Andrews on track to surpass 2018 result – as it happened | Australia news

That’s the place we are going to wrap up the dwell weblog at the moment on a busy day of stories.

Right here’s the important thing factors for at the moment:

• After a gathering of power ministers in Brisbane at the moment, Chris Bowen introduced an settlement on a “capability mechanism” which he mentioned could be “holding the lights on” so there have been fewer outages when there was excessive demand.

• This comes forward of the nationwide cupboard assembly tomorrow the place it’s anticipated the federal authorities will search an settlement with the states on a cap on coal to decrease power prices throughout the nation.

• The NSW power minister, Matt Kean, indicated NSW was near an settlement however harassed the state was not in search of compensation for missed royalties, however for the impression it will have on households and companies.

• A former Division of Social Companies official advised a royal fee he was “directed” to water down authorized considerations in regards to the robodebt scheme when the coverage was been designed in early 2015.

• The federal authorities introduced overhauls to Australia’s atmosphere legal guidelines, together with plans to determine an environmental safety company.

• The Greens mentioned they might use their boosted numbers within the parliament to push the federal government to make sure the environmental safety company is unbiased and has tooth, whereas the Coalition expressed concern it will be detrimental to enterprise forward of a briefing on the plans tomorrow.

• The house affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, introduced the federal government would embark on a brand new cybersecurity technique led by three eminent Australians, the previous Telstra CEO Andy Penn, Cyber Safety Cooperative Analysis Centre CEO Rachael Falk and Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld.

• O’Neil additionally introduced two new department-led opinions Australia’s nationwide resilience and democracy resilience.

• The federal authorities is counterterrorism laws to see whether or not it adequately covers far-right extremism.

• John Pesutto has been chosen to steer the Victorian Liberal social gathering after defeating Brad Battin in a celebration room poll.

• The NSW authorities will assist an Indigenous voice to parliament being enshrined within the structure.

Till tomorrow, take pleasure in your night.

Peter Hannam

‘Convivial’ power ministers’ assembly a ‘universe away’ from Morrison instances

Vitality ministers are heading for Brisbane airport (save Mick de Brenni, Queensland’s minister), typically happy with the “crew Australia” outcomes at the moment.

What is perhaps shocking is that the problem of coal and fuel worth caps barely obtained a point out on the occasion. Federal, state and territory ministers targeted on medium- to long-term points, leaving the instant situation of worth caps and compensation (if there’s any) to the “first ministers” once they meet tomorrow.

Certainly, whether or not the value of coal will probably be capped at $125 a tonne and fuel at $8-$12/gigajoule (or decrease than the $13/GJ being bandied out) stays to be seen. “Numbers have been studiously not talked about” within the chatter on the sidelines of the occasion, one participant tells Guardian Australia.

The federal power minister, Chris Bowen, and NSW counterpart (and treasurer), Matt Kean, have been “fairly convivial” all through, mentioned our insider. Certainly, the entire assembly was of such a temper. “It’s a universe away from what it was once,” this individual tells us, including such gatherings throughout the earlier Coalition authorities of Scott Morrison had been “an entire waste”.

The principle achievement was the creation of a capability funding scheme as famous in earlier posts, which successfully kills off work accomplished by the Vitality Safety Board to create a capability market that may have paid mothballed coal- and gas-fired energy crops to remain in enterprise.

Different work to look at features a Nationwide Renewable Vitality Provide Chain Motion Plan (not a really snappy identify) that may create job alternatives in manufacturing. It’s to be developed by the top of 2023, and is being led by Queensland’s de Brenni.

Landholders petition NSW power minister over Santos Narrabri fuel mission

Greater than 200 involved landholders have petitioned the NSW power minister to cease Santos from getting into farming land for its proposed 400km underground fuel pipeline, AAP reviews.

The Hunter fuel pipeline would join the $3.6bn Narrabri fuel mission on NSW’s northern tablelands to Newcastle and the east coast market.

