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Malcolm Turnbull warns of 'catastrophic' future without net zero emissions goal – politics live Malcolm Turnbull warns of 'catastrophic' future without net zero emissions goal – politics live
(32 minutes later)
The former prime minister has stepped into the climate debate, with a stark warning to moderate Liberals to act. All the day’s events, liveThe former prime minister has stepped into the climate debate, with a stark warning to moderate Liberals to act. All the day’s events, live
Scott Morrison to Reuven Rivlin:
This is not the news anyone wants, given how much more fragile things got in the months after
And Jim Chalmer’s response:
For those wondering why Labor is going so hard on this, given the outside factors, just remember that Chalmers was in Wayne Swan’s office when the GFC hit and how then Coalition opposition responded. There was no leeway there for not being able to deliver a surplus in the midst of the greatest economic challenge since the Great Depression. And there will be none here.
Here is some of what Josh Frydenberg has been saying during his ‘lowering expectations tour’ rounds (from AAP):
“But I do know that this is going to hit the economy, and I do know that our focus has been, in relation to the fires and other shocks that we’ve faced, on getting the support to the community in need,” he told Sky News on Wednesday.
“That’s been our primary focus, not the surplus.”
He noted the government had already notched up an achievement in delivering the first balanced budget in 11 years, at the same time as it rolled out tax cuts.
“We’re back in balance, and no one can ever take that away from us,” he told ABC Radio National.
The treasurer was also coy when asked whether a recession could be on its way.
He said, “That’s not the word I would use,” before noting he’s waiting to see the figures from the December and March quarters.
Mr Frydenberg stressed this was just the latest economic shock the Australian economy has faced, following trade tensions between the United States and China, an extended drought, bushfires and floods.
The virus is also a shock beyond our control, he said.
Non-government senators are still taking up the government business time in the Senate. It’s up to two hours now.
James McGrath is only 45 years old.James McGrath is only 45 years old.
That would make him Gen X.That would make him Gen X.
But quotes like this:But quotes like this:
He is displaying BIG boomer energy. Proving, once and for all, that boomer is a frame of mind.He is displaying BIG boomer energy. Proving, once and for all, that boomer is a frame of mind.
Caroline Fisher told the electoral committee that there was “a lot of concern” around political advertising and campaigning that was “less than honest, and very dubious” including Labor’s Mediscare campaign in 2016 and the anti-Labor “tax scare campaign” in 2019.Caroline Fisher told the electoral committee that there was “a lot of concern” around political advertising and campaigning that was “less than honest, and very dubious” including Labor’s Mediscare campaign in 2016 and the anti-Labor “tax scare campaign” in 2019.
Fisher said while there was “little evidence of international interference” in the election – there were questionable claims made by political parties and “the outcome of the election seems to indicate it did have an impact”.Fisher said while there was “little evidence of international interference” in the election – there were questionable claims made by political parties and “the outcome of the election seems to indicate it did have an impact”.
Labor then pursued a line of questioning about micro-targeting of voters through social media ads, which Fisher suggests may not be “ethical” because it allows parties to target people’s particular prejudices without giving everyone the same information.Labor then pursued a line of questioning about micro-targeting of voters through social media ads, which Fisher suggests may not be “ethical” because it allows parties to target people’s particular prejudices without giving everyone the same information.
JSCEM chair, James McGrath, speaks in defence of micro-targeting, noting different groups of voters have different interests. He said:JSCEM chair, James McGrath, speaks in defence of micro-targeting, noting different groups of voters have different interests. He said:
Perhaps he should ask the youth minister Richard Colbeck for an example of a youth issue. He sounded *this close* to saying skate parks.Perhaps he should ask the youth minister Richard Colbeck for an example of a youth issue. He sounded *this close* to saying skate parks.
The joint standing committee on electoral matters has a hearing in Canberra examining whether fake news played a role in the 2019 election.The joint standing committee on electoral matters has a hearing in Canberra examining whether fake news played a role in the 2019 election.
Caroline Fisher, from the News and Media Research Centre, said Australians are the “lightest” consumers of news in the world:Caroline Fisher, from the News and Media Research Centre, said Australians are the “lightest” consumers of news in the world:
Almost half of all Australians only get news once a day or less.Almost half of all Australians only get news once a day or less.
Two thirds are concerned if news is fake but only one third did any fact checking.Two thirds are concerned if news is fake but only one third did any fact checking.
60% are interested in news but only one third in politics – meaning 65% said they had no to low interest in politics.60% are interested in news but only one third in politics – meaning 65% said they had no to low interest in politics.
Fisher said that “of most concern” is the fact that those who don’t know their political orientation and aren’t interested in politics do not engage in fact-checking.Fisher said that “of most concern” is the fact that those who don’t know their political orientation and aren’t interested in politics do not engage in fact-checking.
