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Australia 'very concerned' about treatment of Yang Hengjun, Marise Payne says – politics live Australia 'very concerned' about treatment of Yang Hengjun, Marise Payne says – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Jacqui Lambie to meet with Scott Morrison on medevac repeal bill, as Labor continues its pursuit of Angus Taylor and the PM. All the day’s politics – liveJacqui Lambie to meet with Scott Morrison on medevac repeal bill, as Labor continues its pursuit of Angus Taylor and the PM. All the day’s politics – live
Peter Dutton has said he believed it was entirely appropriate for the prime minister to call NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller about the active investigation into Angus Taylor’s office.
Dutton, a former police officer, was asked whether he would have appreciated such a call.
“I said at the time last week I thought the prime minister’s call was entirely appropriate,” he said. “The prime minister has obligations under the ministerial code of conduct and the alternative view would have been that he didn’t avail himself of the information and, therefore, he couldn’t fulfil his obligation under the ministerial code of conduct.”
He said nobody had “sought to impede” NSW police’s investigation.
The phone call has been criticised by Labor and integrity experts, including former anti-corruption commissioner and judge David Ipp, who said it appeared to be an attempt to use the office to further party political interests.
Morrison is asked about Nick Xenophon’s new job with Huawei and whether he should place himself on the government’s new foreign influence register.
“He needs to comply with the law like everybody else,” Morrison says.
Huawei was not directly targeted in the government’s decision to restrict involvement in the 5G network, Morrison says.
“Look, I wish Nick all the best in his new employment and sounds like he’s prosecuting his case. It’s a free country.”
The prime minister also speaks about China’s detention of Yang Hengjun, an author and Australian citizen. The latest consular report suggests he is being interrogated daily, sometimes in shackles. He says:
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, and the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, are holding a press conference on the government’s new $87.8m taskforce to detect and disrupt foreign interference. The taskforce, which brings together intelligence and policing capabilities, has been announced after extraordinary revelations about China’s efforts to plant a candidate in Australia’s parliament and the defection of a man who claims to be associated with Chinese intelligence.
“Foreign interference comes from many, many different sources and it’s important that we have the capacity to deal with it,” Morrison says. “It’s an evolving threat and it’s also been a building and evolving response.”
I mentioned a little earlier that bushfire survivor Melinda Plesman had travelled to parliament to call for climate action. Her home was lost in the bushfires that devastated the east coast in recent months. She has brought the remains of her home to parliament as a gift to Scott Morrison.
Plesman spoke to reporters a little earlier:
Richard Di Natale, the Greens leader, is responding to Wong’s attack. He says Labor’s criticism of events 10 years ago are a “distraction” from the “coal hugging Liberals”.Richard Di Natale, the Greens leader, is responding to Wong’s attack. He says Labor’s criticism of events 10 years ago are a “distraction” from the “coal hugging Liberals”.
“You’re supposed to be here to fight the tories, not the Greens,” he says. “You’re supposed to be here to fight the Tories, not the Greens,” he says.
Di Natale said today was the first day Labor had wanted to talk about climate change since the devastating fires on the east coast.Di Natale said today was the first day Labor had wanted to talk about climate change since the devastating fires on the east coast.
“What are the Labor party doing? Turning their attention to the Greens. We had half the country on fire last week. We have had the east coast burning. We have had people losing their homes. You know what the response was from the Labor party? Well, again they joined the Liberal party. Now is not the time to talk about climate change.” “What are the Labor party doing? Turning their attention to the Greens. We had half the country on fire last week. We have had the east coast burning. We have had people losing their homes. You know what the response was from the Labor party? Well, again they joined the Liberal party: now is not the time to talk about climate change.”
Di Natale says the Greens were the only party to take a carbon price policy to the election.Di Natale says the Greens were the only party to take a carbon price policy to the election.
“If you are so desperate to have a climate price introduced, let’s get together and work on one,” he said.“If you are so desperate to have a climate price introduced, let’s get together and work on one,” he said.
Still in the Senate, Labor’s Penny Wong is speaking about the 10-year anniversary of the defeat of the carbon pollution reduction scheme, which was voted down by the Liberals and Greens.Still in the Senate, Labor’s Penny Wong is speaking about the 10-year anniversary of the defeat of the carbon pollution reduction scheme, which was voted down by the Liberals and Greens.
Wong isn’t wasting the opportunity to lay the boot into the Greens. She describes the Liberals and Greens as an “unholy alliance” that derailed Australia’s action on climate change.Wong isn’t wasting the opportunity to lay the boot into the Greens. She describes the Liberals and Greens as an “unholy alliance” that derailed Australia’s action on climate change.
“The Greens political party voted against cumulative reduction of Australia’s carbon emissions by 280m tonnes over the last decade,” she says.“The Greens political party voted against cumulative reduction of Australia’s carbon emissions by 280m tonnes over the last decade,” she says.
Wong says the Greens justified their decision by complaining the targets were inadequate and industry assistance was too great.Wong says the Greens justified their decision by complaining the targets were inadequate and industry assistance was too great.
“Just two years later they voted for the clean energy future package, which had the same emissions targets for 2020 and more industry assistance,” Wong says.“Just two years later they voted for the clean energy future package, which had the same emissions targets for 2020 and more industry assistance,” Wong says.
Finance minister Mathias Cormann describes Wong’s statement as a “political stunt”.Finance minister Mathias Cormann describes Wong’s statement as a “political stunt”.
“This is just all about a tiff between the Labor party and the Greens,” he says.“This is just all about a tiff between the Labor party and the Greens,” he says.
For his part, Cormann says he stands by the decision to vote down the CPRS.For his part, Cormann says he stands by the decision to vote down the CPRS.
Cormann says the CPRS would never have helped reduce emissions, but simply just shifted Australia’s emissions to another part of the world.Cormann says the CPRS would never have helped reduce emissions, but simply just shifted Australia’s emissions to another part of the world.
Over in the Senate, One Nation’s Pauline Hanson is attempting to have her bill protecting dairy farmers debated today. The bill is an attempt to require that fair prices be paid for milk. Hanson wants it debated in private senators’ time, just after midday.Over in the Senate, One Nation’s Pauline Hanson is attempting to have her bill protecting dairy farmers debated today. The bill is an attempt to require that fair prices be paid for milk. Hanson wants it debated in private senators’ time, just after midday.
Labor has supported attempts to bring on debate on the bill, and has previously challenged the Nationals to do the same. But the government is resisting and just won a vote denying One Nation the ability to debate the bill. That is slightly unusual, in that the government does not typically use its numbers to dictate what bills can be debated during private senators’ time.Labor has supported attempts to bring on debate on the bill, and has previously challenged the Nationals to do the same. But the government is resisting and just won a vote denying One Nation the ability to debate the bill. That is slightly unusual, in that the government does not typically use its numbers to dictate what bills can be debated during private senators’ time.
One Nation will bring on the bill anyway, but further debate has been adjourned.One Nation will bring on the bill anyway, but further debate has been adjourned.
Nick Xenophon has just been on Sky News, talking about his new role as “strategic counsel” with Chinese telecommunications behemoth Huawei. Huawei was banned from any role in Australia’s 5G network over concerns of potential foreign influence, a decision that infuriated the Chinese government and the company.Nick Xenophon has just been on Sky News, talking about his new role as “strategic counsel” with Chinese telecommunications behemoth Huawei. Huawei was banned from any role in Australia’s 5G network over concerns of potential foreign influence, a decision that infuriated the Chinese government and the company.
Xenophon is asked how much he is being paid, and whether he is selling out his good name to act as a mouthpiece for a company associated with the Chinese Communist party.Xenophon is asked how much he is being paid, and whether he is selling out his good name to act as a mouthpiece for a company associated with the Chinese Communist party.
“We are being paid on an hourly rate, it’s about the same as any other client that I’m acting for,” Xenophon said. “So there’s no premium, there’s no danger rate.”“We are being paid on an hourly rate, it’s about the same as any other client that I’m acting for,” Xenophon said. “So there’s no premium, there’s no danger rate.”
He said all he wants is to “shut down false, unfair attacks on Huawei”.He said all he wants is to “shut down false, unfair attacks on Huawei”.
“In my view this decision to ban Huawei was a decision that was ill-considered. It was highly political, in my view,” he said.“In my view this decision to ban Huawei was a decision that was ill-considered. It was highly political, in my view,” he said.
Xenophon said it was wrong to suggest he was acting as a mouthpiece for a CCP-linked company.Xenophon said it was wrong to suggest he was acting as a mouthpiece for a CCP-linked company.
“It’s wrong. Wrong on so many levels. Huawei is a private company, it’s owned by its employees, its owned by its key executives, it’s been fiercely independent.”“It’s wrong. Wrong on so many levels. Huawei is a private company, it’s owned by its employees, its owned by its key executives, it’s been fiercely independent.”
Melinda Plesman has arrived in Canberra with a present for the prime minister Scott Morrison. Plesman lost her home in bushfires that swept through Nymboida, on the NSW north coast near Grafton.Melinda Plesman has arrived in Canberra with a present for the prime minister Scott Morrison. Plesman lost her home in bushfires that swept through Nymboida, on the NSW north coast near Grafton.
She has brought the ashes of her property down to gift Morrison to highlight the Coalition’s lack of climate action.She has brought the ashes of her property down to gift Morrison to highlight the Coalition’s lack of climate action.
Foreign minister Marise Payne has issued a statement on China’s treatment of Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer detained on unspecified criminal charges. The Guardian reported this morning that Dr Hengjun is being subjected to daily interrogations with his arms and legs shackled, as Chinese security officials try to “break” him, and have him confess to unspecified allegations of espionage that potentially carry the death penalty.Foreign minister Marise Payne has issued a statement on China’s treatment of Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer detained on unspecified criminal charges. The Guardian reported this morning that Dr Hengjun is being subjected to daily interrogations with his arms and legs shackled, as Chinese security officials try to “break” him, and have him confess to unspecified allegations of espionage that potentially carry the death penalty.
Payne said the Australian government was “very concerned” by reports from a recent consular visit to Hengjun. She described his treatment as “unacceptable”.Payne said the Australian government was “very concerned” by reports from a recent consular visit to Hengjun. She described his treatment as “unacceptable”.
Labor has seized on a report showing budget surpluses would not be as large as the treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, predicted in April. The report, from Deloitte Access Economics, suggests a surplus of $5.3bn for the 2019/20 financial year, which would be smaller than the $7.1bn forecast in April.
Economist and partner at Deloitte Access Economics Chris Richardson said that while overall strong commodity prices have benefited Australia, coal prices are now off the boil.
Labor’s Andrew Leigh said the report “confirmed that Australia’s economic problems were homegrown”.
“It’s given the lie to the claim that it’s purely international problems that are causing the weakness in the domestic economy,” Leigh said. “Deloitte has made absolutely clear that there are domestic economic problems that need to be handled. They pointed again to the fact that wages are growing woefully while profits are growing powerfully.”
“They’ve indicated very clearly that far from the world causing only problems for the Australian economy, indeed the iron ore price – a factor entirely outside the control of the government – has given the budget more benefit than had been expected at budget time.”
You can read a full report on Deloitte’s findings here:
In an interesting (and welcome) development, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has agreed to commence an inquiry into the administration of government grants, including the trouble-plagued regional jobs and investment packages program.
Labor had written to the audit committee asking it to look into the program’s administration after the auditor general released a scathing report into the Coalition’s handling of the $220m regional jobs scheme.
The RJIP paid out funds across 10 regional areas, but doubts have been raised about the process, given a ministerial panel made decisions against the recommendations of the department.
In a statement this morning, the chair of the committee, Liberal MP Lucy Wicks, confirmed the inquiry and said it would likely conduct public hearings in 2020. The audit committee will also look at the Australian Research Council’s administration of the national competitive grants program.
We mentioned a little earlier that farmers were congregating in Canberra to protest the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which they say is failing rural communities and the environment.
One of their chief concerns is what they see as unfair water allocation between the basin states.
The chief executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Phillip Glyde, was on ABC radio this morning and acknowledged the “significant pain” farmers were experiencing.
“We have to acknowledge the significant pain that people are going through as a result of the drought, the significant pain that has occurred as a result of 15 years or more of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin,” he said.
But Glyde said concerns about water allocation had little to do with the basin plan.
“The allocation of water between the states, which is currently the major issue, is not something to do with the basin plan or the water market. That is to do with an intergovernmental agreement that was first struck in 1914,” he said.
He said the scientifically-based basin plan was about ensuring the long-term viability of the system for all its users, and said the 12-year period leading up to its full implementation in 2024 was particularly difficult.
“We’ve got this immediate pain for this long-term gain, and it’s very hard to see it, particularly during drought,” he said.
An interesting tidbit about Nick Xenophon, the former crossbench senator, emerged this morning. He’s taken up the cause of Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications behemoth that was barred from involvement in Australia’s 5G network.
The ban was prompted by security concerns, and has further strained the relationship between Canberra and Beijing.
Xenophon will be part of the strategic counsel representing Huawei. He has described the company as an “underdog”.
“They have been treated incredibly unfairly,” he told the Australian on Monday.
Trade minister Simon Birmingham was asked about Xenophon’s new gig a little earlier. He said it was “for Nick to explain the nature of his work” but questioned what his parliamentary colleagues in Canberra and South Australia would make of it.
Andrew Wilkie will launch yet another attempt to wind back Australia’s live export trade this morning. The trade subjects animals to cruel and horrific conditions and Wilkie’s bill would impose a permanent ban from July 2022.
“Live export is systemically cruel, not in Australia’s economic self-interest and lacks popular support,” Wilkie said. “No wonder so many Australians want to see this vile trade shut down.”
Wilkie’s private member’s bill is unlikely to pass. He has attempted to introduce a similar bill four times in the past and it has never won support from the government or Labor.
“It’s high time both sides of the parliament took notice, started representing their constituents and supported this bill to ban live export.”
The government this morning announced a new $87.8m taskforce to counter foreign interference. The taskforce will bring together intelligence agencies, the Australian federal police, Austrac, and the home affairs department in a concerted effort to detect and disrupt attempts by foreign actors to interfere in Australian politics.
“It will be led by a senior Asio officer and bring together a new team of Australian federal police investigators and representatives from Austrac, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Geospatial Intelligence Organisation,” the government said in a statement this morning. “The Office of National Intelligence will also support the taskforce.”
This announcement, of course, comes after disturbing reports last week about a Chinese government plot to plant Bo “Nick” Zhao in Australia’s parliament, and the defection of Wang Liqiang, a man who claims to be associated with Chinese intelligence. Reports suggest the taskforce had been in the works for some time, but was signed off by cabinet last week.
Trade minister Simon Birmingham has just been on Sky News talking about medevac, making it clear that the government is proceeding with the bill, regardless of whether it will be defeated. He concedes the government may lose the vote.
“Governments will lose votes on the Senate floor, governments always have and governments almost certainly always will.”
Birmingham is refusing to say what Lambie is demanding of the government, but says the Coalition would consider “sensible requests”. Asked whether senators will actually know what they’re voting on, given little is known about Lambie’s demands, Birmingham says: “People in that chamber will be voting in relation to the medevac repeal bill.”
Birmingham is asked whether Labor will be given a briefing on Lambie’s “national security” demands. He says: “If Labor want to talk about the repeal of the medevac laws, we would welcome the debate. but I don’t see any signs of the Labor party waking up to their error and their mistake.”
Finance minister Mathias Cormann has just been speaking on the medevac bill. The government is slated to meet with Jacqui Lambie this morning. But Cormann was pretty emphatic about the possibility it will not horse trade to secure her vote to repeal medevac.
“We will not be horse-trading on national security,” he told the ABC. “There will be no horse-trading on the medevac repeal bill.”
He appears to be making two things clear this morning. Firstly that Lambie’s support has not yet been secured. And secondly, the government does not intend to pull the bill.
That doesn’t leave a great deal of wiggle room.
But let’s see where the chips fall.
So what can we expect from today? There’s a few issues bubbling away already this morning.
Farmers from across the Murray Darling Basin will descend on Canberra to protest against the Murray Darling Basin Plan. They say the management of water under the plan is failing farmers, communities and the environment. The protesters are calling for a royal commission into the plan. Some are calling for it to be immediately scrapped, a position that has caused a split with the National Farmers’ Federation.
The government will continue to seek the support of crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie in its bid to repeal the medevac legislation. Lambie is playing hardball. She has asked for unknown promises from the government before giving it her support. We don’t know precisely what she’s asked for, because she’s keeping it under wraps for “national security” reasons. Her vote is, of course, critical to the government getting its way.
Speaking of those pesky crossbenchers, we’re also likely to see continued fallout from One Nation’s decision to deny the government passage of its union-busting ensuring integrity bill in the Senate last week. The government is expected to reintroduce the legislation into the lower house this week, though it won’t come up for a vote. They may seek to win the support of Lambie instead, who has indicated she would be open to discussions.
We can also expect Labor to continue its attack on Angus Taylor. Taylor has come under immense pressure since the Guardian revealed he relied on a falsified document to attack the City of Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore for her travel-related emissions. Taylor has since been referred to NSW police, which has set up a taskforce to investigate. The prime minister Scott Morrison got himself into trouble last week by calling the NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, an old personal acquaintance, to check up on the investigation.
Hello and welcome to the last week of parliament for the year.
It’s Christopher Knaus here filling in for your usual live blog extraordinaire, Amy Remeikis.
We’re almost there. Four more sitting days left until this chaotic parliamentary year is done and dusted.
There’s still plenty to come. From the continuing Angus Taylor saga to the government’s continuing attempts to repeal medevac, it’s set to be a busy week. So grab a coffee and strap in.