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PM announces inquiry into family law system – politics live PM announces inquiry into family law system – politics live
(37 minutes later)
Sarah McNamara from the Australian Energy Council is telling Patricia Karvelas on Afternoon briefing that the big stick legislation will damage investment in the sector: Pauline Hanson, who will be the deputy chair of the family court inquiry, also had this to say:
Our real concern is this bill will do nothing to lower energy costs for Australian homes and businesses and in fact, it will have the opposite effect. “For those of you contemplating suicide, and facing potential family violence, I am asking you to stop.”
• Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day: Lifeline 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
I was just thinking of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva today, who died on 12 September.
It turns out so was Ed Husic. He questioned why the parliament, which noted the passing of John McCain, had not officially noted the passing of the Tongan prime minister:
Chifley is home to many people whose heritage hails from the Pacific Islands, including nearly 2,500 Tongan Australians, the most of any electorate in Australia. Today I acknowledge that many from Tonga will be mourning the passing of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, and I stand with them at this time. Having served in the Tongan parliament for over 30 years, Mr Pohiva has been his country’s prime minister for the past five.
He was the first commoner in Tonga to be elected to this high office. He was one of the country’s longest serving parliamentarians, a prime minister who dedicated his life to the service of his country.
He spoke strongly on confronting the challenge of climate change and he continued this advocacy for Tonga, despite his ill health, at the recent Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu.
His country’s democratic evolution towards constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy will be among his legacies.
I would make this remark: if we recognise the importance of our Pacific neighbours to this nation we should extend respect to our Tongan friends during this difficult time, I think, by formally acknowledging his passing via a condolence in this chamber.
It is the right thing to do to for our Tongan friends. Vale, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
I was then reminded of this video:
Xanana Gusmao visiting BJ Habibie pic.twitter.com/waB7vBMbfK
Pauline Hanson cried in her press conference, overcome by all the people in Australia who will now get justice because of the family court review.
“I cried because I know the heartache that is felt by hundreds of thousands of Australians,” she said.
“I also cried because of the realisation of the hope that this inquiry will finally bring to people who are floundering in these situations.”
She said she would cry more, during the inquiry.
She was asked about Michelle Dörendahl, the mother of Eeva, who was murdered by her father.
She said that men lose children too.
“That was a case of a mother that’s lost her child. There are cases of fathers who have lost their child. This is why this inquiry needs to be heard, to get to the bottom of the answers that are needed,” she said.
At approximately 5pm, Senators Antic and Davey will give their first speeches in the #Senate.You can watch live here: https://t.co/9Lgw5iXAcZ
Sarah McNamara from the Australian Energy Council is telling Patricia Karvelas on Afternoon Briefing that the big stick legislation will damage investment in the sector:
Our real concern is this bill will do nothing to lower energy costs for Australian homes and businesses and, in fact, it will have the opposite effect.
The reason is, it gives the government and its regulator the power to enter into businesses and determine their contracting and the terms on which their generators contract.The reason is, it gives the government and its regulator the power to enter into businesses and determine their contracting and the terms on which their generators contract.
It enables the government to direct retail pricing as well through its regulator if it has concerns about retail pricing and ultimately, it gives the government the power in some circumstances to apply to the court to divest forcibly energy market participants from their assets. It enables the government to direct retail pricing as well through its regulator if it has concerns about retail pricing and, ultimately, it gives the government the power in some circumstances to apply to the court to divest forcibly energy market participants from their assets.
That does not send a positive signal to would-be investors in this market and our real concern is this is a market that badly needs new investment in order to stabilise prices.That does not send a positive signal to would-be investors in this market and our real concern is this is a market that badly needs new investment in order to stabilise prices.
