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BEIJING DELAYS VISIT BY TOP AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMAT AS PRESSURE BUILDS OVER MILITARY MOVES Cold war: freeze on China ties

Critical reports about former ambassador to Beijing. Congress before planning her trip. concerned about Chinese govern- to draw attention to divisions be- EXCLUSIVE and the Prime Minister have Earlier consideration of a But government sources con- ment attempts to dissuade stu- tween the US and Australia. A Glo- INSIDE spiked in China following his visit March trip for Mr Turnbull to Bei- cede there is a diplomatic and bu- dents from coming to Australia to bal Times article — which labelled DENNIS SHANAHAN last week to Washington, where jing — he has already visited reaucratic stalling over a range of study. In an escalation of the pres- Australia an “anti-China pioneer” China is at it again, trying PRIMROSE RIORDAN he agreed to help enforce tough Tokyo and Washington this year visits, as Beijing voices its dis- sure on universities, school visits — even suggested Mr Turnbull all it can to defend its sanctions on North Korea and dis- — has not been followed up and a pleasure at what it sees as foreign- have been cancelled, senior edu- had made a U-turn on China after avenues of interference. China is putting Australia into a cussed “freedom of navigation” scheduled Chinese trip for Julie interference laws being directed cational meetings in Beijing have he declared Australia did not see So much of the action is diplomatic deep freeze, stalling on exercises in the South China Sea. Bishop will not be decided until against China. been “postponed” and messages the communist nation as a threat. opaque but there is a sense ministerial visits, deferring a trip In recent weeks, China has after the Chinese congress finishes Bishop Adamson It is understood the Chinese warning of the dangers of studying A Xinhua report said the Wash- by our top diplomat and putting off made it difficult for lower-level ex- this month. government deferred at least one in Australia have been posted on ington trip failed to resolve differ- our relationship a broad range of lower-level ex- change programs, education visits Both the Prime Minister and Senior government sources scheduled trip from a Chinese the website of the Chinese em- ences between the US and with Beijing is changes to pressure Malcolm and, according to government Foreign Minister are due to go to deny the senior ministerial trips minister and is pressuring business bassy in Canberra. Australia, such as the Trans- toxic at a Turnbull over the new foreign in- sources, deferred a trip by Foreign China this year as part of a formal have been affected and Mr Turn- and educational bodies to split Chinese state media reports Continued on Page 2 working level. terference laws and naval chal- Affairs departmental secretary agreement to have annual meet- bull plans to go to Beijing later in from government policy. since Mr Turnbull’s trip to Wash- DENNIS lenges to disputed Chinese claims Frances Adamson, Australia’s ings between Chinese and Austra- the year while Ms Bishop is wait- reported last ington and meeting with US Presi- GREG SHERIDAN P12 The Australian SHANAHAN P2 in the South China Sea. highest-ranking diplomat and a lian leaders and foreign ministers. ing for the end of the People’s week that university leaders were dent Donald Trump have sought PAUL DIBB P12 Shorten’s excellent $17,000 ‘coral and coal’ adventure Airbag recall to JOE KELLY OUT ON THE REEF Union Bill SARAH ELKS spark

Bill Shorten accepted a $17,000 ‘did little private green-funded tour of the chaos Great Barrier Reef and charter for women’ flight over the Adani coalmine, during which he pledged to envi- ronmentalists that a Labor gov- EXCLUSIVE ernment would seek to use federal laws to revoke the licence of the BRAD NORINGTON Indian mining giant. ASSOCIATE EDITOR The Australian Conservation Fund bankrolled a reef tour off The first female president of Port Douglas after the Opposition the ACTU has lashed Bill Leader approached millionaire Shorten for doing little to help One of the Subarus environmentalist Geoff Cousins women and failing to represent affected by the recall before Christmas last year. their interests during his past Mr Shorten disclosed details of life as head of the Australian the flights and snorkelling trip on Workers Union. EAN HIGGINS his register of interest on Tuesday, Before Christmas January , a respected SAM BUCKINGHAM-JONES the same day Mr Cousins claimed reaches 23, 2018 women’s rights campaigner he had received assurances from out to Geoff Shorten who led Australia’s union Millions of car owners face a the Labor leader that the oppo- Cousins to arrange travels to movement and then served as slow, confusing and chaotic sition was on track to move against North Port a federal Labor MP, has also effort to identify whether they the $16.5bn Adani project. Queensland trip Douglas declared “the boys’ club are driving a vehicle that has an Mr Shorten boarded the Wave- to inform ALP with remains alive and well” inside airbag that could kill or maim length Reef Cruises vessel on policy on Adani Wavelength Reef Cruises, paid meets with O’Shanassy and in the black-throated finch at the ALP Victorian right power them by sending exploding January 23 to visit two sites on the Cousins at a Port Douglas café, the University of Queensland. base that Mr Shorten controls shrapnel through their eyes, January 23, for by the Australian Opal Reef. Mr Shorten was escort- 2018 Conservation Fund; snorkels at where he discusses how Labor January 30, 2018 — with just two women MPs brain, vocal cords or spine, and ed on the tour by the ACF, Austra- two sites on Opal Reef, using in office could use the EPBC out of 10 in the House of have it replaced. Shorten Shorten delivers address at lian Marine Conservation Society laminated photos to assess Act to revoke Adani coalmine Representatives. Assistant Minister to the announces a National Press Club, where he campaign director Imogen Zetho- coral bleaching. Accompanied licence. “It’s fair to say that his Treasurer yes- Labor discusses the Great Barrier ven, and reef expert Terry Hughes. by Cousins, ACF CEO Kelly union, the AWU, did not take terday announced a long-antic- government January 24, 2018 Reef. Says Adani project has to The next day, Mr Shorten O’Shanassy, Australian Marine the issue of women’s ipated compulsory recall to be would set up Shorten travels on charter flight stack up “environmentally”. joined reef, groundwater and Conservation Society campaign representation seriously in the conducted over two years of four black-throated finch experts on an expert panel over the Adani mine site – from January 31, 2018 decades of struggle to make million vehicles equipped with director Imogen Zethoven and Cairns to Carmichael River and ACF-funded charter flight from to determine The ACF suggests on social the movement more Takata airbags. James Cook University coral Doongmabulla Springs, ending Cairns to Carmichael River and how a $1bn media that Shorten’s speech representative of its While almost one in five pass- reef professor Terry Hughes in Townsville. Cousins and Doongmabulla, including flying Northern Australia Tourism could be hint that “an incoming membership,” she says. enger vehicles on Australian O’Shanassy on flight, along over the Adani site, before ending Infrastructure Fund would be January 23, 2018 Labor government might Ms George’s scorching roads have now been recalled, with Dr April Reside, an expert up in Townsville, accompanied by spent Following reef tour, Shorten attempt” to stop Adani. critique of Mr Shorten is in the voluntary recall process has Mr Cousins and ACF chief execu- direct response to comments not been effective in some cases, tive Kelly O’Shanassy. by Labor’s leader for a profile and some manufacturers have Following the reef tour, the trio BEFORE THE TOUR AFTER THE TOUR in men’s magazine GQ that he not taken satisfactory action to had met at a Port Douglas cafe I support the Adani coalmine so long You can’t be serious about climate change and energy and regretted not promoting more address the serious safety risk where they discussed how Labor as it stacks up. I hope it stacks up, by have a bet every which way. So we’re certainly looking at the women “when I had the which arises after the airbags are could use the Environment Pro- Bill Shorten in Cairns on chance”. more than six years old,” Mr tection and Biodiversity Conser- the way.... I want to see more jobs in Adani matter very closely. If it doesn’t stack up … it will “The best thing I can do Sukkar said. “To ensure a co- January 23 this year and, regional Queensland. APRIL 12, 2017 absolutely not receive our support. JANUARY 30, 2018 vation Act to block the project. inset, a Wavelength reef boat Continued on Page 4 ordinated recall, over the next “We did talk about how Labor two years, manufacturers will be could oppose the mine and what required to progressively ident- options are available to Labor to receive our support”. Mr Shorten’s ify their recalls and replace air- do that,” Ms O’Shanassy told The INSIDE office last night refused to confirm Greens call for by-election candidate to be axed bags in affected vehicles.” Australian. “We did have a detailed whether taxpayers funded his Motoring and industry sour- conversation about Bill’s concerns The claim that Adani travel to Cairns on January 23, ces said the recall process