teal – Michmutters
Categories
Australia

‘The climate wars are nearly over’: Labor, teals and Greens take a win on emissions as Liberals watch on

Adam Bandt could have rightly felt bemused as he was walking through federal parliament.

Barely a day earlier, he’d announced the Greens’ bolstered political ranks would back Labor’s climate change bill, giving the new Prime Minister the votes he needed for landmark laws to reduce carbon emissions.

Bandt cut a lonely figure as he walked alone behind a press gaggle the size you so often only see for major party leaders.

In front of the microphones were six women, all but one new faces in a parliament more diverse than any that came before it.

If success has many fathers and failure is an orphan, then Labor’s climate change bill was a child with more parents than it could poke a stick at.

“The climate wars are nearly over,” Zali Steggall cautiously said.

Zali Steggal speaks at a press conference at parliament house
Zali Steggall is providing a mentor for the teal independents who have followed her into parliament. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

pure political maths

In many ways, Labor and the crossbench have plenty to celebrate after this week.

Labor, once the legislation passes the Senate, will have enshrined laws in a policy area fraught with toppling prime ministers.

Bandt too has done what former leaders of his party baulked at.

Arguably, he’s transforming the Greens from a movement to a political party by adopting a pragmatic approach that gets something, even if it’s not as much as his party might have wanted.

And the teals were successful in making minor amendments, ensuring they could go back to their communities by selling a win.

But suggestions that Australian politics has been radically changed since the election are certainly premature.

“Teals get a win and we get a win” is how one in Labor dubbed it.

What was at play was pure political maths.

Labor knows that if the teals succeed, it all but consigns the Coalition to the opposition benches.

The teal amendments didn’t require the government to add anything it didn’t want to.

It was the Greens who delivered Labor the votes it needed, or at least will when the Senate considers the laws later this year.

It’s why Bandt could be forgiven if he was frustrated that the teals were attracting the credit at their press conference for what was, in fact, a gift his party had given the government.

Yet to just view this in purely political win-loss metrics perhaps misunderstands both the election and broader political movement.

A row of women wearing masks walks towards the camera down a corridor.
The teal MPs have stuck closely together during the first sitting fortnight.(ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Taking the ‘fight’ out

Zali Steggall led the teals to their press conference early on Thursday morning.

She’s not the first community-backed independent to arrive in Canberra but there’s no doubt she created the mold the teals have followed.

“Just a brief thank you to Zali Steggall, who worked tirelessly over the last three years for us to be in this position,” Sydneysider Sophie Scamps said at the press conference.

Steggall is proving not just a mentor among the teals but also a bridge between new and old members of the crossbench and with the government.

What unites these independents is they’re political newbies, leaders in their former lives, now setting their sights on doing politics differently.

Lisa Chesters holds her son, who is giggling with Anne Aly
Anne Aly happily entertained Lisa Chesters’ son Charlie during the climate change debate.(ABC News: Nick Haggarty )

You only had to hear Kylea Tink to get a sense that conventional political thinking is the last thing on her mind.

After a journalist quoted the Greens saying the “fight” was just beginning to force the government to be more ambitious, she argued that it was the wrong approach.

Tink said it should be the “planning” that starts now and that politicians across the political aisle needed to work together, rather than fight.

She also was quick to “reframe” a question being put to the crossbenchers.

“The comment you just made was that the government doesn’t need my vote as a crossbencher to get this legislation through,” Tink said.

“That may be the case but any government that seeks to lead the nation needs to take its people with it.

“What we’ve seen here is a government that recognizes that just because you don’t sit on a side on the government’s side doesn’t mean that your community’s voice doesn’t matter.

“If I wasn’t an independent, it wouldn’t have been heard.”

Adam Bandt holds out his arm while speaking in the House of Representatives
Adam Bandt’s Greens delivered the government the votes it needed to legislate an emissions reduction target.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

‘The Liberals have disenfranchised people’

After the first sitting fortnight, some in the building have wondered if the teals are yet to regret entering politics.

At least a couple of moments from the week might have given them moments of doubt about their new career.

As bells rang for politicians to vote on the climate bills, Tink and Scamps were regularly spotted darting out of the chamber, returning minutes later before the bells stopped ringing.

Their distraction, it transpired, were pieces of toast being consumed outside the chamber. Finding time to eat in Canberra is no longer something you can do on a whim.

Victorian Monique Ryan, too, might have had pangs of doubt after one of her staff pulled down her mask during that press conference and pushed her fingers up the sides of her mouth, signaling for her boss to smile.

