Your noon Briefing: Greens leader rejects Labor’s medivac amendments

Your 2-minute digest of the day’s top stories and a long read for lunchtime.

Hello readers. Di Natale rejects Labor medivac amendments, and how ScoMo can learn from John Howard when it comes to winning unwinnable elections.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Senator Richard Di Natale attends an Anti Adani protest in front of Parliament House on February 12, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. The rally was organised to protest the Adani coal mine in central Queensland. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Deal breaker

Greens leader Richard Di Natale says Labor’s amendments would make it harder to medically transfer refugees, than if there were no changes made to the law at all. Keep up with all the latest from parliament in our live blog, PoliticsNow.

“There is a real concern out there from the legal community that if Labor’s amendments were to pass in their current form, then it would actually make it harder to evacuate someone on the grounds of medical treatment, than is currently the case without any legislation being passed.”

Richard De Natale

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Energy Don Harwin announce a major, new initiative that will help households reduce their energy bills at Casula, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

Franking fallout

A state MP says Labor’s franking credit ban was one of the key issues raised in a doorknock of homes in three western Sydney electorates. NSW Corrective Services Minister David Elliott says the controversial policy was proving a gift for Premier Gladys Berejiklian in the lead-up to the March 23 state poll.

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Hon Bob Katter MP, in Townsville, calling for a 40c bounty on Cane Toads. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Katter key

Labor is edging closer to securing the numbers to defeat the government on the floor of parliament and add extra sitting weeks to deal with the banking royal commission’s recommendations, as Bob Katter leaves open the option of supporting the move. The procedural tactic triggered warnings from Scott Morrison that his opponents were being “reckless” with important financial reforms.

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Former prime minister John Howard and Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the opening of the University of NSW Howard Library at Old Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

The long read: Howard’s way

In the 2004 election, writes Peter Van Onselen, the Howard government defied poor polling to defeat Labor. Here’s how Scott Morrison can do the same.

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Comment of the day

“This a classic example of Labor being put under pressure with good working policy supported by proper advice from experts. This strategy by the Coalition is needed on their debates with Labor — and the independents — over superannuation policy, government spending, defence procurement, etc.

“Vigorously expose Labor’s fallacies and populist support among the independents as being very damaging to the community if their policies are enacted.”

The Other Mike, in response to ‘Blinky Bill forced to backpedal on borders’.