Turnbull dooming Libs to landslide defeat

26 November, 2009 by

Alby Schultz

Alby Schultz

Probably right, because just as the public mood turns against the global warming alarmism of the past decade, and with daily revelations about fudging figures in order to make the data fit the agenda, Malcolm Turnbull signs up with Kevin Rudd to introduce an emissions trading scheme that, let’s remind ourselves, will do nothing for climate (see here):

Liberal backbencher Alby Schultz says the Coalition is facing a landslide defeat at the next election after the party chose to back the Government’s controversial emissions trading scheme.

…

Mr Schultz, the Member for Hume, says Coalition support for the ETS will leave it in Opposition for possibly the next three elections because public mood is shifting.

“I’ve received over the years many, many emails and phone calls,” he said.

“They have never been to the level that I’m receiving them at the moment.”

“My assessment of it is that the Opposition has no hope of winning the next election.

“I sat down last night and looked at it and, conservatively, we’re looking at a landslide.”

That’s what happens when Oppositions forget to do what they’re supposed to: oppose.

Read it here.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: ,

Climate Madness: Turnbull stays, ETS inches closer

25 November, 2009 by

The effect of the ETS on climate

The effect of the ETS on climate

So here we are, Australian Climate Madness prevails, as Malcolm Turnbull survives the leadership challenge, and the ETS inches ever closer to becoming law.

So as we enter into this new chapter in Australian stupidity, let’s remind ourselves of all the wonderful things the ETS will do:

  • nothing for climate
  • nothing for global temperatures
  • nothing for local temperatures
  • nothing for the Arctic
  • nothing for polar bears
  • nothing for the drought
  • nothing for the Great Barrier Reef
  • nothing for Kakadu
  • nothing for Tuvalu and all the other sinking islands
  • nothing for the ringtail possum and other cuddly creatures
  • nothing for bushfires and heatwaves
  • in fact, nothing for anything even remotely related to the climate

On the other hand:

  • everything to damage Australia’s economy
  • everything to damage Australia’s competitiveness
  • everything to increase the cost of living for ordinary Australians
  • everything to make the poorest in society worse off
  • everything to damage emissions intensive industries
  • everything to ensure that our industries move offshore
  • everything to create more unemployment
  • everything to raise electricity, gas and food prices
  • everything to ensure there isn’t a double dissolution
  • everything to make Kevin Rudd look big at Copenhagen
  • everything to assist a pointless global “deal”
  • everything to advance the cause of global government and global wealth distribution
  • everything to advance Kevin Rudd’s selfish aim to be UN Secretary General in 2015

Have I missed anything there? Leave a comment if I have.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , , ,

Turnbull must go

25 November, 2009 by

The Three Stooges

The Three Stooges

Having watched the press conference by Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and Ian Macfarlane last night, and listened to extracts of it again this morning, Turnbull’s actions in ignoring the will of the party room and agreeing to the ETS amendments proposed by Labor is one of the most extraordinary betrayals I have ever witnessed in politics.

Turnbull refused to comment on the numbers in the party room, but sources indicate that a majority of the party room spoke against accepting the amendments, with numbers approximately 41 – 33 against the government’s proposals.

But then Turnbull pulls a trick. The usual procedure is for the shadow cabinet to vote on the issue. This they did – in favour of accepting the amendments. The next step is for the issue then to be put to the party room – so according to this, it should have been rejected.

But what Turnbull did was add in the votes of the shadow cabinet to the party room result, thereby claiming that the “party room” was in favour, at the same time including Nationals front benchers in the shadow cabinet (who were actually against it), but excluding Nationals back benchers, who were also against it!

It was an astonishing display. Turnbull just kept repeating the phrase “I’m the leader and I’ve made the call”, so desperate is he to satisfy his own green tendencies against the will of the party room. All I can say is, I hope you won’t be leader for long.

To those in the Liberal party who voted against this climate madness, you cannot let this stand. You know what you need to do.

There is acres of coverage on this in the media as you would expect:

And for a bit of light relief, a Tale of Two Headlines, next to each other in this mornings reading list:

I know which one is nearer the truth…

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,

Coalition chaos

24 November, 2009 by

WTF?

WTF?

Well I’m not exactly sure if anybody knows what the hell happened tonight. Some reports are saying the party room backed the amendments, others say that a majority were against, some say Turnbull stormed out, others say there will be a leadership spill on Thursday. If anyone out there knows, please send an email or leave a comment, and enlighten me!

I’ve had enough for one day…

Andrew Bolt has some further information:

Backbenchers are furious at Turnbull for claiming in the press conference just finished that he had the support of a clear majority of members for agreeing to Rudd’s compromise bill.

“The reality is that he didn’t,” one told me. “He lied.”

It’s a mystery how Turnbull could claim support when some 41 of the 74 to speak at the meeting opposed a deal with Rudd. Those against included the respected Andrew Robb, who until his illness was the climate spokesman. It’s this opposition to an ETS that makes Joe Hockey, who supports it, an unlikely starter.

Turnbull is only a 50-50 chance to survive on Thursday, but his opponents are sure they’ll get him on a second challenge if they don’t blast him out at the first.

But does this sink Rudd’s bill? Depends how many Liberals cross the floor and vote for it, defying either Abbott or Andrews. But I wouldn’t be banking on it yet.

Read it here.

Sky News report that Turnbull pulled a sneaky trick by adding the shadow cabinet numbers to the party room ETS supporters, thereby securing the win (i.e. Adding the shadow cabinet to the 33 in favour to make it more than 41).

It’s ironic that Turnbull has resorted to fiddling the figures to push through the ETS, just like the warmists at CRU fiddled the temperatures to keep global warming alive.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,

UPDATED: Leadership spill in Coalition party room? – No

24 November, 2009 by

Just listening to ABC Sydney 702 and there is talk of a leadership spill on the instigation of Wilson Tuckey… more to follow.

Apparently it was raised, but didn’t happen…

Andrew Robb’s change of position has sent shockwaves through the partyroom, however.

Still no news @ 7pm. Out of contact intermittently from now until 9.30.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,

Climate madness soon to be enacted?

23 November, 2009 by

Are the Senate about to throw us off?

Are the Senate about to throw us off?

The next 48 hours will determine whether Australia goes over the cliff edge of climate madness, and passes an ETS based on flawed science and the political posturing of the IPCC, and which will do nothing for the climate either locally or globally, but which will do untold damage to our economy, industry and competitiveness, or whether, at the last minute, it steps back from the brink, and comes to its senses, and quietly walks away from the precipice.

If this report in the Herald Sun is to be believed, we’re over the cliff, folks:

AUSTRALIA is on the verge of signing a groundbreaking plan to cut greenhouse gases, with the Government offering last-minute concessions to win Coalition support for its emissions trading scheme.

The Coalition party room must still give the green light to the Bill, to include new compensation for polluters and green bonuses for households.

But sources said the deal was likely to be accepted, despite significant dissent.

The scheme will raise the price of many goods and services but the impact on households will depend on the final detail of the scheme.

A deal would be a win for both Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull. [And a savage blow to the Australian people – Ed]

The PM would get an agreement he could take to the Copenhagen climate change summit, putting Australia in an elite global club of climate change reformers. [Who the hell is this journalist? Makes it sound like something to be proud of – Ed]

The Opposition Leader would have his position in the party strengthened and avoid a double dissolution.

Even strident opponents of the scheme last night said they believed MPs would fall into line behind Mr Turnbull. [God no – this cannot happen – Ed]

“If he pushes hard in favour of it, people – even though they may not actually agree that we should be doing anything – will go along with it because they don’t want to roll the leader,” a senior Liberal said.

Please let this be wrong.

Climate madness in undiluted form.

Read it here.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,

"What can we do?"

22 November, 2009 by

Difficult questions ahead

Difficult questions ahead

Gary M comments in a previous thread:

What do we do about Turnbull and Rudd next week? The Liberals will sign up with Wong and Co. and Copenhagen will go ahead. I cannot believe that there are so few of us that our voices will make no difference. How do we make this ground-swell attract more momentum…what can we do??

It’s a very good question. What can we do? Malcolm Turnbull is a climate change believer and will try to negotiate an ETS through the Senate. The government are completely in thrall to whatever the IPCC says, and refuse to even consider the science may not be as 100% settled as they keep telling us it is. Unfortunately, so are a number of the Liberal senators.

Our only hope is those in the Senate like Nick Minchin and Tony Abbott, who are smart enough see through the spin and bluster of Rudd, Wong, the IPCC and all the dodgy scientists on the alarmist funding bandwagon. If they can persuade enough of the remaining Liberal senators to vote against the ETS, we are in with a chance. Alternatively, with time for debate reduced to two days, running out of time becomes a real option.

Write, email or call your Liberal senators (we know the Nats will vote it down) – contact list here (PDF). Direct them to materials (see here for example) that they should read and consider before voting on the ETS. If any of you actually know your senators personally, so much the better. Personal contact is far more effective than unsolicited correspondence.

Unfortunately, until the stranglehold of the alarmists is broken once and for all, no one will ever get the full story from the mainstream media. Hence the importance of the blogosphere in the climate debate.

Send links to this blog and other sceptic blogs (see the Blogroll) to your friends and colleagues – the more readers we and the other blogs can reach, the more chance of creating a groundswell of public opinion.

Above all, remain positive!! The truth will out – in the end.

If anyone has more suggestions, leave a comment!

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , , ,

Turnbull "confident of ETS deal"

21 November, 2009 by

Too green for me

Too green for me

It seems a bit mundane to be discussing our local politics after the excitement of the last 24 hours, but I guess we must. Malcolm Turnbull is still pressing ahead with trying to negotiate the ETS through parliament:

ANTI-EMISSIONS trading scheme forces within the Coalition are ramping up their demands in a bid to make it impossible for the Liberal Party to back a climate change deal with the government, as the issue reignites speculation over the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull.

But the Liberal leader believes that he can win party support for an emissions trading deal if the Rudd government makes enough concessions for him to be able to recommend it.

“I am confident that if I recommend a deal, it will win the support of the shadow cabinet and the partyroom,” he told The Weekend Australian.

But that will depend on whether the government is prepared to give sufficient ground on the opposition’s amendments in the negotiations that will continue this weekend.

“My view is that we should responsibly and constructively seek to amend the government’s proposal,” Mr Turnbull said.

“If we cannot achieve amendments to our satisfaction then of course we’ll vote it down. If we can achieve amendments that satisfy our concerns then we should support it.”

Save us from this climate madness.

Read it here.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,

Turnbull loses key ETS ally

20 November, 2009 by

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott

Another major figure in the Liberal party has hardened his position on the ETS, making it even more difficult for Malcolm Turnbull to claim that the party backs his views on climate change:

MALCOLM Turnbull is facing growing shadow cabinet pressure to vote down the government’s emissions trading bills, with former minister Tony Abbott abandoning his earlier support for the Opposition Leader’s strategy to try to amend and pass the scheme.

Mr Abbott’s shift, and Liberal Senate leader Nick Minchin’s strong advocacy of the “vote no” view within the Coalition, will make it harder for Mr Turnbull to persuade his shadow cabinet to support the deal expected to be finalised between the government and the opposition by early next week.

…

In July, Mr Abbott was staunchly behind Mr Turnbull’s strategy, urging Liberal MPs to allow the Opposition Leader to exercise his assessment on emissions trading and to save the Coalition from a double dissolution fight “it can’t win”.

Now he is arguing internally that the “politics have changed”, that the Coalition is now in a “pre-election phase” where it is wise to differentiate itself from the government and that the vehemence of the Coalition climate sceptics means a “no” vote is the only way to avoid a wide and damaging split in the Liberal Party.

Publicly, Mr Abbott has been warning there will be a very high price for Coalition support, saying the government would need to accept all of the Coalition’s proposed amendments before the Coalition would vote for the scheme.

Read it here.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,

Malcolm Turnbull grilled by Alan Jones

2 November, 2009 by

A great interview with Malcolm Turnbull on 2GB. Alan Jones gives him hell, as he should, and brands him “Rudd-lite”.

Brilliant stuff.

Listen here. (via Andrew Bolt)

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: ,
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