Latest news with #Victorians
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Government to consider changes to gas appliance ban
'Victorian gas is the cheapest in the nation. The longer we can rely on Victorian gas rather than imported gas, the better for Victoria's industrial sector.' The government has received submissions from industry, environmental advocates and other groups. Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Jones told The Age that the building electrification proposal 'threatens the foundation' of the industry. 'With approximately 4800 automotive businesses across the state relying on gas for their daily operations, this policy could force many of our members to either relocate interstate or shut down entirely,' he said. 'We're looking at the real possibility of vehicle parts, trailer manufacturing and other industry moving offshore permanently – taking Victorian jobs with them.' Victorian Trades Hall Council, Environment Victoria and the Victorian Council of Social Services have all made submissions supporting the plan. In March, VCOSS chief executive Juanita Pope said electric homes were better for people's health and that renters and low-income earners would need help to make the transition. 'Prioritising support for these households will mean that all Victorians can enjoy the health benefits and bill savings of electrification,' she said at the time. Loading Laundry Association of Australia chief executive Luke Simpkins said if the electrification program was implemented as proposed, it would eventually lead to higher costs. 'Everything will get passed through where possible,' he said. The debate comes as information provided by ExxonMobil to the Australian Energy Market Operator in April, as part of regular communication on the state of its assets, shows its Turrum Phase 3 project has revised its estimated capacity upwards. The project, which features a series of new Bass Strait wells, was announced in March, and the data shows it could now deliver 229 petajoules of gas over its lifetime starting from 2027, up from 137 petajoules originally expected. The numbers are preliminary and will require more work to determine precisely how much gas will be delivered from the project. But the upgrade raises the prospect that forecast shortages of gas in Victoria and New South Wales could be further delayed. When the project was announced, it factored into AEMO's calculations that pushed looming gas shortfalls back from 2025 to 2028. Energy and climate ministers have been meeting for months to map out a way to shore up supply in Australia, with discussions including giving AEMO the power to be a long-time buyer of gas through import terminals. AEMO's executive general manager of system design, Merryn York, said AEMO was waiting for further information on the Turrum project to see if it should update its advice for the national gas system. 'Additional information has been provided to AEMO's Gas Bulletin Board on gas reserves at the Turrum gas field, part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture (GBJV) between Esso Australia and Woodside Energy,' she said. 'We're awaiting on further analysis from both parties to determine when the additional reserves could be produced and the impact this may have on other GBJV fields and projects.' An Esso spokesperson said their anticipated production remained consistent with AEMO's road map. Loading 'Esso Australia regularly reviews remaining gas reserves and periodically updates the Australian Energy Market Operator of any material changes,' they said. 'While depletion of the Gippsland Basin is inevitable, projects like Turrum Phase 3 will ensure Bass Strait continues to produce gas for the domestic market past 2030.'
The Age
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
Government to consider changes to gas appliance ban
'Victorian gas is the cheapest in the nation. The longer we can rely on Victorian gas rather than imported gas, the better for Victoria's industrial sector.' The government has received submissions from industry, environmental advocates and other groups. Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Jones told The Age that the building electrification proposal 'threatens the foundation' of the industry. 'With approximately 4800 automotive businesses across the state relying on gas for their daily operations, this policy could force many of our members to either relocate interstate or shut down entirely,' he said. 'We're looking at the real possibility of vehicle parts, trailer manufacturing and other industry moving offshore permanently – taking Victorian jobs with them.' Victorian Trades Hall Council, Environment Victoria and the Victorian Council of Social Services have all made submissions supporting the plan. In March, VCOSS chief executive Juanita Pope said electric homes were better for people's health and that renters and low-income earners would need help to make the transition. 'Prioritising support for these households will mean that all Victorians can enjoy the health benefits and bill savings of electrification,' she said at the time. Loading Laundry Association of Australia chief executive Luke Simpkins said if the electrification program was implemented as proposed, it would eventually lead to higher costs. 'Everything will get passed through where possible,' he said. The debate comes as information provided by ExxonMobil to the Australian Energy Market Operator in April, as part of regular communication on the state of its assets, shows its Turrum Phase 3 project has revised its estimated capacity upwards. The project, which features a series of new Bass Strait wells, was announced in March, and the data shows it could now deliver 229 petajoules of gas over its lifetime starting from 2027, up from 137 petajoules originally expected. The numbers are preliminary and will require more work to determine precisely how much gas will be delivered from the project. But the upgrade raises the prospect that forecast shortages of gas in Victoria and New South Wales could be further delayed. When the project was announced, it factored into AEMO's calculations that pushed looming gas shortfalls back from 2025 to 2028. Energy and climate ministers have been meeting for months to map out a way to shore up supply in Australia, with discussions including giving AEMO the power to be a long-time buyer of gas through import terminals. AEMO's executive general manager of system design, Merryn York, said AEMO was waiting for further information on the Turrum project to see if it should update its advice for the national gas system. 'Additional information has been provided to AEMO's Gas Bulletin Board on gas reserves at the Turrum gas field, part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture (GBJV) between Esso Australia and Woodside Energy,' she said. 'We're awaiting on further analysis from both parties to determine when the additional reserves could be produced and the impact this may have on other GBJV fields and projects.' An Esso spokesperson said their anticipated production remained consistent with AEMO's road map. Loading 'Esso Australia regularly reviews remaining gas reserves and periodically updates the Australian Energy Market Operator of any material changes,' they said. 'While depletion of the Gippsland Basin is inevitable, projects like Turrum Phase 3 will ensure Bass Strait continues to produce gas for the domestic market past 2030.'
