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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/aug/20/turnbull-dutton-leadership-energy-nationals-politics-live

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Version 14 Version 15
Labor attacks Turnbull's energy policy inconsistency – politics live Labor attacks Turnbull's energy policy inconsistency – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Barry O’Sullivan just tried to have his anti-abortion motion put through the Senate - it was rejected.
But that has delayed the death notice for the company tax cut policy.
Those who know the Senate much better than I say not to expect anything until later tonight
Michael McCormack in - How to lose government policy in 10 minutes:Michael McCormack in - How to lose government policy in 10 minutes:
Deputy PM @M_McCormackMP claims Australia is ‘more than meeting’ the Paris Agreement emissions reduction target of 26%.‘It’s based on the data that is produced by those people who measure emissions.’MORE: https://t.co/PjVH6AcKVB #speers pic.twitter.com/wtBlBMmZbSDeputy PM @M_McCormackMP claims Australia is ‘more than meeting’ the Paris Agreement emissions reduction target of 26%.‘It’s based on the data that is produced by those people who measure emissions.’MORE: https://t.co/PjVH6AcKVB #speers pic.twitter.com/wtBlBMmZbS
Deputy PM @M_McCormackMP on legislating an emissions reductions target: No we’re not legislating it … We don’t need to.MORE: https://t.co/GdbCnxKRUn #speers pic.twitter.com/XzwfmXym2bDeputy PM @M_McCormackMP on legislating an emissions reductions target: No we’re not legislating it … We don’t need to.MORE: https://t.co/GdbCnxKRUn #speers pic.twitter.com/XzwfmXym2b
Someone might need to call the coroner, because we have all just witnessed a death in this interview between David Speers and Michael McCormack.Someone might need to call the coroner, because we have all just witnessed a death in this interview between David Speers and Michael McCormack.
OMG @David_Speers please stop https://t.co/vltusigxdT #auspolOMG @David_Speers please stop https://t.co/vltusigxdT #auspol
Michael McCormack says the Neg is “government policy at the time” but it doesn’t have the numbers, and maybe sometime in the future, if the government has a buffer of 10, maybe it can try again.Michael McCormack says the Neg is “government policy at the time” but it doesn’t have the numbers, and maybe sometime in the future, if the government has a buffer of 10, maybe it can try again.
Or something.Or something.
He supports the Paris Agreement. But it doesn’t matter, because the emissions reduction is not going to be legislated.He supports the Paris Agreement. But it doesn’t matter, because the emissions reduction is not going to be legislated.
It’s all hypothetical.It’s all hypothetical.
ALL OF IT.ALL OF IT.
The Australian council of social service (Acoss) has slammed the Turnbull government’s Neg backdown, saying the notion that Australians must choose between lower energy price and action on global warming is “misleading and short-sighted”.The Australian council of social service (Acoss) has slammed the Turnbull government’s Neg backdown, saying the notion that Australians must choose between lower energy price and action on global warming is “misleading and short-sighted”.
ACOSS has repeatedly called for measures to reduce energy bills for low-income Australians.ACOSS has repeatedly called for measures to reduce energy bills for low-income Australians.
But its chief executive, Cassandra Goldie, said the lowest-paid would also bear the brunt of Australia’s failure to act on climate change.But its chief executive, Cassandra Goldie, said the lowest-paid would also bear the brunt of Australia’s failure to act on climate change.
“Failure to tackle climate change will also come at a cost, especially for people on low income who are least able to cope, adapt and recover,” Goldie said.“Failure to tackle climate change will also come at a cost, especially for people on low income who are least able to cope, adapt and recover,” Goldie said.
“People on low incomes want affordable energy and to limit dangerous climate change. We can and must do both.”“People on low incomes want affordable energy and to limit dangerous climate change. We can and must do both.”
Michael McCormack is now doing his best to explain why cutting emissions doesn’t need to be legislated on Sky News.Michael McCormack is now doing his best to explain why cutting emissions doesn’t need to be legislated on Sky News.
It’s not great.It’s not great.
He can’t explain how Australia will meet the 26% cut, without the Neg.He can’t explain how Australia will meet the 26% cut, without the Neg.
“From everything I’ve read...” he says, before trying to jump to what Labor wants to do. (He’s cut off).“From everything I’ve read...” he says, before trying to jump to what Labor wants to do. (He’s cut off).
This is just giving me flashbacks to that time Sarah Palin couldn’t name any of the newspapers she read, when questioned:This is just giving me flashbacks to that time Sarah Palin couldn’t name any of the newspapers she read, when questioned:
“Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.”“Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.”
