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Peter Dutton calls Cory Bernardi's defection a 'betrayal' – politics live Peter Dutton calls Cory Bernardi's defection a 'betrayal' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
11.06pm GMT
23:06
Paul Karp has gone to the high court to cover the Bob Day case. AAP has previewed the case for us:
The question of how to fill the Senate seat left vacant by former Family First senator Bob Day is set to be argued in the High Court.
Lawyers for Attorney-General George Brandis will argue the South Australian seat should be filled by a special count when the matter comes before the High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, in Canberra on Tuesday.
The court will need to determine whether Mr Day had a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a lease agreement between the owner of his electorate office premises Fullarton Investments and the federal government.
Under the constitution, such an arrangement would disqualify him from sitting in parliament.
If he is found to have been disqualified a recount would be needed, but if he wins, Family First would fill the casual vacancy caused by his resignation last year.
11.03pm GMT
23:03
10.54pm GMT
22:54
We are entering the Matt Hatter zone. Herewith, a visual representation of the Cory Bernardi defection.
@gabriellechan Hi🎭. Following the official returning of the LNP stapler, Mr Bernardi then performed a traditional SA Liberal exit ceremony. pic.twitter.com/xpzTNgbc9f
How I missed that Matt Hatter.
10.52pm GMT
22:52
Malcolm Turnbull reportedly tells the partyroom that Bernardi did not try to justify staying in his senate seat after being elected as a Liberal.
PM Turnbull just now in partyroom "I asked him how he could justify remaining in the Senate having been elected ...1/2
...as a Liberal only seven months ago. He could not answer that question" 2/2
10.50pm GMT
22:50
Turnbull: Australians must know their government determines who comes to Australia
Malcolm Turnbull:
Look around the world at the grief and the turmoil that you’ve seen through lax border protection.
We have now gone over 900 days without a successful people smuggling venture coming toAustralia. That is a remarkable achievement and one on which we can never be complacent.
Australians know that the Coalition, the Liberal and the National Party Coalition will keep their borders secure. That is the foundation of our ... immigration policies. It is the foundation of our multicultural society. Australians must know that their government and their government alone determines who comes to Australia. That is their sovereign right. That is our sovereign right as a nation.
10.47pm GMT
22:47
Turnbull: Labor will lead us down into the dead end of poverty
Turnbull says:
The Labor Party used to believe that years ago when they were more economically rational. No longer. A wholly-owned subsidiary of left wing trade unions. Bill Shorten is a threat to every household budget, to every business, to every job. Only a few weeks ago, I was inPortland. What does the great enterprise need most of all? It needs markets to sell its aluminium and it needs affordable energy, and the Labor Party is the enemy of both. Adopting his new guise as a protectionist, a populist protectionist, leading us down into a dead end of poverty.
10.44pm GMT
22:44
The prime minister is speaking to the joint party room right now. He is talking about his very clear roadmap to deliver affordable energy.
It will be an all of the above policy, using all technologies, rationally, objectively, in a business-like manner, to deliver for those hard-working Australian families.
Updated
at 11.02pm GMT
10.43pm GMT
22:43
All eyes will be on the Senate chamber at 12.30pm when Cory Bernardi officially jumps ship.
The last time a similar desertion happened was when the Labor senator Mal Colston ratted on the ALP. The inglorious senator, who left the party because he did not get its deputy president’s gig, resigned by fax.
Presumably – Bernardi is not confirming – he will deliver a manifesto for his new party while the cameras roll.
Updated
at 11.02pm GMT
10.28pm GMT10.28pm GMT
22:2822:28
Joyce: PM to make a statement on land acquisitions for Shoalwater Bay defence force facilityJoyce: PM to make a statement on land acquisitions for Shoalwater Bay defence force facility
Some of you may have read my piece last week on the barney going on in central Queensland regarding a decision to acquire land for the expansion of the Shoalwater Bay military training facility. The expansion is required because of the deal signed last year with Singapore to allow its troops to train for 18 weeks a year with Australian troops in Australia. As an important ally, Singapore is also funding the expansion of the facility. The fight occurred after the defence department wrote to landholders with a threat of acquisition before they knew which properties were required, leaving farmers upset and angry.Some of you may have read my piece last week on the barney going on in central Queensland regarding a decision to acquire land for the expansion of the Shoalwater Bay military training facility. The expansion is required because of the deal signed last year with Singapore to allow its troops to train for 18 weeks a year with Australian troops in Australia. As an important ally, Singapore is also funding the expansion of the facility. The fight occurred after the defence department wrote to landholders with a threat of acquisition before they knew which properties were required, leaving farmers upset and angry.
Pauline Hanson was making hay while the sun shone. Labor was campaigning there. Shock jocks were getting in on the act.Pauline Hanson was making hay while the sun shone. Labor was campaigning there. Shock jocks were getting in on the act.
Barnaby Joyce visited landholders on Friday and he told them he was hopeful there would be no compulsory acquisitions. He has just told John Laws the prime minister will be making a statement to the joint party room about Shoalwater Bay.Barnaby Joyce visited landholders on Friday and he told them he was hopeful there would be no compulsory acquisitions. He has just told John Laws the prime minister will be making a statement to the joint party room about Shoalwater Bay.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.29pm GMT at 10.40pm GMT
10.20pm GMT10.20pm GMT
22:2022:20
Peter Dutton: There is no chance of others following BernardiPeter Dutton: There is no chance of others following Bernardi
Paul KarpPaul Karp
As reported earlier, the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has spoken on ABC’s AM about the “betrayal” of Senator Cory Bernardi in quitting the Liberal party. Here are fuller quotes.As reported earlier, the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has spoken on ABC’s AM about the “betrayal” of Senator Cory Bernardi in quitting the Liberal party. Here are fuller quotes.
It is a betrayal when somebody leaves a political party. Because … the grassroots members, the people who have handed out how to votes in election after election because they believe in good government, in the cause of the Liberal party … [it’s] certainly a sense of betrayal they would feel when somebody leaves our ranks.It is a betrayal when somebody leaves a political party. Because … the grassroots members, the people who have handed out how to votes in election after election because they believe in good government, in the cause of the Liberal party … [it’s] certainly a sense of betrayal they would feel when somebody leaves our ranks.
The principal that we have to adhere to here is the enemy of the Liberal party and of good government here in Australia is the Labor party. We can most effectively defeat the Labor party at the next election if we’re united and we stick together as a party”The principal that we have to adhere to here is the enemy of the Liberal party and of good government here in Australia is the Labor party. We can most effectively defeat the Labor party at the next election if we’re united and we stick together as a party”
Asked about whether George Christensen, who has ruled out joining Bernardi for now, could jump ship over issues including marriage equality, Dutton noted that Christensen has said he is loyal to Barnaby Joyce, to the LNP and to the Coalition.Asked about whether George Christensen, who has ruled out joining Bernardi for now, could jump ship over issues including marriage equality, Dutton noted that Christensen has said he is loyal to Barnaby Joyce, to the LNP and to the Coalition.
I take George Christensen at his word. To answer your question, I think there is no chance of others following. I think people … will be angry about any defection, angry about the betrayal of Liberal party values.I take George Christensen at his word. To answer your question, I think there is no chance of others following. I think people … will be angry about any defection, angry about the betrayal of Liberal party values.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.30pm GMTat 10.30pm GMT
10.15pm GMT10.15pm GMT
22:1522:15
If God were polled, would she tick Cory or me?If God were polled, would she tick Cory or me?
10.11pm GMT10.11pm GMT
22:1122:11
Stuntman and NXT leader Nick Xenophon, channelling the zeitgeist.Stuntman and NXT leader Nick Xenophon, channelling the zeitgeist.
Xenophon brings together equal parts nationalism and oppositional defiance disorder.Xenophon brings together equal parts nationalism and oppositional defiance disorder.
10.05pm GMT10.05pm GMT
22:0522:05
It is worth concentrating on the question asked in the poll relating to the Trump travel ban. Because the Essential poll found that when you added Donald Trump to the equation, support for a ban dropped. From Paul Karp’s story:It is worth concentrating on the question asked in the poll relating to the Trump travel ban. Because the Essential poll found that when you added Donald Trump to the equation, support for a ban dropped. From Paul Karp’s story:
The Essential poll found support for a travel ban on Muslim countries was highest among voters of “other” parties, with 66% in favour and 25% opposed. Coalition voters were the next most likely to support it, with 48% in favour and 38% opposed.The Essential poll found support for a travel ban on Muslim countries was highest among voters of “other” parties, with 66% in favour and 25% opposed. Coalition voters were the next most likely to support it, with 48% in favour and 38% opposed.
A majority of Labor voters were against a ban, with 59% opposed and 31% in favour. Greens voters were most opposed with 75% against a ban and just 15% in favour.A majority of Labor voters were against a ban, with 59% opposed and 31% in favour. Greens voters were most opposed with 75% against a ban and just 15% in favour.
When asked specifically about whether they approved of Trump’s executive order in the US, the Essential poll found support fell to 36%, disapproval was 49% and 14% remained undecided.When asked specifically about whether they approved of Trump’s executive order in the US, the Essential poll found support fell to 36%, disapproval was 49% and 14% remained undecided.
10.02pm GMT10.02pm GMT
22:0222:02
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Another Essential poll on the question of Australian support for Trump’s travel ban.Another Essential poll on the question of Australian support for Trump’s travel ban.
Australians are evenly divided on Donald Trump’s ban on travel from a group of Muslim-majority nations, two new polls have found.Australians are evenly divided on Donald Trump’s ban on travel from a group of Muslim-majority nations, two new polls have found.
The Essential poll of 1,014 voters, released on Tuesday, found 41% of Australians supported a “ban on people from Muslim countries from entering Australia”. That compared with 46% who opposed a ban and 14% who didn’t know.The Essential poll of 1,014 voters, released on Tuesday, found 41% of Australians supported a “ban on people from Muslim countries from entering Australia”. That compared with 46% who opposed a ban and 14% who didn’t know.
Tuesday’s Newspoll found that 44% of respondents believe Australia should take similar measures to Trump’s executive order, 45% ­oppose doing so and 11% were uncommitted.Tuesday’s Newspoll found that 44% of respondents believe Australia should take similar measures to Trump’s executive order, 45% ­oppose doing so and 11% were uncommitted.
Through the executive order Trump suspended visas being issued for 90 days to migrants or travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, stopped all refugee arrivals into the US for 120 days and banned Syrian refugees indefinitely.Through the executive order Trump suspended visas being issued for 90 days to migrants or travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, stopped all refugee arrivals into the US for 120 days and banned Syrian refugees indefinitely.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.24pm GMTat 10.24pm GMT
9.58pm GMT9.58pm GMT
21:5821:58
Christopher Pyne has tweeted his heart out this morning.Christopher Pyne has tweeted his heart out this morning.
The Liberal Party's values are not limited to conservatism. We are Liberals because we are open to new ideas; tolerant of difference; 1/2The Liberal Party's values are not limited to conservatism. We are Liberals because we are open to new ideas; tolerant of difference; 1/2
modern and forward looking; we believe in reward for effort and sharing Australia's good fortune with those in need. 2/2modern and forward looking; we believe in reward for effort and sharing Australia's good fortune with those in need. 2/2
Those most hurt by Cory Bernardi are the hundreds of thousands of SA voters who voted Liberal in the Senate only to be let down by him.Those most hurt by Cory Bernardi are the hundreds of thousands of SA voters who voted Liberal in the Senate only to be let down by him.
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, is asked about Pyne’s comments that Bernardi should give up his Senate seat.The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, is asked about Pyne’s comments that Bernardi should give up his Senate seat.
Ryan says Christopher and Cory have history. Droll.Ryan says Christopher and Cory have history. Droll.
That’s for sure. The plane from Canberra to Adelaide after parliament is always interesting. Oftimes, South Australian Liberals would rather sit next to Labor MPs than each other.That’s for sure. The plane from Canberra to Adelaide after parliament is always interesting. Oftimes, South Australian Liberals would rather sit next to Labor MPs than each other.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.23pm GMTat 10.23pm GMT
9.49pm GMT
21:49
Katharine Murphy
There’s been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours about why the Liberals in South Australia didn’t seek watertight undertakings from Cory Bernardi during the election campaign that he would stay in the Senate as a Liberal for the whole term.
A bit of context about that campaign. Despite the fact Nick Xenophon was surging in the state, Liberal campaign HQ in Canberra had done no detailed work on a South Australian Senate campaign.
The direction from Canberra was to direct resources to defending lower house marginal seats. South Australian senators got the impression they were on their own. As a consequence the South Australian Liberal senators ran their own race, they rallied, raised money, and ignored the directive from Canberra.
So to cut a long story short, at the time of the election, South Australian Liberal Senate eyes were on the NXT. Perhaps people didn’t press hard enough because they were distracted with a more urgent problem – and Bernardi has also made an artform of being elusive about his intentions. I caught some of the context of the contemporary South Australian political dynamics in a longform piece I did about the rise of the NXT just before Christmas. If so inclined you can read that here.
Updated
at 9.55pm GMT
9.47pm GMT
21:47
The special minister of state, Scott Ryan, tells Sky that he too, is disappointed.
Political parties require compromise, says Ryan, and we can’t all have every single one of our views adopted in a party.
In other words, we have to play together.
Updated
at 9.54pm GMT
9.44pm GMT
21:44
Christopher Pyne says Bernardi should resign and recontest his seat
Cory Bernardi was elected as a Liberal. The honourable course is for him to resign his seat and for him to recontest it as an independent.
9.43pm GMT
21:43
Simon Benson at the Australian has an unsourced report that Barnaby Joyce gave the Coalition frontbench a lecture, warning moderates to back off on the push for marriage equality, among other issues.
“It was a spray,” one Liberal frontbencher said.
“He said if we continue to be distracted by issues which only appeal to people in George Street and Oxford Street but not in the outer suburbs and the regions, things will not improve,” another said.
“He then specifically raised gay marriage as an example.”
Steve Ciobo confirmed that Joyce had spoken to the ministry but would not confirm the substance other than this:
Joyce said we have to focus on what’s important to the Australian people.
We have heard no loud denials from Joyce’s office, so make of that what you will.
Updated
at 9.53pm GMT
9.38pm GMT
21:38
The trade minister, Steve Ciobo, is speaking to Kieran Gilbert on Sky. He says the Bernardi defection is disappointing but hopes he will work constructively on the crossbench.
Gilbert points out that Bernardi’s colleagues feel betrayed and that they were given assurances by Bernardi that the Australian Conservatives would act like a faction of the party – what the Tea Party is to the Republican party. Ciobo says he is not getting into who said what to whom but:
He has to stare the Liberal party voters in the face and justify his actions.
Updated
at 9.52pm GMT
9.29pm GMT
21:29
Katharine Murphy has written the essential backgrounder on Cory Bernardi. You must read it through but here is a taste:
As we begin to contemplate what his next phase as a crossbencher will look like, we have certain advantages. Bernardi has been around sufficiently long in Australian politics to be a known known.
He’s an avowed climate sceptic. He’s a Christian values conservative: a vociferous opponent of marriage equality, and inclined to poke the hornets’ nest on Islam. He’s been at the pointy end of internal debates on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which is the frontline of the contemporary left-right culture war in Australia. On economic issues, he’s a low-tax, small-government man.
Unlike many micro-party players who have to invent a network from scratch and create the means of bankrolling a fledgling political operation, Bernardi has some prospects of garnering firepower and professionalism because of his well-stocked contact book.
As an important institutional player in the Liberal party in South Australia, he’s got some powerful friends, including the mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Eyebrows were raised inside the Coalition last year when Bernardi and Rinehart met members of the Trump transition team in the US. There were also reports that Bernardi spent New Year’s Eve with Rinehart as a guest on the luxury cruise liner The World.
A key question of early interest and import will be how Bernardi’s new operation intends to sit in the political firmament with One Nation. Will Bernardi attempt to take back the ground One Nation has claimed over the course of last year, or does he view himself as being complementary to that insurgency?
Updated
at 9.33pm GMT
9.24pm GMT
21:24
Is that the time already?
A little housekeeping. Last night, after cabinet and ministry meetings, the leaders joined for a (recently) traditional ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. This morning, they have headed to church to praise the lord for such exciting times. Then they will head into party-room meetings, which is the usual Tuesday timetable. Both parliamentary chambers will begin at or after midday, the Senate at 12.30pm. We are expecting a statement from Cory Bernardi in the Senate at first opening. All we know of the conversation between Malcolm Turnbull and Bernardi is that Turnbull made the phone call.
Updated
at 9.31pm GMT
9.15pm GMT
21:15
MPs and senators are now in the usual church service to start the parliamentary year. The treasurer, Scott Morrison, suggests that Bernardi made a promise to his Liberal voters – a promise that has now been broken. Bernardi’s fellow conservative senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells says she is disappointed. Backbenchers South Australian MP Rowan Ramsey and Queensland MP Michelle Landry, both on the knife edge and facing threats from minor parties including Nick Xenophon and One Nation respectively, believe he should give back the seat.
Updated
at 9.17pm GMT
9.08pm GMT
21:08
First up, remember that with the Bernardi defection, the Coalition requires one more number in the Senate to pass legislation.
Given that Cory obviously has conservative values, he is likely to support the government on economic policies but he will just act as a roadblock on any tribal issues such as marriage equality.
I would suggest he would have done so anyway – so not much change there. For example, if the Liberal moderates did manage to get a marriage equality vote up, he would have crossed the floor. Nothing surer.
But, as we awake to the news this morning, the conservatives are revolting.
The Queensland LNP MP and whip George Christensen has again warned any change to the Coalition policy on marriage would be a step too far. It was a not-so veiled threat. Which would suggest Bernardi would have more sway inside the party.
Christensen’s vote is far more crucial, given that he sits in the lower house where Malcolm Turnbull has a majority of one.
Meanwhile, a Newspoll shows a slight majority of Coalition voters support Donald Trump’s travel ban. Paul Karp reports:
The Australian community is evenly divided on Donald Trump’s travel ban from a group of Muslim-majority nations, with almost half of voters supporting the ban, a new poll has found.
The Newspoll, released on Tuesday, found that 44% of respondents believe Australia should take similar measures, 45% ­oppose doing so and 11% were uncommitted.
Through the executive order Trump suspended visas being issued for 90 days to ­migrants or travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, stopped all refugee arrivals into the US for 120 days and banned Syrian refugees indefinitely.
The poll of 1,734 voters found support highest among Coalition voters, with 52% backing the travel ban, compared with 39% opposed and 9% uncommitted.
Updated
at 9.15pm GMT
8.44pm GMT
20:44
It is official: Cory Bernardi is leaving to establish his own party
Welcome to the first day of #politicslive for 2017 and what a cracker it is.
My colleague Katharine Murphy has confirmed:
BREAKING: PM and @corybernardi spoke about 20 minutes ago. Bernardi confirmed he's leaving. Will announce at 12.30pm in the Senate #auspol
The immigration minister and a leading conservative, Peter Dutton, told Sabra Lane on AM that the defection was a betrayal of the Liberal party, given that Bernardi stood as a Liberal senator in the number two position at the July election.
The Daily Telegraph is channelling the sentiment in the Liberal party:
The Daily Telegraph front page #auspol pic.twitter.com/BrUrm7jaFR
The party is cranky over Bernardi’s move because he had been setting up the Australian Conservatives, through a website, blog and membership before the last election. Yet he surfed in on the Liberal party ticket to get a six-year Senate term – six years to establish his new brand from a Senate platform and a high-profile crossbench position while eating away at the right flank of the Coalition.
Mike Bowers is stalking the building on #corywatch. If you have a lot of pent-up feelings, you can share them in the blog or on the Twits. He is @mpbowers and I am @gabriellechan. Or you can speak further on my Facebook page.
Let’s make Australia Grate again.
Updated
at 9.13pm GMT