Libs back NEG but Abetz holds out

TASMANIAN Senator Eric Abetz is one of four Coalition MPs who could cross the floor to vote against the National Energy Guarantee, despite it winning Liberal Party support.

While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lauded the overwhelming party vote yesterday, saying it would deliver reliable and affordable power and lower carbon emissions, Senator Abetz was one of a handful of Coalition MPs to speak against the NEG.

He is reserving his right to cross the floor and vote against the NEG until there is further detail. Senator Abetz is concerned the NEG will not lead to a reduction in electricity prices and also that Australia’s Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets are too high and, even if met, will not make a “scintilla of difference” to global warming.

“It is absolutely vital that we do all we can to reduce power prices and I look forward to examining the proposed legislation and final package in detail,” he said. “There have been some welcome steps in the right direction.”

It is believed one step is the possibility of coal-fired power stations being underwritten by the Federal Government.

The Tasmanian Government has talked up the NEG as a critical component of its “Battery of the Nation” push, which would result in a doubling of pumped hydro generation in the state and the export of renewable electricity over an enhanced Bass Strait interconnection.

Acting state Energy Minister Peter Gutwein said anyone who stood in the way of the NEG was standing in the way of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable power for all Australians. He said it was up to Labor to endorse the nationleading reform to ensure Tasmania could reap the benefits of the NEG.

The NEG will now be put to state energy ministers and introduced to federal Parliament this sitting fortnight.

Federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said draft state legislation would be released for a month for public comment.

“Then there will be any amendments that will be needed to be made. And the intention is that all states can agree to the final state legislation implementing the NEG before Victoria goes into [election] caretaker mode at the end of October,” he said.

The NEG has received widespread support across the business community, including from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tasmanian Chamber of Minerals and Energy.

SENATOR Richard Colbeck could be facing a challenge for top spot on the Liberal ticket at next year’s federal election.

Three well-credentialled women have responded to a call from Liberal federal president Nick Greiner and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for more female representation in federal Parliament and are set to nominate before the close of nominations tomorrow.

Former Liberal senior vice president, bank manager and political staffer Wendy Summers said she would nominate.

Ms Summers is the sister of Liberal Senator David Bushby, who won a promotion from a three-year term to a six-year term after a recount in the wake of Stephen Parry and Jacqui Lambie’s dual citizenship woes.

Hobart City councillor and the Liberals candidate for Denison in 2013 Tanya Denison will also nominate.

A mining engineer by training Ms Denison was also the former chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation and presently runs a couple of businesses.

Last year former Tasmanian Young Liberals president Claire Chandler communicated with party members, saying that she would be a candidate for preselection.

She did not confirm to the Mercury her intentions.

Also last year, Liberal powerbroker Eric Abetz described Ms Chandler as a “very high calibre young woman who has contributed a lot to the Liberal Party and her local community”.

Liberal president Geoff Page said the Liberals’ 65 preselectors would make a decision on September 8.

“We have had very strong interest,” he said.

Senator Colbeck lost his seat in the 2016 election after being shunted to the unwinnable fifth spot on the ticket but attracted a sizeable personal vote.

He was returned early this year after the dual citizenship recount.

Ulverstone businessman Craig Brakey said he would nominate and go through the process.

Mr Brakey, a former McDonalds franchisee sought preselection for the Braddon by-election before party intervention resulted in former MP Brett Whiteley receiving the nomination.

A second candidate for the by-election, Wynyard RSL president Gavin Pearce, has also publicly confirmed his desire to nominate.

Liberal sources believe Mr Whiteley is a chance to nominate as is his by-election campaign director Kent Townshend.

Mr Whiteley did not respond to a request for comment from the Mercury.

At last year’s State Liberal council meeting Liberal Party federal president Nick Greiner challenged the party to increase female representation.

“I really think the time has come for us to stop talking about improving female representation, it’s actually time to improve the result,” Mr Greiner said.

The party was criticised in 2016 after it stood just one female candidate in the Franklin electorate and no women in a winnable position on the Senate ticket.

Mr Greiner said there had been a downward trend in the party’s female vote since 2001.

At the state council meeting Mr Turnbull said Mr Greiner’s remarks about more female representation were “spot on”.

“That is a very important mission for us as a party,” he said

Senator Abetz recently threw his weight behind the selection of a woman.

“We have done quite well with 40 per cent in the State Parliament, not so well federally, so all things being equal I am anticipating and hoping that Tasmanian preselectors of the Liberal Party might be able to find a suitable female candidate for a very winnable spot on the Liberal Senate ticket come the next election,” Senator Abetz said.