Politics wrap: June 25, 2012
Welcome to our live coverage of politics from the national capital. All times in AEST. You can also follow me on Twitter @murpharoo
5.45pm: So that's your lot for this evening.
Thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen and my colleagues, who strive in all weathers and climates.
Let's do it all again tomorrow.
5.30pm: We'll leave you tonight with progress of another sort.
Here's Andrew and my interview with Tony Windsor on trying to break the impasse on asylum seekers.
Mr Windsor met today with colleagues across party lines.
He'll meet again with a group on Wednesday.
He thinks backbenchers need to stand up and express a view.
Break the deadlock in the executive.
Understand that voters want an end to the blame game.
Makes a lot of sense doesn't it?
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5.30pm: The marriage equality report tabled this afternoon also includes two Liberals - Simon Birmingham and Sue Boyce - calling for a conscience vote on same sex marriage.
(Remember Tony Abbott has not granted a conscience vote for this issue. This was a shadow cabinet decision, to support the Marriage Act.)
Robocalls in the parliament.
5.15pm: The darndest thing.
My phone just rang.
I picked it up.
There was an automated text message.
A robot informed me that a Senate committee has urged parliament to legalise gay marriage.
It's true, it has.
But what the?
5.10pm: While we are waiting for Mr Windsor to be smoothed and soothed by the magic of the interwebs, let's do the evening summary.
Today in politics:
- Prime Minister Julia Gillard returned to the political fray after her week overseas.
- Asylum seekers was a central political issue after last week's tragedy at sea.
- Ms Gillard signalled she was open to discussions, but talked up her current policy, the Malaysia Solution.
- The Opposition talked up the flaws with that policy, and backed in its own.
- Meanwhile a group of backbenchers across party lines began a conversation about whether they could bust through the executive deadlock.
- The group will meet again Wednesday to consider their options.
- Boats are likely to feature in both party room meetings tomorrow morning.
- The government will press ahead meanwhile with legislation tomorrow in the wake of the chaplains decision last week.
- Question Time saw the Opposition move a suspension of the standing orders to note the two year anniversary of Ms Gillard deposing Kevin Rudd.
4.55pm: Judith Ireland from The National Times has filed on the Prime Minister's interview on ABC24.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is open to further discussions with the opposition on offshore processing but is standing by the government's Malaysia solution.
In an interview with ABC TV this afternoon, Ms Gillard said that people wanted to see MPs find a solution to people risking their lives at sea.
People want to see us put the politics aside and act to get something done.
Ms Gillard said that to do this, MPs needed to work together across the parliament.
On that theme, we have an interesting webisode of PulseTV coming up with Independent MP Tony Windsor.
4.50pm: My colleague Dan Harrison is now back from the Attorney-General's press conference.
Here's Dan's key points summary:
- The Gillard Government will introduce legislation tomorrow to allow it to continue to fund the national school chaplaincy program.
- About 160 providers of chaplaincy and student welfare services are expecting payments from the Commonwealth by the end of the week.
- These payments, which will fund services in 1600 schools, are worth more than $16 million.
- The High Court last week ruled the chaplaincy scheme was constitutionally invalid because it exceeded Commonwealth funding powers.
- The legislation will also provide statutory authorisation for hundreds of other existing government programs which are thought to have been made vulnerable to challenge by last week’s High Court decision.
- Ms Roxon said the programs included overseas aid, payments to veterans, industry development schemes, drought assistance, infrastructure projects, and various health, education and environmental initiatives.
- She said such programs accounted for between 5 and 10 per cent of total government expenditure.
4.37pm: Energy and fuel are the categories people think they'll see significant price increases after July 1.
67 per cent think energy prices will increase a lot.
53 per cent think fuel costs will rise a lot.
4.35pm: Back to the Essential poll again for a moment, and the carbon price.
Cost of living.
45 per cent believe costs will increase a lot.
26 per cent think costs will increase a moderate amount.
4.30pm: The Prime Minister has told Lyndal Curtis on ABCNews24 that she is open to discussions to break the policy impasse on asylum seekers.
4.25pm: Attorney-General Nicola Roxon is now announcing the government will proceed with legislation tomorrow in the wake of the High Court's decision on chaplains.
