Renewable energy for a positive economic future in New South Wales Coastal Region
“Solar power, sustainable crop waste biomass and energy efficiency are big employers. Pushing the change rapidly lays the basis for a jobs-rich export industry.
“Both the major parties are captured by the fossil fuel lobby.
“The next federal election is make or break for the climate and for jobs in this electorate,”
Energy future: gas or renewable? http://www.camdencourier.com.au/story/1710272/energy-future-gas-or-renewable/?cs=704 Aug. 16, 2013, The Greens are promoting their plan to make NSW’s electricity supply 100 percent renewable, citing the environmental, health and employment benefits for the Lyne electorate. Greens NSW MP John Kaye will be in Taree and Port Macquarie this Saturday 17 August to talk about the party’s plans for a 100% renewable energy future within 15 years.
Despite the propaganda from the coal seam gas industry and the big energy companies, Dr Kaye will be explaining why all fossil fuels and new transmission lines are unnecessary for keeping the lights on and growing the economy.
Dr Kaye, who will be joined by Ian Oxenford who is contesting the seat of Lyne in the upcoming federal election for the Greens, will outline how a transition to 100% clean green energy technologies will benefit the communities on the Mid North Coast. Continue reading
Tony Abbott’s election gamble – preferencing Labor ahead of Greens
Tony Abbott to banish the Greens from the lower house SIMON BENSON STATE POLITICAL EDITOR THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 14, 2013 OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott will today direct the Liberal Party to preference the Greens behind Labor in all seats across the country in a bid to ensure the party is wiped from the lower house of parliament.
It will mean the Greens’ only current lower house MP, Adam Bandt, will almost certainly lose his seat of Melbourne on September 7 – in an election gift to the ALP.
It will also guarantee that Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese keeps his inner-city Sydney seat of Grayndler, which Labor holds with just a 4 per cent margin against the minor party. Continue reading
Heathcote locals unhappy with Victoria’s anti-wind farm laws
Heathcote locals question Victoria’s anti-wind farm laws http://yes2renewables.org/2013/08/13/heathcote-locals-question-victorias-anti-wind-farm-laws/ August 13, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank
Yes 2 Renewables visited Heathcote recently to present to the local U3A (university of the third age) about wind energy technology. Given that Heathcote is located in the hearth of the McHarg/Macedon Ranges ‘no-go zone’ for wind farms, we took the opportunity to brief attendees about the Victorian government’s anti-wind farm laws. The presentation prompted U3A member, Louise Joy, to submitted the following letter to the editor to The McIvor Times:
Heathcote U3A “Understanding New Technology” group heard Leigh Ewbank from Friends of the Earth speak on “Wind Power” at the Guide Hall for an illuminating and entertaining two hours on Wednesday 3 July 2013 from 10 am.
Such a simple solution to the problems of pollution where unfortunately Victoria leads the way in developed countries. Renewable energy has strong public support with 94% opting for Solar and 87% for wind power. There have been Wind Power community projects planned for Woodend, Surf Coast and Anglesea with opportunities for job creation in manufacturing, construction, maintenance and computer programming. Farms in drought areas benefit, a lid is kept on Electricity prices, communities gain control over their own clean and safe energy future.
So what is stopping implementation with so much community support and so many advantages? There are strong lobby groups with vested interests against Wind Farming. In Victoria, Amendment VC 82 has created no go zones in the Yarra and McHarg Ranges, among others. Heathcote U3A members left the meeting encouraged to make known the advantages of Wind Farming and to lobby politicians to rescind Amendment VC 82.
Abbott very keen to be Australia’s “indigenous affairs prime minister”
Tony Abbott overruled advice on indigenous advisory council BY:PATRICIA KARVELAS :The Australian August 12, 2013 TONY Abbott’s proposed indigenous advisory council was only supposed to last for six months to undertake a significant review of indigenous affairs, but the Opposition Leader changed the policy late in the process.
The Australian understands the policy, which had been planned over many months, was rewritten by Mr Abbott who decided, against advice, to make it a permanent feature of his government rather than a short-term audit………..
Mr Abbott ultimately made the call to create an ongoing council similar to Mr Howard’s national indigenous council, of which Mr Mundine was also a member.
