Some things to look back upon at the end of the day:
- the government has announced a review of the case of the Egyptian man held in detention since his arrival;
- the opposition has been pursuing the government over this - and other security related matters - for more than a week so it will be feeling like it's had a bit of a win;
- the government's education reforms have passed the House of Representatives; and
- more internal Labor sniping including allegations the government is overspun.
One more day of the sitting week to go before a week off and then the final sitting fortnight of the Parliament.
Thanks to everyone who read and commented. Super big thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen.
See you in the morning.
National security correspondent David Wroe has filed this update on the inquiry announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard (see 3.11 pm post).
Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison wants another chance (see 11.36 am post). He's called a press conference for a bit later this afternoon. Has someone told Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon?
Incidentally Mr Fitzgibbon called Channel 9 camera man Mark Jessop - he of the shooting-while-falling-into-a-flower-pot photograph I posted at 11.38 am - to see if he was okay. He is. Physically that is. But he might be a bit sick of the "how's the flower pot" jokes.
And that was also unsuccessful (see 4.22 pm post). No more talking about the Egyptian man. No more divisions on divisions. Just general parliamentary behaviour. The chamber rapidly empties.
Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
They call him Lightening Hunt.
Liberal MP Greg Hunt in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie wanted have the whole matter of the government's handling of the Egyptian man's case referred to Parliament's security committee (the one chaired by government MP Anthony Byrne who had some less than flattering remarks to make about the government's funding of security agencies last week).
Two oppositions MPs missed the vote including environment spokesman Greg Hunt who pleaded that he was in "a soundproof recording booth doing a television interview" and promises to "run faster next time". The opposition is now trying to get the vote redone.
Shadow immigration spokesman Scott Morrison and environment spokesman Greg Hunt. Photo: Andrew Meares
Back at 3.11 pm I mentioned a suspension of standing orders. It's more or less still going on.
Leader of the house Anthony Albanese in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Hmmm what else is going on?
- a big reunion of Coalition staffers is being held tonight. Reporter Heath Aston has dubbed it "Woodstock for Howardistas";
- Labor MP Laurie Ferguson has called a voter a "halfwit";
Don't let anyone tell you budget estimates committees are boring. Watch Labor Senator Mark Bishop go a bit stir crazy in a hearing last night. I'm with Senator Doug Cameron myself - "watch my tea!".
Labor senator loses it
Labor senator Mark Bishop loses his cool during a fractious economics committee meeting.
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The power behind the throne. Is that a fur stole?
Frontbenchers Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop talk with Peta Credlin, chief of staff to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, during question time on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
He has a point. The opposition did not execute that move quite as smoothly as it might have:
The Member for Stirling took so long to suspend standing orders I swear I could see moss forming on the dark side of his face
— Ed Husic (@edhusicMP) June 5, 2013
The PM has called time on question time but the opposition is still attempting to suspend standing orders in relation to the Egyptian man (if anyone has printable suggestions for a shorthand way of referring to said person I'd be grateful).
Barely moments ago (at the 3.01 pm post to be precise) that burger was "greasy":
Just had a great hamburger in Deepwater!
— Barnaby Joyce(@Barnaby_Joyce) June 5, 2013
The PM informs the house that earlier today she asked the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security to "examine the management of Australian government agencies of persons seeking asylum who present complex security issues, particularly this man".
Meanwhile, in the real world:
Just had a greasy hamburger at Deepwater.
— Barnaby Joyce(@Barnaby_Joyce) June 5, 2013
Oh behave.
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus during question time on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The opposition is attempting to spread the blame for the Egyptian man's case evenly among government ministers. So far it has raised his case with the PM, the Minister for Immigration, Brendan O'Connor, the Minister for Home Affairs, Jason Clare, and the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus.
The Minister for Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, answers a question about workplace bullying.
"Everyone who goes to work deserves to come home safely."
Labor MP Kevin Rudd during question time on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The government is stressing that the Egyptian man "has been in detention at all times".
Shortly before question time the Minister for Immigration, Brendan O'Connor, told Parliament that a departmental submission about the man's case was made to the minister (who was then Chris Bowen) on September 28 last year. Mr O'Connor said the submission was to do with the complex issues surrounding the man's application for protection. It was not signed by the minister or returned to the department.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Prime Minister Julia Gillard during question time on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
The opposition devoted the first two of its questions to the economy and the level of debt. It turns its attention - again - to the case of the Egyptian man held in detention (as it has for much of this week and the last).
