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  1. #101
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    ^ sorry, missed that.

  2. #102
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Second ½ this week……



    The Greens have used a parliamentary report to make clear that a key Labor climate policy – revamping the safeguard mechanism – will fail unless the Albanese government agrees to changes its plan.

    In a dissenting report to a Senate committee inquiry released on Monday night, the Greens concluded the changes to the safeguard should not be introduced in their current form “given the danger that new coal and gas projects pose to a stable climate and safe society”.

    The minor party had previously offered to pass the legislation if the government agreed to ban new fossil fuel developments, but described its position as an “offer, not an ultimatum”.

    The safeguard mechanism applies to 215 major industrial and resources polluting facilities responsible for about 30% of national greenhouse gas emissions. Under Labor’s changes, those companies would need to cut greenhouse gas emissions intensity – how much they emit per unit of production – by 4.9% a year.

    _________




    Investment in large-scale renewable energy and storage accelerated in the final three months of 2022, creating the largest quarterly investments for more than four years, but the pace remains inadequate, the Clean Energy Council says.

    Developers made financial commitments to renewables and storage totalling $4.29bn in the December quarter, a 10-fold increase on the previous three months.

    The year-end spurt lifted investment commitments to $6.2bn for 2022, a 17% increase on the previous year.

    “While the uptick is encouraging, one quarter doesn’t mean a trend,” said the council’s chief executive, Kane Thornton. “Australia is deploying new large-scale generation – wind and solar farms – more slowly than needed to reach the 82% target for renewable energy on the National Electricity Market” by 2030.

    “The fact remains that the rolling quarterly average investment over 12 months has not risen above $2bn since the second quarter of 2019,” Thornton said.

    The investment details come a fortnight after the Australian Energy Market Operator warned of potential “reliability gaps” in the national power grid without “urgent” action in coming years to encourage more clean energy capacity and storage.

    __________



    The Albanese Government’s bill to deliver one of the largest peacetime investments in Australian industry and Australian manufacturing has today passed the House of Representatives.

    The National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) Corporation Bill will establish the NRF which will help create secure, high paying jobs for workers across the country, including in the regions, outer suburbs and remote communities.

    The NRF will invest $15 billion across priority areas of the economy including renewables and low emissions technologies, medical science, transport, value-adding in resources, value-adding in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, defence capability and enabling technologies.

    Related

    Labor meets Greens demand for ban on reconstruction fund investment in coal, gas and native logging

    The government has got the votes it needs for the national reconstruction fund: the Greens are on board after the government agreed to an amendment which means the fund can’t be used for coal and gas projects or for native forest logging. Adam Bandt:

    Coal and gas are the biggest cause of the climate crisis, so this is a big win for the climate and a big win for jobs and the economy.

    Coal and gas are out of the reconstruction fund, and native forest logging is too.

    We thank the government for the constructive approach they have taken in the negotiations and hope this can continue in the safeguard and housing bill discussions in the coming period.

    https://greens.org.au/news/media-rel...dge-government

    ___________

    • David Pocock wants urgent action on carbon credits before vote on key climate policy


    The independent senator David Pocock has urged the Albanese government to quickly implement all recommendations from a review of Australia’s carbon credit system, given that it wants to introduce a climate policy that relies heavily on offsets.

    Pocock’s is a key vote if the government is to introduce a planned revamp of the safeguard mechanism, a scheme that is meant to reduce carbon pollution from 215 big polluting industrial and resources sites.

    The Canberra senator said he wanted to see the 16 recommendations of the former chief scientist Prof Ian Chubb’s review of the system acted on “as soon as possible” given that the government hopes to start the rebooted safeguard mechanism on 1 July.

    After years of the safeguard failing to cut pollution, Labor wants to change it so that most heavily emitting sites have to cut emissions intensity by 4.9% a year. Companies could meet targets by making cuts onsite or buying offsets, including Australian carbon credits.

    Pocock said the “huge reliance” on carbon credits in the safeguard meant there would be doubts about it if it were introduced before Chubb’s recommendations. “This stuff needs to happen as soon as possible,” he said.

