The Age reports "Family First senator Steve Fielding will meet Prime Minister John Howard this morning to discuss controversial changes to Australia's immigration laws.
Senator Fielding's office confirmed the meeting would take place at 1000 AEST and only the two men would attend.
AAP understands Mr Howard, who is under pressure from at least four rebel backbenchers who have threatened to cross the floor over the laws, requested the meeting two weeks ago before parliament resumed.
The dissident backbenchers do not have the numbers in the lower house to prevent the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill from passing.
But the laws could be thrown out in the Senate if Liberal senator Judith Troeth, who opposes the new policy, crosses the floor and takes at least one coalition colleague with her - or Senator Fielding.
But the sole Family First representative in parliament says he is yet to make up his mind."
Senator Fielding traded off the conditions and services of Australian students and their families under the VSU legislation on the basis of a simple-minded opposition to anything with the word 'union' in it. Don't be surprised if he does it again! In which case the benefit of the doubt should no longer apply and he should be seen as just another ideologue masquerading as a 'conviction' politician.
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