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pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Polly Hemming
@pollyjhemming.bsky.social
11K followers 870 following 370 posts
Director @australiainstitute.org.au's Climate & Energy Program.
Climate integrity // Environmental markets // Greenwashing (exposing it, not doing it)
*views my own*
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pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Kath Rowley,who below guides staff on how to downplay gas emissions, has just been appointed CEO of the Climate Change Authority, the body providing 'independent' advice to govt

Safe appointment for a govt wanting fossil fuel expansion to remain at home in our climate institutions.
#auspol #climate
Screenshot of Chris Bowen Linkedin update with text captured: Chris Bowen. 2nd Minister for Climate Change and Ener... 9m. + Follow I'm delighted to announce the appointment of Kath Rowley as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Change Authority. Kath has been appointed for a 5-year term, commencing in December. She will work closely with Authority Chair The Hon. Matt Kean and lead the organisation as it continues its vital role providing independent, expert and transparent advice to government on climate change policy. The Climate Change Authority, established under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011, is Australia's independent statutory body responsible for advising the Government on climate policy.
November 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Some, as they say, personal news from me.
After a long period of illness I’m being treated for autoimmune encephalitis, a neurological disease where the immune system attacks the brain. I’m posting this because many people here have supported my work & been a source of collaboration and inspiration.
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
"...there’s things every Australian can do to help, like keeping pets from wandering, planting more native gardens..."
Sure, we can do that.
But it’s hard to see the point while our governments are using public money to actively fund extinction.
#auspol #climate
screenshot from murray watt's media release https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-releases/recognising-threatened-species-day. text captured says: Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the Albanese Government is committed to no new extinctions. “Sadly native wildlife continue to be threatened by feral predators, climate change, natural disasters, and by illegal wildlife trade and other human activity,” Minister Watt said. “So today, on Threatened Species Day, I thank all people, researchers and groups who are supporting Australia’s threatened species. From those working directly with plants and animals, to those who are exploring new ways to tackle threats. “While some of the work being undertaken is highly-skilled, there’s things every Australian can do to help, like keeping pets from wandering, planting more native gardens, reporting illegal wildlife activities, and stopping pollution in our oceans and waterways. “We are committed to taking action to support threatened species and their habitats and that work is delivering great outcomes. “There’s a long way to go, but it’s critical we protect Australia’s amazing and diverse plants and wildlife.”
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
"The Albanese Government is investing more than $600 million to better protect threatened plants and animals."

For context the the Albanese Government gave $12billion in spending & tax concessions to fossil fuels in the year 2024-2025. #auspol #climate
australiainstitute.org.au/report/fossi...
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
“The Albanese Government is committed to no new extinctions” Environment Minister Murray Watt, reaffirming Labor’s 2022 pledge on Threatened Species Day 2025

2 weeks later Australia’s only shrew is declared extinct.
#auspol #climate @australiainstitute.org.au
minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-r...
screenshot of Minister watt's media release. Text captured says: Recognising Threatened Species Day 7 September 2025 Today is Threatened Species Day, an opportunity to acknowledge the risks to Australia’s unique species and the work being done across the country to help them recover and thrive. From tree plantings and weed removal to species specific mapping and monitoring using the latest conservation technology, countless individuals and organisations help every day to support and provide hope for threatened species. It’s not just the work happening on the ground – research is finding innovative solutions to stay ahead of the game in the fight against key threats like feral cats, invasive weeds and climate change.
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Reminds me of this interview Minister Bowen gave last year saying that protest doesn't work....the implication being so don't bother kids....
