Georgie Crozier urges Sam Groth to 'explain' after using her chauffeured vehicle to take him home while 'smashed'
Mr Groth, who was reportedly "smashed", and his wife were driven to their Rye home, almost 100km south of Melbourne, in order to get back from the tennis after a private fundraiser held with Nationals MP Jade Benham and subsequent boozing in the tennis precinct party zone.
While the incident happened in January 2024, the Herald Sun revealed the details on Friday.
The former tennis player is under heavy scrutiny for the misuse of the vehicle as taxpayer-funded vehicles are provided to government ministers and senior opposition figures for them to use while carrying out public duties.
Parliamentary guidelines state they must not be used for 'improper personal' purposes, for the 'private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person', or for 'non-public purposes' such as political party fundraisers.
In addition to the vehicle revelations, Mr Groth was also found by Herald Sun to have charged taxpayers to stay in luxury hotels while he was attending sporting events, including $317 for accommodation on two occasions during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin faced questions over the reports but backed Mr Groth insisting he fulfilled the requirement of meeting with stakeholders at the fundraiser.
Ms Crozier, however, said the people of Victoria deserved better from one of its public figures.
Sources told the Herald Sun Mr Groth had said to Ms Crozier he wanted to borrow her chauffeur-driven vehicle for a work event but that when she found out "he was smashed", she was furious at her colleague.
'Sam needs to explain his actions, I can't. I don't know the full details of what happened on the day. I think it's up to the leadership to explain his actions," she said.
'There are people around the state who are in so much despair — the drought, cost of living, the issues around health.
'Every single Victorian I think deserves much better.'
Mr Groth spoke to the media on Friday where he defended his actions and denied he was drunk, but failed to admit whether he misled Ms Crozier over the use of the vehicle.
'At the Australian Open in 2024, I attended in both an official capacity and a personal one," he said.
'I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative. The accusations around intoxication are wrong.
'Everything was and is above board. It has all been officially disclosed. There is nothing to hide.'
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West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Katina Curtis: Ley shifts away from culture wars but WA Liberals drag them back
The WA Liberals delivered a great big up yours to Sussan Ley at the weekend. The 70-odd members of the party's State council voted for motions — backed by Michaelia Cash and Andrew Hastie — calling to abandon the net zero emissions target, ditch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at official proceedings and cut back on welcomes to country. Since taking on the leadership, Ley has in word and deed sought to shift her party away from culture wars and onto turf that could be better labelled constructive disagreement. But she hasn't been helped by the Nationals, and she isn't being helped by party branches like those in WA, South Australia and Queensland. The country was last week treated to the unedifying spectacle of two grown men, each of them once upon a time deputy prime minister, publicly declaring they were 'virile' and play-acting as bulls as they sought to shred the Coalition's position on climate action. Again. After the election that delivered a majority vote to progressives — Labor, Greens and teal independents — the Liberal Party membership and their Nationals cousins aren't just sticking the finger up at the leader, they're also telling the electorate where it should go. Yes, the WA branch of the party is traditionally conservative and yes, the motions aren't binding on any elected representatives, although they do point out how the people who preselect them feel on such issues. But it does show the party base is out of step with ordinary voters. That should be a concern to Liberals who want to win seats back. The Liberals haven't picked up a new WA Federal seat since 2013. Over the past two elections, they've gone from six senators to four. Basil Zempilas, who didn't vote on the motions on Saturday due to a pressing other engagement, is alive to this, saying on Monday that flags, welcomes and net zero aren't top of mind for voters. 'The WA parliamentary Liberal Party … are very comfortable with standing in front of the Aboriginal flag. We are very comfortable with the welcome to country, and we support the status quo on the net zero targets,' he said. 'I'll just note that the former leader of the Federal Liberal Party put some of these issues on the agenda pre the federal election, and we know the results of that Federal election.' Ley isn't overly concerned, saying she knows individuals in her party room have passionate views on these things. She also will be acutely aware there's no love lost between her and WA's Federal Liberals, only two of whom backed her in the leadership ballot and some of whom are quietly questioning her tactical nous. These are the fights for the soul of the party the Liberals should have had three years ago, but didn't under Peter Dutton's steely 'unity.' Airing such divisions now gives them time to focus on how to win seats closer to an election — as long as they haven't hurt their leader too much along the way.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Doesn't bring her back': death in custody preventable
