Australia politics live update: Morrison introduces religious discrimination bill; Christensen ‘clarifies’ Hitler, Mao comments

November 24, 2021
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8.14pm EST20:14

The house and senate have moved on to more sedate matters.

For those counting though, Bridget Archer was the seventh government MP to cross the floor this week across the two houses.

The last parliament sitting of the year is always a bit chaotic. And having a new Speaker hasn’t helped.

We saw it when the medevac legislation (since repealed) passed against the government’s will though too. The government went on to win the next election. One chaotic sitting does not an election outcome make. Just something to keep in mind.

Updated
at 8.20pm EST



8.03pm EST20:03

The Australian Catholics Bishop Conference has welcomed the religious discrimination bill. From its statement:

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, chair of the Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement, has commended the bill, saying it offers ‘a positive expression of religious freedom’ that will be ‘an important progression towards parity with other anti-discrimination laws in Australia’.

“Federal and state anti-discrimination legislation protects Australians from discrimination on the basis of a wide array of attributes,” he said.

“However, discrimination on the basis of religious belief or activity is only inconsistently acknowledged and protected against.

“All Australian citizens, regardless of their religious belief or activity, should be able to participate fully in our society. They must be entitled to the equal and effective protection of the law and should not be discriminated against on the basis of their religious belief or activities in public life.”

Updated
at 8.20pm EST



8.02pm EST20:02

Melissa Davey

Melissa Davey

Lisa Fitzpatrick says the debate around Victoria’s pandemic bill “has swung into at times toxic political territory focusing on personalities and revenge rather than on protecting Victorians and our health workforce”.

Meanwhile beyond exhausted nurses and midwives feel taken for granted while the critics pretend the pandemic is over. We are furious at this self-indulgence. We need our politicians and the community to care for nurses and midwives so they can care for them.”

This morning unions representing nurses, midwives, doctors, paramedics and patient transport staff held a press conference to urge Victorian politicians to remember the bill should be about health in their last-minute pandemic bill negotiations.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch), the Australian Medical Association Victoria, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation and the Victorian Ambulance Union are confident the bill provides the equivalent powers as the legislation of other Australian states. In a statement, the unions said:

It provides the health minister with the critical ability to receive expert health advice and to respond quickly and decisively. These decisions cannot be made via a committee and must be entrusted to the elected position rather than a committee. The health unions also believe the bill provides appropriate transparency and accountability.

They say without the new pandemic laws the state government will not be able to quickly respond to sharp increases in hospitalisations by pausing or re-introducing some restrictions; require aged care, healthcare workers and others to have the Covid-19 booster; or require Covid-19 positive people to isolate until they no longer pose a risk.

It would also be difficult to contain an outbreak in a small town with no mechanism to isolate the population, the union say, or to implement different levels of isolation according to vaccination status.

Updated
at 8.19pm EST



7.54pm EST19:54

Here is how some of that played out in the house, as seen by Mike Bowers:

The member for Bass Bridget Archer crosses the floor to vote with the Opposition and cross benches


The member for Bass Bridget Archer crosses the floor to vote with the Opposition and crossbenches. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Josh Frydenberg talks to the member for Bass Bridget Archer who crossed the floor to vote with the Opposition and cross benchers


Josh Frydenberg talks to the member for Bass Bridget Archer who crossed the floor to vote with the Opposition and crossbenchers. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Zali Steggall and Rebekha Sharkie show their support for Bridget Archer


Zali Steggall and Rebekha Sharkie show their support for Bridget Archer. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Craig Kelly was there too


Craig Kelly was there too. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated
at 8.02pm EST



7.44pm EST19:44

For those who are confused, an “absolute majority” is 76.

Which is why even though the crossbench had the majority, it didn’t have an absolute majority (which is needed under the standing orders to suspend debate).

So the vote has been held again, and the crossbench and Labor, with Bridget Archer, win again, but this time Andrew Wallace remembers to say “absolute majority” and so the government loses the vote, but the motion still fails.

Updated
at 7.49pm EST



7.39pm EST19:39

The independents are sitting around Bridget Archer, like an honour guard. Or protection from some of the looks she is receiving from the government MPs. Hard to say.



7.38pm EST19:38

Anthony Albanese is sitting in the prime minister’s chair, signalling to the photographers to take his photo.

Peter Dutton can be seen mouthing the word “hubris”.

Scott Morrison has mostly had his back turned and is facing his backbench.

Updated
at 7.47pm EST



7.35pm EST19:35

So this is very confusing and this may not be entirely right, but what I think is happening is this.

Andrew Wallace declared the vote for the Noes which was the crossbench, but without saying they needed an absolute majority. So he gave the win, but without the caveat, and given his rulings determine what the house does, it gave the crossbench and Labor to argue they may have actually won.

It just makes it look like chaos on the floor of the parliament, which is why Anthony Albanese currently looks like he just heard the Rabbitohs won the premiership.



7.33pm EST19:33

Bob Katter stands up:

“Clearly a lot of us are confused. I don’t know what is happening,” he says.

He has no point of order, so he is sat down.



7.29pm EST19:29

Labor is now saying the vote needs to be recommitted.

Former speaker Tony Smith is not moving a single facial muscle as this plays out.



7.27pm EST19:27

Tony Burke is pointing out that Andrew Wallace has declared the noes as having won the motion, without having declared the question/outcome.

Peter Dutton is now trying to back in Wallace, while telling him what he needs to do.

Burke is arguing against him

It is, as they say, a complete mess on the floor right now.



7.25pm EST19:25

Kevin Andrews is trying to tell Andrew Wallace what he should be doing.

Wallace is checking.



7.24pm EST19:24

Josh Frydenberg had a very long chat with Bridget Archer as she made her way across the chamber to vote with the crossbench.

George Christensen voted with the government (he’s voting on his conscience at the moment) so did Llew O’Brien who has previously, publicly said he would consider crossing the floor.

Speaker Andrew Wallace is really struggling with what comes next, and what question is being put to the house.

Kevin Andrews is trying to seek the call.

It’s a bit of a mess.



7.21pm EST19:21

Motion to suspend standing orders is defeated

Ayes 63

Noes 66

So the motion to suspend standing orders is defeated.

The speaker seems a little confused about what comes next.

Updated
at 7.54pm EST



7.17pm EST19:17

The entire crossbench, including Craig Kelly is voting to suspend standing orders, along with Labor and Bridget Archer.

Covid-19