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Greens to oppose Coalition's citizenship crackdown – politics live Greens to oppose Coalition's citizenship crackdown – politics live
(35 minutes later)
3.42am BST
03:42
Bill Shorten backs the need to ensure that we cannot rely on self policing for tech giants like Facebook.
He says government agencies also need resources to stop cyber attacks on Australian businesses.
This is, of course, a difficult and complex area and there are two things we simply don’t know enough to deal with properly - I refer to the use of the digital currency bitcoin and the use of the dark web. A network of untraceable online activities and hidden websites, allowing those who wish to stay in the shadows to remain hidden. Terrorists are increasingly using this network to avoid detection, conduct planning and acquire capability and tools to carry out their evil actions. We must target this threat head-on.
3.33am BST
03:33
The Coalition party room’s Finkel discussion has broken for a second instalment at a later time in the day yet to be announced.
An ominous sign, given the last time it happened was the marathon meeting on marriage equality.
3.31am BST
03:31
Bill Shorten is up now.
He is speaking about the victims and it is worth a quote at length, (as a mother whose daughter has recently returned from OS.)
We produce bold and resilient young people. The kind of people who run towards danger, bravely, without a second thought for themselves. People with the courage and character to make lives away from this country to achieve great things in other lands while always holding Australia in their heart.
And, whether it’s years or decades later, they come home. As Clive James has said, “The same abundance of natural blessings that gave us the energy to leave has every right to call us back.”
But because of a vicious act of violent cowardice, a lightning strike of terror, Kirsty and Sara will never come home. They’re not going to walk through the sliding doors at the airport arrivals, embrace the loved ones who they’ve missed and missed them.
Instead, their families are left with the last conversation forever unfinished. Perhaps a cheery message about the night ahead, a friendly update from home. A routine exchange, an old joke or two and the things that we all say as parents – take care of yourself, have fun, we love you.
Never truly knowing the weight of those words until they’re the last ones that we share with the most precious things in our lives. No matter how much they grow up, they’re always your daughter or your son, your life.
Updated
at 3.34am BST
3.21am BST
03:21
Turnbull notes that George Brandis will meet with the Five Eyes to discuss digital security.
This is not about creating or exploiting back doors, as some privacy advocates continue to say, despite constant reassurance from us. It is about collaboration with and assistance from industry in the pursuit of public safety.
But democracy must be safeguarded ...
While there is currently no higher priority than defeating Islamist terrorism, our interests are also directly threatened by attempts by foreign states to compromise the integrity of our democratic institutions and processes. We should all guard jealously the principles of democracy that we practise here in this place.
Updated
at 3.24am BST
3.19am BST
03:19
Turnbull moves from boat policy and on to social media platforms, previewing the government’s plans (reported earlier) on encryption platforms.
Not so long ago, only states and large corporations had megaphones powerful enough to address a nation. Now a tweet or a YouTube video can reach millions, if not billions, and do so in seconds ...
The first iPhone was launched in 2007. Facebook with 1.5bn accounts worldwide began in a Harvard dorm in 2004 and it has 200 million accounts in India and 100 million in Indonesia alone.
But these remarkable technologies are also being used by those who seek to do us harm. We need even stronger cooperation from the big social media and messaging platforms in the fight against terrorism and the extremism which spawns it.
Updated
at 3.36am BST
3.14am BST
03:14
Malcolm Turnbull turns to the citizenship changes coming this week.
We are introducing legislation to change our visa and citizenship requirements to ensure that new members of our society will embrace our values and positively contribute to our Australian society, regardless of background or religious belief.
He urges Labor to support the bill.
Turnbull says Australia is the most successful multicultural country in the world.
We must not take that success for granted. There is no more important title in our democracy than Australian citizen and we should make no apology for asking those who seek to join our Australian family to join us as Australian patriots committed to the values that define us committed to the values that unite us.
Updated
at 3.18am BST
3.11am BST3.11am BST
03:1103:11
So far the statement has reviewed previous initiatives, including national security reviews and Australian efforts in the Iraq and Afghanistan.So far the statement has reviewed previous initiatives, including national security reviews and Australian efforts in the Iraq and Afghanistan.
3.08am BST3.08am BST
03:0803:08
Katharine Murphy has previewed this statement here.Katharine Murphy has previewed this statement here.
He begins remembering the loss of four Australians killed in terrorist attacks in the last few weeks, including Zynab Al Harbiya, the 12-year-old girl who was killed in Iraq, Kirsty Boden and Sara Zelenak who were killed in London and Kai Hao who was killed in Melbourne. He begins remembering the loss of four Australians killed in terrorist attacks in the last few weeks, including Zynab Al Harbiya, the 12-year-old girl who was killed in Iraq, Kirsty Boden and Sara Zelenak, who were killed in London, and Kai Hao, who was killed in Melbourne.
