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Malcolm Turnbull shrugs off domestic turmoil amid Israel talks

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have reaffirmed their relationship after 'productive' talks in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have reaffirmed their relationship after 'productive' talks in Jerusalem. Photo: AAP

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he’s “never had more fun” despite the troubles facing his government, including the continuing fallout from losing two cabinet ministers.

Speaking from Israel, where the Prime Minister is meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Turnbull said it was “business as usual” for his government.

Mr Turnbull had a tumultuous past week, with the High Court disqualifying Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and cabinet minister Fiona Nash over their dual citizenship and ructions over Employment Minister Michaelia Cash misleading parliament over raids on two Australian Workers Union offices.

“I know stories of turmoil are more likely to attract a click than good government, but the reality is government goes on, it’s business as usual,” he told reporters in Jerusalem.

When asked if he had thought of just walking away from it all, Mr Turnbull smiled and replied: “I have never had more fun in my life”.

Mr Turnbull insists his government has achieved much in the past 18 months and isn’t being crippled by recent issues.

He says within hours of the High Court announcement last Friday, Senator Matt Canavan had been reinstated to the cabinet, the disqualified ministers’ portfolios had been reassigned, and a by-election was called for Mr Joyce’s seat.

As a result, parliament has been reduced to 149 seats and the government to 75 MPs, including the Speaker.

A by-election in his seat will be held on December 2, but parliament still has two sitting weeks this year.

Labor is planning to make the most of the disqualification of Mr Joyce and Ms Nash, including questioning the validity in court of several ministerial decisions they made.

Labor has legal advice that ministerial decisions by Mr Joyce made from October 20, 2016, could be open to challenge.

The advice is based on section 64 of the constitution which provides “no minister … shall hold office for a longer period than three months unless he is or becomes a senator or a member of the House of Representatives”. 

‘Profound’ Israeli relationship

Malcolm Turnbull Israel

Malcolm Turnbull shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AAP

Mr Turnbull, meanwhile talked up Australia’s “profound” relationship with Israel.

The Prime Minister hailed the two nations’ deep ties and shared values after meeting with Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday night.

But the leaders still don’t see eye-to-eye on Iran despite lengthy discussion, with Mr Turnbull reiterating Australia’s view to stick with the nuclear agreement which the Israelis want to end.

The pair embraced warmly during a ceremonial welcome alongside their spouses, before holding one-on-one and bilateral meetings.

Mr Turnbull said collaboration between Australia and Israel had deepened over the century and was now at its height.

But their shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law were being tested by “militant Islamist terrorism” – both in the Middle East and closer to home in the Philippines.

“It is a threat to Israel, it is a threat to Australia, it is a threat to all who value and cherish freedom,” he said.

Officials signed a memorandum of understanding to allow for more co-operation between the two nations’ defence industries, including potential export opportunities.

The leaders also pledged greater co-operation on cyber-security issues.

“We have a vital interest in working more closely and intensely together to keep our people safe from terrorism and from the use of the internet,” Mr Turnbull said.

– AAP

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