Parliament has held its final sitting day until the federal budget in six weeks time

Federal parliament’s final question time until the May budget has ended with the Greens leader copping a sledge down from a surprising minister.

A bizarre question linking the fizz in soft drinks to dangers carbon dioxide has on the climate has led to a rare moment of unity in the parliament.

Greens leader Adam Bandt puzzled Resources Minister Madeleine King when he asked if her view was the reason she was “so intent” on opening up new “climate destroying” gas projects.

He referred to an interview the Minister gave where she said: “It is the bubbles in the soda water or out of your SodaStream, so you know we have to keep it in balance, how we think about carbon dioxide”.

Resources Minister Madeleine King hit back at Greens leader Adam Bandt. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Greens Leader Adam Bandt had asked the minister about carbon dioxide during Question Time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms King said she was “no climate denier” as she went on a take down of Mr Bandts question.

“The leader of the Greens political party comes in here and has a little chit chat about SodaStream and bubbles in Coca-Cola … as if it is the same thing as dangerous climate change caused by carbon dioxide,” she said.

“The leader of the Greens has gone too far, you are ridiculous and just stop it.”

The minister got a round of applause from both Labor and the Coalition as she took her seat, causing Speaker Milton Dick to demand MPs settle down.

“Every member is entitled to ask a question of their choice. They should be respected in their right to do so,” he sternly told them.

Alice Springs crime issue raises concern

Indigenous Minister Linda Burney says a recent crime wave in Alice Springs is “completely unacceptable” after NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price repeated her calls to deploy the riot squad to curb violent and anti-social behaviour in the town.

The Alice Springs mayor has called on the federal government to take over control of the Northern Territory after videos showed residents using crowbars and axes to smash cars and damage local property during a crime spree on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Ms Burney confirmed she had spoken to the territory’s chief minister and said the situation was being taken “very seriously.”

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable – it has no place in any community, in any part of Australia,” she said in a statement.

“Like all states and territories, the NT government has a responsibility to ensure that community safety is prioritised.”

In a speech to the Senate on Wednesday, Senator Price claimed violence in Alice Springs had reached a “crisis point”.

“We have hundreds of people rioting our streets and acting out violently, this is following a spate of violence, crime, deaths, bashings of 16-year-olds,” she said.

“This Labor government does not have what it takes to fix the situation in Alice Springs.”

Meanwhile at the National Press Club, Indigenous advocate June Oscar urged federal authorities to work with local community leaders to address a rise in violent crime.

“I don’t think it can be expected any longer that someone else from outside of Alice Springs comes in to address what is happening there,” Ms Oscar said.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe here, and so, people coming in to contribute to supporting this community should heed the leadership of the people who live in that community.”

NT senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says urgent action is needed to quell violence in Alice Springs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

PM dismisses calls to intervene in AFL drug scandal

Anthony Albanese had dismissed a call to intervene amid claims by an independent MP that the Melbourne Football Club conducted off-the-record drug tests to help players from failing game day tests.

Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to make the accusations on Tuesday and asked the Prime Minister why he’d been prevented from tabling documents he said contained evidence of misconduct by AFL executives and team staff.

“Why are you trying to keep them secret? Or can I walk down and give them to you personally right now?” the Tasmanian asked.

Mr Albanese said his door was always open to members of the crossbench but normal processes needed to be followed.

“But I am aware that the member for Clark has made allegations. Those allegations, I’m not aware of whether they are correct or not,” he said.

“You know, I have a big job. My job is not to, on the job description, isn’t the control of the Australian Football League.

“But if issues are raised, the Sport Integrity Australia is aware of the issue, and they have begun their assessment, and I’m sure that the member for Clark will forward any documentation to the appropriate body.”

Earlier, Mr Wilkie said he had a signed statement from a former team doctor of the Melbourne Football Club alleging the club told players to fake injuries if they tested positive for drugs to avoid detection and potential sanctions from official integrity bodies.

He said the AFL wanted players to play “at all costs”.

Andrew Wilkie claims there is a drug problem in the AFL.

Mr Wilkie also said he had further evidence showing a widespread cover-up of a cocaine problem within the AFL.

