Coalition MPs meet to sign off on proposed nuclear reactor locations

Original article by Clare Armstrong, Jade Gailberger
Herald Sun – Page: Online : 19-Jun-24

A number of Coalition MPs have stated that they expect Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to unveil its nuclear policy on Wednesday. The policy – and the likely location of nuclear power stations – was discussed at a shadow cabinet meeting on Tuesday night; it will then be put to a full party room meeting ahead of an official announcement. A Coalition source has indicated that the Callide and Tarong coal-fired power stations in Queensland have been identified as future sites for nuclear reactors, while Victoria’s LaTrobe Valley is said to have been ruled out.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

‘We’ll lift social media access age in first 100 days’: Dutton

Original article by Sarah Ison
The Australian – Page: 4 : 13-Jun-24

Opposition leader Peter Dutton says legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media would be a top priority for a Coalition government. Dutton says the Coalition will introduce such legislation within its first 100 days in office if it wins the next federal election. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland contends that many social media platforms already have age limits, but they are often not enforced and can be easily bypassed. She notes that the federal government is investing $6.5m in a trial of age assurance technology.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

Dutton’s surprise climate policy proves he ‘can’t be taken seriously’, Albanese says

Original article by Karen Middleton, Josh Butler
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 13-Jun-24

The Coalition’s stance on climate policy is under scrutiny after Opposition leader Peter Dutton indicated that its 2030 emissions reduction target will not be disclosed until after the federal election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised his refusal to commit to a firm emissions target; he contends that Dutton cannot be taken seriously as the alternative prime minister without a serious policy on energy and climate. However, the Coalition has emphasised that it remains committed to the Paris climate agreement and a net zero emissions target of 2050.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Dutton delays climate target, blasts teals

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 12-Jun-24

Opposition leader Peter Dutton says a Coalition government would scrap Labor’s legislated 2030 target to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels. He contends that this target is not achievable and would result in higher power prices. Dutton adds that the Coalition will not release its alternative emissions reduction target until after the federal election, stating that it will take into account the "prevailing economic conditions" at the time. Dutton has also reiterated the Coalition’s support for a net zero emissions target of 2050. Meanwhile, he contends that teal MPs are out of touch with average families who are struggling to pay their power bills, and argues that some of them are essentially Greens.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

‘Reckless’: Penny Wong condemns Peter Dutton’s threats to cut ties with International Criminal Court

Original article by Daniel Hurst
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 4-Jun-24

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has used a Senate estimates hearing to attack Opposition leader Peter Dutton over what she claims is his "reckless" threat to sever Australia’s ties with the International Criminal Court, claiming it would make it harder for Australia to insist that China follow international law. Wong also used the hearing to attack the Greens for "participating in protests which have become violent and aggressive"; the Greens later issued a statement in which it stated that the party supported "peaceful protests", and that Wong’s assertions were incorrect.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Miles backs Dutton on migrant cut

Original article by Tom McIlroy
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 21-May-24

Queensland Premier Steven Miles claims that federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has taken on his own policy for a halving of the nation’s migrant intake. Miles said the current level of migration is putting too much pressure on the state’s housing system, and he was pleased to see Dutton echo his comments. Dutton’s pledge that he would seek to slash migrant numbers has been attacked by the federal government as "excessive and reckless", so Miles’ comments in support of Dutton create the potential for an awkward meeting between Miles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when the latter visits Queensland this week.

CORPORATES
QUEENSLAND. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Dutton plan risks $48b foreign student industry

Original article by Julie Hare
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 18-May-24

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has come under fire for stating that a Coalition government would reduce temporary migration to 160,000 in its first year in office. International students make up half of the number of temporary migrants, and migration expert Abul Rizvi claims that one student would have to leave the country for every one that arrives in order to meet Dutton’s target. International education was valued at $48 billion in 2023, making it Australia’s most successful non-mining export, and Rizvi claims that the international education sector would be "smashed" under Dutton’s plan.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Dutton plan risks $48b foreign student industry

Original article by Julie Hare
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 18-May-24

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has come under fire for stating that a Coalition government would reduce temporary migration to 160,000 in its first year in office. International students make up half of the number of temporary migrants, and migration expert Abul Rizvi claims that one student would have to leave the country for every one that arrives in order to meet Dutton’s target. International education was valued at $48 billion in 2023, making it Australia’s most successful non-mining export, and Rizvi claims that the international education sector would be "smashed" under Dutton’s plan.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Dutton’s perks for nuclear plan

Original article by Simon Benson
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 3-Apr-24

The Coalition’s push to add nuclear energy to Australia’s energy mix has received a boost from a report released by the US Department of Energy. The report concluded that replacing coal-fired power stations with nuclear reactors can generate significant economic benefits to communities where the power stations are built. Shadow climate change and energy minister Ted O’Brien says the Coalition’s energy policy will include an incentive package for coal-fired power station workers to upgrade to higher-paying jobs at nuclear plants. The Coalition has already identified about six potential sites for nuclear reactors.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, UNITED STATES. DEPT OF ENERGY

Keep cost-of-living focus: MPs, unions

Original article by Sarah Ison
The Australian – Page: 5 : 5-Mar-24

The federal government’s budget in May will include further measures aimed at relieving cost-of-living pressures for households. Some Labor MPs have argued that the cost of living should be the government’s top priority until the next election; they include Queensland MP Graham Perrett, who warns that other issues could become a distraction in the lead-up to the poll. Electrical Trades Union secretary Michael Wright in turn contends that the energy transition is the key issue, arguing that it will result in the single biggest cost of living decrease "in human history".

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION