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 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/sep/12/malcolm-turnbull-under-pressure-to-fund-both-sides-on-marriage-equality-live
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Bill Shorten introduces Labor's marriage equality bill – live | Bill Shorten introduces Labor's marriage equality bill – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.24am BST | |
| 02:24 | |
| Auditor general says limited review shows no evidence of contravention by Liberal party of electoral laws with Parakeelia | |
| The auditor general Grant Hehir has written to Labor’s Brendan O’Connor to say after its limited review - which was not an audit - there has been no evidence of contravention of electoral laws by Parakeelia. | |
| I am writing in response to your letter of 15 June 2016 requesting that I investigate the appropriateness of arrangements concerning the Liberal Party of Australia entity Parakeelia Pty Ltd. Your interest was in taxpayer funded reimbursements of related payments and financial transfers between Parakeelia and the Liberal Party, including whether Parakeelia has donated the profits from Feedback software to the Liberal Party. | |
| My office has conducted a limited scope assurance review, not an audit, focused on electoral and parliamentary entitlement obligations, and financial transactions between Parakeelia and the Liberal Party. The review was limited to analysis of publicly available information, key documents and advice provided by the Australian Electoral Commission and the Department of Finance, and advice and financial information provided by Parakeelia. | |
| In conducting the review, no evidence was provided to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) that the arrangements contravene electoral and parliamentary entitlement frameworks or that Parakeelia donated any profits1 from the sale of Feedback software to the Liberal Party. Further, the financial transactions reported to the Australian Electoral Commission between Parakeelia and the Liberal Party indicated a net cost to the Liberal Party from 2000–01 to 2014–15. | |
| Readers will remember this story blew up in the election campaign when Fairfax reported that Liberal MPs used their taxpayer-funded office allowance to purchase data registry services from Parakeelia Pty Ltd. Parakeelia is wholly owned by the Liberal party and has paid substantial sums of “other receipts” to the party. | |
| Then former Liberal-turned-independent Dennis Jensen weighed in. | |
| Liberal MPs use database software to profile constituents and decline requests for help from decided voters, even their own supporters, MP Dennis Jensen has claimed. | |
| Jensen, who is recontesting his seat of Tangney as an independent after losing Liberal preselection, has lashed out at the “illegitimate” use of voter-tracking software for party political purposes. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.26am BST | |
| 2.07am BST | |
| 02:07 | |
| It must be difficult. Note marriage equality supporters Trent Zimmerman and Tim Wilson. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.15am BST | |
| 2.05am BST | |
| 02:05 | |
| This bill is a chance to say love is love. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.15am BST | |
| 1.53am BST | 1.53am BST |
| 01:53 | 01:53 |
| Rodney Croome says gov doesn't have a mandate on a plebiscite because they didn't outline details before election pic.twitter.com/KE7dLd6zu6 | Rodney Croome says gov doesn't have a mandate on a plebiscite because they didn't outline details before election pic.twitter.com/KE7dLd6zu6 |
| 1.40am BST | 1.40am BST |
| 01:40 | 01:40 |
| In the lower house, it is private members business still with government MPs talking about mobile black spots. | In the lower house, it is private members business still with government MPs talking about mobile black spots. |
| 1.39am BST | 1.39am BST |
| 01:39 | 01:39 |
| In the Senate, there appears to be no government business in the government business session. LNP senator James McGrath is filibustering. He is talking about the former member for Herbert, Ewen Jones. McGrath was his campaign manager. McGrath advised Jones to: | In the Senate, there appears to be no government business in the government business session. LNP senator James McGrath is filibustering. He is talking about the former member for Herbert, Ewen Jones. McGrath was his campaign manager. McGrath advised Jones to: |
| Please stop making jokes because the left do not have a sense of humour and they will not see that you are just a funny person, they will use political correctness to attack you. | Please stop making jokes because the left do not have a sense of humour and they will not see that you are just a funny person, they will use political correctness to attack you. |
| I guess there are no bills ready to go, notwithstanding there being only five sitting weeks to go until the Christmas break. | I guess there are no bills ready to go, notwithstanding there being only five sitting weeks to go until the Christmas break. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.41am BST | at 1.41am BST |
| 1.31am BST | 1.31am BST |
| 01:31 | 01:31 |
| Bill Shorten: Today the parliament has a chance to prove its worth | Bill Shorten: Today the parliament has a chance to prove its worth |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.41am BST | at 1.41am BST |
| 1.28am BST | 1.28am BST |
| 01:28 | 01:28 |
| The Labor marriage equality bill does this: | The Labor marriage equality bill does this: |
| Repeal the definition, substitute: | Repeal the definition, substitute: |
| marriage means the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. | marriage means the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. |
| The crossbencher bill says the same thing. | The crossbencher bill says the same thing. |
| 1.23am BST | 1.23am BST |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| Paul Karp | Paul Karp |
| A little snap analysis from Paul Karp on where Labor might be headed: | A little snap analysis from Paul Karp on where Labor might be headed: |
| Bill Shorten has just concluded his speech introducing Labor’s marriage equality bill, and it has given further strong indications Labor will block the plebiscite. | Bill Shorten has just concluded his speech introducing Labor’s marriage equality bill, and it has given further strong indications Labor will block the plebiscite. |
