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Nationals under pressure over drought response – politics live Nationals under pressure over drought response – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Linda Burney was on RN late yesterday, talking about Ken Wyatt’s proposal for a legislative body, not an enshrined voice in the constitution, when it comes to reconciliation.
Patricia Karvelas: It’s clear Indigenous leaders are angry with what they see as a unilateral proposal from Ken Wyatt and the Morrison government for this legislated body. Are they right to be upset?
Linda Burney:
I think they are right to be upset. Certainly, the prime minister, I think overruled Ken very early in the piece, when it came to legislating a voice to the parliament. But Labor’s position remains as it has been for some time, the same at this point.
And that is, we embrace the full content of the Uluru Statement, Patricia. And as you know, that’s the national process of truth-telling, the Makaratta Commission, as well as an enshrined voice to the parliament. And that will be informed by the co-design process which I understand the minister is going to be beginning quite soon.
PK: Do you think Ken Wyatt is being disrespectful as he’s being accused of?
LB:
I don’t think Ken is being disrespectful. I think has a very difficult challenge in front of him. He is a member of the government. And the prime minister has made it very clear that he will undertake a referendum this term, but on recognition only, not enshrining a voice to the parliament. And the prime minister is very clearly talking about a legislated voice. Now the really serious question in front of First Nations people and the parliament is whether or not that voice is permanent and secure. That’s Patricia why the constitution has become such an important part of this discussion, is that people remember what happened to Atsic, that it was dismissed by the government of the day, and they don’t want to see another advisory body dismissed. They want it to be secure. And people from Uluru, which was two years ago now, see that as being a way to securing that voice, is enshrining it in the constitution.
The parliament’s Indigenous MPs are meeting this week to discuss the issue.
Damian Drum, a fellow Victorian Nationals MP, stopped by doors this morning to defend Bridget McKenzie:Damian Drum, a fellow Victorian Nationals MP, stopped by doors this morning to defend Bridget McKenzie:
I think it’s really poor form to leak anything out of the party room. There’s no excuse. There’s never a good time to leak out of the party room. It doesn’t matter how passionate you are about any issue.I think it’s really poor form to leak anything out of the party room. There’s no excuse. There’s never a good time to leak out of the party room. It doesn’t matter how passionate you are about any issue.
Because next week, there will be another issue that someone else is just as passionate about. So you always have to take whatever happens in the party room as sacrosanct and you keep it to yourself.Because next week, there will be another issue that someone else is just as passionate about. So you always have to take whatever happens in the party room as sacrosanct and you keep it to yourself.
Question: Do you think people are rumbling for her position?Question: Do you think people are rumbling for her position?
They’d be crazy if they were. This is nothing to do with Bridget McKenzie. This is all about One Nation getting credit for something they haven’t done. The Nationals have done all the work behind the scenes. The Nationals deserve credit for that.They’d be crazy if they were. This is nothing to do with Bridget McKenzie. This is all about One Nation getting credit for something they haven’t done. The Nationals have done all the work behind the scenes. The Nationals deserve credit for that.
So the National MPs who have responded to messages this morning have all said there won’t be a challenge to Bridget McKenzie – yet.So the National MPs who have responded to messages this morning have all said there won’t be a challenge to Bridget McKenzie – yet.
The main reason is how early it is in the election cycle. There has also been a few people mention how it would look dumping a woman from the role. And then there is the problem of how the Nationals numbers work out.The main reason is how early it is in the election cycle. There has also been a few people mention how it would look dumping a woman from the role. And then there is the problem of how the Nationals numbers work out.
There is not a lot of Nationals – I think the room works out to about 21. That means you need 11 to make a move, and there isn’t any other contenders to capture those votes. So they are split across the room. It’s the same with Michael McCormack. He doesn’t have overwhelming support as leader, but then neither does anyone else.There is not a lot of Nationals – I think the room works out to about 21. That means you need 11 to make a move, and there isn’t any other contenders to capture those votes. So they are split across the room. It’s the same with Michael McCormack. He doesn’t have overwhelming support as leader, but then neither does anyone else.
