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Morrison accuses Albanese of 'throwing tantrums' – politics live Morrison accuses Albanese of 'throwing tantrums' – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
Right, my brain is as broken as my publishing program today (and that is saying something) so I am going to call it a day before I run screaming through a window.Right, my brain is as broken as my publishing program today (and that is saying something) so I am going to call it a day before I run screaming through a window.
The blog will be back next Monday, when the House sits and Senate estimates start. But there is no rest for the wicked, so check back on the Guardian tomorrow, where we will have all the information on what is happening with the medevac report, the press freedom inquiry, and the Liberal party council, which is being held this weekend.The blog will be back next Monday, when the House sits and Senate estimates start. But there is no rest for the wicked, so check back on the Guardian tomorrow, where we will have all the information on what is happening with the medevac report, the press freedom inquiry, and the Liberal party council, which is being held this weekend.
A big thank you to Mike Bowers, who has walked close to a marathon in kilometres across this building this week, to bring you images of all the crazy. And Katharine Murphy, Sarah Martin, Paul Karp and the rest of the brains trust who not only helped keep me as close to sane as I can be, they also made sure I didn’t miss a thing. It’s those guys who are the heart and soul of this project.A big thank you to Mike Bowers, who has walked close to a marathon in kilometres across this building this week, to bring you images of all the crazy. And Katharine Murphy, Sarah Martin, Paul Karp and the rest of the brains trust who not only helped keep me as close to sane as I can be, they also made sure I didn’t miss a thing. It’s those guys who are the heart and soul of this project.
We’ll be back early Monday, but I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for joining us this week. We’ve got four sitting weeks to go.We’ll be back early Monday, but I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for joining us this week. We’ve got four sitting weeks to go.
And please – take care of you.And please – take care of you.
SiggghhSiggghh
Sounds similar to the one you are building at Western Sydney Airport: https://t.co/Bb2sxUu36o pic.twitter.com/LbVtUAxe4kSounds similar to the one you are building at Western Sydney Airport: https://t.co/Bb2sxUu36o pic.twitter.com/LbVtUAxe4k
Helen Davidson also had this story today:Helen Davidson also had this story today:
An Afghan doctor who was transferred to Australia from Manus Island for medical care has died in Brisbane.An Afghan doctor who was transferred to Australia from Manus Island for medical care has died in Brisbane.
Sayed Mirwais Rohani had been in Australia for around two years, after more than four years on Manus Island.Sayed Mirwais Rohani had been in Australia for around two years, after more than four years on Manus Island.
The 32-year-old Hazara man is believed to have taken his own life, and is the 13th death of a person sent to Manus Island or Nauru by Australia under its offshore immigration system.The 32-year-old Hazara man is believed to have taken his own life, and is the 13th death of a person sent to Manus Island or Nauru by Australia under its offshore immigration system.
Rohani’s father is a refugee living in the UK with his wife, and he travelled to Manus Island in 2016 seeking his son’s release to join him in the UK. The spokesman for the Refugee Action Coalition, Ian Rintoul, said that request was denied because Rohani was not a minor.Rohani’s father is a refugee living in the UK with his wife, and he travelled to Manus Island in 2016 seeking his son’s release to join him in the UK. The spokesman for the Refugee Action Coalition, Ian Rintoul, said that request was denied because Rohani was not a minor.
• 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• 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
Arthur Sinodinos, who is doing his farewell tour across the parliament (he’s off to Washington), was asked by Patricia Karvelas what message his colleagues should take from his valedictory speech yesterday:Arthur Sinodinos, who is doing his farewell tour across the parliament (he’s off to Washington), was asked by Patricia Karvelas what message his colleagues should take from his valedictory speech yesterday:
Look, ultimately it’s up to people what messages they take out of it. I think that is a message. I think one of the other messages is that ultimately this is a team game.Look, ultimately it’s up to people what messages they take out of it. I think that is a message. I think one of the other messages is that ultimately this is a team game.
