PoliticsNow: Scott Morrison investigating Peter Dutton’s childcare links
PoliticsNow: Scott Morrison says he will make inquiries as Labor presses on Peter Dutton’s indirect stake in childcare centres.
- PM to investigate childcare links
- ‘I regret we didn’t do it earlier’
- Wentworth by-election date set
- Sex harassment ‘epidemic’
Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live blog on the happenings at Parliament House. Labor kept the pressure on Peter Dutton and the Coalition in another big day in Canberra. Read how it all unfolded below.
Greg Brown 3.12pm: PM pressed on leaks
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese asks about the litany of leaks that has come out of government ranks since Malcolm Turnbull was rolled, including allegations Scott Morrison abused the Tasmanian Treasurer.
The Prime Minister denies he referred to the Tasmanian Treasurer as a “f..king mendicant”, as reported today by the Herald Sun.
He says Bill Shorten can not be trusted.
“The leader of the Labor Party is not fair dinkum when it comes to the truth, he’s not fair dinkum when it comes to what he believes in, he’s not fair dinkum in his interactions with Australian people,” Morrison says.
“He’s been putting on a show the entire time and the Australian people are seeing through it.”
Greg Brown 3.03pm: PM consulted whip on bullying
Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King asks why Scott Morrison has denied there is bullying in the Liberal Party, a claim that was contradicted by Women’s Minister Kelly O’Dwyer.
The Prime Minister says he has consulted with Chief Whip Nola Marino on the bullying allegations.
“I’ve had the opportunity to engage directly with members in relation to the events of several weeks ago, and we will continue to deal with any issues that arise from that within the normal process that we have followed as a party,” Morrison says.
Greg Brown 3.00pm: ‘That’s been my practice for a long time’
Labor’s Mark Dreyfus goes a third time on Peter Dutton’s indirect stake in childcare centres.
“I refer to the minister’s answer just now that he had recused himself from government discussions on childcare. Is this an acknowledgement from the minister that he has a conflict of interest when it comes to the commonwealth’s dealings on childcare?”
Dutton says: “no”.
“I make the declaration of my wife’s interests in relation to these matters, and that’s been my practice for a long period of time,” he says.
Greg Brown 2.55pm: PM to investigate childcare links
Labor’s Mark Dreyfus asks Scott Morrison if he will tell the parliament if Peter Dutton excused himself from all cabinet discussions about childcare.
The Prime Minister says he will make inquiries on the matter and update the House of Representatives.
Greg Brown 2.51pm: Dutton: I’ve always complied with cabinet rules
Opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus asks Peter Dutton if he has a conflict of interest from having an indirect stake in childcare centres that receive government subsidies.
The Home Affairs Minister says he has “always complied with cabinet rules”.
“I’ve declared any interests I’ve heard in any discussion, I’ve been very clear about that,” Dutton says.
“I’ve recused herself from discussions where it’s been deemed appropriate, and I’ve seen some grotesque media reports, but I can’t add anything further than that.”
2.48pm: Live in Wentworth? Ensure you’re enrolled to vote
The #Wentworth by-election has been announced for 20 October 2018. There's just over 100k people enrolled in the division - if you live in Wentworth but need to enrol or update your address go to https://t.co/3A1rDQPsQ4 now. #auspol pic.twitter.com/eMLF37PtYo
— AEC (@AusElectoralCom) September 12, 2018
Greg Brown 2.45pm: Labor presses PM on banking royal commission
Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen goes again on the banking royal commission, noting Scott Morrison called it a “populist whinge”.
Bowen says the powerful inquiry showed one insurer had broken the law 300,000 times.
“When will the Prime Minister apologise to Australians for running a protection racket over bad behaviour and voting against the royal commission 26 times?”
Morrison reiterates his regret for opposing the banking royal commission for so long.
“I’m pleased the royal commission is now proceeding. The matters presented at the royal commission are deeply disturbing but, as (Mr Bowen) would know, the matters they are investigating on so many occasions happened on the watch of those who sat opposite,” he says.
“They did not initiate a royal commission when they were in government.”
Greg Brown 2.38pm: ‘I regret we didn’t do it earlier’
Bill Shorten asks Scott Morrison if he will apologise to Grant Stewart, whose down syndrome son was “bullied” into buying insurance he didn’t need.
The Prime Minister calls the case “shocking” and “despicable”.
He also issues a mea culpa and says he regrets not establishing the royal commission earlier.
“Of all the problems I was seeking to (address) in the banking and financial industry, the real hurt being felt by Australians also needed to be addressed,” Morrison says.
“I regret we didn’t do it earlier, I’m pleased it’s happening now.”
Greg Brown 2.29pm: What about Tasmania?
Labor’s Julie Collins asks why Scott Morrison has barely visited Tasmania, after a report that he was verbally abusive to the state’s Treasurer.
The Prime Minister reads out a series of projects the government was undertaking on the Apple Isle.
“That’s what I call recognising Tasmania, running a strong economy,” Morrison says.
Greg Brown 2.23pm: Australia committed to Paris targets: PM
Crossbench MP Cathy McGowan asks Scott Morrison how he will meet the emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
The Prime Minister says Australia is committed to meeting the Paris targets.
“Australia will meet the emissions targets we’ve set for the future, both in 2020 and 2030. Australians are doers, not talkers about these things. We have a proud record of meeting the commitments that we agree to, and we set for ourselves, in these international forums,” he says.
“That’s why we remain committed because we would not want to cast any doubt on our commitment to other agreements.”
“When we make a commitment and we set those targets, we pursue them.”
He says the Emissions Reduction Fund and Snowy 2.0 are among the projects that will help Australia reduce emissions.
Greg Brown 2.17pm: Slipper’s return to the chamber
Controversial former speaker Peter Slipper is watching question time from the public gallery.
He is welcomed by Speaker Tony Smith.
Greg Brown 2.14pm: Gender quotas debated
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek goes on Scott Morrison’s reasons for being opposed to gender quotas because candidates should be chosen on “effort” and “credibility”.
“Is the Prime Minister honestly saying the reason women are paid less, have fewer leadership roles in business, are under represented in important national institutions is because they display less credibility and less effort than men?”
Scott Morrison says “no”.
The Prime Minister hits back at Labor for the way unions are influential in choosing Labor candidates.
He then brings up the controversy about Labor MP Emma Husar, noting Bill Shorten claims he knew “nothing” about the investigation into her conduct.
“His attention to this sort of matter in his own party was to stick his head under the table and pretend it wasn’t there,” he says.
Greg Brown 2.04pm: ‘Get over it’
Bill Shorten opens question time on a similar theme: why is Malcolm Turnbull no longer prime minister?
Scott Morrison tells the Opposition Leader to “get over it”.
“I think it is time for the Leader of the Opposition to get over it,” the Prime Minister says.
“It’s time for you to focus on the things that mattered to the Australian people.”
Greg Brown 2.01pm: ‘I’d kick her up the backside’
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called on a nine-year-old “brat” who refuses to stand for the national anthem to be kicked out of school.
In a video posted to Facebook, Senator Hanson said the Queensland girl Harper Neilsen had been brainwashed by her parents.
“I tell you what I would give her a kick up the backside,” she said.
“Take her out of the school.”
Greg Brown 1.33pm: Date set for Wentworth by-election
Speaker Tony Smith has announced the Wentworth by-election will be held on Saturday October 20.
Speaker of the House the Hon Tony Smith has announced that a by-election will be held in the division of Wentworth on Saturday 20 October. The by-election follows the resignation of the Hon Malcolm Turnbull. pic.twitter.com/jn9gO1Z9cr
— Australian House of Representatives (@AboutTheHouse) September 12, 2018
1.25pm: Hanson attacks girl for anthem protest
Pauline Hanson says a Queensland “brat” who refused to stand for the national anthem should be kicked out of school.
Kenmore South State School grade four student Harper Nielsen, aged nine, was given detention and threatened with suspension for not standing when Advance Australia Fair was played in assembly.
-AAP
Greg Brown 12.30pm: Sex harassment ‘epidemic’
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek says sexual harassment is an “epidemic” in Australia.
The opposition education spokeswomen leapt on new figures from the Australian Human Rights Commission, which found 85 per cent of women had been sexually harassed, including one in three at work.
“We need a big shift in cultural attitudes and behaviour towards women,” Ms Plibersek tweeted.
“The low rates of reporting shows that many women still don’t feel comfortable with reporting. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees.”
She says a Shorten Labor government would put a “national focus” on driving down rates of sexual harassment.
We need a big shift in cultural attitudes and behaviour towards women. The low rates of reporting shows that many women still don’t feel comfortable with reporting. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees.
— Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) September 12, 2018
Greg Brown 12.15pm: Pyne credits Labor for women
Defence Minister Christopher Pyne has commended Labor’s efforts in increasing female representation in federal parliament.
Mr Pyne said the Liberal Party needed to work harder to get more women in the federal parliament but rejected calls for the introduction of quotas, which was responsible for the list in Labor’s female candidates.
“We won’t introduce a quota system because it goes against the grain of the Liberal Party that every selection should be based on merit,” Mr Pyne told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a lot more women in the parliamentary party. We’ve gone backwards in terms of representation over the last couple of decades, whereas Labor has gone forwards and they have done a good job at balancing their caucus.”
Mr Pyne said a quota system raised doubt on the quality if candidates.
“There is always that doubt hanging over the heads of the people who have been chosen because of an affirmative action policy that they weren’t as good as other people in that particular race,” he said.
“Now I am not saying that all the women in the Labor Party aren’t as good as the men who were running in the pre-selection, but that doubt lingers because of the affirmative action policy.”
Greg Brown 12.07pm: Greens support girl’s anthem boycott
Greens senator Janet Rice has endorsed the actions of a nine-year-old girl who refuses to stand to the national anthem because it “means advance White Australia”.
Senator Rice sent a tweet in support of the Queensland girl, Harper Nielsen, whose parents strongly support her protest.
“Go Harper,” Senator Rice tweeted.
Miss Nielsen told the Courier Mail: “the reason why I don’t sing it or stand is because – Advance Australia Fair means advance White Australia. When it says we are young it completely ignores the fact that indigenous culture was here for over 50,000 thousand years before colonisation.”
Go Harper!!#auspol #greens https://t.co/PCLSdHtaIw
— Janet Rice (@janet_rice) September 12, 2018
She posed with her mother and father in the Brisbane newspaper.
Her father, Mark, said: “I couldn’t tell you how proud we are of her, she’s amazing, she’s an incredibly brave kid and to have such resolve and be willing to accept anything that comes her way for taking a stand for what she believes in, we’re very proud of who she is as a person”.
Greg Brown 11.55am: TTP withdrawal will create ‘vaccum’
Opposition defence spokesman Richard Marles says he hopes the United States joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership in a post-Trump era.
“I think it’s really important that the United States does become an outward-looking country which does seek to trade, and yes, being part of the TPP I think is very important and all of us were deeply concerned that the US went down the road of withdrawing from the TPP,” Mr Marles told Sky News.
“They need to be economically engaged in East Asia, in Southeast Asia, and the fact that they are not I think is creating something of a vacuum.”
Mr Marles said it was an “important decision” for the Labor caucus to support Australia joining the trade pact, despite strong resistance from unions and the Left.
“A lot of groups, unions but other groups within our community, have deep concerns, for example around labour market testing and those provisions within the TPP,” he said.
“I understand why they would have concerns about that. I think if we were negotiating it it would be different, but at the end of the day it is really important, firstly, that we are promoting trade because of its importance to our economy, but secondly that we are engaging in Asia in this way.”
Rosie Lewis 11.35am: Au pair inquiry a ‘complete flop’
Liberal senator Eric Abetz has called on Bill Shorten to explain the links between his office and Roman Quaedvlieg amid revelations the sacked Australian Border Force commissioner’s former chief of staff is now a senior adviser to the Opposition Leader.
Senator Abetz, a participating member of the Senate committee looking into Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton’s interventions in two au pair visa cases, said the inquiry had been shown to be a “complete flop” after the Department of Home Affairs submitted its questions on notice.
The department’s responses confirmed Mr Dutton intervened in 24 visitor visas, three of which had been cancelled upon arrival at an airport. Two of them were the au pair visa cases. The Italian and French women had their visas cancelled following “indications” they may have been engaged in “work related activity” as an au pair but Mr Dutton intervened to allow them entry into Australia, on condition they do not work.
Mr Dutton’s departmental officer was the only person from his office who had contact with the department about the two cases, according to the answers.
The third airport case related to a person who sought protection.
The shortest turnaround time of the 24 visitor visa cases was 2 hours and 40 minutes while the longest turnaround was five months. One of the au pair’s had her case resolved within hours.
