This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/mar/26/metadata-legislation-heads-to-final-vote-politics-live
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Metadata legislation debate rolls on as Peter Greste address National Press Club – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.53pm AEST01:53 | |
| Greste has worked through an extensive list of thank you’s – to family, the lawyers, to diplomats and politicians. But he’s moving now to his organising principle. Today is about press freedom and about solidarity within the profession. | |
| There is one more thank-you that has to be made and that is to us. And by that I don’t mean we three, the Al Jazeera journalists in prison in Egypt, I mean the collective us. | |
| Because if there was one other truly remarkable thing that emerged out of this battle, it was the unprecedented sense of unity amongst the wider journalism community. | |
| Now, as everyone in this room well knows and as we’ve just heard, we journalists are a cranky, cantankerous light. We’re almost impossible to organise, we are by nature argumentative and we would much rather compete than cooperate – and I dare say the only time that any of us move in the same direction is when there is a bar in the room. | |
| As everyone here well knows, throughout our detention, the media somehow abandoned the habits and the instincts of a lifetime to line up behind us in an extraordinarily way. | |
| I would be willing to bet that journalists have never united around a single common cause in the way that they did ours. | |
| 12.45pm AEST01:45 | |
| Press club address @PeterGreste with @Julie BishopMP @GuardianAus @murpharoo #politicslive http://t.co/trFHZOUgix pic.twitter.com/uYgG3r7xZ7 | |
| 12.44pm AEST01:44 | |
| In the process of thank you’s, two Greste zingers, one about Nick Xenophon, and another about the foreign minister Julie Bishop. | |
| On Xenophon: | |
| A lot of political leaders volunteered to make representations on the family’s behalf or who spoke in parliament or contacted us or simply to offer their support, and even in the case of Nick Xenophon, volunteered to go to Egypt as an envoy – although I suspect there are more than a few Coalition politicians who would be thinking more along the lines of a prisoner exchange. | |
| On Bishop: | |
| One person, again I can’t say who, commented on your uncanny ability to smile very warmly at a particular diplomat and at the same time burn holes through the back of their skulls, giving them the distinct impression that they’ve just been hugged by the Terminator. | |
| 12.38pm AEST01:38 | |
| Peter Greste addresses the NPC | |
| Peter Greste opens his address thus. | |
| It really is to see how extraordinary life can spin on a coin. On December 28th, 2013 I was still a relatively unknown correspondent, trying to make sense of Africa, and now, there is a knock on the door, Egyptian police barge in, and through a truly bizarre set of circumstances, I’m here. It just goes to show that you really can’t take anything for granted. | |
| 12.30pm AEST01:30 | |
| Super quick lunch time summary | |
| Later than I intended, let’s take stock. | |
| Greste next. Let’s keep jogging. | |
| 12.19pm AEST01:19 | 12.19pm AEST01:19 |
| I had the great privilege of having dinner with Peter Greste last night. Greste is the Al Jazeera foreign correspondent who spent 400 days in Tora prison in Cairo. He’s intent on using his public profile to advance the cause of press freedom – which is more than timely given today’s senate debate. Greste is coming up shortly at the National Press Club. I look forward to covering that live in just a little bit. | I had the great privilege of having dinner with Peter Greste last night. Greste is the Al Jazeera foreign correspondent who spent 400 days in Tora prison in Cairo. He’s intent on using his public profile to advance the cause of press freedom – which is more than timely given today’s senate debate. Greste is coming up shortly at the National Press Club. I look forward to covering that live in just a little bit. |
| 12.15pm AEST01:15 | 12.15pm AEST01:15 |
| In the senate, the metadata debate continues on. Nick Xenophon is proposing amendments regarding the treatment of journalists and sources under the new regime. There is discussion about the role of the new Public Interest Advocate. Xenophon is concerned that the new PIA’s could be flying blind in proceedings for warrants. He’s not sure how this new system will work. | In the senate, the metadata debate continues on. Nick Xenophon is proposing amendments regarding the treatment of journalists and sources under the new regime. There is discussion about the role of the new Public Interest Advocate. Xenophon is concerned that the new PIA’s could be flying blind in proceedings for warrants. He’s not sure how this new system will work. |
