MP’s ultimatum over CFMEU stoush

Liberal senator Michaelia Cash has issued an ultimatum to the Albanese government, stating the Coalition will not support the government’s Bill to appoint an administrator to the CFMEU unless Labor accepts its 20 amendments.

The changes to the Bill call on the administrator to be appointed for a minimum of three years, report to the parliament every three months, and appear before senate estimates.

It also requires all delegates and officers to pass a “fit and proper person test” before they are able to assume office, and gives the administrator additional rules to deregister the union “if appropriate”.

Speaking prior to her meeting with Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt at 10am, Senator Cash said if the government accepted the 20 “common sense” amendments, Coalition senators would pass the Bill on Wednesday afternoon.

“The Coalition stands here today, ready to help Labor and Mr Albanese clean up a mess of their own making,” she said.

Senator Cash said the Coalition would also be introducing two bills next week, one which aims to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which she described as the “tough cop on the beat”.

A second Bill will focus on “ensuring integrity” within the building and construction sector.

DUTTON CALLS FOR GAZA VISA BAN

Peter Dutton has demanded the Albanese government refuse all visa applications from Gaza, claiming anyone leaving the war-torn Palestinian territory could threaten Australia’s national security.

Coalition MPs wrote to Tony Burke on Tuesday, calling on the newly appointed Home Affairs Minister to tighten visa vetting for applicants from Gaza to ensure they held no rhetorical support for Palestinian militant group Hamas.

But Mr Dutton went a step further.

“I don’t think people should be coming in through that war zone at all at the moment,” the Opposition Leader told Sky News.

“It puts our national security at risk.”

Mr Dutton’s comments come as the government looks to set up a permanent visa scheme for Palestinian refugees.

A visa applicant could be rejected if they are found to have given financial or material support to Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation that has governed Gaza since 2007.

The same vetting process was used when Mr Dutton ran home affairs under the previous Coalition government, as senior government minister Bill Shorten noted when asked by the ABC.

“So if he thinks our current process is no good, then what’s he saying about all the time when he was in charge?” he said.

Education Minister Jason Clare, member for the Western Sydney seat of Blaxland, urged Mr Dutton to visit his community and speak to refugees who have fled Gaza.

“There’s more than a thousand people from Gaza here now,” he said.

“These are people who’ve had their home blown up, who’ve had their school blown up, who’ve had their hospital blown up, in some cases have had their kids blown up, and these are people who are trying to rebuild their lives here in Australia.

“Come and visit them, look them in the eyes and I think that he’ll learn a bit.”

Anthony Albanese also weighed in, telling Sky the Opposition Leader was “always looking to divide” and that he would take pointers from intelligence agencies on national security.

The Prime Minister said all applicants from Gaza were reviewed by ASIO.

TELSTRA AND OPTUS DELAY 3G SHUTDOWN

Telco giants Telstra and Optus have delayed the complete shutdown of the 3G network to October 28, after concerns were raised some 4G phones defaulted to using the 3G network when making emergency calls.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the telco giants and committed to a national public media campaign expected to target 90 per cent of Australians.

Telstra have also said it will begin independent testing in 3G-only areas to ensure there is no loss of coverage as a result of the switchover.

“While I am pleased that customers and businesses now have additional time to prepare for the 3G switchover, I want to encourage all Australians to take action and check if their device could be impacted,” she said.

“The Government remains concerned about a subset of 4G phones configured by the manufacturer to default to 3G for Triple Zero calls, and personal medical alarms that rely on the 3G network.

“This is a sensible move by both major telcos and the Government looks forward to ensuring that all Australians have the opportunity to be informed about what the 3G switchover will mean for them.”

NETWORKS ‘NEVER DONE ME ANY FAVOURS’: SHORTEN

Bill Shorten says he is not batting for media networks following his comments defending their dependency on gambling ad money.

Mr Shorten, who led Labor in opposition for six years, said the commercial channels had “never done me any favours”.

“I’m not arguing in favour of Seven, Nine or Ten as individual corporations,” he said.

“I’ve run for prime minister. I’ve seen how heavy media institutions can pile in.”

The government is expected to propose caps on televised ads despite calls for a total ban.

More to come