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As it happened: Ken Wyatt quits Liberal Party after Voice opposition; RBA says rate rise pause due to balancing inflation with unemployment

Caroline Schelle and Megan Gorrey

Updated April 6, 2023 — 6:48pm,first published April 6, 2023 — 6:57am

Key Posts

Two new cases of Murray Valley encephalitis in NSW

Pat Dodson takes leave from parliament to undergo medical treatment

Ken Wyatt quits Liberal party over Voice opposition: report

Andrews labels federal opposition a ‘mean, nasty outfit’ over Voice

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Rental stress a concern for RBA on inflation watch

PM says Voice could be ‘moment of unity’ for Australia

Liberal backbencher says party at ‘crossroads’

Pearson says Voice in ‘strong position’ for success

Liberals’ Voice stance a ‘Judas betrayal of our country’: Noel Pearson

6.48pm on Apr 6, 2023

That’s a wrap: Today’s headlines at a glance

By Megan Gorrey

That’s where we’ll leave our live coverage of today’s events, thanks for joining us. Happy Easter if you’re celebrating, and do stay safe during the long weekend. We’ll be taking a break from the weekday news blog tomorrow and Monday, but will be back bright and early on Tuesday.

Meantime, here’s a recap of the day’s headlines:

Former Coalition Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt has quit the Liberal Party to protest its opposition to the Voice to parliament. The party’s contentious stance has sparked a slew of criticism from Liberals, non-Coalition politicians and the Indigenous community.
Prominent Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has responded to the Liberal Party’s decision to oppose the Voice by accusing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of betraying Australia and the nation’s chances of reconciling with its Indigenous peoples. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the issue should be above politics; while Dutton said he felt a duty to protect Australians from the Voice because the proposed model would fundamentally change Australia’s system of government.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and former Coalition Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt.Alex Ellinghausen

Labor senator and Aboriginal elder Pat Dodson, who is special envoy for the Voice, will take a months-long absence from parliament to undergo medical treatment.
Australians are beginning to tap their savings to cover day-to-day expenses as cost-of-living pressures and higher interest rates bite, with warnings one-in-six households could be spending more than they earn by year’s end.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews says collapsed home builder Porter Davis could face significant penalties if customers were left uninsured.
Former NRL player and convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne will remain on bail until an expected jail sentence next month after his lawyers argued he was liable to being attacked while on remand and a judge determined exceptional circumstances had been established.

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in their first portrait since his ascension.Hugo Burnand/BP

To overseas news, the title Queen Camilla has been used for the first time by Buckingham Palace, on the King Charles III’s coronation invitation, as it emerges the word “consort” will be officially dropped after next month’s ceremony.
And a sprawling stolen ID marketplace selling some 80 million credentials and popular with cybercriminals has been shut down by a multinational police operation that arrested 120 people, among them 10 Australians.

6.32pm on Apr 6, 2023

Home buyers start dipping into savings for daily expenses

By Shane Wright and Rachel Clun

Australians are beginning to tap their savings to cover daily expenses as cost-of-living pressures and higher interest rates bite, with warnings one-in-six households could be spending more than they earn by year’s end.

The Reserve Bank, in its six-monthly examination of the strength of the nation’s financial system, said today that low-income earners were struggling under 10 consecutive rate rises and half were already in mortgage stress.

The Reserve Bank said the vast majority of borrowers had continued to service their mortgages.Jason South

The RBA board this week kept the official cash rate at 3.6 per cent amid global financial market instability and to assess the impact of the 3.5 percentage point increase in rates over the past year.

While bank governor Philip Lowe warned yesterday that further rate rises were possible in the months ahead, financial markets and an increasing number of market economists believe the next move in rates could be a cut by year’s end or early in 2024.

In its financial stability review, the bank said that at this stage the vast majority of borrowers had continued to service their mortgages, although some were adjusting spending and saving patterns.

Read the full story here.

6.18pm on Apr 6, 2023

Two new cases of Murray Valley encephalitis in NSW

Two new cases of Murray Valley encephalitis have been detected in NSW, prompting authorities to warn regional communities to protect themselves against mosquito bites during the Easter holidays.

The new cases are in addition to two infections detected in NSW in February and March, bring the total number this season to four. The virus has also recently been identified in border communities in Victoria, including among people who may have exposures in NSW.

NSW has recorded four cases of Murray Valley encephalitis this season.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NSW Health said a man in his 20s from the Riverina region was infected between mid-February and early March. He was most likely exposed to the virus while at work in Federation Shire, or while camping in Indigo Shire in Victoria. He remains in hospital.

The virus has also been detected in a man in his 60s from Leeton Shire, who was infected in March and was most likely exposed to the virus at home or in his local area. He also remains in hospital.

NSW Health’s One Health branch director Keira Glasgow said the latest cases were a timely reminder for communities around the NSW/Victorian border to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

“There is no vaccination or specific treatment for Murray Valley encephalitis, so we are urging the community to do everything they can to protect themselves against mosquito bites,” Glasgow said.

“We have now identified four cases of MVE and the number of MVE detections through surveillance of mosquitoes and sentinel chickens in NSW this season is concerning. With many families spending time camping or enjoying the outdoors this coming weekend, we are urging people to avoid mosquito bites.

“The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which are most active between dusk and dawn. Avoiding mosquito bites will also protect against other mosquito-borne infections including Japanese encephalitis, Kunjin and Barmah Forest viruses.”

Glasgow said only a small proportion of people infected with the virus would have any symptoms, which include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and muscle aches.

Signs of severe infection include severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright lights, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.

The virus is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. It can cause severe neurological illness but this is rare.

The primary hosts of MVE and Japanese encephalitis virus are wild waterbirds such as herons and egrets.

5.59pm on Apr 6, 2023

‘We’re all here with you’: Linda Burney’s message for Pat Dodson

Federal MP Linda Burney has lent her support to Labor senator Pat Dodson, who will take a few months leave from Federal Parliament to undergo medical treatment.

Burney, the minister for Indigenous Australians, said on Twitter that “working hand in hand with the Father of Reconciliation Patrick Dodson is an immense privilege”.

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“His strength has got him so far along on this journey. I know that his strength will power him in the tough times ahead. Pat, we’re all with you.”

This afternoon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office released a statement saying Dodson would take a months-long absence from parliament “while he undertakes a course of medical treatment”.

“Senator Dodson is mindful that during this time he had a big workload planned in his role as Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

“He regrets that his work commitments, especially travel, will now be limited. Senator Dodson wishes to thank all those who have wished him well, and asks that his privacy be respected.”

5.39pm on Apr 6, 2023

Paul Fletcher says he will ‘make the case’ for Liberals’ No campaign

Federal Liberal MP Paul Fletcher said he would “make the case” for the Liberal Party’s No campaign against the Indigenous Voice to parliament – but would not be drawn on which way he would vote.

Fletcher also told the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing that he had “enormous respect” for the Coalition’s former Indigenous affairs minister, Ken Wyatt, who quit the Liberal Party earlier today to protest its contentious call to oppose the government’s Voice to parliament referendum.

Paul Fletcher admits there will voters in his Sydney electorate who won’t agree with the Liberal Party’s opposition to the Voice.Edwina Pickles

Fletcher said:

“We’ll be participating in this process in a respectful way, making the case – and it is very important that Australians hear the case from both sides. That’s one reason why we argue very strongly that there ought to be written pamphlets for the Yes and No case, as has been required by legislation for referendums for many years.

“The government, for some mysterious reason, sought to remove that normal requirement. But our view was it was very important that, into households around the country, there should be a pamphlet that sets out the reasons for the Yes and No case. This is an important question for the people of Australia, and we want to participate in what is a respectful process.

Asked how he would campaign on the issue, Fletcher said he was “a member of the shadow cabinet, which arrived at the position that we then took to the party room and that was endorsed by the party room yesterday. What I’ll be doing on this issue, as with every issue, is making the case for Liberal Party policy, responding to questions and concerns.”

Fletcher would not be drawn on how he would vote in the referendum, and said he would “be making my judgment based upon all of the considerations and information that becomes available”.

“But clearly I’m a member of shadow cabinet, I support the Liberal Party’s position that was arrived at yesterday.”

Fletcher was also asked whether the Liberal Party’s opposition to the Voice was in line with the majority of voters in his electorate of Bradfield, on Sydney’s upper north shore.

“Well, ultimately on every issue that comes before the parliament, a parliamentarian needs to make a judgment as to the position that he or she arrives at. Obviously, you do that in consultation with your electorate in seeking to understand the views of your electorate. And what is undoubtedly the case on any issue – this issue or any other issue – is that whichever position you take of the 110,000 people approximately who are in this electorate – similar numbers in most other electorates – there will be a substantial number of people who will not agree with the position you take.”

5.03pm on Apr 6, 2023

Italy’s ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi diagnosed with leukaemia

By Federico Maccioni and Angelo Amante

Milan: Four-times Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, sources have confirmed.

The 86-year-old has been treated in intensive care on Wednesday in a cardiac unit at Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital after suffering breathing problems.

Forza Italia’s Silvio Berlusconi and incoming prime minister Giorgia Meloni at an election rally in September.AP

A source close to the matter confirmed the report of his diagnosis by the Corrierre della Sera, a daily newspaper in Milan.

The billionaire media tycoon, who made his fortune from commercial television, has suffered repeated bouts of ill health in recent years and came out of hospital just last week.

“He has been admitted to intensive care because a problem caused by an infection has not been resolved but he is speaking,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, a long-time ally of Berlusconi, told reporters in Brussels.

Reuters

4.31pm on Apr 6, 2023

Pat Dodson takes leave from parliament to undergo medical treatment

By Michelle Griffin

Shortly after Labor senator and Aboriginal elder Pat Dodson appeared on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing to blast the Liberals for showing “absolutely no regard for the Aboriginal people”, the prime minister’s office released a statement saying that the special envoy for the Voice will take a months-long absence from parliament “while he undertakes a course of medical treatment”.

“Senator Dodson is mindful that during this time he had a big workload planned in his role as Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart,” the statement said.

“He regrets that his work commitments, especially travel, will now be limited.

“Senator Dodson wishes to thank all those who have wished him well, and asks that his privacy be respected.”

Speaking on Afternoon Briefing, Dodson said he despaired about the ability of the two major parties to unite on any major issue.

“Back in the days when Whitlam and Fraser grappled with the ’67 referendum outcomes and land rights for the Northern Territory, bipartisanship was a possibility on very important issues of social policy and land policy,” he said.

“There’s absolutely very little capacity now, it seems, for the coalition people to find their way through the weeds that they’ve constructed for themselves to see the bigger picture for the betterment of the nation.”

He paid tribute to former Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt, saying that he “obviously has dedicated himself to the Liberal Party over a long period of time”.

“He has tried in his ministry to get the Voice design process adopted by the cabinet, which failed. He was disbarred from allowing them to consider the constitutional question. Ken wouldn’t have taken this decision lightly.”

4.19pm on Apr 6, 2023

‘He must be heartbroken’: Turnbulls throw support behind Wyatt

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy say they are sending “big hugs” to Ken Wyatt following his resignation from the Liberal Party over its opposition to the Voice to parliament.

Wyatt, who is the Coalition’s former Indigenous affairs minister, today quit the Liberal Party to protest its contentious call to oppose the government’s Voice to parliament referendum.

Lucy Turnbull said on Twitter this afternoon that Wyatt’s choice to quit the party “would not have been an easy decision”.

“He must be heartbroken. Big hugs,” she said.

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Malcolm Turnbull, who was Liberal leader between 2015 and 2018, said he was sending “a big hug for Ken from me too”.

“He is a wise, history-making leader and now with a referendum to win. We will be voting YES with millions of Australians.”

4.10pm on Apr 6, 2023

Liberal Party confirms Wyatt’s exit over Voice opposition

By Paul Sakkal

The West Australian division of the Liberal Party has confirmed the Coalition’s former indigenous affairs minister, Ken Wyatt, has quit.

The party said it received notice from the former MP of his resignation today.

The West Australian first reported earlier this afternoon that Wyatt had quit the Liberal Party to protest its contentious call to oppose the government’s Voice to parliament referendum.

“I still believe in the Liberal Party values but I don’t believe in what the Liberals have become,” Wyatt told the newspaper.

3.39pm on Apr 6, 2023

Wyatt felt Dutton’s Voice stance was ‘disappointing, out-of-touch’

Reports that former Coalition Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt has today quit the Liberal Party over its opposition to the Voice follow his remarks yesterday that the party’s position was disappointing, and would add to perceptions that members were out-of-touch with voters.

Wyatt, who was the first Aboriginal person to hold the Indigenous Australians portfolio, handed in his resignation after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s decision to hold his party to a stance rejecting the Voice to parliament referendum, according to a report in The West Australian.

Former Coalition Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.Alex Ellinghausen

It comes after Wyatt told ABC’s Radio National yesterday that Dutton’s stance was “disappointing”.

“We have, for a very long period in Australia’s history, not sat at the tables of the decision-makers, and I’m talking from a community level through to regional and certainly nationally, we’ve had a number of bodies that when they’ve sat at the table and delivered a message that governments haven’t liked, they’ve been abolished.

“That’s why there is this strong push to have it enshrined in the constitution so that you don’t have a chief-of-staff, or a minister or a gov abolish a committee or an advisory group because they don’t like the truth of the circumstance in which Indigenous Australians live.”

Wyatt believed the party’s stance would hurt the Liberals, particularly with younger voters.

“Even at an event I was at yesterday, I had younger Australians saying to me, ‘What’s wrong with your party?’ … There is a view now that we are out of touch, that we’re not engaging with Menzies’ battlers, that we’re not connecting and listening to the messages that are part of Australian society’s discussions.

“Parties can no longer ignore the will of the people because social media has a profound impact in informing people of the fairness they want within Australian society, and parties that are out of touch will pay the consequence in the future.”

Asked whether the stance would hurt the party at voting booths, Wyatt said there would be voters who would be angry with the Coalition for its position on the Voice – including friends and family of Indigenous people “who find it abhorrent to see the plight of Indigenous peoples and communities across our nation, which is a first world country”.

As it happened: Ken Wyatt quits Liberal Party after Voice opposition; RBA says rate rise pause due to balancing inflation with unemployment

Key Posts

That’s a wrap: Today’s headlines at a glance

Home buyers start dipping into savings for daily expenses

Two new cases of Murray Valley encephalitis in NSW

‘We’re all here with you’: Linda Burney’s message for Pat Dodson

Paul Fletcher says he will ‘make the case’ for Liberals’ No campaign

Italy’s ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi diagnosed with leukaemia

Pat Dodson takes leave from parliament to undergo medical treatment

‘He must be heartbroken’: Turnbulls throw support behind Wyatt

Liberal Party confirms Wyatt’s exit over Voice opposition

Wyatt felt Dutton’s Voice stance was ‘disappointing, out-of-touch’

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