This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/nov/14/citizenship-crisis-turnbull-trump-coalition-labor-shorten-politics-live

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
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)
Malcolm Turnbull is wrapping up his tour of Asia. He’s still in the Philippines, and today met with Australian and Filipino troops. The two nations are working to combat the threat posed by Islamic State in the southern Philippines. Fairfax’s Alex Ellinghausen posted this to Twitter a bit earlier:
The Prime Minister with Aussie and Filipino troops in Manila pic.twitter.com/SoQZWYIE6j
Well, it’s quickly become clear how the Liberals plan to tackle Kristina Keneally in Bennelong. Health minister Greg Hunt spoke to the media at a little earlier, and said this of Keneally:
This is Eddie Obeid’s protege. Eddie Obeid was Kristina Keneally’s patron. You’ve got a comparison here. One – Kristina Keneally fought for Eddie Obeid. The other – John Alexander fought for Australia on the international courts. So the people of New South Wales should not be played for mugs.
Liberal senator, David Fawcett, has told Guardian Australia he believes that James Paterson’s bill “reflects more fully” the recommendations of the Senate committee inquiry into same-sex marriage that he chaired, endorsing it over Dean Smith’s bill.
Malcolm Turnbull has called Smith’s bill a good starting for a parliamentary debate about marriage, but conservatives are not ruling out raising the marriage issue in the party room.
Fawcett said Paterson’s bill would fulfil United Nations Human Rights Committee recommendations both on the rights of LGBTI people and to protect religious freedom.
Fawcett:
Australia has never legislated to protect religious freedom comprehensively ... the James Paterson bill is more comprehensive, and it is my preferred starting point.
Fawcett said he wanted “sensible grown-up conversations” about the legislative process ahead, and he would encourage all parties to discuss which bill to use “not necessarily in the debating chamber of the Senate”.
Sydney 2GB radio host Ray Hadley has responded to the news that Kristina Keneally will challenge John Alexander in the Bennelong by-election.
“And she is contesting Bennelong,” he said, without mentioning her name.
He then played a recording of the time when Keneally, after she seized power of the NSW government in a late-night coup, toppling then-NSW Labor premier Nathan Rees, told the NSW parliament that she gained the position on her own.
“I am nobody’s puppet. I am nobody’s protege. I am nobody’s girl,” Keneally told parliament.
Hadley then said: “That’s when she was elevated to the premiership, and the suggestion was from the [Liberal] opposition at the time that Eddie [Obeid], Uncle Eddie, had paved the way [for her].”
Then he cut to a traffic report.
Ten minutes later, he returned to the issue. He said Keneally had to say those things about not being anyone’s puppet because Nathan Rees had warned, before he was toppled, that his replacement would a protege of Obeid and Joe Tripodi.
“You cannot reinvent history,” Hadley said.
He then played a recording of the warning from Nathan Rees.
“Should I not be premier by the end of this day, let there be no doubt in the community’s mind, no doubt, that any challenger will be a puppet of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi,” Rees said at the time.
Hadley then said: “The electorate need to be reminded of Kristina Keneally circa back then. 2010. It’s a long time ago.”
Keneally’s candidacy dramatically raises the stakes in Bennelong, which goes to the polls on December 16. The seat, in Sydney’s north-west, is considered a safe Liberal seat.
The Liberals held it with a margin of almost 10% last election. But Labor have previously signalled they will campaign vigorously, and have so far they’ve sought to woo ethnically diverse voters in the multicultural electorate. They’re seeking to capitalise on anger over the government’s stalled citizenship requirements, which impose onerous English requirements, and preference deals between the Liberals and One Nation in Queensland.
The incumbent, John Alexander, is also racing against the clock to find out whether he is a dual British citizen, and then have it renounced.
Labor have only won the seat once in its history, courtesy of former journalist Maxine McKew in 2007, who defeated Howard with a 5.5% swing.
Election analyst Ben Raue explained the state of play in Bennelong in this piece on Monday.
That news seems to have shocked even her colleagues on Sky News.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.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.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.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.“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.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.“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: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.”“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.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”.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.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.“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.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.“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.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 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.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.“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”.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.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.“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.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.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 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.”“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?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.“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.@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”.