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Senators warn George Brandis to correct record on Bell matter – politics live Bill Leak could have ended racial complaint earlier, says Gillian Triggs – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.29am GMT
00:29
Party rooms will be breaking up for little lunch so we shall have some news shortly.
12.26am GMT
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Outraged by the rainbow flag flown in the foyer of the department of finance, Eric Abetz wants a marriage alliance flag flown.
12.21am GMT
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There is general argy bargy with the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, on local television content under questioning from Sarah Hanson-Young.
We learn:
New Zealand content is counted as Australian for purposes of media content rules.
If parents are worried about children thinking New Zealand is part of Australia, parents should guide their children.
Sarah Hanson-Young has watched Married At First Sight but is not a regular viewer.
And,
Fifield: The thing that should worry parents is the ever-changing ensemble of Hi-Five. #estimates
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An answer today from October estimates on the day AGD is in #estimates, AGD says they don't know how much Brandis diary case has cost. pic.twitter.com/ewE0IejCNj
Last year, Brandis lost a landmark freedom-of-information case against the shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, and must continue to process a request for access to his diary records.
The case began more than two years ago when Dreyfus sought access under freedom-of-information laws to diary entries that showed Brandis’s government-related appointments.
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Meanwhile, over in finance estimates committee:
Eric Abetz asking Finance about its "flag protocols". He's upset that the rainbow "activist flag" was displayed in the deptartment's lobby
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12.04am GMT12.04am GMT
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Cartoonist Bill Leak could have ended 18C complaint earlier, says Gillian TriggsCartoonist Bill Leak could have ended 18C complaint earlier, says Gillian Triggs
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Derryn Hinch has been quizzing the Australian Human Rights Commission about why it didn’t terminate the 18C complaint against Bill Leak because of the defences in 18D, which include that the publication was in good faith.Derryn Hinch has been quizzing the Australian Human Rights Commission about why it didn’t terminate the 18C complaint against Bill Leak because of the defences in 18D, which include that the publication was in good faith.
Triggs reveals that the AHRC gave Bill Leak two opportunities to assert that he had drawn the cartoon in good faith.Triggs reveals that the AHRC gave Bill Leak two opportunities to assert that he had drawn the cartoon in good faith.
Had he responded by making that point, [the commission] would almost certainly have ended that matter precisely at that moment.Had he responded by making that point, [the commission] would almost certainly have ended that matter precisely at that moment.
This is significant testimony because it shows - far from being a systemic failing of AHRC to consider the defences in 18D to protect free speech - the case could demonstrate that Bill Leak refused to defend himself in order to campaign against the prohibition on speech that offends, insults, vilifies or humiliates a person based on race. This is significant testimony because it shows – far from being a systemic failing of AHRC to consider the defences in 18D to protect free speech – the case could demonstrate that Bill Leak refused to defend himself in order to campaign against the prohibition on speech that offends, insults, vilifies or humiliates a person based on race.
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Under Labor questioning, communications minister Mitch Fifield says Ahmed Fahour was appointed under a Labor government, with a contract negotiated under a Labor government and his most substantial pay increases occurred under a Labor government. Under Labor questioning, the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, says Ahmed Fahour was appointed under a Labor government, with a contract negotiated under a Labor government and his most substantial pay increases occurred under a Labor government.
He says the Coalition is the one who has brought in changes that will mean the Australia Post salary will be governed by the Remuneration Tribunal. He says the Coalition is the one who has brought in changes that will mean the Australia Post salary will be governed by the remuneration tribunal.
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11.57pm GMT11.57pm GMT
23:5723:57
George Brandis accuses Gillian Triggs of hiding on QUT caseGeorge Brandis accuses Gillian Triggs of hiding on QUT case
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Attorney general George Brandis has had an exchange with HRC president Gillian Triggs. It comes after Triggs repeats her evidence given to another committee that the reason the AHRC didn’t contact the students earlier because the complaint appeared to be substantially against the university, and both the complainant and uni did not want the students informed until the case had a chance to settle. The attorney general, George Brandis, has had an exchange with the HRC president, Gillian Triggs. It comes after Triggs repeats her evidence given to another committee that the reason the AHRC didn’t contact the students earlier because the complaint appeared to be substantially against the university and both the complainant and uni did not want the students informed until the case had a chance to settle.
