PoliticsNow: Scott Morrison initiates coronavirus emergency response plan, declaring ‘risk of global pandemic is upon us’
Scott Morrison initiates the government’s emergency response plan, declaring the risk of a global coronavirus pandemic is now much higher.
- ‘Risk of global pandemic is upon us’
- PM defends role in sports grants saga
- Anthem change a ‘slippery slope’
- McKenzie’s office emailed day election was called
- PMO had ‘no direct role’ in scheme
- ‘Release the damn report’: Lambie
- Govt ‘won’t set target without plan’
- What’s making news in Canberra
Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live blog on the happenings at Parliament House in Canberra.
Scott Morrison has initiated the government’s emergency response plan, declaring the risk of a global coronavirus pandemic is now much higher.
Earlier, the Prime Minister defended his role in the sports grants saga after facing a barrage of questions from Labor during Question Time.
Richard Ferguson 4.17pm: Labor chose politics over pandemic planning: PM
Scott Morrison says he is “disappointed” in Anthony Albanese’s accusations that he lacked “decency” for not informing him he was making a major announcement about the coronavirus emergency response plan.
“The national security committee met this morning. It became apparent fairly early in the sitting day that the Opposition was keen to be very disruptive in the parliament today,” the Prime Minister said.
“I understand that. That’s politics.
“We asked the Opposition whether pairs could be provided for myself, the Health Minister, other House members of the national security committee which meant that we’d be able to undertake that meeting uninterrupted. Sadly, that request was declined by the Opposition.
“And they proceeded to go about their business which resulted in seven interruptions to that meeting today. At a time we were trying to plan for the impact of a global pandemic on the coronavirus, well, they chose politics.”
Richard Ferguson 4.12pm: Emergency response plan formalises stockpiling role
Health Minister Greg Hunt says the ramping up of the coronavirus pandemic response plan will allow the nation to fully prepare the medical stockpile and develop a more formal agreement with the states.
Mr Hunt said in Canberra that the emergency response plan will now see the federal government’s role in organising medicine, supply chains and personnel formalised.
“What this does is it now moves to a full preparation phase for all of the supply chains, the medicines, we’re working on the national inventories, the national medical stockpile,” he said.
“Tomorrow, as I say, we’ll meet with COAG. What the PM has also done is authorise other ministers such as the Education Minister and the Home Affairs to work with their counterparts.
“Whilst we’re in containment, we’re also in another role and that is preparation for the possibility of a much more significant event.
“So primarily now it moves to a formal engagement with the states where we are doing all of that work across medical stockpile, personal protective equipment, supply chain, in particular personnel.”
Mr Morrison says that the risk of a domestic epidemic is still low and advises Australians to continue going about their lives.
“There is no need for us to be moving towards not having mass gatherings of people. You can still go to the football, you can still go to the cricket ... you can still go for a Chinese meal,” he says.
Richard Ferguson 4.00pm: Risk of global pandemic is upon us: PM
Scott Morrison declares the risk of a global coronavirus pandemic is now much higher and he is now initiating the government’s emergency response plan.
“We believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us and as a result as a government we need to take the stacks steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic,” the Prime Minister said.
“Earlier today, I instructed through the NSC, the Minister of Health to be engaging with state and territory ministers and bringing back the plan to identify any gaps in capabilities at the various stages all levels that a pandemic may proceed to.”
The government’s coronavirus pandemic response plan is a guide for states and territories to get ready to provide fever clinics and quarantine areas if there is a community outbreak.
The plan – released publicly on February 18 – has also outlined several scenarios in the event of an outbreak including a worst-case scenario where hospitals will have to focus on essential services, at the expense of diagnostics and blood services.
Elias Visontay 3.23pm: PM defends role in sports grants saga amid Labor attack
Anthony Albanese has used question time to pursue Scott Morrison over his role in the sports rorts saga, using just one question to push the government for giving a grant a closing aged-care facility.
The Prime Minister insisted his personal role in the controversial sports grants program – also subject to a senate inquiry on Thursday – was not as a decision maker, deflecting blame to the then Sports Minister over the eight questions from Labor he faced on the topic.