Being told to smile was arguably something she’d have never heard as she ran the neurology department of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

She didn’t need to be told to smile as she found her way to the microphone and took aim at the Liberals who refused to negotiate with the government over the emissions target.

“This is just the end of the beginning in our action on climate change,” Ryan said.

“To make progress, to be at the table you have to have a voice at the table and in taking themselves out of the discussion, the Liberals have disenfranchised the people in the electorates they represent.”

Tasmanian Liberal Bridget Archer likely agrees.

She again proved she’s willing to do what so often men in her party appear unable to follow through on — saying they’ll cross the floor on an issue and actually doing it.

Bridget Archer speaks with Zoe Daniel while voting for Labor's climate bill
Bridget Archer was the only Coalition MP to vote for the government’s climate bill.(ABC News: Nick Haggarty )

But it’s far from perfect

The teals arrived in Canberra after their communities turfed out the Liberals who had long dominated the electorates they now hold.

They’ve been pleasantly surprised at the spirit of collaboration that they’ve found in Labor — at least for now.

But no-one is saying parliament is anywhere near perfect.

“We’re still seeing in Question Time old-style politics play out,” Steggall says.

“I don’t think it impresses many of us and it certainly doesn’t impress the Australian public.”

.

Categories
Australia

Climate target bill passes lower house after being amended by Greens and ‘teal’ crossbenchers

A bill to write the government’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target into law has passed the lower house after the government agreed to several minor amendments from the crossbench.

The federal government did not need the votes of crossbenchers in the lower house to pass its climate target bill, but it agreed to support amendments moved by a number of independents.

The “teal” independent MPs who swept into parliament on a platform of climate action and government integrity have celebrated the federal government’s willingness to negotiate changes to its bill.

Independent MP Zali Steggall, who topped former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019, said negotiations on the first major piece of legislation to be brought to parliament had been much more collaborative than with the previous government.

“I can only say the evidence so far is that there is a genuine desire from senior ministers in the government to work with us, they have heard the calls from our communities,” Ms Steggall said.

“We are getting numerous briefings on significant pieces of legislation, we are contributing, we are raising our concerns and amendments are being agreed to.”

The government voted to amend its bill to spell out that its approach to emissions reduction would draw on the “best available scientific knowledge”, that its 43 per cent target was a minimum standard, and that climate change policies benefit regional communities.

It will now also have to seek advice from the Climate Change Authority before setting future climate targets.

Before voting to pass the bill, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen took a moment to thank the crossbench for their contributions, saying “today is a good day for our country.”

Crossbench lends support, but aims for higher target

The teal MPs were disappointed by a target they see as insufficient for limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, and said they would continue to push the government for more ambitious action.

The government rejected a separate Greens amendment to lift its target to reduce emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2035.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said the government’s target would lead to the death of the Great Barrier Reef, failed crops and worsening natural disasters.

“That is the science. That is why we are doing this,” Mr Bandt said.

“We’re not doing this to try [to] stop pollution a little bit. We are doing this to try [to] stop climate change becoming a runaway chain reaction.”

Bowen stands with his arms leaning on the dispatch box on the lower house floor as he speaks.
Chris Bowen said the government would support amendments where they were in line with its policy.(ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Ms Steggall said the next step for the government must be to phase out oil, coal and gas by ending new approvals, a key sticking point of the Greens, who agreed yesterday to give the bill the votes needed to pass the senate despite not receiving that concession.

Independent MP Kylea Tink said the government must also continue the collaborative precedent it has set.

“The planning starts from now, so whether it’s a fight or whether it’s the capacity to actually work together to move our country forward is what this parliament needs to decide,” Ms Tink said.

“We won’t just accept the minister’s word and we won’t just take it on good faith these things are going to happen.”

Wilson wears a long scarf with bands of red, yellow, white and shades of blue, with rows transitioning from blue to red.
Labor MP Josh Wilson wore a scarf to the chamber that depicted annual average temperatures over time, with each row representing the temperature that year compared to historical averages.(ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government’s core policies on climate change were not up for negotiation, but the government would continue to work constructively where reasonable suggestions were made.

He said the climate target bill would not hasten the closure of coal and gas facilities.

Senior Liberal backs 43 per cent emissions target

The Opposition formally decided to oppose the climate target bill earlier this week, though some Liberals have broken with the party in support of an increased target, including Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer who crossed the floor to support the bill.

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham said this morning he also supported the higher target, though he stopped short of backing the bill.

“If the 43 per cent target required legislation then I would have wanted to vote for it in a heartbeat. However, it doesn’t require legislation,” Senator Birmingham told ABC Radio.

“[Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton has been clear following the deliberations the Coalition’s had this week that we will be taking a greater level of ambition to the next election.

“The test will now be in terms of that policy, making sure that it is a genuine policy for higher levels of emission reduction.”

Sukkar and Tudge sit looking at their phones, and Joyce sits with his folded arms, on the opposition benches.
The Opposition determined it would oppose the government’s climate target bill.(ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

New MP Monique Ryan, who won Kooyong from former treasurer Josh Frydenberg at the election, said Liberals were leaving their electorates out of the conversation by refusing to engage.

“My predecessor in Kooyong never crossed the floor in his 12 years in parliament,” Dr Ryan said.

“I think that the people of Kooyong today will be very happy that they have a representative who has worked with the government to make this bill stronger, rather than refusing to engage with it and in doing so losing their own voice.

“By taking themselves out of the discussion the Liberals have disenfranchised the people they represent.”

.

Categories
Australia

In pictures: The first sitting week of federal parliament under new Labor government

The start of a new parliament with a new government brings many changes: new faces, new policies, and new offices that even veteran politicians can have trouble finding.

The first sitting week under the new Labor government was marked with ceremonies, celebrations and signs of what may be to come in the next term.

Take a look at the first week in action for the 47th Parliament.

It began as always with a church service

Albanese reaches out to shake Dutton's hand, who is standing behind a wooden pew, while at a church.
Politicians including Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese gathered at a church near parliament for a morning service on the first day.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Parliament officially opened with a Welcome To Country

Dutton stands over some rising smoke as a group of people watch on.
The opening of the 47th Parliament was marked with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Albanese and a crowd of others watch several Indigenous men in traditional clothing dance outside Parliament.
Indigenous rights are shaping up to be a key theme of this term of parliament, with a promised referendum on the horizon.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Plibersek smiles as an elder paints ocher on her forehead outside Parliament.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was among the crowd of politicians who attended.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

The new government took their seats for the first time

ten cabinet ministers stand around the dispatch box, bent over signing documents.
Cabinet ministers circled the dispatch box as MPs swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

And the opposition found theirs too

Ley sits on the lower house frontbench, her reflection visible on the glass divider at the dispatch box.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley took her seat on the opposition benches for the first time in almost a decade.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

There were many fresh faces

Six women gather at the end of a row of seats in the House of Representatives talking and smiling.
Victorious “teal” independent MPs make up part of a very different looking 47th Parliament.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Tink and Chaney hold hands and smile while sitting in the rows of the House of Representatives.
Kylea Tink and Kate Chaney shared a moment of celebration on the floor of the House of Representatives.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Price stands wearing ceremonial clothing in a Parliament House courtyard.
Indigenous senator Jacinta Price also enters parliament for the first time representing the Country Liberals.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

And some familiar ones

Albanese looks at Treasurer Jim Chalmers who is standing and speaking at the dispatch box.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took his seat at the government benches.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Wong walks into the senate wearing a mask, with her right arm in a sling.
Penny Wong returned as Senate Leader, with an injured arm from a surfing accident.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

There was one especially fresh face in the senate

Green stands on the senate floor holding her baby, surrounded by a group of female politicians giving it attention.
Labor senator Nita Green brought her baby onto the Senate floor, a practice only allowed in recent years.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

We saw an early sign of change on parliament’s lawns

Aly puts her arm around a woman while they hold signs and flowers outdoors.
Labor MP Anne Aly (right) was among the politicians who joined women on parliament’s lawns for a vigil for women who had been killed in acts of family violence.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

And a new climate bill that could prove contentious

Bowen walks down a glass corridor with one hand in his pocket.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen introduced a bill to enshrine the government’s emissions target into law, but it doesn’t yet have the votes to pass.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
A crowd of journalists and camera operators crowd around a man, standing before several microphones.
Greens leader Adam Bandt and his party will have the final say on a number of laws in this term of government, wielding the balance of power alongside other crossbenchers in the Senate.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Greens politicians gather around a long wooden table, with the back of Adam Bandt's head at center of frame.
A much fuller Greens party room met inside parliament, following an election that saw their numbers doubled.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Parliament was back in full swing

Katter holds a bible in the air and a sheet of paper in the other hand while speaking.
Queensland MP Bob Katter has become the “father of the house” in the House of Representatives, having served since 1993.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

No time to rest, it all begins again on Monday

Entsch sits at a couch with one foot resting on a table, looking pensive.
Liberal National Party MP Warren Entsch takes a pause in one of the common areas of Parliament House.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

posted

.