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Liberal MP Tim Wilson says any association with One Nation is 'toxic' – politics live Liberal MP Tim Wilson says any association with One Nation is 'toxic' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
A little more from that Turnbull-Frydenberg press conference. Turnbull spoke a lot about renewables, and said there is too much “ideology and wishful thinking” in the debate. He asks why Australia would de-industrialise as a result of “some green-left ideological crusade for wind farms and solar panels”. Counting is still going on for the Queensland election and Labor is by no means guaranteed a majority, but Annastacia Palaszcuk has headed back to the executive building to “get on with the job”.
There are still about a dozen seats to be called and Labor is still in with enough of a chance to be a possibility as a majority government, but there is no guessing where those oh so important preferences will go.
It’s going to be some time before we get a result on this. Meanwhile, the LNP is trying to work out what went wrong and fingers are being squarely pointed at the federal sphere. Expect the fall out to continue for some time.
The conservative Liberal senator Eric Abetz has just spoken on same-sex marriage. He was one of the most outspoken no campaigners in parliament.
Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz during debate on the bill to change the marriage act in the senate @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus https://t.co/7ceHyXY4Lk pic.twitter.com/0PYctGuNvT
Abetz is saying the no campaign was at a disadvantage from the start. The media and celebrities were “relentless” in their support for the yes vote.
Abetz says marriage is "common to all cultures" and was designed for biological parents to "socialise the next generation". "The man-woman-children dimension is the common denominator". #auspol #marriageequality
He says good statesmen govern for the entire community, which would include no and yes voters.
Abetz, obviously, wants to see amendments to the Dean Smith bill currently before the Senate. He wants to see greater protections for freedoms of religion, conscience, and speech.
Abetz: I am currently in a minority on changing marriage, but I am in "no doubt" I am in the majority on protecting their long-held and deeply cherished freedoms. #auspol #marriageequality
Here’s a little more from senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s contribution in the Senate earlier today. She spoke about one of her best friends, who was gay and was the victim of bullying.
He struggled for a long time. And I remember thinking I never did quite enough to have his back. He was one of my bestest friends and we hung out, every now and then I would tell people to bugger off when they tried to pick on him. But it didn’t quite feel like it was enough ... Young people in Australia deserve better than that.
.@sarahinthesen8 shares an emotional story as debate beings in the senate on the same sex marriage bill MORE: https://t.co/jNStkrpoak pic.twitter.com/tRCNzIXJ0l
Mike Bowers was down in the chamber for Hanson-Young’s speech.
Trade minister Steve Ciobo, who represents Moncrieff in Queensland, is holding the line on the state election.
It was fought on local issues, he says. The link being made (including by his colleague George Christensen) between the result and Malcolm Turnbull is “ridiculous”.
“That’s an absurd proposition,” he says.
He’s asked about a banking royal commission, following the comments of the Nationals leader, Barnaby Joyce, who left the door open to establishing an inquiry.
Ciobo says such an inquiry would “do nothing except make a lot of money for lawyers”.
We’ve had the first two opponents of marriage equality speak in the Senate debate: Liberal senators Jonathon Duniam and Zed Seselja.
Duniam said that he opposed same-sex marriage “not out of fear or hate, but out of love for my God”. He says he will obey the will of his state of Tasmania and vote in favour, but promises to pursue amendments to prevent “unintended consequences”.
Seselja said: “There is a uniqueness to the male-female relationship – which is still expressed in Australian law ... It soon won’t be.”
Seselja promises to “respect the will of the Australian people” by voting yes at the second reading stage, allowing the bill to go forward.
He will then support amendments so the bill is not a “blank cheque” for marriage equality supporters. No word on what he will do in the final vote.
Zed Seselja runs through all the attacks on "no" campaigners. Then brushes over those from the "yes" side, saying that none of the organisers from the "no" side participated in those attacks.
Seselja says that public opinion polls which accurately suggested Australians would vote “roughly 60-40 in favour of same-sex marriage” now suggest most support religious freedoms.
Setting aside the irony that we needed to ask everyone their view of marriage but now polls are just fine for judging our views on freedoms, it’s not correct that the amendments enjoy majority support.
Guardian’s Essential Poll finds 63% want ministers of religion and celebrants to be able to refuse weddings, but those wanting commercial discrimination and for parents to have a right to remove their children from classes that do not reflect a traditional view of marriage are in the minority (albeit narrowly).
A little more from that Turnbull-Frydenberg press conference. Turnbull spoke a lot about renewables, and said there is too much “ideology and wishful thinking” in the debate. He asks why Australia would de-industrialise as a result of “some green-left ideological crusade for windfarms and solar panels”.
He then paints himself as a champion of renewables.He then paints himself as a champion of renewables.
I see it sometimes in the media saying that my government is hostile to renewables. What utter rubbish. We are embarking on the single largest hydro project in the country’s history since Snowy 1, that’s Snowy 2. I see it sometimes in the media, saying that my government is hostile to renewables. What utter rubbish. We are embarking on the single largest hydro project in the country’s history since Snowy 1; that’s Snowy 2.
Turnbull also had a message for One Nation voters in Queensland.Turnbull also had a message for One Nation voters in Queensland.
I want to say this. For whatever reasons, everyone is entitled to cast their vote as they see fit. but the voting for One Nation in the Queensland election has only assisted the Labor party. So the One Nation voters, I want to say to them that votes for One Nation have assisted Annastacia Palaszczuk.I want to say this. For whatever reasons, everyone is entitled to cast their vote as they see fit. but the voting for One Nation in the Queensland election has only assisted the Labor party. So the One Nation voters, I want to say to them that votes for One Nation have assisted Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg are speaking in Wollongong, at a BlueScope steel facility. They’re there to talk up the government’s national energy guarantee, but the questions thus far are almost exclusively on the Queensland election.Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg are speaking in Wollongong, at a BlueScope steel facility. They’re there to talk up the government’s national energy guarantee, but the questions thus far are almost exclusively on the Queensland election.
So much so, in fact, that when a question on the national energy guarantee is asked, it appears to genuinely surprise Turnbull.So much so, in fact, that when a question on the national energy guarantee is asked, it appears to genuinely surprise Turnbull.
I’m sorry, what measurement are you talking about?... the national energy guarantee, oh right, sorry.I’m sorry, what measurement are you talking about?... the national energy guarantee, oh right, sorry.
On the Queensland election, Turnbull says there is no initiative to split the LNP in Queensland. He is trying to distance the federal government from the Queensland election.On the Queensland election, Turnbull says there is no initiative to split the LNP in Queensland. He is trying to distance the federal government from the Queensland election.
I don’t think there’s any initiative to change that. The election was fought on, very much as we know, on state [issues]. As state elections always are by the way, but this one was particularly so.I don’t think there’s any initiative to change that. The election was fought on, very much as we know, on state [issues]. As state elections always are by the way, but this one was particularly so.
He also takes an early opportunity to hurl a rock at Kristina Keneally, the Labor candidate for Bennelong. She wants to bring refugees to Australia from Manus, says Turnbull, referring to an old opinion piece Keneally wrote for Guardian Australia.He also takes an early opportunity to hurl a rock at Kristina Keneally, the Labor candidate for Bennelong. She wants to bring refugees to Australia from Manus, says Turnbull, referring to an old opinion piece Keneally wrote for Guardian Australia.
That would be the biggest marketing opportunity for the people smugglers that you can imagine.That would be the biggest marketing opportunity for the people smugglers that you can imagine.
Zed Seselja expands on his concerns about parental choice. He says overseas experience suggests teaching on gender and sexuality had been forced on children without their knowledge. We shouldn’t just “take it on trust” that the same won’t occur in Australia, Seselja says.Zed Seselja expands on his concerns about parental choice. He says overseas experience suggests teaching on gender and sexuality had been forced on children without their knowledge. We shouldn’t just “take it on trust” that the same won’t occur in Australia, Seselja says.
In other countries we have seen flow-on impacts and it’s been harder for those individual parents to object.In other countries we have seen flow-on impacts and it’s been harder for those individual parents to object.
