PoliticsNow: Michael McCormack sees off Barnaby Joyce, Adam Bandt elected Greens leader
Michael McCormack says he’ll continue to work with Barnaby Joyce, as Matt Canavan pledges his loyalty.
- Canavan commits to McCormack
- Albanese fires up in Caucus
- PM’s tribute to fire victims
- McKenzie keeps leadership role
- Bandt elected Greens leader
- Joyce ‘won’t challenge again’
Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live blog on the happenings at Parliament House in Canberra.
Michael McCormack has been re-elected as Nationals leader with David Littleproud as deputy. Adam Bandt has been elected unopposed as the new leader of the Greens.
Rachel Baxendale 4.25pm: Premier weighs bushfire royal commission response
Daniel Andrews’s office says the Victorian Premier is “considering” a letter from Prime Minister Scott Morrison seeking his feedback on the draft terms of reference for a bushfires royal commission.
The response comes after Mr Andrews downplayed the necessity for a federal inquiry in January, announcing his own state-based inquiry led by Inspector-General for Emergency Management Tony Pearce.
Mr Morrison told parliament on Tuesday he had written to premiers and the ACT chief minister seeking their views on terms of reference, and would be appointing former defence force chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin to lead the royal commission.
Mr Andrews’ office said they had received the Prime Minister’s letter.
“We are considering the Commonwealth’s request,” a spokesman said.
Announcing the terms of reference for Victoria’s inquiry three weeks ago, Mr Andrews said: “what the Commonwealth does is a matter for them”, when asked whether a federal inquiry was needed.
Yoni Bashan 2.20pm: NSW Parliament joins in bushfire condolences
One by one their names were read out: Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer, volunteer firefighters who perished on December 19. Samuel McPaul, an expectant father who fought the Green Valley blaze east of Albury, and who lost his life on December 30.
Twenty five names and an endless number of communities affected: Bilpin. Buxton. Batlow. Bega. Just one of many letters in the alphabet.
Maintaining a vigil were thirteen members of the Horsley Park Rural Fire Service who watched from the public gallery as the Premier moved a condolence motion to suspend the NSW Parliament and commemorate the lives lost to the bushfire calamity.
The motion suspends ordinary business for the rest of the week to allow MPs to express their tributes and condolences.
Amid the stories of loss were young fathers and treasured family members, bush larrikins and foreign heroes who died defending a nation that wasn’t their own.
“The fires have literally stretched from the Queensland border to the Victorian border,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the parliament.
In the pin-drop atmosphere, the Premier spoke of the scars and named each victim. Robert Lindsay, who died at Cooma. Julie Fletcher, who died at St John’s River. Chris Savva. Barry Parsons. John Smith. Michael Clarke. and many others, including Colin Burns, whose partner sat in the public gallery.
But the chamber was reminded, too, of tales of great heroism, of the thousands of lives saved through the sheer grit exhibited by emergency responders.
“Our losses would have been considerably worse had we not learned from past seasons,” Ms Berejiklian said, singling out the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons for a special mention, along with his entire organization, and three American firefighters who perished when their C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed during an operation in late January.
“Words cannot describe the gratitude that NSW feels for them,” she said of their efforts.
NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay spoke in reply of a state still grieving, of countrysides “blackened and charred”.
“This was the summer that broke our hearts,” she said. “After these fires nothing can be the same. The psychological scars will take years to heal.”
She became emotional while recounting the story of Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle, whose son is a firefighter, and whose life was endangered while fighting back blazes.
“All of NSW thanks their lucky stars for our rural fire service,” she said.
Richard Ferguson 2.09pm: Canavan ‘loyal to McCormack’
Former resources minister Matt Canavan has committed his loyalty to Nationals leader Michael McCormack, after sacrificing his cabinet spot to support Barnaby Joyce’s failed leadership bid.
Senator Canavan will not return to the cabinet but will act as the National’s deputy senate leader.
“It has been a great honour to work with Michael and the Prime Minister as part of Cabinet. I will now commit to supporting Michael and the Coalition as a Senator for Queensland,” he said.
“The Nationals party is at its best when it acts as an amplifier for the concerns and frustrations of those that live in areas where the light at night comes from the moon or the stars, not fossil fuel powered electricity.
“Over the last decade the Nationals have done an amazing job in growing our support and helping consolidate a Coalition government. We have done that by forcefully ignoring the loud Australians that want to glibly take away people’s jobs, stop people from developing their own land and deride the basic family values that keeps communities tight.”
OLIVIA CAISLEY 1pm: ‘This is not business as usual’
Labor leader Anthony Albanese also offered his condolences to the families of those 33 Australians lost during the catastrophic fire season, acknowledging their futures had been stolen in horrifying circumstances. “It has taken lives and it has taken loved ones, for those who have lost partners, family or friends, it has stolen their future,” Mr Albanese said. “For many who have seen their homes and the physical, sentimental accumulations of lifetimes gone up in flames, it has robbed their past. It has hit our economy, it has hit our society and taken a toll on mental health and we will he feeling the reverberations for some time yet.”
Mr Albanese acknowledged the deaths of many of the victims, including father and son, Robert and Patrick Salway, who died while trying to defend their home in the township of Cobargo on the NSW south coast. Also mentioned were the three American firefighters who died when their Lockheed C-130 Hercules crashed in the Snowy Mountains during a routine water bombing run in NSW’s south last month.
The American ambassador Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. watched on from the public gallery.
Mr Albanese said the nation had reached a “turning point” and environmental management was no longer “business as usual.”
“This is not even fire as usual. We can no longer fall back on the poetry of Dorothea Mackellar and comfort ourselves with the thought that it’s always been like this,” he said.
“Nor can we soften reality with the fiction that we had no way of predicting this. We have no choice but to turn to face the harsh new reality.”
Mr Albanese said Australians had shown their true character during a summer of upheaval by showing toughness, resilience and a sense of humour. “I also pay tribute in conclusion to all those extraordinary men and women who have, in incredible danger to themselves, put their fellow Australians, their communities and their nation before their own interests. We thank you, we praise you, we honour you.”
Elias Visontay 12.55pm: Albanese fires up in Caucus
Anthony Albanese has used his first caucus address of 2020 to attack Scott Morrison over his bushfire response, saying he had “never seen anything like the behaviour” of the Prime Minister around bushfire victims. Outlining his party’s policy focus for the coming week, the Opposition Leader brought up Mr Morrison’s forced hand shake with a woman in the NSW south coast town of Cobargo, a subsequent handshake refusal from a firefighter, and his incorrect claim that no one had died on Kangaroo Island. According to a Labor party spokesman, Mr Albanese said: “I’ve never seen anything like the behaviour of Morrison, forcing a woman to shake his hand and then turning his back on her.
“Morrison later claimed it was a conversation. His problem is that there were cameras.” Mr Albanese is understood to have said.
He also said that Australians were “deeply critical” of Mr Morrison’s early dismissal of paying volunteer firefighters and his justification that they wanted to do it for free.
Labor will also pursue the government over the continuing sports rorts scandal, with Mr Albanese specifically mentioning the awarding of grants to build women’s change rooms to a club that had no female clubs. He also pointed out that Bridget Mackenzie’s resignation from cabinet over her role in the scandal was over a failed declaration of her membership to a shooting club, and not the broader issue of the rorts.
“They’re saying Bridget Mackenzie has hit the fence because of a declaration issue, not because of the rorting. They are defending the rorting.” Mr Albanese is understood to have said.
Richard Ferguson 12.45pm: Pitt congratulates Littleproud
Failed Nationals deputy leadership candidate Keith Pitt has congratulated Drought Minister David Littleproud for winning this morning’s ballot to succeed Bridget McKenzie.
“A ballot was held this morning and I congratulate Michael McCormack who remains as Nationals Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister. I also congratulate David Littleproud on his promotion to Deputy Leader of the Nationals,” he said. “It was a privilege to stand and be considered for the Deputy Leader position and I thank my colleagues for their support.
