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/25/australia-china-morrison-liberal-politics-live

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Jacqui Lambie 'not supporting a repeal' of medevac, Rex Patrick says – politics live Jacqui Lambie 'not supporting a repeal' of medevac, Rex Patrick says – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Centre Alliance senator says his Tasmanian colleague is considering amending the legislation. All the day’s events, liveCentre Alliance senator says his Tasmanian colleague is considering amending the legislation. All the day’s events, live
Mike Bowers has just received a phone call saying there are camels being led across the Kings Avenue bridge looking as though they are on their way to parliament.
There’s three of them. No word on wise men, or any spotting of gold, frankincense or myrrh.
Just another week in parliament.
Peter Dutton has an update on the industry advisory group which will “help guide the development of Australia’s 2020 cyber security strategy”. Its first meeting was today:
Just a few quick notes on the Trump call, via officials. Apparently the conversation was initiated by Scott Morrison, and the Australian PM conveyed his deep appreciation for the efforts of the administration in securing the release of Timothy Weeks, the professor held hostage by the Taliban.
The two leaders spoke about the bushfires, with Morrison thanking the US for sending firefighters.
Morrison also expressed support for Trump trying to end the trade dispute with China, and there was a discussion about Australian and US economies.
The Parliament House Christmas tree will be officially lit up in the marble foyer in about 15 minutes.
The beneficiaries of this year’s giving tree will be announced shortly afterwards.
Katharine Murphy tells me that Scott Morrison has just got off the phone to Donald Trump.
She’ll have some more on that for you in just a moment.
The ACTU and other unions are in town “imploring” crossbenchers to oppose the ensuring integrity bill.The ACTU and other unions are in town “imploring” crossbenchers to oppose the ensuring integrity bill.
As reported last week, Pauline Hanson is being coy with her vote - she is not locked in. Neither is Jacqui Lambie. The government needs at least one of those two to come over the line to pass it. As reported last week, Pauline Hanson is being coy about her vote – she is not locked in. Nor is Jacqui Lambie. The government needs at least one of those two to come over the line to pass it.
He’s baaaaccccckkkkkkk He’s baaaaccccckkkkkkk.
Jim Molan won the preselection battle to replace Arthur Sinodinos, after telling the committee he would vacate the spot at the next election.Jim Molan won the preselection battle to replace Arthur Sinodinos, after telling the committee he would vacate the spot at the next election.
Rex Patrick says the bill he wanted on security checks wouldn’t stop someone from being a MP but would mean the prime minister received security advice on the MPs in parliament, and could make decisions (on committees, ministries, access) from there.Rex Patrick says the bill he wanted on security checks wouldn’t stop someone from being a MP but would mean the prime minister received security advice on the MPs in parliament, and could make decisions (on committees, ministries, access) from there.
The thing is, we don’t know if that already happens or not.The thing is, we don’t know if that already happens or not.
Here was James Paterson this morning, again talking to Sky (it’s been a busy morning) about why he doesn’t agree with the bill:Here was James Paterson this morning, again talking to Sky (it’s been a busy morning) about why he doesn’t agree with the bill:
JP: I don’t agree with Rex’s proposed solution, although I agree with him we have a serious problem here. The problem with that solution is it would put our security agencies in a position of power over the federal parliament and over the ministry, and fundamentally undermine one of the core tenets of the Westminster system. The only criteria to being appointed to the cabinet is to be first elected to the parliament and second to be chosen by a prime minister. The idea that you would need a tick-off from a security agency is going down the J Edgar Hoover path and that’s not something that any Australian would be comfortable with.JP: I don’t agree with Rex’s proposed solution, although I agree with him we have a serious problem here. The problem with that solution is it would put our security agencies in a position of power over the federal parliament and over the ministry, and fundamentally undermine one of the core tenets of the Westminster system. The only criteria to being appointed to the cabinet is to be first elected to the parliament and second to be chosen by a prime minister. The idea that you would need a tick-off from a security agency is going down the J Edgar Hoover path and that’s not something that any Australian would be comfortable with.
Question: Can we be sure, can we be sure that there isn’t an agent of a foreign government in this place?Question: Can we be sure, can we be sure that there isn’t an agent of a foreign government in this place?
JP: Unless there’s evidence to suggest there is I think we can be confident that there isn’t. It would be, I don’t think we should make leaps to assume that there might be just because there’s been an attempt in this case.JP: Unless there’s evidence to suggest there is I think we can be confident that there isn’t. It would be, I don’t think we should make leaps to assume that there might be just because there’s been an attempt in this case.
Question: It’s not like you don’t have to comply with other checks on being in the executive or parliament. You have to declare about your citizenship and that can exclude you. Why isn’t this something that we should be able to investigate?Question: It’s not like you don’t have to comply with other checks on being in the executive or parliament. You have to declare about your citizenship and that can exclude you. Why isn’t this something that we should be able to investigate?
JP: That’s a constitutional requirement, which has been put there for a purpose many years ago. This would be introducing a new requirement that would be very unusual in our political system.JP: That’s a constitutional requirement, which has been put there for a purpose many years ago. This would be introducing a new requirement that would be very unusual in our political system.
Question: You can’t be bankrupt either. And that’s something where you can be declared bankrupt by the ATO. That’s a non-government –Question: You can’t be bankrupt either. And that’s something where you can be declared bankrupt by the ATO. That’s a non-government –
JP: Again, a constitutional requirement inserted for good reasons 100 years ago. This would be a brand new requirement for an arm of the executive government to have a say over the parliamentary wing of our democracy. I think that would be a retrograde step.JP: Again, a constitutional requirement inserted for good reasons 100 years ago. This would be a brand new requirement for an arm of the executive government to have a say over the parliamentary wing of our democracy. I think that would be a retrograde step.
Nek minnit.Nek minnit.
Barnaby Joyce was on Sunrise this morning, talking about the Chinese story, and, well, he went places:Barnaby Joyce was on Sunrise this morning, talking about the Chinese story, and, well, he went places:
Pauline Hanson has “no concerns” about any current member of parliament, in terms of their Chinese links. She told Sky News:Pauline Hanson has “no concerns” about any current member of parliament, in terms of their Chinese links. She told Sky News:
Comments should be opening again very soon.Comments should be opening again very soon.
Pauline Hanson, whose “heart is with this country” is continuing to attack Bridget McKenzie over the dairy industry code of conduct.Pauline Hanson, whose “heart is with this country” is continuing to attack Bridget McKenzie over the dairy industry code of conduct.
Hanson is living her best life at the moment.Hanson is living her best life at the moment.
Pauline Hanson has just told Sky News she will be “taking her time” on the ensuring integrity bill.
“I am not going to be pushed or badgered or bullied or threatened by anyone - I don’t care whether it’s the government or the unions - I will make a decision that I think is right for the people of this country.
She has a few amendments of her own she wants to go through.
“I am not here to rubber stamp government legislation,” Hanson says.
A decision is expected in the defamation case Sarah Hanson-Young brought against the former senator David Leyonhjelm this afternoon (about 3.30pm).
Rex Patrick, talking to Sky News, had a little to say about Jacqui Lambie’s position on the medevac bill.
Centre Alliance have a loose coalition with Lambie, where they share information on bills they agree on (and then go their separate way on bills they don’t).
The bells are ringing – Jim Molan will be back in the Senate in a matter of minutes.
Mathias Cormann was back on Sky just a few minutes ago, talking about balancing Australia’s relationship with China:
Rex Patrick is on Sky News talking about Gladys Liu. He makes it clear he is not making any allegations, but says he wants to know if the Chisholm MP has received funds from any Chinese organisations which are linked to the Chinese Communist party.
Tim Wilson was out and about early this morning, getting ahead of any Liu mention:
Jacqui Lambie was grabbed at the Canberra airport as she arrived in the capital last night and asked about her plans for medevac.
She still hasn’t given any indication of where she is going, but she did say this (as reported by AAP):
The Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has been running a bit of a crusade to have Australian politicians go through a security check before they are allowed to sit for parliament. His argument is that staffers and public servants have to go through checks before they are allowed to take up their jobs, but our MPs, who have access to a lot more information and well, access, do not.
That’s a lot to do with democracy – the Australian people elect people, so the only people who can remove them are either the Australian people, or the high court, if a MP falls foul of the constitution.
A group of climate protesters have gathered outside Parliament House this morning.
Adam Bandt addressed the rally:
For what it is worth, Jeremy Clarkson, who has spent the best part of 30 years calling climate change a load of hooey, has recently come round – after he was forced to basically wade through part of the Mekong.
While we are talking about an alleged Chinese plot to infiltrate the Australian parliament, there was an interesting story in the weekend Fin about Australia attempting to address China’s soft power in the region.
From the Tom McIlroy report:
There has been a lot of criticism and warnings about what the cut in Australia’s aid would mean long term for the Pacific region, in terms of China increasing its influence. It looks like the Morrison government is now working to address at least part of the issue. But without a lot of fanfare.