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Version 2 Version 3
Metadata legislation heads to final vote – politics live Metadata legislation heads to final vote – politics live
(35 minutes later)
9.59am AEST22:59
The prime minister Tony Abbott has scheduled a press conference. That’s coming very shortly.
9.57am AEST22:57
Two other excellent stories I haven’t had a chance to share yet due to an overwelming urge to pick up my MacBook and smash it.
9.50am AEST22:50
My technology is still tetchy. The senate is tetchy. Katy Gallagher has been sworn in successfully as the new senator for the ACT. The red room is back on the metadata debate.
9.21am AEST22:219.21am AEST22:21
Sorry I’m being sorely tested by non-compliant technology this morning.Sorry I’m being sorely tested by non-compliant technology this morning.
Other stories in the political news cycle.Other stories in the political news cycle.
David Crowe at The Australian reports that key members of the National Commission of Audit want Tony Abbott to go harder in May – they’ve urged “a renewed effort to limit spending in the May budget, out of concern at growing complacency over the scale of the problem, including annual interest payments of $16 billion on commonwealth debt. Days after Mr Abbott promised a “pretty dull and pretty routine” fiscal policy statement in May, commissioners declared that a “she’ll be right, mate” approach­ would condemn the natio­n to low growth with no hope of a budget surplus. Updated at 9.58am AEST
Jo Mather, Mark Ludlow and Jonathan Barrett report in the AFR: “The Commonwealth Grants Commission may have found Joe Hockey a solution to a stand-off with Western Australia about how federal funds are divided among the states – but it would cost the rest of Australia $547m.”
9.07am AEST22:079.07am AEST22:07
Looking ahead to a couple of events this morning.Looking ahead to a couple of events this morning.
8.52am AEST21:528.52am AEST21:52
Hoop dreamsHoop dreams
Poetry in motion. Assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Labor MPs Tim Watts and Ed Husic.Poetry in motion. Assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Labor MPs Tim Watts and Ed Husic.
Updated at 9.03am AESTUpdated at 9.03am AEST
8.44am AEST21:448.44am AEST21:44
As we’ve gone live a basketball match is underway between MPs and journalists. You can see from this picture that Sky political editor David Speers doesn’t only trip up the attorney-general George Brandis on the definition of metadata, he can also trip up National MP Darren Chester.As we’ve gone live a basketball match is underway between MPs and journalists. You can see from this picture that Sky political editor David Speers doesn’t only trip up the attorney-general George Brandis on the definition of metadata, he can also trip up National MP Darren Chester.
8.36am AEST21:368.36am AEST21:36
Reason and marshmallowsReason and marshmallows
I confess politics does wear me down periodically. It can be hard to sustain my faith in progress. But then something happens to give me a little lift.I confess politics does wear me down periodically. It can be hard to sustain my faith in progress. But then something happens to give me a little lift.
Andrew Bolt has this morning endorsed a return to evidence-based policies where reason rules and ratbags weep. Readers who might have followed the Bloguer Bolt’s various insights on climate science over many years may be surprised to learn of this premium Andrew places on reason and evidence. In any case, welcome Andrew. This is great news indeed.Andrew Bolt has this morning endorsed a return to evidence-based policies where reason rules and ratbags weep. Readers who might have followed the Bloguer Bolt’s various insights on climate science over many years may be surprised to learn of this premium Andrew places on reason and evidence. In any case, welcome Andrew. This is great news indeed.
Mark Latham meanwhile is rolling marshmallows between his thumb and index finger. Metaphorically of course. The metaphorical marshmallow is the leadership of federal Labor leader Bill Shorten, and Labor leaders in various states.Mark Latham meanwhile is rolling marshmallows between his thumb and index finger. Metaphorically of course. The metaphorical marshmallow is the leadership of federal Labor leader Bill Shorten, and Labor leaders in various states.
Latham, in the Australian Financial Review:Latham, in the Australian Financial Review:
In Australia’s three biggest states we’ve witnessed a political role reversal: the Liberals as the party of policy initiative, the ALP as the party of reaction.In Australia’s three biggest states we’ve witnessed a political role reversal: the Liberals as the party of policy initiative, the ALP as the party of reaction.
What’s happened to the once-great Labor movement, so that it now resembles a whining pressure group, rather than a conduit for big thinking and big ideas?What’s happened to the once-great Labor movement, so that it now resembles a whining pressure group, rather than a conduit for big thinking and big ideas?
As for Shorten himself? Shorten is no kamikaze. He’s an opportunist, someone with a shameless record of using people and political issues to satisfy his personal ambitions. He’s sitting in his office right now, lining up his marshmallows for public consumption.As for Shorten himself? Shorten is no kamikaze. He’s an opportunist, someone with a shameless record of using people and political issues to satisfy his personal ambitions. He’s sitting in his office right now, lining up his marshmallows for public consumption.
7.59am AEST20:597.59am AEST20:59
Are you thinking what I’m thinking B1? I think am B2. It’s the last parliamentary sitting day before the budget. Good morning and welcome to Thursday in Canberra.Are you thinking what I’m thinking B1? I think am B2. It’s the last parliamentary sitting day before the budget. Good morning and welcome to Thursday in Canberra.
The political morning is relatively peaceful thus far. Perhaps a few parliamentarians partied hard with the dancing fruit last night at the ABC’s annual showcase. Clive Palmer was clearly on for a few fine wines on the national broadcaster.The political morning is relatively peaceful thus far. Perhaps a few parliamentarians partied hard with the dancing fruit last night at the ABC’s annual showcase. Clive Palmer was clearly on for a few fine wines on the national broadcaster.
He wasn’t alone.He wasn’t alone.
Looking ahead to the day. The senate has altered its sitting hours today in order to get the Abbott government’s metadata package through to a final vote. Given the sitting hours are now sit-til-you-drop I suspect that vote will happen before close of business – but in this place, nothing is ever done until its done.Looking ahead to the day. The senate has altered its sitting hours today in order to get the Abbott government’s metadata package through to a final vote. Given the sitting hours are now sit-til-you-drop I suspect that vote will happen before close of business – but in this place, nothing is ever done until its done.
As I mentioned on the blog late yesterday, as the debate bumps to its conclusion, the communications minister Malcolm Turnbull has named at least seven messaging services that journalists in particular (and presumably people in general) can use to avoid detection by the data retention regime he is pushing through parliament. Turnbull is only stating what would be obvious for tech savvy types – but it begs the question which has persisted throughout this debate – is this actually worth doing if the regime can be circumvented with a bit of not terribly onerous pre-planning? And will expanding the official surveillance footprint actually have peverse consequences, in effect encouraging people with evil intent to hide their communications from detection by agencies? We mouthy hacks at Guardian Australia have been asking these sorts of questions all along – but regardles of our persistent nit picking, parliament appears resolved on its current course.As I mentioned on the blog late yesterday, as the debate bumps to its conclusion, the communications minister Malcolm Turnbull has named at least seven messaging services that journalists in particular (and presumably people in general) can use to avoid detection by the data retention regime he is pushing through parliament. Turnbull is only stating what would be obvious for tech savvy types – but it begs the question which has persisted throughout this debate – is this actually worth doing if the regime can be circumvented with a bit of not terribly onerous pre-planning? And will expanding the official surveillance footprint actually have peverse consequences, in effect encouraging people with evil intent to hide their communications from detection by agencies? We mouthy hacks at Guardian Australia have been asking these sorts of questions all along – but regardles of our persistent nit picking, parliament appears resolved on its current course.
You too can nit pick in the comments thread, which is now wide open for your business. You can also grab us on Twitter @murpharoo and @mpbowers Let’s grab Thursday and give it a red hot shake.You too can nit pick in the comments thread, which is now wide open for your business. You can also grab us on Twitter @murpharoo and @mpbowers Let’s grab Thursday and give it a red hot shake.