of those who have been providing that support. But we will continue to work this issue with our partners. We will continue to engage with the Thai government, as we’ve been doing constantly, as well as we have with the governor of Bahrain. And it is within the executive authority of the Thai prime minister to enable him to be returned and we will continue to work towards that end.