This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/sep/14/tony-abbotts-leadership-under-pressure-as-mps-gather-politics-live

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tony Abbott's leadership under pressure as MPs gather - politics live Tony Abbott's leadership under pressure as MPs gather – politics live
(34 minutes later)
11.45pm BST23:45
There is an important bill coming up in the Senate, expected today.
It is related to the water trigger. This is the law that gives the federal government powers over large environmental projects like the Adani and Shenhua coalmines, to assess the effect of such projects on water and biodiversity.
The law came in under Labor after the bill was pushed and negotiated by former independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott. You may remember long, long ago, back at the 2013 election, Tony Abbott and environment minister Greg Hunt promised an environmental one-stop shop, which would send that power back to the states. In other words, no federal oversight over mega-projects. The Coalition were overwhelmingly open about this, even though environmental groups and sections of the farming community went nuts. (Technical term.)
So the amendment was drafted but the Senate was not going to wear this particular legislation and it was blocked. It went into a bottom drawer from there, somewhere in a Senate desk, and there it sat. Ticking.
Now it is back on the business paper in the Senate.
Here is what it actually says, in part. The bill:
amends the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in relation to bilateral agreements by providing that:
Updated at 11.57pm BST
11.07pm BST23:0711.07pm BST23:07
While everyone talking about him, Tony Abbott continues his schedule. He is in Adelaide to visit to South Australian Traffic Management Centre and will appear at 8.30am Canberra time. Adelaide spells trouble for the Coalition, where independent senator Nick Xenophon’s plan for world domination is going from strength to strength. I will bring you pictures as soon as they are posted. While everyone is talking about him, Tony Abbott continues his schedule. He is in Adelaide to visit to the South Australian Traffic Management Centre and will appear at 8.30am Canberra time. Adelaide spells trouble for the Coalition, where independent senator Nick Xenophon’s plan for world domination is going from strength to strength. I will bring you pictures as soon as they are posted.
Updated at 11.45pm BST
10.58pm BST22:5810.58pm BST22:58
Good morning political punters, Good morning political punters.
The blossom trees are putting on a show in the national capital this morning as MPs gather in Canberra. A number of tracksuit-clad members could be seen on the way in, taking the airs, as Jane Austen might say. In this highly febrile atmosphere, it is very important to clear the head - if only to get away from the phones. The blossom trees are putting on a show in the national capital this morning as MPs gather in Canberra. A number of tracksuit-clad members could be seen on the way in, taking the airs, as Jane Austen might say. In this highly febrile atmosphere, it is very important to clear the head – if only to get away from the phones.
Just to recap, leadership chatter started again late last week but it was Channel Nine’s Laurie Oakes who added fuel to the fire last night when he reported that Malcolm Turnbull had been both asked to challenge and asked to rule out a challenge by his colleagues.Just to recap, leadership chatter started again late last week but it was Channel Nine’s Laurie Oakes who added fuel to the fire last night when he reported that Malcolm Turnbull had been both asked to challenge and asked to rule out a challenge by his colleagues.
Oakes also reported that Tony Abbott was considering a snap election after the Canning byelection, in theory, to head off any Turnbull challenge. Oakes also reported that Tony Abbott was considering a snap election after the Canning byelection, in theory to head off any Turnbull challenge.
Lenore Taylor reports that Andrew Nikolic demanded Turnbull issue a public statement disavowing any intention of a challenge. Ministers have told her that the current situation is untenable and that a challenge is inevitable.Lenore Taylor reports that Andrew Nikolic demanded Turnbull issue a public statement disavowing any intention of a challenge. Ministers have told her that the current situation is untenable and that a challenge is inevitable.
Mathias Cormann, finance minister and keeper of the lines, is telling Fran Kelly he is not at all distracted by the political noise.Mathias Cormann, finance minister and keeper of the lines, is telling Fran Kelly he is not at all distracted by the political noise.
No, he is not distracted. No, he is not frustrated. No, he is not angry. He is focussed.No, he is not distracted. No, he is not frustrated. No, he is not angry. He is focussed.
I support the leadership team of Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop.I support the leadership team of Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop.
Cormann, is of course, a man of the West and he has been doing his bit in Canning. This morning, an Ipsos poll in Fairfax has a two party-preferred swing in that seat of 9.8% against the government, which is pretty close to the poll by Galaxy over the weekend which had the swing at 10%. The Coalition holds the seat by 11.8%. Cormann, is of course, a man of the west and he has been doing his bit in Canning. This morning, an Ipsos poll in Fairfax has a two-party-preferred swing in that seat of 9.8% against the government, which is pretty close to the poll by Galaxy over the weekend which had the swing at 10%. The Coalition holds the seat by 11.8%.
Cormann is asked whether anyone is talking about Tony Abbott in Canning.Cormann is asked whether anyone is talking about Tony Abbott in Canning.
The mood in the west is very good.The mood in the west is very good.
Which could mean they are talking Abbott. Or not.Which could mean they are talking Abbott. Or not.
On Sky earlier, Cormann says Tony Abbott will be prime minister at the election. On Sky earlier, Cormann said Tony Abbott will be prime minister at the election.
Stick with us. There are some interesting things happening in the parliament itself. Yes, I’m talking about legislation: *drink*Stick with us. There are some interesting things happening in the parliament itself. Yes, I’m talking about legislation: *drink*
So fire up the Twits with me @gabriellechan and that man with the lens @mpbowers.So fire up the Twits with me @gabriellechan and that man with the lens @mpbowers.
Updated at 11.10pm BST Updated at 11.46pm BST