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| George Christensen says failure to amend 18C a 'breach of faith' with Coalition's base – politics live | George Christensen says failure to amend 18C a 'breach of faith' with Coalition's base – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.58am GMT | |
| 02:58 | |
| Question time in 5,4,3,2,1. | |
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| #Barnaby @gabriellechan @GuardianAus @murpharoo #politicslive pic.twitter.com/bARdNCvDNN | |
| 2.48am GMT | |
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| Minister's office sent journalist internal briefings about Centrelink client | |
| Christopher Knaus | |
| Christopher Knaus reports: | |
| The office of the human services minister, Alan Tudge, mistakenly sent a journalist internal departmental briefings about a welfare recipient’s personal circumstances, which included additional detail on her relationship and tax history. | |
| Senior departmental figures were grilled at Senate estimates on Thursday about the release of welfare recipient Andie Fox’s personal information last month. | |
| Fox had written an opinion piece critical of Centrelink and its handling of her debt, which ran in Fairfax Media in February. The government released her personal details to Fairfax journalist Paul Malone, who subsequently published a piece attacking Fox and questioning the veracity of her claims. | |
| Two responses were given to the journalist, one from the Department of Human Services and the other from Tudge. | |
| The department said its response – three dot points containing only minimal detail on Fox’s personal history – was cleared by lawyers and was lawful. The minister’s office then added two quotes from Tudge and sent its own response to Malone. | |
| Guardian Australia can now reveal that the minister’s office also accidentally sent the journalist two internal briefing documents, marked “for official use only”, which had been prepared by the department. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.52am GMT | |
| 2.37am GMT | |
| 02:37 | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.48am GMT | |
| 2.19am GMT | 2.19am GMT |
| 02:19 | 02:19 |
| Lunchtime politics | Lunchtime politics |
| I have been running all morning but there has been only limited forward movement. | I have been running all morning but there has been only limited forward movement. |
| George Christensen has warned if the Coalition does not amend 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, it will be a breach of faith with the Coalition base. | George Christensen has warned if the Coalition does not amend 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, it will be a breach of faith with the Coalition base. |
| The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has ended a labour agreement begun under the Gillard government to allow fast food chains to employ 457 visa foreign workers. | The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has ended a labour agreement begun under the Gillard government to allow fast food chains to employ 457 visa foreign workers. |
| Dutton batted away questions of leadership conspiracies after he was spotted on his usual exercise routine with the finance minister, Mathias Cormann. | Dutton batted away questions of leadership conspiracies after he was spotted on his usual exercise routine with the finance minister, Mathias Cormann. |
| The former Abbott workplace minister Eric Abetz suggested penalty cuts should be grandfathered but his prime minister said the Fair Work Commission had already stated it did not like grandfathering arrangements but the cuts would be phased in. | The former Abbott workplace minister Eric Abetz suggested penalty cuts should be grandfathered but his prime minister said the Fair Work Commission had already stated it did not like grandfathering arrangements but the cuts would be phased in. |
| A law to amend the criminal code to protect children from online predators, negotiated by the Nick Xenophon Team, was accepted by government. It will be called Carly’s law after 15-year-old Carly Ryan who was lured to her death by an online predator. | A law to amend the criminal code to protect children from online predators, negotiated by the Nick Xenophon Team, was accepted by government. It will be called Carly’s law after 15-year-old Carly Ryan who was lured to her death by an online predator. |
| A review into regional, rural and remote education has been established by the Turnbull government. | A review into regional, rural and remote education has been established by the Turnbull government. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.24am GMT | at 2.24am GMT |
| 2.00am GMT | 2.00am GMT |
| 02:00 | 02:00 |
| Barnaby Joyce’s shadow. | Barnaby Joyce’s shadow. |
| When @Barnaby_Joyce is out, @fitzhunter is sure to follow pic.twitter.com/EGe3ULk0W0 | When @Barnaby_Joyce is out, @fitzhunter is sure to follow pic.twitter.com/EGe3ULk0W0 |
| @fitzhunter is Joel Fitzgibbon, Labor agriculture spokesman. | @fitzhunter is Joel Fitzgibbon, Labor agriculture spokesman. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.01am GMT | at 2.01am GMT |
| 1.57am GMT | 1.57am GMT |
