[AU] Wentworth byelection forces Liberals to reconsider climate policy
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https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/wentworth-byelection-backlash-reignites-tensions-inside-the-morrison-government-over-climate-policy-20181021-p50b2d.html
Wentworth byelection backlash reignites tensions inside the Morrison government over climate policy
As Parliament resumes on Monday, the Liberal Party was on track to lose Wentworth to independent candidate Kerryn Phelps, with an update on Sunday night giving her almost 51 per cent of the vote. The result represents an extraordinary 18 per cent swing against the federal government, one of the biggest in Australian history, but the Australian Electoral Commission is yet to count thousands of postal votes that could favour Liberal candidate Dave Sharma.
Government ministers and backbenchers told Fairfax Media they believed one lesson from the Wentworth result was to develop a stronger message on cutting emissions in order to win back voters concerned about climate change. Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman said the Liberal Party's own research showed climate change and the removal of Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister were the two biggest concerns for Wentworth voters.
He said there was a case to be made for putting more funding into the government's Emissions Reduction Fund, which started with about $2.5 billion but has just $250 million left.
The scale of the investment is certain to be contested within government as some ministers and backbenchers insist the Paris targets will be easily met on current settings, a claim disputed by scientists and environmental groups.
"There is no doubt the government has had a tough few months but I'm confident that our focus on creating jobs, lowering taxes and protecting our security can put us in a position to win next year," Senator Canavan said.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg brushed aside suggestions the Morrison government needed to overhaul its climate policies, saying they were "settled" and were enough to "meet and beat" Australia emissions reduction pledges.
"hey guys our research shows that voters really want us to do something about climate change and none of them really want us to say its a hoax."
"coal won't kill you"
but it killed the chances of winning ⚡
When you're party is funded by coal conglomerates who want to melt the planet and the majority of your voter base likes the idea of not melting to death slightly more than money.
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