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Tony Abbott denies he has done a deal to return to cabinet under Dutton – politics live Letter calling for party room meeting being circulated, reports say – politics live
(35 minutes later)
The chatter among MPs earlier today was some or all of the ministers who tried resign yesterday would resign again in order to force the issue to a conclusion either tonight or early tomorrow #auspol @knausc
Past experience can teach us a lesson here. Kevin Rudd used a similar tactic before taking the leadership back off Gillard.
News that a petition was circulating emerged at a crucial juncture. It was claimed Rudd had the numbers to call a spill. But no one ever saw the petition document. It never materialised.
The move was enough, however, to force the issue and bring on the spill. The rest is history.
There are multiple reports that a letter is being circulated for a party room meeting. Remember, it needs 43 signatures to force the Coalition into the meeting.
Paul Karp, our reporter, tells me the defence minister, Marise Payne, has just left Turnbull’s office.
The chief government whip is denying there’ll be a party room meeting tonight.
So a letter calling for a party room meeting (ie another spill) is “going around”. Technically it needs 43 signatures to force a meeting. But Dutton supporters say even short of that Turnbull would have to agree or look scared. Meeting may not happen tonight.
I've had one Lib just say there'll be a party room meeting tonight. Whip's office saying no. #auspol #libspill
A Liberal MP tells me it is true there is a petition going around tonight to call a leadership spill #libspill #auspol
My colleague Paul Karp has just seen Christopher Pyne and Trent Zimmerman go into Malcolm Turnbull’s office. It could mean something, it could mean nothing. Hang with us, we’re doing our best to keep track with a rapidly evolving situation.
We warned you earlier things were liable to change with extraordinary speed. Well, 2GB’s Alan Jones has just tweeted that we should all “Get ready. Party room meeting tonight”.
Cool your heels, at least for the moment.
Our editor Katharine Murphy has done a ring-around of Coalition MPs, who are saying they’ve heard nothing of the sort.
The office of Nola Marino, the chief government whip, has told us it’s “completely untrue”.
Stay tuned.
Get ready. Party room meeting tonight. Goodbye Malcolm who doesn’t have the numbers. #auspol
A snap Roy Morgan poll, to be released tomorrow, suggests Malcolm Turnbull remains the preferred prime minister over Bill Shorten. But it also suggests Shorten is preferred to Peter Dutton.A snap Roy Morgan poll, to be released tomorrow, suggests Malcolm Turnbull remains the preferred prime minister over Bill Shorten. But it also suggests Shorten is preferred to Peter Dutton.
It polled a cross-section of more than 1,200 voters. Key results are:It polled a cross-section of more than 1,200 voters. Key results are:
Malcolm Turnbull was preferred as the PM (52%) Shorten (44.5%). A further 3.5% were undecided.Malcolm Turnbull was preferred as the PM (52%) Shorten (44.5%). A further 3.5% were undecided.
Shorten (59%) rates above Dutton (36.5%). A further 4.5% can’t say.Shorten (59%) rates above Dutton (36.5%). A further 4.5% can’t say.
Another view of Peter Dutton’s radical transformation, from Canberra Times cartoonist David Pope.Another view of Peter Dutton’s radical transformation, from Canberra Times cartoonist David Pope.
Brushing the potato pic.twitter.com/CXilnoBEjMBrushing the potato pic.twitter.com/CXilnoBEjM
Laundy describes Dutton’s GST policy as “populist” and warns that populism has “infected conservatism”.Laundy describes Dutton’s GST policy as “populist” and warns that populism has “infected conservatism”.
I wouldn’t call it a policy agenda, I’d call it some thoughts he had on Melbourne radio this morning.I wouldn’t call it a policy agenda, I’d call it some thoughts he had on Melbourne radio this morning.
Ooft.Ooft.
In other news, we’ll hear from another Turnbull backer, Julie Bishop, on The Project tonight.In other news, we’ll hear from another Turnbull backer, Julie Bishop, on The Project tonight.
Tune in to The Project tonight - we have Julie Bishop as one of our guests. #auspol pic.twitter.com/WoeMJQFd60Tune in to The Project tonight - we have Julie Bishop as one of our guests. #auspol pic.twitter.com/WoeMJQFd60
It looks almost certain that we won’t see a second spill tonight. It’s getting late and the houses will soon rise. That leaves only one day left in the current sitting period, before a two-week break.It looks almost certain that we won’t see a second spill tonight. It’s getting late and the houses will soon rise. That leaves only one day left in the current sitting period, before a two-week break.
Liberal MP Craig Laundy, a supporter of Turnbull, has just appeared on ABC radio. He’s asked whether we’ll see a challenge tomorrow or in coming weeks.Liberal MP Craig Laundy, a supporter of Turnbull, has just appeared on ABC radio. He’s asked whether we’ll see a challenge tomorrow or in coming weeks.
I hope not, because what’s required now is that we all come together, unite, after yesterday’s leadership ballot.I hope not, because what’s required now is that we all come together, unite, after yesterday’s leadership ballot.
He said the ministers who had pledged loyalty to Turnbull have indicated a “conciliatory outlook”.He said the ministers who had pledged loyalty to Turnbull have indicated a “conciliatory outlook”.
Laundy said he was “disappointed” to hear Dutton say he was still working the phones, trying to drum up more support for a second tilt. He said it “flies in the face” of what Dutton has said previously.Laundy said he was “disappointed” to hear Dutton say he was still working the phones, trying to drum up more support for a second tilt. He said it “flies in the face” of what Dutton has said previously.
I do plan to pass that on.I do plan to pass that on.
Amid the chaos of today, there were two very significant policy decisions. One, the abandonment of the corporate tax cut, we’ve discussed at length.Amid the chaos of today, there were two very significant policy decisions. One, the abandonment of the corporate tax cut, we’ve discussed at length.
But the government also pledged to stop trying to abolish the energy supplement. That supplement is a payment between $4 and $7 per week to welfare recipients, designed to help those on low incomes deal with energy costs.But the government also pledged to stop trying to abolish the energy supplement. That supplement is a payment between $4 and $7 per week to welfare recipients, designed to help those on low incomes deal with energy costs.
The Australian council of social service (Acoss) has welcomed the decision, saying the threat of losing the payment has “caused anxiety in the community” since 2016. Acoss chief executive Cassandra Goldie has just issued this statement:The Australian council of social service (Acoss) has welcomed the decision, saying the threat of losing the payment has “caused anxiety in the community” since 2016. Acoss chief executive Cassandra Goldie has just issued this statement:
The Prime Minister’s announcement to retain the energy supplement is an important recognition that people on the lowest incomes in Australia are doing it the toughest.The Prime Minister’s announcement to retain the energy supplement is an important recognition that people on the lowest incomes in Australia are doing it the toughest.
We have always said that it is people living on Newstart, Youth Allowance and other income support payments who are struggling most when it comes to covering the basics like food, energy bills and rent. They need every cent of this supplement.We have always said that it is people living on Newstart, Youth Allowance and other income support payments who are struggling most when it comes to covering the basics like food, energy bills and rent. They need every cent of this supplement.
We also thank the Senate today for listening to the voices of the community and strongly opposing the company tax cut bill which would have cost the budget billions and put further pressure on essential services upon which we all rely.We also thank the Senate today for listening to the voices of the community and strongly opposing the company tax cut bill which would have cost the budget billions and put further pressure on essential services upon which we all rely.
My colleague, Ben Smee, has taken a look at Dutton’s transformation in the last 24 hours. Has it worked?My colleague, Ben Smee, has taken a look at Dutton’s transformation in the last 24 hours. Has it worked?
Dutton’s image makeover has been carried out with mixed results though.Dutton’s image makeover has been carried out with mixed results though.
During his 30 minutes on Sky, Dutton barely mustered that illusive smile, or cracked a joke.During his 30 minutes on Sky, Dutton barely mustered that illusive smile, or cracked a joke.
The newly minted everyman backbencher also stumbled on Triple M when offered “an easy one”, as the presenter put it, and was asked to nominate a favourite AC/DC song.The newly minted everyman backbencher also stumbled on Triple M when offered “an easy one”, as the presenter put it, and was asked to nominate a favourite AC/DC song.
Dutton couldn’t name one, he had to admit, blaming sleep deprivation.Dutton couldn’t name one, he had to admit, blaming sleep deprivation.
Victoria is a problem area for Dutton. He clearly knows it. His two radio interviews this morning were with two Melbourne stations, 3AW and Triple M. But News Corp is reporting that voters in the state have bombarded their local MPs with letters warning they could not vote for Dutton. News Corp cited one email, which read:Victoria is a problem area for Dutton. He clearly knows it. His two radio interviews this morning were with two Melbourne stations, 3AW and Triple M. But News Corp is reporting that voters in the state have bombarded their local MPs with letters warning they could not vote for Dutton. News Corp cited one email, which read:
I would not be able to continue supporting you under Dutton and the dreadful way he behaves to migrants to this country etc.I would not be able to continue supporting you under Dutton and the dreadful way he behaves to migrants to this country etc.
Hugh Riminton of Ten news is reporting that Dutton’s decisions as home affairs minister could be overturned, should the high court find him ineligible. The same was said during Fiona Nash and Barnaby Joyce’s citizenship woes, although it came to nothing in the end.Hugh Riminton of Ten news is reporting that Dutton’s decisions as home affairs minister could be overturned, should the high court find him ineligible. The same was said during Fiona Nash and Barnaby Joyce’s citizenship woes, although it came to nothing in the end.
A bit more from that Abbott interview, which I’m still scratching my head over, to be honest. He is asked why Turnbull would stick up for Dutton over his eligibility question, given Dutton just tried to unceremoniously turf him from office. Abbott explains it thusly:A bit more from that Abbott interview, which I’m still scratching my head over, to be honest. He is asked why Turnbull would stick up for Dutton over his eligibility question, given Dutton just tried to unceremoniously turf him from office. Abbott explains it thusly:
Well look we’ve all got to do our bit for the team. When you’re the team leader, you protect the team, even the people who might be your critics at this time. That’s your job, to protect the team.Well look we’ve all got to do our bit for the team. When you’re the team leader, you protect the team, even the people who might be your critics at this time. That’s your job, to protect the team.
Playing for the team. Good stuff.Playing for the team. Good stuff.
Tony Abbott has just been on his favourite radio station, 2GB, to talk up the “encouraging” policy proposals from Peter Dutton and clear up some of the scuttlebutt about his role in the coup.
He says he has not been given an assurance he would return to cabinet if Dutton becomes PM.
I don’t do deals, Ben [Fordham]. I don’t do deals. I ask for nothing, I expect nothing.
Asked whether the government should switch to Dutton as soon as possible, Abbott says:
I suspect Ben that the average person looking at this says, ‘the politicians, there they go again, it’s another circus’. Sometimes some difficult things have got to be done in order to resume getting the important things done.
But in the end, I’m just one member of the party room, I can’t resolve it.
He also suggests the referral of Dutton to the solicitor-general was “dirty tricks”, either by Labor, or “one last throw from a despairing incumbent, I just don’t know”.
Given that this question of section 44 eligibility of Peter Dutton was raised in the Senate, 12 months or so back, and given there is QC’s advice that he is absolutely in the clear, I just thought it was very strange that today the prime minister didn’t simply say that this matter has been considered, there’s QC advice that Peter Dutton’s advice is that he is absolutely in the clear.
Respected constitutional expert Professor Anne Twomey has just been on Sky News to explain the nuances of the Peter Dutton case.
The basic facts are this:
Dutton is a beneficiary of a trust that owns a childcare company
That company received millions in childcare subsidies from the government
Section 44 of the constitution prohibits MPs from holding a financial interest in the commonwealth through an agreement with the public service.
The case is not cut and dry, Twomey explains. It’s unclear, for example, what the nature of the agreement is between the childcare company and the government. Was it a contract that Dutton had a role in negotiating? Or is it just a standard agreement between childcare operators and the commonwealth, which Dutton had zero influence over?
That agreement might be, for example, an agreement that provides say for the accreditation of the childcare centre to be able to provide certain services at a particular level which then qualifies it to receive the relevant subsidies.
There are other nuances, too.
One question might be, for example, would those childcare centres be able to function without the commonwealth subsidy? Would that have an impact on the financial interest of the relevant trust? So you can have an indirect pecuniary interest in an agreement with the public service, even though that agreement might itself not be an agreement directly about the money.
It’s actually a lot more difficult than the cut and dry answer people are trying to give here.
Twomey said the issues faced by Dutton were most recently faced by senator Bob Day, who was disqualified by the high court.
There are similarities and there are differences. the similarities are in senator Day’s case that he was the beneficiary of a family trust and the high court said that that was enough to give you the relevant pecuniary interest. The significant difference however is that this case does not involve any level of influence. It’s not a one-off agreement or something in which Mr Dutton has had any personal interest in negotiating. It’s a standard thing that applies to all childcare centres. That might be enough to say that it’s not the sort of contract to which s44(5) applies.
Twomey said the first step is to fully understand the facts. She welcomed the matter being referred to the solicitor general.
I’m going to regret saying this. But parliament is a little ... quiet. Calm before the storm? Probably. There were a couple of News Corp reports this morning that there’d be a challenge before question time. Clearly that did not pan out. But the conventional wisdom is that Dutton will need to challenge tonight or tomorrow, or wait until the next parliamentary sitting period and risk losing momentum.
