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Coalition loses vote condemning government over climate – as it happened Coalition loses vote condemning government over climate – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
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Night time politicsNight time politics
It’s time to shuffle off so let me tell you what happened in reverse order.It’s time to shuffle off so let me tell you what happened in reverse order.
The Coalition lost a vote in which Labor briefly amended a government bill on the Great Barrier Reef. The amendment said the government was failing to protect the reef and failing to act on climate change. According to reports from the chamber, those that missed the vote included the Julie Bishop, Barnaby Joyce, Tony Abbott, Paul Fletcher and Michael Keenan (who missed a previous vote). While the government managed to overturn the amendment on its numbers, there were moments of madness on the floor and manager of opposition business Tony Burke could not believe his luck.The Coalition lost a vote in which Labor briefly amended a government bill on the Great Barrier Reef. The amendment said the government was failing to protect the reef and failing to act on climate change. According to reports from the chamber, those that missed the vote included the Julie Bishop, Barnaby Joyce, Tony Abbott, Paul Fletcher and Michael Keenan (who missed a previous vote). While the government managed to overturn the amendment on its numbers, there were moments of madness on the floor and manager of opposition business Tony Burke could not believe his luck.
The government bill watering down cross-media ownership restrictions is closer to passing, with One Nation announcing its in-principle support in return for greater restrictions on ABC finances and neutrality. One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, announced on Tuesday it had done a deal with the government in return for concessions, including an inquiry into whether the ABC competes unfairly with commercial competitors and measures to ensure its impartiality.The government bill watering down cross-media ownership restrictions is closer to passing, with One Nation announcing its in-principle support in return for greater restrictions on ABC finances and neutrality. One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, announced on Tuesday it had done a deal with the government in return for concessions, including an inquiry into whether the ABC competes unfairly with commercial competitors and measures to ensure its impartiality.
Question time was dominated by the citizenship issue. Barnaby Joyce confirmed he was a NZ dual citizen when he said he was awaiting notification that his renunciation application was finalised. Labor tried to suspend standing orders. Generally, things spiralled downhill.Question time was dominated by the citizenship issue. Barnaby Joyce confirmed he was a NZ dual citizen when he said he was awaiting notification that his renunciation application was finalised. Labor tried to suspend standing orders. Generally, things spiralled downhill.
The government insisted that contact between Australian Labor and NZ Labour amounted to a foreign conspiracy. NZ Labour leader Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was some contact via an ALP staffer. But the NZ MP Chris Hipkins who asked a question in parliament about citizenship said he had not been asked by the ALP to ask the question.The government insisted that contact between Australian Labor and NZ Labour amounted to a foreign conspiracy. NZ Labour leader Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was some contact via an ALP staffer. But the NZ MP Chris Hipkins who asked a question in parliament about citizenship said he had not been asked by the ALP to ask the question.
Anyway, Ardern said it should not have happened. Julie Bishop said it would be very hard to build trust with a future NZ Labour government. Ardern said she would ring Bishop but she didn’t have her number. (It was that kind of day.)Anyway, Ardern said it should not have happened. Julie Bishop said it would be very hard to build trust with a future NZ Labour government. Ardern said she would ring Bishop but she didn’t have her number. (It was that kind of day.)
Penny Wong has just released a statement on the ALP staffer, reported to be Marcus Ganley:Penny Wong has just released a statement on the ALP staffer, reported to be Marcus Ganley:
A staff member in my office had informal discussions with New Zealand friends about domestic political issues, including the section 44 debate. At no point did he make any request to raise the issue of dual citizenship in Parliament, a fact confirmed today by Mr Hipkins and the New Zealand Labor Leader. As Mr Hipkins has said “the question was not asked on behalf of Australian Labor”. In fact, neither I, nor my staff member had any knowledge the question had even been asked until after the story broke. New Zealand Minister Peter Dunne has since confirmed it was questions by Fairfax journalists, and not the question on notice, which led to the outing of My Joyce as a New Zealand citizen. For the Turnbull Government to then turn this into a diplomatic incident to try to distract attention from the failings of the Deputy Prime Minister is both reckless, and damaging. A staff member in my office had informal discussions with New Zealand friends about domestic political issues, including the section 44 debate. At no point did he make any request to raise the issue of dual citizenship in parliament, a fact confirmed today by Mr Hipkins and the New Zealand Labor leader. As Mr Hipkins has said “the question was not asked on behalf of Australian Labor”. In fact, neither I, nor my staff member had any knowledge the question had even been asked until after the story broke. New Zealand minister Peter Dunne has since confirmed it was questions by Fairfax journalists, and not the question on notice, which led to the outing of My Joyce as a New Zealand citizen. For the Turnbull government to then turn this into a diplomatic incident to try to distract attention from the failings of the deputy prime minister is both reckless, and damaging.
Independent Bob Katter declared his agreement to provide confidence and supply to the Turnbull government is over because Turnbull had not followed through with his wishlist. Fellow indie Andrew Wilkie said he never had such an agreement and Cathy McGowan said everything remained the same. Nick Xenophon said he would consider his options if Barnaby was ineligible. None of this matters unless Turnbull loses a number in the house (say Barnaby Joyce) but it was worth nailing down.Independent Bob Katter declared his agreement to provide confidence and supply to the Turnbull government is over because Turnbull had not followed through with his wishlist. Fellow indie Andrew Wilkie said he never had such an agreement and Cathy McGowan said everything remained the same. Nick Xenophon said he would consider his options if Barnaby was ineligible. None of this matters unless Turnbull loses a number in the house (say Barnaby Joyce) but it was worth nailing down.
That is my summary but an alternative might be Josh Butler’s summary via tweet:That is my summary but an alternative might be Josh Butler’s summary via tweet:
Tuesday in govt:- deputy PM is a Kiwi, off to High Court- accused NZ of treachery- Katter withdraws supply guarantee- lost a House vote pic.twitter.com/US6j1nz3sbTuesday in govt:- deputy PM is a Kiwi, off to High Court- accused NZ of treachery- Katter withdraws supply guarantee- lost a House vote pic.twitter.com/US6j1nz3sb
All this happened since 7am so I am almost scared to go to bed tonight. But thanks once again for your company and to my brains trust, Gareth Hutchens, Paul Karp, Katharine Murphy and Mike Bowers - who excelled himself today. All this happened since 7am so I am almost scared to go to bed tonight. But thanks once again for your company and to my brains trust, Gareth Hutchens, Paul Karp, Katharine Murphy and Mike Bowers who excelled himself today.
Good night.Good night.
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So due to the government numbers, the Coalition manage to overturn the Labor amendment on the reef.So due to the government numbers, the Coalition manage to overturn the Labor amendment on the reef.
Labor has moved a suspension of standing orders to debate the reef but it was lost.Labor has moved a suspension of standing orders to debate the reef but it was lost.
Chaotic scenes for the past half hour.Chaotic scenes for the past half hour.
The government benches are not happy.The government benches are not happy.
Faces like dropped pies.Faces like dropped pies.
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The last time the Turnbull government lost a vote on the floor was soon after parliament returned after the last election.The last time the Turnbull government lost a vote on the floor was soon after parliament returned after the last election.
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Labor’s amendment followed Greens MP Adam Bandt’s attempt to amend the bill in this way:Labor’s amendment followed Greens MP Adam Bandt’s attempt to amend the bill in this way:
That global warming is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef and calls on the government to immediately take all available steps to stop the Adani Carmichael coalmine.That global warming is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef and calls on the government to immediately take all available steps to stop the Adani Carmichael coalmine.
Bandt lost this vote.Bandt lost this vote.
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Coalition loses vote that condemns Turnbull government on Reef and climate changeCoalition loses vote that condemns Turnbull government on Reef and climate change
To explain, the government failed to get enough MPs into the chamber for a vote on a Labor amendment.To explain, the government failed to get enough MPs into the chamber for a vote on a Labor amendment.
The Labor amendment said this:The Labor amendment said this:
whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that:whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that:
(1) the Government is failing to protect Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef by:(1) the Government is failing to protect Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef by:
(a) failing to act on climate change;(a) failing to act on climate change;
(b) supporting the Liberal National Party in Queensland in blocking reef protections aimed at halting the broad scale clearing of trees and remnant vegetation; and(b) supporting the Liberal National Party in Queensland in blocking reef protections aimed at halting the broad scale clearing of trees and remnant vegetation; and
(c) winding back ocean protection, put in place by Labor, around Australia and specifically in the Coral Sea; and(c) winding back ocean protection, put in place by Labor, around Australia and specifically in the Coral Sea; and
(2) this Government cannot be trusted to protect the Great Barrier Reef and fight for Australia’s unique environment.”(2) this Government cannot be trusted to protect the Great Barrier Reef and fight for Australia’s unique environment.”
This was carried 69-61.This was carried 69-61.
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There is general argy bargy over the lost vote, what happens next and what the next vote means. The house is now voting again.There is general argy bargy over the lost vote, what happens next and what the next vote means. The house is now voting again.
If you are wondering about the actual bill, this is what it does.If you are wondering about the actual bill, this is what it does.
The purpose of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill) is to amend the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (the GBRMP Act) to ensure that management plans are not revoked when regulations under the GBRMP Act are repealed and remade as a result of the sunsetting regime under the Legislation Act 2003. The proposed amendments are technical in nature and do not appear to change the substance of the regulatory measures applied under the GBRMP Act.The purpose of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill) is to amend the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (the GBRMP Act) to ensure that management plans are not revoked when regulations under the GBRMP Act are repealed and remade as a result of the sunsetting regime under the Legislation Act 2003. The proposed amendments are technical in nature and do not appear to change the substance of the regulatory measures applied under the GBRMP Act.
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The government has just lost a vote in the house.The government has just lost a vote in the house.
AYES: 69NOES: 61… on Great Barrier Reef Marine Park amendments.The government just a LOST a vote on the floor of the House.AYES: 69NOES: 61… on Great Barrier Reef Marine Park amendments.The government just a LOST a vote on the floor of the House.
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ABC understands one of the properties that just sold to Water Minister Barnaby Joyce is called... Kiaora #notkidding #auspolABC understands one of the properties that just sold to Water Minister Barnaby Joyce is called... Kiaora #notkidding #auspol
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One Nation is holding a press conference shortly to discuss media reforms.One Nation is holding a press conference shortly to discuss media reforms.
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Eleanor Ainge RoyEleanor Ainge Roy
Here are some more comments from the NZ Labor leader Jacinda Ardern via Guardian correspondent Eleanor Ainge Roy.Here are some more comments from the NZ Labor leader Jacinda Ardern via Guardian correspondent Eleanor Ainge Roy.
I am not going to escalate this situation, my resolve is to make sure we get our relationship back on track I am not going to let this issue get in the way of that.I am not going to escalate this situation, my resolve is to make sure we get our relationship back on track I am not going to let this issue get in the way of that.
It was an ALP staffer ... [who got in touch with Hipkins].It was an ALP staffer ... [who got in touch with Hipkins].
My last conversation with Bill Shorten was when he called to congratulate me. We have had no conversation about any of these issues and matter.My last conversation with Bill Shorten was when he called to congratulate me. We have had no conversation about any of these issues and matter.
From my perspective we have made it clear this shouldn’t have happened, but ultimately it was questions raised by the media that caused this situation, rather than questions by us so I wanted to make it clear our level of involvement because we have been implicated far beyond what we should have been.From my perspective we have made it clear this shouldn’t have happened, but ultimately it was questions raised by the media that caused this situation, rather than questions by us so I wanted to make it clear our level of involvement because we have been implicated far beyond what we should have been.
[Hipkins] certainly knows that what he did was wrong and has apologised many times. I have apologised many times.[Hipkins] certainly knows that what he did was wrong and has apologised many times. I have apologised many times.
When you are talking about the future of MPs, it is a heightened environment and I absolutely accept that. It is very important from my perspective that we convey our involvement and that I convey that what has happened here is unacceptable.When you are talking about the future of MPs, it is a heightened environment and I absolutely accept that. It is very important from my perspective that we convey our involvement and that I convey that what has happened here is unacceptable.
I don’t believe [the ALP staffer] worked for Bill ShortenI don’t believe [the ALP staffer] worked for Bill Shorten
Australia and New Zealand historically have had to deal with issues of this scale. I have absolute faith that we will be able to maintain our important relationship.Australia and New Zealand historically have had to deal with issues of this scale. I have absolute faith that we will be able to maintain our important relationship.
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What would Tony do?What would Tony do?
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Barnaby Joyce messing with photographers.Barnaby Joyce messing with photographers.
