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Tony Abbott attacks 'merchant bankers' gobbledegook' after Turnbull's Neg win – politics live
Julie Bishop launches review of Australia's 'soft power'– politics live
(35 minutes later)
The Senate is coming up to the censure motion the Greens are putting up against David Leyonhjelm over his comments regarding Sarah Hanson-Young.
Annnnnd … Barry O’Sullivan has crossed the floor again to support Cory Bernardi’s motion coming to a vote:
To move that the Senate —
(a) notes that the United States of America has withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement; and
(b) calls upon the Australian government to also withdraw from the agreement, and cease taking any steps towards enacting at law or by policy any steps towards the agreement’s targets.
An important reminder to State Labor from Federal Labor when Mark Butler said today about the #NEG, “The Labor states are not dealing with the targets question, they're dealing with design of the investment framework."
A despatch from Julie Bishop’s office:
Today I launch the nation’s first ever review of soft power to ensure Australia remains a persuasive voice in our region.
Soft power is the ability to influence the behaviour or thinking of others through the power of ideas and attraction. By leveraging our soft power strengths, we can advance Australia’s global reputation and prosperity.
These strengths include our economy, multicultural society, world-class education system and sporting prowess, as well as our attractive lifestyle, values, culture, and reputation as a reliable partner, a trusted friend, and a nation of friendly and enterprising people.
Australia starts from a position of strength in global surveys of soft power, but there is always more we can do to strengthen our relationships, standing and influence in the world.
It is the right time to start a national conversation about the character of Australia’s influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. We must keep pace with rapid globalisation and digital connectivity in order to cut through the crowded marketplace of ideas.
I encourage industry, academia and the non-government sector, as important soft power actors, to be involved in the review. Details on how to make a submission are available at www.dfat.gov.au/softpower.
The review is a commitment of the Australian Government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper.
Brian Burston has put up a motion for a vote which has the support of Barry O’Sullivan, who I am told has crossed the floor to support it.
Big Baz is going to enjoy the freedom these last few months in the Senate will bring, me thinks.
Here is what Burston wants the Senate to note:
(that)
(i) Coles is still advertising $1 per litre milk, and Woolworths $1 per litre milk is shown as temporarily unavailable,
(ii) both Coles and Woolworths have exerted downward prices on dairy farmers for many years which has damaged the financial resilience of Australian dairy farmers,
(iii) many dairy farms are family operations which involve long work hours,
(iv) as dairy farmers are obligated to lock in forward milk sale prices, these forward prices are effectively capped by the pressure exerted by Coles and Woolworths,
(v) these forward prices could not contemplate the drastic increase in the cost of hay, wheat and other feed products for the dairy cattle, and
(vi) what Australia grows, grows Australia;
and
(b) calls on Coles and Woolworths to:
(i) increase the price of milk to their customers by 20 cents per litre for the full period of the impacts of drought on feed prices, and
(ii) pass the full price increase onto dairy farmers.
The Nationals leaders and Matt Canavan are talking up their support for the Neg, which they say will do all the things they want it to – lower prices and give network security.
This is also happening
This is also happening
Craig Kelly appears to be arguing, simultaneously, that NEG targets for emissions and reliability are modest *and* it is a huge change.
Craig Kelly appears to be arguing, simultaneously, that NEG targets for emissions and reliability are modest *and* it is a huge change.
Kristina Keneally has made a habit of updating her Twitter bio (during the Bennelong byelection, she reminded us she knew how to use a phone, after John Alexander was pictured holding a phone which wasn’t plugged in) and here’s the latest:
Kristina Keneally has made a habit of updating her Twitter bio (during the Bennelong byelection, she reminded us she knew how to use a phone, after John Alexander was pictured holding a phone which wasn’t plugged in) and here’s the latest:
Best Twitter bio ever @KKeneally pic.twitter.com/MGNfP56Wi7
Best Twitter bio ever @KKeneally pic.twitter.com/MGNfP56Wi7
It’s a niche market, but I am here for it.
It’s a niche market, but I am here for it.
