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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/sep/12/malcolm-turnbull-under-pressure-to-fund-both-sides-on-marriage-equality-live

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Malcolm Turnbull under pressure to fund both sides on marriage equality – live Malcolm Turnbull under pressure to fund both sides on marriage equality – live
(35 minutes later)
12.44am BST
00:44
Sean Parnell in the Oz has an interesting story about a proposed crackdown within Medicare. He reports:
The taskforce reviewing the $21 billion Medicare Benefits Schedule is finalising the most sweeping changes in more than a decade to crack down on rebate rorts and protect patients, including restricting GPs ordering powerful scans for back pain and reducing the ­number of colonoscopies and sleep tests.
The MBS Review Taskforce has called for feedback on a series of landmark recommendations from specialist clinical committees established to examine areas as diverse as diagnostic imaging and maternity care.
The new proposals include a requirement for mandatory health testing for pregnant women and new mothers, restrictions on GPs ordering expensive service such as low back scans, and a strict limit on surgeons ­ordering multiple MBS items for a single service.
The Australian Medical Association may have some firm views about this one though:
The committee, tasked with safeguarding Medicare rebates and improving compliance, has called for medical professionals to be required to pass a test on their knowledge of MBS rules and billing requirements before gaining their Medicare provider numbers.
12.31am BST
00:31
Paul Karp
Labor and a group of Greens and independent MPs are going to introduce separate bills for marriage equality into the house of representatives today.
The bills are not materially different which raises the question: why are there two of them? It’s a small sign of the tension between Labor and the Greens as both wish to be seen to lead on progressive issues.The Labor equality spokeswoman, Terri Butler, has told Guardian Australia the opposition is fulfilling its election commitment to introduce a bill for marriage equality within 100 days.
Greens MP Adam Bandt and independents Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan have urged Labor to sign on to its bill because it’s more likely to win government support if it’s a cross-party effort.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whose name appears on the bill, what matters is it gets passed. Now that the issue of equality is firmly on the national agenda, I’m worried that if one party tries to own it, it will fail, Bandt says.
Butler said that it doesn’t matter much, as either bill can be brought on for a vote and there are often two bills or motions seeking to achieve the same thing before parliament.
The Coalition doesn’t want either to be debated or voted on so – barring anything like a repeat of the government losing a procedural vote – they are separate but equally unlikely to progress.
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at 12.38am BST
12.29am BST
00:29
Since we last met, manager of opposition business in the Senate, Sam Dastyari, has fallen on his sword over his request for a payment of a travel debt by the Top Education Institute. He is now a humble backbencher with a propensity to use the underground carpark rather than chancing the media gauntlet at the Senate doors.
The former ACT chief minister, now financial services shadow, Katy Gallagher has just been appointed in his place.
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at 12.38am BST
12.15am BST
00:15
The requirements of members:
Rule number one. Do not miss votes.
Or you will have an unhappy PM.
12.09am BST12.09am BST
00:0900:09
There is a special Coalition party room meeting this morning to impress on MPs and senators how important it is to turn up to vote. The notice from the chief Coalition whip Nola Marino has fallen off the back of a truck. Her bolding, not mine.There is a special Coalition party room meeting this morning to impress on MPs and senators how important it is to turn up to vote. The notice from the chief Coalition whip Nola Marino has fallen off the back of a truck. Her bolding, not mine.
Dear Members and staff,Dear Members and staff,
There will be a meeting of Liberal and National Members of the House of Representatives at 9am on Monday 12 September in the Government Partyroom. The meeting is to inform Members about requirements of Members when the House is sitting.There will be a meeting of Liberal and National Members of the House of Representatives at 9am on Monday 12 September in the Government Partyroom. The meeting is to inform Members about requirements of Members when the House is sitting.
At 9:30 also in the Government Partyroom, there will be a meeting of the staff of Liberal and National Members of the House of Representatives. At least one member of staff must attend from each office but all staff and Members are welcome, passes will be checked at the door. The meeting is to inform staff about requirements of their Members when the House is sitting and the responsibilities of staff when the House is sitting.At 9:30 also in the Government Partyroom, there will be a meeting of the staff of Liberal and National Members of the House of Representatives. At least one member of staff must attend from each office but all staff and Members are welcome, passes will be checked at the door. The meeting is to inform staff about requirements of their Members when the House is sitting and the responsibilities of staff when the House is sitting.
RegardsRegards
Nola.Nola.
12.02am BST12.02am BST
00:0200:02
Don't let that sky deceive you, it's 5C in Canberra pic.twitter.com/lynH31QB8nDon't let that sky deceive you, it's 5C in Canberra pic.twitter.com/lynH31QB8n
12.00am BST12.00am BST
00:0000:00
The House of Representatives is sitting this week, and today's Daily Program is now available. https://t.co/bJWZxVX4xhThe House of Representatives is sitting this week, and today's Daily Program is now available. https://t.co/bJWZxVX4xh
11.57pm BST11.57pm BST
23:5723:57
Bowers on Sunday.Bowers on Sunday.
11.54pm BST11.54pm BST
23:5423:54
The budget omnibus bill is being examined in a very short committee hearing. So the crossbenchers and the Greens have organised some of the groups concerned about the budget cuts to present a public submission between 10ish and 12ish.The budget omnibus bill is being examined in a very short committee hearing. So the crossbenchers and the Greens have organised some of the groups concerned about the budget cuts to present a public submission between 10ish and 12ish.
The crossbenchers due to speak include: Senators Richard Di Natale, Rachael Siewert, Nick Xenophon, Derryn Hinch and Jacqui Lambie.The crossbenchers due to speak include: Senators Richard Di Natale, Rachael Siewert, Nick Xenophon, Derryn Hinch and Jacqui Lambie.
The list includes:The list includes:
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.04am BSTat 12.04am BST
11.43pm BST11.43pm BST
23:4323:43
Fresh from their win at the death knell of the last sitting week – in which the government lost three procedural votes – Labor is hoping to hammer the first year anniversary of Malcolm Turnbull’s takeover.Fresh from their win at the death knell of the last sitting week – in which the government lost three procedural votes – Labor is hoping to hammer the first year anniversary of Malcolm Turnbull’s takeover.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.04am BSTat 12.04am BST
11.38pm BST11.38pm BST
23:3823:38
Greens MP Adam Bandt, Indi independent Cathy McGowan and Denison indie Andrew Wilkie will introduce a marriage equality private members bill just after 10am as well as Shorten.Greens MP Adam Bandt, Indi independent Cathy McGowan and Denison indie Andrew Wilkie will introduce a marriage equality private members bill just after 10am as well as Shorten.
It is essentially the same bill but the crossbenchers feel that supporters of marriage equality in the Coalition might be more disposed to support their bill than Labor’s bill.It is essentially the same bill but the crossbenchers feel that supporters of marriage equality in the Coalition might be more disposed to support their bill than Labor’s bill.
11.30pm BST11.30pm BST
23:3023:30
We never agreed to public funding in the party room, says Warren EntschWe never agreed to public funding in the party room, says Warren Entsch
Warren Entsch, aforementioned Coalition campaigner for marriage equality, is pushing back at Eric Abetz. Any suggestion that public funding was part of the plebiscite agreement is tosh. And he knows ‘cause he was there for the whole six hours.Warren Entsch, aforementioned Coalition campaigner for marriage equality, is pushing back at Eric Abetz. Any suggestion that public funding was part of the plebiscite agreement is tosh. And he knows ‘cause he was there for the whole six hours.
Any suggestion that it was a decision or a commitment made in the partyroom is absolutely wrong. This issue has only been discussed once in the partyroom and that was at the time when I was introducing my private members bill and party room was called...we had a marathon six hour debate. Any suggestion that it was a decision or a commitment made in the party room is absolutely wrong. This issue has only been discussed once in the party room and that was at the time when I was introducing my private members bill and party room was called ... we had a marathon six-hour debate.
Was it discussed?Was it discussed?
No it was not. My bill was discussed and the prospect of whether or not we have a vote in the parliament and that was all that was discussed. Now at the end of that six hour debate there was not a vote in the partyroom, there was definitely not. No it was not. My bill was discussed and the prospect of whether or not we have a vote in the parliament and that was all that was discussed. Now at the end of that six-hour debate there was not a vote in the party room, there was definitely not.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.05am BST at 12.40am BST
11.22pm BST11.22pm BST
23:2223:22
I should say Tony Abbott has also spoken to morning television. He says he has had a year reflecting on the “strengths and weaknesses” of his government.I should say Tony Abbott has also spoken to morning television. He says he has had a year reflecting on the “strengths and weaknesses” of his government.
