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| Crossbench to call on parliament to declare a 'climate emergency' – politics live | Crossbench to call on parliament to declare a 'climate emergency' – politics live |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Two British-Australian women and another foreign national, also believed to be Australian, have been detained in Iran. | |
| The Times of London has reported a blogger who was travelling through Asia with her Australian boyfriend, and an academic who studied at Cambridge University and has been working at a university in Australia, were seized in separate incidents. | |
| The two women are believed to be currently held at the Evin prison in Tehran, where Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe a 41-year-old British-Iranian national has been incarcerated on spying charges since 2016. | |
| You can read more from that report from Michael McGowan and Kevin Rawlinson here | |
| Marise Payne’s office has been contacted. | |
| Zali Steggall is speaking to Laura Jayes on Sky about why she wants the parliament to declare a climate emergency. | |
| Essentially, she says, it boils down to a need to act. | |
| John Hewson, the former Liberal leader, is also on board. | |
| The crossbench, led by Adam Bandt in this case, is pushing for this. It comes after David Littleproud said he didn’t know whether climate change was manmade or not. | |
| Lisa Cox and Anne Davies have an update on the grasslands story involving Angus Taylor: | Lisa Cox and Anne Davies have an update on the grasslands story involving Angus Taylor: |
| Department of the environment officials were acutely sensitive about meeting Angus Taylor over critically endangered grasslands while his family’s company was being investigated for alleged illegal land clearing in New South Wales, according to internal emails. | Department of the environment officials were acutely sensitive about meeting Angus Taylor over critically endangered grasslands while his family’s company was being investigated for alleged illegal land clearing in New South Wales, according to internal emails. |
| The information is revealed in correspondence that had previously been partially redacted from documents obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws in June this year. | The information is revealed in correspondence that had previously been partially redacted from documents obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws in June this year. |
| It comes after Labor again pursued the energy and emissions reduction minister in question time on Tuesday and called on him to resign over the saga. | It comes after Labor again pursued the energy and emissions reduction minister in question time on Tuesday and called on him to resign over the saga. |
| You can read the rest of that report, here | You can read the rest of that report, here |
| Environment officials sensitive about Angus Taylor grasslands meeting, emails show | Environment officials sensitive about Angus Taylor grasslands meeting, emails show |
| Of course, it’s not just Gerard Rennick who has people talking about the class of 2019. There is also Gladys Liu after her interview with Andrew Bolt on Sky News overnight, following up this ABC story. | Of course, it’s not just Gerard Rennick who has people talking about the class of 2019. There is also Gladys Liu after her interview with Andrew Bolt on Sky News overnight, following up this ABC story. |
| It opened with this: | It opened with this: |
| Bolt: Joining me is Liberal MP Gladys Liu. Gladys, thank you so much for your time. Can I just start, were you on the committee of two chapters of the China Overseas Guangdong Exchange Association, one in Guangdong from 2003-2015 and the other in Shandong? | Bolt: Joining me is Liberal MP Gladys Liu. Gladys, thank you so much for your time. Can I just start, were you on the committee of two chapters of the China Overseas Guangdong Exchange Association, one in Guangdong from 2003-2015 and the other in Shandong? |
| Liu: Well, good to be that with you, Andrew. I can tell you that I cannot recall, if as is reported that from 2003-2015, 12 years long, that if I can’t recall, I can’t be an active member of that council, can I? | Liu: Well, good to be that with you, Andrew. I can tell you that I cannot recall, if as is reported that from 2003-2015, 12 years long, that if I can’t recall, I can’t be an active member of that council, can I? |
| Bolt: How can you not recall a membership of 12 years? I mean we have just shown your name listed there. I’ve got another document I can show other you, of your name listed in the other association. That is two associations, associations lasting, well, 12 years and you can’t recall it? | Bolt: How can you not recall a membership of 12 years? I mean we have just shown your name listed there. I’ve got another document I can show other you, of your name listed in the other association. That is two associations, associations lasting, well, 12 years and you can’t recall it? |
| Liu: Well, I can tell you that I have never been a member of this council and, yeah, it can happen. They can put your name there without your knowledge. | Liu: Well, I can tell you that I have never been a member of this council and, yeah, it can happen. They can put your name there without your knowledge. |
| And didn’t get much better. | And didn’t get much better. |
| Liu would also not say whether or not she believed China’s actions in the South China Sea were unlawful. Australia has officially condemned China’s actions. | Liu would also not say whether or not she believed China’s actions in the South China Sea were unlawful. Australia has officially condemned China’s actions. |
| Bolt: Can I just hear you say it, that you support the Australian government’s position that the theft of the South China Sea by China is unlawful? Is it unlawful, yes or sure no? | Bolt: Can I just hear you say it, that you support the Australian government’s position that the theft of the South China Sea by China is unlawful? Is it unlawful, yes or sure no? |
| Liu: Well, as I said, I want to make sure that Australians interests were put first and foremost and if it’s going to affect our trade or our air travelling, then that is something that I would not support. | Liu: Well, as I said, I want to make sure that Australians interests were put first and foremost and if it’s going to affect our trade or our air travelling, then that is something that I would not support. |
