Crossbench joins Julie Bishop and Labor in renewed push for energy agreement
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ABC By political reporter Jackson Gothe-Snape 28 Nov 18, Crossbenchers are demanding action on energy following the Government’s decision to abandon its signature policy, the National Energy Guarantee (NEG).
Key points:
However they are wary over the role of renewable energy in any potential compromise. Liberal MP Julie Bishop, the party’s former deputy leader, announced on Tuesday that she wanted her party to revive the NEG. Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie echoed those calls and urged the Government to find an agreement with Labor, saying the industry needed a bipartisan policy for investment certain……..https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-27/bishop-gets-crossbench-support-on-energy/10557446 |
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How to squash democracy – Australia’s National Radioactive Waste Management Facility shows the way, in Quorn, South Australia
Anti-Nuclear Coalition of South Australia, 27 Nov 18 Today at Quorn, the NRWMF Taskforce has vetoed Flinders Ranges’ residents their democratic right to participate in community consultation re the proposed radioactive suppository.
Tomorrow at 1pm the bureaucrats supporting that gag order will be facing members of the ANC at 26 Franklin Street.
To voice your displeasure at DIIS denying local participation; join us at 12:45 outside their Adelaide Bunker.
In any case, this is a National issue & the scapegoats of regional S.Aust need all of us to stand firm against such Federal victimisation. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zIzX4KpM-io84DHJFg3i30mEFGDiN5k4
MORE about this: Continue reading
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison furiously against the Big School Walkout for Climate Action.
theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/26/scott-morrison-tells-students-striking-over-climate-change-to-be-less-activist
Prime minister is labelled ‘out of touch’ after he says let the politicians not schoolchildren deal with the issue
Scott Morrison has been labelled “out of touch” for angrily condemning a national student strike to protest government inaction on climate change.
The prime minister implored children to stay in class rather than protesting things that “can be dealt with outside of school”.
“Each day I send my kids to school and I know other members’ kids should also go to school but we do not support our schools being turned into parliaments,” Morrison told parliament on Monday.
“What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools.”
Morrison furiously reacted to Greens MP Adam Bandt during question time about the protest, dubbed the Big School Walkout for Climate Action.
Hundreds of Australian school students are vowing to put the books away and converge on MP offices and parliaments around the country this Friday.
Morrison began his answer to Bandt’s question by saying climate change is a “very real and serious issue” that demands attention.
He said the government was acting on climate change through initiatives such as the emissions reduction fund and the renewable energy target.
“We are committed to all of these things, but I will tell you what we are also committed to – kids should go to school,” Morrison said.
Bandt said he had met with some of the students involved and backed their actions.
“The PM is unbelievably out of touch with young people, not only in Australia but around the world,” he said.
“These students want a leader to protect their future, but they got a hectoring, ungenerous and condescending rebuke from someone even worse than Tony Abbott.”
Australian Youth Climate Coalition spokesperson Laura Sykes said Morrison had shown “irrational outrage” to students who care about their education.
“It was shocking see our prime minister condemning students as young as eight, who are sacrificing a day of schooling to stand up for a safe climate future,” Sykes told AAP.
“When young people try to have a voice in politics, Scott Morrison is shutting them down, yet he’s happy to listen to the coal lobby and big corporations who continue to profit from making climate change worse.”
Events are planned in all capital cities, along with about 20 regional areas.
Hawker community given telecommunications bribe, BUT THEY STILL CAN REJECT NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP ANYWAY
Communities at the centre of the radioactive waste management debate benefit from “goodwill” funding, Amy Green, Transcontinental, 26 Nov 18
Unreliable mobile phone coverage between Hawker and Leigh creek will soon be a thing of the past with the planned installation of a new mobile base station on Wonoka Hill.
Telstra will work with the Barndioota Consultative Committee (BCC), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far North and the Outback Communities Australia (OCA) to improve telecommunications in the notorious ‘black spots’. The project has been bolstered by federal funding as part of the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Community Benefit Program……
The federal government planned to make a decision on the future of the facility by the end of the year, but after continued delays – and a battle in the Supreme Court of South Australia – will now have to wait until after January 30…….
Revolving doors: Australian politicians move seamlessly from government to fossil fuel industries
Revolving Doors Top 24 Former Australian politicians with links to fossil fuel & resource extraction industries. https://www.michaelwest.com.au/revolving-doors-top-24/
Australian Senate vote – a resounding NO to a nuclear power development Bill
Hanson supports Bernardi on Nuclear Energy: Senate says No https://scorchinghotnews.com/hanson-supports-bernardi-on-nuclear-energy-senate-says-no/?fbclid=IwAR3yUI10cm2ts_fz5uIs9UTA7m_ZhTYzFAfmfZK4ElGRkkP3TDx2mrNEC4s 29 Oct 18The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Division Data Division: NOES 45 (38 majority) AYES 7 PAIRS 0
Ayes: F. Anning, C Bernardi, P. Giorgiou, P Hanson, D Hinch, D Leyonhjelm, TR Storer
Senator RUSTON- (who voted NO) – “ The government currently has no plans to review the ban on nuclear generation. ”
Senator BERNARDI (South Australia): I move: Continue reading
Labor to adopt Malcolm Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG), and promote renewable energy – bigtime
Bill Shorten to adopt Malcolm Turnbull’s energy policy, pledges to throw billions at renewables, ABC 21 Nov 18 By political editor Andrew Probyn and political reporter Melissa Clarke Australian households will be offered federal rebates to install solar storage batteries under a federal Labor energy policy that will also direct billions of taxpayer dollars at solar, wind and hydro projects.
Key points:
- Labor to adopt Malcolm Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG)
- Rebates for households and businesses to install batteries if Labor wins election
- Pledge of $10 billion for Clean Energy Finance Corporation
With climate and energy expected to be subjects of fierce battle ahead of the election next year, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will unveil Labor’s long-awaited policy today.
The ABC understands Mr Shorten will formally adopt former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s ill-fated National Energy Guarantee (NEG) as Labor policy.
Though Mr Shorten is likely to frame ALP adoption of the NEG as an attempt to find common ground with the Coalition on energy and climate change, it will also serve to give Labor political cover against Coalition attack.
The NEG, which was enthusiastically backed by then-energy minister and current Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, was twice supported by the Liberal party room but was dropped in August after some Coalition conservatives continued agitating against the policy.
“We remain committed to a bipartisan solution, if that is possible,” Shadow Energy Minister Mark Butler told AM.
“But we’re not going to wait for this Government.
“We’re willing to work with them, but we’re not willing to wait for them.”
Mr Shorten will recommit a Labor Government to a 45 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030, based on 2005 levels.
He will promise massive spending on renewable energy projects, with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to have its funding topped up to $10 billion………..https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-21/labor-energy-policy-ahead-of-election/10519018
Labor’s Environment Action Network (Lean) determined that a Shorten Labor government must overhaul federal environment laws
Labor to face pressure on environment policies after embarrassing stuff-up, Guardian, Katharine Murphy Political editor@murpharoo, 19 Nov 2018 Party members vow to step up push for national environment protection authority at ALP conference Labor’s Environment Action Network (Lean) has warned the ALP it will not give up on securing a significant overhaul of federal environment laws in the first term of a Shorten government, and a national environment protection authority to police the framework, despite an embarrassing process stuff-up with the draft policy platform.
A draft policy platform signed off by the ALP national executive and circulated to conference delegates last month suggested both policy commitments and a national environment commission would be adopted by the party’s national conference in December – but the shadow environment minister, Tony Burke, has now put the brakes on.
Burke has written to the party’s national secretary, Noah Carroll, arguing the initiatives were not signed off by the national policy forum in September, and the specific commitments were included in the draft platform in error.
Labor’s Environment Action Network (Lean) has warned the ALP it will not give up on securing a significant overhaul of federal environment laws in the first term of a Shorten government, and a national environment protection authority to police the framework, despite an embarrassing process stuff-up with the draft policy platform…….https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/19/labor-to-face-pressure-on-environment-policies-after-embarrassing-stuff-up
Federal govt on nuclear waste dump: Minister has “absolute discretion”, dismisses Greens’ concerns
The Minister’s ability to exercise judgement to determine whether there is broad community support, based on the circumstances relevant to each nomination, is consistent with his absolute discretion under the Act.
