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| Tony Abbott faces worsening polls and same-sex marriage bill – parliament live | Tony Abbott faces worsening polls and same-sex marriage bill – parliament live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.18am AEST02:18 | |
| Q: Do you recall Dyson Heydon being on your selection panel for the Rhodes scholarship? | |
| That’s a long time ago and the idea that I gather is being peddled that somehow he and I cooked up a a conspiracy 34 years ago against the Labor Party is absurd. | |
| 11.17am AEST02:17 | |
| Tony Abbott is still not ruling out a referendum as opposed to a plebiscite on same sex marriage. | |
| It should be a people’s choice. This is something that has been the way it currently is for thousands of year, hundreds of years, it’s a very big decision to make a change like this. | |
| 11.16am AEST02:16 | |
| Question to Abbott: “You’ve made a conscious decision to be here tackling a quite separate issue this morning, at the very time that Warren Entsch an MP of yours is pressing ahead and introducing the same-sex legislation. What should we read from that about your views and your priorities? | |
| Obviously my priority is jobs growth and community safety. | |
| 11.15am AEST02:15 | |
| Abbott is asked about same sex marriage and he repeats the “all things to all men and women” formula. | |
| 11.13am AEST02:13 | |
| Jobs, growth and community safety are the talking points. | |
| Jobs, growth and community safety. | |
| Every day the work of government goes on. | |
| Jobs and investment. | |
| What was the question? | |
| 11.13am AEST02:13 | |
| Abbott is asked, isn’t ice policing an area for states, given it involves policing? | |
| This is an area where the commonwealth is inevitably involved because whenever these sorts of matters are raised the states usually expect national leadership. | |
| 11.10am AEST02:10 | |
| Assistant health minister Fiona Nash had a few words on the need to tackle the ice scourge. | |
| Tony Abbott then reiterates the announceables in past days, including “dob in a dealer” and another $18m to gather criminal intelligence. | |
| Abbott says in 2013 in Victoria, there were 39 ice-related road fatalities as opposed to 24 alcohol-related road fatalities, | |
| so ice seem to be doing more damage on our roads, killing more people on our roads than alcohol. | |
| 11.03am AEST02:03 | |
| only front bench present as Warren Entsch presents #SSM bill @cpyne & @TurnbullMalcolm @GuardianAus @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/FFS4CHdP5J | |
| 11.02am AEST02:02 | |
| And up comes Michael Keenan, justice minister, and Tony Abbott, prime minister, pushing same sex marriage supporters off the 24 hour news channels. | |
| Job done. | |
| 11.00am AEST02:00 | |
| C’est la vie. | |
| Warren Entsch is congratulated after introducing #SSM bill @GuardianAus @gabriellechan #politicslive pic.twitter.com/2JOWWoTxkF | |
| Beautiful pics from Mike Bowers from the chamber. | |
| 10.58am AEST01:58 | |
| Warren Entsch rejects the notion he has not been ‘played’ on the same sex marriage bill by his own team. | |
| If we can continue the public debate as we have with the seven of us that have co-sponored the bill...we will have a far better outcome for it. | |
| He is disappointed the Coalition did not allow a free vote. He remains unsure on the numbers even with a free vote in the conservatives. He would like to see a plebiscite as soon as possible but not around an election. | |
| The nastiness of both sides, the extremes of both sides, tends to come out and we really don’t want that. | |
| He says there is a cost for a plebiscite but if people want a free vote, that is the cost of democracy. | |
| 10.53am AEST01:53 | |
| See something. Hear something. Say something. | |
| Man with purple gloves now testing the drug. Will let you know if it's ice @AFPmedia #auspil pic.twitter.com/bhvTqxnLc8 | |
| 10.52am AEST01:52 | |
| The Avengers. | |
| 10.44am AEST01:44 | 10.44am AEST01:44 |
| Morrison on Turnbull: "I'm not his keeper, he's not mine". | Morrison on Turnbull: "I'm not his keeper, he's not mine". |
| Lenore Taylor | Lenore Taylor |
| Lenore Taylor has come up with the Hadley-Morrison: | Lenore Taylor has come up with the Hadley-Morrison: |
| Macquarie radio’s Ray Hadley gave social services minister Scott Morrison more than the usual serving of free advice when the pair had their weekly chat this morning. | Macquarie radio’s Ray Hadley gave social services minister Scott Morrison more than the usual serving of free advice when the pair had their weekly chat this morning. |
| According to Hadley, the Fairfax Ipsos poll, which shows 41 per cent of voters prefer Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader over Tony Abbott’s 21 per cent, is actually proof that Turnbull is “unelectable”. | According to Hadley, the Fairfax Ipsos poll, which shows 41 per cent of voters prefer Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader over Tony Abbott’s 21 per cent, is actually proof that Turnbull is “unelectable”. |
