Abbott’s Direct Action climate plan will cost $35 billion more than budgeted for.
Report casts more doubt on Direct Action HERALD SUN, NICK PERRY AAP AUGUST 30, 2013
AN Abbott government would need to spend around $35 billion more than it has budgeted on its climate change policy to deliver its promised cuts to carbon emissions by 2020.
The findings from energy advisory firm RepuTex raise more doubts about whether the coalition’s Direct Action plan can reduce carbon emissions by five per cent by 2020 given the funding allocated……
Uncertainty over Liberal Coalition’s plans to cut renewable energy incentives
”What we’re heading into is a period of sustained high volatility in the industry. There is a high possibility that, if this is not managed correctly, we will all end up with much higher costs than we could have had.
”You can transform the energy system in a non-disruptive fashion or in a disruptive fashion … But ultimately it is going to be transformed.”
Money trail backs the clean energy revolution, SMH, Ben Cubby, Peter Hannam 31 Aug 13 “…….At present, the Coalition has promised to abolish the carbon price, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Climate Change Authority – which will recommend the greenhouse gas reduction targets that will in turn influence renewable energy growth.
This week it also announced that it would cut funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency – an independent group that oversees about $3.2 billion in renewables investment, and which the opposition has previously said would be retained.
The exact nature of the newly pledged cuts remains obscure. ”There will be some savings over the forward estimates – those details will be out with the full costings before the election,” a spokeswoman said. Continue reading
Liberal Coalition flounders, – its Renewable Energy Policy based on bad advice
the Coalition – and in particular its energy spokesman, Ian Macfarlane – needs little encouragement to argue against wind and solar. But such decisions should not be based on false premises.
The dangerous thinking behind Coalition renewable energy policy (excellent charts and graphs) REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 29 August 2013 The Coalition’s admission this week that it had thrown the Australian Renewable Energy Agency into the basket of climate change and green energy programs 
to be cut if elected should not have taken people by surprise, because they have been hinting at it for a few months.
But it does raise questions about where the Coalition is heading with its energy policies, and why there appears to be such deliberate moves to wind back support mechanisms for wind energy and solar, and other emerging renewable technologies.
Part of the problem may be in the quality of the advice it is receiving. Many in the Coalition defer to the Institute of Public Affairs when asked about climate change and renewables policies. The IPA, of course, is a right-wing think tank 
that doesn’t accept the science of climate change, and argues against climate and clean energy policies.
More recently, Greg Hunt has been using the work of Bjorn Lomborg to justify Direct Action. Lomborg, as we discussed in last month’s piece, is known for downplaying the dangers of climate change, for arguing that renewable energy should not be deployed until costs are reduced in research labs, and for suggesting that wacky “geo-engineering” schemes such as cloud whitening should be priorities.
That may explain why the Coalition is now targeting ARENA, whose job it is to help take technologies out of the lab and actually deploy them. The Coalition also intends to shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corp, which plays a similar role, as well as the Climate Change Authority, which conducted last year’s review of the Renewable Energy Target. The Coalition wants the RET to be reviewed yet again, but not by the CCA. The uncertainty is already causing Australia to fall down the ranks of investment attractiveness.
Another document that may be influential in Coalition thinking was circulated in recent months by one of its so-called “star” candidates, Angus Taylor, the anti-wind campaigner who is seeking election in the seat of Hume in NSW. Continue reading
Australia’s third force gathers strength: Christine Milne and The Greens
Inside the Greens circus, minus Bob and the freaks CRIKEY GUY RUNDLE | AUG 28, 2013 The Greens are still slightly in awe that they are a real, live party, as the Green tide rolls on….
Gripping the lectern, clad in a jacket as green as a rainforest or a roulette baize, Greens leader Christine Milne is in full flight, but stops for the laugh. Reminds herself, perhaps, to stop for the laugh. “I know, but it’s true …” Then she ploughs on. She looks Margaret Thatcher, she looks like your schoolteacher, she looks like a church lady, most ungreen, her delivery is wooden, reserved, there’s something held back, but she’s wowing the crowd, a couple of hundred Greens, come in from Canberra and the backblocks, all the senators and Adam Bandt people looking at them with “wow, there’s quite a lot of us, we’re kinda of a real party”, and a few enthusiasts/tragics flown in from the event.
Her speech on Saturday at the Greens’ national campaign launch is hard-edged, upfront political, and eschews a lot of the more spiritual themes that former leader Bob Brown might have put in. She announces refugee treatment inquiries, a Clean Air Act, a party whip vote on equal marriage; every time, rolling back Labor’s welfare cuts, bang, bang, bang, and you get a picture of her parliamentary style: no-nonsense and forthright………
Indeed, it’s a new Greens style of sorts, fitting with the fact that they are, in some ways, the new natural party of government, not now, not even soon, but sometime, when more of the world looks like Canberra — if it doesn’t all end up looking like Fallujah — and knowledge production has so infused so much of the overall system that social classes have been substantially transformed. That gives the new Greens not only a seriousness, a demeanour that has no special pleading about it, but also, of all things, a mild born-to-rule mien, a new class sheen. ….
Formidable, and with a party at as good a level of support as it’s ever been, she seems ready for whatever may come on Threatened Species Day, September 7. http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/08/28/rundle-inside-the-greens-circus-minus-bob-and-the-freaks/
Parkes electorate could have bright economic future, with Greens renewable energy plan
Parmeter backs renewable energy Moree Champion 28 Aug 13 GREENS candidate Matt Parmeter visited Moree on Friday as part of his election tour around the whole of Parkes. Mr Parmeter is a civil engineer from Dubbo, he has two children and lives and works all around the area. Whilst in Moree last week, he visited many business houses and greeted locals to tell them about his passions and concerns.
He said his big passion was for renewable energy and told the Moree Champion how excited he was to see the Moree solar farm plans going ahead.
“The Greens have strong policies in place for the electorate to help increase jobs. Jobs develop the economy but the only way to get more jobs is to introduce new industries and I believe renewable energy is that new industry,” he said.
The Greens have been supporting four ideas to help the renewable energy industry grow and develop with one of those being a bank dedicated to renewable energy projects.
“By supporting this bank we can up the capital to see the go-ahead for projects needing large amounts of money to flourish,” Mr Parmeter said….. http://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/1737760/parmeter-backs-renewable-energy/?cs=8
How to destroy renewable energy funding – vote Liberal
Coalition Intends To Gut Renewable Energy Funding http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3913 29 Aug 13 Among its axing of renewable energy programs, the Coalition has announced it also intends to cut funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
In addition to dismantling the Clean Energy Future package and shutting down the Clean Energy Finance Corporation; ARENA is also in the Coalition’s crosshairs – however at this point in time how much funding will be slashed is unclear.
ARENA was provided approximately $3 billion to invest in renewable energy projects until 2022. Currently, around $2 billion is uncommitted and available for ARENA to invest in qualifying projects.
Dr Geoff Evans, Campaign Manager for 100% Renewable, says Tony Abbott and the Coalition appear to be ignoring community sentiment in relation to renewable energy in Australia.
“Australians overwhelmingly support an increase in renewable energy. We want government to support a transition to clean energy and to be a world leader in investment and jobs in clean energy.”
“But, based on today’s announcement, it seems like Tony Abbott and the Coalition aren’t listening to Australians, and that the incentives and market security essential for investment are under threat.”
ARENA commenced on July 1, 2012 and was established to support innovations to improve the competitiveness of renewables; plus increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia.
Dr. Evans says while the Coalition claims to be the “party of jobs and business”; the announcement to gut ARENA directly contradicts this.
“If the Coalition wants to win next week, they need to ensure they are listening to Australians. And ordinary Aussies are overwhelming saying the same thing: more renewables, not less,” Dr Evans says.
100% Renewable is a community campaign for clean energy. The group is behind initiatives such as Solar Scorecard; which rates how local politicians stand on issues relating to renewable energy. 100% Renewable also leads Solar Citizens; a project bringing together existing and potential solar owners to ensure the rights of solar owners are protected and to help further Australia’s rooftop solar revolution.
Fact Check: Abbott using outdated figure on carbon tax cost to households
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says households will be hundreds of dollars better off if the Coalition scraps the carbon tax.
“We’ll scrap the carbon tax so your family will be $550 a year better off,” Mr Abbott said at the Liberal Party’s campaign launch on Sunday.
The figure also appears in the Coalition’s formal policy document.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-28/abbott-using-outdated-figure-on-carbon-tax-cost/4912726
Liberal Coalition talking about funding Victorian solar project
Coalition open to supporting north-west Victorian solar projects 27 Aug 2013, The Federal Coalition has indicated it would support solar projects in north-west Victoria if elected. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-27/coalition-open-to-supporting-north-west-victorian/4914666
The Commonwealth’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) says it is interested in funding future solar projects in Mildura. However, the agency decided last year not to fund Energy Australia’s Mallee Solar Park Project.
The Coalition’s climate action spokesman Greg Hunt could not make any firm election commitments for solar but says he would keep ARENA running. “We have the potential through both ARENA and the renewable energy target for solar farms and the third element which gives us opportunities through the solar towns program,” he said.
“We’re keeping … ARENA … and ARENA is the body which is looking at specific support for developmental projects in the solar space, so ARENA becomes the way forward but in particular, we also have the solar towns and solar schools projects.”
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Gary Gray says Labor is supporting future solar projects in Mildura through the agency. Although in a statement, he defended its decision last year not to fund Energy Australia’s Mallee Solar Park Project.
Surge in support for the Australian Greens
Essential: Greens surge keeps the major parties deadlocked CRIKEY, BERNARD KEANE | AUG 26, 2013 AN UNEXPECTED SURGE TO THE GREENS HAS SEEN LABOR AND THE COALITION’S PRIMARY VOTE DROP, LEAVING THE ELECTION OUTCOME IN THE BALANCE.
Labor’s primary vote has fallen markedly, according to new polling from Essential Research, but to the benefit of the Greens rather than than the opposition. It leaves the two-party preferred on 50:50 less than a fortnight from the election…..(registered readers only) http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/08/26/essential-greens-surge-keeps-the-major-parties-deadlocked/
Vote Compass finds confusion in Australian electorate about climate change action
Climate change looms as challenge for all parties http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/antony-green-vote-compass-climate-change/4909774 You need to go to this site to see details explained in excellent graphics By Antony Green 26 Aug 2013, “……By proposing to bring forward the market price mechanism to 2014, the Rudd government has tried to address the cost of living issues associated with the carbon tax. It has also tried to return the issue to again being about climate change, rather than tax and the economy.
The change of wording from tax to price has not removed the political divisions created by the issue, as revealed by the results of questions on the issue in Vote Compass.
Vote Compass put the proposition to respondents that “the federal government should put a price on carbon” and asked them to agree or disagree.
Of the more than 800,000 respondents so far, about 400,000 answered this question as well as providing the demographic data that allows the sample to be weighted against the 2011 Australian Census.
Overall the survey revealed the electorate leaning toward supporting a carbon price, as shown below. (see graphs) Continue reading
70,000 jobs for New South Wales, in a positive renewable energy plan – Riverina Greens candidate
Greens 100% renewable energy plan http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-27/greens-10025-renewable-energy-plan/4913920 27 Aug 13 The Greens Candidate for the Riverina says the party’s plan to make NSW electricity supply 100 per cent renewable – isn’t a pipe dream.
The Greens Ros Pragnell was joined by New South Wales Upper House MP John Kaye for the community launch of Solar panels at her home yesterday. Ms Pragnell says the party’s renewable goal is achievable within the next 15 years and will offer significant economic return for the Riverina.
She says renewable energy is the way of the future and residents should take advantage of solar power. “If we phase out fossil fuel electricity and invest in wind power, solar technologies and and energy efficiency we can reap benefits of being a world leader in the clean energy economy,” she said.”Now we believe that’s not a pipedream its possible it’s affordable and it’s essential.”
Ros Pragnell says with the number of jobs in the fossil fuels industry declining – it’s time to make the states electricity supply entirely renewable.
“Fossil fuels are becoming much more expensive to be able to extract, with a greater mechanisation you just don’t have the bodies on the ground to work it,” she said.”With renewable energies we create jobs there’s manufacturing there’s retail, servicing and it’s estimated that 70,000 jobs in NSW could be created.