| 01:57 | 01:57 |
| Turnbull government review into regional remote and rural education | Turnbull government review into regional remote and rural education |
| There is another mass Nat pack press conference down in the courtyard to announce a comprehensive review of regional education. | There is another mass Nat pack press conference down in the courtyard to announce a comprehensive review of regional education. |
| The education minister, Simon Birmingham, who appears to be the only Lib attending, says the point is to improve school outcomes and encourage regional, rural and remote (RRR) students onto further study, training and employment. | The education minister, Simon Birmingham, who appears to be the only Lib attending, says the point is to improve school outcomes and encourage regional, rural and remote (RRR) students onto further study, training and employment. |
| The independent review into regional, rural and remote education will be led by emeritus professor John Halsey of Flinders University. | The independent review into regional, rural and remote education will be led by emeritus professor John Halsey of Flinders University. |
| I have lost vision of it, so I hope to bring you more as I see it. For those who are interested, I blog in an office in the building and, in order to bring this to you in a timely manner, I cannot physically attend press conferences. | I have lost vision of it, so I hope to bring you more as I see it. For those who are interested, I blog in an office in the building and, in order to bring this to you in a timely manner, I cannot physically attend press conferences. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.03am GMT | at 2.03am GMT |
| 1.51am GMT | 1.51am GMT |
| 01:51 | 01:51 |
| George Christensen: failure to amend 18C a breach of faith with Coalition base | George Christensen: failure to amend 18C a breach of faith with Coalition base |
| Pardon me. Computer crash allowed me to grab sustenance. | Pardon me. Computer crash allowed me to grab sustenance. |
| In the meantime, George Christensen has lobbed a statement into the middle of the leadership’s daily plans. | In the meantime, George Christensen has lobbed a statement into the middle of the leadership’s daily plans. |
| It specifically references the treasurer, Scott Morrison, brushing off concerns about the conservative push to change the Racial Discrimination Act. | It specifically references the treasurer, Scott Morrison, brushing off concerns about the conservative push to change the Racial Discrimination Act. |
| Morrison said such a change would not create a single job – which was his main concern in his role. | Morrison said such a change would not create a single job – which was his main concern in his role. |
| Some of the arguments put forward for failing to act on the issue of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act are a nonsense. | Some of the arguments put forward for failing to act on the issue of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act are a nonsense. |
| I have heard it stated that ‘this issue doesn’t create one job’. | I have heard it stated that ‘this issue doesn’t create one job’. |
| Neither does the omnibus savings and childcare reform bill but we’re still doing that. | Neither does the omnibus savings and childcare reform bill but we’re still doing that. |
| I have also heard it said that it’s not the issue people are talking about in pubs or in farm sheds. | I have also heard it said that it’s not the issue people are talking about in pubs or in farm sheds. |
| They weren’t talking about the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) either but we still brought it back. | They weren’t talking about the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) either but we still brought it back. |
| Section 18C is political correctness enshrined into law, and it stifles freedom of speech in Australia. | Section 18C is political correctness enshrined into law, and it stifles freedom of speech in Australia. |
| Nothing could be more of an affront to Australian values. | Nothing could be more of an affront to Australian values. |
| And nothing could be more at odds with National and Liberal party values. | And nothing could be more at odds with National and Liberal party values. |
| The National party constitution states that one of the party’s objectives is ‘the maintenance of democracy and liberty’. | The National party constitution states that one of the party’s objectives is ‘the maintenance of democracy and liberty’. |
| A fundamental Liberal party value is that ‘We believe in those most basic freedoms of parliamentary democracy – the freedom of thought, worship, speech and association’. | A fundamental Liberal party value is that ‘We believe in those most basic freedoms of parliamentary democracy – the freedom of thought, worship, speech and association’. |
| And where this issue definitely is being talked about is at local party meetings and state conventions. | And where this issue definitely is being talked about is at local party meetings and state conventions. |
