Latest news with #BillShorten
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Community right to feel Albanese having it both ways on climate
When Bill Shorten led the ALP, a mural entitled 'Two Face' appeared in Melbourne during a byelection for the then-seat of Batman. Artist Scott Marsh portrayed the opposition leader as a scarf-clad opponent of the Adani Carmichael coal mine and as an advocate for Queensland jobs in high-vis and a hard hat. Shorten won that battle only to lose the war a year later and make way for Anthony Albanese. While the mural is gone, and Labor is now entrenched on the government benches, the duality Marsh depicted persists. When then-environment minister Tanya Plibersek postponed a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf gas plant in March, there was one eye on those voters concerned about the environment and our response to the challenge of global warming. With victory secured, Plibersek was replaced with Murray Watt, whose first major announcement was an extension of the plant's life until 2070. Albanese can argue he has a solid mandate for this decision. The release last year of Labor's Future Gas Strategy made it clear that this country would continue to export gas, support gas users at home and encourage the finding and opening of new gas fields, while working to offset the emissions created. As the prime minister reiterated at a Canberra press conference on Monday: 'It's net zero, not zero.' Loading By pushing out the North West Shelf licence far beyond 2050, when net zero is to be achieved, the government has signalled to Woodside that its plans for the massive Browse gas field off the coast of Broome in Western Australia may also gain favour. Such a move would be inconsistent with the policies the International Energy Agency has set out for limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. In its 2021 report, Net Zero by 2050, the IEA states that 'there are no new oil and gas fields approved for development in our pathway'. The Future Gas Strategy says little about how reducing reliance on gas is to be achieved.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Community right to feel Albanese having it both ways on climate
When Bill Shorten led the ALP, a mural entitled 'Two Face' appeared in Melbourne during a byelection for the then-seat of Batman. Artist Scott Marsh portrayed the opposition leader as a scarf-clad opponent of the Adani Carmichael coal mine and as an advocate for Queensland jobs in high-vis and a hard hat. Shorten won that battle only to lose the war a year later and make way for Anthony Albanese. While the mural is gone, and Labor is now entrenched on the government benches, the duality Marsh depicted persists. When then-environment minister Tanya Plibersek postponed a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf gas plant in March, there was one eye on those voters concerned about the environment and our response to the challenge of global warming. With victory secured, Plibersek was replaced with Murray Watt, whose first major announcement was an extension of the plant's life until 2070. Albanese can argue he has a solid mandate for this decision. The release last year of Labor's Future Gas Strategy made it clear that this country would continue to export gas, support gas users at home and encourage the finding and opening of new gas fields, while working to offset the emissions created. As the prime minister reiterated at a Canberra press conference on Monday: 'It's net zero, not zero.' Loading By pushing out the North West Shelf licence far beyond 2050, when net zero is to be achieved, the government has signalled to Woodside that its plans for the massive Browse gas field off the coast of Broome in Western Australia may also gain favour. Such a move would be inconsistent with the policies the International Energy Agency has set out for limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. In its 2021 report, Net Zero by 2050, the IEA states that 'there are no new oil and gas fields approved for development in our pathway'. The Future Gas Strategy says little about how reducing reliance on gas is to be achieved.
The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Industry must step up to fund research: Shorten
Industry needs to "lift its game" in Australia and spend money on research and development, Bill Shorten says, while calling on universities to make their case to the public. Speaking at an online event hosted by La Trobe University on Tuesday evening, the former federal Labor leader said in a world with competing priorities for resources, higher education had to explain the benefits of the sector. "The world doesn't owe us at universities a living, we have to make the case," he said. "When universities go to governments, they say, 'We're very good people, fund us'. "That doesn't work any more. "A lot of Australians don't know what universities do." Mr Shorten, now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said a discussion with industry was needed about them paying for more of higher education. "Industry needs to lift its game in this country. If you want an R&D (research and development) budget, how about you spend some money?" he said. Mr Shorten said universities had to go beyond marketing themselves and ensure they prevented wage theft, in addition to giving domestic and international students a quality experience. "If you want to convince politicians, perhaps you need to convince the people," he said. The former cabinet minister quit politics after a 17-year career in federal parliament, deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election. Mr Shorten held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, and stepped aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after he lost the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison. Industry needs to "lift its game" in Australia and spend money on research and development, Bill Shorten says, while calling on universities to make their case to the public. Speaking at an online event hosted by La Trobe University on Tuesday evening, the former federal Labor leader said in a world with competing priorities for resources, higher education had to explain the benefits of the sector. "The world doesn't owe us at universities a living, we have to make the case," he said. "When universities go to governments, they say, 'We're very good people, fund us'. "That doesn't work any more. "A lot of Australians don't know what universities do." Mr Shorten, now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said a discussion with industry was needed about them paying for more of higher education. "Industry needs to lift its game in this country. If you want an R&D (research and development) budget, how about you spend some money?" he said. Mr Shorten said universities had to go beyond marketing themselves and ensure they prevented wage theft, in addition to giving domestic and international students a quality experience. "If you want to convince politicians, perhaps you need to