Estimates continues with communications, attorney generals, finance and agriculture scheduled for today.Estimates continues with communications, attorney generals, finance and agriculture scheduled for today.
Yesterday we also learned how much the government spent on advertising in the election year.Yesterday we also learned how much the government spent on advertising in the election year.
From Paul Karp:From Paul Karp:
Australians were inundated with $174.1m in taxpayer-funded government advertising in the last financial year, according to new finance department figures.Australians were inundated with $174.1m in taxpayer-funded government advertising in the last financial year, according to new finance department figures.
The total – revealed in the department’s annual report – included $156m for major advertising campaigns, many of which advertised policies central to the Coalition’s re-election pitch, and $18.1m for non-campaign ads, such as those spruiking job vacancies, tenders and public notices.The total – revealed in the department’s annual report – included $156m for major advertising campaigns, many of which advertised policies central to the Coalition’s re-election pitch, and $18.1m for non-campaign ads, such as those spruiking job vacancies, tenders and public notices.
The $174.1m price tag is a massive increase on the $100.1m spent in 2016-17 and $157m in 2017-18 but is still not a record – that dubious honour goes to the $174.7m in the 2015-16 financial year, another election year.The $174.1m price tag is a massive increase on the $100.1m spent in 2016-17 and $157m in 2017-18 but is still not a record – that dubious honour goes to the $174.7m in the 2015-16 financial year, another election year.
Speaking of press freedom, that will continue as an issue today.Speaking of press freedom, that will continue as an issue today.
Following the cross-media campaign yesterday, Mark Dreyfus said Labor had shifted on its position, and now believed legislative changes needed to be brought in to give exemptions to public interest journalism.Following the cross-media campaign yesterday, Mark Dreyfus said Labor had shifted on its position, and now believed legislative changes needed to be brought in to give exemptions to public interest journalism.
And we say that that’s an appropriate legislative change, and the government ought to be bringing in legislation into the parliament to do that, because clearly this government hasn’t understood the discretions that are there,” Dreyfus told David Speers yesterday.And we say that that’s an appropriate legislative change, and the government ought to be bringing in legislation into the parliament to do that, because clearly this government hasn’t understood the discretions that are there,” Dreyfus told David Speers yesterday.
It hasn’t understood conventions that have been in place in Australian law and Australian politics for decades because otherwise we wouldn’t have this threat hanging over the three journalists. We wouldn’t have had the referral take place in the way that it has.It hasn’t understood conventions that have been in place in Australian law and Australian politics for decades because otherwise we wouldn’t have this threat hanging over the three journalists. We wouldn’t have had the referral take place in the way that it has.
Let’s think: we’ve had a law in place since 1914, David, that has potentially allowed for journalists to be charged. We’ve had thousands of leaks since that time, but journalists have not been charged. We haven’t had raids on journalists’ homes.”Let’s think: we’ve had a law in place since 1914, David, that has potentially allowed for journalists to be charged. We’ve had thousands of leaks since that time, but journalists have not been charged. We haven’t had raids on journalists’ homes.”
But Christian Porter, speaking to Sky News late last night, said there would be no blanket exemptions.But Christian Porter, speaking to Sky News late last night, said there would be no blanket exemptions.
I think where this issue starts to become more difficult is at the edge where media organisations have said they want two things. One is exemptions – I’ll use their words – ‘for journalists from all laws that would put them in jail for doing their job’.I think where this issue starts to become more difficult is at the edge where media organisations have said they want two things. One is exemptions – I’ll use their words – ‘for journalists from all laws that would put them in jail for doing their job’.
And the second exemption they want is from all warrants which would allow a law enforcement agency with a warrant that has been given by a judge to access data possessed about a journalist.And the second exemption they want is from all warrants which would allow a law enforcement agency with a warrant that has been given by a judge to access data possessed about a journalist.
Now, simply giving blanket exemptions to all behaviour which a journalist considers is doing their job, for all criminal laws in Australia at a commonwealth level, I think falls outside the edge of reasonableness.Now, simply giving blanket exemptions to all behaviour which a journalist considers is doing their job, for all criminal laws in Australia at a commonwealth level, I think falls outside the edge of reasonableness.
Zali Steggall will officially present the climate emergency e-petition to the parliament today – at 404,538 signatures, it is a new record for online parliamentary petitions.Zali Steggall will officially present the climate emergency e-petition to the parliament today – at 404,538 signatures, it is a new record for online parliamentary petitions.
From Steggall’s office:From Steggall’s office:
The petition stated that the overwhelming majority of climate scientists around the world have concluded that the climate is changing at unprecedented rates due to anthropogenic causes. The result of these changes will be catastrophic for future generations, and so we must act now to minimise both human and environmental destruction. The petition will be presented by Zali Steggall MP to the House of Representatives at 1.30pm Tuesday 22 October.The petition stated that the overwhelming majority of climate scientists around the world have concluded that the climate is changing at unprecedented rates due to anthropogenic causes. The result of these changes will be catastrophic for future generations, and so we must act now to minimise both human and environmental destruction. The petition will be presented by Zali Steggall MP to the House of Representatives at 1.30pm Tuesday 22 October.
Isn’t it amazing how a story Mike Pezzullo has spent several estimates hearings now dismissing as false, led to the journalist’s house being raided, kicking off the whole press freedom debate in Australia?Isn’t it amazing how a story Mike Pezzullo has spent several estimates hearings now dismissing as false, led to the journalist’s house being raided, kicking off the whole press freedom debate in Australia?
Don’t mention the warMike Pezzullo is still very angry about Annika Smethurst’s story.Talking about efforts to prevent future cybersecurity threats, Pezzullo said he was “deeply reluctant to mention the war here”, but was forced to bring up Smethurst’s article which he labelled an “erroneous, false, non-whistleblowing article in News Corp”.He mentioned several times he was reluctant to talk about it.Speaking about the discussions between various government security and intelligence agencies and the private sector, Pezzullo said he hoped, before the equivalent of “a cyber-Pearl Harbour”, that they could close the gap between what the public sector can do and what the private sector – which looks after many critical infrastructure like utility holdings and data storage – can do.“It’s in that context and solely in that context, notwithstanding a completely erroneous and fabricated account of a leaked document that stated on its face that this wasn’t the case.”He said it was a potential gap in legal and technical infrastructure which needed to close.“It’s our hope in the department to bring forward considered, detailed proposals to address that high end of the risk spectrum … which no amount of diligent and purposeful and targeted investment by the private sector can deal with, simply because the tools you need to deal with this attacks are tools that properly should be vested in the state.”He said he had previously discussed the risk to national security by the leaking of the document, and referred the committee to the home affairs submission to other inquiries.He then described the article as “poorly written” and missing facts amid an “obsession to engage in a falsehood of Australians being spied on”.Imagine what he’d have to say if he wasn’t feeling so reluctant to talk about it.Don’t mention the warMike Pezzullo is still very angry about Annika Smethurst’s story.Talking about efforts to prevent future cybersecurity threats, Pezzullo said he was “deeply reluctant to mention the war here”, but was forced to bring up Smethurst’s article which he labelled an “erroneous, false, non-whistleblowing article in News Corp”.He mentioned several times he was reluctant to talk about it.Speaking about the discussions between various government security and intelligence agencies and the private sector, Pezzullo said he hoped, before the equivalent of “a cyber-Pearl Harbour”, that they could close the gap between what the public sector can do and what the private sector – which looks after many critical infrastructure like utility holdings and data storage – can do.“It’s in that context and solely in that context, notwithstanding a completely erroneous and fabricated account of a leaked document that stated on its face that this wasn’t the case.”He said it was a potential gap in legal and technical infrastructure which needed to close.“It’s our hope in the department to bring forward considered, detailed proposals to address that high end of the risk spectrum … which no amount of diligent and purposeful and targeted investment by the private sector can deal with, simply because the tools you need to deal with this attacks are tools that properly should be vested in the state.”He said he had previously discussed the risk to national security by the leaking of the document, and referred the committee to the home affairs submission to other inquiries.He then described the article as “poorly written” and missing facts amid an “obsession to engage in a falsehood of Australians being spied on”.Imagine what he’d have to say if he wasn’t feeling so reluctant to talk about it.
Staff-guest ratios on Christmas Island We also learned part of the cost of reopening Christmas Island detention centre. There’s been admin expenditure of $26.8m between 16 February 2019 (when it reopened) and 21 August 2019.Staff-guest ratios on Christmas Island We also learned part of the cost of reopening Christmas Island detention centre. There’s been admin expenditure of $26.8m between 16 February 2019 (when it reopened) and 21 August 2019.
Four people are currently detained on Christmas Island – that’s the Biloela family – and no one else has ever been sent there.Four people are currently detained on Christmas Island – that’s the Biloela family – and no one else has ever been sent there.
As at 31 August there were 96 Serco personnel, nine IHMS personnel, plus two ABF officers.As at 31 August there were 96 Serco personnel, nine IHMS personnel, plus two ABF officers.
This government has spent $30 million to detain just four people - the Biloela family, who built a life here in Australia. pic.twitter.com/o8Lk8WN6wLThis government has spent $30 million to detain just four people - the Biloela family, who built a life here in Australia. pic.twitter.com/o8Lk8WN6wL
Aussies left on their own in the badlandsKristina Keneally questioned the department about this article, asking if Australia is looking at repatriating its citizens from Syria’s al-Hawl camp during the ceasefire, or if it has been in contact with the UK.“We’ve had direction for the government that no official … be put in harm’s way in relation to the women and children in al-Hawl,” says a home affairs official.Pezzullo said: “It’s badlands there, and you’d want to be very confident that you had a comprehensive view of all of the risks being manifest by each individual actor and their interactions.“All of the outcomes are unattractive, high-risk and regrettable, and it would have been better for certain adults not to take certain decisions to go to battle.” He said that wasn’t on the children.“The assessment we’ve come to has been reflected in the public utterances of our ministers in recent days.”Aussies left on their own in the badlandsKristina Keneally questioned the department about this article, asking if Australia is looking at repatriating its citizens from Syria’s al-Hawl camp during the ceasefire, or if it has been in contact with the UK.“We’ve had direction for the government that no official … be put in harm’s way in relation to the women and children in al-Hawl,” says a home affairs official.Pezzullo said: “It’s badlands there, and you’d want to be very confident that you had a comprehensive view of all of the risks being manifest by each individual actor and their interactions.“All of the outcomes are unattractive, high-risk and regrettable, and it would have been better for certain adults not to take certain decisions to go to battle.” He said that wasn’t on the children.“The assessment we’ve come to has been reflected in the public utterances of our ministers in recent days.”
Speaking of coffee, the home affairs estimates hearings went until 11pm last night, so I imagine there are quite a few people involved who may outstrip even my caffeine intake today.Speaking of coffee, the home affairs estimates hearings went until 11pm last night, so I imagine there are quite a few people involved who may outstrip even my caffeine intake today.
