Not merely have we found Scott Morrison’s net zero plan wafting back from a short time in the future, but we’ve also caught a glimpse of how the media covered it.
The Australian
“Scott Morrison has fundamentally changed Australia’s economic trajectory and singlehandedly ended Australia’s climate wars, which have contributed to the defeat of five prime ministers before him, including the mighty John Howard.
“His ZERO plan is at once a political masterstroke and work of policy genius that will prevent growing international hysteria over climate from affecting our exports, while preserving regional and blue-collar jobs. There is no doubt that Morrison will go down as one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers for this achievement alone.”
The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age
“Scott Morrison has been happy to let the impression of him struggling to deal with the Nationals on climate continue. Insiders have explained that it served as cover while he and his team did the hard work of assembling a package that would get the Nationals over the line.
“Far from being an impediment to a deal that many left-wing critics maintained, the return of Barnaby Joyce to the deputy prime ministership was, according to sources close to Morrison, crucial for the prime minister — if he could deliver Joyce, he could be sure even the most aggressive Nats would fall into line. While the headlines focused on clashes between ministers, Morrison’s top advisers identified what would deliver Joyce and set about getting it.
“And far from being the bumbling, incoherent buffoon he presents as in the media, Joyce proved a sharp negotiator who played his cards well — but knew when he’d got the best deal he could. It’s a triumph of coalition politics.
“Scott Morrison has brilliantly wedged Labor and set himself up for a clear run to the election with his net zero deal, which at a stroke removes a major source of tension within the Coalition and puts the spotlight on Labor’s climate policy, which has torn that party apart.
“Voters now know what Morrison will do on climate and how he will do it — in direct contrast to Labor, which continues to bicker among itself over both the goals and mechanisms for achieving them. Nor can Labor object to the essentials of Morrison’s ZERO plan — it was Kevin Rudd, after all, who hailed carbon capture and storage as an important answer to climate change; it is Labor that has constantly called for a ‘just transition’ for regional workers and Labor has backed both inland rail and its extension to Gladstone.”
The Australian Financial Review
“While the Australian Financial Review has long advocated the market mechanism of a carbon price to achieve the important task of emissions reduction — albeit not the flawed models previously advanced by Labor governments — the need for a resolution to Australia’s longstanding, politically paralysing climate wars has become of increasing urgency. Scott Morrison’s commitment to net zero by 2050 brings those climate wars to an end in a definitive fashion — albeit at a high cost to the budget.
“Nonetheless, the plan deserves a guarded welcome given it will remove climate change from the political agenda in favour of more important issues such as corporate tax cuts, labour market deregulation and greater incentives to invest in Australia. It will also ensure that Australia is not punished by protectionist measures such as the carbon tariffs under consideration by the European Union. It has taken too long and cost too much, but Scott Morrison has finally caught up with the rest of the world on climate.”
Nine News
“Scott Morrison will take centre stage with other world leaders at the Glasgow climate conference later this month after finalising a deal that will see Australia producing zero greenhouse emissions in 2050. The package, negotiated with National leader Barnaby Joyce, will see $19 billion in new investment for regional Australia, and sets Australia up to lead the world in the fight against climate change. We cross live now to…”
ABC TV news
“Regional Australia is set for a windfall of investment and jobs as a result of the Morrison government’s $19 billion Zero Emission Renewables Opportunities plan, which will see Australia reach net zero emissions by 2050 via new technologies. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the plan is good for jobs, good for the environment and will contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions — and he’s backed by Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce.”
Very accurate crystal ball gazing.
A friend from Sweden sent me a news article the other day, and what struck me was not the subject of the article, but rather the way the piece was written. Each paragraph began with a clear question, and intent eg. “What Happened?” and “What caused the blast?” and so forth.
The journo then answered the question posed without unnecessary embellishment, or editorialising.
By the end of the article you knew what had happened, why, what the next steps were – it was a thing of informative wonder!
For those who wanted a bit more of the human touch, there was even a paragraph asking “What was it like for those caught in the blast?” – subjective to be sure, but subjective by its own admission, and the stories of the people concerned didn’t colour any of the objective reporting before or after.
If journalism could get back to reporting in this way, (some) people might begin to trust and respect news reporting again, but at the moment, it’s like barracking for footy teams.
A thing of informative wonder – ah, I’m old enough to remember the days when I could learn things by reading newspapers. Now there’s only Ross Gittins, and he’ll retire before too long. Off-brand, they’ll say.
Yes and no, many (often older reputable) journalists are games or targeted for political agitprop, without them realising (that’s giving them the benefit of the doubt), by basing an article on an external independent ‘research report’, interpreted by a grifter ‘academic’ or NGO without further background checking; based more on PR, trust and relationships (known in the US as the ‘media assembly line’).
Example with Gittins relying upon sub-optimal research and data analysis of e.g. two months ago, the Intergenerational Report to sort of conclude that Australia does not need migration whether permanent or temporary churn over, based upon ‘expertise’ of a single ‘environmental’ NGO that has clear antipathy towards post 1970’s immigrants…… seeded by a US NGO supported by fossil fuels and auto….from the 1970’s.
Same is used to avert climate action, constraints on fossil fuels, environmental regulation etc. while blaming ‘immigrants’ for high property prices, infrastructure loads, traffic/transport congestion etc.; even though our borders have been effectively closed for 18 months….. Some other niche media outlets are still ‘banging on about immigrants’ as it is central to LNP, IPA and legacy media agitprop in the ‘Anglosphere’.
Agree with Glen, when one reads other articles from e.g. parts of Europe, US and Asia, the difference is astounding in informative, clear and supported articles from a deeper and broader media to inform society versus commercial or political PR nudging and manipulating we observe locally by journalists and PR sock puppets lacking any insight…
This is both extremely amusing and uncanny Bernard!
I do note you steered clear of the Guardian – I’m guessing that Katharine Murphy’s tortuous parsing would be too much even for you.
Katharine and Laura are among the few journos I can read without feeling nauseous these days.
By the time Katherine had finished with the PM there would have been nothing but a smoking pair of thongs left behind….
Don’t forget the Paul Kelly ritual jowl-wobbling sermon: “Make no mistake. This pivot by Morrison represents a profound adjustment in the policy and political firmament. In a stroke reminiscent of Menzies at the height of his transformative power, this Prime Minister has done what no nominal “progressive” has been able to achieve in a decade. And he has done so because of his unbreakable bond with the Quiet Australians who entrusted him with the sacred office he holds.”
Bravo, maestro.
Seconded.
I was nearly physically ill while reading the article when I saw the Rodent described as the Great Jojn Howard.Surely a typo.
Yeh maybe, but I think the plan is that Smirko will stay at home, not go to Glasgow so that he can concentrate on diversionary tactics. The MSM will not report on COP and fall for the diversionary stories.