David Marler

David Marler

Queensland reporter at No Fibs
David is a full time Queensland carer for his son and in quiet times contributes to NoFibs.
David Marler

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David Marler
https://nofibs.com.au/meeting-david-marler-nofibs-twitter-activist-by-griffithelects

April 8, 2019 – Table of contents

Political tension over Adani ahead of poll

The campaign for Indi kicks off

Electric car policy flare-up

Federal budget a success or a failure, depending on who you read

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Political tension over Adani ahead of poll

Queensland LNP Senator James McGrath has reportedly threatened his own federal environment minister, Melissa Price, with issuing a press release calling for her resignation if she doesn’t speed up the approval process for Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.

Renee Viellaris writes, “The anger cannot be underplayed. So much so, that Queensland Senator James McGrath sent Price a letter saying he would issue a press release calling for her resignation over the issue if she did not fix a problem she created by attempting a deliberate go-slow on the project.” Anger over Adani could split Liberal-Nationals coalition.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison would not be drawn on if the mine would be approved before the election was called.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten told the media Prime Minister Scott Morrison was facing an internal fight in Victoria and another in Queensland.

Stop Adani campaigners have interrupted Scott Morrison in Brisbane.

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The campaign for Indi kicks off

Wayne Jansson reports, “The Cube in Wodonga turned orange today as Helen Haines (@HelenHaines1) launched her #IndiVotes campaign with Cathy McGowan MP (Indi) (@indigocathy) and an army of supporters there in support.” The Cube Wodonga turns orange for #IndependentsDay @HelenHaines1 #IndiVotes campaign launch with transcript.

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Electric car policy flare-up

After yesterday claiming that Bill Shorten wanted to ‘end the weekend’ with his electric vehicle policy, Scott Morrison has again attacked Labor’s policy by accusing it of wanting to take away choice.

Senator Kristina Keneally appears to have answered the question over recharge times of electric vehicles. Speaking in Brisbane, she ran through a list of Coalition members who had openly supported zero vehicle emissions.

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Federal budget a success or a failure, depending on who you read

The latest Newspoll has Labor on 52 points to the Coalition’s 48 on a two-party preferred basis. Meanwhile, IPSOS polling suggests Labor is on 53 to the Coalition’s 47.

Simon Benson wrote, “The Coalition has moved to within striking distance of Labor with a surge in support following last week’s budget, giving Scott Morrison momentum as he prepares to call a May election.” Game on: Morrison’s budget bounce. Ipsos poll: 53-47 result puts Morrison government on course for major election defeat.

David Crowe wrote, “The Morrison government has lost ground with voters after pledging a sweeping round of personal income tax cuts, with the Coalition trailing Labor by 47 to 53 per cent in two-party terms in the wake of the federal budget.”

Newspoll has Labor shrinking to 52{17ac88c265afb328fa89088ab635a2a63864fdefdd7caa0964376053e8ea14b3} on 2PP but IPSOS has Labor increasing to 53{17ac88c265afb328fa89088ab635a2a63864fdefdd7caa0964376053e8ea14b3}

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has claimed underdog status.

Queensland Deputy Premier, Jackie Trad, has called on the federal government to announce the polling date.

ABC election analyst, Antony Green, notes a constitutional quirk that a state government such as Queensland could use to break ranks with the commonwealth and issue half-senate writs.

Bill Shorten continued to remind voters that the delay in calling the election allowed the government to continue using taxpayer funding for advertising.


$136 million in government advertising has been spent since the beginning of the year, David Crowe reports. Taxpayers’ bill for advertising hits $136 million as Scott Morrison prepares to call an election.

“You’ve obviously invited the cameras.” Finance Minister Mathias Cormann rejects any suggestion that there is a delay in calling the election and accuses Senator Penny Wong of trying to get ‘a grab on the evening news’ over government advertising costs.