The Government does not support the recommendations proposed in the dissenting statements by the Australian Greens or Centre Alliance
Federal government’s response to the Senate Economic References Committee report into the site selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility. Senate Thursday 15 November 2018 Economics References Committee
Government Response to Report
INTRODUCTION
The Australian Government welcomes the opportunity to respond to the findings and recommendations of the Senate Economic References Committee report into the site selection process for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (the Facility), and agrees to the Committee’s recommendations, either in full or in-principle. Continue reading
Victorian Labor’s policies on Aboriginal issues
 ABORIGINAL CULTURE AND COUNTRY5.2.1.1 SELF DETERMINATION Labor supports the development of a treaty with our first nation’s people. Labor will: * resource and support the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission to develop a representative structure to negotiate the terms of a Treaty with Victoria; * support the representative structure to negotiate a treaty; * work with Aboriginal Victorians to determine a process that reports against a set of key indicators and monitors government efforts to improve outcomes across the Victorian Aboriginal Community: 5.2.1.2 LAND RIGHTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE Labor acknowledges and supports traditional owners and their connection to land, culture and heritage. Labor will develop and lead a policy reform that provides self-determined land-based initiatives, aimed at providing economic development and employment opportunities and reaffirming the access and development rights of traditional owners of the land estate of Aboriginal Victorians. Labor will: * accelerate the negotiation and resolution of outstanding Traditional Owner Settlement claims; * investigate the application of a revenue scheme for traditional owner groups, incorporating best practice from other models and jurisdictions; * work with Traditional Owners as equal partners in the management of public lands and natural resources, planning and management; * ensure that Caring for Country will become embedded as the best practice approach to land and sea management in Victoria; * support Victorian Aboriginal landholders to map their cultural heritage includingintangible cultural heritage; * acknowledge, recognise and remember our Aboriginal legacy and history in partnership with Aboriginal Victorians and follow appropriate protocols to create lasting memorials and markers that recognise and contribute to Reconciliation with the legacy of the past; * continue and expand the practice of having Traditional Owner Country plaques/signs at geographic markers at government boundaries or Traditional Owner boundaries; * roll out State-wide initiatives across cemeteries to ensure culturally appropriate resting places; * work with relevant Aboriginal groups and individuals to establish codes of conduct that ensure consent of Aboriginal Victorians is obtained when collecting and using Indigenous information for research; and * promote and resource Victorian Aboriginal Languages Week.
POLICY IN ACTION 7.6.8 COMMUNITY AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 7.10.4 RECOGNISING ABORIGINAL VALUES OF WATER |
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Mining industry and union get together to prevent mining clean-up legislation
Have you noticed how quickly Liberal members of parliament jump into the 
polluting industries ?
The mining industry and powerful CFMMEU join forces on mining reforms, Brisbane Times, By Felicity Caldwell, 9 November 2018 — The Queensland mining industry and a powerful union have joined forces to pressure the state Labor government to make changes to planned reforms that will force miners to clean-up their sites.
Earlier this week, the Brisbane Times reported state government officials were holding daily talks with the Queensland Resources Council over amendments to the Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) bill, amid mining industry concerns about retrospectivity that could affect existing mines, and aspects of a public interest test.
Miners would have to pay, according to risk, into a pool of funds that would be used to clean up land.
It came after it was revealed taxpayers may have to pay up to $40 million in clean-up costs after the collapse of Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel refinery in Townsville.
On Friday afternoon, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane wrote to all 93 state MPs to say the industry was “deeply concerned” the government’s proposed amendments had the “potential to be retrospective” and would “therefore put Queensland’s multibillion-dollar resources industry at risk”………
The QRC also sent a joint letter with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) to cabinet members, which said the two bodies could not support the government’s proposed amendments………
Earlier, Greens MP Michael Berkman called on Labor not to buckle to pressure and weaken reforms.
“It’s time to pick a side: are you with the mining billionaires or with everyday Queenslanders?” he asked.
“It’s great that cabinet are reportedly considering some improvements, and we would support stronger reforms, but I still haven’t seen any details.”
In September, Mr Berkman wrote to Ms Trad, Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch, crossbenchers and the opposition, asking for support for Greens amendments to the bill, including making “sure no coal mine can ever leave behind a toxic final void”.
“Queenslanders understand that if you make a mess, you should clean it up. There is nothing ‘retrospective’ about that,” he said.
The government amendments were due to go before cabinet on Monday, with the bill to be debated next week.https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/the-mining-industry-and-powerful-cfmmeu-join-forces-on-mining-reforms-20181109-p50f5j.html
Aboriginal landowners say delay in nuclear waste dump vote may bring more opposition to the plan
Any election delay to nuclear waste dump vote ‘more time to lobby’ https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2018/11/05/any-election-delay-nuclear-waste-dump-vote-more-time-lobby?fbclid=IwAR1cdI5kIpL_S-ItnTa7TRpEPZBNPgJEBOxT6qN4YrCp0Scgsd9nhUTNGG8
A site for Australia’s first nuclear waste dump will not be decided until after the next federal election, Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick says.
Two sites near Kimba, 460 kilometres northwest of Adelaide, and one site near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges have been shortlisted.
Community ballots were scheduled for August 20 and stalled by a legal challenge from the Barngarla people.
They argued all Traditional Owners should be eligible to vote, including those not living within the shire’s boundaries.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for January 30.
Mr Patrick said that Resources Minister Matt Canavan does not want the issue to overlap with the federal election.