The important thing now is to get behind the government we have got and make it as successful as it can be and that is certainly what I am determined to do and what all my colleagues are determined to do.The important thing now is to get behind the government we have got and make it as successful as it can be and that is certainly what I am determined to do and what all my colleagues are determined to do.
Probs needs to have a chat to Eric and the boys at the next Monkey Pod meeting.Probs needs to have a chat to Eric and the boys at the next Monkey Pod meeting.
11.16pm BST11.16pm BST
23:1623:16
Parliament gets down to business at 10am. Bill Shorten will be introducing his marriage equality bill at that time. This is the bill which the parliament could vote on (if the government allowed) and hey presto, marriage equality would be delivered.Parliament gets down to business at 10am. Bill Shorten will be introducing his marriage equality bill at that time. This is the bill which the parliament could vote on (if the government allowed) and hey presto, marriage equality would be delivered.
11.11pm BST11.11pm BST
23:1123:11
Good morning blogans,Good morning blogans,
A thousand street side plums are blossoming in Canberra right now and the cheery faces are streaming back into the building for the second sitting week of the 45th parliament.A thousand street side plums are blossoming in Canberra right now and the cheery faces are streaming back into the building for the second sitting week of the 45th parliament.
On the agenda:On the agenda:
What we also have this morning is the Coalition party room meeting occurring on the outside of building.What we also have this morning is the Coalition party room meeting occurring on the outside of building.
First, Tasmanian tiger, Eric Abetz, comes out to draw a big chalk circle around Malcolm Turnbull when it comes to the plebiscite. Over the weekend, Samantha Maiden reported that a number of church leaders had been promised public funding for both sides. Turnbull said it would be a matter for the cabinet and the partyroom.First, Tasmanian tiger, Eric Abetz, comes out to draw a big chalk circle around Malcolm Turnbull when it comes to the plebiscite. Over the weekend, Samantha Maiden reported that a number of church leaders had been promised public funding for both sides. Turnbull said it would be a matter for the cabinet and the partyroom.
Abetz “trusts” it will be a party room decision.Abetz “trusts” it will be a party room decision.
This idea that somehow you can have a proper plebiscite without funding for the yes and no cases would not be the sort of plebiscite envisaged by the party room when we decided on it.This idea that somehow you can have a proper plebiscite without funding for the yes and no cases would not be the sort of plebiscite envisaged by the party room when we decided on it.
Coalition campaigner Warren Entsch says there was no such agreement for public funding at that marathon six hour meeting which decided the plebiscite. He doesn’t want funding and says after so much public debate, people have already made up their minds.Coalition campaigner Warren Entsch says there was no such agreement for public funding at that marathon six hour meeting which decided the plebiscite. He doesn’t want funding and says after so much public debate, people have already made up their minds.
Meanwhile, the government in exile is dressed in bike shorts. Tony Abbott has appeared to talk about his annual cause, pollie pedal, which raises money for charity. This year it will be Soldier On, the veterans group. He is surrounded by supporters, including Kevin Andrews and his hair.Meanwhile, the government in exile is dressed in bike shorts. Tony Abbott has appeared to talk about his annual cause, pollie pedal, which raises money for charity. This year it will be Soldier On, the veterans group. He is surrounded by supporters, including Kevin Andrews and his hair.
Abbott is asked about the case for public funding.Abbott is asked about the case for public funding.
If we are capable of debating who should run the country, we are more than capable of having a similar quality of debate about whether we want to preserve marriage as it’s always been or whether we want to change it and that’s the way it should be.If we are capable of debating who should run the country, we are more than capable of having a similar quality of debate about whether we want to preserve marriage as it’s always been or whether we want to change it and that’s the way it should be.
So we better crack on. Mike Bowers is stalking the building. You can talk talk to us in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers.So we better crack on. Mike Bowers is stalking the building. You can talk talk to us in the thread or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.12pm BSTat 11.12pm BST