Politics Live: March 16, 2016

Right, end of the day. What happened?

• the government announced it will introduce an effects test into competition law;
• the change is supposed to protect small business from the heft of larger operators;
• it is also being chalked up as a major win for the National Party;
• government MPs are not happy about the review of the Safe Schools program and have written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asking for its funding to be axed; and
• the Senate is a step closer to passing the government's changes to upper house voting.

My thanks to Alex Ellinghausen and Andrew Meares for their super work and to you for reading and commenting.

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Andrew, Alex and I will be back in the morning. We hope to see you then. Good night.

Back on my favourite hobby horse for a moment.

Matthew Knott has looked at the photography restrictions in the Senate.

Transparency and freedom peeps, transparency and freedom.

Political reporter Judith Ireland has written this piece about a two year project opposition frontbencher Jenny Macklin has been working on.

Ms Macklin has produced a road map for future Labor's future social policies including the suggestions that:

• the dole should be increased;
• paid parental leave should be expanded; and
• boosting the attendance of three year olds at preschool.

The Business Council of Australia is unhappy about the effects test. Quelle surprise.

The council's president, Catherine Livingstone, says it is "poor policy" and the government has let it down.

It feels like more than four months since Ms Livingstone lavished praise on Mr Turnbull for his economic foresight and leadership.

Ah well - a week is a long time in politics etc, etc, etc.

Government MP George Christensen is outlining his opposition to the Safe Schools program to Sky News: "I walked in to the briefing thinking the program should be axed and I walked out thinking the same."

Mr Christensen says he has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asking him to axe the program's funding.

He says a majority of the backbench has signed the letter.

Amidst all the argy bargy in the Senate its newest member was sworn in.

James Patterson is now one of the youngest members of Parliament and he is definitely innovative when it comes to policy ideas.

Among his suggestions are moving the Australian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, throwing out the national curriculum and reimposing a debt ceiling.

The motion is defeated and question time comes to an end.

And now the house is voting on the motion.

Which the government will win but still, process.

Labor frontbencher Tony Burke gets a turn.

He says Mr Turnbull promised a debate about tax policy but the only debate that is happening is with himself.

Mr Turnbull is listing the achievements of his prime ministership.

But he does not return to the theme of tax reform: "I've said more than enough today, I don't think I need to repeat it."

"The Labor Party's hypocrisy on tax is outrageous."

The government is giving Mr Shorten the full ten minutes allocated for such a speech.

Mr Turnbull stands up to defend his record.

Mr Jones was a little early in the timing of his prediction but not in its substance.

Mr Shorten is moving a suspension of standing orders so Mr Turnbull can be censured for failing to deliver the new economic leadership and tax reforms he promised on becoming prime minister.

"The Prime Minister has given up governing. The Prime Minister and his new economic leadership are going down the drain."

He's not the only one:

Opposition leader Bill Shorten keeps it short and sweet: "Prime Minister, what is the government's tax policy?"

"Toughest question of the day!" yells opposition frontbencher Tony Burke.

Mr Turnbull recycles a slogan saying the government's philosophical position on tax is keeping them "lower, fairer and simpler". 

The Nationals are not backwards about coming forwards.

Each time the opposition adds tax cuts to the list of things it says the government has changed its mind about the government replies with an answer that basically confirms this.

Greens MP Adam Bandt would like to know what Mr Turnbull is doing on climate change given the record hot weather many areas of Australia have just experienced.

"We are transitioning from an old economy to a new one....Climate change is part of that response," Mr Turnbull says.

"We are optimistic we can tackle climate change through innovation."

Mr Turnbull chides Mr Bandt for "imprecise" although well motivated language.

The opposition's treasury spokesman, Chris Bowen, goes all existential: "What is the point of this government?"

Treasurer Scott Morrison uses the opportunity to remind people the budget will be on May 10.

Okay snaps to whoever decided that former small business minister Bruce Billson should get to ask Mr Turnbull about the decision to adopt the effects test.

It is a "delight" to ask the question, Mr Billson says.

"It is equally delightful to be asked that question," Mr Turnbull replies.

Love is all around.

Question time begins.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten asks Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (a) if there will be a tax package (b) what the date of the budget is and (c) if policies now come with a use by date.

Although speculation at this time of year is "understandable", Mr Turnbull says people will just have to wait and see.

Unlike the opposition's economic policies, he adds, which are just plain wrong.