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Politics live as government introduces refugee ban to Parliament

Turnbull v Triggs

The PM and Human Rights Commissioner are in a war of words after Malcolm Turnbull accused the Commission of harming its credibility over a recent 18c case. Courtesy ABC.

Every government question has been about immigration.

Labor has turned its attention to the lease on Bob Day's electorate office.

Mr Turnbull has taken two questions. In both answers he said all information had already been made available in the relevant ministers' statements to the Senate yesterday.

Assistant treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer said creditors of Mr Day would be paid in accordance with corporations' law.

There is so a Clueless meme in this picture by Alex Ellinghausen.

Labor MP Anne Aly listens to the Prime Minister answer her question.
Labor MP Anne Aly listens to the Prime Minister answer her question. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

It's a fiery old question time thus far.

Mr Turnbull answers another question from Labor about the 18C inquiry.

"We won't be lectured on human rights by a party that was so neglectful of the people whose lives were lost at seat," he says.

There is much outcry from Labor's side of the chamber.

Mr Dutton is speaking.

He says the government will be able to say "very shortly" where the people on Nauru and Manus Island will go.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten during question time on Tuesday.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten during question time on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Shorten wants to know why Mr Turnbull's views on the Racial Discrimination Act have changed.

"What insults do you want people to be allowed to say?" he asks.

Mr Turnbull says the only thing he would like to see changed is "the constant insult to the intelligence of the Australian people" that is Mr Shorten.

"Talk about post truth politics," he exclaims.

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Mr Turnbull takes a question from his own side about the government's immigration policies.

He harks back to the days of Kevin Rudd who "tore down John Howard's border protection policies" which led to "50,000 unlawful, irregular arrivals and 1,200 deaths of sea of which we know".

"That is on Labor's record. That should be on Labor's conscience," he says.

Labor MP Anne Aly begins with a question to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about the inquiry into the Racial Discrimination Act.

She would like to know, among other things, if the AFP has been asked for its thoughts about whether such an inquiry is necessary.

Mr Turnbull says Australia is a proudly multicultural society but it is "perfectly appropriate" for a parliamentary committee to investigate laws to see "if they get the balance right".

Tony Abbott arrives for question time on Tuesday.
Tony Abbott arrives for question time on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Nearly question time.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrives for question time on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrives for question time on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Attorney-General George Brandis has released a statement about the inquiry into the Racial Discrimination Act.

"Among other things, the Committee will examine whether the existing processes of the Commission are sufficient to ensure that trivial or vexatious complaints to the Commission, and complaints which have no reasonable prospects of success, are identified and dismissed at an early stage," Senator Brandis said in a statement.

"It will also examine ways to ensure that complaints are dealt with in an open and transparent way, without unreasonable delay, and in a manner which ensures those subject to complaints are afforded natural justice."

"It is important that Australia strikes the right balance between laws which protect social harmony and mutual respect, and the fundamental democratic value of freedom of speech. The purpose of the inquiry is to ensure that we have that balance right. Equally, it is important that the machinery for human rights protection in Australia operates in such a way as to ensure procedural fairness, and that it cannot be used as a vehicle for vexatious complaints."

Treasurer Scott Morrison is also holding a press conference.

He wants the government's superannuation changes passed by Parliament this year.

That is, he believes, plenty of time.

Treasurer Scott Morrison on Tuesday.
Treasurer Scott Morrison on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
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There will also an inquiry into the Racial Discrimination Act which will look at sections 18C and D.

 

Meanwhile, a briefing about what happened in the Coalition party room meeting has been held.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop assured MPs the government was ready to deal with either a Clinton or Trump administration.

There's a familiar face in the audience.

Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop listening to Senator Wong.
Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop listening to Senator Wong. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, is speaking to the National Press Club.

She had been speaking about the importance of immigration and maintaining a tolerant, diverse society.

Senator Wong has commended Liberal MP Russell Broadbent for the speech he gave last night. But she is sad it was not given by a cabinet minister.

Senator Penny Wong addressing the National Press Club of Australia on Tuesday.
Senator Penny Wong addressing the National Press Club of Australia on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

You can catch up on matters immigration in this piece by Tom McIlroy.

Before introducing the bill, Mr Dutton said Australia risked thousands of refugees and asylum seekers arriving from as far as Europe. 

"We've got 14,000 people in Indonesia," he told ABC radio. "All of the intelligence indicates that if people see the green light to get to Australia again, if those 14,000 hopped onto boats or even 400 of them hopped onto boats and successfully arrived here, there would be tens if not hundreds of thousands of people coming from Europe, making a trek into Jakarta or into Kuala Lumpur, other markets, to get onto boats to come here." 

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Liberal MP Tim Wilson is speaking to Sky News.

He says same-sex marriage "has been dealt with" by the 45th Parliament.

This very much sounds like it's off the agenda.

"We need to recognise that thousands of people this year alone have drowned in the Mediterranean," Mr Dutton says.

"This government is not going to preside over the re-emergence of people smugglers."

The legislation has been commended to the house.

The government is not messing about.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is on his feet in the House of Representatives introducing the legislation.

"Life in Australia is not an illicit commodity to be sold to the desperate and the vulnerable," he says.

Chief political correspondent Mark Kenny has been thinking.

"What is the point of the Turnbull government? It is a serious question. How is it superior in rhetoric and policy outcomes from its predecessor?," Mark writes.

"What's important to me is defeating the people smugglers and not keeping people in indefinite detention," Mr Shorten says.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten during a press conference on Tuesday.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten during a press conference on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
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