The first senator from the no campaign is on his feet in the Senate. The conservative ACT senator Zed Seselja is saying he will support amendments which “strengthen the legislation”. Seselja has been one of the key proponents of amending the bill to give greater protections for religious freedom and parental choice.The first senator from the no campaign is on his feet in the Senate. The conservative ACT senator Zed Seselja is saying he will support amendments which “strengthen the legislation”. Seselja has been one of the key proponents of amending the bill to give greater protections for religious freedom and parental choice.
I firmly believe this cannot be a blank cheque, because changing this Act does have consequences.I firmly believe this cannot be a blank cheque, because changing this Act does have consequences.
Seselja said he remains “firm in his convictions” about marriage but will respect the will of the Australian people.Seselja said he remains “firm in his convictions” about marriage but will respect the will of the Australian people.
He’s raising concerns about the teaching of programs such as Safe Schools in Australian schools.He’s raising concerns about the teaching of programs such as Safe Schools in Australian schools.
Seselja began his contribution by reminding the Senate that many people currently sitting in the chamber have previously opposed same-sex marriage but since changed their position. That included Labor senator Penny Wong, who voted in support of the Howard amendment in 2004 to exclude same-sex couples from marriage.Seselja began his contribution by reminding the Senate that many people currently sitting in the chamber have previously opposed same-sex marriage but since changed their position. That included Labor senator Penny Wong, who voted in support of the Howard amendment in 2004 to exclude same-sex couples from marriage.
Simply because some have changed their views ... does not mean the millions of Australians who hold a different view do it as a result of bigotry, any more than Senator Wong did it as a result of bigotry.Simply because some have changed their views ... does not mean the millions of Australians who hold a different view do it as a result of bigotry, any more than Senator Wong did it as a result of bigotry.
Tears and Cheers-Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young during an emotional contribution in the senate as debate on the bill to change the marriage act gets underway @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/7ceHyXY4Lk pic.twitter.com/b7ZoOuI65VTears and Cheers-Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young during an emotional contribution in the senate as debate on the bill to change the marriage act gets underway @knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/7ceHyXY4Lk pic.twitter.com/b7ZoOuI65V
Federal Liberal MPs are continuing to publicly dissect the Queensland state election result. Tim Wilson has just said that any association with One Nation is toxic and ought to be avoided.Federal Liberal MPs are continuing to publicly dissect the Queensland state election result. Tim Wilson has just said that any association with One Nation is toxic and ought to be avoided.
Bob Borbidge is right: any association with One Nation is toxic. They are not allies or friends of the Liberal Party. They feed on discontent. They have no solutions for the future of Australia.Bob Borbidge is right: any association with One Nation is toxic. They are not allies or friends of the Liberal Party. They feed on discontent. They have no solutions for the future of Australia.
Education minister Simon Birmingham had similar things to say a bit earlier this morning on Sky News.Education minister Simon Birmingham had similar things to say a bit earlier this morning on Sky News.
After trashing Nationals MP George Christensen’s weekend comments, Birmingham said the LNP needed to work out a way to stop the leakage of votes to minor parties.After trashing Nationals MP George Christensen’s weekend comments, Birmingham said the LNP needed to work out a way to stop the leakage of votes to minor parties.
So this goes to the question of how do you fight back against that leakage of votes to minor parties and to One Nation in particular? And you don’t do it by trying to become One Nation light.So this goes to the question of how do you fight back against that leakage of votes to minor parties and to One Nation in particular? And you don’t do it by trying to become One Nation light.
You do it by taking the fight up to them in terms of explaining to the electorate the benefits of open markets, the benefits of trade, the benefits that will accrue to those communities because we’re increasing exports and generating more jobs, the risks to them if we actually get pushed into becoming a closed shop economy; that of course people will find their standard of living will drop, their opportunities will drop.You do it by taking the fight up to them in terms of explaining to the electorate the benefits of open markets, the benefits of trade, the benefits that will accrue to those communities because we’re increasing exports and generating more jobs, the risks to them if we actually get pushed into becoming a closed shop economy; that of course people will find their standard of living will drop, their opportunities will drop.
Labor’s Jenny McAllister is now on her feet in the Senate. She’s chairing a committee that’s looking into the conduct of the postal survey.Labor’s Jenny McAllister is now on her feet in the Senate. She’s chairing a committee that’s looking into the conduct of the postal survey.
The past few months have been bruising and hurtful to the LGTBI community.The past few months have been bruising and hurtful to the LGTBI community.
McAllister: there is no hidden army of social conservatives, the years of polling were right. #auspol #marriageequalityMcAllister: there is no hidden army of social conservatives, the years of polling were right. #auspol #marriageequality
Emotions are running high in the Senate. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young is in tears as she speaks on the same-sex marriage bill. She pays tribute to the activists and politicians who have helped make marriage equality happen.Emotions are running high in the Senate. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young is in tears as she speaks on the same-sex marriage bill. She pays tribute to the activists and politicians who have helped make marriage equality happen.
Millions of Australians have fought for this reform to happen. Inquiries after inquiries, protesting on the street, meeting with members of parliament, lobbying in their workplaces and voting yes.Millions of Australians have fought for this reform to happen. Inquiries after inquiries, protesting on the street, meeting with members of parliament, lobbying in their workplaces and voting yes.
It is now time for the Senate to do our job, to get this done. And without the muddying of the waters from those who have always been opposed to equal love. The growth of the movement has been so strong and so profound. Activists gathering in pubs, meeting in community centres, organising among their friends, to cities and airports being lit up by lights.It is now time for the Senate to do our job, to get this done. And without the muddying of the waters from those who have always been opposed to equal love. The growth of the movement has been so strong and so profound. Activists gathering in pubs, meeting in community centres, organising among their friends, to cities and airports being lit up by lights.
But why is this so important? It’s because discrimination to some demeans us all. Because equality is a symbol of a fair, caring and progressive society.But why is this so important? It’s because discrimination to some demeans us all. Because equality is a symbol of a fair, caring and progressive society.
Hanson-Young says she will always remember 15 November, the day the postal survey results were announced.Hanson-Young says she will always remember 15 November, the day the postal survey results were announced.
It will go down as the day when progressive reforms can be seen as achievable. The street party and the parties [which] happened across the country on the day and the night on the 15th of November were so joyous.It will go down as the day when progressive reforms can be seen as achievable. The street party and the parties [which] happened across the country on the day and the night on the 15th of November were so joyous.
You could just feel the buzz and the excitement in the air, because there was just a huge sense of relief. People who had fought for this for so long were vindicated.You could just feel the buzz and the excitement in the air, because there was just a huge sense of relief. People who had fought for this for so long were vindicated.
The nation repaired its broken heart that had been damaged by the former prime minister John Howard’s bill. It is now up to this place to make sure that we get the job done and finish properly.The nation repaired its broken heart that had been damaged by the former prime minister John Howard’s bill. It is now up to this place to make sure that we get the job done and finish properly.
It’s not all Kumbaya in the Senate despite the cross-party consensus on the bill authored by Dean Smith and the long list of marriage equality supporters so far.
Labor’s Anne Urquhart took a swipe at Philip Ruddock’s record as attorney general when discussing the government’s religious freedom inquiry, and noted that it has no LGBTIQ representation.
Lisa Singh called the postal survey a “blatant abdication of responsibility and a waste of $100m”. She accused Malcolm Turnbull of caving to conservatives. “The prime minister continues to let them lead the government and that is an absolute shame.”
Sarah Hanson-Young is now on her feet and very teary about the long slow progress of marriage equality, recounting her decision to sponsor a private member’s bill in 2008. She said Australian Marriage Equality co-chair Alex Greenwich convinced her that marriage equality was not inevitable and progressives would have to fight for the social reform.
“It’s his birthday tomorrow, so I’m hoping we can have a vote on the second reading as a birthday present for him.”
Just casting our gaze over to banking, momentarily. We know the push for a banking royal commission is currently one of the key topics causing restlessness within the Coalition.
Well, our political editor, Katharine Murphy ,has added a little more fuel to that particular fire. She’s spoken to Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who has left the door open to switching positions and supporting an inquiry into the banks.
If he did so, he’d be at odds with Malcolm Turnbull and treasurer Scott Morrison, who have so far resisted such calls, instead favouring a compensation scheme for victims of bank malfeasance.
You can read Murphy’s full piece here:
Senate debate on the cross-party same-sex marriage bill has continued with more supporters including Peter Whish-Wilson, Anne Urquhart and Richard Di Natale.
Urquhart said that an “ideal bill” would simply remove the provision that marriage is between a man and a woman and instead specify that it is between “two people”.
She argues the cross-party bill is already a compromise, because it creates a new category of religious civil celebrants that can refuse weddings – one of the many indications that Labor will not accept further amendments.
Di Natale says “the resounding yes vote was a call to end discrimination, not entrench it”.
The Greens leader also mentions he has met young LGBTI people who don’t want to get married because they view marriage as “flawed, conservative and patriarchal”.
But even these people “almost all still support this change … because for many this is about equality, not marriage”.
Di Natale promises a good faith debate on the cross-party bill. He has already confirmed to Guardian Australia that the Greens will propose amendments but not do anything to imperil marriage equality.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale has just wrapped up his speech.
Remember those rainbow sneakers he wore when the same-sex marriage bill was introduced?
Well, he’s got them on again. He’s telling us why.
When in the future I recall the resounding yes vote and I look at these sneakers, I’ll know that change is possible. If we can achieve justice in this issue, there’s no reason we can’t achieve justice for so many other Australians who are struggling right now. That we are better as a nation when we are working towards fairness, respect, and compassion.
As the debate on the same-sex marriage bill continues, Victorian Labor senator Jacinta Collins crossed the floor to speak with Liberal moderate Dean Smith.
The Senate has resumed debate on the same-sex marriage bill.
Labor’s Anne Urquhart, a senator from Tasmania, said her party made a mistake when it backed John Howard’s change to the Marriage Act in 2004, which deliberately barred same-sex couples from the definition of marriage.
Urquhart said it took many years of effort to change Labor’s position. Tasmania, she said, led the way. She implored colleagues to allow the bill to pass without amendments.
All that will happen after this bill is passed is that more people will be able to get married. In no way does this bill lessen the value of, or harm any existing marriage. In no way does this bill cause any harm on any person or couple. And in no way are your precious freedoms restricted or impacted.
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, is also speaking on the bill. He said the postal survey had unleashed hate and abuse on the LGBTIQ community. Now, the parliament had to get on with the job.
It’s now time to end the damaging debate, enough is enough, enough of the distractions, enough of the delays, enough of the damaging lies.
Australia said yes to marriage equality, and they said it emphatically.
Turnbull can cancel Parliament - but that won't stop my Labor team from turning up to work and pushing our policy agenda: creating jobs, investing in education, building infrastructure and – of course - protecting Medicare. pic.twitter.com/DZoQb5ob8b
The result of the Queensland election has been one of the key talking points in Canberra this morning. Your usual blogger, Amy Remeikis, has given us a series of excellent insights into Queensland politics throughout the campaign. This morning, she looked at how Adani’s Carmichael mine influenced the result. The conclusion? It may have saved government for Labor. Exit polls in the state’s south-east found up to 70% of respondents were against the billion-dollar rail line loan for Adani.
You can read Amy’s full piece here:
Labor candidate for Bennelong, Kristina Keneally, appeared in the electorate a little earlier. We’re only a few weeks out from the poll, which is shaping up as a significant test for Malcolm Turnbull and the Coalition.
Keneally responds to the attack launched on her by Turnbull on Sunday. Turnbull likened her views on immigration to throwing out the welcome mat for people smugglers.
Keneally said Turnbull had looked “a little stressed”.
And you know what it’s not just the prime minister who’s under pressure. It’s his government that’s under pressure. The dysfunction, the chaos. This government is eating itself alive in front of the Australian people.
Mike Bowers was down at the shadow cabinet meeting earlier this morning. Look how busy everyone is! As per Bill Shorten:
“We are here. Turnbull, well, he’s just not here.”