| Hadley’s analysis the coalition’s election-losing position in the polls (Labor is ahead in two party preferred terms by 54 per cent to 46 per cent) is all because Turnbull has been behaving like a “petulant child”. Things would immediately improve for the Abbott government, according to Hadley, if Turnbull would just “pull his head in.” | Hadley’s analysis the coalition’s election-losing position in the polls (Labor is ahead in two party preferred terms by 54 per cent to 46 per cent) is all because Turnbull has been behaving like a “petulant child”. Things would immediately improve for the Abbott government, according to Hadley, if Turnbull would just “pull his head in.” |
| Morrison declined to agree or disagree with Hadley, saying of Turnbull: | Morrison declined to agree or disagree with Hadley, saying of Turnbull: |
| I’m not his keeper, he’s not mine.” | I’m not his keeper, he’s not mine.” |
| Morrison, who began the post-party room public Cabinet stoush over the way forward on gay marriage with an interview pushing the idea of a constitutional referendum, said he would be “focussed on the things that matter to the Australian people, and that’s jobs”. | Morrison, who began the post-party room public Cabinet stoush over the way forward on gay marriage with an interview pushing the idea of a constitutional referendum, said he would be “focussed on the things that matter to the Australian people, and that’s jobs”. |
| 10.36am AEST01:36 | 10.36am AEST01:36 |
| Warren Entsch concludes: | Warren Entsch concludes: |
| As I said earlier, marriage equality does bring out very strong emotions right across the spectrum of viewpoints in our society. However this issue progresses in the coming months and years, we need to continue to aim for a high standard of dialogue, and to deal with this issue with the respect, patience and dignity it deserves. I commend this Bill to the House. | As I said earlier, marriage equality does bring out very strong emotions right across the spectrum of viewpoints in our society. However this issue progresses in the coming months and years, we need to continue to aim for a high standard of dialogue, and to deal with this issue with the respect, patience and dignity it deserves. I commend this Bill to the House. |
| 10.35am AEST01:35 | 10.35am AEST01:35 |
| Warren Entsch introduces #SSM bill surrounded by cross party support & front benchers @cpyne & @TurnbullMalcolm pic.twitter.com/J5O57zWjX8 | Warren Entsch introduces #SSM bill surrounded by cross party support & front benchers @cpyne & @TurnbullMalcolm pic.twitter.com/J5O57zWjX8 |
| 10.33am AEST01:33 | 10.33am AEST01:33 |
| Warren Entsch is outlining all the people’s stories that have touched him over the years. | Warren Entsch is outlining all the people’s stories that have touched him over the years. |
| I have also received strong support from a retired Anglican Bishop who is very aware of the pressures that face young people in the Christian community. | I have also received strong support from a retired Anglican Bishop who is very aware of the pressures that face young people in the Christian community. |
| He said: | He said: |
| “I’ve been a bishop for 30 years, a priest for 60, and of my four sons, two are gay. | “I’ve been a bishop for 30 years, a priest for 60, and of my four sons, two are gay. |
| “I’ve been very much aware of the attitude as it’s been over the past 60 years towards homosexuals. Being in the church, I’ve seen such a lot of nonsense put forward in the name of Christianity.” | “I’ve been very much aware of the attitude as it’s been over the past 60 years towards homosexuals. Being in the church, I’ve seen such a lot of nonsense put forward in the name of Christianity.” |
| Updated at 10.34am AEST | Updated at 10.34am AEST |
| 10.31am AEST01:31 | 10.31am AEST01:31 |
| Warren Entsch: | Warren Entsch: |
| As a young man in rural Queensland, it was quite enlightening as I came to realise that a person’s sexuality is not a lifestyle choice. | As a young man in rural Queensland, it was quite enlightening as I came to realise that a person’s sexuality is not a lifestyle choice. |
| I had an experience where a friend of mine transitioned from being male to female. | I had an experience where a friend of mine transitioned from being male to female. |
| Her courage in taking this step in the 1970s left a lasting impression on me, while highlighting the futility of the ‘nature vs nurture’ argument. | Her courage in taking this step in the 1970s left a lasting impression on me, while highlighting the futility of the ‘nature vs nurture’ argument. |
| As she herself said to me, “There was certainly never a ‘straighter’ family/community than the one I was born into…. | As she herself said to me, “There was certainly never a ‘straighter’ family/community than the one I was born into…. |
| “For the sake of those families that differ in composition to the prime minister’s ideal, I hope you are successful in your campaign.” | “For the sake of those families that differ in composition to the prime minister’s ideal, I hope you are successful in your campaign.” |
| 10.29am AEST01:29 | 10.29am AEST01:29 |
| Malcolm Turnbull arrives in the chamber. | Malcolm Turnbull arrives in the chamber. |
| Entsch continues. | Entsch continues. |
| Much of the evolution in our societal norms comes about through greater understanding. | Much of the evolution in our societal norms comes about through greater understanding. |
| Many aspects of tradition that were seen as ‘usual practice’ 50 or 100 years ago are today clearly unthinkable. | Many aspects of tradition that were seen as ‘usual practice’ 50 or 100 years ago are today clearly unthinkable. |
| As a progressive society, we need to continue to make appropriate changes to our legislation over time. | As a progressive society, we need to continue to make appropriate changes to our legislation over time. |
| We live in a modern society where women and indigenous people have equal right to vote, mixed-race marriages are acceptable and being gay is not something to be ashamed of. | We live in a modern society where women and indigenous people have equal right to vote, mixed-race marriages are acceptable and being gay is not something to be ashamed of. |
| We believe that when it comes to marriage equality, that time is now. | We believe that when it comes to marriage equality, that time is now. |
| 10.27am AEST01:27 | 10.27am AEST01:27 |
| Entsch begins thanking all of the co-sponsors including staffers and Rodney Croome. He lays out what the bill does not do as well as what it does do. | Entsch begins thanking all of the co-sponsors including staffers and Rodney Croome. He lays out what the bill does not do as well as what it does do. |
| It does not establish a hierarchy or ranking system pitting a marriage between a same-sex couple above that of a heterosexual couple or vice versa. | It does not establish a hierarchy or ranking system pitting a marriage between a same-sex couple above that of a heterosexual couple or vice versa. |
| It provides absolute protection of religious freedoms not just in observance of s.116 of the Constitution, but because you cannot replace one form of prejudice and discrimination with another. | It provides absolute protection of religious freedoms not just in observance of s.116 of the Constitution, but because you cannot replace one form of prejudice and discrimination with another. |
| The main purpose of this Bill is not a complex one – it is to give same-sex couples in Australia the same right to marry the person they love as that which is currently only granted by law to heterosexual couples. | The main purpose of this Bill is not a complex one – it is to give same-sex couples in Australia the same right to marry the person they love as that which is currently only granted by law to heterosexual couples. |
| 10.24am AEST01:24 | 10.24am AEST01:24 |
| Marriage legislation amendment bill 2015 presented | Marriage legislation amendment bill 2015 presented |
| Warren Entsch is now presenting the marriage legislation amendment bill 2015 to the house on behalf of his co-sponsors. | Warren Entsch is now presenting the marriage legislation amendment bill 2015 to the house on behalf of his co-sponsors. |
| 10.23am AEST01:23 | 10.23am AEST01:23 |
| #firstworldproblems | #firstworldproblems |
| Scott Morrison has been asked about the Human Rights Commission’s criticism of the government’s attempt to end parents claiming employer and government paid parental leave. | Scott Morrison has been asked about the Human Rights Commission’s criticism of the government’s attempt to end parents claiming employer and government paid parental leave. |
| It’s certainly a first world issue, let’s put it that way. It’s a first world issue, and I think that people have more deep concerns about this and what we’re doing is ensuring our welfare system is well-targeted and focused on those most in need. | It’s certainly a first world issue, let’s put it that way. It’s a first world issue, and I think that people have more deep concerns about this and what we’re doing is ensuring our welfare system is well-targeted and focused on those most in need. |
| 10.14am AEST01:14 | 10.14am AEST01:14 |
| Things are moving along here. | Things are moving along here. |
| Broadcaster Ray Hadley has been trying to help leadership aspirant and right hard man Scott Morrison by dumping on putative leadership candidate Malcolm Turnbull. | Broadcaster Ray Hadley has been trying to help leadership aspirant and right hard man Scott Morrison by dumping on putative leadership candidate Malcolm Turnbull. |
| Ray Hadley has asked Scott Morrison to have a "Chinese dinner" with Malcolm Turnbull tonight to “pull his head in" | Ray Hadley has asked Scott Morrison to have a "Chinese dinner" with Malcolm Turnbull tonight to “pull his head in" |
| I will double back to that once I have sighted the Hadley-Morrison conversation. | I will double back to that once I have sighted the Hadley-Morrison conversation. |
| In the meantime, Denis Jensen is going through some delegation reports, ahead of the Entsch bill. | In the meantime, Denis Jensen is going through some delegation reports, ahead of the Entsch bill. |
| The co-sponsors of that bill will not be put off by the prime minister’s national security photo op. Even if they do have cute police dogs. Because they have announced they will address the media following Warren Entsch’s speech on the bill. The co-sponsors include: | The co-sponsors of that bill will not be put off by the prime minister’s national security photo op. Even if they do have cute police dogs. Because they have announced they will address the media following Warren Entsch’s speech on the bill. The co-sponsors include: |
| Entsch will not be swayed. | Entsch will not be swayed. |
| 9.59am AEST00:59 | 9.59am AEST00:59 |
| As the bells ring for the house, and Warren Entsch straightens his tie to take his same-sex marriage bill to the chamber, take note that the national security smokescreen has been released. Tony Abbott will appear at exactly the same time at the Australian federal police headquarters training facility in Canberra. | As the bells ring for the house, and Warren Entsch straightens his tie to take his same-sex marriage bill to the chamber, take note that the national security smokescreen has been released. Tony Abbott will appear at exactly the same time at the Australian federal police headquarters training facility in Canberra. |
| Updated at 10.18am AEST | Updated at 10.18am AEST |
| 9.55am AEST00:55 | 9.55am AEST00:55 |
| A Senate committee led by Labor’s Sam Dastyari dropped a report this morning on multinational tax avoidance, which recommends “naming and shaming” companies and forcing the disclose of all tax avoidance settlements above $100m. | A Senate committee led by Labor’s Sam Dastyari dropped a report this morning on multinational tax avoidance, which recommends “naming and shaming” companies and forcing the disclose of all tax avoidance settlements above $100m. |
| Dastyari says community pressure counts for a lot. | Dastyari says community pressure counts for a lot. |
| It does two things – it allows consumers and voters to demand action from government and, secondly, these companies do care about their reputations and they do care about their market share and exposing some of the worst practices, I believe, puts a lot more community pressure on these companies and I think it’s the right way to go. | It does two things – it allows consumers and voters to demand action from government and, secondly, these companies do care about their reputations and they do care about their market share and exposing some of the worst practices, I believe, puts a lot more community pressure on these companies and I think it’s the right way to go. |
| Joe Hockey says it’s not necessary as the government is all over it. | Joe Hockey says it’s not necessary as the government is all over it. |
| Well, actually the report hasn’t been released, although I note that some media outlets have it which is extraordinary breach of the Senate rules, but we’ll see where that goes. | Well, actually the report hasn’t been released, although I note that some media outlets have it which is extraordinary breach of the Senate rules, but we’ll see where that goes. |
| Secondly, Senator Dastyari should be aware that in December, all companies that have a taxable income over $100m have to disclose how much tax they pay in Australia. | Secondly, Senator Dastyari should be aware that in December, all companies that have a taxable income over $100m have to disclose how much tax they pay in Australia. |
| Thirdly, in the middle of my budget speech, I actually tabled a draft bill to crackdown on multinationals that are not paying their fair share of tax in Australia, and that is being rolled out and in the next sitting fortnight I will introduce that bill, and that’s in partnership with the United Kingdom, but also we are taking a global lead in going after 30 primarily offshore-based companies that are not paying their fair share of tax. | Thirdly, in the middle of my budget speech, I actually tabled a draft bill to crackdown on multinationals that are not paying their fair share of tax in Australia, and that is being rolled out and in the next sitting fortnight I will introduce that bill, and that’s in partnership with the United Kingdom, but also we are taking a global lead in going after 30 primarily offshore-based companies that are not paying their fair share of tax. |
| And finally we have more resources allocated in the Australian taxation office that has already delivered a dividend of $400m extra tax revenue, going after multinationals and not paying their fair share. | And finally we have more resources allocated in the Australian taxation office that has already delivered a dividend of $400m extra tax revenue, going after multinationals and not paying their fair share. |
| The thing to note however is the government is trying to exempt rich individuals because it could “adversely affect the privacy and personal security of the ultimate owners and market environments for private companies”. This was contained in the exposure draft of the legislation. | The thing to note however is the government is trying to exempt rich individuals because it could “adversely affect the privacy and personal security of the ultimate owners and market environments for private companies”. This was contained in the exposure draft of the legislation. |