Pauline Hanson is speaking on this right now. Sarah Martin will bring you that. But here are the terms of reference for the family court review (it’s due to report back in October 2020):Pauline Hanson is speaking on this right now. Sarah Martin will bring you that. But here are the terms of reference for the family court review (it’s due to report back in October 2020):
a. ongoing issues and further improvements relating to the interaction and informationsharing between the family law system and state and territory child protection systemsand family and domestic violence jurisdictions; including: a. ongoing issues and further improvements relating to the interaction and information sharing between the family law system and state and territory child protection systems and family and domestic violence jurisdictions; including:
i. the process, and evidential and legal standards and onuses of proof, in relation tothe granting of domestic violence orders and apprehended violence orders; andii. the visibility of, and consideration given to, domestic violence orders andapprehended violence orders in family law proceedings; i. the process, and evidential and legal standards and onuses of proof, in relation to the granting of domestic violence orders and apprehended violence orders; and ii. the visibility of, and consideration given to, domestic violence orders and apprehended violence orders in family law proceedings;
b. the appropriateness of family court powers to ensure parties in family law proceedings provide truthful and complete evidence, and the ability of the court to make orders for non-compliance and the efficacy of the enforcement of such orders;b. the appropriateness of family court powers to ensure parties in family law proceedings provide truthful and complete evidence, and the ability of the court to make orders for non-compliance and the efficacy of the enforcement of such orders;
c. beyond the proposed merger of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court any other reform that may be needed to the family law and the current structure of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court;c. beyond the proposed merger of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court any other reform that may be needed to the family law and the current structure of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court;
d. the financial costs to families of family law proceedings, and options to reduce thefinancial impact, with particular focus on those instances where legal fees incurred byparties are disproportionate to the total property pool in dispute or are disproportionateto the objective level of complexity of parenting issues, and with consideration beinggiven amongst other things to banning “disappointment fees”, and: d. the financial costs to families of family law proceedings, and options to reduce the financial impact, with particular focus on those instances where legal fees incurred by parties are disproportionate to the total property pool in dispute or are disproportionate to the objective level of complexity of parenting issues, and with consideration being given amongst other things to banning “disappointment fees”, and:
i. capping total fees by reference to the total pool of assets in dispute, or any otherregulatory option to prevent disproportionate legal fees being charged in familylaw matters; and i. capping total fees by reference to the total pool of assets in dispute, or any other regulatory option to prevent disproportionate legal fees being charged in family law matters; and
ii. any mechanisms to improve the timely, efficient, and effective resolution ofproperty disputes in family law proceedings; ii. any mechanisms to improve the timely, efficient, and effective resolution of property disputes in family law proceedings;
e. the effectiveness of the delivery of family law support services and family disputeresolution processes; e. the effectiveness of the delivery of family law support services and family dispute resolution processes;
f. the impacts of family law proceedings on the health, safety and wellbeing of children and families involved in those proceedings;g. any issues arising for grandparent carers in family law matters and family law courtproceedings; f. the impacts of family law proceedings on the health, safety and wellbeing of children and families involved in those proceedings;
h. any further avenues to improve the performance and monitoring of professionalsinvolved in family law proceedings and the resolution of disputes, including agencies,family law practitioners, family law experts and report writers, the staff and judicialofficers of the courts, and family dispute resolution practitioners; g. any issues arising for grandparent carers in family law matters and family law court proceedings;
i. any improvements to the interaction between the family law system and the childsupport system; and h. any further avenues to improve the performance and monitoring of professionals involved in family law proceedings and the resolution of disputes, including agencies, family law practitioners, family law experts and report writers, the staff and judicial officers of the courts, and family dispute resolution practitioners;
i. any improvements to the interaction between the family law system and the child support system; and
j. the potential usage of pre-nuptial agreement and their enforceability to minimise future property disputes; andj. the potential usage of pre-nuptial agreement and their enforceability to minimise future property disputes; and
k. any related matters.k. any related matters.
The Senate has also passed a Greens motion “calling for the government to provide data on Jobactive compliance to the Senate by tomorrow”.The Senate has also passed a Greens motion “calling for the government to provide data on Jobactive compliance to the Senate by tomorrow”.
