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Frydeberg pulls out of G20 as Coalition attempts to head off Peter Dutton referral – politics live Frydenberg pulls out of G20 trip as Coalition tries to head off Peter Dutton referral – politics live
(35 minutes later)
I am working on getting you those Senate speeches – they were very good. And needed.
Barry O’Sullivan, Fraser Anning and David Leyonjhelm walked out as Richard Di Natale was talking.
O’Sullivan lost Senate preselection and ends his term next year.
Leyonjhelm is most likely going to the NSW upper chamber.
There is as much chance of me turning into Scarlett Johansson as there is of Anning returning to the Senate next year.
Christian Porter is in the House introducing the Australian citizenship amendment bill – which would make it easier for the government to strip citizenship from terrorists. Paul Karp will bring you something on that soon.
Mathias Cormann, Penny Wong and Richard Di Natale have all given speeches about some of the comments aimed at Senate colleagues – mostly women – and how they need to stop.
Di Natale says he spoke to the deputy Senate president the day before about some of the comments being thrown towards his colleagues, such as “go and have a cry”, as context for why he refused to withdraw his comment. He says there is a precedent for senators making comments and, if they are caught, withdrawing them, then nothing further is done – “but everyone has heard them”.
He wants a code of conduct adopted within the Senate.
The current rules are not working, we are allowing harassment and we are allowing women to be demeaned in this chamber.
Every time the camera goes to Barry O’Sullivan he is shaking his head in disbelief.
Scott Ryan starts the Senate with a reminder of what he said to the senators in August – about behaviour and language and how senators speak to each other.
He said that yesterday the Senate again fell short:
This is not just a matter of rules, this is a matter of respect, of each other, the institution, of those who elected us, and the [people] whose interests we represent.
Ryan says if the Senate can’t debate matters of gender, race and differences respectfully, then how can we expect public debates to be any better?
He is putting forward a motion to minimise the debates that get out of control – which is the general business. He wants to allow motions to suspend standing orders but not the debate.
It will be up to the Senate to decide if that change can be made.
The bells are ringing, which means parliament is about to start.
After refusing to withdraw a comment that Barry O’Sullivan was “a pig” yesterday, and getting suspended from the Senate, Richard Di Natale is allowed back into the chamber this morning.
What’s the point of referring Peter Dutton if the high court won’t get to it until just before the general election next year, anyway?
Chris Bowen says it is the principle.
Well that’s a matter for the parliament and the high court. I mean we’ve known about this cloud over Peter Dutton for several months. So to the extent that your point is valid and it’s a legitimate point you make, it could have been dealt with if he was referred several months ago. Now it’s up to the parliament to consider its options if Peter Dutton doesn’t have the courage to refer himself to the high court, the government doesn’t have the courage to refer one of their own to the high court as I said in fairness both sides have done previously.
And I see frankly reports that the government is engaging in a smear campaign against Kerryn Phelps and others. I mean what an act of low rent desperation to say ‘Well if he gets referred we are going to refer to all these people’. I mean we’ve been through that, the Australian people are over that. Every member of parliament declared in the audit process in a declaration their issues in relation to section 44 and citizenship in particular. We been through the process. Peter Dutton is the member of parliament with questions to answer and to try in some sort of desperate dirty unit campaign smear independents and others is pretty low rent pathetic activity by the Morrison government.”
On Monday, Katharine Murphy reported Craig Kelly was considering moving to the crossbench if he loses preselection in Hughes.On Monday, Katharine Murphy reported Craig Kelly was considering moving to the crossbench if he loses preselection in Hughes.
Now that has as much danger for the government as George Christensen’s threats to move to the crossbench. One of the most conservative members of the Coalition is not going to suddenly start supporting Labor policy or moves in the House. Plus, he is running out of time – parliament only has four days of sitting left this year. And then there are only 10 before the budget is handed down scheduled for next year.Now that has as much danger for the government as George Christensen’s threats to move to the crossbench. One of the most conservative members of the Coalition is not going to suddenly start supporting Labor policy or moves in the House. Plus, he is running out of time – parliament only has four days of sitting left this year. And then there are only 10 before the budget is handed down scheduled for next year.
But Kelly knows the power of the threat, particularly after Julia Banks’s move so he just made it again on Sky News. Asked by Laura Jayes if he accepted he was increasing instability by not ruling out a move to the crossbench, Kelly answered:But Kelly knows the power of the threat, particularly after Julia Banks’s move so he just made it again on Sky News. Asked by Laura Jayes if he accepted he was increasing instability by not ruling out a move to the crossbench, Kelly answered:
“No, no I don’t.”“No, no I don’t.”
“ ... There are no threats, whatsoever,” he said.“ ... There are no threats, whatsoever,” he said.
“My job here is to talk up and explain the great work that this Liberal government has done, and also, to explain and expose the dangers and continue talking about the risks of a Labor government, that is my job, that is what I am concentrating on.”“My job here is to talk up and explain the great work that this Liberal government has done, and also, to explain and expose the dangers and continue talking about the risks of a Labor government, that is my job, that is what I am concentrating on.”
A note on the Liberal party and the number of women within its parliamentarian ranks.A note on the Liberal party and the number of women within its parliamentarian ranks.
Of the government’s 74 lower house MPs, 12 are women.Of the government’s 74 lower house MPs, 12 are women.
Of that 12, Jane Prentice and Ann Sudmalis lost preselection – Prentice, formally, and Sudmalis, who quit before she was pushed, having lost control of the branch.Of that 12, Jane Prentice and Ann Sudmalis lost preselection – Prentice, formally, and Sudmalis, who quit before she was pushed, having lost control of the branch.
Of the 10 who remain, four – Nicolle Flint, Lucy Wicks, Michelle Landry and Sarah Henderson – have a margin under 3%Of the 10 who remain, four – Nicolle Flint, Lucy Wicks, Michelle Landry and Sarah Henderson – have a margin under 3%
In the preselections, (some of which are still to be completed) women have been chosen in just two winnable seats – Macnamara and Chisholm.In the preselections, (some of which are still to be completed) women have been chosen in just two winnable seats – Macnamara and Chisholm.
From that, the Liberal party is looking at retaining six women MPs at the next election. If some miracle occurs and the government holds every single seat they currently hold, the number of women they currently claim still drops by two.From that, the Liberal party is looking at retaining six women MPs at the next election. If some miracle occurs and the government holds every single seat they currently hold, the number of women they currently claim still drops by two.
The last time things were that bad in terms of gender parity for the parliamentary Liberal party, Meatloaf, Whitney Houston and Sonia Dada were topping the Australian charts and Paul Keating was prime minister.The last time things were that bad in terms of gender parity for the parliamentary Liberal party, Meatloaf, Whitney Houston and Sonia Dada were topping the Australian charts and Paul Keating was prime minister.
And while they keep pointing to the Senate, they also bumped Lucy Gichuhi, so the net gain in the red chamber is still just two.And while they keep pointing to the Senate, they also bumped Lucy Gichuhi, so the net gain in the red chamber is still just two.
Further from the Our Watch event, a new report has found that the NBN is leading to more Australian women starting businesses.Further from the Our Watch event, a new report has found that the NBN is leading to more Australian women starting businesses.
From AAP:From AAP:
The number of self-employed women working from home grew at twice the rate in NBN connected areas, compared to places without fast broadband.The number of self-employed women working from home grew at twice the rate in NBN connected areas, compared to places without fast broadband.
The Connecting Australia report, commissioned by NBN Co, found an additional 52,200 women are expected to be business owners by 2021 due to NBN access.The Connecting Australia report, commissioned by NBN Co, found an additional 52,200 women are expected to be business owners by 2021 due to NBN access.
There was a 2.4 per cent jump for female self-employment in regional Australian towns with NBN connectivity.There was a 2.4 per cent jump for female self-employment in regional Australian towns with NBN connectivity.
The latest NBN progress report has 4.5 million homes and businesses connected to a broadband plan, up from 3.1 million at the same time last year.The latest NBN progress report has 4.5 million homes and businesses connected to a broadband plan, up from 3.1 million at the same time last year.
But it means three million people have access but do not have a plan, with the ready-to-connect figure at 7.5 million, up from 6.4 million a year ago.”But it means three million people have access but do not have a plan, with the ready-to-connect figure at 7.5 million, up from 6.4 million a year ago.”
The National Press Club is addressing this today:The National Press Club is addressing this today:
What is driving women towards female self-employment and what impact is this having on the nature of work? How can female entrepreneurship benefit regional communities? How can we encourage today’s girls & young women to be business leaders of the future? #NPC #enterprisingwomen pic.twitter.com/n33XPuvbvsWhat is driving women towards female self-employment and what impact is this having on the nature of work? How can female entrepreneurship benefit regional communities? How can we encourage today’s girls & young women to be business leaders of the future? #NPC #enterprisingwomen pic.twitter.com/n33XPuvbvs
Which prompted a Coalition MP to contact me to point out that the Liberal party is managing to “lose women, in a week all about women”.Which prompted a Coalition MP to contact me to point out that the Liberal party is managing to “lose women, in a week all about women”.
It seems to be a common theme this morning – someone else has pointed out the “ridiculously irony” the government finds itself in this week – having defended its NBN model for years, “when the data finally shows the network is changing things and encouraging a significant jump in female self-employment, the party’s treatment of women overshadows it”.It seems to be a common theme this morning – someone else has pointed out the “ridiculously irony” the government finds itself in this week – having defended its NBN model for years, “when the data finally shows the network is changing things and encouraging a significant jump in female self-employment, the party’s treatment of women overshadows it”.
As first reported by Phil Coorey and Tom McIlroy at the AFR, Josh Frydenberg has cancelled his planned trip to the G20.As first reported by Phil Coorey and Tom McIlroy at the AFR, Josh Frydenberg has cancelled his planned trip to the G20.
From the AFR:From the AFR:
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has pulled out of this weekend’s G20 summit in Argentina, opting to remain in Canberra amid parliamentary chaos for the Coalition.Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has pulled out of this weekend’s G20 summit in Argentina, opting to remain in Canberra amid parliamentary chaos for the Coalition.
Mr Frydenberg had been due to travel to the annual leaders meeting in Buenos Aires with Prime Minister Scott Morrison after Parliament rises on Thursday, but the defection of Victorian Liberal Julia Banks to the crossbench on Tuesday has rocked the government.Mr Frydenberg had been due to travel to the annual leaders meeting in Buenos Aires with Prime Minister Scott Morrison after Parliament rises on Thursday, but the defection of Victorian Liberal Julia Banks to the crossbench on Tuesday has rocked the government.
Mr Morrison will still attend the meeting, but is now not expected to have a formal meeting with US President Donald Trump after being left off a list of bilateral sit downs announced by the White House.Mr Morrison will still attend the meeting, but is now not expected to have a formal meeting with US President Donald Trump after being left off a list of bilateral sit downs announced by the White House.
The government is considering whether Finance Minister Mathias Cormann should attend the meeting instead.”The government is considering whether Finance Minister Mathias Cormann should attend the meeting instead.”
Parliament held an Our Watch event last night.
"Let's spare a thought tonight for all the women & children for whom help has not yet arrived" Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. @billshortenmp. #auspol #violenceagainstwomen #preventingviolence #changethestory pic.twitter.com/QW82cknJQq
Our Watch Chair @NStottDespoja, Minister for Women The Hon. @KellyODwyer & Our Watch Board Member @DrPhilLambert at tonight's event. #violenceagainstwomen #changethestory #auspol pic.twitter.com/Gfm4Sjg3I9
As far as I know, Scott Morrison did not attend, but Kelly O’Dwyer did.
Speaking to ABC this morning, Natasha Stott-Despoja said there was still a lot of work to be done:
If we’re talking about structures, norms and practises that are unequal and, therefore, give rise to this violence, if we note that gender inequality is linked with violence against women, then certainly we have to look at how women are protrayed, represented and reflected throughout society especially in our powerful institutions, and that includes Parliament.
So it’s a long time ago that I first walked into this place, 23 years ago today, in fact, and the Parliament then was around 14.9% female. Did I think in the last 20-odd years those numbers would merely only double? No, I didn’t. So, yes, I think that there is a problem when you don’t have parity in our decision-making institutions and, yes, I do think there’s a problem when our diversity and differences are not reflected and represented. That will make a difference.”
Katharine Murphy reported on this last night, but John Howard has been sent in to rally the Liberal troops.
Given he is only deployed in marginal seats and when things are looking dicey, it’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of how confident the Liberal party is feeling right now.
Here is some of what he had to say to Leigh Sales:
The Liberal party is obviously going through a difficult time at the moment, but I’m still convinced that we can win the next federal election. And I think one of the things that people have got to understand is that there’s a long history in Australian politics of a disconnect between a heavy defeat at a state level and victory at a federal level. I would say to Liberal supporters, understandably depressed at what happened in Victoria, I think it was overwhelmingly for state reasons. And can I give credit where it is due.
I think Daniel Andrews is a very good campaigner. I think he’s an extremely good communicator. He explains things clearly, simply and well. And Victoria has had a history for quite some years now, some decades in fact, of being slightly more to the centre-left - the Massachusetts of Australia some people call it, than the rest of the country.”
Given Australia only has six states, compared to the 50 in the US, this is not exactly a winning argument. And as one Coalition MP said to me last night, Victoria isn’t an anomaly – it is Australia. And it is no more progressive than other areas of Australia, it is “just at the head of the wave”. But then again, Wentworth wasn’t Australia and Mayo wasn’t Australia, and Braddon and Longman weren’t Australia. We’re starting to run out of Australia in Australia, with this argument.
On Julia Banks, Scott Morrison said he did not know she was planning on leaving the party and he found it “disappointing, as all of our colleagues were disappointed”.
“You know, we are not going to stop Bill Shorten becoming prime minister by sitting around and being disappointed,” Morrison says.
Alan Jones reacts like this is the funniest thing he has ever heard. I guess he has to look at himself in the mirror every morning, so the bar for humour is probably quite low.
“We are going to stop him by actually getting out there and prosecuting the case.”
Just a reminder that Barnaby Joyce, Fiona Nash, Sussan Lamb and Justine Keay all had very strong legal advice that they were fine too.
Christopher Pyne has certainly escalated that tit-for-tat referral threat.
Yesterday, when talking to Sky News, he only implied it with the “you may say that, but I couldn’t possibly comment”-style defence:
There’s very strong advice that Peter Dutton doesn’t have a section 44 issue. Of course there are a number of Labor MPs – Anne Aly, Emma Husar, Tony Zappia, Kerryn Phelps herself in fact, in terms of her involvement with Medicare, potentially might have a problem. She says she has advice to say that she doesn’t, so does Peter Dutton. Mike Freelander of course, he is in the same boat, so we can all sit here and throw stones at each other around section 44. I think the public are thoroughly sick of that and want us to just get on with the job, and that’s what we’re doing – delivering sound government to the country. But we don’t intend to move the referral of those members who’ve had questions raised any more than I think Peter Dutton should be referred to the high court.”
Kerryn Phelps has responded with a yeah, but nah, your face is.
But much more elegantly.
Kerryn Phelps on Pyne threat to rher and 2 other MPs if Dutton referred to high court: it is "dirty tactics" and she "won't be intimidated". Still considering her vote. It is "outrageous" to conflate Dutton's childcare centre with Medicare rebate to patients. #auspol
The government leader in the House, Christopher Pyne, is doing his level best to deter MPs from referring Peter Dutton to the high court to determine his eligibility under section 44 of the constitution.
Pyne told Radio National he is not threatening other MPs with referral, then proceeds to do just that:
We have very firm legal advice that Peter Dutton doesn’t have a constitutional issue under section 44. But if he does, if the parliament decides that he does and he should go to the high court, well that’s the same problem that Mike Freelander has, that Kerryn Phelps has and that Tony Zappia has so it would behove the parliament if they vote to send Peter Dutton to the high court that those three MPs would also have to be sent to the high court. My original position, of course, is that we don’t have a constitutional issue but if they decide that he does and they want to send him there, they’ll have to send the other three as well.
Pyne said the government will “definitely” move to refer the three MPs if parliament refers Dutton.
After conflating weather with climate change (say it with me: weather. isn’t. climate) Alan Jones gets round to the big issue: gender.
He asks Scott Morrison about, what the prime minister calls “all this nonsense”.
Asked what omnigender or neutrois means, Morrison says he has no idea.
Asked what demigender means, he responds “I don’t ... it sounds like an alphabet.”
Morrison says he called on Bill Shorten after the “ridiculous” vote in Tasmania (which would remove gender from birth certificates) to say the Labor party won’t support any gender changes at a federal level. Jones points out that the Tasmanian vote got through with a vote from a Liberal MP, the Speaker.
Morrison says “the Labor party runs people out for expressing their views, the Liberal party has never had that approach”, which may come as a surprise to Tim Nicholls, Steve Minnikin and Jann Stuckey, who are facing being run out of the LNP for voting to decimalise abortion in Queensland.
Anyways, Morrison wants it “Labor party policy at a federal level and for [Bill Shorten] to go to that federal conference and put an end to all of this nonsense”.
“I mean, it is ridiculous, I know and you would know too, there are Australians who at birth and for physicological reasons, there are genuine issues here to address and we should respect and everyone thinks that, Australians are fair-minded people. But we are not mugs and we don’t have to spend our time, you know, getting drawn off into these things every single day.
“It is not going to get unemployment down, it is not going to make sure we get the budget back in the black, it is not going to pay for one extra hospital or one extra school, which is what I am focussed on.”
But it just might save a life. Because respecting someone’s pronouns and identity may not lead to infrastructure, but it has a worth beyond measure for someone who may be struggling to find the acceptance those who are already sure of their identity take for granted every single day.
What did I tell you? The tit-for-tat has started
.@cpyne has warmed up on referrals this morning. Last night the threat to refer @drkerrynphelps and others was implicit on @SkyNewsAust Now it’s explicit. He told @RNBreakfast if Dutton gets referred, others will too @AmyRemeikis #auspol
Scott Morrison is about to jet off to deal with the tensions between China and the United States at G20, but first he has to get through the tensions in his own party room.
Julia Banks’ move to the crossbench not only makes “getting on with the job” harder, it also puts in doubt Peter Dutton’s protection from a high court referral over section 44 concerns.
Banks was one of the MPs Labor thought it could potentially convince to vote for a referral before she left the party. Her move to the crossbench clears the pathway for her to vote in favour of it. Labor just needs most of the crossbench to vote for it. It’s not guaranteed and there are already tit-for-tat claims floating around from the government sides (Kerryn Phelps is potentially in their sights over receiving Medicare co-payments while a doctor).
So it’s a mess. But it’s a growing one. It’s not one which is necessarily even going to change anything – by the time the high court got around to dealing with any referrals, we would be pretty close to the May election anyway, and each election resets any section 44 issues.
So it’s a watch and wait kinda issue.
The government has been out trying to hose down claims it is taking the piss with the parliamentary sitting calendar it released late yesterday. As it stands, there are just two sittings before the budget is handed down on 2 April. Given we’ll be going to an election straight after, Labor is saying there is not enough time before the budget to scrutinise government policy and it’s hiding. The government says that’s rubbish.
All I know is that we finish up next week and we don’t come back until 12 February.
Meanwhile, Alan Jones has the prime minister dialling in from Canberra to complain about global warming claims because it is raining in Sydney.
Good. Times.
We’ll be following along with all the days events, as crazy as they may be. You’ve got me and the Guardian brain’s trust along for the ride and you can catch us on Twitter or in the comments.
I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, so let’s get into it.