Mathias Cormann survives potential benching over ‘sports rorts’ scandal after One Nation pulls its support of motion to strip him of Senate role

One Nation dropped its support of a motion that would have seen Finance Minister Mathias Cormann stripped of his role representing the Prime Minister in the Senate. Senator Cormann was under pressure after a motion was tabled today by Labor the Greens and Crossbenchers to release the confidential report into the "sports rorts" scandal or give up his role in the Senate. The motion was eventually voted down, with One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson confirming her party withdrew support given yesterday. “I did sign that, though it did disturb me,” she said. “After further advice from Rebekha Sharkie... and a phone call by Stirling Griff... that it sets a precedent in this chamber. “We have no right to strip Senator Cormann of the role elected by the public.” Senator Cormann said the document regarded cabinet deliberations and was “confidential”. “I continue to claim public interest immunity on behalf of my government,” he said “In the 119-year history of the senate, those proposed sanctions are completely unprecedented. “Part two of the motion is asking the senate to exceed its powers.” The motion released yesterday stated “the senate does not accept the public interest immunity claim”. Senator Cormann called the motion a “political stunt” amid uproar in the Senate chamber. Senator Wong said the fact the motion was unprecedented because “they are necessary, because of the unprecedented behaviour of this government”. “The fact Senators across this chamber are calling for this unprecedented action is necessary, perhaps that should be pause for reflection,” she said. Senator Wong said the cabinet confidentiality was allowing the “rorting” of sports funding without accountability. “Unchecked power never ends well,” she said. “This is about refuting the report of the independent authority (the auditor general). “The independent authority who found the funding was distributed unfairly.” Senator Rex Patrick, who has been making no secret of the fact he will make life for the Government “very hard” if they move full cycle docking to Western Australia, spoke out against Senator Cormann. “The sanctions being talked about by Senator Cormann, talking about their illegality... let me dispel any doubt. “The government have been pulling down the steel shades on accountability,” he said. “There should be no fear in the government releasing a report that exonerates the Government.” The decision on FCD has not yet been made, and delayed by Government focussing on bushfires and the outbreak of the coronavirus.