Usually the speeches of treasury secretaries are relatively bland, echoes of their political masters. But an address this week from Steven Kennedy was something quite different.
Whether the late senator’s treatment was unfairly harsh or part of the tough business of politics depends on who you ask – and in public life, the line between the two can be very fine indeed.
The report from John Kunkel, Scott Morrison’s chief of staff, into whether the Prime Minister’s office briefed against Brittany Higgins’ partner David Sharaz has been drafted with Jesuitical subtlety.
Federal Health Department Secretary Brendan Murphy has admitted some COVID deaths in aged care might have been prevented if there had been a quicker public health response.
Labor continues to hold a 51-49% two-party lead in the wake of last week’s budget.
The dual citizenship crisis claimed five more scalps today: Katy Gallagher, Susan Lamb, Rebekha Sharkie, Justine Keay and Josh Wilson.
Emil Jeyaratnam/The Conversation using AAP images
Today’s High Court decision against Katy Gallagher has clarified how to interpret the constitution on this matter. But the problem of dual citizenship can only be properly fixed by a referendum.
Gallagher was ineligible to sit because she had not completed the renunciation of her dual British citizenship when she nominated for the 2016 election.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The decision has reignited the citizenship crisis and transformed the political landscape.
Senator Katy Gallagher knew she was a British citizen at the last election, but maintains she took “all reasonable steps” to renounce it.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Today’s High Court decision on whether Labor Senator Katy Gallagher is eligible to hold her seat will have significant implications for the whole parliament.
The High Court ruled unanimously on Tuesday that Steve Martin was eligible to sit in the Senate.
Lukas Coch/AAP
That it has taken more than five months and a compulsory declaration procedure for some MPs’ dual citizenship issues to come to light reflects extremely badly on them.
Last year David Feeney beat Greens candidate Alex Bhathal for the Victorian seat of Batman by a whisker.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
If David Feeney was found to be ineligible, Labor would be at high risk of losing his Melbourne seat of Batman to the Greens.
Katy Gallagher says she will not refer herself to the court because her legal advice was that she had taken all the steps required of her before she nominated.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
While it would have been much easier for the government if Barnaby Joyce had stood aside from cabinet while the High Court determined his parliamentary eligibility, the Nationals leader was too big a fish…
Katy Gallagher delivers her maiden speech in the Senate.
AAP/Lukas Coch