| This would mean that private companies – such as those controlled by the billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart – would be exempt from disclosures that were due to be published by the Australian Tax Office the first time later this year. The new rules applied to entities with an annual turnover of more than $100m. | This would mean that private companies – such as those controlled by the billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart – would be exempt from disclosures that were due to be published by the Australian Tax Office the first time later this year. The new rules applied to entities with an annual turnover of more than $100m. |
| Updated at 10.18am AEST | Updated at 10.18am AEST |
| 9.20am AEST00:20 | 9.20am AEST00:20 |
| Just on that Ipsos poll, a quick take from Joe Hockey. He was asked on ABC AM whether he was concerned at the numbers ... | Just on that Ipsos poll, a quick take from Joe Hockey. He was asked on ABC AM whether he was concerned at the numbers ... |
| Well, we’ve got to focus on policy, we’ve got to focus on what really matters to 100% of the Australian population, and that is jobs and growth and community security, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re focusing. We’ve got to focus on the things that matter to everyday Australians. | Well, we’ve got to focus on policy, we’ve got to focus on what really matters to 100% of the Australian population, and that is jobs and growth and community security, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re focusing. We’ve got to focus on the things that matter to everyday Australians. |
| The numbers ring true according to my experience in the past week of Main Street Small Town. My totally unscientific finding is that people are frustrated at what they consider are political “games”. There is a feeling that the voters are working to keep their heads above water while pollies are working the system to their own personal and party advantage. That is, Australia continues on in spite of government rather than because of it. | The numbers ring true according to my experience in the past week of Main Street Small Town. My totally unscientific finding is that people are frustrated at what they consider are political “games”. There is a feeling that the voters are working to keep their heads above water while pollies are working the system to their own personal and party advantage. That is, Australia continues on in spite of government rather than because of it. |
| On same-sex marriage, in my very conservative electorate, most people I talk to actually don’t care. There is a small group who are opposed but most just want government to “get on with it” and allow same-sex marriage in order to move on. | On same-sex marriage, in my very conservative electorate, most people I talk to actually don’t care. There is a small group who are opposed but most just want government to “get on with it” and allow same-sex marriage in order to move on. |
| Or “focus on the things that matter”, as Hockey would say. | Or “focus on the things that matter”, as Hockey would say. |
| Ipsos also confirmed the increasing support for same sex marriage in the electorate – 69 in favour – 25 against. | Ipsos also confirmed the increasing support for same sex marriage in the electorate – 69 in favour – 25 against. |
| Like I said, lumbering on in spite of government rather than because of it. | Like I said, lumbering on in spite of government rather than because of it. |
| Updated at 10.17am AEST | Updated at 10.17am AEST |
| 8.54am AEST23:54 | 8.54am AEST23:54 |
| The same-sex marriage bill will come into the house at 10am as soon as it sits. The plebiscite/referendum will be discussed in cabinet though we are still trying to confirm whether a definite proposal will be put. | The same-sex marriage bill will come into the house at 10am as soon as it sits. The plebiscite/referendum will be discussed in cabinet though we are still trying to confirm whether a definite proposal will be put. |
| Updated at 10.15am AEST | Updated at 10.15am AEST |
| 8.51am AEST23:51 | 8.51am AEST23:51 |
| Now back to George Brandis, he of the striped jumper. He was on Sky at the weekend, bollocking “vigilante” environmentalists such as those who challenged the federal government’s Adani Carmichael coalmine. Brandis told Sky the “people who challenged this are people who are determined to wipe out Queensland’s biggest industry, the coal industry’’. | Now back to George Brandis, he of the striped jumper. He was on Sky at the weekend, bollocking “vigilante” environmentalists such as those who challenged the federal government’s Adani Carmichael coalmine. Brandis told Sky the “people who challenged this are people who are determined to wipe out Queensland’s biggest industry, the coal industry’’. |