“My focus has always been on my constituents and the Australian people, first and foremost. Not what is happening in the Canberra ‘bubble’. We have regions about to begin the recovery process from devastating bushfires, many others still in drought, and the coronavirus outbreak all of which remain our priority.”
OLIVIA CAISLEY 12.30pm: PM’s tribute to fire victims
Scott Morrison has delivered a moving tribute to the victims of a horror bushfire season, praising their resilience, courage and sacrifice during the “Black Summer” of 2018/19. The Prime Minister made the remarks after moving a motion of condolence in the lower house on Tuesday. Parliament has been suspended for the day out of respect for 33 people who have lost their lives to bushfires this summer and to praise the work of firefighters, police, ambulance officers and defence personnel who have worked tirelessly to keep their communities safe.
“This year we have faced and are still facing a terrible season of fires that reached our highest mountain range and our longest beaches,” Mr Morrison said. “These fires are yet to end and danger is still before us, but today we come together to mourn, honour, reflect and begin to learn from the Black Summer that continues,” Mr Morrison said, looking up at the public gallery where members of the victims’ families watched on.
He expressed his condolences to those left behind including two-year-old, Charlotte O’Dwyer, who captured the hearts of the nation when she was pictured at her firefighter father’s funeral wearing his helmet. Her father, Andrew Dwyer, 36, was killed alongside his colleague Geoffrey Keaton, 32, at the Green Wattle Creek fire near Buxton south west of Sydney.
Mr Morrison said all nine of the firefighters that lost their lives would be posthumously awarded the National Emergency Medal.
He paid tribute to the tens of thousands of volunteers fighting fires, as well as the “25 million acts of kindness” seen from their fellow Australians “cheering them on.” Also mentioned was the support and assistance offered by the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Japan, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
The chamber erupted in a solemn cheer when Mr Morrison praised the work of NSW Rural Fire Service Chief Shane Fitzsimmons, who also sat in the gallery. Mr Morrison said climate change’s impact on the Australian landscape required a new “responsiveness, resilience and reinvigorated focus on adaptation”, declaring he had written to the various state premiers and territory chief ministers for their feedback on a draft terms of reference for a royal commission.
“Australia is not and will not be overwhelmed as we face the challenges that remain active...,” he said. “We will overcome and as our national anthem encourages us with courage all, let us proclaim, Advance Australia Fair.”
Mr Morrison finished by saying the government had gathered to acknowledge the “great loss of the heroes lost” and would strive to make the lives of the families left behind “that little bit easier.”
Richard Ferguson 12.05pm: McKenzie to be Nats Senate leader
Bridget McKenzie will remain in a Nationals leadership position despite resigning from cabinet and the deputy leadership over the alleged sport rorts scandal.
The junior Coalition partner’s party room has chosen Senator McKenzie to be the Nationals’ Senate leader. She is the most experienced Nationals member in the upper house.
“The National Party Senate team is focused on making sure the needs of rural and regional Australia are front and centre when it comes to government policy and programs,” she said in a statement. “The National party in the Senate has a strong tradition of fighting for the regions in the Senate and together that’s exactly what we will continue to do.”
On Sunday, she resigned over a breach of ministerial standards. Senator McKenzie failed to disclose the membership of a Victorian gun club she awarded a $36,000 sports grant.
Nationals senator Matt Canavan has also been appointed deputy senate leader, despite resigning from cabinet on Monday night to back Barnaby Joyce’s failed bid for the leadership.
“Our strong Senate team will work together to deliver the jobs, infrastructure and opportunities that Australians deserve,” he said. “And from my perspective, I’ll be going into bat twice as hard for the people of regional Queensland.”
Richard Ferguson 12.00pm: Joyce congratulates McCormack
Barnaby Joyce has congratulated his leadership rival Michael McCormack in staying Nationals leader, and vowed to work to support and re-elect the “Morrison-McCormack” government.
The former National leader said in a statement that it was right to resolve the Nationals’ leadership issues through a spill and that the issue was now “finalised.”
“I would like to congratulate Michael McCormack in winning the leadership ballot and by so doing re-endorsement of his position as Leader of the National Party,” Mr Joyce said in a statement.
