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Version 11 Version 12
Greens vote with government against lowering threshold for donations – politics live Senate voting reform legislation passes after 40 hours of debate – politics live
(35 minutes later)
3.06am GMT
03:06
Q: Do you feel, as Labor is predicting, that this could be akin to the deal the Democrats did with the Howard Liberals – and you’ll suffer accordingly?
Greens leader Richard Di Natale.
No, I don’t obviously. I’ve heard that refrain used I think against all sorts of pieces of legislation that we’ve supported in the past under Bob and Christine. There’s a key difference here. This is a long-held policy position of the Greens that is something we’ve supported for a very longtime. It is something that I think the community understands.
3.04am GMT
03:04
Meanwhile, the Greens are claiming victory on Senate voting reform.
Green senator Lee Rhiannon.
The reform’s in place. We were determined to get it in before the coming election and that’s been achieved. In many ways, the beauty of this is that it’s very simple. Effectively, the only change is that it’s now the voters who will determine their preferences and the change above the line, the change below the line means it will be much easier for the voters.
2.59am GMT
02:59
Looking ahead, the government will shortly announce its intentions on the Safe Schools program.
2.52am GMT
02:52
David Leyonhjelm.
This week, we learnt that there’s no principle that the government, the Greens or Nick Xenophon will not abandon for a few extra seats in parliament. This unholy alliance has raised the bottom rung of the ladder to exclude new parties from the Senate, make it a lot harder for those of us already here.
But the minor – the fightback of the minor parties – starts now.
Updated
at 3.09am GMT
2.49am GMT
02:49
Over in the Mural Hall, David Leyonhjelm and Bob Day are telling reporters they are intending to run candidates in seats at the forthcoming election and preference against the Coalition. They will direct preferences to the ALP.
2.46am GMT
02:46
I’m out of the chamber and back at my desk. Give me a few minutes to work out what I’ve missed and then we’ll push forward.
2.33am GMT2.33am GMT
02:3302:33
That’s it. It’s done. The Greens are ebullient. Hugs all round. The biggest change to Australian voting procedures in three decades. Done.That’s it. It’s done. The Greens are ebullient. Hugs all round. The biggest change to Australian voting procedures in three decades. Done.
2.32am GMT2.32am GMT
02:3202:32
Labor’s Doug Cameron has just pointed to a line of empty seats between the government and the Greens.Labor’s Doug Cameron has just pointed to a line of empty seats between the government and the Greens.
Is that the DMZ?Is that the DMZ?
2.31am GMT2.31am GMT
02:3102:31
A man and his pillow.A man and his pillow.
2.29am GMT2.29am GMT
02:2902:29
In the final count, the lights have just dramatically dimmed in the chamber. Silly erupts. Labor starts yelling about doom and the end of democracy. Everyone is laughing just a little bit loudly. The morning after the sleepover.In the final count, the lights have just dramatically dimmed in the chamber. Silly erupts. Labor starts yelling about doom and the end of democracy. Everyone is laughing just a little bit loudly. The morning after the sleepover.
2.27am GMT2.27am GMT
02:2702:27
Holding on for that final vote.Holding on for that final vote.
2.22am GMT2.22am GMT
02:2202:22
LDP senator David Leyonhjelm.LDP senator David Leyonhjelm.
This dirty little deal between the Greens and the Liberals could easily be called the Rhiannon re-election bill, or the wipe out the minor parties bill.This dirty little deal between the Greens and the Liberals could easily be called the Rhiannon re-election bill, or the wipe out the minor parties bill.
Leyonhjelm says he doesn’t understand why the government has pursued this. He says it will make the management of the senate more difficult. Leyonhjelm says he doesn’t understand why the government has pursued this. He says it will make the management of the Senate more difficult.
It is a no win for everyone.It is a no win for everyone.
Updated
at 3.08am GMT
2.19am GMT2.19am GMT
02:1902:19
Nick Xenophon is sitting down the back with his pillow. Just saying.Nick Xenophon is sitting down the back with his pillow. Just saying.
2.18am GMT2.18am GMT
02:1802:18
Rhiannon can hardly be heard in the chamber over Labor’s mutterings.Rhiannon can hardly be heard in the chamber over Labor’s mutterings.
Labor’s Sam Dastyari.Labor’s Sam Dastyari.
Can someone start playing the music. The wind up music. The Oscars wind up music.Can someone start playing the music. The wind up music. The Oscars wind up music.
Rhiannon says the chamber should pause to remember the contribution of Labor’s John Faulkner to electoral reform.Rhiannon says the chamber should pause to remember the contribution of Labor’s John Faulkner to electoral reform.
Sam Dastyari.Sam Dastyari.
He hates you!He hates you!
2.13am GMT2.13am GMT
02:1302:13
Green senator Lee Rhiannon says the 17th of March is an historic day in Australian politics.Green senator Lee Rhiannon says the 17th of March is an historic day in Australian politics.
It’s the 18th, half the senate screams out. It is, indeed, the 18th. It’s the 18th, half the Senate screams out. It is, indeed, the 18th.
Updated
at 3.08am GMT
2.12am GMT2.12am GMT
02:1202:12
Wong says this is about the Coalition entrenching its dominance of the senate and we all know what that means for working people. Wong says this is about the Coalition entrenching its dominance of the Senate and we all know what that means for working people.
Updated
at 3.08am GMT