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Police ask Clover Moore for statement on Angus Taylor – politics live Police ask Clover Moore for statement on Angus Taylor – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Sydney lord mayor approached by police investigating accusations the emissions reduction minister relied on a falsified document to attack her. Follow all the day’s political news liveSydney lord mayor approached by police investigating accusations the emissions reduction minister relied on a falsified document to attack her. Follow all the day’s political news live
That’s where we’ll leave the live blog for the day. Thanks for following along.That’s where we’ll leave the live blog for the day. Thanks for following along.
It’s been another messy day. Many say the medevac repeal has made it one of parliament’s darkest.It’s been another messy day. Many say the medevac repeal has made it one of parliament’s darkest.
If it helps, I’ve been silently chanting ‘one more day, one more day, one more day’ for the past three hours. It’s no real comfort, to be honest. But it does busy the mind. Feel free to give it a go. Don’t blame me if you go insane.If it helps, I’ve been silently chanting ‘one more day, one more day, one more day’ for the past three hours. It’s no real comfort, to be honest. But it does busy the mind. Feel free to give it a go. Don’t blame me if you go insane.
This is what we learned today:This is what we learned today:
the government won Jacqui Lambie’s vote using unknown promises, thereby securing the passage of its medevac repeal bill. We suspect they promised to give new energy to their efforts to resettle refugees on Nauru. But the repeal means the effective end of doctor-led decisions on healthcare transfers for asylum seekers and refugees. The decision has been condemned by GPs, refugee advocates, human rights groups, the opposition, the Greens, and Centre Alliance. There is real anger that the vote took place without anyone truly knowing what the Lambie-Coalition deal actually entailed. The government won Jacqui Lambie’s vote using unknown promises, thereby securing the passage of its medevac repeal bill. We suspect they promised to give new energy to their efforts to resettle the refugees on Nauru. But the repeal means the effective end of doctor-led decisions on healthcare transfers for asylum seekers and refugees. The decision has been condemned by GPs, refugee advocates, human rights groups, the opposition, the Greens and Centre Alliance. There is real anger that the vote took place without anyone truly knowing what the Lambie-Coalition deal actually entailed.
on the Taylor front, there was an unconfirmed report in the Australian naming one of Angus Taylor’s staff, Josh Manuatu, as the person who obtained false travel figures about Clover Moore and sent them to the Daily Telegraph. The Guardian also reported that police have asked Clover Moore for a statement, and Taylor revealed in question time that he had set up a “point of contact” with NSW police. On the Angus Taylor front, there was an unconfirmed report in the Australian naming one of Taylor’s staff, Josh Manuatu, as the person who obtained false travel figures about Clover Moore and sent them to the Daily Telegraph. The Guardian also reported that police have asked Clover Moore for a statement, and Taylor revealed in question time that he had set up a “point of contact” with New South Wales police.
Also on Taylor, US author Naomi Wolf has challenged Taylor to correct “disinformation” about her in his maiden speech to parliament. So that’s still bubbling along. Also on Taylor, the US author Naomi Wolf has challenged Taylor to correct “disinformation” about her in his maiden speech to parliament. So that’s still bubbling along.
Cory Bernardi gave his valedictory speech, speaking of the difficulty of defecting from the Liberals. Senator Cory Bernardi gave his valedictory speech, speaking of the difficulty of defecting from the Liberals.
GDP figures were released late this morning, showing a 0.4% quarterly growth in the economy. It’s still well below the long-term growth average. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said there were reasons to be positive. Others weren’t so rosy. GDP figures were released late this morning, showing a 0.4% quarterly growth in the economy. It’s still well below the long-term growth average. The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, said there were reasons to be positive. Others weren’t so rosy.
Malarndirri McCarthy gave an emotional speech to the Senate about the vile death and rape threats she has endured in office. The threats were truly horrific and McCarthy’s speech gave a powerful insight of what it’s like for victims of such abuse.Malarndirri McCarthy gave an emotional speech to the Senate about the vile death and rape threats she has endured in office. The threats were truly horrific and McCarthy’s speech gave a powerful insight of what it’s like for victims of such abuse.
