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New senator Fraser Anning says Hanson expelled him from One Nation – politics live New senator Fraser Anning says Hanson expelled him from One Nation – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Monty Python is writing the script for Australian politics today.
Officials in Canberra, when updating the Parliament House website to include the office details of new senator Fraser Anning (who only hours ago parted ways with One Nation) have listed the wrong phone number for him.
In the place of where they should have listed the phone number for Fraser’s Queensland electorate office, they’ve put the phone number for new Greens senator Andrew Bartlett.
It means Greens staff working in Bartlett’s Queensland electorate office have been fielding calls all afternoon from journalists wanting to speak to Anning.
“It’s hilarious. That’s one way of putting it,” a Greens staff member said.
My colleague Nick Evershed has prepared this rather, ah, illuminating graphic on One Nation in the wake of the Fraser Anning fiasco.
I’ll leave it here for your viewing pleasure.
There are reports that Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie will learn whether she is a dual citizen in the next 24 hours.
Lambie sought advice from British authorities last week over her citizenship status. Her father was born in Scotland.
Speculation has been mounting in parliament about her future, and it is understood Lambie has discussed her intentions with others in parliament.
If she’s found to be a dual citizen, it is unclear whether she would resign immediately, or refer herself to the high court.
Some more wonderful shots from Mike Bowers in the senate this morning. The Greens welcomed two new senators, Jordon Steele-Hope and Andrew Bartlett. Here, Greens leader Richard Di Natale holds court during a fast-paced morning in the upper house.
There’s been yet another twist in the Senate saga of newly minted senator Fraser Anning. Anning was sworn in this morning as a One Nation senator. Within hours, Pauline Hanson claimed that he had defected from the party.There’s been yet another twist in the Senate saga of newly minted senator Fraser Anning. Anning was sworn in this morning as a One Nation senator. Within hours, Pauline Hanson claimed that he had defected from the party.
Anning has disputed that version of events. He says he was kicked out of the party without notice.Anning has disputed that version of events. He says he was kicked out of the party without notice.
The employment by Anning of former staff of Malcolm Roberts seems to be at the centre of the dispute.The employment by Anning of former staff of Malcolm Roberts seems to be at the centre of the dispute.
Anning said he tried to bring his staff into a party room this morning, but was denied. He was then “verbally attacked” in the meeting. The attack was “so vitriolic that I was obliged to simply walk out”.Anning said he tried to bring his staff into a party room this morning, but was denied. He was then “verbally attacked” in the meeting. The attack was “so vitriolic that I was obliged to simply walk out”.
He had expected to be accompanied by One Nation senators into the Senate chamber for his swearing in, as is usual practice, but that changed at the last moment, he said.He had expected to be accompanied by One Nation senators into the Senate chamber for his swearing in, as is usual practice, but that changed at the last moment, he said.
“The next thing I knew, I saw on the TV that I had supposedly become an independent. This was news to me!“The next thing I knew, I saw on the TV that I had supposedly become an independent. This was news to me!
“It seems without even contacting me, Pauline has unilaterally kicked me out of her party.“It seems without even contacting me, Pauline has unilaterally kicked me out of her party.
“I have to say that I’m stunned.”“I have to say that I’m stunned.”
Cory Bernardi warns there’s “more to come” after a tumultuous day in the senate. The Australian Conservatives leader escorted Fraser Anning, the former One Nation senator, into the senate this morning, shortly before Anning quit the party. Cory Bernardi warns there’s “more to come” after a tumultuous day in the Senate. The Australian Conservatives leader escorted Fraser Anning, the former One Nation senator, into the Senate this morning, shortly before Anning quit the party.
What a big morning in Senate...expect more to come later today. Pity the poor taxpayer who has lost all confidence in their parliament and their politicians. There has to be #ABetterWay #auspol @auconservativesWhat a big morning in Senate...expect more to come later today. Pity the poor taxpayer who has lost all confidence in their parliament and their politicians. There has to be #ABetterWay #auspol @auconservatives
Back on same-sex marriage for a moment. David Marr has just written this excellent piece on the change of tactics employed by the ‘no’ campaign in its final stages. It’s well worth a read.Back on same-sex marriage for a moment. David Marr has just written this excellent piece on the change of tactics employed by the ‘no’ campaign in its final stages. It’s well worth a read.
We’re just receiving reports that the bilateral meeting between Malcolm Turnbull and Donald Trump has been called off, to be replaced with a trilateral meeting between Trump, Turnbull, and Japanese prime minister, Shinzō Abe. The Australian Financial Review, Channel 9, and Sky News have all reported the bilateral meeting is no longer on the cards.We’re just receiving reports that the bilateral meeting between Malcolm Turnbull and Donald Trump has been called off, to be replaced with a trilateral meeting between Trump, Turnbull, and Japanese prime minister, Shinzō Abe. The Australian Financial Review, Channel 9, and Sky News have all reported the bilateral meeting is no longer on the cards.
Trump and Turnbull meeting now a three way with Abe #auspol #aseanTrump and Turnbull meeting now a three way with Abe #auspol #asean
No word on why the meeting between the President and PM had been called off. The two will speak at a three way meeting with Japan’s Abe.No word on why the meeting between the President and PM had been called off. The two will speak at a three way meeting with Japan’s Abe.
The foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, has just spoken in Queensland on the citizenship disclosure agreement struck with Labor. She accused Bill Shorten of being “utterly devious” on citizenship, seeking to use the crisis to undermine government while protecting Labor MPs.The foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, has just spoken in Queensland on the citizenship disclosure agreement struck with Labor. She accused Bill Shorten of being “utterly devious” on citizenship, seeking to use the crisis to undermine government while protecting Labor MPs.
“For months Mr Shorten has been trying to protect his members of parliament who have serious questions about citizenship, applying one rule to his members and another to everybody else,” Bishop said.“For months Mr Shorten has been trying to protect his members of parliament who have serious questions about citizenship, applying one rule to his members and another to everybody else,” Bishop said.
“Mr Shorten has been utterly devious in this issue and has had to be dragged to accepting the Coalition government’s plan to resolve the citizenship issue.”“Mr Shorten has been utterly devious in this issue and has had to be dragged to accepting the Coalition government’s plan to resolve the citizenship issue.”
Bishop said this morning’s poll – showing a fall in support for Malcolm Turnbull as preferred prime minister – was “not surprising”.Bishop said this morning’s poll – showing a fall in support for Malcolm Turnbull as preferred prime minister – was “not surprising”.
“But we have a plan to resolve this issue. We’ve had no support from the Labor party,” she said.“But we have a plan to resolve this issue. We’ve had no support from the Labor party,” she said.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has given a short speech in the Senate about Stephen Parry’s British citizenship after admitting he knew weeks before the high court decision that Parry faced an issue.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has given a short speech in the Senate about Stephen Parry’s British citizenship after admitting he knew weeks before the high court decision that Parry faced an issue.
Fifield said he had discussions about citizenship with his colleagues and the “complexities” of foreign citizenship law, and Parry was “no exception”.Fifield said he had discussions about citizenship with his colleagues and the “complexities” of foreign citizenship law, and Parry was “no exception”.
He said:He said:
Given the varied and casual nature of these discussions I can’t be definitive about when Parry reflected on his circumstances. It was more than a couple of weeks before the high court decision, but it was not months.”Given the varied and casual nature of these discussions I can’t be definitive about when Parry reflected on his circumstances. It was more than a couple of weeks before the high court decision, but it was not months.”
Fifield said Parry told him he was checking his family records, and he had encouraged Parry to do so. Fifield:Fifield said Parry told him he was checking his family records, and he had encouraged Parry to do so. Fifield:
The former senator acknowledged it was the responsibility of each senator and member [to confirm their eligibility] ... The responsibility is individual and personal. It can’t be abrogated, outsourced or transferred. Suggestions that I directed the former senator are wrong.”The former senator acknowledged it was the responsibility of each senator and member [to confirm their eligibility] ... The responsibility is individual and personal. It can’t be abrogated, outsourced or transferred. Suggestions that I directed the former senator are wrong.”
Fraser Anning’s defection from One Nation has given Queensland’s Labor government a boost in its re-election campaign.Fraser Anning’s defection from One Nation has given Queensland’s Labor government a boost in its re-election campaign.
Learning the news at the end of her first press conference, the premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, showed her first genuine smile of the day, with Labor fighting a particularly hard battle with One Nation for regional Queensland seats.Learning the news at the end of her first press conference, the premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, showed her first genuine smile of the day, with Labor fighting a particularly hard battle with One Nation for regional Queensland seats.
“That says it all doesn’t it,” she said, breaking into smiles.“That says it all doesn’t it,” she said, breaking into smiles.
“This is what we saw previously and it could all happen again. If you want chaos, vote for One Nation and Tim Nicholls. If you want stability, you are looking at it.”“This is what we saw previously and it could all happen again. If you want chaos, vote for One Nation and Tim Nicholls. If you want stability, you are looking at it.”
The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull ,is far removed from the drama unfolding in Canberra. He’s at the Association of South East Asian Nations in Manila, where he plans to meet the US president, Donald Trump.The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull ,is far removed from the drama unfolding in Canberra. He’s at the Association of South East Asian Nations in Manila, where he plans to meet the US president, Donald Trump.
Turnbull has met the Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, overnight. The pair discussed the threat of Islamic State in the southern Philippines, where extremists are attempting to establish a caliphate. Australia is providing assistance to the Filipino military in its fight against Isis.Turnbull has met the Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, overnight. The pair discussed the threat of Islamic State in the southern Philippines, where extremists are attempting to establish a caliphate. Australia is providing assistance to the Filipino military in its fight against Isis.
The two leaders are also thought to have discussed Duterte’s controversial war on drugs and intelligence sharing between the two nations. The precise details of what was raised – including whether Turnbull expressed concern about indiscriminate killings occurring in the drugs war – are not yet clear.The two leaders are also thought to have discussed Duterte’s controversial war on drugs and intelligence sharing between the two nations. The precise details of what was raised – including whether Turnbull expressed concern about indiscriminate killings occurring in the drugs war – are not yet clear.
Turnbull had met Duterte in Da Nang, Vietnam, at the Apec summit last week.Turnbull had met Duterte in Da Nang, Vietnam, at the Apec summit last week.
Mike Bowers has been in the Senate for this morning’s proceedings. Three new senators were sworn in, and the Senate got a new president. Here’s all the colour from the chamber.
Well, it’s been quite a morning here in Canberra. My head’s spinning. I’m sure yours is too. So let’s take a moment to recap:
Fraser Anning abandoned the One Nation party within hours of being sworn in. Pauline Hanson apparently refused to allow his staff into a party room meeting this morning, causing further friction between the pair.
The dates have been set for the Bennelong byelection, where the Liberal MP John Alexander will recontest the seat he won comfortably last year. The poll will be held on 16 December. Labor has pledged to run a candidate in the ethnically diverse seat, and will seek to capitalise on anger over the government’s stalled citizenship plan and preference deals with One Nation interstate.
The government has struck an agreement with Labor over the disclosure of politicians’ citizenship status. Members of parliament will need to disclose their citizenship status, including that of their parents and grandparents, by 1 December. If they have held other citizenship in the past, they will need to detail what steps have been taken to renounce.
The former special minister of state, Scott Ryan, has been voted in as the new Senate president, replacing Stephen Parry who was lost amid the citizenship crisis.
Aside from Anning, two other senators were sworn in: Andrew Bartlett and Jordan Steele-John, both for the Greens. Steele-John, a disability activist, is the youngest senator, at the age of 23.
Bill Shorten has addressed caucus declaring the party has “nothing to hide” on citizenship.
The Liberal senator James Paterson has proposed his own private member’s bill on same-sex marriage, offering protections for wide-ranging discrimination against same-sex weddings.
