The climate madness of Conservative White Males like Maurice Newman
Tony Abbott’s advisor Maurice Newman shows a different kind of climate change madness’ Guardian, Graham Readfearn, 7 Jan 14 What might be the cause of the extreme climate science denial on public display from the Australian government’s top business advisor? ” ……Maybe the documented CWM effect – the high prevalence of climate change denialism among conservative white males – is especially strong in the 75-year-old former stockbroker, banker and chair of the ABC and the ASX?
Whatever the cause, Newman has turned his conspiracy theory dial well passed 11 with his latest outburst.
In a column published in The Australian newspaper he wrote that the “climate change establishment” (whatever that is) is intent only on “exploiting the masses and extracting 
more money”. Newman wrote that the United Nations “has applied mass psychology through a compliant media” (he really did write that) to fool the world into thinking the activities of industrialised countries have changed the climate.
“The scientific delusion, the religion behind the climate crusade, is crumbling,” wrote Newman, before citing Dr Roy Spencer, a research scientist at the University of Alabama……
Spencer concluded that the “theory of creation actually had a much better scientific basis than the theory of evolution”…….
Mr Newman could have asked Australia‘s science minister about that, if only we had one……
Newman is just one of a clutch of climate change scepticswhich have the ear of the Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Newman says Australia has “become hostage to climate change madness”.
Now, given Australia has just experienced its warmest year on record at a time when the world – with Australia’s help – is pumping CO2 into the atmosphere at a rate not seen in at least 65m years, I’d say he’s probably right about the “madness” part.
Just, not in the way he meant. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2014/jan/07/maurice-newman-climate-change-denial-tony-abbott-roy-spencer
Only renewable energy power plants will be set up in Australia to 2020
All New Australian Power Plants Will Be Renewable Through 2020 Clean Technica 1 Jan 14, According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), all new electricity generation capacity in Australia will be from renewable energy. It will mostly be from wind energy, while 13% of that is expected to be from large-scale solar PV, and 3% from biomass.
After years of hearing very little about Australia’s transition from fossil fuels, there has been Sydney’s plan to go 100% renewable by 2030 and a lot of big news in 2013. But the next several years will be even bigger.
According to an IEEE article about the coming growth of renewables in Australia: ”There are nearly 15 800 megawatts of proposed wind generation projects, according to the AEMO. More than 780 MW of the wind power is expected to come online in 2014-2015.”…..http://cleantechnica.com/2013/12/31/new-australian-power-plants-will-renewable-2020/
Australia’s Liberal Party wants “free speech” – for corporations, anyway
Let’s stop pretending the Liberal Party believes in free speech The Monthly, By RICHARD COOKE Friday, 20th December 2013 You’d need a heart of stone not to laugh at right-wing think-tanker Tim Wilson becoming a Human Rights Commissioner. Whatever the merits of his appointment, it’s an ace piece of industrial strength trolling by George Brandis, parachuting a culture warrior right behind enemy lines like that. As Twitter outrage reached DEFCON 1, you could almost write the Australian editorial yourself. “Noisy echo chamber… the squeals of the left… bien pensant… soy latte”… etc. But amid all the good times, there was a danger of the real punchline being lost. Because the midlife crisis-style reinvention of the Coalition as the standard bearer for ‘freedom of speech’ really does take the biscuit……….
until now, the Liberals have made zero effort to nourish the nation’s stunted legislative or cultural protections for free speech. If the Puritans are suddenly putting on libertarian party hats, we should be suspicious……… Continue reading
Ranger uranium mine not operating for an indefinite period
ERA’s Ranger uranium mine likely to stay offline this year SMH Peter Ker 20 Dec 13 guidance for 2014 remains elusive with the processing plant out of operation, and ERA indicated it was still some time before it would be ready to restart.
“It may be necessary to conduct additional reparation work on processing plant infrastructure,” the company said….. http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/eras-ranger-uranium-mine-likely-to-stay-offline-this-year-20131219-2zndg.html#ixzz2o2cTxYmh
Abbott does not understand the role of renewable energy in reducing manufacturing costs
Coal power stations are suffering lower prices because of excess generating supply.
Why Abbott has got it all wrong on green energy, Crikey, by Tristan Edis 18 Dec 13, In a press conference yesterday about improving prospects for manufacturing, Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a statement that appears ominous for the renewable energy industry:
“And the RET [Renewable Energy Target], well look again, we support sensible use of renewable energy and as you know it was the former Howard government which initially gave us the RET, and at the time it was important because we made very little if any use of renewable energy. We’ve got to accept though, that in the changed circumstances of today, the renewable energy target is causing pretty significant price pressure in the system and we ought to be … an affordable energy superpower … Let’s make the most of the comparative advantages we’ve got and cheap energy — affordable energy — ought to be one of our comparable advantages.”
