2019: the climate election
Friends of the Earth, APR 24, 2019,
Clandestine approval for controversial uranium mine is evidence Australia needs better environment laws
https://www.acf.org.au/clandestine_approval_for_controversial_uranium_mine, 26 APRIL 2019
|
Radioactive risks last longer than any politician and deserve real assessment, not backroom fast-tracking. The Morrison Government’s quiet approval of a controversial uranium mine in Western Australia on the eve of the federal election being called is more evidence our national environment laws are broken, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says. Environment Minister Melissa Price approved the Yeelirrie uranium mine on April 10, the day before the Prime Minister headed to Government House to call the 2019 federal poll. Ms Price did not announce the approval via a public release. Instead a notice was later placed on the Environment Department’s website. The mine had been previously rejected by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) because it could drive to extinction rare subterranean fauna species and do harm to other wildlife species like the Malleefowl, Princess parrot and Greater bilby. The Yeelirrie mine, which is in Ms Price’s electorate of Durack, is still being legally challenged on appeal by senior Tjiwarl native title holders and conservationists. Ms Price had previously told media: “My department advised that it was prudent to wait for the result of the WA Supreme Court proceedings before finalising the federal assessment [for Yeelirrie].” ACF Nuclear Free Campaigner, Dave Sweeney, said Yeelirrie could produce more than 35 million tonnes of radioactive mine waste, use up to 10 billion litres of groundwater, and require 2500 hectares of vegetation to be cleared for its nine-kilometre long open pit. “The lack of respect for the Australian people and due process demonstrated by this clandestine approval under the cover of a national election is astounding,” Mr Sweeney said. “The Western Australian EPA explicitly rejected this mine because it threatens rare native fauna with extinction and would harm other species. This prudent recommendation was overruled by the Barnett Government weeks before it lost the 2017 state election. “Now the Morrison Government has performed the same trick, approving it hours before a federal election was called. This was done without regard for the Tjiwarl Traditional Owners, on whose land the planned mine sits, or the people of Esperance, who could have radioactive material shipped through their port. “There are many with deep concerns about this project. Any move to mine at Yeelirrie will be actively contested. We thought the rushed approval of Adani’s plans to guzzle billions of litres of groundwater for its massive coal mine on the eve of the election was a new low. But somehow hours later this low point was dug deeper by Minister Price. “Radioactive risks last longer than any politician and deserve real assessment, not backroom fast-tracking. “For too long Australia’s environment laws have been abused and short-changed by politicians cutting deals that put the interests of big companies over nature, Traditional Owners and local communities. “The assessment of this project has been deficient. This rushed rubber stamp must be reviewed by any future federal government. “Australia needs new and stronger national environment laws that actually protect nature and take politics and undue influence out of approval decisions for major industrial projects. “These laws should be overseen by an independent national EPA that is charged with making approval decisions free from the interfering hand of big businesses and their politician mates.” |
|
The Adani coal mine is a test of Australia’s environmental intelligence – Bob Brown
 Adani an Australian litmus test: Bob Brown, SBS, 24 Apr 19, Former federal Greens leader Bob Brown is leading a convoy of people opposed to Adani’s planned coal min the Queensland’s Galilee Basin.
The Adani coal mine is a test of Australia’s environmental intelligence and its capacity to grasp the dire effects of climate change, former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says. The ex-Tasmania senator leaves Brisbane on Tuesday at the head of his Stop Adani Convoy bound for Queensland’s coal country, where he expects a warm welcome from communities fearful of job losses due to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef, which is vulnerable to climate change. The convoy, which aims to derail Adani’s plans for a new coal mine in the Galilee Basin, drew thousands of people to a protest in Brisbane on Monday. Mr Brown says he expects a similar response as the convoy heads to coastal communities near existing coal mines. “I’ve been to Airlie Beach quite recently. People up there are terrified about burning coal because it’s threatening 64,000 jobs on the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Brown told ABC radio on Tuesday. “This is not some sort of doom and gloom. The reef is half dead. And a major factor in that is the burning of coal.” Mr Brown said many Australians understood the inherent harm in allowing an overseas company to dig up Australian coal and sell it for use overseas, especially when Australia could be a world leader in renewable energy. “Adani is a litmus test on whether we’ve got the God-given intelligence as a nation, and as a people, to move to renewables,” he said. “We should be phasing out coal, and that, of course, means you don’t phase it in for somebody else.”……. The convoy, which left Hobart about a week ago, is heading north. An event to mark the end of the Queensland leg will be held in the farming and mining town of Clermont on April 28. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/adani-an-australian-litmus-test-bob-brown |
|
|
Hanson denies humans behind climate change, blames ‘fearmongering’
|
SBS, 24 Apr 19, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says humans are not behind the causes of climate change which she believes has been happening since dinosaurs were around.
