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Australian politics live: Monday December 3

An “insane” rule has led to an ABC journalist being kicked out of Question Time in parliament for supposedly showing “too much skin”.

Sam ClenchSam Clench
@SamClench
21 min read
December 3, 2018 - 6:52PM
Malcolm Turnbull: where did it all go wrong?

Welcome to news.com.au’s live politics blog.

A dramatic intervention by Malcolm Turnbull has put the Prime Minister under even more pressure as the last week of parliament this year begins. Follow all the latest news live.

5:45pm

Let’s sum up the major events of the day.

• Malcolm Turnbull publicly argued against Scott Morrison’s attempt to help Liberal MP Craig Kelly. Mr Turnbull also pushed for an early election;

• The NSW Liberal Party’s state executive voted to re-endorse all sitting MPs, effectively saving Mr Kelly. Four key moderate votes abstained;

• Penny Wong blew up in the Senate after the Centre Alliance joined with the government to stop a vote on her bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQI students from happening today, or indeed this week;

• The rules of parliament were slammed after ABC journalist Patricia Karvelas was kicked out of Question Time for showing “too much skin”;

• Labor MP Emma Husar faced fresh accusations of bullying and harassment from four former staffers;

• Mr Morrison accused Labor of a “grubby smear” as it bombarded him with questions about a leaked comment by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin.

5:30pm

‘It’s about consistency’

Patricia Karvelas has spoken to Ben Fordham about getting kicked out of Question Time.

“It’s about consistency,” she said.

“Jounalists in the press gallery are meant to kind of dress like the politicians. Now if you look at some of the female politicians, including Julie Bishop - she wore a sleeveless dress just this week. A lot more sleeveless than what I’m wearing today.

“I think the rule is silly, Ben, but I also listen to the rule. So I left. I didn’t argue, I believe in being very polite to attendants. It’s a bad look to sit there having a fight.

“I did ask. I said I think this is covered. She said ‘No, my supervisor says you’re not.’ So I went and got a jacket. A jacket that looked terrible. In fact if it’s about standards, I think I failed the standards when I wore that jacket.”

5:10pm

Turnbull’s letter

Malcolm Turnbull spent a large chunk of his morning trying to stop Scott Morrison’s ultimately successful effort to save Craig Kelly.

But back in May, when Mr Turnbull was still prime minister, he took a different approach.

The Daily Telegraph reports Mr Turnbull signed a letter praising Mr Kelly as “one of the government’s most committed contributors on the floor of parliament” and said he looked forward to him being re-elected.

Mr Turnbull argued his intervention today was an effort to protect the democratic processes of the party.

On Radio National, he was asked whether he was engaging in “some degree of payback” against Mr Kelly for leading the charge against the National Energy Guarantee, not to mention his leadership.

“Not at all. Not at all. I think it is a matter of principle,” Mr Turnbull said.

4:20pm

Wong tries again

Penny Wong has given notice of motion for another attempt to secure a vote on her bill to stop discrimination against LGBTIQ students.

Her motion will be voted on tomorrow. If it passes, the Senate will vote on Ms Wong’s legislation this week. If not, it will have to wait until next year.

There was a big argument about the legislation earlier today, which you can read about here.

4:00pm

The right to bare arms, continued

You know how Patricia Karvelas was ejected from Question Time today for baring her arms?

Here is Julie Bishop, during Question Time, exactly one week ago.

“What up, peasants?” Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
“What up, peasants?” Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

3:45pm

Ouch?

I’m apparently too young to get these references but I assume there is a sick burn happening here.

A post on Tanya Plibersek's Facebook page.
A post on Tanya Plibersek's Facebook page.

3:35pm

The right to bare arms

The ABC’s Patricia Karvelas was kicked out of Question Time today because her outfit showed “too much skin”.

Which is to say, you could see her arms. I know, scandalous.

“My lady arms are a threat to decency,” she said jokingly.

“I politely put my case that these are short sleeves. I left when the attendant insisted. I think the rule is out of step with contemporary standards.”

Labor’s Tony Burke caught wind of the incident and asked the Speaker to investigate.

Meanwhile, the rest of Twitter leapt to her defence.

3:20pm

‘Quota for clowns’

While my focus was on Question Time in the House, this juicy exchange happened in the Senate.

“Given Mr Morrison has refused to save Jane Prentice, Ann Sudmalis, and Senators Molan and Gichuhi, but has today intervened to save Craig Kelly, how does Mr Morrison decide when to intervene? Why is there a quota for clowns, but not for women?” Labor’s Jenny McAllister asked.

“Point of order. You can’t refer to members of parliament as clowns,” Cory Bernardi said.

“The Prime Minister called you all Muppets!” Ms McAllister responded.

President Scott Ryan said he didn't hear the second half of Ms McAllister’s question but “if there was something unparliamentary I’d ask for it to be withdrawn”.

“Senator McAllister suggested that the Prime Minister failed to intervene in the preselection of clowns. It’s simply inappropriate and Senator McAllister knows. She should withdraw,” Mr Bernardi said.

Then Derryn Hinch chimed in with exquisite timing.

“Isn’t truth a defence in New South Wales?”

3:10pm

Labor targets Craig Kelly

Tony Burke asks backbencher Craig Kelly, the man of the moment, about his motion endorsing the National Energy Guarantee, which is on parliament's notice paper but will be removed if it is not selected for debate again.

“There is a big difference between the previous National Energy Guarantee and one that has a 45 per cent target,” Mr Kelly roars in response.

“A 45 per cent target, that you lot want over there, is a replica of what we’ve seen in South Australia.

“That is the policy that the Labor Party wants to inflict upon every single Australian.”

Mr Kelly says pensioners would not be able to afford heating or air conditioning for their homes under Labor’s policy.

“You lot don’t care one bit about them,” he says.

3:05pm

Craig Kelly’s rival ‘disappointed’

Kent Johns, who was set to take on Craig Kelly for preselection in Hughes before today’s decision, has reacted rather classily.

3:00pm

Shorten brings up Merkel photo

Bill Shorten puts a new spin on his usual “why isn’t Malcolm still PM” question.

“Given that the Prime Minister had to explain to President Donald Trump why Malcolm Turnbull is no longer prime minister, and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was not even sure who we was, will he now explain to the Australian people and the wider world why Malcolm Turnbull is no longer prime minister?” he asks.

Mr Shorten is referring to an image which showed Ms Merkel checking her “cheat sheet” as she sat down with Mr Morrison at the G20.

“I can assure the leader of the Labor Party that everybody on this side of the House is going to work incredibly hard until the next election to ensure the rest of the world never know who the leader of the Labor Party is,” the Prime Minister fires back.

2:55pm

Plibersek’s question slapped down

Tanya Plibersek tries to bring up Malcolm Turnbull’s interview on Radio National this morning, asking whether the Prime Minister has spoken to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian about the timing of the election.

Speaker Tony Smith rules the question out of order.

2:45pm

Porter unleashes stinging sledge

Attorney General Christian Porter slaps down Mr Dreyfus after fielding another question about Mr Colvin's comments.

“If only it were the case that the shadow Attorney General were as concerned about the national security of Australians who face terrorist attacks as he were about smearing the Prime Minister, or any member on the side of the House,” Mr Porter says.

“The difficulty that the shadow Attorney General has, Mr Speaker, is that no Australian could physically be as smart as he thinks he is.”

2:40pm

Oops

Foreign Minister Marise Payne just accidentally called the President of the Senate “Mr Terrorist” in the middle of a speech.

“Unfortunately, Mr Terrorist — Mr President! — we also know that terrorists ... that's twice in two weeks, Mr President. Terrorists are proving very agile and innovative.”

Much laughter ensued.

2:25pm

Labor accused of ‘grubby smear’

Labor tries again, asking whether Mr Morrison can guarantee that “neither he nor his office played any role in the leaking of a confidential submission”.

“If they want to come in here and make grubby smears against me, then I find the suggestion offensive and reject it,” the Prime Minister responds.”

Mr Dreyfus has another go with his next question.

“Can the Prime Minister guarantee that no minister, government member of their office played any role in the leaking of what appears to be a confidential submission to the intelligence committee?” he asks.

“If Shadow Attorney General wants to come in here and make these sort of grubby smears — which is his habit in this place, he is well acquainted with the bottom of the chum bucket, the Shadow Attorney General,” Mr Morrison shoots back.

“He does this on a regular occasion, comes in here and makes the most outrageous and offensive sneers without any evidence whatsoever.”