convince the people," he said. The former cabinet minister quit politics after a 17-year career in federal parliament, deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election. Mr Shorten held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, and stepped aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after he lost the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison. Industry needs to "lift its game" in Australia and spend money on research and development, Bill Shorten says, while calling on universities to make their case to the public. Speaking at an online event hosted by La Trobe University on Tuesday evening, the former federal Labor leader said in a world with competing priorities for resources, higher education had to explain the benefits of the sector. "The world doesn't owe us at universities a living, we have to make the case," he said. "When universities go to governments, they say, 'We're very good people, fund us'. "That doesn't work any more. "A lot of Australians don't know what universities do." Mr Shorten, now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said a discussion with industry was needed about them paying for more of higher education. "Industry needs to lift its game in this country. If you want an R&D (research and development) budget, how about you spend some money?" he said. Mr Shorten said universities had to go beyond marketing themselves and ensure they prevented wage theft, in addition to giving domestic and international students a quality experience. "If you want to convince politicians, perhaps you need to convince the people," he said. The former cabinet minister quit politics after a 17-year career in federal parliament, deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election. Mr Shorten held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, and stepped aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after he lost the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison. Industry needs to "lift its game" in Australia and spend money on research and development, Bill Shorten says, while calling on universities to make their case to the public. Speaking at an online event hosted by La Trobe University on Tuesday evening, the former federal Labor leader said in a world with competing priorities for resources, higher education had to explain the benefits of the sector. "The world doesn't owe us at universities a living, we have to make the case," he said. "When universities go to governments, they say, 'We're very good people, fund us'. "That doesn't work any more. "A lot of Australians don't know what universities do." Mr Shorten, now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said a discussion with industry was needed about them paying for more of higher education. "Industry needs to lift its game in this country. If you want an R&D (research and development) budget, how about you spend some money?" he said. Mr Shorten said universities had to go beyond marketing themselves and ensure they prevented wage theft, in addition to giving domestic and international students a quality experience. "If you want to convince politicians, perhaps you need to convince the people," he said. The former cabinet minister quit politics after a 17-year career in federal parliament, deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election. Mr Shorten held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, and stepped aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after he lost the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison.
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Industry must step up to fund research: Shorten
Industry needs to "lift its game" in Australia and spend money on research and development, Bill Shorten says, while calling on universities to make their case to the public. Speaking at an online event hosted by La Trobe University on Tuesday evening, the former federal Labor leader said in a world with competing priorities for resources, higher education had to explain the benefits of the sector. "The world doesn't owe us at universities a living, we have to make the case," he said. "When universities go to governments, they say, 'We're very good people, fund us'. "That doesn't work any more. "A lot of Australians don't know what universities do." Mr Shorten, now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said a discussion with industry was needed about them paying for more of higher education. "Industry needs to lift its game in this country. If you want an R&D (research and development) budget, how about you spend some money?" he said. Mr Shorten said universities had to go beyond marketing themselves and ensure they prevented wage theft, in addition to giving domestic and international students a quality experience. "If you want to convince politicians, perhaps you need to convince the people," he said. The former cabinet minister quit politics after a 17-year career in federal parliament, deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election. Mr Shorten held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, and stepped aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after he lost the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese to dole out an extra ministry to the Left after landslide win
The Labor Left is poised to gain a key place in the federal ministry after winning up to a dozen seats at the election, taking a prized position vacated by former party leader Bill Shorten and extending its influence in government. The moves depend on the final election tally, with many seats still in doubt, but have already triggered concerns in the party's Right faction about the limited options for promotion into the ministry and cabinet. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will convene a caucus meeting in Parliament House on Friday to mark the historic victory last Saturday and formalise the vote on the membership of the ministry, clearing the way for him to allocate the portfolios. The caucus will increase from 103 members and senators before the election to at least 110 and as many as 121 after the votes are finalised. The Labor Left will add more members to the caucus than the Right, shifting the balance of power within the parliamentary party and so giving it another position in the ministry. Loading Incoming Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, a former state opposition leader, is seen as a likely appointment to the ministry in the Left faction vote. The other leading candidates are Ged Kearney, a former president of the ACTU, and Jess Walsh, an economist and former union official. The three Left faction members are in line to replace the position in the ministry vacated by Shorten before the election, but this is likely to mean a place in the outer ministry rather than cabinet. Albanese elevated Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to cabinet before the election, filling Shorten's position at that level with a prominent member of the Queensland Right.
