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Turnbull demands Dutton reveal support as Morrison joins race – politics live Turnbull demands Dutton reveal support as Morrison and Bishop join race – politics live
(35 minutes later)
The Senate wrapped up a short while ago. Safe to say the senators will be glad to be out of this place.
It’s very quiet in parliament. We haven’t heard any more on that ever elusive petition. But we’ll bring it to you as soon as we possibly can.
The #Senate has adjourned.Good night all!
A bit of vision of that speech from Liberal senator Linda Reynolds earlier. She spoke of bullying and intimidation, and her disillusionment, while pleading for politicians to find a better way of working.
For me the decision in three leadership ballots in four years has been and remains clear - to support the leader and elected Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/mq8CwnZaMW
The Greens senator Andrew Bartlett, once a senator for the Australian Democrats, is resigning and speaking in the Senate.
A pretty depressing day for him to leave. He gives us a view of how the parliament has changed during his more than 20-year career.
Everyone who works here says there’s a problem with the current state of parliament, he says.
They all say things have gotten worse. They use a variety of different words. But they all say roughly the same thing. This place is nastier, it’s stupider, it’s more dysfunctional. It’s less effective at doing the job that we are all meant to be here doing. That we all get paid and overpaid to do. We are here to represent and work with the community to work in a way that ensures we are a united, caring society.
As so many people have noted over the course of this, over that whole period of time since 2008 we’ve seen nothing but instability delivered through our political system.
Bartlett says there will be no “third coming” for him in the Senate. If he does come back, he will sit in the lower house and seeks to win the seat of Brisbane from the Liberals.
Bartlett returned to the Senate in November as a replacement for Larissa Waters.
Malcolm Turnbull set a pretty huge hurdle in Peter Dutton’s way earlier today when he suggested that he would have to persuade the governor general he is eligible to sit in parliament before he could become prime minister.
What does the governor general think about being asked to police the eligibility of a prime ministerial aspirant by the sitting prime minister?
A spokesman gave a short response:
The governor general, by convention, acts on the advice of the prime minister and government on such matters ... questions relating to political events are best directed to the government.
It’s an ambiguous and unilluminating response. Perhaps Turnbull could warn Peter Cosgrove off giving Dutton the gig – but the governor general has given no hint how he would exercise an independent judgment on prime minister designate Dutton, if it comes to that tomorrow.
I’ve been speaking to a few Liberal MPs to try and gauge how seriously they take the constitutional issue with Peter Dutton that Malcolm Turnbull elevated at his press conference earlier by calling for the solicitor general’s advice before the party room meeting.I’ve been speaking to a few Liberal MPs to try and gauge how seriously they take the constitutional issue with Peter Dutton that Malcolm Turnbull elevated at his press conference earlier by calling for the solicitor general’s advice before the party room meeting.
Dutton supporters see the move as sheer bastardry. “Desperation, totally inaccurate and not a good reflection on the prime minister,” one MP told me.Dutton supporters see the move as sheer bastardry. “Desperation, totally inaccurate and not a good reflection on the prime minister,” one MP told me.
That MP suggested it was “outrageous” to involve the solicitor general and MPs would ignore the advice.That MP suggested it was “outrageous” to involve the solicitor general and MPs would ignore the advice.
Perhaps that’s what you’d expect from a Dutton supporter - but my read on it is swing voters are less angry but don’t regard it as a critical issue either. One said the constitutional issue is “beyond their remit” and they will “take no notice of it” because it’s beyond their control. Perhaps that’s what you’d expect from a Dutton supporter – but my read on it is swing voters are less angry but don’t regard it as a critical issue either. One said the constitutional issue is “beyond their remit” and they will “take no notice of it” because it’s beyond their control.
