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Dutton says he would challenge Turnbull again if he had support – politics live Morrison denies he is the 'consensus candidate' in leadership tussle – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Governor General has decided it would be prudent to stay in Canberra for the rest of this week.
New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, Winston Peters, is in town to talk up the cross-Tasman relationship. He appears next to foreign minister Julie Bishop, who has been slightly busy trying to salvage her government.
Peters starts his remarks with:
I have to say that we’re here at a most curious and unusual time, politically speaking, and we are very grateful that you’ve taken the time out.
It draws a rather forced smile from Bishop.
Peters later says:
The first thing you do when you’re a visiting politician is put your nose into another country’s business. And I’m far too experienced to be inveigled into that discussion by you.
Meanwhile..@winstonpeters says he’s in Australia at a “curious” time pic.twitter.com/rKGtiQJIkZ
Curiouser and curiouser. This is from Mike Baird’s former media director, Imre Salusinszky.
This morning Hadley was reading an email from a "Liberal MP". He made a slip-up that revealed the email was from Dutton. This was edited out of the audio that went online.The Liberal party-room needs to have a long, hard think about who is manipulating it, and to what ends.
Again, helpful as he is, opposition leader Bill Shorten has written to Malcolm Turnbull requesting he take the government into “caretaker” mode. For those playing at home, that is a request that the government make no decisions that would bind an incoming government. Shorten is ostensibly concerned about the instability within the Coalition and the possibility of an early election.
He writes:
Given the events of this week, ongoing uncertainty around the leadership of the Liberal National Coalition government, and the very real potential of a general election in the very short-term, I write to request that you immediately cease taking any actions that may bind the decision of an incoming government, in line with caretaker conventions.
Turnbull, I’m sure, will give this request a great deal of care and attention.
A letter from Bill Shorten to Malcolm Turnbull.... #auspol pic.twitter.com/hA8bQgm2yH
With all the claims and counterclaims about Scott Morrison’s position swirling around the building, the man himself has stepped up to speak on the record.
Morrison is pretty emotional this morning. He’s been speaking at a function in support of MS, a condition his brother-in-law suffers from. Reporters stopped him afterwards.
Question:
Are you doing the numbers for Peter Dutton?
Scott Morrison:
No.
Question:
Are you the consensus candidate your party needs?
Scott Morrison:
No.
The prime minister has my full and total support and I want to put at rest any suggestion that I’ve made an approach, that any approach has been made. It’s all the usual nonsense and the prime minister knows exactly where I stand.
The Australian people always know where I stand. This government has been providing the stability that has been necessary ... it’s exactly what I was just talking about in there. You all know how strongly I feel about this topic of MS and that’s the thing that fires me up to go to work every day, and the sort of nonsense we have been seeing lately, that’s what puts all that stuff at risk, so I think it’s timely that I make these remarks after the ones I have just made. It should be a reminder to everyone in this place about what this place is about. We need a stronger economy to help people. That’s what I’m focussed on, nothing else.
Another Nationals MP, Andrew Broad, has ruled out crossing the floor under a Dutton leadership. He told the ABC:
Completely ruling that out. It won’t be happening. We need a strong executive government to ensure a stable Australia and with our national security measures in place.
Broad said Nationals colleague Darren Chester, who was equivocal on crossing the floor under Dutton, was simply “reflecting the frustration many Australians will be feeling at the moment”.
Australia is best served through stable government. I have always believed an elected Prime Minister should serve a full term.
The Senate has just voted down the company tax cut bill, the Coalition’s signature economic policy. The vote was 36 against, 30 for.The Senate has just voted down the company tax cut bill, the Coalition’s signature economic policy. The vote was 36 against, 30 for.
That’s despite the government’s last-ditch attempt to amend the bill, carving out the big four banks, to win further cross-bench support. Derryn Hinch had also tried to add his own amendments, which would have applied the tax cut only to businesses with turnover of below $500m. The Coalition said it could not support this, because it would create a “perverse incentive” for businesses to stop growing. That’s despite the government’s last-ditch attempt to amend the bill, carving out the big four banks, to win further cross-bench support. Those amendments failed a little earlier.
Derryn Hinch had also tried to add his own amendments, which would have applied the tax cut only to businesses with turnover of below $500m. The Coalition said it could not support this, because it would create a “perverse incentive” for businesses to stop growing.
On any other day, this would be huge news. But, you know, this place is mental.On any other day, this would be huge news. But, you know, this place is mental.
Company tax cuts have been voted down by the Senate. pic.twitter.com/c5K6aAknSSCompany tax cuts have been voted down by the Senate. pic.twitter.com/c5K6aAknSS
Right, well. It’s only 10.45am but I feel like I’ve aged a few years already this morning. Let’s take stock on the developments so far.Right, well. It’s only 10.45am but I feel like I’ve aged a few years already this morning. Let’s take stock on the developments so far.
Peter Dutton has admitted he is working the phones to drum up support for a second tilt at Turnbull’s leadership.Peter Dutton has admitted he is working the phones to drum up support for a second tilt at Turnbull’s leadership.
Dutton has also been hitting the airwaves, talking up his leadership credentials, showing that apparently elusive “softer side”, and giving us a policy manifesto that includes scrapping the GST from power bills and holding a royal commission into electricity and gas companies over high pricesDutton has also been hitting the airwaves, talking up his leadership credentials, showing that apparently elusive “softer side”, and giving us a policy manifesto that includes scrapping the GST from power bills and holding a royal commission into electricity and gas companies over high prices
the Turnbull camp is desperately trying to hold its cabinet together. Deputy leader Julie Bishop said Turnbull had been successful at convincing some frontbenchers to stay on and unit under his leadership. He has so far only accepted the resignations of Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Dutton.the Turnbull camp is desperately trying to hold its cabinet together. Deputy leader Julie Bishop said Turnbull had been successful at convincing some frontbenchers to stay on and unit under his leadership. He has so far only accepted the resignations of Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Dutton.
the chess pieces continue to move elsewhere. Darren Chester, a Nationals MP, says he and others cannot guarantee they will not move to the crossbench if Dutton becomes leader. That would threaten to take the Coalition to an early election. Other Nationals, including Barnaby Joyce and Keith Pitt, are urging the party to stay out of the Liberals in-fighting.the chess pieces continue to move elsewhere. Darren Chester, a Nationals MP, says he and others cannot guarantee they will not move to the crossbench if Dutton becomes leader. That would threaten to take the Coalition to an early election. Other Nationals, including Barnaby Joyce and Keith Pitt, are urging the party to stay out of the Liberals in-fighting.
crossbenchers Rebekha Sharkie and Cathy McGowan are refusing to say whether they would guarantee supply and confidence under a Dutton government. That adds to the risk of an early election.crossbenchers Rebekha Sharkie and Cathy McGowan are refusing to say whether they would guarantee supply and confidence under a Dutton government. That adds to the risk of an early election.
Christopher Pyne has warned the Coalition is on the “precipice” of an election, which would be disastrous.Christopher Pyne has warned the Coalition is on the “precipice” of an election, which would be disastrous.
there are murmurings that Scott Morrison is doing the numbers for his own challenge, with Dutton as deputy. Reports are conflicting and unconfirmed on this score. We’ll try to confirm it for you as soon as possible.there are murmurings that Scott Morrison is doing the numbers for his own challenge, with Dutton as deputy. Reports are conflicting and unconfirmed on this score. We’ll try to confirm it for you as soon as possible.
Labor’s Jason Clare says the opposition is ready for an election. “We’ve been ready for a long time,” he says.Labor’s Jason Clare says the opposition is ready for an election. “We’ve been ready for a long time,” he says.
Here’s more detail from Peter Dutton’s interview with Triple M radio this morning, where he explained some of his policy ideas.Here’s more detail from Peter Dutton’s interview with Triple M radio this morning, where he explained some of his policy ideas.
On the GST:On the GST:
One of the things that we could do straight away in this next billing cycle is take the GST off electricity bills for families. It would be an automatic reduction of 10% off electricity bills and people would feel that impact straight away.One of the things that we could do straight away in this next billing cycle is take the GST off electricity bills for families. It would be an automatic reduction of 10% off electricity bills and people would feel that impact straight away.
[Taking] the GST off electricity bills for families and pensioners and self-funded retirees would have an immediate reduction and help those people with their household budgets.[Taking] the GST off electricity bills for families and pensioners and self-funded retirees would have an immediate reduction and help those people with their household budgets.
Another royal commission:Another royal commission:
I think we could set up a royal commission into the electricity companies and into the fuel companies. I think Australian consumers for way too long have been paying way too much for fuel and for electricity and something just isn’t right with these companies.I think we could set up a royal commission into the electricity companies and into the fuel companies. I think Australian consumers for way too long have been paying way too much for fuel and for electricity and something just isn’t right with these companies.
Like we’ve done with the banks, I think the royal commission has the ability to get to the bottom of what is fundamentally wrong in the system, and what could help ease some of that pressure on families and potentially small businesses.Like we’ve done with the banks, I think the royal commission has the ability to get to the bottom of what is fundamentally wrong in the system, and what could help ease some of that pressure on families and potentially small businesses.
[Dutton was then reminded by a Triple M host that he’d voted against a royal commission into the banks multiple times, which he didn’t deny].[Dutton was then reminded by a Triple M host that he’d voted against a royal commission into the banks multiple times, which he didn’t deny].
Having a royal commission can help people get to the bottom of what is wrong in a country where we’ve got an abundance of natural resource of renewables, of coal, of hydro, and yet we’re paying some of the highest energy costs in the world and similarly for fuel.Having a royal commission can help people get to the bottom of what is wrong in a country where we’ve got an abundance of natural resource of renewables, of coal, of hydro, and yet we’re paying some of the highest energy costs in the world and similarly for fuel.
On the drought:On the drought:
To Malcolm’s credit he made an announcement, only in the last week, of a significant amount of money to help farmers with the drought. I thought it was a great announcement.To Malcolm’s credit he made an announcement, only in the last week, of a significant amount of money to help farmers with the drought. I thought it was a great announcement.
But I think we need to do more.But I think we need to do more.
Finding ways of getting water out to some of these towns, as we’ve done in decades past, has to be the answer.Finding ways of getting water out to some of these towns, as we’ve done in decades past, has to be the answer.
The drought that’s taking place at the moment is, you know, equivalent to a Great Depression for these farmers and it’s devastating to watch the livestock perish.The drought that’s taking place at the moment is, you know, equivalent to a Great Depression for these farmers and it’s devastating to watch the livestock perish.
On himself:On himself:
Like a lot of people I just came from a middle-class family. My dad was a bricklayer, Mum worked a second job so she could pay for school fees, so we didn’t have a privileged upbringing at all. We were brought up in a wonderful family environment, so family is incredibly important to me.Like a lot of people I just came from a middle-class family. My dad was a bricklayer, Mum worked a second job so she could pay for school fees, so we didn’t have a privileged upbringing at all. We were brought up in a wonderful family environment, so family is incredibly important to me.
Small business as well, I’ve always had a part-time job and when I joined the police I still had a part-time job interest which I ended up going into full time after ten years as a police officer and came into politics in 2001.Small business as well, I’ve always had a part-time job and when I joined the police I still had a part-time job interest which I ended up going into full time after ten years as a police officer and came into politics in 2001.
What’s his favourite AC/DC song?What’s his favourite AC/DC song?
Ah mate, this is the one where it catches you out so, I had about an hour and a half’s sleep last night, I’m trying to catch up with you Will, but I haven’t mate I’m sorry.Ah mate, this is the one where it catches you out so, I had about an hour and a half’s sleep last night, I’m trying to catch up with you Will, but I haven’t mate I’m sorry.
You’ve got the gotcha of the day.You’ve got the gotcha of the day.
I think Listen Like Thieves was my INXS one when I was last [on the show] wasn’t it?I think Listen Like Thieves was my INXS one when I was last [on the show] wasn’t it?
There are more suggestions that the numbers are being tested for Scott Morrison.There are more suggestions that the numbers are being tested for Scott Morrison.
The Australian’s Simon Benson reports that “A number of MPs have confirmed that Ben Morton and Alex Hawke are now openly doing the numbers for Treasurer Scott Morrison”.The Australian’s Simon Benson reports that “A number of MPs have confirmed that Ben Morton and Alex Hawke are now openly doing the numbers for Treasurer Scott Morrison”.
Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has officially notified the Senate of her resignation from the frontbench. She has written to the Senate president.Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has officially notified the Senate of her resignation from the frontbench. She has written to the Senate president.
I write to advise of changes to question time arrangements for Wednesday 22 August and Thursday 23 August 2018.I write to advise of changes to question time arrangements for Wednesday 22 August and Thursday 23 August 2018.
Senator Payne will answer questions in relation to the International Development and the Pacific and the Human Services portfolios. Senator Fifield will answer questions in relation to the Social Services portfolio.Senator Payne will answer questions in relation to the International Development and the Pacific and the Human Services portfolios. Senator Fifield will answer questions in relation to the Social Services portfolio.
New Zealand media reacted with shock and amusement to their neighbour’s latest leadership debacle, with many broadcasters struggling to keep a straight face on air. At the Spinoff, staff writer Alex Brae predicted a new leader with the headline Spill! Spill! Spill?.
“Australian prime ministers are like a well functioning train system,” Brae wrote.” If you miss one, there’s always another one just around the corner.”
At the New Zealand Herald, Newstalk ZB’s political editor Barry Soper said the Australian leadership had become a ‘toxic waste dump’, and raised concerns about how a Dutton prime minister would affect New Zealand, saying the best bet for Kiwis was foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop.
“The former Home Affairs Minister’s been trying to turn New Zealand into the penal colony that Australia once was with his deportation of so-called Kiwi criminals. He takes no responsibility for the criminality Australia’s taught them,” Soper wrote. “This former Queensland cop obviously sees it as a one-way relationship”.
In an opinion piece at Stuff, political editor Tracy Watkins said their were few silver linings for Kiwis in the latest leadership battle.
“Even if Turnbull hangs on, he has no room to move in softening Australia’s hardline immigration policies which have become a major irritant in New Zealand-Australian relations.” Watkins wrote.
“The hardliners in his caucus and cabinet would seize on any softening in the ‘good character’ test and deportee issue to further undermine Turnbull’s leadership. So if anything, expect Australian attitudes toward Kiwi expats to harden, rather than mellow.”
Watkins, like Soper, said the best hope for New Zealand was the survival of Julie Bishop, who although no particular friend to New Zealand, was a “known quantity” and “one of the few predictable figures in the increasingly unpredictable and volatile world of Australian politics.”
There were reports a little earlier from 2GB that Scott Morrison is trying to mount a run against Turnbull of his own. We have not confirmed this report. It could be simply more mischief from Dutton’s camp, but the situation remains volatile and is changing rapidly.
Guardian Australia is not receiving any information at this point that suggests Turnbull is leaking numbers to Dutton. But we do need to remind our dear readers that the situation is fluid and can change at any point.
BREAKING | Ray Hadley reveals Scott Morrison is attempting to put a ticket together with Peter Dutton to run against Malcolm Turnbull, with Dutton as his deputy. #auspol #libspillDetails: https://t.co/tDUO4WFHIL pic.twitter.com/kOD6vCwrKO
Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who resigned in rather dramatic fashion last night, has taken up her place on the backbench. She’s also been speaking to reporters about her fears the Liberal party is drifting too far to the left. To the left of what, you may well ask.
We’ve been waiting and waiting for a result on the government’s signature economic policy, corporate tax cuts.
Frequenters of this fine blog will remember that the Coalition this week proposed carving out the big banks from the corporate tax cut. This was done in an attempt to win over the crossbench. One Nation said “no deal” but its leader, Pauline Hanson, missed an opportunity to kill off the bill at the second reading stage. That kept the legislation alive in the Senate.
Those amendments to carve out the big banks have just been voted down. Labor senator Doug Cameron reckons it’s further evidence that the government is collapsing in on itself.
Well, we know it’s not been a good week for the Coalition, but this just really puts the icing on the cake. This is a leader in this place who has actually argued for tax cuts for the banks, has argued against a royal commission on the banks, who has supported the banks all the way along. And now, because this government is in so much trouble and is in terminal decline ... this is [finance minister] senator Cormann’s signature economic policy and it’s down the drain, like this government, down the drain.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten was on the Today show a little earlier. He says Labor has learnt its lesson from the leadership ructions that tore the party apart in the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years.
It does need to stop and that’s why earlier in the interview I said Labor has learned its lesson. I think the record reflects that when we’ve had good polls and when we’ve had bad polls, my party has now stuck with me for five years.
I’ll certainly contest whoever the Liberals put up at the next election. Labor has learned its lesson and the proof in the pudding is the last five years.
Shorten also says he likes Turnbull “as a person”. I’m sure the PM will be thrilled to hear that, at this juncture.
Our intrepid photographer, Mike Bowers, is out and about, prowling the corridors to bring us juicy gossip. He tells me that Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is the only Coalition senator to have shifted seats for prayers in the upper house this morning. She’s on the backbench next to Steve Martin.
One of the mysteries of the morning is who might joint Darren Chester on the crossbench in the event the Dutton truck rolls into the PMO. I wondered whether one might be fellow Victorian Andrew Broad.
Not so, he says. “I will not leave the country without a prime minister,” Broad told me this morning. “Longterm stability is very important, and we have not been well placed for stability for some time.” On the stability point, Broad says the leader of the party is a matter for the Liberals. But he says stability would demand the government stick with the current prime minister.
There’s also a homily for colleagues, which he delivers in a spirit of resignation. “It is still possible to deliver good government under Turnbull, but that will require people to show a degree of professionalism.”
Should Darren pull his head in? “I will not tell a colleague what they should do. If they told me what to do, I’d tell them to shove it”.
Well, those admissions from Dutton have been met with immediate anger from Turnbull backers. Craig Laundy, MP for Reid, tells Sky News Dutton is not respecting the result of Tuesday’s ballot.
I’m disappointed to hear that. However, what I am pleased to hear is that the PM has worked constructively overnight with cabinet colleagues who weren’t supportive of him in yesterday’s leadership vote and they’ve agreed to stay on and work with the PM in a spirit of unification and come together to focus on ... the real opponent here, which is Bill Shorten.
Dutton is continuing to ride the airwaves this morning. He’s just conceded to 3Aw’s Neil Mitchell that “of course” he’s working the phones to bolster support ahead of a second tilt at the leadership.
It’s pretty obvious stuff. But it’s a stark change from his position on Tuesday, in which he was much more circumspect and said he respected the result of the first spill.
Dutton:
You don’t go into a ballot believing you can lose. If I believed that a majority of colleagues support me then I would consider my position. That is being very up front and honest with you.
Mitchell:
Are you working the phones?
Dutton:
Of course I am, I’m speaking to colleagues. Again I am not going to beat around the bush with that mate.
Dutton continues to pitch himself as an alternative leader. He talks of his life from a working class family and his career as a cop. He says he’s maybe even more of your “average Australian” than Bill Shorten.
The three words that describe him? Well, after some early difficulties, he comes up with “very hard worker”.
He’s asked about his controversial comments that Victorians were scared to go out for dinner because of African gangs.
I don’t seek to overstate it. I didn’t say every Victorian, I said some.
And then:
I’m never going to be the favourite of Fairfax Media or the Guardian, wherever it may be, GetUp. But frankly I couldn’t care less.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten spoke of the government’s woes a little earlier. He said:
If they can’t govern, they should let the Australian people choose.
Labor frontbencher Jason Clare told Sky News the opposition is ready for an election.
We’ve been ready for a long time. I think the Australian people are ready to put this bad government out of its misery. The sooner they have the chance to do that the better.
Clare serves up a rather tortured movie reference.
[Turnbull’s] like Bruce Willis from the sixth sense. He’s dead, he just doesn’t know it yet.