This was published 12 years ago

Politics Live: February 12, 2014

Updated February 12, 2014 — 5:44pm,first published February 12, 2014 — 9:00am

5.44pm on Feb 12, 2014

"We should not have to wait for the judgment of history."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott greets indigenous advocate Dr Tom Calma during the Closing the Gap morning tea. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

5.40pm on Feb 12, 2014

It's just about that time of day.

But before we head out to enjoy a hard-earned orange juice in the Canberra sunshine, what did we learn?

There is a lot more that needs to be done to Close the Gap. A whole lot more;
History will always have many authors. Particularly if car companies, Treasurers and journalists are involved;
You may not agree with Clive Palmer, but according to him: "that's OK".
However, if you're going to have a dramatic press conference don't time it to coincide with Clive at the Press Club; and
You can have all the iPads you like, but when it comes to political communication, a good ol' note still does the trick. Saves money too.

5.02pm on Feb 12, 2014

Speaking of dud times, Fiona Nash has been defending her chief-of-staff against Labor attacks over that website thingy (see: 3.13pm post).

In the Senate this afternoon, Nash insisted that Alistair Furnival has "no conflict of interest" in the matter and took "proper and appropriate steps".

He simply intervened to get the health food rating website down because he was doing his job (the site wasn't quite ready to go).

A statement today from Australian Public Affairs* points out that Furnival has "drawn no salary, dividend or profit share" from the lobbying firm since he resigned as chairman last September.

The statement also notes (in bold) that:

"Since last September, Australian Public Affairs has not made representations to either Health Minister, their offices, or the Health Department; and has made no representations to any other Minister of the Commonwealth in relation to the Health portfolio."

Does that settle it?

Judging from the number of opposition senators raising the issue this afternoon (Penny Wong, John Faulkner, Jan McLucas, Sue Lines), I don't see Labor letting this one go just yet.

*Australian Public Affairs is headed up by Furnival's wife, Tracy Cain.

4.42pm on Feb 12, 2014

It was the worst of times.

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane during Question Time. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

4.41pm on Feb 12, 2014

It was the best of times ...

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop during a division in the House of Representatives. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

4.41pm on Feb 12, 2014

We now bring you a tale of two emotions from the Coalition frontbench this afternoon:

4.30pm on Feb 12, 2014

In matters legislative, earlier today, the House passed the Migration Amendment Bill.

Labor supported the government's changes, which will see all asylum seekers who are given a negative assessment by ASIO automatically denied a permanent visa.

This strengthens the government's ability to deal with "security threats" and comes in response to recent court and tribunal decisions.

4.15pm on Feb 12, 2014

With the flurry of question time done with, time for a cup of tea and a ponder.

The Age's political editor Michael Gordon has filed a column, thinking about what those Closing the Gap speeches this morning really mean.

As Michael writes, "the reality check" after the uplifting words came quickly.

"After the debate was adjourned, there was an opportunity for the two leaders to seriously connect, either by meaningfully engaging across the despatch box or, better still, by walking to each other and shaking on the sentiments just expressed.

It didn't happen."

Labor frontbenchers Jenny Macklin and Gary Gray went to shake Abbott's hand, "but the lingering impression was of an opportunity lost".