However, there’s a silver lining because the funny thing is the RET is actually reducing energy costs for energy-intensive manufacturers.
This is completely counter-intuitive and it’s understandable that those outside the electricity sector find it hard to understand, including the Prime Minister and probably many of those people he trusts and respects — like Maurice Newman, the man who will be advising the manufacturing taskforce Abbott is establishing.
In my conversation with Newman in July, he was convinced the RET and the carbon trading scheme were almost entirely to blame for the doubling of power prices since 2007, even though the Australian Energy Market Commission and every state government utility regulator had provided information that shows this is not accurate.
For this group, the logic is that renewables must require a price higher than what existing power generators charge, otherwise why would you need the subsidy from the RET?
Now, this is true for that portion of power we get from large-scale new renewables (currently about 7% of electricity and rising to around 16% in 2020). But by adding extra supply with near-zero operating costs to an already oversupplied power market, it also acts to depress the price received by the remaining, far larger portion of our power coming from fossil fuel generators. Continue reading
Australia now the anti science country?
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten calls for more focus on science Canberra Times, December 20, 2013 Larissa Nicholson Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he recognises the need to develop a sustainable and strategic long-term plan for supporting research in Australia, accusing the federal government of failing to make science a priority.
Some of Australia’s leading scientists have criticised successive governments for failing to develop a cohesive policy for funding science……….
He said that when Labor was in government it increased science and research funding to record levels, but by failing to appoint a dedicated science minister, the Abbott government had indicated science was not a high priority.
Mr Shorten said it was also important to train and pay science teachers adequately and to promote an awareness of science within the community……http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/opposition-leader-bill-shorten-calls-for-more-focus-on-science-20131219-2zobj.html
Why the Abbott govt is embarrassed about its secret support for nuclear industry
Government rules out nuclear power for Australia OliverMilman theguardian.com, Tuesday 17 December 2013 “…….The risks of the processes involved in nuclear energy have been highlighted recently by the spill at the Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu. The incident, anti-nuclear activists claim, is a stark reminder of why Australia should remain nuclear-free.
“I think the Coalition is trying to keep the door open to the option of nuclear, although it can see politically and economically it doesn’t add up,” said Dave Sweeney, nuclear free campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation.
“There’s no doubt there are people within the Coalition who would want to embrace nuclear. We are aware of that and that sort of ideology concerns us, so we aren’t complacent. But it’s quite unthinkable that any private company would want to fund nuclear in Australia due to the huge start-up cost.
“The government doesn’t want to critique nuclear because it raises the question ‘why then are we digging it up and having spills in the Kakadu?’. But there are huge political and economic hurdles to bringing in nuclear power. The numbers just don’t stack up, in dollars or votes.” http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/17/government-rules-out-nuclear-power-for-australia
Ranger uranium mine accident worst than originally thought
Environmentalists Say The Toxic Uranium Spill In Kakadu Is Much Worse Than First Thought,Business Insider, SARAH KIMMORLEY 14 Dec 13,The Ranger Hill uranium mine, which last week leaked 1 million litres of highly acidic uranium slurry into the Kakadu National Park, has been identified as a much bigger mess than first reported.
Melanie Impey, environmental officer for the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, toldFairfax the spill covered a 100 metre by 200 metre area and was up to 3 centimetres thick……..Dave Sweeney from the Australian Conservation Foundation has said the mine is unreliable.
“This mine has a clear history of underperformance and non-compliance with regulations.
“There is a revolving radioactive door between territory and federal regulators and the mining company, with roles being routinely swapped, all of which reduces rigour, compromises credibility and produces complacency,” Sweeney told The SMH. http://www.businessinsider.com.au/environmentalists-say-the-toxic-uranium-spill-in-kakadu-is-much-worse-than-first-thought-2013-12
Call to close uranium mine afte worker injured
Ranger uranium mine spill: worker injured in clean-up, union says http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-13/worker-injured-in-clean-up-of-spill-at-ranger-uranium-mine/5156292 A worker has been injured during the clean-up of a toxic spill at the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory, the ABC has been told.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) says a fitter was injured this morning while cleaning up slurry that spilt out of a tank that collapsed last weekend.Brian Wilkins from the AMWU says the man fell through the crust of the radioactive material up to his armpits.
It is understood the man was cleaned up and asked to return to work, but he refused.
Mine operator Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) says it will look into the validity of the claims.
A tank containing up to a million litres of uranium ore and acid split early on Saturday, damaging the crane that was trying to repair it and surrounding infrastructure at the mine near Kakadu National Park.ERA said at the weekend the spill had been contained and there was no risk to the surrounding area and national park.
Meanwhile the Federal and Northern Territory governments have released the terms of reference for their joint investigation into the spill.
The investigation will identify why the leach tank collapsed, examine the integrity of broader processing operations and identify any gaps in maintenance procedures.
A representative of the traditional owners of the mine site will be asked to participate on the taskforce that is carrying out the investigation.
The Greens have called for a permanent end to operations at the mine.
West Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has said: “I think this latest disaster doesn’t improve anyone’s confidence that the mine is capable of running for another 10 or 15 years.”
Abbott’s absurd dream of Holden workers becoming uranium miners
Olympic Dam pipe dream no help for Holden workers CRIKEY, PADDY MANNING | DEC 12, 2013 THE CARGO CULT MENTALITY SURROUNDING BHP BILLITON’S OLYMPIC DAM MINE IS RIDICULOUS.
Now Prime Minister Tony Abbott seems to be hoping a BHP expansion of the copper/gold/uranium mine will help clean up the damage caused by the government’s bizarre mis-handling of Holden. Abbott told Parliament on Wednesday …. (registered readers only) http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/12/12/olympic-dam-pipe-dream-no-help-for-holden-workers/
Scrutiny needed on environmental regulation of Ranger uranium mine
Toxic spill highlights the perils of self-regulation The Conversation Gavin Mudd, Senior Lecturer at Monash University 13 Dec 13 The latest accident at the Ranger uranium mine is a timely reminder of the environmental risks of operating a heavy industry facility: especially a uranium mine on Indigenous land, surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
Tony Abbott losing support for his anti carbon tax drive
Tony Abbott loses his carbon tax edge, says latest Newspoll DENNIS SHANAHAN THE AUSTRALIAN DECEMBER 10, 2013
TONY Abbott and the Liberals have lost their three-year carbon tax advantage over Labor, with support for the Coalition dropping to its lowest since 2011 to leave the opposition leading on preferences for the first time since the election of the Gillard government.
Just three months after being elected, the Abbott government’s primary vote support has dropped to 40 per cent while Labor’s two-party-preferred support has jumped five percentage points to put the ALP in front 52 per cent to 48 per cent…. (subscribers only)
Senator Johm Madigan receives pro wind energy submission from Waubra community
Wind Critics Running Out Of Puff, Renewable Energy News, 2 Dec 13 The winds of change appear to be blowing, with 
myths surrounding wind turbines and those who perpetuate them increasingly losing credibility as time goes on.
Last Tuesday, Senator John Madigan received a copy of a petition with hundreds of signatures from members of the Waubra community who object to the anti-wind organisation Waubra Foundation using their town’s name.
Waubra is home to the Waubra Wind Farm, which became a focus of anti-wind activity in Australia; to the point one group named itself after the town. “The truth of the situation is that the vast majority of the Waubra community are living happily with the wind farm,” said Waubra farmer, Doug Hobson. “We’ll continue to put the case to the foundation that the decent thing to do is to allow Waubra to have our name back.”
“We are passionate about our town and it hurts when this group drags our name through the mud,” said Waubra resident, Kerryn Gallagher. “We’re very grateful to Senator Madigan for agreeing to pass on our concerns.”
It’s understood that none of the directors of the Waubra Foundation actually live in the area……
Victoria’s State of the Environment report 2013 is now out
Victoria: state of the environment 2013
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
This report is intended to inform the Victorian community about the health of the natural environment and influence government to achieve environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability.
http://apo.org.au/research/victoria-state-environment-2013
Grave financial cost of shutting down Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Clean Energy Finance Corp warns shutdown will hit budget ABC News 27 Nov 13 The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has warned that the Federal Government’s plan to shut it down could cost the budget hundreds of millions of dollars. The Corporation was set up by the previous government to invest up to $10 billion in renewable energy projects and to help attract private sector investment.
The Coalition wants to shut it down, but Labor and the Greens have vowed to use their numbers in the Senate to block the move.
CEFC chair Jillian Broadbent says the fund has so far invested $500 million, which will help cut greenhouse gas emissions.She told a Senate hearing the fund’s contribution could be very significant if it was allowed to invest the full $10 billion, while at the same time returning $200 million per annum to government coffers.
“This would contribute more than 50 per cent of the emissions abatement that’s required for the bipartisan 2020 target,” she said.”And it would be done so with a $200 million per annum return to the taxpayer after having covered the operating costs.”……
She went on to say that the Government’s replacement direct action plan, in which companies and landholders bid for funding for emissions reduction projects, will have a net cost to the taxpayer.
“We’re investing and trying to develop the market’s appetite for participating in this field,” she said.”Grants have a very different role, and when you’re investing, you’re going to get the funds repaid and you’re earning a return on your money.
“Making a grant is just a straight expense. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-26/clean-energy-finance-corp-warns-of-budget-cost-of-shutdown/5118212
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/235274195556
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 