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Barnaby Joyce denies he wants control of $50bn infrastructure funding – politics live Senators warn George Brandis to correct record on Bell matter – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.19pm GMT
22:19
Surprise, surprise.
Mike Baird, former NSW Premier, now a NAB executive a month after leaving politics pic.twitter.com/FeN26Edpjp
10.18pm GMT
22:18
Labor senator Sam Dastyari is questioning communications minister Mitch Fifield and the secretary of the communications department Heather Mitchell on the Australia Post pay package for former chief Ahmed Fahour.
Fifield, Mitchell and deputy secretary Ian Robinson tell the committee they had no knowledge of Fahour’s salary at the last senate estimates. They all say they only knew what was in the public domain. (Like the rest of us.)
10.09pm GMT
22:09
George Brandis agrees to statement, LNP chair Macdonald heads it off
George Brandis says while he did not want to make a statement, he was willing, given he had been asked by a group of senators.
Chair Ian Macdonald does not know anything about it.
Labor senators say Brandis is willing to explain, let him.
Macdonald suggests a private meeting.
Macdonald is being terse.
Penny Wong says,
May I finish. A little courtesy would be appropriate.
Get onto your point of order, barks Macdonald. We have the agenda set already. Witnesses are from Sydney and need to get home.
Macdonald cuts the public vision to have a confab.
Then it comes back with some sort of agreement to proceed with the committee and NOT hear the Brandis statement.
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10.04pm GMT
22:04
In the communications estimates committee, Australia Post is first up. That will also be worth watching.
10.03pm GMT
22:03
Now to estimates info.
Aforementioned George is in the legal and constitutional affairs committee at 9am.
The departments will be rolled through this committee, including the attorney general, with the Human Rights Commission first up. That means Gillian Triggs, the president of the HRC.
Then the federal court, the family court, the information commissioner and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, where a lot of ex-politicians, mates and party hacks go to deflate.
The chair is Queensland LNP tub-thumper senator Ian Macdonald.
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9.53pm GMT
21:53
Updated
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9.42pm GMT9.42pm GMT
21:4221:42
George Brandis asked by senate to explain inconsistency in Bell matter George Brandis asked by Senate to explain inconsistency in Bell matter
As estimates committees continue, the attorney general George Brandis is in a spot of bother about his previous statements to the senate on the Bell matter. As estimates committees continue, the attorney general, George Brandis, is in a spot of bother about his previous statements to the Senate on the Bell matter.
This relates to conflicting accounts over whether or not there was a deal between the federal and West Australian governments in 2015 which would have cost the Australian Taxation Office $300m. This relates to conflicting accounts over whether or not there was a deal between the federal and Western Australian governments in 2015, which would have cost the Australian Taxation Office $300m.
Brandis told the Senate he did not believe there was a deal between the commonwealth and the Western Australian government over litigation surrounding the collapsed Bell Group – and if there was any such agreement, he had no knowledge of it. Brandis told the Senate he did not believe there was a deal between the commonwealth and the Western Australian government over litigation surrounding the collapsed Bell Group – and, if there was any such agreement, he had no knowledge of it.
Here is what he told the senate last year: Here is what he told the Senate last year:
The first personal involvement I recall having in the matter was on 3rd March this year, although my office had been dealing with the matter prior to that time.The first personal involvement I recall having in the matter was on 3rd March this year, although my office had been dealing with the matter prior to that time.
On that day, I had a visit from the honourable Christian Porter, the Minister for Social Services. Mr Porter had of course been the Treasurer and Attorney-General in the WA Government and was familiar with its attempts to bring the Bell winding up to a conclusion. On that day, I had a visit from the honourable Christian Porter, the minister for social services. Mr Porter had of course been the treasurer and attorney general in the WA government and was familiar with its attempts to bring the Bell winding up to a conclusion.
He told me that on 2 March 2016, his office had received an email from the WA State solicitor containing a summary briefing and slide show of the history of the matter as well as copies of the exchange of letters between Dr Nahan and Mr [Joe] Hockey. He told me that on 2 March 2016 his office had received an email from the WA state solicitor containing a summary briefing and slide show of the history of the matter as well as copies of the exchange of letters between Dr Nahan and Mr [Joe] Hockey.
Mr Porter explained to me the background of the WA Government’s attempt to end the Bell winding up. He offered the view that a statutory scheme to bring the winding up to a swifter conclusion and with a better return to creditors was in principle a good thing. However, he noted that he had not been involved in any discussions between Mr Hockey’s office and WA ministers. Mr Porter explained to me the background of the WA government’s attempt to end the Bell winding up. He offered the view that a statutory scheme to bring the winding up to a swifter conclusion and with a better return to creditors was in principle a good thing. However, he noted that he had not been involved in any discussions between Mr Hockey’s office and WA ministers.
