2019: the climate election
Friends of the Earth, APR 24, 2019,
Federal Environment Minister, Melissa Price, fails the environment with secretive Yeelirrie uranium approval.
Clandestine approval for controversial uranium mine is evidence Australia needs better environment laws
https://www.acf.org.au/clandestine_approval_for_controversial_uranium_mine, 26 APRIL 2019
|
Radioactive risks last longer than any politician and deserve real assessment, not backroom fast-tracking. The Morrison Government’s quiet approval of a controversial uranium mine in Western Australia on the eve of the federal election being called is more evidence our national environment laws are broken, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says. Environment Minister Melissa Price approved the Yeelirrie uranium mine on April 10, the day before the Prime Minister headed to Government House to call the 2019 federal poll. Ms Price did not announce the approval via a public release. Instead a notice was later placed on the Environment Department’s website. The mine had been previously rejected by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) because it could drive to extinction rare subterranean fauna species and do harm to other wildlife species like the Malleefowl, Princess parrot and Greater bilby. The Yeelirrie mine, which is in Ms Price’s electorate of Durack, is still being legally challenged on appeal by senior Tjiwarl native title holders and conservationists. Ms Price had previously told media: “My department advised that it was prudent to wait for the result of the WA Supreme Court proceedings before finalising the federal assessment [for Yeelirrie].” ACF Nuclear Free Campaigner, Dave Sweeney, said Yeelirrie could produce more than 35 million tonnes of radioactive mine waste, use up to 10 billion litres of groundwater, and require 2500 hectares of vegetation to be cleared for its nine-kilometre long open pit. “The lack of respect for the Australian people and due process demonstrated by this clandestine approval under the cover of a national election is astounding,” Mr Sweeney said. “The Western Australian EPA explicitly rejected this mine because it threatens rare native fauna with extinction and would harm other species. This prudent recommendation was overruled by the Barnett Government weeks before it lost the 2017 state election. “Now the Morrison Government has performed the same trick, approving it hours before a federal election was called. This was done without regard for the Tjiwarl Traditional Owners, on whose land the planned mine sits, or the people of Esperance, who could have radioactive material shipped through their port. “There are many with deep concerns about this project. Any move to mine at Yeelirrie will be actively contested. We thought the rushed approval of Adani’s plans to guzzle billions of litres of groundwater for its massive coal mine on the eve of the election was a new low. But somehow hours later this low point was dug deeper by Minister Price. “Radioactive risks last longer than any politician and deserve real assessment, not backroom fast-tracking. “For too long Australia’s environment laws have been abused and short-changed by politicians cutting deals that put the interests of big companies over nature, Traditional Owners and local communities. “The assessment of this project has been deficient. This rushed rubber stamp must be reviewed by any future federal government. “Australia needs new and stronger national environment laws that actually protect nature and take politics and undue influence out of approval decisions for major industrial projects. “These laws should be overseen by an independent national EPA that is charged with making approval decisions free from the interfering hand of big businesses and their politician mates.” |
|
Morrison govt approved Yeelirrie uranium mine just the day before calling the election
|
Government approved controversial uranium mine one day before calling the election ABC News, 25 Apr 19, by national environment, science and technology reporter Michael Slezak, The Morrison Government signed off on a controversial uranium mine one day before calling the federal election, and did not publicly announce the move until the environment department uploaded the approval document the day before Anzac Day.
