Abbott scraps Climate Commission, puts the vacuous Greg Hunt in charge!
Heaven help Australia – no Climate Change Department, and Greg Hunt of all people, in charge of climate matters!
Tim Flannery sacked, Climate Commission dismantled by Coalition by: Gemma Jones Political Reporter From: News Limited Network September 19, 2013 PROFESSOR Tim Flannery has been sacked by the Abbott Government from his $180,000 a year part time Chief Climate Commissioner position with the agency he runs to be dismantled immediately.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt called Prof Flannery this morning to tell him a letter formally ending his employment was in the mail.
In the letter, Mr Hunt tells Prof Flannery: “The Climate Commission does not have an ongoing role, and consequently I am writing to advise you that the Climate Commission has been dissolved, with effect from the date of this letter…… All other climate commissioners will also be sacked with the move to save more than $500,000 this financial year and $1.2 million next financial year.
The Coalition will now take advice on climate change from the Department of the Environment. – [Greg Hunt as Minister]
Tony Abbott’s real reasons for abolishing carbon price – and for his Direct Action sham
Secondly, powerful vested interests in Australia, including the fossil fuel lobby, mining industry and carbon intensive corporations are heavy donors to Mr Abbott’s Liberal Party.
Why Tony Abbott wants to abolish the carbon price, The Guardian, by Alexander White Wednesday 18 September 2013
Why is abolishing the carbon price Tony Abbott’s ‘top legislative priority’? “……. in my view it’s clear that Mr Abbott wants to abolish the carbon tax primarily for two reasons.
Firstly, he is either not convinced of the urgency of the threat of climate change to Australia’s economy or society, or doesn’t believe in climate change at all. For example, one of Tony Abbott’s business advisors, former ABC chairman Maurice Newman, in an article in The Australian equated concern over climate change to a “global warming religion” and climate scientists as a “global warming priesthood”.
Mr Abbott himself famously said in an interview that climate change is “crap”, and his ministry and senior member of his political party are avowed climate change science deniers. This position was made clear in 2009 by Malcolm Turnbull after being dumped as leader: Continue reading
Nuclear lobby front man Paul Howes will bide his time to get into Parliament
Christina Macpherson What is this – Paul Howes posing as some sort of left-winger? Backed by the big mining corporations and the nuclear lobby, Paul Howes helped them to get rid of Kevin Rudd’s Super Profits Mining Tax, and indeed, to get rid of Kevin Rudd.
Paul Howes is a gung-ho advocate for Australia’s uranium/nuclear lobby – and he will make his move when he deems that he is sure to be elected
Union chief Paul Howes abandons bid for Senate vacancy, saying it would have got ugly PAUL CLEARY THE AUSTRALIAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
……….HIGH-profile union leader Paul Howes has decided not to stand for a possible Senate vacancy, saying he does not want to spark a brawl in the NSW branch of the Labor Party. “I don’t want to be a wrecker and I don’t want to divide,” Mr Howes, the national secretary of the Australian Workers Union and so-called “faceless man”, told reporters in Sydney……..
As an ALP Right faction powerbroker, Mr Howes played a role in Julia Gillard’s overthrow of Kevin Rudd as prime minister in 2010 -…….
Mr Howes refused to rule out running for parliament in the future, including as a lower house candidate in the next federal election. He declared his support for Bill Shorten in the leadership contest for federal Labor. : http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/union-chief-paul-howes-abandons-bid-for-possible-senate-vacancy/story-fn59niix-1226722672466#sthash.A7cN4HdX.dpuf
Martin Ferguson applauds the Abbott government’s attack on renewable energy
Christina Macpherson Just as well I’m not a subscriber to the Fin Rev – so I wasn’t able to read this almost certainly nauseous article. Anyway, readers might have noticed that Australia’s former (Labor) Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, has gone very quiet in recent months.
In that job, Martin Ferguson functioned with determination as the Minister Against Renewable Energy. It was a hard job for him, seeing that he was in a government that supported renewable energy and action on climate change.
So now, at last, – Ferguson can come out in his true colours – as servant of the polluting industries, and happily supporting the Liberals in their servitude to the polluting industries. What’s next for Ferguson – a big job with BHP, or with the Australian Uranium Association, or with John 
White, working for Australia as international radioactive trash dump?
