POLITICAL PARTIES – AUSTRALIA – PLATFORMS

Nuclear lawyer says Australia would not be starting from scratch

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Original article by Clare Armstrong
Herald Sun – Page: Online : 9-Jul-24

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has contended that amongst other things, legal hurdles could not be overcome quickly enough for the Coalition to achieve its ambitious target of building the first of seven nuclear power stations by 2035. However, expatriate nuclear lawyer Helen Cook argues that agreements and safety regulations that are already in place would make it easier for parliament to pass the legislative changes that would be required to add nuclear to the energy mix. She notes that Australia has already ratified most of the treaties that would be required to build and operate nuclear reactors.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

Dutton’s retail break-up plan ‘madness’: Kennett

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Original article by Tom McIlroy
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 3-Jul-24

The Coalition proposes to introduce legislation that would force companies in certain sectors to divest assets if they are found to have abused their market power. The divestiture powers would specifically target grocery and hardware retailers with annual turnover of more than $5bn, which would include Coles, Woolworths and Bunnings. The proposed laws have been criticised by former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett and Business Council of Australia CEO Bran Black. The introduction of divestiture powers was also rejected by former Labor MP Craig Emerson in his recent review of the food and grocery code of conduct.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, COLES GROUP LIMITED – ASX COL, WOOLWORTHS GROUP LIMITED – ASX WOW, BUNNINGS GROUP LIMITED, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Coalition outlines vapes plan

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Original article by Ronald Mizen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 26-Jun-24

Shadow health minister Anne Ruston has outlined details of the Coalition’s policy on vaping products, following the federal government’s decision to weaken its own vaping regulations. The Coalition proposes to subject vapes to a similar regulatory regime as cigarettes, which would allow flavoured vapes to be legally sold at outlets such as supermarkets, service stations and convenience stores. In contrast, Labor intends to restrict sales of vapes to pharmacies, while people over the age of 18 will not require a doctor’s prescription to buy these products. The Coalition will also impose an excise tax on vapes and ramp up investment in a crackdown on organised crime.

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AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Coalition MPs meet to sign off on proposed nuclear reactor locations

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

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

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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.

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

Miles backs Dutton on migrant cut

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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.

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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

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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.

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LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA