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Senate voting legislation will go to parliament today, Turnbull says – politics live Senate voting legislation will go to parliament today, Turnbull says – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.43am GMT
00:43
Di Natale, continuing, in response to ‘what’s in this for you’?
Ultimately, we think what we are doing is good for democracy.
I don’t think it will make a big difference to the Greens’ prospects.
12.42am GMT
00:42
Greens leader Richard Di Natale is speaking to reporters outside. This is all about strengthening the democracy, he says.
I understand that the Labor party – people like Gary Gray, Alan Griffin and many others I’ve spoken to privately want to see reform. They believe that we need to ensure that we have a functioning democracy.
But there are people inside the Labor party who wield their power and influence through these back-room deals. The factional power - the factional operators inside the Labor party who wield their influence as a result of these backroom deals don’t want to see reform. Well, again, we say to them: we live in a democracy. Let’s make sure that people’s vote’s reflected in the ballot box.
Di Natale cites the ABC election analyst Antony Green (who I quoted in the last post).
Antony Green’s made it very clear he doesn’t believe there’s a high likelihood of the Coalition getting control of the Senate.
(What Di Natale doesn’t say is Green has said quite clearly this proposed change will benefit the Coalition’s position, for the reasons he outlined at the tail end of my last post.)
12.34am GMT
00:34
Quick translation of all that
Hmm, the voters, yes. Hmm. Moving forward. Here’s the broad outline.
Here are the main points of the Senate voting reform package the government is proposing, in detail.
Here’s what the Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, is saying about this.
It is vital that Senate voting reform is in place before the next election. The Greens had proposed a series of changes to how the Senate is elected including allowing voters to determine their own preferences when they vote above the line. We understand that the proposed new voting system would instruct voters to number at least six boxes. We are pleased that the bill will end the era of back room party preference deals with the removal of group voting tickets.
Here’s one very quick translation from the ABC’s election analyst, Antony Green, on this issue that Labor is concerned about: that the proposed change will boost the prospect of the Coalition winning control of the Senate. Readers with me since the opening of today’s play will know already that Bill Shorten is reserving his position on this package.
Antony Green:
As long as the Greens are there, Labor will poll fewer votes than the Coalition. At a half Senate election, the Coalition will find it easier to win three seats than Labor because Labor’s vote is lower, and Labor will often find itself competing with the Greens for the same seat, the same final seat. So that’s what the Labor party’s concerned about, the way the voting works they’re more reliant, they will be forced to be more reliant on the Greens in the Senate, where the coalition may end up being able to govern with someone like Nick Xenophon or other crossbenchers.
12.19am GMT
00:19
The prime minister has wrapped up now. Given that all got a bit choppy with the protest, I’ll come back shortly with a stocktake on Senate reform.
12.16am GMT
00:16
Turnbull is asked who are the beneficiaries of this change. He’s back to the voters.
It needs to be done now so that it is in place before the election, whenever that election is held, in the second part of this year. So the time has come to do this, but as to who may be better off, the truth is that the only person, people that will be better off are the voters because their wish will be clearly translated into a parliamentary outcome and surely that’s what this whole mechanism, this great edifice here is designed to translate the will of the Australian people into senators and members of the house – and that’s what this will do – make that translation more transparent and more effective.
12.14am GMT
00:14
The prime minister and Cormann have said the Australian Electoral Commission will explain these changes to voters in the lead up to the election. The changes will also be referred for inquiry to the joint standing committee on electoral matters, with a reporting date of 2 March. The government is proposing to debate the changes in the Senate from 2 March onwards, for “as long as it takes.”
As to election timings?
Malcolm Turnbull:
Well, nothing has changed. I’m working on the assumption that the election will be held at the normal time, which is August/September/October, in that period.
I know there has been speculation about a double dissolution election.
Our aim is to ... persuade the senators to pass the registered organisations bill and indeed to pass the Australian Building Construction Commission legislation, the legislation that would reinstate them.
That’s why we’d urge them to do that.
12.07am GMT12.07am GMT
00:0700:07
It's the voter, stupidIt's the voter, stupid
Malcolm Turnbull, in case we missed it.Malcolm Turnbull, in case we missed it.
I will just make this observation: this is critically important – these changes will advantage only the voter. The only person that will benefit from these changes is the voter.I will just make this observation: this is critically important – these changes will advantage only the voter. The only person that will benefit from these changes is the voter.
Because the voter will determine where their preferences go. So it’s up to the voter.Because the voter will determine where their preferences go. So it’s up to the voter.
12.06am GMT12.06am GMT
00:0600:06
Entirely coincidentally, a rendition of Somewhere, over the Rainbow, down the front.Entirely coincidentally, a rendition of Somewhere, over the Rainbow, down the front.
Sit-in ends with a rendition of "Somewhere over the rainbow". @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/rv79iTKifeSit-in ends with a rendition of "Somewhere over the rainbow". @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/rv79iTKife
12.04am GMT12.04am GMT
00:0400:04
Back to the prime minister, who thinks the crossbenchers need to vote on this issue on the merits, not out of self interest.Back to the prime minister, who thinks the crossbenchers need to vote on this issue on the merits, not out of self interest.
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
We would hope that Senate crossbenchers will vote on legislation on its merits and without regard to whatever they may perceive to be their personal electoral agenda.We would hope that Senate crossbenchers will vote on legislation on its merits and without regard to whatever they may perceive to be their personal electoral agenda.
They are, after all, elected to serve the people of the state or territory from which they’re chosen, and they should act accordingly.They are, after all, elected to serve the people of the state or territory from which they’re chosen, and they should act accordingly.
(They would of course counter that lowering the number of micro parties in the Senate is entirely in the government’s interest. Everyone is pursuing their interest, here.)(They would of course counter that lowering the number of micro parties in the Senate is entirely in the government’s interest. Everyone is pursuing their interest, here.)
12.02am GMT12.02am GMT
00:0200:02
While the prime minister is talking, a protest is underway at the other end of the parliament about children in detention.While the prime minister is talking, a protest is underway at the other end of the parliament about children in detention.
"All children matter", protesters say, referring to children in detention. "Enough is enough." @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/fYNExnDsbn"All children matter", protesters say, referring to children in detention. "Enough is enough." @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/fYNExnDsbn
12.00am GMT12.00am GMT
00:0000:00
A dig at Labor, which as I’ve mentioned, is divided on this question. Gary Gray (shadow special minister of state) is all for it, the Labor Senate leadership is dead against it.A dig at Labor, which as I’ve mentioned, is divided on this question. Gary Gray (shadow special minister of state) is all for it, the Labor Senate leadership is dead against it.
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
There’s been no more forceful advocate of this change than Gary Gray himself. Labor’s spokesman in this area.There’s been no more forceful advocate of this change than Gary Gray himself. Labor’s spokesman in this area.
So this is an important change, it’s an important reform, it’s an important electoral reform. It’s be a important economic reform because it goes to the governance of Australia, our strong economy.So this is an important change, it’s an important reform, it’s an important electoral reform. It’s be a important economic reform because it goes to the governance of Australia, our strong economy.
Our destiny depends on the strength of our democracy. This strengthens it because it gives the power, the choice, back into the hands of voters. Clearly and accountably.Our destiny depends on the strength of our democracy. This strengthens it because it gives the power, the choice, back into the hands of voters. Clearly and accountably.
(I’m glad the government recognises this as a principle. But I can think of several things which also need urgent attention, which won’t get a run today.)(I’m glad the government recognises this as a principle. But I can think of several things which also need urgent attention, which won’t get a run today.)
11.57pm GMT11.57pm GMT
23:5723:57
"The system has been taken advantage of .. ""The system has been taken advantage of .. "
The current system has been gamed, Turnbull says.The current system has been gamed, Turnbull says.
The system has been taken advantage of. There is no doubt about that. The last Senate election was widely criticised. Australians were astonished to see people elected to the Senate whose primary votes were a fraction – in the case of one senator from Victoria – about half of 1% of the vote.The system has been taken advantage of. There is no doubt about that. The last Senate election was widely criticised. Australians were astonished to see people elected to the Senate whose primary votes were a fraction – in the case of one senator from Victoria – about half of 1% of the vote.
(Here’s looking at you, Ricky).(Here’s looking at you, Ricky).
11.56pm GMT11.56pm GMT
23:5623:56
Malcolm Turnbull addresses journalists on Senate reformMalcolm Turnbull addresses journalists on Senate reform
The prime minister has arrived in his courtyard downstairs with the finance minister and special minister of state, Mathias Cormann.The prime minister has arrived in his courtyard downstairs with the finance minister and special minister of state, Mathias Cormann.
Malcolm Turnbull says legislation giving effect to Senate reform will go into the parliament today.Malcolm Turnbull says legislation giving effect to Senate reform will go into the parliament today.
It’s all about empowering the voters, the prime minister says.It’s all about empowering the voters, the prime minister says.
What these changes will do, what they seek to do, is to ensure that Australians, Australian voters, determine where their Senate votes go.What these changes will do, what they seek to do, is to ensure that Australians, Australian voters, determine where their Senate votes go.
11.48pm GMT11.48pm GMT
23:4823:48
We have a prime ministerial press conference coming up in three minutes on Senate reform.We have a prime ministerial press conference coming up in three minutes on Senate reform.
Hang onto your hats – and watch for that spontaneous barricade in the red chamber.Hang onto your hats – and watch for that spontaneous barricade in the red chamber.
11.45pm GMT
23:45
Questions on multinational tax, and on the Newspoll again. (No distractions, people, please.)
Q: Peter Dutton has today said that baby Asha will be sent to Nauru at some point or other, eventually. Do you think that’s appropriate?
Bill Shorten:
What guides Labor are the following principles: when it comes to this little child, we want to make sure that the medical staff and the people who’ve been treating this child, their view should be paramount. The safety of the child has to be paramount.
Shorten goes on to say Labor supports regional processing but the government has to deal with the unacceptable indefinite detention which is occurring to some of the people on Nauru and Manus.
They must take up Labor’s policies of proper oversight. I respect that Papua New Guinea and Nauru are sovereign nations but these people are indirectly in Australia’s care with so we need to make sure they get the highest standard of care. I’m very supportive on a bipartisan basis of this government, if it’s having negotiations with New Zealand or Canada or Philippines or Indonesia, or importantly, Malaysia, if the government can do more to help the regional processing, we will support them 100%. I just wish that the Liberals when they were in opposition had supported Labor’s Malaysia solution, because I’ve got no doubt if they had done that then, there’d be more people alive today.
So we can translate that one too, just as we did Dutton’s formulation earlier on today.
So Shorten is saying put these people in offshore detention, but do it nicely. And hurry on with the resettlement. Slightly more elegant than Dutton, but similarly implausible, given well, lived experience.
Updated
at 11.50pm GMT
11.37pm GMT
23:37
Some questions about Labor’s policy on negative gearing. Shorten has been trying to work up this counterpoint for the last few days – at least since the prime minister went the kerbside beat down on Labor’s negative gearing policy last Friday afternoon.
Bill Shorten:
We want to make sure that Australian home ownership is affordable. I know the Australian dream is for parents to be able to see their children buy their first home. Mr Turnbull thinks it’s for very wealthy investors to acquire taxpayer support to get their fifth, sixth and seventh houses.
Q: Is there modelling of your negative gearing policy. If so, can we see it?
Bill Shorten:
ANU has already released work or they announced work that they’d done over the weekend. Again, I will back up our approach about housing affordability, budget repair, than a government who don’t know what they’re doing.
11.33pm GMT
23:33
Shorten says his job is not to be distracted by opinion polls. (In case you were wondering.)
11.31pm GMT
23:31
To questions now at ANU. First question to Shorten is about Senate reform, will Labor support it?
Bill Shorten:
We will consider the matter when we see the final legislation.
11.30pm GMT
23:30
The Labor leader Bill Shorten is at the ANU, with a couple of frontbench friends – actually several frontbench friends, including the shadow higher education minister Kim Carr, who is talking social justice: not slogans.
11.20pm GMT
23:20
With Senate reform now hurtling down the pipe, I’m just keeping half an eye on the red room to make sure the crossbenchers (the folks outside the government’s sharing circle) don’t suddenly construct a barricade and lock themselves in. Thus far, LDP senator David Leyonhjelm has been droning calmly about plucking a foreign investment goose. Or perhaps it was a tax goose. Poultry before a storm.
11.08pm GMT
23:08
People are still very excitable about that Newspoll, despite my entreaties to be cautious. Here’s another ‘be cautious’ view from Peter Brent, published this morning in the always excellent Inside Story.
It can be summarised as ‘do those preference allocations look right to you?’
Here’s Peter:
One unknown with all these polls, which won’t be revealed until the election, is the reliability of preference allocations based on flows at the last one, in 2013. That’s how the pollsters estimate their two-party-preferred numbers. The 2013 poll was characterised by three unusual things: the Palmer United Party, which seemed to come out of nowhere; a low vote for independents; and an overall independent preference flow that favoured Labor. The latter was primarily due to the results in Denison (from Andrew Wilkie) and Indi (from Cathy McGowan). And PUP has all but disappeared.
Pollsters allocate preferences party by party, and presumably independent preferences are distributed as a block. We don’t know the level of independent support in these polls, as they are lumped with “others,” but it’s fair to assume it is larger than at the last election, and it is highly questionable that most of the people who are telling pollsters they’ll vote independent would really preference Labor ahead of the Coalition.
Yes, it’s possible that the Labor Party could get 50% of the two-party-preferred vote from primary support of only 35 per cent (as Newspoll shows) – but if the Coalition receives 43 and the Greens only 12 (as in Newspoll) it’s very unlikely.
Updated
at 11.57pm GMT
11.01pm GMT
23:01
Both chambers have just been gonged into life. Hello Reps. Hello Senate.
10.58pm GMT
22:58
PM&C officials have been asked by Labor’s senate leader Penny Wong whether advice has been given to the prime minister on the proposed marriage equality plebiscite. The official at the table says advice was given shortly after the prime minister assumed the party leadership. No advice has been given since that time.
10.54pm GMT
22:54
Daniel Hurst
There’s a spillover estimates hearing this morning in the finance committee. David Gruen from the department of prime minister and cabinet on the federation white paper process:
We are working on the reforms. There is no question that involves working up documents. As to what comes of the documents that’s up to government.
Remember that particular white paper/green paper? This was the whole business of reforming the federation to make it work better.
Cost of this process to date? $5m plus.