This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/oct/17/morrison-coalition-labor-drought-farmers-politics-live

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Labor and Greens team up to oppose expansion of fast-track visas – politics live Morrison accuses Albanese of 'throwing tantrums' – politics live
(30 minutes later)
Given the indigenous recognition push, this will be interesting. Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
My question is again addressed to the Prime Minister. Given wage growth is the lowest it’s ever been, household debt is at record highs and consumer confidence is at a four-year low, why does the Prime Minister dismiss the role that this Parliament has to play in debating the economic policy direction of the nation? Or doesn’t he have the confidence in his own position to be able to do so?
Morrison:
It’s all about you, isn’t it?!
Through you, Mr Speaker! It’s about the Australian people, Mr Speaker.
We debate these matters in the Parliament everyday as the measures that we...
Apparently, Mr Speaker, when we bring legislation into this Parliament that deals with economic measures, they’re apparently not debated in this place.
The Leader of the Opposition has been here long enough to know that this debating chamber deals with copious pieces of legislation, Mr Speaker, and there is ample time. Now, before the election - next election, Mr Speaker, there will be the opportunity for the types of things that the Leader of the Opposition is speaking about and I have no doubt that will be the case as it is on every other occasion.
But, Mr Speaker, it seems the debate he needs to have is within his own party because within his own party, they have got the climate fight club going on over there with umteenth different positions on climate change and, Mr Speaker, he’s got his own problems when it comes to the distractions of the New South Wales branch where I see compensation payments are measured in how many Aldi bags they’re handing out. (This bit was very, very loud)
Tony Smith pulls him up on relevance.
Morrison:
I’m in this place every single day talking about the economy.
When we came to government, the real wage growth through the year was 0.5% and now today it’s 0.7%.
I note the comments of the most recent RBA minutes and it says this, “Despite the level of high household debt in Australia, relative to other countries, the risks from household debt appear to have been mostly contained. Members noted that households continue to have large repayments on their housing debt and aggregate mortgage repayments equal to 2.5 years of repayment.”
Mr Speaker, whether it comes to what we’re doing on jobs, whether it comes to what we’re doing in restoring the budget to surplus to ensure we’re there not only to meet the needs of today but we’re think to meet the needs of tomorrow because we me how to keep our heads, to keep calm, Mr Speaker, and to ensure we continue to lay out the policies which we know are having the impact that they need to have and particularly in relation to employment. Employment in this country is the beginning of everything.
Michael McCormack is summoned to the despatch box, and the longest three minutes of all our lifes begins anew.
Empires have risen and fallen in this time. It’s amazing how he can make every minute feel like an hour.
It’s Bob Katter time.
He wants to know about a drought/dam plan.
Are you aware that the PM after the north’s flooding cattle deaths came, listened and delivered two dams and $200 million. At the drought summit in contrast, did you not say that the free market is not necessarily benevolent, we must learn to accept climate change, we cannot carry you forever. Ideology - where is the survival plan? Isn’t this the policy of the corporate elites when you buy up owner-operator Australia and the city suits enriched by selling to foreigners. Have you stopped a single sale? Minister, who is the master that you serve?
He directs the question to David Littleproud, who tells him that was a question for the treasurer, but that the government is working to do what it can, but needs the states to come on board.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
Can the Prime Minister confirm that since 2002 only two Australian Treasurers have presided over an unemployment rate that is higher than the OECD average? Will the Prime Minister agree to have a debate in this Parliament on Australia’s economy today? And will he admit the only two Treasurers who have had an unemployment rate that is higher than the OECD average are the current Treasurer and himself?
Morrison:
I’m interested in the jobs of Australians. Hear, hear. That’s what I’m interested in. The Leader of the Opposition is clearly only interested in his own job because all he wants to do is have a talk-fest in this place.
I’m interested in the jobs of Australians.
And taking action to ensure Australians are in work. Mr Speaker, more and more Australians in work and more Australians are in work today as a share of the Australian population than at any other time in Australia’s history.
So, Mr Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition may be thinking that this place, Mr Speaker, and the chatter that goes on here is terribly important to him and his position.
I’m going to remain focused on those Australians, Mr Speaker, who simply want us to get on the job, on with the job, of ensuring we’re providing the stable and the calm and the responsible financial management which has brought the budget back to the surplus.
Albanese stands up for a point of order, and Morrison goes to sit down, but not before saying what sounds like ‘another spurious point of order’
Albanese:
There were two parts to the question. One part went to whether the current Treasurer and the current Prime Minister are the only two Australian Treasurers who... Yeah... He hasn’t mentioned that. The second is if he’s confident let’s have a debate about it.
Tony Smith:
No, I was just going to say to the Leader of the Opposition - whilst there’s additional tolerance extended to him because of his position and to the Prime Minister, points of order are not going to be used to ask another question or to make a political statement. There were two parts to the question. The Prime Minister can address one or the other or both. That’s the way it works. The Prime Minister has the call.
Morrison:
The Leader of the Opposition may want to come into this place and throw a tantrum at Question Time.
Over whether or not someone’s going to agree to what he wants to do.
He’s entitled... Mr Speaker, the tantrums of the Leader of the Opposition in this place only re-enforce their addiction to panic and crisis on the Labor Party. They love panic. They love crisis.
And even when, Mr Speaker - even when circumstances don’t bear their argument out, they seek to create them, Mr Speaker, because they will look to any excuse to put their hands in the pockets of the Australian people and to rapidly increase spending to a reckless level.
I referred earlier, Mr Speaker, to the catalogue of Labor Party failures in government when it came to policy.
And the reason they engaged in those failures is they could never break their cycle of panic and crisis.
They put in ill-considered measures, they didn’t think them through, they just smashed them through and in the Australian community and Australians have been paying for them ever since.
At the last election I said, “You vote Labor once, you pay for it for the next decade”, and it seems exactly the same thing is true under this Leader of the Opposition. He can throw as many tantrums that he likes, we’ll just get on with the job of good government.
There are quite a few high school students in the gallery today, who are looking very bemused at how they arrived at this place.
Samesies.
It’s another lickspittle to the prime minister on the economy.
But rest assured - Michael McCormack will get his moment to pretend he still has ownership over drought policy as the Nationals leader. He’s just got to wait his turn.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
Given that since May the Reserve Bank, the OECD, and the International Monetary Fund have all downgraded Australia’s growth forecast for this year, will the prime minister agree to have a debate in this chamber today on the economy?
Morrison:
I note – I understand from my colleagues that – they have listed for the MPI today [it] isn’t about the economy.
So I’m a bit puzzled why they want one but they’re not prepared to table one, Mr Speaker. I tell you what – what our government is going to do, it’s not about debating the economy, it’s actually about implementing the policies that make our economy stronger and that’s what our government is doing. That’s what we’re doing, Mr Speaker. And we will continue to implement those sound and carefully-managed disciplined and stable and certain policies that as I have said today, Mr Speaker, has resulted in three years of consecutive increased in employment every single month, the longest run of jobs growth on a monthly basis this country has ever seen. So what we will do is not talk about it, we’ll get on to do it.
I mean, government does job is a weird flex, but cool. You do you, Morrison government.
We are now hearing the same answer again, but as a dixer.
Dante obviously missed a circle.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
My question is addressed to the prime minister. Yesterday the prime minister refused to debate the economy in this House. Will he debate today whether the IMF was wrong to downgrade Australia’s economic growth forecast?
Morrison:
As I confirmed yesterday, the IMF ... midyear budget update and of course at budget time. So that is the normal process in terms of budget forecast and other forecasts that are presented here or elsewhere.
And so that is a matter of public record, Mr Speaker.
We have made no commentary regarding the accuracy of others’ forecasts because the government provides forecasts of its own as part of the midyear budget process.
We’ll be doing that when it comes to the end of the year in the normal course of events, but given I have been asked about forecasts and economic data, Mr Speaker, I’m very pleased to report to the House today that employment has increased by 14,000 jobs in the month of September.
And that was in line with the expectations – around 15,000 jobs, Mr Speaker, and I can say that we are rapidly approaching a 1.5m jobs since this government was first elected and I can also inform the House that this monthly increase in jobs in this last month, jobs have increased every month for the last three years under this government and that is the longest run, I’m advised, of consecutive monthly jobs growth ever, Mr Speaker.
This government has reduced the level of unemployment from 5.7 to 5.2% and also decreased the level of youth unemployment by also a full percentage point, Mr Speaker, over that period of time.
This government is doing the work through patient, through methodical, through stable, through disciplined economic policies whether it’s ensuring Australians can keep more of what they earn, or investing $100 billion in the infrastructure that the Australian economy needs to grow, investing and ensuring that we’re putting the right skills programs in place to enable people in this country to get the skills they need for the jobs that are there, Mr Speaker, and supporting business in the same way.
Reducing the costs for business whether it’s in the industrial relations area, and I commend the minister for the work he’s doing, looking through all the things that are preventing people from getting jobs and costing unnecessarily the process of getting jobs and the work that the assistant minister is doing in stripping away regulations that is cost investment in this country.
We’re expanding our trade horizons, lifting the percentage of trade agreements that cover our trade from 26% to 70 %. Our economic plan, the calm, measured, stable certain plan just gets on with the job of delivering for Australians and the increase of almost 15,000 jobs, Mr Speaker, 26,200 full-time jobs, bears that out.
Given the Indigenous recognition push, this will be interesting.
Interview will be on @RNDrive after 6pm too #auspol https://t.co/zsXIsTvDFYInterview will be on @RNDrive after 6pm too #auspol https://t.co/zsXIsTvDFY
Scott Morrison has walked into the chamber with David Littleproud.Scott Morrison has walked into the chamber with David Littleproud.
See? EVERYTHING IS FINESee? EVERYTHING IS FINE
Who’s that MP?Who’s that MP?
It’s Ken O’Dowd.It’s Ken O’Dowd.
I’ll be heading to the chamber for question time – hit me up with your predictions (but I would say drought and the economy would be on the money).I’ll be heading to the chamber for question time – hit me up with your predictions (but I would say drought and the economy would be on the money).
This is an interesting story from AAP:This is an interesting story from AAP:
The Canberra bubble is truly full, with countries looking to set up shop in the capital being turned away because of a lack of available land.The Canberra bubble is truly full, with countries looking to set up shop in the capital being turned away because of a lack of available land.
The National Capital Authority, which manages federal land in Canberra, told a parliamentary briefing they couldn’t offer much to those seeking land for diplomatic missions.The National Capital Authority, which manages federal land in Canberra, told a parliamentary briefing they couldn’t offer much to those seeking land for diplomatic missions.
“We’ve had a number of countries where we’ve basically said, ‘No, we can’t offer you anything’,” chief planner Andrew Smith said.“We’ve had a number of countries where we’ve basically said, ‘No, we can’t offer you anything’,” chief planner Andrew Smith said.
He also told the committee negotiations with the Russian and Iranian missions to see them start works on their vacant land was ongoing.He also told the committee negotiations with the Russian and Iranian missions to see them start works on their vacant land was ongoing.
Smith said new embassies could be built for a number of reasons, including the beginning of a new diplomatic relationship with Australia or countries already stationed in Canberra looking to move out of rented premises.Smith said new embassies could be built for a number of reasons, including the beginning of a new diplomatic relationship with Australia or countries already stationed in Canberra looking to move out of rented premises.
But some countries were also requesting larger premises for missions.But some countries were also requesting larger premises for missions.
“We are actually at a situation where we really can’t effectively offer anything much,” Smith said.“We are actually at a situation where we really can’t effectively offer anything much,” Smith said.
He said there were a couple of vacant sites but the authority couldn’t offer them due to “reasons associated with terrain or soil conditions”.He said there were a couple of vacant sites but the authority couldn’t offer them due to “reasons associated with terrain or soil conditions”.
When contacted by AAP, the authority said it was up to the individual missions to confirm whether they had been turned back.When contacted by AAP, the authority said it was up to the individual missions to confirm whether they had been turned back.
The authority manages vacant sites but countries then have to look after it once they pick up the lease.The authority manages vacant sites but countries then have to look after it once they pick up the lease.
It also has a “use it or lose it” policy where countries may have leased land taken away from them if they show no signs of developing it.It also has a “use it or lose it” policy where countries may have leased land taken away from them if they show no signs of developing it.
Smith told the committee negotiations with the Russian and Iranian missions to see them start works on their own missions were continuing.Smith told the committee negotiations with the Russian and Iranian missions to see them start works on their own missions were continuing.
Last year, the committee was told that Kuwait, Iran, Brunei, Russia and Bangladesh had stalled or inactive development on their land.Last year, the committee was told that Kuwait, Iran, Brunei, Russia and Bangladesh had stalled or inactive development on their land.
At the time, Iran attributed delays to the unexpected death of their embassy’s new architect.At the time, Iran attributed delays to the unexpected death of their embassy’s new architect.
It also said it was holding discussions with the ACT government on the shortage of diplomatic land.It also said it was holding discussions with the ACT government on the shortage of diplomatic land.
Just for a bit more context on that spat Sky’s Thomas O’Brien has been reporting on – the Nationals have been annoyed about how the drought policy has been handled for quite some time.Just for a bit more context on that spat Sky’s Thomas O’Brien has been reporting on – the Nationals have been annoyed about how the drought policy has been handled for quite some time.
There was agitation within the party when Malcolm Turnbull was prime minister, with members pushing Michael McCormack to do more. Then, when Scott Morrison took over the leadership, he also took over on the drought, which furthered angered a group of National MPs, who thought the Liberals should not be leading on a policy area which traditionally, has been theirs.There was agitation within the party when Malcolm Turnbull was prime minister, with members pushing Michael McCormack to do more. Then, when Scott Morrison took over the leadership, he also took over on the drought, which furthered angered a group of National MPs, who thought the Liberals should not be leading on a policy area which traditionally, has been theirs.
So there has been angst, but a truce was called, given the drought was, from a PR point at least, a headline issue for the government.So there has been angst, but a truce was called, given the drought was, from a PR point at least, a headline issue for the government.
Then the announcement happened – and those tensions boiled over again.Then the announcement happened – and those tensions boiled over again.
For the record, none of the National MPs are willing to go on the record to say this.For the record, none of the National MPs are willing to go on the record to say this.
But yes, they are *annoyed*But yes, they are *annoyed*
A 2nd Nat MP has contacted Sky to vent: "PM is being arrogant...there are a lot of National MPs on the edge of losing their shit." Some Nats wanted to 'own' the drought announcement, & feel sidelined. Angst is more over optics than the actual policy.A 2nd Nat MP has contacted Sky to vent: "PM is being arrogant...there are a lot of National MPs on the edge of losing their shit." Some Nats wanted to 'own' the drought announcement, & feel sidelined. Angst is more over optics than the actual policy.
Labor and the Greens are teaming up against an expansion of the fast-track visa process which among others would cover asylum seekers who arrived by plane.Labor and the Greens are teaming up against an expansion of the fast-track visa process which among others would cover asylum seekers who arrived by plane.
Contrary to some reports this morning, it is not a motion to scrap the controversial process altogether – although the Greens’ position is that it should be scrapped.Contrary to some reports this morning, it is not a motion to scrap the controversial process altogether – although the Greens’ position is that it should be scrapped.
What is the fast-track process? It’s complicated and has changed over the years but essentially:What is the fast-track process? It’s complicated and has changed over the years but essentially:
The fast-track assessment and removal process was introduced in 2014, and later expanded. It applies to the group of people who sought asylum in Australia by boat from August 2012 to January 2014 (and any of their children) commonly referred to as the “legacy caseload” and numbered more than 30,000.The fast-track assessment and removal process was introduced in 2014, and later expanded. It applies to the group of people who sought asylum in Australia by boat from August 2012 to January 2014 (and any of their children) commonly referred to as the “legacy caseload” and numbered more than 30,000.
Under the process, asylum seekers can only apply for three-year temporary protection visas (TPV) or five-year Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (Shev), and are denied access to a full administrative review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. A refusal will automatically receive a limited review by the Immigration Assessment Authority (which was established for this purpose and sits within the AAT), but the IAA won’t hear new information.Under the process, asylum seekers can only apply for three-year temporary protection visas (TPV) or five-year Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (Shev), and are denied access to a full administrative review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. A refusal will automatically receive a limited review by the Immigration Assessment Authority (which was established for this purpose and sits within the AAT), but the IAA won’t hear new information.
Some fast-track applicants are excluded from this.Some fast-track applicants are excluded from this.
The process is controversial, with some legal and refugee experts criticising it as being more focused on speed than fairness.The process is controversial, with some legal and refugee experts criticising it as being more focused on speed than fairness.
The Greens and Labor motion seeks to scrap an expansion of the process to cover people from the legacy cohort reapplying after their TPV or Shev expires, as well as anyone who arrived by air and who applies for temporary protection. It applies to any application made after 1 April this year.The Greens and Labor motion seeks to scrap an expansion of the process to cover people from the legacy cohort reapplying after their TPV or Shev expires, as well as anyone who arrived by air and who applies for temporary protection. It applies to any application made after 1 April this year.
Immigration minister David Coleman told the Australian this would result in application assessment times blowing out from an average of 23 days to 504 days and would put more strain on the AAT.Immigration minister David Coleman told the Australian this would result in application assessment times blowing out from an average of 23 days to 504 days and would put more strain on the AAT.
Labor disputes the figures, claiming that as of February last year the average time (from lodgement to a primary decision) was 415 days for TPVs and 316 for Shevs.Labor disputes the figures, claiming that as of February last year the average time (from lodgement to a primary decision) was 415 days for TPVs and 316 for Shevs.
“Labor does not support the government’s unfair fast track process because it is neither fast nor fair – if it was the third term Liberal government would have been able to process these applications by now,” said a spokesman for shadow home affairs minister, Kristina Keneally.“Labor does not support the government’s unfair fast track process because it is neither fast nor fair – if it was the third term Liberal government would have been able to process these applications by now,” said a spokesman for shadow home affairs minister, Kristina Keneally.
Greens senator Nick McKim said the fast track process was neither fast nor fair.Greens senator Nick McKim said the fast track process was neither fast nor fair.
“It should be scrapped altogether, not expanded,” he said.“It should be scrapped altogether, not expanded,” he said.
“It was set up with the clear aim of reducing people’s chances of claiming asylum and denying them avenues of appeal. This government continues to demonise people who have fled persecution.”“It was set up with the clear aim of reducing people’s chances of claiming asylum and denying them avenues of appeal. This government continues to demonise people who have fled persecution.”
A group of ex-judges, anti-corruption commissioners, and experts have laid out a blueprint for improving political and democratic integrity in the wake of this year’s election.
The Centre for Public Integrity used a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to argue there was “ample evidence” of the need for integrity reform, pointing to the $70m campaign spend by Clive Palmer and the post-political appointments of Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop.
The centre, chaired by former NSW judge Anthony Whealy QC, wants parties and candidates to report all single donations of $1,000 or above or aggregated contributions of $3,000 over three years.
The current threshold is $14,000. Donations should be disclosed to the public in real-time and include income from “party fundraisers, corporate sponsorship of business forums, and membership fees over $600 per year”.
Electoral expenditure should be capped, and advertising limited by the finance or attorney-general’s department, which would purchase advertising space and distribute it to parties, candidates, and third parties.
The centre also wants to see stronger post-separation employment bans apply to former ministers and parliamentary secretaries, preventing them from lobbying-related activities for five years in any area linked to their former portfolio.
The ban would be enforced by an independent parliamentary integrity commissioner.
“The Commonwealth has the weakest integrity laws in the country. Reform is crucial in the wake of the 2019 federal election,” Whealy said.
The Centre for Public Integrity board includes ex-judges Tony Fitzgerald QC, David Ipp QC, Stephen Charles QC and Whealy, professors George Williams and Joo Cheong Tham, and barrister Geoffrey Watson SC.
Mike Bowers has been very busy this morning.
This would be the moment the Nationals gathered to announce the farm household allowance changes, but were overshadowed by the prime minister who was on not-Alan Jones radio doing exactly the same thing.
Some colour in parliament, thanks to a Mongolian dance troupe.
A very fed up Jacqui Lambie
And that Senate light
Katharine Murphy and Paul Karp have put together exactly what happened when Labor voted against the Greens motion to stop the government from scrapping the education infrastructure fund, in favour of redirecting it to emergency disaster responses:
Labor has done a deal with the Morrison government to pass legislation redirecting education infrastructure money to disaster relief despite significant objections from the education spokeswoman, Tanya Plibersek.
The opposition made the decision to sign on to the emergency response fund in a special shadow cabinet meeting on Wednesday night, which also considered Labor’s stance on the free trade deal with Indonesia.
But Guardian Australia understands Plibersek objected, and concerns persist within the caucus that the decision will blunt Labor’s ability to pursue the Coalition over cuts to education funding.
Labor MPs, including the former research minister Kim Carr, have expressed concern that the redirection will deliver a significant blow to investment in research infrastructure.
I have been flipping through some annual reports this morning.
The Department of Employment provides us an update on the progress of its struggling $250m PaTH internships program. You might remember it’s the scheme where the government pays businesses like Hungry Jacks and Woolworths $1000 to host young welfare recipients. The interns get an incentive payment, which unions say equates to about $4 a day.
The program was supposed to offer 30,000 internships a year – instead there have only been 6,464 since April 2017. The report does say that 65% of those internships led to a job.
“Those who have completed Youth Jobs PaTH have achieved strong outcomes, but take-up continues to be a challenge,” the report says.
The government poured another $10m into the scheme in August.
Nick Martin (the doctor from the post a few down) approves this message
Nailed it. https://t.co/B0IJJYu7ep
Here’s the dairy industry inquiry motion Pauline Hanson put up and won (with the support of most of the Senate, excluding the government).
That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by the third sitting day in March 2020: the performance of Australia’s dairy industry and the profitability of Australian dairy farmers since deregulation in 2000, with particular reference to –
(a) the ability of Dairy Australia to act independently and support the best interests of both farmers and processors;
(b) the accuracy of statistical data collected by Dairy Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics;
(c) the funding of Dairy Australia and the extent of its consultation and engagement on the expenditure of levies revenue;
(d) the merits of tasking the ACCC to investigate how it can regulate the price of milk per litre paid by processors to dairy farmers to ensure a viable dairy industry;
(e) alternative approaches to supporting a viable dairy sector;
(f) the introduction of a mandatory industry code of practice; and
(g) any related matters.
The Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has also unleashed on Labor for its decision not to back a motion to save the education fund (Jacqui Lambie was also very, very angry at the move).
Labor and the Government have teamed up to stab education in the back by abolishing billions in education funding.
I don’t expect any better of the regressive Liberals who have cut education funding at every turn, but Labor used to be the party of education. Now they are just selling out communities and young people to remain politically relevant.
Labor are so eager to please the Liberals they voted to abolish the infrastructure fund they themselves established. The reality is unis, Tafes and research have all suffered under this Liberal-National government. Education in Australia is being dangerously underfunded.
The official Labor press conference on the free trade agreement decision is out.
From Madeleine King’s office:
We will back these agreements, although we are concerned about how this Government will implement them.
We have consulted widely on these issues with stakeholders in the union movement, industry, academia and the public service.
I have written to Trade Minister Simon Birmingham seeking firm commitments to ensure that the implementation of the agreements safeguard Australian jobs and maximise market access for Australian businesses.
We are seeking:
A guarantee that these agreements protect Australian jobs.
An assurance that working holiday makers are not exploited and are appropriately qualified for the work they undertake.
The termination of the existing bilateral investment treaty with Indonesia.
The termination or updating of out-dated bilateral investment treaties and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clauses.
A review of recent ISDS mechanisms in trade agreements.
An inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) into Australia’s treaty-making process.
An assurance that there is no inference from the agreements that would require the privatisation of government services, nor restrict any future decision to bring acquire public assets.
Labor’s call for the Government to pursue the termination of the existing Bilateral Investment Treaty between Australia and Indonesia was recently backed by JSCOT’s recent review of these trade agreements.
This old treaty contains ISDS clauses with poor safeguards.
Labor does not support the inclusion of ISDS provisions in trade agreements, but the report noted that the provisions in these new agreements include strong safeguards.
Labor MPs on the JSCOT committee were instrumental in ensuring that these recommendations were included in the final report.
Back in the Senate, One Nation put forward a motion to set up an inquiry into the “performance of Australia’s dairy industry and the profitability of farmers since deregulation in 2000”.
Labor, the Greens and the crossbench all supported the inquiry.
The government opposed it.
Ayes - 33
Noes - 28
It is not often you see that section of the chamber supporting something One Nation puts up, but there you go.
Just on Peter Dutton’s latest intervention on medevac, I have been reminded of this story from earlier in the year:
A doctor on Nauru who blew the whistle on the deliberate medical neglect of refugees and asylum seekers on the island has been awarded a global award for free speech.
Dr Nick Martin, the former senior medical officer for International Health and Medical Services on Nauru, spoke out publicly against what he described as Australia’s “inflexible, unswerving, and shameless” offshore immigration regime, that deliberately harmed asylum seekers and ignored doctors’ recommendations to treat dangerously ill people.
In London on Wednesday night, he was awarded the 2019 Blueprint for Free Speech prize, an award previously won by Chelsea Manning, who revealed US military abuses and suspected war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, and John Kiriakou, the former CIA intelligence officer who revealed information about torture techniques including waterboarding.
Martin is a veteran military doctor.