“Aussie rules football is far too important to our nation. I call for intervention at the highest level and ask the Prime Minister to personally intervene in this matter … because right now, Deputy Speaker, the term white-line fever has taken on a different and sinister meaning at the AFL,” he said.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin told a regular press conference on Wednesday that the claims were “news to me”.

“I think every club is interested now to find out more information,” he said.

In a statement on Wednesday, the AFL confirmed it conducted its own testing outside of that done by Sport Integrity Australia as part of a drug policy that “specifically deals with the use of illicit substances out of competition and is focused on player health and wellbeing”.

Minister denies rift with secretary

Clare O’Neil has repeatedly refused to confirm reports she made her department secretary, Stephanie Foster, cry after giving her a verbal dressing down.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has denied a rift with her department secretary. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Sky News reported the Home Affairs secretary left the minister’s officer in tears after she was summoned to her office over the release of a document that detailed the criminal records of immigration detainees released following the NZYQ ruling.

The Home Affairs Minister said she worked with Ms Foster closely and she was supportive of her appointment to the role.

“Has the minister apologised to the secretary of her department?” Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley asked.

“It looks like I’m going to get a bit of time I think today which I am excited about,” Ms O’Neil responded.

“We have an incredibly important clean-up job to do in the department, work we are doing.

“We have a significant job to do and I’m here to do it, to serve the national interest, not the political interest of the Liberal Party.”

Fresh blow to migration laws

Emergency laws to allow the government to deport detainees who refuse to co-operate with attempts to deport them have been hit with a fresh hurdle.

The legislation, which imposes a mandatory 12-month prison sentence for uncooperative immigration detainees, was due to be debated in the Senate on Wednesday.

But in a fresh blow to the government, the Coalition and the Greens teamed up to send the proposal to a full Senate inquiry – delaying its passage until May at the earliest.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said it was “very difficult” for the Coalition to support the rushed legislation.

“We are very concerned about unintended consequences,” he said.

The government rushed the legislation before a High Court hearing in April. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The government wants the legislation to pass before the High Court hears the case of an Iranian man in who is resisting deportation, fearing persecution because of his sexuality.

Strange question leads to united moment

A bizarre question linking the fizz in soft drinks to dangers carbon dioxide has on the climate has led to a rare moment of unity in the parliament.

Greens leader Adam Bandt puzzled Resources Minister Madeleine King when he asked if her view was the reason she was “so intent” on opening up new “climate destroying” gas projects.

He referred to an interview the Minister gave where she said “It is the bubbles in the soda water or out of your soda stream, so you know we have to keep it in balance, how we think about carbon dioxide”.

Ms King said she was “no climate denier” as she went on a take down of Mr Bandts question.

“The leader of the Greens political party comes in here and has a little chit chat about Soda Stream and bubbles in Coca-Cola … as if it is the same thing as dangerous climate change caused by carbon dioxide,” she said.

“The leader of the Greens has gone too far, you are ridiculous, and just stop it.”

The minister got a round of applause from both Labor and the Coalition as she took her seat, causing Speaker Milton Dick to demand MPs settle down.

“Every member is entitled to ask a question of their choice. They should be respected in their right to do so,” he sternly told them.

Labor won’t budge on new car rules: Bowen

Labor won’t negotiate with the Greens over its new fuel emissions standards, the Energy Minister says, after it watered down pollution caps for new utes and large SUVs in its updated car emissions standards.

The government does not yet have the numbers to pass its proposed vehicle efficiency laws through parliament that were unveiled by Chris Bowen on Tuesday.

The new laws seek to force car makers to cut their carbon emissions or face financial penalties.

After the Greens accused the government of giving some big car manufacturers leeway, Mr Bowen said he was relatively confident the policy would pass and flagged negotiations with the crossbench.

“We have listened to people and we have introduced sensible, what I would call modest and meaningful changes to the model to make sure it’s implemented as smoothly as it can be,” he said.

“This is what we are putting to parliament and this is what we intend to legislate. The Greens have got a range of the issues they are talking to the government about at the moment.

“I point out that the government has a pretty good track record of getting things through parliament when it comes to climate change.”

Originally published as Parliament has held its final sitting day until the federal budget in six weeks time