Will Malcolm 3.0 take on the anti-solar brigade in his party, like Malcolm 1.0 did?
Last week we touched on how the newly-elected Malcolm Turnbull could take on the anti-renewables wing of his party to implement sensible and far-reaching reforms. This week we look at whether Mal 3.0 has the stomach for the fight…and what this means for solar power policy in Australia.
Turnbull has been accused by his enemies both within the party and without of being a ditherer. One who loves power (according to the critics) yet is so busy making deals to do anything useful with it. He has managed to put offside progressive critics who denounce his cave-ins on renewable energy, same-sex marriage and the republic, as well as from the right.
Solar advocates would mostly agree with this character assessment. The Malcolm 2.0 experiment, since the rolling of Tony Abbott, has mostly seen the continuation of the anti-renewable drive started by one of the most unpopular PMs ever to park himself on the Treasury benches.
Conspiracy theorists have gone as far as to say the “boom and bust” mentality has been implemented deliberately to nobble the renewables industry in Australia. Whether or not this is the case, the uncertainty over renewables has put a hold on investment in large-scale projects as funding from conservative financiers such as big banks dries up.
If he is serious about achieving important climate goals and cobble together a meaningful clean energy policy that will reduce carbon emissions by 2030, he better get a move on. This according to Frank Jotzco, Director at the Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University (ANU).
In a 13 July article in The Conversation Jotzco argues for forward-thinking climate and energy policy.
“Turnbull has a chance to help position Australia for a future in which the carbon-intensive way of doing things is on the way out. We will see whether he chooses to do so – and whether his party room will let him.”
“Whether his party room will let him”. Is this an indictment of the PM’s lack of power to implement change? Our version of a dead duck presidency beholden to the resurgent right?
Malcolm 3.0 is a shadow of the pro-clean energy, progressive Malcolm 1.0, being driven to policies written by fossil fuel lobbyists.
We, the people, should demand that our PM grow a pair and confront — and defeat — the anti-renewables right on issues as important as solar policy.
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Malcolm who – is that Malcolm of LNP fame? I think Australian voters took him to the edge of the cliff and it will only take a by-election to actually push him off so for the time being nothing is entirely possible.
Nice call Ant 🙂
So you’ve given up all hope?
Rich
Australian industry’s winding down of industries using huge base load means that base load capacity is now quite capable of handling peak demand in dense population centres. The need to add solar feedback systems to smooth out demand peaks is now over. Subsidies for solar PV systems, wind farms and major commercial PV systems should now be suspended. The only way to argue against that fact, is to go off on a tangent about Climate Change, Anthropogenic Global Warming, and carbon emissions, without acknowledging that renewables will not give any measureable effect to the outcome of any of these factors.
Malcolm in the middle reminds me of a dummy with someones hand up his ass moving his mouth
“Solar advocates would mostly agree with this character assessment. The Malcolm 2.0 experiment, since the rolling of Tony Abbott, has mostly seen the continuation of the anti-renewable drive started by one of the most unpopular PMs ever to park himself on the Treasury benches.”
Hmmmm, ,,, thoughtfully but gently rubbing stubble on chin,, while bathing in the mild glow of the best Bundaberg has to offer (mixed with solar pumped bore water)
OOOOOHHHHh,,,,,,
, Rich, you must be writing of Kevin Gillard or was it Juliar Rudd, re the most unpopular PMs etc etc
I AM a Solar advocacte, a TRADESMAN and at 48 still have a couple of decades of working 10 plus hours a day , if it doesnt kill me prior., so how about keeping it NON political and pro PRACTICAL renewables?
Sorry if I have offended any individuals, groups, professions, political parties cooking show hosts, judges, contestants etc or any other group who may or may not take offence to my PERSONAL opinion.
Just a mere uneducated diesel fitter…..
Who is not very bright .
Iain
Given up all hope?
I certainly have, and I feel nothing but despair as I consider the future of my offspring and their descendants and the rest of Australia and the world
about time we changed our light bulbs again thats all mal could handle with out stuffin up
mal sings to the tune of united nations AGENDA 21 this is the real reason australia is going down the the 100 mm pvc tube google it for your kids futures sake and do not forget to thank paul keating of signing us up for it ian