| It’s an issue of great importance for the people who fundraise for us, who hand out how-to-vote cards for us and who preselect us so that we can stand as candidates and serve our electorates. | It’s an issue of great importance for the people who fundraise for us, who hand out how-to-vote cards for us and who preselect us so that we can stand as candidates and serve our electorates. |
| As far as I’m concerned this is a fundamental issue not only for democracy but for the base of the Liberal and National parties. I would expect that those parties who form the Coalition would not walk away from it. | As far as I’m concerned this is a fundamental issue not only for democracy but for the base of the Liberal and National parties. I would expect that those parties who form the Coalition would not walk away from it. |
| We should repeal, or at the very least amend, section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act sooner rather than later. | We should repeal, or at the very least amend, section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act sooner rather than later. |
| Failure to do so will represent a fundamental breach of faith with our base. | Failure to do so will represent a fundamental breach of faith with our base. |
| Christensen knows how to wound. If you haven’t already, I suggest you read up on him, with a piece by colleague Joshua Robertson prepared earlier. | Christensen knows how to wound. If you haven’t already, I suggest you read up on him, with a piece by colleague Joshua Robertson prepared earlier. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.07am GMT | at 2.07am GMT |
| 1.02am GMT | 1.02am GMT |
| 01:02 | 01:02 |
| John Ferguson of the Oz reports: | John Ferguson of the Oz reports: |
| Former Howard government minister Peter Reith has nominated to contest the Victorian Liberal party presidency. | Former Howard government minister Peter Reith has nominated to contest the Victorian Liberal party presidency. |
| The Australian understands his nomination has been lodged this morning, opening the way for a bitter battle with incumbent president Michael Kroger. | The Australian understands his nomination has been lodged this morning, opening the way for a bitter battle with incumbent president Michael Kroger. |
| The ballot will be held on April 1 and will lead to inevitable instability on the party as the warring camps seek the position. | The ballot will be held on April 1 and will lead to inevitable instability on the party as the warring camps seek the position. |
| It is the first time in decades that the position has been contested by two party heavyweights of the standing of Mr Reith and Mr Kroger. | It is the first time in decades that the position has been contested by two party heavyweights of the standing of Mr Reith and Mr Kroger. |
| Let the games begin. | Let the games begin. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.09am GMT | at 1.09am GMT |
| 12.51am GMT | 12.51am GMT |
| 00:51 | 00:51 |
| There have been questions in the estimates committee, about foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop’s attendance at the Portsea Polo in 2016 which she charged to the taxpayer. | There have been questions in the estimates committee, about foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop’s attendance at the Portsea Polo in 2016 which she charged to the taxpayer. |
| Asked about the trip earlier this year when the Sussan Ley expense scandal broke, Bishop issued a statement: | Asked about the trip earlier this year when the Sussan Ley expense scandal broke, Bishop issued a statement: |
| The minister was invited and attended in her official capacity as minister for foreign affairs and deputy leader of the Liberal party. | The minister was invited and attended in her official capacity as minister for foreign affairs and deputy leader of the Liberal party. |
| The questions revolve around her attendance and its “official” capacity and why she cancelled her 2017 visit to the annual event. | The questions revolve around her attendance and its “official” capacity and why she cancelled her 2017 visit to the annual event. |
| George Brandis, as the minister in the chair with the department officials, defended her visiting “important national events” like the Melbourne Cup. | George Brandis, as the minister in the chair with the department officials, defended her visiting “important national events” like the Melbourne Cup. |
| The department take most of the questions on notice which means they will return with answers at a later time. | The department take most of the questions on notice which means they will return with answers at a later time. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.55am GMT | at 12.55am GMT |
| 12.18am GMT | 12.18am GMT |
| 00:18 | 00:18 |
| Last night, Barnaby Joyce spoke at the launch of the National Rural Press Club. It occurred in the Nationals’ party room. Notwithstanding its location, it was a bipartisan event organised by The Land journalist Colin Bettles. It included speakers such as the Labor senator Glenn Sterle, the Greens senator Janet Rice, the Indi independent Cathy McGowan and the keynote speaker, Joyce. (In the interests of disclosure, AFR journo Phil Coorey and I also spoke briefly.) | Last night, Barnaby Joyce spoke at the launch of the National Rural Press Club. It occurred in the Nationals’ party room. Notwithstanding its location, it was a bipartisan event organised by The Land journalist Colin Bettles. It included speakers such as the Labor senator Glenn Sterle, the Greens senator Janet Rice, the Indi independent Cathy McGowan and the keynote speaker, Joyce. (In the interests of disclosure, AFR journo Phil Coorey and I also spoke briefly.) |
| Joyce told the crowd that it was very important to speak to the press and explain policies in order to engage with voters. | Joyce told the crowd that it was very important to speak to the press and explain policies in order to engage with voters. |
| In a cheeky speech, McGowan said she hoped more independents like her would create greater competition in rural and regional NSW and particularly mentioned Queensland, perhaps for the benefit of the recently de-whipped George Christensen, who was in the back of the room. | In a cheeky speech, McGowan said she hoped more independents like her would create greater competition in rural and regional NSW and particularly mentioned Queensland, perhaps for the benefit of the recently de-whipped George Christensen, who was in the back of the room. |
| While McGowan was speaking, the Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie walked in, visibly horrified at McGowan at the lectern in the sacred space. While I am not a lip reader, she mouthed to her colleague something along the lines of “what is she doing here?” | While McGowan was speaking, the Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie walked in, visibly horrified at McGowan at the lectern in the sacred space. While I am not a lip reader, she mouthed to her colleague something along the lines of “what is she doing here?” |
| McGowan batted on, as a bit of wing-fluffing occurred at the back of the room. Then she took the opportunity to grab the number of the deputy PM. | McGowan batted on, as a bit of wing-fluffing occurred at the back of the room. Then she took the opportunity to grab the number of the deputy PM. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.54am GMT | at 12.54am GMT |
| 11.54pm GMT | 11.54pm GMT |
| 23:54 | 23:54 |
| Carly’s law. | Carly’s law. |
| Sonya Ryan, the justice minister, Michael Keenan, Nick Xenophon, Skye Kakoschke-Moore and Derryn Hinch marked the 10-year anniversary of her death with the unveiling of a memorial quilt, made from Carly’s favourite clothes. | Sonya Ryan, the justice minister, Michael Keenan, Nick Xenophon, Skye Kakoschke-Moore and Derryn Hinch marked the 10-year anniversary of her death with the unveiling of a memorial quilt, made from Carly’s favourite clothes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.01am GMT | at 12.01am GMT |
| 11.44pm GMT | 11.44pm GMT |
| 23:44 | 23:44 |
| More on Centrelink. | More on Centrelink. |
| DHS confirms it has spoken with privacy commissioner on the release of private info, not yet formal inquiry. #estimates @gabriellechan | DHS confirms it has spoken with privacy commissioner on the release of private info, not yet formal inquiry. #estimates @gabriellechan |
| 11.41pm GMT | 11.41pm GMT |
| 23:41 | 23:41 |
| Just another middle-aged bloke trying to lose weight. | Just another middle-aged bloke trying to lose weight. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.52pm GMT | at 11.52pm GMT |
| 11.38pm GMT | 11.38pm GMT |
| 23:38 | 23:38 |
| The Senate crossbenchers Nick Xenophon and Skye Kakoschke-Moore have negotiated an amendment to the criminal code that is known as Carly’s law. It is due to come to the parliament this morning. | The Senate crossbenchers Nick Xenophon and Skye Kakoschke-Moore have negotiated an amendment to the criminal code that is known as Carly’s law. It is due to come to the parliament this morning. |
| This is the amendment. | This is the amendment. |
| Acts done in preparation for, or planning to, cause harm to or engage in sexual activity with a minor | Acts done in preparation for, or planning to, cause harm to or engage in sexual activity with a minor |
| (1) A person (the defendant) commits an offence if the person uses a carriage service to do any act in preparation for, or planning to: | (1) A person (the defendant) commits an offence if the person uses a carriage service to do any act in preparation for, or planning to: |
| (a) cause harm to a person under the age of 16; or | (a) cause harm to a person under the age of 16; or |
| (b) engage in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16; or | (b) engage in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16; or |
| (c) procure a person under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, and | (c) procure a person under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, and |
| (2) the defendant is at least 18 years of age. | (2) the defendant is at least 18 years of age. |
| Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years. | Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years. |