Chris Sobey, Greens candidate, advocates renewable energy for the Murray River region
Renewable energy ‘in 15 years’ Border Mail By DAVID JOHNSTON Aug. 27, 2013 NSW Greens MP John Kaye yesterday used the launch of the campaign of Farrer candidate, Chris Sobey, to promote the party’s push to make the state electricity supply 100 per cent renewable.
Dr Kaye and second-time candidate Mrs Sobey used the backdrop of the Murray River to sell the virtues of a 100 per cent renewable energy future within 15 years…… Mrs Sobey contested the 2007 federal poll and stood in the NSW election in the same year.
“We have let the health of the river go for too long,” she said. “The news from the climate people is shocking. “The extreme is going to become the normal. “The cost of bushfires, drought and flood relief in the long run all increases the gross domestic product.
“We should be prepared to use debt to change things over to renewable energy and increase the GDP by building things.” http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1733034/renewable-energy-in-15-years/?
Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy in harmony with ARENA and Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Details of the policy include an important role for the existing Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). It will be allocated the funds to manage a competitive tender program whereby projects that can demonstrate that their business plans are feasible will receive financial and logistical support as they need it through stages of business development and project implementation. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), which currently facilitates large-scale clean energy development, is also expected to play a key role in enabling communities to get their projects off the ground sooner.
Australian Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy Clean Technica 27 Aug 13,Originally published on The Community Power Report.by Manny Pasqualini A huge step toward establishing a viable community-owned renewable energy sector in Australia has been taken with The Australian Greens launching their Community Renewable Energy policy in a joint media event co-hosted by the Fund Community Energy campaign and representatives of inner-Melbourne’s community solar projects, including Moreland, Yarra, and LIVE Community Solar.
Announced on the 21st August at Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market, the ‘Australian Community Renewable Energy Program’ pledges $100 million over 5 years as seed-funding for feasibility grants, project management and specialist expertise to be accessed by emerging locally-owned and operated clean energy projects.
Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne spoke of the initiative’s potential to give local communities the power to generate their own power by opening up the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Australians to own and benefit from renewable energy. Continue reading
Community Energy Campaign outlines what Greens policy would achieve
Australian Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Policy Clean Technica 27 Aug 13 “……..Nicky Ison from the Fund Community Energy Campaign welcomed the policy announcement, saying that $100 million in seed-funding has the potential to unlock over $1 billion of investment in communities around Australia. Based on economic modelling commissioned by the Fund Community Energy Campaign and undertaken by Marsden Jacob Associates, The Greens’ $100 million fund would:
- Shepherd more than 250 community owned renewable projects from inception to the investment-ready stage over the next five years
- Unlock over $1 billion worth of investment in communities around Australia
- Install 656MW of community renewable generation
- Offset 1300 kilotonnes of carbon emissions
“This can unleash 1 billion dollars of investment – that’s investment that people like you and I could make, as mums and dads, as renters, as farmers, and the list goes on.” Ms Ison said.
“These projects enable communities to rejuvenate their local economies through keeping investment in their local communities, to be able to tackle climate change at the local level, and finally to be able to address and take charge of their own community’s electricity bills.”
“We need to get projects to a point where they’re investment ready, so that the communities can then invest in themselves, and that’s what this policy announced by The Greens can do.” Ms Ison said.
Fund Community Energy campaigners have met with representatives of all major Australian political parties in recent months as part of a strong nationwide campaign calling for a $50 million fund to support communities through the difficult early stages of renewable energy project development. The campaign applauds the $100 million proposal and calls on all parties to follow suit and recognise the wide-ranging benefits that community renewable energy can provide for all Australians. http://cleantechnica.com/2013/08/26/australian-greens-community-renewable-energy-policy/#VAo2bjRwV0LjliDL.99
Tony Abbott would sell Australia out, in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) ?
Australia’s Labor government has said it would not accept any provisions that would allow corporations to sue Australian governments. The Coalition has given no such commitment.
Tobacco clause might burn free trade agreement http://www.theage.com.au/business/tobacco-clause-might-burn-free-trade-agreement-20130825-2sjuk.html#ixzz2d8J4g3P9 Peter Martin. August 26, 2013 The timetable for completing the world’s largest free trade agreement is slipping as negotiators in Brunei express concern at US proposals to give tobacco companies the power to sue governments and to weaken government control of state-owned enterprises. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 