The Senate starts debating the plebiscite bill as cartoonist Bill Leak meets MPs to talk about Racial Discrimination Act. As it happened
7.58am GMT
Senator Rod Culleton talks to the media in the gallery "I'm going to have a cold beer" @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/6r4CjAHlr4
7.43am GMT
Asked if Pauline Hanson’s senior staffer James Ashby wants to parachute into his Senate seat, One Nation senator Rodney Culleton told Sky News:
Well he probably wants to parachute into a lot of places. But at the moment it would be very difficult to parachute into my seat because the West Australian people want me to stay there as a senator.
It is a different playing field here. I have to respect the party leader and the other senators.
7.23am GMT
The prime minister has commissioned an independent review into Australia’s intelligence agencies.
This is an opportunity to assess whether our current intelligence arrangements, structures and mechanisms are best placed to meet the security challenges we are likely to face in the years ahead.
Consistent with previous reviews conducted in 2004 and 2011, this process will examine how our intelligence community serves Australia’s national interest. The review will consider the ongoing suitability of legislative and oversight provisions.
7.17am GMT
Culleton says it would cost a lot of money to go to the high court.
Everyone is confused [over the eligibility issue], it’s all a belief, I don’t want to be sent to an abattoir with a blunt knife, it’s got to be a clean kill.
7.14am GMT
One Nation’s Rod Culleton is speaking to Laura Jayes on Sky.
He calls the government referral an “ambush”. He says George Brandis has ambushed him.
7.01am GMT
Today is the first day of new Senate rules to allow photographers to take pictures of senators on the benches – in line with lower house rules.
Bowers was not like the dog that caught up with the car. When the Senate opened the doors, Bowers was there with bells on.
My first photograph under the new @AuSenate open photo rules @gabriellechan @murpharoo @lenoretaylor @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/16zfMMM4js
6.57am GMT
I thought you might like a substantial chunk of Pauline Hanson’s speech.
It is a very difficult time for me and the party but even more so for Senator Culleton. He has been a man who has stood up to represent his electorate, the farming sector and many other issues. But this motion is on the floor now and I must address it. I have always stood for honesty, integrity and the truth. The people deserve no less, especially from this chamber. It goes to the very heart of our democracy. With this at hand, it is a question over Senator Culleton’s eligibility to hold his seat in this place.
I was of the opinion when he was nominated for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation as a Senate candidate that he stated that he was eligible to stand under the requirements of section 44 of the constitution. I took that to be his oath, and his signature was witnessed by a JP.
6.30am GMT
Just on the plebiscite bill, we are expecting a vote on this either late today or tomorrow.
6.30am GMT
One Nation’s Rod Culleton wants to adjourn the Senate until all evidence relating to the case is brought before the chamber. (He wants to pursue the aforementioned judges.)
Given he has a vote of one, his attempt fails.
6.27am GMT
Pardon me. I may have lapsed into semi-consciousness.
The motion regarding Day and Culleton is back in the Senate now.
5.53am GMT
The report into the backpacker tax was expected today but the committee is seeking an extension until Wednesday. It is expected to go through the chambers shortly.
5.30am GMT
The LNP MP George Christensen wants citizenship to be revoked for new residents who break Australian law to comply with Sharia law.
Special consideration should be given to anyone who, having signed up to Australian citizenship and Australian law, breaks that Australian law out of compliance with a foreign religious law, such as forcing a child into marriage or female genital mutilation. They should forfeit their citizenship and their residency and return to where Sharia is the law of the land because there is no room for Sharia law in Australia.
5.20am GMT
To cabinet and beyond.
4.57am GMT
To infinity and beyond.
4.41am GMT
Mr Speaker, on weirdness ...
4.37am GMT
I’m sweeping up here after the flurry of the day.
@gabriellechan Today, you have my sympathies. #Whataday pic.twitter.com/2i5YK2FRD4
4.35am GMT
Smith spoke earlier on the plebiscite bill.
I shudder to think that we may see a day in this country where determinations about our right to freedom of speech and freedom of worship or on whether or not Australia accepts immigrants from a particular nation are made by a popular vote of the people at the expense of our parliamentary system of government. It sounds like a ridiculous notion. Indeed, I hope it is a ridiculous notion. But I would prefer that we in this parliament do not expose future generations to that real risk. That is why I am passionate about protecting the foundational principle of parliamentary sovereignty. I believe we as parliamentarians have a responsibility to seek the best way to resolve difficult issues rather than the easy way to resolve them. I do not believe a plebiscite is the best means for resolving this question, and I believe it will forever and irretrievably undermine the principle of parliamentary sovereignty which has served our country so well.
