What we learned, Wednesday 3 August
And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. But before we go, let’s recap the big stories from today:
- The Liberal MP Bridget Archer has revealed she will cross the floor to vote with Labor to enshrine a 43% emissions reduction target.
- It came after Adam Bandt confirmed the Greens will support the bill’s passage through parliament, a move which climate change minister Chris Bowen described as putting the climate wars “in retreat”.
- Crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie, David Pocock and Ralph Babet are opposing Labor’s plan to water down super funds’ disclosure of political donations and ad spending.
- The former minister for defence and former foreign affairs minister Stephen Smith, and the former chief of the defence force, Sir Angus Houston, will lead the latest review into the Australian defence force.
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Stuart Ayres resigned as deputy leader of the NSW Liberal party in the wake of the John Barilaro posting to a trade role in New York.
- The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, thanked Australia for its support against the Russian invasion in a speech to the Australian National University
- The nation recorded 66 Covid deaths as the health minister announced Moderna vaccine approvals for children aged under five
- The health department has also secured supplies of a new “third generation” vaccine against monkeypox.
Thank you for spending the day with us – we will be back tomorrow to do it all again.
Updated
Despite conspiracy theories about the 2022 election and scrutiny of candidates’ eligibility, the window for challenging the results is now closed.
The Australian Electoral Commission returned the election writs on 23 June, starting the 40-day window to challenge the results or a candidate’s eligibility in the court of disputed returns.
The deadline was 4pm on Tuesday. A spokesman for the court confirmed on Wednesday that nothing had been filed.
Bridget Archer to cross the floor on climate bill
The Liberal MP, Bridget Archer, has revealed she will cross the floor to vote with Labor to enshrine a 43% emissions reduction target.
Archer spoke in the house about climate change’s impact on Tasmania, from its land use to dry lightning “a relatively new phenomenon” in the island state.
Archer said climate change is an issue that “transcends age, gender, political beliefs and socioeconomic circumstances” and she’d been approached from all types of constituents – including a Baptist minister, business leaders and pensioners of the left and right – “all of who believe this is not an issue of left or right”.
Archer mentioned a “a lifelong 70-year-old Liberal supporter who wants to see our country move ahead with greater action on climate change”, adding that “he’s not alone”. “I have heard you.”
Archer said she would not vote for the consequential amendments bill due to concerns of the impact it would have on infrastructure projects, but would support the primary bill.
Archer said she has to be able to “sincerely say” when she’s back in her community that she used the power of her vote to enact their wishes.
She said she had “constructive discussions” with Peter Dutton, who understands her position. Archer said she respects his position, including that the party will formulate a policy to combat climate change while supporting the Australian economy before the next election.
“While that happens it is important we act now and not delay until the next election,” she said.
Updated
