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Att: rooster, Another Australian conservative rejects Trumpism.

"Att: rooster - The Wentworth byelection isn't just a loss for the Liberals. It's a disaster"

Julia Banks quits Liberal party to serve as independent

Guardian News
Published on Nov 26, 2018

'The Liberal party has changed,' the member for the Victorian seat of Chisholm tells parliament as she quits to become an independent. She says the 'reactionary, aggressive right wing' of the party has moved it away from the 'sensible, centrist values' that she holds dear. The government is already facing its first test as a minority government, with Dr Kerryn Phelps joining the crossbench after taking Wentworth from the Liberals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjIjm4RkEKY

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Defection of Julia Banks leaves Scott Morrison vulnerable in Parliament


Nov 27 2018 at 5:39 PM
Updated Nov 27 2018 at 7:27 PM


Julia Banks, in blue, with fellow crossbench MPs Cathy McGowan,
Rebekha Sharkie, Kerryn Phelps and Andrew Wilkie will be
lobbied by Labor to refer Peter Dutton to the High Court.
Alex Ellinghausen / Fairfax Media

by Andrew Tillett

Julia Banks' abandonment of the Liberal Party .. https://www.afr.com/news/julia-banks-quits-liberal-party-to-become-independent-20181127-h18e99 .. leaves the federal government vulnerable to having Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton referred to the High Court, with Labor working on the enlarged crossbench to convince them he has breached section 44 of the constitution .. https://www.afr.com/business/legal/legal-advice-on-peter-dutton-points-to-the-high-court-20180823-h14e4b .

But the government is not immediately in danger of falling, with Ms Banks pledging support on matters of supply and confidence, while Labor and the combined crossbench are still short of the numbers to bring on a vote on private members' legislation, such as the establishment of a federal anti-corruption body .. https://www.afr.com/news/liberals-vote-for-federal-icac--but-not-because-they-want-one-20181125-h18c6e .

Ms Banks' decision to sit as an independent reduces the Coalition's numbers on the floor of Parliament to 73 MPs, plus Speaker Tony Smith. They officially slipped into minority government on Monday when independent Kerryn Phelps was sworn in after winning the previously safe seat of Wentworth vacated by Malcolm Turnbull.

Even the government's claim to 73 members is a little shaky. While NSW MP Kevin Hogan remains a member of the Nationals, he sits on the crossbench in question time and no longer attends joint party room meetings.


Ms Banks' decision to sit as an independent reduces the Coalition's numbers on
the floor of Parliament to 73 MPs, plus Speaker Tony Smith. Alex Ellinghausen

And the power of other rogue Coalition MPs to hold Scott Morrison to ransom by threatening to cross the floor has been heightened, with the government unable to afford any defections. NSW MP Craig Kelly has refused to rule out going to the crossbench if he loses Liberal preselection.

Labor has 69 seats - although Lindsay MP Emma Husar on Tuesday left open the option of running as an independent after being thwarted in her attempts to rescind her resignation - while the crossbench currently numbers seven.

Dutton in Labor crosshairs

Along with Ms Banks, Dr Phelps and Bob Katter have promised to back the government on matters of confidence. Cathy McGowan and Rebekha Sharkie have not offered the same guarantee but are not itching to bring the government down.

Mr Morrison also entered into a formal stability agreement with Mr Katter to back the government on procedural votes in return for $230 million for Queensland water projects.

Labor is expected to step up its efforts to have Mr Dutton referred to the High Court over his pecuniary interest in two childcare centres, which receives subsidies from the Commonwealth on behalf of parents.

Labor will highlight in talks with the crossbenchers warnings that Mr Dutton's ministerial decisions could be challenged because of questions over his eligibility to sit in Parliament.

"The issue is lining up all the ducks in a row," one Labor source said of talks with the crossbenchers.

Referring an MP requires a simple majority of MPs present for the vote. Under the protocol hammered out between the parties when the section 44 issue emerged, Leader of the House Christopher Pyne and Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke can move a motion at any time to refer an MP.

Still in control

Mr Pyne said there were several Labor MPs under a cloud but the government had no intention to refer them "any more than I think Peter Dutton should be referred to the High Court".

"We could all sit here and throw stones at each other around section 44. I think the public are thoroughly sick of that," he said.

Despite slipping into minority government, the Coalition still retains significant control of the legislative agenda.

To bring on a bill, the Opposition and crossbench would need to suspend standing orders, which requires an absolute majority of 76 votes.

However, to get to 76, they would need one more Coalition defector, even if all seven crossbenchers lined up behind a bill. That is because retiring MPs Ann Sudmalis (Liberal) and Jenny Macklin (Labor) are absent and paired while they are on secondment to the United Nations, although they will be back in the new year.

Crossbenchers are likely to use their added numbers to push the government to set up a national integrity commission and remove children from immigration detention on Nauru.

https://www.afr.com/news/defection-of-julia-banks-leaves-scott-morrison-vulnerable-in-parliament-20181127-h18f07