And that's it from me for today.
You can follow me on Facebook.
My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their excellent work and to you for reading and commenting. We'll speak soon, yes?
And that's it for question time today.
Labor turns its attention to the matter of the Attorney-General, George Brandis.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan has to answer because he represents Senator Brandis in the lower house. Nothing to see here, he says.
It is asking Mr Turnbull more about his position on renewable energy.
Mr Turnbull seems a bit perplexed saying it was always the case that climate policy was to be reconsidered next year.
"Renewable energy is a means to an end," Mr Turnbull says. "The national object...is to meet the Paris targets."
Labor is asking Mr Turnbull about the recent South Australian blackout.
"They treat renewable energy as an ideology issue rather than a technological issue," Mr Turnbull says.
The "political clap trap" needs to be banished "so we can keep the lights on".
Former MPs Bruce Billson and Alannah MacTiernan are in the gallery. It's been five months since they were last here and already they are visiting.
Mr Turnbull is in a buoyant mood. It's a bit of a waste since everyone is talking about politics on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
The first question time is from Opposition leader Bill Shorten to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and refers to a Labor motion about Medicare that was put to the house earlier today.
Mr Turnbull is "happy to have the opportunity" to remind people about the "gross deceit" that was the Mediscare campaign.
We begin with a condolence motion for Shimon Peres.
Now that we've all recovered it's time to consider question time.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull is making a statement to Parliament on racial tolerance.
It's like he doesn't want anyone to know.
Before everyone tunes into the debate here are some other local stories that are doing the rounds:
In an attempt to break free from Trump mania independent MP Andrew Wilkie will introduce a bill to ban foreign donations.
"This is a simple reform, a necessary reform and a popular reform," Mr Wilkie said in a statement.
"It undermines confidence in our political system when campaigns are effectively paid for by big money coming in from overseas. To allow it to continue is entirely at odds with the public interest and in some cases, where foreign governments are involved, it can be a serious threat to our national security."
In about an hour's time the US presidential debate will begin. I KNOW! Things might go a little quiet auspol-wise around then but you can follow our blog of it here.
Interior decorating 101 from Parliament House:
Interior decorating with new cushions for APH Office. What else would you expect from a colour-blind Tory? #auspol pic.twitter.com/XzOiJycJGJ
— James McGrath (@JamesMcGrathLNP) October 9, 2016
Later today the Senate will also debate a Labor motion about the behaviour of Attorney-General George Brandis.
Senator Brandis is locked in an extraordinary brawl with Solicitor-General Justin Gleeson, SC, over a binding direction he issued requiring all ministers, including the Prime Minister, to obtain his written permission before seeking advice from Mr Gleeson.
Labor says Senator Brandis should resign and has misled Parliament, charges Senator Brandis vigorously denies.
Mr Turnbull and Mr Shorten were waiting to sign the condolence book for former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres.
Those awkward auspol feels.
The Coalition is looking forward to chalking up a win on the Country Fire Authority issue that has occupied the minds of Victorians for the past few months.
One Nation will give the Coalition some love on the matter with Pauline Hanson telling ABC radio this morning that "the unions have over stepped the mark here".
There has been a long-running industrial dispute between Victoria's Country Fire Authority and the United Firefighters Union over concerns volunteer firefighters are being marginalised in favour of the professional, unionised workforce.
The same-sex marriage plebiscite will be brought on for debate in the House of Representatives tomorrow and in the Senate on Wednesday.
Labor will make its final decision on the issue at tomorrow morning's meeting of the caucus.
But, as we've noted many times before, it is going to oppose it.
"I've struggled to find anyone who thinks it's a good idea," Mr Shorten said yesterday.
Back to topSearch pagination
1 new post(s) available. View post(s) Dismiss