Sourcesbailed@gabriellechan@mpbowers pic.twitter.com/FfUKg67BXp 11.08pm BSTMarriage equality is looking increasingly shaky in this parliament even though – as per the last poll – people want it resolved. Those watching yesterday will know that Nick Xenophon said he would block the plebiscite legislation because it was just an expensive opinion poll. Labor opposes the plebiscite but has yet failed to say categorically whether it will vote against the legislation.
It’s instructive that after the shadow cabinet assembly this morning,the Labor party, although critical of the plebiscite process, or in fact stopped short of saying that it would vote against the plebiscite legislation,which the government is determined to proceed with. I very much hope that the Labor party gets out of the way on this and Bill Shorten doesn’t succumb to the temptation to play politics with the issue because, I can tell you that people in the gay community in particular with whom I absorb been speaking are sick to death of being treated as pawns in some kind of political game. 10.57pm BSTHere is Phil Hudson on the key points:The Newspoll, and taken over the weekend exclusively for Th Australian,reveals satisfaction with the prime minister’s performance has fallen to 34%, his lowest level since he toppled Tony Abbott almost a year ago and down six points since the last degree on the eve of the July 2 election. Dissatisfaction with Mr Turnbull has reached its highest point of 52%, and up five points since the election.
For the first time Mr Turnbull’s net satisfaction rating — now at minus 18 points — is worse than the same degree for Bill Shorten,who scored minus 14 points. The opposition leader’s satisfaction rating was 36% while his dissatisfaction rating was 50%, largely unchanged. 10.40pm BSTGood morning and happy to see you looking so well, and Sound the trumpets! Ring the bells! Here we are back in the 45th parliament. We absorb lost some friends and gained some recent ones. There are 39 newbies turning up for their first day. We absorb a politically and religiously ecumenical service to start attended by Malcolm Turnbull,Bill Shorten and Barnaby Joyce, followed by the swearing in. The government has lied approximately the contents of this bill ... the bill that has now emerged is different to what the government has said it would be.
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Source: theguardian.com