Politics Live: August 26, 2014

We leave you with the House chatting on about the Fair Work Amendment Bill and the Senate talking about tabled documents.

But before we head out into the Canberra evening to practice pouring a bucket of ice on our heads (just in case), what did we learn?

• Tony Abbott has a new twist on "let them eat cake". We should be consuming books instead;
• Clive Palmer is sincerely sorry about calling Chinese people "mongrels" last week. So much so it took him a week to write to the Chinese embassy and tell them.
• Diplomacy is harsh. The Chinese embassy are noting the apology; 
• Labor has collected an extensive cache of comments Joe Hockey has made about the budget;
• "Gaffesters" is a word. According to Bill Shorten.

 

Thanks for tuning in on this first day of the spring session. Andrew Meares, Alex Ellinghausen and I will see you tomorrow.

 

 

 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott packs up after question time on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares

First speech buddies.

Senator Chris Ketter is congratulated by Senator Joe Bullock after delivering his first speech in the Senate. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

There was some *cough* controversy about Bullock coming to Canberra.

Former WA Labor senator Louise Pratt was not happy that Bullock was installed on the top of Labor's ticket ahead of her (and that she subsequently lost her seat).

Bullock recalls that he had been looking forward to retirement but was worried Labor would only get one Senator in WA in the 2013 election. He prayed and decided to run.

He says he is "naturally disappointed" that Labor only returned one senator in the end anyway.

Bullock adds he is sad Pratt was not able to get across the line and keep her seat.

"I can assure you ... the ALP is a wonderful party," says Bullock.

He assures the Senate that he will always vote consistently with caucus positions.

That doesn't mean he won't share his opinions, however.

And says that tolerant societies should uphold freedom of speech (is there an 18C connection here?).

 

 

 

Next up is Joe Bullock.

Who you might remember from some of the comments he made about Labor members being "mad".

Early on, Bullock pays tribute to his parents and former Tasmanian senator Brian Harradine.

(The socially conservative Catholic independent Senator with a union background who held the balance of power during the Howard years.)

Bullock says Harradine was one of the "finest politicians" he has ever known.

 

 

Senator Joe Bullock delivers his first speech in the Senate. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The new Labor Senator says that for the sake of his kids, he intends to keep trying to change the world "one speech at a time".

Hmmm.

Promise or threat?

The new Labor senator goes on to talk about the family being the "basic building block" in society.

Ketter talks about Labor's history of helping families, dating back to a maternity payment in 1912.

Ketter ended his career as secretary-treasurer of the Queensland Shoppies.

"I am a proud unionist," he tells the Senate, saying he is concerned by recent criticism of the movement.

(Shoppies national secretary Joe de Bruyn is in the public galleries to hear Ketter speak.)

 

Senator Chris Ketter delivers his first speech in the Senate. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

We now bring you the first speeches of two new Labor senators.

Both with a long association with the conservative Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association.

They are Queensland's Chris Ketter and WA's Joe Bullock.

 

The lower house has gone back to debating the Fair Work Amendment Bill.

But not before a whole lot of mucking around on a private member's bill that Anthony Albanese was trying to talk about.

Albo is worried that funding for the Roads to Recovery program ran out in June and wants it extended.

There is currently a bill to determine new council allocations and funding conditions before the Parliament.

Transport Minister Warren Truss says that "all the Senate needs to do is pass the legislation this week and the money will flow to the councils in full and on time".

To cut a long story short, the House has just spent the best part of 30 minutes voting on gag motions to stop Labor MPs speaking and voting down Albo's bid to suspend standing orders.