Crikey Worm: Nats in a flap

Good morning, early birds. The Nationals draw media attention for the wrong reasons again. Adam Bandt calls the government review of climate change policies a ‘travesty’. Plus, good news for an Australian man on drug charges in Bali. It’s the news you need to know, with Max Chalmers.

NATS GO BATS

We regret to inform you that the Nats are at it again.

There is anger inside the federal Coalition after Malcolm Turnbull’s cabinet reshuffle demoted Nationals MPs Darren Chester and Keith Pitt in a move seen by some ($) as retribution against those who failed to back Barnaby Joyce’s preferred candidate for Nationals deputy-leader, Matt Canavan.

According to the Australian Financial Review, Pitt is now contemplating sitting as a crossbencher, putting Turnbull’s majority in the house of representatives at risk once more. Given the bluffing of other Nationals MPs like George Christensen to cross the floor throughout the year, you could forgive Turnbull for not being too worried just yet.

The shuffle brings the number of women in cabinet to five, with the promotion of newbie Nationals MP David Littleproud also raising some eyebrows ($).

Both major parties are ending the year with festive factional blues. In Queensland, former LNP big wigs including one-time premier Campbell Newman are facing censure and pressure to resign from the party ($) over public criticisms in the wake of the disastrous state poll.

Down in Victoria, a peace accord between Labor’s left and right factions appears to have fallen apart.

CLIMATE DATA NOT SO SUNNY

Australia does not appear to be on track to meet its 2030 carbon emission reduction target, despite boasts from a government review of climate change policies that “emissions per person and the emissions intensity of the economy are at their lowest levels in 28 years” and an assurance Australia would meet the target without compromising economic growth.

Despite the sunny outlook in the report, a separate data release by the Department of Environment and Energy noted by the Sydney Morning Herald shows Australia needs to further cut emissions to make the 2030 target of a 26-28% reduction.

Labor and the Greens are furious, with Greens MP Adam Bandt calling the review “a travesty”.

On top of its climate comments, the review also finds that consumers could save $500 a year if the government introduced a new fuel efficiency standard.

DEATH SENTENCE UNLIKELY

Local police in Bali have said an Australian man arrested for allegedly importing a small quantity of drugs onto the island will not face the death penalty.

Isaac Emmanuel, who is 35-years-old, was arrested with just under 20 grams of clear crystals and 14 tablets. Local drug squad officer Johnny Lay was quoted by ABC news as saying the maximum sentence in such a case would be 20 years in prison.

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WHAT’S ON TODAY 

Canberra: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s new cabinet to be sworn-in.

Perth: State Treasurer Ben Wyatt delivers Western Australia’s mid-year budget review.

Sydney: A man charged with attempting to raise funds for North Korea in breach of UN sanctions appears in court for the second time.

Brisbane: Mention for 48-year-old man charged with assaulting Kevin Rudd’s godson over a same-sex marriage argument.

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