Politics Live: July 16, 2014

So it is time we headed for the Canberran hills, where we will spend a sleepless night, wondering how long the Senate will sit this week.

But before that, what did we learn?

• Carbon tax repeals come to those who wait;
• One person's scrutiny of legislation is another person's waste of time;
• Watch out foreign aid (again). There may be "alternatives" the government can take to trim back the budget; 
• The interesting new characters in the Senate are not just restricted to the crossbench.

 

We will see you tomorrow. Bright, early and packing a sleeping bag ... just in case.

 

 

 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott in question time on Wednesday: Photo: Andrew Taylor.

The House inches towards a final result on the PBS bill to increase the price of drugs.

There will be no problems passing it, given the government's majority.

In the meantime, Labor is unhappy about the amount of time for debate on this today and says the government - via Health Minister Peter Dutton - has not even tried to answer its questions in the House (deja vu, non?)

In the Senate, there is debate on a Migration Amendment (not the carbon tax).

Just back on James McGrath for a moment, we should note that the new Senator also thinks that Triple J should be sold.

Canavan - who has three children and a fourth on the way - says it is "rubbish" to say that paid work is more important than a home life.

Or staying home to look after the kids, as his wife does.

 

Senator Matthew Canavan is congratulated by Senator James McGrath after delivering his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

As an economist, Canavan talks of the importance of bringing down the cost of doing business.

He calls for a new national productivity agenda.

And he praises fossil fuels for making human existence more luxurious.

Senator Matthew Canavan delivers his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

"Barnaby is someone who dreams with open eyes," Canavan says of his former boss.

Joyce - who has now gone to the lower house - has come back to the Senate to hear Canavan's speech.

 

Senator Matthew Canavan delivers his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

McGrath is followed by a second Queensland LNP senator.

Matthew Canavan says it is a privilege to follow his "great friend".

Canavan was chief-of-staff to Barnaby Joyce until last year.

He is also a former KPMG executive and Productivity Commission director.

Senator Matthew Canavan delivers his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

McGrath says that he likes the ABC but is no fan of its "leftist" "inner city" bias.

He adds that unless it makes inroads to "restore" the balance, it should be sold and replaced with a regional and rural broadcasting service.

In a defence of free speech, he says that people have the right to make homophobic comments (he does not agree with those views, but that's democracy).

I wonder what Penny Wong would make of that?

 

 

Senator James McGrath is congratulated by Senator Cory Bernardi after delivering his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

McGrath tells the Senate that he has made mistakes in his career.

He helped Boris Johnson get elected in 2008 but was later sacked for an allegedly racist comment.

 

Senator James McGrath delivers his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

New LNP senator James McGrath is giving his first speech in the Senate.

He says his life has been about "confiscating" power from the government and giving it back to the people.

And that he comes from the "great blancmange" that is the Australian middle class.

He also started the "Capitalist Club" at high school.

Senator James McGrath delivers his first speech. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen