Scott Morrison announces $2b Climate Solutions Fund to reduce Australia's emissions

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today launch a new pre-election climate change policy, pledging $2 billion for projects to bring down Australia's emissions.

Scott Morrison - 'dog whistler' extraordinaire.

The Climate Solutions Fund is an extension of former prime minister Tony Abbott's Emissions Reduction Fund.

The 10-year program will provide funding for farmers, businesses and local governments for projects such as revegetating land, reducing bushfire risk and replacing lighting and refrigeration systems.

Mr Morrison is expected to unveil the policy in Melbourne this morning.

Read the story from ABC News by Jade Macmillan - “Scott Morrison announces $2b Climate Solutions Fund to reduce Australia's emissions.”

(This is ‘dog whistling’ in the extreme. PM Scott Morrison is telling his supporters he is acting on climate change, when in fact he is doing nothing but staying true to the ideology of the coalition party and so pumping more public money into private enterprise while doing nought about countering climate change. 

Those conscious of what Australia needs to do to meet its Paris commitments, targets PM Morrison claims we will meet in a “canter”, point out, using reliable and convincing numbers, that Australia is actually galloping in precisely the opposite direction. 

Mr Morrison and his acolytes are deluded and Australians who believe what he is saying are equally deluded - Robert McLean)

Immediate cut to 'outrageous' power bills from January 1 after political pressure

Power prices for half a million Australian families and businesses will be cut from Tuesday as energy retailers bring down their standing offers for loyal customers. 

Energy Minister Angus Taylor.

Following pressure from the Coalition government, AGL, Origin and Energy Australia and other companies have committed to savings worth hundreds of dollars for many longtime customers who have been subject to less favourable terms than those who actively shop around.

In New South Wales, where customers on standing offers will see reductions of 10-15 per cent on charges for energy usage, the average benefit for residential customers will be $200 annually. Concession card-holders could enjoy benefits of up to $250.

In Victoria, with reductions of between 10 and 35 per cent, residential customers will see an average saving of $313.

Read the story from The Age by Fergus Hunter - “Immediate cut to 'outrageous' power bills from January 1 after political pressure.”