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Coalition 'can't be trusted on national security', Labor says – politics live Coalition 'can't be trusted on national security', Labor says – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Richard Di Natale continuing what has become a favoured theme of late:
You don't beat the conservatives by becoming a conservative. #auspol #Greens pic.twitter.com/pCWFtnSHtD
The Future Drought Fund Bills have passed the #Senate, with a Centre Alliance amendment to the main bill.The House of Representatives will now consider the Senate's amendment
Stephen Jones on superannuation, which is one of Labor’s favourite topics today, thanks mostly to Craig Kelly:
This morning we read that influential backbencher Craig Kelly is putting out some policy ideas that the government should allow superannuation fund members to be able to dip into their superannuation fund to buy their own home. This is an idea that’s been kicked around many times and has been shown to be not in the interests of fund members. What’s more, and what’s of greater concern, is that Mr Kelly is proposing that the family home should be included in the assets test for pensioners.
The prime minister needs to rule this out immediately. This would amount to a gigantic pensioner retiree tax. The prime minister needs to rule this out. He must rule this out. What is quite clear, is that a government without a policy agenda is finding that its backbenchers are busily trying to fill in the gaps. Whether it’s a new proposition for a retiree tax through the personal family home being a part of the pensioner assets test, or whether it’s the minister for energy freelancing on nuclear power. It’s time for Scott Morrison to step up to ensure that he stops playing the parlour political games and focuses on the real issues that members of the public care about.
Scott Morrison has got to step up. He’s got to stop playing games around here. We need clear leadership from the government on all of these issues. What he needs to do today, and what he needs to do immediately, is to rule out this proposition for the family home to be included as a part of the pensioner assets test.
Peter Dutton concludes with this:Peter Dutton concludes with this:
I just remind you that we have now had three vessels in only a short period of weeks, there were boats on the water anticipating a Labour government being elected in May, we have a very significant concern about some of the messages in Sri Lanka at the moment and we are working in a way that won’t restart boats but to get people off Manus and Nauru as quickly as possible. I just remind you that we have now had three vessels in only a short period of weeks. There were boats on the water anticipating a Labor government being elected in May. We have a very significant concern about some of the messages in Sri Lanka at the moment and we are working in a way that won’t restart boats but to get people off Manus and Nauru as quickly as possible.
I have never ruled out the New Zealand option but I have made the point and I make it again today, now is not the right time for us to be sending people to New Zealand because New Zealand is being marketed in Sri Lanka, as it is elsewhere, as essentially the same destination as Australia. I have never ruled out the New Zealand option but I have made the point, and I make it again today, now is not the right time for us to be sending people to New Zealand because New Zealand is being marketed in Sri Lanka, as it is elsewhere, as essentially the same destination as Australia.
Same welfare system, education, government support, all of that is marketed in a similar way.Same welfare system, education, government support, all of that is marketed in a similar way.
There may be a time when we can exercise the New Zealand option, we are grateful for it, but we will exercise that option when and if it is in our national interest and it will not restart boats because under both the Labor Party and the coalition at the moment, if there is a boat that successfully gets through tonight with 30 kids on board, they are all going to Nauru. There may be a time when we can exercise the New Zealand option, we are grateful for it, but we will exercise that option when and if it is in our national interest and it will not restart boats, because under both the Labor party and the Coalition at the moment, if there is a boat that successfully gets through tonight with 30 kids on board, they are all going to Nauru.
President Obama and President Trump have been clear they are not able to access the US arrangement and if they are come from Iran, cannot send them back to Iran. President Obama and President Trump have been clear they are not able to access the US arrangement and if they come from Iran, cannot send them back to Iran.
Let’s be realistic. If the problem starts again, what happens, what will happen is this.Let’s be realistic. If the problem starts again, what happens, what will happen is this.
Nauru will overflow and then you have the problem of where people go after that . Nauru will overflow and then you have the problem of where people go after that.
We have work to get 585 people off Manus and Nauru. When they need medical attention, we provide medical attention. We have worked to get 585 people off Manus and Nauru. When they need medical attention, we provide medical attention.
That has always been the case. But I will not make decisions that will encourage people ‘s smugglers in Sri Lanka who are encouraging innocent people to pay money to get onto those boats. That has always been the case. But I will not make decisions that will encourage people smugglers in Sri Lanka who are encouraging innocent people to pay money to get onto those boats.
We are not going back to Labor’s days, having people in detention and I will not allow our country to be held ransom by people who are evil criminal syndicates taking money [from innocent people] We are not going back to Labor’s days, having people in detention, and I will not allow our country to be held ransom by people who are evil criminal syndicates taking money [from innocent people].
Peter Dutton:Peter Dutton:
The other point you made which he emphasised that he was here which I respect greatly is the fact that the people on Manus have been treated very poorly by many people including some in the press here in Australia, they are islanders, peace loving people, very accommodating and they have been portrayed as somebody different than that. The other point you made … is the fact that the people on Manus have been treated very poorly by many people, including some in the press here in Australia. They are islanders, peace loving people, very accommodating, and they have been portrayed as somebody different than that.
PNG is quite aggrieved by that, as I am, and I have made this point in a number of occasions. And I am going to work with the PNG government to reframe that because there are people that have been presented in a way that they shouldn’t have.PNG is quite aggrieved by that, as I am, and I have made this point in a number of occasions. And I am going to work with the PNG government to reframe that because there are people that have been presented in a way that they shouldn’t have.
I am happy to come to that point. If I can get it down to zero tonight, I would. If I could bring those people to Australia, I would have done it by now.I am happy to come to that point. If I can get it down to zero tonight, I would. If I could bring those people to Australia, I would have done it by now.
I am not putting a deadline on it because to go to the point before about people travelling, there are Iranians on PNG, Tehran will not issue travel documents for those people.I am not putting a deadline on it because to go to the point before about people travelling, there are Iranians on PNG, Tehran will not issue travel documents for those people.
They will not go to the United States, they will not accept a position to go to the US. No other country in the world will take them and they are holding out to come to Australia.They will not go to the United States, they will not accept a position to go to the US. No other country in the world will take them and they are holding out to come to Australia.
In that circumstance, I am not taking those people and I have been clear about it. We have provided resettlement assistance for people to go back to the country of origin, there are 107 people on Manus who have been found not to be refugees and we will continue to work with authorities up there to get the number down to zero In that circumstance, I am not taking those people and I have been clear about it. We have provided resettlement assistance for people to go back to the country of origin, there are 107 people on Manus who have been found not to be refugees and we will continue to work with authorities up there to get the number down to zero.
Peter Dutton on why he won’t be accepting every recommendation from the joint parliamentary committee on intelligence and security - which is led by the Liberal MP Andrew Hastie and has a majority of government MPs:Peter Dutton on why he won’t be accepting every recommendation from the joint parliamentary committee on intelligence and security - which is led by the Liberal MP Andrew Hastie and has a majority of government MPs:
I believe that for a long time, Labor has effectively managed Mark Dreyfus through the process. I think they have done the job that the Labor caucus should do. The Labor caucus, I suspect, people because they are compelled to sit there, find it excruciating to listen to long lectures from Mr Dreyfus because as you know, he is the smartest person in any room, at least by his own account.I believe that for a long time, Labor has effectively managed Mark Dreyfus through the process. I think they have done the job that the Labor caucus should do. The Labor caucus, I suspect, people because they are compelled to sit there, find it excruciating to listen to long lectures from Mr Dreyfus because as you know, he is the smartest person in any room, at least by his own account.
So I think we need to recognise that, like any committee to the government, they provide recommendations … we have accepted 17 … we have been advised that the bill would be in a better form if we didn’t accept those but noted them and that is the advice we have taken.So I think we need to recognise that, like any committee to the government, they provide recommendations … we have accepted 17 … we have been advised that the bill would be in a better form if we didn’t accept those but noted them and that is the advice we have taken.
In the end, the government will look at the recommendations of the bill or any other, we’re not going to get ourselves into [the] position that we were in at the last parliament where Mark Dreyfus waters down [legislation], we’re not going to allow [that] to happen because what ends up happening is that we end up with a bill that is ineffective and these matters are too important for that.In the end, the government will look at the recommendations of the bill or any other, we’re not going to get ourselves into [the] position that we were in at the last parliament where Mark Dreyfus waters down [legislation], we’re not going to allow [that] to happen because what ends up happening is that we end up with a bill that is ineffective and these matters are too important for that.
