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Barnaby Joyce accuses Greens of 'insulting' climate claims about bushfires – politics live Barnaby Joyce accuses Greens of 'insulting' climate claims about bushfires – politics live
(31 minutes later)
Former Nationals leader says he doesn’t want to start attacking because two people who died in fires ‘most likely’ voted for GreensFormer Nationals leader says he doesn’t want to start attacking because two people who died in fires ‘most likely’ voted for Greens
Meanwhile, over in the Senate, Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has accused both major parties of being “no better than a bunch of arsonists, borderline arsonists” for supporting the coal industry, during the big stick Senate debate.
Steele-John:
This is also going on
Over in Senate estimates, Barnaby Joyce’s comments have made waves:Over in Senate estimates, Barnaby Joyce’s comments have made waves:
Kristina Keneally: Minister I have a question for you. Earlier today Barnaby Joyce said on Sky News …Kristina Keneally: Minister I have a question for you. Earlier today Barnaby Joyce said on Sky News …
Chair David Fawcett: Excuse me Senator Keneally just a reminder to use the correct titles when referring to members of the other House.Chair David Fawcett: Excuse me Senator Keneally just a reminder to use the correct titles when referring to members of the other House.
KK: The member for New England said on Sky News that the two people who died in bushfires, he said, “I acknowledge that the two people who died were most likely people who voted for the Green party so I’m not going to start attacking them. That’s the last thing I want to do.” How does he know who they voted for and why does it matter? They’re dead; they died in a bushfire. Isn’t that enough?KK: The member for New England said on Sky News that the two people who died in bushfires, he said, “I acknowledge that the two people who died were most likely people who voted for the Green party so I’m not going to start attacking them. That’s the last thing I want to do.” How does he know who they voted for and why does it matter? They’re dead; they died in a bushfire. Isn’t that enough?
Simon Birmingham: I’ve not seen the quotes Senator Keneally, I have no idea what Mr Joyce was referring to and they’d be questions for him.Simon Birmingham: I’ve not seen the quotes Senator Keneally, I have no idea what Mr Joyce was referring to and they’d be questions for him.
KK: Do you think it matters who they voted for?KK: Do you think it matters who they voted for?
SB: No Senator.SB: No Senator.
KK: Do you associate yourself with those comments?KK: Do you associate yourself with those comments?
Fawcett: I remind you this is a Senate estimates hearing into the Department of Environment. The comments by a backbencher are not relevant for this hearing.Fawcett: I remind you this is a Senate estimates hearing into the Department of Environment. The comments by a backbencher are not relevant for this hearing.
KK: They’re very relevant.KK: They’re very relevant.
Gerard Rennick had the third spot on the LNP Senate ticket: he wasn’t supposed to win. But Labor’s primary vote tanked in Queensland, meaning they lost a Senate spot to the LNP. And Rennick is in for six years.Gerard Rennick had the third spot on the LNP Senate ticket: he wasn’t supposed to win. But Labor’s primary vote tanked in Queensland, meaning they lost a Senate spot to the LNP. And Rennick is in for six years.
There are bets about how long he’ll stay in the LNP before moving the crossbench/One Nation – from within his own party room.There are bets about how long he’ll stay in the LNP before moving the crossbench/One Nation – from within his own party room.
Those other things he is interested in? Read One Nation’s policy document and you can pretty much cross them off. He also thinks we need some sort of modern holey dollar to get the economy out of the doldrums.Those other things he is interested in? Read One Nation’s policy document and you can pretty much cross them off. He also thinks we need some sort of modern holey dollar to get the economy out of the doldrums.
Good. Times.Good. Times.
But it got SO MUCH BETTER.But it got SO MUCH BETTER.
Because has Gerard Rennick read the bureau’s explanations – the peer reviewed explanations – given, you know, he is accusing them of manipulating data, because he knows data?Because has Gerard Rennick read the bureau’s explanations – the peer reviewed explanations – given, you know, he is accusing them of manipulating data, because he knows data?
Rennick:Rennick:
Oh? Why? Wouldn’t that be a good idea, given his concerns?Oh? Why? Wouldn’t that be a good idea, given his concerns?
Rennick:Rennick:
Dr Marohasy, it might interest you to know, is attached to the IPA.Dr Marohasy, it might interest you to know, is attached to the IPA.
Tom Connell: One person has written something, and you have agreed with that based on what they have said.Tom Connell: One person has written something, and you have agreed with that based on what they have said.
Rennick:Rennick:
Connell: But you haven’t read the data, or sought other resources.Connell: But you haven’t read the data, or sought other resources.
Rennick:Rennick:
Connell: Do you have to be careful about making accusations as a senator? … Have you sought briefings from the bureau?Connell: Do you have to be careful about making accusations as a senator? … Have you sought briefings from the bureau?
Rennick:Rennick:
Connell: But don’t the facts matter?Connell: But don’t the facts matter?
Rennick:Rennick:
Yesterday on Sky News, LNP senator Gerard Rennick told Tom Connell about why he believes the Bureau of Meteorology rewrote weather records to fit in with a global warming agenda.Yesterday on Sky News, LNP senator Gerard Rennick told Tom Connell about why he believes the Bureau of Meteorology rewrote weather records to fit in with a global warming agenda.
What is the proof of that? Connell asked.What is the proof of that? Connell asked.
Rennick:Rennick:
Connell comes back with there being some issues with measuring stations, the changes in the environment giving different reasons - outlining some of the detail the BOM has put forward as why they did this. “What are you accusing them of exactly?”Connell comes back with there being some issues with measuring stations, the changes in the environment giving different reasons - outlining some of the detail the BOM has put forward as why they did this. “What are you accusing them of exactly?”
Rennick:Rennick:
Connell: But you had the word “agenda” when you mentioned this - so are you saying there are people in there deliberately altering data within the BOM?Connell: But you had the word “agenda” when you mentioned this - so are you saying there are people in there deliberately altering data within the BOM?
Rennick:Rennick:
Connell: But the agenda part, as in, they want more people to sort of take global warming seriously, so they are deliberately fiddling data. It is a pretty serious accusation.Connell: But the agenda part, as in, they want more people to sort of take global warming seriously, so they are deliberately fiddling data. It is a pretty serious accusation.
Rennick:Rennick:
The Senate sitting has begun.The Senate sitting has begun.
Barnaby Joyce’s comments have reached the red chamber. I’ll bring you some of that in a moment.Barnaby Joyce’s comments have reached the red chamber. I’ll bring you some of that in a moment.
Despite receiving letter signed by 22 of Australia’s former fire chiefs in April – followed up by another letter in September – requesting meetings to discuss the impact of climate change on the bushfire risk, the federal government failed to meet with the high level delegation.Despite receiving letter signed by 22 of Australia’s former fire chiefs in April – followed up by another letter in September – requesting meetings to discuss the impact of climate change on the bushfire risk, the federal government failed to meet with the high level delegation.
Minister Simon Birmingham, representing the minister for energy and emissions reduction, Angus Taylor said the minister’s office had contacted the group on 10 September offering a meeting in October, “but this hasn’t been taken up by the former fire chiefs”.Minister Simon Birmingham, representing the minister for energy and emissions reduction, Angus Taylor said the minister’s office had contacted the group on 10 September offering a meeting in October, “but this hasn’t been taken up by the former fire chiefs”.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young asked why it had taken five months since the first request to offer a meeting.Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young asked why it had taken five months since the first request to offer a meeting.
Birmingham replied that the April letter had asked for a meeting after the election in May, so it was not five months.Birmingham replied that the April letter had asked for a meeting after the election in May, so it was not five months.
In the high court, Annika Smethurst’s counsel has been attacking the warrant authorising the search on her home, arguing it failed to describe the conduct which allegedly constituted the offence.In the high court, Annika Smethurst’s counsel has been attacking the warrant authorising the search on her home, arguing it failed to describe the conduct which allegedly constituted the offence.
The warrant said:The warrant said:
“On the 29 April 2018, Annika Smethurst and the Sunday Telegraph communicated a document or article to a person, that was not in the interest of the commonwealth, and permitted that person to have access to the document, contrary to section 79(3) of the Crimes Act 1914, Official Secrets.”“On the 29 April 2018, Annika Smethurst and the Sunday Telegraph communicated a document or article to a person, that was not in the interest of the commonwealth, and permitted that person to have access to the document, contrary to section 79(3) of the Crimes Act 1914, Official Secrets.”