This parliamentarian - who voted for Turnbull in the first ballot - sounds thoroughly depressed with the whole episode: This parliamentarian – who voted for Turnbull in the first ballot – sounds thoroughly depressed with the whole episode:
I had no great love for Tony Abbott but I voted for him [in September 2015] because throwing out a sitting prime minister never works. It’s the same with Malcolm Turnbull - it doesn’t matter whether you love him or hate him, change is not going to help us. I had no great love for Tony Abbott but I voted for him [in September 2015] because throwing out a sitting prime minister never works. It’s the same with Malcolm Turnbull – it doesn’t matter whether you love him or hate him, change is not going to help us.
Asked how the “madness” had taken hold in the Liberal party if that was the case, the parliamentarian suggested colleagues’ “ego” and “ambition” was to blame. “It’s all about themselves.” Asked how the “madness” had taken hold in the Liberal party, the parliamentarian suggested colleagues’ “ego” and “ambition” was to blame. “It’s all about themselves.”
One factor that could swing votes more than constitutional issues: avoiding an early election. But the one person who canvassed this MP’s vote said it was “not his intention to go to an early election unless resignations and byelections force the issue” (I suspect this was Dutton’s pitch FYI). One factor that could swing votes more than constitutional issues: avoiding an early election. But the one person who canvassed this MP’s vote said it was “not his intention to go to an early election unless resignations and byelections force the issue”. (I suspect this was Dutton’s pitch FYI).
Barnaby Joyce spoke to ABC radio a little earlier. He hit out at Turnbull’s decision not to stay on in parliament, should he lose the leadership. He said he does not agree with knifing a sitting prime minister.Barnaby Joyce spoke to ABC radio a little earlier. He hit out at Turnbull’s decision not to stay on in parliament, should he lose the leadership. He said he does not agree with knifing a sitting prime minister.
I don’t agree with this process. A lot of people out there are dismayed with the chaos this inflicts on the parliament.I don’t agree with this process. A lot of people out there are dismayed with the chaos this inflicts on the parliament.
Hand in glove with that, if that is the case, the only way you can make this worse, is if you decide with a one-seat majority you are not going to represent the party you led.Hand in glove with that, if that is the case, the only way you can make this worse, is if you decide with a one-seat majority you are not going to represent the party you led.
There’s a bit of a lull in parliament at the moment.There’s a bit of a lull in parliament at the moment.
A lot of the MPs have left the building. The Senate is still sitting on. So, what to do in the quiet? Well, you could listen to Alan Jones on Sky News. Or you can watch the excellent video at the top of the blog we’ve just published taking you through the twists and turns of the last three days. Tough choice, I know.A lot of the MPs have left the building. The Senate is still sitting on. So, what to do in the quiet? Well, you could listen to Alan Jones on Sky News. Or you can watch the excellent video at the top of the blog we’ve just published taking you through the twists and turns of the last three days. Tough choice, I know.
I still don’t have primary confirmation that Julie Bishop is in the field, but government MPs are telling me she is now campaigning flat-out.I still don’t have primary confirmation that Julie Bishop is in the field, but government MPs are telling me she is now campaigning flat-out.
Some predict she will pick up support from Victorian Liberals, because Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison are both bad news in the most progressive state in Australia. Bishop appearing has caused complications for moderates who were in the process of swinging behind Scott Morrison.Some predict she will pick up support from Victorian Liberals, because Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison are both bad news in the most progressive state in Australia. Bishop appearing has caused complications for moderates who were in the process of swinging behind Scott Morrison.
Some moderates think if she finishes ahead of Morrison in the ballot, swinging votes will swing behind Dutton, giving him victory.Some moderates think if she finishes ahead of Morrison in the ballot, swinging votes will swing behind Dutton, giving him victory.
You could not script this, seriously.You could not script this, seriously.
Australia is a strange, strange place sometimes.Australia is a strange, strange place sometimes.
OK, EVERYONE FORGET #Libspill2. TOO DEPRESSING. INSTEAD, WE GIVE YOU #crocanoodletoo https://t.co/8wXDG8stLyOK, EVERYONE FORGET #Libspill2. TOO DEPRESSING. INSTEAD, WE GIVE YOU #crocanoodletoo https://t.co/8wXDG8stLy
You may have missed this amid the chaos, but the Senate voted to hold an inquiry into the Peter Dutton au pair mystery. It promises to be very interesting. Lisa Martin prepared this report for Guardian Australia. She’s been excellent on this story. Martin writes:You may have missed this amid the chaos, but the Senate voted to hold an inquiry into the Peter Dutton au pair mystery. It promises to be very interesting. Lisa Martin prepared this report for Guardian Australia. She’s been excellent on this story. Martin writes:
The Senate has voted to investigate the circumstances surrounding Peter Dutton’s decision to use ministerial intervention powers to save two foreign au pairs from deportation.The Senate has voted to investigate the circumstances surrounding Peter Dutton’s decision to use ministerial intervention powers to save two foreign au pairs from deportation.
The visa status of the two unknown young women has been in the public spotlight since March, when it was revealed the former home affairs minister granted them visas on public interest grounds in 2015.The visa status of the two unknown young women has been in the public spotlight since March, when it was revealed the former home affairs minister granted them visas on public interest grounds in 2015.
Dutton stood aside as minister on Tuesday after challenging prime minister Malcolm Turnbull for the leadership of the Liberal party. His backers circulated a petition late on Wednesday in an attempt to trigger a second leadership spill.Dutton stood aside as minister on Tuesday after challenging prime minister Malcolm Turnbull for the leadership of the Liberal party. His backers circulated a petition late on Wednesday in an attempt to trigger a second leadership spill.
Labor senator Louise Pratt, who chairs the Senate legal and constitutional affairs references committee, moved a motion for a snap inquiry into “allegations concerning the inappropriate exercise of ministerial powers with respect to the visa status of au pairs”.Labor senator Louise Pratt, who chairs the Senate legal and constitutional affairs references committee, moved a motion for a snap inquiry into “allegations concerning the inappropriate exercise of ministerial powers with respect to the visa status of au pairs”.
A great take of today’s events from David Rowe, the Australian Financial Review’s cartoonist.A great take of today’s events from David Rowe, the Australian Financial Review’s cartoonist.
'Now I'd prefer this in writing.' @roweafr's latest cartoon. For more: https://t.co/eCXdPFLLAL #auspol #libsspill pic.twitter.com/a9L0o9pFc3'Now I'd prefer this in writing.' @roweafr's latest cartoon. For more: https://t.co/eCXdPFLLAL #auspol #libsspill pic.twitter.com/a9L0o9pFc3
What do you do when your minister resigns? Edit Wikipedia entries about fish, I suppose?What do you do when your minister resigns? Edit Wikipedia entries about fish, I suppose?
Murray cod Wikipedia article edited anonymously from Department of Human Services https://t.co/9FT2hMvzha pic.twitter.com/Wftms5MjiOMurray cod Wikipedia article edited anonymously from Department of Human Services https://t.co/9FT2hMvzha pic.twitter.com/Wftms5MjiO
There has been some speculation among MPs about what Josh Frydenberg might do in any ballot tomorrow.There has been some speculation among MPs about what Josh Frydenberg might do in any ballot tomorrow.
Some are claiming he’s now in the Dutton column, but I don’t think that’s right. What I think is entirely possible is Frydenberg will nominate for the deputy’s job regardless of who wins tomorrow’s ballot. He’s being urged to put his hand up.Some are claiming he’s now in the Dutton column, but I don’t think that’s right. What I think is entirely possible is Frydenberg will nominate for the deputy’s job regardless of who wins tomorrow’s ballot. He’s being urged to put his hand up.
It’s 5.30pm here in Canberra. Many of you are heading home and wondering where this all goes next. Luckily, my dear colleague Gareth Hutchens is back from prowling the ministerial wing of parliament house and has written up this great explainer.It’s 5.30pm here in Canberra. Many of you are heading home and wondering where this all goes next. Luckily, my dear colleague Gareth Hutchens is back from prowling the ministerial wing of parliament house and has written up this great explainer.