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It might be a little early in the day for popcorn, but there’s great political theater to enjoy this morning as the Liberal leadership vote kicks off at 9am. Angus Taylor Reportedly on track for removal Susan Lay After just nine months on the job. We prepare for the vote ahead of time and bring you the best coverage as soon as it happens.
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Meanwhile, it will be the 18th anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generations and there will be speeches to mark it, with the Prime Minister expected to deliver.
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President of Israel Isaac Herzogas thousands prepare to leave Australia after last-minute protests took to the streets of Melbourne at the end of a controversial week. Herzog ended his visit by meeting Jewish groups in the city but – unlike the scenes in Sydney earlier this week – the protests were largely peaceful. More to come.
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Krishna Dhanji
good morning, Krishna Dhanji Here with you, thank you Martin Farrer To get us started.
Happy Spill Day! And let me also remind you, it’s Friday the 13th (make of that what you will).
There is only one big story in the big house on the hill today and that is the showdown between Susan Leigh and Angus Taylor. While it looks like a less showdown at this point, the numbers are in Taylor’s favor.
There’s plenty to catch up on, so let’s get cracking.
Patrick Cummins
A UNSW economics professor has been appointed to the RBA’s interest rate setting board
UNSW Professor of Economics Bruce Preston Appointed to the Reserve Bank’s interest-rate setting board, his five-year term begins in March.
Preston replaces Alison Watkinsthe former boss of Coca-Cola Amatil, is also sitting business Council of Australia Board.
Watkins has been a member of the RBA board since December 2020.
Jim Chalmers announced the appointment to the nine-member monetary policy board Thursday evening, saying Preston is “one of the most respected and experienced macroeconomists and he will do an excellent job.”
After several decades in academia, Preston worked at the Reserve Bank and later as a senior adviser at the Central Bank and Treasury.
Preston was seen as a controversial appointment, particularly after a wide-ranging review of the RBA’s operations and governance recommended more technical expertise on the Monetary Policy Board.
He will get his first opportunity to vote on the interest rate at the bank’s next two-day meeting from March 16.
For the record, financial markets only priced in a 16% rate hike in March, but by the May meeting it had risen to 80%.
Isaac Herzog left Australia
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is preparing to leave Australia after thousands took to the streets in a final wave of protests to end a controversial week, AAP reports.
Herzog wrapped up his final four-day trip to Melbourne yesterday, where he met senior politicians and community leaders.
Although the president declared in his final speech that there was “hope in the air”, around 10,000 people defied the steps of Flinders Street Station and greeted him.
Demonstrators were largely peaceful, despite a small scuffle as Palestinian organizer Tasnim Sammak addressed the crowd.
Victoria Police said special privileges granted for the event were not used.
Among the speakers was Palestinian activist Muad Ali who criticized the Prime Minister’s decision to host the president in Australia.
“I never swear, but this is not diplomacy,” he said.
The protest was a far cry from the scenes seen in Sydney, where at least nine people were charged and 27 arrested after an anti-Herzog rally turned violent after protesters were punched and shoved by police.
Herzog said his visit to Melbourne had sparked new hope.
“I have to tell you that we came back to Israel because we saw firsthand the beauty and resilience of this community,” he said.
Herzog said discussions with the Australian leadership had been conducted in a frank, open-minded manner and with the utmost mutual respect to address “vile rhetoric, misinformation and vile anti-Semitism”.
The leadership spill is the culmination of a series of disasters in recent weeks, Josh Butler writes this morning, revealing a fundamental disunity within the coalition’s ranks.
These included the Nationals breaking away from the coalition (again) on Bondi’s day of mourning, lay critics gathering in Melbourne on the day of Liberal MP Katie Allen’s funeral, Taylor’s resignation overshadowing President Isaac Herzog’s annual visit to Israel, and political resignations. Closing the gap statement.
As the spill is set today, Josh writes:
The opposition as a whole was more demoralized, distracted and disorganized than usual. Frontbenchers looked around the room, texting on their phones; We’ve seen a person named as a potential deputy leadership candidate (whom we won’t roar) literally twiddle their thumbs. Lay is silent.
Read the entire piece here:
The Liberal leadership ballot begins at 9 a.m
All eyes will be on the Liberal party room this morning with the leadership ballot starting at 9am.
After a string of front benchers declared their support for him, Angus TaylorHis supporters are confident that he has the numbers to oust the seat Susan Lay After just nine months in post.
Here’s our latest news article so you can get up to speed:
And there is also the crucial question of who should be Taylor’s deputy, who is trying to bring the more moderate wing of the party into his fold.
welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. i am Martin Farrer And then with the top overnight stories Krishna Dhanji Take the reins.
It might be a little early in the day for popcorn, but there’s great political theater to enjoy this morning as the Liberal leadership vote kicks off at 9am. Angus Taylor Reportedly on track for removal Susan Lay After just nine months on the job. We prepare for the vote ahead of time and bring you the best coverage as soon as it happens.
Meanwhile, it will be the 18th anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generations and there will be speeches to mark it, with the Prime Minister expected to deliver.
President of Israel Isaac Herzogas thousands prepare to leave Australia after last-minute protests took to the streets of Melbourne at the end of a controversial week. Herzog ended his visit by meeting Jewish groups in the city but – unlike the scenes in Sydney earlier this week – the protests were largely peaceful. More to come.