| I think the Adani case has shown why it’s very important that the courts not be used as a forum for vigilante litigation by people whose aim is to game the system, who have no legitimate interest other than to prosecute a political vendetta against development and bring massive developments, on which in this case some 2600 jobs depended, to a standstill. | I think the Adani case has shown why it’s very important that the courts not be used as a forum for vigilante litigation by people whose aim is to game the system, who have no legitimate interest other than to prosecute a political vendetta against development and bring massive developments, on which in this case some 2600 jobs depended, to a standstill. |
| He wants changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to stop game playing. | He wants changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to stop game playing. |
| And no government can stand in the way — can sit idly by and let people do that. | And no government can stand in the way — can sit idly by and let people do that. |
| 8.37am AEST23:37 | 8.37am AEST23:37 |
| Laura Tingle has written a short but scathing analysis to go with the Ipsos polling. She says the nervousness in the Coalition ranks stems from the increasing standing of Bill Shorten, who was long considered unelectable by the government. The Coalition has had a kind of “she’ll be right” attitude because no one would ever vote for Bill. At this point in the cycle, Shorten leads as preferred prime minster 45 to 39. | Laura Tingle has written a short but scathing analysis to go with the Ipsos polling. She says the nervousness in the Coalition ranks stems from the increasing standing of Bill Shorten, who was long considered unelectable by the government. The Coalition has had a kind of “she’ll be right” attitude because no one would ever vote for Bill. At this point in the cycle, Shorten leads as preferred prime minster 45 to 39. |
| Here is Laura: | Here is Laura: |
| Maybe things have got so bad that voters have actually started to reassess Labor and its leader. | Maybe things have got so bad that voters have actually started to reassess Labor and its leader. |
| Royal commission aside, Labor has begun to construct more of a persona for itself than it previously had. Its push to put renewable energy at the centre of its climate-change strategy, to resolve asylum seeker policy and to (miraculously) end up on the right side of the same-sex marriage debate give it more room to talk than it has had for months. | Royal commission aside, Labor has begun to construct more of a persona for itself than it previously had. Its push to put renewable energy at the centre of its climate-change strategy, to resolve asylum seeker policy and to (miraculously) end up on the right side of the same-sex marriage debate give it more room to talk than it has had for months. |
| At the same time, the prime minister has been painting himself into a corner. He has closed down so many debates on the first-order issues that matter to voters around the economy and jobs – and now has so little room for manoeuvre that it is difficult to see how he extracts himself. | At the same time, the prime minister has been painting himself into a corner. He has closed down so many debates on the first-order issues that matter to voters around the economy and jobs – and now has so little room for manoeuvre that it is difficult to see how he extracts himself. |
| The Coalition party room choked at the idea of removing a first term prime minister in February because they did not want to repeat Labor’s mistakes. MPs have believed that voters would not thank them for that uncertainty. | The Coalition party room choked at the idea of removing a first term prime minister in February because they did not want to repeat Labor’s mistakes. MPs have believed that voters would not thank them for that uncertainty. |
| But that was before things became wild and erratic even without a change of leader. | But that was before things became wild and erratic even without a change of leader. |
| Tingle loops back to more recent history, when the state of a government (Labor) led the public to consider a formerly unelectable leader. The prime minister. Our Tony. | Tingle loops back to more recent history, when the state of a government (Labor) led the public to consider a formerly unelectable leader. The prime minister. Our Tony. |
| Updated at 10.14am AEST | Updated at 10.14am AEST |
| 8.25am AEST23:25 | 8.25am AEST23:25 |
| Warren Entsch has acknowledged his bill has Buckley’s and none. He told ABC he would vote for his bill – which would necessitate crossing the floor but it will not come to that. | Warren Entsch has acknowledged his bill has Buckley’s and none. He told ABC he would vote for his bill – which would necessitate crossing the floor but it will not come to that. |
| His co-sponsor Teresa Gambaro is batting on though, with an opinion piece at SBS on her reasoning for backing the bill. | His co-sponsor Teresa Gambaro is batting on though, with an opinion piece at SBS on her reasoning for backing the bill. |
| After this [2013] election, I surveyed my electorate and found 70% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage. During the 2013 federal election campaign, many people wanted to know what my conscience vote would be on the issue of same-sex marriage. | After this [2013] election, I surveyed my electorate and found 70% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage. During the 2013 federal election campaign, many people wanted to know what my conscience vote would be on the issue of same-sex marriage. |