Liberal MP and long-time same-sex marriage supporter Warren Entsch has blasted Senate colleague James Paterson for his rival same-sex marriage bill.
Entsch told Guardian Australia he was “surprised and disappointed” by the move but conceded Paterson was entitled to put his name to the bill.
Entsch:
“For someone who claims to support same-sex marriage he does seem to have two bob each way. I question his commitment here, that he is seen to be doing the bidding of those opposed to same-sex marriage.”
Entsch suggested that the Australian people are right to be cynical that conservative opponents were now showing a “sudden interest” in marriage equality and proposed a bill winding back anti-discrimination law “at a federal state and territory level for a particular cohort”.
Entsch:
“I’m not sure how comfortable the Australian public will be with this. What about realtors selling properties to a gay couple, or doctors refusing to treat children with gay parents? Where does it end? ... They won’t sit back while we have a debate for three years about what class of citizen we should make the gay community. It won’t stack up.”
Tony Abbott was on 2GB radio within the past hour talking to host Ray Hadley.
The former prime minister spoke at length about the protesters who assaulted his sister, Christine Forster, as she was trying to enter a Liberal party fundraiser on Friday evening in Redfern, Sydney.
Forster’s jacket was torn violently, she was reportedly spat upon, and she needed police to shield her as protesters made it difficult for her to enter the fundraiser.
Abbott said the protesters must have been living under a rock for the past few months because they mustn’t have realised his sister has been one of the strongest advocates for same-sex marriage, and holds many progressive views.
His parents, who also attended the event, were badly shaken by the experience.
“It’s a real tragedy that people have become so incredibly intolerant as to treat someone like Chris, who is herself a bit of a human rights campaigner, to treat her this way is just outrageous,” he said.
“Chris is certainly no uncritical member of the conservative right. She’s on a different side to myself on the same-sex marriage debate. She’s, I think, on the progressive side, if I might use that term, of the Liberal party, as she’s entitled to be.”
On the citizenship saga, Abbott said it was good to hear that Malcolm Turnbull and the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, had come to an agreement for the new citizenship disclosure regime.
The deal for the upper house means disclosures will happen by 1 December.
Abbott said the agreement was a sign that Turnbull and Shorten realised that the issue was getting out of hand, after Christopher Pyne’s threat at the weekend to start referring Labor MPs to the high court led Labor to threaten to start going nuclear with its own dirt files on at least five more Coalition MPs.
On Monday’s Newspoll – the 23rd poll in a row showing the government trailing Labor – Abbott said he still believed the government could win the next election.
He didn’t take the opportunity to criticise Turnbull, saying lots of factors conspire against every prime minister, making it difficult for them to do their job.
He said Jim Nolan would make a great replacement for Nationals senator Fiona Nash if Hollie Hughes – the next on the ticket after Nash at the 2016 election – is ruled ineligible.
Fraser Anning, One Nation’s newly sworn-in senator, is leaving the party. He was sworn in about an hour ago as the replacement for Malcolm Roberts.
Anning will sit as an independent. The One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, has issued a statement saying she spoke to Anning this morning, but the talks broke down when she refused Anning’s staff entry into a party room meeting.
“Mr Anning was advised that David Goodridge, Leon Ashby, Richard Howard and Boston White were not welcome to this morning’s party room meeting because of their disloyalty to their former employer and myself,” Hanson said.
Anning said “I know where this is going” and stood up and walked out of the room.
Hanson asked senators Burston and Georgiou to mediate with Anning to find some common ground, but they were told Anning would stand as an independent only minutes before he was sworn into the Senate.
“Before the citizenship cloud hovered over Malcolm Roberts’ head, I had already approached Fraser Anning to contest the seat of Gladstone in the upcoming Queensland state election,” Hanson said. “I was of the view at the time, Fraser would be a solid candidate for that electorate.
“Mr Anning dismissed the request on the grounds that he and his wife were determined to make a permanent move to the United States to join their two daughters and grandchildren, who own a business venture on the west coast.”
