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| Mathias Cormann blames 'administrative error' for 'it's OK to be white' vote – politics live | Mathias Cormann blames 'administrative error' for 'it's OK to be white' vote – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| And from the caucus meeting: | |
| Labor caucus signed off on the new procedures for medical transfers from Nauru I reported early this morning: but there was a substantial debate. Labor left MPs said this needed to be the first step. At least 9 Labor MPs spoke @AmyRemeikis #auspol | |
| Parliament is about to start, which means it is midday, which means I have no idea where this day has gone. | |
| I guess he had some experience after the jump his own must have received at seeing the backlash to the ‘it’s ok to be white’ support. | |
| The PM in position to plug Restart a Heart Day pic.twitter.com/grMJjC8ayV | |
| Scott Morrison and Marise Payne have released a joint statement, as the thought bubble from this morning looking at moving the Israel embassy continues to make pretty big waves: | Scott Morrison and Marise Payne have released a joint statement, as the thought bubble from this morning looking at moving the Israel embassy continues to make pretty big waves: |
| The Australian Government has today made a number of important announcements in support of Australia’s interests in the Middle East and our continuing support for a durable and resilient two-state solution. As a package, these announcements reinforce our commitment to efforts towards resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, further strengthen our valuable relationship with Israel, and will review Australia’s policy in relation to Iran’s nuclear program. | The Australian Government has today made a number of important announcements in support of Australia’s interests in the Middle East and our continuing support for a durable and resilient two-state solution. As a package, these announcements reinforce our commitment to efforts towards resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, further strengthen our valuable relationship with Israel, and will review Australia’s policy in relation to Iran’s nuclear program. |
| In making these announcements, the Government underlines its enduring commitment to the Middle East Peace Process, and to a two-state solution that allows Israel and a future Palestinian state to exist side-by-side, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders. We will continue to encourage both sides to continue dialogue and negotiations towards a peaceful settlement. The Government reaffirms its commitment to constructive engagement with Iran. | In making these announcements, the Government underlines its enduring commitment to the Middle East Peace Process, and to a two-state solution that allows Israel and a future Palestinian state to exist side-by-side, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders. We will continue to encourage both sides to continue dialogue and negotiations towards a peaceful settlement. The Government reaffirms its commitment to constructive engagement with Iran. |
| First, Australia will vote no in the upcoming UN General Assembly resolution on the Palestinian Authority chairing the G77. This draft resolution seeks to confer an official status on the Palestinian Authority it does not have, and therefore has the potential to undermine efforts to bring parties together to work towards a peaceful settlement. | First, Australia will vote no in the upcoming UN General Assembly resolution on the Palestinian Authority chairing the G77. This draft resolution seeks to confer an official status on the Palestinian Authority it does not have, and therefore has the potential to undermine efforts to bring parties together to work towards a peaceful settlement. |
| Second, the Government will carefully examine the arguments put forward by Australia’s former Ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, that we should consider recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, without prejudice to its final boundaries, while acknowledging East Jerusalem as the expected capital of a future Palestinian state. Specifically, the Government will examine the merits of moving Australia’s embassy to West Jerusalem, in the context of our support for a two-state solution. Any decision will be subject to a rigorous assessment of the potential impact of such a move on our broader national interests. | Second, the Government will carefully examine the arguments put forward by Australia’s former Ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, that we should consider recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, without prejudice to its final boundaries, while acknowledging East Jerusalem as the expected capital of a future Palestinian state. Specifically, the Government will examine the merits of moving Australia’s embassy to West Jerusalem, in the context of our support for a two-state solution. Any decision will be subject to a rigorous assessment of the potential impact of such a move on our broader national interests. |
| Third, given Australia’s increased engagement with Israel on defence and security matters, the Government will appoint a resident Australian Defence Attaché in Tel Aviv and has invited Israel to appoint its own resident Defence Attaché in Canberra. | Third, given Australia’s increased engagement with Israel on defence and security matters, the Government will appoint a resident Australian Defence Attaché in Tel Aviv and has invited Israel to appoint its own resident Defence Attaché in Canberra. |
| Fourth, the Government will review, without prejudice, Australia’s approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to determine whether our current policy settings remain fit for purpose. The review will reassess whether the Plan remains the best vehicle to address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The Government aims to finalise and announce the findings of this review by December this year.” | Fourth, the Government will review, without prejudice, Australia’s approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to determine whether our current policy settings remain fit for purpose. The review will reassess whether the Plan remains the best vehicle to address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The Government aims to finalise and announce the findings of this review by December this year.” |
| Mark Dreyfus does not buy Christian Porter’s explanation. From his statement: | Mark Dreyfus does not buy Christian Porter’s explanation. From his statement: |
| As Attorney-General, Christian Porter is in charge of the Racial Discrimination Act and interpreting other complex legislation. Does he seriously expect Australians to believe that he couldn’t interpret what Senator Hanson’s motion meant? | As Attorney-General, Christian Porter is in charge of the Racial Discrimination Act and interpreting other complex legislation. Does he seriously expect Australians to believe that he couldn’t interpret what Senator Hanson’s motion meant? |
| Mr Porter needs to front up and take responsibility for this himself. | Mr Porter needs to front up and take responsibility for this himself. |
| Up until late last night, Christian Porter was still trying to justify the government’s decision on Twitter, with Leader of the Senate Mathias Cormann himself, following suit. | Up until late last night, Christian Porter was still trying to justify the government’s decision on Twitter, with Leader of the Senate Mathias Cormann himself, following suit. |
| This is not something the government can just shrug off. This is government Senators being seen to endorse a battle cry of the white supremacy movement inside the Australian Parliament. It is appalling. | This is not something the government can just shrug off. This is government Senators being seen to endorse a battle cry of the white supremacy movement inside the Australian Parliament. It is appalling. |
| This is not just a deeply embarrassing moment for the Coalition, but also for the country. | This is not just a deeply embarrassing moment for the Coalition, but also for the country. |
| The voters of Wentworth should ask themselves – can they endorse a government with these sorts of values, with Senators who don’t even know what they’re supposed to be voting for? | The voters of Wentworth should ask themselves – can they endorse a government with these sorts of values, with Senators who don’t even know what they’re supposed to be voting for? |
| More from the joint party room meeting: | More from the joint party room meeting: |
| In this morning's party room meeting, @SenPaterson and @JimMolan congratulated the PM on Jerusalem and the Iran deal; Trent Zimmerman raised kids on Nauru; Amanda Stoker and @GChristensenMP raised sex discrimination changes #auspol @AmyRemeikis | In this morning's party room meeting, @SenPaterson and @JimMolan congratulated the PM on Jerusalem and the Iran deal; Trent Zimmerman raised kids on Nauru; Amanda Stoker and @GChristensenMP raised sex discrimination changes #auspol @AmyRemeikis |
| On kids on Nauru: Zimmerman wanted to know about whether the NZ deal could be activated. PM said words the the effect of perhaps, if we can shut the back door. Morrison referred to this in parliament yesterday #auspol @AmyRemeikis | On kids on Nauru: Zimmerman wanted to know about whether the NZ deal could be activated. PM said words the the effect of perhaps, if we can shut the back door. Morrison referred to this in parliament yesterday #auspol @AmyRemeikis |
| On discrimination, Christensen/Stoker said religious freedom protections needed to be delivered & the debate needed to be steered away from kids. Christensen said it was a free speech issue. Stoker said it was ok for teachers to be gay if they upheld school values @AmyRemeikis | On discrimination, Christensen/Stoker said religious freedom protections needed to be delivered & the debate needed to be steered away from kids. Christensen said it was a free speech issue. Stoker said it was ok for teachers to be gay if they upheld school values @AmyRemeikis |
| MEDIA STATEMENT | @OneNationAus Senator Pauline Hanson responds to the Government withdrawing support for her motion calling on the Senate to acknowledge:A) The deplorable rise of anti-white racism and attacks on Western Civilisation; andB) That it is okay to be white#auspol pic.twitter.com/kS5KFkdjRC | MEDIA STATEMENT | @OneNationAus Senator Pauline Hanson responds to the Government withdrawing support for her motion calling on the Senate to acknowledge:A) The deplorable rise of anti-white racism and attacks on Western Civilisation; andB) That it is okay to be white#auspol pic.twitter.com/kS5KFkdjRC |
| I don’t know – maybe that the phrase ‘it’s okay to be white’ is often used by white supremacists, including the former Grand Wizard of the KKK, David Duke, is pretty offensive? Just for starters. | I don’t know – maybe that the phrase ‘it’s okay to be white’ is often used by white supremacists, including the former Grand Wizard of the KKK, David Duke, is pretty offensive? Just for starters. |
| Or, in the words of the former Queensland premier Campbell Newman, ‘Google it’. | Or, in the words of the former Queensland premier Campbell Newman, ‘Google it’. |
| The party room meetings are on and the agreements are starting to drift out – the Coalition has agreed to support the GST changes ensuring that no state will be worse off – during the transition period for the new formula. | The party room meetings are on and the agreements are starting to drift out – the Coalition has agreed to support the GST changes ensuring that no state will be worse off – during the transition period for the new formula. |
| Labor had pushed the government to legislate that no state would be worse off, while Scott Morrison’s original position was that the government didn’t need to legislate it, but would just commit to it as policy. | Labor had pushed the government to legislate that no state would be worse off, while Scott Morrison’s original position was that the government didn’t need to legislate it, but would just commit to it as policy. |
| But with elections and yadda, yadda in the breeze, things can change quickly. And so now the government will move to legislate no state being worse off, as the new GST formula transition period takes effect. | But with elections and yadda, yadda in the breeze, things can change quickly. And so now the government will move to legislate no state being worse off, as the new GST formula transition period takes effect. |
| Just back to that explanation from Christian Porter: | Just back to that explanation from Christian Porter: |
| It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified.” | It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified.” |
| So just to be clear, apparently a staffer misinterpreted a motion put forward by One Nation as opposing racism. From One Nation. Whose leader wore a burqa into the Senate. | So just to be clear, apparently a staffer misinterpreted a motion put forward by One Nation as opposing racism. From One Nation. Whose leader wore a burqa into the Senate. |
| This “discussion” Scott Morrison wants to start about the Australian embassy position in Israel is most definitely not being greeted ‘warmly’ by all sectors. | This “discussion” Scott Morrison wants to start about the Australian embassy position in Israel is most definitely not being greeted ‘warmly’ by all sectors. |
| Katharine Murphy and Guardian staff report: | Katharine Murphy and Guardian staff report: |
| Bishop George Browning, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, was horrified. “I find the announcement extraordinary because it must be the first time in Australian political life that a government has tried to shore up its chances in a byelection by using foreign policy. | Bishop George Browning, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, was horrified. “I find the announcement extraordinary because it must be the first time in Australian political life that a government has tried to shore up its chances in a byelection by using foreign policy. |
| “The previous prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and the previous foreign minister Julie Bishop resisted this for the very good reason that to move the embassy to Jerusalem is [the same] as agreeing with the Israeli prime minister that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel. | “The previous prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and the previous foreign minister Julie Bishop resisted this for the very good reason that to move the embassy to Jerusalem is [the same] as agreeing with the Israeli prime minister that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel. |
| “They’re immediately throwing out the policy of a two-state solution, which Australia has held for a very long time, decades, in order to shore up their chances in a local byelection. It’s disgraceful.” | “They’re immediately throwing out the policy of a two-state solution, which Australia has held for a very long time, decades, in order to shore up their chances in a local byelection. It’s disgraceful.” |
| And now this: | And now this: |
| BREAKING: the Palestinian delegation to Australia says 15 Middle Eastern embassies are likely to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss PM Morrison’s comments on Jerusalem. Story soon @australian | BREAKING: the Palestinian delegation to Australia says 15 Middle Eastern embassies are likely to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss PM Morrison’s comments on Jerusalem. Story soon @australian |
| Everything is going very, very well. | Everything is going very, very well. |
| Queensland is attempting to remove abortion from its criminal code this week. | Queensland is attempting to remove abortion from its criminal code this week. |
| Ben Smee wrote about just how long it has taken to get to this point, here. | Ben Smee wrote about just how long it has taken to get to this point, here. |
| If you want to see where your state stands on abortion, the Conversation has written an explainer, here. | If you want to see where your state stands on abortion, the Conversation has written an explainer, here. |
| Of all the issues at the heart of failed past peace efforts, none have been as sensitive as the status of Jerusalem and so many states have sought not to show favour to one side or the other. Israel captured the eastern side of the city in 1967, and later annexed those neighbourhoods where thousands of Palestinians live. | Of all the issues at the heart of failed past peace efforts, none have been as sensitive as the status of Jerusalem and so many states have sought not to show favour to one side or the other. Israel captured the eastern side of the city in 1967, and later annexed those neighbourhoods where thousands of Palestinians live. |
| If Scott Morrison goes ahead with the embassy move, it will put him at odds with close allies in Europe on the issue. While the prime minister said it was a “sensible” idea that Australia could move its embassy and also work towards a two-state solution, that thinking goes against international consensus. | If Scott Morrison goes ahead with the embassy move, it will put him at odds with close allies in Europe on the issue. While the prime minister said it was a “sensible” idea that Australia could move its embassy and also work towards a two-state solution, that thinking goes against international consensus. |
| Following Trump’s embassy announcement, Theresa May, the UK prime minister, said it was “unhelpful” towards Britain’s goal for a share capital for the Israeli and Palestinian states. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was more blunt, saying the move was a “threat to peace”. | Following Trump’s embassy announcement, Theresa May, the UK prime minister, said it was “unhelpful” towards Britain’s goal for a share capital for the Israeli and Palestinian states. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was more blunt, saying the move was a “threat to peace”. |
| Christian Porter has issued this statement – it all happened without his knowledge. | Christian Porter has issued this statement – it all happened without his knowledge. |
| So apparently administrative error is now code for rogue staffer? | So apparently administrative error is now code for rogue staffer? |
| An early email advising an approach on the motion went out from my office on this matter without my knowledge. | An early email advising an approach on the motion went out from my office on this matter without my knowledge. |
| It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified. | It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified. |
| As Minister Cormann said this morning this was the result of an administrative error, including on the part of my office. | As Minister Cormann said this morning this was the result of an administrative error, including on the part of my office. |
| Naturally I’m reviewing the processes in my office to prevent such an administrative error in the future. Having been part of an error that put Senator Ruston in a very difficult position a tweet from my office condemning all forms of racism was meant as nothing more than support for that same proposition which Senator Ruston, despite being placed in a difficult position, put in the Senate that the Government condemns all forms of racism.” | Naturally I’m reviewing the processes in my office to prevent such an administrative error in the future. Having been part of an error that put Senator Ruston in a very difficult position a tweet from my office condemning all forms of racism was meant as nothing more than support for that same proposition which Senator Ruston, despite being placed in a difficult position, put in the Senate that the Government condemns all forms of racism.” |