Coal generates more election heat
A senior government insider told The Sunday Age there would be no announcements on coal before the election, citing lingering disquiet over the Hazelwood mine fire that forced some residents to leave the area in February and concern it could cost votes in seats such as Morwell, held by Energy Minister Russell Northe, and inner-city Prahran, held by Liberal Clem Newton-Brown.
“The last thing the Coalition wants to do is draw attention to environment policy, because there isn’t one,”
the source said, noting that both the Coalition and Labor appeared to have sidelined green-related issues in the campaign.