Latest news with #Shoebridge
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Slavery': Senators' fiery clash on energy
A heated debate over Australia's path to net zero has erupted on ABC's Q&A program, with a Liberal and Greens senator throwing accusations including the use of 'Trumpian talking points' and supporting 'human slavery'. Glenn Gibson of NSW asked the panellists if the climate wars were over or if they had just begun, as Matt Canavan – who vehemently campaigned to drop the zero target – lost his bid to oust David Littleproud as the leader of the Nationals party. Outgoing Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes said the Coalition should have a 'really hard look' at what the cost of maintaining the net zero policy would be. Greens Senator David Shoebridge said that he believes that the best energy source for Australia is renewables on Q&A Credit: ABC She reiterated her claim that the Greens are 'unicorn farmers' with 'very little knowledge of how the country works'. 'David (Shoebridge) wants to talk about building a future. What are we going to build it with? You need steel and wood to build houses,' Senator Hughes said. 'If we're going to shut down all our industry to produce those materials, we won't be building very many houses.' In response, Senator Shoebridge said he believed the best energy source for Australia was renewables. 'I'm on board with cheap power and we know because everyone with credentials in the space tells you what cheap power is: its renewables. It's wind and solar,' he said. 'If we keep opening up coal and gas mines, it's like ripping the solar panels off the roof.' Calling out that the production of solar panels has been linked to forced labour camps in Uyghur communities in China, Senator Hughes accused the Greens of supporting human slavery. Outgoing Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes said that the Coalition should have a 'really hard look' at what the cost of maintaining the net zero policy would be on Q&A Credit: ABC 'I never thought I'd hear the Greens support human slavery because it's the Uyghurs that are making solar panels in China,' she said. Senator Shoebridge hit back, accusing her of using 'Trumpian talking points' to forward the fossil fuel industry. 'Anything you can put, anything you can put to destroy renewable energy and give the fossil fuel industry another sad, tragic decade.' Senator Shoebridge did not deny that forced labour did exist in the renewable energy industry, but denied that it was 'the overwhelming element of the supply chain'. The Liberal Party will announce its new leader on Tuesday, after Peter Dutton lost his seat in Dickson NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Although Senator Canavan lost his bid to lead the Nationals, change to the party's position on net zero may still be possible. Amid reports that MPs are pushing for the party to drop the target, Mr Littleproud has not publicly declared what his position on the policy is and has left the door open to change. The decision could lead to challenges for the new leader of the Liberals, who will be decided on Tuesday. Deputy Leader Sussan Ley and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor will battle it out on Tuesday morning when the much reduced Liberals party room meets in Canberra.
Sky News AU
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Greens leadership battle unfolds with ‘big shoes' to fill after Adam Bandt failed to be re-elected in formerly safe Melbourne seat
The Greens have begun preparing for a three-way leadership race after former leader Adam Bandt failed to be re-elected in his formerly safe seat of Melbourne. The party lost three of its four lower house seats after three years of scandals, including antisemitism allegations, workplace complaints and support for the CFMEU. Following the electoral wipeout in the lower house, Greens Senator David Shoebridge denied that the party had lost its way since being founded on environmental issues. "Yes, we lost those three seats. No one's going to pretend otherwise. (But) we now have the sole balance of power in the senate," he told Sky News Sunday Agenda. "Our core vote held, and indeed, it strengthened into electorates and places we haven't seen before." The Greens must now elect a new leader, as a three-way contest emerges between Senators Mehreen Faruqi, Sarah Sarah Hanson-Young and Larissa Waters. Mr Shoebridge said it was "time for a woman" to lead the Greens, with just four men in the party's 12 elected representatives. All three female leadership contenders hold senior roles within the party and represent its progressive heartland. Ms Hanson-Young, a prominent South Australian senator, has been a loud voice on climate and refugee issues. Ms Faruqi, the party's deputy leader and the first Muslim woman in Australian parliament, has pushed issues on education and the war in Gaza. She raised eyebrows in the 47th Parliament of Australia when she wore a keffiyeh to the senate and shouted "free Palestine" in the chamber. Ms Waters, a former co-deputy leader from Queensland, has represented the party on women's issues, mining and resources. 'We haven't seen final nominations… I'm not going to give you a running commentary on who I would be supporting as leader,' Mr Shoebridge said. 'My hope is that we, and I see this happening, we will come together as collegiately as we can and first of all try and make a consensus decision. 'Whoever is chosen to do that is going to have a job to bring the party together and put forward a positive platform for the next three years.' Mr Shoebridge ruled out running for the leadership position, but did not deny the possibility of running to become deputy leader. 'The bulk of our party room are women and I think it's time… it would be good to see a woman lead the Greens.'
Sky News AU
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘The escalation has not finished': India-Pakistan tensions far from over
Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Shoebridge claims the escalation between India and Pakistan 'hasn't finished' as tensions continue to grow. 'The escalation hasn't finished … the most dangerous thing is what happens next after these Indian airstrikes,' Mr Shoebridge told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. 'At the moment, it's not really a military-on-military conflict, but that could happen as a result of what we saw today.'
Sky News AU
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Damaging': Beijing linked group allegedly interferes in 2025 Federal election campaign
Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Shoebridge says foreign interference from Beijing-linked groups is 'damaging' to Australian election integrity. 'It's hard to see another reason that these potentially Beijing-linked groups want to support particular candidates to get the vote out,' Mr Shoebridge said. 'Allegedly directed to vote for particular candidates – the candidates they're not giving their support and help to look like candidates they don't want to win. 'That's what is so damaging about foreign interference.'
Sky News AU
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Chinese Communist Party are a ‘long-term player' of the ‘election interference' game
Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Shoebridge says the Chinese Communist Party is a 'long-term player' when it comes to election interference. This comes amid alleged interference from the Beijing-linked Hubei Association. 'That's why we've got laws against it,' Mr Shoebridge told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'The Chinese Communist Party is a long-term player with this, and they use these Chinese overseas associations to do this kind of interference.'
