Depressing lack of Liberal-Labor interest in climate change, as Murdoch media spreads fear of The Greens
the Greens are seen as the main enemy of the major political parties.
Abbott in particular is locking in a higher level of fossil fuel dependence
Smoke and mirrors, with no policy on smoke The Age, August 26, 2013 Kenneth Davidson Senior columnist In a campaign of slogans and scare tactics, environmental issues are dismissed. “…….., the Coalition is having a field day selling fear, aided and abetted by the Murdoch press. This too, is partially the responsibility of Labor, which changed the media ownership rules in the 1980s, paving the way for News Limited to get control of the Herald and Weekly Times group and about 70 per cent of metropolitan daily newspaper circulation.
But the most depressing aspects of this election are the failure of the major parties to develop a coherent policy to deal with climate change, and their willingness to co-operate in squeezing the Greens out of the political process when the Greens are the only 
party prepared to confront the issue.
The draft of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, leaked last week, is truly terrifying. Reports of the draft state that the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions ”at or above current rates” have put the world on track to become up to 5 degrees hotter and that there is a 95 per cent likelihood that human greenhouse gas emissions are driving the rise in extreme weather events now being observed around the world.
The implication of 5 degrees warming is an extremely hostile environment for the biota, de-population and, not to put too fine a point on it, the end of civilisation (including the economy) as we know it. Continue reading
Greens leader Christine Milne shows strength in difficult election situation
Monash University’s Paul Strangio says that now, more than a year after succeeding Brown, Milne has established her identity as the party’s political leader………
After Julia Gillard’s demise, Milne is also the only female national political leader. She notes that the two big parties are now led by married men, each with three children, both of whom go to church on Sunday. ”People who have difficulty with women in leadership are quite satisfied now that the stars are aligned and everything’s back as it should be,” says Milne. ”That’s a tragedy in Australia because women in leadership have a lot to offer.”
Her leadership of the Greens, she explains, is therefore also about making it easier for the next generation of women to lead
Tenacious Milne walks the thin green line SMH, Shane Green Associate Editor of The Age 24 Aug 13 Christine Milne takes her seat for another flight on the campaign trail. Behind is a woman about her age with her elderly mother. As the flight progresses, the younger woman taps Milne on the shoulder and passes a note, written by her mother.
”You’ve got my vote, Christine,” it reads, instantly providing Milne the personal fillip that is intended. Yet its true significance becomes apparent only when the elderly woman gets up to make her way to the toilet. She is struggling, obviously battling a debilitating physical disease. The note of support would have taken half the flight to write.
The Greens leader is deeply touched. It’s a powerful and poignant reminder of the responsibility we place on those who seek to lead us, and the importance of delivering. In an era of pervasive cynicism about politics and politicians, this is a telling moment.
”I’ve always stood up for what I’ve believed in regardless of whether it’s popular or not. And it means a great deal when you have a very elderly person saying to you, I’m going to vote for you,” says Milne. ”All that investment of trust from someone like that really matters.”…….
These kids are great, she says, but her party has supporters across the generations. Among the youthful enthusiasts are two greyer heads, for boomers have also come to the aid of the party.
All of which will be needed in an election that will not only be a fight for survival for Bandt, made all the harder by the Liberal decision to preference Labor above the Greens. It will also be the first big electoral test for the Greens under Milne’s leadership. Continue reading
Northern Territory Aboriginal candidate Barbara Shaw aims to end The Intervention
Born and raised in an Alice Springs town camp, Barbara Shaw, an Aboriginal activist and mother of two, is challenging Snowdon on the Australian Greens ticket.
Speaking about the intervention, Shaw, 37, told Al Jazeera, “All I have seen is racism and disempowerment of our people. It’s the old assimilation policy back again, to control how we live.”
Shaw opposes the intervention, which continues under the government rubric of Stronger Futures, and agrees it remains a major source of disaffection for voters. “The Greens are calling for a five-year review of Stronger Futures. It was supposed to create jobs in the bush, but it hasn’t. We stand for sustainable communities and families and eventually to bring an end to Stronger Futures, to skill up people in the bush so they can run their own communities.”……
Aborigines sour on Australia’s Labor Party Angry over federal intervention in the Northern Territory, indigenous voters could sway upcoming polls. Aljazeera, Glenn Morrison 22 Aug 2013 “……largely missing from this picture is a tragedy that has been unfolding at the heart of the nation for more than a century – the plight of Australia’s indigenous people, the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Often a convenient platform for domestic political grandstanding, indigenous Australia receives scant attention in frontline election coverage
The electoral district of Lingiari, which comprises most of Australia’s largely undeveloped Northern Territory, is emerging as a litmus test for the political leanings of Aborigines and whites alike. Once considered a safe seat for the centre-left Australian Labor Party, incumbent Warren Snowdon’s future is now in doubt, according to political analyst Professor Rolf Gerritsen of the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University. Continue reading
Australia’s Liberal Coalition selling out our children’s future, to get support of coal industry
Coalition out of step on renewable energy http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1726125/coalition-out-of-step-on-renewable-energy/?cs=64 By Michael Weadon Aug. 23, 2013
The renewable energy sector now employs more people than the car industry with a fair proportion in the Ballarat area.
Unfortunately the development of clean energy and the associated benefits for Ballarat and the globe as a whole are being held back by the promises of Mr Abbott’s coalition.
Why does the coalition support a policy that is not supported by scientists, economists and business leaders?
I can only guess that the coalition are willing to sell our children’s future to win the support of the now dying coal industry. A myopic view at best.
Independent candidate on NSW Central coast calls on Aborigines to fight Wallarah 2 coal mine
Independent Robertson candidate asks Local Aboriginal Land Council to “do more” to stop Wallarah 2 Mine http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-23/indpendent-robertson-candidate-asks-local-aboriginal-land-counc/4908878 23 Aug 2013, An independent candidate contesting the NSW Central Coast seat of Robertson has called on the local Aboriginal Land Council to do more to stop the Wallarah 2 coal mine from going ahead in the Wyong Valley.
Environmental activist Jake Cassar made the comment at an anti-mine rally outside the office of Energy and Resources Minister Chris Hartcher.
Mr Cassar says he has great respect for the Darkinjung people. But he says they need to take responsibility and join the fight to stop the mine.
“The mine needs to access their land and I’m calling on the Darkinjung Land Council to act as custodians of our local area and to fight passionately against this,” he said. “With enough pressure and I think if we get the land council on side then we’ve got a really, really good chance of winning this campaign.”
In Central Victoria, they’re keen to save money with solar power
We need a candidate who will roll up their sleeves and work with the four local renewable energy groups to address Powercor policy restrictions on new solar, ensure big polluters don’t interfere with a fair price for rooftop solar and develop business models for community owned renewables projects, with all profits powering the local economy instead of foreign-owned electricity companies.
Renewable energy will keep power bills down Bernard Tonkin Castlemaine http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/1727086/renewable-energy-will-keep-power-bills-down/?cs=82 Aug. 24, 2013, A letter by Rod Leunig in Wednesday’s Advertiser (“Greens all talk – Country Alliance has the answers”) claimed that renewables and carbon pricing would cause people to struggle with their energy bills.
You can Google “Solar Scorecard” on the web. http://www.solarscorecard.org.au/
All major local candidates are scored according to their commitment to renewable energy – easing cost of living pressures and powering our local economy. Continue reading
Fred Leftwich on what Tony Abbott REALLY means on “Aboriginal economics”
Mr Abbott’s meaning of the words ‘land rights’ http://fredleftwich.com/2013/08/11/mr-abbotts-meaning-of-the-words-land-rights/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-10/abbott-indigenous-council/4878022/?site=indigenous&topic=latest Fred Leftwich
Australian governments are trying to re-define the words “land rights” to send different messages to different people. Opposition leaders, Tony Abbott, said he supported land rights but aboriginal land must be used as an economic resource and not just for cultural purposes.
Aboriginal people have always used their land for cultural and economic purposes. It’s just that their economic activities are environmentally sustainable and seek to feed their people.
When Mr Abbott uses the words “economic” he means bringing in mining companies to steal the mineral resources with profits going overseas, Australian governments getting a cut, while aboriginal communities get a very small token royalty payment whilst continuing to remain living in poverty. Aboriginal people need to argue for a treaty because it’s harder for Australian governments to misrepresent the word treaty.
Influential leaders in Victoria urge Climate Change as election issue
Former governor David de Kretser joins climate change campaign JOHN MASANAUSKAS, HERALD SUN, AUGUST 22, 2013 A FORMER Victorian governor has taken the unusual step of campaigning on a federal election issue.Professor David de Kretser, who was governor from 2006 to 2011, has signed his name to an eastern suburbs-based campaign urging MPs to take immediate strong action on climate change because the “planet is warming at an alarming rate”.
Prof de Kretser, a respected medical researcher specialising in infertility, signed a statement sponsored by an organisation called Lighter Footprints, which describes itself as a nonpartisan, volunteer climate action group based in the City of Boroondara.
It’s statement published in local newspapers asked politicians to “press for immediate support for increased renewable energy and reduction in the burning of fossil fuels”.
“Your choices now will affect life as we know it,” it said…..
- Other signatories to the climate change statement include respected scientist Sir Gustav Nossal, cooking personality Stephanie Alexander, Trinity Grammar principal Rick Tudor and Fintona Girls School principal Suzy Chandler.
Greens leader Christine Milne speaks at National Press Club
The ALP government and the Liberal and National Opposition lining up to protect the interests of the mining corporations against the interests of the Australian community. It is the Australian Greens who are standing with the people, for the environment and for a safe climate.
As IMF boss Christine Lagarde said recently, “Unless we take action on climate change future generations will be roasted, toasted fried and grilled.”
We need Scott Ludlam standing up for digital freedom and big solar and against nuclear
Christine Milne addresses the National Press Club 19 Feb 2013 | Christine Milne Australian democracy is at the crossroads. Our future as a nation, our sense of who we are and what we want for our society and local community is now being determined by mining billionaires in boardrooms for themselves and their overseas shareholders, and what they want, is being delivered through our state and federal parliaments. The mining industry has become so powerful that the lines between business and politics have become blurred to the detriment of people and the well being of our society.
No group of people is suffering more than our Indigenous people, the traditional owners of the land who are seeing their land, their country decimated and cultural sites like the archaeological treasury on the Burrup Peninsula and at James Price Point being sacrificed to Woodside’s bottom line. In acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and in paying my respects to their elders past and present, I am proud to say that the Greens have driven for them the parliamentary process of constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a result of our agreement with the Prime Minister.
But it is not enough…….
With it must come respect for culture and country, by standing up to the mining boardroom greed that sees both as expendable. For Premier Colin Barnett to threaten indigenous communities with the compulsory acquisition of their land in the interests of Woodside is wrong and shameful…….
Trust has gone. Continue reading
Australian Community Renewable Energy Plan, a Greens initiative
Greens Launch Australian Community Renewable Energy Plan http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3903 23 Aug 13 Power to, for and by the people is the essence of the Greens’ Community Renewable Energy Plan.
As we mentioned in June, dozens of communities throughout the nation have expressed a desire to develop community owned wind and solar farms; but few have received funding to assist in the early stages. At that point in time, a call went out for $50 million in funding to help kick-start these projects.
On Wednesday, the Australian Greens have launched a fully costed $100 million initiative over 5 years to provide funding for feasibility grants, project management and specialist expertise for community owned renewable energy projects. Continue reading
Christine Milne announcs Greens policy to promote community renewable energy.
Greens to give power to people : http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/greens-to-give-power-to-people-20130820-2s9dk.html#ixzz2cjGRYj August 21, 2013 Heath Aston
Political report Local communities could own and produce their own renewable power under a $100 million election plan to be announced by Greens leader Christine Milne on Wednesday.
The Greens would provide the money as seed funding to enable communities to invest in green energy to reduce or end their reliance on the fossil fuel-powered electricity grid. Similar schemes in Germany have involved small cities establishing hydro power schemes using the run of rivers.
In the US, communities have banded together to invest in solar.
Investment in wind power and other renewables has been hit by Labor’s promise to rush to an emissions trading scheme.
Peter Moran, Greens candidate for Throsby promoting steelworks in vestment in renewable energy technology
Illawarra Greens call for steelworks to invest in renewable energy technology ABC News by Nick McLaren 21 Aug 2013, The Greens candidate for Throsby Peter Moran says the local steel industry is unlikely to survive unless it starts producing products for renewable energy generation.
The Illawarra’s Greens candidates are calling on both major parties to invest more in renewable technology saying local businesses and manufacturers would benefit.
Mr Moran says the Coalition and the Labor parties both plan to cut clean energy funding.
He says more government assistance for BlueScope Steel would ensure the company remains viable. “Not just cleaner ways of producing steel but also increasing the amount of product that the Australian steel industry can sell into the market that will in fact create extra jobs in clean energy,” he said.
“For instance you can’t build wind turbines without using steel.”….
