Politics Live: February 11, 2016

Okay time for me to sign off. What happened?

• Barnaby Joyce is poised to become Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National Party at a meeting later tonight;
• who will become deputy leader of the junior Coalition partner is less clear with several candidates in the field;
• Warren Truss and Andrew Robb announced their retirements to Parliament today;
• Human Services Minister Stuart Robert has made it through the sitting week;
• and Industry Minister Christopher Pyne confirmed to Parliament that the government would not pursue increasing the GST.

My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their excellent work and to you for joining us.

We'll be back, with Parliament, on February 22. Until then, good night and good luck.

I love it when people look genuinely thrilled to be doing something.

Minister for Women Michaelia Cash congratulates Kate Jenkins on her appointment as the new Sex Discrimination Commissioner on Thursday.Credit: Andrew Meares

Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has intervened to cancel a planned keynote speech at a Catholic Church conference by independent MP Cathy McGowan due to her support for same sex marriage.

Ms McGowan was booked last November to give the Mary MacKillop Oration at a Catholic Social Services Victoria conference later this month.

Her appearance was cancelled at Archbishop Hart's instruction on the grounds her views were contradictory to church teachings.

Adam Morton has more.

Just in case you're wondering I will not be blogging tonight's leadership ballot.

I know. It's sad. I'm sure you'll be okay.

And another story that happened while we were in question time/Warren Truss land.

Yet another Senate estimates committee hearing has been listening to evidence about the impact of the government's proposed childcare changes.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham told the committee that about 45,000 families would face losing government subsidies because they pay childcare fees that are higher than the upper limits of the government's new subsidy rate.

A further 37,000 families would be worse off because they did not work enough hours according to the new "activity test".

Michael McCormack has issued a statement confirming he will not run for leader.

But he will run for deputy leader.

The government has been praising the Greens of late. Maybe the Nationals could look to them and elect co deputy leaders?

Here's some more information on Ms Jenkins who takes the role vacated by Liz Broderick last September.

Minister for Women Michaelia Cash congratulates Kate Jenkins on her announcement as the new Sex Discrimination Commissioner with Attorney-General George Brandis at Parliament House on Thursday.Credit: Andrew Meares

And there is a new Sex Discrimination Commissioner - Kate Jenkins.

Mr Truss says he believes there is merit in the case for a double dissolution election.

"There are a number of triggers already," he says.

"There are a number of advantages it offers. Firstly, the chance to come back with a more workable Senate. It would help to synchronise the Parliament."

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss with his wife Lyn Truss in his office in Canberra on Thursday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Truss declines to say he would like to see as deputy leader.

He says the Coalition agreement will need to be renegotiated but he does not see any reason why there should be significant changes to it.

He makes a case for the trade minister being someone with knowledge of agriculture but stops short of saying the portfolio should be returned to the National Party.

He says it is difficult for a leader to also be trade minister because of the travel it requires. This is why he declined the portfolio when he was offered it by Tony Abbott.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss in Canberra on Thursday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen