PoliticsNow: Union integrity bill fails in Senate
One Nation voted with Labor and the Greens for a 34-34 tie, the Ensuring Integrity legislation not supported in the upper house.
- Union integrity bill fails in Senate
- Labor blocks Taylor’s Paris visit
- Albanese focused on Canberra drama: PM
- Labor pursuit of PM fails
- Albanese ups attack on PM
- Lambie coy on Kiwi option
- Sharkie’s federal ICAC call
Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live blog on the happenings at Parliament House in Canberra.
Top story: The Senate has not passed the union-restricting Ensuring Integrity Bill after One Nation voted with Labor and the Greens against the bill.
Ewin Hannan 6.16pm: ‘Disappointing win for union thuggery’
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the Senate result was a “disappointing win for union thuggery” that would embolden the CFMEU.
“Industry is disappointed with the votes of One Nation and Jacqui Lambie on the Ensuring Integrity Bill which would apply equally to union officials and employer group representatives,” he said.
“The final version of the legislation had safeguards built in to ensure that only the worst of behaviour would be sanctioned.
“The CFMEU will no doubt be emboldened by the defeat of the bill in the Senate.
“The CFMMEU’s conduct displays blatant contempt for the laws already passed by parliament. No organisation can be allowed to adopt a business model of law-breaking and to treat the fines imposed by courts as just the cost of doing business.
“In the end, it is the community – ordinary taxpayers – which bears the costs of union behaviour because of increased costs of construction.”
“Parliament needed to act to address the strong concerns expressed by a long line of respected judges who had expressed dismay at the conduct of the CFMMEU. For this reason, we would strongly encourage the government to reintroduce the Bill into parliament without delay
and to redouble its efforts to secure support for the passage of the bill,” Mr Willox said.
Ewin Hannan 6.03pm: Hanson speaks after voting against bill
Pauline Hanson said she and One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts voted against the bill because it provided “unfettered powers” to administrators if they were appointed over registered organisations, including unions.
“Despite One Nation putting forward 11 amendments to the Ensuring Integrity Bill, there was a quantity of non-amendable changes that prevented our full support,” she said.
She said that once appointed, administrators could perform any function, or exercise any power that the organisation or its officers can perform.
“We have seen the highly questionable behaviour of administrators, liquidators, receivers, and managers exercise unlimited powers on their appointment by the banks in the One Nation Senate Inquiry into Rural Bank Lending Practices,” she said.
“Under no circumstance was I going to unleash their unlimited power and zero accountability on Australian unions or other registered organisations.”
Senator Hanson said she lobbied the Morrison government to expand the Banking Royal Commission in 2018 to investigate administrators, liquidators, receivers and managers, with no beneficial outcome.
“Over recent weeks we have seen rampant white-collar crime exposed, involving tens of millions of breaches by Westpac, with no effort from the bank or this government to deal with their illegal actions.”
“This week we also saw the Registered Organisations Commission called into question by the Federal Court over what appears to be an illegal raid on the Australian Workers’ Union.”
“When you’re asking unions to act in accordance with the law, you need government departments to lead by example.”
“Let this be a warning shot across the bows to all union bosses to get their act together and a second shot across government bows to clean up the white collar crime.”
Ewin Hannan 5.14pm: Union integrity bill fails in Senate
The Senate has not passed the union-restricting Ensuring Integrity Bill after One Nation voted with Labor and the Greens against the bill.
In a stunning development, One Nation’s decision tied the Senate numbers 34-34 so the vote was negated.
The government has been extremely confident that One Nation would side with Centre Alliance and back the bill.
Pauline Hanson has refused to declare her hand but on Wednesday night told the Senate that the public had a “crystal clear view” the government had “one rule for white collar crime and much harsher rules for blue collar crime”.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus hailed the bill’s defeat and thanked “every person who stood up and said no to union bashing”.
Anthony Albanese welcomed the Senate voting down the Liberals’ “disgraceful union-bashing legislation”.
“This is a win for the working people of Australia – the very people this bill was designed to hurt,” he said.
Attorney-General Christian Porter said he was “obviously very disappointed” in the bill’s defeat.
“It’s for Pauline Hanson to explain why she voted against a bill that met every requirement she sought through extensive consultation,” Mr Porter said.
“This is important reform which seeks to ensure that registered organisations obey the law. It is as simple as that. We remain committed to this reform and will be seeking to reintroduce the bill at an appropriate time.”
