Politics Live: September 4, 2014

With that, it's time for us to head home to read that committee report on developing northern Australia over a barramundi burger.

But before that, what did we learn today?

• Ian Macdonald needs a holiday;
• You don't have to be a major party to have major political issues; 
• You can't say "lied" in the House; but
• You can call people muppets.

 

Thanks for tuning in and for all the comments.

Alex Ellinghausen, Andrew Meares and I look forward to seeing you again in a fortnight.

Until then!

 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott met Vidya Sagar Rao Governor of the State of Maharashtra in Mumbai. Photo: Andrew Meares

The PM is now at his Mumbai business lunch and will then attend a cricket clinic with Sachin Tendulkar before flying on to New Delhi.

The Senate, as the only chamber still going, is due to finish up no later than 8.40pm.

Parliament will then go on a mini-break until September 22.

 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott at a business luncheon at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai. Photo: Andrew Meares

During the excitement in the Senate this morning over John Madigan's new found independence, a report was tabled in the House of Reps.

A committee chaired by Coalition MP Warren Entsch has been looking at ways to get Australia's north cracking. 

Among other bright ideas, it has suggested that graduates who move to remote northern locations should have their HELP debts wiped; that a special economic zone is created; and a federal northern Australia minister is appointed.

The report will feed into the government's white paper on northern Australia, due in 2015.

Entsch - who has the far northern Australian electorate of Leichhardt - has just told Sky News he expects to be knocking on Joe Hockey's door next year for some money in the 2015-16 budget.

The House has adjourned for two weeks.

The Senate - ever chatty - continues to discuss bank levies.

Greens leader Christine Milne has moved a motion that: that the Senate is of the opinion that, rather than punishing the unemployed, sick, elderly, students and families, revenue should be raised through applying a 'public insurance' levy on the big four banks that are too big to fail.

 

Speaking of question time, in the Senate, Ricky Muir asked his first question today.

He began by noting that he was fortunate to have a salary of about $195,000 for the next six years.

But post-politics, he might end up back at the sawmill on a modest wage.

"If that is the case, I worry I will not be in a financial position to be able to support my children to get the quality higher education they choose," the Motoring Enthusiast noted.

Human Services Minister Marise Payne told Muir that everything would be fine (in so many words).

"We will give students more choice, more flexibility, more opportunities."

AMEP Senator Ricky Muir during question time. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

In question time today, Labor spent a number of questions attacking the government about the "Australia Fund" - a so far mythical fund that would bail out struggling companies.

The Senate agreed today to set up an inquiry to consider whether such a fund should be established.

It is a Clive Palmer brainchild and is part of the deal he cut with the government over the mining tax repeal.

Lisa Cox has more of the story here.

 

More floral tributes.

More flowers! Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited Mumbai University. Photo: Andrew Meares

Julie Bishop is in Wales for NATO, but Trade Minister Andrew Robb is by the PM's side.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Trade minister Andrew Robb visited Mumbai University. Photo: Andrew Meares

But now, back to India where the Prime Minister is "further strengthening education ties" between Australia and India. 

In a statement released this afternoon he has announced $3 million in funding for Melbourne University's Australia India Institute.

This comes on top of the New Colombo Plan - which offers Australian students scholarships to study in the Indo Pacific region - and a memorandum of understanding between Australia and India on technical and vocational training.

 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited Mumbai University. Photo: Andrew Meares

So, the likes of Bernie Ripoll and Stephen Jones started waving two fingers instead.

(Although is Jones's gesture PG enough for question time?)

Labor MPs Bernie Ripoll and Stephen Jones during question time. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen