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Tom McIlroy

Protesters close down parliament

Anti-asylum policy protesters force question time to be adjourned for more than half an hour.

It's been another massive day here. What has happened?

  • Question Time in the House of Representatives was suspended for about 40 minutes after protesters opposed to offshore immigration detention disrupted proceedings and glued their hands to the public gallery. 
  • The government secured passage of legislation to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, one of the double dissolution election triggers.
  • Changes to the backpackers tax are in limbo while the government negotiates support for a 15 per cent rate.
  • A secret Turnbull government plan to radically reshape Australia's visas system could undermine social cohesion, leaked cabinet documents showed.
  • Some of the nation's best-known retail and entertainment organisations have been named and shamed for failing to comply with workplace equality laws.

Thanks for joining our coverage again, and a special shout out to our colleagues Alex Ellinghausen and Andrew Meares.

Stephanie Peating will bring you all the action of the last sitting day from tomorrow morning. 

Malcolm Turnbull is speaking to Melbourne's 3AW radio. 

He says passage of the Australian Building and Construction Commission legislation is a "major victory" for the government. 

On the backpacker tax, Mr Turnbull says the government will resubmit the bill to the Senate when it's clear there is support for a 15 per cent rate. 

The Australian Federal Police say their enquiries into today's protest at Parliament House are ongoing and a number of people have been spoken to.

In a statement, a spokesman said "no charges have been laid at this time". 

Backpacker tax ructions are continuing this afternoon. 

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Treasurer Scott Morrison says the government won't try and get the backpacker tax changes through the Senate just yet.

The government wants to secure commitments from the crossbench that the bill will pass, changing the tax rate paid by backpackers to 15 per cent.

"Unless we can get a clear commitment on 15 per cent then the bill will remain in the house" Mr Morrison said earlier.

Away from the chambers, Labor has been meeting with a delegation from East Timor today. 

Speaking of George Christensen, this preview risks breaking the internet today. 

Queensland backbencher George Christensen has posted a photo of the protest, taken from his seat in Parliament. 

Greens leader Richard Di Natale has accused the government of ignoring calls for an end to offshore immigration detention, leading to today's protest.

"If it takes a number of peaceful protesters to get the government, the opposition and members of the media to pay attention, then we're for it," Dr Di Natale said.

"What other forum is there for people to express their democratic right? The House of Representatives is meant to be the people's house and these protesters have given those people locked up in Australia's detention centres a voice today."

He called for immigration detainees to be brought to Australia. 

 

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My colleague Fergus Hunter reports Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said one of Thursday's protesters was arrested earlier this month for climbing on the roof of his electorate office,

Mr Dutton turned his sights on the "completely outrageous" comments made by Magistrate Trevor Morgan who dealt with the matter, suggesting they encouraged the activist to ratchet up her actions.

"Believe it or not, the magistrate that dealt with the matter in the Petrie Magistrate's Court in Queensland said - after he gave a $100 fine - to the three women that 'if you were my daughters, I'd be proud of the fact that you were up on that roof'," he told Sydney radio station 2GB.

He said the remark showed political bias and the protester "wasn't hearing words of deterrence and she's involved in the activity today".

"I think it's a good question frankly to ask the magistrate in queensland or the chief magistrate how they feel now. What do they believe they were doing in making this political statement in the court."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will be on your television tonight. 

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has told Sky News today's protest was a form of "oppression" over Parliament.

"Of course we are always going to respect people being in the public gallery and occasionally people may even say some things... that's OK, that's always happened," he said. 

"We've reached a stage today... where [Parliament] has had to be shut down. I'm sorry but its unacceptable."

Mr Ciobo said he wouldn't support new glass barriers being added to the public gallery, but suggested alternative security measurers could be needed.

I'm handing over to Tom McIlroy.

You can follow me on Facebook. Thanks for your company today. I'll see you in the morning.

Just when you think things can't get weirder - Jean Claude van Damme will be meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce tomorrow. He wants to build an animal sanctuary in Australia.

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And that's it for question time.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter is being grilled by the opposition over his role in the Bell Group.

He introduces a new pronunciation of Senator Brandis's name: "Brahndis."

It's been a stressful day. Everyone deals with things in their own way.

Ha ha.

Mr Shorten would like Mr Turnbull to "rule out" offering Attorney-General George Brandis the London ambassadorship over the summer break.

Mr Turnbull says he didn't know that Mr Dreyfus's "obsession" was "infectious".

He did not rule it out.

 

Question time gets back to "normal" although MPs are somewhat energised.

Mr Turnbull says that the Australian Federal Police are investigating the leak.

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