It didn’t really work for Do-nothing Malcolm but that’s not going to stop do-nothing Scummo from having a red not go, via Jen Hewitt:
Labor is “soft” and “weak”. Scott Morrison says so…the prospect of a brawl over border protection and national security is like a beacon glimmering in the political darkness…In terms of political strategy, this is all about trying to keep the Coalition safe – at least somewhat safer than it would otherwise be. But it also translates into a broader political clarion call about keeping Australia strong, insisting that only this government can be trusted to keep the country and the economy secure.
…So Morrison also makes constant references to the need to keep women safe from domestic violence and children safe from bullying and sexual exploitation online and in the real world.
…The government, Morrison argues, will deal with reform of the financial services sector in a “prudent, measured, responsible way”.
The question is will doing nothing on immigration, border security, criminal bankers, wages, house prices and the per capita recession to be announced in March gel with the polity at this juncture?
After all, this is what the Turnbull Government delivered and Scummo threw him out because of it.
Meanwhile, Shorten has killed off Scummo’s border protection election as expected, via the AFR:
On Monday, the shadow cabinet recommended some key changes ift called “sensible”. The minister would have the final discretion on character grounds as well as national security but character would be codified to include such categories as the rapists, murderers and paedophiles the government claims will surge into the country.
The changes also propose giving the minister longer than 24 hours to reject a recommended transfer and the third change is to apply the rules to only those already on Manus Island and Nauru.
This, Labor says, would stop the changes attracting more people to try and reach Australia by boat.
And Bob Katter has re-emerged as a threat to the Government, also at AFR:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not ruled out axing a $234 million deal with Bob Katter if the independent sided with Labor and forced a recall of Parliament to start dealing with the recommendations of the banking royal commission.
With Labor needing an absolute majority of 76 votes to schedule two extra sitting weeks in March, Mr Morrison’s office has been in touch with Mr Katter to try to talk him out of supporting the motion, which would be binding on the government if passed.
It is understood Mr Katter has told the government what he is saying publicly – that he is open to supporting the motion that could be put to Parliament this week. On Monday, his support for the motion appeared to strengthen with a spokeswoman saying “he wants to support it”.
Another good day for Labor.
