Federal budget 2017: Funding boost for expanding gas sector, but little for renewable sector
ABC Rural By Babs McHugh, 11 May 17 The Federal budget includes a number of multi-million-dollar measures to ensure more gas is available and shore up east-coast supplies.
Investment, environmental research, pipeline feasibility studies and other semi-regulatory bodies are at the heart of the spend.
It also is very pointed in its inference that states and territories with moratoria in place on gas drilling, exploration or fracking will not have access to funds…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-05-10/federal-budget-2017-gives-gas-a-boost/8513832
On the whole, the Turnbull budget ignores climate change, and fails to plan for long term energy system
Other announcements included the Government reaffirming their $110m loan commitment for the solar thermal project in Port Augusta.
Most of the package will go to measures that will accelerate exploration and assessment of onshore gas and lay the groundwork for new gas pipelines.
It is clear from this budget that the Coalition government is failing to undertake the longer term strategic thinking that is needed to transform Australia’s energy system and wider economy to address Australia’s growing emissions
Turnbull’s budget ignores energy crisis and dodges climate http://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbulls-budget-ignores-energy-crisis-dodges-climate-24886/ By Matthew Rose on 10 May 2017
Unfortunately, the second budget of the Turnbull Government continues their dire management of Australia’s energy and climate change policy. By the government’s own admission, they are in the grip of an ‘energy crisis’ largely concerning east coast gas supplies. The energy sector overall has been plagued by policy uncertainty.
Earlier in the week the Energy and Environment Minister admitted Australia wouldn’t meet its Paris Commitment of net zero emissions by 2050 and instead the end of the century was a more realistic ambition.
This ambition ignores the overwhelming scientific evidence that net zero emissions by the end of the century is totally inadequate in avoiding extremely dangerous climate change. It is inconsistent with the Paris Agreement goal of holding global warming well below 2 degrees and to pursue a 1.5-degree limit. In short, it is a grossly negligent position from Australia’s environment minister.
Despite these self-identified challenges the Federal Budget fails to address them. The current centrepiece of the Government’s climate policy the Emission Reduction Fund (ERF) remains under a cloud with no further funding allocated in the Budget. Continue reading
2017 – Federal Budget – nuclear issues SUMMARY
2017 – Federal Budget – nuclear issues SUMMARY
Budget Paper 1.
Risks
- There may be potential claims made in relation to asbestos relates diseases from asbestos at the ANSTO site – potential costs have not been identified
- The Government has formally agreed (21/04/2016) to indemnify ANSTO and ANSTO officers, and ANM and ANM Officers from any loss or liability arising from claims caused by ionising radiation. This is in place until April 2026.
- The Government claims it has already indemnified the Maralinga Tjarutja people in respect of claims arising from test site contamination (through the terms of the Maralinga Nuclear Test Site Handback Deed.)
- Cessation of funding for the development of a detailed business case for the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility
Budget Paper 2.
Expenses * British Nuclear Test Veterans * three different figures (pg’s 48,57, 59, 175 &186) *more details on pg 93 of Budget Paper 4.
$133.1 over four years for health care (public or private) for any medical condition, irrespective of whether the condition is linked to their service. Includes participants in the British nuclear test program in Australia and vetereans of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (who were deployed in or near Hiroshima).
National Medical Stockpile. Pg – 188.
The government will provide $85.4 million over 3 years to replenish national medial stockpiles – a strategic reserve in response to any chemical, biological or nuclear event.
Budget Paper 3.
Rum Jungle, pg 55
Environmental Management of the former Rum Jungle uranium mine site: $6.1 million 2017-2018, and $4 million in 2018-2019. This funding is a National Partnership payment to support State environment services. The funding is for a program of work established to improve the management of the site and further develop a rehab strategy.
Ranger, pg 77
Commonwealth provides general assistance to the NT on uranium at Ranger (because the Commonwealth owns NT uranium) *payments are made at a royalty rate of 1.25 % of net proceeds of sales. *** unclear what $ if any goes from Commonwealth to the NT….
All about the Adani coal mine expansion plan
I can no longer keep up with thishttp://www.afr.com/news/politics/adani-admits-overseas-steel-cheaper-but-still-prepared-to-buy-local-20170503-gvyfc9
GREEN groups will go to war with the Commonwealth Bank this week after documents revealed a continuing relationship with Adani that helped the controversial Carmichael mine gain approval for a water licence.
http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/green-groups-to-target-commonwealth-bank-over-potential-adani-financing/news-story/94d9701fe05b3801612015bd33bfb9ae
ADANI is facing a new investigation by the Queensland Government into its operations after water released at its Abbot Point facility was found to contain eight times the permitted level of sediment.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/adani-coal-port-under-investigation-from-queensland-government-for-sediment-runoff/news-story/b51d7e9667c5dd7f08b4f4ff8027b736
Survey shows 41% of people support bank’s decision to rule out funding Adani’s Queensland mine, with only 14% against, as the resources minister vows to switch banks
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/05/westpacs-adani-decision-finds-public-support-despite-canavans-disapproval
A PROMISE to source $74 million worth of steel from Arrium has been welcomed by the State Government, but Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis warns it won’t be the “saviour” of the Whyalla steelworks.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/jobs/adanis-deal-to-buy-74-million-in-steel-from-arrium-no-saviour-for-whyalla-says-sa-treasurer/news-story/e89ffd0e26a4662b174e1ff281358aff
Adani faces possible multi-million-dollar fine over Abbot Point sediment water discharge
Mining giant Adani faces a possible multi-million-dollar fine after sediment water eight times above authorised levels was discharged from the Abbot Point coal terminal last month, the ABC can reveal.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-03/adani-faces-multi-million-dollar-fine-over-sediment-water/8494398
A QUEENSLAND politician has slammed opponents of coal power, claiming if you don’t support coal, you can “sit under palm trees and weave baskets for a living”.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/gladstone-deputy-mayor-chris-trevor-slams-latte-sippers-who-are-against-coal/news-story/ef369f68cba0f34799928affcadf26e2
David Peetz, Griffith University and Georgina Murray, Griffith University
As the cost of renewable energy falls, funding a new mine is a risky investment.
http://theconversation.com/the-government-is-swimming-against-the-tide-on-westpacs-adani-decision-76950
Adani wards off Whyalla wipeout
The proposed $16.5bn Adani Carmichael mine project has thrown a lifeline to South Australia’s steel industry.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/adani-to-ward-off-whyalla-wipeout-with-pledge-to-use-arriums-steel/news-story/ac0acfb6b7d5f51e63417301ce65e1c1
Hydro electricity versus coal-fired power – northern Queensland election issue?
Hydro electricity versus coal-fired power in north Queensland set to be major state election issue, ABC News By Chris O’Brien, 2 May 17 and staff Hydro electricity versus coal-fired power for north Queensland will be a major issue in the next state election, with voters to choose between rival plans that have support from opposite sides of federal politics.
The Queensland Government’s weekend announcement of a feasibility study for a hydro-electric power station at the Burdekin Falls Dam was strengthened today with a $200 million pledge by federal Labor leader Bill Shorten.
“With hydro-electric power being generated we can start doing something about providing greater reliable power for Townsville, for its residents and for its businesses,” Mr Shorten said.
That contrasted with Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls’ previously announced policy for a new coal-fired generator in the north……..The LNP’s coal-fired plan was supported by the Prime Minister and federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/hydro-electricity-vs-coal-fired-power-north-qld-state-election/8490232
Political risk for Turnbull in pandering to Big Coal over Adani mine
Turnbull’s foolish gamble to pander to Big Fossil over Adani coal mine, SMH, crispinhull.com.au Crispin Hull , 1 May 17, Is Malcolm Turnbull determined to lose the 2019 election? His statement this week that the government could underwrite the rail line for the Adani mine would have increased the anger among small businesses in the six reef seats. Continue reading
Federal Minister For Coal, Matt Canavan cause the Australian States “silly”
Canavan slams ‘silly’ states, Minister says firms are being by punished by states’ moratoria on gas exploration, as poll shows majority support for bans, THE AUSTRALIAN, RACHEL BAXENDALE, 29 Apr 17, Resources Minister Matthew Canavan says Australian businesses are being held back by the “silly decisions of state governments” who have placed moratoria on unconventional gas exploration, despite a new poll showing the majority of Australians support the bans.
More than twice as many Australians support moratoriums on fracking (56 per cent) as those who oppose them (20 per cent), according to an Australia Institute survey of 1420 people conducted over a week in March.
That majority in favour of bans on new unconventional gas extractions including hydraulic fracturing (fracking) was evident across all states.
The opposition to fracking also crossed party lines, with Labor, Liberal and minor party voters all expressing concern……
Australia Institute deputy director Ebony Bennett said industry demands to open more land to fracking were not about reducing energy prices but maximising profits.
“The current gas crisis and high gas prices are not an unintended consequence, but the result of linking Australia to the international gas market,” she said.
Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler said Labor had dragged the government kicking as screaming to its decision to place export restrictions on the gas companies.
“We’d seen for a couple of years that there was a potential supply crunch coming our way because of the LNG operations and that’s why we announced in 2015 that we thought a policy of a national interest test should be adopted,” he told Insiders.
“We were rubbished by Malcolm Turnbull. He called us irresponsible. That we would wreck investment.
“The Commonwealth absolutely needed to take action and we welcome the fact that Malcolm Turnbull finally came to that decision this week.”
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the government’s export restrictions would do nothing to reduce the cost of gas domestically.
“What we’ve had happen is our gas market opened up to the international market, the prices are set at the world price,” she said. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/silly-states-holding-business-back-resources-minister/news-story/994a029f28672c0630e87dc10072346c
Federal Labor no longer supporting Adani coal mine
Federal Labor backtracking on support of Adani’s planned Carmichael coal mine, ABC News, 1 May 17 By political reporter Dan Conifer, Federal Labor is stepping back from its support of Adani’s proposed multi-billion-dollar Queensland coal project.
The Indian company is still to decide whether to proceed with its Carmichael mine in the Galilee Basin.
Earlier this month, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten backed the project.
“I support the Adani coal mine so long as it stacks up. I hope it stacks up,” Mr Shorten said.
But Labor’s energy and environment spokesman Mark Butler today warned the development could hurt other coalmining areas……..
Westpac rules out lending to project
Westpac last week released a climate change policy stating it would only lend to projects involving higher-quality coal. The decision effectively ruled out financing the Adani development and any other ventures using coal from the Galilee Basin.
Mr Butler said the bank’s move was further proof “the economics of this project don’t stack up”.
“The demand for thermal coal exports around the world is in rapid decline,” he said.
“I think instead we should be thinking about other economic development and job opportunities for North Queensland.”
He said the Carmichael project would need a “miracle” to proceed.
Adani is seeking a $900 million taxpayer-subsidised loan for a rail line to the Abbot Point coal port.
According to Forbes’ rich list, group chairman Gautam Adani and his family are worth more than $8 billion.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-30/federal-labor-backtracks-on-support-of-adani-coal-mine/8483932
Westpac in tune with Australians about climate. Government sadly out of touch
Westpac’s anti-coal stance exposes a Coalition out of sync with business and public on climate http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/westpacs-anticoal-stance-exposes-a-coalition-out-of-sync-with-business-and-public-on-climate-20170428-gvuw4m.html Mark Kenny, Obviously Westpac’s public ‘un-friending’ of new coal – for which you can read Adani’s Carmichael coal mine in the Galiliee Basin – is a body blow for a project whose backers are thinning by the day.
Westpac is the last of the big four Australian banks to bin Adani’s publicly toxic prospectus.
All are unmoved by the lure of ongoing coal profits, especially if it comes with ties to a venture that has become a byword for climate change denial.
Adani will continue to seek other financiers – including extraordinarily, the Australian taxpayer from whom it is telling Indian backers, it remains eligible for a $1 billion loan. This is despite the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund rules, which appear to render it ineligible.
With or without that welfare, the business case for new coal generally and the Adani mine in particular, looks to be ebbing. Fast.
Westpac’s decision is an environmental declaration of intent. But it is a coldly commercial one also that recognises what the Australian government defiantly rejects: coal’s day has passed.
Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan hit out strongly at the bank, suggesting it had succumbed to the inner-city politics of Sydney rather than the employment needs of the sunshine state. Remarkably, Canavan – cabinet minister – even advocated a boycott, counselling potential customers to back a bank that backs Queensland’s interests.
Doubtless there would be many Queenslanders upset by the Adani venture, not least the thousands already employed around the Great Barrier Reef.
Besides, Westpac is hardly going out on a limb. Try going to the AGL website. One of the nation’s biggest energy companies has announced a new campaign to end its association with coal entirely: “The reasons for getting out of coal are all around us” its homepage proclaims.
Privately, Malcolm Turnbull must surely be hoping the Adani thing just goes away. The PM may be a progressive rationalist at heart but in his head there are other realities to balance. Party room realities like Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton, and the Nationals, whose head-in-the-sand record on climate change has left farmers so exposed that even the National Farmers Federation now proposes a carbon price.
Paul Keating once described Turnbull as a cherry on a compost heap. The trouble with compost heaps is they tend to be stationary. This issue is anything but, and if you want proof, just follow the money.
Westpac lashed on Adani decision, by Australia’s Minister For Coal, Matt Canavan
Resources Minister Matt Canavan called for a boycott of the bank for buckling to the demands of “noisy activists”…. (subscribers only)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/westpac-wimps-lashed-for-adani-coal-mine-loan-ban/news-story/e6bee3dcebb9c9b0b3f4cba523f4370d
Greens pleased at renewable energy boom in deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce’s electorate
Greens delight in inserting more wind turbines into Barnaby’s seat, REneweconomy,
And The Greens, the most ardent supporters of a very rapid transition to 100 per cent renewable energy (a goal that the CSIRO and the networks agree is quite attainable), delight in pointing this out.
This week, Shane Rattenbury, the ACT minister for climate change and the only Green to hold such a portfolio, and NSW Greens energy and resources spokesman Jeremy Buckingham went to Joyce’s seat to inspect the early construction work on the new Sapphire wind farm, a 100MW facility that is being built thanks to a contract signed by the ACT as part of its program to secure wind and solar for the equivalent of 100 per cent of its electricity needs by 2020.
They took particular delight in mocking Joyce’s description of a transition to renewables as “crazy”, while at the same time playing host to some of the biggest wind and solar projects in the state. Apart from Sapphire, New England also plays host to the White Rock wind farm and the new solar farm that is being built nearby, and other projects in the pipeline………
Rattenbury, who is also leader of the ACT Greens and now responsible for ensuring that the contracts with the 10 wind and solar farms in NSW, Victoria and South Australia are delivered, and that the state meets its 100 per cent target, says Sapphire will create 200 local jobs and generate up to $10 million in economic benefits within the local New England economy.
“It’s disappointing that the Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce describes the ACT’s 100% renewable electricity target as ‘crazy’, while his electorate reaps the benefits of a clean energy future,” he said.
“The fact is, the contracts are in place, the projects are getting built and the ACT target will be met on time, at prices that aren’t exposed to the fluctuations of coal and gas.”
Indeed, the ACT may be a net beneficiary. It has locked much of its renewable energy generation at prices around $80/MWh, while wholesale prices across the nation have soared well beyond that. When the prices do jump above the fixed price negotiated by the ACT, the ACT consumers receive the difference……..http://reneweconomy.com.au/greens-delight-in-inserting-more-wind-turbines-into-barnabys-seat-48035/
Turnbull government wants to subsidise fossil fuel transport
Turnbull wants to subsidise coal AND gas transport, REneweconomy, By Sophie Vorrath on 27 April 2017 Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has again declared his support for all things fossil fuel, after suggesting his government could use public money to sponsor both new coal and gas production facilities in Australia, via the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund.
In his latest concession to the nation’s powerful fossil fuel lobby, Turnbull told Brisbane Radio that the fund could be used both to subsidise gas pipelines in northern Australia and to underwrite the plans of Indian coal giant Adani to build a rail line from its proposed Carmichael mine………
Activist group GetUp said Turnbull’s plan to use public monies to underwrite gas pipelines was “another white elephant”.
“Not content with handing over a billion dollars to prop up Adani’s doomed coal project, Turnbull now wants to spend public money on an expensive and unviable gas pipeline as well.” said GetUp’s Miriam Lyons.
“Spending public money on white elephants in waiting is a betrayal of everyday Australians who pay their taxes to fund public services and public-interest infrastructure.
“As with Adani’s doomed Carmichael project, a gas pipeline from the Northern Territory to Queensland doesn’t stack up economically,” Lyons said.
“It will also do nothing to stop price-gouging by greedy gas generators who have a stranglehold on the market for supplying power to meet demand spikes caused by heatwaves and cold snaps.
