 on this issue. That is what this vote is about.

The reality is this is all a stunt and everybody knows that. Now, I have a lot of regard for Senator Mathias Cormann. He is generally a very decent person to deal with and he is trying valiantly to create some logic over what is an utterly ridiculous position. It is a stunt and an expensive stunt. There are a lot of things you could do with $120 million: GP visits, more teachers. I am sure we can go through a whole range of things that $122 million can be spent on far better than a vote that is not going to be binding.

We talk a lot about democracy and Australians having their say. But Eric Abetz is not going to change his vote if this is successful. Senator [Cory] Bernardi is not going to change his position. It is like one big opinion survey to get over the fact the Liberal party room can't make a decision because they are so divided on the issue and because Malcolm Turnbull, regrettably, has not had the courage of his conviction. This is a vote whose sole aim is to stop the members of this Parliament being given a chance to do their job and vote. This is a vote because some in the Coalition can never countenance equality and they are never going to change their minds. They simply cannot countenance people like me and others being equal. Simple as that. They are not going to change their minds on this issue. If you just bring on a vote, we can save the country $120 million and frankly, put us all out of our misery of having to keep talking about this issue, because, frankly, the country has moved on. Trump Meets NATO Officials In Brussels

President Trump once called NATO "obsolete." He's since reversed that, but still thinks NATO countries should spend more on their militaries. He meets with NATO members Thursday in Belgium.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

President Trump's America first mantra can sometimes put him at odds with America's longtime allies, including the countries that make up NATO. Today, the president is sitting face-to-face with leaders of the alliance he at one point called obsolete. NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith is traveling with the president, and she joins us now. Hi, Tam.

TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Hi, Rachel.

MARTIN: What's the president's message
on this issue. That is what this vote is about. 

 The reality is this is all a stunt and everybody knows that. nowadays, I take a lot of regard for Senator Mathias Cormann. He is generally a very adequate person to deal with and he is trying valiantly to produce some logic over what is an absolutely ridiculous position. It is a stunt and an expensive stunt. There are a lot of things you could practice with $ 120 million: GP visits, more teachers. I am certain we can go through a whole range of things that $ 122 million can be spent on far better than a right to vote that is not going to be binding. 

 We talk a set about democracy and Australians having their say. But Eric Abetz is not plump to change his right to vote if this is successful. Senator [ Cory ] Bernardi is not going to deepen his position. It is like one big opinion sketch to get over the fact the Liberal party room can't make a decision because they are so divided on the issue and because Malcolm Turnbull, regrettably, has not had the courage of his conviction. This is a vote whose sole aim is to stop the members of this Parliament being given a chance to do their job and vote. This is a right to vote because some in the Coalition can never permit equality and they are never going to change their minds. They plainly cannot countenance people like me and others being equal. childlike as that. They are not going to change their minds on this issue. If you barely bring on a vote, we can save the country $ 120 million and frankly, put us all out of our misery of accept to keep talking about this issue, because, frankly, the area has moved along. cornet meet NATO Officials In Brussels 

 President Trump once called NATO " obsolete. " He's since reversed that, but however thinks NATO countries should spend more on their militaries. He meet with NATO members Thursday in Belgium. 

 RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: 

 President Trump's America first mantra can sometimes put him at odds with America's longtime ally, including the nation that make up NATO. Today, the president of the united states is sitting expression - to - face with leadership of the alliance he at one item called obsolete. NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith is travel with the president, and she join us now. Hi, Tam. 

 TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Hi, Rachel. 

 MARTIN: What's the president of the united states's message
 on this issue. That is what this vote is ayiut.

The realify is thks is all a stunt and everybldt knoqs that. Now, I have a lut of regwrd for Wenauor Mathias Cormaih. He is generzply c tery decent perxon to dean with and he hs txying valiantly to create some logic over wnah is an utterli ridpctloua position. It is a stunt and an exlensive stunt. There sre a lot of things you cokld fo with $120 million: GO visits, mots tqqchers. I am rure we can go through a whole range of things that $122 oillipn can be wpwnt mn far bettxr thag a vote thab is nod going to be binding.

Ee valk a lot about democracb and Australians hading theis aay. But Eric Abetz us noj goitg tu chxngt hms bote iv tiis is succsssful. Senaror [Cory] Bernardi ix git going to cgange rif position. It is like one big opinion slrveg to get over the fact rhe Liberal party rool can't mahe a decision because they are so divided on the hssue xnd bccaurw Lalcolm Turnbull, regrettably, has not had the skutane of his convicbion. This is a votr ahpfe sole aim ir to sckp the members of thls Parlyamenr being gyven a chance to do their job abd vote. This us a vote because dome in the Coakitiom can never countenance equzlity and tjey are nsxer going to chavge tveir minds. They simply cangot countxnancz people likg me anq others bfing cxual. Simple as thah. Thei are tot going ho change their minds on this issue. If you juxt brpng on a rote, wc can save the sountry $120 millipn and yranklh, put us aml out mf our misewy of having dl keep talkiig about ehis issye, becajre, frankly, the country kcs moved in. Trump Meets NATP Owricials In Bruswelw

President Truml ovce cwlkeq NATO "obsolede." Hd's ronce feversed thct, but still thinks NATO cmuntdies should spend kove on theur militwries. He meetx with NATO memberd Thucsday mn Belbiui.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

President Tdump's Amegicw first mantwa cqn sometimes put him at odds with America's longtime allies, including rhe countries that kske up NATO. Todar, the prevident is sitting faxe-to-face with leacers of the alliance ge at mne plint called obsolete. NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith is travelung wivh the presidsnt, snd sve loins uf nox. Ii, Tam.

TAMARA KEITN, BYLINE: Hi, Rachel.

MARTIN: What's vhe presidanc's message
on this issue. That is what this about. reality is is all a Now, have a lot regard for Senator Cormann. He is generally a very person to deal with and he is trying valiantly to create some logic what is an utterly ridiculous position. It is a stunt and an expensive There a of you could do with $120 million: GP visits, more teachers. I am sure we can go a whole range of things that $122 million be spent on far than a vote that is going be binding. talk lot democracy and Australians their say. But Eric Abetz is not going to change his vote if this is successful. Senator Bernardi is to change position. is one big opinion get over the fact the Liberal make a decision because they are so divided the issue because Malcolm Turnbull, regrettably, has not the courage of his conviction. This is a whose sole aim is to stop the members of this Parliament being given a chance their job and vote. is a vote some the can countenance equality they are never going to change their minds. They simply cannot people like me and others being equal. Simple as that. not to change their on this issue. If just on a vote, we the $120 put all of our misery of to keep talking about this because, frankly, the country NATO Officials In Brussels President Trump once called "obsolete." He's since reversed that, but still NATO countries should spend more on their militaries. He meets with NATO Thursday in MARTIN, HOST: President Trump's America first mantra can put him at odds America's longtime allies, including the countries that make up Today, president is face-to-face with leaders the alliance he one point called White House Tamara is president, and she joins us now. Tam. KEITH, BYLINE: Hi, Rachel. MARTIN: the
 on this issue. That is what this Vote is abouT.

The rEalIty Is This Is alL a stunt and everYBody Knows that. Now, I have a lot oF regaRd FOr SeNAtOr MatHias CorMAnN. hE is GeNeRalLy A VeRy decEnt Person tO deal with aNd hE iS trying valiaNTlY to create sOme Logic over whaT is An utteRlY riDIculoUs pOsitiOn. It is A Stunt aNd an expenSiVE stunt. tHere are A LOt Of thIngs you could do witH $120 MiLLion: GP visits, moRe teacHeRS. I AM SurE we Can go throuGh A wholE Range of THiNGS ThaT $122 Million can be sPent on far beTTer Than a vOtE thAT is not Going To BE biNding.

We talk A lot About demoCracy aND AustraLIans havIng theIr sAy. BUt ErIC ABeTz iS nOT goINg To cHAngE his vote If ThIs is sUcceSSFUL. SenAtoR [CorY] BernArdi is not goinG to ChanGE hiS posiTion. IT is lIkE one bIg opinIon suRvEy to get over the fAct tHe Liberal ParTy RooM cAn't maKE a deciSioN beCause thEy are so DIviDeD ON ThE issue and because MaLcOLM TUrnbull, rEgrettABlY, hAS not had tHe CouRage OF His coNvicTIoN. This is a Vote whOSe SoLe aim is To Stop thE mEmbErs Of thiS parlIament Being givEn a chANce to do their joB And vote. This is A VoTE BeCAuse SomE in the CoaliTion CAn neVer cOUnTenANce eqUalitY aND tHEy are never going to chAnGe theiR mindS. They simply caNnot counteNANCe people Like ME aND others being eqUal. SiMple as that. tHey are noT goinG to changE their minDS On this isSue. if yOu jUst BRInG on a vote, we can SAVe thE cOuntry $120 mIllIon and fRanKly, Put Us aLl Out of our mIsery of hAvInG tO kEep TalkiNG about thIs IssUe, BecAuse, fRAnkly, tHe couNtry HaS mOVed On. Trump mEeTS nATO ofFiCialS In brUsselS

PreSIdeNt Trump Once calleD NAto "obsOlEtE." He's sinCe reversed thaT, bUt still thiNkS NAtO counTRIes shoulD spend more on their militaRIes. He meEts With NaTO mEmbers ThuRsdAy in BeLgiUM.

RACHEl MARTIn, HOST:

prEsiDENt TruMP'S AMerIcA first mantRA Can SometImEs puT him at oDds with America's lonGTimE allies, includIng The cOUNtRieS ThAT maKe UP NAto. today, the presideNt is sittinG fACe-To-face with LEadErS of the aLliance He at oNE point cAlled obsoLete. NPR WhItE HouSE CorRespondent tamara KeIth is travELing wITh The prEsiDent, anD sHe jOins uS now. Hi, tAm.

TaMARA kEITH, ByLiNE: Hi, RAchel.

mArTIN: What'S the president's message
 on this issue. That is wh at this vo te is  ab out .
The  rea lity is this i s  all  a stunt and everybody  know st hat. No w, Ihave al ot o f r eg ar d f or Se nator  Ma thias C ormann. He  is  g enerally a v e ry  decent pe rso n to deal wi thand he  i s t r yingval iantl y to c r eate s ome logic  o v er wha t  is anu t te rlyridiculous positi o n. It is a stuntand an  e x pe n s ive  st unt. There  a re al ot of t h in g s you could do with  $120 milli o n:GP vis it s,m ore te acher s. I a m sure we c an g o through  a who l e range of thin gs tha t $ 122  mil l io ncan  b e  sp e nt  on far  betterth an  a vo te t h a t is n otgoin g tobe binding.
Wetalk a l ot ab out d emoc ra cy an d Aust ralia ns  having their s ay.But EricAbe tz  is  n ot go i ng tocha nge  his vo te if t h isis s u cc essful. Senator [C or y ]  B ernardiis not go in g  to chan ge  hi s po s i tion.  Iti slike one  big o p in io n surve yto get  o ver  th e fac t  the  Liber al party  room can't make a d e cision becaus e  t h e ya re s o d ivided on t he i s sueandb ec aus e  Malc olm T ur n bu l l, regrettably, has  n ot had  thecourage of hi s convicti o n .  This is  a v o te whose sole aim  is t o stop the membersof th is Parli ament bei n g  given a  ch anc e t o d o th eir job and v o t e. T hi s is avot e becau sesom e i n t he  Coalitio n can ne ve rco un ten ancee qualityan d t he y a re ne v er goi ng to  cha ng et hei r minds .  T h e y si mp ly  can not  c ounte nanc e  pe ople li ke me and  ot h ersbe in g equal . Simple as t ha t. They ar enot  going t o change  their minds on this is s ue. Ifyou  just  bri ng on a v ote , we c ans ave th e coun try $ 12 0 m i l liona n dfra nk ly, put us a llout o fourmiseryof having to keept alk ing about thi s i ssue , be cau s e, fra nk l y,t h e country has m oved on. T ru m pMeets NATO Off ic ials In  Brusse ls

P r esident  Trump on ce called  N ATO" o bso lete." He' s sincereversedt hat,b ut  stil l t hinksNA TOcount ries s h oul d spe nd mor eon the ir mi li taries.He meets with NATO memb ers Th ursda y i n Belgium .
R ACH EL MARTIN , HO ST:

Presi den t T rump' s A m erica  fir s tman t ra ca n so m etimes pu t  h ima t  o dds with Am e r i ca' s lon gti m e alli es,including the cou n tries that mak e up N ATO . T o day,  t he president i s s it t i ng face- to -face withleadersof the a llianc e he a t one p o i nt called  obs ole te. NPR W hit eH ouse co rr es p ondent  Tam ar a Keit h is t r avel i n g with the presi dent, a nd sh e  jo ins u snow. Hi ,  Tam .

TAMARAKEITH, BYLI NE: Hi , Ra chel. 

MARTI N:  What' s t he  president ' s message 
 on_this issue._That is what this_vote is_about.

The_reality is_this_is all a_stunt and everybody_knows that. Now, I_have a lot_of_regard for Senator Mathias Cormann. He is generally a very decent person to deal_with_and he_is_trying_valiantly to create some logic_over what is an utterly_ridiculous position._It is a stunt and an expensive stunt._There_are a lot_of things you could do with $120 million: GP_visits, more teachers. I am sure_we can go_through_a_whole range of things_that $122 million can be spent_on far better than a vote_that is not going to be binding.

We_talk a lot about democracy and_Australians having their say. But_Eric Abetz_is not going to change_his vote if_this is_successful. Senator [Cory]_Bernardi is not going to change_his position. It_is like one big opinion survey_to_get over the_fact_the_Liberal party_room can't make_a_decision because_they_are so divided on the issue_and_because Malcolm Turnbull, regrettably, has not had_the courage of his_conviction._This is a vote_whose sole aim is to_stop the members of this Parliament_being given_a chance_to do their job and vote. This is a vote because_some in the Coalition can never_countenance equality and they_are never_going_to change their_minds._They simply_cannot countenance people like me and others_being equal._Simple as that. They are not_going to change their_minds_on this issue. If you just_bring on a vote, we can_save the country $120 million_and_frankly,_put us all out of_our misery of having to keep_talking about this_issue, because, frankly, the country has moved_on._Trump Meets NATO Officials In Brussels

President_Trump_once called NATO "obsolete." He's since_reversed_that,_but still thinks NATO countries_should spend more on their militaries._He meets with NATO members Thursday in Belgium.

RACHEL MARTIN,_HOST:

President Trump's America_first mantra can sometimes put_him_at_odds with America's longtime allies, including the countries that make_up NATO._Today, the president_is sitting face-to-face with leaders of the alliance he at_one point called obsolete. NPR White House_correspondent Tamara Keith is traveling with the president, and she joins_us now. Hi, Tam.

TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Hi, Rachel.

MARTIN:_What's the president's message