Pulsers will recall the national chaplaincy program has been found to be unconstitutional.
We are fixing the problem that has been identified by the High Court. We are not seeking to change the status quo on a range of matters.
4.20pm: For those watching events in Fairfax with interest, The Sydney Morning Herald has new leadership.
From a company statement just a moment ago:
Sean Aylmer has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun Herald. In this newly designed role, he will be the first person to have responsibility for the mastheads across our digital and print platforms as Editor-in-Chief.
Darren Goodsir, currently editor of Australia’s leading news website, smh.com.au, has been appointed News Director. This new role will be the Editor-in-Chief’s delegated authority and the operational leader of our future newsroom.
3.50pm: Before I fly, the Essential Poll out this afternoon asks whether voters support or oppose the carbon price.
The verdict: 35 per cent support it, 54 per cent oppose it.
3.45pm: Now excuse me briefly, Andrew and I are heading out again with the camera in search of thoughts on asylum seekers.
3.35pm: Ayes: 70
Is that the time?
Got to zip.
3.25pm: Mr Pyne wants to know if Mr Rudd would like to contribute to the suspension debate.
The time for the debate has expired, Acting Speaker Burke says.
3.20pm: Labor's Anthony Albanese says Mr Abbott once chose the politics of hope over the politics of fear.
Not now, not since he sunk into grief after losing the 2010 election.
Mr Albanese is quoting from Mr Abbott who described his state after the poll as like a bereavement. Losing was up there with losing a parent.
Mr Albanese says they move suspensions so, during the division, they can sit on the government benches and pretend for a few minutes.
This is all about their dummy spit.
3.15pm: The elephant was in the room.
Mr Rudd has now left the chamber.
3.10pm: Mr Abbott is enjoying cataloguing the quotable quotes of the February leadership challenge.
Why did the Prime Minister line up her colleagues to come out publicly and call Kevin Rudd a psychopath?
3.05pm: You'd think after two years of failure she'd at least come into the parliament and give an account of herself.
3.02pm: Julia Gillard is back.
So the theatrics are back.
Here's Mr Abbott with a suspension of the standing orders.
When does the Prime Minister expect the government to find it's way?
This is the anniversary suspension.
Please explain why you removed Kevin Rudd.
2.49pm: Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is pushing on about Mr Abbott's statements pre-carbon price.
He says the coal industry won't collapse. BHP is investing in coal in the Illawara. Households have been compensated for the rise in the cost of living.
The Member for Forde, Bert van Manen, then inquires about the fate of an abattoir in Beenleigh.
The Prime Minister invites him to take up the issue with her after Question Time.
2.40pm: Liberal Deputy Leader Julie Bishop has inquired of the recent Rio summit - where in the documentation can it be found that other countries are adopting a carbon price or emissions trading? Where was the commitment to those sorts of policies?
Ms Gillard thinks Ms Bishop may be getting confused with the international climate change negotiations in Durban.
2.35pm: What do you reckon Tony?
You know what I reckon Scott.
Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison confering a moment ago in the House.
2.30pm: Interesting chat here too: Liberal Judi Moylan has a quiet word to Independent Tony Windsor.
A cross party group has been meeting this morning on asylum seekers to see if they can't through with some cooperation: Mr Windsor (Ind), Ms Moylan (Lib), Dr Mal Washer (Lib), Rob Oakeshott (Ind), Tony Crook (Nat), Steve Georganas (ALP).
2.18pm: She's baaack.
The Prime Minister is talking right now about international banking integration.
And objecting to the premise of Mr Abbott's questions.
Right now its the modelling wars. What does the government's economic modelling say, variously, about aluminium and the carbon price?
Ms Gillard is currently batting off a question.
Manager of Opposition business Christopher Pyne is exercised that the Prime Minister has misled the House.
Acting Speaker Anna Burke says, politely, calm down Christopher.
Sit down. Raise it after Question Time if you are so inclined.
2.16pm: Nationals leader Warren Truss asks why the government is giving money to Alcoa but not to the smelter workers at Kurri Kurri afflicted by the carbon price.
Is it because their Hunter Valley electorate is not sufficiently marginal, he inquires?
Ms Gillard doesn't accept the premise of the question.
2.15pm: While Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare recounts the grave facts of last week's boat tragedy - and calls, somewhat ambitiously, for good will and cooperation - look who appeared briefly in the House a moment ago.
2.10pm: Opposition leader Tony Abbott suggests in his first question on the carbon price that the Gillard Government has given hush money to Alcoa.
(This question concerns the review of Alcoa's aluminium smelter at Point Henry. Here's a news story on this issue if you need some background to bring you up to speed.)
Labor's Anthony Albanese objects to the terminology hush money.
Acting Speaker Burke rules the phrase out of order.
The question on Alcoa proceeds, minus hush money.
The Prime Minister says the government is working with Alcoa.
For us, on this side of the parliament, jobs will always be something we work to protect.
2.05pm: The Prime Minister Julia Gillard is back in the big chair.
Acting Speaker Anna Burke has a statement.
Speaker Burke is addressing the issue of students coming to parliament, and whether or not they get snacks when they come. (The question of whether or not kids will get snacks at parliament henceforth featured on the front page of the Daily Telegraph today.)
Don't panic. They will get snacks.
Ms Gillard is now addressing the chamber on the tragic sinking of the asylum boat late last week.
The Prime Minister is praising the efforts of rescue personnel.
Mr Abbott is seconding her remarks.
If there is anyone to blame in a tragic situation like this, it's the people smugglers.
He says politicians consult their consciences to put in place policies to end the evil trade.
1.45pm: Gather Pulsers, Question Time beckons.
1.20pm: Here is a news story from Bianca Hall about the latest events in Fairfax Media today.
12.45pm: Enjoy today's webisode of PulseTV.
Andrew Meares and I have opened our channel for a most worthy cause today - our collective fundraising effort for Wednesday's Mid-Winter Ball.
Today we caught up with our colleagues and friends Mal Farr and Steve Lewis to chat about the charity auction, which is always a big part of the event.
You can find the auction site on ebay here.
Some incredibly worthy charities would very much appreciate your support.
Mal and Steve in this video will take you through the prizes on offer.
They are tops.
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12.25pm: Here's Paul (centre, with hand on top of the newly re-designed Saturday Age).
Peter Fray, editor-in-chief and publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald is also departing.
And editor, Amanda Wilson.
12.15pm: BREAKING: The editors of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald - Paul Ramadge and Amanda Wilson, are moving on from Fairfax Media.
Their replacements will be announced later this afternoon in Sydney.
11.50am: More your laughing on the inside.
11.46am: Who says these guys have nothing in common?
11.45am: Ah, Kevin, good morning.
Here's Mr Rudd enjoying a good chuckle at the Paralypians event this morning.
11.40am: Speaking of Mr Rudd, this was his view of the Malaysian Solution in the thick of all the leadership nastiness back in February.
Shorter Rudd: Malaysia won't work. (It wasn't my fault. Look at the lady with the red hair.)
Can I just say that I have played this as it's come and I would say to you and to anyone else, that it is very easy to establish a frame whereby all of the government's problems are the result of one person called K Rudd.
Can I respond to this?... It wasn't K Rudd who had anything to do with the East Timor solution or the Malaysia solution. These were initiatives and decisions taken uniquely by the PM.
11.20am: The Prime Minister Julia Gillard passed a milestone over this last weekend - her second anniversary in the top job.
Many column inches were dedicated to this subject on Saturday and Sunday.
The analysis around the Newspoll this morning was also pegged to the milestone. The anniversary is not noted affirmatively (Ms Gillard's milestone) but was noted as a milestone for the man she deposed - Kevin Rudd.
The Australian's political editor Dennis Shanahan says this:
On the second anniversary of Kevin Rudd's removal as leader, the Labor Party's support continues to wallow below its level before the coup that removed the first-term prime minister.
11.00am: Liberal moderate Russell Broadbent has joined his colleagues Judi Moylan and Mal Washer in calling for a break-through in the boat people debate.
A new regional solution.
Mr Broadbent told my colleague Michelle Grattan a couple of moments ago he would not be supporting the Malaysia Solution because that would be trading in people like people smugglers.
People smugglers trade for money, this would be trading for policy reasons.
Mr Broadbent says the only long term resolutiuon is better cooperation in the region.
This is a policing issue.
Stop pointing fingers. Start talking.
