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Kristina Keneally will run against John Alexander in Bennelong byelection - politics live Kristina Keneally will run against John Alexander in Bennelong byelection - politics live
(35 minutes later)
That news seems to have shocked even her colleagues on Sky News.
Sky News’ Laura Jayes hosts a show with Kristina Keneally at 1pm each day.
Jayes said she had no idea of Keneally’s candidacy until the announcement today. She says Keneally will not be coming into work today.
Keneally says her opponent in Bennelong, John Alexander, is a “nice guy”. He’s affable, and would beat her in a tennis match, she said. He might be a bit sloppy with his paperwork.
“I think John Alexander is a nice guy, if you ask me if he’s a good local member, well I can’t get past the fact that the Liberals in 2016 made no local commitments to the area of Bennelong,” she said.
Kristina Keneally reveals that she received a call from Bill Shorten on the weekend, asking her to run in Bennelong.
“I got a call from Bill Shoten this weekend; Bill Shorten is a very persuasive man,” Keneally said.
She said Shorten knew she was a local, and that:
“I think he kind of knew that the fight for the Labor cause has not extinguished in me.”
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has just appeared in Sydney, alongside his new candidate for the seat of Bennelong, Kristina Keneally.
Keneally, who promises she is not a dual citizen, says she had “never thought that a run at the federal parliament was a thing for me”.
But she says no one could have imagined the citizenship crisis would have unfolded the way it has.
“This is a unique circumstance, an odd circumstance, and really, let’s be blunt, a crisis circumstance,” she said.
She describes herself as the underdog in Bennelong, but said she had never ran away from a fight. Bennelong is considered a safe Liberal seat.
“I’m under no illusions, it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be hard,” she said.
Keneally began the press conference with a story about her son’s difficulties in dealing with the local Medicare office in Ryde.
She said they had to endure an excessive wait, were forced to submit paper, not electronic forms, and then told to come back later in the week.
She looked around and “felt angry” for the other people waiting in the office.
“This is what happens when the Liberals get into government: they cut services, they cut Medicare services,” she said.
Keneally went on to explain her ties to the Bennelong electorate, although she concedes she lives “800 metres from the border”.
She moved here in 1994, after meeting her partner, Ben Keneally. Her first flat was in Waverton, and her in-laws lived in Gladesville for 40 years.
“This is where I live, this is where I work, this is where my family is,” she said.
Shorten described Keneally as a “high-profile” and “first-class” candidate, but conceded Labor was starting from a less-favourable position in Bennelong.
He described the byelection as a chance for voters to send a message to Malcolm Turnbull.
“This byelection is a chance for the voters of Bennelong to send a wake-up call to Mr Turnbull and his government,” he said.
“This is a chance which I think a lot of people in Australia would like to have, but has fallen to the people of Bennelong, to send a message against the dysfunction and the chaos of the current government ... that’s what this byelection is all about.”
Also, in case anyone was wondering what’s going to happen to Keneally’s spot on Sky News?
“Some of you may be aware that I work at Sky News, although probably not after today,” she said.
.@KKeneally: I renounced my US citizenship in 2002. MORE: https://t.co/MvrkcVOXSl pic.twitter.com/eczpUN1wVM
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.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.”“We are going for government.”
The next Member for Bennelong, @KKeneally pic.twitter.com/O1kUUrURmVThe next Member for Bennelong, @KKeneally pic.twitter.com/O1kUUrURmV
Right, well, this is turning into another one of those days.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.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.Keneally is currently a presenter with Sky News, which first reported the story.
Guardian Australia has confirmed Keneally’s candidacy.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.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: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.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”.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.“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.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.“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 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”.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
Lambie says she respects the constitution.
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 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.
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 #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”.
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:
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”.
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.
.@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.
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.
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/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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.