The government let it through on the voices – they opposed it last week, but it looks like Labor had the numbers this time around (which must have meant that Centre Alliance came around).The government let it through on the voices – they opposed it last week, but it looks like Labor had the numbers this time around (which must have meant that Centre Alliance came around).
Which means that tomorrow morning Mathias Cormann will have to front the Senate to give:Which means that tomorrow morning Mathias Cormann will have to front the Senate to give:
(i) an explanation of the Government’s response to the allegations raised against the Member for Chisholm, and(i) an explanation of the Government’s response to the allegations raised against the Member for Chisholm, and
(ii) an assurance to the Senate that the Member for Chisholm is a fit and proper person to remain a member of the Australian Parliament; and(ii) an assurance to the Senate that the Member for Chisholm is a fit and proper person to remain a member of the Australian Parliament; and
(b) a senator may, at the conclusion of the Minister’s explanation, move without notice, that the Senate take note of the explanation.(b) a senator may, at the conclusion of the Minister’s explanation, move without notice, that the Senate take note of the explanation.
And it passed.And it passed.
Labor is moving this motion now:Labor is moving this motion now:
Mr PresidentMr President
I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move that the Senate—I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move that the Senate—
(1) notes widespread reports in the media about the Member for Chisholm over the last week, which raise questions concerning her fitness to be a member of the Australian Parliament; and(1) notes widespread reports in the media about the Member for Chisholm over the last week, which raise questions concerning her fitness to be a member of the Australian Parliament; and
(2) at 9.30 am on 18 September 2019, before government business is called on:(2) at 9.30 am on 18 September 2019, before government business is called on:
(a) requires the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Cormann) to provide, for no more than 20 minutes:(a) requires the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Cormann) to provide, for no more than 20 minutes:
(i) an explanation of the Government’s response to the allegations raised against the Member for Chisholm, and(i) an explanation of the Government’s response to the allegations raised against the Member for Chisholm, and
(ii) an assurance to the Senate that the Member for Chisholm is a fit and proper person to remain a member of the Australian Parliament; and(ii) an assurance to the Senate that the Member for Chisholm is a fit and proper person to remain a member of the Australian Parliament; and
(b) a senator may, at the conclusion of the Minister’s explanation, move without notice, that the Senate take note of the explanation.(b) a senator may, at the conclusion of the Minister’s explanation, move without notice, that the Senate take note of the explanation.
The LNP motion for an inquiry into the effect of farming and water quality on the Great Barrier Reef – inspired by Peter Ridd but neutral on its face – has been voted up by the Senate 33 votes to 30, with Centre Alliance’s Rex Patrick and One Nation voting with the Coalition.The LNP motion for an inquiry into the effect of farming and water quality on the Great Barrier Reef – inspired by Peter Ridd but neutral on its face – has been voted up by the Senate 33 votes to 30, with Centre Alliance’s Rex Patrick and One Nation voting with the Coalition.
Labor attempted to amend the motion at the last minute to inquire into the Coalition’s $444m reef grant, but that failed to throw a spanner in the works.Labor attempted to amend the motion at the last minute to inquire into the Coalition’s $444m reef grant, but that failed to throw a spanner in the works.
Patrick told Guardian Australia that Centre Alliance “generally votes for all inquiries unless they’re politically charged” and “the outcome of the inquiry will fall according to the evidence”.Patrick told Guardian Australia that Centre Alliance “generally votes for all inquiries unless they’re politically charged” and “the outcome of the inquiry will fall according to the evidence”.
Malcolm Roberts just stood up and said the Greens have not met his challenge to prove to him how people are impacting climate change and Elon isn’t answering his messages and he’s stuck on this planet and it’s not fair. Malcolm Roberts just stood up and said the Greens have not met his challenge to prove to him how people are impacting climate change and Elon isn’t answering his messages and he’s stuck on this planet and it’s not fair.*
*The bit about Elon and being stuck on this planet was my dramatic flourish, but it was the mood of the moment.