#auspol @australiainstitute.org.au
junkee.com/longforms/ch...
screenshot of Junkee article. Text captured says: Speaking of protests, do you think the recent School Strikes 4 Climate helped put at least some pressure on the Government? Maybe you took notice of a few of them and thought, ‘Okay, there is an overwhelming amount of young people who are engaged in this?' No. Because I don't need to be told that young people care about climate change. I know that, right? So again, no disrespect to the people engaged in those activities. I understand and respect it. But the idea that if 50,000 people come rally, nothing's going to happen, but if a 100,000 people do, the government's going to listen… it's just not how we think about these things. And likewise, on a much smaller scale, if a protest turns up in my electoral office and sits in the foyer, and as long as they're peaceful and they let the constituents come and go, I've no problem with that. But it doesn’t change the way I think about the issue. I think about the issue because I want action on climate change. So again, I respect it, but I don't think it's the most productive way of engaging in talking to governments about what we can do. I've had great meetings with young people, [with the] Australian Youth Climate Coalition. They have strong views and want to push the government to do more, but sit down for an hour and talk through the issues and explain why we're doing what we're doing and the way we're doing it and get their feedback. And I think it's a two-way conversation. There've been things I've said to them that they didn't know about and they all think, ‘Oh, well, from his point of view, now maybe I can understand why they're doing it that way’, but also [it’s a] two way street, you tell me what you think. That dialogue is more valuable than holding a placard and yelling. That’s not the way to convince people. Sitting down and having a chat. Much better chance.
October 14, 2025 at 12:29 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Timor-Leste just scrapped lifetime pensions for former parliamentarians after student-led protests.

But sure — protest doesn’t work.
#auspol

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
screenshot of ABC article. text captured says Timor-Leste scraps lifetime pensions after student-led protests Topic:Activism and Lobbying Fri 26 Sep Friday 26 September Police officers in the street usher crowds. Police appeal to students to clear the road to await the result of the parliamentary vote. (AFP: Valentino Dariell de Sousa) In short Protests broke out last week in Timor-Leste, with thousands of demonstrators demanding parliament cancel a $4.2 million plan to purchase SUVs for lawmakers and lifetime pension for MPs and public officials. Sixty-two members of parliament voted unanimously on Friday to pass a new law that scrapped the pensions for MPs, former presidents, prime ministers and cabinet ministers.
October 14, 2025 at 12:21 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Also happens to be written by a carbon market proponent....the first line of the article is literally "I have a conflict of interest..."

The carbon market is a casualty of its own bad science not ideology or arbitrary opposition.
#auspol #climate
Screenshot of article in the monthly. Text exerpt says: I have a conflict of interest in the debate over the value of carbon credits: I sell them. Derived from the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, these credits stem from a restoration project in Queensland’s Wet Tropics, a tiny 0.3 per cent of Australia’s landmass packed with more biodiversity than any other place on the continent. Twenty years ago, my partner and I bought a property on the Atherton Tablelands with a rare large rainforest remnant, spared from the rampant clearing of last century because of its impossible steepness. On our single precipitous paddock, the cattle had tramped narrow terraces along the contours on which to walk.
September 3, 2025 at 8:57 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
It's really quite impressive how strenuously everyone in this article avoids talking about fossil fuels. Nearly a fifth of Australia’s emissions now come from digging up and sending fossil fuels overseas. #auspol @australiainstitute.org.au
australiainstitute.org.au/post/nearly-...
August 28, 2025 at 9:39 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
From the Labor adviser who pitched “net zero fossil fuels” comes a sequel: “Don’t set climate targets too high, or the government might have to do something".
#auspol #climate
www.afr.com/policy/energ...
Screenshot of afr article Labor policy adviser says to lower expectations on climate targets Ryan Cropp Ryan CroppEnergy and climate reporter Aug 27, 2025 – 4.32pm Save Share Gift this article Listen to this article 5 min A key Labor climate adviser has warned the government against setting its 2035 emissions target too high, arguing that any goal north of 60 per cent will require a major expansion of emissions reductions in the transport, industrial and agricultural sectors. Frank Jotzo, the author of a forthcoming Labor-commissioned report into a potential carbon border tax, said excessively ambitious policies being proposed by some climate groups would be impractical and easily undermined by opponents of change.
August 28, 2025 at 9:35 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
The disclosed interests by the Climate Change Authority board is really quite brazen: several members hold dual positions in organisations that make money from carbon credits. (making no allegations of impropriety by individuals)

www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/sites/defaul...