The Opposition Leader asked Mr Morrison why his office received a colour-coded spreadsheet the day before the election of sport grant projects then-Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie was due to approve.
Mr Morrison recounted the evidence given to the senate inquiry by Sport Australia earlier on Thursday, saying: “I would refer the member simply to the evidence provided today that Sport Australia advised the committee this morning that they received a brief from Senator McKenzie dated 4 April 2019, approving the third round of the Community Sports Infrastructure Grants.”
Former Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie’s office sent Sport Australia a list of grants to distribute 16 minutes after the Australian parliament went into caretaker mode, the senate inquiry into the saga heard.
Mr Albanese then asked Mr Morrison if he could confirm 73 per cent of the projects approved were not recommended by Sports Australia, and then asked why the government breached caretaker conventions by handing approval for sports grants 16 minutes after the election was called.
Mr Morrison rejected both questions, insisting: “The testimony today from Sport Australia was that they received a brief from Senator McKenzie dated 4 April 2019.”
Mr Albanese then asked Mr Morrison if he could guarantee the document of approved grants had not been backdated to April 4.
Mr Morrison said the premise of this question was false, which prompted Mr Albanese to suggest the Prime Minister’s answers contradict Sport Australia’s evidence.
Mr Morrison said this was “untruthful”, going onto maintain that the Minister for Sport was the decision maker for the program. He also defended a grant to the Sans Souci Football Club in his electorate received which Mr Albanese asked why it was successful “despite the fact the project had already been built, had already been officially opened, and was ineligible for funding?”
Labor then attempted to suspend standing orders in protest over Mr Morrison’s responses to the sports rorts answers, however this tactic ultimately failed.
Mr Albanese accused Mr Morrison of lacking decency for leaving question time to make a coronavirus announcement, suggesting it was a tactic to distract from the attention he had drawn during question time over the sports rorts saga.
Elias Visontay 3.20pm: QT ends
Labor’s attempt to suspend standing orders goes to a vote, and fails.
Scott Morrison then declares he has to make an announcement on coronavirus, prompting the end of question time.
Anthony Albanese takes a shot at the Prime Minister for this, suggesting he did this to distract from sports rorts attention.
“Decency requires there be a briefing for the opposition (on coronavirus).”
Elias Visontay 3.00pm: Labor attempts to suspend standing orders
Anthony Albanese attempts to disrupt question time by suspending standing orders over the government’s role in the sports rorts saga.
A division is called.
Elias Visontay 2.52pm: Albanese targets Sans Souci grant
Another question for Scott Morrison on the controversial sports grants scheme.
Anthony Albanese asks the Prime Minister: “Why did the government approve a $50,000 grant to the Sans Souci Football Club, in his (Mr Morrison’s) own electorate, despite the fact the project had already been built, had already been officially opened, and was ineligible for funding?”
Mr Morrison responds: “As I’m sure the member would be able to find out by reading the report, the project was approved for funding by the then Minister for Sport based on its assessed eligibility by Sport Australia.”
Elias Visontay 2.49pm: Yet another question on sports grants
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison yet another question about the controversial sports grants program.
“My question is again to the Prime Minister, who has claimed, in this parliament, that the approval of the corrupt sports rorts scheme was made on 4 April. How is that consistent with the fact that the Audit Office has found that Senator McKenzie wrote to the Prime Minister, advising him of projects she intended to approve on 10 April, prior to her providing the documentation on 11 April? If you weren’t in charge, why was the minister asking for your permission?”
The Prime Minister responds by saying the Minister for Sport was the decision maker, not him.
“There was no authorisation provided by me as Prime Minister on the projects. Those authorisations were provided on 4 April, according to the approval of the brief by Senator McKenzie, on that date, as advised by Sport Australia.”
Elias Visontay 2.42pm: Albanese ‘untruthful’: PM
Anthony Albanese again pursues Scott Morrison over the controversial sports grants scheme.
“Given the Audit Office and Sport Australia have both confirmed that the sports rorts projects were approved on 11 April, the day the election was called, why was the brief approving the project backdated by the government by a week to 4 April? Didn’t the government know the decision was dodgy and it was trying to cover its tracks?” Mr Albanese asks.
The Prime Minister accused the Opposition Leader of being “untruthful”.
“He’s being completely untruthful. The brief from Senator McKenzie that actually provides, gives the authority, for the approval of these projects, Sport Australia confirmed was dated 4 April 2019.”
Richard Ferguson 2.37pm: ‘I hope Albanese was more truthful when he appeared as a witness’
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison again about the alleged sport rorts saga and says his answers contradict Sport Australia’s evidence it received sports grants approvals after the election was called.
The Prime Minister again denies the proposition and takes aim at the Opposition Leader’s recent court appearance in the trial of former NSW Labor state ministers Ian MacDonald and Eddie Obeid.
“I don’t accept the Leader of the Opposition’s mischaracterisation of this at all,” Mr Morrison says.
“I hope the Leader of the Opposition was more truthful when he appeared as a witness at the criminal conspiracy trial.
“Sport Australia advised the committee this morning that they received a brief from Senator McKenzie that was dated 4 April 2019. That’s what occurred.”
Elias Visontay 2.32pm: PM ‘not decision-maker on sports grants’
Anthony Albanese again asks Scott Morrison about the controversial sports grants scheme.
“How could the minister’s decision be made on 4 April if Senator McKenzie sought the agreement of the Prime Minister and his office on 10 April? Can the Prime Minister guarantee that the document by Minister McKenzie was not backdated?”
The Prime Minister responds: “as I responded earlier, as Sport Australia advised the committee this morning, Senator McKenzie’s authority, approval, of the projects was dated and provided on 4 April 2019.”
“The premise of the member’s question is false. The Prime Minister is not the decision-maker in relation to the program that he has suggested. As I’ve said on numerous occasions, the authority for making – the ministerial authority on these decisions was the Minister for Sport. The Minister for Sport, Mr Speaker, authorised those arrangements, and that authorisation is dated 4 April 2019.”
Richard Ferguson 2.24pm: PM dismisses grants accusation
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison why the government breached caretaker conventions by handing approval for sport grants to Sport Australia 16 minutes after the last election was called.
The Prime Minister says he does not accept the Opposition Leader’s accusations.
“The testimony today from Sport Australia was that they received a brief from Senator McKenzie dated 4 April 2019,” Mr Morrison says.
“It was authorised by the minister on 4 April 2019 … That’s when the approval was given.”
Elias Visontay 2.15pm: PM clarifies spreadsheet
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison about a spreadsheet listing applications for the controversial sports grants scheme.
“Can the Prime Minister confirm that 73 per cent of the projects approved by Senator McKenzie in the spreadsheet she provided to him were not recommended by Sport Australia, and that he obtained the spreadsheet from Senator McKenzie the day before he called the election?”
The Prime Minister responds “the authority for approving those projects was signed, dated 4 April 2019, for the third round of Community Sports Infrastructure Grants”.
“I can also confirm that the emails in relation to these matters in question were tabled on 13 February in compliance with an order for the production of documents from the Senate. The emails reflect general communication in the program, including the co-ordination of events and media engagements.”
Richard Ferguson 2.12pm: Labor goes on grants spreadsheet
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison why his office received a colour-coded spreadsheet the day before the election of sport grant projects then-Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie was due to approve.
The Prime Minister recounts the evidence given to the sports rorts inquiry by Sport Australia today.
“I would refer the member simply to the evidence provided today that Sport Australia advised the committee this morning that they received a brief from Senator McKenzie dated 4 April 2019, approving the third round of the Community Sports Infrastructure Grants,” he says.
Former Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie’s office sent Sport Australia a list of grants to distribute 16 minutes after the Australian parliament went into caretaker mode, a Senate inquiry into the so-called sports rorts saga has heard.
Elias Visontay 2.08pm: QT begins on aged care funding
Labor MP Emma McBride opens question time, asking Scott Morrison why an aged care facility in her electorate of Dobell on NSW’s Central Coast was refused a request for financial assistance, ultimately closing.
The question comes after The Australian revealed that in the days after the Nationals leadership spill, Michael McCormack lobbied the Prime Minister and Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck for a $120,000 grant to keep open a 40-bed regional Victoria aged-care home in the electorate of ally Damian Drum.
“How can that be the government’s position when it gave more than half a million dollars to an aged care home in the member for Nicholls’ electorate, to a home which is now closed?” Ms McBride asks.
Health Minister Greg Hunt responds that he is not aware of the dates or the details surrounding the request for funding from the facility in Ms McBride’s electorate.
“One of the things that we have done is established a Business Improvement Fund for aged care facilities in rural and regional areas. That was something that was announced in January. And, in particular, we have established that program precisely to address the issue of aged care facilities in rural and regional areas that are facing pressures. And so that is what we have done. That fund is there. That is available to people from all electorates.”
Elias Visontay 12.59pm: I’d be concerned about Tokyo: Thorpe
Ian Thorpe has said he “would most definitely be concerned” about coronavirus if he was an athlete competing in the Tokyo Olympics.
The swimming veteran said the rate of infection was of particular concern, and said it was important to understand the risk to the Australian team before sending athletes.
“I think it is very early in working out what is happening with the coronavirus and the rate of infection,” Thorpe said.
“What we’ll need to know is to use some of the best expert disease specialists to find out what is the risk to the team, what is the risk to the other nations.
“I would most definitely be concerned, looking at the infection rate of being two and half times of what it is for a cold or something like this.”
Olivia Caisley 12.09pm: Sports grants inquiry adjourned
Sport Australia COO Luke McCann tells Labor Senator Katy Gallagher he met with the minister’s office and the department of health ahead of today’s inquiry.
He says there was a “general discussion” about the ANAO report.
The hearing has been adjourned for the day with responses to questions on notice to be submitted by next Friday, March 6.
Former Sport Australia CEO Kate Palmer will front the inquiry tomorrow morning.
Elias Visontay 11.57am: Hanson-Young named Greens’ dental health spokeswoman
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will become dental health spokeswoman as the Greens introduce the portfolio.
Announcing the appointment, new Greens leader Adam Bandt said “getting dental into Medicare is unfinished business for the Greens”.
“In the 2010 power-sharing parliament we secured Medicare dental for 3.4 million children and now we want it for everyone else too,” Mr Bandt said.
“Too many people put off going to the dentist because it is too expensive. This doesn’t just lead to dental problems getting worse, it can lead to other health problems too, which is bad for people’s health and bad for the federal budget.
“Having good teeth is also a social justice issue, as bad teeth can make it harder to get a job.
“It’s a national disgrace that many Australians can’t afford dental care and I know that Sarah will put all her energy into getting dental into Medicare.”
Senator Hanson-Young will retain her role as Greens environment and water spokeswoman.
Olivia Caisley 11.40am: SA ‘aware Minister was taking an active interest’
Asked when the board became aware of former Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie’s “parallel process”, Sport Australia chair John Wylie said they were “aware the Minister was taking an active interest or an active role in the approval process.”
When pressed again about the exact date, Mr Wylie said “around the 13th of November”.
“So on the 13th of November and then there was a briefing to the Finance and Audit Risk Committee on the 13th December,” Mr Wylie said.
“The message conveyed was this program was being carried out in a manner that was consistent with the program guidelines.”
Sport Australia’s Acting CEO Robert Dalton, who is giving evidence at the inquiry, was a member of the Finance and Risk Committee at the time.
Last month The Australian revealed concerns about former Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie’s involvement in the controversial $100 million grants program were raised “consistently” from the scheme’s inception.
Rosie Lewis 11.24am: Lib MP blasts nuclear opposition
NSW Liberal MP Julian Leeser has blasted Labor for its unwillingness to see the government investigate the possibility of nuclear energy as the opposition moves towards a zero net emissions target by 2050.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday night, Mr Leeser added his support for nuclear energy as part of Australia’s future energy mix and questioned why Labor was opposed to the opportunity for “substantial carbon reduction with nuclear power”.
“Instead of being willing to see the government investigate the possibility of nuclear, Labor insisted the government should settle a national energy policy ‘so as to ensure that Australia can make a rapid, efficient, effective transition to a decarbonised electricity system that delivers reliable and affordable power to households and businesses alike while making a substantial contribution guided by the science in the global effort to address climate change’,” Mr Leeser said.
