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Version 13 Version 14
Coronavirus Australia update: Victoria reports 12 new cases as MP Adem Somyurek sacked – federal question time live Coronavirus Australia update: Victoria reports 12 new cases as MP Adem Somyurek sacked – federal question time live
(32 minutes later)
Victoria’s premier says minister accused of branch stacking was not given an opportunity to resign. Follow the latest updates liveVictoria’s premier says minister accused of branch stacking was not given an opportunity to resign. Follow the latest updates live
We are getting to the end of the government shutting down the attempt to suspend standing orders. Ed Husic only manages to get out “it’s a disgrace” before Christian Porter closes it down again
Question time ended (I just got up from rocking under my desk) and Anthony Albanese moved to suspend standing orders (for the Australia Post regulation) which has been opposed by the government.
Oh wait, he manages to whinge about the Queensland government (as we know, the collective noun for a group of Nationals is a whinge or a complaint) because there is a state election coming up in October, and let no chance for a sledge go unsledged is the new rule
David Littleproud then gets three minutes to talk about the government’s latest tongue twister – building back better.
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison whether he will reverse the Australia Post regulation decision (fewer postal delivery days, which the union says will mean fewer jobs)
He says he’ll get Paul Fletcher to take his remaining time, but then warms up to his theme and takes it all up (or maybe he is sparing us Fletcher’s 1950s headmaster delivery. Who knows)
Morrison:
The Speaker has to check if we are still in question time.
Unfortunately, we are.
Or are we in purgatory?
Who can tell at this time.
Peter Dutton gets his dixer.
Nature is healing.
Joel Fitzgibbon to Scott Morrison:Joel Fitzgibbon to Scott Morrison:
My question is to the Prime Minister. The member for New England has called for a royal commission into the dairy sector because, he says, and I quote, “Those with markets power have utilised it at the expense of our dairy producers.” But the agriculture minister has rejected the call by the member for New England. Prime Minister - who is right? My question is to the prime minister. The member for New England has called for a royal commission into the dairy sector because, he says, and I quote: “Those with markets power have utilised it at the expense of our dairy producers.” But the agriculture minister has rejected the call by the member for New England. Prime minister, who is right?
David Littleproud gets the call up:David Littleproud gets the call up:
Each and every question time brings me closer to understanding why Nurse Ratchet was the way she was.Each and every question time brings me closer to understanding why Nurse Ratchet was the way she was.
There is another question on a VC for Teddy Sheean – for Scott Morrison mostly, I think, because it really, really annoys him.There is another question on a VC for Teddy Sheean – for Scott Morrison mostly, I think, because it really, really annoys him.
It is extremely 2GB and conservative areas, so it is pretty uncomfortable for Morrison to explain why Sheean hasn’t got a VC and what is being done about the review.It is extremely 2GB and conservative areas, so it is pretty uncomfortable for Morrison to explain why Sheean hasn’t got a VC and what is being done about the review.
Chris Hayes to Scott Morrison:Chris Hayes to Scott Morrison:
Today is International Cleaners’ Day. Prime minister, why has the government deliberately excluded cleaning staff at aged care facilities for retention payment, which was given to other aged care workers during the coronavirus?Today is International Cleaners’ Day. Prime minister, why has the government deliberately excluded cleaning staff at aged care facilities for retention payment, which was given to other aged care workers during the coronavirus?
Greg Hunt gets the nod:Greg Hunt gets the nod:
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison another question on jobkeeper (when will people learn when it is to be cut off?) but there is no new information in the answer.Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison another question on jobkeeper (when will people learn when it is to be cut off?) but there is no new information in the answer.
The session moves on to Greg Hunt using his “Trust me, I am a health minister” voice.The session moves on to Greg Hunt using his “Trust me, I am a health minister” voice.
Ohhhhh – this is what Bob Katter was talking about.Ohhhhh – this is what Bob Katter was talking about.
It seems his office has decided to put out a statement to help explain the questions. Probably a good strategy.It seems his office has decided to put out a statement to help explain the questions. Probably a good strategy.
It is also at this point that we need to point out that in March 1905 Bob Katter’s grandfather Carl Robert Katter signed a naturalisation form, saying he was born in Assyria (which would make C R Katter a migrant).It is also at this point that we need to point out that in March 1905 Bob Katter’s grandfather Carl Robert Katter signed a naturalisation form, saying he was born in Assyria (which would make C R Katter a migrant).
Katter’s statement:Katter’s statement:
Bob Katter used question time today to urge the government to use the coronavirus pandemic as a lever to permanently cutback visa levels.Bob Katter used question time today to urge the government to use the coronavirus pandemic as a lever to permanently cutback visa levels.
Mr Katter said Australia was appalled at the branch stacking and perversion of democracy by newcomers from overseas, as seen on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes last night.Mr Katter said Australia was appalled at the branch stacking and perversion of democracy by newcomers from overseas, as seen on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes last night.
He said:He said:
Mr Katter said we are bringing in people from countries with no democracy, (and or) no rule of law, (and or) no egalitarian traditions, (and or) no industrial awards, (and or) no Judaeo-Christian beliefs.Mr Katter said we are bringing in people from countries with no democracy, (and or) no rule of law, (and or) no egalitarian traditions, (and or) no industrial awards, (and or) no Judaeo-Christian beliefs.
Discourse in this country really, really, really needs a clean up.Discourse in this country really, really, really needs a clean up.
Keith Pitt is on his feet. He’s gone with two shades of blue in his tie, so you know he means business.Keith Pitt is on his feet. He’s gone with two shades of blue in his tie, so you know he means business.
For completeness, we should mention what Victoria police and the state’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) have said about the Adem Somyurek controversy.
A Victoria police spokesperson said:
Ibac confirmed it had received a referral from the Victorian attorney general “regarding serious allegations concerning the conduct of public officers” and the referral was “currently under consideration”.Both the police and Ibac said they could not provide any further details.
Earlier today, premier Daniel Andrews said the state’s attorney general had “referred the allegations aired on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes on Sunday 14 June and the articles published by The Age on 14 June 2020 to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and to Victoria police for investigation”.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
(Karen Andrews was in between, but honestly, just send out a press release.)
Morrison:
Albanese asks about relevance. Morrison is told to come back to the point.
Morrison:
Jim Chalmers to Scott Morrison:
Can the prime minister confirmed that fewer Australians than accepted are receiving the wage subsidy, while more Australians than expected have signed up for jobkeeker?
Morrison:
Labor is torturing us all today. This is Michael McCormack’s third trip to the despatch box.
Terri Butler:
McCormack:
The answer goes on, but honestly, the three times I was in intensive care with pneumonia were less painful.
Bob Katter starts yelling but Tony Smith hasn’t called him, so his microphone isn’t turned on. That does not cower Bob Katter, as it would take a thousand blooming crocodiles to stop Katter in his tracks, and even then, their reptilian brains would recognise the fruitlessness. And yet somehow still it is better than listening to Michael McCormack.
It seems the racket is something about relevance.
Smith tells Katter it would be impossible for the prime minister not to be relevant, given the question.
It ends on this:
Scott Morrison:
Bob Katter:
It’s so bad, the House welcomes Bob Katter coming to his feet.
Michael McCormack is giving a stirring rendition of someone unable to find his cheeks with both hands in his backpockets.
Asked about roads by Catherine King, he starts talking about airports.
Anthony Albanese to Scott Morrison:
The Reserve Bank governor has called for infrastructure spending to be fast-tracked to support Australian jobs at least 11 times since the 2019 election. Why has it taken a pandemic for this seven-year-old government [to see] the to bring forward infrastructure investment?
Morrison:
The speaker tells him to sit, because it is not on relevant
Morrison:
After being pulled up by Tony Smith again, Morrison decides he has concluded his answer.