It is expected the government will not to seek to pass the bill in the final Senate sitting next week, meaning the government would hold off trying again until next year.
Adrian McMurray 4.44pm: NSW Greens MP refers police chief for investigation
A NSW Greens MP has referred the state’s police commissioner for investigation.
David Shoebridge has written to the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, asking for Mick Fuller’s conduct “leading up to and during his exchange with Prime Minister Morrison regarding the ongoing police investigation into … Angus Taylor” to be examined.
Olivia Caisley 4.29pm: ‘Political games over veteran suicide’: PM turns tables on Labor
After a three-day attack from Labor over the Angus Taylor “doctored documents” saga, Scott Morrison sought to turn the tables on Thursday by using Question Time to accuse opposition of playing political games.
Following a slew of questions from Anthony Albanese about his controversial call to NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller, the Prime Minister hit out at the opposition for “gagging a veteran” who had said he wished to speak about veteran suicide.
During a procedural vote in the House earlier on Thursday, Liberal MP and veteran Philip Thompson was cut-off by a Labor motion moving he could no longer be heard before he was able to address the issue.
Labor moved to gag the Liberal MP after he attacked the Queensland Labor government and rebutted comments from Labor MP Shayne Neumann.
The gag motion was defeated because the Coalition holds the majority of seats (77) in the House of Representatives.
Mr Thompson said he was outraged at being delayed from addressing the issue of veteran suicide.
Mr Morrison also accused Mr Albanese of voting against the second reading of the Defence Service Homes Amendment Bill, which is seeking to reduce living costs for veterans.
“The only people who should be apologising in this chamber is the leader of the Labor Party for his grubby political games,” Mr Morrison quipped, after facing question after question on his embattled Energy Minister.
Mr Albanese took to the dispatch box following Question Time to strongly refute Mr Morrison’s claims, accusing the Prime Minister of misleading the parliament “yet again”. “We did not,” he said of the claim Labor had opposed the Defence Service Homes Amendment Bill. “We strongly supported the legislation.”
And that’s it for Question Time this week. Join us again next Monday for all the action from the final parliamentary sitting week of 2019.
Olivia Caisley 4.27pm: New ABS statistician appointed
The Morrison government has appointed David Gruen to head the Australian Bureau of Statistics as its new statistician for a five-year term.
Dr Gruen is presently the deputy secretary at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and was formerly the executive director of the macroeconomics group at Treasury.
“The skills and experience Dr Gruen will bring to the position will ensure the ABS continues to be responsive to community, business and government needs for data, statistics and insights,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said in a joint statement on Thursday.
Dr Gruen will start his new role on December 11.
The government thanked outgoing statistician David Kalisch for his leadership over the past five years.
“Mr Kalisch made a significant contribution during his time as the Australian Statistician,” they said.
Rosie Lewis 3.45pm: Labor blocks Taylor from attending Paris conference
Labor has refused embattled Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s request for a pair for the final two sitting days of the year to attend an International Energy Agency meeting in Paris.
The Australian understands the government wrote to Labor earlier in the week asking for a pair for the Minister – whose office is being investigated over an allegation it doctored a document to attack Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore – on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
“We don’t think it’s appropriate for someone to leave the country and parliament when there are lots of questions to answer,” Labor sources said.
Labor has offered to pair another minister, such as Environment Minister Sussan Ley or Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
The refusal to grant a pair means if Mr Taylor were to attend the conference, the government would lose one vote in the House of Representatives.
Scott Morrison commands 76 votes on the floor of the House, plus the speaker, while Labor and the crossbench combined hold 74 votes.
Mr Taylor said he had intended to go to the IEA conference to finalise discussions with counterparts to address fuel security issues in Australia.
“Labor have rejected that pair – they are clearly not serious about fuel security and protecting Australia’s interests,” he said.
“At this meeting I was planning to further discussions with the US about access to the strategic petroleum reserve and push Australia’s case to modernise the IEA’s outdated rules that disproportionately affect Australia due to its geographic remoteness.”
Olivia Caisley 3.24pm: House gaffe prompts MP amusement
Some MPs have burst into laughter because the screen that shows the procedure on the floor of the house briefly said they’re voting for the “member to no longer be hard”, rather than “heard.”
Simon Benson 3.05pm: PM has to call Lambie's bluff
Scott Morrison now has little choice but to call Jacqui Lambie’s bluff and set the government up to a possible defeat on its pledge to repeal the medivac laws.
However obscure Lambie’s conditions may be there are strong voices inside the Prime Minister’s Cabinet who believe that this is a no compromise issue.
It’s either repeal or nothing. But given the Tasmanian Senator’s mercurial approach to any policy the government puts up, there is an equal chance the bluff may work and she will back it anyway.
Olivia Caisley 3.01pm: Metadata question raised
Labor leader Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison to confirm NSW Police seized copies of metadata from the City of Sydney website shortly before Question Time on Thursday.
“Has the government also provided all relevant emails, documents, text messages, phone records, data, metadata and encrypted messages … to NSW Police,” Mr Albanese asks.
The PM responds: “As I assured the House earlier this week, the government of course will co-operate fully with the NSW police investigation and as I said we will await that investigation and at that time if there are any further matters for me to consider at that time, of course I will.”
Olivia Caisley 2.51pm: Labor’s political ‘distraction’
Opposition energy spokesman Mark Butler asks Angus Taylor whether he stands by his statement to the House in October that the “doctored document” used to attack City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore was drawn directly from the council’s website.
Mr Taylor says he does still stand by the statement.
“I remind those opposite what I said in that statement, ‘I reject absolutely the suggestion that I or any members of my staff altered the documents in question,’” he quotes. “But the Labor Party has, in typical fashion, dramatically overreached by claiming these documents were forged or altered. The Labor Party has a track record of using police referrals as a political tool and we know what this is about. Distraction.”
Olivia Caisley 2.45pm: Opposition ‘all smear and no idea’: Taylor
Opposition energy spokesman Mark Butler calls on Angus Taylor to answer whether he has received any communication from Scott Morrison in regards to the private conversation he had with the NSW Police Commissioner over the “doctored documents” saga.
Mr Taylor steps up to the dispatch box.
“I stand by the statement that I made and that I tabled in the House earlier this week and I have nothing to add to it,” Mr Taylor says. “As I have said repeatedly to the House, I reject absolutely the suggestion that I or any members of my staff altered the documents in question.
“This is a pathetic, outrageous accusation by those opposite,” Mr Taylor quips. “The opposition is all smear and no idea.”
Olivia Caisley 2.36pm: ‘Four times the number of questions on Taylor over drought’
Opposition climate change spokesman Mark Butler asks Scott Morrison if he briefed a journalist that:
“Morrison reported back to the House that he was not standing Taylor aside basically because Fuller told him the investigation was not much more than a phone call to Moore’s office.”
The Prime Minister denies the claim.
Mr Morrison refers to statements he has previously made in Question Time regarding his phone call to NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.
“Once again, that is the 64th time I think that those opposite have asked questions about this matter,” Mr Morrison says. “That is four times the number of questions they have asked on drought and drought policy in this chamber since the election.”
Olivia Caisley 2.31pm: ‘Grubby political games’
Labor leader Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison how he can claim the opposition made no objection to his statement on Tuesday that he would call the NSW Police Commissioner when he “shut down” parliamentary debate over the saga “20 times.”
“The only people who should be apologising in this chamber is the leader of the Labor Party,” Mr Morrison says. “For his grubby political games.”
Olivia Caisley 2.24pm: Albanese focused on Canberra drama over real issues: PM
Labor leader Anthony Albanese asks again “how on earth” Scott Morrison could think his call to NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller over the Angus Taylor “doctored documents” saga was appropriate.
“I told him exactly what I was going to do to inform myself, both to comply with my duties to this House and to comply with my duties as Prime Minister under ministerial standards,” Mr Morrison says.
“I did what I said I was going to do, I was upfront about it with the Australian people. I was upfront about it with the parliament.”
Mr Morrison accuses Mr Albanese of playing political games and of being more interested in the drama of Canberra politics than the serious issues being raised.
He then seizes on the question to attack Mr Albanese, accusing him of “gagging a veteran in this chamber who had said they wished to speak on the issue of veterans suicide.”
Opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Catherine King is the third Labor MP to be booted. It’s a particularly noisy day in the House of Representatives.
Olivia Caisley 2.20pm: Parliament pauses for DV victims
Independent Zali Steggall used her 90 second statement before question time to call for a minute of silence out of respect for Australia’s domestic violence victims.
“I call on the members of the 46th parliament to remember what we are elected to do in this place, to respect the institution and to fulfil our responsibility to find solutions,” she said.
“One of the biggest issues facing communities out there – beyond these walls – is the scourge of domestic violence. The statistics are horrific.
“On average, at least one woman dies each week as a result of intimate partner violence. Yet again this morning, we wake to the news of another woman killed. Where is the outrage?
“Every member of this House either has a mother, wife, sister or daughter. I call on this parliament to draw a line and give this issue the urgent attention it deserves.
“To show our respect to those women and families that we have failed to protect, I will use the remainder of my speaking time in this Chamber to pause in silence with fellow MPs.”
Olivia Caisley 2.15pm: ‘If Albanese wants to cast aspersions against Fuller he can do so’
Labor leader Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison “how on earth” he could think his phone call to NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller was appropriate.
The Prime Minister fires back:
“Once again I reject the premise of the question which was raised by the Leader of the Opposition and I refer the member to the response by Commissioner Fuller yesterday, who said, very plainly, ‘The Prime Minister didn’t ask me any questions that were inappropriate. He didn’t ask for anything that was inappropriate and I’m comfortable with the discussion we had over a few minutes.’”
“They’re the words of the Police Commissioner. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to cast aspersions against the NSW Police Commissioner he can do so,” Mr Morrison says.
Anne Aly is the second Labor MP to be ejected from the House.
Speaker Tony Smith asks if Mr Morrison has finished his response, to which Mr Albanese quips: “Now he’s shutting down himself!”
Olivia Caisley 2.08pm: Another fiery QT begins
Question Time kicks off with a question from Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who asks Scott Morrison why he thinks the “usual standards of integrity and accountability don’t apply to him.”
The Prime Minister rejects Mr Albanese’s assertion.
“With regard to the attribution of a quote. When it was brought to my attention I took immediate action to ensure that the House was informed of that correction,” Mr Morrison says.
As revealed in PoliticsNow on Wednesday, Mr Morrison incorrectly quoted Victorian detective Ross Mitchell as he defended his decision not to stand down Mr Taylor, citing Julia Gillard’s decision to remain as prime minister during a police investigation into an AWU slush fund scandal.
Mr Morrison has corrected the record in letters to the Speaker and clerk of the House but Mr Albanese has insisted it be done in person.
“The reason I wrote a letter last night is because I was on a plane on the way to Sydney for a family event which the Leader of the Opposition knew about this matter,” Mr Morrison says.
It looks like it’s going to be another fiery hour as Labor erupts in jeers. A move, that sees Speaker Tony Smith issue several warnings.
“The level of noise and interjections is far too high,” Mr Smith says before issuing a general warning.
Labor MP Meryl Swanson is booted from the chamber.
Greg Brown 1.59pm: Indigenous voice working group formed
Liberal, Labor and crossbench MPs have been chosen to join a parliamentary working group that will provide “feedback and suggestions” on constitutional recognition and a legislated voice to government.
The group, chaired by indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt, includes eight government MPs and five Labor MPs. The MPs will meet for the first time in Canberra next Tuesday.
Pauline Hanson will represent One Nation, while the Greens will be represented by West Australian senator Rachel Siewert and Centre Alliance will be represented by Rebekha Sharkie.
Independent MPs Helen Haines and Jacqui Lambie will also be on the group.
The Liberal MPs are: Katie Allen, Andrew Bragg, Andrew Laming, Melissa McIntosh, Matt O’Sullivan and Rohan Ramsey.
The Labor MPs are: Linda Burney, Patrick Dodson, Malarndirri McCarthy, Warren Snowdon and Mark Dreyfus.
Rosie Lewis 1.55pm: Different standards for shadow ministers: Albanese
Anthony Albanese says there are “different standards” for shadow ministers and ministers, as he declined to commit to standing down one of his own frontbenchers if they face police investigation.
Labor is pushing for embattled Energy Minister Angus Taylor to step aside as NSW police investigate an opposition allegation his office doctored a document used to attack Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore.
Asked if he would stand one of his shadow ministers down in similar circumstances, Mr Albanese said: “The hint is, it’s a ministerial code of conduct. So, in terms of processes, the ministerial code of conduct should be followed. That’s why it’s there, for a reason. Because ministers make decisions, and they can’t be in a situation whereby they are compromised.