| The PIA’s have been badged in this whole debate as defenders of journalists in instances when police seeks warrants for their metadata. This isn’t quite accurate. The PIA’s are in the regime to safeguard the public interest – a task that may or may not align specifically with the obligations of journalists to protect their sources. The attorney-general has told Xenophon that he doesn’t think the PIA should be a contradictor in the system – a sentiment that doesn’t exactly seem to reassure Xenophon. | The PIA’s have been badged in this whole debate as defenders of journalists in instances when police seeks warrants for their metadata. This isn’t quite accurate. The PIA’s are in the regime to safeguard the public interest – a task that may or may not align specifically with the obligations of journalists to protect their sources. The attorney-general has told Xenophon that he doesn’t think the PIA should be a contradictor in the system – a sentiment that doesn’t exactly seem to reassure Xenophon. |
| In any case, the senate is beaking from metadata now to deal with other business. It will be back on later this afternoon. | In any case, the senate is beaking from metadata now to deal with other business. It will be back on later this afternoon. |
| 12.04pm AEST01:04 | 12.04pm AEST01:04 |
| Again, this particular event fell within my technology black hole. Here is the signing of the MOU with Cambodia on migration matters. | Again, this particular event fell within my technology black hole. Here is the signing of the MOU with Cambodia on migration matters. |
| 11.45am AEST00:45 | 11.45am AEST00:45 |
| We did expect debate in the senate today on a private members bill on legalising gay marriage, brought on by Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm. But Leyonhjelm pulled the bill. He pulled the bill because the Coalition partyroom this week did not discuss how to proceed on this issue. Legalising same sex marriage has no prospect of success unless Tony Abbott gives his MPs a conscience vote. Even then, it’s not clear how a vote would go. | We did expect debate in the senate today on a private members bill on legalising gay marriage, brought on by Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm. But Leyonhjelm pulled the bill. He pulled the bill because the Coalition partyroom this week did not discuss how to proceed on this issue. Legalising same sex marriage has no prospect of success unless Tony Abbott gives his MPs a conscience vote. Even then, it’s not clear how a vote would go. |
| “There’s not a lot of point kicking off the debate if the Liberals haven’t changed,” Leyonhjelm told Sky News earlier on today. One prominent Liberal has, however, added his voice to the call for a conscience vote. “We haven’t had that debate in the party room, and my strong view is that we should have a conscience vote,” Josh Frydenberg told ABC radio. “If we are [granted a free vote], then a lot of people will probably express a view in favour of gay marriage.” My colleague Shalailah Medhora has a news wrap here. | “There’s not a lot of point kicking off the debate if the Liberals haven’t changed,” Leyonhjelm told Sky News earlier on today. One prominent Liberal has, however, added his voice to the call for a conscience vote. “We haven’t had that debate in the party room, and my strong view is that we should have a conscience vote,” Josh Frydenberg told ABC radio. “If we are [granted a free vote], then a lot of people will probably express a view in favour of gay marriage.” My colleague Shalailah Medhora has a news wrap here. |
| 11.14am AEST00:14 | 11.14am AEST00:14 |
| The prime minister explaining the dynamics of firefighting at the press conference just before has prompted me to seek wisdom from the office fortune cookie box. Readers who have been with Mike and I all week will know that we have decided to follow the lead of the education minister Christopher Pyne – who last week was moved to consult a fortune cookie concerning the ultimate fate of his university reforms. Seeking wisdom in fortune cookies seems as accurate as any other process of inquiry undertaken routinely in this building. What could the prime minister’s firefighting metaphor mean? | The prime minister explaining the dynamics of firefighting at the press conference just before has prompted me to seek wisdom from the office fortune cookie box. Readers who have been with Mike and I all week will know that we have decided to follow the lead of the education minister Christopher Pyne – who last week was moved to consult a fortune cookie concerning the ultimate fate of his university reforms. Seeking wisdom in fortune cookies seems as accurate as any other process of inquiry undertaken routinely in this building. What could the prime minister’s firefighting metaphor mean? |
| Chris Crackers provided the following randomised insight. | Chris Crackers provided the following randomised insight. |
| 11.02am AEST00:02 | 11.02am AEST00:02 |
| Speaking of the red room. | Speaking of the red room. |
| I’m not sure whether you’re an aficionado of Alice in Wonderland but, senator, you have just fallen down the rabbit hole. | I’m not sure whether you’re an aficionado of Alice in Wonderland but, senator, you have just fallen down the rabbit hole. |
| This is the attorney-general George Brandis, to Green senator Scott Ludlam. In the metadata debate, which is ongoing, Brandis chastises Ludlam for suggesting metadata is content. He then goes on to explain that the word metadata isn’t in this bill, because it is jargon, not a term of art. Which rather begs the question who is down which rabbit hole, for me at least. | This is the attorney-general George Brandis, to Green senator Scott Ludlam. In the metadata debate, which is ongoing, Brandis chastises Ludlam for suggesting metadata is content. He then goes on to explain that the word metadata isn’t in this bill, because it is jargon, not a term of art. Which rather begs the question who is down which rabbit hole, for me at least. |
| 10.57am AEST23:57 | 10.57am AEST23:57 |
| Speaking of ladies – my technology troubles hit just as the new ACT Labor senator Katy Gallagher took her place in the red room. I mentioned this development, but was unable to share pictures. So here we go now. | Speaking of ladies – my technology troubles hit just as the new ACT Labor senator Katy Gallagher took her place in the red room. I mentioned this development, but was unable to share pictures. So here we go now. |
| Hai George. | Hai George. |
| Hai Penny. | Hai Penny. |
| 10.50am AEST23:50 | 10.50am AEST23:50 |
| Holding the bags. Our view from down the back. | Holding the bags. Our view from down the back. |
| So while at the moment the service chiefs are all male, I dare say the time is coming when that might be different. | So while at the moment the service chiefs are all male, I dare say the time is coming when that might be different. |
| That was Tony Abbott remarking just before on when women might rise to high ranks in the ADF. | That was Tony Abbott remarking just before on when women might rise to high ranks in the ADF. |
| Just a lovely visual counterpoint from Mike Bowers. Here’s how things looked at the front of the press conference. | Just a lovely visual counterpoint from Mike Bowers. Here’s how things looked at the front of the press conference. |
| And here are the ladies, holding the bags, down the back. | And here are the ladies, holding the bags, down the back. |
| Updated at 10.53am AEST | Updated at 10.53am AEST |
| 10.45am AEST23:45 | 10.45am AEST23:45 |
| @murpharoo Maybe it's like when you call an IT helpdesk? Suddenly your computer starts working, even before they've done anything. | @murpharoo Maybe it's like when you call an IT helpdesk? Suddenly your computer starts working, even before they've done anything. |
| 10.41am AEST23:41 | 10.41am AEST23:41 |
| Life is a box of chocolates | Life is a box of chocolates |
| This wins. Hands down. | This wins. Hands down. |
| Q: You used to talk about a debt and deficit disaster before the last election. Can you just clarify what you were talking about - were you talking about the 40-year projections – and do you regret that rhetoric now? | Q: You used to talk about a debt and deficit disaster before the last election. Can you just clarify what you were talking about - were you talking about the 40-year projections – and do you regret that rhetoric now? |
| Tony Abbott. | Tony Abbott. |
| Well, let me start at the beginning, Mark. As some of you know, I’ve been a reasonably long serving member of the Davidson rural fire brigade. And you can have a terrible fire which is threatening homes, threatening communities, that is an emergency. The instant the fire brigade turns up, the emergency starts to ease. | Well, let me start at the beginning, Mark. As some of you know, I’ve been a reasonably long serving member of the Davidson rural fire brigade. And you can have a terrible fire which is threatening homes, threatening communities, that is an emergency. The instant the fire brigade turns up, the emergency starts to ease. |
| (Let’s think this through as a matter of logic. Does a fire start to ease when the firepersons turn up, or do they have to do something first. Like, I don’t know, dousing the flames?) | (Let’s think this through as a matter of logic. Does a fire start to ease when the firepersons turn up, or do they have to do something first. Like, I don’t know, dousing the flames?) |
| 10.36am AEST23:36 | 10.36am AEST23:36 |
| The GST story now that I flagged earlier on this morning. | The GST story now that I flagged earlier on this morning. |
| Q: Do you support changing the methodology so that WA gets a fairer deal because of the softening of the iron ore price? | Q: Do you support changing the methodology so that WA gets a fairer deal because of the softening of the iron ore price? |
| Tony Abbott will have to get back to us on that one: | Tony Abbott will have to get back to us on that one: |
| Well, obviously there is a Commonwealth Grants Commission process which deals with this and no doubt this is a matter that will in the fullness of time be dealt with by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Once the caretaker period is over in NSW, no doubt this report will be dealt with. | Well, obviously there is a Commonwealth Grants Commission process which deals with this and no doubt this is a matter that will in the fullness of time be dealt with by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Once the caretaker period is over in NSW, no doubt this report will be dealt with. |
| 10.34am AEST23:34 | 10.34am AEST23:34 |
| Q: When you hand down the budget in May, will the forward projections contain still the savings from the measures you’ve been unable to pass? | Q: When you hand down the budget in May, will the forward projections contain still the savings from the measures you’ve been unable to pass? |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| The forward projections will be based on the measures in this year’s budget. And obviously what will be doing as part of this year’s budget is dealing with measures that have been left over from last year’s budget. | The forward projections will be based on the measures in this year’s budget. And obviously what will be doing as part of this year’s budget is dealing with measures that have been left over from last year’s budget. |
| What you will see in this year’s budget is a whole series of measures that are responsible, measured and fair and which continue the task of budget repair that this government has had to undertake because of the debt and deficit disaster that we inherited from Labor. | What you will see in this year’s budget is a whole series of measures that are responsible, measured and fair and which continue the task of budget repair that this government has had to undertake because of the debt and deficit disaster that we inherited from Labor. |
| As you saw in the MYEFO document, every year we make steady progress towards a much better budget outcome. Every year, we improve the budget bottom line by about $10bn – and I think it’s that kind of steady progress towards a much better outcome which the Australian people expect from us. | As you saw in the MYEFO document, every year we make steady progress towards a much better budget outcome. Every year, we improve the budget bottom line by about $10bn – and I think it’s that kind of steady progress towards a much better outcome which the Australian people expect from us. |
| 10.31am AEST23:31 | 10.31am AEST23:31 |
| The defence folks have been shooed off. Back to the boats question now. | The defence folks have been shooed off. Back to the boats question now. |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| Mark your question. Look, we don’t comment on operational matters. We haven’t commented on operational matters on the water from the very beginning of Operation Sovereign Borders and I don’t intend to break that rule now. | Mark your question. Look, we don’t comment on operational matters. We haven’t commented on operational matters on the water from the very beginning of Operation Sovereign Borders and I don’t intend to break that rule now. |
| Mark Riley from the Seven Network persists. | Mark Riley from the Seven Network persists. |
| Q: Can you at least say whether the new Indonesian government is comfortable with the policies? | Q: Can you at least say whether the new Indonesian government is comfortable with the policies? |
| Frankly, one of the great things about the end of the – or the effective end of the large-scale people smuggling we saw under the former government here in Australia is that it’s removed an irritant in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. | Frankly, one of the great things about the end of the – or the effective end of the large-scale people smuggling we saw under the former government here in Australia is that it’s removed an irritant in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. |
| It was a distraction. It was an irritant. Now it’s largely gone. That’s a very good thing for both our countries. | It was a distraction. It was an irritant. Now it’s largely gone. That’s a very good thing for both our countries. |
| (Largely gone.) | (Largely gone.) |
| 10.28am AEST23:28 | 10.28am AEST23:28 |
| Q: I have a question for Air Marshal Davis. Is that possible? | Q: I have a question for Air Marshal Davis. Is that possible? |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| The protocol I understand is that prime ministers, ministers and CDF speak at these events. The distinguished appointees will no doubt talk to you on another occasion. | The protocol I understand is that prime ministers, ministers and CDF speak at these events. The distinguished appointees will no doubt talk to you on another occasion. |
| (A wag like this blogger might then ask – why are the others there if they can’t respond to questions?) | (A wag like this blogger might then ask – why are the others there if they can’t respond to questions?) |
| 10.27am AEST23:27 | 10.27am AEST23:27 |
| There was a question on Syria along the lines of the question he got yesterday. Abbott says there’s no plans to expand operations into Syria, but Australia is supporting operations in Syria. | There was a question on Syria along the lines of the question he got yesterday. Abbott says there’s no plans to expand operations into Syria, but Australia is supporting operations in Syria. |
| 10.25am AEST23:25 | 10.25am AEST23:25 |
| Are you sure the boats have stopped? | Are you sure the boats have stopped? |
| Q: A question on Operation Sovereign Borders. Lieutenant General Campbell may or may not be able to help. Can you confirm reports in Jakarta an asylum boat has been turned back in recent days, with twelve people on board? Was that done in compliance with the new Indonesian government, and does it show people smugglers are trying to restart their trade? | Q: A question on Operation Sovereign Borders. Lieutenant General Campbell may or may not be able to help. Can you confirm reports in Jakarta an asylum boat has been turned back in recent days, with twelve people on board? Was that done in compliance with the new Indonesian government, and does it show people smugglers are trying to restart their trade? |
| Tony Abbott says not now. | Tony Abbott says not now. |
| I will take that question but I think we might deal with questions that are about the specific announcement today and then I might ask the military to withdraw and then I will deal with that question. | I will take that question but I think we might deal with questions that are about the specific announcement today and then I might ask the military to withdraw and then I will deal with that question. |
| 10.23am AEST23:23 | 10.23am AEST23:23 |
| "I dare say the time is coming when that might be different" | "I dare say the time is coming when that might be different" |
| Q: You mentioned General Morrison had done a lot in driving change in the army particularly. Does that remain a priority for the government and does it remain a priority for Lieutenant General Campbell? | Q: You mentioned General Morrison had done a lot in driving change in the army particularly. Does that remain a priority for the government and does it remain a priority for Lieutenant General Campbell? |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| Of course it’s a priority for the government and for all of the service chiefs as you’d expect. I am incredibly proud of our armed forces. I think we are all very proud of our armed forces. We want our armed forces to reflect us at our best. | Of course it’s a priority for the government and for all of the service chiefs as you’d expect. I am incredibly proud of our armed forces. I think we are all very proud of our armed forces. We want our armed forces to reflect us at our best. |
| Of course, members of the armed forces are only human and, from time to time, even the very best people will sometimes make mistakes. The important thing is that we have the best possible culture, we have the best possible structures and we have the best possible support for everyone who is trying to do the right thing. | Of course, members of the armed forces are only human and, from time to time, even the very best people will sometimes make mistakes. The important thing is that we have the best possible culture, we have the best possible structures and we have the best possible support for everyone who is trying to do the right thing. |
| Q: With no disrespect to the men you have appointed today, I can’t help but notice there are no women there. When do you think we might have women in such high ranks of the defence force? | Q: With no disrespect to the men you have appointed today, I can’t help but notice there are no women there. When do you think we might have women in such high ranks of the defence force? |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| That’s steadily happening. You may or may not have been at the parade for the people who have served in Afghanistan over the last decade or so and that parade was led by a distinguished veteran of Afghanistan, Major General Wilkie who, of course, is female. | That’s steadily happening. You may or may not have been at the parade for the people who have served in Afghanistan over the last decade or so and that parade was led by a distinguished veteran of Afghanistan, Major General Wilkie who, of course, is female. |
| Increasingly, right through the ranks of our armed forces, we have women serving and they are serving in an ever-greater range of roles. | Increasingly, right through the ranks of our armed forces, we have women serving and they are serving in an ever-greater range of roles. |
| So while at the moment the service chiefs are all male, I dare say the time is coming when that might be different. | So while at the moment the service chiefs are all male, I dare say the time is coming when that might be different. |
| 10.19am AEST23:19 | 10.19am AEST23:19 |
| Q: The Americans announced the coalition is taking part in air strikes around Tikrit. I assume this means Australian aircraft are taking part in strikes around Tikrit. Does this mean Australia is working hand-in-hand with Shia militias? | Q: The Americans announced the coalition is taking part in air strikes around Tikrit. I assume this means Australian aircraft are taking part in strikes around Tikrit. Does this mean Australia is working hand-in-hand with Shia militias? |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| We are working hand-in-hand with the Iraqi government. That’s what we set out to do when we committed our air component to the coalition campaign. We set out to work hand-in-hand with the Iraqi government to do what we could to help the Iraqi Government to regain control of its own country and to disrupt, degrade and ultimately destroy the ISIL or Daesh death cut which is reaching out, even here, in Australia. | We are working hand-in-hand with the Iraqi government. That’s what we set out to do when we committed our air component to the coalition campaign. We set out to work hand-in-hand with the Iraqi government to do what we could to help the Iraqi Government to regain control of its own country and to disrupt, degrade and ultimately destroy the ISIL or Daesh death cut which is reaching out, even here, in Australia. |
| We are doing what we’ve always done. We are working constructively and effectively with the Iraqi government. | We are doing what we’ve always done. We are working constructively and effectively with the Iraqi government. |
| 10.16am AEST23:16 | 10.16am AEST23:16 |
| First question to Abbott. Who stops the boats now? | First question to Abbott. Who stops the boats now? |
| Q: What happens with Operation Sovereign Borders? Will you appoint a new military chief or move to the civilian field? | Q: What happens with Operation Sovereign Borders? Will you appoint a new military chief or move to the civilian field? |
| Tony Abbott: | Tony Abbott: |
| We will have more to say early next week on that subject. | We will have more to say early next week on that subject. |
| 10.14am AEST23:14 | 10.14am AEST23:14 |
| A modern soldier's soldier | A modern soldier's soldier |
| Abbott pays tribute to the outgoing head of army. | Abbott pays tribute to the outgoing head of army. |
| I should say a few words about General David Morrison who has been a ground-breaking, path-finding Chief of Army. He is a soldier’s soldier. But he’s also been a modern soldier’s soldier who has very much wanted the Army to move into the modern world. | I should say a few words about General David Morrison who has been a ground-breaking, path-finding Chief of Army. He is a soldier’s soldier. But he’s also been a modern soldier’s soldier who has very much wanted the Army to move into the modern world. |
| No-one who saw his famous talk to the Defence Forces, “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” will ever doubt his commitment to making our Army a modern as well as effective fighting force. | No-one who saw his famous talk to the Defence Forces, “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” will ever doubt his commitment to making our Army a modern as well as effective fighting force. |
| 10.13am AEST23:13 | 10.13am AEST23:13 |
| New army and air force chiefs: step up .. Angus Campbell | New army and air force chiefs: step up .. Angus Campbell |
| Here’s the prime mnister, shuffling decks on Russell Hill. | Here’s the prime mnister, shuffling decks on Russell Hill. |
| Today it is my honour and privilege to announce the new chiefs of army and of air force. | Today it is my honour and privilege to announce the new chiefs of army and of air force. |
| Lieutenant General Angus Campbell DSC AM will take up his role as chief of army from 16 May – and Air Vice Marshall Gavin Davis AO will take up his role as Chief of Air Force from July and he will be promoted to Air Marshal. | Lieutenant General Angus Campbell DSC AM will take up his role as chief of army from 16 May – and Air Vice Marshall Gavin Davis AO will take up his role as Chief of Air Force from July and he will be promoted to Air Marshal. |
| Abbott mentions we might know General Campbell. We do know General Campbell indeed. | Abbott mentions we might know General Campbell. We do know General Campbell indeed. |
| General Campbell is familiar to you as head of Operation Sovereign Borders over the last couple of year. He has done exceptional work in this very difficult job. | General Campbell is familiar to you as head of Operation Sovereign Borders over the last couple of year. He has done exceptional work in this very difficult job. |
| 10.07am AEST23:07 | 10.07am AEST23:07 |
| Heads up. | Heads up. |
| Prime minister Abbott about to speak… It’s a six flag day. #auspol pic.twitter.com/TFZrYKgU91 | Prime minister Abbott about to speak… It’s a six flag day. #auspol pic.twitter.com/TFZrYKgU91 |
| 10.06am AEST23:06 | 10.06am AEST23:06 |
| Get a warrant, senator Brandis. | Get a warrant, senator Brandis. |
| Get a warrant. | Get a warrant. |
| Green Scott Ludlam, just now, in the senate metadata debate. | Green Scott Ludlam, just now, in the senate metadata debate. |
| Attorney-general, George Brandis: | Attorney-general, George Brandis: |
| The government opposes this amendment. | The government opposes this amendment. |
| 9.59am AEST22:59 | 9.59am AEST22:59 |
| The prime minister Tony Abbott has scheduled a press conference. That’s coming very shortly. | The prime minister Tony Abbott has scheduled a press conference. That’s coming very shortly. |
| 9.57am AEST22:57 | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 AEST22:21 | 9.21am 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. |
| Updated at 9.58am AEST | Updated at 9.58am AEST |
| 9.07am AEST22:07 | 9.07am AEST22:07 |
| Looking ahead to a couple of events this morning. | Looking ahead to a couple of events this morning. |
| 8.52am AEST21:52 | 8.52am AEST21:52 |
| Hoop dreams | Hoop 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 AEST | Updated at 9.03am AEST |
| 8.44am AEST21:44 | 8.44am 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 AEST21:36 | 8.36am AEST21:36 |
| Reason and marshmallows | Reason 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 AEST20:59 | 7.59am 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. |