An Aboriginal woman's newborn baby was ripped from her arms soon after giving birth while in prison. But Heather Calgaret was not given any mental health support after this traumatic event. Over the next two years behind bars, the mother-of-four became obese, developed type 2 diabetes and suffered depression before being denied parole. She died in custody in November 2021 after given an inappropriately prescribed injectable opioid substitution. Countless missed opportunities to prevent the 30-year-old's death in custody were outlined by a coroner on Monday, as her family and supporters filled the courtroom. "Not only was her passing preventable, she should never have passed in the manner that she did," Victorian coroner Sarah Gebert said as she delivered a 300-page finding. The proud Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman had been six months' pregnant when she arrived at Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison in July 2019. The removal of her baby girl just after giving birth, because she had been denied access to the prison's Living with Mum program, was a "pivotal" moment, the coroner found. "Heather had her other children removed ... and her family had been affected by the Stolen Generation," Ms Gebert said. "Each of these factors would be expected to produce a range of both trauma-related symptoms and feelings of despair." Ms Calgaret was not given access to a psychologist while at Dame Phyllis and her mental health declined. About six months before her death, Ms Calgaret pleaded in a letter to be released on parole. She explained the See Change program she was required to complete was not available at Dame Phyllis and asked to do it outside prison. "I have four children that need me. I believe I have suffered enough," Ms Calgaret wrote in the letter. She begged for someone to "please read and answer my letter", but it was never forwarded onto the parole board. The coroner said Ms Calgaret had been eligible to be considered for parole more than a year earlier, about seven months after her sentence for aggravated burglary was imposed. It wasn't until October 2021 - a month before she died - that she was told her parole application had been denied because of a lack of suitable accommodation. On November 22, a doctor gave her a dosage of opiate replacement therapy that was too high for her tolerance level. Ms Calgaret's sister Suzzane, who was housed with her at the prison, found her struggling to breathe the following morning. She shook Ms Calgaret to let her know it was time for the daily count, but her younger sister was not moving. A "code black" was called and she was taken to hospital where she died four days later. The Correct Care Australasia doctor had "lacked the careful consideration required" to prescribe the injectable drug, the coroner said. She found Ms Calgaret would not have died if she had not been given the drug, or if she had been supervised afterwards. Suzzane Calgaret welcomed the findings but said it should not have taken her sister's death for changes to be made. "I hope they just have learned from this because it's taken my sister's life, my mum's daughter's life," she said outside court. "There's a reason now for her passing and that reason has been justified by the outcome, but it doesn't bring her back." Ms Gebert issued 16 recommendations, including monitoring women who give birth in custody for post-natal mental health treatment. She encouraged Justice Health to work with the government and stakeholders to improve the psychological services available at the prison and their care of inmates with chronic health issues. Ms Gebert said the parole application process should be reviewed to ensure it does not undermine the integrity of prison sentencing. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Aboriginal woman's newborn baby was ripped from her arms soon after giving birth while in prison. But Heather Calgaret was not given any mental health support after this traumatic event. Over the next two years behind bars, the mother-of-four became obese, developed type 2 diabetes and suffered depression before being denied parole. She died in custody in November 2021 after given an inappropriately prescribed injectable opioid substitution. Countless missed opportunities to prevent the 30-year-old's death in custody were outlined by a coroner on Monday, as her family and supporters filled the courtroom. "Not only was her passing preventable, she should never have passed in the manner that she did," Victorian coroner Sarah Gebert said as she delivered a 300-page finding. The proud Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman had been six months' pregnant when she arrived at Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison in July 2019. The removal of her baby girl just after giving birth, because she had been denied access to the prison's Living with Mum program, was a "pivotal" moment, the coroner found. "Heather had her other children removed ... and her family had been affected by the Stolen Generation," Ms Gebert said. "Each of these factors would be expected to produce a range of both trauma-related symptoms and feelings of despair." Ms Calgaret was not given access to a psychologist while at Dame Phyllis and her mental health declined. About six months before her death, Ms Calgaret pleaded in a letter to be released on parole. She explained the See Change program she was required to complete was not available at Dame Phyllis and asked to do it outside prison. "I have four children that need me. I believe I have suffered enough," Ms Calgaret wrote in the letter. She begged for someone to "please read and answer my letter", but it was never forwarded onto the parole board. The coroner said Ms Calgaret had been eligible to be considered