“If I’m elected to government, I will uphold the ministerial code of conduct.”
The ministerial code of conduct by definition does not apply to opposition frontbenchers.
Pressed on whether he believed there were different standards for shadow ministers and ministers, Mr Albanese said there were.
Clause 7.1 of the code says “ministers must accept that it is for the prime minister to decide whether and when a minister should stand aside” if the minister becomes the subject of an official investigation of alleged illegal or improper conduct.
Clause 7.2 says ministers will be required to stand aside if charged with any criminal offence, or if the prime minister regards their conduct as constituting a prima facie breach of the standards. Ministers are required to resign if convicted of a criminal offence.
Olivia Caisley 1.54pm: ‘Clive had a deep love for our country’
Scott Morrison has paid tribute to the life of Clive James, describing the author as someone who showcased the good humour and nature of Australians.
“Australians are saddened by the passing of Clive James,” The Prime Minister tweeted on Thursday. “He was a great novelist, poet, wit and personality who showcased the good humour and good nature of Australians.”
“Clive had a deep love for our country, and expressed that deep affection in all that he said and did.”
Australians are saddened by the passing of Clive James. He was a great novelist, poet, wit and personality who showcased the good humour and good nature of Australians. Clive had a deep love for our country, and expressed that deep affection in all that he said and did.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 28, 2019
Olivia Caisley 12.45pm: Labor lauds Clive James
Labor leader Anthony Albanese and opposition arts spokesman Tony Burke have honoured the life of Australian-born author Clive James.
“Clive James was a giant of Australian letters, and one of the greatest poets and intellectuals this country has ever produced,” they said in a statement on Thursday. “Clive passed away at his home in the UK at the weekend after a long illness, aged 80.”
The Labor MPs said that despite James’s impressive achievements he never lost his connection to his working-class roots or his commitment to a “fair go for the workers”.
“At home and abroad, he entertained and moved readers and TV audiences with his profound and provocative insights, acerbic wit and boundless sense of humour.”
Olivia Caisley 12.15pm: Albanese fires new shot
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has accused Scott Morrison of thinking he’s “above scrutiny” amid a NSW Police investigation into Angus Taylor’s office over a doctored document used to attack City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Speaking to reporters in Canberra on Thursday, Mr Albanese ratcheted up his attack on the Prime Minister, who he said had “deliberately misled” the parliament by incorrectly attributing a comment made by radio personality Ben Fordham to a Victorian police detective.
“Our current Prime Minister thinks he’s above scrutiny,” Mr Albanese said. “Scrutiny from the media, scrutiny from the public, where when asked questions he says it is just gossip or it is just in the bubble. He doesn’t hold serious press conferences too often.
Mr Albanese said Mr Morrison didn’t have the courage to “come in and do the right thing and correct the record and apologise”.
“We have a Prime Minister whose depth is a mile wide but an inch deep. He is incapable of acting in the national interests,” Mr Albanese said. “So, instead of standing aside the minister under section 7.1 of the Ministerial Code, he has continued to dig in and made a phone call.”
Olivia Caisley 11.20am: PM’s phone call ‘appropriate’
Peter Dutton has defended Scott Morrison’s decision to call NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller over the Angus Taylor “doctored documents” saga, declaring the move “entirely appropriate.”
Mr Dutton told 2GB Radio on Thursday it was “ridiculous” to suggest the Prime Minister had tried to influence the investigation and was merely making inquiries to find out whether he needed to stand Mr Taylor aside over the allegations.
“I think it’s entirely appropriate he called to get an update on what was happening and the PM has a responsibility to decide whether or not he stands ministers aside,” Mr Dutton said. “It was very clear he wanted to get that edetail and he did it appropriately.”
Mr Dutton accused Labor of “insulting” Mr Fuller by suggesting he “somehow been influenced” by Mr Morrison’s call.
“Don’t forget this is the ninth occasion Mark Dreyfus (the opposition legal affairs spokesman) has referred somebody.”
Olivia Caisley 10.45am: Back this bill, Dutton urges
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has called on crucial crossbench Senator Jacqui Lambie to support the Medivac repeal legislation ahead of a vote on the controversial bill.