“It is appropriate that if an issue needs resolving as to conventions held, there is a procedure to resolve it as is it is noted in our Parliamentary system.
“That process has been followed and the issue is finalised. That was made as brief as possible before the first sitting of Parliament for the year.
“I support the vote of the room and will strive for the re-election of the Morrison-McCormack Government as this is definitely the better outcome for Australia and regional people.
“Now my first attention go back to where they were before this week, the New England drought, fires, and now the threat of coronavirus.”
Dennis Shanahan 11.00am: Leader’s survival doesn’t solve Nats’ woes
Barnaby Joyce has been fended off, for now. But Michael McCormack’s survival as Nationals’ leader does not solve the Nationals’ woes.
McCormack’s retention of the leadership ensures a continuation of his invisibility next to Scott Morrison and the Nationals’ failing support in rural Australia which is so essential to the Coalition continuing in government.
Click here for the full story.
Angelica Snowden 10.40am: Extinction Rebellion in Brisbane protest
Extinction Rebellion protestors have locked themselves onto the gates of Parliament House in Brisbane as part of their “Disrupt QLD Parliament” protest today.
Some rebels have locked on to the back gate of Parliament House.#DirtyAlliance #RiggedSystem #ActNow pic.twitter.com/LvaEkMvb2a
— Extinction Rebellion South East Queensland (@xr_seq) February 3, 2020
The group disrupted the streets of Brisbane this morning, blocking roads and dancing in front of traffic in the city.
There are reports that some of the protestors were arrested after they moved from outside parliament at about 7.30am local time to William Street in the city.
The group plan to hand politicians entering parliament “dirty bags of coal money” to protest fossil fuel companies they say have donated millions of dollars to major political parties.
People gathering outside Qld Parliament in Brisbane, ready for Climate Protest at return of Parliament - demanding #ClimateAction. #AustraliaBurns & all Australians know we are in the midst of a #ClimateEmergency #ExtinctionRebelion #XRseq pic.twitter.com/aj8spkcgbt
— Lillibet Marie (@lillibet_marie) February 3, 2020
According to the event description, the group is planning to conduct a day of “mass civil disobedience” with a march and speeches.
Richard Ferguson 10.15am: Bandt elected Greens leader
MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt has elected unopposed as the new leader of the Australian Greens.
Queensland senator Larissa Waters and Tasmania senator Nick McKim were picked as his co-deputies, with Senator Waters chosen to be the left-wing party’s senate leader.
Mr Bandt will be the first Greens leader in the party’s history not to sit in the upper house. He will succeed retiring Victorian senator Richard Di Natale.
Adam Bandt becomes Greens leader, Larissa Waters Senate leader and co-deputy. Three people contested second co-deputy: Sarah Hanson-Young, Nick McKim and Mehreen Farqui. McKim the ultimate winner (deputy Senate leader and co-deputy) #auspol
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) February 3, 2020
Click here for the full story.
Richard Ferguson 9.55am: Joyce ‘won’t challenge again’
Victorious Nationals leader Michael McCormack says he does not expect his leadership rival Barnaby Joyce to challenge him again.
“The fact is, I shook hands with Barnaby. We will move on. We will move on and work hard together,” he said in Canberra.
“I don’t expect him to. I’ve been endorsed as leader. I was endorsed as leader when we came back here after the May election last year I was endorsed as leader when he stood down in 2018. That’s three times in less than two years.
“I think that is enough to warrant me leading the party going forward.”
One of the McCormack supporters has told me “we dodged the first bullet†#auspol
— Kieran Gilbert (@Kieran_Gilbert) February 3, 2020
Mr McCormack has also defended the Nationals’ decision to not reveal how many votes he garnered against Mr Joyce.
“Well, I’ve got to say, when the first time I stood for the leadership after Barnaby Joyce resigned in February 2018, George Christensen stood. I don’t know the result still of that ballot,” he said.
“National Party votes were never revealed. The whip knows and that’s been a convention of the National Party, a party, I might say that’s been going for 100 years of secret ballots.