for parole more than a year earlier, about seven months after her sentence for aggravated burglary was imposed. It wasn't until October 2021 - a month before she died - that she was told her parole application had been denied because of a lack of suitable accommodation. On November 22, a doctor gave her a dosage of opiate replacement therapy that was too high for her tolerance level. Ms Calgaret's sister Suzzane, who was housed with her at the prison, found her struggling to breathe the following morning. She shook Ms Calgaret to let her know it was time for the daily count, but her younger sister was not moving. A "code black" was called and she was taken to hospital where she died four days later. The Correct Care Australasia doctor had "lacked the careful consideration required" to prescribe the injectable drug, the coroner said. She found Ms Calgaret would not have died if she had not been given the drug, or if she had been supervised afterwards. Suzzane Calgaret welcomed the findings but said it should not have taken her sister's death for changes to be made. "I hope they just have learned from this because it's taken my sister's life, my mum's daughter's life," she said outside court. "There's a reason now for her passing and that reason has been justified by the outcome, but it doesn't bring her back." Ms Gebert issued 16 recommendations, including monitoring women who give birth in custody for post-natal mental health treatment. She encouraged Justice Health to work with the government and stakeholders to improve the psychological services available at the prison and their care of inmates with chronic health issues. Ms Gebert said the parole application process should be reviewed to ensure it does not undermine the integrity of prison sentencing. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Aboriginal woman's newborn baby was ripped from her arms soon after giving birth while in prison. But Heather Calgaret was not given any mental health support after this traumatic event. Over the next two years behind bars, the mother-of-four became obese, developed type 2 diabetes and suffered depression before being denied parole. She died in custody in November 2021 after given an inappropriately prescribed injectable opioid substitution. Countless missed opportunities to prevent the 30-year-old's death in custody were outlined by a coroner on Monday, as her family and supporters filled the courtroom. "Not only was her passing preventable, she should never have passed in the manner that she did," Victorian coroner Sarah Gebert said as she delivered a 300-page finding. The proud Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman had been six months' pregnant when she arrived at Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison in July 2019. The removal of her baby girl just after giving birth, because she had been denied access to the prison's Living with Mum program, was a "pivotal" moment, the coroner found. "Heather had her other children removed ... and her family had been affected by the Stolen Generation," Ms Gebert said. "Each of these factors would be expected to produce a range of both trauma-related symptoms and feelings of despair." Ms Calgaret was not given access to a psychologist while at Dame Phyllis and her mental health declined. About six months before her death, Ms Calgaret pleaded in a letter to be released on parole. She explained the See Change program she was required to complete was not available at Dame Phyllis and asked to do it outside prison. "I have four children that need me. I believe I have suffered enough," Ms Calgaret wrote in the letter. She begged for someone to "please read and answer my letter", but it was never forwarded onto the parole board. The coroner said Ms Calgaret had been eligible to be considered for parole more than a year earlier, about seven months after her sentence for aggravated burglary was imposed. It wasn't until October 2021 - a month before she died - that she was told her parole application had been denied because of a lack of suitable accommodation. On November 22, a doctor gave her a dosage of opiate replacement therapy that was too high for her tolerance level. Ms Calgaret's sister Suzzane, who was housed with her at the prison, found her struggling to breathe the following morning. She shook Ms Calgaret to let her know it was time for the daily count, but her younger sister was not moving. A "code black" was called and she was taken to hospital where she died four days later. The Correct Care Australasia doctor had "lacked the careful consideration required" to prescribe the injectable drug, the coroner said. She found Ms Calgaret would not have died if she had not been given the drug, or if she had been supervised afterwards. Suzzane Calgaret welcomed the findings but said it should not have taken her sister's death for changes to be made. "I hope they just have learned from this because it's taken my sister's life, my mum's daughter's life," she said outside court. "There's a reason now for her passing and that reason has been justified by the outcome, but it doesn't bring her back." Ms Gebert issued 16 recommendations, including monitoring women who give birth in custody for post-natal mental health treatment. She encouraged Justice Health to work with the government and stakeholders to improve the psychological services available at the prison and their care of inmates with chronic health issues. Ms Gebert said the parole application process should be reviewed to ensure it does not undermine the integrity of prison sentencing. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Aboriginal woman's newborn baby was ripped from her arms soon after giving birth while in prison. But Heather Calgaret was not given any mental health support after this traumatic event. Over the next two years behind bars, the mother-of-four became obese, developed type 2 diabetes and suffered depression before being denied parole. She died in custody in November 2021 after given an inappropriately prescribed injectable opioid substitution. Countless missed opportunities to prevent the 30-year-old's death in custody were outlined by a coroner on Monday, as her family and supporters filled the courtroom. "Not only was her passing preventable, she should never have passed in the manner that she did," Victorian coroner Sarah Gebert said as she delivered a 300-page finding. The proud Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman had been six months' pregnant when she arrived at Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison in July 2019. The removal of her baby girl just after giving birth, because she had been denied access to the prison's Living with Mum program, was a "pivotal" moment, the coroner found. "Heather had her other children removed ... and her family had been affected by the Stolen Generation," Ms Gebert said. "Each of these factors would be expected to produce a range of both trauma-related symptoms and feelings of despair." Ms Calgaret was not given access to a psychologist while at Dame Phyllis and her mental health declined. About six months before her death, Ms Calgaret pleaded in a letter to be released on parole. She explained the See Change program she was required to complete was not available at Dame Phyllis and asked to do it outside prison. "I have four children that need me. I believe I have suffered enough," Ms Calgaret wrote in the letter. She begged for someone to "please read and answer my letter", but it was never forwarded onto the parole board. The coroner said Ms Calgaret had been eligible to be considered for parole more than a year earlier, about seven months after her sentence for aggravated burglary was imposed. It wasn't until October 2021 - a month before she died - that she was told her parole application had been denied because of a lack of suitable accommodation. On November 22, a doctor gave her a dosage of opiate replacement therapy that was too high for her tolerance level. Ms Calgaret's sister Suzzane, who was housed with her at the prison, found her struggling to breathe the following morning. She shook Ms Calgaret to let her know it was time for the daily count, but her younger sister was not moving. A "code black" was called and she was taken to hospital where she died four days later. The Correct Care Australasia doctor had "lacked the careful consideration required" to prescribe the injectable drug, the coroner said. She found Ms Calgaret would not have died if she had not been given the drug, or if she had been supervised afterwards. Suzzane Calgaret welcomed the findings but said it should not have taken her sister's death for changes to be made. "I hope they just have learned from this because it's taken my sister's life, my mum's daughter's life," she said outside court. "There's a reason now for her passing and that reason has been justified by the outcome, but it doesn't bring her back." Ms Gebert issued 16 recommendations, including monitoring women who give birth in custody for post-natal mental health treatment. She encouraged Justice Health to work with the government and stakeholders to improve the psychological services available at the prison and their care of inmates with chronic health issues. Ms Gebert said the parole application process should be reviewed to ensure it does not undermine the integrity of prison sentencing. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Coalition splinters as heat rises on net-zero policy
A key climate target might be dumped by the coalition as an increasing number of Liberals cast doubt over the future of the opposition's commitment to net zero. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce on Monday launched a bid to repeal the net-zero emissions by 2050 reduction target. But his private member's bill is guaranteed to fail, because it lacks the support of the government which has a majority in the House of Representatives. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley maintains the coalition will wait until after a review of its disastrous May election loss before making formal policy decisions. Despite a growing number of Liberal politicians speaking out against stronger climate change action, she doubled down on waiting for the review. "We're going to bring all of those views together ... to flesh out the different perspectives, the expert advice and, of course, focus on this government's miserable failure when it comes to energy policy," she told Sky News. Asked about the political impact of dumping the climate target, Ms Ley said she would not foreshadow the review's outcome. Many Liberal moderates want the net-zero target retained so the party is seen to be taking climate action seriously. But Mr Joyce said there was no reason why abandoning the targets should be off the table. "This is not about leadership. This is not about trying to create some sort of discordant note," he told reporters ahead of the bill's introduction. "There's not anything in this bill that the coalition didn't have the same position we voted for." Mr Joyce has the backing of his former leadership rival Michael McCormack. The two ex-deputy prime ministers are critical of Nationals leader David Littleproud's handling of the aftermath of the election defeat. The coalition reunited at the end of May following a messy week-long split driven by divisions which included energy policy. Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean, a former deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, said "political stunts are no substitutes for real policies". "The voters overwhelmingly gave their verdict on Labor's climate policies, compared with the coalition's, and if Labor's massive majority doesn't send out mandate signals, well you're probably not paying attention," he said. Mr Littleproud's leadership was contested after the election over the party's adoption of the climate target. Liberal MP Garth Hamilton has also backed Nationals MPs trying to jettison the climate target. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson launched her own bid to scrap net zero in the upper house on Monday. But the coalition largely stood united against the issue, with only Nationals senator Matt Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic voting with the minor party on the motion. Senator Canavan had said One Nation was "catching up" to his colleagues in the Nationals party, specifically Mr Joyce. "I give him credit for doing this: he's put it on the agenda, he's dominating the media discussions," he told the Senate. "We are here to make laws, not just statements, so we've got to repeal this rubbish." Only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion, but one was in the chair and exercised his right not to vote, while Liberal senators Jane Hume and Andrew McLachlan voted against it. A key climate target might be dumped by the coalition as an increasing number of Liberals cast doubt over the future of the opposition's commitment to net zero. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce on Monday launched a bid to repeal the net-zero emissions by 2050 reduction target. But his private member's bill is guaranteed to fail, because it lacks the support of the government which has a majority in the House of Representatives. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley maintains the coalition will wait until after a review of its disastrous May election loss before making formal policy decisions. Despite a growing number of Liberal politicians speaking out against stronger climate change action, she doubled down on waiting for the review. "We're going to bring all of those views together ... to flesh out the different perspectives, the expert advice and, of course, focus on this government's miserable failure when it comes to energy policy," she told Sky News. Asked about the political impact of dumping the climate target, Ms Ley said she would not foreshadow the review's outcome. Many Liberal moderates want the net-zero target retained so the party is seen to be taking climate action seriously. But Mr Joyce said there was no reason why abandoning the targets should be off the table. "This is not about leadership. This is not about trying to create some sort of discordant note," he told reporters ahead of the bill's introduction. "There's not anything in this bill that the coalition didn't have the same position we voted for." Mr Joyce has the backing of his former leadership rival Michael McCormack. The two ex-deputy prime ministers are critical of Nationals leader David Littleproud's handling of the aftermath of the election defeat. The coalition reunited at the end of May following a messy week-long split driven by divisions which included energy policy. Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean, a former deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, said "political stunts are no substitutes for real policies". "The voters overwhelmingly gave their verdict on Labor's climate policies, compared with the coalition's, and if Labor's massive majority doesn't send out mandate signals, well you're probably not paying attention," he said. Mr Littleproud's leadership was contested after the election over the party's adoption of the climate target. Liberal MP Garth Hamilton has also backed Nationals MPs trying to jettison the climate target. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson launched her own bid to scrap net zero in the upper house on Monday. But the coalition largely stood united against the issue, with only Nationals senator Matt Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic voting with the minor party on the motion. Senator Canavan had said One Nation was "catching up" to his colleagues in the Nationals party, specifically Mr Joyce. "I give him credit for doing this: he's put it on the agenda, he's dominating the media discussions," he told the Senate. "We are here to make laws, not just statements, so we've got to repeal this rubbish." Only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion, but one was in the chair and exercised his right not to vote, while Liberal senators Jane Hume and Andrew McLachlan voted against it. A key climate target might be dumped by the coalition as an increasing number of Liberals cast doubt over the future of the opposition's commitment to net zero. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce on Monday launched a bid to repeal the net-zero emissions by 2050 reduction target. But his private member's bill is guaranteed to fail, because it lacks the support of the government which has a majority in the House of Representatives. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley maintains the coalition will wait until after a review of its disastrous May election loss before making formal policy decisions. Despite a growing number of Liberal politicians speaking out against stronger climate change action, she doubled down on waiting for the review. "We're going to bring all of those views together ... to flesh out the different perspectives, the expert advice and, of course, focus on this government's miserable failure when it comes to energy policy," she told Sky News. Asked about the political impact of dumping the climate target, Ms Ley said she would not foreshadow the review's outcome. Many Liberal moderates want the net-zero target retained so the party is seen to be taking climate action seriously. But Mr Joyce said there was no reason why abandoning the targets should be off the table. "This is not about leadership. This is not about trying to create some sort of discordant note," he told reporters ahead of the bill's introduction. "There's not anything in this bill that the coalition didn't have the same position we voted for." Mr Joyce has the backing of his former leadership rival Michael McCormack. The two ex-deputy prime ministers are critical of Nationals leader David Littleproud's handling of the aftermath of the election defeat. The coalition reunited at the end of May following a messy week-long split driven by divisions which included energy policy. Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean, a former deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, said "political stunts are no substitutes for real policies". "The voters overwhelmingly gave their verdict on Labor's climate policies, compared with the coalition's, and if Labor's massive majority doesn't send out mandate signals, well you're probably not paying attention," he said. Mr Littleproud's leadership was contested after the election over the party's adoption of the climate target. Liberal MP Garth Hamilton has also backed Nationals MPs trying to jettison the climate target. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson launched her own bid to scrap net zero in the upper house on Monday. But the coalition largely stood united against the issue, with only Nationals senator Matt Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic voting with the minor party on the motion. Senator Canavan had said One Nation was "catching up" to his colleagues in the Nationals party, specifically Mr Joyce. "I give him credit for doing this: he's put it on the agenda, he's dominating the media discussions," he told the Senate. "We are here to make laws, not just statements, so we've got to repeal this rubbish." Only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion, but one was in the chair and exercised his right not to vote, while Liberal senators Jane Hume and Andrew McLachlan voted against it. A key climate target might be dumped by the coalition as an increasing number of Liberals cast doubt over the future of the opposition's commitment to net zero. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce on Monday launched a bid to repeal the net-zero emissions by 2050 reduction target. But his private member's bill is guaranteed to fail, because it lacks the support of the government which has a majority in the House of Representatives. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley maintains the coalition will wait until after a review of its disastrous May election loss before making formal policy decisions. Despite a growing number of Liberal politicians speaking out against stronger climate change action, she doubled down on waiting for the review. "We're going to bring all of those views together ... to flesh out the different perspectives, the expert advice and, of course, focus on this government's miserable failure when it comes to energy policy," she told Sky News. Asked about the political impact of dumping the climate target, Ms Ley said she would not foreshadow the review's outcome. Many Liberal moderates want the net-zero target retained so the party is seen to be taking climate action seriously. But Mr Joyce said there was no reason why abandoning the targets should be off the table. "This is not about leadership. This is not about trying to create some sort of discordant note," he told reporters ahead of the bill's introduction. "There's not anything in this bill that the coalition didn't have the same position we voted for." Mr Joyce has the backing of his former leadership rival Michael McCormack. The two ex-deputy prime ministers are critical of Nationals leader David Littleproud's handling of the aftermath of the election defeat. The coalition reunited at the end of May following a messy week-long split driven by divisions which included energy policy. Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean, a former deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, said "political stunts are no substitutes for real policies". "The voters overwhelmingly gave their verdict on Labor's climate policies, compared with the coalition's, and if Labor's massive majority doesn't send out mandate signals, well you're probably not paying attention," he said. Mr Littleproud's leadership was contested after the election over the party's adoption of the climate target. Liberal MP Garth Hamilton has also backed Nationals MPs trying to jettison the climate target. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson launched her own bid to scrap net zero in the upper house on Monday. But the coalition largely stood united against the issue, with only Nationals senator Matt Canavan and firebrand Liberal Alex Antic voting with the minor party on the motion. Senator Canavan had said One Nation was "catching up" to his colleagues in the Nationals party, specifically Mr Joyce. "I give him credit for doing this: he's put it on the agenda, he's dominating the media discussions," he told the Senate. "We are here to make laws, not just statements, so we've got to repeal this rubbish." Only five out of the coalition's 27 senators showed up for the motion, but one was in the chair and exercised his right not to vote, while Liberal senators Jane Hume and Andrew McLachlan voted against it.
