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RUBY:

From Schwartz Media, I’m Ruby Jones. This is 7am.

We’re seeing a fitting end to the political year – Parliament was urgently recalled to thrash out an energy deal, and a former Prime Minister grilled in front of a Royal Commission.

This week’s showdowns were stark reminders of just how much our politics has transformed since January.

But have the major parties learnt the right lessons from 2022? Who has listened to voters? And who’s at risk of losing touch?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on how Adam Bandt, Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese ended their year… and the political battles ahead in 2023.

It’s Friday, December 16.

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RUBY:

Paul Bongiorno.

PAUL:

Good morning.

RUBY:

Bongiorno, Paul! So, Paul, the federal government seems to have made a deal on energy and that deal. It comes after two parties that traditionally have a lot of differences when it comes to energy and climate, that is Labor and the Greens. They managed to come to some sort of agreement. So tell me about it and what it means for the way that Australian households will be getting their energy.

PAUL:

Yes, Ruby. Well, we thought Parliament was done for the year, but Anthony Albanese decided a deal on energy just couldn't wait.

Archival tape – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Parliament, I can report, will be recalled next week to deal with the legislation-...”

Archival tape – News Host:

“Parliament will be recalled next week to pass the Prime Minister's $1.5 billion energy plan.”

PAUL:

He recalled MPs, senators who returned to Canberra this week.

Archival tape – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“And I want to thank the Greens crossbench members as well as the senators, including Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock, who I've had discussions with today who've agreed that it's appropriate that Parliament be recalled.”

PAUL:

Now, once the recall was on, it was clear Labor would need the support of the Greens because the Opposition was being decidedly negative. And it got it. So what does it mean?

Well, Labor's plan to cap the price for domestic coal and gas will come in and energy prices will still go up, but they'll be lower for consumers. The Greens won from Albanese, a package for smaller businesses, renters and lower income earners to transition to cleaner renewable energy. And that'll be announced before next May's budget.

The plan is to help these households by moving water heating and cooking over to electrification. It hopes to help low income households not only to save on their power bills, but better prepare them for the energy transition ahead.

Archival tape – Adam Bandt:

“We want to see more money in people's pockets paid for by making the big coal and gas corporations pay their fair share of tax.”

PAUL:

Adam Bandt said on Wednesday he still preferred that the Government freeze energy bills temporarily and introduce a windfall tax on the mega profits of the energy companies.

Archival tape – Adam Bandt:

“We want to have some further discussions with the Government about the level of support that's going to be provided to people because we're worried that people are going to wind up doing it tough.”

PAUL:

And he clearly hopes the agreed package means once the price caps end in 12 months time, we won't be back to where we are now. But on balance, you'd have to say he was happy to have secured this deal.

Archival tape – Adam Bandt:

“That way we're going to deliver savings, especially to low income earners that won't just last for 12 months, but that will last forever.”

PAUL:

You know, Ruby, it's a remarkable end of the year for the Greens who have seen their place in Parliament well transformed. Their party room has expanded dramatically and they've been in a position of deal makers or deal breakers with the Government. It's a reminder of just how much has changed in Canberra since the election.

RUBY:

And the Greens' power to make deals at the moment. That's obviously down to the fact that earlier this year they went from nine senators to 12, and this Government needs their votes to pass a lot of legislation. So if we take a step back, how have the Greens been wielding that power so far?

And what should we take from their approach to being part of the balance of power in the Senate so far?

PAUL:

Well, the May election certainly was transformative for the Greens, there's no doubt about that. Adam Bandt predicted his party would increase its representation dramatically and few believed him.

Archival tape – Adam Bandt:

“But one thing is for sure this was a green-slide. More people turn to the Greens than ever before and I am so, so delighted that there will be so many new Greens MPs from Queensland representing this state and the people of this state in Parliament.”

PAUL:

And you'd have to say that so far they've wielded their significant share of the balance of power constructively. They've helped pass not only the important energy deal, but the changes to industrial relations legislation. We saw the other week, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as the new legislated emissions reduction target of 43 per cent, which the Greens made sure would be a floor and not a ceiling on the Government's ambitions.

RUBY:

But the Greens, they have significant differences with the Labor Party. In the past, some of the contest between the two progressive parties of Australian politics have been even more vicious than the ones between them and the Conservatives. So do we know of this kind of spirit of constructive cooperation will continue now that these major pieces of legislation where they have agreement have passed the Parliament.

PAUL:

Well, that's one of the big questions for the coming year. Ruby and I got a bit of a clue to what might be happening. I went along to Adam Bandt's end of year drinks. You know, every leader throws a bit of a cocktail party at the end of the year and it's a chance for them to talk more candidly and personally about how they think they and the party are going well.

Well, Bandt was at a chic Canberra bookstore restaurant and he was thrilled by how many people turned up there. Of course, eager to hear what the Greens have planned for next year. The packed crowd of press, gallery journalists, and stakeholders, and lobbyists. Well, it was a far cry from the handful who used to show up for the party's founding leader. Bob Brown had drinks that were in his small Senate office. Well, Bandt told the crowd as they munched their vegan canapés. The honeymoon for the Government was ending now that it had delivered on key things that the Morrison Government either couldn't or wouldn't do. And Bandt said his party would lift its profile even higher in the coming year.

He said next year he expected Labor to consolidate as the centre right party of government on economic issues, which would leave plenty of room for the Greens to be the party of social democracy. He intends to push hard for the stage three tax cuts to be scrapped and the huge savings of $254 billion be diverted to things like greater relief for families and households and boosting the Newstart unemployment payment above the poverty line. He sees the big contests in Australian politics as increasingly between the Greens and the Labor Party, with the Coalition making itself less and less relevant.

And the events of this week, Ruby, could be a foretaste of what's to come.

RUBY:

We'll be back after this.

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RUBY:

Paul, as politics wraps up for the year, we've been talking about how things are poised. And you said the Coalition really struggled to get its message across on energy this week. And it seems like that applies in general. Since the Coalition lost the election, it's been struggling to find a foothold politically, hasn't it?

PAUL:

Yeah, I agree, Ruby. Peter Dutton and his team still seem to be struggling to compute the lessons of the election, especially on climate change, action and gender equity.

Archival tape – Opposition Leader Peter Dutton:

“The Prime Minister went to the election promising on 97 occasions that he would reduce power prices by $275. It's just not going to happen-...”

Archival tape – Ted O'Brien:

“The one thing the government will not address is the need for more supply. They rejected energy experts, independent agencies and the Opposition. Supply, supply, supply; this will fail.”

PAUL:

This week, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his energy shadow minister Ted O'Brien parroted the talking points of the gas companies in their opposition to the energy deal.

Archival tape – Ted O'Brien:

“And all we see today is a cobbling together of manic thought bubbles presented as one comprehensive package. And it's not. It will fail, and the Australian people will be here again next year with high prices and probably a higher risk of blackouts.”

PAUL:

They warned the moves would fail to deliver in the short term and were, quote, “a monster in the making that would have a disastrous effect on the industry in the longer term,” because it would, quote, “kill supply.”

Now, Ruby, wittingly or unwittingly, the Opposition in saying this was also sending the message to voters, especially the ones who deserted them for the Greens and the Independents, that the Labor Government's intervention would hasten the demise of coal and gas.

Well, just think about that. It's exactly what these voters wanted.

Archival tape – Chris Bowen:

“They have no plan, no clue. They think it's just fine to let gas companies charge whatever they want. I mean, Peter Dutton's talking points are basically the gas companies talking. That's a matter for him. He's got no original thoughts, no original ideas, no plan of action at all.”

PAUL:

Energy Minister Chris Bowen took these scare tactics head on and was much more in touch with the contemporary zeitgeist when he said, I understand that gas companies want to maximise their profits. Well, that's their job. We have a different job. Our job is to protect the Australian people. Gas companies want to protect their profits.

Archival tape – Chris Bowen:

“So I want to know why Peter Dutton and Ted O'Brien think that these prices more than doubling is okay? And why do they think it was alright to let energy prices increase by 50 per cent? What's their plan?”

PAUL:

Now, just where Dutton intends to take the Liberals next year? Well, it isn't clear. Some on his backbench, like the veteran Victorian MP Russell Broadbent, were very unimpressed with the negative posturing ahead of the energy package vote. He went on the record early in the week to flag he would not be voting against a benefit for pensioners and low income earners in his electorate.

It shows there's still a big divide in the Liberal Party room over how to connect with the broader electorate. It'll be fascinating to see how Dutton resolves a conflict between pandering to regional voters, particularly in Queensland coal seats and urban voters everywhere else, who see no reason why coal and gas shouldn't be quickly phased out.

RUBY:

And at the same time Paul, Scott Morrison has been fronting the Royal Commission, answering questions about Robo-debt. And this is a fairly unceremonious end to the year that he began as Prime Minister, and it has to be an unwelcome sight for Peter Dutton as he tries to turn the page and move on from the Morrison years.

PAUL:

Look, I'd have to say Morrison struggled to be convincing in the witness box. He filly-blustered, instead of filibustering -did that too. And he gaslit public servants.

Archival tape – Scott Morrison:

“Now if you go to the last page there…”

Archival tape – Royal Commission:

“Mr. Morrison, I'm not going to the last page.”

Archival tape – Scott Morrison:

“I'm just simply answering your question.”

Archival tape – Royal Commission:

“But you already have, Mr. Morrison. The answer's no. You've given your answer.”

PAUL:

The Royal Commissioner had to pull him back several times to answer the questions.

Archival tape – Royal Commissioner:

I think you’re actually asked about directions or guidance to Ms. Campbell.”

Archival tape – Scott Morrison:

“Happy to respond.”

Archival tape – Royal Commissioner:

“Well go right ahead…”

Archival tape – Scott Morrison:

“And by the way, that bill is now 50 billion, not 12, when it comes to the NDIS.”

Archival tape – Royal Commissioner:

“Mr. Morrison, can I just get you to stick to answering the question a bit more? I do understand that you come from a background where rhetoric’s important.”

PAUL:

The unlawful Robo-debt system was conceived by departmental bureaucrats. But Morrison unconvincingly bemoaned that advice it would require legislative change was not brought to his attention.

Archival tape – Scott Morrison:

“What I understood your question to be…-"

Archival tape – Royal Commission:

“Let's not go there…-”

Archival tape – Scott Morrison:

It helps me answer your question.”

Archival tape – Royal Commission:

“No, no. You'll be answering something you've assumed that I’ve asked. Better if I ask it again, Mr. Morrison.”

PAUL:

Labor's Bill Shorten has been a major protagonist against this cruel and illegal system. And he says the Morrison of the witness box was a train wreck and lacked any self-awareness.

And Ruby, that pretty well sums up what the voters thought of his government back in May.

RUBY:

And just finally, Paul, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he was a very patient Opposition Leader -an approach that at the time had its critics, but you'd have to say helped deliver him the historic election win this year. So how does he see his Prime Ministership from here? What should we expect in 2023?

PAUL:

Well, to get a bit of perspective, you can look back at Albanese's election night victory speech.

Archival tape – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Together, we can take advantage of the opportunity for Australia to be a renewable energy super power.”

PAUL:

And he's delivered on the key promises of his agenda in the past six months.

Archival tape – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Together we can, and will, establish a national anti-corruption commission. And together we can embrace the Uluru Statement from the heart.”

PAUL:

At his end of year drinks at the Lodge for the Parliamentary Press Gallery, The Prime Minister was in an ambulance mood. He was content with the things achieved but promising to do even more next year.

Albanese assured the snappers and scribblers assembled by the Lodge's pool that as a Labor Prime Minister, he had not come into Government to play it safe. He says he wants to change the nation for the better, and that involved taking risks. He said there was plenty more to do and he told us we'd see what that meant next year.

Albanese might be happy enough for Peter Dutton to make himself irrelevant in debates like energy, but he's hoping Dutton changes tune on the constitutional Voice to the Parliament for Australia's First Nations people at the Prime Minister's year end tour event. The referendum enshrining the Uluru statement from the heart in the constitution was the issue he nominated as his 2023 priority.

Ruby, you'd have to imagine only unchecked lies could defeat this momentous attempt at recognition and reconciliation.

2023, hopefully, is going to be a very significant year for our nation.

RUBY:

Paul, thank you so much for your time today and throughout this entire year. It's been a big one and it's been great talking to you every week.

PAUL:

Well, thank you, Ruby. Thank you and the team, it's been great fun. Hope you have a break and come back better than ever.

[Speaks Italian].

RUBY:

What did you just say?

PAUL:

I said something like, Ladies and gentlemen, it's been great working with you this year. I hope you have a nice holiday. Merry Christmas. And I'll see you next year.

RUBY:

Well, happy holidays to you, too, Paul. I hope you have a great break.

PAUL:

Okay, bye.

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RUBY:

Also in the news today…

Peru is in a national state of emergency, as political violence spreads across the country.

The unrest began a week ago, when the President, Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Peru’s Congress in order to avoid an impeachment vote. Mr. Castillo was removed from office and arrested, and the Vice President became the new President.

In the week since Mr Castillo’s arrest, supporters of the former President have attacked police stations, airports, and factories.

And in Australia, the police officer who shot and killed Kumanjayi Walker in the remote community of Yuendumu will have to face a coronial inquest into Walker’s death after the Supreme Court ruled that he must face the inquest.

Earlier this year, Rolfe was found not guilty murder, manslaughter, and engaging in a violent act causing death in a Supreme Court court trial.

This is the last regular episode of 7am for 2022. It's been a huge year for the show, and we can't thank you enough for spreading the word, supporting independent journalism, and helping 7am continue to be Australia's number one daily news podcast.

For the rest of the year we'll be re-releasing some of our best episodes, and then from January second, we'll have a brand new summer series for you. With new, exclusive interviews with some of our favourite thinkers and contributors.

We hope you enjoy it, and if you want to listen to those episodes early, you can become a paid subscriber to the show on Apple Podcasts.

This year, the show has been produced by Ruby Schwartz, Anu Hasbold, Elle Marsh, Alex Gow, Kara Jensen-Mackinnon, Alex Tighe, Rachael Bongiorno, Meghan Dansie, Cheyne Anderson, and Zoltan Fecso.

Our Technical Producer is Atticus Bastow.

Our Editor is Scott Mitchell. Erik Jensen is our Editor-in-Chief.

Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.

Additional composition by Atticus Bastow and Alex Gow.

And this episode also marks the last from our mixer Brian Campeau. Brian has been with 7am since 2019, and will be dearly missed. From all of us at 7am, thank you and all the best Brian.

I'm Ruby Jones, thanks so much for listening - and I'll see you again on January 16, 2023.

See ya!

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