Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Trent Zimmerman is one of the five Liberal moderates who crossed the floor to vote to amend the religious discrimination package to protect trans children. Scott Morrison’s response was to abandon his legislation.
Asked whether he regrets his decision to vote against the government Zimmerman, who crossed the floor on some other proposed amendments, says he was “standing up on a couple of points of principle for me – and first and foremost was seeking to support amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act, which would have protected trans kids, but also broadened the limitation of the discrimination that’s allowable for children more generally.”
Zimmerman also voted for an unsuccessful amendment (not supported by Labor) to “remove the current provisions which allow teachers to be discriminated in schools as well”.
But he does “support the principle of a Religious Discrimination Act”. “I think it’s a no-brainer that you shouldn’t be allowed to be discriminated [against] based on your religious beliefs. But I just thought that this went above and beyond an orthodox discrimination law, and that’s where my problems arose. And I hope that at some stage we can have the debate again with a more orthodox bill.”
The rebels have come under some sharp attack from their own side but Zimmerman says they didn’t take their decisions lightly. His colleagues were “very emotionally committed to taking the action that they did because of their perceived concerns, but they recognised the magnitude of what they were doing.”
Zimmerman expects his battle against high profile independent Kylea Tink to be “a very tightly contested campaign”. “I’ve never taken elections in North Sydney for granted.”
With the government’s failure to deliver a national integrity commission an issue, he hopes a commission will be a fresh promise for the election.
“Having a national integrity commission, I think, is very important for our community and for politics.”
On the issue of trust, Zimmerman says: “I think what people are looking for is really the answer to the question of who you trust to get certain jobs done that they expect of their government. And I think that when we get to the election, people will be judging the government on its performance in managing the economy, on its overall performance in managing the pandemic.”
Politics with Michelle Grattan: ‘yes’ campaigner Thomas Mayo and ‘no’ advocate Derryn Hinch on the Voice
Politics with Michelle Grattan: ACCI Head Andrew McKellar on industrial relations and boosting Australia’s productivity
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Battle of the Voice – Greens senator Dorinda Cox & Liberal senator Kerrynne Liddle
Word from The Hill: On ditching the Commonwealth Games, the Voice pamphlet, Labor’s factions
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Michele Bullock’s appointment as Reserve Bank Governor
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bill Shorten on Robodebt report’s sealed section, and progress on NDIS reform
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Author Bruce Wolpe on the “shocking” consequences for Australia of a Trump 24 win
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Special Minister of State Don Farrell wants donation and spending caps for next election
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Community Independent Dai Le on what voters are saying
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Industry minister Ed Husic on the artificial intelligence revolution
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Liberal MP Bridget Archer urges other moderates to speak up as she presses for party change
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Labor’s Julian Hill on employment, AI, Julian Assange and TikTok
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Greens Max Chandler-Mather on the housing fund, rent freezes and migration
The day after the night before - Chalmers and Taylor on the budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: NDIA chair Kurt Fearnley on ‘fundamental’ reform of the disability scheme
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Labor MP Marion Scrymgour on her yes campaign trail, and reinstating the CDP
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Professor Marcia Langton on the Voice’s powers and potential
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Simon Birmingham on the Voice, Aston, the Liberals, Uranium
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Lambie urges return of former employment program for Indigenous communities
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Michael Brennan on Australia’s parlous productivity growth
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free