Early on in the day, Barnaby Joyce called for changes to allow more of the Commonwealth’s environmental water holdings to meet critical human need. The Nationals have been placed in a tricky position by all of this. They are bearing the brunt of farmer anger over water arrangements, and risk losing their traditional constituents to minor parties or elsewhere. Early on in the day, Barnaby Joyce called for changes to allow more of the commonwealth’s environmental water holdings to meet critical human need. The Nationals have been placed in a tricky position by all of this. They are bearing the brunt of farmer anger over water arrangements, and risk losing their traditional constituents to minor parties or elsewhere.
Another development on the Angus Taylor front.Another development on the Angus Taylor front.
The City of Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, has been approached by police to provide a statement for their investigation into accusations Taylor relied on a falsified document to attack her travel-related emissions. The council said in a statement:The City of Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, has been approached by police to provide a statement for their investigation into accusations Taylor relied on a falsified document to attack her travel-related emissions. The council said in a statement:
“NSW police have asked the lord mayor for a statement. She will cooperate with the police request.”“NSW police have asked the lord mayor for a statement. She will cooperate with the police request.”
Naomi Wolf has called on Angus Taylor to correct the record after it emerged his first speech to parliament wrongly stated that she had attempted to have a Christmas tree removed from their student accommodation at Oxford University, which Taylor used as a gross example of “political correctness”.Naomi Wolf has called on Angus Taylor to correct the record after it emerged his first speech to parliament wrongly stated that she had attempted to have a Christmas tree removed from their student accommodation at Oxford University, which Taylor used as a gross example of “political correctness”.
Bernardi becomes emotional when he talks about his family and wife, Sinéad.Bernardi becomes emotional when he talks about his family and wife, Sinéad.
He concludes by saying he wanted to live life in politics “walking lightly through these corridors, wondering, ‘what if?’”.He concludes by saying he wanted to live life in politics “walking lightly through these corridors, wondering, ‘what if?’”.
Bernardi talks about the focus directed to him from the press.Bernardi talks about the focus directed to him from the press.
Conservative senator Cory Bernardi is giving his valedictory speech in the Senate. He praises the Liberal senators Nick Minchin and former Senate president Alan Ferguson for their guidance. He speaks of Jeannie Ferris, a senator who died of ovarian cancer in October 2005. Bernardi says a day after Ferris’s death, the Senate machinery kicked back into gear.Conservative senator Cory Bernardi is giving his valedictory speech in the Senate. He praises the Liberal senators Nick Minchin and former Senate president Alan Ferguson for their guidance. He speaks of Jeannie Ferris, a senator who died of ovarian cancer in October 2005. Bernardi says a day after Ferris’s death, the Senate machinery kicked back into gear.
Bernardi speaks of defecting from the Liberal party. He says he lost many friends and colleagues.Bernardi speaks of defecting from the Liberal party. He says he lost many friends and colleagues.
He speaks of the “awesome foursome” who united in their opposition to the carbon pollution reduction scheme 10 years ago. That group included Mathias Cormann, Michaelia Cash, Bernardi and David Bushby.He speaks of the “awesome foursome” who united in their opposition to the carbon pollution reduction scheme 10 years ago. That group included Mathias Cormann, Michaelia Cash, Bernardi and David Bushby.
He jokes about his friendship with Labor senator Don Farrell, who lost his seat in 2013, but has since returned to parliament. He says he was the sole keeper of “the Farrell flame” in the Senate.He jokes about his friendship with Labor senator Don Farrell, who lost his seat in 2013, but has since returned to parliament. He says he was the sole keeper of “the Farrell flame” in the Senate.
GPs have slammed the government’s repeal of medevac laws, saying it will increase the risk of further deaths and compromise patient care.GPs have slammed the government’s repeal of medevac laws, saying it will increase the risk of further deaths and compromise patient care.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners refugee health network chair, Kate Walker, said the heads of 12 prominent medical colleges were united in their support for medevac for “good reason”.The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners refugee health network chair, Kate Walker, said the heads of 12 prominent medical colleges were united in their support for medevac for “good reason”.