McCormack has read the papers, and the media reports and the other things which have been put in front of him and that’s how he knows.McCormack has read the papers, and the media reports and the other things which have been put in front of him and that’s how he knows.
He is now falling back on the ole ‘if you walk down the street in Wagga Wagga’, where no one is talking about emissions reductions or the Paris Agreement.He is now falling back on the ole ‘if you walk down the street in Wagga Wagga’, where no one is talking about emissions reductions or the Paris Agreement.
I am not sure who thought it was a great idea to have McCormack explain this on national TV, but they might want to think about whether or not strategy is actually their strength.I am not sure who thought it was a great idea to have McCormack explain this on national TV, but they might want to think about whether or not strategy is actually their strength.
Well then, that’s that decided:Well then, that’s that decided:
RESULTS AT 3.30pm (3,500 votes)Who should lead the Liberal Party?MALCOLM TURNBULL – 5% PETER DUTTON – 32% JULIE BISHOP – 2% TONY ABBOTT – 60% SCOTT MORRISON – 1%Vote in the 2GB poll here: https://t.co/tl8BGSgs2YRESULTS AT 3.30pm (3,500 votes)Who should lead the Liberal Party?MALCOLM TURNBULL – 5% PETER DUTTON – 32% JULIE BISHOP – 2% TONY ABBOTT – 60% SCOTT MORRISON – 1%Vote in the 2GB poll here: https://t.co/tl8BGSgs2Y
Over in the Senate (I know, we haven’t given it much thought today either) the government was going through the motions of attempting to have its company tax cuts plan passed (there is more chance of Tony Abbott admitting he believes we should stay in the Paris Agreement, than that happening). Over in the Senate (I know, we haven’t given it much thought today either) the government was going through the motions of attempting to have its company tax cuts plan passed (there is more chance of Tony Abbott admitting he believes we should stay in the Paris agreement, than that happening).
Pauline Hanson spoke on the bill, and had a few things to say in response to Brian Burston’s criticisms of her, during his speech (she is still against it): Pauline Hanson spoke on the bill, which she opposes, saying it would cost the Australian people “$224bn in revenue”.
The agreement, first off, was that One Nation were supporting the corporate tax cuts. Then, on reflection, the budget which was handed down in May showed that there was not going to be much money in the budget surplus by 2020—only about $2.2 billion. The personal tax cuts are going to cost the people of Australia $144 billion when they’re introduced, and the corporate tax cuts that One Nation actually supported—we voted with the government—of up to $50 million are going to cost around $35 billion to the economy. On reflection, if the corporate tax cuts were to be passed, they would cost the economy in total $80 billion. That would mean that the Australian people would be at a loss of $224 billion in revenue. That concerned me, and hence my phone call to both Senator Burston and Senator Georgiou on 1 June to indicate to them my concerns about this and my belief that we should actually pull out of the corporate tax cuts. She then had a few things to say in response to criticism of her by Brian Burston, whom she removed from One Nation in June when they fell out over the tax cuts.
They both agreed. Actually, I’ve still got a record of that telephone conversation—nine minutes—with Senator Burston. He had no disillusion with what I was asking and totally agreed with me. Senator Burston was taken out of the position of whip because he was not doing the job and not reporting back. I remember clearly that I was down here to ask a question and didn’t know whether I had the call and Peter Georgiou rang me on the phone and asked whether I had it and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ That’s why Senator Burston was taken out of the position of whip. And I asked him whether Peter Georgiou would be all right as whip, and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s fine by me.’
He also made reference to the fact that I sacked him as whip because he would not vote against the corporate tax cuts. That was not the case whatsoever and was never in the discussion. Peter Georgiou was actually in my office at the time. Senator Burston was taken out of the position of whip because he was not doing the job and not reporting back. I remember clearly that I was down here to ask a question and didn’t know whether I had the call and Peter Georgiou rang me on the phone and asked whether I had it and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ That’s why Senator Burston was taken out of the position of whip. And I asked him whether Peter Georgiou would be all right as whip, and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s fine by me.’
I’d just like the truth, not the conjured-up lies that are made in this place. The reasons behind Senator Burston withdrawing his support for the corporate tax cuts is that he saw the writing on the wall that he was not going to get preselected as No. 1 on the ticket in New South Wales, so he gave me grief and gave the party grief and pulled support for the corporate tax cuts, thinking that I would actually relent and that I would actually endorse him to get his support. Hence when he received a letter from me asking him to resign from the party it was because he was chasing after the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party to join their party, which they refused him, and he was seeking other parties to join. Then, finally, he was endorsed by the Palmer United Party on the Friday before he walked into this chamber and stated that he was an Independent. So, again, he couldn’t be up-front with people. But that’s the way it is.”
James Pearson, the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is clearly fed up.James Pearson, the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is clearly fed up.
He just held a press conference in Parliament House to have a spray at the Coalition, and Labor, for the policy disarray in Canberra.He just held a press conference in Parliament House to have a spray at the Coalition, and Labor, for the policy disarray in Canberra.
He said the business community wanted the NEG because it would have provided policy certainty, and it would have worked well with key recommendations in the ACCC’s report on electricity prices. He said the business community wanted the Neg because it would have provided policy certainty, and it would have worked well with key recommendations in the ACCC’s report on electricity prices.
“There’s no doubt that the National Energy Guarantee has run into stormy seas over the last week or so, but it remains as compelling a proposition with the backing of the business community today as it did last week,” he said. There’s no doubt that the national energy guarantee has run into stormy seas over the last week or so, but it remains as compelling a proposition with the backing of the business community today as it did last week. All that’s changed is that we’ve seen an outbreak of short-term political opportunism which runs the risk of scuppering vital, long-term policy.
“All that’s changed is that we’ve seen an outbreak of short-term political opportunism which runs the risk of scuppering vital, long-term policy. That’s why the business community, right across the country, has been unified in its call for all parties to back the national energy guarantee, and we repeat that call today.
“That’s why the business community, right across the country, has been unified in its call for all parties to back the National Energy Guarantee, and we repeat that call today.” He also doubled back to criticise Labor for its opposition to the government’s company tax cuts, and for state Labor government’s for playing politics on the Neg.
He also doubled back to criticise Labor for its opposition to the government’s company tax cuts, and for state Labor government’s for playing politics on the NEG.
“Politics is getting in front of good policy,” he said.
“While the focus of the moment is very much inside the Coalition, inside the government, the fact is that Labor has a case to answer as well, because it’s the Labor states and territories that are holding back support of the National Energy Guarantee.”
The ACT has also responded to the latest incarnation of the Neg (RIP the Neg)The ACT has also responded to the latest incarnation of the Neg (RIP the Neg)
ACT minister for climate change Shane Rattenbury says the federal government “has now completely capitulated on emissions and climate change, and abandoned the Paris climate change commitments” and that “consumers will continue to pay for the federal government’s policy chaos.”ACT minister for climate change Shane Rattenbury says the federal government “has now completely capitulated on emissions and climate change, and abandoned the Paris climate change commitments” and that “consumers will continue to pay for the federal government’s policy chaos.”
He feared that the government’s dumping of the Neg would be “warped into expensive subsidies for polluting, uneconomical coal – guided as Turnbull is by extreme views on coal and climate change”.He feared that the government’s dumping of the Neg would be “warped into expensive subsidies for polluting, uneconomical coal – guided as Turnbull is by extreme views on coal and climate change”.
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop has spoken to 2GB Radio - and while she’s given support to Malcolm Turnbull she has not ruled out running for leader in the event of a spill.Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop has spoken to 2GB Radio - and while she’s given support to Malcolm Turnbull she has not ruled out running for leader in the event of a spill.
She said:She said:
I certainly believe that Malcolm Turnbull will lead us to the next election, he has my support as leader and I believe he has the vast majority of the party room behind him in supporting his leadership. Some people are complaining about this energy policy but I believe the three announcements today in response to the ACCC address their concerns. He’s got a strong record of achievement – record jobs creation.I certainly believe that Malcolm Turnbull will lead us to the next election, he has my support as leader and I believe he has the vast majority of the party room behind him in supporting his leadership. Some people are complaining about this energy policy but I believe the three announcements today in response to the ACCC address their concerns. He’s got a strong record of achievement – record jobs creation.
Asked if there were a leadership ballot if she would put her own name forward, Bishop replied:Asked if there were a leadership ballot if she would put her own name forward, Bishop replied:
“I am elected deputy by the members of the party room, so I’m not appointed some leader’s deputy, I’m appointed deputy by the party room and I’m getting on with my job as the member for Curtin, the foreign minister and the elected deputy leader.“I am elected deputy by the members of the party room, so I’m not appointed some leader’s deputy, I’m appointed deputy by the party room and I’m getting on with my job as the member for Curtin, the foreign minister and the elected deputy leader.
When asked if she’d serve as deputy to Peter Dutton, Bishop reiterated support for Turnbull but didn’t rule it out.When asked if she’d serve as deputy to Peter Dutton, Bishop reiterated support for Turnbull but didn’t rule it out.
Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any worse, we just remembered the bad show*, with George Christensen, Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter, Larissa Waters and Cathy O’Toole as the panel is on next week.Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any worse, we just remembered the bad show*, with George Christensen, Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter, Larissa Waters and Cathy O’Toole as the panel is on next week.
*phew. An earlier version of this post said it was tonight, but it is actually next Monday night. Which makes more sense, as I was wondering how they were going to get back in time for it, and also gives us another week to prepare.*phew. An earlier version of this post said it was tonight, but it is actually next Monday night. Which makes more sense, as I was wondering how they were going to get back in time for it, and also gives us another week to prepare.
Just wondering if anyone has seen Malcolm Turnbull’s leather jacket around lately? It may be getting a call up as he seeks to reboot his popular credentials.Just wondering if anyone has seen Malcolm Turnbull’s leather jacket around lately? It may be getting a call up as he seeks to reboot his popular credentials.
Julie Bishop is on 2GB saying “we have seen this movie before”.Julie Bishop is on 2GB saying “we have seen this movie before”.
Which is true. Leadership challenge: It’s On, Leadership Challenge II: Ruddmentum Returns and Leadership Challenge III: Knight and Dames.Which is true. Leadership challenge: It’s On, Leadership Challenge II: Ruddmentum Returns and Leadership Challenge III: Knight and Dames.
Mike Bowers has been on special assignment today, so no Bower’s pics - here is how the AAP folk saw QT:Mike Bowers has been on special assignment today, so no Bower’s pics - here is how the AAP folk saw QT:
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is the latest Labor leader to question what is happening with the energy policy, given that the states have parts they have to enact as well.Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is the latest Labor leader to question what is happening with the energy policy, given that the states have parts they have to enact as well.
Queensland was pretty much on board with the Neg. And now?Queensland was pretty much on board with the Neg. And now?
“I have always said we need certainty and stability for families when it comes to a national framework on electricity,” Palaszczuk said, on her way into her caucus meeting.“I have always said we need certainty and stability for families when it comes to a national framework on electricity,” Palaszczuk said, on her way into her caucus meeting.
“I believe I was one of the first people that said he needed to get endorsement from his party room. That has not occurred and what we are seeing today is energy policy in free fall, absolute free fall. I couldn’t even tell you what their policy is.”“I believe I was one of the first people that said he needed to get endorsement from his party room. That has not occurred and what we are seeing today is energy policy in free fall, absolute free fall. I couldn’t even tell you what their policy is.”
A little bit more from Gary Spence - he says he has not sent “any emails to anybody” (following reports he had been urging the Queensland LNP MPs - all 21 of them - to back Peter Dutton over Malcolm Turnbull)A little bit more from Gary Spence - he says he has not sent “any emails to anybody” (following reports he had been urging the Queensland LNP MPs - all 21 of them - to back Peter Dutton over Malcolm Turnbull)
“It is not a matter for me to [make] public comments,” he said.“It is not a matter for me to [make] public comments,” he said.
That should fix it Gary!That should fix it Gary!
.@LilyDAmbrosioMP on today's events: "I'm not sure Malcolm Turnbull knows what the NEG is anymore, or if it still exists" @AmyRemeikis #auspol #NEG.@LilyDAmbrosioMP on today's events: "I'm not sure Malcolm Turnbull knows what the NEG is anymore, or if it still exists" @AmyRemeikis #auspol #NEG
Back in Queensland, LNP president Gary Spence has been questioned on what he has been saying to MPs - and whether he has been telling the Queenslanders to withdraw their support for Turnbull (he was doorstopped by Queensland journalists as he left the LNP party room meeting – Queensland parliament meets tomorrow)Back in Queensland, LNP president Gary Spence has been questioned on what he has been saying to MPs - and whether he has been telling the Queenslanders to withdraw their support for Turnbull (he was doorstopped by Queensland journalists as he left the LNP party room meeting – Queensland parliament meets tomorrow)
“You are asking me to talk about private conversations with MPs. A party president has private conversations with members of parliament all the time,” he said. “I think everything that needs to be said has been said today . I haven’t got anything further to add.”“You are asking me to talk about private conversations with MPs. A party president has private conversations with members of parliament all the time,” he said. “I think everything that needs to be said has been said today . I haven’t got anything further to add.”
As for whether Peter Dutton would make a better prime minister:As for whether Peter Dutton would make a better prime minister:
“Everybody has their own view. My view is my view. The MPs and Senators choose the leader.”“Everybody has their own view. My view is my view. The MPs and Senators choose the leader.”