| Xenophon has been pushing for this law since 2o13 after a campaign by Sonya Ryan, the mother of 15-year-old Carly Ryan, who became the first person murdered in Australia by an online predator. Her murderer was a 50-year-old paedophile who posed as a 20-year-old to lure Carly to a meeting. | Xenophon has been pushing for this law since 2o13 after a campaign by Sonya Ryan, the mother of 15-year-old Carly Ryan, who became the first person murdered in Australia by an online predator. Her murderer was a 50-year-old paedophile who posed as a 20-year-old to lure Carly to a meeting. |
| The senator says the new laws fill a gap in the criminal code by allowing police to intervene when a predator is preparing to cause harm. Crucially this will include when a predator lies about his or her age to a child. | The senator says the new laws fill a gap in the criminal code by allowing police to intervene when a predator is preparing to cause harm. Crucially this will include when a predator lies about his or her age to a child. |
| Since her daughter’s death, Sonya Ryan has spoken to tens of thousands of school children and their families about the risk of online predators. | Since her daughter’s death, Sonya Ryan has spoken to tens of thousands of school children and their families about the risk of online predators. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.02am GMT | at 2.02am GMT |
| 11.30pm GMT | 11.30pm GMT |
| 23:30 | 23:30 |
| The national disability insurance scheme savings fund – set up to quarantine savings from the uncertain omnibus bill – has just passed through the lower house. | The national disability insurance scheme savings fund – set up to quarantine savings from the uncertain omnibus bill – has just passed through the lower house. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.54pm GMT | at 11.54pm GMT |
| 11.23pm GMT | 11.23pm GMT |
| 23:23 | 23:23 |
| but says, in this case, woman's claims were "unfounded" and could make others worry they have not complied with own requirements. #estimates | but says, in this case, woman's claims were "unfounded" and could make others worry they have not complied with own requirements. #estimates |
| 11.21pm GMT | 11.21pm GMT |
| 23:21 | 23:21 |
| Bill Shorten is asked why he promised to support the independent Fair Work Commission decision before the election and then changed his mind. | Bill Shorten is asked why he promised to support the independent Fair Work Commission decision before the election and then changed his mind. |
| I think you need to ask [Malcolm Turnbull]. When the remuneration tribunal for truck drivers made a decision he didn’t like, he didn’t just overrule the decision, he sacked the tribunal. Not a lot of respect for the independent umpire was there then. | I think you need to ask [Malcolm Turnbull]. When the remuneration tribunal for truck drivers made a decision he didn’t like, he didn’t just overrule the decision, he sacked the tribunal. Not a lot of respect for the independent umpire was there then. |
| Or when the [Country Fire Authority] negotiated an enterprise agreement with professional firefighters last year, Malcolm Turnbull passed a law to overturn the enterprise agreement. | Or when the [Country Fire Authority] negotiated an enterprise agreement with professional firefighters last year, Malcolm Turnbull passed a law to overturn the enterprise agreement. |
| A federal court is the independent umpire, isn’t it? And on native title, we had a debate last week where the government wants to overturn a decision. This is a government who is very selective about which decisions it takes action on. | A federal court is the independent umpire, isn’t it? And on native title, we had a debate last week where the government wants to overturn a decision. This is a government who is very selective about which decisions it takes action on. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.03am GMT | at 12.03am GMT |
| 11.16pm GMT | 11.16pm GMT |
| 23:16 | 23:16 |
| Bill Shorten says it is a dumb idea to phase in penalty rate cuts through a grandfathering provision. Employers will just roster the cheaper worker ahead of the more expensive worker. | Bill Shorten says it is a dumb idea to phase in penalty rate cuts through a grandfathering provision. Employers will just roster the cheaper worker ahead of the more expensive worker. |
| The problem is if you are a small business or a big business and you have the choice of rostering someone at eight hours on a Sunday at double time or rostering someone for eight hours on a Sunday for time and a half, you don’t need to be a Rhodes scholar to work out what will happen. This is a government desperate to cover a smokescreen. | The problem is if you are a small business or a big business and you have the choice of rostering someone at eight hours on a Sunday at double time or rostering someone for eight hours on a Sunday for time and a half, you don’t need to be a Rhodes scholar to work out what will happen. This is a government desperate to cover a smokescreen. |
| (The FWC have said they don’t support grandfathering.) | (The FWC have said they don’t support grandfathering.) |
| Shorten does not address the concept of phasing in the rate cut for everyone over time. | Shorten does not address the concept of phasing in the rate cut for everyone over time. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm GMT | at 11.29pm GMT |