“This is meaningless waffle. They refused to support the exploration of one of the mechanisms that would work to see Australia reduce emissions while providing reliable energy, and they offer nothing of substance in return. Labor is doing nothing more than quoting slogans that are contradictory. They are saying yes to a target, but no to any mechanism that would get us there.”
Richard Ferguson 11.10am: Labor to push for Holden inquiry
Labor will push for a senate inquiry into General Motors’ decision to pull the iconic Holden brand, as car dealers lash out at the US multinational’s compensation packages.
Scott Morrison met with representatives from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association on Wednesday, who are angry at the way the Holden brand collapsed and fear the consequences for more than 200 dealerships.
A Labor-pushed senate inquiry would investigate the impacts of the General Motors decision on car dealers and Holden employees, and whether government policy influenced the death of Holden.
Opposition industry spokesman Brendan O’Connor told The Australian that the Prime Minister had to do more to support those harmed by the Holden decision.
“We are losing one of Australia’s most loved and iconic brands due in part to the inaction of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government,” he said.
“The Prime Minister needs to do more than just ‘watch’ and take action to ensure the 200 dealers and 9000 workers are properly supported.
“If only this government could find some of the enthusiasm it used to goad Holden to leave Australia, and channel it into supporting small businesses and their staff.”
THE FULL MOTION
Mr President
I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move that the following matter be referred to the Senate Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day in May 2020:
The announcement by GM on February 17, 2020 to withdraw the Holden brand and operations from Australia, with particular reference to:
(a) The impacts of that decision on:
a. Holden employees;
b. the Holden dealership network (small and medium sized businesses and family enterprises, and their employees); and
c. the Holden research and development facilities;
d. owners of Holden vehicles (including service and repair)
(b) the role of the Franchise Code and the Government’s proposed dealership amendments to the Franchise Code;
(c) Government or other policy settings on manufacturing, research and development, business support and transition, and employee support; and
(d) any related matters.
Elias Visontay 10.32am: Anthem change a ‘slippery slope’
Days after Cathy Freeman called for a change to the National Anthem from ‘young and free’ to ‘one and free’, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has suggested such a move could start “a slippery slope that people want to change other parts or drop off other verses”.
Mr Dutton said while he wasn’t opposed to the change, he would prefer reconciliation efforts be focused on “practical things”.
“I’m not opposed to it,” Mr Dutton told 2GB Radio, saying Freeman’s views should be respected.
“But I’ve got to say, one of the things that annoys me most is sporting organisations and other bodies including listed companies taking social positions.
“It annoys me beyond description when you see … athletes representing our country, footballers and whatever code. It doesn’t matter. They’re standing up there representing their country and refuse to sing the national anthem. I think it’s an outrage,” he said, referring to several indigenous footballers who did not sing the national anthem during last year’s State of Origin.
“If you represent our country you do so on the basis that you are proud and you sing the national anthem.
“In terms of reconciliation I’ve got to say I’m more in favour of practical things.
“There are boys and girls who are being sexually assaulted in Aboriginal communities today. I would much prefer to see us concentrating on how we can improve the lives of those kids.
“I just think there’s a lot more to do and there’s a lot more we can do as a country to make things right.
“I don’t have any opposition to it,” he said, adding later: “I don’t know whether it starts a slippery slope that people want to change other parts or drop off other verses.”
Olivia Caisley 10.17am: McKenzie’s office emailed day election was called
Sport Australia has confirmed it received an email from former Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie’s office at 8.46am on the day the election was called about what projects should be funded.
Labor Senator Katy Gallagher says that at 8.30am on the morning of April 11, 2019, the government had gone into caretaker mode.
According to Auditor-General Grant Hehir’s report, the Minister’s office had provided Sport Australia with a “further updated copy of the spreadsheet that identified which projects were being approved for funding in the third round” on April 11.
“The spreadsheet continued to identify the assessment score that resulted from the Sport Australia merit assessment process, but the award of funding was not directed to the highest scoring but not yet funded applications,” the report says.
“We were in caretaker at that point in time,” Senator Gallagher says.
Sport Australia COO Luke McCann says he was not aware of this.