| Shorten detailed a number of fundamental objections to the plebiscite, including Michael Kirby’s argument that imposing this process on LGBTI people is a “new hurdle” that has not been needed to resolve other human rights issues. | Shorten detailed a number of fundamental objections to the plebiscite, including Michael Kirby’s argument that imposing this process on LGBTI people is a “new hurdle” that has not been needed to resolve other human rights issues. |
| He also noted an increased risk of suicide for vulnerable LGBTI people, and said “if one child commits suicide over the plebiscite, then that is one too many”. | He also noted an increased risk of suicide for vulnerable LGBTI people, and said “if one child commits suicide over the plebiscite, then that is one too many”. |
| All this makes it incredibly difficult for Labor to waive through the plebiscite – even if the government denies a free vote on same-sex marriage. | All this makes it incredibly difficult for Labor to waive through the plebiscite – even if the government denies a free vote on same-sex marriage. |
| It’s also worth noting he mentioned the nonbinding nature of the plebiscite only once, in a cursory fashion, further evidence that making the plebiscite self-executing (ushering in same-sex marriage automatically if the yes side wins) is not sufficient to overcome Labor’s objections to it. | It’s also worth noting he mentioned the nonbinding nature of the plebiscite only once, in a cursory fashion, further evidence that making the plebiscite self-executing (ushering in same-sex marriage automatically if the yes side wins) is not sufficient to overcome Labor’s objections to it. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.43am BST | at 1.43am BST |
| 1.22am BST | 1.22am BST |
| 01:22 | 01:22 |
| Bandt: This bill is a chance to say love is love. | Bandt: This bill is a chance to say love is love. |
| More from Adam Bandt: | More from Adam Bandt: |
| We are now the only developed English-speaking country not to have equal marriage laws. Our laws continue to send the message to people who are same-sex-attracted that their love is not equal. Our homophobic marriage laws are part of the system that for years has told young people who are coming to grips with their sexuality that you are not straight and not equal. It has allowed the tragedy of young people to suicide at rates many times greater than their heterosexual peers. This bill is a chance to take another important step away from this discrimination and pain into creating a world where all people know and feel that they are equal regardless of who they love. This bill is a chance to say love is love. It knows no gender, it is beautiful and it’s equal. | We are now the only developed English-speaking country not to have equal marriage laws. Our laws continue to send the message to people who are same-sex-attracted that their love is not equal. Our homophobic marriage laws are part of the system that for years has told young people who are coming to grips with their sexuality that you are not straight and not equal. It has allowed the tragedy of young people to suicide at rates many times greater than their heterosexual peers. This bill is a chance to take another important step away from this discrimination and pain into creating a world where all people know and feel that they are equal regardless of who they love. This bill is a chance to say love is love. It knows no gender, it is beautiful and it’s equal. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.44am BST | at 1.44am BST |
| 1.19am BST | 1.19am BST |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| Bandt: wedding bells could sound before the end of the year | Bandt: wedding bells could sound before the end of the year |
| Adam Bandt echoes Labor’s view that the cosponsors should work together for marriage equality. | Adam Bandt echoes Labor’s view that the cosponsors should work together for marriage equality. |
| If we all work together, we have a real chance to pass marriage equality through parliament sooner rather than later without a divisive and wasteful plebiscite. If we all work together, wedding bells could be sounding before Christmas this year. And at the end of the day, what matters is that marriage equality is passed and the leader of the opposition is right, ultimately no one will care whose name appeared in what position on this bill. | If we all work together, we have a real chance to pass marriage equality through parliament sooner rather than later without a divisive and wasteful plebiscite. If we all work together, wedding bells could be sounding before Christmas this year. And at the end of the day, what matters is that marriage equality is passed and the leader of the opposition is right, ultimately no one will care whose name appeared in what position on this bill. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.44am BST | at 1.44am BST |
| 1.16am BST | 1.16am BST |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| Crossbenchers introduce marriage equality bill | Crossbenchers introduce marriage equality bill |
| Adam Bandt, Greens MP, introduces a bill with Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie, who sit either side. | Adam Bandt, Greens MP, introduces a bill with Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie, who sit either side. |
| This cross parliamentary bill will remove discrimination from our marriage laws and finally achieve marriage equality in this country. And it’s time that our laws recognise this equality. It’s time that our parliament finally says to every Australian, to every LGBTI Australian, that they and their love are equal. It’s time that we end discrimination and promote acceptance, love and equality for all. | This cross parliamentary bill will remove discrimination from our marriage laws and finally achieve marriage equality in this country. And it’s time that our laws recognise this equality. It’s time that our parliament finally says to every Australian, to every LGBTI Australian, that they and their love are equal. It’s time that we end discrimination and promote acceptance, love and equality for all. |
| 1.15am BST | 1.15am BST |
| 01:15 | 01:15 |
| Shorten: a no campaign would be an emotional torment | Shorten: a no campaign would be an emotional torment |
| Bill Shorten questions the cost of the plebiscite and notes the hurtful campaign | Bill Shorten questions the cost of the plebiscite and notes the hurtful campaign |
| Growing up is hard for everyone but for young Australians grappling with their sexual identity, it can be so much more difficult. Every piece of expert advice tells us young Australians who are gay are more likely to contemplate suicide and more likely to take their own lives. The idea of young people, perhaps yet to come out, seeing the legitimacy of their identity debated on the national stage. That is not an ideal inflicted on any citizen when we have a better path. Let me be as blunt as possible. A ‘No’ campaign would be an emotional torment for gay teenagers and if one child commits suicide over the plebiscite, then that is one too many. | Growing up is hard for everyone but for young Australians grappling with their sexual identity, it can be so much more difficult. Every piece of expert advice tells us young Australians who are gay are more likely to contemplate suicide and more likely to take their own lives. The idea of young people, perhaps yet to come out, seeing the legitimacy of their identity debated on the national stage. That is not an ideal inflicted on any citizen when we have a better path. Let me be as blunt as possible. A ‘No’ campaign would be an emotional torment for gay teenagers and if one child commits suicide over the plebiscite, then that is one too many. |
| 1.11am BST | 1.11am BST |
| 01:11 | 01:11 |
| Bill Shorten says he lives in a blended family and he and wife Chloe chose to get married partly to give their children a sense of formal equality with their other children. | Bill Shorten says he lives in a blended family and he and wife Chloe chose to get married partly to give their children a sense of formal equality with their other children. |
| Some might say that marriage equality is a second order issue, identity politics, mere symbolism. But what they need to understand is if you already enjoy a legal right, it is easy to take it for granted. For me, it is as simple as this – in delaying marriage equality, we are not just falling behind the rest of the world, 21 countries who we consider our legal, cultural and social peers, have already moved ahead of us. We are falling short of our own national sense of self. The country we want to see in the mirror, the Australia we tell our children to believe in, how can we call ourselves the land of the fair go if we discriminate against our citizens on the basis of who they are and who they love. And we, who sit in the parliament, trusted with the great privilege of representing all the Australian people, not just some of the Australian people. | Some might say that marriage equality is a second order issue, identity politics, mere symbolism. But what they need to understand is if you already enjoy a legal right, it is easy to take it for granted. For me, it is as simple as this – in delaying marriage equality, we are not just falling behind the rest of the world, 21 countries who we consider our legal, cultural and social peers, have already moved ahead of us. We are falling short of our own national sense of self. The country we want to see in the mirror, the Australia we tell our children to believe in, how can we call ourselves the land of the fair go if we discriminate against our citizens on the basis of who they are and who they love. And we, who sit in the parliament, trusted with the great privilege of representing all the Australian people, not just some of the Australian people. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.12am BST | at 1.12am BST |
| 1.07am BST | 1.07am BST |
| 01:07 | 01:07 |
| Bill Shorten: | Bill Shorten: |
| Go down any street in Australia and you can hear these stories, hard-working people raising children, building community, serving the country, made to feel like second class citizens through one last lingering relic of legal prejudice. It’s in our power in this place to change that once and for all. That’s why Labor promise to deliver marriage equality within our first hundred days. Today we seek to honour that promise. | Go down any street in Australia and you can hear these stories, hard-working people raising children, building community, serving the country, made to feel like second class citizens through one last lingering relic of legal prejudice. It’s in our power in this place to change that once and for all. That’s why Labor promise to deliver marriage equality within our first hundred days. Today we seek to honour that promise. |
| 1.06am BST | 1.06am BST |
| 01:06 | 01:06 |
| Shorten is listing a number of individuals who have written to Labor to support marriage equality. | Shorten is listing a number of individuals who have written to Labor to support marriage equality. |
| Wilma Lorne is 89, with 14 grandchildren and three of her grandsons are gay. | Wilma Lorne is 89, with 14 grandchildren and three of her grandsons are gay. |
| After her husband of 62 years marriage passed away, Wilma wrote to me about her grandsons and their partners, saying “I see the same love and commitment that my husband and I shared, just as much as all my other grandchildren who are happily married. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to attend their weddings. | After her husband of 62 years marriage passed away, Wilma wrote to me about her grandsons and their partners, saying “I see the same love and commitment that my husband and I shared, just as much as all my other grandchildren who are happily married. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to attend their weddings. |
| 1.03am BST | 1.03am BST |
| 01:03 | 01:03 |
| Labor introduces private members marriage equality bill | Labor introduces private members marriage equality bill |
| Bill Shorten is presenting the marriage equality (*private members bill) in the lower house. | Bill Shorten is presenting the marriage equality (*private members bill) in the lower house. |
| Today is a chance for our parliament to prove its worth...Together we can vote to make marriage equality a reality. | Today is a chance for our parliament to prove its worth...Together we can vote to make marriage equality a reality. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.04am BST | at 1.04am BST |