Health News at Your Fingertips

Anthony Albanese and Labor’s climate spokesman, Chris Bowen, have held a press conference to criticise the Coalition for having 21 climate policies in eight years, but leaving the government position still undecided just weeks out from the Glasgow summit.

Albanese criticised the fact that after “eight years and four hours” the government could not even get the Nationals’ agreement for a “decision made in cabinet last week” – comments clearly designed to fuel the Nationals’ and Liberals’ climate stoush.

Albanese said that unless the climate target is legislated you “can’t take it seriously”, and this will be an issue of trust for voters at the next election. He derided the Coalition’s plan to have a mid-term trajectory (but not target) as “a vibe” rather than a concrete policy, and “absurd”.

Bowen accused Barnaby Joyce of playing “identity politics” by playing rural areas off against the bush, but said net zero by 2050 will be better for all.

In questions and answers, Albanese refused to be drawn on how ambitious Labor’s mid-term target will be, or to rule in or out particular measures if they are proposed by the government, such as soil carbon capture. He said no carbon price was needed now because renewables are the cheapest form of electricity, but did not rule out strengthening the safeguards mechanism, which he observed is already part of the government’s scheme.

Albanese then faced a barrage of questions about Anthony Byrne and whether he will be Labor’s candidate for Holt at the next election. Albanese noted the Ibac hearings are still underway and Byrne had relinquished his other parliamentary roles (as deputy chair of the intelligence and security committee).

Albanese distinguished Byrne’s evidence to Ibac with revelations on 60 Minutes about Adem Somyurek’s ambition to take over the Victorian branch – based on the fact the hearings are ongoing.

Albanese noted Gladys Berejiklian had remained premier for a whole year after she first gave evidence to the NSW Icac.

Just a bit more on this morning’s Liberal party room meeting: Scott Morrison addressed the room as well as Angus Taylor.

Some main take-outs from the presentations:

• The prime minister told Liberals that Australia’s allies had already committed to net zero, and if we fell out of lockstep with partners important to Australia, then there would be a price to be paid.

• Taylor acknowledged the threat of Australia being hit with carbon border adjustments was becoming more and more real.

• According to people present, Morrison was also very clear about who would make the decision about whether or not to sign up to net zero. This would be a cabinet decision. This is a statement of the obvious, but it carries a very specific set of consequences. If the cabinet decides Australia will adopt a net zero target, then people who don’t support that decision will need to consider their options.

• As I said in my post a bit earlier, Taylor explained elements of the government’s roadmap, which is said to set out the transition between now and 2050. According to some people at the Liberal party room meeting, the roadmap suggests gas will continue to be in demand until 2040, but coal will begin to tap the mat from 2025 onwards.