Hanson said she had tried to contact Anning while he was overseas, but “those efforts fell on deaf ears”. She was forced to communicate with him through his brother, Harry Anning.
“I indicated to Harry Anning at the time that given the work Malcolm Roberts had achieved as chair of the banking inquiry and his role in challenging climate change, it would be in the federal party’s and Australia’s best interest for Malcolm Roberts to be returned to the Senate,” she said.
“I was disappointed Mr Anning made no attempt to contact me or any One Nation executive member off the back of multiple requests to discuss his future plans.
“Instead he chose to release scathing media releases demanding I pledge my support to him without even meeting or speaking to him.”
Anning was not flanked by One Nation senators when he first entered the Senate to be sworn in this morning. He was instead accompanied by David Leyonhjelm and Cory Bernardi.
The writs for the byelection in Bennelong have been issued.
The date of the poll will be Saturday 16 December.
Here’s a full rundown of the dates:
Issue of writ – 13 November
Close of rolls – 20 November
Close of nominations – 23 November
Declaration of nominations – 24 November
Date of poll – 16 December
Return of writ on or before – 21 February 2018.
New details are emerging about the agreement struck between Labor and the Liberals on citizenship disclosure. Labor has won some key concessions, including a requirement to detail the citizenship of grandparents.
We’ve just seen a draft resolution that will be put to the Senate, requiring senators to disclose details of their citizenship no later than 5pm on 1 December.
It requires senators to declare:
that the senator, at time of nomination, was an Australian citizen
that the senator is not a citizen of any other country
the senator’s place and date of birth
the citizenship held at the time of birth
the place and date of birth of parents and grandparents
whether the senator has ever been a citizen of a country or another country, and if so, which countries
the steps taken to assure that citizenship has not been inherited from a parent or grandparent
the steps taken to renounce any foreign citizenship
If the senator has been a citizen of another country at any time, they will be required to disclose:
details and evidence of the date and manner in which the senator’s citizenship of the other country was renounced
if it has not been renounced by the date of nomination to the Senate, evidence will need to be provided of the steps that have been taken to renounce the citizenship prior to the date of nomination
Senators will need to update the register within 21 days of becoming aware it is no longer accurate.
Well, all sorts of records are tumbling during this morning’s changing of the guard in the Senate.
First we had the youngest ever senator sworn in, 23-year-old Jordan Steele-John.
Now we have the youngest ever Senate president in Scott Ryan, who is 44.
Thanks to our colleagues in Auspic for these pictures from this morning's proceedings pic.twitter.com/D3omlmRvzj
The attorney-general, George Brandis, has spoken glowingly of Ryan, calling him a friend, a fellow “classical liberal”, a protege of Peter Costello, and a strong believer in the role of institutions in Australian democracy.
Fortuitously, he’s apparently also an expert in the constitution and constitutional law, a valued skill given the current citizenship quagmire.
“We trust that you will continue to be Senate president for many years, if not decades to come,” Brandis said.
Brandis also spoke of the departure of the former president, Stephen Parry, who was forced to depart during the citizenship scandal.
The controversy surrounding Parry’s departure should not reflect on his work as president, Brandis said.
“The fact senator Parry is no longer with us is a cause of regret to the many of us who were his friends, and I wish to take the occasion to thank senator Parry for what he did for this institution.”
While the Senate is holding a ballot for the new president, the government has come to terms with the ALP on the new citizenship disclosure regime.
The deal for the upper house means disclosures will happen by December 1.
I’ll bring you more particulars as they come to hand.
We’ve just got confirmation that Liberal Scott Ryan has been voted the new president of the Senate, easily defeating the only other candidate, Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson. The vote was 53 to Ryan and 11 to Whish-Wilson.
Bizarrely, one senator managed to lodge an invalid vote.
Ryan’s election makes him the 25th Senate president.
Ryan has just briefly addressed the Senate.
“I do emphasise: I’m now your servant, I do now represent all senators,” he said.