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Coalition's energy policy is here, now for the sell – politics live Coalition's energy policy is here, now for the sell – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.40am BST
00:40
“Optimism” is one of the words a couple of Coalition sources have used in relation to the party room briefing.
Then there is also this
Abbott In Emissions Reduction Non-shock Shock #auspol https://t.co/HzhQvol85m
12.21am BST
00:21
Things appear to be going well in the Coalition party room....
Energy Minister @JoshFrydenberg has been applauded by party room as he explained the Govt energy plan @SkyNewsAust
12.13am BST12.13am BST
00:1300:13
Party room meetings are occurring as we speak. The Coalition will be selling its energy policy to its backbench. Craig Kelly has indicated he supports the policy, at least broadly, which is part of the battle won. But let’s see what happens beyond those instant reactions.Party room meetings are occurring as we speak. The Coalition will be selling its energy policy to its backbench. Craig Kelly has indicated he supports the policy, at least broadly, which is part of the battle won. But let’s see what happens beyond those instant reactions.
Labor is formulating its response, but so far has been pretty clear in rejecting the government’s plan. The theme which appears to be emerging is from Mark Butler’s press conference this morning:Labor is formulating its response, but so far has been pretty clear in rejecting the government’s plan. The theme which appears to be emerging is from Mark Butler’s press conference this morning:
What the announcements that are set for this morning do make very clear is that Malcolm Turnbull’s capitulation to Tony Abbott’s radical right wing agenda for Australia is now utterly complete.”What the announcements that are set for this morning do make very clear is that Malcolm Turnbull’s capitulation to Tony Abbott’s radical right wing agenda for Australia is now utterly complete.”
The Greens are also meeting this morning and have drawn a a conclusion along the same lines.The Greens are also meeting this morning and have drawn a a conclusion along the same lines.
One Nation will hold a press conference a little later, with Malcolm Roberts and Pauline Hanson, but Hanson has already claimed credit for the policy.One Nation will hold a press conference a little later, with Malcolm Roberts and Pauline Hanson, but Hanson has already claimed credit for the policy.
Who else is excited for question time?!Who else is excited for question time?!
12.01am BST12.01am BST
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Speaking of neutron stars colliding, the issue of Tony Abbott is not going away any time soon.Speaking of neutron stars colliding, the issue of Tony Abbott is not going away any time soon.
Paul Karp tells us deputy Liberal leader, Julie Bishop, was also asked on Radio National about why Tony Abbott has left open the option of being drafted back to the leadership. Paul Karp tells us the deputy Liberal leader, Julie Bishop, was also asked on Radio National about why Tony Abbott has left open the option of being drafted back to the leadership.
Bishop replied:Bishop replied:
Not one person has raised that possibility with me, not one of my colleagues has raised that as an option or something they are considering ... Not one person has raised with me any suggestion that there would be a change of leader, there is support forMalcolm Turnbull.” Not one person has raised that possibility with me, not one of my colleagues has raised that as an option or something they are considering ... Not one person has raised with me any suggestion that there would be a change of leader, there is support forMalcolm Turnbull.
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12.00am BST12.00am BST
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The Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, was coincidentally at a function at Old Parliament House this morning, to discuss the neutron stars collision. I think it is safe to say he was a little surprised at the media attention he received today. The chief scientist, Alan Finkel, was coincidentally at a function at Old Parliament House this morning, to discuss the neutron stars collision. I think it is safe to say he was a little surprised at the media attention he received today.
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11.42pm BST11.42pm BST
23:4223:42
If this energy policy is called the National Energy Guarantee, or the NEG, it might be timely to remind you of this, from the prime minister, just yesterday. Doesn’t that feel like a lifetime ago. If this energy policy is called the national energy guarantee, or the NEG, it might be timely to remind you of this, from the prime minister, just yesterday. Doesn’t that feel like a lifetime ago.
That’s the task of government. To get beyond the slogans, and the three-letter acronyms that honourable members opposite don’t understand and to get a policy that works and have the one that works best. That is our commitment. Engineering and economics, not three-letter acronyms and terms that honourable members opposite and laugh about but do not understand.” That’s the task of government. To get beyond the slogans, and the three-letter acronyms that honourable members opposite don’t understand, and to get a policy that works and have the one that works best. That is our commitment. Engineering and economics, not three-letter acronyms and terms that honourable members opposite and laugh about but do not understand.