(Bear in mind the PM copped some flack in the caucus meeting yesterday for not pushing back hard enough against the opposition's 'stop the boats' mantra.)
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott asked the PM if the Egyptian man's case does not show that "Labor's policies have made Australians less safe than under the Howard government". (That last bit is ruled out of order by the Speaker, Anna Burke).
Ms Gillard said that the person referred to "has always been held in detention".
"We have seen the divide in Australian politics between this government that is building and investing in the future and this opposition that's trading in fear," Ms Gillard said. "Why would he be creating fear? Well not because he's got any answers, that's for sure."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard during question time on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The government, as you can imagine, is very keen to talk about its education reforms that were passed by the House of Representatives shortly before lunch time (see 11.56 am post).
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has used the first question from her own side to hammer home just who voted how on this issue.
"We endorsed, for Australia's children, a better education for the future," Ms Gillard said. "You would think in this parliament there could be a moment of unity [but] they [the opposition] have voted no to a better future for our childre."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrives for question time on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Ho hum.
Kevin Rudd during question time on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Question time.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrives for question time on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
I guess that answers that then (see 10.29 am post):
Join me at the Courthouse Hotel in Tamworth tonight to watch Queensland win another Origin. Go the Maroons! twitter.com/Barnaby_Joyce/…
— Barnaby Joyce(@Barnaby_Joyce) June 5, 2013
The Minister for Climate Change and Industry, Greg Combet, is speaking to the National Press Club. One questioner notes that he was known to be reluctant to enter politics.
"I wonder why," Mr Combet says. "This is my 30th year working full time for the labour movement. I am still hungry to do more."
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet speaking to the National Press Club on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
An egregious error has been drawn to my attention for which I must apologise. During yesterday's blog I reported on the annual Coalition v Labor v press gallery swim race (11.04 am post). I included Liberal MP Ewen McKenzie in the Coalition's line up. Who doesn't actually exist (Ewen Jones does). Neither of these figments of my imagination participated. It was, in fact, National Party Senator Bridget McKenzie. My apologies. Egg meet face.
I had these glasses before you were even able to grow a beard and do your top button up, sonny.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet addresses the National Press Club on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The Treasurer, Wayne Swan: "I think it's time a few people put a sock in it."
Treasurer Wayne Swan during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Sometimes even a prime minister feels a bit of fist pumping is in order.
The opposition reacted to the bill's passing (see 11.56am post) by accusing the government of trying to "ram" it through the House of Representatives and "gag" debate. Education spokesman Christopher Pyne argued that Parliament was being asked to pass a bill where there was no national agreement as only two out of eight jurisdictions had signed up to the funding reforms.
The opposition was also upset at independent MP Rob Oakeshott's move to gag debate on the bill. Mr Oakeshott - a big supporter of the changes - said that time had come to vote on the bill.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Education Minister Peter Garrett as a division is called to force a vote on the education reforms on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
At 9.34am I promised to bring you the interview between online political editor Tim Lester and Labor Senator Doug Cameron. Here it is.
Gillard 'overspun'
Labor senator Doug Cameron says the PM is 'overspun' by advisors and needs clean air to display her skill to the country.
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The House of Representatives has just passed the government's education reforms.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard embraces Education Minister Peter Garrett after the passing of the Australian Education Bill. Photo: Andrew Meares
It's a hard life in the gallery - sometimes you have to get the shot while walking backwards. (With apologies to veteran Channel 9 cameraman and all round nice guy Mark Jessop who sacrificed his dignity for the sake of his job. Surely he should get some kind of bonus network executives?)
Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon with the media at Parliament House on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
"A bit of colour and movement" aka in which Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon learns what it feels like to be the only hot chip fought over by hungry seagulls. Only moments before the hard working members of the press gallery had been attending a press conference held by opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison. But Mr Morrison was dumped in favour of hotter property.
Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon speaks to the media at Parliament House on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor Senator David Feeney has two words when it comes to the preselection battle for the Melbourne seat of Batman - bring it.
Reporters were being briefed yesterday that there were problems with Left candidate Mary-Anne Thomas's desire to seek preselection because of continuity issues with her party membership. (I wonder who was doing that backgrounding?)
Senator Feeney has released a statement in which he says local ALP members "must be able to have the candidate of their choice" and implores the Victorian branch of the party to give Ms Thomas special dispensation to run.
And they say politicians lack grace.
About this time last week the government's plan to introduce legislation reforming political donations and party funding was going down the gurgler.
One of the experts on the political donations system in Australia - associate professor of politics at the University of Melbourne, Sally Young - has written this piece on how our system of funding stacks up against other countries. Basically, it's no strings attached.
"We give public funding but don't ask for anything in return. That's not the way it is done in other countries," Professor Young writes.
"Even in the US, the home of free market political fund-raising, if a presidential candidate accepts public funding for their election campaign, they have to agree not to raise private contributions and not to spend more than the amount of public funds they receive."
It's just occurred to me that this must be why Liberal MP Alex Hawke was quoting the lyrics of The Children are Our Future in the chamber a few minutes ago.
There is actually some legislation being discussed in Parliament today - amendments to the bill that provides for the government's education reforms. (I'm trying to refer to them as the Gonksi something or other because I don't think that means much to anyone.)
Part of the government's plans includes requiring schools to face tougher reporting standards when it comes to their plans for improvements.
Education reporter Daniel Hurst has more details here.
Education Minister Peter Garrett debating the government's education bill on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
And this NSW man:
and yes....go the Blues....how about you Barnaby?
— Robert Oakeshott MP (@OakeyMP) June 4, 2013
The dilemma has also occurred to a few MPs around the traps. Such as this proud Queenslander. I believe the technical term is trolling.
Serious question @barnaby_joyce - #stateoforigin tonight. Are you backing #QLD or #NSW? … And what about next year? KRudd
— Kevin Rudd (@KRuddMP) June 5, 2013
Remember this picture from last year? No? Let me refresh your memory. It's NSW Liberal Party Senator Arthur Sinodinos facing off against Queensland National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce ahead of the state of origin.
Now, of course, Senator Joyce (who was born in NSW) is about to finish up as a Queensland senator to try his luck running in the NSW lower house seat of New England. So which team is a confused accountant to support this year?
Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce and NSW Senator Arthur Sinodinos face off ahead of the State of Origin on 23 May 2012. Photo: Andrew Meares
Let's just agree now that Joel Fitzgibbon is a freelance Labor MP, it's a bit more polite than a bomb thrower. In this video Mr Fitzgibbon debates whether or not we are in a new age of political spin with Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg in an interview with online political editor Tim Lester.
Fitzgibbon flags 'a new area of spin'
"Politics generally" needs to deliver straighter messages, says Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon, while Joshua Frydenberg says there's no spinning the government's failed border policy.
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We'll have a bit of fun in a second but first, some of the weightier issues going around this morning:
- chief political correspondent Mark Kenny on the threat of a "total breakdown of internal discipline" within government ranks;
- the current and immediate past immigration ministers, Brendan O'Connor and Chris Bowen, were not told that an Egyptian asylum seeker had been convicted of terrorism offences until eight months after the department realised who he was; and
And here's the Minister for Immigration, Brendan O'Connor, in the press gallery earlier this morning. Expect to see him face further grilling from the opposition in question time later today.
Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor speaks to the media at Parliament House on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Online political editor Tim Lester has recorded an interview with Doug Cameron, the NSW Labor senator with a Scottish brogue as thick as Canberra's fog. I'll have the video for you in a wee while but here are a couple of highlights in the meantime.
Senator Cameron defended colleague Joel Fitzgibbon's decision to go rogue yesterday morning (see 9.36am post) saying it was "a bit of colour and movement".
"You have to have a sense of humour in this place otherwise you'd go mad," Senator Cameron says.
And he doesn't have much time for the "kids" he says are running Prime Minister Julia Gillard's office.
The PM is "overspun", he says, the result of "too many kids in the PMO trying to tell her what she should say and what she should do".
"The PM is a very, very good politician. She is very talented. She should just let her natural talents take over. Forget the spin, forget people telling you what you should say. Just be yourself," Senator Cameron says.
To thine own self by true, eh?
Senator Doug Cameron during a Senate Economics Committee hearing on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The government is just trying to kick some goals between now and election day but things keep getting in the way - asbestos, pesky states and even its own MPs.
There's only today and tomorrow to go before Parliament rises for a week long break. Then there is one more fortnight of Parliament to go before the depths of winter and the election campaign.
Leader of the house Anthony Albanese kicks a ball at Parliament House on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
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