And you have to accept in politics you can’t always do what you want, even as a backbencher.And you have to accept in politics you can’t always do what you want, even as a backbencher.
You’re part of a team and government only works if it’s a team.You’re part of a team and government only works if it’s a team.
There will also be a lot of media bigwigs in Canberra tomorrow – the media freedom inquiry will hold a public hearing.There will also be a lot of media bigwigs in Canberra tomorrow – the media freedom inquiry will hold a public hearing.
The medevac senate report is due to be handed down tomorrow.The medevac senate report is due to be handed down tomorrow.
Amanda Stoker led the committee, which is government heavy, so I think we can assume it is going to recommend the legislation be repealed.Amanda Stoker led the committee, which is government heavy, so I think we can assume it is going to recommend the legislation be repealed.
Labor and the Greens are expected to enter in dissenting reports. Then, when the senate returns in November, it will all be up to Jacqui Lambie.Labor and the Greens are expected to enter in dissenting reports. Then, when the senate returns in November, it will all be up to Jacqui Lambie.
In the meantime, Helen Davidson had this story:In the meantime, Helen Davidson had this story:
The Australian Border Force transferred a seriously mentally ill man to Perth from Melbourne, where a youth mental health facility was preparing to treat him – then took almost a month to bring him back.The Australian Border Force transferred a seriously mentally ill man to Perth from Melbourne, where a youth mental health facility was preparing to treat him – then took almost a month to bring him back.
On Tuesday, after being flown 2,700km across the country, admitted to hospital emergency or psychiatric departments six times, held in various forms of detention, then flying another 2,700km, the young man was finally taken to the facility that had originally offered to treat him.On Tuesday, after being flown 2,700km across the country, admitted to hospital emergency or psychiatric departments six times, held in various forms of detention, then flying another 2,700km, the young man was finally taken to the facility that had originally offered to treat him.
The shock early-morning transfer from the Melbourne detention centre, Mita, to Perth, was on a commercial Qantas flight – just one day after the Qantas chief executive, Alan Joyce, proclaimed that the company would not be silent on social issues.The shock early-morning transfer from the Melbourne detention centre, Mita, to Perth, was on a commercial Qantas flight – just one day after the Qantas chief executive, Alan Joyce, proclaimed that the company would not be silent on social issues.
The young asylum seeker was removed from the Melbourne detention centre in the early hours of 19 September, allegedly without warning and without consulting the external health professionals who were arranging to have him readmitted to the Melbourne facility. No reason for the transfer was given, as far as Guardian Australia is aware.The young asylum seeker was removed from the Melbourne detention centre in the early hours of 19 September, allegedly without warning and without consulting the external health professionals who were arranging to have him readmitted to the Melbourne facility. No reason for the transfer was given, as far as Guardian Australia is aware.
This is not a sight you will see too often – an LNP senator sitting with the crossbench, against the government.This is not a sight you will see too often – an LNP senator sitting with the crossbench, against the government.
Susan McDonald chaired the committee that recommended the additional maintenance requirements be removed from charity flight operators – which is what Rex Patrick is calling for.Susan McDonald chaired the committee that recommended the additional maintenance requirements be removed from charity flight operators – which is what Rex Patrick is calling for.
Labor voted with the government.Labor voted with the government.
And from this, I think you can infer from this answer on the voice to parliament, Ken Wyatt has set out that the government will be pushing to legislate, before heading to the referendumAnd from this, I think you can infer from this answer on the voice to parliament, Ken Wyatt has set out that the government will be pushing to legislate, before heading to the referendum
Patricia Karvelas: You do know you’ll break a lot of hearts by not putting the voice to the people?Patricia Karvelas: You do know you’ll break a lot of hearts by not putting the voice to the people?
Ken Wyatt:Ken Wyatt:
We also have to be pragmatic and that’s a reality.We also have to be pragmatic and that’s a reality.
PK: But do you acknowledge you’re going to break a lot of people’s hearts?PK: But do you acknowledge you’re going to break a lot of people’s hearts?
KW:KW:
Some people have told me it will break their hearts. We have to think about whether we want to be recognised in the Constitution.Some people have told me it will break their hearts. We have to think about whether we want to be recognised in the Constitution.
PK: What’s the point of recognition without power, Senator?PK: What’s the point of recognition without power, Senator?
KW:KW:
Recognition was in section 127 in the Constitution but in the sense of not allowing us to be counted. 127 was struck out.Recognition was in section 127 in the Constitution but in the sense of not allowing us to be counted. 127 was struck out.
The 1967 referendum created a number of myths around what it really meant to people. The reality was, was the striking out of that and then the amendment, the 51-26.The 1967 referendum created a number of myths around what it really meant to people. The reality was, was the striking out of that and then the amendment, the 51-26.
This requires further work on what are the sets of words that recognise this within the Constitution. 51-26 has been predominantly used for Indigenous Australians to support Commonwealth legislation on very critical issues such as the Mabo decision, land rights, etc ... What I don’t want to see is that removed totally which then leaves a challenge in terms of the legitimacy of those.This requires further work on what are the sets of words that recognise this within the Constitution. 51-26 has been predominantly used for Indigenous Australians to support Commonwealth legislation on very critical issues such as the Mabo decision, land rights, etc ... What I don’t want to see is that removed totally which then leaves a challenge in terms of the legitimacy of those.
PK: Would you like to see it changed?PK: Would you like to see it changed?
KW:KW:
I’m going to wait to see what comes out.I’m going to wait to see what comes out.
I’ve been meeting with people and there is a degree of willingness to have recognition. I think that once we work through whatever the voice is, and that may give us another option.I’ve been meeting with people and there is a degree of willingness to have recognition. I think that once we work through whatever the voice is, and that may give us another option.
What I suspect will happen is that we may legislate first and then when that’s successful, then we can go back for the next bite of the Constitution.What I suspect will happen is that we may legislate first and then when that’s successful, then we can go back for the next bite of the Constitution.
On the legislated voice issue, Ken Wyatt says he is pushing ahead:On the legislated voice issue, Ken Wyatt says he is pushing ahead:
Well, we’ve got a timetable I’m proposing to take to the PM. Once that’s been agreed to in the process that he and I will undertake, and my cabinet colleagues and certainly members of parliament, then we will announce that and we will clearly lay out the process and the structures that are within that.Well, we’ve got a timetable I’m proposing to take to the PM. Once that’s been agreed to in the process that he and I will undertake, and my cabinet colleagues and certainly members of parliament, then we will announce that and we will clearly lay out the process and the structures that are within that.
Patricia Karvelas: What about if people don’t want a legislated voice?Patricia Karvelas: What about if people don’t want a legislated voice?
KW:KW:
I suspect that if we went with a nebulous notion of a voice to the greater Australian public, it would not have the support. Constitutional recognition, with the exception of John Howard’s referendum, tends not to come back as a question to be put at a later stage. Local government is slightly different because people have fought to try and get local government recognised in the constitution and we’ve had parliamentary committees deal with that.I suspect that if we went with a nebulous notion of a voice to the greater Australian public, it would not have the support. Constitutional recognition, with the exception of John Howard’s referendum, tends not to come back as a question to be put at a later stage. Local government is slightly different because people have fought to try and get local government recognised in the constitution and we’ve had parliamentary committees deal with that.
But I don’t want to see us lose an opportunity. And that’s what we’ve got to do, do it very steadily. I don’t want this to be rushed that we get it wrong and that we lose it. When I look at the referendums that have been successful, Labor was successful with one on social services. That’s because Bob Menzies is the leader and did not oppose what Labor had done to the Australian public.But I don’t want to see us lose an opportunity. And that’s what we’ve got to do, do it very steadily. I don’t want this to be rushed that we get it wrong and that we lose it. When I look at the referendums that have been successful, Labor was successful with one on social services. That’s because Bob Menzies is the leader and did not oppose what Labor had done to the Australian public.
In a sense there was this bipartisan support. But you need both sides to the political divide.In a sense there was this bipartisan support. But you need both sides to the political divide.
PK: What process have you gone through now to get Labor on board? It is meant to be bipartisan.PK: What process have you gone through now to get Labor on board? It is meant to be bipartisan.
KW:KW:
I’m having dinner with my colleagues on an evening that we have chosen next week – the Indigenous members of the parliament who are predominantly Labor.I’m having dinner with my colleagues on an evening that we have chosen next week – the Indigenous members of the parliament who are predominantly Labor.
PK: In terms of the timeline, I know you’re taking this to the PM, can you give me an indication of the kind of timeframe that you think is workable.PK: In terms of the timeline, I know you’re taking this to the PM, can you give me an indication of the kind of timeframe that you think is workable.
KW:KW:
It is before the next election because we don’t a referendum tied in with an election. There is an unintended consequence of that we don’t need. It’s important we have this pristine space in which the question can be put, the debate’s had andAustralians make the decision.It is before the next election because we don’t a referendum tied in with an election. There is an unintended consequence of that we don’t need. It’s important we have this pristine space in which the question can be put, the debate’s had andAustralians make the decision.
PK: You think you can have a referendum on recognition before the next election?PK: You think you can have a referendum on recognition before the next election?
KW:KW:
I’m optimistic.I’m optimistic.
Patricia Karvelas: Many Indigenous people are opposed to this idea of legislating the voice. Have you convinced them?Patricia Karvelas: Many Indigenous people are opposed to this idea of legislating the voice. Have you convinced them?
Ken Wyatt:Ken Wyatt:
No. I haven’t. But we will start a process. I’ve been talking to a lot of people as I’ve moved across the nation. Issues like sovereignty come up. Communities say, “Who will listen to our voice? We want local issues and access to health, better education.” I think Linda Burney discovered that when she travelled from Port Hedland to Uluru because I saw her and she made the very pertinent point – they were concerned about local matters that needed resolving.No. I haven’t. But we will start a process. I’ve been talking to a lot of people as I’ve moved across the nation. Issues like sovereignty come up. Communities say, “Who will listen to our voice? We want local issues and access to health, better education.” I think Linda Burney discovered that when she travelled from Port Hedland to Uluru because I saw her and she made the very pertinent point – they were concerned about local matters that needed resolving.
PK:PK:
In terms of a proposal for changing the Constitution, you’ve made it quite clear to the disappointment of many that you don’t want the voice to be in the Constitution. So what will constitutional change look like under the Morrison Government?In terms of a proposal for changing the Constitution, you’ve made it quite clear to the disappointment of many that you don’t want the voice to be in the Constitution. So what will constitutional change look like under the Morrison Government?
KW:KW:
We will work through those over the next 12 months.We will work through those over the next 12 months.
PK: Can you give me some parameters?PK: Can you give me some parameters?
KW:KW:
There will be recognition.There will be recognition.
PK:PK:
What will that look like?What will that look like?
KW:KW:
That will need to be worked through with our people. And has to be acceptable within a legal framework. What I don’t want is a section 44 issue being created. We have to be pragmatic and have many non-Indigenous Australians who are supportive but are saying, “I’m concerned until you tell us what the sets of words are because I’m not going to commit to something that creates a division between a nation that is becoming more unified.” The number of non-indigenous people who have said, “We will stand with Indigenous Australians. We want to see them recognised but get the words right.”That will need to be worked through with our people. And has to be acceptable within a legal framework. What I don’t want is a section 44 issue being created. We have to be pragmatic and have many non-Indigenous Australians who are supportive but are saying, “I’m concerned until you tell us what the sets of words are because I’m not going to commit to something that creates a division between a nation that is becoming more unified.” The number of non-indigenous people who have said, “We will stand with Indigenous Australians. We want to see them recognised but get the words right.”
