Labor’s continued rejection of the Greens’ demands for no new coal or gas projects is a line-in-the-sand moment in the 21st century political campaign for the support of progressive voters in Australia.

Despite appearances, the passage of the safeguard mechanism reforms is no longer about reducing greenhouse emissions. It’s about the difference between governing and activism. Between outcomes and symbolism. Between seeing the world the way it is, versus the way you would like it to be.