PoliticsNow: Coalition won’t bow to GetUp ‘bullies’, PM Scott Morrison says

Scott Morrison says campaign against Tony Abbott was one of the “grubbiest” things he’s seen in politics, unloading on the activist group.

PM Scott Morrison during Question Time. Picture: Kym Smith

Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s blog on the happenings at Parliament House in Canberra.

Top story: Scott Morrison says the campaign against Tony Abbott was one of the “grubbiest” things he’s seen in politics, as he unloads on the activist group.

Minister avoids inquiry call

A Morrison cabinet minister has steadfastly insisted he was just being a good local member when he sought to discuss the status of critically endangered grasslands, AAP reports.

The Coalition is trying to kill off an inquiry into Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s interest in a family company linked to an investigation into alleged illegal land clearing.

Labor is pursuing the cabinet minister over 2017 meetings with environment department officials and the office of then-environment minister Josh Frydenberg to discuss the grasslands’ listing as endangered.

Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong accused Mr Taylor in parliament of being corrupt, but later agreed to withdraw the claim after the government took issue with the word.

“They won’t allow me to say the word ‘corrupt’, but they know this is not kosher,” she told parliament on Thursday.

The meetings were held while investigations were underway into the alleged poisoning of 30 hectares that contained the grassland on a NSW property owned by Jam Land Pty Ltd.

Mr Taylor’s brother Richard is one of Jam Land’s directors, while their family investment company, Gufee, is a shareholder.

Richard’s wife Bronwyn Taylor, a minister in the NSW government, has also faced accusations in the state parliament she sought to influence the investigation. The federal minister insists he was representing farmers in his electorate of Hume and the neighbouring seat of Eden-Monaro, held by Labor’s Mike Kelly and the location of most of the grasslands.

“His (Mr Kelly’s) constituents are raising it with me, as are mine,” Mr Taylor told parliament on Thursday.

“I can safely say that the work that I have done ... with respect to the listing that has been referred to in this place in the last 24 hours was to protect interests of the farmers in my electorate.” He cited a letter from the National Farmers Federation to Mr Frydenberg raising concerns, but Labor says that letter was sent in October, well after the March meeting it is questioning.

Mr Taylor has repeatedly stated he made no representations to federal or state officials about the illegal land-clearing investigation.

He also told parliament he didn’t ask for or know an investigator from the federal department’s compliance team attended the meeting.

The proposed Senate inquiry into the matter won’t be dealt with until next week, although the government appears to have the numbers to kill it off. Centre Alliance, which controls two crucial Senate votes, is opposed to the inquiry.

Senator Rex Patrick said he had seen evidence Mr Taylor received concerns from constituents about the grassland.

The government also successfully defended Mr Taylor from being forced to make a full explanation of the situation to the lower house.

— AAP

Richard Ferguson 3.11pm: Division on Taylor

Labor is moving a motion to force Energy Minister Angus Taylor to give a 20 minute statement explaining his interests and dealing a family company, Jam Land.

The government is moving for manager of opposition business Tony Burke to no longer be heard.

The government is likely to prevail due to its increased post-election majority.

Richard Ferguson 3.06pm: Coalition won’t bow to GetUp ‘bullies’: PM

Scott Morrison has labelled GetUp “bullies” and says the left-wing activist network’s campaign against Tony Abbott was one of the “grubbiest and most despicable things” he has seen in an election.

The Prime Minister is responding to calls from Mr Abbott’s victorious election foe, independent MP Zali Steggall, for changes to political advertising laws.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time. Picture: AAP

“She would be aware that the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters undertakes a review of all matters in relation to the conduct of the most recent election and it will bring forward a report and that will be considered indeed by the government and the parliament,” he says.

“I would agree with the member for Warringah that the activities be GetUp in the most recent election and the actions they took against the former member for Warringah was some of the grubbiest and some of the most despicable actions I’ve seen.

Zali Steggall with Anthony Albanese. Picture: Kym Smith

“A political organisation masquerading as something independent, Mr Speaker.

“The Liberal Party and the National Party will never be intimidated by the bullying tactics and the big union money that goes into GetUp and the Labor Party.”

