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June 29th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda Updated
Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has fired back at fellow crossbencher Andrew Wilkie, describing his early-morning attempt to restart debate on refugee policy as nothing more than a “stunt”.
The House of Representatives sat until 4:19am (AEST) following a “last-ditch” effort by Mr Wilkie to bring on the Opposition’s bill to allow offshore processing of asylum seekers in countries that have ratified the United Nations Refugee Convention.
Mr Wilkie won the vote but did not get an absolute majority of 76 votes needed to debate the bill.
MPs are now returning to their electorates for the six-week winter break, having failed to break the political deadlock that has gripped Parliament since two asylum seeker boats capsized killing almost 100 people.
“I don’t believe that parliamentarians should be going into recess for six weeks when such an important matter remains unresolved,” Mr Wilkie told ABC News this morning.
“We should be sitting today, we should have continued sitting last night, we should sit next week, we should sit until we get a solution.
“I think there is every chance in the world that more people will die during this six-week recess.”
Mr Oakeshott was not in Parliament when Mr Wilkie’s motion was put to a vote overnight.
This morning, he described the move as a “stunt” because MPs had not seen the Opposition’s legislation and were not given any notice of the debate.
“We can either deal with this in good faith … or we’re pulling stunts on unicycles, juggling balls, with spinny hats,” Mr Oakeshott told journalists in Canberra.
“If there is a bill, let’s see it,” he said. “I haven’t seen it.”
His comments have been backed by fellow independent Tony Windsor, who says he advised Mr Wilkie to not go ahead with the plan.
“(To) just drag a bill no-one has ever read into the Parliament just smacks of more of the politics of this week,” Mr Windsor said.
Negotiations stall
Yesterday, the Senate killed off legislation put forward by Mr Oakeshott that would have restored offshore processing, after the Greens and Coalition argued it did not do enough to protect the human rights of asylum seekers in third countries.
The Coalition said it was willing to support the legislation as long as Labor agreed to an amendment that would have effectively scuttled its plan to send asylum seekers to Malaysia.
Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott believe there was a brief moment of time during the debate when it appeared the Greens were seriously considering backing the compromise put forward by Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison.
“There was a period in our House the other night where (there was) the prospect of Scott Morrison’s amendments … being supported by the Greens,” Mr Windsor said.
“They, apparently, were prepared to discuss the option of offshore processing – not in Malaysia but in Nauru.”
Mr Oakeshott says he saw a “running note” that had: “approved Tony A, approved Sarah HY” written on it, which he believes showed there was an agreement between Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
The move would have been a sharp turnaround from the Greens’ strong opposition to offshore processing, but the party has moved swiftly to stamp out the suggestions.
“There’s certainly no document which has been signed off or initialled … between the Greens and the Coalition,” Greens leader Christine Milne said.
Senator Hanson-Young said: “We have been absolutely steadfast in our opposition of crude offshore processing – Malaysia or Nauru.
“We were never going to accept the idea of shirking our responsibilities under the (refugee) convention.”
Expert panel formed
In a new effort at breaking the political stalemate, Prime Minister Julia Gillard last night announced the formation of an expert panel, led by former Defence Force chief Angus Houston, to develop a plan to stop asylum seeker boats.
She said the three-member group would bring “fresh eyes and new expertise” to the problem, and indicated Labor could be willing to dump its plan to send asylum seekers to Malaysia if the panel recommended it.
“I want to be absolutely clear here; Angus Houston and the team he leads are free to come to any conclusion that they want to, any conclusion that they believe is in the national interest,” Ms Gillard said last night.
“I would not be setting up this group if I wasn’t prepared to take on board … the recommendations of this panel.”
Mr Houston will be joined by long-term refugee advocate Paris Aristotle and the former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael L’Estrange.
Ms Gillard says the panel will liaise with a parliamentary reference group consisting of MPs from across the political divide.
The Opposition, Greens and independents will be invited to nominate representatives for the group.
The expert panel will be given free rein to consult widely over the issue and will not be restricted in making recommendations.
Ms Gillard wants the panel to report back before Parliament returns from the winter break in just over six weeks’ time.
refugees,
immigration,
federal-parliament,
federal-government,
australia
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