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Deputy PM says linking bushfires to climate change is 'woke capital-city greenies ravings' – politics live Deputy PM says linking bushfires to climate change is 'woke capital-city greenies ravings' – politics live
(32 minutes later)
The Senate-only sitting week has started in the midst of a debate on climate change as ‘catastrophic’ blazes threaten swathes of NSW and Queensland. All the day’s events, liveThe Senate-only sitting week has started in the midst of a debate on climate change as ‘catastrophic’ blazes threaten swathes of NSW and Queensland. All the day’s events, live
Penny Wong was also asked about Jim Molan’s return to the Senate this morning, while chatting to ABC radio:
I know a few hours have gone by since that interview with Michael McCormack, but I am still flabbergasted.
What an absolute parsnip of a political mind.
Michael McCormack may have actually started a movement – energising people about politics. So he’s proven useful in one way at least.
Mike Bowers has been out and about this morning:Mike Bowers has been out and about this morning:
And of course, recognising the service and sacrifice of Indigenous Australians, who served during the Great War, but returned to the same prejudices they left.
Another group of raving inner city lunatics – because what else would former fire and emergency leaders warning about longer and more devastating fire seasons be, other than off their tree? Have they considered to sticking to their knitting?Another group of raving inner city lunatics – because what else would former fire and emergency leaders warning about longer and more devastating fire seasons be, other than off their tree? Have they considered to sticking to their knitting?
Adam Bandt responded to Michael McCormack this morning:Adam Bandt responded to Michael McCormack this morning:
The call to ceremony has just gone out across the Parliament House speakers, to commemorate the anniversary of the armistice of 11 November 1918.The call to ceremony has just gone out across the Parliament House speakers, to commemorate the anniversary of the armistice of 11 November 1918.
Remembrance Day ceremonies have officially begun.Remembrance Day ceremonies have officially begun.
Scott Morrison is in Sydney, Anthony Albanese is at the War Memorial.Scott Morrison is in Sydney, Anthony Albanese is at the War Memorial.
The governor general has just arrived to officially begin the proceedings in Canberra.The governor general has just arrived to officially begin the proceedings in Canberra.
ICYMI it late last Friday (and it was late last Friday, so you very well may have), a reminder that Chris Kenny (yes, that one) will be advising Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt on how best to move forward with an Indigenous voice to parliament (which is now being referred to as the Indigenous voice to government).ICYMI it late last Friday (and it was late last Friday, so you very well may have), a reminder that Chris Kenny (yes, that one) will be advising Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt on how best to move forward with an Indigenous voice to parliament (which is now being referred to as the Indigenous voice to government).
Comments are on – thank you for your patience and welcome back btl.Comments are on – thank you for your patience and welcome back btl.
Penny Wong was climate change minister 12 years ago. Here she was speaking to the ABC this morning:Penny Wong was climate change minister 12 years ago. Here she was speaking to the ABC this morning:
Rural Australians for Refugees held an overnight vigil on the Parliament House lawns last night, protesting against the move to scrap medevac.Rural Australians for Refugees held an overnight vigil on the Parliament House lawns last night, protesting against the move to scrap medevac.
Kristina Keneally addressed the group this morning, which included this exchange:Kristina Keneally addressed the group this morning, which included this exchange:
KK: I just want to be very clear about a couple things, especially while our friends from the media are here because I don’t think I can say this often enough. When it comes to the medevac laws, minister Peter Dutton, the prime minister and others are simply not telling the truth. They continue to misrepresent, and frankly lie, about what this law does. If you listen to minister Dutton, you would believe that he is powerless when it comes to who he can let into the country.KK: I just want to be very clear about a couple things, especially while our friends from the media are here because I don’t think I can say this often enough. When it comes to the medevac laws, minister Peter Dutton, the prime minister and others are simply not telling the truth. They continue to misrepresent, and frankly lie, about what this law does. If you listen to minister Dutton, you would believe that he is powerless when it comes to who he can let into the country.
Attendee: Bullshit!Attendee: Bullshit!
KK: I won’t use the word the gentleman just used because there’s a camera and a microphone in front of me but let me say, loosely translated, he called time; he called that out in a more colourful bit of the language. It is not the case. It is not the case. Of course the minister still has that power. The minister has used that power himself to deny somebody entry into the country based on whether or not they are a security risk.KK: I won’t use the word the gentleman just used because there’s a camera and a microphone in front of me but let me say, loosely translated, he called time; he called that out in a more colourful bit of the language. It is not the case. It is not the case. Of course the minister still has that power. The minister has used that power himself to deny somebody entry into the country based on whether or not they are a security risk.
Attendee: Or au pairs!Attendee: Or au pairs!
KK: The minister does like to let au pairs in as the lady says. However, the minister continues to repeat these lies that somehow medevac is letting people into the country that are a risk. Somehow he is powerless. Somehow doctors, any two doctors anywhere are just going to say anything or do anything and let people come in. Let us be clear about this – the minister has the power to stop anybody he wants based on security concerns.KK: The minister does like to let au pairs in as the lady says. However, the minister continues to repeat these lies that somehow medevac is letting people into the country that are a risk. Somehow he is powerless. Somehow doctors, any two doctors anywhere are just going to say anything or do anything and let people come in. Let us be clear about this – the minister has the power to stop anybody he wants based on security concerns.
The doctors who allow people to come to this country because they need medical help are doctors appointed by minister Dutton and what we have seen under medevac is well over 100 people who have been able to get the medical care they needed because doctors appointed by minister Dutton have said these people are sick and they need to come to Australia to get health treatment. That’s what is happening when it comes to medevac – people who are sick who need help are getting the help that they need. Now, I stand with you. The Australian Labor party stands with you. A huge sway of the crossbench in the Senate stands with you. And we will not stand by quietly; we will stand with you. We will stand up for people who are sick to get the healthcare they need. We will not stand by and watch this government just wave through a repeal of medevac. We will oppose the repeal of medevac. We will oppose it on the floor of the parliament and in every other forum that we can and I am so delighted to be here in this forum, this morning, with all of you who are bearing witness. Thank you for what you’re doing.The doctors who allow people to come to this country because they need medical help are doctors appointed by minister Dutton and what we have seen under medevac is well over 100 people who have been able to get the medical care they needed because doctors appointed by minister Dutton have said these people are sick and they need to come to Australia to get health treatment. That’s what is happening when it comes to medevac – people who are sick who need help are getting the help that they need. Now, I stand with you. The Australian Labor party stands with you. A huge sway of the crossbench in the Senate stands with you. And we will not stand by quietly; we will stand with you. We will stand up for people who are sick to get the healthcare they need. We will not stand by and watch this government just wave through a repeal of medevac. We will oppose the repeal of medevac. We will oppose it on the floor of the parliament and in every other forum that we can and I am so delighted to be here in this forum, this morning, with all of you who are bearing witness. Thank you for what you’re doing.
(We are still working on a moderator. Hold tight – in the mean time, you can always catch me on Twitter.)
And Michael McCormack ahead of the May election on how we need to be more respectful of each other in political debate:
Michael McCormack’s first speech included this line:
How quickly we forget.
Welcome back to the Senate, Jim Molan
AAP is reporting that Labor is continuing the fight against the government’s unions bill.
Our leaders just covering themselves in glory and leadership, this morning:
Also a reminder, because it didn’t get a hell of a lot of attention late last week, released as it was at the same time as the latest drought response, but the government-appointed drought coordinator general, Major Gen Stephen Day, was also pretty emphatic about climate change’s impact on our environment.
Hopefully, Michael McCormack has the opportunity to call him a “raving inner-city lunatic” to his face.
Also a reminder that it is a politician’s job to look at overarching policy to help those on the ground. #thoughtsandprayers don’t stop catastrophic fires.