Michael McCormack moves on from his near-death experience
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On this podcast, the Nationals leader defends his new frontbench line up against criticism it's short on women, mounts a strong pitch in favour of coal, and rejects claims that he's a weak leader.
Scott Morrison dodged a bullet when the Nationals clung on to Michael McCormack. There was palpable relief when the news came through to the Liberals. “We still have a Coalition,” one MP was heard to say…
The Nationals’ meltdown has been triggered by the forced resignation of Bridget McKenzie, and while only a new deputy needed to be elected, Joyce has seized the opportunity to make his leadership run.
I’d hoped to keep my absence nice and private, especially from those quiet Australians fighting fires. Regrettably, despite best efforts, my press office wasn’t able to keep a lid on the story.
As bushfires continue to burn across NSW and Queensland, the Prime Minister and Opposition leader have said policy arguments should be avoided until the immediate crisis has passed, but many disagree.
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Minister David Littleproud on bushfires, drought, and the Nationals
The Conversation, CC BY49.3 MB(download)
In this podcast, David Littleproud says "as elected officials, we've got a responsibility" to wait for the right time to talk about the link between climate change and the ongoing bushfires.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison inspecting a burnt-out property in the Gold Coast hinterland in September 2019. Mr Morrison has offered “thoughts and prayers” to those affected by the fires.
Dave Hunt/AAP
Fire officials warn that this week’s catastrophic fire conditions are “where people die”. Climate change has arrived, and politicians should drop the meaningless rhetoric.
‘Calls unfortunately weren’t made to the right people at the right time,’ said the Deputy PM.
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Speaking with The Conversation’s politics podcast, McCormack said in hindsight, it would have been better to have told Nationals who’d been agitating for the code that negotiations were underway.
The Deputy PM urges farmers considering leaving their farms to ‘take every bit of good advice available before they take that ultimate step’.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Deputy PM Michael McCormack on the drought and restive Nationals
The Conversation, CC BY33.7 MB(download)
Following tensions in the Nationals party room over the bring-forward of the dairy code for Pauline Hanson, the Deputy PM admits that the party leadership mishandled the situation.
Senator James McGrath in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra.
Mick Tsikas
Following similar comments by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, a senator has called for the ABC to sell its Ultimo headquarters and move to the suburbs and regional centres.
Barnaby Joyce on Monday turbocharged his push to regain the Nationals leadership with a media blitz.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
One of the Nationals’ key KPIs for McCormack has been that he must successfully pressure Morrison for the government to underwrite coal-fired generation.
Tony Abbott is being challenged in Warringah by Zali Steggall, who has climate policy at the centre of her platform.
AAP/Peter Rae
McCormack must live in a parallel universe if he ever thought Broad’s account of flying off on an overseas date, followed by an apparent move to extract money from him, was just “a personal matter”.
Joyce, having put his personal crisis behind him, is obviously feeling his oats.
Lukas Coch/AAP
There’s a fine line between being out and about and canvassing. Just being visible is all that’s needed at this stage of a bid. And Joyce doesn’t hide his ambitions for a return.
Environmental water is not a luxury – it’s vital for river ecosystems and everyone who depends on them.
AAP Image/Dean Lewins
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has suggested changing the rules to allow ‘environmental’ water to be diverted to drought-hit farms. But the idea would be far less straightforward in practice.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud rejected the Shorten call for a suspension.
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From Morrison’s point of view, McCormack’s imagery was totally out of whack with his desired framing. Even within the Nationals there is some criticism of the leader for being inept.
Michael McCormack has rewarded supporters but has been cautious in making changes.
No about-face: Barnaby Joyce (left) may have gone to the backbench, but his successor Michael McCormack looks set to keep his climate views aflame.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Barnaby Joyce had a long history of opposing climate action. His successor Michael McCormack seems to think the same way, despite climate being a growing threat to the Nationals’ rural voters.
