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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)
11.48pm GMT
23:48
We will hear from the party rooms shortly but in between times, it is worth remembering great Cory quotes relating on the prospect of a separate party.
In 2014, when former SA MP Martin Hamilton-Smith defected, Bernardi was scathing.
We’ve supported him over successive elections, he was a former leader of the Liberal Party, of course we’re disappointed and the people of Waite should be disappointed too because you can’t just jump ship and join the other team and claim it’s the national or public interest because it’s not.
In 2015, he told Annabel Crabb on Kitchen Cabinet:
I don’t think there’s an appetite for an alternative party. I think people want to make the Liberals work.
When he set up Australian Conservatives last year, he told Katharine Murphy:
My intention is to make the Liberal party stronger.
11.35pm GMT
23:35
Oh dear.
I guess this is the time to mention that Cory and Tony have had a bit of a falling out, as reported by Katharine Murphy last night.
The two men fell out publicly at Christmas time as Bernardi was planning his exit from the Liberal party – and Bernardi told confidantes during December he was profoundly irritated that Abbott was using the prospect of his defection as a trigger for a renewed bout of aggression against the current prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
Abbott positioned himself in December to make the Bernardi defection a test of leadership for Turnbull, writing at the time Australia did not need a new conservative party, it needed “a credible agenda for the mainstream conservative political movement that already exists”.
Bernardi hit back just before Christmas, rebuking Abbott on social media. “While most on break, [the] only person talking up division in [the] Lib Party this past week is Tony Abbott. Always back the horse named self-interest.”
With Bernardi expected to confirm his decision to set up a breakaway conservative movement on Tuesday, when federal parliament gets under way for the new year, Fairfax Media revived the December row late on Monday, which prompted Abbott to take to social media to deny leaking sensitive information against Bernardi just before Christmas.
Falsehoods in SMH. I don't leak against colleagues. Never have, never will.
Updated
at 11.40pm GMT
11.28pm GMT
23:28
Laura Tingle of the Financial Review has written a good column on the Bernardi threat.
Some people may find it vaguely reassuring that, while the Western world – well, the whole world really – experiences an existential crisis as it watches the festival of bizarre in the White House, Australian politics can still trundle on, paralysed by a level of puerility that would be almost as hard to make up as Donald Trump.
So Cory Bernardi is about to leave the Liberal Party. Yes, he really is apparently going to do it this time.
Well off you go, Cory. Turn off the lights as you go will you? And perhaps apologise to the preselectors and voters who guaranteed you a six-year Senate spot just eight months ago.
Perhaps you could take with you all the senior colleagues and washed-up figures in your party who are all furiously trying to position themselves to shape and control the conservative wing of your party.
Few people in Canberra, when it comes down to it, really take the threat posed by a Bernardi party all that seriously. The splintered conservative party vote is, after all, quite contested space.
Totally agree. Christensen has done the smarter thing to pursue his causes – much as you may hate them. Stay inside and apply pressure. And he can still cross the floor. But Bernardi can do nix once he has gone.
Updated
at 11.41pm GMT
11.22pm GMT
23:22
Former WA Senator Rod Culleton is planning on attending the opening of Parliament today + wants to meet fmr Senate colleagues #auspol
11.21pm GMT
23:21
The education minister and Cory Bernardi’s fellow South Australian Liberal, Simon Birmingham, has been interviewed on his home state radio 5AA. He is asked about the 250,000 Liberal voters who voted for Cory at the last election.
Birmingham, in his mild-mannered way, points out that it was actually more like 345,000 and they had plenty of choices. The minister is a key moderate.
I’ll let others undertake the colourful caricatures or descriptions, but you were right – although you slightly shortchanged it – that at the last election the Liberal Senate voted, South Australia grew by more than 5% and more than 345,000 South Australians chose to vote for the Liberal party. They chose the Liberal party ahead of the Labor party, or the Greens, Nick Xenophon or One Nation. They had plenty of choices the left and the right of the Liberal party and those more than 345,000 South Australians chose the Liberal party, electing four Liberal senators and I’m sure that they expected to have four Liberal senators serve out their terms and they will rightly be disappointed.
Updated
at 11.28pm GMT
11.06pm GMT11.06pm GMT
23:0623:06
Paul Karp has gone to the high court to cover the Bob Day case. AAP has previewed the case for us: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. 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. 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. The court will need to determine whether 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.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.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.
Updated
at 11.29pm GMT
11.03pm GMT11.03pm GMT
23:0323:03
Updated
at 11.29pm GMT
10.54pm GMT10.54pm GMT
22:5422:54
We are entering the Matt Hatter zone. Herewith, a visual representation of the Cory Bernardi defection.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@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.How I missed that Matt Hatter.
Updated
at 11.30pm GMT
10.52pm GMT10.52pm GMT
22:5222:52
Malcolm Turnbull reportedly tells the partyroom that Bernardi did not try to justify staying in his senate seat after being elected as a Liberal. Malcolm Turnbull reportedly tells the party room 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 ...1/2PM 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...as a Liberal only seven months ago. He could not answer that question" 2/2
Updated
at 11.30pm GMT
10.50pm GMT10.50pm GMT
22:5022:50
Turnbull: Australians must know their government determines who comes to AustraliaTurnbull: Australians must know their government determines who comes to Australia
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
Look around the world at the grief and the turmoil that you’ve seen through lax border protection.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. 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. Australians know that the Coalition, the Liberal and the National pParty 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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.02pm GMT at 11.32pm 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 GMT
22:28
Joyce: 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.
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.
Updated
at 10.40pm GMT
10.20pm GMT
22:20
Peter Dutton: There is no chance of others following Bernardi
Paul 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.
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”
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.
Updated
at 10.30pm GMT
10.15pm GMT
22:15
If God were polled, would she tick Cory or me?
10.11pm GMT
22:11
Stuntman and NXT leader Nick Xenophon, channelling the zeitgeist.
Xenophon brings together equal parts nationalism and oppositional defiance disorder.
10.05pm GMT
22:05
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:
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.
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 GMT
22:02
Paul Karp
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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 10.24pm GMT
9.58pm GMT
21:58
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; 1/2
modern 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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 10.23pm GMT