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Jacqui Lambie confirms she is a dual citizen and will quit Senate – politics live Kristina Keneally will run against John Alexander in Bennelong byelection - politics live
(35 minutes later)
Making a couple of calls to triple confirm Kristina Keneally is, in fact, Labor’s candidate in Bennelong (which is my habit), ALP folks just had one thing to say.
“We are going for government.”
The next Member for Bennelong, @KKeneally pic.twitter.com/O1kUUrURmV
Right, well, this is turning into another one of those days.
Former NSW premier Kristina Keneally will stand in the upcoming by-election in Bennelong as Labor’s candidate.
Keneally is currently a presenter with Sky News, which first reported the story.
Guardian Australia has confirmed Keneally’s candidacy.
There are a few formalities for Jacqui Lambie’s last day in the Senate. She will make a short formal statement to the Senate, likely after midday.
Lambie will then need to table a resignation document. She will then disclose her pairing arrangements. A short statement from Lambie’s office said:
She has received assurances from Labor that standard pairing arrangements will be honoured, such as those granted to Senators Nash and Parry, and is awaiting similar assurances from the government.
Education minister Simon Birmingham has just described Jacqui Lambie as a “passionate individual”.
“I understand that this would be a bitter blow for her personally,” Birmingham said.
He said many in the parliament had mixed dealings with Lambie.
“I feel for Jacqui Lambie. I have had some constructive dealings with Jacqui, particularly around reforms to school funding, as well as some dealings that have perhaps not been as positive,” he said.
Jacqui Lambie was one of the most colourful characters in parliament. So perhaps it’s fitting to remember her Senate career through pictures.
Jacqui Lambie’s departure follows the resignations of fellow senators, Greens Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters; the deputy leader of the National party, Fiona Nash; One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts; and the former Senate president, the Liberal Stephen Parry, who have all fallen foul of the constitutional requirements under section 44.Jacqui Lambie’s departure follows the resignations of fellow senators, Greens Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters; the deputy leader of the National party, Fiona Nash; One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts; and the former Senate president, the Liberal Stephen Parry, who have all fallen foul of the constitutional requirements under section 44.
The Liberal lower house MP John Alexander also resigned at the weekend, triggering a byelection in the Sydney seat of Bennelong.The Liberal lower house MP John Alexander also resigned at the weekend, triggering a byelection in the Sydney seat of Bennelong.
National Barnaby Joyce is also running in his seat of New England after being ruled ineligible by the high court.National Barnaby Joyce is also running in his seat of New England after being ruled ineligible by the high court.
Lambie’s resignation was expected, given she had told a number of Senate colleagues over the course of a chaotic day on Monday that she was in trouble because of her father’s Scottish heritage.Lambie’s resignation was expected, given she had told a number of Senate colleagues over the course of a chaotic day on Monday that she was in trouble because of her father’s Scottish heritage.
Lambie is now the second Tasmanian senator to force a replacement, after Stephen Parry’s departure.Lambie is now the second Tasmanian senator to force a replacement, after Stephen Parry’s departure.
When it was just Parry’s departure triggering a recount, it was possible that procedure could have displaced the Tasmanian Green Nick McKim, possibly in favour of a One Nation candidate.When it was just Parry’s departure triggering a recount, it was possible that procedure could have displaced the Tasmanian Green Nick McKim, possibly in favour of a One Nation candidate.
But the ABC’s election expert Antony Green, told Guardian Australia on Tuesday if both Parry and Lambie were knocked out “there is no question over Nick McKim’s position”.But the ABC’s election expert Antony Green, told Guardian Australia on Tuesday if both Parry and Lambie were knocked out “there is no question over Nick McKim’s position”.
Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz has issued a statement on Lambie’s resignation. He says she “certainly brought some interesting flair to the Senate”.Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz has issued a statement on Lambie’s resignation. He says she “certainly brought some interesting flair to the Senate”.
While Ms Lambie’s resignation from the Senate will be disappointing, particularly for her supporters, she has acted with integrity and a fundamental respect for the Tasmanian people by resigning for which she should be commended.While Ms Lambie’s resignation from the Senate will be disappointing, particularly for her supporters, she has acted with integrity and a fundamental respect for the Tasmanian people by resigning for which she should be commended.
It is a real shame that Justine Keay continues to engage in such a great deception of the people of Braddon by refusing to either resign or have herself referred to the high court to draw an end to the valid questions hanging over her particularly in light of Mr Parry and Ms Lambie’s honourable actions.It is a real shame that Justine Keay continues to engage in such a great deception of the people of Braddon by refusing to either resign or have herself referred to the high court to draw an end to the valid questions hanging over her particularly in light of Mr Parry and Ms Lambie’s honourable actions.
I wish Ms Lambie well for the future.I wish Ms Lambie well for the future.
Lambie said she’d have a “good look” at running for the house of representatives, should Labor MP for Braddon Justine Keay be the next scalp claimed by the citizenship crisis.Lambie said she’d have a “good look” at running for the house of representatives, should Labor MP for Braddon Justine Keay be the next scalp claimed by the citizenship crisis.
“I’d certainly have a good look at it, I just have to see what else is going on… it’s all over the shop here right now,” Lambie said.“I’d certainly have a good look at it, I just have to see what else is going on… it’s all over the shop here right now,” Lambie said.
She said she had no reason to believe she was a dual citizen at the time of her candidacy.She said she had no reason to believe she was a dual citizen at the time of her candidacy.
“Until you start hearing what’s been going on, it all comes out. Trust me, I’ve become a legal expert in it in the last fortnight, I can assure you,” Lambie said.“Until you start hearing what’s been going on, it all comes out. Trust me, I’ve become a legal expert in it in the last fortnight, I can assure you,” Lambie said.
“I think because I was with [Palmer United Party], I would have thought there wouldn’t be any questions over it, they’ve checked all this.”“I think because I was with [Palmer United Party], I would have thought there wouldn’t be any questions over it, they’ve checked all this.”
Lambie is expecting to resign from the Senate just after midday. She’ll jump on a plane and return to Tasmania. Her staff are expected to lose her jobs.Lambie is expecting to resign from the Senate just after midday. She’ll jump on a plane and return to Tasmania. Her staff are expected to lose her jobs.
She says she doesn’t think section 44 of the constitution will ever be changed.She says she doesn’t think section 44 of the constitution will ever be changed.
“No I don’t think we’ll ever do that, but I will tell you something right now,” Lambie said.“No I don’t think we’ll ever do that, but I will tell you something right now,” Lambie said.
“There’ll be checking like there’s no tomorrow, so I don’t think this will be an issue.”“There’ll be checking like there’s no tomorrow, so I don’t think this will be an issue.”
Lambie says she respects the constitution.Lambie says she respects the constitution.
Lambie is speaking on Tasmanian radio. She’s determined to return to parliament.Lambie is speaking on Tasmanian radio. She’s determined to return to parliament.
“I was going to say what my father said to me this morning, you can’t keep a bloody Lambie down,” she said.“I was going to say what my father said to me this morning, you can’t keep a bloody Lambie down,” she said.
“I won’t be laying down, I’ll just get up and get back on and go again, simple as that.”“I won’t be laying down, I’ll just get up and get back on and go again, simple as that.”
The first thing she’ll be doing is renouncing her citizenship, she says.The first thing she’ll be doing is renouncing her citizenship, she says.
Jacqui Lambie’s office has confirmed she is a dual citizen and intends to resign from the senate.Jacqui Lambie’s office has confirmed she is a dual citizen and intends to resign from the senate.
Breaking: Jacqui Lambie tells Tasmanian radio she will quit the Senate today. Has confirmed she is a Scottish dual citizen. @theheraldsun #auspolBreaking: Jacqui Lambie tells Tasmanian radio she will quit the Senate today. Has confirmed she is a Scottish dual citizen. @theheraldsun #auspol
Back to same-sex marriage momentarily. The bill proposed by James Paterson on Monday introduced a greater right for businesses to freely discriminate against same-sex weddings. It would allow a hotel, for example, to refuse to hold a same-sex wedding or reception. A baker could hang a sign in the shopfront saying: “No same-sex weddings”.Back to same-sex marriage momentarily. The bill proposed by James Paterson on Monday introduced a greater right for businesses to freely discriminate against same-sex weddings. It would allow a hotel, for example, to refuse to hold a same-sex wedding or reception. A baker could hang a sign in the shopfront saying: “No same-sex weddings”.
The Paterson bill has drawn an angry response from Liberal moderates, including Warren Entsch and Trent Zimmerman. Education minister Simon Birmingham also said on Monday that he preferred the original bill proposed by moderate Dean Smith.The Paterson bill has drawn an angry response from Liberal moderates, including Warren Entsch and Trent Zimmerman. Education minister Simon Birmingham also said on Monday that he preferred the original bill proposed by moderate Dean Smith.
Attorney general George Brandis has just been on Sky News. He had this to say about the options that would come before parliament in the event of a yes vote:Attorney general George Brandis has just been on Sky News. He had this to say about the options that would come before parliament in the event of a yes vote:
I don’t want to get into the weeds before the parliamentary debate but I agree with senator Birmingham. We’re certainly not going to remove one form of discrimination and, at the same time, instate a new form of discrimination.I don’t want to get into the weeds before the parliamentary debate but I agree with senator Birmingham. We’re certainly not going to remove one form of discrimination and, at the same time, instate a new form of discrimination.
Labor’s Murray Watt has criticised Paterson’s bill, and cautioned against any attempt to introduce religious protections to an “absurd level”.Labor’s Murray Watt has criticised Paterson’s bill, and cautioned against any attempt to introduce religious protections to an “absurd level”.
I saw James Paterson being interviewed yesterday, he’s the proponent of this bill. Apparently under his bill it would be legal for someone, a baker, to refuse a wedding cake to two gay men, but it would be illegal to refuse that cake if it was a birthday cake.I saw James Paterson being interviewed yesterday, he’s the proponent of this bill. Apparently under his bill it would be legal for someone, a baker, to refuse a wedding cake to two gay men, but it would be illegal to refuse that cake if it was a birthday cake.
I mean, how crazy is this? That’s not about religious protections. That’s the kind of interference in the market that i wouldn’t expect from a libertarian member of the Liberal party like James Paterson.I mean, how crazy is this? That’s not about religious protections. That’s the kind of interference in the market that i wouldn’t expect from a libertarian member of the Liberal party like James Paterson.
.@MurrayWatt: An overwhelming 'yes' vote would strengthen the case for @DeanSmithWA's same sex marriage bill. MORE: https://t.co/cGdPUiFbFy pic.twitter.com/4LOZlksaxA.@MurrayWatt: An overwhelming 'yes' vote would strengthen the case for @DeanSmithWA's same sex marriage bill. MORE: https://t.co/cGdPUiFbFy pic.twitter.com/4LOZlksaxA
The Guardian Essential poll has some interesting results this morning. It shows Malcolm Turnbull’s approval rating is down five points in a month, and his disapproval up six points.The Guardian Essential poll has some interesting results this morning. It shows Malcolm Turnbull’s approval rating is down five points in a month, and his disapproval up six points.
He remains clearly ahead of Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister, at 40% compared with Shorten’s 28%. A significant proportion of voters were undecided (33% of the 1,815 voters undecided). You can read more about the results of the poll here.He remains clearly ahead of Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister, at 40% compared with Shorten’s 28%. A significant proportion of voters were undecided (33% of the 1,815 voters undecided). You can read more about the results of the poll here.
It comes after Monday’s Newspoll, published in the Australian, showed Turnbull’s preferred prime minister rating fell from 41% to 36%, shortening his lead to two percentage points.It comes after Monday’s Newspoll, published in the Australian, showed Turnbull’s preferred prime minister rating fell from 41% to 36%, shortening his lead to two percentage points.
New Greens senator Jordon Steele-John was forced to use the slip road to access the Senate entrance to Parliament House this morning. The Parliament House carpark lift was broken. Not a great look for the accessibility of our national parliament.New Greens senator Jordon Steele-John was forced to use the slip road to access the Senate entrance to Parliament House this morning. The Parliament House carpark lift was broken. Not a great look for the accessibility of our national parliament.
Senator Steele-John had to use the senate slip road to access P/H-car park lift was broken @GuardianAus @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/sFKbhHesg0Senator Steele-John had to use the senate slip road to access P/H-car park lift was broken @GuardianAus @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/sFKbhHesg0
Finance minister Mathias Cormann and Labor’s leader in the Senate Penny Wong have locked horns on citizenship this morning, appearing on Channel 7’s Sunrise.Finance minister Mathias Cormann and Labor’s leader in the Senate Penny Wong have locked horns on citizenship this morning, appearing on Channel 7’s Sunrise.
Wong says Labor achieved a series of wins in the deal on citizenship disclosure made on Monday.Wong says Labor achieved a series of wins in the deal on citizenship disclosure made on Monday.
Keen political watchers will remember that, under the disclosure agreement, senators must disclose their citizenship and family background, including that of their grandparents, and outline steps taken to renounce dual citizenship prior to standing for the last election. This will all need to be disclosed by 1 December. Wong says:Keen political watchers will remember that, under the disclosure agreement, senators must disclose their citizenship and family background, including that of their grandparents, and outline steps taken to renounce dual citizenship prior to standing for the last election. This will all need to be disclosed by 1 December. Wong says:
We’re happy with the arrangement that’s been agreed to because it’s what we wanted. We wanted a stronger system of disclosure, the government’s agreed to that. We wanted an earlier date for disclosure, the prime minister had much later date and the government has agreed to that.We’re happy with the arrangement that’s been agreed to because it’s what we wanted. We wanted a stronger system of disclosure, the government’s agreed to that. We wanted an earlier date for disclosure, the prime minister had much later date and the government has agreed to that.
It is a pity that it took Labor and the Australian people pressing so hard for this before Malcolm Turnbull was prepared to act, but we have landed an agreement and I think that’s a good thing for the country.It is a pity that it took Labor and the Australian people pressing so hard for this before Malcolm Turnbull was prepared to act, but we have landed an agreement and I think that’s a good thing for the country.
Cormann continued the government’s attack on four Labor MPs in doubt over their citizenship. That includes Susan Lamb and Justine Keay. The government has threatened to refer both Lamb and Keay to the high court. Cormann said:Cormann continued the government’s attack on four Labor MPs in doubt over their citizenship. That includes Susan Lamb and Justine Keay. The government has threatened to refer both Lamb and Keay to the high court. Cormann said:
We’ve got at least one Labor member of parliament who has confirmed on the public record she was a dual citizen at the time of nominating for the last election and that is clearly in breach of section 44 of the constitution.We’ve got at least one Labor member of parliament who has confirmed on the public record she was a dual citizen at the time of nominating for the last election and that is clearly in breach of section 44 of the constitution.
He’s asked whether the constitution should be changed, given the vast number of dual citizens in Australia. Cormann kicked the can down the road:He’s asked whether the constitution should be changed, given the vast number of dual citizens in Australia. Cormann kicked the can down the road:
It’s a fair question but that is something we can explore into the future. I think right now it is incumbent on every member and senator to be compliant with the constitution as it stands.It’s a fair question but that is something we can explore into the future. I think right now it is incumbent on every member and senator to be compliant with the constitution as it stands.
But into the future I think it is certainly a valid question, but my sense is that the Australian people quite like the fact that Australian members of parliament are required to be Australian citizens only.”But into the future I think it is certainly a valid question, but my sense is that the Australian people quite like the fact that Australian members of parliament are required to be Australian citizens only.”
Welcome to another day in the madhouse.Welcome to another day in the madhouse.
It’s Christopher Knaus here again filling in for Amy Remeikis, who is doing an excellent job of steering Guardian Australia’s coverage of the Queensland election.It’s Christopher Knaus here again filling in for Amy Remeikis, who is doing an excellent job of steering Guardian Australia’s coverage of the Queensland election.
We’re monitoring developments on a number of fronts today, so stick with me as things unfold. This is what we’re expecting so far:We’re monitoring developments on a number of fronts today, so stick with me as things unfold. This is what we’re expecting so far:
The citizenship crisis rolls on. This morning, all eyes are on Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, who remains in doubt. She is awaiting advice from the British Home Office on whether she has inherited citizenship courtesy of his Scottish ancestry. Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi was out and about last night saying Lambie was telling senate colleagues that she was ineligible. Watch this space.The citizenship crisis rolls on. This morning, all eyes are on Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, who remains in doubt. She is awaiting advice from the British Home Office on whether she has inherited citizenship courtesy of his Scottish ancestry. Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi was out and about last night saying Lambie was telling senate colleagues that she was ineligible. Watch this space.
Malcolm Turnbull and Donald Trump had a second, short meeting last night in Manila. The pair were previously scheduled to have a private dinner, but that appears to be scrapped.Malcolm Turnbull and Donald Trump had a second, short meeting last night in Manila. The pair were previously scheduled to have a private dinner, but that appears to be scrapped.
We’re one day out from learning the same-sex marriage survey results. Expect some continuing argy bargy within the Liberal party, after Liberal senator James Paterson announced he was introducing a second bill on Monday.We’re one day out from learning the same-sex marriage survey results. Expect some continuing argy bargy within the Liberal party, after Liberal senator James Paterson announced he was introducing a second bill on Monday.
Just a reminder, only the Senate is sitting today. Let’s get started.Just a reminder, only the Senate is sitting today. Let’s get started.