Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
The Coalition is having yet another go at crafting an energy policy. Faced with the huge economic challenges presented by COVID, the government this week announced its "gas-fired recovery".
But the policy is already under fire from both environmentalists and coal advocates, and the energy sector warns it could discourage investors.
Part of the announcement was a threat – the government will build a gas generator in the Hunter Valley if the private sector fails to fill the gap in power supply that will be created by the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power plant.
This dramatic form of intervention would seem very much against the Liberal grain.
But Energy Minister Angus Taylor says: "Our focus is on good competitive markets. That's a Liberal Party philosophy.
"Our belief is in the importance of affordable, reliable energy - we want the private sector to deliver it. That's their obligation to their customers, we believe. But if they don't, we will step in."
Despite the focus on gas, Taylor said renewables would play their role in the future. "I've always been enormously enthusiastic about renewables, but I also see that what we need is a mix.
"And when people talk about a single technology as the answer to all our problems, I am sceptical.
"I'm not sceptical of balance and having a range of different technologies...a balance that includes hydro, solar and wind, gas, coal, batteries starting to play a role, particularly over the very short term, to help support, secure, the market."
On the rate rise, Albanese’s launch and what a Frydenberg loss would mean for the Liberals
Economist Saul Eslake on why Reserve Bank needs to raise rates next week
Ray Hadley’s shouty assault on Albanese; the intractable Solomons issue; and the wider play of Deves
Andrew Wilkie invites independent candidates to call him for a chat about approaching a hung parliament
Joe Hockey on Trump, Biden, and the federal election
Morrison suggests voters judge him as they would their dentist
Josh Frydenberg is optimistic about wage growth
Word from The Hill: Next step for Morrison is visit to governor-general
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers on the budget Labor can’t oppose
Sarah Ferguson on reporting from Ukraine
Labor will give human rights award in memory of Kitching
Stay calm, petrol is headed down, budget is improving – economist Chris Richardson
Be careful what you say about your opponent’s ‘makeover’
Mark Maund on improving our resilience to deal with flood crises
Word from The Hill: Subs, floods and people saying it’s ‘time to give someone else a go’
Russian specialist Matthew Sussex on Putin’s potential to start wider war
Assistance for Ukraine and Peter Dutton’s fundraising
Australian politics in an uncertain world
Labor defence spokesman Brendan O’Connor on China and Ukraine
Government’s ‘shock and awe’ assault on Anthony Albanese
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free