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Media companies unite to fight back against secrecy laws – politics live Adam Bandt to introduce bill to lower voting age to 16 – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Reece Kershaw on press freedom (before admitting he had not seen the front page of today’s papers, or ‘turned his mind’ to the campaign: In environment estimates, Katy Gallagher is asking about the department’s failure to publish freedom of information documents on its public disclosure log for more than 10 months, a breach of FOI law
In regards to the recent inquiries and media reporting on the freedom of the press: as I have previously stated, police independence and freedom of the press are both fundamental pillars that co-exist in our democracy. I strongly believe in these two pillars and this is the approach I intend to take. The department is saying an increase in FOI requests and “IT matters” have caused the issue.
I welcome the Direction from the Minister for Home Affairs outlining his expectations in terms of taking into account the importance of a free and open press. “We made a decision last year to change our disclosure log process so that documents were made immediately available,” Margaret Tregurtha , from the department’s general counsel branch, says.
In support of the direction, the AFP has finalised an internal National Guideline on investigations of unauthorised disclosure of material made or obtained by a current or former Commonwealth officer. “It’s apparent that in doing that we encountered some difficulties with the website
I am also aware of the direction issued by the Attorney-General to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. “We’re now in a situation where we’re making every effort to catch that up.”
The Attorney-General’s direction reaffirms the importance of the AFP to thoroughly investigate these matters and to collect all relevant information and evidence to ensure the Attorney General and CDPP can make a fully informed decision, where relevant. Katy Gallagher is asking why, if it’s a relatively simple process to upload documents to the website, has the delay in disclosures occurred.
The department says that once the backlog of disclosures arose it became difficult to find time to catch up because they were prioritising the processing of FOI applications. Officials don’t have information available to tell Labor the average processing for FOI applications it receives.
The department says its intention is to publish the documents that should have been uploaded to the disclosure log since January. The department tells the committee that there are about 120 document packs that need to be published and there could be thousands of documents within those document packages.
Katy Gallagher asks why advice was not sent to the Minister’s office if the department was in breach of the law.
“If I was the minister I would want to know if my department was breaking the law,” she says.
Matt Cahill, the deputy secretary of the strategy and operations group, says the department is working to bring itself in line with the act.
“We will bring ourselves up to standard in the next week,” he says.
The new AFP Commissioner also said:-He hasn’t seen today’s front pages-He doesn’t know what sparked the newspapers to do this-He hasn’t asked any media outlets to meet with him since becoming Commissioner, but he’s hand-picked John Lawler to conduct a review of AFP procedures https://t.co/HV2W4RPmjo
Still with the AFP at estimates, the police commissioner has been asked by Green senator Nick McKim about the leaking of a home affairs briefing document that included advice from Asio.
Quotes from this document, which was about the medevac regime, ended up in the front page of the Australian.
The commissioner, Reece Kershaw, confirmed the AFP “declined to escalate” even though it was an unlawful disclosure.
McKim wonders why.
The commissioner says about 200 people had access to drafts of the document, but the final version went to 11 email addresses.
He says there is a “priority system” when it comes to launching leak investigations, which includes costs and the likely success of being able to produce a brief of evidence. McKim is less than convinced.
Oh, there we go
But the contract costs for the security upgrade blew out to $1.8 million (up from the last estimate of $1.5 million) due to inflation as the project was delayed, the complexity, and Canberra's busy construction market #estimates
The Parliamentary Budget Office is being asked about a thought bubble from DPM Michael McCormack to move the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters to regional Victoria.
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching requested the PBO cost the proposal.
Parliamentary Budget officer Jenny Wilkinson said the PBO was not able to calculate the fiscal impact of the idea, given it would require industry-specific expertise that it did not have.
“We were not in a position to make a judgment.”
Yes this is inside baseball, but it was a big deal to everyone who works in this building, after a project clusterfriz ended with the entries being closed for more than a year, meaning a lot of equipment was lugged up a lot of stairs, rain, hail or snow.
