Liberal MP Craig Laundy’s call for the Abbott government to take more refugees from Syria has upset conservatives in his party

When Craig Laundy spoke at a reception to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act in June, he began by warmly acknowledging the gathered dignitaries. All except one. Finally, with a sharp sense of timing, he turned to Gillian Triggs, president of the Australian Human Rights Commission. “Don’t worry Gillian,” he said. “I’m saving you for last.”

Whispers and nervous titters rippled through the audience at the ornate Royal Automobile Club in Sydney. Triggs had just survived public attacks from Tony Abbott and other Coalition ministers over her report on the plight of child asylum seekers in detention. It had been one of the most brutal government character assassinations of a senior statutory official Australia has seen. Was Laundy about to nettle her even more…?

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