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Scott Morrison grilled on Angus Taylor as police investigate doctored document – politics live Anthony Albanese says PM must stand Angus Taylor aside today – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Anthony Albanese asks PM why the emissions reduction minister is still on his frontbench. All the day’s events, live Labor leader says the minister ‘cannot survive this day’ after it emerged police are investigating doctored documents used to attack Clover Moore. All the day’s events, live
The Office of National Intelligence has given evidence to a spillover session of budget estimates for the Finance and Public Administration committee.
Under questioning from Liberal senator James Paterson, the director general of the ONI, Nick Warner, said he was “loath” to comment on recent reports on an alleged Chinese plot to infiltrate Australia’s parliament, saying it was a matter for the Department of Home Affairs and Asio.
But Warner said he supported the former director of ASIO, Duncan Lewis, on the current threat of foreign interference.
“As Duncan Lewis....used to say with some frequency, foreign interference in to Australia and espionage against Australia are at unprecedentedly high levels and we need to take these issues very seriously.”
The federation chamber (where speeches go to die, but still get a guernsey in the Hansard) has been suspended – because of a lack of quorum.
Labor is going on strike over the government having gagged the debate on Angus Taylor. The backbench cleared out of QT, and now it’s cleared out of the federation chamber.
We are just waiting on the matter of public importance to finish up, and then we are expecting Scott Morrison to address the chamber.
On Scott Morrison’s call for an apology if the allegations go nowhere, Anthony Albanese says:
Anthony Albanese:
The hours motion has passed 39 to 33 – reordering debate to allow more time to discuss the Ensuring Integrity bill.
The motion said:
(a) the routine of business for the remainder of today shall be: (i) consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019, second reading speeches only, (ii) if a division is called after 7.20 pm, the division shall be taken on the next day of sitting, and (iii) the Senate shall adjourn without debate after the conclusion of the second reading debate, or at 9 pm, or after a motion for the adjournment is moved by a minister, whichever is the earlier; and (b) on Wednesday, 27 November 2019: (i) the routine of business from 7.20 pm shall be consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019, second reading speeches only, and (ii) if a division is called after 7.20 pm, the division shall be taken on the next day of sitting, and (iii) the Senate shall adjourn without debate after the conclusion of the second reading debate, or at midnight, or after a motion for the adjournment is moved by a minister, whichever is the earlier
Anthony Albanese:
Scott Morrison will make a statement to the house in a few minutes.
Anthony Albanese and Mark Butler will hold a press conference in a couple of minutes – it’s in the opposition leader’s courtyard, which is Labor’s most serious press conference spot.
As the frontbench of the government moves out, Scott Morrison reaches across and pats Angus Taylor on the back.As the frontbench of the government moves out, Scott Morrison reaches across and pats Angus Taylor on the back.
But he does it just inside the door, where it starts to go dark.But he does it just inside the door, where it starts to go dark.
Question time ends.Question time ends.
Scott Morrison also makes notes of the Labor backbench having cleared out.Scott Morrison also makes notes of the Labor backbench having cleared out.
Greg Hunt gets one more dixer.
Question time has been extended as a ‘whatevs’ to Labor having attempted to gag Sussan Ley, but we should be done after this.
Mark Butler gets another question – to Angus Taylor:
Taylor:
Labor’s backbench has cleared out.
That gag motion is also lost. Shockingly.
Sussan Ley returns to answer the dixer.
And then we can all go.
Which for some of us, straight to the principal’s office, me thinks.
The hours motion to allow further debate on the union penalty (ensuring integrity) bill, has really set the Labor Senate leader, Penny Wong, off:
After that Wong hit the Coalition for slow pedalling on the national integrity commission, the banking royal commission and leaving it up to Westpac’s board to respond to allegations of 23m breaches of anti-money laundering laws.
Wong notes that in Senate question time, the government refused to rule out changes to unfair dismissal laws and the Better Off Overall Test:
Wong concludes:
Scott Morrison looks like my dad did when I got home from my “friend’s” house when I was 16, after his police friends told him I had been seen pouring vodka into a slurpee cup in the Surfers Paradise mall at 4am.
That did not end well for me, FYI.
Scott Morrison has the folders stacked.
Sussan Ley moves up for her dixer – and Tony Burke moves that the minister no longer be heard.
A bit of tit for tat there, as a gag motion, and also extends the awkwardness for a few minutes longer.
The members return to their seats.
Scott Morrison indicates there will be one more dixer.
Andrew Laming and Tony Pasin once again took the opportunity to sit on the frontbench during the division.
Warren Entsch is also there, but it looks like he has some business with Sussan Ley and is seizing the opportunity for a chat.
Angus Taylor found a friend in Alan Tudge, who made a beeline to sit next to him in the division. They are having a good old chat. Hey, it’s one way to ensure you’ll get your face on the TV.
Better plan than this, anyway.
Scott Morrison is VERY busy on his phone