He had not had the time or resources to form a view on the constitutional or revenue aspects of the WA legislation. He suggested I speak to the Attorney-General of WA, Mr Mischin, which I subsequently did. He had not had the time or resources to form a view on the constitutional or revenue aspects of the WA legislation. He suggested I speak to the attorney general of WA, Mr Mischin, which I subsequently did.
My first conversation with Mr Mischin, which also involved Dr Nahan, was at about midday eastern time the following day, Friday 4 March. They gave me the WA Government’s perspective of its dealings with Mr Hockey. Apart from the mention made of the matter by Mr Porter the previous evening, this was the first time I became aware of Mr Hockey’s dealings with the WA Government. My first conversation with Mr Mischin, which also involved Dr Nahan, was at about midday eastern time the following day, Friday, 4 March. They gave me the WA government’s perspective of its dealings with Mr Hockey. Apart from the mention made of the matter by Mr Porter the previous evening, this was the first time I became aware of Mr Hockey’s dealings with the WA government.
But this was before the ever watchful Andrew Probyn, of 7.30 Report, reported Brandis actually knew one month earlier. But this was before the ever watchful Andrew Probyn, of 7.30, reported Brandis actually knew one month earlier.
Now the senate - Labor, Greens, Nick Xenophon and Derryn Hinch - want Brandis to correct the record. The combination of senators make a majority. Luckily for them, Brandis is appearing in the estimates committee at 9am. Now the Senate – Labor, Greens, Nick Xenophon and Derryn Hinch – want Brandis to correct the record. The combination of senators make a majority. Luckily for them, Brandis is appearing in the estimates committee at 9am.
Updated
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9.21pm GMT9.21pm GMT
21:2121:21
Paul KarpPaul Karp
In an interview with Radio National deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has denied a report he wants control of $50bn of infrastructure spending by taking the infrastructure and transport portfolio. In an interview with Radio National the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has denied a report he wants control of $50bn of infrastructure spending by taking the infrastructure and transport portfolio.
On Tuesday The Australian reported that Joyce has been in discussions to take the portfolio off fellow Nationals MP Darren Chester because he is concerned the government is not selling its achievements in regional areas. On Tuesday the Australian reported that Joyce had been in discussions to take the portfolio off fellow his Nationals MP Darren Chester because he is concerned the government is not selling its achievements in regional areas.
Chester said it wasn’t true, and a spokesman for Joyce said he didn’t comment on cabinet speculation. Chester said it wasn’t true and a spokesman for Joyce said he didn’t comment on cabinet speculation.
On Radio Nationals Joyce said: On Radio National, Joyce said:
I don’t know where that story came from but it certainly didn’t come from me”. I don’t know where that story came from but it certainly didn’t come from me.
Asked if it was true, Joyce said “no” because he was happy with the agriculture portfolio. Asked if it was true, Joyce said no because he was happy with the agriculture portfolio.
Joyce listed the Coalition’s program for regional Australia including $2.5bn for dams, construction of inland rail, and reduction of trade barriers to Indonesia for sugar and cattle. Joyce listed the Coalition’s program for regional Australia including $2.5bn for dams, construction of inland rail and reduction of trade barriers to Indonesia for sugar and cattle.
I’m a very happy guy!I’m a very happy guy!
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9.08pm GMT9.08pm GMT
21:0821:08
Good morning clowns, punks and hippies,Good morning clowns, punks and hippies,
It has already been a difficult year for Malcolm Turnbull. Christmas and January were a bit of debacle as a result of the political death of his health minister, Sussan Ley. Since then Tony Abbott and his fellow Deplorables have been throwing incendiaries from the sidelines and Cory Bernardi guaranteed the first sitting day would be interesting, in the Chinese sense of the word.It has already been a difficult year for Malcolm Turnbull. Christmas and January were a bit of debacle as a result of the political death of his health minister, Sussan Ley. Since then Tony Abbott and his fellow Deplorables have been throwing incendiaries from the sidelines and Cory Bernardi guaranteed the first sitting day would be interesting, in the Chinese sense of the word.
Leadership today must feel like the crew at La La Land. The winner is … Malcolm Turnbull. Not.Leadership today must feel like the crew at La La Land. The winner is … Malcolm Turnbull. Not.
But the Guardian’s Essential poll is not as brutal for the government as the Newspoll yesterday, though it has the same trend. It shows Labor leading the Coalition on the two-party preferred measure 53% to 47%, a one-point movement from last week’s survey.But the Guardian’s Essential poll is not as brutal for the government as the Newspoll yesterday, though it has the same trend. It shows Labor leading the Coalition on the two-party preferred measure 53% to 47%, a one-point movement from last week’s survey.
Katharine Murphy reports:Katharine Murphy reports:
Malcolm Turnbull is rated by Australian voters as intelligent and hardworking but he also scores highly on some key negatives – like being out of touch with ordinary people, and arrogant, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.Malcolm Turnbull is rated by Australian voters as intelligent and hardworking but he also scores highly on some key negatives – like being out of touch with ordinary people, and arrogant, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.
The new survey suggests the prime minister’s negatives have crept up since the same questions were asked last September. Turnbull is now considered less visionary (down 5%) and more narrow-minded (up 3%).The new survey suggests the prime minister’s negatives have crept up since the same questions were asked last September. Turnbull is now considered less visionary (down 5%) and more narrow-minded (up 3%).
He has also lost ground on intelligent, good in a crisis, trustworthy and more honest than most politicians – which are all down 3%.He has also lost ground on intelligent, good in a crisis, trustworthy and more honest than most politicians – which are all down 3%.
By contrast, the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, is considered by voters to be hardworking (61%) and intelligent (60%) and people think he understands the problems facing Australia (48%).By contrast, the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, is considered by voters to be hardworking (61%) and intelligent (60%) and people think he understands the problems facing Australia (48%).
But voters are more likely now than they were last September to think he is intolerant (up 3%) and his rating for visionary is down 3%.But voters are more likely now than they were last September to think he is intolerant (up 3%) and his rating for visionary is down 3%.
But there is bad news for Tony Abbott. As Peter Lewis of Essential says:But there is bad news for Tony Abbott. As Peter Lewis of Essential says:
Even with Turnbull’s steady decline in personal regard, Abbott’s numbers are significantly worse – net 20% higher on erratic, net 16 on aggressive, net 18 on narrow-minded,” he said. “In terms of positives, Turnbull is up 10 points on vision, 10 on capability and a whopping 21 points on intelligence. Even with Turnbull’s steady decline in personal regard, Abbott’s numbers are significantly worse – net 20% higher on erratic, net 16 on aggressive, net 18 on narrow-minded,” he said. “In terms of positives, Turnbull is up 10 points on vision, 10 on capability and a whopping 21 points on intelligence.”
But Abbott does have friends. Cory Bernardi has invited his former leader to join him at his Australian Conservatives party.But Abbott does have friends. Cory Bernardi has invited his former leader to join him at his Australian Conservatives party.
“I was watching [Tony Abbott] last week and I was talking to the TV saying, ‘Where were you all those years ago, Tony?’ because those ideas are absolutely spot on,” Bernardi said on Monday night.“I was watching [Tony Abbott] last week and I was talking to the TV saying, ‘Where were you all those years ago, Tony?’ because those ideas are absolutely spot on,” Bernardi said on Monday night.
Bernardi said conservatives needed to campaign on a platform of cutting power prices, “trimming” immigration and cutting government spending – and, if the government resisted, “what hope is there for the Liberal party?”Bernardi said conservatives needed to campaign on a platform of cutting power prices, “trimming” immigration and cutting government spending – and, if the government resisted, “what hope is there for the Liberal party?”
He said conservatives sick of the government’s lack of action on those issues could come to the “warm, welcoming embrace of Australian Conservatives ... Tony Abbott included”.He said conservatives sick of the government’s lack of action on those issues could come to the “warm, welcoming embrace of Australian Conservatives ... Tony Abbott included”.
The big news item in the political day will be the joint committee report into section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act – expected later in the day. As Katharine Murphy reported yesterday,The big news item in the political day will be the joint committee report into section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act – expected later in the day. As Katharine Murphy reported yesterday,
Parliament’s joint committee on human rights is moving towards producing a unanimous bipartisan report on controversial changes to the Racial Discrimination Act that will float a range of potential reform options for the Turnbull government to consider – but stop short of making concrete recommendations.Parliament’s joint committee on human rights is moving towards producing a unanimous bipartisan report on controversial changes to the Racial Discrimination Act that will float a range of potential reform options for the Turnbull government to consider – but stop short of making concrete recommendations.
In the parliament, debate will surround the omnibus savings and childcare bill as well as the accompanying national disability insurance scheme special savings fund. Remember the omnibus bill includes $1.6bn in extra funding for childcare and more than $3bn in increased payments (to NDIS) along with almost $8bn in welfare spending cuts.In the parliament, debate will surround the omnibus savings and childcare bill as well as the accompanying national disability insurance scheme special savings fund. Remember the omnibus bill includes $1.6bn in extra funding for childcare and more than $3bn in increased payments (to NDIS) along with almost $8bn in welfare spending cuts.
Having bought tickets to the circus, the Daily Telegraph has declared Australia’s politicians a bunch of clowns.Having bought tickets to the circus, the Daily Telegraph has declared Australia’s politicians a bunch of clowns.
Front page of The Daily Telegraph #auspol pic.twitter.com/q1XAg9swtXFront page of The Daily Telegraph #auspol pic.twitter.com/q1XAg9swtX
Mike Bowers is down watching some sporting doings between politicians and press. Talk to us in the thread or on the Twits, @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. Or if you prefer Facebook, talk to me here.Mike Bowers is down watching some sporting doings between politicians and press. Talk to us in the thread or on the Twits, @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. Or if you prefer Facebook, talk to me here.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.37pm GMT at 10.15pm GMT