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/21/coalition-labor-morrison-albanese-politics-live

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
PM’s department evades question on Brian Houston's White House invite – politics live PM’s department evades question on Brian Houston's White House invite – politics live
(32 minutes later)
I imagine this will be in response to Ken Wyatt’s interview last week, in which he said he would be moving to legislate a voice to parliament, rather than enshrining it in the constitution, in order to get the recognition referendum up (and passed).
Indigenous people called for the voice to be enshrined, so it could not be overrun, as Atsic was.
MUST LISTEN TO interview with Labor’s Indigenous spokeswoman @LindaBurneyMP #auspol at 6pm
For those interested, Bob Katter and Adam Bandt are both in the chamber arguing against the free trade deal - it s not often you see those two on the same side of an argument.
Angus Taylor’s disclosures regarding his interest in company Jam Land are now being scrutinised, given the department’s administration of the ministerial standards.
Labor senator Jenny McAllister is asking what attempts have been made by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to satisfy himself that Taylor is not in breach of ministerial standards which prevent the use of public office for personal benefit.
Cormann insists that Taylor is not in breach, and has disclosed his interest in Jam Land as required under the rules, and says the targeting of Taylor is “smear and innuendo”.
Cormann says that stopping Taylor advocating for landholders in his electorate, including himself, would be like suggesting he should not advocate tax cuts as a beneficiary.
Labor senator Penny Wong accuses him of making a “ridiculous equivalency”.
“He is not advocating on behalf of his constituency, he is advocating for himself,” Wong said.
Mathias Cormann says there was no breach of the rules by Mr Pyne and Ms Bishop. He says there's been no further action from the PM after the Senate inquiry. Senator Cormann calls it a partisan exercise #estimatesMathias Cormann says there was no breach of the rules by Mr Pyne and Ms Bishop. He says there's been no further action from the PM after the Senate inquiry. Senator Cormann calls it a partisan exercise #estimates
Labor has picked up on the prime minister’s statement during question time (highlighted below) thatLabor has picked up on the prime minister’s statement during question time (highlighted below) that
I do not believe that those decisions about who should be prosecuted at the end of the day should be made on the whim of politicians.I do not believe that those decisions about who should be prosecuted at the end of the day should be made on the whim of politicians.
Which contradicts the line that Christian Porter has taken on this - that he will need to approve any brief from the Commonwealth director of public prosecutions (if there is one) before any charges could be moved ahead. Which contradicts the line that Christian Porter has taken on this – that he will need to approve any brief from the commonwealth director of public prosecutions (if there is one) before any charges could be moved ahead.
Mark Dreyfus says Scott Morrison has confused the issue, asking whether Porter’s directive stands, or not.Mark Dreyfus says Scott Morrison has confused the issue, asking whether Porter’s directive stands, or not.
Mr Morrison’s statement suggests that this Government does not know where it stands on freedom of the press and the Australian public’s right to know,” he said. Mr Morrison’s statement suggests that this government does not know where it stands on freedom of the press and the Australian public’s right to know.
A Dfat officer, Philip Green, has sent a message re this morning’s evidence - prompting clarification from Caroline Miller.A Dfat officer, Philip Green, has sent a message re this morning’s evidence - prompting clarification from Caroline Miller.
Miller says that a colleague from Dfat has forwarded an email from 28 May sent to Justin Hayhurst [first assistant secretary to PM&C), CC’d to Miller, which advised that Ambassador Hockey was going to send a letter re the US justice department inquiry into the Mueller report.Miller says that a colleague from Dfat has forwarded an email from 28 May sent to Justin Hayhurst [first assistant secretary to PM&C), CC’d to Miller, which advised that Ambassador Hockey was going to send a letter re the US justice department inquiry into the Mueller report.
This was an issue this morning, because Penny Wong wanted to know when PM&C were aware that Australia would be co-operating with the investigation, because of Alexander Downer’s involvement.This was an issue this morning, because Penny Wong wanted to know when PM&C were aware that Australia would be co-operating with the investigation, because of Alexander Downer’s involvement.
“We had forgotten about this message”, says Miller.“We had forgotten about this message”, says Miller.
Zali Steggall will officially present the largest ever parliamentary e-petition (there have been bigger hardcopy ones presented, including one to stop a beer tax) calling on the parliament to declare a climate emergency, in the chamber tomorrow. There were over 400,000 signatures on that one, which is no mean feat.Zali Steggall will officially present the largest ever parliamentary e-petition (there have been bigger hardcopy ones presented, including one to stop a beer tax) calling on the parliament to declare a climate emergency, in the chamber tomorrow. There were over 400,000 signatures on that one, which is no mean feat.
But for it to pass, a few government MPs would need to cross over.But for it to pass, a few government MPs would need to cross over.
Steggall tells Patricia Karvelas “we are writing around to request a conscience vote”.Steggall tells Patricia Karvelas “we are writing around to request a conscience vote”.
We are a democracy,” she says.We are a democracy,” she says.
PK points out that the conservative government in the UK passed a climate emergency declaration, so she asks whether she thinks anyone from the conservative side of politics would support it, if a conscience vote was allowed (which it most likely will not be).PK points out that the conservative government in the UK passed a climate emergency declaration, so she asks whether she thinks anyone from the conservative side of politics would support it, if a conscience vote was allowed (which it most likely will not be).
Absolutely. A lot called for a climate act to be introduced in the UK. It needs to be done, it has to be done and we need to find the political will in Australia.Absolutely. A lot called for a climate act to be introduced in the UK. It needs to be done, it has to be done and we need to find the political will in Australia.
You need more than just lip service at an election, saying that you do believe in climate change and you will take action. We needed to be for more than just inside the party room, it needs to be outside. Everyone should be able to have a conscience vote in parliament and declare whether or not this is an issue we need to address.You need more than just lip service at an election, saying that you do believe in climate change and you will take action. We needed to be for more than just inside the party room, it needs to be outside. Everyone should be able to have a conscience vote in parliament and declare whether or not this is an issue we need to address.
Back in environment estimates, Labor has been asking about the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which received a controversial $443.3 m six-year grant from the government.Back in environment estimates, Labor has been asking about the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which received a controversial $443.3 m six-year grant from the government.
At the time the grant was awarded, it was said the foundation had “unique” capacity to attract further donations for reef projects from the private sector.Senator Nita Green notes the department’s annual report says there is an investment target of between $300m to $400m.At the time the grant was awarded, it was said the foundation had “unique” capacity to attract further donations for reef projects from the private sector.Senator Nita Green notes the department’s annual report says there is an investment target of between $300m to $400m.
“How many funds have actually been raised?” she asks.“How many funds have actually been raised?” she asks.
Deb Callister, from the department’s heritage, reef and marine division, says: “To date, the amount that we’ve been advised of is that they’ve raised more than $21m as in-kind contributions from their projects.”Deb Callister, from the department’s heritage, reef and marine division, says: “To date, the amount that we’ve been advised of is that they’ve raised more than $21m as in-kind contributions from their projects.”
Asked what in-kind means, she says it refers to additional provided by organisations and groups that had received funding from the foundation via the grant. This could be staff provided for projects, office space, or cash.Asked what in-kind means, she says it refers to additional provided by organisations and groups that had received funding from the foundation via the grant. This could be staff provided for projects, office space, or cash.
Callister says the federal election had affected the foundation’s ability to “participate more actively in the fundraising sphere”.Callister says the federal election had affected the foundation’s ability to “participate more actively in the fundraising sphere”.
Labor warned the foundation before the election it would terminate the grant if it was elected.Labor warned the foundation before the election it would terminate the grant if it was elected.
“It would come as no surprise to senators that some of the uncertainty around the future of the partnership that arose around the election...has impacted on their (the foundation’s) ability to participate more actively in the fundraising sphere,” Callister says.“It would come as no surprise to senators that some of the uncertainty around the future of the partnership that arose around the election...has impacted on their (the foundation’s) ability to participate more actively in the fundraising sphere,” Callister says.
“But now that that outcome is known and their future is known they’re moving more actively to engage with potential donors.”“But now that that outcome is known and their future is known they’re moving more actively to engage with potential donors.”
Callister says in the first year of the grant the foundation spent “in the vicinity” of $25m on projects and just under $8m on administrative costs.Callister says in the first year of the grant the foundation spent “in the vicinity” of $25m on projects and just under $8m on administrative costs.
She said the foundation anticipated they would spend $58m on projects in 19-20.She said the foundation anticipated they would spend $58m on projects in 19-20.
Labor is now asking about how the prime minister’s office treats journalists, highlighting messages sent from the PMO to journalist Peter van Onselen that criticised coverage.Labor is now asking about how the prime minister’s office treats journalists, highlighting messages sent from the PMO to journalist Peter van Onselen that criticised coverage.
Labor senator Tim Ayres has asked whether the department believes the correspondence from the PMO shows “professional courtesy” in how it deals with journalists, as is required under standards for staffers.Labor senator Tim Ayres has asked whether the department believes the correspondence from the PMO shows “professional courtesy” in how it deals with journalists, as is required under standards for staffers.
