Latest news with #Speakman
The Age
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
‘On board with Coalition or quit': Speakman fires warning to colleagues
The NSW Liberals will contest the Kiama byelection, with candidate nominations open for just 24 hours as the party desperately tries to win back the seat after the resignation of its former MP, convicted rapist Gareth Ward. The party's decision to run in the South Coast seat coincides with a bitter rift emerging in the Coalition over renewable energy, which has prompted a Liberal MP to quit the frontbench and has further fuelled speculation over Mark Speakman's leadership. A bill to allow Energy Minister Penny Sharpe to accelerate the delivery of critical transmission infrastructure passed parliament last week, but it has split the opposition with MPs angry they were not given enough time to consider it. Local government spokeswoman Wendy Tuckerman quit shadow cabinet over the issue, insisting the concerns of regional communities had been ignored, while Nationals MPs in the upper house were highly critical of the bill, arguing it was unnecessarily rushed through parliament. The Liberals' energy spokesman James Griffin has conceded he should have briefed Coalition colleagues on the renewable energy bill but stressed that it was 'not controversial' and it was an extension of what was in place under the Coalition. 'I agree I could have taken the draft legislation to shadow cabinet but the legislation does not deal with solar farms or wind farms; it deals with a directions framework to allow the energy minister to tell network operators to do things and work on projects in a certain timeframe,' Griffin said. The split also follows simmering concerns over Speakman's hold on the Liberals' leadership. Some MPs are convinced a challenger will emerge before Christmas. However, in a pointed attack at his colleagues, Speakman said on Monday he was 'not going to be distracted by a handful of cowards in the party'. Asked who was sowing the seeds of doubt about his leadership, Speakman said the 'minuscule handful of MPs' should 'put up or shut up'.
Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘On board with Coalition or quit': Speakman fires warning to colleagues
The NSW Liberals will contest the Kiama byelection, with candidate nominations open for just 24 hours as the party desperately tries to win back the seat after the resignation of its former MP, convicted rapist Gareth Ward. The party's decision to run in the South Coast seat coincides with a bitter rift emerging in the Coalition over renewable energy, which has prompted a Liberal MP to quit the frontbench and has further fuelled speculation over Mark Speakman's leadership. A bill to allow Energy Minister Penny Sharpe to accelerate the delivery of critical transmission infrastructure passed parliament last week, but it has split the opposition with MPs angry they were not given enough time to consider it. Local government spokeswoman Wendy Tuckerman quit shadow cabinet over the issue, insisting the concerns of regional communities had been ignored, while Nationals MPs in the upper house were highly critical of the bill, arguing it was unnecessarily rushed through parliament. The Liberals' energy spokesman James Griffin has conceded he should have briefed Coalition colleagues on the renewable energy bill but stressed that it was 'not controversial' and it was an extension of what was in place under the Coalition. 'I agree I could have taken the draft legislation to shadow cabinet but the legislation does not deal with solar farms or wind farms; it deals with a directions framework to allow the energy minister to tell network operators to do things and work on projects in a certain timeframe,' Griffin said. The split also follows simmering concerns over Speakman's hold on the Liberals' leadership. Some MPs are convinced a challenger will emerge before Christmas. However, in a pointed attack at his colleagues, Speakman said on Monday he was 'not going to be distracted by a handful of cowards in the party'. Asked who was sowing the seeds of doubt about his leadership, Speakman said the 'minuscule handful of MPs' should 'put up or shut up'.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman could face imminent leadership challenge as pressure mounts after passing net zero bill without opposition
Mark Speakman's Liberal leadership has been thrown into doubt after Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman shockingly resigned from shadow cabinet due to her party voting through a mammoth net zero bill without opposition. Mr Speakman's leadership took a hit on Friday after Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman sensationally resigned from the shadow cabinet after she claimed her party had not adequately briefed members on an electricity infrastructure bill that would considerably expand the Energy Minister's ability to fast track renewable projects. It was revealed that Labor had notified the opposition's energy spokesperson James Griffin about the legislation over a week ago, however the policy was not raised by Mr Griffin on Monday at a shadow cabinet meeting and was first flagged the day after, when the legislation was brought before the lower house. Ms Tuckerman, the former shadow minister for local government, blasted her party's handling of the matter, and said 'I cannot overstate how let down I feel.' As a result of the fiasco, there has been mounting speculation over the weekend within the NSW Liberal Party that Mr Speakman may be dumped as leader. Ms Tuckerman is reportedly a supporter of member for Wahroonga and shadow attorney general Alister Henskens who is a member of the right faction. Sky News understands that Mr Henskens is keen to take on the role of leader and may eventually launch a challenge against Mr Speakman. It's unclear when the plotters will move to dump the embattled leader. Despite Mr Speakman's prospective leadership opponents not yet having the numbers for a successful challenge, The Saturday Telegraph reported that Liberal MPs held cross-factional talks agreeing that any possible spill had to take place before the end of the year. Sky News believes the moderates, who hold control of the NSW Liberal partyroom, may counter a potential push from the right by putting forward Kellie Sloan as a candidate for leader. Mr Speakman hit out on Sunday and labelled the band of members who were discussing potential leadership tilts against him as "anonymous cowards". 'To the people of NSW – my focus is on you and your needs, not the rumour mill from a few anonymous cowards who should get out of the way,' Mr Speakman told The Daily Telegraph. He warned his parliamentary team that he expected everyone to put in the 'hard yards' to hold the Minns government to account and echoed comments made this week by former NSW Liberal premier Nick Greiner that the party needed to "be bold". 'We were bold in government on infrastructure; we'll be bold on infrastructure again, while Labor lets the pipeline dry up,' he said. Sky News understands there is a growing feeling in some sections of the NSW Liberal partyroom that Mr Speakman is not cutting through against Premier Chris Minns. Speaking on Sky News' Outsiders program on Sunday, Ms Tuckerman said her move to resign from the shadow ministry was not in 'haste' and that she would not be "silenced" for her opposition to the roll out of renewable energy projects across the state. 'It is a big move, and it wasn't something that was done in haste, it was a concern over the bill that was before the house in regard to electricity infrastructure," Ms Tuckerman said. 'We learnt from the minister that that bill had been given to the shadow minister four or five days prior – I took great offence at that, I have been very vocal in the shadow cabinet about my concerns about how the road map is being handled. 'To not receive the opportunity to have a say on behalf of my community does not sit well with me and I will not be silenced for that." Ms Tuckerman did not explicitly state if she viewed Mr Speakman's leadership as untenable and did not comment if she would be supporting a challenge against him.
Perth Now
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Shock call on push to expel rapist MP
NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman says the Liberal Party would support the expulsion of Kiama MP Gareth Ward from parliament only 'in principle', while it awaits the state government's legal advice. Ward was taken into custody on remand on Wednesday while awaiting sentencing after he was found guilty by a jury of three counts of indecent assault and a fourth count of intercourse without consent. The charges relate to acts against two young men – an 18-year-old at Meroo Meadow in 2013 and a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015 – and sparked calls for the south coast MP to resign from parliament. Mr Speakman said on Monday he would support a motion to expel Ward if he did not resign. But, with a motion expected to be moved by Labor when parliament resumes on Monday, the Liberal leader said on Thursday 'in principle, we would support his expulsion if he does not resign'. Gareth Ward is facing calls to resign from parliament. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia 'But I would like to see some legal advice just to confirm that that is in order. 'Subject to that, in principle, we support it.' Mr Speakman said it appeared 'pretty clear' the parliament had the power to expel Ward under Standing Order 254, which manages expulsion of MPs deemed to have behaved in a way 'unworthy' of the house. 'The Premier has referred to legal advice he has obtained,' Mr Speakman said. 'Would invite the Premier to share that legal advice with his parliamentary colleagues so we can be completely assured that we are doing the legally correct thing. 'But, in principle, in principle, he should be expelled, but I would just like that T crossed and that I dotted.' NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman said they would support a motion to expel ward 'in principle'. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Asked if he would support Ward's expulsion only after seeing the legal advice, Mr Speakman said: 'Let's cross that bridge. 'Certainly, in principle, we support his expulsion. 'I'd prefer to see him resign in the public interest. 'This is a pretty significant thing. It happens very rarely to expel a member from parliament, and I think my colleagues are entitled to see that advice.' Mr Speakman said Ward being in custody made the 'case for his departure from parliament even strong', and called on parliament to 'take every available legal step to remove him from parliament'. Premier Chris Minns earlier this week called on Ward to resign. Ward was remanded into custody while awaiting sentencing. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia 'It is completely ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious offences and stay as a member of parliament,' the Premier said on Monday. 'I haven't spoken to all of my colleagues, and I haven't spoken to the crossbench or the opposition about it, but it would seem ridiculous that he would continue as a member of parliament.' Mr Minns confirmed the parliament had the power to remove Ward but noted it was important that the Legislative Assembly's decision 'is not punitive'. 'The punitive measure is up to the NSW court. It's not up to parliament,' he said. 'They'll make the decision about what punishment is applied, not us.'
Economic Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Australia to have its first AI minister in shocking plan to save nurses and teachers from boring paperwork
Australia to Appoint First AI Minister Under NSW Plan to Help Teachers and Nurses Focus on What Matters Imagine a classroom or hospital where educators and healthcare workers spend more time caring and less time on paperwork. That's the vision behind NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman's bold proposal for Australia's first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence, a move designed to liberate frontline public workers from routine chores and boost productivity. Speakman said this new minister would spearhead a statewide AI strategy. 'It can relieve our teachers, our nurses, a whole lot of public‑sector workers of mundane tasks, improve productivity, and drive every tax dollar further,' he told NewsWire . The plan includes not only a dedicated ministry and AI national action plan but also low‑interest 'AI for Biz' loans to help small and medium businesses adopt 'responsible AI'. Speakman aims to follow countries like Canada, France, the UAE, and Taiwan, which already have AI ministers or similar offices. He argues that by pushing innovation, NSW won't lag. 'Every technological change has increased living standards,' he said. 'I want Australia and NSW to be leaders of that, not followers.' Not everyone is ready to sign off. Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, warned that AI 'has thus far failed because it lacks empathy' in public‑facing trials. He urges caution, especially with sensitive data. 'Keeping that secure must be our number‑one priority,' he says. Speakman counters that the AI Minister would also oversee re‑skilling workers to ensure technology augments, not replaces, jobs. He draws an analogy with Luddites, arguing that past fears of technology were ultimately proven wrong and that AI will create more and more productive jobs. Delivering a budget reply speech in late June, Speakman branded the timing urgent amid rising living costs and criticisms of the Minns Labor government's spending. He framed AI as a means to stretch every tax dollar meanwhile, is focusing on other pressing issues, housing shortfalls, health care expansion, and small‑business support. Whether AI earns a formal ministry remains to be seen.
