Tom Lowrey

4 days ago | abc.net.au | Tom Lowrey

There are few more stark policy differences heading into this election than concerning energy. The two pitches being put forward by both Labor and the Coalition are two very different paths to the same destination — net zero emissions by 2050. Labor is pursuing a renewables-led path, with an energy mix dominated by solar and wind by 2050, and backed up with hydro-power, batteries and gas.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tom Lowrey

The federal Coalition has left open the possibility it could leave the Paris climate accord, if it determines that meeting climate targets would do too much damage to the economy. The Coalition has previously said it will dump Australia's current climate target to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030. It argues the target cannot possibly be reached, and would have to be revised should it win office.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tom Lowrey

Federal Labor has asked the Coalition to grant permission for it to continue approving new housing projects during the election campaign, under a fund the opposition wants to axe. It wants to continue approving Housing Australia Future Fund projects despite the government being in 'caretaker mode'. Caretaker conventions prevent ministers entering into "major contracts or undertakings" after an election has been called, given the government could soon change.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tom Lowrey

Welcome back to your daily election wrap. Tom Lowrey will catch you up on news from the campaign trail. We're being regularly reminded this election that these are uncertain times. How often? Four times in Anthony Albanese's press conference today, and five in Peter Dutton's. But Dutton seems certain enough to make this economic prediction. "Is Australia heading into recession?" the opposition leader was asked at today's press conference. "Well it is under Labor, obviously," he confidently replied.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Tom Lowrey

The cost of installing a new home battery will be discounted by 30 per cent under a new energy pitch from the federal Labor Party. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make the $2.3 billion pledge in a major campaign speech to be delivered in Brisbane on Sunday. Labor argues that while one in three Australian households have solar panels, only one in 40 have a battery, making batteries the next significant opportunity to push down household power bills and reduce reliance on power from the grid.