Senator Abetz said Labor’s “exaggerated claims and grand conspiracy theories” had been exposed as “completely false”
“If it wasn’t embarrassing enough for Labor that they over-egged the hearing that was held, these responses now completely expose the Labor Party leadership over this failed fishing expedition with its litany of demonstrably false allegations,” Senator Abetz said.
“The responses from the Department of Home Affairs completely discredit the two letters that Mr Quaedvlieg has sent to the Senate committee.
“If it wasn’t already, it’s now completely clear that Minister Dutton has acted entirely appropriately whereas it appears that Labor Senators have been foolishly marched in by Mr Shorten’s office on the basis of false information.”
Greg Brown 10.30am: Labor fails to suspend standing orders
Labor’s push to suspend standing orders has failed, by 74 votes to 70.
Greg Brown 10.25am: Treasurer denies PM abuse
Mr Tehan reads out a statement from Tasmanian Treasurer Peter Gutwein, denying Scott Morrison called him a “f---ing mendicant”.
Mr Tehan said the statement shows Labor’s attempt to move a motion against the Prime Minister was a waste of time.
A division is called for a vote.
Greg Brown 10.20am: Censure a ‘cheap stunt’
Education Minister Dan Tehan argues against the move to censure Scott Morrison, calling it a “cheap stunt”.
“(The Prime Minister) has delivered for Tasmania and he has delivered for this nation, he has fixed the GST, he has fixed it for Western Australians, he has fixed it for Tasmanians,” Mr Tehan told the House of Representatives.
Greg Brown 10.12am: Morrison conduct ‘insult to Tasmania’
Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen is attempting to suspend standing orders to censure Scott Morrison after reports he called the Tasmanian Treasurer a “f---ing mendicant”.
“We now know his true temperament, we now know what really makes him tick,” Mr Bowen told the House of Representatives.
Shadow Treasurer @Bowenchris is now moving a motion to suspend standing orders in the House of Representatives over accusations the Prime Minister abused the Tasmanian Treasurer during GST talks.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 12, 2018
MORE: https://t.co/g0GW2jiXoG #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/d6WiozMj6J
The Prime Minister has denied the report in the Herald Sun.
Mr Bowen is seeking to move a motion that the lower house recognises:
a. today’s media reports that the now Prime Minister abused the Tasmanian Treasurer in an expletive-laden tirade after being accused of short-changing Tasmania on the GST;
b. this reported conduct is an insult to Tasmania and falls below the high standards expected of Ministers under the Prime Minister’s own Ministerial Standards;
c. this is just the latest leak in an almost daily series of leaks from within this divided, unstable and illegitimate government; and
d. despite the government being consumed by claims and counter-claims of bullying within its own ranks, the Prime Minister continues to deny that bullying has occurred; and2. condemns the government for:
a. fighting itself instead of focusing on the needs of Australians; and
b. reducing the Government to what the Prime Minister has himself described as a Muppet Show.
Dennis Shanahan 10.00am: Dutton attacks spare easy prey
Like the Turks at Aqaba, attacked unexpectedly from the desert by Lawrence of Arabia, Labor can’t turn its guns around from the perceived danger at sea and train potent fire on Scott Morrison.
What’s worse, all Labor’s guns are continuing to fire at Peter Dutton, the old, battle-hardened target, who is fighting back, defending himself and actually hitting Labor.
Greg Brown 9.28am: Treasurer abuse claim ‘rubbish’
Scott Morrison has denied claims he was sidelined from GST negotiations with Tasmania after calling the state’s Treasurer a “f---ing mendicant”.
“No that is rubbish,” the Prime Minister said, in response to the report in the Herald Sun.
The Melbourne-based newspaper reported Malcolm Turnbull was forced to intervene and salvage the GST deal with Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman.
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said Mr Morrison had problems with his temperament.
“We have moved from the Muppets to Meet the Feebles it seems,” Ms Plibersek told Sky News.
But she acknowledged harsh words were often spoken in negotiations between federal and state ministers.
“I’m not beyond using the occasional swear word myself I confess, so I am not judging about that,” she said.
Greg Brown 9.13am: Dutton ‘feeling the pressure’
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek says Peter Dutton’s attack on Roman Quaedvlieg shows the Home Affairs Minister was “feeling the pressure”.
Ms Plibersek said Mr Dutton overstepped the mark with an “extraordinary attack” on the former Australian Border Force commissioner in parliament yesterday, when Mr Dutton accused Mr Quaedvlieg of “grooming” a woman 30 years his junior.
