Hockey denies Coalition rift over funerals.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3140778.htm?section=justin


Hockey denies Coalition rift over funerals

Updated 2 hours 10 minutes ago
Eight victims of the Christmas Island shipwreck were buried in Sydney yesterday.


Senior Liberal Joe Hockey denies there are divisions within the Coalition over Christmas Island shipwreck survivors being flown to Sydney for funerals of family members.

Mr Hockey yesterday supported the Federal Government's decision to fly 22 relatives detained on Christmas Island to the funerals, contradicting the stance of his leader Tony Abbott and the Opposition's immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison today conceded his complaints about the cost to the Government of flying asylum seekers to Sydney were "inappropriate and insensitive".

His comments not only drew Government attacks but sparked a backlash from moderates within the Liberal Party, but Mr Hockey insists the Coalition is united.

"As for so-called ructions [within the party], I've spoken to Scott Morrison today, Tony Abbott today, my mum today... I think there are bigger policy issues at the moment for Australia to face," he told the Queensland Media Club.

Mr Morrison had questioned the costs involved, saying the victims of December's shipwreck should have been buried on Christmas Island instead.

Mr Abbott had said it was curious that taxpayers were footing the bill for transporting relatives to Sydney.

This morning on Macquarie Radio Mr Morrison said the timing of his comments was wrong, not the argument.

"Timing in terms of comments, I think, is very important. The timing of my comments over the last 24 hours was insensitive and was inappropriate," he said.

Mr Hockey, who had taken a more compassionate stance, gave Mr Morrison credit for his admission and moved to mend perceptions of a rift.

"I like the measure of a person that's prepared to be honest like that and come forward and say that sort of thing," he said.

"There's no ideological battle in the Coalition. We are a party that has diverse views, and long may it continue."

Mr Abbott also denies the Coalition is divided on the issue.

"We are totally united in wanting effective border protection," he said.

One Nation

Mr Hockey also refuted claims that One Nation was driving Coalition policy and had lobbied MPs on issues like foreign aid to Indonesia.

Mr Hockey said he personally had "zero" engagement with the anti-immigration party.

"If I've received emails, I don't read them," he said. "I didn't even think One Nation was registered.

"The underlying assumption is that somehow we are voices for other masters.

"I am my own man. I am of the Liberal Party. I do not report to anyone other than the Australian people. I am not accountable to anyone other than my electorate and the Australian people.

"If anyone thinks that myself or Tony Abbott or Scott Morrison or anyone else is beholden to a single-interest party, such as One Nation, they are dead wrong."

This morning on ABC Radio, One Nation's NSW president Richard Putral was seeking to distance himself from Mr Morrison's initial comments.

"That is not my viewpoint, and as the president of the One Nation Party in New South Wales, it is definitely not my stance," he said. Tweet