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/nov/14/stuart-robert-brushes-off-questions-about-ndis-secrecy-politics-live

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Former NSW fire chief says Coalition 'fundamentally doesn't like talking about climate change' – politics live Former NSW fire chief says Coalition 'fundamentally doesn't like talking about climate change' – politics live
(32 minutes later)
‘Do we simply get gagged?’ asks Greg Mullins as NSW and Queensland bushfires rage on. All the day’s events, live‘Do we simply get gagged?’ asks Greg Mullins as NSW and Queensland bushfires rage on. All the day’s events, live
Suddenly, Stuart Robert appears to have found the figures the ABC couldn’t get in its FOI request
Labor has just had two motions pass on the voices in the Senate
One of them is a continuing order for the production of documents, meaning the government will have to now disclose monthly onshore protection visa claims – the people who arrive in Australia by plane, and then apply for protection.
Under the order, which was put forward by Kristina Keneally, the government will have to disclose, monthly, the statistics on:
· Country of origin of people making these claims
· Grants
· Refusals
· The number awaiting a refugee status determination
· The number of refusals deported
· The number of refusals yet to be deported (among other things)
The second motion was about a national agricultural day – asking the government to address labour supply issues in the ag industry.
The government opposed both, but didn’t force either to a division, meaning it passed on the voices.
The prime minister’s office has pointed to this response from Scott Morrison’s February press club address, to show that yes, the government is comfortable talking about climate change, in response to Greg Mullin’s comments:The prime minister’s office has pointed to this response from Scott Morrison’s February press club address, to show that yes, the government is comfortable talking about climate change, in response to Greg Mullin’s comments:
JOURNALIST: Quentin Dempster from the New Daily Prime Minister. You’ve recently been in Tasmania and Townsville as you’ve mentioned in your address, to comfort and support Australians suffering from wildfires and unprecedented inundation and flooding. Now, insurance actuaries are constantly revising risk assessments and are now factoring in climate change as an exacerbating factor in the higher frequencies of extreme weather events. Do you acknowledge that climate change is now the major factor affecting extreme weather events and if you do, doesn’t that mean that Australia’s national disaster response needs greater national coordination than what you’ve been able to announce under the national security umbrella that you’ve canvassed today?JOURNALIST: Quentin Dempster from the New Daily Prime Minister. You’ve recently been in Tasmania and Townsville as you’ve mentioned in your address, to comfort and support Australians suffering from wildfires and unprecedented inundation and flooding. Now, insurance actuaries are constantly revising risk assessments and are now factoring in climate change as an exacerbating factor in the higher frequencies of extreme weather events. Do you acknowledge that climate change is now the major factor affecting extreme weather events and if you do, doesn’t that mean that Australia’s national disaster response needs greater national coordination than what you’ve been able to announce under the national security umbrella that you’ve canvassed today?
Scott Morrison:Scott Morrison:
Josh Frydenberg, through the Australian, announced the government would be looking at foreign capital tax concessions for infrastructure projects, as the government tries to kickstart productivity. From the Simon Benson story:Josh Frydenberg, through the Australian, announced the government would be looking at foreign capital tax concessions for infrastructure projects, as the government tries to kickstart productivity. From the Simon Benson story:
Jim Chalmers says that was announced in the 2018-19 budget papers, and was legislated in April.Jim Chalmers says that was announced in the 2018-19 budget papers, and was legislated in April.
Stuart Robert is at the press club.Stuart Robert is at the press club.
Paul Karp is taking that one for you.Paul Karp is taking that one for you.
Simon Birmingham says the prime minister takes the issues of climate change, the drought, and ensuring the community is safe “extremely seriously”, in response to questions about Greg Mullins comments.Simon Birmingham says the prime minister takes the issues of climate change, the drought, and ensuring the community is safe “extremely seriously”, in response to questions about Greg Mullins comments.
He says David Littleproud will meet with the group.He says David Littleproud will meet with the group.
Could someone let the senators know that we are all watching for a change, and they should probably have their act together in terms of procedure?Could someone let the senators know that we are all watching for a change, and they should probably have their act together in terms of procedure?
I mean, it shouldn’t be their first rodeo.I mean, it shouldn’t be their first rodeo.
We are still a little unclear on why the government wants the Senate timetable clear – but yes, the calls are being made.We are still a little unclear on why the government wants the Senate timetable clear – but yes, the calls are being made.
Jordon Steele-John says the motion to gag the NDIS debate (so it is dealt with by a certain time) is denying disabled people a chance to receive clarification on what the bill will mean for them.Jordon Steele-John says the motion to gag the NDIS debate (so it is dealt with by a certain time) is denying disabled people a chance to receive clarification on what the bill will mean for them.
Basically, the government is moving to make sure that the NDIS bill is wrapped up by question time – so it is done today.Basically, the government is moving to make sure that the NDIS bill is wrapped up by question time – so it is done today.
The US ambassador to Australia, Arthur B Culvahouse Jr, has issued a statement on the bushfires:The US ambassador to Australia, Arthur B Culvahouse Jr, has issued a statement on the bushfires:
Happy unemployment figures day.Happy unemployment figures day.
Over in the Senate, the government is attempting to gag debate on the NDIS bill – to reorder business.Over in the Senate, the government is attempting to gag debate on the NDIS bill – to reorder business.
Not sure why yet.Not sure why yet.
Greg Mullins continued:Greg Mullins continued:
On the meeting the former fire and emergency chiefs have been seeking with the prime minister and other responsible ministers about Australia’s fire preparations since April, Greg Mullins said:On the meeting the former fire and emergency chiefs have been seeking with the prime minister and other responsible ministers about Australia’s fire preparations since April, Greg Mullins said:
Why does he think it took so long?Why does he think it took so long?
Greg Mullins on the Michael McCormack’s “raving green lunatic” comments:Greg Mullins on the Michael McCormack’s “raving green lunatic” comments:
Greg Mullins, the former NSW fire chief, is unloading about the ridiculousness of not being able to talk about causes as the fire emergency unfolds.Greg Mullins, the former NSW fire chief, is unloading about the ridiculousness of not being able to talk about causes as the fire emergency unfolds.
Obviously, this is just the ideological ravings of the lunatic left.Obviously, this is just the ideological ravings of the lunatic left.
The university lobby group Universities Australia has welcomed the move:The university lobby group Universities Australia has welcomed the move: