Latest news with #PrivateMember'sBill
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Coalition leader Sussan Ley addresses accusation she is ‘dodging' net zero policy decision as opposition remains divided
Coalition leader Sussan Ley has addressed the accusation she is 'dodging' deciding how to handle the opposition's net zero policy as the party room remains divided on whether or not to scrap the emissions pledge. Net zero has proved to be a contentious issue for the Coalition, resulting in a short-lived split between the National and Liberal parties in late May and prompting a handful of backbenchers to publicly oppose the policy. Despite Ms Ley touting net zero and reducing emissions as a key priority, she has faced mounting pressure from within her party to dump the policy altogether. Coalition leader Sussan Ley has addressed the accusation she is 'dodging' deciding how to handle the opposition's net zero policy. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman Activist group Advance has also launched a 'nationwide pressure campaign' urging supporters to target Coalition MPs who backed net zero, vowing 'dump net zero, or we dump you", according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Speaking to Sky News on Thursday evening, Ms Ley insisted the Coalition had to 'take the time' to 'get this right'. In response, Sky News host Andrew Bolt pressed the Opposition Leader over whether the Coalition's nine to 12-month long review into net zero showed she lacked the courage to reach a decision and whether it would be a "cut-through issue" for her if she was going to "dodge it". "Not at all and not dodging it, and I've said that we will take the time that we need to to get this right," Ms Ley said. 'We need to have an energy policy that does reduce emissions, plays our part, by the way the government's emissions are going up, not down… and also delivers a reliable energy grid for households and businesses. 'But the most important game right now when energy is mentioned is holding the government to account for their 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030 fairy tale.' Ms Ley refused to provide any update on the Coalition's net zero decision and also declined to say whether she agreed with getting rid of the policy altogether having been Environment Minister in the Morrison government. 'Failures of this government are our number one priority because every opposition's task, firstly, is to hold the government to account,' she said. 'While I recognise Australians have voted in this government, I also know that they are breaking their promises.' Net zero became a critical issue for the Coalition in July when former Nationals leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack tabled a Private Member's Bill aimed at overhauling all climate related policies. The Coalition is currently conducting a review of net zero alongside a Nationals Party review, with shadow energy minister Dan Tehan previously stating that gas would be key to policy moving forward. Mr Tehan told Sky News in early August the process could take 'nine to 12 months'.
IOL News
04-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
New EFF bill aims to tighten control over South Africa's foreign loans
Minister Enoch Godongwana revealed in a recent interview with Bloomberg Television that the government is managing a loan package totalling about R54 billion Image: Jairus Mmutle/GCIS The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have taken formal steps to introduce a Private Member's Bill aimed at tightening parliamentary oversight over the country's foreign borrowing. According to party MP Sinawo Tambo, the proposal is already being processed through the Bills Office and is 'at an advanced stage.' The legislation seeks to ensure that all foreign loan agreements receive prior approval from Parliament and are fully disclosed to the public. The party wrote to the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza in June, notifying her of their intention to table the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill, 2025. "It aims to strengthen democratic oversight and ensure that all foreign loan agreements undergo prior parliamentary approval and are subject to full public disclosure before conclusion. The policy rationale and urgency for this amendment are outlined in the attached policy proposal and consultation documents. The party said in the letter to Didiza. "The Bill is premised on the constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, and sound financial governance, as provided for in Sections 215 and 216 of the Constitution." The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the country's escalating debt levels. South Africa's debt-to-GDP ratio has grown from 23.6% in 2008/09 to a projected 74.7% in 2024/25. The International Monetary Fund has also recommended that South Africa reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 60% to align with international standards. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Action SA is just pathetic. The EFF is already processing this with the Bills Office and it is at an advanced stage. This is just a sad and pathetic stunt. — Sinawo Thambo (@Sinawo_Thambo) August 3, 2025 Earlier this year, the party was also critical of the government's decision to sign a US$1.5 billion (R27.2 billion) loan agreement with the World Bank for infrastructure development. "The EFF is deeply concerned by the rising trend of foreign-denominated loans, particularly when there is sufficient liquidity in the domestic financial market and alternative monetary policy interventions that remain unexplored, " the party said. Since then, the government has secured several additional loans. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana revealed in a recent interview with Bloomberg Television that the government is managing a loan package totalling about R54 billion from international lenders, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and KFW.
Leader Live
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Andrew Ranger MP backs plans to crackdown on unjust parking fines
The Labour government has launched a consultation to protect drivers with plans to raise standards across the private parking industry unveiled through a new strengthened Private Parking Code of Practice. Over 35 million people across the UK rely on their cars for everyday life – from commuting to caring responsibilities – but the fear of being hit with unfair parking charges has eroded trust between drivers and some operators. To better support drivers in vulnerable or stressful situations, such as attending hospital appointments, a new rule is being considered that would uphold appeals where drivers had no reasonable choice but to breach parking terms. Proposals will ensure fair treatment for drivers and introduce 'common-sense' standards across the industry, including clear signage and mandatory grace periods. These measures will help prevent charges caused by issues like payment machine errors, accidental typos, or poor mobile signal. Previous Governments have tried to legislate but never succeeded. The Parking Act 2019 was introduced as a Private Member's Bill in 2017, and the previous government's Private Parking Code of Practice was laid in 2022 but withdrawn later that year following a legal challenge from the parking industry. Wrexham MP Andrew Ranger said: 'Too many of my constituents in Wrexham have been ripped off by rogue parking operators who make it difficult for motorists to comply with the terms and conditions and leave them open to parking charges and escalating costs. "Labour is acting to change that. Protecting motorists and holding operators to account." Read more At present, operators can avoid sanctions for poor practice, leaving motorists vulnerable to unfair or incorrect charges. The new compliance framework will aim to ensure accountability. Under proposals, operators who breach the code may lose access to DVLA data required to issue parking charges. The code will strike a balance - protecting motorists while enabling compliant operators to run efficient, value-for-money car parks. It marks another step the government is taking to repair Britain's transport and save people time and money, following the allocation of £1.6 billion funding this year to help local authorities resurface roads and fix the equivalent of up to seven million extra potholes, with an additional £24 billion set aside to build new roads and keep drivers moving over the next five years. The eight-week consultation also seeks views on: • Appropriate caps for parking charges and debt recovery fees • Improvements to second-stage appeals • Requirements for operators to share data with government to inform future updates to the Code The consultation is open until September 5 and is available on the Welsh Government website.
Sky News AU
03-08-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Dan Tehan flags gas is crucial moving forward as Coalition's net zero review could take up to a year to settle on final outcome
Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan has flagged gas as a crucial element in the Coalition's energy policy moving forward and confirmed the ongoing review into net zero could take up to a year. Net zero has become a critical issue for the Coalition, with former Nationals leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack tabling a Private Member's Bill last week aimed at overhauling all climate related policies. Numerous Nationals and Liberal backbenchers have publicly spoken out against the controversial policy despite Liberal leader Sussan Ley touting reducing emissions as a top priority for the Coalition. Ms Ley told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell on Thursday she wanted to develop an energy policy focussed on manufacturing while making power more affordable and also reducing emissions. As the Coalition's working group continues its review on the polarising issue, Mr Tehan, who is leading the policy review, told Sky News' Sunday Agenda that the process could take 'nine to 12 months". 'We've got to work out: okay, what will our nuclear policy be? What will our gas policy be? What will we do with state governments that continue to provide subsidies to keep coal-fired power stations going?' Mr Tehan said. The Nationals are also conducting a review to determine its position on net zero, with the process being led by vocal climate critic Senator Matt Canavan. When asked by Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell what the Coalition's approach on coal would be, Mr Tehan said the working group had a lot to consider and that gas would be an important factor moving forwards. 'We've said the first focus is going to be on gas,' Mr Tehan said. Mr Tehan reiterated he wanted the review to result in a sustainable and coherent policy position and said the Liberal and National parties needed to find common ground on the issue. He said it was vital that the two political camps 'agree on a policy moving forward" and added that another Coalition split would 'not do the cause on the centre-right of Australian politics any good whatsoever'. 'I think all of us, as individuals – all members of both the Liberal Party and the National Party – have to think very seriously about that over the next 12 to 24 months," he said.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Thousands Of Teens Plead For Government To Take Action On Modern Slavery
This week more than 2,000 letters from New Zealand children and young people will be presented to MPs calling for urgent action on modern slavery. A delegation of World Vision youth Advocacy Ambassadors will present the letters to MPs on Parliament's Steps at 12.30pm on Wednesday July 16. National MP Greg Flemming and Labour MP Camilla Belich will be there to receive the submissions. The letters were written and collected at a series of World Vision New Zealand Youth Conferences and universities earlier in the year where thousands expressed their dismay at New Zealand's lack of laws to address modern slavery. World Vision Advocacy Ambassador 19-year-old Lily Murphy says New Zealand young people are passionate about the need for action on modern slavery. 'It is disgraceful that New Zealand has failed for so long to introduce any form of regulation against using modern slavery in Kiwi production lines. 'Young people are calling for a system where doing the right thing isn't optional, it's the law,' the Dunedin student says. Messages contained in the letters to MPs include: 'I don't want my belongings created by someone whose human rights are ignored.' 'As a country we have a responsibility to ensure that our goods and services are not supporting exploitation, to prevent abuse, and support victims of slavery.' 'New Zealanders deserve to know that our goods and services are not built on the backs of exploited people.' Fellow World Vision Advocacy Ambassador, 19-year-old Breanna Rickman, says she hopes MPs will take heed of the collective call from young people for a Modern Slavery Act. 'Young people all over New Zealand care about addressing modern slavery because they can see and understand the harsh effect it has on millions of people. 'We want the MPs to receive these letters and understand that there are so many people who are passionate about making this change for our country. This is a plea from New Zealand young people for our MPs to act as the representatives we voted them to be and back a Modern Slavery Bill,' she says. There is currently a Private Member's Bill from National MP Greg Flemming in the ballot while Labour was preparing to introduce a Modern Slavery Act when it was in Government. World Vision National Director, Grant Bayldon, who will also be at parliament for the handover of the letters, says there is cross party support for a modern slavery act. 'We know both Labour and National support some form of regulation to address modern slavery. Let's capitalise on that consensus! We need our MPs to put the politics aside and to come together to protect the millions who are affected by modern slavery,' he says. Notes: The following MPs will meet with the World Vision Advocacy Ambassadors as they present their letters: Rachel Brooking (Labour) Shanan Halbert (Labour) Ingrid Leary (Labour) Tamatha Paul (Green) Suze Redmayne (National) Tom Rutherford (National) Jane Tinetti (Labour) Ryan Hamilton (National) Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Te Pati Maori) Miles Anderson (National) Menéndez March Ricardon (Green) Wedd Catherine (National) Willis Scott (Green) Camilla Belich (Labour) Greg Fleming (National)