    Chubb said he agreed his recommendations were urgent. “I agree with the basic point he makes that they should do it quickly,” he said.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australi...climate-policy

    related

    David Pocock under pressure to block Labor’s safeguard mechanism bill after fossil fuel poll

    A majority of Canberrans support a ban on new coal and gas projects in federal law, adding pressure to the independent senator David Pocock to withhold support from Labor’s safeguard mechanism bill.

    The uComms poll of 1,112 residents of the Australian Capital Territory, commissioned by the Australia Institute, found 63% oppose new coal and gas, and 82% oppose the unlimited use of carbon credits to offset pollution.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australi...ssil-fuel-poll

    __________

    • NSW to grant coalmines licences for water from Sydney and Illawarra drinking catchments


    The Perrottet government has introduced new rules that will grant coalmines licences for water from the drinking catchment for Sydney and the Illawarra region.

    The government quietly gazetted the rules a day before the caretaker period commenced for the New South Wales election campaign.

    Environmental campaigners have called the move a “cynical attempt” to legislate practices that had been occurring at mine sites for years.

    The new rules direct Water NSW to issue licences to the Dendrobium, Metropolitan, Russell Vale and Wongawilli mines and are intended to deal with surface water that was already running from waterways into the mines.

    Under the state’s water management act, such diversions of water require a licence.

    While environmental campaigners have been calling for the government to regulate surface water loss at mine sites, they say they are concerned the last-minute changes have been made without clear protections for the catchment or cost arrangements.

    They are also concerned about how the water take will be measured and limited.

    The government has indicated WaterNSW “may” charge the mines for any water licence provided.

    “After years of saying there would be no impact on water supply from these coalmines, the government has now been forced to admit uncontrollable losses of water, due to the cracking of creeks and rivers,” the NSW coordinator for Lock the Gate, Nic Clyde, said.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australi...ing-catchments
    Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

  3. #103
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Queensland Greens introduce climate transition bill

    Michael Berkman - I just introduced the Greens' Queensland Climate Transition Bill.

    Our bill:
    Bans new coal & gas
    Establishes climate targets in line with current science & Paris
    Establishes a transition authority to phase out coal & gas exports with a fair deal for workers

    https://twitter.com/mcberkman/status...41283993526273


    • Greens to introduce bill for new climate targets in Queensland


    The Greens will introduce a bill to “ditch Scott Morrison’s climate targets” and legislate a 75% emissions reduction target by 2030, reaching net zero by 2035, in Queensland.

    The bill will also ban new coal, oil and gas resources projects in Queensland and phase out fossil fuel exports by 2030.

    Greens MP Michael Berkman:

    “Voters rejected Scott Morrison’s weak emissions targets at last year’s Federal election, yet Queensland Labor’s are almost the same.

    “Queensland is both a major contributor to the climate crisis and on the frontlines of some of its worst impacts, so we have a responsibility to seriously cut emissions in the coming decade.

    “Labor’s increased ambition to expand renewable energy is great, but piling renewables on top of fossil fuels doesn’t reduce emissions.

    “Labor’s targets are based on politics, but these are based on science.

    “A year on from the floods, people in my electorate are still picking up the pieces yet Labor seems to have forgotten them.

    “The Government’s current policy would mean more devastating floods, fires and heatwaves, higher grocery prices, skyrocketing insurance premiums and sudden job losses.

    “Accepting the climate science means getting out of fossil fuels completely, which is why our bill will also ban new coal and gas approvals and phase out fossil fuel exports by 2030.

    “Our bill would require the State Government to work with stakeholders on a clear resource industry transition plan that replaces coal and gas production with guaranteed new jobs.”

    Background

    The Greens bill will also ban new coal and gas approvals.

    While the State Government’s 2022 Energy and Jobs Plan included a commitment to expand renewable energy and reduce energy sector emissions, it made no change to the Government’s emissions reduction targets of 30% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Those targets are similar to the former Morrison Government targets of 26-28% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Independent modelling shows these targets are not consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celcius.

    To meet those objectives Australia must reduce its emissions by approximately 74% on 2005 levels by 2030, and reach net zero by the mid 2030s.

    ___________




    A vexed debate over the future of a major Australian climate policy that has been bubbling away for months is coming to a head.

    The Albanese government has given itself a tight deadline to land what is possibly the most substantial step to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with its climate targets that it promised before winning power last year.

