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Senate sits through the night to consider voting reform – politics live Senate sits through the night to consider voting reform – politics live
(35 minutes later)
11.38pm GMT
23:38
The two senate leaders, Penny Wong and George Brandis, are having an amiable chat across the table while the Greens leader Richard Di Natale is on his feet. Wong looks quite pale.
11.29pm GMT
23:29
Shalailah Medhora
Meanwhile, in less sleep-deprived places in parliament house, additional duties worth more than $4m will be applied to foreign steel companies that try to circumvent Australian laws, the industry minister, Christopher Pyne, has announced.
Local producer BlueScope Steel made a complaint to the Anti-Dumping Commissioner against Chinese, Taiwanese and Malaysian companies that changed the composition of steel by adding other elements like boron in order to bypass Australian duties.
Pyne admitted this morning he had not spoken to counterparts in key export country China over the decision to add the additional duties, but rejected suggestions it would strain relations.
“[The steel companies] have breached the Australian rules and we are acting to make sure that they don’t continue to get away with that circumvention,” he said. “So I don’t see how any country, any government, could be disappointed with the Australian government applying the rules.”
Updated
at 11.38pm GMT
11.23pm GMT
23:23
Ok, we’ve snapped down here now.
Jacinta Collins has just deployed one of her favourite phrases. This is legislation by attrition. She notes that it has taken its toll on Senator Rhiannon.
Her comprehension has declined.
The Greens have gone berko, out of their seats.
Green Larissa Waters:
Oh, come ON!
Richard Di Natale has demanded Collins withdraw her disgraceful attribution to Senator Rhiannon.
Collins is asked to withdraw. She says she will withdraw whatever remark the Greens found offensive.
It’s not a complete withdrawal of course. She then repeats the line about comprehension declining. The Greens are pretty cranky right now.
Collins thinks people might be a bit sleep-deprived.
Green Peter Whish-Wilson thinks calling people senile is a bit over the top.
Collins is now furious.
I did NOT say that!
Updated
at 11.34pm GMT
11.17pm GMT
23:17
Given Jacinta Collins is back into Lee Rhiannon’s Stalinism, I have an opportunity to give you some stats on marathon political debates we have known.
Top of the pops was the native title debate in 1997, which ran for 105 hrs 56 mins. That was followed by the GST debate, (68 hrs 54 mins), and the carbon pollution reduction scheme debate (68 hrs 54 mins).
If you’d like the full list, have a look here.
11.10pm GMT
23:10
I need to remind the Senate of senator Rhiannon’s credibility.
Labor’s Jacinta Collins.
We’ve heard this before.
Greens senator Robert Simms.
Updated
at 11.19pm GMT
11.05pm GMT
23:05
Magic Mike and I have just decided to dub the past 35 hours “the festival of over-thinking”. It just felt right.
Updated
at 11.18pm GMT
10.54pm GMT10.54pm GMT
22:5422:54
Just vote one will not be a consequence, this will be an objective!Just vote one will not be a consequence, this will be an objective!
This is Family First senator Bob Day on his feet again.This is Family First senator Bob Day on his feet again.
Labor’s Jacinta Collins says an objective, echoing Day. Senator Rhiannon isn’t listening, Collins observes to Day. Rhiannon is bending over in her seat tending to some papers. She shoots a smile to Collins.Labor’s Jacinta Collins says an objective, echoing Day. Senator Rhiannon isn’t listening, Collins observes to Day. Rhiannon is bending over in her seat tending to some papers. She shoots a smile to Collins.
Another division. People are strolling around the chamber, stretching their legs.Another division. People are strolling around the chamber, stretching their legs.
10.44pm GMT10.44pm GMT
22:4422:44
This is what’s known in the trade as a non-denial denial.This is what’s known in the trade as a non-denial denial.
@murpharoo for the record I'm sure i was probably just checking my phone ;-)@murpharoo for the record I'm sure i was probably just checking my phone ;-)
Given Nick Xenophon’s pyjama antics overnight, a new Twitter account has sprung up: Nick Xenophon’s pillow. It has some advice for the Labor man.Given Nick Xenophon’s pyjama antics overnight, a new Twitter account has sprung up: Nick Xenophon’s pillow. It has some advice for the Labor man.
@samdastyari @murpharoo wake up mate@samdastyari @murpharoo wake up mate
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.02pm GMTat 11.02pm GMT
10.39pm GMT10.39pm GMT
22:3922:39
I’ve come down to the chamber rather than watch the live feed just to get a sense of how the senators are faring. They look surprisingly good. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young is slightly slumped over. Crossbencher John Madigan is sitting on a diagonal.I’ve come down to the chamber rather than watch the live feed just to get a sense of how the senators are faring. They look surprisingly good. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young is slightly slumped over. Crossbencher John Madigan is sitting on a diagonal.
Ricky Muir confesses he’s running out of puff. He’s moving a block of amendments together. Mathias Cormann is a machine. He’s run this show all night, and looks like he could front up for another all-nighter. He just leapt out of his seat to get the call, like a rocket.Ricky Muir confesses he’s running out of puff. He’s moving a block of amendments together. Mathias Cormann is a machine. He’s run this show all night, and looks like he could front up for another all-nighter. He just leapt out of his seat to get the call, like a rocket.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.03pm GMTat 11.03pm GMT
10.29pm GMT10.29pm GMT
22:2922:29
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Greens senator Scott Ludlam has told Guardian Australia the Senate reform debate has started running at regular pace.Greens senator Scott Ludlam has told Guardian Australia the Senate reform debate has started running at regular pace.
“It’s incredibly elastic – it could be over in 20 minutes without a gag or it could run until Tuesday. It’s entirely up to the mood. If you forced me to make a prediction I’d say we’ll close this out about 11am”.“It’s incredibly elastic – it could be over in 20 minutes without a gag or it could run until Tuesday. It’s entirely up to the mood. If you forced me to make a prediction I’d say we’ll close this out about 11am”.
After Senate reform there are six or seven uncontroversial bills, but senators may choose to speak on them all the same.After Senate reform there are six or seven uncontroversial bills, but senators may choose to speak on them all the same.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.01pm GMTat 11.01pm GMT
10.18pm GMT10.18pm GMT
22:1822:18
Labor’s Sam Dastyari, fading fast.Labor’s Sam Dastyari, fading fast.
If you want a micro nap @samdastyari don't sit behind the person with the call #HotTip pic.twitter.com/AOJTw1ysMqIf you want a micro nap @samdastyari don't sit behind the person with the call #HotTip pic.twitter.com/AOJTw1ysMq
10.10pm GMT
22:10
AAP reports the independent senator Jacqui Lambie has raised the white flag, calling it quits on the marathon session in the upper house, saying she had an appointment to meet with workers instead.
Jacqui Lambie:
It’s a done deal. There’s nothing more for me to say ... so I’m getting on with the job.
Crossbench colleagues are persisting. Family First senator Bob Day is speaking to amendments now.
Updated
at 10.43pm GMT
10.05pm GMT
22:05
Your mother was a huckster, and your father smelt of elderberry.
9.55pm GMT
21:55
Top of the pops from overnight
Shalailah Medhora
As Murph mentioned a bit earlier, I’ve been compiling the best lines from the debate overnight. Here’s my picks.
Labor’s Doug Cameron quoting Monty Python’s The Holy Grail
You empty-headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction.
Special minister of state, Mathias Cormann
If you still want to be here on Easter Friday, on Good Friday, that’s fine. Let’s be here on Easter Friday, we will be here until this legislation is dealt with.
Labor’s Glenn Sterle.
[Slurring] I never thought I would ever miss senators Milne and Brown. I know what I’ve just said, and I can assure you I’m stone-cold sober. I am so glad that Senator Di Natale, in between turtleneck shoots, is in the chamber. Because the previous doctor Di Natale will be able to correct me if I’m wrong on a certain medical procedure. I’m actually witnessing in my mind, a political colonoscopy ... I’ve actually had one. And I was wide awake, so I really get this. How brave is that? Wide awake, because I did not want to wake up with them doctors giving me a surprise, in the area that they were saying.
Cormann, interjecting:
I know this at times can sometimes be a wide-ranging debate, but I’m not sure how Senator Sterle’s colonoscopy relates to the amendment before the chair.
Labor’s Glenn Sterle, to Cormann:
Don’t give me orders, you big Belgian waffle!
Independent senator Nick Xenophon on ABC Radio
When one of the senators, my good friend Senator Sterle from the Labor party gets up and tries to draw comparisons with colonoscopies ... we’ve literally hit rock bottom.
Labor’s Stephen Conroy
First past the post voting is what you’re introducing, and you know it.
Labor’s Penny Wong
The Liberal lap dog that is Senator Di Natale ... has done a deal.
Labor’s Stephen Conroy to an unspecified Coalition senator
Tony Abbott would be proud of you with your sloganeering on this issue ... You are a proud Abbott warrior.
Stephen Conroy to Greens leader, Richard Di Natale
I haven’t finished. Sit down. This isn’t the Wiggles.
Updated
at 10.39pm GMT
9.42pm GMT
21:42
The debate has entered its 35th hour.
9.41pm GMT
21:41
On twitter, reader David Lamb asks me this.
Q: Obviously a huge amount going on, but can you articulate what Labor hopes to achieve by pressing debate on a foregone conclusion?
Utterly reasonable question.
Labor wants voters to take away two messages from this filibuster:
9.35pm GMT
21:35
Down in the chamber, Labor senator Jacinta Collins, is objecting to senator Ian Macdonald verbalising behind her. She then gets cranky with the Greens. She says the Greens have complained during the night that Labor is looking at them, so perhaps they’ll understand the pressures associated with trying to speak while Ian Macdonald is sitting behind you, verbalising.
Jacinta Collins:
Yes I am cranky.
Bravely, from the chair, Labor’s Gavin Marshall implores Macdonald to be quiet. First time for everything I imagine.
Collins is now objecting to legislation being rammed through the parliament at lightning speed. The Greens crack up at that.
9.27pm GMT
21:27
Conroy has popped by ABC24.
One of the reasons that people got a bit short last night was Mathias Cormann, the minister, would sit there and when Ricky Muir asked him a question or Bob Day or Penny Wong or Jacinta Collins or myself ask him questions, he would sit there and shrug – he wouldn’t even stand up and do the courtesy of answering questions.
So things did get short and colourful last night, but they [the government] are defacto introducing a first pass the post voting system for the Senate. You can just vote one, advocate to just vote one, no consequences and you will see 3.4m Australians disenfranchised – their votes will not be used ultimately to determine who gets elected to the Senate. You will get 75% of Australians electing 100% of the senators.
That’s a voting rort, that’s not Senate electoral reform.
9.18pm GMT
21:18
The first Labor amendment has been defeated. Family First senator Bob Day is now moving a similar amendment which deals with the timing the new voting regime takes effect. That will be defeated too.
9.13pm GMT
21:13
I’m sorry if I’m slurring my words. No alcohol has been involved.
Nick Xenophon, doing the soft shoe after Conroy in the ABC studios.
9.10pm GMT
21:10
Meanwhile, the life-affirming aroma of coffee wafts from Aussie's along the corridors of power...