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/2018/aug/21/liberal-leadership-dutton-turnbull-energy

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Labor says Turnbull prime minister ‘in name only’ – politics live Peter Dutton says he supports the prime minister 'today' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
“Yes, I did take a tough approach in relation to different decisions that I had to make,” Peter Dutton says.
“But I didn’t do that as a puppet for somebody else or because I have a weak character or personality – I am not directed by anyone else. I want to do what is in the best interest of our country.
“I think in the immigration portfolio, you are defined by Nauru and Manus. Now, I didn’t put any people on Nauru and Manus, I got people off. I would love to get everybody off there tomorrow. If I could have brought them to Australia in a charter flight overnight I would have. But I would have seen people drown at sea, which would have been tragic obviously.
“So yes, I do think people do define you and in the modern age, people seem to grab either on social media or a meme somewhere, or they see you quickly on the news of a night-time, I think the opportunity for me, as a backbencher now, is to talk to people about a lot of things – I think I have a self-deprecating sense of humour, you know, I like a drink like anyone else, it’s an opportunity for me, I think now, to talk a bit more the other side the public may not have know – I am proud of my success and I don’t regret anything I did in securing our borders and making sure that we got kids out of detention, closing those detention centres, the work with Asio and with the federal police, all of that is crucial to the security of our country and I think I have established my bona fides in that regard.
“When I was health minister, you know, health spending went up by 14 %, hospital funding went up by almost a couple of billion dollars.
“So for me, I can talk about who I know that I am. Some people may not have seen that side. In the end, I think that is the opportunity for me now.”
“No sniping, no undermining and I can relax a little bit, which is good,” says the real Peter Dutton.
“For me, I can talk about who I know that I am, some people might not have seen ... for me I can do that now,” Peter Dutton says.
He really wants you to know that it is “pretty hard to crack a smile” when you are talking about serious issues.
Like, really wants you to know.
He wants to “talk more about” his normal side, which includes going to sporting games and being a knockabout bloke.
“I think in the immigration portfolio you are defined by Nauru and Manus ... I would have loved to get everyone off there tomorrow ... if I could have brought everyone to Australia on a charter flight, I would have,” Peter Dutton says.
He has a self-deprecating sense of humour and likes a drink like everyone else, he adds.
On Tony Abbott:
I don’t think it is any surprise to talk about the animosity between Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott...there issues are between them and nothing to do with me.
I had a very good and frank conversation with the prime minister today ... but it was not an acrimonious one. Others can run their own races.
He says that he believes having a portfolio like home affairs means that some people might think he doesn’t smile enough, or have a laugh or show personality.
It’s the REAL Peter Dutton, ladies and gentlemen.
I lost the ballot today, I respect the outcome of the ballot ... I want to support the prime minister, I want to support the policies.
He thinks he can do a lot for his marginal seat colleagues.
Peter Dutton: "I'm not going to say what the [immigration] number should be ... at this point". Nice of him #auspol
“There are these headline issues I think are important to people, important to the economy, important to families and important to business,” Peter Dutton says.
He again says he will have something to say on those issues at a later time.
.@PeterDutton_MP: My job is to make sure that we defeat @billshortenmp – I am doing that by supporting @TurnbullMalcolmMORE: https://t.co/GTIxlh6z4R #auspol pic.twitter.com/0PAEVfVBUD
As some have noted, the House Seating Plan has been updated. pic.twitter.com/hkNjaTHkWr
He is not going to go through policy by policy – that after the Paris question.
“I have something to say on energy, at some point I will,” he says.
Peter Dutton says he believes the party needs a more succinct message and that the energy policy debate is “difficult”.
From my perspective - concentrating on the issues which are important, cutting electricity prices, making sure we can address the issues of migration ... aged care, there are other areas where I think we can do more work in.
On energy – if it is going to save the butcher in his electorate money through bringing his power bill down, then yes, he supports it.
Peter Dutton keeps adding the caveat “today” to his answers.Peter Dutton keeps adding the caveat “today” to his answers.
The party room made a decision today.The party room made a decision today.
He supports the prime minister today.He supports the prime minister today.
He supports the government agenda today.He supports the government agenda today.
“For me, we need to make sure that we are listening to what the Australian public are saying,” he says.“For me, we need to make sure that we are listening to what the Australian public are saying,” he says.
Cathy McGowan has issued this statement:
Federal Independent Member for Indi Cathy McGowan says today’s Liberal leadership vote has had a destabilising impact on the Federal parliament and the country.“Good government is very important. This destabilisation is not good government. My electorate is concerned as evidenced by those constituents who have been in touch to make comment,” Ms McGowan said.“I have been able to get valuable work done with this government. Indi has had confirmation of $235 million for the North East rail line. Other infrastructure and community grants have supported regional and rural centres in my electorate, including the provision of 38 mobile phone towers.“There is more work to be completed. At a national level, regional policy, including the provision of a regional deal for Indi, is one of the most important areas I am focused on.“As a member of the Joint Select Committee into Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, I have been listening to submissions from communities around the country as we compile our final report for release in late November.“A regional higher education strategy and seeing through the North East rail line revitalisation project remain my priorities. The worthwhile work that has been already done on community energy throughout Indi will continue.”
This is an issue, because when the government was unsure of whether there would be a majority, she gave supply. When the government was having section 44 issues, McGowan also said she would continue to give supply - basically to keep them in place to govern.
Would she do the same thing, if Peter Dutton was the prime minister, is the reason this is an issue.
Asked about the ballot, Peter Dutton says he will abide by the decision “today”.
He does not rule out another challenge.
“I am not anyone’s person, I am not a puppet for anyone, I think people know that I have the strength to be my person.
“ ... I had my go today, that’s it, I listen to the judgment of the party room.”
He says he won’t be the proxy to carry out anyone else’s agenda.
Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott during a division in #qt @murpharoo @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive https://t.co/8VApP60TP7 pic.twitter.com/Fud0RjjLJ1
Peter Dutton is being interviewed on Sky with the photos of his children behind him.
Here’s Malcolm Turnbull fighting for his political life.
Look at his backbench. A picture that says it all.
Craig Laundy is on Sky, defending Malcolm Turnbull as a “cabinet prime minister” in that he has allowed the ministers to run their own portfolios.
The result of the “ballot” Tony Smith says (that’s a joke, because it’s a division, not a leadership ballot) was 67 to 76.
Tony Abbott chose to sit next to Luke Howarth, in front of Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce, with Kevin Andrews rounding out the group.
Malcolm Turnbull is next to McCormack and Pyne and his foot has not stopped waggling.
Michael McCormack just made a joke of fixing his tie when he saw the cameras were angled in his direction.
He was the only government MP with a smile on his face.
Peter Dutton decides to take a seat next to Barnaby Joyce.
“Look at them all back over there,” Jenny Macklin yells from the government side of the chamber.
Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie are supporting the suspension of standing orders.
Rebekha Sharkie and Cathy McGowan are not supporting the suspension – they are sitting with the government.
Bob Katter is not here.