could with the mine going ahead. He poses an existential threat before he went to Port Douglas for had been considered and dealt perennial candidate who ruth- be complex and difficult given wasn’t convinced about the jobs … to the Great Barrier Reef the reef tour, saying the EXCLUSIVE with. lessly uses proxies to stifle debate, the scale, in part because of a He was concerned about the ef- has been tested information would be “published The complainants are current manipulate internal party proce- shortage of airbags and the fact CHIP LE GRAND fects on the tourism sector. He was in the Federal by the independent parliamentary or former members of Ms Bhat- dures and undermine fellow that only licensed mechanics quite affected by what he saw at expenses authority in the normal hal’s Darebin branch, which con- members. It accuses her of employed by manufacturers and the reef. That’s just my opinion. Court and way”. The Greens candidate attempting trols preselections for the Darebin “serious, repeated, often wilful their dealers are authorised to “It was quite clear to me that rejected. “It’s no secret that Bill is deeply to win the seat of Batman and end council, the state seats of North- misconduct’’ and demands the carry out replacements. Bill did not think the mine stacked sceptical of the proposed Adani a century of Labor representation cote and Preston, and the now allegations be fully investigated. At least 23 people worldwide, up and he would go to Canberra GRAHAM coal mine,” a spokesman for Mr in Melbourne’s north is accused winnable federal seat of Batman. “This misconduct has included including an Australian man, and make a compelling case.” LLOYD P4 Shorten said. by members of her party of intimi- They are Greens who support- systematic intimidation, and have been killed by faulty air- In question time yesterday, Queensland Resources Minis- dation, bullying, branch stacking, ed her previous campaigns, who malicious and reckless false state- bags. Malcolm Turnbull branded Mr overturning approvals for Adani. ter Anthony Lynham yesterday spreading “reckless false state- attended branch meetings and ments about members and party Shorten’s mixed messages on Mr Turnbull attacked Mr Shor- opened a rift with federal Labor ments’’ and cultivating ALP-style party functions with her and who, decisions,’’ the complaint reads. FULL REPORT P3 Adani “duplicitous”. The Prime ten over his Port Douglas trip, ob- over support for Adani, saying the factionalism within the party’s since the 2016 federal election “The attached statements Minister said Mr Shorten, who serving that “most people, when Indian conglomerate’s project had largest branch. The Greens candidate for when she ran and lost in Batman include instances of direct said there was “a role for coal in they go snorkelling on the Barrier leapt more environmental hurdles A complaint lodged by Batman, Alex Bhathal for a fifth time, are concerned at intimidation and victimisation on Australia” during a visit last week Reef, pay for it themselves”. than any other resources project. 18 Greens campaign volunteers, her “increasingly malicious’’ the part of Alex, as well as the to north Queensland, was backing On January 30, a week after the Continued on Page 4 office-holders and elected repre- warning that her election to fed- behaviour towards anyone she wider, more systematic operation workers locked out of the Oaky reef tour, Mr Shorten said that if sentatives calls on the party’s state eral parliament would pose a seri- perceives as disloyal. of her political machine, which North coal mine while giving the Adani project did not stack up MORE REPORTS P4 executive to disendorse Alex ous risk to the party’s future The 101-page complaint and has been used to undermine private assurances to Mr Cousins “commercially” or “environment- DAVID UREN P12 Bhathal as the Batman candidate growth and unity. covering letter, seen by The Aus- consensus decision-making that Labor would work towards ally” it would “absolutely not EDITORIAL P13 and expel her from the party, The party said the complaint tralian, depicts a power-hungry, Continued on Page 4

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360 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE · TEL 03 91080639 AUSE03Z10MA - V1 THE AUSTRALIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018 4 theaustralian.com.au THE NATION Greens call for by-election candidate to be axed Growth in Continued from Page 1 accused of standing in front of another Greens representative at a processes, attack and harass mem- The Greens media doorstop so she wouldn’t candidate WHAT GREENS REALLY bers considered to be ‘in the way’ THINK ABOUT BHATHAL appear on TV, of passive aggres- and we believe, to recruit members for Batman, sion, of “unfriending’’ a party for the purpose of swaying prese- Alex Bhathal “Her behaviour does not represent member on Facebook and in typi- India to Greens values and she is really quite lection results. Alex’s behaviour cal Greens-speak, of projecting, has escalated markedly in the past a toxic element in our party.’’ triggering and making the Dare- year. Her tactics have become “Her election to the federal bin branch an unsafe space. The more aggressive and ruthless, her parliament presents a significant more serious allegations are: breaches of the code of conduct risk to our party.’’ ● That she recruited a dramatic more flagrant and brazen, her influx of new members to the fuel coal “Her actions to victimise and behaviour many magnitudes more Darebin branch early last year to undermine me made it very difficult destructive. We believe she must stack the numbers in favour of her for me to do my job and was be held to account and cannot be own preselection and marginalise damaging to the campaign.’’ allowed to continue on as a rep- perceived political opponents. resentative and member of the “Once Alex decided I was not ● That she orchestrated a cam- demand Victorian Greens.’’ totally loyal to her as an individual, paign to undermine the preselec- The complaint was made to the her organisation within the branch tion chances of City of Darebin party’s state executive on Janu- sought to intimidate, harass, isolate councillor Susanne Newton in the ary 15, two weeks before Labor’s and spread maliciously false state seat of Preston. EXCLUSIVE SUPPLY & DEMAND rumours about me. I have seen her TOP EXPORTERS retired from the ● That she waged a ruthless, in- (megatonnes) parliament and triggered the Bat- do this to others, too.’’ tercine war against four Greens BEN PACKHAM man by-election — a knife-edge members of the Darebin council 389 “She is sporadic, manipulative and 370 contest in which early voting will do or say anything to ensure she and used her social media ac- Surging energy demand in India began this week. either gains or maintains power.’’ counts to support non-Greens will ensure a market for Australian The complainants, who candidates running against them. coal “for the foreseeable future” requested their identities be con- “The Darebin branch is currently The complaint does not con- dominated by a toxic factional despite attempts by the Indian 171 cealed from Ms Bhathal, say the tain grievous instances of bullying government to reduce reliance on party’s interests would be better culture that has been cultivated and or harassment but documents a led by Ms Bhathal.’’ coal imports, the World Coal 83 76 served by the Greens losing corrosive pattern of alleged behav- Association says. Batman than Ms Bhathal winning Source: Statements of complaint against iour including late-night phone Association chief executive it. This would enable the party to Alex Bhathal by Greens members. calls, incessant text messaging and Benjamin Sporton said the eco- preselect a new candidate for the malicious backgrounding, reduc- South Africa nomics of Adani’s $16.5 billion Russia next federal election. ing party members to tears and Australia Colombia Carmichael mine in Queensland’s Indonesia It is understood Ms Bhathal has creating a bitterly divided Darebin Galilee Basin were a matter for the TOP IMPORTERS not been shown the full complaint. , Richard Di Natale The co-convener of the Vic- prompted a review of her endorse- unwinnable, “dead-red’’ seat. In branch. None of the allegations (megatonnes) company, but opponents of the She declined to respond to the al- and Janet Rice. torian Greens, Colin Jacobs, said ment for Batman by a three- every election she has stood as a has been proven.` mine would not halt India’s need 256 legations and invited Batman vot- “Alex convincingly won the the complaint had been consid- person committee but were not candidate, she has eroded Labor’s The Greens state executive and for thermal coal. ers to make their own judgment. preselection,’’ they said in a joint ered and dealt with. “We take all properly investigated by the party. hold on it. its federal leadership have backed Mr Sporton said demand for 200 189 “The people of Batman have statement to The Australian. “She allegations of this nature serious- Ms Bhathal is a Tampa Green: In 2016, after Mr Feeney ran a Ms Bhathal as the party’s best Australian thermal coal was also over 30 years experience of my is held in the highest regard by ly,” he said. “The party considered the cohort of political activists who train-wreck campaign, Ms Bhat- chance of securing a second lower- forecast to remain steady in China 134 character and I have faith that my members and supporters within these matters and found the joined the Greens in the lead-up to hal got to within 1853 votes of house seat in the federal parlia- and Japan, and new markets were community will rely on their first the broader community. material presented lacked suf- the 2001 election motivated less by entering federal parliament. She ment. emerging in Bangladesh and Paki- 66 hand knowledge of me over the “It is disappointing that despite ficient evidence to reconsider environmental concerns than works as a social worker, lives in Labor has preselected Ged stan. India has 48 gigawatts of decades,’’ she said last night. this support and the party resolv- Alex’s preselection.’’ opposition to immigration and Preston, is a mother of two and is Kearney, the president of the high-efficiency, low-emissions Ms Bhathal was strongly ing this matter, someone who is This is disputed by the border protection policies. well known in the electorate. ACTU, in an attempt to hold the

coal plants under construction — India backed by the three Victorian unhappy with the outcome has complainants. They say the allega- When she first ran for the Some of the allegations raised seat. The Batman by-election will Japan South China Korea Taipei

or about 40 times the capacity of Chinese Greens in federal parliament: taken it to the media.’’ tions raised against Ms Bhathal Greens in Batman in 2001 it was an against her appear frivolous. She is be held on March 17. ’s Loy Yang B power sta- 2016 data Source: IEA tion — plus another 128GW in pre-construction. going,” Mr Sporton said. “That Union Bill did little for women, says ex-ACTU boss Adani reef “I’ve just been in India, where does provide an opportunity for they are planning on sending the imports of coal into India to (Adani) coal, and when I look at remain healthy and potentially to Continued from Page 1 AWU’s blessing. Mr Shorten was 10 total from Mr Shorten’s Vic- ‘threats’ what is happening there, we are grow, for the foreseeable future.” at the helm of the AWU’s Vic- torian group in the House of Rep- seeing power demand growth,” Mr India gets the bulk of its coal now is to put as many women as torian branch at the time. resentatives, she says: “It reminds Sporton said. imports from Indonesia, but the possible in positions of power,’’ he Ms George is well regarded by me of the male enclaves in the already “It has got 300 million people Indonesian government has its said. women in the labour movement as union movement who resisted the or so without access to electricity. own electrification program under While welcoming Mr Shorten’s a feminist who was able to break inevitability of change.” dismissed Solar is playing a role in rural and way, which is likely to constrict commitment as Opposition Lead- the glass ceiling for others who fol- It was possible all 10 of these remote regions. But they are also coal exports. er to gender equality, Ms George lowed her. Victorian Labor MPs would have an urbanising and industrialising Mr Sporton told a Minerals says his ALP factional support She was the first female sec- been men — except for inter- GRAHAM LLOYD country. And over the next 15 Council roundtable including base takes “the prize for dragging retary and first president of the vention outside the normal party ANALYSIS years or so, there are about Resources Minister Matt Canavan the chain” on female represen- NSW Teachers Federation, the preselection process. 300 million people forecast to and Energy Minister Josh tation, and brands them “lag- first woman elected to the ACTU In the seat of Lalor, Julia Gillard move into cities. Getting power Frydenberg in Canberra yesterday gards”. executive and the first woman was succeeded by a woman at the into those cities, and power into that rising investment in On Mr Shorten’s record with elected ACTU president. 2013 election because the former those industrial facilities, is really renewable generation across the the AWU, Ms George says in a In her letter on Mr Shorten’s Labor prime minister insisted. where coal plays an important role region would ensure continued letter published by The Australian record, Ms George says there was The preselection was won by in India.” demand for coal-fired generation today that “the facts speak for no doubt significant progress had the serving member, . The International Energy as a baseload power source. themselves”. been made to improve the rep- In Hotham, the male candidate Agency downgraded its forecasts “Quite often we have people in Ms George says many male- JOHN FEDER resentation of Labor female MPs. preferred by to suc- for thermal coal imports into India certain activist circles saying ‘you dominated unions implemented Jennie George in Canberra when she was a Labor MP But she attributes the gains largely ceed him in 2013 bowed out after An international campaign has last year in response to govern- don’t need coal, you can do it all strategies to redress a historical in- to the efforts of the ALP left, of controversy and the current local successfully branded Adani’s ment measures to reduce reliance with renewables’, but I just don’t justice over women’s represen- Referring to one woman con- cally represented workers in male- which she is a member, in making member, Labor justice spokes- proposed Carmichael coal mine a on coal imports. see the evidence of that,’’ Mr Spor- tation, but Mr Shorten’s union was cerned, Tonya Stevens, Ms dominated industries such as the party’s affirmative action poli- woman Clare O’Neil, was installed “carbon bomb” that is set to blow But Indian coalminers are ton said. not one of them in her time. George says that “regrettably” her shearing, mining and civil con- cies work. after intervention by the ALP’s up the Great Barrier Reef. struggling to meet production tar- “As (Indian Power Minister Pi- Ms George, the ACTU’s first short career as an AWU official struction, its base has widened “This is most obvious in the national executive. But the Galilee Basin is a long gets, amid rising demand from the yush Goyal) frequently says, no woman president from 1995 to ended soon after. considerably over the decades elevation of Tanya Plibersek and Ms George says: “Bill Shorten way from the Queensland coast country’s power plants and cem- country has ever developed with- 2000 and then Labor member for She continues: “Aside from the with a large female membership in Penny Wong into leadership posi- would surely be disappointed in and even further from the reef. ent makers, prompting forecasts of out baseload electricity.” Throsby in NSW for almost a dec- other, there was not one woman cleaning, fruit-picking and differ- tions,” she writes. the efforts of his factional support Carmichael may pose genuine a 3 to 5 per cent growth in thermal The Indian-owned Adani is ade, singles out Mr Shorten’s on this list representing the inter- ent types of process work. Unfortunately, Ms George base. They take the prize for drag- environmental concerns in terms coal imports over the next five trying to secure finance for its pro- record by highlighting his last ests of rank-and-file female union Ms George’s references to says, “the boys’ club remains alive ging the chain. The oft repeated of water use, land clearing and years. posed Carmichael mine that annual return as secretary of the members, such as those at Chiquita Mushrooms and Clean- and well” in the ALP’s right faction statistics painting an overall pic- habitat loss. There may well be “I do think that’s going to be a would be one of the world’s largest AWU’s Victorian branch in 2006 Chiquita Mushrooms and Clean- event reflect a particular sore point in NSW and Victoria, the two larg- ture of progress lets the laggards environmental impacts from challenge (for Indian coalminers) coalmines, exporting 60 million that showed only two women event. So much for the union rep- in the union’s recent history est states. off the hook.” increased shipping through reef when you look at the way the tonnes of coal a year to India over office-holders among 34 members resenting its base.” involving members who lost their Singling out how there are only waters and from an expanded power demand and supply is its 60-year lifespan. on the branch executive. Although the AWU histori- jobs or had their wages cut with the two women Labor MPs out of the LETTERS P13 Abbot Point coal terminal near wetlands. But the bigger claim that Adani poses an existential Shorten would betray Leader goes to water as threat to the Great Barrier Reef An excellent $17,000 adventure that can be avoided by banning the mine has been tested in the Continued from Page 1 traditional Labor values Cash comes a cropper Federal Court and rejected. SHORTEN ON ADANI The Australian Conservation Labor Party should be there to Leader has been adopting all the session in Senate estimates. Still, Foundation took the federal support and create jobs.” April 12, 2017 (News conference in Queensland) DENNIS SHANAHAN irrational arguments used by a JAMES JEFFREY the show had to go on. Another environment minister to court He warned Mr Shorten was “I support the Adani coal mine so long as it stacks up. I hope it POLITICAL EDITOR cabal of foreign-funded activists THE SKETCH item on the program was Shor- claiming he failed to take account risking vital support for Labor in stacks up, by the way. Let me be clear, I want to see more jobs in determined to conflate populist ten’s (briefly salty) GQ interview, of the climate change impact of regional Queensland for the sake Australia, I want to see more jobs in regional Queensland.” issues to destroy Australia’s coal one Turnbull bolstered with his the Adani project and potential of inner-city seats such as Batman. industry while he parades Tuesday vomit musings: “(Shor- harm to the reef when he The Prime Minister said Mr January 30, 2018 (National Press Club) traditional Labor values to help ten) was spewing at Oaky North, approved it. ACF argued the Shorten, who said there was “a role “You can’t be serious about climate change and energy and “ordinary Australian workers”. and he is using the f-word in the harmful effects of climate change for coal in Australia” during a visit have a bet every which way. So we’re certainly looking at the But now we know, courtesy of GQ interview. Then he complains (ocean temperature and last week to north Queensland, Adani matter very closely. If it doesn’t stack up … it will the Australian Conservation that he doesn’t think that Lucy and acidification) were the most was backing workers locked out of absolutely not receive our support.” Foundation and green millionaire I will invite him for dinner. Well, as serious threat to the reef, would the Oaky North coalmine while Geoff Cousins, that he’s not only long as he promises not to do that get worse, and depended on how giving private assurances to Mr “I think it’s fair to say that the reef is under great stress … I do Bill Shorten still can’t give a been playing to different public Despite Michaelia Cash’s efforts to again, we wouldn’t have any effectively the issue of rising Cousins that Labor would work to- think that we need to do more to protect the reef, so that’s one straight answer on his position on audiences he’s been encouraging drag parliament back to pollie- objection.” levels of greenhouse gases was wards overturning approvals for point - one post I want to put into the ground. the development of the $16 billion the view that once in power he staff sex, question time saw our Steven Ciobo segued to GQ addressed worldwide. Adani. Mr Turnbull attacked Mr Adani coal project in north will twist the law to revoke federal members lift the discourse with only slightly more visible ef- ACF asked the Federal Court Shorten over his Port Douglas trip, February 2 (standing alongside Labor candidate Queensland. Adani’s licence on environmental to the relative safety of the c-word fort. The Trade Minister, who has to find the environment minister saying that “most people, when for Batman Ged Kearney) After months of shifting grounds. and f-bomb. gained something of a reputation should have taken greenhouse they go snorkelling on the Barrier “With Adani … the story which has been put up in The positions, a personally guided Yet Adani has passed all the But for the government, the as a footwear model after wearing gases from combustion of coal Reef, pay for it themselves”. Guardian, reveals scandalous allegations that Adani is accused tour of the Great Barrier Reef and prolonged tests on environmental first job was to try nudging Bill striking ochre-coloured boots to a from the mine into greater On January 30, a week after the of falsifying scientific evidence and samples. If this is true, then the Carmichael basin, where it is grounds and for a Labor Shorten towards a coral encounter Davos panel, opined Shorten was account. reef tour, Mr Shorten said that if that’s a very serious matter and I call upon the federal claimed 10,000 jobs will be government to seek to go through that, for him at least, would be as “a lot more blue steel than he is However, the federal minister the Adani project did not stack up government to immediately investigate these allegations to created in an area devastated by a loophole and destroy the project enjoyable as the time James Cook blue collar”. To this end, he pro- argued that any increase in global “commercially” or “environment- ascertain if they are true.” unemployment, and retrospectively would be a came to grief in the Endeavour. duced one of GQ’s moodily lit pho- greenhouse gas emissions from ally” it would “absolutely not “We’ve had two years of bad coral bleaching on the Great contradictory public statements national betrayal. “The honourable member tos of the Opposition Leader, a hit the Adani mine would depend on receive our support”. Barrier Reef, and the reef is still there but it is under pressure about coal, the environment and It would also be a betrayal of asked me about big corporations with many of his colleagues. a number of variables. Mr Shorten’s office last night since the environmental approvals were granted.” jobs, the Opposition Leader is still those traditional Labor values so and inequality,” said Malcolm The same couldn’t be said for This included: refused to confirm whether tax- playing with words and talking often