“Last week I expressed concern that the repeal of the legislation would compromise patient care and increase the risk of further deaths. I stand by that statement,” Walker said.“Last week I expressed concern that the repeal of the legislation would compromise patient care and increase the risk of further deaths. I stand by that statement,” Walker said.
She said 12 refugees and asylum seekers had died in offshore processing in the five years prior to medevac. None had died since.She said 12 refugees and asylum seekers had died in offshore processing in the five years prior to medevac. None had died since.
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, has welcomed news that Behrouz Boochani has applied for asylum in New Zealand. We’ve known for some time that this was likely.The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, has welcomed news that Behrouz Boochani has applied for asylum in New Zealand. We’ve known for some time that this was likely.
Di Natale tells the ABC:Di Natale tells the ABC:
Our political editor, Katharine Murphy, has written this report on the events of today. Murphy reports Jacqui Lambie wanted a re-energised pursuit of the New Zealand resettlement deal from the government in exchange for her support. She may have gotten a letter of assurance from the government to that end.Our political editor, Katharine Murphy, has written this report on the events of today. Murphy reports Jacqui Lambie wanted a re-energised pursuit of the New Zealand resettlement deal from the government in exchange for her support. She may have gotten a letter of assurance from the government to that end.
The Australian has just named one of Angus Taylor’s staff, Josh Manuatu, as the person who obtained false travel figures about Clover Moore and sent them to the Daily Telegraph.The Australian has just named one of Angus Taylor’s staff, Josh Manuatu, as the person who obtained false travel figures about Clover Moore and sent them to the Daily Telegraph.
I have no evidence that Manuatu was involved in this at all, but there has been talk around the government that he might have been the staffer who handled the material.I have no evidence that Manuatu was involved in this at all, but there has been talk around the government that he might have been the staffer who handled the material.
But even if he did (and I said I don’t know if he did or not), the letter did go out under the signature of the minister. Old fashioned to reference the concept of ministerial responsibility I know.But even if he did (and I said I don’t know if he did or not), the letter did go out under the signature of the minister. Old fashioned to reference the concept of ministerial responsibility I know.
Taylor’s office has told my colleague Anne Davies when she made inquiries about this yesterday: “I reject absolutely the suggestion that I, or any members of my staff, altered the document in question.”Taylor’s office has told my colleague Anne Davies when she made inquiries about this yesterday: “I reject absolutely the suggestion that I, or any members of my staff, altered the document in question.”
The Labor MP Andrew Giles, like many of us, cannot understand how the deal between Jacqui Lambie and the Coalition came to be. On Sunday, Lambie said she had given the government a choice:The Labor MP Andrew Giles, like many of us, cannot understand how the deal between Jacqui Lambie and the Coalition came to be. On Sunday, Lambie said she had given the government a choice:
Today it sounded simply like Lambie had accepted the government’s assurance that it would continue to implement its resettlement policies. Though that’s still not entirely clear.Today it sounded simply like Lambie had accepted the government’s assurance that it would continue to implement its resettlement policies. Though that’s still not entirely clear.
Giles:Giles:
A new report shows inadequate Centrelink payments are driving people into poverty and heightening their risk of homelessness.A new report shows inadequate Centrelink payments are driving people into poverty and heightening their risk of homelessness.
The Homeward Bound report, authored by the lawyer Sophie Trevitt with the National Social Security Rights Network and Canberra Community Law, examined the experiences of 567 clients in Canberra. It found Centrelink recipients are struggling to meet their basic daily needs, including food and housing. It found women, single parents, Indigenous Australians and people with disabilities are suffering the most, and are most at risk of homelessness.The Homeward Bound report, authored by the lawyer Sophie Trevitt with the National Social Security Rights Network and Canberra Community Law, examined the experiences of 567 clients in Canberra. It found Centrelink recipients are struggling to meet their basic daily needs, including food and housing. It found women, single parents, Indigenous Australians and people with disabilities are suffering the most, and are most at risk of homelessness.
The report called for an increase in Newstart, reforms to the social security system and additional social housing.The report called for an increase in Newstart, reforms to the social security system and additional social housing.
“People on the Newstart allowance are struggling to live on less than $40 a day. They are entirely cut off from the private rental market; and with extremely long wait times for public housing, many were forced to sleep in their cars, in the living rooms of friends and families, in parks, caravans and refuges,” Trevitt said.“People on the Newstart allowance are struggling to live on less than $40 a day. They are entirely cut off from the private rental market; and with extremely long wait times for public housing, many were forced to sleep in their cars, in the living rooms of friends and families, in parks, caravans and refuges,” Trevitt said.
Nick Martin, a GP and former senior medical officer on Nauru, has written on the repeal of the medevac laws for the Guardian. It’s pretty strong stuff.Nick Martin, a GP and former senior medical officer on Nauru, has written on the repeal of the medevac laws for the Guardian. It’s pretty strong stuff.
Question time, as seen through the eyes of Mike Bowers.Question time, as seen through the eyes of Mike Bowers.
Lovely shot from Mike Bowers of Timothy Weeks, a recently freed Taliban hostage, getting a standing ovation during question time this afternoon.Lovely shot from Mike Bowers of Timothy Weeks, a recently freed Taliban hostage, getting a standing ovation during question time this afternoon.
Question time has ended with a sustained attack on Angus Taylor, yet again.Question time has ended with a sustained attack on Angus Taylor, yet again.
This is what we learned:This is what we learned:
Angus Taylor has established a “point of contact” with NSW police over its investigation of his office’s reliance on a falsified document to attack Clover Moore. So we’re not yet at the stage of a police interview. But there is contact, of some description. Taylor continued to duck questions on why he hasn’t produced evidence to back up his claim that he downloaded the document with erroneous figures from the council’s own website. Mark Butler pointed out that the document had accurate figures at four points in March, April, June and October. That would make Taylor’s version unlikely, to say the least.Angus Taylor has established a “point of contact” with NSW police over its investigation of his office’s reliance on a falsified document to attack Clover Moore. So we’re not yet at the stage of a police interview. But there is contact, of some description. Taylor continued to duck questions on why he hasn’t produced evidence to back up his claim that he downloaded the document with erroneous figures from the council’s own website. Mark Butler pointed out that the document had accurate figures at four points in March, April, June and October. That would make Taylor’s version unlikely, to say the least.
The repeal of the medevac bill dominated many of the questions. Labor asked why the government was claiming it had not done a deal with Jacqui Lambie, when she intimated that they had. Scott Morrison said Lambie had simply supported government policy. He then attacked Labor for sending women and children to Manus Island, prompting an uproar in parliament.The repeal of the medevac bill dominated many of the questions. Labor asked why the government was claiming it had not done a deal with Jacqui Lambie, when she intimated that they had. Scott Morrison said Lambie had simply supported government policy. He then attacked Labor for sending women and children to Manus Island, prompting an uproar in parliament.
In the Senate, Richard Di Natale asked a more targeted question than Deal or No Deal – was there an exchange of letters with Jacqui Lambie?In the Senate, Richard Di Natale asked a more targeted question than Deal or No Deal – was there an exchange of letters with Jacqui Lambie?
There was another angry exchange between Michael McCormack and Joel Fitzgibbon, who seem to be having quite a week. McCormack said Fitzgibbon was a disgrace and “wouldn’t know a farmer if he met one”. Take that.There was another angry exchange between Michael McCormack and Joel Fitzgibbon, who seem to be having quite a week. McCormack said Fitzgibbon was a disgrace and “wouldn’t know a farmer if he met one”. Take that.
Timothy Weeks, a freed Taliban prisoner, was in the house and received a standing ovation from the chamber. Weeks had been a Taliban prisoner for three years since he was taken hostage in 2016.Timothy Weeks, a freed Taliban prisoner, was in the house and received a standing ovation from the chamber. Weeks had been a Taliban prisoner for three years since he was taken hostage in 2016.
Labor led its attack on the poor school performance results released overnight, which show Australian school students are falling behind the rest of the world. Scott Morrison said “funding is at record levels”. Dan Tehan said funding wasn’t everything and Australia needed to find other ways to improve performance.Labor led its attack on the poor school performance results released overnight, which show Australian school students are falling behind the rest of the world. Scott Morrison said “funding is at record levels”. Dan Tehan said funding wasn’t everything and Australia needed to find other ways to improve performance.