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Mathias Cormann blames 'administrative error' for 'it's OK to be white' vote – politics live Labor slams 'pathetic attempt at a clean-up' on 'OK to be white' vote – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Penny Wong then points out the history of the statement ‘it’s okay to be white’ Mathias Cormann said it may seem implausible but it is true, that the government voting for the motion yesterday was an administrative error.
He is attempting to bring the motion back, so they government can formally reject it.
“For me personally, this is severely embarrassing,” he said.
“...I thank Senator Wong for giving us the opportunity to [redo] this vote to reflect, truly reflect, the views [of the government}
Anthony Chisholm said the opposition will support the government in its attempt to redo the vote, but that the government needs to work out “how it deals with One Nation”.
Chisholm said the government doesn’t know whether or not to “cuddle One Nation, or fight them” and that is what lies at the heart of the government’s dysfunction.
And Tony Burke continued:
The attorney general’s excuses on this have been completely pathetic. We’re talking about a motion that was put on the Senate notice paper in September, in September. That the attorney general had had since September and issued instructions to support. The debate occurred and the Liberal and National party senators sat there hearing the debate and knowing what they were about to vote on.
And none of them questioned it. None of them thought that maybe we should be opposed to this white supremacist stuff that’s coming from Senator Hanson.
And then after the vote had occurred the attorney general tweeted in support of the government’s position.
The leader of the government in the Senate did the same.
And then once the community backlash said we will not accept this white supremacist rubbish from the Liberal party they started to backpedal and try to change their position. Be in no doubt, I suppose they also think it’s a coincidence that the attorney general on the weekend in his own seat, One Nation announced their candidate. A candidate he’ll be trying to get preferences from.
And a hint to those opposite, when a motion is moved by Pauline Hanson about race it’s probably not going to be an anti-racism motion. Probably not the case. Note to self to think about that one.”
And from Tony Burke:
This resolution does not condemn the government and what they just did [vote against suspending standing orders] does. Because they were given an opportunity, just then, to vote on a motion that says nothing more than that we reject what Pauline Hanson put to the Senate yesterday.
Nothing more than that.
That we reject a white supremacist slogan that has also been adopted by the Ku Klux Klan. And we gave them the opportunity to simply vote for a resolution that says that. Because bear in mind we were sorely tempted to put in a resolution that carried a whole lot of argument in it. But instead we have provided a resolution for every member of the Coalition that if you oppose what Pauline Hanson put to the Senate yesterday that will be the only question before you.
Nothing else.
There will be no other question before the House and if that’s something the government wants to vote against then what has the Liberal party become?
What have you become?
What has that party become?”
Fraser Anning doesn’t get why those words are racist.
Appears to be a running theme for him.
Cool, cool, cool
"The most demonised person in this country is the white male" - Pauline Hanson stands by her motion declaring it's ok to be white @7NewsSydney #auspol pic.twitter.com/jaqKR1jpFz
The House, for those managing to keep up, has delayed the vote on whether to suspend standing orders to debate Tony Burke’s motion, until after the matter of public importance.
Penny Wong then points out the history of the statement ‘it’s okay to be white’:
Then, when this is finally pointed out to them, do they apologise? Do they seek to recommit the vote? No. You doubled down. One after one you line up on Twitter to defend your actions. The Attorney tweets, ‘Government senators’ actions in the Senate confirmed that the government deplores any kind of racism.’ Senator Cormann is so outraged by this, he retweets that, and then adds his own comments in support for good measure.Then, when this is finally pointed out to them, do they apologise? Do they seek to recommit the vote? No. You doubled down. One after one you line up on Twitter to defend your actions. The Attorney tweets, ‘Government senators’ actions in the Senate confirmed that the government deplores any kind of racism.’ Senator Cormann is so outraged by this, he retweets that, and then adds his own comments in support for good measure.
But you know what actually made them change position? Not principle; not the fact that they were standing behind a white supremacist slogan; and not the fact that they were yet again lining up behind Senator Hanson in some hopeless and vain attempt to protect their right-wing base. No, it was only when the Liberal candidate for Wentworth came out against the motion that it started to dawn on the government that they might have made a mistake—not that it was wrong in principle to support a motion that really can be characterised as akin to something a Neo-Nazi would support; not that it was wrong to be led by the noes by Senator Hanson. What they really responded to was that it might cost them votes in Wentworth.” But you know what actually made them change position? Not principle; not the fact that they were standing behind a white supremacist slogan; and not the fact that they were yet again lining up behind Senator Hanson in some hopeless and vain attempt to protect their right-wing base. No, it was only when the Liberal candidate for Wentworth came out against the motion that it started to dawn on the government that they might have made a mistake— not that it was wrong in principle to support a motion that really can be characterised as akin to something a neo-Nazi would support; not that it was wrong to be led by the noes by Senator Hanson. What they really responded to was that it might cost them votes in Wentworth.”
She ends with:She ends with:
In closing, my challenge to the government is this: if you’re serious about fixing this up, why don’t you recommit the motion? Why don’t you recommit the motion and not allow this stain in a multicultural nation to remain on the record of this Senate?”In closing, my challenge to the government is this: if you’re serious about fixing this up, why don’t you recommit the motion? Why don’t you recommit the motion and not allow this stain in a multicultural nation to remain on the record of this Senate?”
Mathias Cormann jumped at the chance:Mathias Cormann jumped at the chance:
I thank Senator Wong for her contribution and, on behalf of the government, I seek leave to recommit the vote on motion No. 1,092, which was voted on yesterday.”I thank Senator Wong for her contribution and, on behalf of the government, I seek leave to recommit the vote on motion No. 1,092, which was voted on yesterday.”
Penny Wong:Penny Wong:
I move that the Senate take note of the government’s stated position on racism in Australia, and I rise to respond to that somewhat pathetic attempt at a clean-up. And that’s what it was—a pathetic attempt at a clean-up where this minister has to come in and try and take on the chin the fact that they all voted for a motion that included a phrase that everybody knows is used by white supremacists. All of you did so. And now you want to come in and say, ‘Oops, we made a mistake.’ We don’t believe you. No-one believes you, and everybody knows this is a just craven and pathetic attempt to try and clean up your mess. I move that the Senate take note of the government’s stated position on racism in Australia, and I rise to respond to that somewhat pathetic attempt at a clean-up. And that’s what it was – a pathetic attempt at a clean-up where this minister has to come in and try and take on the chin the fact that they all voted for a motion that included a phrase that everybody knows is used by white supremacists. All of you did so. And now you want to come in and say, ‘Oops, we made a mistake.’ We don’t believe you. No one believes you, and everybody knows this is a just craven and pathetic attempt to try and clean up your mess.
The reality is yesterday’s decision by government senators to vote in favour of a phrase created and disseminated by white supremacist groups around the world is a shameful episode. It is a shameful episode in this chamber. It is a phrase created by white, right-wing extremist groups in the United States with the sole purpose of causing a backlash to help convert people to the cause of the Neo-Nazis and extremist groups like the Klu Klux Klan. There is nothing innocent, nothing unknown, nothing hidden about this phrase. Frankly, the claim that somehow the government didn’t understand it or didn’t understand this or didn’t know about it is not believable. The reality is yesterday’s decision by government senators to vote in favour of a phrase created and disseminated by white supremacist groups around the world is a shameful episode. It is a shameful episode in this chamber. It is a phrase created by white, right-wing extremist groups in the United States with the sole purpose of causing a backlash to help convert people to the cause of the neo-Nazis and extremist groups like the Klu Klux Klan. There is nothing innocent, nothing unknown, nothing hidden about this phrase. Frankly, the claim that somehow the government didn’t understand it or didn’t know about it is not believable.
Frankly, if Mr Christian Porter wasn’t aware of the true meaning behind this phrase, then how is he fit to be the Attorney-General? And as to government senators who walked in here like sheep yesterday to stand up behind One Nation and Ms Hanson—frankly, do you really deserve to be here? I mean, who is running the government? Are you so lacking in basic decency, so lacking in understanding, so lacking in common sense, you just walk in and vote for a motion like that without actually looking at it on the basis that somebody in some office somewhere supposedly made a mistake? Do you really have no understanding of what One Nation was trying to achieve here?” Frankly, if Mr Christian Porter wasn’t aware of the true meaning behind this phrase, then how is he fit to be the attorney general? And as to government senators who walked in here like sheep yesterday to stand up behind One Nation and Ms Hanson – frankly, do you really deserve to be here? I mean, who is running the government? Are you so lacking in basic decency, so lacking in understanding, so lacking in common sense, you just walk in and vote for a motion like that without actually looking at it on the basis that somebody in some office somewhere supposedly made a mistake? Do you really have no understanding of what One Nation was trying to achieve here?”
Pauline Hanson will hold a press conference at 12.45, because the only people enjoying this mess are One Nation.Pauline Hanson will hold a press conference at 12.45, because the only people enjoying this mess are One Nation.
Just before both chambers erupted into debate, Senate president Scott Ryan made this determination on a privileges issue Brian Burston raised a little earlier after his fall out with One Nation: Just before both chambers erupted into debate, the Senate president, Scott Ryan, made this determination on a privileges issue Brian Burston raised a little earlier after his fallout with One Nation:
Senators, by letter dated 27 September 2018 Senator Burston has raised a matter of privilege, alleging that, by removing him from positions within Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party and pressing him to resign from the Senate, Senator Hanson has sought to improperly interfere with the free performance of his duties as a senator and to penalise him for his conduct as a senator.Senators, by letter dated 27 September 2018 Senator Burston has raised a matter of privilege, alleging that, by removing him from positions within Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party and pressing him to resign from the Senate, Senator Hanson has sought to improperly interfere with the free performance of his duties as a senator and to penalise him for his conduct as a senator.
Senator Burston suggests that these actions were intended to influence him to change his vote on government legislation in the Senate.Senator Burston suggests that these actions were intended to influence him to change his vote on government legislation in the Senate.