| Bolt: Well, in fact, it does affect our trade, 60% of it goes through that sea. We have been warned by China to stay away. We are thinking of challenging that with our navy, and you are here not able to actually support the government’s position that it was unlawful. Is there some problem with you agreeing that it was unlawful? It has been held so under international law. Why are you not going along with that? | Bolt: Well, in fact, it does affect our trade, 60% of it goes through that sea. We have been warned by China to stay away. We are thinking of challenging that with our navy, and you are here not able to actually support the government’s position that it was unlawful. Is there some problem with you agreeing that it was unlawful? It has been held so under international law. Why are you not going along with that? |
| Liu: Well, I never said that I’m not going along with it. What I’m saying is I always put Australia’s interests first. After all, I am a member of parliament for the Australian government and so of course I will put Australia’s interests first and whatever – as I said in my maiden speech too, I will always want to have a good relationship between Australia and China and I will put Australia’s interests first. | Liu: Well, I never said that I’m not going along with it. What I’m saying is I always put Australia’s interests first. After all, I am a member of parliament for the Australian government and so of course I will put Australia’s interests first and whatever – as I said in my maiden speech too, I will always want to have a good relationship between Australia and China and I will put Australia’s interests first. |
| Before revelations former Labor senator Sam Dastyari had warned a donor he may be under surveillance by security agencies, the government had called for his sacking after reports he contradicted Labor – and the government’s – position on the dispute. A recording eventually confirmed the report. | Before revelations former Labor senator Sam Dastyari had warned a donor he may be under surveillance by security agencies, the government had called for his sacking after reports he contradicted Labor – and the government’s – position on the dispute. A recording eventually confirmed the report. |
| Meanwhile, Liberal senator Gerard Rennick, who appears to be a great fan of the settling “founding fathers” and that can-do convict spirit, was everything his LNP colleagues had told me he would be in his first speech. | Meanwhile, Liberal senator Gerard Rennick, who appears to be a great fan of the settling “founding fathers” and that can-do convict spirit, was everything his LNP colleagues had told me he would be in his first speech. |
| Here’s a taste: | Here’s a taste: |
| The greatest threat to our environment is not carbon dioxide but unsustainable immigration. | The greatest threat to our environment is not carbon dioxide but unsustainable immigration. |
| As the son of a farmer, I was taught from a young age about carrying capacity and never to overstock your paddocks. Yet immigration is doing just that, causing major city congestion and overdevelopment on our city fringes. | As the son of a farmer, I was taught from a young age about carrying capacity and never to overstock your paddocks. Yet immigration is doing just that, causing major city congestion and overdevelopment on our city fringes. |
| He is also very against regulations, and government intervention, except in the areas he would like to see regulation and government intervention, which includes, but is not limited to, what superannuation funds can spend their money on, what should be built, how universities are run, what foreign capital can be spent on, who can buy infrastructure, and the reserve bank. Oh, and a government bank, in line with Macquarie’s holey dollar. | He is also very against regulations, and government intervention, except in the areas he would like to see regulation and government intervention, which includes, but is not limited to, what superannuation funds can spend their money on, what should be built, how universities are run, what foreign capital can be spent on, who can buy infrastructure, and the reserve bank. Oh, and a government bank, in line with Macquarie’s holey dollar. |
| After all, the convicts didn’t have regulations. Except for all those regulations which sent them here in the first place, and the regulations which kept them in a prison colony, and the regulations which saw them (and of course, First Australians) forced into slavery and chain gangs to build colonial infrastructure. But other than that, it was just good ole fair-go spirit. | After all, the convicts didn’t have regulations. Except for all those regulations which sent them here in the first place, and the regulations which kept them in a prison colony, and the regulations which saw them (and of course, First Australians) forced into slavery and chain gangs to build colonial infrastructure. But other than that, it was just good ole fair-go spirit. |
| Labor, which went to the election with a plan to recognise climate change and reduce emissions, has not been overly vocal in linking the Queensland NSW fires to what is happening wider with the climate. | Labor, which went to the election with a plan to recognise climate change and reduce emissions, has not been overly vocal in linking the Queensland NSW fires to what is happening wider with the climate. |
| While Sussan Ley copped some flak for saying this on ABC Melbourne radio late yesterday: | While Sussan Ley copped some flak for saying this on ABC Melbourne radio late yesterday: |
| Ley: “I know that the climate is changing, and I know that the people I represent and rural Australians, see that every day. Now when there is an emergency of this sort, and people are worried about losing their homes, to have these high-level discussions about these issues, perhaps we leave them for another day and focus on helping people right here, right now. | Ley: “I know that the climate is changing, and I know that the people I represent and rural Australians, see that every day. Now when there is an emergency of this sort, and people are worried about losing their homes, to have these high-level discussions about these issues, perhaps we leave them for another day and focus on helping people right here, right now. |
| Q: You don’t think the fires have anything to do with climate change? | Q: You don’t think the fires have anything to do with climate change? |
| Ley: Look, my honest answer to that is I don’t know. I don’t know what caused this particular fire on this particular day ... | Ley: Look, my honest answer to that is I don’t know. I don’t know what caused this particular fire on this particular day ... |
| Q: I am not asking about an individual fire – the science is pretty clear though isn’t it, climate change leads to more fires and more intense fires. | Q: I am not asking about an individual fire – the science is pretty clear though isn’t it, climate change leads to more fires and more intense fires. |
| Ley: We have always lived on a continent which has been ravaged by fires, I am not going to become an expert on what is causing the fires. | Ley: We have always lived on a continent which has been ravaged by fires, I am not going to become an expert on what is causing the fires. |
| It’s not that far from the line some in Labor are taking: “Let’s not talk about it now.” | It’s not that far from the line some in Labor are taking: “Let’s not talk about it now.” |
| Larissa, right now, people’s homes are burning & others are risking their lives to put out dangerous fires. You’re not alone in thinking about climate change, but is now really the time to be making political mileage? | Larissa, right now, people’s homes are burning & others are risking their lives to put out dangerous fires. You’re not alone in thinking about climate change, but is now really the time to be making political mileage? |
| Ain’t politics grand? | Ain’t politics grand? |
| Well it is never a dull moment in this place. | Well it is never a dull moment in this place. |
| It is less than 24 hours after water minister David Littleproud admitted to Guardian Australia that he was unsure whether climate change was manmade or not, comments he then went into further detail with on Sky News: | It is less than 24 hours after water minister David Littleproud admitted to Guardian Australia that he was unsure whether climate change was manmade or not, comments he then went into further detail with on Sky News: |
| David Speers: You say the climate is changing and that is certainly true - the question is, is this manmade climate change. | David Speers: You say the climate is changing and that is certainly true - the question is, is this manmade climate change. |
| David Littleproud: I have no idea, but does it really matter? | David Littleproud: I have no idea, but does it really matter? |
| DS: Sorry, you have no idea whether ... | DS: Sorry, you have no idea whether ... |
| DL: I am not a scientist, I haven’t made an opinion one way or the other, but I don’t think it really matters. | DL: I am not a scientist, I haven’t made an opinion one way or the other, but I don’t think it really matters. |
| DS: Sorry, I just want to be really clear on this – you are not sure whether manmade climate change is real. | DS: Sorry, I just want to be really clear on this – you are not sure whether manmade climate change is real. |
| DL: I am going to be honest with you – I don’t have an opinion, but I don’t think it really matters. I think these extremes from both sides have taken away the maturity of debate we should have about keeping, simply, a clean environment and making sure we give our people the tools they [need to address it] | DL: I am going to be honest with you – I don’t have an opinion, but I don’t think it really matters. I think these extremes from both sides have taken away the maturity of debate we should have about keeping, simply, a clean environment and making sure we give our people the tools they [need to address it] |
| The crossbench and former Liberal leader John Hewson have banded together to call on the parliament to declare a climate emergency. | The crossbench and former Liberal leader John Hewson have banded together to call on the parliament to declare a climate emergency. |
| The declaration motion to be released today calls on the House to declare an environment and climate emergency and to take urgent action consistent with internationally accepted science. The motion will be moved by Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt, seconded by the independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall OAM, and supported by the independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, Centre Alliance Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie and the independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie. | The declaration motion to be released today calls on the House to declare an environment and climate emergency and to take urgent action consistent with internationally accepted science. The motion will be moved by Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt, seconded by the independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall OAM, and supported by the independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, Centre Alliance Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie and the independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie. |
| It has been building for a while. Plus, the Queensland rainforest is on fire. In early September. | It has been building for a while. Plus, the Queensland rainforest is on fire. In early September. |
| We’ll bring you that, plus everything else that happens today, including the Gladys Liu train wreck interview with Andrew Bolt overnight. | We’ll bring you that, plus everything else that happens today, including the Gladys Liu train wreck interview with Andrew Bolt overnight. |
| Plus, people are still digesting Gerard Rennick’s first speech to the Senate. I know I am. | Plus, people are still digesting Gerard Rennick’s first speech to the Senate. I know I am. |
| You’ve got the whole team: Mike Bowers, Katharine Murphy, Paul Karp and Sarah Martin on board, plus everyone else who keeps the blog – and me – ticking over. I am on coffee number three and have exactly 211 minutes sleep, so I hope you are as excited to tackle hump day as me. | You’ve got the whole team: Mike Bowers, Katharine Murphy, Paul Karp and Sarah Martin on board, plus everyone else who keeps the blog – and me – ticking over. I am on coffee number three and have exactly 211 minutes sleep, so I hope you are as excited to tackle hump day as me. |
| Ready? | Ready? |
| Let’s get into it. | Let’s get into it. |