2:15pm

Question Time begins

Labor starts Question Time by asking Scott Morrison about a comment from Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin, which was reported in this story in The Australian.

“The AFP is very concerned such a purpose-based approach would pose a variety of significant issues that would challenge the effectiveness of the regime and undermine the policy intent of the measures,” Mr Colvin said.

He was talking about the government’s encryption legislation. Labor believes the leak of his quote could be a criminal offence, as he was giving evidence to a parliamentary committee in private.

“Is the Prime Minister a way that leaking a confidential submission to the committee is a criminal offence under national security legislation, punishable with up to two years in prison? Has the Prime Minister asked the AFP to investigate this criminal leak?” Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus asks.

“I am happy to take notice the matter that the member has raised, and raise that in a discussion with the AFP, if indeed that is necessary,” the Prime Minister says.

“I would also only note this. That is that encryption is a tool being used by terrorists, organised criminals, paedophile rings, and it is something we must get ahead of by ensuring that our police, that our security agencies, that all our agencies have gauged at a state and federal level have the tools they need to make this stop.”

2:05pm

Tributes to George H.W. Bush

Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten are paying tribute to former US president George H.W. Bush, who died over the weekend.

“George Bush was a great friend and true friend of Australia,” Mr Morrison says. “He was a man who embodied the best of public service.”

2:00pm

‘Shame on you’: Blow-up in the Senate

Controversy has erupted in the Senate, with the government pulling a surprise move to stop the chamber from voting on Penny Wong’s legislation to prevent discrimination against LGBTIQ students.

That vote was supposed to happen today. Last week the Senate voted to “gag” debate from 1:50pm, essentially setting a deadline for the vote. But since then, some of the crossbenchers have changed their mind.

Crucially, Centre Alliance Senators Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick joined with the government to cancel the gag in a motion that passed 35-33.

Ms Wong was not happy, and accused Mr Cormann of “perverting the process” of the Senate and trying to "desperately avoid a vote in the House”.

“He’s worried about the House of Representatives. He’s worried about the survival of the government. He’s lost control.

“Do you know what the decent thing to do would be? Call an election. Call an election and stop perverting the process of the Senate.”

She then pointed at Senator Patrick and called him out by name for backflipping on his support for her legislation.

“Shame on you, Senator Patrick, for doing this, and aiding and abetting it.”

Adding to the weirdness of the situation, both the government and Labor say they support removing exemptions that allow faith-based schools to discriminate against students.

“The government does support what this legislation is seeking to achieve, but we support it with reasonable amendments to ensure that, for example, religious schools can provide appropriate rules for the proper conduct of their schools,” Mr Cormann said.

“Some of the crossbenchers have indicated to us in good faith that they needed some more time in order to consider the issues that they raise, and rather than doing what Senator Wong has indicated, upending the Senate, what we are doing is making sure that the Senate has proper opportunity to consider all of the issues.”

Penny Wong in the Senate just now.
Penny Wong in the Senate just now.

1:25pm

‘Scott Morrison is very desperate’

Greens leader Richard Di Natale just delivered a typically withering assessment of the Craig Kelly fiasco on Sky News.

“When Malcolm Turnbull says that this is the weakest possible option, that is saying something,” Mr Di Natale said, accusing Mr Turnbull of caving to the Liberals’ right wing as prime minister.

“Scott Morrison is very desperate,” he said.

“They’re not governing for the people, they’re governing for themselves.

“This government is on the road to oblivion and it will be turfed out in spectacular fashion in a few months’ time.”

On a side note, having faced Mr Di Natale’s bowling during the press gallery’s cricket match against the politicians yesterday, I can tell you his left-arm outswingers are just as blistering as his interviews.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale. Picture: AAP
Greens leader Richard Di Natale. Picture: AAP

1:05pm

Craig Kelly saved from preselection battle

And that’s that.

The NSW Liberal Party’s state executive has passed the motion re-endorsing all sitting MPs, including Craig Kelly. Four moderates who could have voted against the motion and forced Mr Kelly to undergo a preselection battle abstained instead.

It’s a victory for Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who intervened on Mr Kelly’s behalf, and a defeat for Malcolm Turnbull, who spoke out against the move this morning.

The government presumably doesn’t have to worry about Mr Kelly defecting to the crossbench anymore.

12:35pm

Government accused of abandoning women

Labor moved to suspend standing orders in the House over the Craig Kelly saga, accusing Scott Morrison of “tearing the government apart to protect the member for Hughes” and “only ever protecting the men in his party and abandoning its women”.

Long, cranky speeches ensued.

The motion was defeated 71-67.

12:15pm

Key votes to abstain from Kelly motion

It seems Scott Morrison’s intervention on behalf of backbench MP Craig Kelly will succeed.

The Australian reports four key moderates in the NSW Liberal Party’s state executive have agreed to abstain from voting on the motion, backed by Mr Morrison, that would re-endorse all sitting MPs and save Mr Kelly from fighting a losing preselection battle.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull publicly argued against the idea this morning, calling Mr Kelly’s alleged threat to move to the crossbench “the worst and weakest reason” to ditch the preselection process.

Liberal member for Hughes Craig Kelly. Picture: AAP
Liberal member for Hughes Craig Kelly. Picture: AAP

11:55am

New accusations rock Emma Husar

Four former staffers of Labor MP Emma Husar have written to NSW Labor’s general secretary with fresh allegations of misconduct.

“Ms Husar’s sustained inappropriate conduct made our positions untenable, and her recent public comments have made our continued silence equally untenable,” they say, according to Fairfax.

“Contrary to Ms Husar’s public comments, we are not a few ‘bad apples’.

“We are competent, professional people who were subjected to Emma Husar’s bullying, harassment, and unethical behaviour ... it is our strong view that Ms Husar does not represent Labor values.

“She has proven this through her actions as an employer, and the way she has manipulated this situation to present herself as the victim.”

Ms Husar spoke out in an explosive interview last week, accusing some in the party of undermining her and indicating she would consider recontesting her seat as an independent, should Labor decline to re-endorse her as its candidate.

“What happened to me was the work of a few people in the Labor Party, just a few bad seeds trying to wield their power,” Ms Husar told Sky News.

“There was a whole bunch of pressure being applied. (Resigning) was seen as the only way to make it stop. And of course it didn’t stop.

“Once these allegations were bathed in sunlight, which is the best medicine for this sort of garbage, it was like, ‘Why am I resigning?’”

A Labor Party investigation found previous allegations of workplace bullying and harassment against Ms Husar were not back up by evidence.

Labor Member for Lindsay Emma Husar. Picture: AAP
Labor Member for Lindsay Emma Husar. Picture: AAP

11:40am

House prices fall again

Australia’s property prices have just taken their biggest monthly plunge since the Global Financial Crisis.

Prices fell 0.7 per cent nationwide in November, according to CoreLogic, but the drop was particularly pronounced in Sydney and Melbourne, where they fell 1.4 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively.

Sydney’s prices have fallen a whopping 9.5 per cent since July last year.

11:25am

Crossbenchers introduce their bills

As expected, Cathy McGowan and Kerryn Phelps have introduced their respective bills to the House.

Ms McGowan is trying to establish a national integrity commission.

“The Prime Minister said it was a fringe issue but that is not true. There is huge support for this broadly, and particularly in my seat,” she said.

The government has resisted, believing Ms McGowan’s legislation would overreach and redefine simple misconduct into corruption.

Dr Phelps, meanwhile, is pushing to move asylum seekers in need of medical attention off Nauru.

She justified her position with that Medecins Sans Frontieres report we mentioned earlier, which found “the mental health suffering on Nauru is among the most severe MSF has ever seen around the world”.

Dr Phelps said the report was a “shocking indictment” of Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.

She needs an absolute majority in the House to bring on debate on her bill. Without the government’s support, that won't happen.

Some happy crossbenchers. Picture: Kym Smith
Some happy crossbenchers. Picture: Kym Smith

11:10am

Why Turnbull’s conversation was leaked

During his flurry of activity this morning, Malcolm Turnbull openly wondered why his private conversation with NSW MP Matt Keane, in which he claimed Scott Morrison was “just trying to keep his ass in C1”, was leaked to the media.

Samantha Maiden has the answer. She reports Mr Keane has told colleagues he is “f***ing furious with what Malcolm did to Dave Sharma”.

Mr Turnbull posted a single tweet in support of Mr Sharma shortly after he became the Liberals’ Wentworth candidate, and then remained silent for the rest of the by-election campaign. Many in the party feel he should have done more to help.

Dave Sharma. Picture AAP
Dave Sharma. Picture AAP

10:55am

Asylum seekers ‘deprived of all hope’

Medecins Sans Frontieres has reiterated its “urgent call” for the government to immediately evacuate all asylum seekers on Nauru after releasing a new medical report, cheerfully called Indefinite Despair.

“The mental health suffering on Nauru is among the most severe MSF has ever seen around the world, including in projects providing care for victims of torture,” the humanitarian organisation said.

“While many of our patients had experienced trauma, it was the Australian policy of indefinite processing that destroyed all their hope for the future and devastated their mental health,” says Dr Christine Rufener, a clinical psychologist working for MSF, said.

More than half the asylum seekers MSF treated on Nauru had “suicidal thoughts”, and 63 had actually attempted suicide.

10:40am

Push to end discrimination against students

In the House, Labor leader Bill Shorten is introducing legislation banning faith-based schools from discriminating against LGBTIQ students.

It’s the same proposal the Senate will vote on later today.

“Our legislation seeks the balance between protecting the religious freedom of faith-based schools, and protecting the essential human dignity of every Australian child,” Mr Shorten says.

“I believe we should be able to do this without a protracted or heated debate, without a whole lot of delaying tactics and diversionary arguments.

“Because surely as a parliament and a people — we can agree that every Australian child has the right to be treated equally.”

Mr Shorten says he will introduce legislation to protect teachers from discrimination during the first sitting fortnight next year.

10:35am

Peter Dutton still absent

The Home Affairs Minister has announced he will stay on medical leave this week on the advice of his doctor.

Meanwhile, Labor is still pushing to have his eligibility to sit in parliament referred to the High Court.

10:30am

Some good news for once

Wallabies star David Pocock once promised he would not get married until same-sex marriage was legal in Australia, so this is a particularly sweet moment.

10:15am

‘A disgraceful lie’

Labor’s Tim Watts chimes in with the five most serious words you can write on Twitter: “It’s time for a thread.”

He’s worked up about the government's encryption legislation.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor went on Sky News earlier this morning and claimed Australia would be left “without any prospect of prosecution” of terrorists without passing the proposals. Mr Watts says that is a “disgraceful lie”.

Here is his tweetstorm.

10:00am

Emergency mental health summit

The government is holding an emergency mental health summit today in response to an alarming spike in the number of Australians taking their own lives.

More than 3000 people died as a result of suicide last year, a rise of 9 per cent.

“Suicide is a national tragedy and one life lost to suicide is one too many,” Mr Hunt said.

“I will be asking the summit participants to work together to produce a statement of general principles around the best way to prevent suicide at a national level.”

Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Everymind, the Black Dog Institute and Orygen will all have representatives at the summit.

9:45am

States facing more power blackouts

A new report from the Australian Energy Market Operator has warned that Victoria and South Australia could face an increasing number of blackouts in the summer months due to power shortages.

You can read the full report here, if you’re into that sort of thing.

9:25am

Turnbull denies he’s out for ‘revenge’

Malcolm Turnbull is absolutely everywhere this morning. He just did a doorstop with reporters.

“We’ve had a very long debate here in NSW about the importance of grassroots participation. It is, after all, one of the Liberal Party’s great strengths,” he said.

“So it’s reasonable, I think, and quite proper, to respect and to ask the State Executive to respect those processes.

“We have a democratic process. You have a challenger, you have a contest. The Liberal Party members in Hughes are entitled to have their say.”

Mr Turnbull denied he was out for “revenge”.

“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 members, to express my views.”

He again voiced the fear that the federal government’s unpopularity could hurt Gladys Berejiklian’s NSW government at its election in March.

“I am very concerned, as many members of the NSW 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.

“I am very concerned that this will put at risk the Berejiklian government.”

Mr Turnbull finished with a subtle shot at Scott Morrison.

“As Scott Morrison knows, I’ve given him every support and plenty of good and useful advice, which he’s acknowledged,” he said.

9:00am

Kelly’s expletive-laden spray

Craig Kelly, the man at the centre of all this drama, unleashed an expletive-laden spray during an event at the Engadine Gymnastics Club last night, Fairfax reports.