When you vote – how to manage the preferences maze
Below The Line http://www.belowtheline.org.au/ Your vote. Your preference. Your deal.
There are over 50 small parties running in this election — does one of them suit your vision for Australia better than Labor, Liberal, the Nationals, or even Family First or the Greens?
In Australia, you cannot throw away your vote.
Well, you can vote informally but simply putting a non-major party as your first preference won’t mean your vote is wasted. If your first preference candidate isn’t elected your vote goes to another candidate instead.
If my vote isn’t thrown away, where does it go?……. Vote below the line! Yes, it’s a lot more boxes to fill in but that’s where we can help. We’ve decoded the parties’ preferences to show you exactly what that means for your vote. If you like what they’re doing, you can vote above the line and know your preference is doing what you want. But if it doesn’t we provide you with the tools to make your vote do what you want without the problems of having to work out who all those people are once you’re in the polling booth.
If you’re ready to give it a go, let’s get started!
Victorian Liberal Sarah Henderson supports the anti wind farm campaign
Pollie Watch: Coalition candidate for Corangamite backs Baillieu’s anti-wind farm laws http://yes2renewables.org/2013/08/21/pollie-watch-coalition-candidate-for-corangamite-backs-baillieus-anti-wind-farm-laws/August 21, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank The Coalition candidate for Corangamite Sarah Henderson‘s support for renewable energy is in question as it was revealed she endorses Ted Baillieu’s controversial anti-wind farm laws. The revelation emerged in a community forum in Torquay on 13 August, in which Sarah Henderson expressed her support for the restrictive laws, saying that wind farms were “dividing communities.”
Of course, the only thing dividing communities are anti-wind campaigners and the restrictive laws preventing farmers from a drought-proof income stream. Ms Henderson’s claim wind farms divide communities ignores all of the available public polling which shows that three quarters of the community support more wind farms. Wind farms are even highly popular among Coalition voters.
The anti-wind farm laws Ms Henderson thinks is “good” policy has already affected one local proposal. Ted Baillieu’s anti-wind farm laws killed off the Surf Coast Energy Group‘s proposal for a community-owned wind farm, denying farmers a chance for a steady income as well as costing jobs in manufacturing, construction and maintenance.
Victoria’s restrictive wind farm laws also have implications for the Surf Coast Air Action group, who will release a detailed report on how Anglesea’s coal mine and power plant could be replaced by renewable energy sources, including wind energy.
Henderson’s endorsement of Victoria’s anti-wind farm laws may lead some to speculate whether her stance is influenced by her partner, state MP Simon Ramsay.
Mr Ramsay is associated with anti-wind farm campaigns. In 2012, Victoria’s shadow planning minister Brian Tee accused Mr Ramsay of misusing his parliamentary position to campaign against a wind farm near his property near Colac.
Poll after poll shows strong public support for wind farms. Yes 2 Renewables encourage Ms Henderson to reexamine her stance and adopt a position that aligns with mainstream views. It’s time for political leadership on wind energy, not more pandering to a noisy band of anti-wind farm campaigners.
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Greens maintain their stand for renewable energy, and mining tax
Greens reiterate commitment to mining tax and renewable energy in election lead-up http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-20/greens-reiterate-commitment-to-mining-tax/4900456 The Greens have launched their WA federal election campaign, naming the mining tax and renewable energy as focus points in the lead up to September 7.
The Greens say a 40 per cent tax rate for all big miners would not cripple the industry.
The party has already announced its plan to increase and broaden the mining tax as one of its key initiatives.
In Perth for the launch, leader Christine Milne says the industry can afford to pay.
“The political power of the big miners have frightened the old parties and instead they would rather take the money out of the pockets of single parents, take it out of universities, than take it out of the pockets of the big miners,” she said.
Last week, Labor’s national executive ordered the party to preference the Greens ahead of all others in every state except Queensland.
It boosts WA senator Scott Ludlam’s chances of returning to Canberra.
His seat is critically important if the party has any hope of maintaining the balance of power.
Senator Ludlam says he is focused on gaining primary votes rather than preference deals and he is not resting on his laurels.
“I think we’re in really good shape here but we’re on a knife edge and there are only a handful of seats between Tony Abbott and complete control of the parliament, and one of those is here in Western Australia,” he said.
“I feel nothing like a shoo-in, there is no such thing as a safe seat in politics and senate races are extraordinarily difficult to predict.”
1 This month
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