I just realised something.I just realised something.
Scott Morrison leaves for the US trip on Thursday. He won’t be in question time. That means Michael McCormack will be acting prime minister on a sitting day. And in question time.Scott Morrison leaves for the US trip on Thursday. He won’t be in question time. That means Michael McCormack will be acting prime minister on a sitting day. And in question time.
Whatever I did to be punished in this way, I apologise. But there is no way the punishment can fit the crime, no matter what it is.Whatever I did to be punished in this way, I apologise. But there is no way the punishment can fit the crime, no matter what it is.
Question time as seen by Mike Bowers:Question time as seen by Mike Bowers:
John Setka will be interviewed by Hamish McDonald on RN tomorrow morning at 7.30.John Setka will be interviewed by Hamish McDonald on RN tomorrow morning at 7.30.
He has so far resisted all calls to resign or step down. Jacqui Lambie says she will vote for the government’s ensuring integrity bill if Setka does not stand down.He has so far resisted all calls to resign or step down. Jacqui Lambie says she will vote for the government’s ensuring integrity bill if Setka does not stand down.
The Tveeder transcript of that press conference from Stuart Robert, Australian citizen, includes a lot of exclamation marks, because he seemed a little worked up.The Tveeder transcript of that press conference from Stuart Robert, Australian citizen, includes a lot of exclamation marks, because he seemed a little worked up.
Even though robodebt technically started in 2016, under the Turnbull government, Robert is trying to claim that Labor’s announcement it was moving to automation in 2011 means it is to blame:Even though robodebt technically started in 2016, under the Turnbull government, Robert is trying to claim that Labor’s announcement it was moving to automation in 2011 means it is to blame:
It started in 2011, if you read the press release, a new data matching exercise from Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek. They could not have been clearer! Labor, when they started this process in 2011. The ombudsman then reported it and made the point, in fact I think it is section 3.4, say it is entirely appropriate for the commonwealth government to collect debts.It started in 2011, if you read the press release, a new data matching exercise from Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek. They could not have been clearer! Labor, when they started this process in 2011. The ombudsman then reported it and made the point, in fact I think it is section 3.4, say it is entirely appropriate for the commonwealth government to collect debts.
Q: Mr Shorten may not have filed papers but it seems he has got himself a lawyer, Gordon lawyers, are you saying you do not expect this to go ahead?Q: Mr Shorten may not have filed papers but it seems he has got himself a lawyer, Gordon lawyers, are you saying you do not expect this to go ahead?
Robert: If you are going to launch a class action before question time and you are serious about it, would you ask a single question of the government minister during question time?Robert: If you are going to launch a class action before question time and you are serious about it, would you ask a single question of the government minister during question time?
You think on May 9 and a journalist asks you ‘Is robodebt lawful?’ Would you say no, we want to make sure any Australian receiving welfare is not getting more than they are entitled to and no one received a leave pass?You think on May 9 and a journalist asks you ‘Is robodebt lawful?’ Would you say no, we want to make sure any Australian receiving welfare is not getting more than they are entitled to and no one received a leave pass?
It’s the exact words that Mr Shorten made and miraculously four months later now Bill wants to give 900,000 Australians a leave pass but cannot explain where the $5m in revenue will come from.It’s the exact words that Mr Shorten made and miraculously four months later now Bill wants to give 900,000 Australians a leave pass but cannot explain where the $5m in revenue will come from.
... I am sure we will let the court process stand for itself.... I am sure we will let the court process stand for itself.
... There is no case, there is no papers. Bill Shorten stood there and appealed for people to come forward to help in his political stunt and that is where we are right now! Thanks very much.... There is no case, there is no papers. Bill Shorten stood there and appealed for people to come forward to help in his political stunt and that is where we are right now! Thanks very much.