| At that time, the prime minister also gave an undertaking that any vote on same-sex marriage would come before the Coalition party room for consideration in this term of parliament. | At that time, the prime minister also gave an undertaking that any vote on same-sex marriage would come before the Coalition party room for consideration in this term of parliament. |
| I must admit to being reluctant to “come out” on this issue, but I was very disappointed by the shamelessly divisive way in which many people had sought to exploit the issue for political gain during that campaign. | I must admit to being reluctant to “come out” on this issue, but I was very disappointed by the shamelessly divisive way in which many people had sought to exploit the issue for political gain during that campaign. |
| At that time, like now, I also had many people seek to advise me on the basis of what was either a politically expedient or so-called acceptable position to take. | At that time, like now, I also had many people seek to advise me on the basis of what was either a politically expedient or so-called acceptable position to take. |
| My response to that advice now is as it was then – I will not be bullied into one position or another and I believe in representing people properly, not using them for a political purpose. | My response to that advice now is as it was then – I will not be bullied into one position or another and I believe in representing people properly, not using them for a political purpose. |
| Trickiness will not be tolerated. | Trickiness will not be tolerated. |
| Updated at 10.14am AEST | Updated at 10.14am AEST |
| 8.12am AEST23:12 | 8.12am AEST23:12 |
| Good morning, | Good morning, |
| A rainbow sky dawned this morning on the long and winding road into the nation’s capital. Is it a sign? | A rainbow sky dawned this morning on the long and winding road into the nation’s capital. Is it a sign? |
| Tony Abbott awoke to a Fairfax-Ipsos poll which has the Coalition’s primary support down to 38%, just 2% above Labor with the Greens steady on 16%. Just to give you an idea of the changing terrain, the Coalition polled 46% at the last election. The numbers leave the two-party preferred vote at 54-46 to Labor after a nightmare fortnight for the government, adorned as it was by: | Tony Abbott awoke to a Fairfax-Ipsos poll which has the Coalition’s primary support down to 38%, just 2% above Labor with the Greens steady on 16%. Just to give you an idea of the changing terrain, the Coalition polled 46% at the last election. The numbers leave the two-party preferred vote at 54-46 to Labor after a nightmare fortnight for the government, adorned as it was by: |
| Noted supporter of same sex marriage, Malcolm Turnbull, still leads as preferred Liberal leader and prime minister among all voters on 41%. Julie Bishop is on 23% and Abbott is on just 15%. | Noted supporter of same sex marriage, Malcolm Turnbull, still leads as preferred Liberal leader and prime minister among all voters on 41%. Julie Bishop is on 23% and Abbott is on just 15%. |
| But bear in mind Coalition voters still support Abbott (33%), compared with Turnbull on 25% and Bishop on 23%. | But bear in mind Coalition voters still support Abbott (33%), compared with Turnbull on 25% and Bishop on 23%. |
| Speaking of same-sex marriage, that rainbow sky heralds the introduction of the bill, driven by the government MP Warren Entsch with colleague Teresa Gambaro and Labor’s Terri Butler. But after the aforementioned marathon debate, the bill will not go to a vote, given the party room’s decision. It will be flicked straight to a committee. | Speaking of same-sex marriage, that rainbow sky heralds the introduction of the bill, driven by the government MP Warren Entsch with colleague Teresa Gambaro and Labor’s Terri Butler. But after the aforementioned marathon debate, the bill will not go to a vote, given the party room’s decision. It will be flicked straight to a committee. |
| There is so much more around this morning, including some interesting commentary, attorney general George Brandis’s helpful remarks about the courts and Adani and the race to claim ownership of a multinational tax crackdown. I promise to explain. | There is so much more around this morning, including some interesting commentary, attorney general George Brandis’s helpful remarks about the courts and Adani and the race to claim ownership of a multinational tax crackdown. I promise to explain. |
| Stick with us for the Monday’s events because after last week, no one is game to make predictions as to how it will end. Have a chat below or with @mpbowers and @gabriellechan on the Twits. | Stick with us for the Monday’s events because after last week, no one is game to make predictions as to how it will end. Have a chat below or with @mpbowers and @gabriellechan on the Twits. |
| Updated at 8.26am AEST | Updated at 8.26am AEST |