Latest news with #BarnabyJoyce
The Australian
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Australian
Barnaby Joyce calls for clear policy lines after ‘brutal' Newspoll
Nationals heavyweight Barnaby Joyce is calling for a strategy switch up after a 'brutal' poll found the Coalition's core support has fallen to its lowest point in 40 years. The first Newspoll published since the federal election found the primary vote for the Coalition fell further from 31.8 per cent at the May 3 vote to just 29 per cent. In worse news for Sussan Ley, she trailed Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister, with 32 per cent to the Labor leader's 52 per cent. Though, her approval rating was 35 per cent – the typical mark for newly elected opposition leaders. Mr Joyce, who was booted to the backbench after the Coalition's brief post-election break-up, said on Monday his side needed to be clear on where it stood on issues. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is trailing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister. Picture: Nikki Short / NewsWire 'They are brutal numbers,' he told Seven's Sunrise. 'I think the first thing you do is you be honest about them.' He said the Coalition would need to be strategic with its approach to question time in parliament if it was going to claw back support. 'Let's be frank, any person in a lower house seat … wherever it is – Watson, Farrer, New England – if you had a 3 in front of your primary vote, you would be very, very worried,' Mr Joyce said. 'If you had a 2-3 in front of your vote, you would basically kiss yourself goodbye.' Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says the Coalition needs to find 'binary' issues to take Labor to task with. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire He said the Coalition needed 'to find issues which are binary, which you are fully for, and the Labor Party is fully against'. 'If you try and work on nuances and ameliorations and views of a different issue – that's no good,' Mr Joyce said. 'That's why such issues such as net zero, I say – find a point of division. 'You don't believe in net zero, they do believe in net zero. 'You believe in looking after pensioners and power prices, they believe in abiding by the Paris Agreement. 'But if you've got another way about it, they're your numbers.'
The Age
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
Allan is wrong about NGV protest - it is fair to highlight Israel links
Shared humanity Experienced Israeli soldiers with proven loyalties are looking beyond the frontlines of Gaza's war (' Israeli soldiers and generals turning their backs on Netanyahu over Gaza ', 29/7). They see a reality in which Palestinian civilian families are mere collateral for an Israeli government resorting to violence to shroud political ambitions. (Yes, Hamas fighters also trashed Israeli civilian families). We should encourage Israel's uniformed dissidents; your correspondents' acknowledge they express a growing sentiment in Israel, against war. Yet being against war will not be enough to build a new peace. Israel needs peace as much as Palestinians do. But can Israel even start down that path while its occupation, laws, regulations and budgets ensure Palestinians remain subjects or second-class citizens? The Jewish state's reputation will fully recover, along with its security, when its people acknowledge the full humanity of others. Ken Blackman, Inverloch Loading Going backwards So Barnaby Joyce feels he is 'compelled' to repeal the net zero target because 'his community felt too passionately about the wide scale of solar and wind farms in the regions'. (28/7). It's worth mentioning that he has spent the past 20 years spreading misinformation about climate change and the transition to renewable energy needed to address it. That he and his fossil fuel friends have been astroturfing protests against renewable energy projects. Joyce's efforts have undoubtedly been successful in New England, where he received 67.14 per cent of the two-party vote at the last election. Joyce also claims, with absolutely no evidence, that our net zero target will 'have absolutely no effect on the climate'. Yet cutting emissions is the primary requirement to avoid a climate catastrophe. This is why more than 100 countries have zero emissions targets. Some, like China (2060) and India (2070), a bit later, and some a bit early, like Finland (2035) and Germany (2045). His claim is nonsense, like his earlier prediction of $100 roasts. Barnaby Joyce certainly won't give up on his favoured wedge issue, especially now that it can be used to wedge his own Coalition colleagues and perhaps rekindle his own leadership ambitions. Graeme Henchel, Yarra Glen Winning at dealing Like him or loathe him, Trump is no fool when it comes to money. He enters every 'deal' from a position of strength and on his own ground. Every other party enters in weakness. We first saw this in the Trump-Starmer (UK) deal. America the winner. Now it's the EU's turn. Have a close look at the expression on the faces of the two negotiators (' EU and US agree to trade deal with 15% tariffs for European exports ', 28/7). Trump's first strike allowed plenty of room for painless compromise. Yet again, a win for America. It remains to be seen how Australia will get on given we have already agreed to accept American beef, to no apparent advantage for Australia. Jim Lamborn, Doncaster Deal is a hoax Is this EU deal the biggest, the most beautiful, the most unbelievably fantastic hoax perpetrated on the American people in US history by the unparalleled shyster of all time? What a wondrous thing to watch the Trumpmeister perpetrate a reverse GST on his people by introducing across the board tariffs and getting importers and exporters to collect the tax from consumers, apparently solving the debt crisis. But get this, this comes while at the same time he releases the wealthy from contributing taxes to the welfare of American society under his Big Beautiful Bill. You've gotta hand it to the most successful carpet bagger in American history. Pier Paolo De Carlo, Ascot Vale Tariffs for peace So the Palestinians won't come to the party with Israel on peace negotiations for the Gaza Strip? It is time for the Great Deal Maker to step up. Trump only needs to threaten the Gaza Strip with a 150 per cent tariff on all their exports to the US and they will soon be begging for a deal. Christopher Rogers, Killawarra Finding answers Timely advice from Peter Hartcher (' Good journalism can seek solutions ', 29/7). Yes, we are so dispirited by bad news with seemingly no solutions. Taking climate change action as an example, Barnaby Joyce and others would take us back into the climate wars with his insistence of retreating from the net zero target for emissions ('Hanson hits out at Ley, tests coalition resolve on net zero', 29/7). We all know we could well fail to reach our targets in the prescribed time and see all around us evidence of worsening climate disasters. We need to move forward with solutions, which are more achievable working together. Yet we have various individuals focusing on their own goals of self elevation and party dominance. The public is certainly influenced by journalism and hence solution-focused writing would not only be welcome but essential in this extremely important area. Jan Marshall, Brighton A relief from gloom I keenly read Peter Hartcher's article on journalism seeking solutions. With the constant barrage of hard news reporting, it is little wonder that mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are increasing. It would be a relief if journalists could refocus on constructive solutions instead of high drama, gloom and doom, winners and losers, and report to readers on useful problem-solving strategies where at times positive change can happen. Helen Clements, Mt Waverley Privatising our park The latest moves to remove 34 mature trees from Albert Park while extending the lockout period to three weeks is another disgraceful example of privilege and privatisation of public utilities to serve the few. For a three-day annual event! (' Public lockout at Park ', 29/7). The original charter for the F1 race was that it would be short term. It makes an annual loss taxpayers subsidise while the owners reap the profit – if only there was transparency regarding the actual finances but good old 'commercial in confidence' covers that. Denise Stevens, St Kilda Chopper damage Shame on all connected with the environmental carnage that will follow in Swan Bay (' Helicopter landing site riles locals in this prized coastal area ', 29/7). In January at Lakers Cutting, I watched a military helicopter with its twin rotors roar low across the water. It sent pelicans, spoonbills, swans and ducks into a panic. As they spiralled off their peaceful patch, it appeared that they, the helicopter pilot and crew could all be imperilled in a devastating collision. Surely this is a worrying situation for James Ramsey, his precious toy chopper and the unfortunate birdlife when he takes off and lands. Alan McLean, Queenscliff Birds can handle it Helicopters are not an uncommon sight down here at the coast. When someone is in trouble they actually help to save lives. One private helicopter lifting off and gone in minutes won't annoy the swans - ever heard them honk? Margaret Skeen, Point Lonsdale The wrong bikes eBikes have been in the news lately; but what is an eBike? Let us not confuse electric bicycles and scooters with eBikes. An electric bike or scooter moves under battery power and can travel at great speeds, whereas an eBike requires a rider to actually pedal to create forward movement. The battery on an eBike is simply there to make pedalling easier. So let's get those electric bikes and scooters off footpaths and maybe have them registered. But eBikes do not need further controls as they present no danger. Alan Thomas, Hawthorn Kiwi rockets Elizabeth Knight's story on the DORKs meme stocks (' Love-bombing hits the market in revenge of the DORKs ', 28/7) correctly identified that Rocket Lab was an outlier because 'its shares had already taken off thanks to launching several satellites'. However, this undervalues Rocket Lab's impressive credentials. This New Zealand-founded, US headquartered company has made 63 launches of 224 satellites with manufacturing and launch facilities in the US and NZ, which in the past four years has positioned NZ as the fifth-ranked country globally for commercial space launches after the US, China, Russia and Europe. How about a story on how and why NZ has 'rocketed' ahead of Australia in the commercial space sector? Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Rocket Lab and own no shares in the company. But I am a proud Kiwi-Australian! Rick Ede, Mont Albert AND ANOTHER THING Barnaby Joyce Barnaby Joyce rejects climate change action (' Why Barnaby's war on net zero's already sunk ', 25/7). What about government assistance to farmers impacted by drought, floods and bushfires exacerbated by climate change? Peter Baddeley, Portland The sooner the Nationals merge with One Nation the better. The Liberals will then only have themselves to fight with. Randall Bradshaw, Fitzroy AFL Six/six/six: what a nonsense rule (' How the Demons' history-making horror show unfolded ', 28/7). These guys are not under 10s. How long before the AFL introduces an offside rule? John Walsh, Watsonia Please no Snoop Dogg at the AFL grand final. I'm still trying to get over Meatloaf all those years ago. We have much more talent on the local scene. John Bye, Elwood Loading Furthermore Your correspondent (' Underwhelming 100 ', Letters, 29/7) begrudges those younger than her voting for a Veronicas song that she does not consider a true classic, in the same way my parents would perhaps bemoan my not including Sadie the Cleaning Lady in classics of my era. Ageing is a funny business. Julian Guy, Mt Eliza Trump steak? (Letters, 28/7). Hard to chew and even harder to swallow. Greg Curtin, Nunawading An Ansett branded 'AI-powered travel agency' (' Ansett embarks on new adventure for travellers without taking flight ', 29/7) appeals to me even less than MG branded Chinese economy sedans and wagons. Maybe that's because I remember both Australia's Ansett Airlines and British MGBs. Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills Finally When a date is agreed for the end of coins and banknotes in favour of 100 per cent electronic 'card' transactions, will I be compensated for the obvious cost savings; and the end of occasional finds of a coin on the ground or a $5, $10, etc note blowing across my path? Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
UN climate boss warns of 'mega-droughts' in dire climate forecast for Australia
Australians have been warned that fruit and vegetables may become a 'once-a-year treat' if the country fails to drastically lift its clean energy ambitions. In a stark message delivered in Sydney on Monday, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said Australia faced a future of 'mega-droughts', plummeting living standards and eye-watering economic losses if it does not go much further on emissions cuts. 'Mega-droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell said during an address hosted by the Smart Energy Council, per The Australian. His speech landed during a critical moment in Australia's climate debate, with the Albanese government preparing to reveal its updated 2035 emissions target and push to co-host the next UN climate summit, COP31, alongside Pacific nations. But as momentum builds internationally, domestic political opposition is also ramping up, chiefly led by Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, who introduced a Private Member's bill this week to repeal Australia's net-zero commitment. Mr Stiell, who meets with Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen in Canberra today, said setting an ambitious target wasn't just about the environment, but rather economic survival. 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer,' he warned. 'Living standards could drop by over $7000 per person per year. And rising seas, resource pressures, and extreme weather would destabilise Australia's neighbourhood – from Pacific Island nations to Southeast Asia – threatening your security.' Australia's current pledge is to cut emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. The Climate Change Authority (CCA) is reportedly weighing up whether to recommend a more aggressive target of 65 to 75 per cent by 2035. That advice is due by the end of this month. Mr Stiell claimed that anything less would fall short. 'Bog standard is beneath you,' he said. 'The question is: how far are you willing to go?' That decision must be made by September, when Australia is due to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contributions to the UN. It will come amid a wave of climate diplomacy for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is expected to use a series of major international forums to press Australia's case to host COP31. Mr Stiell's warning was not just directed at the Albanese Government. It also served as a harsh jab at the growing campaign by Coalition backbenchers and conservative commentators arguing Australia's energy transition will hurt the economy and disadvantage regional communities. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce on Monday accused inner-city Australians of pushing policies that harm the disadvantaged, saying: 'Are you prepared to hurt the poor?' Mr Joyce's 'Repeal Net Zero' bill, backed by several Coalition rebels, proposes scrapping Australia's carbon-neutral target by 2050, a goal in line with most other developed nations. 'There's absolutely no reason that Mascot Airport can't work 24/7,' he told reporters. 'But we understand that people don't want planes flying over themselves in the middle of the night … but we don't want transmission lines over our head either. We don't want wind towers either, so there's got to be a form of quid pro quo.' His argument suggests city-dwellers are demanding action on climate change without shouldering its costs, leaving regional communities to deal with some sort of flow-on infrastructure burden. 'You don't feel virtuous if you're hurting people,' Mr Joyce said. While the bill is unlikely to pass without support from Liberal moderates, Mr Joyce's position is influential within the Nationals and perhaps reflects a growing pushback on climate policy from prominent sections of the Coalition. Joining him outside Parliament House were fellow Nationals Michael McCormack and Liberal MP Garth Hamilton, the only member of the senior Coalition partner to back the bill publicly. Mr Stiell responded to the political noise over the past fortnight with a message of economic pragmatism and global responsibility. 'I think Australians get it. From cabinet rooms to boardrooms, from farms to factories to kitchen tables, you know unchecked climate change is an economic wrecking ball,' he said. 'You know half-measures will destroy property and infrastructure, hammer households, bankrupt regions, and punch holes in public budgets. And you know that real action opens the door to real leadership – and big rewards for this ambitious, capable country.' He warned Australians against short-term thinking and urged them to embrace a rapid energy transition. 'The change is working,' he said. 'Now consider the alternative: missing the opportunity and letting the world overheat. Go for what's smart by going big. Go for what will build lasting wealth and national security. Go for what will change the game – and stand the test of time. Go for it.'
Sky News AU
19 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Scam': Net zero benefits billionaires and multinational companies
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce discusses the Albanese government's push toward net zero. Mr Joyce told Sky News Australia that net zero is a 'scam' for the benefit of billionaires and multinational companies. 'Which are making billions of dollars out of the Australian taxpayer in the first instance,' he said.
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Tilting at windmills is an act of self-harm
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to He's Labor's not-so-secret weapon, almost guaranteed to inflict damage on the Coalition whenever he opens his mouth. He's a gift to the government, even though he sits opposite. He is, of course, Barnaby Joyce, member for New England, one time deputy PM and former leader of the Nationals. As if the Coalition wasn't at a low enough ebb already, its numbers so depleted it barely registers as a political force. Along comes Barnaby with his latest doomed bid for attention - his private member's bill to scrap net zero. His more sensible Liberal partners are probably wondering if that brief separation after the election drubbing should have been permanent. Meanwhile, Labor is likely hoping for more Barnaby because if anyone makes the Coalition seem completely out of touch, it's him. Introducing his bill in the almost empty chamber yesterday, he cut a lonely figure - like an old and confused man yelling at clouds. His arguments for abandoning net zero were delivered in a hoarse voice. Shouting when few are listening can do that. Shouting is also necessary when you've failed to read the room and understand why your Liberal partners have been bleeding seats for so long now. Here's a hint, Barnaby: people want action on climate change. That's why they've chosen so many independents in once blue-ribbon Liberal seats. That's why the Coalition has been driven out of the cities. It's not just the domestic room Barnaby's failed to read. If he'd been paying attention he'd have learned that solar power is being embraced energetically around the world, even in the countries he lists as not setting net zero targets. New solar projects account for the equivalent of another coal-fired power station every 15 hours. Leading the charge towards renewables is China - one of the countries he singles out. Even Joyce's claim the bush is dead-set against renewables is flaky. A recent survey if 1000 regional residents in Renewable Energy Zones found 70 per cent supported renewables. I checked with a friend - a journalist based in the central west of NSW - who said opposition to wind farms and new transmission lines was probably overstated and the bigger issue was the lack of consultation over where they should go. Joyce's bill will get nowhere. The numbers tell us that. The only winner will be the government, which is thanking its lucky stars that not only does the electorate keep on returning Barnaby but he keeps throwing his oversized hat into the ring just like he did in October 2021. Remember that? That's when the then leader of the Nationals - yep, Barnaby Joyce - announced that he'd struck an agreement with then PM Scott Morrison to agree to committing to, you guessed it, net zero. So, really, this latest Quixotic titling at windmills is little more than a fall off the political planter box. A look-at-me moment Labor is relishing while the Coalition buries its face in its hands. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Barnaby Joyce harming the Coalition with his stance on net zero? Would the Liberals have been wiser to make the brief split with the Nationals a permanent arrangement? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. - Parents are being warned their kids may be exploited online for child abuse material, amid a push to criminalise the use of apps that "nudify" pictures. - Three years after a fatal chopper crash, reality TV star Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. THEY SAID IT: "The shift to a cleaner energy economy won't happen overnight, and it will require tough choices along the way. But the debate is settled. Climate change is a fact." - Barack Obama YOU SAID IT: Donald Trump said he'd usher in a new golden age. He didn't expect it to be comedy and satire - at his expense. Sue writes: "Humour is my go-to for dealing with most things, good or bad. Particularly important in politics where so much is out of our immediate control and any limited control we have may be delayed or take a long time to have any effect. Laughter can provide a perspective that allows us to deal with difficult things, even if, sometimes, the humour is pretty dark. Favourite cartoonists include Petty, Leunig and Pickering but have to say that I really enjoy Pope's and Broelman's work as well." "Mockery, ridicule, satire and just laughing at them are highly powerful in politics and will bring down fake pretenders," writes John from Port Macquarie. "Imagine what the moniker Scottie from Marketing and all that cosplay behind truck steering wheels, pushing mops along already cleaned floors, waving lumps of coal, giving unwanted handshakes and conducting squeamish hairdressing sessions did to our most phoney of prime ministers." Deb writes: "Humour is essential in politics. It's able to cut through the crap and exposes the usually confronting main points. My opinions on an issue have definitely been shaped by cartoons or comedy sketches. And most importantly, they save us from despair. If we don't laugh we would flood the world with tears." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to He's Labor's not-so-secret weapon, almost guaranteed to inflict damage on the Coalition whenever he opens his mouth. He's a gift to the government, even though he sits opposite. He is, of course, Barnaby Joyce, member for New England, one time deputy PM and former leader of the Nationals. As if the Coalition wasn't at a low enough ebb already, its numbers so depleted it barely registers as a political force. Along comes Barnaby with his latest doomed bid for attention - his private member's bill to scrap net zero. His more sensible Liberal partners are probably wondering if that brief separation after the election drubbing should have been permanent. Meanwhile, Labor is likely hoping for more Barnaby because if anyone makes the Coalition seem completely out of touch, it's him. Introducing his bill in the almost empty chamber yesterday, he cut a lonely figure - like an old and confused man yelling at clouds. His arguments for abandoning net zero were delivered in a hoarse voice. Shouting when few are listening can do that. Shouting is also necessary when you've failed to read the room and understand why your Liberal partners have been bleeding seats for so long now. Here's a hint, Barnaby: people want action on climate change. That's why they've chosen so many independents in once blue-ribbon Liberal seats. That's why the Coalition has been driven out of the cities. It's not just the domestic room Barnaby's failed to read. If he'd been paying attention he'd have learned that solar power is being embraced energetically around the world, even in the countries he lists as not setting net zero targets. New solar projects account for the equivalent of another coal-fired power station every 15 hours. Leading the charge towards renewables is China - one of the countries he singles out. Even Joyce's claim the bush is dead-set against renewables is flaky. A recent survey if 1000 regional residents in Renewable Energy Zones found 70 per cent supported renewables. I checked with a friend - a journalist based in the central west of NSW - who said opposition to wind farms and new transmission lines was probably overstated and the bigger issue was the lack of consultation over where they should go. Joyce's bill will get nowhere. The numbers tell us that. The only winner will be the government, which is thanking its lucky stars that not only does the electorate keep on returning Barnaby but he keeps throwing his oversized hat into the ring just like he did in October 2021. Remember that? That's when the then leader of the Nationals - yep, Barnaby Joyce - announced that he'd struck an agreement with then PM Scott Morrison to agree to committing to, you guessed it, net zero. So, really, this latest Quixotic titling at windmills is little more than a fall off the political planter box. A look-at-me moment Labor is relishing while the Coalition buries its face in its hands. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Barnaby Joyce harming the Coalition with his stance on net zero? Would the Liberals have been wiser to make the brief split with the Nationals a permanent arrangement? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. - Parents are being warned their kids may be exploited online for child abuse material, amid a push to criminalise the use of apps that "nudify" pictures. - Three years after a fatal chopper crash, reality TV star Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. THEY SAID IT: "The shift to a cleaner energy economy won't happen overnight, and it will require tough choices along the way. But the debate is settled. Climate change is a fact." - Barack Obama YOU SAID IT: Donald Trump said he'd usher in a new golden age. He didn't expect it to be comedy and satire - at his expense. Sue writes: "Humour is my go-to for dealing with most things, good or bad. Particularly important in politics where so much is out of our immediate control and any limited control we have may be delayed or take a long time to have any effect. Laughter can provide a perspective that allows us to deal with difficult things, even if, sometimes, the humour is pretty dark. Favourite cartoonists include Petty, Leunig and Pickering but have to say that I really enjoy Pope's and Broelman's work as well." "Mockery, ridicule, satire and just laughing at them are highly powerful in politics and will bring down fake pretenders," writes John from Port Macquarie. "Imagine what the moniker Scottie from Marketing and all that cosplay behind truck steering wheels, pushing mops along already cleaned floors, waving lumps of coal, giving unwanted handshakes and conducting squeamish hairdressing sessions did to our most phoney of prime ministers." Deb writes: "Humour is essential in politics. It's able to cut through the crap and exposes the usually confronting main points. My opinions on an issue have definitely been shaped by cartoons or comedy sketches. And most importantly, they save us from despair. If we don't laugh we would flood the world with tears." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to He's Labor's not-so-secret weapon, almost guaranteed to inflict damage on the Coalition whenever he opens his mouth. He's a gift to the government, even though he sits opposite. He is, of course, Barnaby Joyce, member for New England, one time deputy PM and former leader of the Nationals. As if the Coalition wasn't at a low enough ebb already, its numbers so depleted it barely registers as a political force. Along comes Barnaby with his latest doomed bid for attention - his private member's bill to scrap net zero. His more sensible Liberal partners are probably wondering if that brief separation after the election drubbing should have been permanent. Meanwhile, Labor is likely hoping for more Barnaby because if anyone makes the Coalition seem completely out of touch, it's him. Introducing his bill in the almost empty chamber yesterday, he cut a lonely figure - like an old and confused man yelling at clouds. His arguments for abandoning net zero were delivered in a hoarse voice. Shouting when few are listening can do that. Shouting is also necessary when you've failed to read the room and understand why your Liberal partners have been bleeding seats for so long now. Here's a hint, Barnaby: people want action on climate change. That's why they've chosen so many independents in once blue-ribbon Liberal seats. That's why the Coalition has been driven out of the cities. It's not just the domestic room Barnaby's failed to read. If he'd been paying attention he'd have learned that solar power is being embraced energetically around the world, even in the countries he lists as not setting net zero targets. New solar projects account for the equivalent of another coal-fired power station every 15 hours. Leading the charge towards renewables is China - one of the countries he singles out. Even Joyce's claim the bush is dead-set against renewables is flaky. A recent survey if 1000 regional residents in Renewable Energy Zones found 70 per cent supported renewables. I checked with a friend - a journalist based in the central west of NSW - who said opposition to wind farms and new transmission lines was probably overstated and the bigger issue was the lack of consultation over where they should go. Joyce's bill will get nowhere. The numbers tell us that. The only winner will be the government, which is thanking its lucky stars that not only does the electorate keep on returning Barnaby but he keeps throwing his oversized hat into the ring just like he did in October 2021. Remember that? That's when the then leader of the Nationals - yep, Barnaby Joyce - announced that he'd struck an agreement with then PM Scott Morrison to agree to committing to, you guessed it, net zero. So, really, this latest Quixotic titling at windmills is little more than a fall off the political planter box. A look-at-me moment Labor is relishing while the Coalition buries its face in its hands. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Barnaby Joyce harming the Coalition with his stance on net zero? Would the Liberals have been wiser to make the brief split with the Nationals a permanent arrangement? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. - Parents are being warned their kids may be exploited online for child abuse material, amid a push to criminalise the use of apps that "nudify" pictures. - Three years after a fatal chopper crash, reality TV star Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. THEY SAID IT: "The shift to a cleaner energy economy won't happen overnight, and it will require tough choices along the way. But the debate is settled. Climate change is a fact." - Barack Obama YOU SAID IT: Donald Trump said he'd usher in a new golden age. He didn't expect it to be comedy and satire - at his expense. Sue writes: "Humour is my go-to for dealing with most things, good or bad. Particularly important in politics where so much is out of our immediate control and any limited control we have may be delayed or take a long time to have any effect. Laughter can provide a perspective that allows us to deal with difficult things, even if, sometimes, the humour is pretty dark. Favourite cartoonists include Petty, Leunig and Pickering but have to say that I really enjoy Pope's and Broelman's work as well." "Mockery, ridicule, satire and just laughing at them are highly powerful in politics and will bring down fake pretenders," writes John from Port Macquarie. "Imagine what the moniker Scottie from Marketing and all that cosplay behind truck steering wheels, pushing mops along already cleaned floors, waving lumps of coal, giving unwanted handshakes and conducting squeamish hairdressing sessions did to our most phoney of prime ministers." Deb writes: "Humour is essential in politics. It's able to cut through the crap and exposes the usually confronting main points. My opinions on an issue have definitely been shaped by cartoons or comedy sketches. And most importantly, they save us from despair. If we don't laugh we would flood the world with tears." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to He's Labor's not-so-secret weapon, almost guaranteed to inflict damage on the Coalition whenever he opens his mouth. He's a gift to the government, even though he sits opposite. He is, of course, Barnaby Joyce, member for New England, one time deputy PM and former leader of the Nationals. As if the Coalition wasn't at a low enough ebb already, its numbers so depleted it barely registers as a political force. Along comes Barnaby with his latest doomed bid for attention - his private member's bill to scrap net zero. His more sensible Liberal partners are probably wondering if that brief separation after the election drubbing should have been permanent. Meanwhile, Labor is likely hoping for more Barnaby because if anyone makes the Coalition seem completely out of touch, it's him. Introducing his bill in the almost empty chamber yesterday, he cut a lonely figure - like an old and confused man yelling at clouds. His arguments for abandoning net zero were delivered in a hoarse voice. Shouting when few are listening can do that. Shouting is also necessary when you've failed to read the room and understand why your Liberal partners have been bleeding seats for so long now. Here's a hint, Barnaby: people want action on climate change. That's why they've chosen so many independents in once blue-ribbon Liberal seats. That's why the Coalition has been driven out of the cities. It's not just the domestic room Barnaby's failed to read. If he'd been paying attention he'd have learned that solar power is being embraced energetically around the world, even in the countries he lists as not setting net zero targets. New solar projects account for the equivalent of another coal-fired power station every 15 hours. Leading the charge towards renewables is China - one of the countries he singles out. Even Joyce's claim the bush is dead-set against renewables is flaky. A recent survey if 1000 regional residents in Renewable Energy Zones found 70 per cent supported renewables. I checked with a friend - a journalist based in the central west of NSW - who said opposition to wind farms and new transmission lines was probably overstated and the bigger issue was the lack of consultation over where they should go. Joyce's bill will get nowhere. The numbers tell us that. The only winner will be the government, which is thanking its lucky stars that not only does the electorate keep on returning Barnaby but he keeps throwing his oversized hat into the ring just like he did in October 2021. Remember that? That's when the then leader of the Nationals - yep, Barnaby Joyce - announced that he'd struck an agreement with then PM Scott Morrison to agree to committing to, you guessed it, net zero. So, really, this latest Quixotic titling at windmills is little more than a fall off the political planter box. A look-at-me moment Labor is relishing while the Coalition buries its face in its hands. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Barnaby Joyce harming the Coalition with his stance on net zero? Would the Liberals have been wiser to make the brief split with the Nationals a permanent arrangement? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. - Parents are being warned their kids may be exploited online for child abuse material, amid a push to criminalise the use of apps that "nudify" pictures. - Three years after a fatal chopper crash, reality TV star Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. THEY SAID IT: "The shift to a cleaner energy economy won't happen overnight, and it will require tough choices along the way. But the debate is settled. Climate change is a fact." - Barack Obama YOU SAID IT: Donald Trump said he'd usher in a new golden age. He didn't expect it to be comedy and satire - at his expense. Sue writes: "Humour is my go-to for dealing with most things, good or bad. Particularly important in politics where so much is out of our immediate control and any limited control we have may be delayed or take a long time to have any effect. Laughter can provide a perspective that allows us to deal with difficult things, even if, sometimes, the humour is pretty dark. Favourite cartoonists include Petty, Leunig and Pickering but have to say that I really enjoy Pope's and Broelman's work as well." "Mockery, ridicule, satire and just laughing at them are highly powerful in politics and will bring down fake pretenders," writes John from Port Macquarie. "Imagine what the moniker Scottie from Marketing and all that cosplay behind truck steering wheels, pushing mops along already cleaned floors, waving lumps of coal, giving unwanted handshakes and conducting squeamish hairdressing sessions did to our most phoney of prime ministers." Deb writes: "Humour is essential in politics. It's able to cut through the crap and exposes the usually confronting main points. My opinions on an issue have definitely been shaped by cartoons or comedy sketches. And most importantly, they save us from despair. If we don't laugh we would flood the world with tears."
