It was Petro Georgiou’s last hurrah in parliament and he didn’t disappoint, criticising the Liberal Party for its “dark chapter” on human rights. Phillip Ruddock watched on awkwardly, writes David Marr
Petro Georgiou
Petro Georgiou: “Regression has become the order of the day.”
An extract of Petro Georgiou’s valedictory speech, delivered to the House of Representatives this morning. He had one last dig at the Opposition’s “cruel” asylum seeker policies.
Crikey Says: Farewell, Petro
Say farewell to one of the few remaining rational voices on the asylum seeker issue as we brace ourselves for a very ugly election campaign.
Turnbull invokes a Menzies manoeuvre by crossing the floor
Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to cross the floor of the House of Representatives is no big deal, particularly when his party is in Opposition, writes Rob Chalmers.
Ackland: Shouldn’t we share our “boundless plains”?
Doesn’t anybody remember the lyrics to our national anthem — “for those who’ve come across the seas”? asks Richard Ackland. It’s time to offer an ‘Australian Solution’.
Petro Georgiou: Stop kicking them while they’re down
Mandatory detention, temporary protection visas and asylum seeker debt don’t deter asylum seekers. A very corrosive debate about refugees could occur in Australia. Let’s not return to the dark days, writes Petro Georgiou.
Coalition splits on abolishing detainees’ debts
Many former detainees are taking a great interest in the Migration Amendment (Abolishing Detention Debt) Bill 2009 that’s currently being debated in the Lower House.
Coalition unity fractures as team Turnbull loses its grip
Whatever may happen in the email affair and the pursuit of Wayne Swan, Coalition unity is starting to fracture badly on high-profile policy issues.
The battle for Higgins resumes
The Higgins preselection has been an on-again, off-again saga.
We need an independent review of anti-terror laws
Today, the Senate is scheduled to begin debating an initiative that is sorely needed – the creation of an office of an Independent Reviewer of Australia’s tough anti-terrorism laws, writes Greg Barns.
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World Youth Day … religion and politics … the last days of broadcast … The Australian Film Television and Radio School … Tibet and China …
US08: Bitter jousting in the library by p-rn central
“Can Romney hang in there?” was the question on everyone’s lips. Wasn’t that way a week ago, but that was before McCain scarfed up endorsements from Florida governor Charlie Crist, Giuliani and now Schwarzenegger, writes Guy Rundle in California.