Scott Ryan gleefully tells #estimates senators may have noticed the new APH security doors are fully operational (they have been for about a month)
Reece Kershaw on press freedom (before admitting he had not seen the front page of today’s papers, or “turned his mind” to the campaign:
In regards to the recent inquiries and media reporting on the freedom of the press: as I have previously stated, police independence and freedom of the press are both fundamental pillars that coexist in our democracy. I strongly believe in these two pillars and this is the approach I intend to take.
I welcome the direction from the minister for home affairs outlining his expectations in terms of taking into account the importance of a free and open press.
In support of the direction, the AFP has finalised an internal national guideline on investigations of unauthorised disclosure of material made or obtained by a current or former commonwealth officer.
I am also aware of the direction issued by the attorney general to the commonwealth director of public prosecutions.
The attorney general’s direction reaffirms the importance of the AFP to thoroughly investigate these matters and to collect all relevant information and evidence to ensure the attorney general and CDPP can make a fully informed decision, where relevant.
As I mentioned earlier, the outcomes of the review conducted by John Lawler into sensitive investigations will better inform the AFP on how to deal with these matters.As I mentioned earlier, the outcomes of the review conducted by John Lawler into sensitive investigations will better inform the AFP on how to deal with these matters.
I look forward to working with you and your Parliamentary colleagues to ensure the review takes into account the deliberations of other Parliamentary inquiries currently underway. I look forward to working with you and your parliamentary colleagues to ensure the review takes into account the deliberations of other parliamentary inquiries currently under way.
On the review the AFP commissioner has ordered, Reece Kershaw said:On the review the AFP commissioner has ordered, Reece Kershaw said:
Further, in light of my public commitment to improve the processes around the recent investigations involving NewsCorp and the ABC, I have enlisted the services of former CEO of the Australian Crime Commission, Mr John Lawler AM, APM to conduct a review into all sensitive investigations. Further, in light of my public commitment to improve the processes around the recent investigations involving News Corp and the ABC, I have enlisted the services of former CEO of the Australian Crime Commission, Mr John Lawler AM, APM to conduct a review into all sensitive investigations.
This incorporates matters relating to unauthorised disclosure; the application of Parliamentary Privilege; espionage and foreign interference; and war crimes. This incorporates matters relating to unauthorised disclosure; the application of parliamentary privilege; espionage and foreign interference; and war crimes.
o The review will not be an audit into the current matters at hand but rather a holistic approach to ensure we have in place investigative policy and guidelines that are fit for purpose. • The review will not be an audit into the current matters at hand but rather a holistic approach to ensure we have in place investigative policy and guidelines that are fit for purpose.
Mr Lawler will provide my Office with options around opportunities for interventions and strategies to ensure the AFP is best placed to address sensitive investigations in the future. This will include: Mr Lawler will provide my office with options around opportunities for interventions and strategies to ensure the AFP is best placed to address sensitive investigations in the future. This will include:
o Baselining of what constitutes a sensitive investigation • Baselining of what constitutes a sensitive investigation
o Articulation of the human resources, skills, training, technology • Articulation of the human resources, skills, training, technology and facilities required
and facilities required • Reformation of governance and business processes (including alternative mechanisms for referring entities beyond the AFP)
o Reformation of governance and business processes (including • Organisational structures.
alternative mechanisms for referring entities beyond the AFP)
o Organisational structures.
Over in the House, Greens MP Adam Bandt plans on introducing a private members’ bill to have the voting age lowered to 16.Over in the House, Greens MP Adam Bandt plans on introducing a private members’ bill to have the voting age lowered to 16.
A parliamentary inquiry looked into this last year, and said no A parliamentary inquiry looked into this last year, and said no.
But Bandt says Gen Z have proved their worth:But Bandt says Gen Z have proved their worth:
Most of the world’s young people, including Australian teenagers are denied the right to vote and determine their country’s and therefore the world’s future.Most of the world’s young people, including Australian teenagers are denied the right to vote and determine their country’s and therefore the world’s future.
That is why they have taken to the streets. The Greens believe this reality of the climate crisis is one of the most profound reasons why our long standing policy of enfranchising young people should finally once and for all be implemented. That is why they have taken to the streets. The Greens believe this reality of the climate crisis is one of the most profound reasons why our longstanding policy of enfranchising young people should finally once and for all be implemented.