I have known this man for many years and I can tell you, he absolutely fricking loved being able to do this: (it is Steve Dickson, the Queensland leader of One Nation, in case you were wondering. You wouldn’t have seen him lately, because he left the LNP to join One Nation and lost his Sunshine Coast seat in the Queensland election. Looks like he is keeping busy though, which is good to see.)
I have known this man for many years and I can tell you, he absolutely fricking loved being able to do this: (it is Steve Dickson, the Queensland leader of One Nation, in case you were wondering. You wouldn’t have seen him lately, because he left the LNP to join One Nation and lost his Sunshine Coast seat in the Queensland election. Looks like he is keeping busy though, which is good to see.)
This campaign video from One Nation is the funniest thing I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/QPca3ja1Gn
This campaign video from One Nation is the funniest thing I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/QPca3ja1Gn
Craig Laundy finished question time on this dixer – and here’s the statement:
Craig Laundy finished question time on this dixer – and here’s the statement:
Minister for small and family business, the workplace and deregulation, Craig Laundy, says it’s time Bill Shorten cut his ties with the law-breaking CFMEU.
Minister for small and family business, the workplace and deregulation, Craig Laundy, says it’s time Bill Shorten cut his ties with the law-breaking CFMEU.
Mr Laundy’s comments come after the Federal Court today issued two more damning judgements against the CFMEU, whacking the union and its leaders for repeated law-breaking and calling for it to be de-registered.
Mr Laundy’s comments come after the Federal Court today issued two more damning judgements against the CFMEU, whacking the union and its leaders for repeated law-breaking and calling for it to be de-registered.
In one case, Justice Tracey said the CFMEU’s conduct was an “anathema in a democratic society”.
In one case, Justice Tracey said the CFMEU’s conduct was an “anathema in a democratic society”.
In another case, Justice Logan said the union’s conduct extended to contraventions of “the worst possible kind” and that its history of lawbreaking was, “disgraceful and shameful”.
In another case, Justice Logan said the union’s conduct extended to contraventions of “the worst possible kind” and that its history of lawbreaking was, “disgraceful and shameful”.
He went on to say their conduct was “but a further manifestation of a lengthy and repeated pattern of unrepentant, outlaw behaviour by the CFMEU.”
He went on to say their conduct was “but a further manifestation of a lengthy and repeated pattern of unrepentant, outlaw behaviour by the CFMEU.”
Fines against the CFMEU now total $15.6 million, already hitting $409,090 this financial year.
Fines against the CFMEU now total $15.6 million, already hitting $409,090 this financial year.
“Former PM and ACTU boss Bob Hawke is among the Labor luminaries to urge Bill Shorten to cut his ties with the CFMEU, yet he refuses to listen,” Mr Laundy said.
“Former PM and ACTU boss Bob Hawke is among the Labor luminaries to urge Bill Shorten to cut his ties with the CFMEU, yet he refuses to listen,” Mr Laundy said.
But will Craig Kelly actually cross the floor:
But will Craig Kelly actually cross the floor:
When I make my mind up, then I will decide.”
When I make my mind up, then I will decide.”
Craig Kelly is back on Sky News.
Craig Kelly is back on Sky News.
It is possible he spends more time in that chair than his own at home now.
It is possible he spends more time in that chair than his own at home now.
Spoiler – he is still against the Neg.
Spoiler – he is still against the Neg.
Sky News has helpfully isolated Malcolm Turnbull refusing to say who had the idea to give the Great Barrier Reef Foundation half a billion dollars it didn’t ask for:
Sky News has helpfully isolated Malcolm Turnbull refusing to say who had the idea to give the Great Barrier Reef Foundation half a billion dollars it didn’t ask for:
.TurnbullMalcolm responds to @Tony_Burke's question on whose idea was the $440m reef fund.'The Minister for the Environment has set out the process already yesterday. It came through the budget process. It went through the normal way.'MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #QT pic.twitter.com/3bXkiW5DPT
.TurnbullMalcolm responds to @Tony_Burke's question on whose idea was the $440m reef fund.'The Minister for the Environment has set out the process already yesterday. It came through the budget process. It went through the normal way.'MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #QT pic.twitter.com/3bXkiW5DPT
And on that note, question time ends.
And on that note, question time ends.
Bill Shorten tries again:
I refer to the prime minister’s last answer about a half a billion dollar taxpayer donation to a small foundation. Whose idea was it?.
Malcolm Turnbull:
“I refer to my previous answer.”
That would be the answer where he didn’t answer the question.
Tony Burke to Malcolm Turnbull:
(I miss the wording, but it’s basically, the CSIRO had no idea about the Great Barrier Reef Foundation fund, so whose idea was it?)
Turnbull:
The minister for the environment has set out the process already yesterday. It came through the budget process. It went through the normal way.
Labor senator Kristina Keneally has asked a series of questions on the grant of $440m to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
More specifically, she focused on a curious incident in which ABC’s Insiders deleted a tweet with video of Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor questioning whether due diligence had been conducted after a complaint from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Asked who contacted the ABC, the finance minister Mathias Cormann said he was “not personally aware” of the incident and took the question on notice.
Keneally said the PMO had claimed the government had “worked with the foundation in March” on due diligence, a claim which “publicly collapsed” within 24 hours. She asks if the PMO misled the ABC and whether it did so “deliberately or incompetently”. Cormann took all questions on notice.
The head of the foundation was not aware that due diligence had occurred before the initial 9 April meeting. On Monday in question time the environment minister Josh Frydenberg tried to clear up the mess by explaining there was a “two stage” process.
The first phase – before the meeting – was a departmental check on the foundation’s “governance, structure, constitution, project management, fundraising history, capacity for growth, competition and scientific expertise”. That explains why the foundation didn’t know – but not why the PMO said what it did to the ABC ... watch this space.
Congratulations!
Your borders are safe.
But unions are terrible, Labor is terrible, and people smugglers vote Labor. Probably.
And so concludes your daily dose of Dutton.
Tanya Plibersek to Malcolm Turnbull:
Yesterday, the environment minister confirmed the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s formal proposal for the grant was not received by the government until the 29th May. This was more than 20 days after the treasurer had delivered the budget, which included money for the foundation. A month after the grant was announced, and more than a month after the prime minister first offered it to the foundation. Half a billion dollars of taxpayer money. Why is the prime minister so reckless with taxpayer funds?
Josh Frydenberg gets another call up:
I am surprised the member for Sydney asked this question, because when we announced the funding, the member for Sydney welcomed it, Mr Speaker. Welcomed it! And it is going to create jobs in the member for Herbert’s electorate, in the member for Flynn’s electorate. In the member for Dawson’s electorate, Mr Speaker.
That is why we have invested $500 million in the Great Barrier Reef, on top of that $2 billion we have contributed through the 2050 plan with Queensland, Mr Speaker. We have made it very clear that, in my correspondence with the chair of the foundation, who are formally wrote to on the [23] April, where I said the formal offer of any Australian government funds is dependent on negotiating and executing a new grand agreement. In consultation with the foundation, they formally lodged their proposal on the 29th of May.
This was after I had released the commonwealth grant guidelines. On the 20th of June, under section 71 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act, I approved the grant to the foundation, having conceded a detailed assessment of the application by my department, which had included the second stage of due diligence by my department, and the Australian government solicitor, Mr Speaker.
And I want to read to the House what my department recommended to me. And I quote that this investment in the foundation would meet the government’s policy objective to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef. That it will represent value for money and the proper use of commonwealth resources. And that it was consistent with the provisions of the governance and accountability act, Mr Speaker. And that due diligence included a close investigation of financial reports, compliance and applicable laws, litigation, property services, and Mr Speaker this had been through the ERC process.
This was money put to work with the reef, with our scientists and farmers, with Indigenous communities to underpin regional jobs and the 64,000 jobs that depend on the Great Barrier Reef. There we have it, the Labor party only wants to obstruct, only wants to criticise, because when they were in government they abandoned the Great Barrier Reef.
Terri Butler to Malcolm Turnbull:
I refer to the prime minister’s previous answers. Is the prime minister aware that guests at the chairmans panel weekend were warned that there ‘will be no buggy parking at the helipad?’ This half a billion dollar lump sum payment becomes increasingly ridiculous every day.
There’s some argy bargy and Tony Smith points out that it wasn’t Malcolm Turnbull who answered the previous question, but Josh Frydenberg. He allows Butler to rephrase the quesiton:
“That is very kind of you, Mr Speaker,” Butler replies, which, given his tone when asking what she just said, Smith misheard, but then laughs and thanks her after Butler repeats it.
She re-phrases.
Turnbull:
I refer the honorable member to the previous answer by the minister for the environment and energy. I can understand the shock of unfamiliarity that the honourable member has to learn that members of the chairmans’ panel, according to the statement from the foundation, paid for their own accommodation. That would fly in the face of many great traditions of the Labour party, not least that practised by the leader of the opposition, whose latest reef trip was paid for by Geoffrey Cousins.
Labor senator David Smith, who replaced Katy Gallagher has announced he will be nominating to replace Gai Brodtmann in Bean:
That clears up a problem – Gallagher had announced she was renominating for the Senate, Penny Wong wants her back – but Smith wasn’t moving. He said no to Canberra’s new seat, but it looks like the lower house holds some appeal after all ...
From his statement:
I am announcing today that I will be nominating for preselection for the seat of Bean.
I would like to say thank you to Gai Brodtmann MP for her service to the Canberra community. Gai has been a mentor and good friend who has been a powerful advocate for the ACT and her constituency.
The time and commitment Gai has given to the people of the ACT has been second to none. Since 2010, Gai has fought on issues that matter to the people of Canberra such as cybersecurity, women’s health, small business and the Public Service.
When I took my position as senator for the Australian Capital Territory, I stated that I was committed to serving the people of Canberra to ensure that their interests are represented in the parliament.
Being only the 9th Senator for the ACT has been an absolute honour. I will continue to work hard for all the people of the ACT right up until the next election.
I would like to thank all those who have supported me in my current position. However, my decision to nominate for preselection in Bean provides a way of ensuring that the Party continues to offer quality representation across the entire ACT. The ACT Labor team is committed to working towards the election of a Shorten Labor government whenever the election is called.
Bean is my local electorate. It is where I grew up and where I have chosen to raise my own family with my wife Liesl. There can be no greater honour than representing the people of this area in the House of Representatives.
I look forward to following the party process for preselection and if successful, I will ask the people of Bean for their support at the next federal election.
My priorities will continue to be fighting for the Public Service here in Canberra, tackling rising inequality, investing in STEM careers and restoring fairness to the world of work.
I look forward to speaking to many rank-and-file members of the ACT Labor Party over the coming days and weeks.
Terri Butler to Malcolm Turnbull:
“Is the prime minister aware that after he offered the Great Barrier Reef Foundation almost half a billion of taxpayers money, it held a weekend at Hamilton Island resort which apparently had an itinerary featuring a transfer to the yacht club and a bonfire on the beach. Is this what the prime minister means when he says the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has a track record of philanthropic support.”
Josh Frydenberg is back up:
“Everybody remembers the snorkelling tour of the Leader of the Opposition. A $17,000 freebie, Mr Speaker! Now the foundation has put out a public statement today. I read from it. The foundation has 56 members of a chairman’s panel. An engagement with the chairman’s panel allows a foundation to explain the complexity of the challenge the threat to the reef faces and how scientists are responding. In turn, the members of the panel lent their personal expertise and the skills and resources. This is the key point. Costs associated with this are fully paid by the membership fees and no taxpayer dollars, grants or other donations received are used.
“That is why the day we announced this record investment, the head of the tourism operators in the Reef and surrounding areas said it would underpin regional jobs in Queensland, Mr Speaker. And that is why Australia’s chief scientist announcing half a billion said this was a great day for science and for the reef. The Labor party is trying to cover up the fact they were absent when they were in parliament, and in contrast we put money on the table, we are funding the experts, and we are helping protect jobs and the Reef.”
Let’s all take a moment for Christopher Pyne, who for the second day in a row has been made to talk about government policy in a dixer, and not how terrible unions are.
An update from outside the chamber:
Hey @AmyRemeikis and @GuardianAus - I think technically, the Speaker ruled that the PM's Merchant Banker Gobbledygook was IN order, actually. @Tony_Burke may be able to confirm this Parliamentary technicality... pic.twitter.com/icVQMcR89X
(And yes, to clarify, the Speaker was saying the point was not in order and neither was Tim Watts)