In his evidence Brandis said that was not good enough: In his evidence, Brandis said that was not good enough:
The complaint against the university relied as one of its key material grounds upon statements allegedly made by the students.The complaint against the university relied as one of its key material grounds upon statements allegedly made by the students.
So in progressing the complaint against the university, [the complainant] was materially accusing these students of making racist statements – that’s a serious thing to allege.So in progressing the complaint against the university, [the complainant] was materially accusing these students of making racist statements – that’s a serious thing to allege.
I would’ve thought that the principles of natural justice require that they be made aware of that allegation.I would’ve thought that the principles of natural justice require that they be made aware of that allegation.
Brandis said it was “artificial to hide behind the form” of the complaint as being one against the university. He said that for an “unacceptably long period of time” AHRC failed to inform the students of the complaint against them.Brandis said it was “artificial to hide behind the form” of the complaint as being one against the university. He said that for an “unacceptably long period of time” AHRC failed to inform the students of the complaint against them.
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at 11.58pm GMT at 12.30am GMT
11.49pm GMT11.49pm GMT
23:4923:49
In George Brandis’ committee, they are going over chapter and verse on the Human Rights Commission and the QUT case.In George Brandis’ committee, they are going over chapter and verse on the Human Rights Commission and the QUT case.
Delay, delay, delay.Delay, delay, delay.
At this rate, there will be no grilling of Brandis on the Bell matter before the dinner break either.At this rate, there will be no grilling of Brandis on the Bell matter before the dinner break either.
11.35pm GMT11.35pm GMT
23:3523:35
In the past few weeks, defence industry minister and South Australian Christopher Pyne has been pushing the energy barrow.In the past few weeks, defence industry minister and South Australian Christopher Pyne has been pushing the energy barrow.
The ABC’s Andrew Greene reported on February 7:The ABC’s Andrew Greene reported on February 7:
Australia’s future submarine and naval ship building projects are at risk because of the unreliability of energy supply in South Australia, defence industry minister Christopher Pyne has warned.Australia’s future submarine and naval ship building projects are at risk because of the unreliability of energy supply in South Australia, defence industry minister Christopher Pyne has warned.
Mr Pyne has told parliament the Department of Defence had advised him separate power generation and fuel storage would need to be built at Adelaide’s Osborne ship and submarine yard.Mr Pyne has told parliament the Department of Defence had advised him separate power generation and fuel storage would need to be built at Adelaide’s Osborne ship and submarine yard.
Senator Nick Xenophon has questioned Stuart Whiley, the interim head of the government shipbuilder ASC, about the need for stable power.Senator Nick Xenophon has questioned Stuart Whiley, the interim head of the government shipbuilder ASC, about the need for stable power.
Xenophon:Xenophon:
Minister Pyne has announced a multimillion power source for Techport – up until now your company has not seen the need to install such power supply is that right?Minister Pyne has announced a multimillion power source for Techport – up until now your company has not seen the need to install such power supply is that right?
Whiley:Whiley:
Uh, well, we’re not in the business of generating power.Uh, well, we’re not in the business of generating power.
Xenophon:Xenophon:
No.No.
Whiley:Whiley:
No.No.
Xenophon:Xenophon:
But increasingly a lot of businesses in South Australia are. Whether they like it or not. It’s not a criticism. So, in terms of the … when is that power – that alternative power supply – coming online? Do you know?But increasingly a lot of businesses in South Australia are. Whether they like it or not. It’s not a criticism. So, in terms of the … when is that power – that alternative power supply – coming online? Do you know?
Whiley:Whiley:
I don’t know anything about the alternative power supply that minister Pyne referred to.I don’t know anything about the alternative power supply that minister Pyne referred to.
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11.15pm GMT11.15pm GMT
23:1523:15
Boom.Boom.
The committee will probably get to more Bell matter questions at 5pm, when the attorney general’s department is on. Strangely, the controversial stuff like Bell and NBNCo is on late. Presumably tonight we will see some questioning on NBNCo chief executive Bill Morrow’s salary but that won’t be until after dinner, when news services are at their lowest staffing capacity.The committee will probably get to more Bell matter questions at 5pm, when the attorney general’s department is on. Strangely, the controversial stuff like Bell and NBNCo is on late. Presumably tonight we will see some questioning on NBNCo chief executive Bill Morrow’s salary but that won’t be until after dinner, when news services are at their lowest staffing capacity.
