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Minister flags defunding plebiscite campaigns in return for Labor support – politics live Minister flags defunding plebiscite campaigns in return for Labor support – as it happened
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Night time politics summary
If it felt like a scrappy political day, that is because it was.
So that is enough from me. Thanks to the brains trust, Gareth Hutchens, Paul Karp and Katharine Murphy. Mike Bowers, take a bow for those pictures.
Thanks for your company people.
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Labor’s motion on George Brandis is currently being debated in the Senate.
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Simon Birmingham says government could defund yes and no cases in return for Labor's support for plebisciteSimon Birmingham says government could defund yes and no cases in return for Labor's support for plebiscite
David Speers of Sky has just interviewed education minister Simon Birmingham. At the end, he took a few questions on marriage equality and the plebiscite. Labor is due to decide their final position on the plebiscite bill tomorrow morning.David Speers of Sky has just interviewed education minister Simon Birmingham. At the end, he took a few questions on marriage equality and the plebiscite. Labor is due to decide their final position on the plebiscite bill tomorrow morning.
Birmingham threw out a bone - suggesting the Coalition could consider defunding the yes and no cases. Funding was one of the issues insisted on by the right wing of the Coalition partyroom. Birmingham threw out a bone suggesting the Coalition could consider defunding the yes and no cases. Funding was one of the issues insisted on by the right wing of the Coalition party room.
Speers asked, personally, would you be happy to see a plebiscite that doesn’t fund the yes and no camps?Speers asked, personally, would you be happy to see a plebiscite that doesn’t fund the yes and no camps?
I think that is a reasonable point of debate. I think we have worked very hard to keep the cost of the plebiscite as low as possible to make sure there are safeguards around any government-funded advertising that occurs so we can ensure it is respectful. Ultimately if that is something the Labor party want to take out in return for support for a plebiscite, well they should say so and put it on the table. I think that is a reasonable point of debate. I think we have worked very hard to keep the cost of the plebiscite as low as possible to make sure there are safeguards around any government-funded advertising that occurs so we can ensure it is respectful. Ultimately, if that is something the Labor party want to take out in return for support for a plebiscite, well they should say so and put it on the table.
Q: It’s a reasonable request, is what you are saying... Q: It’s a reasonable request, is what you are saying ...
It would be a reasonable request and one we could consider ourselves.It would be a reasonable request and one we could consider ourselves.
Somewhere, Eric Abetz is exploding.Somewhere, Eric Abetz is exploding.
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If you are struggling with the Brandis-Gleeson matter, here are a few excerpts from Senate QT:If you are struggling with the Brandis-Gleeson matter, here are a few excerpts from Senate QT:
Labor to Brandis: I refer to the explanatory statement on the legal services amendment solicitor general opinions direction 2016, tabled by the attorney general, which states, ‘The attorney-general has consulted the solicitor general.’ The solicitor general has said, ‘I wasn’t consulted about the direction.’ Is the solicitor general correct?Labor to Brandis: I refer to the explanatory statement on the legal services amendment solicitor general opinions direction 2016, tabled by the attorney general, which states, ‘The attorney-general has consulted the solicitor general.’ The solicitor general has said, ‘I wasn’t consulted about the direction.’ Is the solicitor general correct?
Brandis in part:Brandis in part:
I consulted the solicitor general about the matter at a meeting in my office on 30 November 2015. I invited the solicitor general to put his ideas in writing, which he did, and I considered those as well. When I made the direction, I was advised by my department that the requirements of section 17 of the legislation act have been satisfied.I consulted the solicitor general about the matter at a meeting in my office on 30 November 2015. I invited the solicitor general to put his ideas in writing, which he did, and I considered those as well. When I made the direction, I was advised by my department that the requirements of section 17 of the legislation act have been satisfied.
Labor to Brandis: I refer to the solicitor general’s submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which states: “at no time — I repeat: At no time during that meeting did the attorney general indicate that he was considering issuing a legal binding direction”. Given the solicitor general has directly contradicted the attorney general’s statements, will the attorney general now concede he has misled the Senate?Labor to Brandis: I refer to the solicitor general’s submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which states: “at no time — I repeat: At no time during that meeting did the attorney general indicate that he was considering issuing a legal binding direction”. Given the solicitor general has directly contradicted the attorney general’s statements, will the attorney general now concede he has misled the Senate?
Brandis in part:Brandis in part:
I agree with that statement, Senator Wong, because at the time of that meeting I was seeking Mr Gleeson’s views about the matter. I had formed no view whatever as to what course I would take. That is a view I formed subsequent to the meeting.I agree with that statement, Senator Wong, because at the time of that meeting I was seeking Mr Gleeson’s views about the matter. I had formed no view whatever as to what course I would take. That is a view I formed subsequent to the meeting.
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Brandis and solicitor general to appear before Senate committeeBrandis and solicitor general to appear before Senate committee
Paul KarpPaul Karp
The very public spat between attorney general George Brandis and solicitor general Justin Gleeson will continue on Friday when both will appear before a Senate committee examining a controversial direction giving Brandis a veto over legal advice from the solicitor general.The very public spat between attorney general George Brandis and solicitor general Justin Gleeson will continue on Friday when both will appear before a Senate committee examining a controversial direction giving Brandis a veto over legal advice from the solicitor general.
The legal and constitutional affairs references committee has just released its schedule showing a further hearing with the two main protagonists.The legal and constitutional affairs references committee has just released its schedule showing a further hearing with the two main protagonists.
As Brandis explained in question time, the dispute centres on whether a meeting on 30 November to discuss the way requests for advice were referred to the solicitor general constituted a consultation. Brandis said it was, Gleeson said it did not.As Brandis explained in question time, the dispute centres on whether a meeting on 30 November to discuss the way requests for advice were referred to the solicitor general constituted a consultation. Brandis said it was, Gleeson said it did not.
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Exhibit A.Exhibit A.
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Outside parliament, the natural world continues.Outside parliament, the natural world continues.
Currawong braves the elements in the Senate courtyard pic.twitter.com/z5QRCwOu82Currawong braves the elements in the Senate courtyard pic.twitter.com/z5QRCwOu82
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Christopher Pyne and his hair.Christopher Pyne and his hair.
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Tone is in the building.Tone is in the building.
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Pauline Hanson's first ever question in #SenateQT is about "urgently needed lifesaving drug" medical cannabis.Pauline Hanson's first ever question in #SenateQT is about "urgently needed lifesaving drug" medical cannabis.
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Find a happy place.Find a happy place.
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Health minister Sussan Ley gets a question on World Mental Health day.Health minister Sussan Ley gets a question on World Mental Health day.
I think the key message for those listening is to look after after yourself, realise the supports are out there and you are not alone.I think the key message for those listening is to look after after yourself, realise the supports are out there and you are not alone.
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