So Anthony Albanese can manage Mark Dreyfus in a different process but we are not going to allow a national security agency to be stifled by Mark Dreyfus and his ability to water down legislation.So Anthony Albanese can manage Mark Dreyfus in a different process but we are not going to allow a national security agency to be stifled by Mark Dreyfus and his ability to water down legislation.
Incoming AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw on the potential prosecution of journalists:Incoming AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw on the potential prosecution of journalists:
Look, it is about process. And I’ve said this before, where you can ask for a second opinion or a third opinion about the process and get those opinions and then make that decision but it’s got to be informed, with all the facts, or the legalities addressed and so on and that’s my style, I will get as much information as I can to see where it’s it.Look, it is about process. And I’ve said this before, where you can ask for a second opinion or a third opinion about the process and get those opinions and then make that decision but it’s got to be informed, with all the facts, or the legalities addressed and so on and that’s my style, I will get as much information as I can to see where it’s it.
On whether children of foreign fighters who may have been forced to fight will be repatriated, Peter Dutton had this to say:On whether children of foreign fighters who may have been forced to fight will be repatriated, Peter Dutton had this to say:
I need to take into account those considerations, I also need to consider the rights of the 5-year-old Australian child at a school here in Australia because we can’t just take somebody having been over in the Middle East and put them into Year 5 or Year 6.I need to take into account those considerations, I also need to consider the rights of the 5-year-old Australian child at a school here in Australia because we can’t just take somebody having been over in the Middle East and put them into Year 5 or Year 6.
“... We don’t want media attention in some immediate cases, I don’t want cameras parked out the front, and scrutiny of people going to mosques, we want to work with the, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, the family services authorities in those states … put a bespoke arrangement – and for some individuals and we don’t know whether or not some of these children are Australian citizens or not.“... We don’t want media attention in some immediate cases, I don’t want cameras parked out the front, and scrutiny of people going to mosques, we want to work with the, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, the family services authorities in those states … put a bespoke arrangement – and for some individuals and we don’t know whether or not some of these children are Australian citizens or not.
We don’t know because we don’t have DNA testing and we don’t know. I am not going to provide a running commentary on this family or that, individual circumstances, given the way in which we are approaching this, which I think is reasonable. I think the threat level is different with some of the women and what they are posing, I want to be clear about this, the advice to me about some of these women is they are as bad as any of the men and what we have seen.We don’t know because we don’t have DNA testing and we don’t know. I am not going to provide a running commentary on this family or that, individual circumstances, given the way in which we are approaching this, which I think is reasonable. I think the threat level is different with some of the women and what they are posing, I want to be clear about this, the advice to me about some of these women is they are as bad as any of the men and what we have seen.
So let’s be realistic about that. Others, as I have said before, have been in violent relationships or have been sold or traded into some other relationship and horrific circumstances. That’s is what we are dealing with.So let’s be realistic about that. Others, as I have said before, have been in violent relationships or have been sold or traded into some other relationship and horrific circumstances. That’s is what we are dealing with.
Reece Kershaw has been named the new AFP commissioner.Reece Kershaw has been named the new AFP commissioner.
He is the current Northern Territory police commissioner. He’ll start in October, when Andrew Colvin officially stands down.He is the current Northern Territory police commissioner. He’ll start in October, when Andrew Colvin officially stands down.
Peta Murphy:Peta Murphy:
As I now know, cancer is not just indiscriminate, it’s sneaky.As I now know, cancer is not just indiscriminate, it’s sneaky.
Two weeks ago, a week after being sworn in as the member for Dunkley, I received the unexpected news that my cancer had returned.Two weeks ago, a week after being sworn in as the member for Dunkley, I received the unexpected news that my cancer had returned.
You might say Murphy’s Law strikes again. But my mother, Jan, who is a Murphy by marriage, not birth, and therefore able to adopt a less pessimistic personal motto, would say ‘everything happens for a reason’.You might say Murphy’s Law strikes again. But my mother, Jan, who is a Murphy by marriage, not birth, and therefore able to adopt a less pessimistic personal motto, would say ‘everything happens for a reason’.
I am neither unique nor alone in the fight I am about to take on. Cancer Australia estimates that in 2019, just over 19,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 145,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer.I am neither unique nor alone in the fight I am about to take on. Cancer Australia estimates that in 2019, just over 19,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 145,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer.
I am neither unique nor alone, but I am someone who has a platform that I can use to benefit others.I am neither unique nor alone, but I am someone who has a platform that I can use to benefit others.
And as long as the people of Dunkley continue to vote for me to represent them in this place, I intend to use it.And as long as the people of Dunkley continue to vote for me to represent them in this place, I intend to use it.
I am going to start by saying this today. Ladies, check your breasts.I am going to start by saying this today. Ladies, check your breasts.
Men, don’t ignore what your body is telling you.Men, don’t ignore what your body is telling you.
Fellow members of parliament, listen to experts who warn that the promise of universal healthcare is under threat.Fellow members of parliament, listen to experts who warn that the promise of universal healthcare is under threat.
Commit to the reform and funding that our heath system needs, and do whatever is required to ensure that Australia trains, retrains and invests in the healthcare professionals and researchers who make our system great.Commit to the reform and funding that our heath system needs, and do whatever is required to ensure that Australia trains, retrains and invests in the healthcare professionals and researchers who make our system great.
The contest to replace Mitch Fifield as a Victorian senator is shaping up as a two-horse race between Sarah Henderson and Greg Mirabella.The contest to replace Mitch Fifield as a Victorian senator is shaping up as a two-horse race between Sarah Henderson and Greg Mirabella.
Fifield is jetting off to be Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations.Fifield is jetting off to be Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Henderson was defeated at the May election in the marginal lower house seat of Corangamite, after six years in federal parliament. She had risen to the ranks of assistant minister for social services and disabilities.Henderson was defeated at the May election in the marginal lower house seat of Corangamite, after six years in federal parliament. She had risen to the ranks of assistant minister for social services and disabilities.
Mirabella, a former army officer, is married to former federal minister Sophie Mirabella, who lost the blue ribbon Liberal seat of Indi in north-eastern Victoria in 2013 to Cathy McGowan. Some insiders say he’s got a solid standing and identity within the party, separate to that of his polarising wife.Mirabella, a former army officer, is married to former federal minister Sophie Mirabella, who lost the blue ribbon Liberal seat of Indi in north-eastern Victoria in 2013 to Cathy McGowan. Some insiders say he’s got a solid standing and identity within the party, separate to that of his polarising wife.
“He’s his own man,” a source told the Guardian.“He’s his own man,” a source told the Guardian.
Party insiders expect a tight race and the push is on for a regional-based senator because the other Liberal senators live in Melbourne.Party insiders expect a tight race and the push is on for a regional-based senator because the other Liberal senators live in Melbourne.
Mirabella is from Wangaratta, while Henderson lives in Geelong.Mirabella is from Wangaratta, while Henderson lives in Geelong.
Nominations for preselection close on Friday and 600-odd party members will vote on 8 September.Nominations for preselection close on Friday and 600-odd party members will vote on 8 September.
Prime minister Scott Morrison has endorsed Henderson for the Senate spot but party insiders don’t believe that will make much difference in the minds of rank and file members.Prime minister Scott Morrison has endorsed Henderson for the Senate spot but party insiders don’t believe that will make much difference in the minds of rank and file members.
“I just think back to when [Victoria premier] Denis Napthine wrote a letter supporting [cabinet minister] Mary Wooldridge in [the state seat of Kew 2014]. [Then 30-year-old former mayor] Tim Smith won resoundingly,” the insider told the Guardian.“I just think back to when [Victoria premier] Denis Napthine wrote a letter supporting [cabinet minister] Mary Wooldridge in [the state seat of Kew 2014]. [Then 30-year-old former mayor] Tim Smith won resoundingly,” the insider told the Guardian.
“I’m not sure branch members like to be told what to do.”“I’m not sure branch members like to be told what to do.”
Asked about whether gender and the party’s push for more female talent will be a factor in the contest, the insider said: “No.”Asked about whether gender and the party’s push for more female talent will be a factor in the contest, the insider said: “No.”
“I just don’t think it will swing votes one way or the other.”“I just don’t think it will swing votes one way or the other.”
Other names in the mix are former Liberal senate candidates Kyle Hoppitt and Karina Okotel, former federal MP for Dunkley Chris Crewther and former state upper house MP Inga Peulich.Other names in the mix are former Liberal senate candidates Kyle Hoppitt and Karina Okotel, former federal MP for Dunkley Chris Crewther and former state upper house MP Inga Peulich.
Another party insider says the two favourites may not necessarily win the room on the day.Another party insider says the two favourites may not necessarily win the room on the day.
The last time there was a Victorian Senate casual vacancy, former veterans affairs minister Michael Ronaldson retired from politics and James Paterson, a then 28-year-old from the Institute of Public Affairs, won the spot.The last time there was a Victorian Senate casual vacancy, former veterans affairs minister Michael Ronaldson retired from politics and James Paterson, a then 28-year-old from the Institute of Public Affairs, won the spot.
“I can’t recall James Paterson being the favourite in 2016. He performed really strongly and impressed delegates,” the party insider said.“I can’t recall James Paterson being the favourite in 2016. He performed really strongly and impressed delegates,” the party insider said.
“Delegates to a Senate preselection are often more focused on ideology.”“Delegates to a Senate preselection are often more focused on ideology.”
Peta Murphy, the new Labor MP for Dunkley, is delivering her first speech in the chamber now.Peta Murphy, the new Labor MP for Dunkley, is delivering her first speech in the chamber now.
The home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, was asked on Sky about the commonwealth ombudsman’s report, which revealed a litany of breaches of metadata laws, including that the Western Australian police obtained invalid warrants targeting journalists and ACT police accessed data 116 times without proper authorisation.The home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, was asked on Sky about the commonwealth ombudsman’s report, which revealed a litany of breaches of metadata laws, including that the Western Australian police obtained invalid warrants targeting journalists and ACT police accessed data 116 times without proper authorisation.
Asked if this showed the law’s safeguards don’t work, Dutton replied:Asked if this showed the law’s safeguards don’t work, Dutton replied:
No it’s not, there are many cases now where Asio and the AFP have relied on those laws particularly in relation to serious matters including counter terrorism matters to keep Australians safe. There are mechanisms in place, safe checks and they should be adhered to, and if not there are consequences for that. So, take the protections very seriously but in the end the vast majority of cases – 99% of the use of these laws – will be appropriate, and they’ll be used in a way that will result in protecting Australians, that’s the reality.No it’s not, there are many cases now where Asio and the AFP have relied on those laws particularly in relation to serious matters including counter terrorism matters to keep Australians safe. There are mechanisms in place, safe checks and they should be adhered to, and if not there are consequences for that. So, take the protections very seriously but in the end the vast majority of cases – 99% of the use of these laws – will be appropriate, and they’ll be used in a way that will result in protecting Australians, that’s the reality.
The ombudsman’s report didn’t detail any consequences that accrued from the breaches by WA Police or ACT Policing – aside from a polite request to quarantine the data which in ACT Policing’s case was not immediately adhered to.The ombudsman’s report didn’t detail any consequences that accrued from the breaches by WA Police or ACT Policing – aside from a polite request to quarantine the data which in ACT Policing’s case was not immediately adhered to.
From our report:From our report:
The ombudsman recommended the AFP quarantine all telecommunications data obtained under the 116 authorisations, which the AFP accepted. ‘However it did not act to quarantine the affected data at that time, which resulted in additional use and communication of the data,’ the report said.The ombudsman recommended the AFP quarantine all telecommunications data obtained under the 116 authorisations, which the AFP accepted. ‘However it did not act to quarantine the affected data at that time, which resulted in additional use and communication of the data,’ the report said.
Despite the quarantine process beginning in February 2018, the data had still not been fully quarantined by April 2018.Despite the quarantine process beginning in February 2018, the data had still not been fully quarantined by April 2018.
So we’ll have to hear from Dutton what the unspecified “consequences” might be!So we’ll have to hear from Dutton what the unspecified “consequences” might be!