 |
|
|
Why is Prime Minister Scott Morrison raising the suggestion of nuclear power, knowing it’s illegal in Australia?
Federal election 2019: Labor says it’s ‘extraordinary’ Morrison is ‘contemplating’ nuclear power – as it happened
Tony Burke says ‘nuclear power is against the law in Australia’. Guardian, Amy Remeikis 18 Apr 19
Morrison has tweeted that it is not the Coalition’s policy. But he didn’t actually say that when asked on Tasmanian radio today. He said it was “not, not” on the agenda, but would have to stand on its own two feet.
But like a three-eyed fish, Albo is looking to grab the headlines:
PK: He said it’s not their policy and you said he needs to explain where he will put the nuclear power plants. He doesn’t because it’s not their policy.
AA: Why did he raise it? Why did he put it on the agenda if they haven’t been giving consideration to it? That’s what he’s got to answer. Why it is that during an election campaign Scott Morrison, so desperate to try to look like he has an energy policy somewhere, has now put nuclear power on the agenda during this election campaign. Labor’s opposed to nuclear power.
We don’t think it’s necessary and we don’t think it economically stacks up. And issues like nuclear waste and where you would locate a power plant, issues that are all outstanding, it is up to Scott Morrison to say why he has put this on the agenda today…….https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/apr/18/federal-election-2019-coalition-labor-tax-climate-economy-shorten-morrison-politics-live
Scott Morrison misleads the public on the costs of Labor’s climate policy
Scott Morrison warned on ‘cherry-picking’ $35 billion climate cost, SMH, 22 Apr 19 The election fight on climate change has sparked warnings against “misleading” voters about the cost of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, as an independent researcher repudiates Coalition claims of a $35 billion hit from Labor policies.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of “cherry-picking” numbers in the escalating row over the competing pledges on climate, as he prepares to release new estimates of the economic impact of the Labor carbon target…….
The head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Martin Parkinson, has responded to the climate dispute by warning against the “misleading” use of economic modelling and assuring Mr Shorten the public service has not costed the Labor policy.
The research company cited in the government’s $35 billion claim, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, has also told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that the figure was “not a credible estimate” of the cost of buying international carbon permits.
“To come up with this number, the government has taken the highest point in our 10 year forecast for European carbon credits and assumed 50 per cent of Australia’s abatement for the next decade is bought at this price,” said Bloomberg NEF global head of special projects Kobad Bhavnagri.
“It takes the highest instantaneous forecast price, in the most expensive market, to come up with the biggest number.
“It’s like saying petrol is going to cost you $10,000 this year by assuming you buy everything in one go on Boxing Day.”…….. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-warned-on-cherry-picking-35-billion-climate-cost-20190421-p51fye.html?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SMH+AM+News
Scott Morrison’s hypocrisy, chops and changes about nuclear power
No plans to change law to allow nuclear power stations, says PM https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nuclear-energy-not-not-on-agenda-scott-morrison-says/news-story/01787095343ff0f68cfe60573aa41203, RICHARD FERGUSON, APRIL 18, 2019
Scott Morrison has clarified comments suggesting he was open to nuclear power.
The Prime Minister earlier today said nuclear power was “not ‘not’ on the agenda” and he was “fine” with energy generation “wherever it comes from.”
But after backlash from Labor, Mr Morrison moved on Twitter to declare he had no plans to change the law to allow nuclear power stations.
“Labor are getting desperate, and we are only 8 days in. This is not our policy and we have no plans to change that,” he tweeted.
Mr Morrison’s original comments came on Tasmanian radio on Thursday morning.
When pushed on whether he would be happy to take proposals from the nuclear industry on going ahead with power projects, the Prime Minister said it would be allowed to do so.
“It’s not ‘not’ on the agenda, wherever it can come from is fine, but it has to be self-sustaining,” Mr Morrison told Launceston FM.
“If they want to put them forward they can. (Nuclear physicist) Ziggy Switkowski did a major report for the Howard Government on this issue, and it came back and it didn’t say it could support itself.”
Nuclear power has been an almost untouchable issue in Australian politics for decades and Labor was quick to leap on the Prime Minister’s comments.
Opposition environment spokesman Tony Burke said Mr Morrison would need to change the law if he were ever to accept a nuclear power station proposal.
“Nuclear power is against the law in Australia. It is extraordinary that Scott Morrison is now contemplating changing the law to allow nuclear power stations in Australia,” he said.
“Several places have been identified in the past for nuclear power stations — like Jervis Bay, Townsville, Bribie Island, Mackay.
“Where is Morrison proposing to put his nuclear power plants? Which coastal community is under threat?”
Candidates and MPs supporting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
 Candidates behind the ban, ICAN, Candidates for the 2019 Australian federal election are joining their parliamentary colleagues in  declaring support for Australia to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
If elected, candidates that “pre-pledge” will be listed as signatories to the Parliamentary Pledge (see text below). The following list of supportive candidates does not include incumbents, who are listed here. Candidates that support the nuclear weapon ban treaty:…………… With the federal election just around the corner, candidates are committing to work for Australia to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Parliament if elected. Ninety-two current federal parliamentarians have signed the ICAN Parliamentary Pledge, and an additional 46 candidates have “pre-pledged” their support.
Fifteen cities and towns across Australia have spoken out against nuclear weapons and called on the federal government to sign and ratify the TPNW. This groundswell of local activism in Australia and worldwide includes Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Washington DC, Geneva, Manchester and LA
Former Assistant Secretary of Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation at DFAT, Peter Hooton, has critiqued Australia’s position on the TPNW in this article for Charles Sturt University. He argues “for the formal and complete renunciation of an instrument of war on which the United States continues to depend. We have done this already with respect to landmines and cluster munitions—and we are a party, too, to the nuclear-test-ban treaty, which the United States has not ratified. Australia can join the TPNW and remain a good friend and ally of the United States.” A few days ago Panama became the 23rd country to ratify the TPNW, bringing it one step closer to entry-into-force! Darebin Council in Melbourne has commissioned and launched a stunning new mural to honour local ICAN co-founders Dimity Hawkins and Dave Sweeney as well as nuclear test survivors and disarmament activists worldwide. It features the late Yankunytjatjara elder and nuclear test survivor Yami Lester. The Lester family, including Karina Lester , have advocated against nuclear weapons and nuclear waste for decades. Pledge for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear WeaponsWe, the undersigned parliamentarians,warmly welcome the adoption of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 7 July 2017 as a significant step towards the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
We share the deep concern expressed in the preamble about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from any use of nuclear weapons and we recognize the consequent need to eliminate these inhumane and abhorrent weapons. As parliamentarians, we pledge to work for the signature and ratification of this landmark treaty by our respective countries, as we consider the abolition of nuclear weapons to be a global public good of the highest order and an essential step to promote the security and well-being of all peoples. http://www.icanw.org/au/candidates/?fbclid=IwAR2EbAmx4KEqDQvZx0sVwT7pGPoFFvyWWOOAqJqCBpKJVSzlOVj0e2Gc96M |
|
ABC’s Vote Compass finds that environment is a high issue amongst voters
Vote Compass finds voters are split on economy and environment as most important issue [interesting graphs] ABC News
Key points
- The environment and the economy are the top issues for Australian voters
- Health and super are next on the list
- The environment is the number one issue for those yet to decide how to vote
For One Nation voters, immigration is the most important issue.
The environment is rated as the number one issue by 29 per cent of Vote Compass respondents, a massive shift from just 9 per cent in 2016.
It is closely followed by the economy, which includes government spending and taxation, on 23 per cent.
Health care and superannuation, each on 8 per cent, are next.
Crucially, the environment is nominated as the top concern among undecided voters — 30 per cent of them say it is the most important issue, as opposed to 19 per cent who nominate the economy.
The Vote Compass survey is based on a nationally representative sample of 119,516 respondents.
Andrea Carson, a political scientist from La Trobe University and a member of the Vote Compass academic panel, said the environment was a potential “wedge issue” for the Coalition.
“Even though overall [Coalition] voters don’t tend to nominate the environment as their most important issue, the Coalition — in order to win seats — need some of those undecided voters………
Millennials are most concerned about the environment
Age is a big factor in what voters care about, too, with 39 per cent of respondents aged under 35 nominating the environment as their greatest concern……. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-17/vote-compass-election-most-important-issues/11003192
Liberal seats held by vacating and conservative MPs have extremely high levels of concern for climate change.
Now Adani has been approved, these are the nine at-risk Coalition seats most concerned about climate change, ABC By political reporter Jackson Gothe-Snape, 10 Apr 19, Liberal seats held by vacating and conservative MPs have extremely high levels of concern for climate change.
Key points:
- New research shows seats where climate change concerns are most common
- “Keeping day to day living costs down” is the issue most often identified by Australians as a concern
- Concern over the quality of governance is growing
And global warming fear was increasing even before the Federal Government approved the Adani coal mine this week.
Electorate-level research released on Wednesday shows the extent of concern for climate change as the election looms.
The polling, completed by Roy Morgan during 2018 as part of the democracy non-profit Australian Futures Project, shows “keeping day-to-day living costs down” is the most pressing concern across Australia, ahead of “improving health services and hospitals” and “open and honest government”.
Climate change is the next most commonly identified issue.
At least one in three people (33 per cent) have climate change concerns in nine Liberal seats that are potentially vulnerable at the coming election.
That is significantly above the national average of approximately one in four people (26 per cent).
A majority of these seats have either conservative MPs recontesting or new candidates replacing retiring or ousted MPs….. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-10/adani-approval-climate-change-nine-at-risk-coalition-seats/10985154
Morrison, Taylor ‘tied up in knots’ on EVs, says Mike Cannon-Brookes
Fin Rev 8 Apr 19, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and energy minister Angus Taylor have tied themselves up in knots over electric vehicles since Labor announced a target of 50 per cent electric vehicles by 2030, contradicting their own past advocacy for the technology, software billionaire and clean energy campaigner Mike Cannon-Brookes says.Mr Taylor posted a steady stream of tweets ridiculing Labor’s EV policy, suggesting it would leave campers with electric vehicles reliant on highly …. (subscribers only) https://www.afr.com/news/policy/climate/morrison-taylor-tied-up-in-knots-on-evs-says-mike-cannon-brookes-20190408-p51c3a
‘Shame’: Anti-Adani protesters storm Morrison speech
SBS News , 8 Apr 19 Anti-Adani protesters have disrupted a Scott Morrison speech, as Coalition tension mount around the controversial project. Anti-Adani protesters have disrupted Scott Morrison at a Brisbane business lunch, but the prime minister appeared to take in his stride.One woman carrying a Stop Adani protest flag managed to reach Mr Morrison’s side, saying “we care about the climate. This will be a climate election … Shame”.
She was dragged away by security as a second protester stood to yell “stop Adani”………
Australian Youth Climate Coalition organiser, Melanie McAuliffe, said they wanted to highlight LNP government’s inability to react on climate change.
“We just had a summer of unprecedented heatwave, bushfires and floods and yet this government still continues to ignore what we need to do to address the climate crisis.”…….
Several teenagers said they were looking for action to save the planet.
Jo, from Cleveland, told the crowd outside the business lunch that all she wanted was a future.
“I am 17 years old and I want is for our government to do what they need to to save the planet,” she told the crowd.
“This is our home, this is what houses us, we have a responsibility to care for it.”………
Anti-Adani protesters disrupted a business lunch speech by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Brisbane on Monday. ……… https://www.sbs.com.au/news/shame-anti-adani-protesters-storm-morrison-speech
How last-minute Adani approval could be the final big call of the Morrison Government
ABC News, By political reporter Jackson Gothe-Snape 8 Apr 19, Adani’s controversial mine awaits its final Federal approval this week, days before the election is called.
Key points:
- Only one significant approval remains for Federal Government to approve Adani mine
- Securing sign-off before the federal election is called would mean Queensland MPs in marginal seats could campaign on the issue
- Queensland State Government still has two outstanding approvals
Approval from the Environment Minister, Melissa Price, is one of the final hurdles before the project can commence.
And pressure is growing from some of her colleagues for her to approve the mine so Queensland MPs can talk up the project during the election campaign.
This is the latest on what exactly is needed before the Adani mine can go ahead.
Federal groundwater hurdle
The last major federal environmental approval required is around how the mine will affect the local water system.
It’s formally called the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan (GDEMP).
The Federal Government has asked the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia to assess the plan, but the decision to approve or deny the plan rests with the Environment Minister.
It’s not clear what these organisations have concluded, but a spokesperson for the Department of Environment told the ABC the department “has provided its assessment” to the Minister.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday the Government would be “relying on the scientific evidence”.
The ABC has previously reported the CSIRO had found flaws in the plan……… https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-08/adani-approval-last-decision-morrison-government/10980510
Coalition spends millions on electric vehicles despite claiming Labor push will ‘end the weekend’
SMH, By Nicole Hasham April 8, 2019 The Morrison government’s derision of Labor’s electric cars policy has been undermined after it emerged that the Coalition has spent millions of dollars encouraging Australians to use the vehicles and its MPs routinely spruik the technology.The government has aggressively criticised Labor’s election pledge that half of all new cars sold in 2030 would be electric, claiming it would “end the weekend” by forcing Australians to stop driving petrol-guzzling 4WDs…….. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-spends-millions-on-electric-vehicles-despite-claiming-labor-push-will-end-the-weekend-20190408-p51bz5.html
Australian voters back Labor to deal with climate change
Ipsos poll: Voters back Labor to deal with climate change, The Age, Michael Koziol, 7 Apr 19 Only half the Coalition’s voters believe it is the best to handle climate change, as the Morrison government struggles to manage a damaging split over the Adani mine and shift the focus back to Labor’s energy policies…..
an Ipsos poll taken last week – after Labor released its climate policy on Monday – shows voters have firmed in their view that Labor is better than the Coalition on climate change, with 42 per cent saying the opposition had the superior policy of the two major parties.
Only 25 per cent felt the Coalition’s climate policy was preferable – a decrease of 12 percentage points from when the question was asked in 2012. …
Climate and the environment have returned to the fore as Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepares to call an election, with Labor wheeling out its energy policy and the government exposed to internal divisions over the final ministerial approvals for the Adani coal mine.
Queensland Liberal National MPs and candidates are agitating for Environment Minister Melissa Price to rubber stamp the process quickly while they work to defend vulnerable Coalition seats up north, but Liberals in capital cities are urging a delay to avoid the issue blowing up just as the campaign begins.
Cabinet sources indicated they did not want to “elevate” Adani in the national mindset, nor risk any decision being challenged in the courts because it had been rushed……..
The Ipsos phone poll of 1200 voters found Labor supporters were much more likely to back their party’s climate policy than Coalition supporters: 72 per cent of Labor voters said their party had the best policy, while 5 per cent backed the Coalition and 23 per cent didn’t know.
People who lived in capital cities, had a university degree or earned more than $100,000 a year were significantly more likely to say Labor had the better policy on climate change. https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/ipsos-poll-voters-back-labor-to-deal-with-climate-change-20190407-p51boe.html
1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 