Richard Ferguson 9.45am: No return for Canavan
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack suggests former Resources Minister Matt Canavan will not be welcomed back into cabinet, after the latter quit to support Barnaby Joyce.
“Matt Canavan has resigned his commission as Resources Minister, and I wish him all the best,” he said.
Mr McCormack will now have to find two new cabinet ministers to fill Senator Canavan’s and former Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie’s spots.
Senator Canavan offered his resignation to Mr McCormack on Monday night and backed Mr Joyce’s leadership bid, saying he was an “effective fighter” who can cut through in regional Australia.
The Nationals senator also revealed he referred himself to the Prime Minister for failing to disclose an interest in a football club that received a loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
Richard Ferguson 9.40am: McCormack survives Joyce challenge
Michael McCormack has survived as Nationals leader, beating back a challenge from his predecessor Barnaby Joyce.
Drought Minister David Littleproud was elected deputy leader of the Nationals, beating Keith Pitt and David Gillespie.
Mr McCormack said he would continue to focus on regional Australians and hoped he could work with Mr Joyce.
“I look forward to working and continuing to work with Barnaby Joyce, who put his hand up for the leadership,” Mr McCormack said.
“I also continue to look forward to working with Keith Pitt and David Gillespie, who put their hands up for the Deputy Leader’s role.
“Never before has there been such an important time for the National Party to continue the representation we’ve done for 100 years. It’s the challenge that is there. Of course, with the fires, with the ongoing drought.”
11-10 😮
— Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) February 3, 2020
Richard Ferguson 9.15am: Nats spill underway
The Nationals spill is underway to decide whether Michael McCormack or Barnaby Joyce will be the next deputy prime minister.
Mr Joyce, the party’s former leader, is up giving his pitch to why he should be returned. Mr McCormack spoke before him.
There will hopefully be a result in the next half hour.
Meanwhile, the Greens are also meeting to decide their new leader. It looks likely MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt will emerge as Richard Di Natale’s successor.
Michael McCormack has addressed the Nationals partyroom and now it is Barnaby Joyce’s turn. #auspol #natspill
— Greg Brown (@gregbrown_TheOz) February 3, 2020
Richard Ferguson 9.10am: Albanese denounces coal-fired power
Anthony Albanese has denounced the idea of future coal-fired power stations, saying they “can’t get capital, they can’t get finance, they can’t get insurance.”
Resources Minister Matt Canavan says one of the reasons he has offered his resignation and is backing Barnaby Joyce’s tilt for the Nationals leadership is in order to push for a new coal-fired power station.
Mr Albanese in response poured cold water over coal-fired power stations and specifically said a coal station at Collinsville “doesn’t stack up.”
“This mob say that they’re going to build - with taxpayers’ funds - a coal-fired power station but they haven’t done anything in seven years,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.
“It (the Collinsville coal project) doesn’t stack up economically. Renewables are the future.
“The truth is that coal-fired power stations they can’t get capital, can’t get finance, they can’t get insurance.
“They are just the facts. Matt Canavan is trying to con the Australian people.”
Daniel Sankey 9.02am: Bookies struggle to split rivals
The bookies are struggling to split Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce in betting on who will be the next leader of the National Party.
Sportsbet’s market. which has just closed ahead of the Nats’ 9am partyroom meeting, has challenger Joyce a narrow $1.85 favourite, just ahead of McCormack at $2.10. David Littleproud is at $12, with Darren Chester at $21 and Damien Drum and David Gillespie both $41,
In betting for the Greens’ leadership, which is also up for grabs following Richard di Natale’s decision yesterday to stand down, Melbourne MP Adam Bandt is an almost unbackable favourite at $1.10. Current deputy Larissa Waters is the $4 second favourite on Sportsbet’s market ahead of South Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young ($5.50).
Michael McCormack enters the Nationals partyroom with his supporters #auspol #natspill pic.twitter.com/qJa0omYGTb
— Greg Brown (@gregbrown_TheOz) February 3, 2020
Richard Ferguson 9.00am: ‘Ultimate act of self-indulgence'
Anthony Albanese says the Nationals’ spill is the “ultimate act of self-indulgence” on a day parliament was supposed to focus on memoralising bushfire victims.
