Federal Politics

Politics live as same-sex marriage and super haunt Malcolm Turnbull

Pauline Hanson - 20 years on

The One Nation leader has delivered her maiden Senate speech. See how it compares to the one she delivered two decades ago.

The Senate has committed itself to getting through the budget omnibus bill - sitting until it passes.

Labor has already announced it will support the legislation, after negotiations with the government.  So it is all but a done deal.

And that is where we will leave you today.  Stephanie Peatling, Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen will be back with you when Parliament resumes on October 10.

Until then, let's have a look at what we learnt today

A deal has been struck on the super changes - between the government and its own MPs.

And George Christensen is quite possibly the happiest politician  in parliament right now 

Which has made some wonder, given the argument the government has mounted in regards to the plebiscite, whether its 'promises' to the electorate are actually equal

Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson's first speech is still making an impact 

Enjoy the next three weeks and as always, thank you for reading. 

 

Mr Leeser, who also spoke about his Jewish heritage in his speech, said he supports the Prime Minister's position on section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act - that being no change needed - and that section 18d - which protects fair comment - is often forgotten.

On to other maiden speeches, Liberal MP Julian Leeser is on Sky talking about why he decided to share the story of his father's suicide during his.  It was the first time he told the story publicly - and he said he felt he needed to, as he now has access to a "unique platform" to enact change.  He wants to see more people ask "are you contemplating suicide" directly, to help identify those who may need help. The full transcript of his speech can be found here.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Thank you Stephanie.

Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash has explained the hug she gave Pauline Hanson after her maiden speech on Wednesday - where she made mention of the "sheer frustration" of dealing with the family court as contributing to murders as expressing "goodwill".

 

 

Okay, that's it from me.

Amy Remeikis is taking over for a while.

Thanks for your company this week. Don't forget you can follow me on Facebook.

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Question time ends.

Labor's Tony Burke has a cheeky riposte asking what ministerial arrangements are in place for 5pm today. Ahem.

There is a bit of to and fro as to whether a question from Labor's new member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, is in order.

He asks Mr Turnbull if he will talk to Gina Rinehart about the reports she will no longer fund a cancer centre in Darwin because Adam Giles lost the Northern Territory election.

Mr Gosling suggests Mr Turnbull speak to her directly "or through her media representative Sophie Mirabella".

Defence Industries Minister Christopher Pyne is having a moment.

He accuses Labor of "wanting to be sooo 44th parliament". The horror.

He switches track, urging all MPs to work with the government "to make Australia great again".

Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek during question time on Thursday.
Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek during question time on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Turnbull says he is happy for any member of the backbench to take credit for government policies.

"Very often members are too modest to do that," he says.

"All suggestions gratefully received!"

The opposition is pursuing its theme that the changes to superannuation are a humiliating backdown for the Prime Minister.

Au contraire, says Mr Turnbull.

The legislation was good to begin with and now it is even better.

Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek listens as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks during question time on Thursday.
Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek listens as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks during question time on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
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Jazz hands.

Ministers Christopher Pyne and Scott Morrison during question time  on Thursday.
Ministers Christopher Pyne and Scott Morrison during question time on Thursday. Photo: Andrew Meares

The opposition's treasury spokesman, Chris Bowen, is needling Mr Turnbull about superannuation saying he has caved in to the far right of his backbench.

Mr Turnbull says he would expect nothing less from an opposition which didn't even have a superannuation policy for the election.

The opposition spontaneously combusts given it feels it dragged the government to action on super in the first place.

Mr Turnbull has a message for the people.

"With a little less grandstanding, with a little less name-calling, we could achieve great things for Australia."

(Don't forget Parliament rises today for a three week break. It returns on October 10.)

The Prime Minister is keen to talk about his superannuation reforms which, he says, are evidence that the "government is providing the clear economic leadership Australia needs".

"These constitute the most significant reforms to superannuation in a decade...My government has acted. We have made real reform."

He speaks also of the omnibus savings legislation and thanks the opposition for its help.

Treasurer Scott Morrison and LNP MP George Christensen during question time on Thursday.
Treasurer Scott Morrison and LNP MP George Christensen during question time on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Question time - now only ten minutes away.

And the Senate will sit late tonight, for as long as it takes to pass the omnibus savings bill.

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Senator Hanson last night renewed her calls for changes to the Family Court system, claiming children were being used as pawns "in custody battles where women make frivolous claims and believe they have the sole right to the children".

"Children have two parents and until we treat mums and dads with the same courtesy and rights, we will continue to see murders due to sheer frustration, depression and mental illness caused by their unworkable scheme," she said.

Senator Cash is most unhappy with the line of questioning. She tries to turn it back to job figures with a segue on women's employment. But it doesn't work.

"I will never justify the murder of a female or a male. That is unacceptable and especially in situations of domestic violence. I have always maintained that the mere fact that you put 'domestic' in front of the word 'murder' should in no way mitigate the
fact it happened," Senator Cash says.

She can't understand why people would be upset. And then calls an end to the press conference.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash is holding a press conference to discuss the latest job figures which Peter Martin analyses here

She is getting a lot of questions about the photo below.

Senator Cash says "it was a split second in time" and she hugged Senator Hanson out of "good will".

Senator Michaelia Cash hugs Senator Pauline Hanson after her first speech in the Senate on Wednesday.
Senator Michaelia Cash hugs Senator Pauline Hanson after her first speech in the Senate on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares

Pauline Hanson was not the only MP to give her first speech last night.

Also standing up was Julian Leeser, the new Liberal MP for Berowra. He gave a very moving speech about his father's suicide.

Amy Remeikis reports.

Julian Leeser delivers his first speech at Parliament House on Wednesday.
Julian Leeser delivers his first speech at Parliament House on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
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