Australia politics live: James Paterson says One Nation needs โincreased scrutinyโ; minimum wage rate set today
Shadow minister says the Coalition must treat minor party as an opponent, not an enemy. Follow todayโs news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast James Paterson, the shadow defence minister, says that One Nationโs โincreased prominenceโ should bring โincreased scrutinyโ, brushing off suggestions from new party president Tony Abbott that the Liberals should not fight with parties to their political right. Paterson told the ABC on Monday night: One Nation are not our enemy but they are a political opponent, they are trying to take votes and seats off the Liberal Party. Their increased prominence in the polls, brings increased legitimate scrutiny on their performance, on their policies, on their candidates, on their conduct. Itโs up to the parliamentary party to chart our own course, and Iโm very clear about our role in this. Itโs not really his role as party president, itโs an organisational role, his role is to rally the troops, to raise money, to get the campaign organisations fighting fit, Iโm very pleased heโs put his hand up for that role, heโll be outstanding in it. Continue reading...