Anyway, the lull gives me the chance to share some of the best cartoons from this week. Enjoy!
Mr Prime Minister Head pic.twitter.com/pDv5rCHH7q
My toon in today's @theheraldsun #libspill #auspol #PeterDutton pic.twitter.com/nWuSb4FfJG
Best of luck.My @smh and @theage cartoon. pic.twitter.com/yO6ovVw8vH
Peter Dutton! omg he will be the worst prime minister in history we are all doomed even though we already were anyway! help help https://t.co/3xBe34fPys
'And the band played on... and on... and on...' @roweafr's take on today's #leadershipspill. For more: https://t.co/eCXdPFuacb #auspol pic.twitter.com/MrvxD5GSXh
The business lobby has poured cold water on Peter Dutton’s policy of scrapping GST from energy bills. The Australian chamber of commerce and industry’s chief executive, James Pearson, suggests it will simply “distort the tax system” and suggests it’s a piecemeal workaround, when a fundamental rethink of the tax system is needed.
“I think the risk is that you’re trying to cherry pick and you’re starting to distort the tax system, which is already very complex,” he told Sky News.
The business lobby is as despairing as the rest of us about the current state of politics. Pearson says business just wants politicians to act in the national interest and give positive policy certainty. He said similar things earlier this week.
Pearson also slams the Senate for voting down the company tax cut bill.
Mike Bowers was in the chamber for what proved a fascinating question time.
Two key themes in question time. Firstly, Labor seems keen to take the fight to the Coalition on Peter Dutton’s eligibility, as we’ve just discussed. That’s a vexed issue for Turnbull. The cloud over Dutton does not help the challenger’s leadership aspirations. But Turnbull also cannot afford to lose Dutton, given his slender one-seat majority.
We also saw a raft of frontbenchers stand up and pledge their loyalty to Turnbull, in full public view. The list of those newly loyal ministers is:
Greg Hunt, the health minister
Angus Taylor, law enforcement minister
Alan Tudge, the citizenship and multicultural affairs minister
Scott Morrison, the treasurer
Steve Ciobo, the trade minister
Fairfax and Sky News are reporting that the constitutional question hovering over Peter Dutton will be referred to the solicitor general. So, that means the solicitor general, who gives legal advice to government, will provide an opinion on whether Dutton is eligible for parliament, given his ownership of a childcare centre that received millions in government subsidies.
You’ll remember the constitution bars Dutton from holding a financial interest in government. Dutton says he has his own legal advice. It has not been released publicly and Malcolm Turnbull said he hadn’t seen it.
Sky News understands Dutton’s potential constitutional problem will be referred to Solicitor General for advice.
BREAKING - Attorney-General Christian Porter has asked the Solicitor-General to look at the issue of Mr Dutton, his wife's childcare centres and the constitution.
Treasurer Scott Morrison is again expressing his confidence in the prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. You’ll remember there were patchy reports through earlier today that he was either doing the numbers for Dutton or himself.
Does he still have confidence in Turnbull?
Absolutely, Mr Speaker, the prime minister has always enjoyed my support, Mr Speaker, and I’ll tell you why. Together as a team, the prime minister and I have ensured that we have turned the corner on debt, we are bringing the budget back into balance, we have together been stewarding economic policies that have seen the single greatest increase in employment on economic record in this country for jobs.
The proof is in the pic, guys. Look at that mateship.
In Senate question time the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, has clarified which resignations Malcolm Turnbull accepted.
He notes that Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells tendered her resignation rather than offering it so there was no need to accept it – she’s gone. Others offered their resignation and are therefore subject to consideration of the prime minister.
Cormann said:
The PM has only accepted the resignation of former minister Dutton and all other matters will be announced by the prime minister in due course.
Treasurer Scott Morrison is asked about Dutton’s policy to cut GST on power bills. Morrison earlier today described that idea as an “absolute budget blower”.
He says:
It is not the government’s policy, and a policy that you know, for the GST, that affects the rate or the rebate, requires the agreements of all states and territories. The parliamentary budget office has costed a similar proposal. It is about $7.5 billion over four years. That $7.5 billion would either not then go to the states or the commonwealth would have to pay that additional money to the states. So that answers the member’s question on the issue of tax. Let me also say on the issue of tax that today the Labor party voted to keep the big banks, which we offered to take out of the Enterprise Tax Plan, they voted to keep them in.