“I mean it was quite an extraordinary attack to have a minister using this kind of language under parliamentary privilege against someone with a long public service career, I think it is quite unusual,” Ms Plibersek told ABC radio.
Ms Plibersek laughed off Mr Dutton’s claim this was Labor’s “Godwin Grech moment”.
“It is interesting that Peter Dutton does not miss an opportunity to sink the boot into Malcolm Turnbull who of course was Godwin Grech’s contact in the Liberal Party,” she said.
“It is not for us to judge the correctness of what Roman Quaedvlieg is saying, it is for us to interrogate what he is saying,
“He has made some serious allegations through the Senate inquiry process, he is regularly tweeting more information, or making more information available,
“We would be irresponsible as an opposition not to ask the questions that are raised by these propositions.”
.@tanya_plibersek: @PeterDutton_MP completely lost his cool. He has every right to defend his decision making. What he doesn’t have the right to do is attack public servants.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 11, 2018
MORE: https://t.co/3qnZKEQIXv #amagenda pic.twitter.com/NF5O8CTt3d
Greg Brown 8.35am: Dutton victim of ‘spurious’ claims
Scott Morrison says Peter Dutton has been the subject of “spurious and false” allegations as he stridently defended the under pressure Home Affairs Minister.
The Prime Minister rejected claims Mr Dutton made former Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg look like a pedophile in parliament yesterday for saying he “groomed” a woman 30 years his junior.
“He has not done that, he has not done that at all,” Mr Morrison said this morning.
“Mr Dutton has been the subject of spurious and false allegation after spurious and false allegation. He has made some statements in parliament yesterday which I think has highlighted his frustration at the continued and repeated reporting of false claims against him.
“He continues to do his job of ensuring Australians are kept safe at home, as the Minister for Home Affairs, and he will continue to do that job to the best of his abilities which he has proven to be very much up to the task.
Greg Brown 8.05am: Plibersek: cartoon debate healthy
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek has welcomed the “debate” around the Herald Sun’s cartoon of Serena Williams, which has been described as racist.
Ms Plibersek said many Australians did not understand the sensitivity around racism to African-Americans.
The Herald Sun, News Corporation and the cartoonist, Mark Knight, have strongly denied the drawing was racist.
“I think it is good to be having the debate, I don’t always like the cartoons drawn of me but I accept that satire is a really important part of political debate and other debate,” Ms Plibersek told the ABC.
“I think it is sometimes hard for people in Australia to understand what the racism against the African American community means when they see depictions like this.
“If you have been subject to racism you are sensitive to things like this in a way that perhaps Australians aren’t.”
Ms Plibersek referenced the infamous blackface skit on Hey Hey It’s Saturday nearly a decade ago.
“A lot of Australians thought ‘that is an over-reaction it is all in good fun’. But if you understand from a perspective of an African American how much skits like that have been used to demean the intelligence of African-Americans, you see it in a completely different light,” she said.
“So at the end of the day a healthy debate.”
What’s making news:
Bill Shorten has been caught up in the bitter feud between Peter Dutton and Roman Quaedvlieg after the Home Affairs Minister revealed one of the Opposition Leader’s senior advisers had worked for the sacked Australian Border Force commissioner.
Scott Morrison has said he does not believe there is bullying inside the Liberal Party, despite hearing complaints from party colleagues Lucy Gichuhi and Julia Banks about their alleged treatment during last month’s leadership spill.
Scott Morrison wants a woman — most likely former Woollahra deputy mayor Katherine O’Regan — to win this week’s Liberal preselection for the Wentworth by-election because he fears three female independents may run for the seat on the platform that the Liberal Party mistreats women.
Bill Shorten has warned Labor’s Left faction to drop its opposition to free-trade deals on industrial relations grounds, as caucus yesterday defied the trade union movement and vocal internal critics to back the government in ratifying the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Scott Morrison says Australia will stay in the Paris Agreement because pulling out would alienate Pacific countries and technological improvements will mean Australia delivers its promised carbon emissions cuts “in a canter”.
Liberal Party leadership turmoil has dragged business confidence to its lowest level in two years, despite improved profitability and employers saying they are increasingly keen to hire more staff.
James Jeffrey’s sketch: strong, safe, whatever; slogans yield to slanging.
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