...I have determined that the matter should have precedence as a matter of privilege. As I have said, the question of whether the matter warrants investigation as a possible contempt is a question for the Senate....I have determined that the matter should have precedence as a matter of privilege. As I have said, the question of whether the matter warrants investigation as a possible contempt is a question for the Senate.
That being the case, I consider it appropriate to draw to the attention of the Senate the guidance provided by the Privileges Committee in a somewhat similar matter involving former senator Grant Tambling, whose preselection was withdrawn after he declined to follow his party organisations directions on a piece of legislation.That being the case, I consider it appropriate to draw to the attention of the Senate the guidance provided by the Privileges Committee in a somewhat similar matter involving former senator Grant Tambling, whose preselection was withdrawn after he declined to follow his party organisations directions on a piece of legislation.
The committee’s guidance indicates a high degree of reluctance to intervene in internal party matters but does not entirely close the door on the possibility that the Senate’s contempt jurisdiction might be invoked in such circumstances. The matter was dealt with in the committee’s 103rd report, for the reference of senators.”The committee’s guidance indicates a high degree of reluctance to intervene in internal party matters but does not entirely close the door on the possibility that the Senate’s contempt jurisdiction might be invoked in such circumstances. The matter was dealt with in the committee’s 103rd report, for the reference of senators.”
Burston then gave notice of this motion:Burston then gave notice of this motion:
That the following matter be referred to the committee of privileges for inquiry and report:That the following matter be referred to the committee of privileges for inquiry and report:
Having regard to the matters raised by Senator Burston in correspondence tabled by the President on 16 October 2018,Having regard to the matters raised by Senator Burston in correspondence tabled by the President on 16 October 2018,
(a) whether by removing him from positions within Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party and pressing him to resign from the Senate, Senator Hanson or any other person has sought to improperly interfere with the free performance of his duties as a senator or to penalise him for his conduct as a senator, and(a) whether by removing him from positions within Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party and pressing him to resign from the Senate, Senator Hanson or any other person has sought to improperly interfere with the free performance of his duties as a senator or to penalise him for his conduct as a senator, and
(b) if so, whether any contempt was committed in that regard.(b) if so, whether any contempt was committed in that regard.
A dispatch from New Zealand has come through:A dispatch from New Zealand has come through:
The New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said she was waiting for official confirmation of the proposed move but Australia’s intentions would not help support peace in the region.The New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said she was waiting for official confirmation of the proposed move but Australia’s intentions would not help support peace in the region.
Earlier in the year Ardern described the US decision to move its embassy to Jeruslam as “a step backwards, not forwards”. “We support a two-state solution and our view has been that any shift in representation, in the way we saw with the United States, does not move us closer to that peaceful resolution,” Ardern said.Earlier in the year Ardern described the US decision to move its embassy to Jeruslam as “a step backwards, not forwards”. “We support a two-state solution and our view has been that any shift in representation, in the way we saw with the United States, does not move us closer to that peaceful resolution,” Ardern said.
OK, so yup.OK, so yup.
It’s not the biggest issue facing the parliament, a motion calling for the parliament to condemn the phrase is a Labor stunt BUT the government will be moving to put the motion again in the Senate, so it can reject it.It’s not the biggest issue facing the parliament, a motion calling for the parliament to condemn the phrase is a Labor stunt BUT the government will be moving to put the motion again in the Senate, so it can reject it.
This happened after Penny Wong finished her speech by saying if the government was serious, it would reject the motion.This happened after Penny Wong finished her speech by saying if the government was serious, it would reject the motion.
Mathias Cormann agreed to do this. Immediately. But in the House, Christopher Pyne is fighting tooth and nail to move on.Mathias Cormann agreed to do this. Immediately. But in the House, Christopher Pyne is fighting tooth and nail to move on.
Pyne says the government has apologised and eaten its humble pie, and it is time to move on.Pyne says the government has apologised and eaten its humble pie, and it is time to move on.
Christopher Pyne says this is a “Canberra bubble” issue, it was only an “administrative failure” and is not the most important issue facing the parliament today – small business tax cuts are.Christopher Pyne says this is a “Canberra bubble” issue, it was only an “administrative failure” and is not the most important issue facing the parliament today – small business tax cuts are.
Derryn Hinch said senators who opposed the motion were yelling ‘what are you doing’ at government senators as they moved to vote on Pauline Hanson’s side.Derryn Hinch said senators who opposed the motion were yelling ‘what are you doing’ at government senators as they moved to vote on Pauline Hanson’s side.
In the House, Christopher Pyne said the government was not going to “fall for Labor stunts” and vote for Tony Burke’s motion, saying the vote was a mistake “which has been corrected”.In the House, Christopher Pyne said the government was not going to “fall for Labor stunts” and vote for Tony Burke’s motion, saying the vote was a mistake “which has been corrected”.
And it looks like the government will NOT be supporting that motion from Labor.And it looks like the government will NOT be supporting that motion from Labor.