The Advertiser
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Liberal leader's unity call after $1.5m party bailout
A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern. A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern. A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern. A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern.
Sky News AU
20 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Sky News host Peta Credlin unleashes on Victorian Liberals and their former leader John Pesutto over $1.55m bailout 'mess'
Last December, Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $300,000 in damages as well as foot Ms Deeming's legal fees, which equated to about $2.3 million. Mr Pesutto had already raised just over $750,000 in order to help pay off his debt and was pushing for an agreement which would see the Liberal Party, or a party-linked investment fund, loan him the remaining $1.55 million. The party agreed on Thursday night to loan him the remaining amount, which means he can officially repay Ms Deeming the $2.3 million he owed ahead of the deadline next week, narrowly avoiding bankruptcy in the process. Watch Peta Credlin's analysis and her full program with a Streaming Subscription. The Victorian Liberal Party was deeply divided over whether its funds should be used to bail out Mr Pesutto, who was found to have defamed Ms Deeming as someone who 'associates with Nazis'. Credlin, the former chief of staff to Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott, told viewers on Thursday, before the Victorian Liberal Party held a meeting about the loan, that the money did not come from a bank as Mr Pesutto would not put his home up for security. She said the funds instead came from party volunteers - the 'unsung heroes of the Victorian Liberal Party' - which directly contradicted Liberal Party President Greg Mirabella and the current incumbent Phil Davis, as well as Mr Pesutto himself, who said not a dollar of Liberal Party funds would be used for legal bills. Credlin lashed Mr Pesutto and quoted him saying: 'I will not be asking the party to cover any legal fees .' The Sky News host said Mr Pesutto was a lawyer who 'clearly doesn't keep his word'. 'Worryingly, reports today that Pesutto's successor as leader, Brad Batten, supports this loan not because he's a fan of Pesutto, but because he doesn't want to face a by-election for Pesutto's seat, which will happen if he can't pay his debt and Paz is bankrupted,' Credlin said. Bankruptcy disqualifies MPs from holding a seat in Parliament in Australia. Credlin said the motivation to bail out Mr Pesutto was 'fair enough', but added no political party should be 'frightened' of an election. 'Even now, after being out of power for the better part of 25 years, this is the Victorian Liberal Party that is still focused on itself, not the voters who were desperate for change,' Credlini said. 'A party room of malcontents who still are intent on scoring points against each other instead of working together to save Victorians from a government that wants to tax them into oblivion.' Credlin said Mr Pesutto had gotten himself and the party into a 'mess of his own making' and accused him of being 'spooked' by former premier Daniel Andrews which led him to acting 'irrationally'. In closing, Credlin addressed Mr Pesutto by his first name and said: 'Sorry John, you've made your bed, now lie in it.' In a statement, Victorian Liberal Leader Brad Battin said he supported the Party's Administrative Committee to pay Ms Deeming the $1.55 million owed to her by Mr Pesutto to 'satisfy the Federal Court costs order'. 'This decision was not about personalities or past disputes – it was about protecting the interests of the people we serve and ensuring our Party can continue its important work,' Mr Battin said. 'The loan arrangement ensures the Party avoids further financial and reputational damage, allows us to put this matter behind us, and refocuses our efforts where they belong – holding Australia's worst government to account and building a stronger, fairer future for Victoria.' In a social media post, Ms Deeming posted an image of herself with superimposed words reading: 'They failed to protect her when she was attacked. They punished her for defending herself.' 'They financially profited off her trauma,' the post continued. 'They told the world they did her a favour. This is what institutional abuse looks like.'
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brad Battin toppled John Pesutto as leader – then voted to save him with bailout
A financial bailout for John Pesutto was backed by the man who toppled his leadership, with the Liberal party's decision prompting Moira Deeming to liken her treatment to institutional abuse. In a statement on Friday morning, Opposition Leader Brad Battin said he had supported the party's administrative committee's decision to provide a $1.55 million loan to Pesutto to cover legal costs. The vote was made after hours of debate on Thursday night and avoids the prospect of Pesutto going bankrupt, which would force him out of parliament and trigger a byelection in Hawthorn. The MP sought the loan so that he could satisfy a costs order that came after he was found to have defamed Deeming late last year. 'This decision was not about personalities or past disputes – it was about protecting the interests of the people we serve and ensuring our party can continue its important work,' Battin said. 'The loan arrangement ensures the party avoids further financial and reputational damage, allows us to put this matter behind us, and refocuses our efforts where they belong – holding Australia's worst government to account and building a stronger, fairer future for Victoria. 'Throughout this process, I have acted in accordance with the rules, maintained my impartiality, and ensured the confidentiality, welfare and dignity of my colleagues. 'With this matter resolved, our focus is firmly on the future. United, disciplined and determined, we are focused on earning the trust of Victorians and winning government in 2026.'