10.58am: There's a Newspoll this morning.
Labor's primary vote this week is 30 per cent, down one point.
The Coalition is 46 per cent, up two.
Two party preferred is Labor 45 per cent, Coalition 55 per cent.
Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are almost level pegging on preferred Prime Minister.
10.55am: Busy morning for Mr Abbott. Meetings, shadow Cabinet and the like.
He wasn't taking media questions this morning.
10.40am: Now, stop singing.
Here's Breaking Politics.
Let Tim Lester take you through the papers and preview the events of the day.
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10.30am: I defy you not to sing at your desk.
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10.25am: Ah look.
The Prime Minister and the Opposition leader in the same room.
From little things, big things, grow.
10.15am: Pulse commenter John A endorses the Pacific Solution and says this:
May I inform the very astute journalist that the Pacific Solution WAS tried, and DID succeed. In the last 6 years of the Howard Government, 18 boats arrived, with no loss of life at sea. Now that Labor is in, we have 18 boats arriving in one month. Upwards of 600 boat people have died under Labor's policy. A catastrophe. Hundreds of boats have come. The glib, resigned tone of Murphy on this is very disappointing. We all know what worked. If Labor will only give up their stubborn, destructive political pride, it can be made to work again. All it will take to end the deaths is for Julia to climb down from her high horse.
Sorry if I sounded glib and resigned.
I am very disheartened by the quality and tone of the debate; that's true.
And I'm not a fan of either offshore option because I don't believe a liberal democracy like Australia should outsource its responsbilities to a third country. I realise the weight of community opinion is not with me.
10.10am: Spin Baby Spin on Twitter has chimed in on boats.
No Malaysia. No Nauru.
All onshore processing, but go back to Temporary Protection Visas.
More surveillance to try and prevent drownings.
10.05am: Opposition leader Tony Abbott is paying tribute to the Paralympians.
Noone better epitomises that 'have a go' Australian instinct than our Paralympains.
10.00am: Bad weather and bad food!
The Prime Minister is sledging the United Kingdom at her event this morning.
She says our Paralympians will have to put up with culinary and climatic adversity in London.
As a British migrant, Ms Gillard feels able to cast these aspersions.
9.50am: This man, the shadow immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison, said on radio this morning the government's previous policy bungles on boat people meant that that Opposition wasn't interested in compromise; the Opposition had an effective policy road-map and the government should implement it.
(And by the way Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, if you want cooperation, call me.)
9.45am: Interested as always in thoughts from Pulsers on this issue, here or on Twitter.
I've already made it clear I'm no fan of either Malaysia or Nauru.
But I'm more interested in what you think?
Is Tony Abbott right to insist on his own policy road-map?
9.40am: Here's Age political editor Michelle Grattan's news wrap of the asylum seeker issue this morning.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott says bipartisanship is not the issue.
Policy effectiveness is the issue.
Read Michelle here. Or here's the summary:
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has dug in against pressure from Liberal moderates to seek a deal with the government on fighting the people-smuggling trade, as customs announced 17 bodies have been retrieved after Thursday's boat tragedy.
Another boat arrived yesterday with 60 people aboard, as both sides blamed the other over asylum-seeker policy.
Up to 100 people drowned when the boat capsized halfway between Indonesia and Christmas Island; 110 were rescued. The search and rescue operation has now been called off.
Mr Abbott said what was needed was not more bipartisanship but effective policies. What's needed here is not compromise for compromise's sake but policies that work.
Liberal moderate backbenchers Mal Washer and Judi Moylan have urged that efforts be made to find a solution - they favour a regional solution.
9.30am: The Prime Minister is back in Canberra and is (right now) attending the announcement of the Australian Paralympic Team for London 2012 with the Minister for Sport Kate Lundy in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
Will there be a somersault into a foam pit?
I very much doubt it.
9.25am: Good morning Pulsers.
They can but try.
Liberal MP Judi Moylan (pictured below) has hit the airwaves early this morning, arguing that politicians should seek solutions, not political point scoring, on asylum seeker policy.
About as likely as the Malaysia Solution, or the Nauru Solution, (dreadful as they both are) - or any other "Solution."
Politics always defaults to Problem on this issue.
Solutions are a bit thin on the ground.
More's the pity.