Via The Australian:
Veteran Nationals identity and former Queensland senator Ron Boswell called for a new approach to the LNP to deal with the One Nation threat, adding that it was a mistake for the LNP to do a preference deal with the minor party. “I just don’t think it works,’’ he said of the LNP merged structure.
“When you look at when they (One Nation) first ran, we fought them off as a National Party in a federal campaign — we won every one of our seats and took a seat from the Liberals. It’s very, very difficult to do that as the LNP; the blue-collar workers don’t identify, don’t understand it. The two parties have different value systems and identities, and I think the people who voted for One Nation would have stuck with candidates from the Nationals.’’
A stronger Nationals brand appears certain federally, with Resources Minister Matt Canavan calling for changes in the wake of the Queensland result.
“I think what will be different at a federal election, in terms of the next election we’re facing, will be of course at a federal level we have a separate Nationals party room, we’ll have a separate Nationals campaign,” he said.
And:
The Nationals will consider embracing a push by Queensland senator Barry O’Sullivan for an inquiry into the banking sector, in a move that could split the Coalition and challenge Malcolm Turnbull’s authority.
Nationals MPs have told The Australian it is expected that Senator O’Sullivan’s plan to move a motion in the upper house establishing a probe into the financial services sector would be discussed at next week’s partyroom meeting.
One option would be for the parliamentary party formally to adopt a position of support for a banking inquiry, but with the ability for Nationals in the ministry to abstain from voting instead of crossing the floor.
A Nationals MP yesterday indicated there would be a debate on whether the parliamentary party should go “all in” on supporting the banking inquiry championed by Senator O’Sullivan.
While maverick Nationals MP George Christensen has signalled his intention to cross the floor to vote in favour of a commission of inquiry, his Queensland colleague Llew O’Brien told The Australian yesterday he was also open to supporting Senator O’Sullivan’s bill in the lower house.
“I’m still open-minded. But I’m in discussions with Barry about the content and the terms of reference of the bill,” Mr O’Brien said.
At the AFR:
The Turnbull government faces increased destabilisation with Queensland Nationals vowing to go rogue, including forging ahead with a commission of inquiry into the banks, in a bid to repel One Nation.
One Nation fared poorly in Queensland’s state election on Saturday, possibly picking up just one seat, but its vote in heartland seats in the state’s north and west was high enough to rattle federal Nationals MPs who believe if they do not differentiate themselves from the Liberals, One Nation will continue to encroach on their territory.
One MP, George Christensen, even blamed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for the result. Internal party research leaked on Sunday showed the PM was not a significant factor in the Queensland outcome.
Do it or don’t do it. It won’t matter. One Nation is a single issue party and it ain’t the banks.
At least the banks will have Paul Howes to protect them:
Former union leader turned KPMG partner Paul Howes has been quietly providing advice to banks to help them prepare for any potential financial sector inquiry.
The under-the-radar banking commission readiness advisory work has involved the big four accounting and consulting firm helping bank executives work out how to navigate any issues that might emerge in a full-blown inquiry. It has also included providing guidance about the potential changes the banks might have have to make to their business models in response to any hearings.
Westpac CEO Brian Hartzer is understood to have been among the first to have called on Mr Howes and KPMG for the service. The banks view any commission of inquiry as a major policy and regulatory risk for themselves and the wider industry.
Into the shame file with you, mate.