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at 12.48am BST
11.29pm BST11.29pm BST
23:2923:29
But Labor is not happy with what they are hearing. Opposition energy spokesman, Mark Butler, who was forced to walk back from his Sunday comments (essentially that dumping the CET was a deal breaker for Labor) yesterday, today says the government has turned its back on the recommendations of the chief scientist But Labor is not happy with what it is hearing. The opposition energy spokesman, Mark Butler, who was forced to walk back from his Sunday comments (essentially that dumping the CET was a deal breaker for Labor) yesterday, says today the government has turned its back on the recommendations of the chief scientist.
“We will wait and see what the detail is. All we have had leaked out to newspapers this morning is a clear suggestion that the Government will restrict the growth of renewable energy to as little as 28% and maybe as much as something in the mid-30% range over three decades. There is no way Australia is going to be able to discharge its commitments to the medium term to 2030 around emissions reduction but also to get to a position of net zero emissions by the middle of the century. It will destroy investment in renewable energy and destroy the thousands of jobs that industry currently employs,” he said. “We will wait and see what the detail is. All we have had leaked out to newspapers this morning is a clear suggestion that the government will restrict the growth of renewable energy to as little as 28% and maybe as much as something in the mid-30% range over three decades. There is no way Australia is going to be able to discharge its commitments to the medium term to 2030 around emissions reduction but also to get to a position of net zero emissions by the middle of the century. It will destroy investment in renewable energy and destroy the thousands of jobs that industry currently employs.
“...Labor’s position is clear. Australia should have at least 50% of its electricity delivered by renewable energy by 2030. We have said there are a range of mechanisms that can deliver that outcome. Initially we were in support of an emissions intensity scheme, as was the Government until September last year. It was a position supported by all of the electricity agencies but vetoed by Tony Abbott in December last year. We have said a 50% renewable energy position can be delivered by a Clean Energy Target, a consensus position up until last night when Malcolm Turnbull turned his back on his own chief scientist in favour of Tony Abbott’s veto.” ... Labor’s position is clear. Australia should have at least 50% of its electricity delivered by renewable energy by 2030. We have said there are a range of mechanisms that can deliver that outcome. Initially we were in support of an emissions intensity scheme, as was the government until September last year. It was a position supported by all of the electricity agencies but vetoed by Tony Abbott in December last year. We have said a 50% renewable energy position can be delivered by a clean energy target, a consensus position up until last night when Malcolm Turnbull turned his back on his own chief scientist in favour of Tony Abbott’s veto.
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11.23pm BST11.23pm BST
23:2323:23
The government has managed to please some with its energy policy.The government has managed to please some with its energy policy.
Good to see the Gov plans to scrap RET & CET like One Nation has been suggesting. About time they joined us in the 21st century. -PH #auspolGood to see the Gov plans to scrap RET & CET like One Nation has been suggesting. About time they joined us in the 21st century. -PH #auspol
11.22pm BST11.22pm BST
23:2223:22
Don’t forget the Essential poll came out today.Don’t forget the Essential poll came out today.
Katharine Murphy has written a comprehensive report on the latest findings, but just on the former prime minister:Katharine Murphy has written a comprehensive report on the latest findings, but just on the former prime minister:
With Tony Abbott spending the past several months front running the government’s energy debate, and leading the opposition to the Finkel recommendation, 42% think the former prime minister should resign from parliament (down 1% from April), while 30% think he should stay in parliament in some capacity (down 2%).With Tony Abbott spending the past several months front running the government’s energy debate, and leading the opposition to the Finkel recommendation, 42% think the former prime minister should resign from parliament (down 1% from April), while 30% think he should stay in parliament in some capacity (down 2%).
Liberal/National voters were more likely to think Tony Abbott should stay in parliament (38%) than Labor voters (27%) and Greens voters (17%).Liberal/National voters were more likely to think Tony Abbott should stay in parliament (38%) than Labor voters (27%) and Greens voters (17%).
Labor is still in front in the new poll, leading the Coalition on the two-party preferred measure 52% to 48%, but that is an improvement on the government’s fortunes from a week ago, where Labor led 54% to 46%.Labor is still in front in the new poll, leading the Coalition on the two-party preferred measure 52% to 48%, but that is an improvement on the government’s fortunes from a week ago, where Labor led 54% to 46%.
11.15pm BST11.15pm BST
23:1523:15
James Shipton has been announced as the new chief of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission by Kelly O’Dwyer. James Shipton has been announced as the new chief of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) by Kelly O’Dwyer.
From O’Dwyer’s statement:From O’Dwyer’s statement:
“He is currently the Executive Director of the Program on International Financial Systems at Harvard Law School. From 2013 to 2016 he was the Executive Director, Intermediaries Supervision and Licensing Division at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Prior to that he had extensive experience in various roles in investment banking in Asia and Europe and commenced his professional career as a solicitor in Australia. He is currently the executive director of the program on international financial systems at Harvard law school. From 2013 to 2016 he was the executive director, intermediaries supervision and licensing division at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Prior to that he had extensive experience in various roles in investment banking in Asia and Europe and commenced his professional career as a solicitor in Australia.
I look forward to Mr Shipton making a significant contribution to the important work of ASIC in promoting confidence in Australia’s financial system and protecting consumer interests as the incoming Chair.I look forward to Mr Shipton making a significant contribution to the important work of ASIC in promoting confidence in Australia’s financial system and protecting consumer interests as the incoming Chair.
I would also like to express my appreciation to Mr Greg Medcraft for his commitment over the past years to ASIC both as the Chair and as a member. I would also like to express my appreciation to Mr Greg Medcraft for his commitment over the past years to ASIC both as the chair and as a member.
Mr Medcraft has overseen significant changes in ASIC’s role during his tenure, including reforms to improve the quality of financial advice and financial literacy, and the establishment of a national business names register.Mr Medcraft has overseen significant changes in ASIC’s role during his tenure, including reforms to improve the quality of financial advice and financial literacy, and the establishment of a national business names register.
Mr Peter Kell, the current Deputy Chair, will be the Acting Chair from the time Mr Medcraft’s term ends on 12 November 2017 to when Mr Shipton commences in February. Mr Peter Kell, the current deputy chair, will be the acting chair from the time Mr Medcraft’s term ends on 12 November 2017 to when Mr Shipton commences in February.
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11.10pm BST11.10pm BST
23:1023:10
Barnaby Joyce is due to hand down an update on the Northern Australia white paper (remember that? It was to turn the north into an “economic powerhouse”?) and Labor’s Jason Clare has had some thoughts:Barnaby Joyce is due to hand down an update on the Northern Australia white paper (remember that? It was to turn the north into an “economic powerhouse”?) and Labor’s Jason Clare has had some thoughts:
Two-and-a-half years ago they announced the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. Two-and-a-half years on bugger all has happened. No money has been allocated to infrastructure projects and no jobs have been created. It’s just a great example of a government which talks a big game and doesn’t deliver. Today when Barnaby Joyce comes into the Parliament to give an update to the Australian people on their northern Australia plans he needs to explain what the hold-up is.Two-and-a-half years ago they announced the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. Two-and-a-half years on bugger all has happened. No money has been allocated to infrastructure projects and no jobs have been created. It’s just a great example of a government which talks a big game and doesn’t deliver. Today when Barnaby Joyce comes into the Parliament to give an update to the Australian people on their northern Australia plans he needs to explain what the hold-up is.
Joyce took over the portfolio when Matt Canavan stepped down from the ministry during the citizenship kerfuffle.Joyce took over the portfolio when Matt Canavan stepped down from the ministry during the citizenship kerfuffle.
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at 12.14am BSTat 12.14am BST
11.06pm BST11.06pm BST
23:0623:06
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, was not mincing words in his response.The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, was not mincing words in his response.
This represents the complete capitulation of Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership. This is a man who said he wasn’t going to lead a party [that wasn’t] as committed to climate change as he was and he is now leading the most pro-coal, anti-renewable government in the nation’s history. This is a complete failure of leadership. Malcolm Turnbull has shown himself to be a hollow and cowardly prime minister. When he had an opportunity to stand up and lead, and take a stand against those dinosaurs inside his own backbench, instead he has gone to water and he is now going against where the rest of the world is going on this. This is a disgraceful capitulation from a weak and hollow prime minister.This represents the complete capitulation of Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership. This is a man who said he wasn’t going to lead a party [that wasn’t] as committed to climate change as he was and he is now leading the most pro-coal, anti-renewable government in the nation’s history. This is a complete failure of leadership. Malcolm Turnbull has shown himself to be a hollow and cowardly prime minister. When he had an opportunity to stand up and lead, and take a stand against those dinosaurs inside his own backbench, instead he has gone to water and he is now going against where the rest of the world is going on this. This is a disgraceful capitulation from a weak and hollow prime minister.
Di Natale said “Malcolm Turnbull is prime minister in name only” and was being held hostage by the right wing of his party.Di Natale said “Malcolm Turnbull is prime minister in name only” and was being held hostage by the right wing of his party.
Malcolm Turnbull has done what Donald Trump has done, he just hasn’t done it as extravagantly. He has effectively pulled out of the Paris agreement. We can’t achieve those Paris reduction targets based on this plan.Malcolm Turnbull has done what Donald Trump has done, he just hasn’t done it as extravagantly. He has effectively pulled out of the Paris agreement. We can’t achieve those Paris reduction targets based on this plan.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.13am BSTat 12.13am BST