4.30am GMT
OK I missed this bit because of the Rod Culleton matter earlier.
It happened before question time.
4.20am GMT
I forgot to pack my angry eyes....
#qt pic.twitter.com/gDD7lvC4lF
4.17am GMT
George Christensen bones up on Time To Get Tough by Donald Trump.
4.13am GMT
Labor’s Tanya Plibersek to Greg Hunt, representing the education minister: I refer to reports that the grants to a trades training centre college linked to former senator Bob Day was equivalent to $92,000 for each of the 20 students enrolled in the program, despite the fact that an equivalent qualification could have been completed at Tafe for just $3,000 per student. Does the minister agree that this grant was excessive?
Hunt says:
I’m also advised that the senator has resigned as a member of the college board and I’m advised that board members do not receive any payment and I am also advise that the former senator does not have a financial interest in the North East Vocational College and so the advice we have is that it is being delivered on time and in accordance with the grant.
4.06am GMT
Labor’s Anthony Albanese gets up to take a point of order.
Mr Speaker, on weirdness....
4.03am GMT
Another government immigration question, on CFMEU and visas. This is a Peter Dutton stream of consciousness.
4.02am GMT
Labor loses suspension motion.
Back to question time briefly.
3.53am GMT
The Coalition wins the gag.
Labor’s Tony Burke gets up to second the motion.
They held it because they wanted his vote! They wanted his vote!
3.49am GMT
3.45am GMT
Labor is moving to suspend standing orders on the Bob Day matter.
The Coalition employs the gag – to shut down Labor.
3.43am GMT
Labor to Turnbull: How can it be that for every single day that the 45th parliament has sat, the PM has been aware that the composition of the Senate was potentially illegitimate, and why did the PM decide to keep this information secret from the Australian people?
Turnbull:
The reality is simply this: as you know, as we all know, senator Ryan, senator Ryan became aware that there was an issue concerning the nature or the extent, the character of senator Day’s interest in his office. He investigated that. He did so diligently. He sought advice. The idea that any member of the government, the special minister of state or any other, would have gone out and made allegations or made conclusions until the facts had been thoroughly investigated and advice sought is absurd and reckless.
3.39am GMT
Pyne is losing his voice.
3.39am GMT
The defence industry minister, Christopher Pyne, gets a question on new senator Kimberley Kitching and the CFMEU.
3.38am GMT
Shorten to Turnbull: The PM has just confirmed that he was aware in August that senator Day’s election possibly contravened the constitution. How can it be that since then, for every single day that the 45th Parliament has sat, the PM has been aware that the composition of the Senate was potentially illegitimate, and why did the PM decide to keep this information secret from the Australian people?
The PM says:
We have yet another example of the sanctimonious humbug we get time and time again from the leader of the opposition ... The fact is that as senator Ryan and senator Cormann have set out, as the facts emerged concerning senator Day’s office, they then investigated it, taking great care to do so diligently, seeking legal advice from the Australian government solicitor, seeking legal advice from senior counsel, and then when that advice was received, provided it to the president of the Senate. The government has acted with the utmost integrity and with diligence.
3.32am GMT
Treasurer Scott Morrison gets a government question on the CFMEU.
3.31am GMT
Senator Nick McKim has been on the attack in Senate question time, asking the attorney general, George Brandis, about the government’s openness to reform section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
Brandis rejects the idea that 18C is part of a rightwing culture war, pointing out that Guardian Australia columnist David Marr – who he described as a “lion of the left” – could not said to be engaged in a culture war when he called for its reform. Even the right’s bette noire Gillian Triggs has suggested she is open to reform of the way 18C claims are processed, he said.
3.30am GMT
Burke to Turnbull: The special minister of state has today told the Senate that he informed the PM’s office on 18th August this year, that there was a potential issue under section 44 of the constitution in relation to former senator Day. On what date was the PM personally aware of this information?
Several days thereafter, says Turnbull.
3.26am GMT
A government question allows foreign minister Julie Bishop to update the house on the Mosul offensive.
3.25am GMT
There is a government asylum seeker question.
Shorten to Turnbull: In light of the PM’s refusal to endorse the Coalition government’s handling of Bob Day’s electoral office in 2014, has the PM made any inquiries as to whether senator Ronaldson advised the finance minister or the then PM that senator Ronaldson was rejecting the department’s advice in order to assist Bob Day?
3.20am GMT
Greens to the energy and environment minister Josh Frydenberg: A number of eminent Australians including the head of AGL, a former governor general and a former head of Telstra have urged the government to facilitate the phased and controlled closure of coal-fired electricity. Now that Hazelwood, Australia’s dirtiest power station is to be closed, will the government agree to put into law a plan for the orderly retirement of coal-fired power stations so he that workers, communities and clean energy investors can plan for the future, or will you continue to leave it to the chaos of the market so that Australia’s future energy security and welfare of places like the Latrobe Valley are left to the boardrooms of Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong?
Shorter Frydenberg: Greens are hypocrites and driven by ideology. The Coalition is worried about energy security.
3.18am GMT
Extraordinary, that last answer. It is the same as George Brandis’ formula to 7.30 last week.
Essentially, he is saying, the Turnbull government is not responsible for what the Abbott government did – even though it remains the same Coalition government.
3.15am GMT
Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull: Is the PM satisfied that the government’s handling of Bob Day’s electorate office in 2014 was appropriate?
Malcolm Turnbull:
The circumstances of 2014 are not matters that I have any personal knowledge of.
Well, they were matters handled by the then special minister of state, senator Ronaldson. The important thing to recognise is that when the issues relating to senator Day’s office came to the knowledge of senator Ryan, the matters were thoroughly investigated, advice was dutifully and diligently sought and the actions that followed, including providing those conclusions to the present of the Senate were carried out. Mr Speaker, I’m satisfied that my government has conducted itself with respect to this matter with great diligence and great integrity and great thoroughness.
3.10am GMT
One nation Sen. Rod Culleton addresses issues around his eligibility to be a senator @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/xMoBVFRYdy
3.09am GMT
Will the PM update the House on the government’s efforts to counter people smuggling? Are there any impediments to keeping Australia’s borders secure?
Turnbull answers but everyone is just drawing a breath until the next question.
3.04am GMT
Question time.
Labor to Scott Morrison representing the special minister of state Scott Ryan: On 24 February 2014, the department finance advised the special minister of state to reject former Senator Day’s request to establish his taxpayer-funded electoral office in a property he owned saying, “Finance has concerns about how such a transaction might be perceived.”
3.01am GMT
Pauline Hanson has supported the referral of her own senator Rod Culleton to the high court to determine his eligibility.
Hanson says he provided a signed statement telling One Nation he was eligible to stand.
2.57am GMT
Pauline Hanson says Culleton stated he was eligible to stand for parliament and he signed to that effect in front of a Justice of the Peace.
She supports Culleton but says it should be sent to high court.
2.55am GMT
The Coalition has refused to table legal advice from the solicitor general regarding Culleton’s eligibility.
Culleton has just told the chamber he would table it himself.
2.53am GMT
I really can’t keep up with this but here are a few points:
2.46am GMT
Certain parties believe they have the vested interests in the Senate seat. Their actions and reactions today reflect that vested interest in securing this West Australian Senate seat through which I was elected to serve my constituents in WA for the next three years.
2.44am GMT
Rod Culleton:
This very nature of this situation confirms to me what Australians have seen in the Parliamentary representation for far too long. Parliamentary representatives who actually stand up and represent their constituents will always be under attack from within and without.
2.43am GMT
Rod Culleton:
In my discussions with the clerk of the Senate this morning, I was clearly informed that I have the right to exercise my vote in the Senate and continue to represent the people of WA as I was elected to do. I intend to dutifully and responsibly fulfil my commitment.
2.41am GMT
Rod Culleton has just started speaking. Josh Butler of the Huff Post with a lunchtime summary of the tsunami – bless him.
Parliament has been going for just 3.5 hours today, here's a list of what has happened already since this morning: pic.twitter.com/rCJqUuA0Qm
2.37am GMT
The attorney general, George Brandis, is now moving onto the Rod Culleton matter, specifically the details around the challenge to his eligibility by a former associate.
2.25am GMT
The Human Rights Commission has issued a statement.
There has been considerable public interest in the commission’s complaint handling processes under the Australia Human Rights Commission Act 1986. There has been particular interest in the commission’s handling of complaints under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
In relation to the recent QUT case, it is a matter of public record that the commission terminated this matter in August 2015. The commission has had no role in the subsequent law suit in the federal circuit court.
2.18am GMT
Senator Derryn Hinch told the Senate he would support the referral of Bob Day and Rod Culleton but he wants to look at the eligibility of all senators.
Crikey. This could go a long way ... just checking with Hinch’s office on exactly what that might mean.
2.14am GMT
The Labor leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, has said the opposition supports the referral of Day’s eligibility for election to the high court.
But she criticised the government for not providing legal advice it received on 27 October from lawyer David Jackson that concluded Day was ineligible.
2.12am GMT
Senator David Leyonhjelm objects to the Greens’ characterisation.
He says he thinks the link between Bob Day’s arrangements regarding his electoral office to section 44 of the constitution is too remote.
2.10am GMT
The Greens’ senator Larissa Waters says a federal independent commission against corruption may have helped in matters of the constitutional matters.
Her point is that any perception of stinky business would be closely watched.
2.03am GMT
It’s complex ... the courts will decide.
1.57am GMT
The finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has explained that he believed that the non-payment of rent meant that there was no constitutional issue with Bob Day’s electorate office.
“At no time” was Cormann advised by his department that the commonwealth’s lease “absent rental payments” could constitute a breach of the constitutional section on eligibility, he said.
1.50am GMT
A bundle of documents has landed in the Senate relating to the affairs of the former Family First senator Bob Day and (in so far as we know) the current One Nation senator Rod Culleton.
In the Day documents, a couple of things are interesting immediately.
The first thing is he is corresponding with the government via an email address – bobday@77fullarton.com.au
Their advice basically centred on the principle that it was “not a good look” for a senator to own his or her own office. That was basically it. I was told there was no law against it but that it “wouldn’t look good” or “pass the pub test”.
1.46am GMT
Here is a summary from Paul Karp:
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, has explained the basis of the referral of former senator Bob Day’s eligibility to the high court.
1.44am GMT
The SMOS, Scott Ryan, on former senator Day and his referral to his eligibility:
This is a complex legal and constitutional ... this issue does not relate to a direct pecuniary interest because Senator Day disposed of his interest in the building. It relates to the financial arrangements for the building and the lease for the electoral office with the owners ...
1.38am GMT
Roberts hits back.
I am not surprised that .@adambandt is running away from evidence with this little sideshow.
Why won’t the @greens debate me on facts? pic.twitter.com/G1AoNqr8Fb
1.36am GMT
SMOS (special minister of state) Scott Ryan is giving chapter and verse on his dealings with former senator Bob Day relating to his offices.
1.35am GMT
The News Corp cartoonist Bill Leak is meeting with Coalition MPs in Canberra on Monday to talk about plans to change section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
He is being chaperoned through Parliament House by the executive director of the Menzies Research Centre, Nick Cater.
1.33am GMT
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, is now speaking to the Day/Culleton referrals to the high court.
1.31am GMT
It is descending into the basement here. Mark Di Stefano of Buzzfeed reports on the chair of the backbench committee on environment:
The backbencher, who was speaking in parliament during a motion on the number of child drownings in Australia, said renewable energy policies would drive up the cost of electricity, which meant public pools would raise the prices of swimming lessons and therefore fewer children would be taught to swim.
“We cannot ignore that fact in this parliament that there are policies being put in by governments, both state and federal, that are increasing the costs of electricity, and by doing so we increase the cost of swimming lessons. That is a fact,” said Kelly, to howls of condemnation from the opposition.
1.25am GMT
Is gravity real? We are entering the twilight zone in parliament ...
Gravity: is it even real? Time for One Nation's Malcolm Roberts to show some ambition. pic.twitter.com/u5ngkmRK9t
1.22am GMT
One Nation senator Rodney Culleton has written an explosive and highly legally questionable letter to the president of the Senate, Stephen Parry, claiming widespread and systematic contempt of parliament and the constitution.
Culleton takes aim at high court rules written 64 years ago in which he said judges reserved the right to decide which cases come to the high court. This amounted to an “unelected aristocracy” engaged in “sabotage” of the constitution, he said.
This contempt creates two classes of people. Those who can afford lawyers and those who cannot.
1.15am GMT
Gotta love #politicslive readers.
Aruna Sathanapally, a barrister at the Sydney bar and visiting lecturer at Sydney University, has clarified more on the process of complaints under section 18C.
I think the Human Rights Commission has done a great deal of harm to its credibility by bringing the case against the Queensland students ...
Now, frankly, what the Human Rights Commission needs to do is reflect on whether, in making its decisions as to which cases to pursue and which cases not to pursue, it has been doing so in a manner that enhances the reputation both of the commission and respect for the Racial Discrimination Act.
In short, the process is the same across all grounds of what is referred to as “unlawful discrimination”, which includes age discrimination, sex discrimination and race discrimination. The commission’s role, as you’ve identified, is to conciliate. Complaint to the commission is required before a person can proceed to either the federal circuit court or federal court. The commission’s role is to inquire into and attempt to conciliate the dispute, in a private and informal way.
It does not make determinations, nor does it bring legal proceedings (though it may seek to intervene). The relevant provisions are sections 46P-PN of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act.
12.52am GMT
News Corp cartoonist Bill Leak is meeting MPs in Canberra today as momentum builds for an inquiry into 18c #auspol https://t.co/MMyZcKfVZF
12.52am GMT
The documents related to senators Bob Day and Rod Culleton and their eligibility or otherwise have just dropped on the parliamentary website.
We are still trawling through them but if you want to crowd check, feel free. We are combing through them as we speak and I will bring you the guts of it shortly.
12.32am GMT
Staying classy in here at all times.
David Leyonhjelm was asked earlier today about whether he may bargain his vote on Australian Building and Construction Commission, in return for some movement on 18C.
How could you say I’m holding the government to ransom? I’ve got them by the balls and squeezing. That’s not holding them to ransom. What are you talking about?
12.30am GMT
Rod Culleton is going to grab the tiger by the tail – as he likes to say – and make a statement when the motion is moved to send the question of his eligibility to the high court.
Questions at issue:
The government proposes to move referral to the disputed court of returns in relation to both the qualifications of Senator Culleton and in relation to the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr Day. The ordinary time to do that would be now but, given the volume of material that has been tabled, and following informal discussion between was myself and Senator Wong, of which the crossbench have also been apprised, what we propose to do is to move those motions sequentially at 1230 or to seek leave of the Senate to do so. The motion concerning Mr Day’s vacancy will be moved first by Senator Ryan and upon that motion being disposed of I will move a motion in relation to Senator Culleton.
I indicated the opposition is broad agreement with the approach taken by the government. We think it is reasonable given the documents that you have just tabled for senators who may only have been reading about these matters in the press to be able to, should they wish, appraise themselves of the documents which have been tabled prior to the motion is being discussed. I thank the government for taking up that suggestion and we indicate our agreement to proceeding with the debate at 12.30.
12.02am GMT
The One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts just held a bizarre press conference in Parliament House.
He did not tell the media what the press conference was for, so roughly 20 journalists from the press gallery turned up, and a dozen cameras, expecting an announcement about Rod Culleton’s fate.
Senator Roberts, you’ve spoken a lot about the work or the involvement of the Rothschilds in this global conspiracy, can you tell us a little bit more about that because you’ve written about this before haven’t you?”
I have never used the word conspiracy. People who are using the word conspiracy, no hang on just a minute here. People who are using the word conspiracy are people like you and it’s quite often used to denigrate because the facts are clear.
We’re not on the subject of Rod Culleton this morning. We have a different agenda this morning.
Well I think it’s a press conference, so we can ask whatever questions we want to.
11.32pm GMT
Wong said she went through a lot of soul searching when considering a plebiscite. She concluded it would be damaging.
She says major reforms like the abolition of death penalty, native title rights, the Racial Discrimination Act, the Sex Discrimination Act did not require a plebiscite.
11.29pm GMT
Penny Wong addresses arguments about the tradition of marriage, that it is not set in stone.
She says “marriage has endured precisely because it has evolved and adapted”.
Personally speaking, I don’t think the god of my faith would be affronted by who I am.
11.25pm GMT
On to Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong.
Wong says Malcolm Turnbull has made a Faustian pact for the leadership to support a position (a plebiscite) he previously opposed.
Whilst our nation once led the world on reforms, now we are laggards.
11.18pm GMT
A reminder as to the guts of the plebiscite bill from the explanatory memo:
11.13pm GMT
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, is now speaking to the marriage equality plebiscite bill.
It is mostly mechanics but makes a quick political point that this is the first government to bring this (marriage equality) matter to the parliament. The former Labor government never did.
11.12pm GMT
Penny Wong has concurred. The Day and Culleton matters have been delayed until midday-ish.
11.10pm GMT
George Brandis is speaking to the referrals to the high court.
He says the government has reached agreement to delay the high court motions until midday to give other senators time to digest the referrals which have just been tabled.
11.07pm GMT
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has been sworn into the Senate.
Now the Bob Day and Rod Culleton referrals.
11.00pm GMT
Herewith, the speakers list of senators on the marriage equality bill.
10.46pm GMT
The government’s bill to hold a plebiscite on same-sex marriage on 11 February is the first bill up in the Senate.
My colleague Paul Karp updated the current state of play in an article on Saturday about more than 100 allies of LGBTI people calling for a free vote.
10.36pm GMT
Back to the prime minister’s suggestion on ABC AM that:
I think the Human Rights Commission has done a great deal of harm to its credibility by bringing the case against the Queensland students.
What will happen with my complaint?
When the Commission receives a complaint about something that is covered by the RDA, the President of the Commission can investigate the complaint and try to resolve it by conciliation.
10.28pm GMT
This is the thrust of the Malcolm Roberts press conference.
The CSIRO has not done required due diligence on the data it relies on from BOM, NASA and the UN IPCC.
10.26pm GMT
Some housekeeping before the derp:
Parliamentary chambers start at 10am today.
10.16pm GMT
There is no line of sight on One Nation (in terms of televisual feasts) so we shall have to wait. It looks like some climate change denial extravaganza.
10.11pm GMT
Regular watchers will know 18C has been a totemic issue for the conservatives in the Coalition. They have been pushing relentlessly on the issue recently – along with the Australian newspaper – with nary a peep out of the other end of the Coalition, some of whom represent some diverse seats.
For example, Craig Laundy, the Liberal MP for Reid, represents one of the most diverse seats in Australia. He spoke out at the time against changes to the Racial Discrimination Act but, in more recent times, moderates in the Libs have been trying not to give the cons oxygen on the issue.
In an escalation of tensions inside the Coalition, NSW Liberals, speaking on condition of anonymity, said their state was the most multicultural and, apart from Tony Abbott, no one from NSW was willing either to amend or repeal section 18C of the act.
“There’s no NSW people who support this. It says a lot about this,” said one of several NSW Liberals. “This is the most ethnically diverse state. This is not an issue in NSW that people care about.”
Ultimately this is not the government’s No 1 priority, we are not seeking to rush legislative change through.
9.45pm GMT
More Malcolm.
The PM was asked whether the Queensland University of Technology case brought by an Indigenous staff member against three students showed the law was working.
What is shows is that the Human Rights Commission must urgently review the way in which it manages these cases. To have a case like that, which will have involved the expenditure of considerable commonwealth money, taxpayers’ money, considerable money on behalf of the students, imposed enormous stress on them, and have it chucked out, struck out as having no reasonable prospects of success – what the court was saying, what the judge was saying to the Human Rights Commission is, ‘You’ve been wasting the court’s time. You’ve been wasting government money.’
I think the Human Rights Commission has done a great deal of harm to its credibility by bringing the case against the Queensland students.
9.27pm GMT
Good morning to a mini festival of democracy,
There is a whole lot going on this morning in the third-last sitting week of the year. (Who is counting?) Members are streaming back into the House. As I fell in the Senate doors in a mess of earphones streaming Malcolm Turnbull from ABC AM, I almost ran into the other Malcolm, smiling sweetly next to the security check. Malcolm Roberts’ office has released an alert for a press conference for One Nation at 9am. This causes reporters to prick up their ears because One Nation senator Rod Culleton is expected to be referred to the high court this morning for a ruling on his eligibility. Former Family First senator Bob Day will also be referred. Will One Nation be talking about the future of Culleton, shearer of sheep and key collector? We shall await the hour of nine.
There ... has been, and I have sympathy for this argument... there is a view ... the bar that is set is too low. In other words, in particular that prescribing conduct which insults and offends is too much a restriction on free speech. You’re obviously trying to get the balance between ensuring that we maintain the courteous discourse and debate that again, mutual respect that underpins our strong multicultural society and, on the other hand, freedom of speech, which is of critical importance in a democracy. I think the Human Rights Commission has done a great deal of harm to its credibility by bringing the case against the Queensland students.
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