Guest essay by Eric Worrall
As the center right Australian Coalition staggers towards likely defeat in the next Federal Election, rich green investors are trying to wreck any possibility climate skeptic former Aussie PM Tony Abbott might stage a comeback.
Climate of change looks a windfall for Steggall in bid to oust Abbott
EXCLUSIVE
BRAD NORINGTON
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
@BradNorington
12:00AM MARCH 4, 2019
Zali Steggall has scored the backing of wealthy investors who want immediate action on climate change and could reap big financial rewards in a shift away from coal to solar energy and other renewables.Ms Steggall, the barrister and former world champion alpine skier campaigning as an independent to oust Tony Abbott from his blue-ribbon Liberal seat on Sydney’s northern beaches, is making climate change a key part of her campaign pitch.
Her claim that Mr Abbott is out of step with Warringah voters because he supports coal has helped rally support from individuals with the potential to be generous campaign donors.
Well-heeled local backers of Ms Steggall include Angus Gemmell, Rickard Gardell and Mark Kelly. Alex Turnbull and Simon Holmes a Court are among outside supporters with a deep interest in climate change and investment in renewables.
…
Read more (paywalled): https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/climate-of-change-looks-a-windfall-for-steggall-in-bid-to-oust-abbott/news-story/eb695d642ee162994f8d4e10e72c6280
Tony Abbott was toppled as Prime Minister in a party room putsch in 2015, after leading the Coalition to a blockbuster win in 2013 on an anti carbon tax platform.
Since then Abbott has not challenged any of his successors to regain his old job, instead he has devoted most of his time since he was removed as Prime Minister to his district, and to good works, such as trying find solutions to the long term problems afflicting marginalised Australian Aboriginal communities.
But even Abbott on the sidelines appears to be too much of a risk for the green blob. So they are providing a massive war chest for independent Zali Steggall to challenge Abbott for his seat, in the hope of eliminating the possibility Abbott will ever be Prime Minister again.
Abbot’s problem is that he is practising conservative Catholic at a time when most Australians baptised Catholics do not go to Church or listen to the clergy.
That makes him extremely old fashioned in many many ways.
It is hard for most modern day Australians to understand him never mind sympathise with his political perspective.
But Abbot is also a very strong local member who has fought hard for his local electorate as local member for over 20 years. Thus the voters there know what they are getting with Abbot. But have absolutely no idea with this Steggal woman who until a month ago, no one had ever heard of. Skying is a very marginal sport here with a very low following
Net conclusion : I think Abbot will be re-elected.
Tony Abbott might have lead the Coalition to [a blockbuster win in 2013 on an anti carbon tax platform] but that was in the House of Reps (lower house) – unfortunately the Coalition was a Lame Duck Govt from the start because the Senate was a fractious mess and to this day the situation has only got worse as Turnbull nearly lost the 2016 double dissolution election which reinforced Lame Duck status and the Coalition has lost subsequent byelections putting them into minority Govt now I think the Duck is lame in both feet.
Ok, let’s see.
Interesting and a provoking blog post.
My intention in this comment is plainly to be engaged in a argument or conversation.
But only if Eric or Nick do take the consideration to do so.
My point of approach may be unorthodox or controversial or even “weird” in appearance, but got to make it.
It will be in a form of a simple question.
Not my question, as not me been the originator of it, and also not me claiming that the meaning and proper intention by the originator or the origin of this question meant as in the way put here by me.
Only in consideration of value of utilisation in prospect of adding support to the point of me trying it.
Ok, there it comes:
“How can a bridge be repaired without closing it down (for traffic utility).”
In the context of this comment the above question stands as a rhetorical one, with the point that it can be answered with another question.
Again all this in the prospect of making a point about the AUS position of “saving the world” by destroying it’s one main life line support of energy sector.
Any comment will be appreciated in this aspect but only will be responded in context of that either Eric or Nick Stokes care to engage in a conversation about it, first.
Thanks, and sorry for any sign of “weirdness” there…
cheers
Great as great it could be.
Really really sorry for wasting the time… my time……not yours!
cheers
Tony Abbott is loved in the Warringah electorate. All the money in the world won’t stop him winning. Only a major scandal will uproot him.
Geoff, when you get to 92, if you do, you will find that one’s eyesight is not as good as it used to be. And re, your other query, I am half Irish and half Scots , which probably means that way back it would have been a bit of French and a bit of German.
As for schooling I in common with most persons of my age, I left school at 14, there was a war on, so of course I went to work in a factory. Despite that I did reach the rank of Superintendent of Police
Today my wife and I are happy in a retirement village.
MJE