It seems to me the federal government would probably have preferred to do a deal with the LNP rather than the Greens to get their new Environment Protection Bill through the Senate last week, but the LNP appears to have missed a great opportunity to help create sensible legislation that would protect Australia’s long-term economic interests. To me, the critical element was the section allowing for fast-tracking important projects, including new coal and gas projects. Even this government recognises the need to fast-track new gas projects, especially as gas is the main transition fuel that will keep the lights on during the government’s shift to renewables.
As a result of the LNP dropping the ball on this, we now have a situation where only renewable projects can be fast-tracked, while any new gas or coal projects will be subject to the usual lawfare attempts and delays by radical green groups seeking to block new developments — particularly those aimed at expanding our gas supply.
This means disastrous wind turbine and solar developments on arable land and in pristine woodland and forest areas that are home to many ecosystems and endangered animals like koalas can now be fast-tracked, with genuine objections effectively ignored in the process.
I wrote some time ago about how the LNP needs to handle the Senate. If Labor’s legislation is better than what the Greens are offering, then pass it — if necessary, in its entirety. I’m sure that in this particular bill, had the LNP supported it with the gas and coal fast-tracking provisions intact, they could have negotiated other concessions from the government to improve different sections. Had they taken that approach, we would have ended up with far better legislation than what ultimately passed.
In the ACT Assembly, we would often object to a Labor bill but still allow it through, as it was better than nothing — or certainly better than the alternative proposals from the Greens or others.
On another note, it was interesting to see Barnaby Joyce’s antics last week.
He is a very popular local politician in the bush, and I have generally always liked his politics. My late wife was a great fan of his as well. However, although I played several Parliamentary Rugby games with him (he scored the winning try converted from the sideline by that great almost a politician Mal Meninga at Ballymore in 2006 to win the Parliamentary Bledisloe over the NZ parliament) I never really got to know him well for some reason.
Whatever Barnaby chooses to do — remain as an independent, join One Nation, or return to the Nationals after a sabbatical — doesn’t matter too much, so long as he votes with the Coalition on critical matters. I see he is going to do all he can to help the Nats win his seat in New England in 2028
As for the LNP, I think they would be foolish to get rid of Sussan Ley. Aside from a few mistakes, she appears to be getting some runs on the board, and if the party gets behind her — much like the local Liberals seem to have rallied behind new leader Mark Parton — they may surprise themselves and perform far better than many people expect.
