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Wedge politics wasn't invented by Johnny Howard, but he sure perfected it. He was the guy who loved the omnibus bill. This is were you would group a bunch of changes together and say, they all go through or none go through.
If you vote yes, then you are potentially letting something bad go through so that something really good goes through. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Case in point - Albo tried an Wingardium Leviosa spell over Dec 15 with his Energy Relief Bill. He bundled a bunch of bills together and the promo was to deliver cheaper energy prices - and they would have.
However he threw in gas market intervention, which he knew that the libs would not could not vote for because they are in bed with the mineral council.
Dutton voted against it - "Dutton is a merkin. Dutton voted against lower energy prices."
Albo’s energy omnibus Bill classic example of wedge politics
Anthony Albanese made it sound like such a straightforward proposition. Vote for his Government’s Energy Relief Bill and you were voting for lower prices, vote against and you were voting for higher prices.
thewest.com.au
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Anthony Albanese had frequently faced these sorts of political wedges himself as opposition leader, adopting what he described as a pragmatic approach.
https://thewest.com.au/opinion/mark...k-to-retain-west-australian-support-c-9096265
Labor would attempt to amend the many omnibus bills Scott Morrison fired its way to extract those sections that offended its party’s sensibilities.
When that inevitably failed, Labor would then vote for the bill on the basis that it did not want to deprive people of those elements that made their lives easier.
Albanese explained these decisions as helping to serve the greater good, but with reservations that were placed on the public record.
It was part of the small-target strategy he employed to ensure Labor kept the central political focus on the Morrison government and not itself.
Not everyone in Labor was a fan of that approach, especially when it collided with fundamental beliefs. But the election result suggests it was ultimately effective.
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The Bill was amended as passed by Albo for the better good on 22 Dec 2023. Some merkins are eligible for discounts / reimbursement from July 1. You should check it out.
Energy Price Relief bill passes Parliament with industry concerns - Energy Magazine
The Federal Energy Price Relief Plan has passed in Parliament, but despite aims to reduce price spike impacts, the energy […]
www.energymagazine.com.au
National Energy Bill Relief | NSW Climate and Energy Action
www.energy.nsw.gov.au