Mr Mundine is committed to the objectives of Mr Abbott’s plan for indigenous affairs ……
it is understood that Mr Abbott’s desire to become the first “indigenous affairs prime minister” is so strong he decided a permanent body was a better policy and it could still perform an audit-style role. His office settled on the policy…………. The council will inform the policy implementation of a new Coalition government……….http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/tony-abbott-overruled-advice-on-indigenous-advisory-council/story-fn9hm1pm-1226695197188
Liberal, Labor, and Warren Mundine in lockstep on Aboriginal issues
I don’t understand why SBS World News would think that indigenous land rights are an “election issue”. Seeing that Australians face two major parties that are in lockstep about Aboriginal matters.
Both Liberal and Labor are keen to keep the Northern Territory Intervention going. Both are all out to promote the 
uranium industry, on Aboriginal land. Both are keen to establish a nuclear waste dump on Aboriginal land.
So – no doubt, both major parties are happy to have Aboriginal puppet Warren Mundine close to the helm of whoever wins. As for Mundine – well – he has shown how expert he is, at being “on the side of the winner”. Which definitely does not mean on the side of the Aboriginal people. – C.M
Indigenous land rights emerging as key election issue, SBS World News 12 Aug 13 “………….. the Coalition’s unveiling of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Policy, centred on a new Indigenous advisory council headed by the former President of the Labor Party Warren Mundine……. The advisory council will inform the Prime Minister on policy development and implementation, and it will start with a major review of Indigenous spending and service delivery — most notably land rights reform…….
Solar Citizens bring about Government U-turn in Western Australia – national repercussions?
Barnett Backs Down From Solar Backflip http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3885 13 Aug 13, Solar supporters rejoiced after the Western Australian State Government yesterday reversed its decision to slash the feed in tariff rate for tens of thousands of solar households.
“Quite simply, we got this decision wrong and we have to fix it,” Premier Colin Barnett said in a short statement.
“We understand that this measure would have had an unfair impact on one section of the community and it has to be reversed.”
Within hours of the original decision to slash the incentive, solar households and supporters mobilized. Mainstream and social media was buzzing with condemnation. A Solar Citizens petition was launched that very quickly attracted over 9,000 signatures protesting the reduction.
Even within the State Government’s ranks, there was dissent. Overall, the backlash was such that it had the potential to impact results in the Federal Election. Continue reading
Hear Kellie Tranter – a formidable election candidate for Wikileaks
AUDIO: Wikileaks seeking accountability in the Senate http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2013/08/wikileaks-seeking-accountability-in-the-senate.html You may have watched or heard the leader’s debate last night that covered the subjects of boats, the economy, tax and the NBN. But did you hear much about monitoring government practice, governmental and public service transparency, internet freedom or your right to protest?
The fact that you didn’t is a major failure by the system and the media who monitors it, according to the new political party; Wikileaks.You may in fact know Wikileaks as a new media organisation-come-whistlebowing operation. But it now wants to take the principles that have made it a household name and form the platform of a senate run.
As far as we know, Julian Assange is under protection in Ecuador, but will still head the Victorian senate ticket.
So what does all this mean for the Hunter? Maitland human rights lawyer Kellie Tranter will head the NSW Senate ticket, and she joined Aaron Kearney to discuss what a vote for Wikileaks actually means in the upcoming election.
Tranter believes the genesis of the Wikileaks party has come from public concern and public groundswell against government secrecy, and that if the public wants to hold the government accountable for its actions, they should cast a vote her way. When questioned about the role of Wikileaks in the senate, Tranter said the Wikileaks party and the Wikileaks organisation are separate entities and that the Wikileaks party is needed to ensure the government is held accountable for its actions.
“We are absolutely fed up with a country being dragged to the far right and we’re looking to pull that back to the middle ground,” Tranter said.
Wikileaks Party strong advocates for Aboriginal rights
Mr Assange said that the WikiLeaks Party stands alongside all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their struggle and right to self-determination. The party has an eleven member National Council, with one of its national councillors Gamilaroy man Luke Pearson. Mr Pearson, a teacher and the creator of the highly respected social media project @IndigenousX, is unfolding, alongside others, policy positions and calls for justice for Aboriginal peoples. Mr Pearson is well known for his passion for Aboriginal education as part of a true Australian society and the common good.
“[The Northern Territory Intervention] one of the saddest, if not the saddest episodes of Australian history of the past ten years. A comic-book abuse of the role of the Australian military. A terrible violation of the right of Aboriginal Australia to determine its own destiny.”
Mr Assange said that the Intervention was “…aided and abetted by the credulous mainstream media’s demonization of Aboriginals as sexual deviants.”
Julian Assange on what the WikiLeaks Party will mean to Aboriginal peoples, Wikileaks Party August 10, 2013 by Gerry Georgatos, lead WikiLeaks Party Senate candidate for Western Australia First published in The Stringer, August 10 2013
There is a new political party on the horizon – the WikiLeaks Party. Founded by Julian Assange the fledgling party is bidding for Canberra through the Senate. They have seven Senate candidates including Julian Assange.
Mr Assange was interviewed this week by The Stringer, while holed up in London’s Ecuadorean Embassy in his seeking of Asylum to protect him from the fate that Private Bradley Manning faces in the United States.
The WikiLeaks Party is polling strongly and if the polls were to reflect accurately on election day, September 7, the party would find it has three and maybe four Australian Senators. Continue reading
Australian Greens call for health care justice for nuclear test veterans
GREENS CALL FOR MEDICAL CARE FOR AUSTRALIA’S NUCLEAR VETERANS HTTP://WWW.GREENS.ORG.AU/GREENS-CALL-MEDICAL-CARE-AUSTRALIA%E2%80%99S-NUCLEAR-VETERANS The Australian Greens have called for hundreds of Australian soldiers who were exposed to radiation from British nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s and ‘60s to automatically receive Veterans’ Gold Card health care.
“Between 1952 and 1963, more than 16,000 Australian civilians and serviceman were exposed to nuclear fallout when British nuclear weapons were tested at the Montebello Islands in Western Australia, Maralinga and Emu fields in South Australia, and over the Christmas and Malden Islands,” spokesperson Assisting on Defence, Senator Scott Ludlam said.
“Some servicemen were clad only in shorts and t-shirts when they were sent into contaminated areas while British scientists in charge looked on wearing full body protective suits.
“In the decades following, many of these men, their wives and families have reported a range of radiation-related disorders ranging from multiple miscarriages to leukaemia, cancers, and respiratory conditions.
“While many radioactive illnesses take decades to manifest after the initial exposure it is widely acknowledged that these men were dangerously exposed. Continue reading
Independent Australia exposes Abbott’s fraudulent Climate Change “Direct Action”
Tony Abbott’s “direct action” dud, Independent Australia 9 August, 2013 Doug Evans examines the Coalition’s climate change policies …… In the Liberal Party’s election pamphlet Real Solutions for Australians the Party commits to taking:
‘…direct action to reduce carbon emissions inside Australia, not overseas — and also establish a 15,000-strong green army to clean-up the environment.’
One of the main tasks intended for the green army is proposed to be plantation tree planting for purposes of carbon storage.
Widely known as the Direct Action Policy (DAP) this ‘policy’ comprises:
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An “Emissions Reduction Fund” of $3 billion to fund projects that would reduce carbon emissions, based on a tender process.
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Support for projects such as “soil carbon technologies and abatement”.
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A commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 5 percent by 2020.
In my assessment of Labor Party climate policy, I showed the inadequacy of the bipartisan 5% emissions reduction target. This time, I will address the likelihood that the measures nominated in the DAP could achieve even this modest emissions reduction. Continue reading
Election danger to Liberals in Western Australian backlash over attack on solar energy
Could Barnett’s Solar Attack Impact The Federal Election? http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3884 12 Aug 13, The knee-jerk reaction by Western Australia’s government to its failure to rein in increasing power prices by targeting solar households could cost it – and the Coalition – dearly.
As mentioned on Friday, the Western Australian Government has said it will retrospectively slash the solar feed-in tariff rate for approximately 75,000 households that installed systems between mid 2010 and mid 2011.
A similar move was attempted by the New South Wales Government in 2011; which resulted in that government on the receiving end of a black eye – and the same fate may be in store for Premier Barnett, amplified by its timing.
The decision could have dramatic impacts on the Federal Election in key seats says Dr. Geoff Evans of Solar Citizens. Continue reading
Western Australia: Liberals rebel against govt reneging on solar energy deal
Liberal rebellion on solar heats up, The West, Gareth Parker and Daniel Mercer, The West Australian August 12, 2013, 2 Colin Barnett is facing a backbench revolt over the State Government’s decision to halve its rooftop solar panel subsidy, with a pair of Liberal MPs accusing the Government of lacking integrity.
The growing rebellion came as a letter from Synergy sent in 2011 emerged as a key piece of evidence in any potential legal fight over
the changes. The letter – sent soon after the Government cut the tariff in a previous revision to the scheme – says that customers entitled to the
40 cent payment would get it “for the full term of your 10-year contract”.
Government MPs have been flooded with complaints from irate voters about the decision to cut to the so-called solar feed-in tariff from
40 cents to 20 cents, with the issue spilling over to the Federal election campaign as a vote turn-er against Liberal candidates.
Maverick Hillarys MLA Rob Johnson threatened to cross the floor for the first time in his 20-year career to vote against the measure,
while Southern River MLA Peter Abetz said the Government had acted unethically.
Mr Johnson said the Government was acting with a “lack of integrity” by reneging on a deal with 75,000 solar panel owners in a bid to save
$51.2 million over the next four years. Continue reading
Western Australian government’s solar rate cuts will be fought by Labor
WA Labor promise fight over solar rate cut http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/wa-labor-promise-fight-over-solar-rate-cut/story-fni0xqi4-1226695095998 AAP AUGUST 11, 2013 WEST Australian opposition leader Mark McGowan has promised to “take on” Premier Colin Barnett after the state government reneged on a 10-year undertaking for households that feed in solar power to the grid.
Mr McGowan tweeted on Sunday: “Anyone unhappy with Mr Barnett ripping up their families solar contract should come to parliament at 2.45pm Tuesday where we will take him on.” It follows Thursday’s state budget in which Treasurer Troy Buswell announced that the government would halve the residential solar feed-in tariff rate to save $51 million.
The state government believes it is safe from legal action over the decision, despite many householders expressing their outrage on talkback radio.The program, introduced in 2009, was such a success that the Liberal government had to admit in 2011 the take-up cap had been breached, costing about $46 million more than planned.
The Sustainable Energy Association says more than 75,000 WA households will be affected. Mr McGowan described the solar backflip as another “broken promise” from the Barnett government.
New obstacles to Tasmania’s solar industry
New Building Codes Threaten Tasmania’s Solar Industry http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3883 12 Aug 13 Additional and pointless red tape threatens the solar industry in Tasmania say the Greens. The Tasmanian Greens have called for the Minister for Workplace Standards to review proposed new building codes for solar installations that it says would increase the cost of installing solar – and ultimately lead to job losses in the industry.
Greens Energy Spokesperson Kim Booth MP says the proposed new regulations will see Councils requiring planning fees and an accredited builder to install a solar panel system – even though solar installations are already required to be engineered, installed and inspected according to Australian Standards.
The additional costs could add 25% – 100% on to the contracted value of solar installation.
Mr. Booth says the industry is concerned only accredited builders will be legally permitted to perform installs, while suitably accredited solar installation experts are “driven off the site.”
“Ultimately, pointless red tape drives the price up for consumers and potentially drives companies out of business, something that the Property Council and the HIA should reflect on given their role in wrapping the building industry up in worthless over regulation.” The solar industry in Tasmania is facing a number challenges; including an uncertain future for the state’s feed in tariff. However, for households that install solar power systems before January 1, 2014, Tasmania’s government has proposed to keep the state’s 1:1 feed in tariff in place until 2017 – making the best time to go solar in Tasmania likely right now.
According to solar solutions provider Energy Matters, a good quality 3kW solar panel system installed in the Apple Isle can return a financial benefit of approximately $890 a year.
More than 12,500 households in Tasmania have already installed solar PV systems. In doing so, these households have not only slashed their own power bills, but have also generated employment, diversified electricity generation and allowed increased export of the state’s hydropower to mainland states; providing additional revenue for Tasmania.
Warren Mundine , nuclear lobby’s Aboriginal spin doctor, enters election campaign
Christina Macpheson, 10 August 13, Australia’s uranium-nuclear lobby must be ecstatic. After all that Aboriginal opposition to their mines, and their nuclear waste dump plans, now their very own Aboriginal stooge has stepped in. Warren Mundine, former National President of the Labor Party, has well and truly jumped political party ship, to head a new Liberal party indigenous advisory council .
Warren Mundine has an impressive pro nuclear record. He has been promoting the nuclear industry , praising nuclear energy,saying that it is necessary for nuclear medicine. Most alarming of all, Mundine advocates the “full nuclear cycle”. That means Australia not only having nuclear power, but taking in nuclear waste from overseas countries.
Mundine’s nuclear lobbying activities have been documented on this website several times. He was appointed by Queensland Premier Newman to the uranium implementation committee. He is co-convener of the Australian Uranium Association’s Indigenous Dialogue Group,
There’ll be a few Aboriginal people who will,not be happy with Mundine’s latest effort. He’s been slammed in the past by Noongar anti-nuclear activist, Marianne McKay of the West Australian Nuclear Free Alliance.
Warren Mundine is a Director of the Australian Uranium Association
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 