Helen Davidson was watching for you. Here are some of the highlights from her:Helen Davidson was watching for you. Here are some of the highlights from her:
We learned the Paladin contract’s six-month extension cost $109,239,312 – about $18.2m a month. After several extensions and some huffing and puffing by the Papua New Guinea government, that contract is now ending on 30 November. Quite a bit of cash considering there are only four men left on Manus Island, one of whom has elected to stay with the family he now has. He and another 46 others are on a “resettlement pathway” to stay in PNG, estimates heard.Another 47 men are still in Bomana immigration detention centre in Port Moresby after six were released pending their voluntary return home. More here.We learned the Paladin contract’s six-month extension cost $109,239,312 – about $18.2m a month. After several extensions and some huffing and puffing by the Papua New Guinea government, that contract is now ending on 30 November. Quite a bit of cash considering there are only four men left on Manus Island, one of whom has elected to stay with the family he now has. He and another 46 others are on a “resettlement pathway” to stay in PNG, estimates heard.Another 47 men are still in Bomana immigration detention centre in Port Moresby after six were released pending their voluntary return home. More here.
Michael Pezzullo hasn’t made any further inquiries on allegations of corruption and bribery connected to Paladin since April when last asked (and he didn’t know about it then).It’s off the back of this report in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday.After a bit of back and forth, Pezzullo is asked by senator Louise Pratt if he had any knowledge of the concerns, outside of official reports.Pezzullo: “How would I know about it if it hasn’t been reported?”Pratt: “You might have made your own inquiries, given the importance of these issues. Or perhaps you choose not to look because you don’t want to jeopardise arrangements with the PNG government?”Pezzullo: “I’m not sure I follow.”Pratt: “Well, why wouldn’t you look given the gravity of the allegations in the press?”Pezzullo said the department gave advice to the service provider companies which was essentially to obey Australian law and don’t pay bribes.Pezzullo repeatedly suggested he didn’t follow the question. Keneally read out sections of the Sydney Morning Herald article and asked a few questions about how much the then first assistant secretary of property and major contracts, David Nockels, knew.Pezzullo took it on notice. He said the article didn’t make it clear if any new information had come to light since April.Michael Pezzullo hasn’t made any further inquiries on allegations of corruption and bribery connected to Paladin since April when last asked (and he didn’t know about it then).It’s off the back of this report in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday.After a bit of back and forth, Pezzullo is asked by senator Louise Pratt if he had any knowledge of the concerns, outside of official reports.Pezzullo: “How would I know about it if it hasn’t been reported?”Pratt: “You might have made your own inquiries, given the importance of these issues. Or perhaps you choose not to look because you don’t want to jeopardise arrangements with the PNG government?”Pezzullo: “I’m not sure I follow.”Pratt: “Well, why wouldn’t you look given the gravity of the allegations in the press?”Pezzullo said the department gave advice to the service provider companies which was essentially to obey Australian law and don’t pay bribes.Pezzullo repeatedly suggested he didn’t follow the question. Keneally read out sections of the Sydney Morning Herald article and asked a few questions about how much the then first assistant secretary of property and major contracts, David Nockels, knew.Pezzullo took it on notice. He said the article didn’t make it clear if any new information had come to light since April.
Welcome back!Welcome back!
Day two of estimates begins, along with the House sitting, but at the moment, all eyes are on the Nationals party room, where tensions are bubbling away over how the leadership has handled the party’s drought response.Day two of estimates begins, along with the House sitting, but at the moment, all eyes are on the Nationals party room, where tensions are bubbling away over how the leadership has handled the party’s drought response.
This isn’t new. When Scott Morrison took over the leadership and made the drought a number one priority, setting up a drought forum and elevating it as a national issue, a lot of Nats were looking sideways at their leadership for allowing the Liberals to lead on what should be Nationals domain.This isn’t new. When Scott Morrison took over the leadership and made the drought a number one priority, setting up a drought forum and elevating it as a national issue, a lot of Nats were looking sideways at their leadership for allowing the Liberals to lead on what should be Nationals domain.
That spurred Michael McCormack to try and be more proactive. Then last week we saw a few more bursts of angst when the Nationals gathered to announce changes to the farm household allowance, only to be usurped by the prime minister, who was making the announcement at the same time, on radio.That spurred Michael McCormack to try and be more proactive. Then last week we saw a few more bursts of angst when the Nationals gathered to announce changes to the farm household allowance, only to be usurped by the prime minister, who was making the announcement at the same time, on radio.
And now Pauline Hanson is “striking” over how dairy farmers are being treated (she has been very public about withholding her vote on all but “critical” votes until milk prices are regulated, which doesn’t actually have much legislative impact, but has certainly got her a lot of publicity in a lot of quarters) and that has quite a few Nationals MPs very nervous about what’s being said in their electorates.And now Pauline Hanson is “striking” over how dairy farmers are being treated (she has been very public about withholding her vote on all but “critical” votes until milk prices are regulated, which doesn’t actually have much legislative impact, but has certainly got her a lot of publicity in a lot of quarters) and that has quite a few Nationals MPs very nervous about what’s being said in their electorates.
Hanson’s stance saw a dairy industry code of conduct, developed under previous agriculture minister David Littleproud, who was dumped from the role for Bridget McKenzie fast-tracked. McKenzie announced last week the code would be in place in January, well ahead of its slated start date of July 2020, which was established to ensure consultation across the industry.Hanson’s stance saw a dairy industry code of conduct, developed under previous agriculture minister David Littleproud, who was dumped from the role for Bridget McKenzie fast-tracked. McKenzie announced last week the code would be in place in January, well ahead of its slated start date of July 2020, which was established to ensure consultation across the industry.
That’s angered quite a few National MPs, who see the move as capitulation to One Nation, which only gives Hanson more grist for her mill.That’s angered quite a few National MPs, who see the move as capitulation to One Nation, which only gives Hanson more grist for her mill.
The ABC’s Lucy Barbour reported on the Nationals party room meeting late yesterday, where deputy leader McKenzie’s handling of the agriculture portfolio came under scrutiny.The ABC’s Lucy Barbour reported on the Nationals party room meeting late yesterday, where deputy leader McKenzie’s handling of the agriculture portfolio came under scrutiny.
From Barbour’s report:From Barbour’s report:
Backbenchers, who did not want to speak publicly, have told the ABC they were frustrated with her leadership style and have not ruled out a challenge to her position.Backbenchers, who did not want to speak publicly, have told the ABC they were frustrated with her leadership style and have not ruled out a challenge to her position.
One MP said it was a “waste of time” contacting senator McKenzie because she “never gets back to you”, while another said she “couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery”.One MP said it was a “waste of time” contacting senator McKenzie because she “never gets back to you”, while another said she “couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery”.
... Another Nationals MP said the question of her leadership might have been brought to a head had she been at the meeting.... Another Nationals MP said the question of her leadership might have been brought to a head had she been at the meeting.
“We are facing one of our biggest tests of government in this drought,” he said.“We are facing one of our biggest tests of government in this drought,” he said.
“It has the potential to be a national disaster and needs our top minds in those positions of drought, water and agriculture. And right now, agriculture is the hot seat and we need her to do a better job.”“It has the potential to be a national disaster and needs our top minds in those positions of drought, water and agriculture. And right now, agriculture is the hot seat and we need her to do a better job.”
The election was less than six months ago and here we are.The election was less than six months ago and here we are.
We’ll have that, as well as everything else which happens across the building. Estimates continues, as does the press freedom fight, and of course, the House of Representatives is still sitting as well.We’ll have that, as well as everything else which happens across the building. Estimates continues, as does the press freedom fight, and of course, the House of Representatives is still sitting as well.
Mike Bowers is on assignment, but you have Paul Karp, Sarah Martin and Katharine Murphy, plus everyone else in the Guardian brainstrust.Mike Bowers is on assignment, but you have Paul Karp, Sarah Martin and Katharine Murphy, plus everyone else in the Guardian brainstrust.
I’m on coffee three. Which is great for a Tuesday.I’m on coffee three. Which is great for a Tuesday.
Ready?Ready?
Let’s get into it.Let’s get into it.