August 18, 2025 at 6:26 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
The chair of the Climate Change Authority is advising the govt on policy that affects the demand and supply of carbon credits WHILE ALSO employed by a firm that describes itself as "Generating high-integrity carbon credits".

www.afr.com/policy/energ...
screenshot: https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/kean-urged-to-quit-climate-job-over-obvious-conflict-of-interests-20240813-p5k229 Kean urged to quit climate job over ‘obvious conflict of interests’ John Kehoe and Hannah Wootton Aug 13, 2024 – 5.04pm Save Share Gift this article Listen to this article 7 min Conflict of interest perceptions mean Matt Kean should choose between his job as chairman of the federal government’s Climate Change Authority or working for a private energy transition fund led by a former Macquarie banker, a former top public servant and a fan of the ex-NSW treasurer says. Wollemi Capital stands to make millions of dollars from investing in carbon credits – the same emissions offsets generated from carbon farming that the authority advises the government on and over which it influences the value. Chris Bowen, left, Matt Kean and Anthony Albanese at a press conference to announce his appointment in June. Alex Ellinghausen The Australian Financial Review revealed on Monday that the former NSW Liberal treasurer and energy minister had become director of strategic partnerships and regulatory affairs at the climate and energy transition investment firm, less than two months after being appointed CCA chairman. The twin roles immediately triggered conflict-of-interest alarm bells among conservative MPs and public integrity campaigners. Stephen Bartos, a former head of the NSW budget watchdog and an ex-federal finance department deputy secretary, said he was a “fan” of Mr Kean’s past work on climate policy but that he should choose between the public and private sector jobs. screenshot: https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/matt-kean-has-material-interests-in-carbon-credit-schemes-20250401-p5lo42 Matt Kean has ‘material interests’ in carbon credit schemes Paul Karp Paul Karp NSW political correspondent Apr 1, 2025 – 6.42pm Save Share Gift this article Listen to this article 5 min Climate Change Authority chairman Matt Kean has material personal interests in three agricultural projects generating carbon credits through green investment firm Wollemi Capital, while at the same time advising the federal government about carbon farming and emissions targets. Kean, the former NSW Liberal treasurer appointed to the CCA by the Albanese government in June 2024, declared the interests to CCA’s register of material interests when he took on the role. The Australian Financial Review obtained Kean’s declarations to the register under the Freedom of Information Act.
August 18, 2025 at 6:20 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
The Climate Change Authority, the 'independent' agency tasked with giving the Australian Govt 'independent' climate advice is also a member of Australia's carbon offset lobby. Makes sense when the CCA board is stacked with carbon offset interests I guess(no allegations of impropriety etc) #auspol
August 18, 2025 at 6:12 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Australia's 'independent' REGULATOR of carbon offsets is a paying member of Australia's carbon offset lobby group AND sponsors their annual conference AND pays them to deliver (non-biased I assume) 'educational' seminars. And that's totally fine.
#auspol #climate
AER Summit Sponsorship CN ID:CN4167482 Agency:Clean Energy Regulator Publish Date:7-Jul-2025 Execution Date:24-Apr-2024 Category:Sponsorship of event or celebrity Contract Period:1-Jul-2024 to 30-Jun-2025 Contract Value (AUD):$38,500.00 Supplier Name:Carbon Market Institute Limited Full Details screenshot from austender: CMI membership renewal Nov 2024 - Oct 2025 CN ID:CN4113471 Agency:Clean Energy Regulator Publish Date:6-Dec-2024 Category:Education and Training Services Contract Period:1-Nov-2024 to 31-Oct-2025 Contract Value (AUD):$10,725.00 Supplier Name:Carbon Market Institute Limited Full Details Carbon Market Education Series CN ID:CN4069248 Agency:Clean Energy Regulator Publish Date:24-Jun-2024 Execution Date:17-May-2024 Category:Education and Training Services Contract Period:17-May-2024 to 30-Nov-2025 Contract Value (AUD):$250,000.00 ATM ID:PIN_2024_0065 Supplier Name:Carbon Market Institute Limited Full Details
August 18, 2025 at 6:05 AM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
@australiainstitute.org.au's 2024 Climate of the Nation found that the concept of "climate risk" is poorly understood by Australians demonstrating a manifest failure by government to communicate one of the greatest threats to our wellbeing. #auspol #climate
The cost of climate change The cost of climate change is not being adequately communicated to those affected by it The United Nations has described the climate emergency as “the biggest economic, social, and environmental threat facing the planet and humanity”.28 The effects of global warming are manifesting in fires, floods, and interruptions to supply chains and businesses. These phenomena pose material risks to Australians’ communities, homes and livelihoods. This is the concept of “climate risk”. Ideally, climate risk would be both easy to understand and easy to quantify, providing an agreed-upon way for people, companies and the government to determine the extent to which climate change might affect their lives. However, while this concept is often referenced by the government and private sector, it remains poorly defined and poorly understood, raising concerns about how well the threat of climate change is being communicated and interpreted. • More than half of Australians (61%) say they have not heard, or are not sure if they have heard, the term “climate risk”. • Only two in five Australians (39%) say they have heard of the term “climate risk”.
August 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Ahead of @jimchalmers.bsky.social Productivity Roundtable, the govt still hasn’t released the national climate risk assessment. Most Australians haven’t even heard of “climate risk” while insurers, polluters & govt act on data the public can’t see.
australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/u... #auspol
More than half of Australians (61%) say they have not heard, or are not sure if they have heard, the term “climate risk”. Only two in five Australians (39%) say they have heard of the term “climate risk”. When asked if they were aware of any actions the federal government is taking to manage or reduce the negative impacts of climate change: 59% of Australians either aren’t sure or are not aware of any actions. 40% of Australians say they are aware of actions the federal government is taking to manage or reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
August 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
The rest of us are not off the hook either, regardless of what industry we are in. If we claim to care about childhood poverty or violence against women or extinctions, then we must be brave enough to speak loud enough for our leaders to listen. And if we aren’t brave enough to take these steps — to change ourselves and our country — then let’s hope we are brave enough to face the consequences that will come with doing nothing.
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
are remembered for implementing bold, nation-changing ideas in accordance with the principles of the Labor Party constitution: the abolition of poverty, the redistribution of economic and political power and the social ownership of natural resources. The Whitlam government introduced Medibank, free tertiary education and passed historical sex- and disability-discrimination laws. The Hawke government gave us Medicare, convinced the world not to mine Antarctica and floated the Australian dollar. The Rudd government apologised to the survivors of the Stolen Generations and steered Australia through the global financial crisis with a publicspending package. And the minority Gillard government negotiated a carbon price with the Greens that successfully lowered emissions and created the NDIS. But bravery is like a muscle, and it atrophies without use. At a time where our nation is facing its biggest problems, progressive politics appears to be characterised by caution, conflict aversion and the need for validation by the private sector more than ever before. The modern Coalition doesn’t seem to suffer from this affliction. While the current Labor government shrinks its ambitions to make itself as small a target as possible, the Coalition unapologetically proposes the reintroduction of government-owned power stations and a $600 billion nuclear-power industry. That rapidly growing inequality and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis is killing Australians should be enough of a reason for our governments to overcome their terror of being accused of fiscal negligence or economic recklessness. In government and public institutions bravery means using the levers of power with integrity, even when others don’t. It means doing what is required to fix problems, not just what is sufficient to avoid them. It means standing up to the party or those with perceived power. It means acting in the public interest. It means telling the truth.