On the ABC, Patricia Karvelas has an interview with Ken Wyatt about where the plan for Indigenous reconciliation is at.On the ABC, Patricia Karvelas has an interview with Ken Wyatt about where the plan for Indigenous reconciliation is at.
We will announce in the very near future a working group that will define the voice but will take in to consideration local, regional, state and national approaches. One of the things I’ve made very clear to state and territory ministers is they already have voices ...We will announce in the very near future a working group that will define the voice but will take in to consideration local, regional, state and national approaches. One of the things I’ve made very clear to state and territory ministers is they already have voices ...
I don’t want to take them out of the equation. There will be a substantial piece of work that will be undertaken and as soon as I finalise it, crossing a couple of Ts and dotting some Is then we’ll start the process.I don’t want to take them out of the equation. There will be a substantial piece of work that will be undertaken and as soon as I finalise it, crossing a couple of Ts and dotting some Is then we’ll start the process.
PK:PK:
My understanding is you’re about to take that proposal to the PM. Can you give me an indication of what is in that proposal?My understanding is you’re about to take that proposal to the PM. Can you give me an indication of what is in that proposal?
KW:KW:
I can’t do that until I’ve had a discussion with my leader.I can’t do that until I’ve had a discussion with my leader.
PK: Am I right you are about to take a proposal to the PM for a way forward on legislation to actually establish a voice in this term of parliament?PK: Am I right you are about to take a proposal to the PM for a way forward on legislation to actually establish a voice in this term of parliament?
KW:KW:
What I’ll be doing is taking forward a series of propositions to do with constitutional recognition, the voice and truth telling. Each of those are separate pieces of work because they are critical in their own right.What I’ll be doing is taking forward a series of propositions to do with constitutional recognition, the voice and truth telling. Each of those are separate pieces of work because they are critical in their own right.
But what I also want to do is talk about the way in which government will take elements of that forward as we co-design. I’m seriously committed to working through with our people to a solution that they’re comfortable with as well, not just as we’ve always done in the past, come forward with the voices of a few. And then made a decision.But what I also want to do is talk about the way in which government will take elements of that forward as we co-design. I’m seriously committed to working through with our people to a solution that they’re comfortable with as well, not just as we’ve always done in the past, come forward with the voices of a few. And then made a decision.
Rex Patrick has been fighting to have the aviation body, Casa, reduce the number of maintenance requirements on charity aircrafts, and adopt the NZ model.Rex Patrick has been fighting to have the aviation body, Casa, reduce the number of maintenance requirements on charity aircrafts, and adopt the NZ model.
Over in the Senate, new LNP senator Susan McDonald is crossing the floor to support a motion from Rex PatrickOver in the Senate, new LNP senator Susan McDonald is crossing the floor to support a motion from Rex Patrick
. @SenMcDonald has just crossed the floor to support @centre_alliance in protecting the important work Angel Flight offers to sick patients in regional communities #auspol. @SenMcDonald has just crossed the floor to support @centre_alliance in protecting the important work Angel Flight offers to sick patients in regional communities #auspol
This is either “waiting for a mate”, or “sorry, it’s saved”, depending on your generation.This is either “waiting for a mate”, or “sorry, it’s saved”, depending on your generation.
Question time as seen by Mike BowersQuestion time as seen by Mike Bowers
Scott Morrison, playing the role of today’s mood (as captured by Mike Bowers)Scott Morrison, playing the role of today’s mood (as captured by Mike Bowers)
And we are done.And we are done.
The folders are very stacked though.The folders are very stacked though.
Hopefully this means we are coming to the end.Hopefully this means we are coming to the end.
Nope. Scott Morrison just raised a finger and said “one more” to Tony Smith.Nope. Scott Morrison just raised a finger and said “one more” to Tony Smith.
It’s on the Prime Minister’s Science Prize. So at least it’s a worthy dixer.It’s on the Prime Minister’s Science Prize. So at least it’s a worthy dixer.