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Malcolm Turnbull urges Coalition to revive national energy guarantee – politics live Malcolm Turnbull urges Coalition to revive national energy guarantee – politics live
(35 minutes later)
So the potential legal challenges, and the discomfort from members of the party room, has seen Josh Frydenberg confirmed a watered down version of the divesture legislation.
The backbench got everything it wanted, in short.
But the biggest star of the press conference was the sky writer who was busy constructing a giant NO just above Frydenberg and Angus Taylor as they spoke.
The Australian Greens held their partyroom meeting this morning.
During the meeting, WA Greens senator Rachel Siewert stood aside as co-deputy leader and Larissa Waters, the recently-returned-to-parliament Qld Greens senator, was unanimously re-elected as co-deputy leader.
The Greens plan to introduce a motion in the senate today saying “the Adani Carmichael coal mine should not go ahead,” to see how Labor votes on it. They say they’re sick of Labor trying to have a bet each way on the Adani mine and it’s time it formally picks a side.
Waters wants to bring on her “Stop Adani” bill for debate in the senate on Thursday afternoon, in general business time, assuming the government doesn’t modify the senate schedule.
The Greens also want to introduce a bill to the Senate tomorrow saying the Galilee coal basin should not be opened up for coal mining.
The Greens say Bill Shorten could stop the mine tomorrow by announcing that he’ll place all the environmental approvals under review. They say the Franklin River Dam campaign was won with a Labor leader from opposition saying he’d stop the project if elected, so if Shorten made a similar announcement today the whole thing would grind to a halt.
On encryption, the Greens say it doubts Labor has the spine to stand up to the government on this. It says if Labor begins trumpeting a compromise, you can be you’ll need to be extra careful about the detail.
As reported by Katharine Murphy last night, (and hinted at in her column on Saturday) the government was looking at major changes to its divesture policy after a group of dissenters starting raising objections to the very un-Liberal idea of splitting up private companies.
Angus Taylor, biggus stickus himself, and Josh Frydenberg have just called a press conference.
Labor’s caucus met this morning, and the main items of business were a series of private member’s bills being pushed by the newly emboldened crossbench.
Labor agreed to support the Greens’ bill to prevent public funds being used to indemnify new coal power plants. Labor will support Rebekha Sharkie’s live export ban bill.
It will not oppose the national integrity commission bill, and noted that it has already been referred to a Senate inquiry.
Labor will support Kerryn Phelps’ bill for medical transfers from Manus and Nauru subject to three conditions:
The minister or his/her delegate must have signoff on all medical transfers.
If a transfer is refused the minister must provide a statement of reasons to parliament.
The establishment of an independent health advice panel.
All speakers were supportive of the bill: one was pleased it extends to adults; another said the minister must retain responsibility in order for there to be proper merits review of decisions.
John Howard has a library:John Howard has a library:
Mr Howard, I want to thank you for your friendship and advice over a long period of time. I want to thank you both for your lifetime of service that continues. It is an honour to open the Howard Library. MORE: https://t.co/ikBy3bk5d1 #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/oxz9Tjc7mZMr Howard, I want to thank you for your friendship and advice over a long period of time. I want to thank you both for your lifetime of service that continues. It is an honour to open the Howard Library. MORE: https://t.co/ikBy3bk5d1 #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/oxz9Tjc7mZ
Labor will support Phelps bill for medical transfers from Nauru subject to 3 conditions - minister gets sign-off on transfers, must table reasons if they refuse and establish a health advice panel. Sounds like they want to preserve discretion to refuse transfers. #auspolLabor will support Phelps bill for medical transfers from Nauru subject to 3 conditions - minister gets sign-off on transfers, must table reasons if they refuse and establish a health advice panel. Sounds like they want to preserve discretion to refuse transfers. #auspol
And on his comments that members of the party room were prepared to blow up the government to stop the Neg, Malcolm Turnbull says he has done nothing more than lay out the facts:And on his comments that members of the party room were prepared to blow up the government to stop the Neg, Malcolm Turnbull says he has done nothing more than lay out the facts:
They’re factual. The events around the national energy guarantee everybody saw. They played out in the public gaze. So, you know, there’s no point pretending it didn’t happen. There’s no point pretending the national energy guarantee wasn’t a policy of the government that had just about universal support in industry and business, had overwhelming support of the party room, and there’s no point denying the fact that it was derailed by a determined minority who are not prepared to go along with the views of the majority.They’re factual. The events around the national energy guarantee everybody saw. They played out in the public gaze. So, you know, there’s no point pretending it didn’t happen. There’s no point pretending the national energy guarantee wasn’t a policy of the government that had just about universal support in industry and business, had overwhelming support of the party room, and there’s no point denying the fact that it was derailed by a determined minority who are not prepared to go along with the views of the majority.
This is a fundamental problem that you face in a political party where there is a premise that everybody accepts the consensus, goes along with the majority, that’s the way it’s got to work. If you have a group who are prepared to threaten to blow the show up if they don’t get what they want, then it becomes very hard to work. And the Neg was a casualty of that. And that’s ... that is a fact. I’ve stated no more than the facts.This is a fundamental problem that you face in a political party where there is a premise that everybody accepts the consensus, goes along with the majority, that’s the way it’s got to work. If you have a group who are prepared to threaten to blow the show up if they don’t get what they want, then it becomes very hard to work. And the Neg was a casualty of that. And that’s ... that is a fact. I’ve stated no more than the facts.
So does he support Bill Shorten’s battery plan, which is what Steven Marshall in SA is also planning on doing?So does he support Bill Shorten’s battery plan, which is what Steven Marshall in SA is also planning on doing?
Well, I certainly support Steven Marshall’s policies. I think he’s given ... He is just an extraordinary breath of fresh air for South Australia. And what he’s doing is making sure that South Australia, which has, as we heard in the presentations today, you know, an incredible renewable energy resource, huge wind resource, has the storage and the back-up to make sure that it’s reliable and I think, you know, with the benefit of hindsight, I think even the most devoted supporters of the Labor party in South Australia would say that it should have been done earlier but, just as I said earlier, you can’t live your life backwards, so Steven is getting on with the job and doing a great job in South Australia.Well, I certainly support Steven Marshall’s policies. I think he’s given ... He is just an extraordinary breath of fresh air for South Australia. And what he’s doing is making sure that South Australia, which has, as we heard in the presentations today, you know, an incredible renewable energy resource, huge wind resource, has the storage and the back-up to make sure that it’s reliable and I think, you know, with the benefit of hindsight, I think even the most devoted supporters of the Labor party in South Australia would say that it should have been done earlier but, just as I said earlier, you can’t live your life backwards, so Steven is getting on with the job and doing a great job in South Australia.
On the reports that Scott Morrison is planning on “taking the gloves off” when dealing with him and “threats” to expel him from the party, Turnbull says:On the reports that Scott Morrison is planning on “taking the gloves off” when dealing with him and “threats” to expel him from the party, Turnbull says:
No one has made those threats. I think that would no doubt delight you to have more conflict in the Liberal party, but Scott has my support and he’s ... I regularly give him the benefit of my advice which, of course he’s free to take or not as he sees fit.No one has made those threats. I think that would no doubt delight you to have more conflict in the Liberal party, but Scott has my support and he’s ... I regularly give him the benefit of my advice which, of course he’s free to take or not as he sees fit.
We are still on Malcolm Turnbull, because he is now holding a press conference.We are still on Malcolm Turnbull, because he is now holding a press conference.
On his intervention which ended with Craig Kelly absolutely being saved, because once it was public that he wanted it and was gainsaying Scott Morrison, then the party executive was forced to fall into line, even if not all members want to (that’s politics, folks, and I think we can all agree that was one part of being a politician Turnbull was never great at), the former prime minister says this:On his intervention which ended with Craig Kelly absolutely being saved, because once it was public that he wanted it and was gainsaying Scott Morrison, then the party executive was forced to fall into line, even if not all members want to (that’s politics, folks, and I think we can all agree that was one part of being a politician Turnbull was never great at), the former prime minister says this:
Look, I made ... the background to that was on Sunday I spoke to a number of members of the state executive. And as I’m entitled to, as anyone is entitled to, particularly as a member of the Liberal party, and I said the pre-selection process should go ahead in the electorate of Hughes and the Liberal party members of Hughes should have their say as to who their candidate should be.Look, I made ... the background to that was on Sunday I spoke to a number of members of the state executive. And as I’m entitled to, as anyone is entitled to, particularly as a member of the Liberal party, and I said the pre-selection process should go ahead in the electorate of Hughes and the Liberal party members of Hughes should have their say as to who their candidate should be.
Right? That was my view.Right? That was my view.
Now, those were private discussions. At least one of the people I spoke to, chose to share a very colourful and not entirely accurate version of that discussion with the media.Now, those were private discussions. At least one of the people I spoke to, chose to share a very colourful and not entirely accurate version of that discussion with the media.
Which then put me in the position where I either allowed that to be verballed by that, or to set out clearly, calmly, cogently, what my position was, which is what I did. So that’s, you know, my intervention – so-called –was, in fact, a series of private discussions, the reason they get into the public domain was because of the indiscretion of at least one of those people I spoke to.Which then put me in the position where I either allowed that to be verballed by that, or to set out clearly, calmly, cogently, what my position was, which is what I did. So that’s, you know, my intervention – so-called –was, in fact, a series of private discussions, the reason they get into the public domain was because of the indiscretion of at least one of those people I spoke to.
Asked if this means that threatening to cross the floor or sitting as an independent now means the party will step in and save someone from a preselection loss, Turnbull says:Asked if this means that threatening to cross the floor or sitting as an independent now means the party will step in and save someone from a preselection loss, Turnbull says:
You may very well say that but I couldn’t possibly comment. In fact, you know I have exactly commented on that in my remarks yesterday, but I don’t, I really don’t need to add to them.You may very well say that but I couldn’t possibly comment. In fact, you know I have exactly commented on that in my remarks yesterday, but I don’t, I really don’t need to add to them.
The decision has been taken by state executive and those responsible, the prime minister and those people that supported it will obviously ... they have to ... they’re accountable for their decisions, as we all are.The decision has been taken by state executive and those responsible, the prime minister and those people that supported it will obviously ... they have to ... they’re accountable for their decisions, as we all are.
Just in case you needed the reminder, yesterday, Turnbull’s comments were that this would be the “worst and weakest response” to that sort of threat.Just in case you needed the reminder, yesterday, Turnbull’s comments were that this would be the “worst and weakest response” to that sort of threat.
The Greens have elected Larissa Waters as the co-deputy of the party:The Greens have elected Larissa Waters as the co-deputy of the party:
Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale has congratulated Sen. Larissa Waters on her return to the position of Co-Deputy Leader of the Greens, a position she vacated as a result of her resignation from the Parliament over questions of eligibility under Section 44 of the constitution.Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale has congratulated Sen. Larissa Waters on her return to the position of Co-Deputy Leader of the Greens, a position she vacated as a result of her resignation from the Parliament over questions of eligibility under Section 44 of the constitution.
“It’s wonderful to see Larissa resume her role as Co-Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens. Losing Larissa was a huge blow to the party and to the Parliament, so it’s wonderful to be able to welcome her back to this leadership position and put that chapter well and truly behind us.“It’s wonderful to see Larissa resume her role as Co-Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens. Losing Larissa was a huge blow to the party and to the Parliament, so it’s wonderful to be able to welcome her back to this leadership position and put that chapter well and truly behind us.
“Larissa brings a wealth of experience to the parliamentary leadership team, as well as a long a distinguished track record as an advocate for the environment, women and transparency in Government. I’m confident that she’ll bring her unique voice to the position and that our party room will be richer for it.“Larissa brings a wealth of experience to the parliamentary leadership team, as well as a long a distinguished track record as an advocate for the environment, women and transparency in Government. I’m confident that she’ll bring her unique voice to the position and that our party room will be richer for it.
“I’d like to thank Sen Rachel Siewert for all her hard work in the role, which she took up in addition to her duties as Party Whip. Rachel is a tireless advocate for Australia’s first peoples, as well as for the millions of Australians receiving Government support, and she has elevated their voices in our party room.”“I’d like to thank Sen Rachel Siewert for all her hard work in the role, which she took up in addition to her duties as Party Whip. Rachel is a tireless advocate for Australia’s first peoples, as well as for the millions of Australians receiving Government support, and she has elevated their voices in our party room.”
“I’m so honoured to be returning to the Co-Deputy leadership of the Greens, a party with the vision and commitment for a fairer and more sustainable future for all of us. I’m pleased that the women’s portfolio is now back in party leadership at a most pivotal time for women, not just in politics in Australia but across a range of issues impacting women’s equality around the world,” Sen. Waters said.“I’m so honoured to be returning to the Co-Deputy leadership of the Greens, a party with the vision and commitment for a fairer and more sustainable future for all of us. I’m pleased that the women’s portfolio is now back in party leadership at a most pivotal time for women, not just in politics in Australia but across a range of issues impacting women’s equality around the world,” Sen. Waters said.
Adam Bandt MP will remain in his position as Co-Deputy Leader.Adam Bandt MP will remain in his position as Co-Deputy Leader.
Sen. Rachel Siewert continues as Party Whip.Sen. Rachel Siewert continues as Party Whip.
John Howard had a chat to Sky News before accepting his library.John Howard had a chat to Sky News before accepting his library.
He’s a fan of the Liberal leadership rule changes which, just a short while ago, he did not think were necessary.He’s a fan of the Liberal leadership rule changes which, just a short while ago, he did not think were necessary.
“They preserve the authority of the parliamentary party completely when it comes to choosing a leader,” he says. “They just deal with the process with which that occurs.“They preserve the authority of the parliamentary party completely when it comes to choosing a leader,” he says. “They just deal with the process with which that occurs.
“I’ve got nothing to say about that [Malcolm Turnbull not being consulted]. I am just reporting what happened in relation to me and I have no comment on that.”“I’ve got nothing to say about that [Malcolm Turnbull not being consulted]. I am just reporting what happened in relation to me and I have no comment on that.”
And on Craig Kelly: “I think Scott has handled himself correctly, appropriately and effectively in relation to this. There is nothing unusual about a prime minister getting involved in an appropriate way, in procedures surrounding preselection. It happened years ago with Bob Menzies. I was aware of it when I sat on the NSW state executive of the Liberal party. It happened when I was prime minister. What Scott has done is not in anyway out of the ordinary. It is entirely consummate with the Liberal party.”And on Craig Kelly: “I think Scott has handled himself correctly, appropriately and effectively in relation to this. There is nothing unusual about a prime minister getting involved in an appropriate way, in procedures surrounding preselection. It happened years ago with Bob Menzies. I was aware of it when I sat on the NSW state executive of the Liberal party. It happened when I was prime minister. What Scott has done is not in anyway out of the ordinary. It is entirely consummate with the Liberal party.”
Also despairing Liberals – Pip, pip. Chin up and all that.Also despairing Liberals – Pip, pip. Chin up and all that.
“I am optimistic about our prospects. We have a very strong economy, it is a stellar economy, by world standards. We are once again demonstrating we are on national security, this encryption issue, that we are the strong protagonist on national security and the Labor party is getting wobbly on that, which it has done in the past and, on top of that, there is no ‘it’s time’ factor.“I am optimistic about our prospects. We have a very strong economy, it is a stellar economy, by world standards. We are once again demonstrating we are on national security, this encryption issue, that we are the strong protagonist on national security and the Labor party is getting wobbly on that, which it has done in the past and, on top of that, there is no ‘it’s time’ factor.
“This government has only been in power for five years and we don’t have the ‘it’s time’ factor that existed way back in 2007.”“This government has only been in power for five years and we don’t have the ‘it’s time’ factor that existed way back in 2007.”
The attorney general, Christian Porter, and Labor’s Mark Dreyfus are still negotiating on the government’s telecommunications assistance and access bill, known as the encryption bill.The attorney general, Christian Porter, and Labor’s Mark Dreyfus are still negotiating on the government’s telecommunications assistance and access bill, known as the encryption bill.
Expectations of a bipartisan deal have been raised by the fact that the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security has cancelled today’s scheduled public hearing.Expectations of a bipartisan deal have been raised by the fact that the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security has cancelled today’s scheduled public hearing.
On Monday there was a public disagreement between Labor – which wants an interim bill limiting new powers to break encryption to terrorist offences and child sex crimes – and Porter, who wants a whole bill passed this week.On Monday there was a public disagreement between Labor – which wants an interim bill limiting new powers to break encryption to terrorist offences and child sex crimes – and Porter, who wants a whole bill passed this week.
The government is looking to introduce a bill on Wednesday, suggesting the parties are getting closer but they’re still not there yet.The government is looking to introduce a bill on Wednesday, suggesting the parties are getting closer but they’re still not there yet.
And why is energy and climate policy so difficult to get through the Coalition party room?And why is energy and climate policy so difficult to get through the Coalition party room?
Well, according to Malcolm Turnbull, it’s because there’s a “significant” group in their membership who just don’t believe climate change is real. And then he throws shade at Barnaby Joyce, because, well, now he can.Well, according to Malcolm Turnbull, it’s because there’s a “significant” group in their membership who just don’t believe climate change is real. And then he throws shade at Barnaby Joyce, because, well, now he can.
“The challenge is, that in the Coalition, there is a huge gulf between members, people on their views on energy. There is a significant percentage of the Coalition members who do not believe climate change is real, who think we should get out of Paris, for example, who would rather, even some, who would rather the government, instead of building Snowy 2, built a new coal-fired power station.“The challenge is, that in the Coalition, there is a huge gulf between members, people on their views on energy. There is a significant percentage of the Coalition members who do not believe climate change is real, who think we should get out of Paris, for example, who would rather, even some, who would rather the government, instead of building Snowy 2, built a new coal-fired power station.
“You may remember Barnaby Joyce made that helpful suggestion in the last week of the Wentworth byelection.“You may remember Barnaby Joyce made that helpful suggestion in the last week of the Wentworth byelection.
“So you’ve got a very entrenched difference of opinion and the people who hold those views, have been, as you’ve seen with the Neg, are prepared to cross the floor, blow up the government, in order to get their way.“So you’ve got a very entrenched difference of opinion and the people who hold those views, have been, as you’ve seen with the Neg, are prepared to cross the floor, blow up the government, in order to get their way.
“So it is, at the moment, given the politics in the respective party rooms, it is very hard to reach a resolution on this.”“So it is, at the moment, given the politics in the respective party rooms, it is very hard to reach a resolution on this.”
Malcolm Turnbull said it was no longer the case that having more renewables meant higher power prices.Malcolm Turnbull said it was no longer the case that having more renewables meant higher power prices.
But then he brought up those in the party room, and the cabinet, who were prepared to embrace coal – no matter what – and how difficult that makes getting energy policy through the party room:But then he brought up those in the party room, and the cabinet, who were prepared to embrace coal – no matter what – and how difficult that makes getting energy policy through the party room:
Part of the problem with the politics of energy, at least at the federal level, is it has been bedevilled by what I would call ideology and idiocy. I mean I would ... there are people who would look you in the eye and say, ‘Coal-fired power is cheaper,’ ‘New coal is cheaper,’ and I’d say, ‘OK, what price of coal are you assuming?’Part of the problem with the politics of energy, at least at the federal level, is it has been bedevilled by what I would call ideology and idiocy. I mean I would ... there are people who would look you in the eye and say, ‘Coal-fired power is cheaper,’ ‘New coal is cheaper,’ and I’d say, ‘OK, what price of coal are you assuming?’
Crickets.Crickets.
‘How much coal do you have to burn to generate a megawatt of power?’ Crickets. ‘What’s the coal plant going to cost to build and operate?’ More crickets.‘How much coal do you have to burn to generate a megawatt of power?’ Crickets. ‘What’s the coal plant going to cost to build and operate?’ More crickets.
This is not a religious issue. This is an issue that has to be grounded in engineering and economics. We know that we need to decarbonise.This is not a religious issue. This is an issue that has to be grounded in engineering and economics. We know that we need to decarbonise.
And, by the way, we have the opportunity to decarbonise and deliver cheaper power as well. So how good a deal is that?And, by the way, we have the opportunity to decarbonise and deliver cheaper power as well. So how good a deal is that?
So that is what we need to do and that is why the technology-agnostic policies my government delivered, or proposed in the form of the Neg, were able to do that.So that is what we need to do and that is why the technology-agnostic policies my government delivered, or proposed in the form of the Neg, were able to do that.
During the Q&A session after his speech (with the questions being asked by the “smart energy” people in the room), Malcolm Turnbull spoke about how difficult it was to get energy policy done in the party room.During the Q&A session after his speech (with the questions being asked by the “smart energy” people in the room), Malcolm Turnbull spoke about how difficult it was to get energy policy done in the party room.
“I have to say, I gave this my best shot. With the national energy guarantee, working with Josh and with Scott, and the cabinet, we got support from the states, we got support from the industry, we got support from obviously the cabinet, but support form the party room, on three occasions. Majority support. Never unanimous support. But in a House of Representatives where we had a majority of one, which is what we had at the time, obviously a small minority can effect enormous leverage. And that is a candid explanation of the challenge.“I have to say, I gave this my best shot. With the national energy guarantee, working with Josh and with Scott, and the cabinet, we got support from the states, we got support from the industry, we got support from obviously the cabinet, but support form the party room, on three occasions. Majority support. Never unanimous support. But in a House of Representatives where we had a majority of one, which is what we had at the time, obviously a small minority can effect enormous leverage. And that is a candid explanation of the challenge.
“I have to say that business, and indeed state governments, whether they are Liberal or Labor, are taking a completely different approach. They are getting on with the job and recognising that this transition to a clean energy future is one that we have to embark on, and you need certainty of investment.“I have to say that business, and indeed state governments, whether they are Liberal or Labor, are taking a completely different approach. They are getting on with the job and recognising that this transition to a clean energy future is one that we have to embark on, and you need certainty of investment.
“My regret about the Neg not going ahead is that, we came so close to having, for the first time in a long time, a consensus on a national energy policy. And that provides the certainty which allows investment to occur.”“My regret about the Neg not going ahead is that, we came so close to having, for the first time in a long time, a consensus on a national energy policy. And that provides the certainty which allows investment to occur.”