‘Big issue': Turnbull government's energy plan may curb state ambition

The Turnbull government is set for showdown with states and territories over its signature energy policy after new details of the plan revealed any additional efforts by the states to curb carbon emissions would not count towards the national target.

The emissions intensity of the power sector is on the increase.

A key policy design paper circulated among the states at the weekend and obtained by Fairfax Media appears to  recommend a review of the emissions reductions target only every five years and provides for exemptions of trade-exposed companies that constitute as much as a fifth of demand.

The exemption will be welcomed by manufacturers such as steelmaker Bluescope, but critics of policy regard aspects of the plan including the five-year reviews as inflexible at a time when the energy market is changing quickly.

Read Peter Hannam’s story from The Age - “‘Big issue': Turnbull government's energy plan may curb state ambition.”

'Wasteful stunt': Turnbull government accused of doing too little to save reef

The Turnbull government's pledge of an additional $60 million to help improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef has been dismissed by environmental groups and scientists as insufficient and a "wasteful publicity stunt”.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits the Australian Institute
 of Marine Science (AIMS) to unveil the 'rescue plan' for the reef.

The government's pledge of the funds over 18 months includes $10.4 million for "an all-out assault" to reduce the impact of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, the government said in a statement.

Read Peter Hannam’s story in The Sydney Morning Herald - “‘Wasteful stunt': Turnbull government accused of doing too little to save reef.”