GetUp poured resources into Warringah to defeat Mr Abbott, and were forced to pull an advert depicting the former prime minister as a life saver who allows people to drown.

Richard Ferguson 3.01pm: Taylor outlines briefing

Labor environment spokeswoman Terri Butler asks Energy Minister Angus Taylor if he discussed with department officials he met over Jam Land whether he could ignore the threatened species committee’s advice and if he did, if he could keep his reasons secret.

“The briefing was a technical briefing with respect to a revised listing of the EPBC which had the potential to impact thousands of farmers in my electorate, their livelihoods, their well being.”

Richard Ferguson 2.55pm: Cayman Islands question out of order

Labor environment spokeswoman Terri Butler asks Energy Minister Angus Taylor when he relinquished his interests in the Cayman Islands.

Speaker Tony Smith rules the question out of order because it does not relate to his portfolio.

Richard Ferguson 2.45pm: Department call on compliance officer

Labor environment spokeswoman Terri Butler asks who invited a compliance officer to a meeting concerning Jam Land, Angus Taylor’s family company.

The Energy Minister says it was the environment department’s decision.

“The department determines who comes to these meetings. Let me be very clear. I didn’t ask for, nor indeed know that a compliance officer was present at the meeting,” he says.

Richard Ferguson 2.38pm: Labor relentless over Taylor

Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler asks Energy Minister Angus Taylor when he told Scott Morrison about his indirect interest in Jam Land.

“I have answered the question about the disclosure of my interest before,” he says.

“You need to answer the question as to why you are part of a grubby smear campaign against my family in this parliament and the New South Wales parliament and you are well aware of that.”

Richard Ferguson 2.33pm: Grubby smear campaign: Taylor

Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler asks Energy Minister Angus Taylor to explain why he has not mentioned his indirect interest in Jam Land on his register of members’ interests.

Mr Taylor says it is registered through his family farm and accuses Labor of attacking his family.

“Now, there are many members … who are part of family farms. And we invest through our family companies. That’s how we own our farms,” he says.

“Now, those opposite who have never participated in small businesses or farming wouldn’t understand that. They wouldn’t understand that for a moment.

“This issue has been raised by those opposite as a grubby smear campaign against me and my family.”

Richard Ferguson 2.24pm: Taylor questioned on company interest … again

Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler asks Energy Minister Angus Taylor why he has not declared an indirect interest in Jam Land, a family company.

Mr Taylor says — as he has for several question times — that he has declared the interest in accordance with the rules.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Picture: AAP

“My indirect interest in Jam Land, which is part of our family farms, has been widely reported in the media, and was declared in accordance with the rules, Mr Speaker. In accordance with the rules,” Mr Taylor says.

“I had no association, have no association, with the compliance action and I have never made a representation in relation to it, Mr Speaker. But I tell you what I’ve made representations with respect to, with respect to the farmers in my electorate, Mr Speaker.”

Richard Ferguson 2.16pm: ‘News flash: Labor didn’t win’

Labor MP Milton Dick asks Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack when work on a ring road in his electorate will commence.

“When Labor makes election commitments in their own electorates prior to an election, we don’t have to meet those particular commitments because Labor didn’t win the election,” he says.

“News flash: Labor didn’t win on May 18, we did. But we are, indeed, rolling out $100 million of infrastructure right across the nation, Mr Speaker.”

Richard Ferguson 2.10pm: ‘Only one side promising higher taxes’

Labor treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers asks Scott Morrison when he will “cave” to MPs calling for changes to superannuation and the pension test.

Josh Frydenberg responds by hitting Labor’s pre-election tax policies.

“There’s only one side of this place that is promising $34 billion of higher taxes and it’s those opposite, Mr Speaker. $34 billion of higher taxes,” the Treasurer says.

“And those opposite, and when it comes to superannuation, want to ban the catch-up contributions, Mr Speaker.

“We’re for lower taxes and Labor is for higher taxes, especially on superannuation.”

Richard Ferguson 2.06pm: Albanese kicks off questions to PM

Anthony Albanese opens question time and asks Scott Morrison what he will do to Coalition MPs calling to make superannuation voluntary, change the super guarantee, and put the family home in the pension assets test.

The Prime Minister says none of those policies are the government’s and brings up Labor’s own policies on superannuation and retirees.

Anthony Albanese. Picture: AAP

“What I know is unchanged is the Labor Party have a policy for $34 billion of extra taxes on superannuation,” Mr Morrison says.

“They also have a policy that continues to strip away the dividend imputation credits for retirees.

“That remains their policy and they continue to pursue these matters of policy as fixed items on the Labor agenda. We know why. Because Labor are always for higher taxes, Mr Speaker.”

Richard Ferguson 11.12am: PM open to wider changes

Scott Morrison says he is open to making wider changes to the stable of public service chiefs.

“I will always reserve that right to make further changes where I believe they are necessary. I think these are the ones that are necessary right now,” he said in Canberra.

“We will have an acting secretary in infrastructure until such time as we make a permanent appointment in that area, but these are matters that I am looking at closely.

“I am working closely with all the secretaries of all departments and agencies, and I look forward to that continuing. I am obviously consulting closely with my ministers as well about the best set of arrangements that we can put in place.”

Richard Ferguson 11.05am: PM defends Gaetjens appointment

Scott Morrison has defended making Philip Gaetjens, his former chief of staff as Treasurer, the head of the public service.

“In the same way that previous Labor prime ministers have been able to give that same obligation and accountability and commitment to the Australian people, in the numerous

appointments they have made,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is not uncommon that people have worked in the political sphere and the bureaucratic sphere, because it is both, and where they have that experience, I think that aids them well in the tasks that they have.

“In the secretaries that I currently have working under the coalition government, Rosemary Huxtable, Stephen Kennedy, Daryl Quinlan, Frances Adamson, all of them have served in political roles for Labor and are doing an outstanding job for me in the secretary roles they have.”

Richard Ferguson 10.55am: Gaetjens new PMC secretary

Treasury Secretary Philip Gaetjens will succeed Martin Parkinson as Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Scott Morrison has announced.

“He has been more closely involved in central agency planning and budget than most people in this town, at all levels,” the Prime Minister said.

“Again, at state and federal level. How we work with state governments is absolutely critical to my agenda.

“As you know, I have worked closely with Phil in the past, and I am looking forward to working closely with him again, and I am looking forward to what he will bring to the delivery of the government’s agenda, and ensuring it is well understood across the public service, and that we are getting on with the job of delivering on that agenda.”

Infrastructure Secretary Steven Kennedy will take over the Treasury Department from Mr Gaetjens.

To replace Phil at Treasury will be Doctor Kennedy. He will be coming in from the infrastructure portfolio,” the Prime Minister said.

“He is an outstanding public servant and official. Highly respected. I think he has done tremendous job, and I know the Deputy Prime Minister share that view for the work he has done with infrastructure, pulling together and rolling out a $100 billion infrastructure plan over the next decade.

“They both have experience working in the political realm, as well. Stephen has obviously worked on the Labor side, Phil has worked on the coalition side.

“This is about merit, this is about people that know how to get a job done, and people have earned the respect for the roles that I think they will now be able to serve in.”

Greg Brown 10.00am: MP held over hotel tantrum

Will Fowles and the destroyed door.

Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles has been taken in for questioning by ACT police after allegedly destroying hotel property.

The state MP for Burwood allegedly destroyed a door at the Abode Apartments while claiming his luggage was being illegally held. Sources close to the Victorian Government have confirmed his identity.

Full the full story, click here

Richard Ferguson 8.15am: Chalmers — Setka will go

Labor treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers has promised controversial construction union boss John Setka will be expelled from his party, as crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie considers backing Scott Morrison’s union-busting bill because of him.

“We suspended him — he’s not currently an active member in the Labor Party — and we are looking to expel him. I think that is decisive leadership from Anthony Albanese,” he told ABC radio.

“His views are not consistent with our views.

“As for the Ensuring Integrity Bill, we all know what’s going on here … attacking the unions to distract from their (the government) failures with the economy.”

The Australian Financial Review reports today that Senator Lambie told ACTU officials trying to convince her to vote against the Ensuring Integrity Bill yesterday that they have “a problem with the IR bill and it’s called John Setka.”

Mr Setka last month pleaded guilty to harassing his wife, Emma Walters, and breaching court orders by bombarding her with abusive text messages. He was placed on a good behaviour bond and ordered to undergo a behavioural change program.

Richard Ferguson 7.57am: End policy paralysis: Chalmers

Labor treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers has jumped on outgoing Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Martin Parkinson’s warnings about Australia’s falling productivity and policy paralysis.

Dr Chalmers — who worked with Dr Parkinson when he was an adviser to former treasurer Wayne Swan — said the government’s “political” agenda was to blame for productivity failure, which the retiring PM&C secretary says will damage living conditions.

“I know Martin Parkinson really well and I wish him well. He’s been one of the most distinguished public servants we’ve had in this country,” Dr Chalmers told ABC radio.

“I agree that we have a massive productivity problem in this country … it’s gone backwards in every quarter for the last four years.

“I also agree with Martin when he says there is a problem with policy paralysis. And the issue here is that the government has absolutely no idea and no plan to turn productivity around.”

Dr Parkinson will retire next month as The Australian revealed today, ahead of a massive shake-up of the public service by Scott Morrison.

Richard Ferguson 7.40am : Refugee medivac bill faces delay

Medivac laws for offshore refugees look set to remain in place until at least November.

A repeal bill passed the lower house last night, but the government referred the medivac repeal legislation to a Senate inquiry which will not report until October 18.

Under the existing law two doctors can clear the medical transfer of refugees on Manus Island and Nauru to the Australian mainland.

The timing of the Senate inquiry means a full repeal will probably not be voted on till much later this year. Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance have all said they would oppose a medivacs repeal.

But the Prime Minister will get his union-busting bills passed in the House of Representatives today. They are likely to go to the Senate next week. Debate in the House is set to resume at 2pm.

The Ensuring Integrity Bill — which allows courts to deregister rogue unions — is one step closer to becoming law with key crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie signalling her support.

“It’s no secret I have concerns about the behaviour of certain members of the trade union movement,” she told The Australian Financial Review yesterday.

“I have made these concerns very clear to Michele O’Neil, (ACTU secretary) Sally McManus and (construction union boss) John Setka.’’

Senator Lambie said her final vote could hang on whether Mr Setka resigns as Victorian secretary of the CFMEU. Anthony Albanese is trying to expel him from the Labor Party.

What’s making news:

Scott Morrison has signalled immediate and sweeping reforms to the public service to make mandarins more accountable and ensure they are serving the “quiet Australians”, confirming a changing of the guard at the top levels of the bureaucracy.

The country’s most senior bureaucrat, Martin Parkinson, has warned that growth in Australia’s living standards was poised for a significant decline over the next decade without improvements to productivity.

Australia’s incoming top cop, Reece Kershaw, has vowed to review whether it was appropriate for the federal police to have raided journalists who reported secret government documents leaked by whistleblowers.

NSW Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has delivered a scathing assessment of superannuation, joining other Coalition MPs in defiance of Scott Morrison’s request for Coalition MPs to refrain from contradicting the government on policy.

New Labor MP Peta Murphy has pledged to beat the breast cancer that has haunted her in her very first weeks in parliament, and to fight for all Australians suffering from the disease.

A crumbling global order and the fight against climate change are the key targets for Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott’s successors in parliament.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has declared he will no longer be beholden to advice from the parliamentary security and intelligence committee, with Labor accusing him of breaking the convention of bipartisanship on national security.

Conservative Liberal MPs have attacked mining group BHP for speaking out against climate change and pushing its customers to reduce their greenhouse emissions.

Niki Savva writes: Coalition MPs are in a better mood but the greatest threat to the government lies within.

Alice Workman’s Sketch: Zero. That’s how many questions Anthony Albanese asked during yesterday’s question time.