Key points:
The Yeelirrie Uranium mine, located 500 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, requires both federal and state approval. The state approval of the proposed mine is still being fought in the state’s Supreme Court by members of the Tjiwarl traditional owners. In 2016, the West Australian Environment Protection Agency advised the mine not be approved, concluding it posed too great a risk of extinction to some native animals. The former Liberal Barnett government controversially approved the mine in 2017, just weeks before it lost the West Australian election. Canadian company Cameco, the world’s largest uranium producer, is seeking to develop the uranium mine, which would cover an area 9km long and 1.5km wide. It would involve the clearing of up to 2,422 hectares of native vegetation. It is also approved to cause groundwater levels to drop by 50cm, and they would not completely recover for 200 years, according to Cameco’s environmental reports. A spokesperson for Environment Minister Melissa Price said the approval was subject to 32 strict conditions to avoid and mitigate potential environmental impacts. Traditional owner of the area, Tjiwarl woman Vicky Abdullah, said she was surprised by the announcement, and was hoping for the project to be rejected. “It’s a very precious place for all of us. For me and my two aunties, who have been walking on country,” she said……. Ms Price has declined an interview with the ABC. …… Dave Sweeney, an anti-nuclear campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the timing suggested the decision was political. “We need decisions that are based on evidence and the national interest, not a company’s interest or not a particular senator’s or a particular government’s interest,” he said. “This reeks of political interference, rather than a legal consideration or due process.” The approval is one of several controversial moves the Government made before entering caretaker mode, where such decisions would be impossible, including approving Adani’s two groundwater management plans for its proposed Carmichael coal mine. At a federal level, both Labor and the Coalition support the development of uranium mining in Australia…….. The company said the mine was expected to produce up to 7,500 tonnes of yellow cake concentrate over a 15-year period. Over its life, the mine would produce around 36 million tonnes of radioactive waste, which would be stored at the site. The West Australian EPA’s recommendation to block the mine was based primarily on the impacts the mine would have on animals that live in groundwater, called stygofauna. Dr Tom Hatton, chairman of the West Australian EPA, said there was more stygofauna in the area near the mine “than anywhere else in the northern Goldfields”. “The stygofauna habitat at Yeelirrie is particularly rich, with 73 species recorded,” Dr Hatton said in 2017. The federal approval is conditional on Cameco producing a groundwater management plan, which manages the risks to those animals. It also has a number of other conditions, including surveys to confirm reports of night parrots in the area, and if they are found, a night parrot management plan would be required. Ms Abdullah told the ABC she and her family have used the area for years to hunt and camp. “Where are all the next generation of our kids going to go,” Ms Abdullah asked……. Ongoing court challengesIn October, it was reported that Ms Price would not approve the mine before the court case in Western Australia was resolved. “My department advised that it was prudent to wait for the result of the WA Supreme Court proceedings before finalising the Federal assessment,” she reportedly told the Kalgoorlie Miner. “This ensures that we know the state decision is valid and we can avoid overlapping with any state approval conditions.”…….https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-26/government-approved-uranium-mine-day-before-election/11047252 |
|
Bill Shorten questions Environment Minister Melissa Price’s shonky Yeelirrie uranium deal
Labor questions ‘shonky’ WA uranium mine deal, Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten wants to know why Environment Minister Melissa Price approved a controversial WA uranium mine, labelling it a “shonky deal”. SBS 26 Apr 19, Labor leader Bill Shorten says the government has to explain its “shonky” approval for a controversial uranium mine in Western Australia, which occurred the day before the federal election was called.
Canadian-owned Yeelirrie uranium mine, about 500km north of Kalgoorlie, was given the tick of approval by Environment Minister Melissa Price on 10 April, according to an Environment Department document.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison triggered the 18 May election on 11 April……
Labor’s environment spokesman Tony Burke says no detail is known about the approval and is accusing Ms Price of being in hiding.
“I want to find out what on earth has happened,” he told ABC radio……
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John is calling on Labor to tear up the “absolutely disgraceful” approval if it wins government. …..https://www.sbs.com.au/news/labor-questions-shonky-wa-uranium-mine-deal
The Adani coal mine is a test of Australia’s environmental intelligence – Bob Brown
 Adani an Australian litmus test: Bob Brown, SBS, 24 Apr 19, Former federal Greens leader Bob Brown is leading a convoy of people opposed to Adani’s planned coal min the Queensland’s Galilee Basin.
The Adani coal mine is a test of Australia’s environmental intelligence and its capacity to grasp the dire effects of climate change, former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says. The ex-Tasmania senator leaves Brisbane on Tuesday at the head of his Stop Adani Convoy bound for Queensland’s coal country, where he expects a warm welcome from communities fearful of job losses due to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef, which is vulnerable to climate change. The convoy, which aims to derail Adani’s plans for a new coal mine in the Galilee Basin, drew thousands of people to a protest in Brisbane on Monday. Mr Brown says he expects a similar response as the convoy heads to coastal communities near existing coal mines. “I’ve been to Airlie Beach quite recently. People up there are terrified about burning coal because it’s threatening 64,000 jobs on the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Brown told ABC radio on Tuesday. “This is not some sort of doom and gloom. The reef is half dead. And a major factor in that is the burning of coal.” Mr Brown said many Australians understood the inherent harm in allowing an overseas company to dig up Australian coal and sell it for use overseas, especially when Australia could be a world leader in renewable energy. “Adani is a litmus test on whether we’ve got the God-given intelligence as a nation, and as a people, to move to renewables,” he said. “We should be phasing out coal, and that, of course, means you don’t phase it in for somebody else.”……. The convoy, which left Hobart about a week ago, is heading north. An event to mark the end of the Queensland leg will be held in the farming and mining town of Clermont on April 28. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/adani-an-australian-litmus-test-bob-brown |
|
|
Adani coal mine expansion has become a decisive issue for Queensland’s marginal seats
 Adani mine stymies battle for Queensland’s marginal seats, SBS News, 24 Apr 19, Both major parties are battling against opposition to the Adani mining project in Queensland’s marginal seats. Coal has become a divisive and decisive issue in the federal election campaign, again being highlighted as Bob Brown’s anti-Adani convoy makes its way north through Queensland.
Support for the mine has put key marginal must-win seats in the central and north Queensland coal belt at stake for both parties while they also try on satisfy anti-Adani sentiment south of the border.Campaigning about climate change ahead of coal mining jobs is a tough sell in the Queensland city of Townsville.Jobs are top of mind for many voters in the Labor-held seat of Herbert in Townsville. “It’s more important we have jobs for our children,” one voter said. Another echoed the sentiment: “It’s a good opportunity for jobs for the people, but I don’t know about climate change.” The Indian-owned coal mine and rail project in the Galilee Basin has become synonymous with climate change. Wendy Tubman from the Stop Adani Townsville group said she believes voters will discover that Adani project’s promise of jobs won’t save the city. “It’s like a cargo cult now. Adani has been saying it since 2011, people will wake up to it. I would like to think people will balance benefit for Adani against the huge cost.”…….. Anti-Adani sentiment stronger in marginal southern urban electoratesThe Coalition backs the Adani mine, Labor’s support is qualified but both are also juggling strong anti-Adani sentiment in marginal southern urban electorates. District president of the CFMEU mining union Steve Smyth is worried about what he calls real jobs. “We’ve seen what happens under the LNP, what happens in the coal industry, massive casualisation, the highest ever, where they’ll support the mining bosses, not the mining workers.” Labor is under pressure from within with Steve Smyth calling on local candidates to pledge their support for Adani. “I think Labor needs to be clear on that, from what I’ve heard the Labor party has said if it meets the regulatory requirements, it stacks up, it goes ahead and that’s where it’s at.”……… The Adani rail line also runs through Birriah country where Ken Dodd is a traditional owner and lawman. “Our main concerns are the artesian basin, and the water and the land and it doesn’t need to be opened, we have enough mines in our country.” Adani is the vanguard for opening up the Galilee Basin to a number of other major coal mines. Past experience makes Ken Dodd doubt the jobs mantra. “None of these outcomes or targets are being met by the proponents so by using the old business and opportunities and jobs and everything, it’s the same old social licensing talk we hear all the time.” https://www.sbs.com.au/news/adani-mine-stymies-battle-for-queensland-s-marginal-seats |
|
Hanson denies humans behind climate change, blames ‘fearmongering’
|
SBS, 24 Apr 19, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says humans are not behind the causes of climate change which she believes has been happening since dinosaurs were around.
 |
|
|
Why is Prime Minister Scott Morrison raising the suggestion of nuclear power, knowing it’s illegal in Australia?
Federal election 2019: Labor says it’s ‘extraordinary’ Morrison is ‘contemplating’ nuclear power – as it happened
Tony Burke says ‘nuclear power is against the law in Australia’. Guardian, Amy Remeikis 18 Apr 19
Morrison has tweeted that it is not the Coalition’s policy. But he didn’t actually say that when asked on Tasmanian radio today. He said it was “not, not” on the agenda, but would have to stand on its own two feet.
But like a three-eyed fish, Albo is looking to grab the headlines:
PK: He said it’s not their policy and you said he needs to explain where he will put the nuclear power plants. He doesn’t because it’s not their policy.
AA: Why did he raise it? Why did he put it on the agenda if they haven’t been giving consideration to it? That’s what he’s got to answer. Why it is that during an election campaign Scott Morrison, so desperate to try to look like he has an energy policy somewhere, has now put nuclear power on the agenda during this election campaign. Labor’s opposed to nuclear power.
We don’t think it’s necessary and we don’t think it economically stacks up. And issues like nuclear waste and where you would locate a power plant, issues that are all outstanding, it is up to Scott Morrison to say why he has put this on the agenda today…….https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/apr/18/federal-election-2019-coalition-labor-tax-climate-economy-shorten-morrison-politics-live
Scott Morrison misleads the public on the costs of Labor’s climate policy
Scott Morrison warned on ‘cherry-picking’ $35 billion climate cost, SMH, 22 Apr 19 The election fight on climate change has sparked warnings against “misleading” voters about the cost of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, as an independent researcher repudiates Coalition claims of a $35 billion hit from Labor policies.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of “cherry-picking” numbers in the escalating row over the competing pledges on climate, as he prepares to release new estimates of the economic impact of the Labor carbon target…….
The head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Martin Parkinson, has responded to the climate dispute by warning against the “misleading” use of economic modelling and assuring Mr Shorten the public service has not costed the Labor policy.
The research company cited in the government’s $35 billion claim, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, has also told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that the figure was “not a credible estimate” of the cost of buying international carbon permits.
“To come up with this number, the government has taken the highest point in our 10 year forecast for European carbon credits and assumed 50 per cent of Australia’s abatement for the next decade is bought at this price,” said Bloomberg NEF global head of special projects Kobad Bhavnagri.
“It takes the highest instantaneous forecast price, in the most expensive market, to come up with the biggest number.
“It’s like saying petrol is going to cost you $10,000 this year by assuming you buy everything in one go on Boxing Day.”…….. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-warned-on-cherry-picking-35-billion-climate-cost-20190421-p51fye.html?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SMH+AM+News
Scott Morrison’s hypocrisy, chops and changes about nuclear power
No plans to change law to allow nuclear power stations, says PM https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nuclear-energy-not-not-on-agenda-scott-morrison-says/news-story/01787095343ff0f68cfe60573aa41203, RICHARD FERGUSON, APRIL 18, 2019
Scott Morrison has clarified comments suggesting he was open to nuclear power.
The Prime Minister earlier today said nuclear power was “not ‘not’ on the agenda” and he was “fine” with energy generation “wherever it comes from.”
But after backlash from Labor, Mr Morrison moved on Twitter to declare he had no plans to change the law to allow nuclear power stations.
“Labor are getting desperate, and we are only 8 days in. This is not our policy and we have no plans to change that,” he tweeted.
Mr Morrison’s original comments came on Tasmanian radio on Thursday morning.
When pushed on whether he would be happy to take proposals from the nuclear industry on going ahead with power projects, the Prime Minister said it would be allowed to do so.
“It’s not ‘not’ on the agenda, wherever it can come from is fine, but it has to be self-sustaining,” Mr Morrison told Launceston FM.
“If they want to put them forward they can. (Nuclear physicist) Ziggy Switkowski did a major report for the Howard Government on this issue, and it came back and it didn’t say it could support itself.”
Nuclear power has been an almost untouchable issue in Australian politics for decades and Labor was quick to leap on the Prime Minister’s comments.
Opposition environment spokesman Tony Burke said Mr Morrison would need to change the law if he were ever to accept a nuclear power station proposal.
“Nuclear power is against the law in Australia. It is extraordinary that Scott Morrison is now contemplating changing the law to allow nuclear power stations in Australia,” he said.
“Several places have been identified in the past for nuclear power stations — like Jervis Bay, Townsville, Bribie Island, Mackay.
“Where is Morrison proposing to put his nuclear power plants? Which coastal community is under threat?”
Candidates and MPs supporting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
 Candidates behind the ban, ICAN, Candidates for the 2019 Australian federal election are joining their parliamentary colleagues in  declaring support for Australia to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
If elected, candidates that “pre-pledge” will be listed as signatories to the Parliamentary Pledge (see text below). The following list of supportive candidates does not include incumbents, who are listed here. Candidates that support the nuclear weapon ban treaty:…………… With the federal election just around the corner, candidates are committing to work for Australia to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Parliament if elected. Ninety-two current federal parliamentarians have signed the ICAN Parliamentary Pledge, and an additional 46 candidates have “pre-pledged” their support.
Fifteen cities and towns across Australia have spoken out against nuclear weapons and called on the federal government to sign and ratify the TPNW. This groundswell of local activism in Australia and worldwide includes Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Washington DC, Geneva, Manchester and LA
Former Assistant Secretary of Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation at DFAT, Peter Hooton, has critiqued Australia’s position on the TPNW in this article for Charles Sturt University. He argues “for the formal and complete renunciation of an instrument of war on which the United States continues to depend. We have done this already with respect to landmines and cluster munitions—and we are a party, too, to the nuclear-test-ban treaty, which the United States has not ratified. Australia can join the TPNW and remain a good friend and ally of the United States.” A few days ago Panama became the 23rd country to ratify the TPNW, bringing it one step closer to entry-into-force! Darebin Council in Melbourne has commissioned and launched a stunning new mural to honour local ICAN co-founders Dimity Hawkins and Dave Sweeney as well as nuclear test survivors and disarmament activists worldwide. It features the late Yankunytjatjara elder and nuclear test survivor Yami Lester. The Lester family, including Karina Lester , have advocated against nuclear weapons and nuclear waste for decades. Pledge for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear WeaponsWe, the undersigned parliamentarians,warmly welcome the adoption of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 7 July 2017 as a significant step towards the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
We share the deep concern expressed in the preamble about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from any use of nuclear weapons and we recognize the consequent need to eliminate these inhumane and abhorrent weapons. As parliamentarians, we pledge to work for the signature and ratification of this landmark treaty by our respective countries, as we consider the abolition of nuclear weapons to be a global public good of the highest order and an essential step to promote the security and well-being of all peoples. http://www.icanw.org/au/candidates/?fbclid=IwAR2EbAmx4KEqDQvZx0sVwT7pGPoFFvyWWOOAqJqCBpKJVSzlOVj0e2Gc96M |
|
Documents contradict Minister For Coal’s statement that Adani “accepted in full” changes sought by scientists regarding Carmichael mine
|
Adani did not ‘accept in full’ changes sought by scientists during approval stages, meeting notes show https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/adani-geosciences-approval-meeting-documents/11025724?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=%5bnews_sfmc_newsmail_am_df_!n1%5d%3a8935&user_id=ee3112c28b432c04a45b461292f47b49ebeef4e80ab2
Key points:
Announcing her decision to approve Adani’s water management plans for its Carmichael mine earlier this month, Ms Price said Adani “accepted in full” advice from the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also maintained the Government would “make all decisions based on the expert advice from … Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO”. “We have always been following the advice of the scientists and we’ll continue to do that,” he said. The advice was provided in a damning review in February of the company’s plans. But documents provided to the ABC showed Adani refused to accept key scientific findings and recommendations about its water management plans. The ABC has obtained notes taken by three attendees of a phone hook up on April 5 involving senior officials from the Department of Environment and Energy and staff from Geoscience Australia. The documents show the government science agency was concerned the water plans could allow Adani’s mine to breach the conditions of its environment approval. However, Adani would not accept the need for corrective action if that occurred. The notes said that Adani refused to:
A separate briefing note from the Department of Environment and Energy shows Adani also refused to consider scaling back its mining operation to minimise its impacts, despite being asked to do so. The ABC requested the meeting notes under freedom of information (FOI) laws, but Geoscience Australia took the unusual step of releasing the documents immediately instead The briefing happened after the Department of Environment and Energy had already advised the Minister to approve the plans, which had been finalised the previous month. One set of notes was taken by Geoscience Australia chief Dr James Johnson, another by head of environmental geoscience Dr Stuart Minchin, and the third by senior executive Dr Richard Blewett. A handwritten note by Dr Blewett mentions concerns held by Jane Coram, the head of CSIRO’s land and water division. She complained the science agencies had “not seen the revised plan” set to be approved, and that they were expected to take the summary of it at “face value”. After the meeting, Ms Price published a statement announcing, “Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO have provided written assurances that these steps address their recommendations.” A spokesman for Ms Price said she was not present at the meeting. “Decisions were made between the department officers, Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO on the proper scientific assessment of the issues and no other factor,” the spokesman said. But the notes show the scientific agencies were asked by the Minister’s department to give formal assurances that Adani’s commitments met their concerns in language acceptable to the Government.
“Ideal for gov[ernment]: letter from me to [Mr Finn Pratt] saying based on extensive briefing from [Department of Environment and Energy] on Adani addresses the concerns raised.” Fin Pratt is the head of the Department of Environment and Energy. In his handwritten notes of the meeting, Mr Johnson said the Government was keen for an assurance “based on discussion briefing” from the department, but he scribbled that out and changed it to “based on extensive briefing”. The Minister subsequently published a letter from Mr Johnson to Mr Pratt saying: “Thank you for the extensive briefing … Based on this briefing Geoscience Australia is of the view that Adani have addressed the issues and concerns raised in our recommendations.” Ms Price’s spokesman told the ABC no pressure was placed on the science agencies. Adani said in a statement it could not comment on the content of the documents. “Adani was not privy to internal briefing documents or discussions that the Federal Department of Environment and Energy may have provided to Geoscience Australia and CSIRO, consequently we are unable to comment as to their contents.” ‘Advice to Adani that they refused’The briefing notes listed in point form the “advice to Adani that they refused”. These included a recommendation Adani acknowledge their modelling “is not fit for purpose” and that a “new model could revise impacts [to be] greater than [what] has been approved”. “So told Adani — if new model shows greater impact than current model, they have to sort it out [with] corrective [actions]”, the notes said. “They refused.” Before the verbal briefing to Geoscience Australia, the Department Environment and Energy prepared a summary of Adani’s response to concerns raised by Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO, which was provided to the two agencies. The summary was published by the Department of Environment and Energy. That document shows Adani declined to commit to a reduced mine plan, or to cutting back coal extraction, as suggested by the Department Environment and Energy in response to the damning report on its groundwater management model and plans by Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO. It also shows Adani negotiated compromise outcomes in response to some of the scientists’ concerns and rejected other measures that the two agencies sought. There were gaps between what was included in that document and what was apparently outlined in the verbal briefing to Geoscience Australia staff. The notes of the verbal briefing the department gave to the scientists said that Adani committed to a “maximum timetable of three months” for conducting an investigation if water use limits were triggered — a demand of both CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.
