Following his election as leader of the Liberal Party, Tony Abbott immediately called for a secret ballot on how to respond to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) legislation currently before the Senate. The results were clear – the party room voted, by a significant margin, either to delay or defeat the legislation. In normal circumstances, this would seem to have settled the matter – with Liberal Party Members and Senators being expected to vote in accordance with party policy.
HOWEVER …
In the lead up to the secret ballot, senior Liberal Party Senators, led by Nick Minchin, had made it clear that, irrespective of party policy, they would vote against the ETS legislation – effectively ‘crossing the floor’ as a matter of conscience. In defiance of the Liberal Party’s then declared policy – endorsed by the Shadow Cabinet after ‘good faith’ negotiations with the Goverment, the then ‘rebel’ Senators resigned their front bench positions and prepared to cast their vote against the Bill. Defenders of this approach argued, volubly, that the Liberal Party is a “party of freedom” and that such contrary votes should be applauded.
Which should lead us to wonder … if it is acceptable for Senator Minchin to cross the floor and vote AGAINST the ETS legislation, then why would it not be equally acceptable for Senators (like Judith Troeth) to cross the floor and vote FOR the ETS legislation?
Joe Hockey’s offer of a free vote was spurned by his party. His leadership candidacy was undone by tactical voting designed to block free choice amongst the Liberal Senators. It will be interesting to see whether those who claimed freedom when opposing the ETS legislation will acknowledge the right of their opponents, within the Liberal Party, to do the same.
Senator Minchin unsheathed the sword of a free vote for himself. Will he now respect the right of others to do the same?
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