“The best thing we can do to break the power of greedy gas companies is to back the competition: cleaner, cheaper, fracking-free energy from solar and storage, as well as energy efficiency,” she said. http://reneweconomy.com.au/turnbull-wants-to-subsidise-coal-and-gas-transport-61896/
Switch from coal to gas – still polluting. Turnbull also touts hydro-power
More hydro power on federal agenda, Herald Sun, Katina Curtis, Australian Associated Press, April 20, 2017 Malcolm Turnbull is boosting his renewable energy credentials by providing federal funding for another study into expanding Australia’s hydro storage, this time in Tasmania.
It comes as Labor accuses the prime minister of giving gas companies a wet lettuce leaf flogging in his bid to persuade them to increase domestic supply.
Mr Turnbull also confirmed on Thursday his government is looking at building a multi-billion dollar pipeline to bring gas from Western Australia to the east coast – an idea climate experts dismiss as ridiculous and expensive…….
However, energy expert Andrew Stock, from the Climate Council, dismissed it as an idea that would lock in high power prices.
“LNG export pricing out of the west coast plus transportation through a multi-billion dollar pipeline doesn’t make for cheap gas,” he told reporters in Canberra.
Mr Stock was launching a new Climate Council report warning switching from coal to gas power will do nothing to lower electricity bills and will be nearly as polluting. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/more-hydro-power-on-federal-agenda/news-story/4b0b27dfd550e150108b8662f68f550e
Stop Australia signing up to develop new nuclear reactors -submissions by 28 April
Submissions received until 28 April by Parliamentary Committee
Right now a Parliamentary Committee is considering Australia’s further involvement in the ‘Charter’ or Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. The Committee consists of 9 Liberal MPs, 6 Labor, and one Green.
Australia secretly signed the ‘Charter’ on 22 nd June 2016 – signed by 
Dr Adi Patterson COE of the Australia Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. (pending this JSCOT review). ANSTO is to be the implementing agent.
The An international collection of 14 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, the UK and the USA ( original charter members 2005) Switzerland, Euratom, China, Russia and Australia (signed later) . The World Nuclear Association describes the collection as countries for whom nuclear energy is significant now or seen as vital in the future.
When the Australian government quietly signed up to the GIF, it made no commitment to any particular action towards developing new nuclear reactors. Other countries, including Japan, Canada, France, South Korea, have committed to working on particular types ofGeneration IV reactors Australia might be expected to not only fully sign up as a member of the Charter, but perhaps also to provide funding and resources to develop one or more types.
Involvement of various countries in developing particular types of new nuclear reactor
Poor little dill Matt Canavan whinges about “bullying” opposition to Adano coal mine expansion
Loaning $900m for Adani’s central Queensland coal railway too risky, environmental lawyers say The World Today By Katherine Gregory 12 Apr 17
“………’If we stop this project, it will be worse for the environment’
The Minister for Northern Australia and Queensland senator Matt Canavan said the letter sent to NAIF’s directors was a bullying tactic.
“These guys are bullies trying to stop jobs being created in north Queensland. Their stated aim is against coal and development. Against coal, and coal is the second largest exporter in Queensland,” Senator Canavan said.
He said the Queensland Supreme Court has already dismissed environmentalists’ arguments that the mine should not go ahead because of climate change.
“If we don‘t supply India with coal, other countries will,” Senator Canavan said.
“So from global climate change perspective to argue that this mine in and of itself will warm the planet and cause global warming disasters is wrong and misguided.
“There are other parts of the world India will get its coal from and it will. The Indian resources minister has said that to me specifically.
“If anything, if we stop this project, it will be worse for the environment, because the coal that is there in the Galilee Basin is higher quality, much higher quality than what exists in India.”
Senator Canavan said Adani’s rail line would open up opportunities for other mines and create more jobs for regional Queensland.
But shadow resources and northern Australia minister Jason Clare said federal Labor does not support using taxpayer money to fund the rail line.
“What are the rules that this Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility have to comply with when they decide when they’re going to tip taxpayer money into private projects?” Mr Clare said.
“And one of the rules here is that they can only provide funding if the project is unlikely to go ahead without it. And Adani has said this funding isn’t critical.
“So on that basis it doesn’t meet the requirements of the fund.” say http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-12/adani-queensland-coal-mine-railway-$900m-loan-too-risky/8439582
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.
.
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 