“He doesn’t want a ballot in Kimba and Hawker happening at around about the same time as the election, he said it sort of confuses the issues,” the Centre Alliance senator told NITV News.
“In my view they simply won’t want to agitate this issue as there is huge division in both communities. They won’t want to agitate this issue this side of the election.”
Regina McKenzie, an Adnyamathanha Elder who opposes the waste dump, hopes to preserve her people’s songlines.
“I would love to see the Traditional Owners be respected and consulted the appropriate way,” she said.
Vince Coulthard, CEO of the Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association, has welcomed the ballot being postponed.
“The current government isn’t listening to us as Traditional Owners,” he said.
Victorian Labor dials up its renewable energy target to 50 per cent by 2030
By Benjamin Preiss, Adam Carey & Noel Towell, Canberra Times, 8 November
2018 Half of Victoria’s energy could come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro power within 12 years, if the Andrews government is re-elected.
The Age can reveal that Labor will promise to raise Victoria’s renewable energy target from 40 per cent to 50 per cent by 2030 if it wins this month’s election.
The move would enhance Labor’s green credentials and cement the state’s transition away from coal as its primary power source.
Victoria has already legislated renewable energy targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025, although the Coalition has promised to scrap the targets if it wins the November 24 election. ………https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-dials-up-its-renewable-energy-target-to-50-per-cent-by-2030-20181107-p50emw.html
Australia’s Liberal Coalition government is frightened that nuclear waste dump would become an election issue
Nuclear waste site to remain a mystery at federal election https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nuclear-waste-site-to-remain-a-mystery-at-federal-election/news-story/af6a30c2fcd294fcbbaef37676faf1a5 THE AUSTRALIAN LUKE GRIFFITHS, JOURNALIST @_LukeGriffiths, NOVEMBER 5, 2018
The location of Australia’s first nuclear waste dump will not be announced before the federal election, extending the uncertainty for those living near proposed sites, Rex Patrick says. The Centre Alliance senator said the government’s selection process, which started in 2014, had been shrouded in “Soviet-style” secrecy and had divided communities. He said Labor must reveal how it would proceed, given the “real possibility” it would form government after the election.
Two sites near Kimba, 465km northwest of Adelaide, and one site near Hawker in South Australia’s mid-north have been shortlisted.
Resources Minister Matt Canavan told The Australian in June a decision would be made in the “second half of this year” because the Coalition did not want the issue “overlapping with a federal election”.
However, a Kimba ballot scheduled for August 20 has been delayed by court action from a local Aboriginal group that believes traditional owners should vote, despite them not living within the shire’s boundaries.
A hearing has been scheduled for January 30.
“Senator Canavan has ruled out the vote taking place while there is a federal election running … they won’t want to touch this with a barge pole as it gets to the other side of Christmas,” Senator Patrick said.
“They wanted it done and dusted and people having the issue settled in their mind four or five months before the election, but this now lands it right into electoral territory and I can’t see them running with it.”
Senator Patrick said Labor had to make its position clear. “Will they continue the current flawed process; will they start again with both locations being put up as options; or will they abandon the Kimba and Hawker sites?” he said.
Labor industry spokesman Kim Carr would not be drawn on ALP plans: “Labor acknowledges this has been an ongoing issue for 30 years, with decades of reports, studies and tests.”
Senator Canavan refused to engage in hypotheticals.
Kerryn Phelps confirmed as new independent MP: makes climate change action her first priority
 Kerryn Phelps zeroes in on climate change and Peter Dutton’s eligibilityOfficially declared Wentworth byelection winner, MP wants to stop Adani and will seek urgent briefing on minister, Guardian, Paul Karp and Anne Davies, Mon 5 Nov 2018 The newly minted independent MP for Wentworth, Kerryn Phelps, has pledged to tackle climate change policy as her first priority after she was formally declared the winner of the once blue ribbon Liberal seat in Sydney’s east. Phelps said she would move to reinstate the Climate Change Authority to provide a scientific voice in the debate, put forward reforms to vehicle emissions standards and look at ways to use the crossbench clout to stop the Adani coalmine. “We can stop fiddling around with talking about new coalmines because no one wants to fund them,” she said. “Government policy needs to establish a foundation for business to invest in renewables for our future and to protect our environment. That is something the Australian people are saying they want.” Phelps also said she will seek an urgent briefing on the constitutional eligibility of Liberal MPs Peter Dutton and Chris Crewther, adding that she had received legal advice that she did not have any section 44 issues that might affect her own eligibility to sit………https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/05/kerryn-phelps-seeks-urgent-briefing-on-peter-duttons-eligibility
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1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 