And that is why today I am proud to introduce to the house this bill to give sixteen and seventeen year olds the right to vote And that is why today I am proud to introduce to the House this bill to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote.
Senate estimates for the environment portfolio is under way.Senate estimates for the environment portfolio is under way.
The first questions for the session are from Labor, who have gone straight to questions about Angus Taylor and the grasslands saga. But the right people from the department aren’t in the room to answer questions, according to the department’s deputy secretary, Dean Knudson.The first questions for the session are from Labor, who have gone straight to questions about Angus Taylor and the grasslands saga. But the right people from the department aren’t in the room to answer questions, according to the department’s deputy secretary, Dean Knudson.
There’s talk of calling them up early, including Geoff Richardson, who was one of the senior officials at a meeting with Taylor, the then minister Josh Frydenberg’s office, and the department on 20 March 2017.There’s talk of calling them up early, including Geoff Richardson, who was one of the senior officials at a meeting with Taylor, the then minister Josh Frydenberg’s office, and the department on 20 March 2017.
More likely we will hear more about this when the department’s biodiversity and compliance divisions are up later today.More likely we will hear more about this when the department’s biodiversity and compliance divisions are up later today.
From Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, where the Department of the Senate is first up.From Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, where the Department of the Senate is first up.
Senate president Scott Ryan is being grilled by Labor senator Jenny McAllister about the government’s failure to comply with a Senate order regarding meetings with lobbyists and advocacy groups.McAllister says the government has claimed that it complies with ministerial standards, and therefore is not providing further information. Senate president Scott Ryan is being grilled by Labor senator Jenny McAllister about the government’s failure to comply with a Senate order regarding meetings with lobbyists and advocacy groups. McAllister says the government has claimed that it complies with ministerial standards and therefore is not providing further information.
McAllister says this does not appear to be a public interest immunity reason for not complying with the request and says the response is “contemptuous”.McAllister says this does not appear to be a public interest immunity reason for not complying with the request and says the response is “contemptuous”.
Ryan says he has not followed up the possibility of non compliance, and would only do so if the Senate moved a motion calling on him to do so. Ryan says he has not followed up the possibility of noncompliance and would only do so if the Senate moved a motion calling on him to do so.
AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw takes on notice a question about whether or not there was a third day of raids planned, and then takes on notice a question on, if there was, when it was scrapped, and why.AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw takes on notice a question about whether or not there was a third day of raids planned, and then takes on notice a question on, if there was, when it was scrapped, and why.
Kristina Keneally is asking Reece Kershaw if he has seen the front page of any newspaper today.Kristina Keneally is asking Reece Kershaw if he has seen the front page of any newspaper today.
He has not.He has not.
Because “the bit of software I had said there was no front page today”, he said, when asked the first time.Because “the bit of software I had said there was no front page today”, he said, when asked the first time.
Asked for the similarities, Kershaw says they seem to all have “big black marks through them”.Asked for the similarities, Kershaw says they seem to all have “big black marks through them”.
But as an “evidence-based police officer”, Kershaw says “I haven’t turned my mind” to why the media campaign may be going on.But as an “evidence-based police officer”, Kershaw says “I haven’t turned my mind” to why the media campaign may be going on.
Keneally says the AFP raids on journalists probably have something to do with it, but Kershaw says he would like to speak to the editors of the papers to see if that is what they think, before commenting.Keneally says the AFP raids on journalists probably have something to do with it, but Kershaw says he would like to speak to the editors of the papers to see if that is what they think, before commenting.
The senator then asks why Kershaw mentioned press freedom in his opening statement, if it’s not something he had turned his mind to as yet. He says he is aware it has been an issue.The senator then asks why Kershaw mentioned press freedom in his opening statement, if it’s not something he had turned his mind to as yet. He says he is aware it has been an issue.
#righttoknow pic.twitter.com/h6SFia5fzo#righttoknow pic.twitter.com/h6SFia5fzo
The new AFP commissioner, Reece Kershaw, is facing his first estimates hearing since taking on the role, following Andrew Colvin’s retirement.The new AFP commissioner, Reece Kershaw, is facing his first estimates hearing since taking on the role, following Andrew Colvin’s retirement.
He is announcing a review “into sensitive investigations/disclosures” to be conducted by John Lawler – but it is not going to be looking at the current investigations (that’s the press freedom stuff).He is announcing a review “into sensitive investigations/disclosures” to be conducted by John Lawler – but it is not going to be looking at the current investigations (that’s the press freedom stuff).
Home affairs estimates has begun – we were expecting Michaelia Cash to be in with the AFP, but Marise Payne has been sent in her place.Home affairs estimates has begun – we were expecting Michaelia Cash to be in with the AFP, but Marise Payne has been sent in her place.
Honestly, why this is allowed to continue is absolutely flabbergasting.
There is a reason spouse and family interests are declared. That reason is obvious.
Bob Katter continuing to make a mockery of financial interest disclosures. We ask for this kind of information for a reason - how is 'my wife doesn't tell me' an acceptable answer? pic.twitter.com/R5UWLPClzX
Estimates are about to get under way.
Good morning and welcome to day 1 of #Senate #estimates. Four committees are meeting today starting at 9am. Live broadcast is available here: https://t.co/9Lgw5iXAcZ
Christopher Pyne is speaking to Laura Jayes on Sky – she asks about finding your place in politics, which is very timely, given the number of people who are jostling for front-row positions at the moment.
Pyne said he worked out very early on he would never be a “star like Malcolm Turnbull” so found a place he was comfortable with. Which was, presumably, “the fixer”.
Scott Morrison also says no to Anthony Albanese and Joel Fitzgibbon’s drought war cabinet idea (which is a dramatic way of saying a cross-party committee, with ministers and shadow ministers, dealing with an issue)
Well, I’ve noticed that point. If we as a government continue to consult widely and listen, most importantly, to people in rural and regional Australia. But I do note that even at a time, even when Australia actually was at war, there was no such war cabinet as described by the leader of the opposition. So they can explain the context of the nature of their proposal, but we were elected to get on with the job, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
I think those sorts of proposals are novel, but they sort of, don’t bear out against Australia’s government experience. If you’re not having a war cabinet involving non-government members in an actual time of war, and I point out that at the time of world war two breaking out, Sir Robert Menzies then, in the UAP who had sought to form coalitions both with the Labor party and the Country party at the time at a time of war, and that didn’t come to effect and ultimately a Labor government was formed at that time under John Curtin.
So they can make those proposals, but our government is filled, both in cabinet and on our benches, of Australians who have a direct experience and live in drought-affected communities, right across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, and indeed from other states where drought has affected them in the past. And so we have the right people and our ears are wide open and the commitments we’ve made on the drought continue. It is a rolling response.
Late yesterday, Scott Morrison spoke about that meeting Murph just wrote about. Here is what he had to say:
I think what we saw today is that there is much analysis about the relationships that countries have with China and I think there is indeed a lot of over-analysis of those relationships and whether it’s the United States and China, or anyone else. And I simply made the point, which was well received, that Australia is an independent sovereign nation.
Yes, we are very much proud of our western liberal democratic tradition, our open economy and our engagement with the rest of the world, and that gives us a set of eyes that look into the world very much from our perspective. And I respect the fact that whether it’s China, or indeed Indonesia or any other country in this part of the world, they will have their unique perspective and that’s all fine. There’s no issues with that.
But what we also stressed today was, is that we will never feel corralled into any sort of binary assessment of these relationships. Binary assessments of a relationship which says pro-United States or pro-China, as Australia has a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and we have an enduring, and incredibly important alliance with the United States which is fundamental to our security. We have our biggest investment partnership with the United States and our biggest trade partnership with China and these are not mutually exclusive.
And the comments that I’ve made, particularly more recently which have been quite stoically in support of this independent, anti-binary view, I think are very well received. I took the opportunity to congratulate China on where they were able to get to with the United States on the first phase of their trade discussions. I think that’s very good for the global economy and I think it bears out the optimism that we’ve always had about rejecting this binary nature.
It’s simply a fact that China has arrived at an incredibly impressive point in its economic history. It’s impossible to dispute that. And that means that they’ve done incredibly well and raises their level of technological achievement and capability. Similarly, more broadly in their economy but also say, militarily, and that’s a reflection of the significant progress they’ve made over that time. And so, you know, one can only acknowledge that and then pursue our partnership based on our interests, which are aligned with China to the extent that we have both done so incredibly well out of their success. And so that was the dominating part of our discussion today.
It’s interesting that the prime minister used a visit to observe the Indonesian president Joko Widodo’s inauguration to have a meeting with the Chinese vice-president, Wang Qishan.
I’ve written a lot over the past month or two about Scott Morrison’s efforts to align Australia and the US but less about the effort over the same time period to warm up the relationship with Beijing.
Over the past couple of months, the foreign minister, Marise Payne, has met her Chinese counterpart twice (most recently in New York during UN leaders week), and now this meeting in Jakarta.
Australia sought the meeting and it was approved by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.
Anthony Albanese was also asked about press freedoms yesterday –and why Labor is now pushing for change
Well, the urgency is that what we didn’t see under Labor governments was consecutive raids on journalists. What we didn’t see was the sort of attacks on media freedom and what we also wouldn’t have seen, to be frank, is a prime minister, who when first asked about this in London, basically said: ‘Nothing to see here.’ It is a dismissal as a government that wasn’t prepared to protect media freedom. The government needs to step up to the plate here. Labor’s prepared to. The government should as well.
Scott Morrison was asked about press freedoms yesterday, while in Indonesia:
Well, we are, and we have a process currently going on the way at the moment in a joint parliamentary inquiry. We’ve already acted to issue the minister for home affairs’ guidelines and direction which I think both well codify what the processes are, and in fact improve them, and I think that’s been well received, particularly by groups like the AFP which are finding those instructions very, very helpful. So I do think that’s an improvement, but we’ll still await the report from the inquiry.
But let me simply say this – my government will always believe in freedom of the press. It’s an important part of our freedoms as a liberal democracy. Also believe in the rule of law and that no one is above it, including me or anyone else, any journalist or anyone else. And the rule of law has to be applied evenly and fairly in the protection of our broader freedoms. And so I don’t think anyone is, I hope, looking for a leave pass on any of those things, I wouldn’t and nor should anyone else.
Barnaby Joyce had a few things to say about the media freedom laws – it went as you would expect.
“To get respect around the term public interest, you've got to act in the public interest” @Barnaby_Joyce “You can't say putting a pregnant woman crossing the street on your front page is in the public interest - which you did - and give yourself a Walkley for it” #auspol pic.twitter.com/U2sSYCNwSn
Welcome to day one of Senate estimates!
The House will sit while the senators do their thing in the committee rooms. It’ll be the first time we’ve seen Penny Wong really unleashed since the election, so that in itself should be something.
Kristina Keneally also gets some time with the home affairs officials, so that’s another one to watch.
Scott Morrison arrived back in Australia (he was in Indonesia yesterday for Joko Widodo’s inauguration as president) to an unchanged Newspoll (yes, insert all the polling caveats here), 51 to 49, in the Coalition’s favour.
The “big stick” energy laws will be debated (Labor has given its support, despite originally opposing them) and religious discrimination will be back on the agenda. The medevac inquiry bill was tabled on Friday – it went, as you would expect, down party lines, with negotiations with Jacqui Lambie ongoing.
The Senate can’t vote on those until it next sits in November, and that is where the legislation’s fate hangs. Lambie is the swing vote – and she will spend the next few weeks continuing to meet with everyone who has something to say on this legislation before casting her vote.
And all of the Canberra going ons are happening as media companies unite against the secrecy laws which make it increasingly difficult to do our jobs.
As Guardian Australia’s editor, Lenore Taylor, has laid out:
We have six core demands:
The right to challenge the government’s application for warrants against journalists and media organisations, before they are issued.
Exemptions for journalists from laws that would put them in jail for doing their jobs, including the security laws enacted over the last seven years.
Adequate legislated protections for public sector whistleblowers.
A new regime to limit which documents can be stamped secret.
Reform of the freedom of information regime.
Reform to laws that make Australia the defamation capital of the world.
We’ll have all of that, as well as everything else. Mike Bowers will be with you, as will Katharine Murphy, Sarah Martin and Paul Karp. I will find another coffee and find some more brain cells to be with you in just a moment.
Ready?
Let’s get into it.