Nevertheless, oil and fuel big Santos can’t proceed with land surveys with out approval from the power minister, Matt Kean.

Farmers and environmentalists on Thursday delivered a petition from 215 landholders alongside the pipeline’s path to Kean’s workplace.

The petition mentioned the pipeline would disrupt and jeopardise high-value farmland and grow to be a stranded asset because the power sector transforms.

Victoria Congdon, whose property within the Higher Hunter Valley touches the 30-metre-wide pipeline hall, mentioned the mission would require substantial environmental harm.

“It’s an obscene imposition on landholders, who’ve to change their lives for a mission that’s outdated and never needed,” she mentioned.

The western Liverpool Plains beef farmer Margaret Fleck mentioned the fuel pipeline might upset the fragile atmosphere within the space, notably groundwater feeding the Nice Artesian Basin.

Santos has mentioned the proposed land survey actions could be undertaken by specialist consultants working beneath the corporate’s supervision.

“Earlier than any survey works begin, Santos will meet with landholders to acquire consent on the areas of property to entry and on what and when this can happen,” it mentioned.

Victorian Labor claims seat of Pakenham as state election counting continues

Adeshola Ore

Victoria’s Andrews authorities is ready to surpass its 2018 historic “Danslide” on Friday with Labor claiming the seat of Pakenham on Thursday afternoon.

Emma Vulin, Labor’s candidate for the newly created seat, in Melbourne’s south-east, claimed victory on Thursday afternoon. The voters equals 55 seats within the decrease home for Labor – the identical landslide victory the social gathering achieved in 2018.

Vulin received the seat on a two-party most popular foundation by 307 votes with a margin of 0.39%.

In a Fb put up, Vulin vowed to advocate for the “various neighborhood” and guarantee infrastructure met the realm’s wants:

I want to thank the folks of the Pakenham district for placing their religion in me. I’ll advocate for our neighborhood in Spring Road with the identical battle that noticed me rehabilitate after my stroke.

I’m keen to satisfy everybody and take heed to the wants of our fantastic quick rising and various neighborhood and guarantee now we have the providers and infrastructure that we want as we develop.

Labor can also be forward within the seat of Bass – the ultimate seat to be known as – however the Victorian Electoral Fee mentioned the formal distribution of preferences could be finalised on Friday.

Peter Hannam

Capability plan would unlock $10bn in new clear power, Bowen says

As we flagged, the power ministers have agreed on a capability funding scheme that may drive as a lot as $10bn of funding into “new renewable dispatchable capability” for the grid.

Critics have sought to deride the intermittency of wind and photo voltaic power as that means they have been essentially much less dependable than “baseload” coal and gas-fired energy crops (when the latter don’t break down).

Anyway, beneath this new association, the commonwealth will open tenders for tasks that add storage and even new technology tasks themselves. There will probably be an agreed minimal cost for the successful bidders as a technique to underwrite them, and in addition a “ceiling worth” ought to income exceed a sure stage (and the income shared).

Critically, fossil-fuel crops, current or future, wouldn’t be eligible to use. (No point out of small modular nuclear reactors however presumably that’s an issue to resolve in a decade or later.)

States like NSW and Victoria reckon the capability funding scheme will probably be excellent for his or her current applications to ramp up renewables – as do the opposite states or they wouldn’t have signed up.

Teams just like the Sensible Vitality Council have applauded the outcomes as lastly delivering a nationwide plan for renewable power technology and storage.

“Which means cheaper, cleaner and extra dependable energy for all Australians,” the council’s CEO, John Grimes, mentioned. He known as on governments to show their gaze now to a small-scale scheme that will roll out batteries for houses, very similar to an identical program accelerated the take-up of rooftop photo voltaic panels that now dot about one-third of Australian houses.

Likewise, Kane Thornton, the CEO of the Clear Vitality Council, hailed at the moment’s approval as more likely to “unlock the following wave of renewable power tasks”.

“Vitality storage will play a vital function in supporting the large quantities of recent wind and photo voltaic wanted for the long run,” Thornton mentioned. “Whereas measures to speed up storage rollout are essential, we additionally have to develop the markets and technical frameworks that may allow secure, long-term funding in storage.”

Right here is at the moment’s Afternoon Replace if you’re seeking to catch up:

Medibank to go offline this weekend for system overhaul

Medibank is advising it’s going to take its programs offline for Medibank and ahm prospects from 8.30pm AEDT Friday 9 December “as we undertake some upkeep to additional strengthen our programs and improve safety protections”.

It’s the primary main overhaul of the corporate’s programs because the huge cyber-attack resulted within the private particulars of near 10 million present and former prospects being posted on the darkish net, together with the non-public medical claims for 210,000 prospects.

Medibank has suggested prospects that is “a deliberate operation with Microsoft and is the following mandatory section of our ongoing work to additional safeguard our community”.

The programs will probably be again on-line by Sunday 11 December, the corporate has mentioned, however whereas they’re down, prospects received’t have the ability to entry Medibank or ahm providers on-line or via the app, and on-the-spot claims received’t be out there. Retail shops and buyer contact centres will probably be closed on Saturday and can reopen on Monday.

Amplar Well being providers is not going to be affected.

Melissa Caddick’s jewelry and designer garments successful at public sale

The fraudster Melissa Caddick’s intensive array of jewelry has bought at public sale in Sydney for greater than $800,000, with some gadgets attracting as a lot as 3 times their estimated worth, AAP reviews.

Patrons overwhelmed Smith & Singer public sale home on Wednesday evening for an opportunity to bid on the 53-piece assortment as soon as owned by the con artist, in addition to a number of designer garments and equipment.

Caddick, 49, disappeared in November 2020 after federal authorities raided her house as a part of an investigation right into a $23m Ponzi scheme she had been working.

With the notoriety more likely to have intensified curiosity within the gadgets, a quantity fetched far in extra of their reserve.

Probably the most spectacular piece, a Canturi necklace with diamonds surrounding 13 black sapphires, went for $130,000.

Caddick initially purchased the Stella necklace for $370,000 in 2015.

The matching Stella ring bought for $14,000, whereas the accompanying earrings fetched $7,500.

Her 18-carat gold, diamond and emerald Geometric Lace earrings, valued at between $2,500 and $3,400, went for $10,000.

One other pair of white gold Canturi Cubism earrings bought for $8,500, regardless of a beginning worth of $2,000.

An identical bracelet, valued at $7,000, bought for $24,000.

Caddick’s art work, luxurious items and designer garments have additionally gone beneath the hammer with the income to be returned to her rip-off victims.

4 artworks alone bought for a complete of $48,000.

Adeshola Ore

Victoria’s First Peoples’ Meeting urges Labor to boost the age

Victoria’s First Peoples’ Meeting has urged the re-elected Andrews authorities to boost the age of legal accountability from 10 to 14 forward of a gathering of the nation’s attorneys common on Friday.

Elevating the age of legal accountability will probably be on the agenda when attorneys common from federal, state and territory governments meet nearly on Friday.

The meeting – the physique democratically elected to barter an Indigenous treaty framework in Victoria – says the state authorities is “now on discover” to maneuver on the regulation reform.

The co-chair of the meeting, Geraldine Atkinson, says the reform mustn’t look forward to the state’s formal treaty negotiations that are on account of kick off subsequent 12 months:

I’m bitterly upset that there’s been no motion, so the federal government is now on discover.

Our kids is not going to be used as bargaining chips, the reform must occur and it must occur now … Ten years outdated, that’s so younger. It’s like a child to me. Our kids want love and a serving to hand, to not be thrown into concrete cells.

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, this week mentioned his authorities backed a nationally constant method on altering the age of legal accountability. The Northern Territory has grow to be the primary jurisdiction to boost the age of accountability from 10 to 12 however Indigenous and authorized advocacy teams say it doesn’t go far sufficient and nonetheless locks youngsters in detention.

State power ministers hail capability mechanism settlement

The Queensland power minister, Mick de Brenni, says the brand new scheme to underwrite renewables would be the loss of life of “Angus Taylor and Scott Morrison’s CoalKeeper”, and will probably be wise market reform leading to new power insurance coverage on the grid:

That is about costs, as a result of solely when the market is dominated by clear, renewable power will we see wholesale power costs come down completely. Secondly, Australia’s renewable power transformation is our alternative to convey again manufacturing to Australia.

The NSW minister, Matt Kean, thanks Bowen for constructive discussions. He says on coal caps that NSW is just not in search of compensation for misplaced royalties, however monetary help for households and companies for doing what must be accomplished to decrease payments.

He says they’re near touchdown a deal however will say extra tomorrow.

After Kean, there’s the Victorian minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, who says the deal signed at the moment will assist Victoria meet its renewable power targets:

Victoria has at all times had a robust view relating to the creation of a capability mechanism. That’s it was to don’t have any fossil fuels incentivised for a future that needs to be carbon emissions free. In the present day, I’m actually happy now we have all agreed on a capability mechanism that may do exactly that. Thanks very a lot, Chris, it has been improbable working with you at the moment, it’s going to allow us as a state to satisfy our formidable renewable power goal.

No extra coal technology by 2025, however importantly additionally supporting our nation-leading power storage targets that we introduced again in September.

Tomorrow’s nationwide cupboard to debate energy costs, Bowen says

Bowen provides there will probably be extra popping out from nationwide cupboard tomorrow, the place doable methods to cut back energy costs will probably be mentioned.

It’s no secret we’re additionally participating with the states. Frankly, notably with these states with coal manufacturing, New South Wales and Queensland, about the correct mannequin going ahead to make sure the impression of Vladimir Putin’s battle doesn’t stream via with out a response from Australia’s authorities on power costs.

The actual fact of the matter is now we have sure powers on the federal stage, states have sure powers, and now we have been working collectively to work out how these powers can come collectively. It isn’t the fault of Australians our energy costs are so excessive. The price of manufacturing hasn’t gone up. What is occurring, as a result of each nation around the globe, each authorities is coping with these challenges, and we’re coping with them as effectively, and I look ahead to additional discussions and bulletins tomorrow. It’s truthful to say that governments are working very carefully collectively.

After a gathering of power ministers in Brisbane at the moment, the federal local weather change and power minister, Chris Bowen, declares an settlement on a “capability mechanism” he says will probably be “holding the lights on”.

Bowen says:

The capability mechanism, which we are going to implement in partnership with the states and territories, will see the commonwealth name choices, for bids, for the particular renewable power that the commonwealth will underwrite going ahead.

This can be a wise, fastidiously designed mechanism which can unleash funding in clear, dispatchable power proper throughout Australia. It’s going to agency up our grids, offering further capability as an increasing number of energy stations go away the facility grid, as an increasing number of coal-fired energy stations shut, we are going to agency the grid going ahead. As we all know, within the final decade 4 megawatts of power left the system and just one got here in.

He says there will probably be extra detailed dialogue in regards to the design parts however at the moment is a giant step ahead.

I’m delighted with the dialog we had across the desk, delighted with the assist from state and territory colleagues as at all times. It’s one crew working collectively to get the job accomplished.

Environmental regulation reforms aren’t balanced sufficient in direction of enterprise: Coalition

After Hanson-Younger, there’s the Coalition’s atmosphere spokesperson, Jonathon Duniam.

He says he’s “very involved” there isn’t sufficient stability in direction of enterprise within the atmosphere package deal, however notes it’s gentle on element.

At a time when power costs are going up and also you hear all this rhetoric round no new coal and fuel, and shutting down sure parts of the economic system, that’s not good legislative reform. We’ve obtained to get a stability right here, that’s what the minister promised, and I’m involved that’s not what we’re going to get on the finish the method.

He mentions he hasn’t had a briefing but – however will tomorrow. He’s additionally involved about an unbiased company having the powers to make selections separated from ministers or the parliament.

It’s a giant downside in the event you don’t design it correctly. I don’t know what the minister has in thoughts. Quite a few enterprise teams, particular person companies and different sectoral pursuits have gone to the minister and steered she take a look at a greater determination course of.

A five-year appointment maybe, this individual can solely be eliminated in some probably the most excessive circumstances. To interpret no matter info they’ve earlier than them.

Once more, on the finish of the day, will the inexperienced teams and others who’re against sure parts of financial exercise take this to the courts? Now we have to seek out stability. It’s what we’ve been promised and I’m trying desperately for it however but to seek out it.

Environmental regulation reforms ‘a very long time coming’: Greens

The Greens’ atmosphere spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Younger is on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing to debate the federal government’s introduced plans for a federal environmental safety company and related regulation reforms.

Hanson-Younger says the regulation reforms are “a very long time coming” however the satan will probably be within the element as as to whether the company could have tooth to behave on placing the atmosphere first.

One of many issues we’ve had now could be that our surroundings legal guidelines have actually been servicing the wants of enterprise and growth. In the meantime our forests, bushland, native animals have suffered. We are actually in an extinction disaster, now we have to carry that and switch it round, we have to finish native forest logging and put a local weather set off in these atmosphere legal guidelines to verify we will put a cease to these damaging, extra damaging to loosen from new coal and fuel.

She mentioned the timeframes outlined at the moment have been too lengthy, and the Greens could be utilizing their energy with the stability of energy within the Senate to push the federal government additional on it.

We’re not rubber-stamping something, we are going to use our energy within the parliament to verify we glance to push the federal government to go sooner and stronger.

She says the legal guidelines should be sturdy sufficient, and enforced, and the company should be unbiased, and stresses “the atmosphere is in disaster. We have to go sooner sooner”.

That is core enterprise for the Greens. We’re within the stability of energy, we do have clout, and we need to work with the federal government, we need to work with the federal government to repair our surroundings legal guidelines and ensure this package deal delivers for the atmosphere. They’re meant to be atmosphere safety legal guidelines, not enterprise safety legal guidelines.

Peter Hannam

Vitality ministers’ assembly prolonged as capability plan will get nod

The federal, state and territory power ministers assembly in Brisbane at the moment have added one other half hour to their deliberate five-hour gathering to get via their prolonged agenda.

Guardian Australia understands a plan to offer incentives to speed up the take-up of recent storage has obtained the nod from the ministers.

Many jurisdictions now have targets to introduce new batteries and different types of storage to assist stabilise electrical energy provides when the proverbial “wind doesn’t blow and solar doesn’t shine”.

Extra shortly, when the ministers flip up for a media convention at 3.30pm native time (4.30pm AEDT). Within the meantime, you may observe alongside right here too:

Flood-affected tourism operators open for enterprise

Flood-affected tourism operators alongside the Murray River are open for enterprise and need to unfold the phrase to holiday-makers, AAP reviews.

At Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border, Campaspe Lodge proprietor David Connally mentioned companies have been dealing with cancellations and trepidation from vacationers.

“Persons are simply uncertain,” Connally advised AAP.

“If the media might begin to give us some optimistic press that we’re open and it’s all good, that will be nice.”

The motel proprietor mentioned street closure notifications have been usually out-of-date and flood warnings painted a pessimistic image for vacationers.

“You’re driving round and the radio station is saying minor flood warnings for Echuca and downstream from Rochester, which might be correct as measurement goes, however not correct by what is occurring,” he mentioned.

Connally, whose motel overlooks the Campaspe River, mentioned bookings have been considerably under typical early summer time ranges.

“Now we have had cancellations for positive,” he mentioned.

“When folks Google you they’re like, ‘Oh gee, they’re proper subsequent to the river’.”