Stephen Lloyd argued the warrant needed to describe the information police were seeking and “how it became proscribed in relation to both the [potential] accused”. Warrants must “refer to the offending conduct not merely a reference to the section”, according to Lloyd.Stephen Lloyd argued the warrant needed to describe the information police were seeking and “how it became proscribed in relation to both the [potential] accused”. Warrants must “refer to the offending conduct not merely a reference to the section”, according to Lloyd.
He attacked the floating phrase “that was not in the interest of the commonwealth” – arguing it wasn’t clear if it referred to a document or a communication that wasn’t in the interest of the commonwealth.He attacked the floating phrase “that was not in the interest of the commonwealth” – arguing it wasn’t clear if it referred to a document or a communication that wasn’t in the interest of the commonwealth.
The warrant both “didn’t state an offence known to law” and lacked sufficient particularity, he said. The lack of detail was “apt to mislead Smethurst and the executing officers” to allow a broader search.The warrant both “didn’t state an offence known to law” and lacked sufficient particularity, he said. The lack of detail was “apt to mislead Smethurst and the executing officers” to allow a broader search.
Joel Fitzgibbon has held a doorstop on the dairy code of conduct, flanked by senators and members of the NSW and Queensland dairy sector.Joel Fitzgibbon has held a doorstop on the dairy code of conduct, flanked by senators and members of the NSW and Queensland dairy sector.
Fitzgibbon called on Bridget McKenzie to explain the changes to the dairy code of conduct, saying it had been watered down to the extent that some farmers would rather have no code than the one proposed.Fitzgibbon called on Bridget McKenzie to explain the changes to the dairy code of conduct, saying it had been watered down to the extent that some farmers would rather have no code than the one proposed.
“Senator Bridget McKenzie, the agriculture minister, needs to immediately answer the question she declined to respond to five times on ABC radio this morning – she needs to tell dairy farm communities who it was that recommended to her that the all-important code of conduct in the dairy industry be watered down – watered down so significantly that dairy farm leaders are now saying that this dairy code would be worse than not having a dairy code at all.”“Senator Bridget McKenzie, the agriculture minister, needs to immediately answer the question she declined to respond to five times on ABC radio this morning – she needs to tell dairy farm communities who it was that recommended to her that the all-important code of conduct in the dairy industry be watered down – watered down so significantly that dairy farm leaders are now saying that this dairy code would be worse than not having a dairy code at all.”
Fitzgibbon said Labor was calling for the code to be introduced “sooner rather than later” alongside a floor price on farm gate prices. He said the deregulation of the industry that occurred under the Howard government in 2000 had not resulted in a “good outcome” for dairy farmers, who were struggling with the cost price squeeze.Fitzgibbon said Labor was calling for the code to be introduced “sooner rather than later” alongside a floor price on farm gate prices. He said the deregulation of the industry that occurred under the Howard government in 2000 had not resulted in a “good outcome” for dairy farmers, who were struggling with the cost price squeeze.
He called on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to intervene in the sector.He called on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to intervene in the sector.
“Scott Morrison needs to put his pride aside and admit he has it wrong [and] concede that we do need some significant government intervention in the dairy industry.“Scott Morrison needs to put his pride aside and admit he has it wrong [and] concede that we do need some significant government intervention in the dairy industry.
“A code of conduct is important, but it won’t fix the wide range of problems facing our dairy farmers, including that price squeeze. We need a minimum farm gate milk price so that farmers can receive a fair price for their milk.“A code of conduct is important, but it won’t fix the wide range of problems facing our dairy farmers, including that price squeeze. We need a minimum farm gate milk price so that farmers can receive a fair price for their milk.
“If we don’t intervene, we don’t have a dairy industry in this country and, god forbid, we will be importing our milk.”“If we don’t intervene, we don’t have a dairy industry in this country and, god forbid, we will be importing our milk.”
