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Coalition party room approves energy policy – politics live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
1.59am BST | |
01:59 | |
So now we wait to see the outcome of the Coalition signing off on the new energy policy. There have been some questions over whether or not it needs to be legislated. The short answer is, it doesn’t seem so, but we don’t have all the detail. If it is just a regulation change, they won’t need to put it through the parliament. But we’ll know more very soon. | |
1.44am BST | |
01:44 | |
So the Neg is alive. (Every time I hear that term I just think of negging and wonder if anyone ever googles these things before they name them and then I remember, no, they don’t.) | |
And James McGrath has left the Coalition party room early to appear on Sky with Laura Jayes, to say he can’t talk about party room. | |
Updated | |
at 1.46am BST | |
1.35am BST | |
01:35 | |
The Coalition party room has approved the energy policy | |
Press conference to come | |
1.32am BST | |
01:32 | |
Paul Karp | |
Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts have held a press conference to claim credit for what they call a back-down in government policy. | |
“It’s RIP for the RET,” Roberts said, before mixing metaphors and warning renewable targets may be put “on steroids before being given the kiss of death”. | |
Roberts is worried that the $115 saving the government is claiming will occur may come after a further increase in prices. Roberts brandished a graph of energy prices increasing relative to inflation, labelled “Di Natale Hockey Stick”. | |
When asked if One Nation caused the government to move on renewables and drop the clean energy target, Hanson replied: “I do take credit for that, we’ve been very vocal on this from the very beginning.”Roberts attacked proposals for demand management, which he summarised as “where the producer of the product pays people not to take it’s product - this is nuts”. “We’re seeing an energy market that is really an energy racket, the energy market is completely destroyed.” | |
Roberts said the government’s new policy was “an atrocious policy dressed up with lies around it”. When it was pointed out that One Nation was claiming credit for it, Roberts clarified “I took credit for the language” - perhaps a reference to his earlier claim that “coal” is no longer a dirty word. | |
When asked for their solution - Roberts says abolish all subsidies for renewables including the RET and to let the states take responsibility for their own energy needs, breaking apart the east coast electricity. | |
“It will generate investment in the cheapest forms of energy, which is hydro and coal,” he said, before adding nuclear would also provide synchronous energy and One Nation was “open to considering it”. | |
1.19am BST | 1.19am BST |
01:19 | 01:19 |
In between the party room meetings, One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has been spreading his gems of wisdom about the Coalition’s energy policy among the Canberra press gallery. | In between the party room meetings, One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has been spreading his gems of wisdom about the Coalition’s energy policy among the Canberra press gallery. |
Despite his leader claiming the credit; | Despite his leader claiming the credit; |
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 #auspol | 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 #auspol |
Roberts is not a fan. | Roberts is not a fan. |
Now they are not telling everyone that they are actually putting the RET on steroids before they give it the kiss of death. So we are going to have an increase in power prices even more dramatic than we were expecting and then they are going to kill it off. So the government tells us they are going to cut power prices by $115 a year. What they are not telling us is how much power prices will increase until that occurs. So we will see $115 less than what it will be. But what it will be is frightening.” | Now they are not telling everyone that they are actually putting the RET on steroids before they give it the kiss of death. So we are going to have an increase in power prices even more dramatic than we were expecting and then they are going to kill it off. So the government tells us they are going to cut power prices by $115 a year. What they are not telling us is how much power prices will increase until that occurs. So we will see $115 less than what it will be. But what it will be is frightening.” |
It must have looked good when he practiced it in the mirror, so Roberts then presents a letter from Malcolm Turnbull, which was written after he sent him “a copy of the Moran report, which was a critique of the Finkel report.” You may have missed the Moran report, but don’t worry, it was published on this climate sceptics blog. | It must have looked good when he practiced it in the mirror, so Roberts then presents a letter from Malcolm Turnbull, which was written after he sent him “a copy of the Moran report, which was a critique of the Finkel report.” You may have missed the Moran report, but don’t worry, it was published on this climate sceptics blog. |
The Finkel report is a highly destructive blueprint for this country and the Moran report tears it to shreds, absolutely destroys it. The Finkel report is based on lies. And the Turnbull government is now continuing to tells lies about climate and it raises more questions, how the hell are they are going to comply with the Paris Accord without renewables, so what are they going to do? They need to come clean, we have got three words into the vocabulary of this country. We have affordability into the energy debate, due to our work, reliability into the energy debate due to our work, we have security into the energy debate, due to our work and we’re going to introduce a fourth word–truth. Because I have been pursuing the CSIRO for the last 12 months and they have not got what they claim they had. And I’ll be talking more about that in the next few weeks.” | The Finkel report is a highly destructive blueprint for this country and the Moran report tears it to shreds, absolutely destroys it. The Finkel report is based on lies. And the Turnbull government is now continuing to tells lies about climate and it raises more questions, how the hell are they are going to comply with the Paris Accord without renewables, so what are they going to do? They need to come clean, we have got three words into the vocabulary of this country. We have affordability into the energy debate, due to our work, reliability into the energy debate due to our work, we have security into the energy debate, due to our work and we’re going to introduce a fourth word–truth. Because I have been pursuing the CSIRO for the last 12 months and they have not got what they claim they had. And I’ll be talking more about that in the next few weeks.” |
So there you have it. The master of empirical evidence, who apparently couldn’t work out an email address, or fully understand his citizenship history has the climate debate sorted. Obviously there is no need to continue with this today, we can all go home. | So there you have it. The master of empirical evidence, who apparently couldn’t work out an email address, or fully understand his citizenship history has the climate debate sorted. Obviously there is no need to continue with this today, we can all go home. |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.21am BST | at 1.21am BST |
1.06am BST | 1.06am BST |
01:06 | 01:06 |
The Greens have completed their party room meeting and it went as you would expect. | The Greens have completed their party room meeting and it went as you would expect. |
The party room is not a fan of the energy policy, (shocking, I know), so it will be looking to Coag and the states to tell the government to go jump and go it alone when it comes to renewables. | The party room is not a fan of the energy policy, (shocking, I know), so it will be looking to Coag and the states to tell the government to go jump and go it alone when it comes to renewables. |
They want to suspend standing orders in the Senate and call for a debate of the energy policy and hope Labor will join them. | They want to suspend standing orders in the Senate and call for a debate of the energy policy and hope Labor will join them. |
As for other issues, the Greens are standing against the government’s housing affordability plan, which would allow homebuyers to dip into their super and reminded everyone the government has until close of business tomorrow to bring its citizenship changes – the ones which include the stricter English language test etc – up for debate. | |
Updated | |
at 1.57am BST | |
12.56am BST | 12.56am BST |
00:56 | 00:56 |
The Labor party is pleased the government went with James Shipton for the head of Asic and not John O’Sullivan. | The Labor party is pleased the government went with James Shipton for the head of Asic and not John O’Sullivan. |
Chris Bowen said Shipton has their support as well. | |
I want to congratulate and welcome the appointment of James Shipton as the new chair of Asic. This is an appropriate appointment. Mr Shipton has a good mix of corporate experience and regulatory experience. His experience as a regulator in Hong Kong will come in as an asset for him in his role in the new chair of Asic. As well, he’s been a thought leader when it comes to regulation in academia in the last few years, and of course, he’ll draw on his corporate experience. This is an appropriate and good appointment which Labor welcomes. The chair of Asic is an important position. It is appropriate that it receives bipartisan support. I give that bipartisan support to Mr Shipton and wish him well in his stewardship of Asic and look forward to working with him in the future.” | |
As for O’Sullivan, Bowen read from an email (from Godwin Grech to O’Sullivan) he once sent. | |
“RE fees – what I have in mind is that once Rudd and his hacks sign off on Ford Credit – you and I can change the contract to reflect your preferred fee arrangement and push that through quickly next week. I will not be running it past Henry – that is Ken Henry, secretary of Treasury – and co. Godwin.” | |
That was at 10.02am on the 19th of March 2009. At 10.24am on the same day Mr O’Sullivan replied “Thanks Godwin, sounds sensible.” | |
Updated | |
at 1.28am BST | |
12.40am BST | 12.40am BST |
00:40 | 00:40 |
“Optimism” is one of the words a couple of Coalition sources have used in relation to the party room briefing. | “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: | Then there is also this: |
Abbott In Emissions Reduction Non-shock Shock #auspol https://t.co/HzhQvol85m | Abbott In Emissions Reduction Non-shock Shock #auspol https://t.co/HzhQvol85m |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.51am BST | at 12.51am BST |
12.21am BST | 12.21am BST |
00:21 | 00:21 |
Things appear to be going well in the Coalition party room ... | 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 | Energy Minister @JoshFrydenberg has been applauded by party room as he explained the Govt energy plan @SkyNewsAust |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.51am BST | at 12.51am BST |
12.13am BST | 12.13am BST |
00:13 | 00:13 |
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 media 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 media 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 rightwing 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 rightwing agenda for Australia is now utterly complete. |
The Greens are also meeting this morning and have drawn a conclusion along the same lines. | The Greens are also meeting this morning and have drawn a conclusion along the same lines. |
One Nation will hold a media conference a little later, with Malcolm Roberts and Pauline Hanson, but Hanson has already claimed credit for the policy. | One Nation will hold a media 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?! |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.51am BST | at 12.51am BST |
12.01am BST | 12.01am BST |
00:01 | 00:01 |
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 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. | 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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.49am BST | at 12.49am BST |
12.00am BST | 12.00am BST |
00:00 | 00:00 |
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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.49am BST | at 12.49am BST |
11.42pm BST | 11.42pm BST |
23:42 | 23:42 |
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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.48am BST | at 12.48am BST |
11.29pm BST | 11.29pm BST |
23:29 | 23:29 |
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. | 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. | “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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.48am BST | at 12.48am BST |
11.23pm BST | 11.23pm BST |
23:23 | 23:23 |
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 #auspol | 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 #auspol |
11.22pm BST | 11.22pm BST |
23:22 | 23:22 |
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 BST | 11.15pm BST |
23:15 | 23:15 |
James Shipton has been announced as the new chief of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) 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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.17am BST | at 12.17am BST |
11.10pm BST | 11.10pm BST |
23:10 | 23:10 |
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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.14am BST | at 12.14am BST |
11.06pm BST | 11.06pm BST |
23:06 | 23:06 |
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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.13am BST | at 12.13am BST |