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Liberals in open warfare over Craig Kelly preselection – politics live
Liberals in open warfare over Craig Kelly preselection – politics live
(35 minutes later)
I’ve made a couple of calls this morning to try and glean the latest on Craig Kelly after the explosion of the past 24 hours. Well placed people tell me today’s task is to convince the state executive to re-endorse all sitting members in NSW, including Kelly, pronto.
(That would include Jason Falinski, John Alexander, and Lucy Wicks).
That is what Scott Morrison wants to happen, and Malcolm Turnbullhas now elevated the issue to a test of Morrison’s authority in the division.
Some think Turnbull’s intervention may boost Morrison’s position in this merde fight (in the sense that they can and will be prevailed upon not to humiliate the prime minister).
To be clear, I mean the current prime minister. Morrison wants the decision made, yesterday preferably – so it’s possible we’ll see a breakthrough today or tomorrow.
Separately to that, just by the by: a word on sentiment in NSW. Turnbull this morning said people in NSW favoured an early election.
I think a number of people in NSW do favour an early poll on the basis that the longer Morrison waits, the worse things get.
I referenced this view in some commentary a couple of weeks back.
Tim Storer and Cathy McGowan are holding a press conference to talk about the social security bill they are jointly introducing into the houses, which would see Newstart raised and an independent commission established to make sure it keeps pace with living costs.
Christian Porter this morning also had a few things to say about the encryption bill, while talking to ABC radio. He was responding to Mark Dreyfus’s letter calling on the government to come to a compromise:
Well pick up the phone. I mean if they’re happy to talk why write a letter saying negotiations are off and leak that to the newspaper on the most serious and urgent matter of national security the nation has faced in the last 18 months? I mean I just don’t get it. The other issue is the issue about the term, designated communications provider, and we maintain that it has to be the case that these assistants notices apply to the tech companies who maintain and manage specifically encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Wickr and others, including Telegram which was what the Etihad plotters were using. These two issues are critical to the bill. I mean these two issues Labor want to have the Government give enormous ground on in a way that makes the bill ineffective. Can I give you this example…
Just a quick word on the growing push for a federal integrity commission.
Last week, we heard National MPs were planning to oppose a federal integrity commission unless ministers were protected for issuing infrastructure grants against the advice of their departments.
The Nationals feared ministers could be found corrupt if they approved grants in rural or regional areas, instead of following recommendations to direct funding to projects in major cities.
But those fears have just been soundly rejected by former New South Wales integrity commissioner, David Ipp.
“There have been reports in the media that members of the National party fear that a national integrity commission could find that a minister, who acted against departmental advice, would be guilty of corrupt conduct solely on that ground,” Ipp said.
“That view is incorrect.”
Ipp said the issue has already been thoroughly considered in two 2013 reports by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac).
Both reports found the minister was fully entitled to take a position at odds with the recommendations of his or her department.
“Both reports make it plain that a minister is entitled, on appropriate grounds, to ignore and act contrary to advice or recommendations of public officials or departments,” Ipp said.
“There is nothing corrupt about such conduct where the minister acts on the strength of his or her own bona fide views.”
Ipp was an Icac commissioner between 2009 and 2014.
Rebehka Sharkie has introduced her live exports bill and Kerryn Phelps has introduced the Nauru medical evacuation bill.
To bring on the debates, they need an absolute majority – 75 plus one – which, even with Labor they still don’t have.
So these bills are not going anywhere, any time soon.
Mike Bowers was in the House for the morning activities:
As reported by Gabrielle Chan, Cathy McGowan has introduced her bill
As reported by Gabrielle Chan, Cathy McGowan has introduced her bill
Member for Indi @Indigocathy introduced National Integrity (Parliamentary Standards) Bill 2018 https://t.co/ICO14Goswz #auspol
Member for Indi @Indigocathy introduced National Integrity (Parliamentary Standards) Bill 2018 https://t.co/ICO14Goswz #auspol
The behaviour of parliamentarians and their staff would be governed by a code of conduct and an independent parliamentary standards commissioner who could refer individuals to a national integrity commission under laws proposed by the crossbench.
The behaviour of parliamentarians and their staff would be governed by a code of conduct and an independent parliamentary standards commissioner who could refer individuals to a national integrity commission under laws proposed by the crossbench.
The independent Cathy McGowan has passed on her parliamentary standards bill to both the Coalition and Labor in the final parliamentary sitting week. McGowan would need to win the support of Labor and all seven crossbenchers to get the parliamentary bill debated on the floor of the House.
The independent Cathy McGowan has passed on her parliamentary standards bill to both the Coalition and Labor in the final parliamentary sitting week. McGowan would need to win the support of Labor and all seven crossbenchers to get the parliamentary bill debated on the floor of the House.
“I am still working on Labor and the government,” McGowan said. “I haven’t given up on government so I will keep talking about it all week.
“I am still working on Labor and the government,” McGowan said. “I haven’t given up on government so I will keep talking about it all week.
“The prime minister said [an integrity commission] was a fringe issue but that is not true. There is huge support for this broadly and particularly in my seat.”
“The prime minister said [an integrity commission] was a fringe issue but that is not true. There is huge support for this broadly and particularly in my seat.”
I just remembered that 2018 was the year Peter Dutton learned to smile again.
I just remembered that 2018 was the year Peter Dutton learned to smile again.
That was just three months ago.
That was just three months ago.
Parliament has started, by the way
Parliament has started, by the way
Labor is moving its bill to remove religious discrimination against LGBTI students.
Labor is moving its bill to remove religious discrimination against LGBTI students.
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has also weighed in:
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has also weighed in:
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has today responded to new data released by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has today responded to new data released by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
Professor David Isaacs, a paediatrician and RACP Fellow who treated children in the Nauru detention centre in 2015, said:
Professor David Isaacs, a paediatrician and RACP Fellow who treated children in the Nauru detention centre in 2015, said:
“We call on the government to urgently address the medical crisis in Australia’s offshore detention centres by transferring the remaining children from Nauru and allowing urgent medical transfers for adult refugees and asylum seekers on the basis of independent medical advice.
“We call on the government to urgently address the medical crisis in Australia’s offshore detention centres by transferring the remaining children from Nauru and allowing urgent medical transfers for adult refugees and asylum seekers on the basis of independent medical advice.
“The medical evidence is clear, offshore detention has had significant and detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of refugees, particularly children and their families.
“The medical evidence is clear, offshore detention has had significant and detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of refugees, particularly children and their families.
“The data released today by Doctors Without Borders is just the latest confirmation that there is a medical crisis in offshore detention. I witnessed it myself when I treated children on Nauru four years ago. But it is a crisis that is entirely preventable. The government can act to end it.
“The data released today by Doctors Without Borders is just the latest confirmation that there is a medical crisis in offshore detention. I witnessed it myself when I treated children on Nauru four years ago. But it is a crisis that is entirely preventable. The government can act to end it.
“In the last five years, 12 people have died within offshore detention arrangements. We cannot wait until another person dies. We have a responsibility to act.
“In the last five years, 12 people have died within offshore detention arrangements. We cannot wait until another person dies. We have a responsibility to act.
“In Australia, clinical need, not politics, determines access to assessment and care. This should apply equally on Manus Island and Nauru.
“In Australia, clinical need, not politics, determines access to assessment and care. This should apply equally on Manus Island and Nauru.
“If a person needs urgent medical support, access to care must be determined by a doctor – not a politician.
“If a person needs urgent medical support, access to care must be determined by a doctor – not a politician.
“Regardless of your opinion on offshore processing, nobody wants to see critically ill people denied the medical treatment they need,” said Professor Isaacs.
“Regardless of your opinion on offshore processing, nobody wants to see critically ill people denied the medical treatment they need,” said Professor Isaacs.
The crossbenchers were hoping the government would bring on the Nauru evacuation bill for debate this week. It doesn’t look like that is going to happen. Without the government, the crossbench doesn’t have the numbers to bring it on.
Meanwhile, Helen Davidson has reported on Médecins Sans Frontières report on the mental health crisis on Nauru:
The island nation of Nauru is in the grips of a mental health crisis, according to new data from Médecins Sans Frontières, revealing that its Nauruan and refugee patients showed similar levels of mental illness far worse than other MSF projects around the world.
It found stigma and a lack of understanding of mental illness was leading to poor healthcare for both cohorts, but that Nauruan patients were improving under MSF treatment while refugees and asylum seekers did not.
Rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among the refugees and asylum seekers were exacerbated by family separation, violence they experienced on Nauru – including violence allegedly inflicted by authority figures – and by prior detention on Christmas Island, the report also said.
The report from the international medical non-governmental organisation, released on Monday, rated the severity of mental illness using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale, measuring the impact of symptoms on everyday life, from one to 100.
It really says something about Australian politics these days that this story from Bevan Shields at Fairfax about Craig Kelly at the Engadine Gymnastics Club is already, yesterday’s news:
[Craig Kelly] spotted a group of local politicians who had also been invited to hand out awards to excited children. The group included Lee Evans, a Liberal member of the NSW parliament, and Carmelo Pesce, the Liberal mayor of the Sutherland Shire Council.
Kelly put out his hand to greet the mayor. Pesce put his hand behind his back.
“You’re a f---ing prick!” Kelly shouted at Pesce. “Are you f---ing kidding me? You’re not going to f---ing shake my hand?”
Pesce refused to speak but Kelly – who had spent much of Sunday trying to save his career – didn’t take the hint: “What? Do you mean you’re not going to f---ing shake my hand.”
It is worth noting that in the story, Kelly confirmed the encounter.
An update on who is out in the Senate at the next election, based on Senate tickets and well, common sense:
Jim Molan
Lucy Gichuhi
Ian Macdonald
Barry O’Sullivan
Fraser Anning
Brian Burston
David Leyonhjelm
Mark Dreyfus was also on RN this morning, talking Labor’s position on the encryption bill:
We’re still open to finding a compromise with the government on this. It’s the government that has walked away from the table when we thought we had a deal and it’s absolutely apparent that this desperate, incompetent prime minister just wants to fight for political reasons. We’re very ready to pass a bill before the end of the year, but there are very serious problems with this legislation, in the form that is now in the parliament. We haven’t seen the government’s amendments. The government’s not even prepared to look at most of the amendments that Labor has put forward. It’s no way to legislate and a desperate government should not be allowed to pass an inadequate law that will make Australians less safe.”
Fran Kelly: But the amended version that Labor is putting forward only applies to terrorists and perhaps paedophiles and would only empower the national security agencies to intercept encrypted messages, not the state police forces. Is that correct?
Dreyfus: That’s our proposal, because we think the safeguards need to be got right. It should be able to be brought in on a limited basis. We don’t have at a federal level oversight of the state agencies. That’s something that has become clear in the course of the hearings and, as all of the state police forces know, they have information-sharing arrangements with the Australian federal police.
These are extraordinary powers that are sought to be introduced, particularly in relation to encryption. We’re talking about powers where a federal agency will be able to force an innocent third party, someone completely unconnected with the investigation, to assist police, and able to force tech companies to potentially create weaknesses. That’s what the legislation says at the moment. It’s legislation that was only introduced to the parliament on the 20th of September. The only similar legislation in the world, in the United Kingdom, went through parliamentary processes that took well over a year.
The government didn’t consult properly about this legislation. Now that it is in the parliament, it should let the inquiry continue. Instead we’ve had intervention by the prime minister, intervention by Mr Dutton. It is bringing the inquiry to a sudden halt and without examining all of the problems that have been brought to light over the course of the inquiry.
It begins
Speech note stands on the cross bench ready for use this morning as the last sitting week of the parliamentary year gets underway @AmyRemeikis #politicslive pic.twitter.com/fFcOZPbSkE
Oh apparently it is not just me.
I just received a message from a Liberal MP on Malcolm Turnbull opining “if only we had seen this Malcolm in the party room”.
And they are not alone. There are a lot of those sorts of messages flying around today.
As well as the messages that his point about the NSW election is a valid one. Not everyone in the NSW arm of the party feels that way, but there are quite a few who are looking at the numbers, looking at the electorate and looking back at the party and coming back with nothing but despair.
Like I said, the encryption law stuff is going to take off today.
The Turnbull/Morrison government have managed this encryption bill with the same ineptitude that they managed their leadership spills. And now that they face a political crisis in the wake of the Victorian election catastrophe, they are piling desperation on top of incompetence.
Well the Turnbull/Morrison government said they’d be acting on encryption six months before LAST CHRISTMAS, in June 2017 https://t.co/F3i6jw2H6q
At this time, the government publicly stated that these laws would be introduced for debate and PJCIS scrutiny in “the first quarter of 2018” https://t.co/OYOe68hSJK It didn’t produce draft legislation until the end of August 2018.
This is ridiculous hyperbole of course. There have been 11 foiled plots in Australia proven in court since 2014 without these laws.https://t.co/tz5T961ROd
The absurdity of the government’s politically driven Christmas deadline is further belied by the Bill's mandated 28 day consultation period for the issuance of Technical Capability Notices (s117W) https://t.co/ywMWDv1MhB
Tony Abbott says he supports the government and the prime minister and his colleagues getting preselected in NSW.
You are up to date.
Andrew Leigh said Labor was working towards a compromise interim bill on encryption. Here is talking to Sky:
We’ve been willing to work with the government on measures which tackle some of the egregious issues that have been identified, issues around paedophiles and the like. But we want to make sure that if we’re working on encryption, we’re very careful about how we tackle that. You’d recall when the US National Security Agency had some of its cyber-hacking tools stolen that they ended up being used by all sorts of criminals around the world.
Indeed it said that the WannaCry ransomware attack used tools that had been stolen from the NSA. We’ve got to be very careful in order to make sure that you’re making Australians safer. Many of the experts who’ve given careful considered evidence to this committee have suggested that the current bill makes Australia a more dangerous place.
... They’ve said they need these powers, they’ve said that the timing is a matter for the parliament and the history of this joint committee is one of improving legislation. It has worked constructively to make Australians safer through 15 bills in the past and should be allowed to continue to do that work. I’m just disappointed to see people like Scott Morrison and his sidekick Angus Taylor making these sorts of outrageous claims and suggesting that Labor isn’t committed to cracking down on terrorism. We absolutely are. We need to get it right.”
Is it revenge, Malcolm Turnbull is asked
Well, look, the media want to create a narrative. And some people in politics want to create a narrative. But I’ve been a member of the Liberal party for a very long time. I’ve been the federal leader of the Liberal party. And I have the right – as does every other member – to express my views to members of the state executive. Now, why one, at least of them – Mr Kean, and perhaps others – decided to share those views with media, I have no idea.”
When does he believe the election should be held?
Well, I am very concerned – as many members of the New South Wales Liberal party are – that the brand damage to the party which arose from the leadership change in August, when I was removed as prime minister – and that has been considerable damage to the Liberal party’s brand, as a result of that – we’ve seen that taken out in a state byelection in Wagga, we’ve seen it obviously in Wentworth, and we’ve seen it in the Victorian state election.
I am very concerned that this will put at risk the Berejiklian government. So, from the point of view of a very good state government with real achievements and terrific track record, it would be better if the federal government were to go before the 23rd of March. Now, as it happens, my intention, as prime minister, was to go to the polls on 2 March. So, in effect, straight after the summer holidays.”
But Scott Morrison wants to go in May.
Well, look, that is a matter for him. And I might say – the, you know, the part of this case for, um, if you like, preventing the Liberal party members of Hughes having their say has been the assertion that Mr Kelly has threatened to go to the crossbench and “bring down the government”.
Now, I’ve got no idea if he’s made that threat. Let me make two points. That is not the sort of threat to give into. If that threat had been made, that is effectively blackmail. Why would you give in to that?
The second point I would make is that, even if Mr Kelly were to go to the crossbench, which I think is unlikely – assuming he lost his preselection – and even if he voted for a no-confidence motion in the government – which I think is even more unlikely – the simple arithmetic of the House of Representatives demonstrates that that would not be enough to carry the no-confidence motion.
Because on the crossbench, there are crossbench members who have all given the government the assurance of confidence-in-supply. In a nutshell, the processes of which party in which I am a longstanding member should be respected.
I’m disappointed that my discussions with members of the state executive last night found their way into the media but, having done that, it’s important – rather than having those discussions being, you know, presented in an inaccurate or incomplete manner – it’s better that I state what my position is, which I think is entirely appropriate.
As Scott Morrison knows, I’ve given him every support and plenty of good and useful advice, which he’s acknowledged. OK, thanks a lot.”
Some would say that the government may be in a little better position if this version of Malcolm Turnbull was the one who turned up as prime minister. Not the one who seemed to capitulate to what the conservatives wanted from the moment he took the leadership.
