Politics Live: Shorten under pressure following pledge to repeal tax cuts for 20,000 businesses

Chinese government intelligence operatives sought to cultivate NSW Labor MP Ernest Wong in Australia and China, according to information gathered by Australian security agencies.

The clandestine operatives did not disclose their ties to Beijing’s intelligence apparatus when they targeted Mr Wong in his role as a politician and NSW community leader. It is understood Australian agencies have evidence of direct dealings between suspected Chinese government intelligence agents and Mr Wong.

A typical aim of intelligence operations is to gather information and gain access to networks using personal relationships and familiarity. Well placed sources say Mr Wong was likely targeted because he is able to open doors to more influential Labor party politicians.

However, there is no suggestion that Mr Wong has ever acted inappropriately or wittingly passed any information on.

There is also no suggestion that Mr Wong, a member of the NSW upper house, ever knew he was being cultivated or targeted by Beijing's agents, although sources aware of sensitive information gathered by national security agencies said he appeared to be the target of a long-term operation.

Read more here. 

Question from SA Liberal Nicolle Flint to Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge. 

Flint asks about policies, including innovative visa programs, to support Australian businesses and jobs. 

Tudge says the government is doing a variety of things to help businesses grow. These includes visas to "attract the best and brightest from around the world". It also includes trade agreements and tax cuts. 

And, with that, Question Time is over. 

Question from Labor MP Julie Owens to Malcolm Turnbull. 

Owens notes sackings at Optus and asks why they deserve a tax cut. 

Turnbull says the government believes in lower taxes but is also ensuring that everyone pays their tax, including multinational companies, through a crackdown on tax avoidance. 

Question from Queensland Liberal Warren Entsch to Trade Minister Steven Ciobo. 

Entsch asks about policies to help Australian tourism. 

Ciobo notes record growth in the industry and says tax cuts will incentivise further investment. 

He says Labor is a threat to that and is "heavily divided and very confused". 

After going into factional issues in the Labor Party, he is actually told to be more relevant by Speaker Tony Smith. A rare occurrence for a Dixer. 

Question from Labor frontbencher Julie Collins to Malcolm Turnbull. 

Collins asks about penalty rate cuts for working people vs tax cuts for large companies. 

Turnbull says Labor has a "job-destroying" stance on tax cuts. He then launches into a long monologue on Ross Hart's interview earlier today.

Question from NSW Liberal Julian Leeser to Craig Laundy. 

Leeser asks about policies to stimulate investment in small businesses. 

Laundy says the Coalition gets that small and medium-sized, family-owned businesses are the backbone of the economy. He says Labor does not understand this. 

Question from Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison. 

Bowen asks if, given risks to the economy, it is the "worst possible time to lock in an $80 billion big business tax cut".

Morrison says the government is bringing down government debt. He says Labor should come clean on its tax plans.