One year ago I became the first independent member for Bradfield. For three decades before that, I worked in energy, climate and finance, and in that time I’ve watched governments of all persuasions make the same mistake: leaning on fossil fuels to solve the problems created by fossil fuels.
It is disturbing how the reforms to capital gains tax have thrown the opposition and their conservative media mates into a frenzy. It is not surprising that the ‘losers’ or potential losers will shout the loudest, but it is disappointing that serious efforts were not made to reflect genuine concerns and inadequacies – to improve the main initiatives, rather than just can them.
is a former senior public servant who supported royal commissioner Julia Gillard in her work on early childhood education. She is chief executive of The Front Project and co-hosts The Westminster Tradition podcast.
is an independent commentator and author with more than five decades in print, broadcasting and online journalism. His book, The Summertime of Our Dreams, was published in 2022.