“I think Jacqui can support the bill and she should support the bill, because we’ve brought people to our country who are of bad character,” Mr Dutton told 2GB Radio on Thursday. “There are six people here who we are worried about and ten on the way that under the law, we have no ability to stop and they are people we as a government don’t want in our country.”
Mr Dutton lashed Labor for supporting the “bad law”, he said was “only ever a back door” way into the country.
He said the Coalition had a right to be angry about the legislation, which passed against the government’s wishes in February, because it was undermining the Operation Sovereign Borders policy.
One Nation and South Australian independent senator Cory Bernardi supports repealing the medivac laws, but Scott Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton must win over Senator Lambie to scrap them. A vote is unlikely until next week at the earliest.
“The cost of it is unbelievable,” Mr Dutton said, declaring that the associated welfare costs would be felt for “many years to come.”
Rosie Lewis 10.20am: Morrison rebuffs apology call
Scott Morrison has rejected Labor’s calls to correct the record in person and “say sorry” after he wrongly attributed quotes to a Victorian detective while defending his embattled Energy Minister Angus Taylor over the doctored document scandal.
Anthony Albanese failed to suspend standing orders to move a motion calling on the Prime Minister to immediately attend the chamber and “correct his misleading statement”, as he attempts to maintain pressure on Mr Morrison and his judgment in the Taylor saga.
As revealed in PoliticsNow on Wednesday, Mr Morrison incorrectly quoted Victorian detective Ross Mitchell as he defended his decision not to stand down Mr Taylor, citing Julia Gillard’s decision to remain as prime minister during a police investigation into an AWU slush fund scandal.
He has corrected the record in letters to the Speaker and clerk of the House but Mr Albanese insists it be done in person.
Mr Morrison had to leave Canberra for a family commitment on Wednesday night but is back on Thursday, and arrived in the chamber to cheers from some of his colleagues.
Question Time will be key and likely the first response from Mr Morrison, who is also under fire for calling NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller about the Taylor investigation.
Mr Fuller said Mr Morrison “received no more or less information” than was publicly available in a NSW police media release confirming the police probe.
Peter van Onselen 10.10am: Labor’s hypocritical pursuit
Claims that Scott Morrison may have interfered in a police investigation by calling NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller are ridiculous. And Labor’s shrill attack ignores the skeletons in their own closet. Read more here
Rosie Lewis 9.50am: Correction letter arrives
Leader of the House Christian Porter tells the chamber Mr Morrison has provided a letter to the clerk this morning making his clarification.
Rosie Lewis 9.40am: Albanese targets PM
Anthony Albanese has begun the final sitting day of the week by calling on Scott Morrison to immediately attend the chamber to correct “his misleading statement” to parliament, which occurred while the Prime Minister was defending his embattled Energy Minister Angus Taylor.
The Opposition Leader says Mr Morrison’s letter to the Speaker of the House, tabled last night, doesn’t set the record straight because the letter should in fact have been sent to the clerk.
Mr Morrison has entered the chamber to cheers from some of his colleagues.
Olivia Caisley 9.25am: Lambie coy on Kiwi option
Crucial Senate crossbencher Jacqui Lambie has refused to confirm or deny reports she will help scrap the controversial medivac laws if refugees being held offshore are sent to New Zealand.
“I’ve had 10 journos put to me unsourced rumours about what I’ve proposed to the government – but I can’t comment on any,” Senator Lambie tweeted on Thursday. “Only three offices know the condition – mine, the PM’s and the minister. Everyone else is just speculating.”
Senator Lambie has said she will support the Morrison government’s push to unwind the medivac laws on one condition, but has not said what that is.
“The condition I have put to the government is a sensible and reasonable proposition, that I have arrived at through extensive consultation,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I am aware that it is within the capacity of the government to accept it.”
I’ve had 10 journo’s put to me unsourced rumours about what I’ve proposed to the Govt - but I can’t comment on any. Only 3 offices know the condition - mine, the PM’s & the Minister. Everyone else is just speculating. #auspol
— Jacqui Lambie (@JacquiLambie) November 27, 2019
Olivia Caisley 9.05am: World beaters
Three former Miss World Australia contestants are at Parliament House today to drum up support for World Vision’s Peace on Earth pledge following a sobering report on the impact of conflict and violence on children and families.
Miss World Australia 2017 Esma Voloder (VIC), Miss World Australia 2018 Taylah Cannon (NSW) and 2019 runner-up Jenayah Elliott (WA) are supporting the charity’s inaugural Peace on Earth Pledge, which gives Australians the opportunity to contribute to world peace via an online campaign.
The campaign highlights recommendations from a new World Vision report, Crisis Averted, which has found that the high incidence of conflict globally had fuelled an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis.
Olivia Caisley 8.50am: ‘Correct the record’
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has ratcheted-up his attack on Scott Morrison’s handling of the Angus Taylor “doctored documents” scandal, calling on the Prime Minister to apologise for misleading parliament by incorrectly quoting a Victorian detective as he defended his decision not to stand down the Energy Minister.
Mr Albanese wants Mr Morrison to front parliament to correct the record, rather than just sending a letter to Speaker Tony Smith.
“What’s extraordinary is that the Prime Minister uses a 2GB presenter’s comments, purportedly to be from a Victorian detective, against former prime minister Julia Gillard,” Mr Albanese said. “What should have occurred here is that Minister Taylor’s position is, quite frankly, untenable in terms of the deliberate mislead of the parliament.”
“The fact is that you mislead parliament when you’re a minister, you end your ministerial career. That’s what should happen here. We now have a police investigation. There are three issues, potential breaches, here, two of which are punishable by 10 years in prison.”
Mr Albanese said there was a “big gap” between Mr Fuller and Mr Morrison’s accounts of their conversation.
“In circumstances whereby, in the media release, they said, ‘no further comments would be made about the strike force,’ and yet the Prime Minister told parliament that he discussed the substance of the investigation with the NSW Police Commissioner.”
Olivia Caisley 8.30am: Sharkie demands federal ICAC
Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie has seized on the Angus Taylor “doctored documents” saga to renew calls for a federal ICAC.
Speaking on ABC Radio on Thursday Ms Sharkie also called on Scott Morrison to release the transcript of his phone call with his former neighbour, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, to “shed some light” on the conversation.
“I think the Prime Minister should release the transcript of the conversation,” Ms Sharkie said. “This goes to the integrity of the parliament.”
“I think if the Prime Minister releases his transcript that will certainly shed some light on the conversation. If the conversation is as the prime minister says, which I’m sure it is, it would then provide that clarity and that confidence needed within the parliament.”
Ms Sharkie said she shared the same view as many of the crossbenchers in believing parliamentarians should be included in a federal ICAC in order to restore public confidence.
“It’s about ensuring trust in our community, it’s about actually trying to regain the trust of the people in our community. and we believe it’s about being our best selves and nobody is above the law.”
What’s making news today:
• NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller has dismissed Labor attacks on Scott Morrison’s phone call to him over the investigation into Energy Minister Angus Taylor, but the Prime Minister is now under fire after being forced to clarify an incorrect statement to parliament.
• Westpac executives were warned the bank had a history of compliance issues with anti-money laundering laws and management had failed to take responsibility for “monitoring and overseeing” the reporting of international transfers, according to internal memos.
• The robo-debt recovery system — estimated to have collected up to $660m — could cost the commonwealth millions of dollars in repayments after the Federal Court ruled a key component of the enforcement program was unlawful.
• Attorney-General Christian Porter has rejected demands by Senate crossbencher Jacqui Lambie for significant eleventh-hour changes to the Ensuring Integrity Bill, as the government banks on the support of One Nation to get the proposed union-restricting laws passed by the Senate.
• Crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie has revealed she has delivered an ultimatum to the Morrison government in order to get her support to repeal the controversial medivac laws, but won’t say what it is.
• Labor has called for an urgent examination of the temporary visa regime following new analysis that reveals the number of migrants on the visas has jumped from 1.8 million to 2.2 million in the past four years.
• Malcolm Turnbull has reignited the debate on a republic with a plan for a two-step vote to include a plebiscite on whether a president should be elected by voters or parliament.
• Global ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has backed Scott Morrison’s “responsible” approach to stimulus, saying the government’s commitment to budget surpluses is appropriate and a “critical factor” in keeping Australia among only 11 AAA-rated countries.
• Alice Workman’s Sketch: We need to get to the bottom of Scott Morrison and NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller’s wheelie bins!
• Dennis Shanahan writes: Scott Morrison is under pressure and making mistakes. The bizarre, trivial and mishandled dodgy claims of Angus Taylor in a climate change fight with the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, have turned into a political problem out of all proportion to their importance.
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