“What we have here from the Coalition is a meltdown,” he told Sky News.
“If Barnaby Joyce is the answer, what the hell is the question?
“Regional Australia has suffered from drought, regional Australia has suffered more in this bushfire crisis by its very nature.
“And we’re seeing the National Party which says it represents regional Australia engaged in this ultimate act of self-indulgence to try to return someone it dumped just a couple of years ago.
Anthony Albanese says "if Barnaby is the answer, what the hell is the question?".https://t.co/1o8IpyJ6D7
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) February 3, 2020
Richard Ferguson 8.35am: PM - Coalition will stay strong
Scott Morrison says the Coalition will remain “strong” even if Barnaby Joyce takes over the Nationals this morning.
The former Nationals leader is promising to stand up more to the Liberals if he succeeds in ousting Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
The Prime Minister said Liberals and Nationals have always been able to work together and expected that would not change.
“The Coalition is between the Liberals and the Nationals. And that Coalition has always provided very stable and very good government for this country,” Mr Morrison said in Canberra.
“And, in fact, that Coalition Government has been the majority form of government for most of our time since certainly the Liberal Party was formed. And that Coalition is always strong.
“The Coalition will always be strong. And the leaders of the parties have always worked closely together for the good of the country.
“Michael and I are good friends, as is Catherine (McCormack) and Jenny. It’s always lovely to see them.”
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has told Sky News he doesn’t yet know if he has the numbers to be reinstated as leader of the Nationals.https://t.co/8ki9S4ZOpF
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) February 3, 2020
Elias Visontay 8.25am: Canavan — Joyce shouts louder for us
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has praised Barnaby Joyce for being able “to shout just a little bit louder” for his party’s objectives, saying this morning’s leadership spill is “not about election results”.
Speaking on 2GB radio this morning, Mr Canavan said he was backing Mr Joyce because “he’s the kind of guy who does cut through who does make a difference”.
“It’s not about election results it’s not about us being able to win more seats, although we have to do that obviously to have an impact.”
“It’s about delivering for people here in Canberra that improves their lives, that protects their jobs … have a party here that represents workers in this country.” he said.
Mr Canavan praised Mr Joyce for being “a proven performer”, saying he “banged the cabinet table” over important issues.
Richard Ferguson 8.12am: McCormack has the numbers: Chester
Veterans Minister Darren Chester — a strong ally of Nationals leader Michael McCormack — claims the Deputy Prime Minister has the numbers to beat off a challenge from Barnaby Joyce. Mr Chester is considered a leading contender to enter cabinet if Mr McCormack keeps the top job, but claimed on Tuesday that he has done no deals to secure his support.
“I believe Michael McCormack has the numbers, and I’ve gotta say I’m frustrated, I’m disappointed, I’m somewhat embarrassed that we’re going through this today,” he told ABC radio. “I want to offer an apology to the Australian people ... Those people who are suffering the consequences of drought or bushfires, on a day when the parliament was due, and is due to debate a condolence motion, to have us talking about ourselves is embarrassing.
“I’m not interested in doing deals behind the scenes. I think Michael has done a good job. He deserves to continue in his role.”
Richard Ferguson 8.05am: Joyce ‘shocked’ at Canavan’s quit offer
Barnaby Joyce says he was shocked Resources Minister Matt Canavan offered to quit his cabinet post to support him, saying he does not want anyone to lose their job over his leadership tilt.
“That is a shock. I never want anyone to tip themselves overboard for me,” Mr Joyce told ABC radio.
“I’m doing this for the party, for our nation, because I believe after a reasonable period of time we have to make sure the National Party is heard with the same voice.”
Barnaby Joyce speaking outside church on the first day of parliament. At 9am, he’ll challenge Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for the Nationals leadership #auspol #NatSpill @9NewsAUS @TheTodayShow pic.twitter.com/nzxTkm0MDQ
— Fiona Willan (@Fi_Willan) February 3, 2020
Senator Canavan offered his resignation to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Monday night and backed Mr Joyce’s leadership bid, saying he was an “effective fighter” that can cut through in regional Australia.
The Nationals senator also revealed he referred himself to the Prime Minister for failing to disclose an interest in a football club that received a loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)
Adeshola Ore 8.00am: Joyce supports ousted McKenzie
Barnaby Joyce has thrown his support behind resigned frontbencher, Bridget McKenzie, saying she should not have lost her position.
Mr Joyce told the Today show on Tuesday that there was no criminality regarding the sports grant scandal.
“I don’t think she was a bad person up to no good. She followed a parliamentary process. If the parliament didn’t like that why on earth didn’t they vote for it. I didn’t see anybody, as the grants were going out, complaining about the process because it was endorsed by parliament.”
As he prepares for this morning’s leadership challenge, Mr Joyce again said he had reflected on his faults from his previous leadership period, saying he had paid a “heavy price” for his mistakes..
“I’m enthusiastic and sometimes enthusiastic comes across as too enthusiastic and leaves people behind, You have to make sure first and foremost you are listening to other people and hearing what their concerns are.”
He vowed to re-establish a vision for regional Australian.
“We have had two years with Michael. We respect the job Michael has done, but if there is a time to consider where we are going and how we get there, it is today,” he said.
He said the Nationals needed to be a distinct party within the coalition to represent rural regions.
“Mr Morrison might talk about the quiet Australians but for us they are the near visible Australians, they need a forthright approach to deal with their issues in regards to the power prices they are paying. Now we are seeing in the Murray-Darling Basin those towns that are losing their economic base.”
Richard Ferguson 7.55am: ‘Don’t judge me on personal life’
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has fought back against claims that past sexual harassment allegations and his troubled personal life should stop him from becoming leader again.
Mr Joyce’s previous time as Deputy Prime Minister ground to a halt in 2018 when it was revealed he had an extra-marital affair with his staffer Vikki Campion (who was pregnant, and is now his partner.)
He also faced a sexual harassment allegation at the time from Western Australian businesswoman Catherine Marriott, which he strenuously denied.
This morning, Mr Joyce labelled the harassment allegations “slander” and said people should now see that he is in a stable relationship with Ms Campion.
“It’s a very tawdry attack on you by others when they say, ‘oh, we don’t know how to beat him on policy, so we’ll beat him on slander.’ People making claims doesn’t make them true,” he told ABC radio.
“I know I have faults and I’ve had two years to reflect on those faults. I think people would see me in a pretty stable relationship with two young boys.
“I don’t expect my personal life to be the reason for judgment on my political life. The capacity for me to deliver would be foremost on their minds.”
Elias Visontay 7.50am: Di Natale’s parting shot at Joyce
Outgoing Greens leader Richard Di Natale has taken a parting shot at Barnaby Joyce ahead of this morning’s Nationals leadership spill, saying the party would have “rocks in their head” if they elected him leader.
Mr Di Natale told ABC News Breakfast on Tuesday that Mr Joyce was not in politics “for the right reasons”, and that his attitudes towards water management and climate change would be “a disaster for the National Party and for the country”.
“Barnaby Joyce said he was standing for invisible Australians. So I think there are a lot of people across the country, indeed inside his own party room, who wish Barnaby Joyce was an invisible Australian right now.” Mr Di Natale said.
“I’ve met a lot of people in my time in politics, and I think that most people are in there for the right reasons. Then there’s Barnaby Joyce.”
“He has been a disgrace as a leader in this country. He has taken water from the environment and given it to big corporate irrigators. He’s been a climate denier. He’s been a hypocrite, and I think the National Party would have rocks in their head if they decided to turn to Barnaby Joyce to lead them through this period of Parliament.” he said.
Richard Ferguson 7.35am: Nats leadership ‘down to Nats’
Scott Morrison has refused this morning to consider whether he may get a new deputy prime minister today.
The Prime Minister knocked back questions as he entered St Andrew’s Church on whether he was prepared for former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce to oust his current deputy Michael McCormack.
“What I expect to do today is go and ... pray for the people of Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
Josh Frydenberg also refused to comment on the Nationals’ chaos, saying he would leave it to the junior Coalition senator.
“All I can say is the leadership of the National Party is the business of the National Party. And I’ll leave it to them,” the Treasurer said.
Richard Ferguson 7.30am: ‘Time to build’
Embattled Nationals leader Michael McCormack has refused to be drawn on the fight for his job later this morning, saying he wants to focus on bushfire victims.
The Deputy Prime Minister and his challenger Barnaby Joyce are both at the opening parliamentary church service at St Andrew’s Church.
As entered the church, Mr McCormack said he would not talk about the spill until after it happened but made note of his history of supporting rural and regional Australians.
“Look, out of respect for the fire victims who we will honour today in Parliament, I will refrain and leave my comments until after the party room,” Mr McCormack said.
“There’s a time to tear down and there’s a time to build. Now is a time to build.
“I was concentrating on making sure that regional Australians come first and foremost in everything I do. And that’s what I will continue to do - serve and work for them, for and on their behalf.”
Richard Ferguson 7.10am: Faruqi considers Greens tilt
NSW Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi is considering a tilt for the party leadership, as she rebels against the apparent coronation of Melbourne MP Adam Bandt.
Senator Faruqi tweeted on Monday night that she could stand for either the leader or deputy leader’s position in order to push the case for more party democracy in the Greens.
As it stands today, the Greens federal leader is chosen simply by the parliamentary party room and in recent years leadership changes have always been pre-arranged before any spill.
“Thanks to all those who have contacted my office encouraging me to run for leadership of the Greens. I think it would be a missed opportunity if the party didn’t use this moment as an opportunity to debate our future,” Senator Faruqi tweeted.
“Those who know me know I am a strong supporter of improving party democracy. I take inspiration from the exciting & radical campaigns of activists like AOC. (US Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Osciao-Cortez)
“I’m having conversations with colleagues, party members & family but I am considering nominating for a leadership position.”
Thanks to all those who have contacted my office encouraging me to run for leadership of the Greens. I think it would be a missed opportunity if the party didn’t use this moment as an opportunity to debate our future.
— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) February 3, 2020
Senator Faruqi supports a one-member-one-vote model and installing co-leaders like Greens parties in Germany and New Zealand.
Mr Bandt is still the frontrunner to succeed Richard Di Natale, who is retiring for family reasons. Queensland Greens senator Larissa Waters will vie to retain the deputy leadership.
Adeshola Ore 6.55am: Ley ‘can work with Joyce’
Sussan Ley has said she can work with Barnaby Joyce if he is successful in his leadership challenge today/.
“We are ready to work with whoever is successful. Get back to business. There is absolutely no doubt that once this is resolved and it has nothing to do with the Liberal Party it will be about getting back to work, “ the Federal Environment Minister told the Today show.
What’s making news:
Barnaby Joyce will challenge Michael McCormack for the Nationals leadership in a move that threatens to plunge the Morrison government into a dangerous period of instability and trigger a rewriting of the Coalition agreement.
Adam Bandt, who once dubbed Scott Morrison “a climate criminal’’, has emerged as the frontrunner to become the new Greens leader after Richard Di Natale quit the post on Monday and announced he was leaving parliament.
Conservative Liberals have condemned Malcolm Turnbull for releasing private text messages with cabinet minister Mathias Cormann after the leadership spill that ended his prime ministership.
Anthony Albanese has taken aim at the federal government’s top bureaucrat, Philip Gaetjens, as Labor seeks to have his secret review into ousted minister Bridget McKenzie and the sports rorts scandal released.
Dennis Shanahan writes: Nationals’ leadership chaos is hurting Scott Morrison
More Coverage
Labor to inject $1.7bn into public hospitals
Anthony Albanese promises $1.7bn in additional funding to public hospitals next year in a major pre-election pledge, saying it will 'help cut waiting lists, reduce waiting times in emergency rooms and manage ramping'.
University bosses must answer for campus hate speech surge
The biggest cause of anti-Semitism on campus is the consistent lack of intellectual diversity at our biggest universities.