She said:”These less engaged consumers are more likely to be female, younger and less educated. In an environment of tainted information, they fact check the least. This group is possibly aligned with undecided voters, and if so they are voting based on the fewest news sources. This represents a significant population of disengaged voters, who are more vulnerable to misinformation.”She said:”These less engaged consumers are more likely to be female, younger and less educated. In an environment of tainted information, they fact check the least. This group is possibly aligned with undecided voters, and if so they are voting based on the fewest news sources. This represents a significant population of disengaged voters, who are more vulnerable to misinformation.”
Michael Jensen, associate professor at the University of Canberra, said he did not see evidence of “sizeable or sustained effort by Russia or China to sway the Australian federal election”.Michael Jensen, associate professor at the University of Canberra, said he did not see evidence of “sizeable or sustained effort by Russia or China to sway the Australian federal election”.
For Russia, there was “little difference” between the Coalition and Labor to their strategic interests. For China, there was “clear evidence the CCP is opposed to this government and believe it is especially hostile to its interests”. He cited an article in propaganda outlet the Global Times that Labor “might change Australia’s attitude to Washington and be more favourable to Beijing”. But China did not intervene, he said, perhaps because it was a high-risk low-reward proposition, and perhaps because they believed Labor would win anyway.For Russia, there was “little difference” between the Coalition and Labor to their strategic interests. For China, there was “clear evidence the CCP is opposed to this government and believe it is especially hostile to its interests”. He cited an article in propaganda outlet the Global Times that Labor “might change Australia’s attitude to Washington and be more favourable to Beijing”. But China did not intervene, he said, perhaps because it was a high-risk low-reward proposition, and perhaps because they believed Labor would win anyway.
Jensen said both are engage in political interference on particular issues including in favour of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Huawei’s involvement in the 5G network; and for Russia, in undermining faith in institutions generally.Jensen said both are engage in political interference on particular issues including in favour of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Huawei’s involvement in the 5G network; and for Russia, in undermining faith in institutions generally.
Today is going really, really well for everyone.Today is going really, really well for everyone.
Michael McCormack continues his attempts at a personality. Here he was this morning.Michael McCormack continues his attempts at a personality. Here he was this morning.
Honestly. Four day-old oats have more appeal:Honestly. Four day-old oats have more appeal:
But we also get a sportsball (that’s what the people like, right? Sportsball) reference, when asked if the surplus is sunk.But we also get a sportsball (that’s what the people like, right? Sportsball) reference, when asked if the surplus is sunk.
So, obviously, Hawthorn is now cancelled. And I don’t just say that as a Collingwood supporter.So, obviously, Hawthorn is now cancelled. And I don’t just say that as a Collingwood supporter.
Anyways, Matt Canavan then turned up and the Curb Your Enthusiasm music began playing in all our heads:Anyways, Matt Canavan then turned up and the Curb Your Enthusiasm music began playing in all our heads:
(apologies Melbournite’s for the extra e. I am tired. And now obviously hate Hawthorn)(apologies Melbournite’s for the extra e. I am tired. And now obviously hate Hawthorn)
I can’t imagine that the extradition of Malka Leifer won’t come up in some way today.I can’t imagine that the extradition of Malka Leifer won’t come up in some way today.
Josh Burns and Dave Shama are on a bipartisan unity ticket when it comes to this, pushing for Leifer’s return in order to face the abuse allegations levelled agains her.Josh Burns and Dave Shama are on a bipartisan unity ticket when it comes to this, pushing for Leifer’s return in order to face the abuse allegations levelled agains her.
Everyone is allowed to be aspirational apparently, except for the National Farmers’ Federation, when it comes to looking at carbon neutrality, says the man who is somehow the nation’s deputy prime minister and supposed advocate for farmers.Everyone is allowed to be aspirational apparently, except for the National Farmers’ Federation, when it comes to looking at carbon neutrality, says the man who is somehow the nation’s deputy prime minister and supposed advocate for farmers.
Here he is this morning, as reported by AAP:Here he is this morning, as reported by AAP:
Unless of course, we need water for irrigators. Or if a mine needs to go in a food bowl.Unless of course, we need water for irrigators. Or if a mine needs to go in a food bowl.
It’s so difficult being a Nat these days.It’s so difficult being a Nat these days.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, Anne Davies has this story this morning:In case you haven’t seen it yet, Anne Davies has this story this morning:
Secret Nationals business, as captured by Mike Bowers.Secret Nationals business, as captured by Mike Bowers.
Here is what Zali Steggall was seeing when she tweeted asking where the government MPs were.Here is what Zali Steggall was seeing when she tweeted asking where the government MPs were.
Keith Pitt on ABC Breakfast this morning, once again talking about the government’s technology roadmap.Keith Pitt on ABC Breakfast this morning, once again talking about the government’s technology roadmap.
No one is really clear on what that actually means just yet, but it’s something to do with the technology the government is looking at for energy security moving forward.No one is really clear on what that actually means just yet, but it’s something to do with the technology the government is looking at for energy security moving forward.
Anyways, Pitt has discovered the word commitment and he’s not afraid to use it.Anyways, Pitt has discovered the word commitment and he’s not afraid to use it.