Adani told the ABC it was not provided directly with the advice by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia until after the Government approved the plans. Instead it responded to summaries made by the Department of Environment and Energy. Minister faced intense pressure to approve mineMs Price faced intense pressure from her own side of politics to approve Adani’s water management plans before the federal election was called. Queensland LNP Senator James McGrath warned he would publicly call for Ms Price’s resignation unless she did the “right thing” by Adani, and Queensland’s LNP executive condemned what it called her “delay” in approval. In the wake of the Federal Government’s sign-off on the water management plans, Adani is pressing the Queensland Government to complete a series of other, state-based approvals that are needed before mining can commence. When Ms Price announced that she had approved the water management plans — just one working day after CSIRO and Geoscience Australia were briefed on Adani’s responses to their concerns — the Environment Minister said:
The Queensland Government is yet to approve construction as it seeks to protect a colony of black-throated finches around the mine site. Even if construction is fully signed off, the project still requires more approvals to be granted from the Queensland and Commonwealth governments before coal can be dug out of the ground. In an official statement to the ABC, a spokesperson for Geoscience Australia said it stood by their earlier statement that Adani’s actions addressed the concerns raised in their technical advice. “Adani did not acknowledge our advice that their groundwater model was not fit for purpose, and indicated they would not revise the model in the short term,” the spokesperson said. They said despite that, additional monitoring and mitigation Adani did agree to do satisfied their concerns. Geoscience Australia said it was not pressured to provide the Government assurance. |
|
ABC’s Vote Compass finds that environment is a high issue amongst voters
Vote Compass finds voters are split on economy and environment as most important issue [interesting graphs] ABC News
Key points
- The environment and the economy are the top issues for Australian voters
- Health and super are next on the list
- The environment is the number one issue for those yet to decide how to vote
For One Nation voters, immigration is the most important issue.
The environment is rated as the number one issue by 29 per cent of Vote Compass respondents, a massive shift from just 9 per cent in 2016.
It is closely followed by the economy, which includes government spending and taxation, on 23 per cent.
Health care and superannuation, each on 8 per cent, are next.
Crucially, the environment is nominated as the top concern among undecided voters — 30 per cent of them say it is the most important issue, as opposed to 19 per cent who nominate the economy.
The Vote Compass survey is based on a nationally representative sample of 119,516 respondents.
Andrea Carson, a political scientist from La Trobe University and a member of the Vote Compass academic panel, said the environment was a potential “wedge issue” for the Coalition.
“Even though overall [Coalition] voters don’t tend to nominate the environment as their most important issue, the Coalition — in order to win seats — need some of those undecided voters………
Millennials are most concerned about the environment
Age is a big factor in what voters care about, too, with 39 per cent of respondents aged under 35 nominating the environment as their greatest concern……. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-17/vote-compass-election-most-important-issues/11003192
Liberal seats held by vacating and conservative MPs have extremely high levels of concern for climate change.
Now Adani has been approved, these are the nine at-risk Coalition seats most concerned about climate change, ABC By political reporter Jackson Gothe-Snape, 10 Apr 19, Liberal seats held by vacating and conservative MPs have extremely high levels of concern for climate change.
Key points:
- New research shows seats where climate change concerns are most common
- “Keeping day to day living costs down” is the issue most often identified by Australians as a concern
- Concern over the quality of governance is growing
And global warming fear was increasing even before the Federal Government approved the Adani coal mine this week.
Electorate-level research released on Wednesday shows the extent of concern for climate change as the election looms.
The polling, completed by Roy Morgan during 2018 as part of the democracy non-profit Australian Futures Project, shows “keeping day-to-day living costs down” is the most pressing concern across Australia, ahead of “improving health services and hospitals” and “open and honest government”.
Climate change is the next most commonly identified issue.
At least one in three people (33 per cent) have climate change concerns in nine Liberal seats that are potentially vulnerable at the coming election.
That is significantly above the national average of approximately one in four people (26 per cent).
A majority of these seats have either conservative MPs recontesting or new candidates replacing retiring or ousted MPs….. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-10/adani-approval-climate-change-nine-at-risk-coalition-seats/10985154
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 