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One Nation gives conditional support to media changesOne Nation gives conditional support to media changes
Via the One Nation Facebook page:Via the One Nation Facebook page:
After extensive consultation with industry bodies, government representatives and regional communities, One Nation senators have given conditional support to the government for its media reform bill. In securing One Nation’s support, the government has agreed to make provisions for ABC reforms, greater community radio funding, and foreign ownership reporting.After extensive consultation with industry bodies, government representatives and regional communities, One Nation senators have given conditional support to the government for its media reform bill. In securing One Nation’s support, the government has agreed to make provisions for ABC reforms, greater community radio funding, and foreign ownership reporting.
The government agreed to pursue a number of measures designed to assist the ABC in increasing its regional focus, as well as its financial transparency and political impartiality.The government agreed to pursue a number of measures designed to assist the ABC in increasing its regional focus, as well as its financial transparency and political impartiality.
One Nation has been at the forefront calling for more transparency of wages at the ABC and we have received assurances from the government that they will be asking the ABC to start providing details of the wages and conditions of all staff whose wages and allowances are greater than $200,000, similar to what is being implemented by the British Broadcasting Corporation.One Nation has been at the forefront calling for more transparency of wages at the ABC and we have received assurances from the government that they will be asking the ABC to start providing details of the wages and conditions of all staff whose wages and allowances are greater than $200,000, similar to what is being implemented by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The government has also agreed to undertake a competitive neutrality inquiry into the ABC and to legislate a requirement for the ABC to be ‘fair’ and ‘balanced’.The government has also agreed to undertake a competitive neutrality inquiry into the ABC and to legislate a requirement for the ABC to be ‘fair’ and ‘balanced’.
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Ardern doesn’t want a bar of it, by the sounds.Ardern doesn’t want a bar of it, by the sounds.
This had nothing to this and we should not have been involved.This had nothing to this and we should not have been involved.
Ardern does not want it to get in the way of the Australia-New Zealand relationship.Ardern does not want it to get in the way of the Australia-New Zealand relationship.
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NZ Labor leader Jacinda Ardern is speaking in Wellington.NZ Labor leader Jacinda Ardern is speaking in Wellington.
She says the question by her MP Chris Hipkins was wrong but he didn’t know which member it related to – ie Barnaby Joyce.She says the question by her MP Chris Hipkins was wrong but he didn’t know which member it related to – ie Barnaby Joyce.
This is the question in question #auspol #qt pic.twitter.com/MyRHVtJOq2This is the question in question #auspol #qt pic.twitter.com/MyRHVtJOq2
Ardern says it was an Australian Labor staffer who rang Hipkins to ask him to put the question.Ardern says it was an Australian Labor staffer who rang Hipkins to ask him to put the question.
She said Hipkins has recognised it was wrong to ask the question.She said Hipkins has recognised it was wrong to ask the question.
She would be happy to talk to foreign minister Julie Bishop but she doesn’t have her number. Ardern has told the Australian high commission she would be happy to talk to Bishop.She would be happy to talk to foreign minister Julie Bishop but she doesn’t have her number. Ardern has told the Australian high commission she would be happy to talk to Bishop.
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Tony Burke is detailing all of the crossover between Bruce Billson’s habits and the Franchise Council prior to leaving parliament. It is a forensic account of Billson’s media releases, his Twitter feed and other appearances.Tony Burke is detailing all of the crossover between Bruce Billson’s habits and the Franchise Council prior to leaving parliament. It is a forensic account of Billson’s media releases, his Twitter feed and other appearances.
Burke said they raise serious issues while he was reportedly being paid by the Franchise Council. He wants to refer it to the parliament’s powerful privileges committee.Burke said they raise serious issues while he was reportedly being paid by the Franchise Council. He wants to refer it to the parliament’s powerful privileges committee.
He raises some very substantial and serious allegations. I will try to get a copy of the statement so I don’t muck it up.He raises some very substantial and serious allegations. I will try to get a copy of the statement so I don’t muck it up.
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Tony Burke is questioning Speaker Tony Smith on the money paid to former Liberal small business minister Bruce Billson prior to him leaving parliament from the Franchise Council of Australia.Tony Burke is questioning Speaker Tony Smith on the money paid to former Liberal small business minister Bruce Billson prior to him leaving parliament from the Franchise Council of Australia.
It goes to the details reported by 7.30.It goes to the details reported by 7.30.
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The government successfully gagged Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon and then voted down the suspension motion. Question time is over.The government successfully gagged Labor’s Joel Fitzgibbon and then voted down the suspension motion. Question time is over.
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Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.