Olivia Caisley 10.07am: ‘That’s not our job’
Liberal Senator Eric Abetz questions the panel of Sports Australia representatives whether it would be fair for 20 per cent of electorates to miss out on grants.
The inquiry has previously heard that if the merit list devised by Sport Australia had been followed, Labor seats would have received the same percentage of funding they ended up with using Senator Bridget McKenzie’s parallel method.
But Chair John Wylie says they didn’t take electorates into account when developing the Community Sport Infrastructure grant program’s guidelines.
“That’s not our job,” Mr Wylie says.
Olivia Caisley 9.54pm: Right to be disappointed in sports grants outcome?
Greens Senator Janet Rice probes the panel of Sport Australia representatives whether those clubs that missed out on funding despite meeting the sporting body’s criteria had a right to be disappointed in the outcome.
It follows a submission to the Senate inquiry from Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby club, which was denied funding despite being earmarked by Sport Australia as a highly eligible candidate.
The club has lashed the “discriminatory and politically motivated” scheme and called for retrospective funding.
The club, located in a safe Nationals seat, missed out on funding despite scoring 98 out of 100 on its application for a $45,000 to upgrade the club’s toilet facilities.
Sport Australia chair John Wylie says there were many worthy applications.
He tells the inquiry it’s the view of the sporting body that Senator Bridget McKenzie was the decision maker. Of the 2000 applications made, 1300 clubs missed out.
Richard Ferguson 9.42am: Explain aged care grant: Labor
Labor is calling on Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to explain why he lobbied for a $120,000 grant – days after the Nationals leadership spill – for an aged care home in the electorate of his ally Damian Drum.
Opposition ageing spokeswoman Julie Collins said on Thursday that Mr McCormack needed to “come clean” on why the grant and its timing.
“The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister need to explain why this particular grant was made,” she said in Canberra.
“We know this government doesn’t have a good record when it comes to taxpayers money and using it for its own re-election and for its own internals we need the government to come clean on this particular grant.
“We’ve got residential nursing facilities all over the country in regional rural Australia in trouble.
“The government needs to explain why this grant, at this time, at this particular nursing home facility.”
The Australian revealed today that Mr Drum – the Nationals whip – wrote a two-page letter scathing in its assessment of Mr McCormack’s handling of the aged care home, and Mr Drum’s displeasure was expressed in strong language.
After the spill, Mr McCormack began advocating for a grant to Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck.
Failing to answer most of The Australian’s detailed questions about his role in lobbying for funding on behalf of Mr Drum, Mr McCormack said he “advocates for enhanced regional services on a daily basis”.
Olivia Caisley 9.39am: PMO had ‘no direct role’
Sport Australia Chief Operating Officer Luke McCann tells the inquiry the Prime Minister’s office had “no direct role” in the assessment or deliberations in grant decisions before they were handed to Senator Bridget McKenzie’s office.
Giving evidence on the first day of the Senate inquiry a fortnight ago, Auditor-General Grant Hehir said that while the PMO made “direct and indirect” representations on behalf of grassroots clubs, it was clear Senator McKenzie was the “decision-maker” behind the scenes.
Olivia Caisley 9.30am: Sports rorts inquiry resumes
The second hearing of a Senate inquiry into the so-called sports rorts saga has kicked off at parliament.
Australian Sports Commission chair John Wylie is joined by new acting CEO Robert Dalton, who took over from Kate Palmer after she stepped down from the position earlier this month.
Sport Australia has told the inquiry the organisation raised risks with former Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie’s office on two separate occasions via email on the 5th December 2018 and again on the 5th March 2019.
Sport Australia Chief Operating Officer Luke McCann has taken a question over whether Senator McKenzie’s office responded to the two emails on notice.
Elias Visontay 8.30am: ‘Release the damn report’, Lambie demands
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has issued an ultimatum to the government, telling the Coalition she won’t support its union integrity bill until it “releases the damn report” into its controversial sports grants scheme.
Senator Lambie also said she would only vote for the bill if all her amendments were in the final version, so that “unions out there that are doing the right thing and continue to do the right thing” aren’t negatively affected.
“I think he (Scott Morrison) has a lot of explaining to do,” Senator Lambie told ABC Radio in relation to the withholding of Phil Gaetjens’ report into the sports grants program.
She said that when Mr Morrison began criticising Labor for past grants programs they oversaw, the Prime Minister was “pretty much saying I’m as guilty as hell here”.
“Why don’t you produce the report? What are you hiding?”
My my, “Once Upon a Time!!†Sports rorts ring a few bells??Release the report, that is the Aussie way of doing things! https://t.co/p5vNDeCjbT
— Jacqui Lambie (@JacquiLambie) February 22, 2020
Asked whether the withholding of the report would influence how she voted on the Coalition’s Ensuring Integrity union bill, Senator Lambie said: “Pretty much. I’ve already told the government they have to do the right thing.
“I’m not real keen on moving on that bill until I see that report. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Now release the damn report.”
In relation to amendments to the bill she put to the government, Senator Lambie said: “Obviously the Attorney-General has come back to the table … (to) see if we can still go ahead with those amendments, see if they’re going to play the game and get this bill done.
“We haven’t changed our amendments. We do not want those unions out there that are doing the right thing and continue to do the right thing be affected because there are some thugs on the other side in other unions. They are the ones we need to go after.”
Adeshola Ore 7.45am: ‘We won’t set target without a plan’
Angus Taylor says the government will focus on technology to reduce emissions by 2030, after Labor announced a target of zero net emissions by 2050 last week.
“What we’re not going to do is set a target without a plan. That is absolutely the wrong thing to do in business and it is certainly the wrong thing to do for a country,” he told the ABC on Thursday morning.
“The biggest emitters in the world have not got net zero targets. What is crucially important here is that we invest in the technologies that are going to allow us to reduce our emissions over the next thirty years and an example of that is hydrogen.”
The Federal Government is this morning announcing a new crackdown on energy companies unfairly charge customers who pay late. #9Today pic.twitter.com/Ds1iSLLstb
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) February 26, 2020
Mr Taylor’s comments came as the government announced a crackdown on energy companies profiting from late fees. The new energy policy will come into place from July 1 and includes households using discount deals.
“We saw very extreme penalties being charged by the companies for someone who paid a little late. We know many families who are very busy, small businesses who are very busy for all sorts of reasons may pay late. To get hit with that kind of penalty is just inappropriate.”
Elias Visontay 7am: What’s making news in Canberra
The world is battling to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus that for the first time counted more new cases outside China than inside the country where the epidemic originated.
In Australia, up to 1.5 million international visitors are expected to be lost, with the coronavirus — which is now threatening the Tokyo Olympics — forcing Prime Minister Scott Morrison to prepare for ‘last resort’ closures of schools and cancellations of football matches.
In the days after the Nationals leadership spill, Michael McCormack lobbied Scott Morrison and Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck for a $120,000 grant to keep open a 40-bed regional Victoria aged-care home in the electorate of ally Damian Drum.
Furious Nationals MPs have joined with Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar in rejecting a Productivity Commission recommendation to abolish a tax concession worth up to $1173 for people living in remote Australia, after the independent advisory body found nearly half of those accessing the rebate live in large coastal cities.
Former Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie has rejected a zero net emissions target by 2050, warning that it can’t be achieved without hurting jobs in mining and agriculture, as she throws her support behind nuclear and hydrogen energy
A systems bungle by the Department of Home Affairs has put a new barrier in front of Chinese students travelling to Australia through third countries by failing to register them on the government computer platform used by airlines to check visas.
Alice Workman ’s Sketch: Net loss latest chapter in misadventures of Bridget McKenzie.
Add your comment to this story
Seeing red as Greens (colour) blindly make murky transformation
Choose your pronoun and bicycle into a new Green landscape, where it’s OK if trees are lost to bike lanes, loyalty is demanded, and drab khakis are ditched for the blood red hue of a politically correct future, writes Jack the Insider.
Glencore: Queensland rescue package too little, too late; seeks taxpayer joint venture
Glencore tells its hundreds of copper smelter and refinery workers it is on the brink of shutting down. It wants to strike a deal with taxpayers offering to forfeit two-thirds of the equity for joint venture support.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout