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Same-sex marriage: Coalition party room sticks with the status quo – politics live Same-sex marriage: Coalition party room sticks with the status quo – politics live
(30 days later)
1.43pm BST1.43pm BST
13:4313:43
Good night, and good luckGood night, and good luck
Well folks what fine company you have been on an epic day in the live blogue caper. I have to go and lie down now for a brief while before I get up again and face tomorrow in national affairs in pithy ten minute increments.Well folks what fine company you have been on an epic day in the live blogue caper. I have to go and lie down now for a brief while before I get up again and face tomorrow in national affairs in pithy ten minute increments.
Huge thanks to Mike Bowers for his magnificence throughout the day, afternoon, evening – which extended to supplying a fortifying cheese dinner for the bureau. Don’t ask. We won’t tell.Huge thanks to Mike Bowers for his magnificence throughout the day, afternoon, evening – which extended to supplying a fortifying cheese dinner for the bureau. Don’t ask. We won’t tell.
Today, Tuesday:Today, Tuesday:
We have tomorrow though lovelies, and I’ll be seeing you all then.We have tomorrow though lovelies, and I’ll be seeing you all then.
1.20pm BST1.20pm BST
13:2013:20
Garbled political fudging in five points: a late night listicleGarbled political fudging in five points: a late night listicle
Ok, it’s late, and I’ve entered my sixteenth hour. Bear with me.Ok, it’s late, and I’ve entered my sixteenth hour. Bear with me.
That’s it, I think.That’s it, I think.
Did I miss anything?Did I miss anything?
1.11pm BST1.11pm BST
13:1113:11
Abbott has wrapped the press conference. Give me a minute and I’ll decode all that.Abbott has wrapped the press conference. Give me a minute and I’ll decode all that.
PM Tony Abbott #Presser #BlueRoom #SSM @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/SQjzQxxDkuPM Tony Abbott #Presser #BlueRoom #SSM @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/SQjzQxxDku
Cheeky, that Mikearoo.Cheeky, that Mikearoo.
1.09pm BST1.09pm BST
13:0913:09
Abbott is asked whether he understands the anger of colleagues given he chose to put same sex marriage to the joint party room, not the Liberal party room.Abbott is asked whether he understands the anger of colleagues given he chose to put same sex marriage to the joint party room, not the Liberal party room.
The prime minister:The prime minister:
There’s no easy answer here. It doesn’t matter what we did today, some people would have been disappointed.There’s no easy answer here. It doesn’t matter what we did today, some people would have been disappointed.
1.07pm BST1.07pm BST
13:0713:07
Tony Abbott:Tony Abbott:
I’m not saying the Coalition’s position is set in stone for all time.I’m not saying the Coalition’s position is set in stone for all time.
He repeats his earlier mantra.He repeats his earlier mantra.
The issue can be put to the people.The issue can be put to the people.
Not now. But for the next term.Not now. But for the next term.
1.05pm BST1.05pm BST
13:0513:05
Abbott says he doesn’t want to send a message that there can never be change.Abbott says he doesn’t want to send a message that there can never be change.
1.02pm BST1.02pm BST
13:0213:02
The prime minister says the Coalition took a position to the last election, and the last thing you should do is dud the people who voted for you.The prime minister says the Coalition took a position to the last election, and the last thing you should do is dud the people who voted for you.
But he acknowledges same sex marriage is very deeply personal.But he acknowledges same sex marriage is very deeply personal.
Abbott says this is the end of the road in this respect.Abbott says this is the end of the road in this respect.
This is the last term in which the Coalition party room can be bound, although we will definitely maintain this position for the life of this term. Our position going into the next election that this is a matter that should rightly be put to the Australian people.This is the last term in which the Coalition party room can be bound, although we will definitely maintain this position for the life of this term. Our position going into the next election that this is a matter that should rightly be put to the Australian people.
The prime minister says the government has not finalised a post-election position.The prime minister says the government has not finalised a post-election position.
I suppose we could have a plebiscite or a constitutional referendum.I suppose we could have a plebiscite or a constitutional referendum.
We want to look at the ramifications of each option.We want to look at the ramifications of each option.
12.57pm BST12.57pm BST
12:5712:57
Tony Abbott addresses reportersTony Abbott addresses reporters
The prime minister has arrived in the Blue Room to reflect on the day’s events. He’s running through a tick tock of the day thus far.The prime minister has arrived in the Blue Room to reflect on the day’s events. He’s running through a tick tock of the day thus far.
Tony Abbott:Tony Abbott:
It was a six hour party room meeting. I have to say I was proud of my colleagues. All of them.It was a six hour party room meeting. I have to say I was proud of my colleagues. All of them.
Colleagues, he said, spoke with decency and compassion. The prime minister said 60 backbenchers and 30 frontbenchers spoke.Colleagues, he said, spoke with decency and compassion. The prime minister said 60 backbenchers and 30 frontbenchers spoke.
I have to say there was strong support for the existing position, that marriage is between a man and a woman.I have to say there was strong support for the existing position, that marriage is between a man and a woman.
12.47pm BST12.47pm BST
12:4712:47
There was no vote in the party room tonight, just by the by. Not sure where the various number counts are coming from when there’s no vote. Presumably from the whips count of contributions over the course of the debate – or back of the envelope counts by non-whip interested parties.There was no vote in the party room tonight, just by the by. Not sure where the various number counts are coming from when there’s no vote. Presumably from the whips count of contributions over the course of the debate – or back of the envelope counts by non-whip interested parties.
12.40pm BST12.40pm BST
12:4012:40
The prime minister will address reporters in about five minutes.The prime minister will address reporters in about five minutes.
Abbott’s sister, Christine Forster is on the ABC’s Lateline program expressing her profound disappointment about tonight’s outcome.Abbott’s sister, Christine Forster is on the ABC’s Lateline program expressing her profound disappointment about tonight’s outcome.
12.38pm BST12.38pm BST
12:3812:38
Backbencher Andrew Laming has been stopped by reporters on the way out of the parliament. He’s asked whether or not the prime minister’s decision to include the National party in tonight’s deliberations made a material difference to the outcome.Backbencher Andrew Laming has been stopped by reporters on the way out of the parliament. He’s asked whether or not the prime minister’s decision to include the National party in tonight’s deliberations made a material difference to the outcome.
Laming:Laming:
It would have been slightly different but the end result would have been the same.It would have been slightly different but the end result would have been the same.
He means the numbers just weren’t there to shift the current position.He means the numbers just weren’t there to shift the current position.
12.25pm BST12.25pm BST
12:2512:25
Resolving to stick with the status quo is an emphatic statement to the conservative base, but it’s also an emphatic statement to the voters at large: if you care about marriage equality, vote Labor or vote Green.Resolving to stick with the status quo is an emphatic statement to the conservative base, but it’s also an emphatic statement to the voters at large: if you care about marriage equality, vote Labor or vote Green.
Sir Humphrey Appleby might call that brave.Sir Humphrey Appleby might call that brave.
12.18pm BST12.18pm BST
12:1812:18
What was I saying before about pathetic attempt at fudges?What was I saying before about pathetic attempt at fudges?
.@ScottMorrisonMP @JoeHockey @JulieBishopMP "pushed hard" for a referendum on #samesexmarriage after the next election (@ljayes).@ScottMorrisonMP @JoeHockey @JulieBishopMP "pushed hard" for a referendum on #samesexmarriage after the next election (@ljayes)
12.02pm BST12.02pm BST
12:0212:02
A number of breaking reports suggest there will be no free vote – the word out of the party room is the numbers are two to one against.A number of breaking reports suggest there will be no free vote – the word out of the party room is the numbers are two to one against.
BREAKING: Lib/Nats party room result. 66-33 There will be NO FREE VOTE.BREAKING: Lib/Nats party room result. 66-33 There will be NO FREE VOTE.
Once there’s confirmation I’ll advise.Once there’s confirmation I’ll advise.
11.55am BST11.55am BST
11:5511:55
Win or loss. Unless of course there’s a pathetic attempt at fudge.Win or loss. Unless of course there’s a pathetic attempt at fudge.
Meanwhile, hang in there blogans, bloganistas.Meanwhile, hang in there blogans, bloganistas.
I understand #partyroom will wrap in 20 min or less. Into final three speakers - Julie Bishop, Warren Entsch, then Tony Abbott @SkyNewsAustI understand #partyroom will wrap in 20 min or less. Into final three speakers - Julie Bishop, Warren Entsch, then Tony Abbott @SkyNewsAust
11.52am BST11.52am BST
11:5211:52
A couple of my press gallery colleagues, Phil Coorey from The Australian Financial Review and Michelle Grattan from The Conversation are comparing tonight to the Coalition’s carbon pricing debate in 2009.A couple of my press gallery colleagues, Phil Coorey from The Australian Financial Review and Michelle Grattan from The Conversation are comparing tonight to the Coalition’s carbon pricing debate in 2009.
It’s a useful comparison. Both fights split the party right down the middle – exposing competing liberal instincts, conservative instincts. You can’t patch over those differences. There will be a win and a loss.It’s a useful comparison. Both fights split the party right down the middle – exposing competing liberal instincts, conservative instincts. You can’t patch over those differences. There will be a win and a loss.
11.39am BST11.39am BST
11:3911:39
Two insights into a contribution from frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull in tonight’s debate.Two insights into a contribution from frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull in tonight’s debate.
.@TurnbullMalcolm advocates for a yes vote and says "the last thing we need is disunity by forcing frontbenchers to resign" #partyroom.@TurnbullMalcolm advocates for a yes vote and says "the last thing we need is disunity by forcing frontbenchers to resign" #partyroom
Malcolm Turnbull raises the prospect of frontbenchers having to resign if and when the SSM issue comes before the parliament.Malcolm Turnbull raises the prospect of frontbenchers having to resign if and when the SSM issue comes before the parliament.
11.26am BST11.26am BST
11:2611:26
We’ve just hit four-and-a-half hours for this special party room meeting.We’ve just hit four-and-a-half hours for this special party room meeting.
No wonder Tony Abbott said at budget time that the Coalition couldn’t manage the economic statement and a debate about same sex marriage at the same time. We were wrong to scoff.No wonder Tony Abbott said at budget time that the Coalition couldn’t manage the economic statement and a debate about same sex marriage at the same time. We were wrong to scoff.
11.18am BST11.18am BST
11:1811:18
Good moods and good cheer all round.Good moods and good cheer all round.
Serjeant-At-Arms office just said Prime Minister's office has asked for media to be removed #auspol #MarriageEqualitySerjeant-At-Arms office just said Prime Minister's office has asked for media to be removed #auspol #MarriageEquality
11.14am BST
11:14
Meanwhile, down in the corridor.
Parliamentary security have just kicked reporters out of corridor outside coalition party room on orders from serjeant-at-arms @SkyNewsAust
11.13am BST
11:13
If you are just tuning in ..
In the event you’ve just got home, downed a glass of something, have your Lean Cuisine twirling cheerily in the microwave, logged on to the Guardian Australia and wondered, what on earth is going on in that mad house in Canberra, a quick recap:
That’s all you need for now. I’ll post a full summary of the day when we wrap later on.
10.58am BST
10:58
So many things are hard to say, let’s face it.
The man of the moment, Warren Entsch, strides out with his Walrus like beard: "It's going very well" I mean is it? It's hard to say #auspol
10.46am BST
10:46
Alan Tudge leaves, throws hands up in air when asked how much longer the #freevotemeeting will take (tip: it won't be anytime soon)
Still on 7.30, Hunt is chipping away.
Host Leigh Sales asks the environment minister whether the prime minister is taking a branch stacking approach to the settlement of same sex marriage. (Manager of government business Christopher Pyne said the prime minister was approaching his task like a branch stacker in the first party room meeting of today. He meant the prime minister’s decision to put the issue to a joint party room meeting, where there would be more National party ‘no’ votes, rather than putting it to the Liberal party room meeting.)
Greg Hunt:
No.
10.40am BST
10:40
Another minister has to see a man about a dog.
.@IanMacfarlaneMP leaves meeting saying 'the work of good govt must continue... I'm off to give a speech' @abcnews
On the ABC’s 7.30 program, the environment minister Greg Hunt is telling viewers the post 2020 emissions targets are just tip top.
10.12am BST
10:12
Hitherto, the treasurer, freshly escaped from the party room debate to stand in for the prime minister at a South Australian showcase on this evening in parliament house.
Hockey, filling in for the PM, welcomes guests to South Australian wine night: "I'm sorry for this brief moment that I'm not Tony Abbott"
Let that be the only apology of the night. Hopefully this function is proudly goats cheese free – if not, questions will be asked.
10.08am BST
10:08
Furthermore from the corridors.
Pyne (who is reportedly angry at how today unfolded) walks briskly away from reporters: "It's going as well as can be expected!!" #auspol
10.07am BST
10:07
Furthermore, from the corridors. The selection committee has done what we expected the selection committee to do with the cross party marriage equality bill.
BIO.
.@terrimbutler co sponsor #marriage equality bill confirms Parl Selection Committee met bill be introduced Monday pic.twitter.com/8igcirsNLu
Bring it on.
10.05am BST
10:05
Joe Hockey leaving party room - discussion was “very interesting”. Says there will be decision tonight @SkyNewsAust #marriageequality
9.59am BST
09:59
I also have a chance to let you know what I think of the government’s post 2020 emissions reduction targets. Basically, I don’t think very much of the government’s emissions reduction targets.
I’m not quite as fired up as my esteemed colleague from The Australian Financial Review, Laura Tingle, who says this evening:
As the Abbott government seemingly unravels before our eyes, the prime minister has released a climate policy which must be the dodgiest bit of public policy in recent years, possibly since the Coalition’s now infamous $11bn hole in its 2010 election policy costings.
Not quite that bad.
But bad, certainly. It’s clearly a low ball target, and it’s not clear how we will meet it under current policy settings, which effectively transfer the costs of future emissions reductions from polluters to the taxpayer through incentive schemes (as the environment minister Greg Hunt fondly calls his direct action policy.)