Updated
at 3.37am BST
2.56am BST2.56am BST
02:5602:56
Patriot Games at 12pm in the chamber.Patriot Games at 12pm in the chamber.
2.51am BST2.51am BST
02:5102:51
Caucus has just broken and there are a couple of points that Gareth Hutchens will bring shortly.Caucus has just broken and there are a couple of points that Gareth Hutchens will bring shortly.
We have no clearer steer on reported Labor plans to water down the citizenship laws, though Bill Shorten was critical of the prime minister’s call to “join us as patriots” because it is in common usage among white supremacists. We have no clearer steer on reported Labor plans to water down the citizenship laws, though Bill Shorten was part of a conversation which noted the prime minister’s call to “join us as patriots” and was critical of its use by white supremacists.
(This post has been amended).
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.00am BST at 3.16am BST
2.38am BST2.38am BST
02:3802:38
The prime minister is speaking at an event to back Australia’s bid for the 2023 women’s football World Cup, doing the rah rah for the Matildas and women’s sport in general.The prime minister is speaking at an event to back Australia’s bid for the 2023 women’s football World Cup, doing the rah rah for the Matildas and women’s sport in general.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.43am BSTat 2.43am BST
2.33am BST2.33am BST
02:3302:33
I have been riffing on Gday Patriots all morning, waiting for the spectacular entry of the authors of the terrific podcast on American politics to take the stage.I have been riffing on Gday Patriots all morning, waiting for the spectacular entry of the authors of the terrific podcast on American politics to take the stage.
Gday Patriots is billed as the Biglyest Australian look at US Politics, by friends of the blog - @cjjosh, @willozap, @jcnerd & @rodl with sound engineering by @creogg.Gday Patriots is billed as the Biglyest Australian look at US Politics, by friends of the blog - @cjjosh, @willozap, @jcnerd & @rodl with sound engineering by @creogg.
Here they are...Here they are...
Hey @GdayPatriots, the @GuardianAus is messing with our brand! pic.twitter.com/4k1ueXeYmKHey @GdayPatriots, the @GuardianAus is messing with our brand! pic.twitter.com/4k1ueXeYmK
2.28am BST2.28am BST
02:2802:28
Greens partyroom: no to citizenship, maybe to Finkel, mum on GonskiGreens partyroom: no to citizenship, maybe to Finkel, mum on Gonski
Paul KarpPaul Karp
The Greens party room has discussed donations and lobbying, terrorism and citizenship and the Finkel review.The Greens party room has discussed donations and lobbying, terrorism and citizenship and the Finkel review.
On donations and lobbying, the Greens have signalled they will introduce a private members’ bill to create a lobbying commissioner to investigate whether rules are being breached on lobbying; to extend scrutiny to in-house lobbyists at big companies and not just those employed by specialist third-party lobbying firms; and to introduce sanctions for breaches of rules.On donations and lobbying, the Greens have signalled they will introduce a private members’ bill to create a lobbying commissioner to investigate whether rules are being breached on lobbying; to extend scrutiny to in-house lobbyists at big companies and not just those employed by specialist third-party lobbying firms; and to introduce sanctions for breaches of rules.
On citizenship, although legislation for Peter Dutton’s latest proposed crackdown has not been released, the Greens have already resolved to oppose it. The Greens have received reports of cancelled citizenship ceremonies, and they fear some current applicants who would qualify under old rules will miss out when the waiting time is extended from one year to four, and higher English language requirements are introduced.On citizenship, although legislation for Peter Dutton’s latest proposed crackdown has not been released, the Greens have already resolved to oppose it. The Greens have received reports of cancelled citizenship ceremonies, and they fear some current applicants who would qualify under old rules will miss out when the waiting time is extended from one year to four, and higher English language requirements are introduced.
The Greens questioned why Labor had yet to make their mind up on the legislation and why the government had kept public submissions to its inquiry confidential.The Greens questioned why Labor had yet to make their mind up on the legislation and why the government had kept public submissions to its inquiry confidential.
On the Finkel review, the Greens are concerned that the emissions limit could see subsidies go to gas power, and if the emissions targets are set by the Council of Australian Governments it could be very difficult to scale up.On the Finkel review, the Greens are concerned that the emissions limit could see subsidies go to gas power, and if the emissions targets are set by the Council of Australian Governments it could be very difficult to scale up.
The Gonski 2.0 schools funding plan was also discussed, although the Greens will not discuss their position until after a Senate report is released on Wednesday.The Gonski 2.0 schools funding plan was also discussed, although the Greens will not discuss their position until after a Senate report is released on Wednesday.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.39am BSTat 2.39am BST
2.26am BST2.26am BST
02:2602:26
Shortly we will know what happened in the caucus meeting this morning but Andrew Tillett of the Fin is reporting that Labor will try to water down key elements of the bill.Shortly we will know what happened in the caucus meeting this morning but Andrew Tillett of the Fin is reporting that Labor will try to water down key elements of the bill.
Negotiations are expected to focus on specific details, such as reducing the four-year waiting time and making the language requirement less strict, rather than trying to killing off the concept.Negotiations are expected to focus on specific details, such as reducing the four-year waiting time and making the language requirement less strict, rather than trying to killing off the concept.
Generally Labor has tried to provide a level of bipartisanship on national security legislation so this would be an interesting development.Generally Labor has tried to provide a level of bipartisanship on national security legislation so this would be an interesting development.
2.10am BST
02:10
G’day patriots, the prequel.
Before the parliament begins at midday with security statements et al, it is worth remember the prime minister’s first security statement weeks after he took the leadership from Tony Abbott in 2015.
Our response must be as clear eyed and strategic as it is determined.
This is not a time for gestures or machismo.
Calm, clinical, professional, effective.
That’s how we defeat this menace.
2.01am BST
02:01
1.46am BST
01:46
Paul Karp
The Labor senator Katy Gallagher has made formal complaints about the government’s use of the small business roadshow to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the public service commissioner.
As we reported after Senate estimates in May, of the first 30-odd roadshow events held since the program started on 20 February, at least 27 were in Liberal or National seats and the local MPs were invited. Just two were in Labor seats and one in independent-held Indi and those MPs were not invited.
The shadow small business minister has asked for the department and commissioner to review the appropriateness of the program, noting that the material used to promote the roadshows contains “partisan commentary on policies of the Labor opposition”.
There is no credible explanation for the differential treatment. These are either political events, in which case public servants should not be involved, or public service events in which case there should be a policy rationale supporting the locations chosen and the relevant local MPs should be invited regardless.
Gallagher noted that the statement of ministerial standards requires ministers to use the skills of public servants as a “public resource” and used for “appropriate public purposes”.
I am very concerned that these roadshow events have sought to use the Australian public service and its officials in a partisan way by preferentially targeting electorates that returned a Liberal or National MP in the 2016 federal election.
When Guardian Australia asked in May, a spokesman for the small business minister, Michael McCormack, said he had focused first on regional areas because they “often have not had the same access to different government agencies”, and those regional areas are “predominately represented by Liberal and National members of parliament”.
Updated
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1.28am BST
01:28
Wally Brown was a legendary press gallery journalist who gave great encouragement to your reporters. There is now a young achiever award in his name and this morning the Victoria senator and former journo Derryn Hinch announced the winner is...
Primrose Riordan.
Primrose was formerly of the Australian Financial Review and is now at the Australian.
Very well deserved. Congrats Primrose.
Updated
at 1.35am BST
1.14am BST
01:14
.@HumanHeadline with Bruce and Denise Morcombe talking about Daniel's law where a website will list convicted sex offenders. pic.twitter.com/BvNefZVFgy
1.01am BST
01:01
G’day patriots. You already know Malcolm Turnbull will make his national security statement to parliament.
The other news you may not have caught up on over the long weekend is the government’s intention to change laws to allow intelligence agencies to decrypt communications of terrorist groups on the internet.
It follows the UK’s proposal for “technology capability notices” following the terrorist attacks there.
It means that companies who use encrypted messaging services would need to cooperate with intelligence agencies in order to hand over decrypted data in “near real time” to the government.
The attorney general, George Brandis, said current law does not go far enough to impose obligations on technology companies to cooperate.
In the first instance, the best way to approach this is to solicit the cooperation of companies like Apple and Facebook and Google and so on. And I think there’s been a change of the culture in the last year or more. There is a much greater conscious proactive willingness on the part of the companies to be cooperative. But we need the legal sanction as well.
There are no details of any legislation at this stage so it is unlikely it will appear in the next seven sitting days but I have put in a call to Brandis’s office to confirm that.
Updated
at 1.06am BST
12.50am BST
00:50
AAP reports Pauline Hanson has launched legal action to have the ABC and former party treasurer Ian Nelson permanently restrained from dealing in any way with recorded conversations about One Nation.
Last week, the NSW supreme court made an interim restraining order on Nelson until the hearing today but no orders were made regarding the ABC.
Updated
at 12.58am BST
12.15am BST
00:15
So we have party room meetings from all sides this morning at the start of this last sitting fortnight before the long winter recess.
That means we have seven sitting days in which to get a shedload of legislation through the Senate. The pointy bits relate to schools funding, native title and citizenship changes. The Finkel farnarkling will bubble away in the background.
Therefore the education minister, Simon Birmingham, continues to talk up his Gonski 2.0 schools funding plan. Gonski panellist Ken Boston has told Matthew Knott at Fairfax that it would be a tragedy if the school funding reforms were voted down in the Senate.
Five years after the release and subsequent emasculation of the Gonski report, Australia has a rare second chance. The progressive elements in Australian education need to recognise that their argument has been won. There are no grounds for opposition to the schools funding bill in principle and every reason to work collaboratively towards its successful implementation and further refinement in the years ahead. It will be a tragedy if the school funding bill is voted down in the Senate.
The schools bill is currently getting a quick once over in a Senate committee, which will report by tomorrow.
The native title bill changes the law after a federal court decision that put in doubt Indigenous land use agreements (Iluas) between traditional owners and mining companies, including Adani’s Carmichael mine. Labor is supporting the bill.
Around midday, the Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) Family Council traditional owners Adrian Burragubba and Murrawah Johnson, who oppose Adani’s coal project, will speak about the bill.
Updated
at 12.22am BST
11.48pm BST
23:48
Never mind the Finkel, join us patriots
As the Coalition party room prepares to arkle, Malcolm Turnbull has previewed a national security update to parliament.
He will urge Labor to support the government’s proposed overhaul of citizenship requirements with rather colourful language.
And we should make no apology for asking those who seek to join our Australian family to join us as Australian patriots – committed to the values that define us, committed to the values that unite us.
The new laws will give the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, the power to reject decisions on citizenship applications made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal if he doesn’t believe they are in the national interest.
The package will also extend permanent residency from one year to four before people can apply for citizenship, toughen English language competencies, introduce a values test and require people to demonstrate they have integrated into Australian society.
Labor has not said whether it will support the full package.
Updated
at 11.52pm BST
11.28pm BST
23:28
First up, Finkel farnarkling
Good morning dear blogans,
As Canberra’s big frost thaws, the Coalition party room will farnarkle on Finkel – as in the review by the chief scientist, Alan Finkel, into electricity policy.
But let’s start from the beginning.
Finkel has recommended a clean energy target across all sectors in which energy users subsidise cleaner forms of electricity generation.
The argument will be around the rate, which Finkel has recommended at 28% reduction in emissions from the electricity sector by 2030.
Yesterday Finkel told Katharine Murphy that he didn’t know if Australia could meet its Paris commitments under the 28% emissions reduction target. He also told Murph that it would be surprising if governments ultimately implemented a new clean energy target that incentivised building new coal-fired power stations (though the conservatives wants a target to allow higher efficiency coal to sneak in).
Last night, Finkel told Q&A the target was designed so future governments could ratchet up the ambition of the emissions cuts.
This will play into the scare campaign by the likes of Tony Abbott et al.
In the meantime, key crossbencher Nick Xenophon has warned that, if the parliament does not get energy policy right, it will be a tipping point for the economy and the country.
Xenophon has long been a supporter of an emissions intensity scheme (EIS), right back to the days of Malcolm Turnbull’s first ill-fated go at the Liberal leadership in 2009.
He still prefers an EIS over a CET, TBH.
But Xenophon’s main message is we need to get it sorted.
The Xen Master has spoken to two companies that currently have a gas bill of $50m a year and have been given quotes of $100m for future gas prices.
It will be unsustainable for those companies to survive with thousands of employees and that is replicated across the country. Unless we tackle this head-on and get a result, we will be seeing our economy going into a recession given the number of jobs that will be lost in the next 12 months.
That’s a pretty big scare campaign you are raising already, says AM’s Sabra Lane.
It’s not a scare campaign.
Xenophon is waiting for the modelling to be released later this week, which has the CET slightly ahead of the EIS. But all of it depends on the inputs.
My fear is there are literally hundreds if not thousands of companies that simply cannot cope with an increase in power prices particularly gas prices. The Finkel review wasn’t asked to look at gas prices and that is the immediate crisis we are facing in this country for energy intensive uses.
Bear in mind the energy and environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, will not take an actual hard proposal to the party room. He is just going to brief them on What Finkel Said.
Let the conversation begin.
Stick with me and the Man With The Lens @mpbowers. Talk on the thread, on the Twits @gabriellechan or on Facebook.
Updated
at 11.42pm BST