‘The entire party is imploding': Groth, Pesutto, Deeming turning Liberal headache into a migraine
Battin was also forced to defend his deputy, Sam Groth, on Friday over reports Groth had misled opposition frontbencher Georgie Crozier to access her chauffeur-driven car after a fundraiser at the Australian Open last year.
The Herald Sun on Friday reported Groth had asked to borrow Crozier's driver for work reasons but used the car to get home to Rye after a fundraiser at the tennis.
Crozier, who was leader of the opposition in the upper house at the time, told reporters on Friday that she wanted answers.
'I'm incredibly disappointed,' Crozier said outside the opposition's budget reply lunch. 'Sam needs to explain his actions.'
Groth, the opposition's spokesman for tourism, sport, events and hospitality, said he attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official and personal capacity.
'I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative,' Groth said in a statement on Friday.
'Everything was and is above board. It has all been officially disclosed. There is nothing to hide.'
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The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Battery of the nation' undersea power cable at risk
One of the nation's largest energy projects could be in doubt amid a government stoush and a cost blowout. The multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link undersea power cable project to connect Tasmania to the mainland has been touted as critical to making the island state the "battery of the nation" by increasing its capacity to export green power. The $5.5 billion project is set to be funded by the federal, Tasmanian and Victorian governments. The Tasmanian government's decision on its 17.7 per cent share of the link's Stage 1 cable, initially promised by July 31, has been delayed. Tasmania's Shadow Energy Minister Janie Finlay on Saturday accused Premier Jeremy Rockliff of blocking a briefing from Energy Minister Nick Duigan on the Marinus business case. It had been hoped the briefing would create bipartisan support to secure the project as Tasmania's Liberal government scrambles for survival following the July 19 election. "We are days away from a critical decision on one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure projects," Ms Finlay told reporters. "The business case has been sitting in the premier's office for two months, but Jeremy Rockliff won't let Tasmanians see it. "Not only have they just not briefed Tasmanian Labor, but the premier has stepped in and actively blocked that." Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said the delay and uncertainty placed the entire project at risk. Marinus Link must "issue notice to proceed" by the end of August or lose a $1.07 billion contract with the Italy-based Prysmian Group to supply the 345km cable. Tasmania's Liberal government is in caretaker mode after the state election delivered another large crossbench, some of whom oppose the Marinus project. Ms Finlay accused the Rockliff government of hiding the Marinus Link business case for political gain because it included significant price impacts to pay for transmission infrastructure. The government has denied Mr Rockliff or his staff blocked a briefing, saying the opposition would be briefed in line with caretaker conventions. "We are carefully and methodically working through the details, with a decision expected soon," Mr Duigan said. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid, where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. The project was scaled back in September 2023 after the cost of two cables blew out by $1.7 billion to an estimated $5.5 billion. Under the plan, Victoria has a 33.3 per cent share and Tasmania 17.7 per cent, with an option to sell its stake to the Commonwealth on completion. Marinus Link has been touted as a critical component in making Tasmania the "battery" of the nation by increasing the island's capacity to export green power and allow excess energy generated on the mainland to be stored in Tasmania's hydro storage. The first stage is not slated to be finished until 2028/29. One of the nation's largest energy projects could be in doubt amid a government stoush and a cost blowout. The multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link undersea power cable project to connect Tasmania to the mainland has been touted as critical to making the island state the "battery of the nation" by increasing its capacity to export green power. The $5.5 billion project is set to be funded by the federal, Tasmanian and Victorian governments. The Tasmanian government's decision on its 17.7 per cent share of the link's Stage 1 cable, initially promised by July 31, has been delayed. Tasmania's Shadow Energy Minister Janie Finlay on Saturday accused Premier Jeremy Rockliff of blocking a briefing from Energy Minister Nick Duigan on the Marinus business case. It had been hoped the briefing would create bipartisan support to secure the project as Tasmania's Liberal government scrambles for survival following the July 19 election. "We are days away from a critical decision on one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure projects," Ms Finlay told reporters. "The business case has been sitting in the premier's office for two months, but Jeremy Rockliff won't let Tasmanians see it. "Not only have they just not briefed Tasmanian Labor, but the premier has stepped in and actively blocked that." Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said the delay and uncertainty placed the entire project at risk. Marinus Link must "issue notice to proceed" by the end of August or lose a $1.07 billion contract with the Italy-based Prysmian Group to supply the 345km cable. Tasmania's Liberal government is in caretaker mode after the state election delivered another large crossbench, some of whom oppose the Marinus project. Ms Finlay accused the Rockliff government of hiding the Marinus Link business case for political gain because it included significant price impacts to pay for transmission infrastructure. The government has denied Mr Rockliff or his staff blocked a briefing, saying the opposition would be briefed in line with caretaker conventions. "We are carefully and methodically working through the details, with a decision expected soon," Mr Duigan said. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid, where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. The project was scaled back in September 2023 after the cost of two cables blew out by $1.7 billion to an estimated $5.5 billion. Under the plan, Victoria has a 33.3 per cent share and Tasmania 17.7 per cent, with an option to sell its stake to the Commonwealth on completion. Marinus Link has been touted as a critical component in making Tasmania the "battery" of the nation by increasing the island's capacity to export green power and allow excess energy generated on the mainland to be stored in Tasmania's hydro storage. The first stage is not slated to be finished until 2028/29. One of the nation's largest energy projects could be in doubt amid a government stoush and a cost blowout. The multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link undersea power cable project to connect Tasmania to the mainland has been touted as critical to making the island state the "battery of the nation" by increasing its capacity to export green power. The $5.5 billion project is set to be funded by the federal, Tasmanian and Victorian governments. The Tasmanian government's decision on its 17.7 per cent share of the link's Stage 1 cable, initially promised by July 31, has been delayed. Tasmania's Shadow Energy Minister Janie Finlay on Saturday accused Premier Jeremy Rockliff of blocking a briefing from Energy Minister Nick Duigan on the Marinus business case. It had been hoped the briefing would create bipartisan support to secure the project as Tasmania's Liberal government scrambles for survival following the July 19 election. "We are days away from a critical decision on one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure projects," Ms Finlay told reporters. "The business case has been sitting in the premier's office for two months, but Jeremy Rockliff won't let Tasmanians see it. "Not only have they just not briefed Tasmanian Labor, but the premier has stepped in and actively blocked that." Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said the delay and uncertainty placed the entire project at risk. Marinus Link must "issue notice to proceed" by the end of August or lose a $1.07 billion contract with the Italy-based Prysmian Group to supply the 345km cable. Tasmania's Liberal government is in caretaker mode after the state election delivered another large crossbench, some of whom oppose the Marinus project. Ms Finlay accused the Rockliff government of hiding the Marinus Link business case for political gain because it included significant price impacts to pay for transmission infrastructure. The government has denied Mr Rockliff or his staff blocked a briefing, saying the opposition would be briefed in line with caretaker conventions. "We are carefully and methodically working through the details, with a decision expected soon," Mr Duigan said. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid, where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. The project was scaled back in September 2023 after the cost of two cables blew out by $1.7 billion to an estimated $5.5 billion. Under the plan, Victoria has a 33.3 per cent share and Tasmania 17.7 per cent, with an option to sell its stake to the Commonwealth on completion. Marinus Link has been touted as a critical component in making Tasmania the "battery" of the nation by increasing the island's capacity to export green power and allow excess energy generated on the mainland to be stored in Tasmania's hydro storage. The first stage is not slated to be finished until 2028/29. One of the nation's largest energy projects could be in doubt amid a government stoush and a cost blowout. The multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link undersea power cable project to connect Tasmania to the mainland has been touted as critical to making the island state the "battery of the nation" by increasing its capacity to export green power. The $5.5 billion project is set to be funded by the federal, Tasmanian and Victorian governments. The Tasmanian government's decision on its 17.7 per cent share of the link's Stage 1 cable, initially promised by July 31, has been delayed. Tasmania's Shadow Energy Minister Janie Finlay on Saturday accused Premier Jeremy Rockliff of blocking a briefing from Energy Minister Nick Duigan on the Marinus business case. It had been hoped the briefing would create bipartisan support to secure the project as Tasmania's Liberal government scrambles for survival following the July 19 election. "We are days away from a critical decision on one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure projects," Ms Finlay told reporters. "The business case has been sitting in the premier's office for two months, but Jeremy Rockliff won't let Tasmanians see it. "Not only have they just not briefed Tasmanian Labor, but the premier has stepped in and actively blocked that." Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said the delay and uncertainty placed the entire project at risk. Marinus Link must "issue notice to proceed" by the end of August or lose a $1.07 billion contract with the Italy-based Prysmian Group to supply the 345km cable. Tasmania's Liberal government is in caretaker mode after the state election delivered another large crossbench, some of whom oppose the Marinus project. Ms Finlay accused the Rockliff government of hiding the Marinus Link business case for political gain because it included significant price impacts to pay for transmission infrastructure. The government has denied Mr Rockliff or his staff blocked a briefing, saying the opposition would be briefed in line with caretaker conventions. "We are carefully and methodically working through the details, with a decision expected soon," Mr Duigan said. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid, where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. The project was scaled back in September 2023 after the cost of two cables blew out by $1.7 billion to an estimated $5.5 billion. Under the plan, Victoria has a 33.3 per cent share and Tasmania 17.7 per cent, with an option to sell its stake to the Commonwealth on completion. Marinus Link has been touted as a critical component in making Tasmania the "battery" of the nation by increasing the island's capacity to export green power and allow excess energy generated on the mainland to be stored in Tasmania's hydro storage. The first stage is not slated to be finished until 2028/29.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Battery of the nation' undersea power cable at risk
One of the nation's largest energy projects could be in doubt amid a government stoush and a cost blowout. The multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link undersea power cable project to connect Tasmania to the mainland has been touted as critical to making the island state the "battery of the nation" by increasing its capacity to export green power. The $5.5 billion project is set to be funded by the federal, Tasmanian and Victorian governments. The Tasmanian government's decision on its 17.7 per cent share of the link's Stage 1 cable, initially promised by July 31, has been delayed. Tasmania's Shadow Energy Minister Janie Finlay on Saturday accused Premier Jeremy Rockliff of blocking a briefing from Energy Minister Nick Duigan on the Marinus business case. It had been hoped the briefing would create bipartisan support to secure the project as Tasmania's Liberal government scrambles for survival following the July 19 election. "We are days away from a critical decision on one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure projects," Ms Finlay told reporters. "The business case has been sitting in the premier's office for two months, but Jeremy Rockliff won't let Tasmanians see it. "Not only have they just not briefed Tasmanian Labor, but the premier has stepped in and actively blocked that." Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said the delay and uncertainty placed the entire project at risk. Marinus Link must "issue notice to proceed" by the end of August or lose a $1.07 billion contract with the Italy-based Prysmian Group to supply the 345km cable. Tasmania's Liberal government is in caretaker mode after the state election delivered another large crossbench, some of whom oppose the Marinus project. Ms Finlay accused the Rockliff government of hiding the Marinus Link business case for political gain because it included significant price impacts to pay for transmission infrastructure. The government has denied Mr Rockliff or his staff blocked a briefing, saying the opposition would be briefed in line with caretaker conventions. "We are carefully and methodically working through the details, with a decision expected soon," Mr Duigan said. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid, where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. The project was scaled back in September 2023 after the cost of two cables blew out by $1.7 billion to an estimated $5.5 billion. Under the plan, Victoria has a 33.3 per cent share and Tasmania 17.7 per cent, with an option to sell its stake to the Commonwealth on completion. Marinus Link has been touted as a critical component in making Tasmania the "battery" of the nation by increasing the island's capacity to export green power and allow excess energy generated on the mainland to be stored in Tasmania's hydro storage. The first stage is not slated to be finished until 2028/29.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Michelle Grattan: Sussan Ley must fill net zero void if Coalition scraps 2050 target
There's no other way of looking at it: Sussan Ley faces a diabolical situation with the debate over whether the Coalition should abandon the 2050 net zero emissions target. The issue is a microcosm of her wider problems. The Nationals, the minor party in the Coalition, are determined to run their own race on most things. The Liberals have become akin to two parties, split between those eyeing urban seats and younger voters, and right-wingers reflecting the party's conservative grassroots. Nobody misses the contrast. The Albanese Government is beset by a host of actual issues around the transition to a clean energy economy. The renewables roll-out is not going as fast as desirable and is meeting with resistance in some communities. Energy costs are high. But such problems are not putting any pressure on Labor's unity. At the same time, the Opposition is fractured over an argument about a target that's a quarter of a century away, when who knows what the technological or political landscape will look like. For the Opposition, the internal debate about net zero is about symbols and signals, rather than substance. The net zero debate exploded within the Opposition this week with Barnaby Joyce's private member's Bill to scrap Australia's commitment to it. The timing, in Parliament's first week, was extraordinarily inconvenient for Ley. But if not now, it would have erupted later. On present indications, the Nationals appear likely to ditch the net zero commitment. David Littleproud, anxious to avoid the issuebecoming a threat to his leadership, is reading the party room and positioning himself to be in the anticipated majority. Asked on Thursday whether he supported net zero, Littleproud told the ABC, 'well, I have real concerns about it, to be candid. What net zero has become is about trying to achieve the impossible, rather than doing what's sensible.' But, he insisted, 'we're not climate deniers'. It is less clear how the debate will pan out in the Liberal Party, once the group under shadow energy minister Dan Tehan produces itsreport on energy and emissions-reduction policy. Liberal sources say the issue is now being driven by the party's grassroots, rather than the parliamentary party. Branches are throwingup motions to get rid of the 2050 target. The WA Liberal State council will debate a motion this weekend to drop the net zero commitment. The Queensland LNP organisation will consider its position next month. A few weeks ago, the South Australian Liberal State council rejected net zero. With a policy review underway, Ley and the parliamentary Liberals have left a vacuum on the issue. Some Liberals warn the parliamentarians risk being run over by the party outside Parliament. Others point out that on policy, the parliamentarians are independent of the organisation, which often comes up with right-wing motions. How should Ley best handle the situation? By filling the vacuum with a position sooner rather than later. That means accelerating the Tehan report. Beyond that, ideally she should be taking leadership on the issue herself. But is she in a strong enough position to do that? One idea being floated would be for the Liberals to retain the net zero target but extend the time frame. This wouldn't stop thecriticism about the shift. Whether the Coalition could stay as one if its two parties had different positions on net zero may be an open question but itcertainly would be messy. On the other side of politics, the Government is rapidly approaching a decision on another key target — the one Australia will put upinternationally for cutting emissions by 2035. Inevitably, this will be contentious. This target must be submitted by September. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has yet to receive advice on the target from the Climate Change Authority. The target is expected to be between 65 per cent and 75 per challenge will be to strike a target with sufficient ambition that doesn't alienate business and the regions. Next week the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Stiell, will be in Canberra for talks. His comments will be carefully watched. Last year he told the Sydney Morning Herald, 'the world needs countries like Australia to take climate action and ambition to the next level'. Climate and energy issues will have a place at next month's economic reform roundtable. Bowen is organising two preliminary roundtables — on electricity, with energy user stakeholders, and on climate adaptation. He told The Conversation's podcast that adaptation will 'be an increasing focus of this Government and future governments because, tragically, the world has left it too late to avoid the impacts of climate change'. The Government is waiting, somewhat impatiently, for the decision on whether Australia will be given the nod to host next year's UN climate conference. The COP meeting, which would be in Adelaide in November 2026, is an enormous event to put on, so the decision is becoming urgent. Bowen says Australia already has the numbers over Turkey, the other contender. But 'one of the things about the process to decide COPs, I've learnt, is it's quite opaque and there's no particular timeline and no particular rules to the ballot. 'It's meant to work on a consensus, (a) gentlemanly sort of approach to say whoever loses will withdraw. That's not the way it's panning out. I've had multiple meetings with my Turkish counterpart to try to find a 'win-win' solution. We haven't been able to find that yet.' Stiell's trip includes Turkey as well as Australia. Bowen will hope he may provide some clarity, when they meet, about how the 'opaque' process of assigning the COP meeting is going. Bowen will be emphasising how important the proposed co-hosting COP with the Pacific is to the region, with climate change already an existential issue for many Pacific countries.
