This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen
on .
It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
Coalition wants voter ID laws for federal elections – politics live
Coalition wants voter ID laws for federal elections – politics live
(35 minutes later)
There is an urgency motion in the Senate on Adani’s Queensland coalmine.
It’s going as you would expect.
Sitting in Senate with both Coalition and Labor currently mounting a defence of #coal and #Adani. Attenborough wept. I’m sorry, Australia.
Labor loses the motion to adjourn the debate.
Chris Bowen starts talking about the legislation as the debate begins. He says the legislation is 30-something pages (33?) but the explanatory notes run for 109 pages and if the government has brought on the debate, it means every government MP has read it.
He is being very facetious.
Josh Frydenberg is now sitting with Rebehka Sharkie and Andrew Wilkie for this final division.
The crossbench wrangler
The crossbench wrangler
From question time
From question time:
Tony Burke is allowing the motion to be moved (to adjourn the debate) but just the once and once only.
Tony Burke is allowing the motion to be moved (to adjourn the debate) but just the once and once only.
The House divides. AGAIN
The House divides. AGAIN.
There are now two clerks assisting the Speaker on this issue. It is a two-clerk situation.
There are now two clerks assisting the Speaker on this issue. It is a two-clerk situation.
Tony Burke then tries to move that the debate be adjourned.
Tony Burke then tries to move that the debate be adjourned.
Tony Smith says there has been a contingent motion passed to allow the debate to occur.
Tony Smith says there has been a contingent motion passed to allow the debate to occur.
And that we are now on the second motion.
And that we are now on the second motion.
Burke has the procedure book out in front of him.
Burke has the procedure book out in front of him.
He’s arguing over the “later hour” part of Christopher Pyne’s motion and that the Clerk has now called the bill on as the next order of business.
He’s arguing over the “later hour” part of Christopher Pyne’s motion and that the clerk has now called the bill on as the next order of business.
Burke says that now that the contingency motions over the “later hour” are finished, and the debate has officially been called on, then he can call for the debate to be adjourned.
Burke says that now that the contingency motions over the “later hour” are finished, and the debate has officially been called on, then he can call for the debate to be adjourned.
Does anyone actually understand what is going on, or is it just me?
Does anyone actually understand what is going on, or is it just me?
Labor loses the motions and the government gets to bring on the second reading debate.
Labor loses the motions and the government gets to bring on the second reading debate.
AYES: 75
AYES: 75
NOES: 70
NOES: 70
Ayes: 74
Ayes: 74
Noes: 71
Noes: 71
Then Pat Conroy has a go at shutting it down, but he gets about three words out before Christopher Pyne is back on his feet shutting him down.
Then Pat Conroy has a go at shutting it down, but he gets about three words out before Christopher Pyne is back on his feet shutting him down.
To another division we go.
To another division we go.
But looking at the floor, the government has the numbers to get this second reading debate brought on.
But looking at the floor, the government has the numbers to get this second reading debate brought on.
Looking at the chamber, Josh Frydenberg has been sitting next to Bob Katter throughout these divisions. The other crossbencher voting consistently with the government is Andrew Wilkie.
That’s suggestive that they have the numbers to get the package through the lower house, but nothing is certain. In any event, the objective appears to be bringing on the debate.
You may remember that Katter received about $200m from the federal government for water projects in north Queensland right around the time it went into minority.
Anthony Albanese then had a go at seconding Mark Butler, and Christopher Pyne moves that he no longer be heard as well and the count starts again.
AYES: 74
NOES: 71
For those who are confused over what is going on, which includes me, the government appears to want to bring on the second reading debate for its divestiture legislation (formally known as the big stick).
Labor does not want this debate to come on.
But it would appear the government has the numbers from the crossbench, given that it is winning the motions – at least so far.
Whether or not it wants to bring this to a vote or not today is a whole other question. We don’t know as yet and, to be honest, I am not sure if the government knows yet either.
Mark Butler starts his “the government are bringing this on too quickly and there are a lot of pages of notes to consider and what’s the rush” speech and Christopher Pyne moves that he is no longer heard.
The House divides for the millionth time on this.
Mark Butler is now trying to suspend standing orders to stop the bringing on of the energy bill, because there hasn’t been enough time to scrutinise the bill.
Christopher Pyne says the new suspension of standing orders is too similar to the one the House just voted on.
The government is trying to bring on the divestiture laws. Labor does not want them brought on. The whole House is a dog’s breakfast at the moment and I am not sure anyone knows what is going on, other than the government wants something, and the opposition doesn’t.
AYES - 74
NOES - 71
Christopher Pyne moved a motion that the second reading debate (on the energy motion) be set for a “later hour” and Chris Bowen amended that motion to say the “later hour” be the first parliamentary sitting in 2019.
The House is dividing again and it looks like Cathy McGowan is changing her vote.
AYES: 75
NOES: 70
While we wait to see the outcome of the House division, it is worth mentioning this:
Tasmanian Greens Senators Nick McKim and Peter Whish-Wilson have tabled the Senate’s largest-ever petition, calling for the takayna/Tarkine to be protected as a world heritage area.
“takayna/Tarkine is a precious part of Tasmania that should be looked after on behalf of the entire world,” Senator McKim said.
“Some 270,000 people have signed this petition, which just shows the depth of feeling about takayna across Tasmania, Australia and the world.”
“We invite prime minister Morrison and opposition leader Bill Shorten to visit takayna/Tarkine and see for themselves why this area is worthy of world heritage protection.”
Senator Whish-Wilson said:“takayna is a place of incredible natural and Aboriginal heritage value.” “It is one of the last strongholds for the Tasmanian devil and contains one of Australia’s largest temperate rainforests.”
“It’s time for the Labor and Liberal parties to step up.”
“We thank the Bob Brown Foundation and Patagonia for their ongoing campaign to protect takayna.”