Mr Kelly took offence when Carmelo Pesce, a Liberal mayor, refused to shake his hand.

“You’re a f***ing prick! Are you f***ing kidding me? You’re not going to f***ing shake my hand?” Mr Kelly shouted.

Mr Pesce initially remained silent, but eventually told Mr Kelly he was “a disgrace” for what he was doing the party.

“You’re the disgrace,” Mr Kelly said.

Craig Kelly. Picture: AAP
Craig Kelly. Picture: AAP

8:45am

Government ‘must proceed with caution’

The Law Council of Australia has spoken out about the government’s push to quickly pass laws to help police and intelligence officers access encrypted communications in terrorism investigations.

“The Law Council supports aspects of this bill to give intelligence agencies additional powers to help keep us safe,” Arthur Moses, President-elect of the Law Council, said.

“However, this unprecedented bill is far too complex to be rammed through parliament in its entirety in just four days.

“The parliament must proceed with caution to ensure we get it right. Rushed law can make bad law.

“Failing to properly scrutinise this bill risks unintended consequences which may impact on the privacy and rights of law abiding Australian citizens , the media and corporate sector.

“Further, when dealing with sensitive and complicated legislation like this, it is completely inappropriate for any politician to accuse anyone of putting at risk national security because they are raising legitimate concerns about legislation.

“Allegations like that should not be thrown around like confetti in a democracy such as ours . The energy would be better spent on getting the legislation right.

“In this area, as in all legislation that impacts on the privacy and rights of Australians, it is essential that parliament heed calls to act with caution , moderation and restraint.”

8:30am

Turnbull pushes for early election

Malcolm Turnbull went on Radio National this morning to elaborate on his views about Craig Kelly and Scott Morrison.

“I don’t believe he (Kelly) would go to the crossbench or bring down the government. But if, assuming he has made that threat, then that is the worst and the weakest reason not to have a preselection process.

“Giving in to threats of this kind is really, I mean it is the antithesis of good government.”

Mr Turnbull did not deny saying Mr Morrison was “just trying to keep his ass on C-1”, a reference to his Commonwealth car.

“I'm not making any — hey Fran, I’ve not made any accusations against the Prime Minister,” he said.

“Didn’t you say he was just trying to keep his ass on C-1?” host Fran Kelly shot back.

“I’m not going to go into that,” he replied.

Mr Turnbull urged the government to go to an early election in March, revealing he himself planned to call an election on March 2 before he was rolled.

He said there was concern among his party colleagues that delaying the election until May would hurt the Liberals in the NSW election.

“You do know that many of your colleagues see all of these moves as you trying to get the government into opposition,” Kelly said.

“Well that’s nonsense,” he said.

“I have not bad mouthed the Prime Minister, I’ve given the Prime Minister, I’ve given Scott Morrison considerable support. In fact many, well I’ve given him considerable support and I’ve given him considerable advice, good advice I might add.”

“You promised not to be a ‘miserable ghost’, you know your colleagues will see this as you being a miserable ghost, don’t you?” she asked.

“I’ve left the parliament. I’m not a threat to anyone. I’m not a threat to Scott Morrison or anyone. I’m not even eligible, so I’m out but I have, I am an Australian citizen. I’m a member of the Liberal Party I’m entitled to express my views,” Mr Turnbull said.

Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AAP
Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AAP

8:15am

What’s happening in Canberra today

It’s the final week of parliament this year, but far from winding down, the tension in this building is still ramping up.

Today it is all about Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push to save him from a preselection battle that could see him replaced.

There are fears Mr Kelly would quit the government and go to the crossbench, should he lose preselection.

That would be dramatic enough on its own, but overnight former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull intervened in direct opposition to Mr Morrison.

This very public spat will overshadow the actual work people are trying to do in parliament today.

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps will push to move asylum seeker children and their families in need of medical attention to Australia.

Her fellow crossbencher Cathy McGowan is seeking a federal anti-corruption watchdog.

Meanwhile, the government wants to pass laws to help police and intelligence officers access encrypted communications in terrorism investigations.

And Labor’s effort to protect LGBTIQ students from discrimination in Australia’s faith-based schools is set to be debated in the Senate.

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/australian-politics-live-monday-december-3/news-story/1fca47fc69c823d2567d763e6722c885