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Abbott and Turnbull at odds

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing fresh internal discontent, after reports he will not take a revised version of the contentious citizenship laws back to Cabinet.

Extensive leaks from the original Cabinet discussions last month revealed frustration from at least six senior ministers about the plans to bolster the power of the immigration minister to revoke citizenship.

One of the most inflammatory aspects was the power to strip citizenship from sole nationals if they were eligible to apply for citizenship in another country.

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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed changes had been made to the proposed laws following advice from the solicitor-general that taking away citizenship without a conviction could be open to a High Court challenge.

The ABC understands Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has raised further concerns directly with the Prime Minister, and that the pair met for formal discussions this morning.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the legislation did not need to go back to Cabinet.

He said the smaller National Security Committee within Cabinet was the appropriate forum.

“The Cabinet, as a matter of course, delegates to the National Security Committee of Cabinet and so clearly this is now a matter for the National Security Committee to deal with before the matter, no doubt, will be considered by the party room again,” he told reporters in Canberra.

The National Security Committee is made up of the prime minister, deputy prime minister, attorney-general, treasurer and the ministers for foreign affairs, defence and immigration.

Senator Cormann is not a permanent member of the committee but attends meetings when required.

“These changes have followed proper process and of course they were strongly supported, both by the Cabinet and the party room,” he said.

– ABC

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