After finance minister Mathias Cormann defended the private exchange, Ayres said “no wonder the government wants to lock up journalists”.After finance minister Mathias Cormann defended the private exchange, Ayres said “no wonder the government wants to lock up journalists”.
This sparks an angry response from Cormann, who accuses the senator of conflating in a “dangerous and inappropriate” way the issue of communication between staffers and journalists, and the AFP investigation into national security breaches.This sparks an angry response from Cormann, who accuses the senator of conflating in a “dangerous and inappropriate” way the issue of communication between staffers and journalists, and the AFP investigation into national security breaches.
Seems to be a lot of incorrect responses flying aroundSeems to be a lot of incorrect responses flying around
Here's the lead in to that exchange, where they explain the confusion of the review without a report that they said there was a report for and then took it back a month later. pic.twitter.com/OrNygLwjZNHere's the lead in to that exchange, where they explain the confusion of the review without a report that they said there was a report for and then took it back a month later. pic.twitter.com/OrNygLwjZN
Five years ago we lost an Australian hero – a leader, reformer, and friend.His legacy lives on. pic.twitter.com/Cf0DgVwKLsFive years ago we lost an Australian hero – a leader, reformer, and friend.His legacy lives on. pic.twitter.com/Cf0DgVwKLs
Else Kennedy, who is doing an internship with the Guardian, listened to Sydney radio 2GB to hear Ben Fordham’s response to Anne Davies’ story this morning:
“My eyes started glazing over halfway through the piece.”
“They’ve ripped into me for the role I played in organising for politicians to have a fresh look at the situation.”
“I’m not a minister, I’m not a premier, I’m just a radio host. All I did was appeal to those in charge to get out of their air-conditioned offices, go to the parts of the bush ravaged by drought and ask themselves the question, ‘Is this fair? Is it fair to threaten people with daily fines of $13,000 for not talking to a bureaucrat? Is it fair to bankrupt families that have been putting food on our plates for generations? Is it fair to push men and women to breaking point and whack them over the edge? We’ve already got farmers killing themselves, and I’ve had them talking to me with tears in their eyes. All I did was suggest meetings and ask for a fresh look. It was the NSW government that decided that the land-clearing laws were unfair. The government introduced a new policy. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t this radio station.”
“By all means have a go at me, you can do your best.”
“What I would say to the Guardian is this: you know that those farmers were in strife. You know that the worst offenders are still being prosecuted. Others have received a reprieve from the strict land-clearing laws and rules have now been changed to make them fairer.
“But understand when there’s a battle between the greenies in the big smoke and the farmers in the bush I’ll be backing the farmers, and any criticism I get for that I wear as a badge of honour. I’ll be campaigning for anyone who deserves our support and I won’t be changing my approach one single bit.”
That moment when you realise just how many titles you have.
The no props in question time rule going very well
Best angles
The parliament smells of rich mahogany
The answer to this question is no.
Interesting exchange in #estimates given #righttoknow >>Home Affairs are on track to receive more than 21k FOI apps this year (^from 18k last yr)Sen Patrick asks if he has allocated resources to that area to deal with increased workload (which they notoriously struggle with)
Acting Greens leader Adam Bandt (Richard Di Natale had to have unscheduled knee surgery, we understand) wants to try and delay the free trade agreement implementation.
Liberal and Labor have done a dirty deal to fast-track laws that will give corporations more rights than governments or workers.
These dodgy deals allow corporations to boost their profits by suing governments who do things like lift the minimum wage or pass laws to protect the environment.
Labor’s ‘big win’ appears to be an unenforceable side-letter from the Liberals that existing loopholes will continue to apply.
The Greens stand with the workers and civil society groups who want these agreements rewritten so that basic rights are protected.
We will move amendments to the bills to ensure jobs are advertised locally, corporations can’t sue our government and the Hong Kong deal is delayed while the conflict there continues.”
Given Labor and the government are on the same side on this, this will fail.
Jacqui Lambie tried her luck with home affairs and border force to question them about Crown again.
Mike Pezzullo cautions Lambie on her use of the term “evidence”.
“The department issues visas, and visas are not issued any way other than the Migration Act, so the suggestion that people come uncredentialed is wrong. The ABF checks credentials at the other end and then on arrival.”
Lambie says that sounds like some people are coming in with visas on Crown planes.
She asks if ABF is “going on every one of them with your boots on to check every one of them?”
“I hung up my boots a long time ago,” says Pezzullo, referring it to Outram.
Outram says, yes, we clear everyone – passengers and crew – who comes in on a plane from overseas.
Lambie keeps pushing because “something’s wrong here”.
Outram disagrees and says he’s not aware of any corporate entity bringing people to Australia illegally.
Over at the Home Affairs estimates, senator Rex Patrick is asking about the department about their not-great record on FOIs.
The department had 14,463 in 201718, and it increased by about 4,000 in 2018/19.
The department is on track to receive about 21,500 FOI requests this year.
Pezzullo says he had an obligation to prioritise risk in particular areas, and said he would have to take resources away from frontline operations, like counterterrorism and interference.
He said he has tried to take out the red tape and “get more productivity” out of the FOI officers, which he agreed was likely to go up.
“Beyond that until I’m convinced otherwise that there is a requirement because of faulty decision-making or more persistent overturns at review, that that area is performing very well … and I’m not looking to shift significant resources into that area because they’ll have to come from frontline operations.”
Recent coverage from Chris Knaus:
Here are some more FOI stats from the Home Affairs annual report.
In 2018–19 the Department received 18,412 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, including 623 amendment requests, compared with 14,683 requests in 2017–18, representing a 25.4% increase. Of the 18,412 FOI requests received in 2018–19, 16,876 were for personal information and 917 for non-personal information (619 uncategorised). The Department finalised 17,078 FOI requests. Of these 16,464 were access requests and 614 were amendment requests.
Of the 16,464 access requests: • 9,401 cases were granted full access • 5,375 cases were granted part access • 902 cases were refused access33 • 786 cases were invalid, transferred to other agencies, or saw applicants withdraw their requests before a decision on access was made. The department’s FOI compliance rate (requests finalised within statutory timeframes) for 2018−19 was 75%. At 30 June 2018, the Department had 1081 overdue requests on hand.
Infrastructure officials have confirmed in Senate estimates that of the projects that form part of the $4bn 10-year urban congestion fund program none – NONE – have started construction. $3bn of that spending is over the next four years, and it’s an impressive list of projects, but all of them are still at the earlier stages of planning, seeking approvals, conducting tenders for contractors etc.
No digging, no hi-vis.
Labor’s Murray Watt wants to know which projects are going to start before Christmas – a commitment made by cities and urban infrastructure minister Alan Tudge – and wants precise delivery dates. Officials suggest that perhaps Tudge was referring to the preliminary steps (rather than the digging).
Watt has also drilled down to the micro level – including a $1m spend on a pedestrian traffic light in Doncaster. Officials suggest it will help “manage pedestrian flow” and there is also a safety element, because it’s near an aged care facility.
Now he’s moved on to the $500m commuter carpark fund. Officials describe the choice of 32 car park projects as a “decision of government” based on departmental advice about need and priorities. No construction has started on the carparks.
Watt’s questions have prompted a flurry of post-it notes from officials sitting behind the front-rowers to help provide answers:
One of the carparks in Hurstbridge (Vic) is out to tender which will be awarded in November and be constructed “quite quickly”.
Cragieburn (Vic) will go out to tender soon.
There’s another in Mandurah, WA out to tender; and
Two in NSW where property acquisition is underway.
Scott Morrison adds to the answer to Warren Snowdon’s question:
On 13 September of this year, I can confirm that the tender was awarded to Australian company Oricon, an engineering company that will lead the Kakadu road strategy, and they’ll work in a consortium with PwC, and PwC Indigenous consulting, beginning the work immediately.
The roads of strategy will be developed in conjunction with the tourism master plan, access to key sites and planned upgrades. I thought the member would be interested in that additional information.
And we are done. 11 more question times left in the year.
The folders are stacked.
We are done as soon as Greg Hunt finishes this dixer.
Warren Snowdon to Scott Morrison:
I ask the prime minister how does the government expect to unlock the full potential of Kakadu national park when it’s pushed back the start date for the upgrade of roads in the Kakadu national park to beyond the next federal election.
Sussan Ley takes it:
I thank the member for his question, and I find it quite extraordinary that he should be suggesting that $216 million committed by the prime minister and this side of politics for the upgrade in Kakadu national park is somehow insufficient.
We know what happens when you roll out an infrastructure program too quickly because it we saw it in government with Labor time after time. We know what happens when you shovel the money out the door – no policies, guidelines or procurement. $216 million has been dedicated to the upgrade.
I was there recently. The traditionally owners are very happy with the process, the tourism initiatives that are starting – they’re very happy with the process. We have good relationships with the Northern Territory government. We’re not playing politics about this. How could you come into this place and talk this sort of nonsense? Honestly, Mr Speaker.