Ferguson backs lower renewable energy target Financial Review Former energy minister Martin Ferguson has backed an industry campaign to reduce the renewable energy target, an intervention which will strengthen the hand of critics of the scheme within the Coalition. (subscribers only)
18 SEP 2013 http://www.afr.com/p/national/ferguson_backs_lower_renewable_energy_KMQdzXIjg1aFFox2r6XIcJ
Indigenous Affairs to be run by Prime Minister’s Office, and the unelected Indigenous Advisory Council
Senator hails change NT News, STAFF WRITERS | September 17th, 2013 TERRITORY Senator Nigel Scullion is the country’s new Indigenous Affairs Minister………The administration of the portfolio will now rest within the Prime Minister’s office – not the Indigenous Affairs Department.
“Having the support of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet ensures that I will have influence across all portfolios,” he said.
Senator Scullion has already met with Indigenous Advisory Council chair Warren Mundine and said they shared “common ground on most issues”……http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/09/17/325000_ntnews.html
If uranium becomes profitable – likely that Queensland will ship it through Barrier Reef
Qld Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says no current plan to ship uranium through Barrier Reef ABC News, By James Kelly, Francis Tapim and Isobel Roe 13 Sep 2013, Queensland’s Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says uranium will not be exported through the Great Barrier Reef any time soon, but will not rule it out down the track. The State Government announced yesterday its action plan to reintroduce uranium mining in Queensland after lifting the ban in October last year…….
Mr Cripps says once mining starts, uranium would be shipped out of existing licensed ports in Adelaide or Darwin.
“Any situation where the commercial volumes of uranium developed in Queensland requiring the licensing of an additional port somewhere in Queensland is many years into the future,” he said.
Reef shipping ‘catastrophe waiting to happen’
Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) spokeswoman Felicity Wishart says shipping uranium through the reef is a catastrophe waiting to happen…… Continue reading
Australia’s new Abbott government to axe or gut 12 renewable energy programs
The Harvester Of Australian Renewable Energy’s Sorrow http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3941 13 Sept 13, Now that the coal dust of the Coalition’s election win is starting to settle; the soon-to-be clean energy corpses are easier to see. It’s been a period of mourning for many with a stake in Australia’s renewable energy efforts; with Prime Minister-elect Abbott’s well-oiled scythe poised to ruthlessly slash its way through related programs.
Here’s a partial casualty list; victims of the war on a low-carbon future:
To be axed:
– Clean Technology Program
– Energy Efficiency Information Grants
– Clean Energy Skills package
– Clean Technology Focus for Supply Chain programs
– Connecting Renewables
– CEFC
– Climate Change Authority
– Climate Change Commission
– Geothermal and tidal elements of Direct Action.
To be gutted:
– “Million Solar Roofs” rebate to be halved and with a narrowed scope
– Money for the above to come out of ARENA’s budget
– Reports of a further $532M to be cut from ARENA
According to The Australian, 33 climate change related schemes run by seven departments and eight agencies will be collapsed into just three bodies run by two departments. Whether this will provide better efficiency or just more bottlenecks interfering with progress remains to be seen.
As is widely known, the Coalition Government has its sights set on bringing legislation to axe the carbon tax to the first sitting of new Parliament; but it also realises it may not get its wish until after the senate changes in July 2014 (and even then there is some doubt). Continue reading
AUDIO: Government’s axing of Clean Energy Finance Corporation brings investor uncertainty
AUDIO: Renewable energy company calls for new government to provide certainty http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3848082.htm Simon Lauder reported this story on Friday, September 13, 2013 12:18:00 SCOTT BEVAN: The Federal Government’s plan to axe the Clean Energy Finance Corporation is causing concerns for at least one major company in the sector.
The Coalition says the clean energy finance corporation is little more than a hedge fund investing taxpayers’ money in financially unviable projects.
But Pacific Hydro, which has just benefited from a $70 million loan from the Corporation, says if the Coalition Government goes ahead with its plan, it must provide more certainty in the market or investment will suffer.
Simon Lauder reports. SIMON LAUDER: Pacific Hydro has announced it now has the money to go ahead with the fourth and final stage of a 179 megawatt wind farm near Portland in Victoria.
The company’s general manager Lane Crockett says private banks threw in more than $150 million after the government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation invested $70 million in the project. Continue reading
Australia’s Liberal Government and Queensland State Government’s conflicting views on uranium mining
Abbott, Newman could clash on uranium http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-front-burner-nuclear-loans-con-20130912,0,1513077.story 13 Sept 13 Queensland’s plan to control uranium mine approvals would bring it into conflict with the new federal government, conservationists say. The Liberal National Party state government released it’s uranium strategy on Thursday, and it wants the federal government to hand it power to approve uranium projects.
The federal coalition has campaigned to keep uranium approvals with the commonwealth.
Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says the state plan would put it at odds with the federal government. “The Queensland government’s action plan is ill-considered and inadequate,” spokesman Dave Sweeney told AAP.
“The LNP position is in conflict with federal coalition uranium policy and commitments.” Mr Sweeney also said that Queensland’s plan completely ignored the world’s weak uranium market, where prices had plummeted since the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
Queensland government pro uranium mining, but cautions on poor market for uranium
Qld Government moves closer to re-establish uranium mining ABC News, By Kim Lyell, 13 Sept 13 The Queensland Government has released a plan to re-establish uranium mining in the state as early as next year…….. Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says the Government has accepted the findings of an independent committee that, with some adaptations, uranium mining could resume under existing industry regulation and radiation safety systems.
“An action plan has been released and an oversight committee established,” he said. Mr Cripps says the action plan covers all aspects of the approvals process, environmental and health and safety standards, Indigenous opportunities and native title.
The Government says although it could assess applications from next year, the market for uranium will ultimately determine when mining begins……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-12/qld-government-moves-to-re-establish-uranium-mining/4953742
Climate denialist Dennis Jensen might become Australia’s Science Minister!
Climate sceptic MP Dennis Jensen wants to be science minister The Age, September 12, 2013 Jonathan Swan National political reporter Coalition MP Dennis Jensen, who is a vocal climate science sceptic, has called on Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott to appoint him as science minister.
“At the moment to be honest I’m feeling under-utilised,” said Dr Jensen, the member for Tangney in Western Australia, who has a master’s degree in physics and a PhD in material science. “I think that I’ve got a lot to offer,” he added. “I’ve got some unique attributes.”……..
Dr Jensen suggests he would be better qualified than anyone to take charge of science. “I’m not aware of any other scientist [in the Parliament],” he said.
Dr Jensen has made headlines by questioning the scientific consensus that humans are contributing to global warming.Dr Jensen believes carbon dioxide is contributing somewhat to global temperatures, but not as much as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is suggesting.
Moreover, Dr Jensen does not think governments should be taking urgent action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“In the climate area there is appeal to authority and appeal to consensus, neither of which is scientific at all,” Dr Jensen told Fairfax Media on Thursday.”Scientific reality doesn’t give a damn who said it and it doesn’t give a damn how many say it.”
It was wrong to accept the view of the 97 per cent of climate scientists who agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely caused by human activities, because “the argument of consensus . . . is a flawed argument,” Dr Jensen said.
The colourful Englishman, Lord Christopher Monckton, who toured Australia to debunk the “bogus science” of global warming, was closer to the mark, Dr Jensen suggested. “Most of the stuff [Lord Monckton] says is entirely reasonable,” Dr Jensen said…….. http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/climate-sceptic-mp-dennis-jensen-wants-to-be-science-minister-20130912-2tltt.html#ixzz2eopPyvSg
Book ‘Dealing in Doubt’ shows who’s behind climate denialism in Australia
Report offers field guide to the climate change denial industry, Guardian, Graham Readfearn, 13 Sept 13, “…. There is also a potted and seldom-told history of how key figures in the United States worked to connect with like-minded people in Australia to encourage efforts Down Under to counter calls to cut emissions.
One of the first efforts came courtesy of free market promotion unit The Institute of Public Affairs, which doesn’t reveal its funders, which in 1990 sponsored a tour by veteran sceptic Fred Singer around Australia. TheIPA’s magazine reported Singer’s visit: “The greenhouse theory of global warming is contradicted by the evidence, a prominent US scientist has told the IPA.”
Later, Dealing in Doubt recalls planning meetings in the mid-90s with conservative think tanks in the US and Australia where strategies were developed to counter calls for action.
One of those characters, Australian businessman and former mining executive Hugh Morgan, was announced by Liberal MP Greg Hunt in 2011 as a member of the Coalition’s business advisory council on climate change………
Internal Heartland Institute documents have shown that one of the authors of the report, Australian geologist Dr Bob Carter, was to be paid $1667 a month for his work on the report (for anyone interested, Skeptical Science has a good summary of the key differences between the genuine IPCC report and the NIPCC)……. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2013/sep/12/greenpeace-climate-change-denial-dealing-doubt-report
Abbott government unprepared on greenhouse emissions, also he’s cutting indigenous funding
Ten challenges for Tony Abbott SMH September 13, 2013 – Andrew Leigh “……given the length of time the Abbott government has had to prepare for office, the real surprise is the number of major policy questions that lie unanswered. Here are 10 for starters.
First, given that we know from independent experts such as the Grattan Institute that direct action will not meet the bipartisan target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 5 per cent by 2020, how does the government intend to reduce our emissions? Given that Australia has just had the hottest summer on record, is it really acceptable for the developed nation with the highest emissions per person to back away from action on carbon emissions?
Second, we know that one of the leading causes of indigenous disadvantage stems from incarceration, which is why both parties are committed to adding it into the Closing the Gap targets. But given that he has committed to cutting funding to Aboriginal legal aid, how will Abbott ensure that this doesn’t lead to more indigenous people ending up in jail?…..
Like George W. Bush before him, Abbott appears to like using corporate analogies for government, stating on election night that “Australia is under new management”. But, like Bush, he may find that heading a government requires a little more nuance and sophistication than running a campaign. He could start by answering these simple questions. : http://www.smh.com.au/comment/ten-challenges-for-tony-abbott-20130912-2tnuo.html#ixzz2eniKF2qv
Australian Capital Territory Liberals stick their knife into solar energy
Solar plan slammed September 12, 2013 Peter Jean Chief Assembly Reporter for The Canberra Times. The Canberra Liberals have called on the ACT government to abandon a proposal for a 10-megawatt solar farm to be built across the road from Uriarra Village……
Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell denied it was a done deal and said there would be a public consultation process.
Mr Corbell said he had met Uriarra residents on the day it was announced that Elements Energy had won a solar tender auction.
”Any suggestion that there has not been consultation upfront is wrong,” he said.
Three proposed large solar power projects would contribute $100 million to the ACT economy and save 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Corbell said. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/solar-plan-slammed-20130911-2tl3d.html#ixzz2ejgd0m8U
Abbott government proceeding to slash renewable energy and climate programs
Coalition takes axe to climate programs BY:SID MAHER AND LAUREN WILSON The Australian September 11, 2013 PUBLIC servants are drawing up plans to collapse 33 climate change schemes run by seven departments and eight agencies into just three bodies run by two departments under a substantial rewrite of the administration of carbon abatement schemes under the Coalition.
Coalition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt briefed public servants on the dramatic restructure of the federal climate change bureaucracy before the election was called and yesterday confirmed the Coalition was committed to proceeding with the plan.
Under the simplification, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Resources and Energy will run all of the climate change programs under the Coalition’s direct-action program…….
The changes will see all carbon abatement schemes run by three bodies: the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which will be overseen by the Department of Resources and Energy; and the Clean Energy Regulator and Low Carbon Australia, which will be run by the Department of the Environment……
The Climate Change Authority, which sets emissions caps, the Climate Commission, which has conducted research into climate change, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which funds renewable technologies, are all slated to be abolished under the plans…… The Coalition will need to legislate to abolish the CEFC, which has amassed a $560m investment portfolio and leveraged $1.6bn in private sector investment. But the bank is understood to be lobbying a Coalition government to utilise its staff and assets as part of its Direct Action scheme, and change its investment mandate so it could work within the framework of the Coalition’s policy.
An Abbott government will need to legislate if it seeks to abolish the Climate Change Authority, which is proceeding with work on a draft report about emissions reductions targets that is due to be completed next month. In the wake of Labor and Greens declarations that they would oppose the abolition of carbon pricing, Mr Abbott said he expected the parliament to “respect the mandate that the new government has”….. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/election-2013/coalition-takes-axe-to-climate-programs/story-fn9qr68y-1226716471498
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