Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
With Scott Morrison overseas, Nationals leader Michael McCormack has been Acting Prime Minister this week. In this podcast, he speaks about the free trade agreement with the UK, climate change, coal, the Nationals, and China.
With speculation about whether Morrison will embrace a 2050 net zero target before the Glasgow climate conference, the attitude of the Nationals is critical and McCormack is under pressure from a vocal group in his party that is strongly against the target.
McCormack says the National party will not supporting signing up to the target this year.
When it is put to him, “we can be sure that the Nats would not embrace that target?” his reply is definite. “Correct”.
On coal, unlike many in the government, McCormack believes the controversial proposal for a coal-fired power station at Collinsville in Queensland can be a goer. A feasibility study is being conducted for the project. (It is understood a draft report has been produced already.)
McCormack says the study is “very much on its way”. Shire Energy CEO Ashley Dodd “texts me every day of every week and highlights the progress. And last week there were some really, really positive news.”
Asked whether he thinks the government will be able to support the project, McCormack says, “provided every box [including environmental ones] is ticked, yes”.
“If the proponents come forward with everything that they’re required to do, then I can see no reason why it wouldn’t be supported. And of course, it’s not just the federal government. It’s other entities, too, which need to come on board.”
Tim Colebatch on the battle in Victoria - and the Senate
William Bowe on the state of election play in WA
Andrew Hughes on political advertising - and Clive Palmer
Caroline Fisher on the spin machines of #AusVotes19
Jim Chalmers on Labor’s budget reaction
Peter Martin and Tim Colebatch on budget strategy and numbers
Jenny Macklin on inequality and Labor values
Ian McAllister on voters and issues in the coming election
Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall on Warringah votes
Kerryn Phelps on medical transfer numbers
Michael McCormack on banks and the bush, and the election battle
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tanya Plibersek on a united Labor
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anthony Albanese on Labor’s road ahead
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Josh Frydenberg on Liberal troubles
Lowy Institute’s Jonathan Pryke on APEC 2018
Andrew Giles on the growing issue of loneliness
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers on #MeToo and women in politics
Satirist Jonathan Biggins on sending up the pollies
Barnaby Joyce on facing the drought and rural women
Peter Jennings on Morrison's Jerusalem move
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