Between October and December, floods in Tasmania, NSW and Victoria have led to $477m in insured losses throughout 17,200 claims, based on Insurance coverage Council of Australia information.

Tourism operators face a 3rd summer time with out a peak season because the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020.

A Murray River Tourism Board survey discovered nearly 80% of tourism and lodging companies had suffered a minimum of a 40% discount in bookings for the upcoming excessive season.

Board performing chief govt Will Flamsteed mentioned tourism companies now not had the monetary buffers to resist the catastrophe and one in 5 had been compelled to face down workers.

“As many as two-thirds of tourism companies within the area have solely minor infrastructure harm or weren’t instantly inundated,” Flamsteed mentioned.

“However they’re severely impacted by the shortage of holiday makers and summer time reserving cancellations, leading to an estimated $128m in misplaced earnings.”

The board and the Victoria Tourism Trade Council welcomed state authorities help up to now, however they’ve known as for extra assist to cowl misplaced earnings for cancelled bookings and public occasions, and to drive the business’s restoration in 2023.

“If we would like a tourism business alongside the Murray subsequent Easter, we have to step up and assist these companies,” council chief govt Felicia Mariani mentioned.

Emergency providers reported a comparatively settled 24-hour interval in a single day, with 84 requests for help, together with 55 bushes down throughout Victoria.

Emergency Victoria has issued a ultimate flood warning for the Campaspe River downstream of Rochester, the place no additional flooding is anticipated.

Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus have been detected in mosquito populations in Campaspe, Horsham and Loddon native authorities areas.

The chief well being officer has warned folks in or travelling to these areas to cover-up, use repellent and take away stagnant water from across the house.

A significant flood warning stays in place in northeastern elements of Mildura in northwest Victoria.

Authorities warn it isn’t secure to return for residents of Nichols Level, Bruces Bend and surrounding areas.

Storms worsening in Queensland

Glenn Alderton, the director of Queensland Fireplace and Emergency Companies, advised ABC Information that they’d 40 jobs in a single day on account of principally wind harm.

He mentioned folks ought to put together for the approaching storms this afternoon.

It’s wherever from I suppose Rockhampton via the Central Highlands and down via the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and out via the Lockyer Valley. So wherever within the space, extreme thunderstorms are possible.

Simply exterior of that, some chance of some extreme thunderstorms as effectively. It’s fairly a big space. Whether or not the entire space will get affected or not, we are going to wait and see, however typically if you’re in south-east Queensland, even the Sunshine Coast space, urge you to do some preparation this afternoon ought to we see them tonight.

Requires Queensland to slash ‘absolute rip-off’ learner’s allow charge

Queensland drivers pay greater than every other state or territory for a learner’s allow, prompting requires the federal government to slash the $186.55 charge, AAP reviews.

Younger drivers are slugged greater than seven instances the allow value of different states in what Liberal Nationwide chief David Crisafulli labelled an “absolute rip-off”.

As compared, a allow prices $25 within the Northern Territory and $26 in NSW and Victoria.

“Queensland learners pay the best charge within the nation by a rustic mile to get their learners,” Crisafulli advised reviews on Thursday.

“These learner drivers are beginning out in life … the learner’s is a key to opening up a future for a teenager. It’s the power to take a step in direction of getting your individual job and your individual independence.

“It’s time to finish this rip-off, and it’s time to cease the insanity of Queenslanders paying the best charges within the nation to get their learners.”

Crisafulli mentioned Queenslanders have been already feeling the pinch as on a regular basis prices spiral uncontrolled.

“It’s time this authorities gave these youngsters a break,” he mentioned.

Transport minister Mark Bailey transport confirmed the prices have been being scrutinised.

“A assessment is now beneath approach into all Queensland licence charges, together with C class, R and RE class, P class, L class, and others,” Bailey mentioned.

Nevertheless, the minister fell wanting promising to decrease licence charges, saying “I’ll let the division conduct that assessment and supply an replace to any potential modifications to licence charges as quickly as doable.”