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at 11.23pm GMTat 11.23pm GMT
11.10pm GMT11.10pm GMT
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at 11.23pm GMTat 11.23pm GMT
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11.03pm GMT11.03pm GMT
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Paul KarpPaul Karp
Senator Ian Macdonald has been grilling the race discrimination commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane, about whether he had any role in the Bill Leak section 18C racial discrimination complaint.Senator Ian Macdonald has been grilling the race discrimination commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane, about whether he had any role in the Bill Leak section 18C racial discrimination complaint.
Soutphommasane explains that he was asked in the media about the Leak cartoon and he explained how a person could lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission and the free speech exemptions in section 18D that would apply. But that was the extent of his involvement.Soutphommasane explains that he was asked in the media about the Leak cartoon and he explained how a person could lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission and the free speech exemptions in section 18D that would apply. But that was the extent of his involvement.
He said:He said:
I gave advice to no one. I had no involvement whatsoever. I don’t deal with complaints.I gave advice to no one. I had no involvement whatsoever. I don’t deal with complaints.
Soutphommasane explained that the president has oversight of complaints and he, as race discrimination commissioner, had no contact with the Aboriginal Legal Service on this matter, nor the complainant, Melissa Dinnison, nor “any of the people involved”.Soutphommasane explained that the president has oversight of complaints and he, as race discrimination commissioner, had no contact with the Aboriginal Legal Service on this matter, nor the complainant, Melissa Dinnison, nor “any of the people involved”.
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11.00pm GMT11.00pm GMT
23:0023:00
Pauline Hanson rejects any suggestion her attack in the Senate regarding the charity donation to an Islamic cause was motivated by racism.Pauline Hanson rejects any suggestion her attack in the Senate regarding the charity donation to an Islamic cause was motivated by racism.
.@PaulineHansonOz has slammed @samdastyari for suggesting the ousting of Ahmed Fahour was motivated by racism. #pmlive #auspol pic.twitter.com/endABls4X5.@PaulineHansonOz has slammed @samdastyari for suggesting the ousting of Ahmed Fahour was motivated by racism. #pmlive #auspol pic.twitter.com/endABls4X5
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at 11.11pm GMTat 11.11pm GMT
10.56pm GMT10.56pm GMT
22:5622:56
Richard Di Natale asks whether Mitch Fifield agrees with Pauline Hanson’s criticisms that Ahmed Fahour didn’t need his high salary because he gave over $2m to the Islamic Museum of Australia.Richard Di Natale asks whether Mitch Fifield agrees with Pauline Hanson’s criticisms that Ahmed Fahour didn’t need his high salary because he gave over $2m to the Islamic Museum of Australia.
The government comments were not a measure of Fahour’s ethnicity and faith, says Fifield.The government comments were not a measure of Fahour’s ethnicity and faith, says Fifield.
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at 11.12pm GMTat 11.12pm GMT
10.49pm GMT10.49pm GMT
22:4922:49
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, wants to know what effect the effective pay reduction will be for Australia Post.The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, wants to know what effect the effective pay reduction will be for Australia Post.
This goes to the government’s argument that the former managing director Ahmed Fahour’s pay was too high.This goes to the government’s argument that the former managing director Ahmed Fahour’s pay was too high.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, said he was confident the remuneration tribunal settings would attract the right people.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, said he was confident the remuneration tribunal settings would attract the right people.
Di Natale’s point is that if the government says they can attract the right people under lower levels, why not set all executive salaries at a lower rate?Di Natale’s point is that if the government says they can attract the right people under lower levels, why not set all executive salaries at a lower rate?
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at 10.57pm GMTat 10.57pm GMT
10.39pm GMT10.39pm GMT
22:3922:39
Re the Baird appointment:Re the Baird appointment:
There are a few governments that could do with a chief customer officer #auspolThere are a few governments that could do with a chief customer officer #auspol
10.31pm GMT10.31pm GMT
22:3122:31
In a completely unrelated matter, here is a photo of the health minister, Greg Hunt, getting healthy.In a completely unrelated matter, here is a photo of the health minister, Greg Hunt, getting healthy.
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at 10.41pm GMTat 10.41pm GMT