espoused by Shorten as a Turnbull, considering Shorten’s Cash, sadly. Tony Abbott — no ● Whether the mined coal payers funded his travel to Cairns February 19 (standing with MP Cathy O’Toole in Townsville) out both sides of his mouth. defender of workers’ rights. opening shot. “Well, most people stranger to copping innuendo of would replace coal currently on January 23, before he went to “There is a role for mining in Australia. There is a role for coal in But perhaps the most Anthony Albanese has never when they go snorkelling on the the Cash kind himself — later pon- provided by other suppliers; Port Douglas for the reef tour, say- Australia.” disturbing aspect of Shorten’s hidden his dislike or scepticism Barrier Reef pay for it themselves. dered the minister’s bewildering ● Whether the burning of the ing the information would be tortured tale and twisted logic is about the Adani project but as a But not the Leader of the Oppo- outburst about young women mined coal would be a substitute “published by the independent that while declaring he would senior Labor frontbencher has sition — oh no!” working in Shorten’s office and for other energy sources; parliamentary expenses authority needed to see in order to form a flight over the Adani mine, Mr never create a sovereign risk to consistently endorsed the proper And lo, it was into the subject of diagnosed it as “a brain snap”. ● The efficiency of coal in the normal way”. better view of Labor’s policy on Shorten received briefings from investment and Australia’s processes of both state and Shorten’s reef trip courtesy of en- Christopher Pyne, for his part, burning power plants; and “It’s no secret that Bill is deeply Adani,” Mr Cousins said. “We had groundwater expert Rod Fensham reputation if elected, he is clearly federal governments. Albanese vironmentalist Geoff Cousins, an put aside the jollity of Tuesday’s ● The international sceptical of the proposed Adani him way out to sea in a remote area an associate professor at Queens- giving conservationists the has specifically said the adventure that opened the way to butter knife frolic and got down to obligations of coal burning coalmine,” a spokesman for Mr off the reef off Port Douglas. And land University and black-throat- impression that is precisely what environmental approvals cannot boisterous meditations on the kal- offering (mercifully bowdlerised) countries to address emissions Shorten said. he was snorkelling for some hours ed finch expert April Reside. Dr he will do. be retrospectively revisited and eidoscope of Shorten’s positions Construction Forestry Mining and within their respective borders. Mr Cousins revealed he was along with Professor Hughes … Reside said yesterday: “We’ve got In other words, Shorten is argues the economics of the mine on Adani and — to Turnbull’s par- Energy Union quotes. To wit: “I The Federal Court did not rule approached by Mr Shorten about who had laminated photographs very good evidence to show that prepared to twist and distort will determine its future. ticular delight — Point Piper mil- will effing rape your children you on whether the Adani mine was a visiting north Queensland and of that part of the reef from 10 the conditions that are on the mine existing law and existing From a leader of the left it’s not lionaires. c.” A baby started to cry in one of good thing or not. said he decided to bring in the ACF years ago, five years ago and last as they stand will very likely send government guarantees and embracing the new coal project “Where’s your snorkel, Bill?” the public galleries. But the trial judge supported to “organise all the logistics”. year so that Mr Shorten … could the black-throated finch extinct ... approvals to do exactly that — but nor is it seeking to manipulate inquired George Christensen. But Shorten at least looked the environment minister’s right “He rang me before Christmas hold these photographs below the He (Mr Shorten) was very en- use trickery and sophistry to rip a law and destroy thousands of The water certainly sounded happy in the end, saved by the to make the decision he did. last year and asked me if I would water and see what’s happened to gaged with it and very interested to up a contract no matter what the jobs and Australia’s investment like an inviting place to shelter great barrier of Michaelia. And a full bench of the Federal take him to north Queensland to the coral.” understand more about what was cost in investment and jobs. reputation for sake of satisfying from the flaming debris showering Court upheld the original see the relevant things that he On the January 24 charter going on.” For months the Opposition well-funded Greens’ campaigns. down from the Cash-and-burn STREWTH P11 judgment after ACF appealed.