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Just as there is evidence pointing to the innate altruism of humans, there is also significant evidence demonstrating that humans preference morality over economics or efficiency when it comes to making big decisions. Of course, morality is subjective, but humans immortalise in history, religion, art and culture those who saved lives, sacrificed themselves and spoke truth to power. It’s hard to recall a historical figure who has been celebrated for their centrism, fiscal pragmatism or techno-optimism. Even former Prime Minister John Howard, a devout follower of the neoliberal doctrine, reinforced this theory at least once in his life. In response to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, Howard negotiated aggressively with states, resisted the gun lobby, implemented a nationwide tax, and fought his own constituents and Coalition partners to introduce nation-changing gun laws and regulations, to ensure such a tragedy could never be repeated. This is not to martyr or ignore the other significant harms that Howard went on to inflict on our nation after these first few months in office. But it shows just how quickly governments can make big things happen when they want to, even those who claim to believe in “small government”. It also shows that Australians are willing to accept increased tax and regulatory burdens if it means saving lives. The Port Arthur tragedy resulted in the deaths of 35 people and within months John Howard had passed laws to stop it happening again. No one attempted to bright-side the opportunities that gun laws would bring in growing the economy or creating investment and business “opportunities”. No one suggested that weapons manufacturers should be consulted or be allowed to influence process. No consultants were commissioned to project job losses in the firearm industry. Governments are remembered for what they did, not the economic modelling they commissioned. Indeed, Labor governments
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
inaction. Australian governments, senior public servants and industry leaders have known for decades what causes climate change and what its impacts will be. Yet ecosystem collapse is consistently treated as an economic inconvenience, rather than a moral imperative. Much is made of the powerful grip industry and media oligarchs have on Australia’s democracy. There is no doubt that the pursuit of profit and self-interest by a select few continues to have a disproportionate influence over our policymaking. But is it the identity or alleged “power” of these influential individuals that is important, or the failure of our leaders and public agencies and institutions to stand up to them? We are all guilty of taking the path of least resistance or acting out of self-interest sometimes. We have all stood by when we could have done more because we wanted to avoid conflict or didn’t want to lose social acceptance, financial stability or access to power. We’ve told ourselves we can make “change from inside” or convinced ourselves we are too small to make a difference. Recent commissions into the Robodebt scheme, institutional child sexual abuse, government use of consultancies, to name just a few, have made acutely clear what the consequences of collective silence and inaction can be. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt, “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” This is in no way to suggest Australians are bad people. Actually, we inherently want to do the right thing. While neoliberal economics has us convinced that individuals should and do act in their own selfinterest, in fact, there is significant evidence to suggest that humans have an evolutionary and biological predisposition towards altruism, not selfishness.
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
is young. There is no need to trace back through millennia of successive empires to understand how we got here. None of our leaders has been forced into faustian pacts to save their citizens from starvation or tyranny. While the solutions to some of our problems are complex, it’s not hard to see where to start, and what things need to stop. Our governments knew how to end whaling and asbestos mining, and they know today how to fix the big problems hitting Australians. Despite our growing, collective abundance, Australia is facing a notable deficit in one thing: the courage to confront and fix these problems. As our nation’s prosperity has increased, complacency and caution has taken the place of boldness and bravery. With the rapid intensification of neoliberalism over the last 30 years, our leaders have sold us the myth that “doing the right thing” means taking care of number one, and providing for others means there will be less for us. Increasingly, what follows a big policy announcement in Australia is not a big, structural solution but a series of incremental “announceables”. Instead of systemic reform, a tired array of political tactics and interminable bureaucratic processes are typically dragged out: commissions, committees, strategies, reviews, consultations, economic modelling and endless cost-benefit analyses. When implemented in good faith, these processes should justify and facilitate policy changes, but in the current context they serve to delay or water down ambition. The result is the continued status quo of increasing inequality, injustices and environmental decline as millions stand by and watch. The failure of successive leaders to communicate the gravity of the climate crisis and to do the most basic things climate scientists say are needed to sustain life as we know it — stop opening new gas and coal mines, stop clearing forests, and rapidly restore our ecosystems — is an abject and unforgivable demonstration of this performative
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Governed by Fear, Not Principle Polly Hemming Australia is a country that seemingly has everything. One of the wealthiest countries in the world, we have peace, democratic stability, fresh air, clean water, abundant resources, and international influence. But for a country so privileged we also have some surprisingly big problems. Australia is facing an equality crisis. Children are living in poverty. Women are being murdered by their partners. People living in residential care are malnourished. Indigenous incarceration and child removals are increasing. Australian governments are failing to uphold civil liberties and political freedoms. And, of course, all this inequality is set against and exacerbated by the rapidly worsening climate and biodiversity crises caused by our collective determination to subsidise fossil fuel expansion and ravage our natural environment. The problem is not money. The share of Australians’ combined incomes going to corporate profits is well up, as are CEO salaries and fossil fuel subsidies. Our government just sacrificed $200 billion on tax cuts, and it is going to spend almost $400 billion on nuclear submarines we may or may not get. This continent and its culture are ancient, but the colony of Australia
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, @australiainstitute.org.au published "What’s the Big Idea?"— leading thinkers on creating meaningful change. I'm giving away my chapter here 👇 because I want ideas to reach people who can use them (but pls buy the book)! #auspol
australiainstitute.org.au/store
Just as there is evidence pointing to the innate altruism of humans, there is also significant evidence demonstrating that humans preference morality over economics or efficiency when it comes to making big decisions. Of course, morality is subjective, but humans immortalise in history, religion, art and culture those who saved lives, sacrificed themselves and spoke truth to power. It’s hard to recall a historical figure who has been celebrated for their centrism, fiscal pragmatism or techno-optimism.
August 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
are remembered for implementing bold, nation-changing ideas in accordance with the principles of the Labor Party constitution: the abolition of poverty, the redistribution of economic and political power and the social ownership of natural resources. The Whitlam government introduced Medibank, free tertiary education and passed historical sex- and disability-discrimination laws. The Hawke government gave us Medicare, convinced the world not to mine Antarctica and floated the Australian dollar. The Rudd government apologised to the survivors of the Stolen Generations and steered Australia through the global financial crisis with a publicspending package. And the minority Gillard government negotiated a carbon price with the Greens that successfully lowered emissions and created the NDIS. But bravery is like a muscle, and it atrophies without use. At a time where our nation is facing its biggest problems, progressive politics appears to be characterised by caution, conflict aversion and the need for validation by the private sector more than ever before. The modern Coalition doesn’t seem to suffer from this affliction. While the current Labor government shrinks its ambitions to make itself as small a target as possible, the Coalition unapologetically proposes the reintroduction of government-owned power stations and a $600 billion nuclear-power industry. That rapidly growing inequality and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis is killing Australians should be enough of a reason for our governments to overcome their terror of being accused of fiscal negligence or economic recklessness. In government and public institutions bravery means using the levers of power with integrity, even when others don’t. It means doing what is required to fix problems, not just what is sufficient to avoid them. It means standing up to the party or those with perceived power. It means acting in the public interest. It means telling the truth.
August 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
pollyjhemming.bsky.social
Just as there is evidence pointing to the innate altruism of humans, there is also significant evidence demonstrating that humans preference morality over economics or efficiency when it comes to making big decisions. Of course, morality is subjective, but humans immortalise in history, religion, art and culture those who saved lives, sacrificed themselves and spoke truth to power. It’s hard to recall a historical figure who has been celebrated for their centrism, fiscal pragmatism or techno-optimism. Even former Prime Minister John Howard, a devout follower of the neoliberal doctrine, reinforced this theory at least once in his life. In response to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, Howard negotiated aggressively with states, resisted the gun lobby, implemented a nationwide tax, and fought his own constituents and Coalition partners to introduce nation-changing gun laws and regulations, to ensure such a tragedy could never be repeated. This is not to martyr or ignore the other significant harms that Howard went on to inflict on our nation after these first few months in office. But it shows just how quickly governments can make big things happen when they want to, even those who claim to believe in “small government”. It also shows that Australians are willing to accept increased tax and regulatory burdens if it means saving lives. The Port Arthur tragedy resulted in the deaths of 35 people and within months John Howard had passed laws to stop it happening again. No one attempted to bright-side the opportunities that gun laws would bring in growing the economy or creating investment and business “opportunities”. No one suggested that weapons manufacturers should be consulted or be allowed to influence process. No consultants were commissioned to project job losses in the firearm industry. Governments are remembered for what they did, not the economic modelling they commissioned. Indeed, Labor governments
August 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM