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Category: Government and Politics / Building and Construction

Xenophon predicts Parliament about to get 'messy and ugly'

Monday, 14 Mar 2016 21:15:01 | Jane Norman

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said both bills could be dealt with this week if the Government wanted. (AAP: Lukas Coch)

Independent senator Nick Xenophon is predicting it will be a "messy and ugly" week in Parliament as crossbenchers attempt to stymie the Government's agenda.

The Government has made a bill to overhaul the Senate voting system its priority, and will seek to extend this week's sitting hours to push the legislation through.

Labor and most crossbenchers have opposed the plan and have already tried to drag out and delay the process.

Victorian Senator Ricky Muir will try and change the agenda and instead bring on debate about a bill to re-introduce the construction industry watchdog, the ABCC.

Senator Xenophon said both bills could be dealt with this week if the Government wanted.

"In any event it's going to be an extraordinarily messy and ugly week in the Senate — much messier and uglier than we're used to," he said.

"And I think we'll see every procedural rule in the book being used by all sides to try and get what they want."

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie supports Senator Muir's move.

"Bring it on, bring on debate about the ABCC," she said.

Liberal senator Cory Bernardi said he would be willing to sit for as long as it took to deal with the legislation.

He said the crossbenchers were being driven by self interest.

"It's not about the ABCC, it's not about principle, it's about trying to save their jobs," he said.

External Link: Explained: Senate voting reforms

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has threatened to call a double dissolution election if the Senate rejects the ABCC bill for a second time.

Labor argued the Government is trying to rush the Senate changes through because it wants to call a double dissolution election in July using the new voting rules.

Some Coalition backbenchers are publicly arguing against the idea of an early poll.

Among them is senator Ian Macdonald, who has warned it could make it easier for minor parties to gain a seat in Parliament.

"I think you'd get rid of this mob of recalcitrant crossbenchers — some of them are, some are quite good. You'll get rid of this lot but you could end up with an equally recalcitrant lot of crossbenchers," he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will address the National Press Club today, declaring his party is ready for an election.

He will also outline plans to address underemployment in disadvantaged regions of Australia.

AustraliaPlus


 

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