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Poverty, power prices fuel right-wing populism, studies show By Shane Wright Poor wage growth and higher energy costs have contributed to the shift away from Australia’s major political parties since the global financial crisis, new research reveals, with warnings that support for populist right-wing candidates will grow unless the financial needs of poorer people are addressed.
Three new academic studies to be released on Thursday suggest the Coalition under Peter Dutton failed to capitalise on discontent around the state of the economy and power prices that otherwise would have hurt the electoral chances of Labor and Anthony Albanese.
Former opposition leader Peter Dutton sought to highlight high fuel prices during the election campaign. Credit: James Brickwood
Compiled by researchers out of the Melbourne Institute, one study found “energy-poor households” were 1.4 times more likely to vote for right-wing populist candidates or independents. Energy poverty was also likely to reduce support for Labor by 3.7 percentage points.
At the May 3 election, primary vote support for the two major parties fell to just 63 per cent. At the 2007 election, held the year before the global financial crisis, more than 83 per cent of voters backed either Labor or the Coalition.
Read the report here.
8.33am
Climate debate heats up again, but it’s changing The Nationals are urging their Coalition partner to take a hard line against the renewables rollout, calling into question Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s pledge to end the climate wars as Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen accused the Coalition of fuelling the fight over energy policy.
Ley declared in her first address to the media on Tuesday that “there won’t be a climate war”, but Senator Matt Canavan told this masthead that his tilt at the Nationals’ leadership had “mortally wounded” the net zero policy.
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When asked whether her party would remain committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and retain its nuclear energy policy, Ley said there would be “no captain’s calls”.
Former opposition leader Peter Dutton took a net zero commitment to the election, but Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud have confirmed the policy is currently under review.
Meanwhile, climate finance expert Professor Ross Garnaut has argued that the government’s crushing election victory has given Aus
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