Fitzgibbon said that he never expected Pauline Hanson’s dairy industry bill to pass the parliament, and defended the “symbolic” move against criticism that the legislation may have had some flaws.Fitzgibbon said that he never expected Pauline Hanson’s dairy industry bill to pass the parliament, and defended the “symbolic” move against criticism that the legislation may have had some flaws.
He said details could have been thrashed out in the House of Representatives had the legislation won the support of Nationals MPs, who could have crossed the floor in support of the Hanson bill.He said details could have been thrashed out in the House of Representatives had the legislation won the support of Nationals MPs, who could have crossed the floor in support of the Hanson bill.
Dairy farmers from NSW and Queensland also spoke to the media, saying they were disappointed that the code had been watered down, noting concerns about the ability of contract prices to be revised down in certain circumstances.Dairy farmers from NSW and Queensland also spoke to the media, saying they were disappointed that the code had been watered down, noting concerns about the ability of contract prices to be revised down in certain circumstances.
“We are very disappointed that the code has gone backwards in our opinion,” Brian Tessmann, the president of the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation, said.“We are very disappointed that the code has gone backwards in our opinion,” Brian Tessmann, the president of the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation, said.
He said the number of dairy farmers in Queensland had dropped from 1,500 in 2000 to just 350 today.He said the number of dairy farmers in Queensland had dropped from 1,500 in 2000 to just 350 today.
“We are losing them all the time.”“We are losing them all the time.”
Fitzgibbon said that dairy farmers needed to unite to persuade the government to act, singling out the SA dairy industry for opposing the minimum farm gate price.Fitzgibbon said that dairy farmers needed to unite to persuade the government to act, singling out the SA dairy industry for opposing the minimum farm gate price.
When asked if he believed the code had been watered down to appease large producers in McKenzie’s home state of Victoria, Fitzgibbon said Australians needed to consider who would benefit from the changes.When asked if he believed the code had been watered down to appease large producers in McKenzie’s home state of Victoria, Fitzgibbon said Australians needed to consider who would benefit from the changes.
The interview finishes with this.The interview finishes with this.
Kieran Gilbert: But the thing is, you’re also arguing for policies to change in this context, which I, which I understand and your constituents are affected here. But would any of that be enough to deal with these catastrophic conditions that we are seeing?Kieran Gilbert: But the thing is, you’re also arguing for policies to change in this context, which I, which I understand and your constituents are affected here. But would any of that be enough to deal with these catastrophic conditions that we are seeing?
Barnaby Joyce:Barnaby Joyce:
KG: In the wash-up in this tragedy, this disaster, there needs to be a discussion about how we maximise our response to this, because you have said yourself the fire season is longer, the window is shorter in terms of trying to protect these communities, to backburn, to reduce these hazards.KG: In the wash-up in this tragedy, this disaster, there needs to be a discussion about how we maximise our response to this, because you have said yourself the fire season is longer, the window is shorter in terms of trying to protect these communities, to backburn, to reduce these hazards.
BJ:BJ:
Gilbert continues.Gilbert continues.
KG: But the thing is that we hear from as I mentioned, Jason McKellar, the incident controller, the New South Wales deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said earlier that hazard reductions have gone on each and every year, each year we get as much done as we would like ...KG: But the thing is that we hear from as I mentioned, Jason McKellar, the incident controller, the New South Wales deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said earlier that hazard reductions have gone on each and every year, each year we get as much done as we would like ...
Barnaby Joyce: Well see, you’re using different words there, “as they are able to do”.Barnaby Joyce: Well see, you’re using different words there, “as they are able to do”.
KG: Do they have enough resources to get it done?KG: Do they have enough resources to get it done?
BJ:BJ:
Kieren Gilbert from Sky News asked Barnaby Joyce about Greg Mullins’ comments:Kieren Gilbert from Sky News asked Barnaby Joyce about Greg Mullins’ comments:
KG: But do you accept that the fire-burning opportunity is reduced, because of the fire season being longer. So the question is, when do you get to do the backburning?KG: But do you accept that the fire-burning opportunity is reduced, because of the fire season being longer. So the question is, when do you get to do the backburning?
BJ:BJ:
(Just another reminder that the fire authorities have said they have done hazard reduction burning ahead of this season.)(Just another reminder that the fire authorities have said they have done hazard reduction burning ahead of this season.)