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Jacinta Price says net-zero target ‘impossible' without nuclear energy

Jacinta Price says net-zero target ‘impossible' without nuclear energy

Sky News AU17-05-2025
Australia's nuclear battle has been reignited, with demands for the Liberal Party not to abandon its controversial power policy.
Recent Liberal-defector Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price told The Weekend Australian that achieving a net-zero 2050 emissions target is "impossible" without nuclear power.
'It's impossible, and it hasn't been done anywhere in the world,' Ms Price said.
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Leaders tested as gun fired in race for seaside seat
Leaders tested as gun fired in race for seaside seat

The Advertiser

time16 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Leaders tested as gun fired in race for seaside seat

An unusual by-election is looming as the first real test of an opposition leader's ambitions to become premier of his state. NSW Labor on Thursday confirmed former journalist and union official Katelin McInerney as its candidate bidding to win the coastal seat of Kiama on September 13 and inch the party closer to majority government. But the by-election, triggered by former MP Gareth Ward being jailed for rape, has heralded the first test of the Liberal leader Mark Speakman's electoral chops. Mr Speakman will hope to stave off internal challengers by winning over voters who backed Ward in 2023 after he was banished from the party. Five by-elections have been held since the last election but Kiama is the first true Liberal-Labor battle, election analyst Ben Raue told AAP. "Speakman has struggled to break through and so there could be implications for him, in terms of his leadership if they don't do well," Mr Raue said. "By-elections, historically, have often been triggers for changes in party leadership." The importance Labor is placing on the contest was reflected by Thursday's visit to the seat by Premier Chris Minns. He unveiled Ms McInerney, a Kiama local, as the candidate trusted by party officials to turn the former safe seat red for the first time since 2011. Ward edged out Ms McInerney by fewer than 700 votes in 2023 but a large swing to Labor in upper house polling places it in the box seat to win it back. The government has not run a candidate in any other by-election since 2023. "We're nervous about the by-election, but we're also determined to fight for every single vote in the next few weeks," the premier said. The police investigation into Ward sparked his exit from the Liberal Party in 2021 and his suspension from parliament in 2022, before voters re-elected the charged man in 2023. "The people of Kiama have had uncertainty for the better part of five years ... people are telling me they want a strong voice in parliament," Ms McInerney said. Mr Raue said electoral baggage from Ward's status as a long-time Liberal MP would likely harm the opposition's chances. Mr Speakman downplayed his party's chances ahead of unveiling the Liberal candidate on Friday. The Liberals ran a candidate in 2023, but garnered only one in eight votes with many local branch members refusing to try to dislodge the incumbent Ward. "I'm prepared to take the fight up to the government and, more importantly, to give the people of Kiama a choice," Mr Speakman told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday. Ward is in prison awaiting sentencing for offences including sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a parliamentary event in 2015. He was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man in 2013. Ward intends to appeal his convictions. An unusual by-election is looming as the first real test of an opposition leader's ambitions to become premier of his state. NSW Labor on Thursday confirmed former journalist and union official Katelin McInerney as its candidate bidding to win the coastal seat of Kiama on September 13 and inch the party closer to majority government. But the by-election, triggered by former MP Gareth Ward being jailed for rape, has heralded the first test of the Liberal leader Mark Speakman's electoral chops. Mr Speakman will hope to stave off internal challengers by winning over voters who backed Ward in 2023 after he was banished from the party. Five by-elections have been held since the last election but Kiama is the first true Liberal-Labor battle, election analyst Ben Raue told AAP. "Speakman has struggled to break through and so there could be implications for him, in terms of his leadership if they don't do well," Mr Raue said. "By-elections, historically, have often been triggers for changes in party leadership." The importance Labor is placing on the contest was reflected by Thursday's visit to the seat by Premier Chris Minns. He unveiled Ms McInerney, a Kiama local, as the candidate trusted by party officials to turn the former safe seat red for the first time since 2011. Ward edged out Ms McInerney by fewer than 700 votes in 2023 but a large swing to Labor in upper house polling places it in the box seat to win it back. The government has not run a candidate in any other by-election since 2023. "We're nervous about the by-election, but we're also determined to fight for every single vote in the next few weeks," the premier said. The police investigation into Ward sparked his exit from the Liberal Party in 2021 and his suspension from parliament in 2022, before voters re-elected the charged man in 2023. "The people of Kiama have had uncertainty for the better part of five years ... people are telling me they want a strong voice in parliament," Ms McInerney said. Mr Raue said electoral baggage from Ward's status as a long-time Liberal MP would likely harm the opposition's chances. Mr Speakman downplayed his party's chances ahead of unveiling the Liberal candidate on Friday. The Liberals ran a candidate in 2023, but garnered only one in eight votes with many local branch members refusing to try to dislodge the incumbent Ward. "I'm prepared to take the fight up to the government and, more importantly, to give the people of Kiama a choice," Mr Speakman told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday. Ward is in prison awaiting sentencing for offences including sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a parliamentary event in 2015. He was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man in 2013. Ward intends to appeal his convictions. An unusual by-election is looming as the first real test of an opposition leader's ambitions to become premier of his state. NSW Labor on Thursday confirmed former journalist and union official Katelin McInerney as its candidate bidding to win the coastal seat of Kiama on September 13 and inch the party closer to majority government. But the by-election, triggered by former MP Gareth Ward being jailed for rape, has heralded the first test of the Liberal leader Mark Speakman's electoral chops. Mr Speakman will hope to stave off internal challengers by winning over voters who backed Ward in 2023 after he was banished from the party. Five by-elections have been held since the last election but Kiama is the first true Liberal-Labor battle, election analyst Ben Raue told AAP. "Speakman has struggled to break through and so there could be implications for him, in terms of his leadership if they don't do well," Mr Raue said. "By-elections, historically, have often been triggers for changes in party leadership." The importance Labor is placing on the contest was reflected by Thursday's visit to the seat by Premier Chris Minns. He unveiled Ms McInerney, a Kiama local, as the candidate trusted by party officials to turn the former safe seat red for the first time since 2011. Ward edged out Ms McInerney by fewer than 700 votes in 2023 but a large swing to Labor in upper house polling places it in the box seat to win it back. The government has not run a candidate in any other by-election since 2023. "We're nervous about the by-election, but we're also determined to fight for every single vote in the next few weeks," the premier said. The police investigation into Ward sparked his exit from the Liberal Party in 2021 and his suspension from parliament in 2022, before voters re-elected the charged man in 2023. "The people of Kiama have had uncertainty for the better part of five years ... people are telling me they want a strong voice in parliament," Ms McInerney said. Mr Raue said electoral baggage from Ward's status as a long-time Liberal MP would likely harm the opposition's chances. Mr Speakman downplayed his party's chances ahead of unveiling the Liberal candidate on Friday. The Liberals ran a candidate in 2023, but garnered only one in eight votes with many local branch members refusing to try to dislodge the incumbent Ward. "I'm prepared to take the fight up to the government and, more importantly, to give the people of Kiama a choice," Mr Speakman told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday. Ward is in prison awaiting sentencing for offences including sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a parliamentary event in 2015. He was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man in 2013. Ward intends to appeal his convictions. An unusual by-election is looming as the first real test of an opposition leader's ambitions to become premier of his state. NSW Labor on Thursday confirmed former journalist and union official Katelin McInerney as its candidate bidding to win the coastal seat of Kiama on September 13 and inch the party closer to majority government. But the by-election, triggered by former MP Gareth Ward being jailed for rape, has heralded the first test of the Liberal leader Mark Speakman's electoral chops. Mr Speakman will hope to stave off internal challengers by winning over voters who backed Ward in 2023 after he was banished from the party. Five by-elections have been held since the last election but Kiama is the first true Liberal-Labor battle, election analyst Ben Raue told AAP. "Speakman has struggled to break through and so there could be implications for him, in terms of his leadership if they don't do well," Mr Raue said. "By-elections, historically, have often been triggers for changes in party leadership." The importance Labor is placing on the contest was reflected by Thursday's visit to the seat by Premier Chris Minns. He unveiled Ms McInerney, a Kiama local, as the candidate trusted by party officials to turn the former safe seat red for the first time since 2011. Ward edged out Ms McInerney by fewer than 700 votes in 2023 but a large swing to Labor in upper house polling places it in the box seat to win it back. The government has not run a candidate in any other by-election since 2023. "We're nervous about the by-election, but we're also determined to fight for every single vote in the next few weeks," the premier said. The police investigation into Ward sparked his exit from the Liberal Party in 2021 and his suspension from parliament in 2022, before voters re-elected the charged man in 2023. "The people of Kiama have had uncertainty for the better part of five years ... people are telling me they want a strong voice in parliament," Ms McInerney said. Mr Raue said electoral baggage from Ward's status as a long-time Liberal MP would likely harm the opposition's chances. Mr Speakman downplayed his party's chances ahead of unveiling the Liberal candidate on Friday. The Liberals ran a candidate in 2023, but garnered only one in eight votes with many local branch members refusing to try to dislodge the incumbent Ward. "I'm prepared to take the fight up to the government and, more importantly, to give the people of Kiama a choice," Mr Speakman told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday. Ward is in prison awaiting sentencing for offences including sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a parliamentary event in 2015. He was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man in 2013. Ward intends to appeal his convictions.

Leaders tested as gun fired in race for seaside seat
Leaders tested as gun fired in race for seaside seat

Perth Now

time17 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Leaders tested as gun fired in race for seaside seat

An unusual by-election is looming as the first real test of an opposition leader's ambitions to become premier of his state. NSW Labor on Thursday confirmed former journalist and union official Katelin McInerney as its candidate bidding to win the coastal seat of Kiama on September 13 and inch the party closer to majority government. But the by-election, triggered by former MP Gareth Ward being jailed for rape, has heralded the first test of the Liberal leader Mark Speakman's electoral chops. Mr Speakman will hope to stave off internal challengers by winning over voters who backed Ward in 2023 after he was banished from the party. Five by-elections have been held since the last election but Kiama is the first true Liberal-Labor battle, election analyst Ben Raue told AAP. "Speakman has struggled to break through and so there could be implications for him, in terms of his leadership if they don't do well," Mr Raue said. "By-elections, historically, have often been triggers for changes in party leadership." The importance Labor is placing on the contest was reflected by Thursday's visit to the seat by Premier Chris Minns. He unveiled Ms McInerney, a Kiama local, as the candidate trusted by party officials to turn the former safe seat red for the first time since 2011. Ward edged out Ms McInerney by fewer than 700 votes in 2023 but a large swing to Labor in upper house polling places it in the box seat to win it back. The government has not run a candidate in any other by-election since 2023. "We're nervous about the by-election, but we're also determined to fight for every single vote in the next few weeks," the premier said. The police investigation into Ward sparked his exit from the Liberal Party in 2021 and his suspension from parliament in 2022, before voters re-elected the charged man in 2023. "The people of Kiama have had uncertainty for the better part of five years ... people are telling me they want a strong voice in parliament," Ms McInerney said. Mr Raue said electoral baggage from Ward's status as a long-time Liberal MP would likely harm the opposition's chances. Mr Speakman downplayed his party's chances ahead of unveiling the Liberal candidate on Friday. The Liberals ran a candidate in 2023, but garnered only one in eight votes with many local branch members refusing to try to dislodge the incumbent Ward. "I'm prepared to take the fight up to the government and, more importantly, to give the people of Kiama a choice," Mr Speakman told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday. Ward is in prison awaiting sentencing for offences including sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a parliamentary event in 2015. He was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man in 2013. Ward intends to appeal his convictions.

Long-serving former Queensland MP Mark McArdle dies aged 68
Long-serving former Queensland MP Mark McArdle dies aged 68

ABC News

time17 hours ago

  • ABC News

Long-serving former Queensland MP Mark McArdle dies aged 68

Former Queensland Liberal leader and long-serving Caloundra MP Mark McArdle has died aged 68. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli is one of several high profile politicians who have expressed their condolences, describing Mr McArdle as a man who 'loved his community'. "Queensland is poorer for the passing of Mark McArdle," Mr Crisafulli said. Mr McArdle was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland between 2004 and 2020, representing the electorate of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. In June 2013, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and took medical leave while undergoing treatment. He publicly shared his diagnosis to raise awareness and to encourage others to get regular checks Initially a Liberal Party member, in 2007 he became the party leader and the following year oversaw a merger with the National Party that produced the LNP. From 2012 to 2015, Mr McArdle was Queensland's Minister for Energy and Water Supply. Mr Crisafulli said this was when he developed plans to help secure the state's water supply and ensure a more resilient and cost-effective energy system. "I witnessed how much his responsibilities meant to him," he said. "He was always well prepared and made each decision on the basis of what was right for Queensland, free from political consequences. "The merger of the Liberal and National Parties would not have happened in Queensland without his bravery." Queensland's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said her thoughts were with Mr McArdle's loved ones. "Mark was a mentor and a friend, and I always valued his guidance," she said. "It pains me to hear the upsetting news. He had the community's great respect and served the LNP with diligence for many years as the Member for Caloundra, later becoming the Deputy Leader of the Opposition." Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she first met Mr McArdle while working as a journalist. "He would make time for you as a journalist … he was excited, he was bright and he was championing what we needed in this society, in his belief, for the betterment of Caloundra," Ms Natoli said. "He was well loved for that." Ms Natoli said she met with him prior to the 2024 local government elections. "We talked about my election campaign and he gave me some tips and then even wrote me some information and gave me some advice - so he was ever the politician," she said. "My sincere condolences to his wife Judy and his family and friends. "Really all of the Sunshine Coast would be feeling the loss … we're all the poorer now."

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