    The policy is called the safeguard mechanism. It was introduced (and named, badly) by the Coalition. It was meant to limit emissions from industry but hasn’t. The previous government chose not to properly enforce it.

    Labor has promised to revamp it. Part of the revamp requires legislation, which the government wants to pass in the next three weeks of parliament. The other part will be made through changes to regulation before a 1 July start.

    Much more in the link

    ____________



    Four people have been arrested following a climate protest in NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet's office.

    The Rising Tide Australia group posted on Twitter that 15 demonstrators had entered Perrottet's Epping, in Sydney's north-west, electorate office.

    The group, including young people, has accused the premier of worsening climate change by approving new coal and gas projects.

    NSW Police went to the office to remove the demonstrators.

    The protesters are calling on the state government to stop approving new coal and gas projects.

    NSW Police said 15 people carried out an unauthorised protest.

    "Two men, aged 62 and 64, and two women, aged 40 and 65, were arrested for trespassing," police said

    "All four were taken to Ryde Police Station and are currently assisting with inquiries.

    "There were no reports of injuries."



    _________

    • Michael Sheldrick - My statement in The Guardian highlighting how Australia’s fair share to support countries - including its Pacific neighbors - respond to #climatechange, increase clean energy access and withstand natural disasters, is equivalent to the cost of one nuclear powered submarine. https://twitter.com/micksheldrick/st...69534906679298


    Global Citizen calls for funding for climate change, ‘a matter of political will’

    Michael Sheldrick, co-founder & chief policy, impact and government affairs officer for Global Citizen, an international education and advocacy organisation, has released a statement calling for more funding for climate change:

    This week, Australians saw President Biden, [the] British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and [the] Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, formalise an agreement, Aukus, to own and operate nuclear-powered submarines at a cost to Australia of up to AU$368bn. This is the equivalent of 217 years of aid to the Pacific at Australia’s current spend in the region.

    It’s clear that Australia has the capacity to fund measures vital to its national and global security. Climate change is clearly the great security challenge of our time. Just ask any of Australia’s friends in the Pacific.

    To put this into perspective, paying for Australia’s fair share towards the impacts of climate change is equivalent to the cost of just one nuclear-powered submarine.

    We aren’t asking Australia to commit to a new measure: we’re simply calling on Australia to fulfil the promise they made in the Paris Agreement. Our government promised to play its part in closing the global US$100bn climate financing gap, which included supporting climate resiliency programs in the Pacific and South East Asia.

    This is something we can be doing to deliver on promises – it’s just a matter of political will.

  4. #104
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    You seemed terribly obsessed with Australia. You must know that the climate will be decided in America EU, China India and Africa. Australias total contribution is so low we are nowhere near the top 10 emitters. Even your precious and irrelevant emissions per person sees Australia in at 10 place, with those filthy emitters, Palau (pop 18,000) as the highest emitters per person. No need to worry about the chinese output around 11,700 m/tons when we have Palau around a quarter of a m/ton. You have become the Sabang of climate change.

  5. #105
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    ^ I think Landreth has the hots for Sarah Hanson Sea Patrol the idiot Green Senator or
    is getting a backhander from Tennis Albo.

  6. #106
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Eight coal projects to be considered by NSW forecast to add 1.5bn tonnes to global emissions

    Eight coal projects the New South Wales government will consider in 2023 would add at least 1.5bn tonnes to global greenhouse gas emissions if they all proceeded, according to analysis by Lock the Gate.

    The anti-mining group said it was the largest proposed expansion of coalmining in the state since the Paris agreement on climate change was signed and showed a need for changes to planning laws to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

    The analysis considered eight proposed expansions of existing mines that could be assessed and determined in NSW in 2023.

    They include the Newstan mine near Newcastle, the Chain Valley colliery near Mannering Park and the Moolarben mine east of Mudgee.

    Lock the Gate produced its analysis using the projected carbon emissions in available project assessment documents.

    The group found the eight projects collectively would produce at least 1.5bn tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions, including what are known as scope 3 emissions from when the coal is sold and burned, mostly overseas.

    Most of those emissions – about 1.2bn – would be attributable to a single project, Glencore and Yancoal’s Hunter Valley operations project.






    Last edited by S Landreth; 19-03-2023 at 05:39 PM.

  7. #107
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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  8. #108
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    ABC election analyst Antony Green says Labor will either form minority or majority government.

    "There will be a change in government."

    "We have Labor up above 40 seats and the Coalition is struggling to get above 27 at this stage."

    Chris Minns will be the 47th Premier of the state after leading his party to an election win after 12 years in opposition.

  9. #109
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Cow View Post
    You seemed terribly obsessed with Australia. You must know that the climate will be decided in America EU, China India and Africa. Australias total contribution is so low we are nowhere near the top 10 emitters. Even your precious and irrelevant emissions per person sees Australia in at 10 place, with those filthy emitters, Palau (pop 18,000) as the highest emitters per person. No need to worry about the chinese output around 11,700 m/tons when we have Palau around a quarter of a m/ton. You have become the Sabang of climate change.

  10. #110
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Big swings towards Labor
    Antony Green's latest observations:

    15.3 per cent swing to Labor in Parramatta.
    16.4 per cent to Labor in seat of South Coast
    Riverstone showing a 17.6 per cent swing to Labor
    Labor 8.7 per cent swing for Labor in Oatley

  11. #111
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Quick recap of Labor's gains

    Labor will form majority government, according to ABC election analyst Antony Green
    It will hold at least 47 seats in the 93 member lower house
    It has so far gained nine seats from the Coalition
    The seat of retiring health minister Brad Hazzard has been picked up by independent Michael Regan
    Dominic Perrottet is facing a tough fight in his seat of Epping
    One Nation is only up 1 per cent compared to their 2019 election results


  12. #112
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    What does a Labor-run NSW look like?

    Reporter Maryanne Taouk and I have compiled some of Labor's key promises for NSW, now that it is projected to form majority government.

    They've promised a "fresh start" after 12 years in opposition.

    Here's what that might look like.

    More schools
    Labor will build 100 new public preschools and has promised to give 10,000 temporary teachers permanent roles to help stem the 2,000-teacher shortage across the state's primary and high schools.

    Health sector boost
    During the Omicron crisis at the end of 2021 (gosh, didn't that feel like forever ago) the newly minted Premier Dominic Perrottet repeatedly declared NSW had the best health system in the world, despite whistleblowers telling the ABC the conditions inside hospitals were driving nurses to resign from burnout.

    His comments during this period no doubt soured his position with the health sector.

    While being hesitant to commit to a nursing-to-patient ratio system, Minns has made a minimum staffing level commitment for public hospitals which proposes, as a start, an extra 1,200 health professionals into the health system.

    The incoming Labor government is also promising to hire more paramedics and more hospital beds across the state.

    Housing reform
    Minns has promised to create a NSW Rental Commission to "oversee the rights of renters overall", which would include a ban on secret rent bidding.

    For those looking to enter the housing market, the new government will spend $722 million on a first homebuyers scheme, axing stamp duty for properties up to $800,000 and discounting it on dwellings up to $1 million.

    These measures would be in place of the Coalition's stamp duty reforms which passed last year.

    However, Labor's promises don't seem to address the absence of an alternative to home ownership as a long-term preference.

    Cashless gaming trial
    While the Coalition planned to make all poker machines cashless in NSW by 2028, Labor has only committed to a trial of the technology on 500 machines in the next 12 months.

    Gaming machines will transition to a $50 cash feed-in limit and there will be a ban on signage like "VIP Lounge" where gaming is promoted.

    While in opposition, Minns also said Labor would ban political parties from accepting donations from the clubs' sector.

  13. #113
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Perrottet stands down as leader

    He says the Liberal Party of NSW needs a "fresh start".

    "I take full responsibility for the loss this evening.

    "To everyone in the Liberal Party, this next period of time will not be easy but it will be necessary.

    "It is a time to reflect, it is our time to rethink and ultimately to renew."

  14. #114
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    ‘Back and ready’: Chris Minns leads Labor to power after 12 years in opposition at historic 2023 NSW election

    Labor is on track to form majority government in New South Wales after 12 years in opposition, with the party leader, 43-year-old former firefighter and political staffer Chris Minns, declaring the party is “back and ready to govern in this great state”.

    As counting ended on Saturday night, Labor had picked up at least nine seats, enough to govern in majority and a better-than-expected result for the party after big swings in many previously safe Coalition seats.

    The result means Minns will become the first Labor leader to win government from opposition in NSW for almost three decades and sees the Coalition relegated to the opposition benches in every parliament on mainland Australia.




  15. #115
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Where things stand


    ____________





    Labor has won the New South Wales election and will likely form a majority government, while outgoing premier Dominic Perrottet has announced he is immediately standing down as leader of the state’s Liberal party.

    Premier-elect Chris Minns arrived to a roaring crowd at Labor HQ in Brighton Le Sands, in Sydney’s south, at 10.30pm for a victory speech, declaring: “The people of NSW have voted for a fresh start”.

    “It’s undeniably the case that this election campaign was, perhaps uniquely, a model of respect and civility. Neither party took the low road, neither political party took the low blow,” Mr Minns added.

    “It can be a model for the way democracy is done right across this country.”

    Mr Minns’ victory means every state and territory in Australia – bar Tasmania – has a Labor government.

    He also reflected on two of his key campaign issues – ending privatisation and removing the public sector wage cap.

    “I’m proud to say today the people of NSW voted for the removal of the unfair wages,” he said.

    “They voted for our nurses, our teachers … our paramedics and police.

    “There was a basic acknowledgment at the end of the day that during the Covid emergency the people of NSW that work in our hospitals, schools, and emergency department put themselves second and the public first.”


    related



    Labor’s bill

    This is why NSW Labor is announcing today that we will legislate the state’s carbon emissions reduction targets.

    We will introduce a private members’ bill to legislate the state’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target.

    And we will legislate the state’s 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on 2005 levels by 2030 target.

    Labor’s bill will reflect the gravity and urgency of the climate crisis; opportunities for job creation and economic diversification in new high growth sectors such as renewable energy; the need to protect jobs and communities; and the importance of appropriate action to ensure intergenerational equity for households, business, workers, communities, and rural and regional NSW

    Business and industry deserve certainty.

    Establish a Net Zero Commission

    Labor’s bill will also establish a Net Zero Commission who would develop the plan to net zero by 2050, monitor and review the plan and trajectory, including impacts on jobs and industry, as well as energy prices. The Commission would update the plan every five years.

    The Commission would have the power to make recommendations to the government of the day on how to more effectively meet our targets; supporting diversification of local economies, job creation and job protection; ensuring mining communities receive a fair share from royalties; and targets for the government’s own energy use.

    The bill would also require the Net Zero Commission to report annually to Parliament, and the NSW Government to provide its response at the same time.

    ___________



    Business groups have renewed calls for federal parliament to pass safeguard mechanism reforms, as the contentious climate policy stalls.

    Talks on the safeguard mechanism will be centre stage when MPs return to Canberra for the last sitting week before the federal budget in May.

    The government is seeking to pass the mechanism bill through parliament this week so the reforms can be in place by July.

    Labor needs the support of the Greens plus two crossbenchers to get the bill through the Senate, with the coalition opposing it.

    The Greens are calling for the government to stop all new coal and gas projects in return for their support for the bill.

    AI Group chief executive Innes Willox said parliament needed to come to a workable agreement on the safeguard as soon as possible to ensure its success.

    "The net zero emissions marathon has much further to run, but we won't get to the finish line by staying in the changing rooms," he said.

    "Hundreds of facilities need clarity as soon as possible on the new rules that will apply to them from July 1."

    The safeguard mechanism will apply to the country's 215 biggest emitters and force them to reduce their emissions by 4.9 per cent each year.

    Companies that aren't able to meet the targets would be able to purchase carbon credits.

    The policy is considered essential to achieving the climate target of 43 per cent emission reduction by 2030.

    Mr Willox, whose network represents the interests of more than 60,000 businesses, said while the scheme could be improved later on, there was a need for the bill to pass now to ensure certainty for investors.

    "There is also going to need to be longer-term evolution of the safeguard and supporting policies to ensure industry can achieve its net zero emissions future right here in Australia," he said.

    "But none of that would be brought closer by the parliament failing to pass the safeguard reform legislation."

    Greens leader Adam Bandt has insisted the calls for the government to stop new coal and gas projects were not an ultimatum.

    __________



    Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen is warning the Greens against voting down Labor's signature climate change legislation, arguing "no reform means no change".

    Key points:

    The Greens have offered support for the safeguard mechanism on the condition new coal and gas projects are banned
    Chris Bowen has defended the need for additional gas, ruling out an agreement to a ban
    The mechanism is the core of the government's plan to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030
    The federal government's Safeguard Mechanism Bill would require the nation's 215 largest-polluting facilities to reduce their emissions by 4.9 per cent each year to 2030, or face penalties.

    The mechanism is the core of the government's plan to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by the decade's end.

    The government is nearing the end of negotiations on the bill which is currently before the Senate and could be voted on in the next sitting period.

    Labor needs the support of the Greens to pass the legislation.

    The Greens have offered their necessary support for its legislation, with a single condition that new coal and gas projects are blocked from development.

    The party labelled the government's target as "weak" and is adamant that allowing new coal and gas projects would erase any potential emissions reductions.

    In a key speech to The Sydney Institute, Chris Bowen warned that a failure to pass the bill would result in rising emissions.

    "I understand the emphasis on possible new facilities in the public debate, but this reform is about reducing emissions from all facilities: old and new, industrial and resources-based."

    Immediate gas ban 'irresponsible'

    Mr Bowen has repeatedly ruled out the government bowing to demands to ban new fossil fuel projects, insisting there is a vital need for future gas supply.

    He said the calls for an immediate ban on future gas are "irresponsible".

    Mr Bowen used his speech to criticise the Coalition for opposing the bill, labelling them "irrelevant", and accused the Greens of failing to understand the complexity of the reforms.

    "Others are quick to label any action as not good enough, rapid to call for more while ignoring the complexities and imperatives of managing this complex transition smoothly to ensure our lights stay on and our industrial base is nurtured and expanded during this vital transformation," Mr Bowen said.

    Mr Bowen said the government was ultimately going for a "centrist" approach but insisted it was far from timid.

    "Slogans and calls for faster action often ignore the realities and complexities of the task we are undertaking," Mr Bowen said.

    "We receive criticism from the left and the right, but we continue with alacrity because this middle way is the right way and it is our great responsibility to make policy, not just a point."

    ____________

    • Labor and Greens could agree to compromise on non-fossil fuel industries in safeguard mechanism


    Labor could agree to treat existing non-fossil fuel industries – such as cement, aluminium and steel – differently to new coal and gas developments in a bid to reach agreement with the Greens on a signature climate policy.

    But it is unclear whether the possible compromise on the design of the safeguard mechanism would be enough to win support for the Albanese government’s plan, which requires major industrial polluting sites to reduce emissions intensity onsite cuts or buy carbon offsets.

    The Greens remain in internal negotiations over the potential changes, with differing views within the party over what is a reasonable compromise on its starting position of calling for a ban on new fossil fuel developments.

    Negotiations between Labor and the crossbench are also yet to resolve concerns about the government’s plan to allow companies to use an unlimited number of carbon offsets to meet their goals.

    The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, has repeatedly ruled out accepting the Greens’ demand to ban new coal and gas, as well as fallback options such as a pause pending a debate over whether to introduce a “climate trigger” that would require the government to consider climate impacts when major development proposals were assessed.

    The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, has signalled his party would examine any solution that would stop pollution from coal and gas going up in good faith.

    “We are prepared to work with the government, but to develop a scheme that actually sees pollution go down and that tackles the question of coal and gas,” Bandt told the lower house on Wednesday evening.

    “Labor wants to keep opening coal and gas mines. We will continue to have good faith discussions with the government to see if we can arrive at a position where we can pass laws where pollution actually starts to come down, not just through offsets for tree-planting permits.”

    The bill requires big industrial emitters to reduce emissions intensity by 4.9% a year, or buy credits from other firms who have cut further, or buy controversial carbon offsets created through forest regeneration and other projects.

    Bowen has said the plan would achieve 205m tonnes of abatement and includes a buffer that means that number would be met if some new coal and gas projects go ahead. He has warned that without the safeguard mechanism, Australia will only be able to achieve a 35% reduction by 2030, not the target of 43%.

    Among the Greens’ criticisms are that the scheme does not take into account the vast emissions released after coal and gas from new fossil fuel export developments is burned overseas.

    Guardian Australia understands that some of the options explored earlier in negotiations include indirectly offering existing industries such as aluminium, steel and manufacturing an easier pathway.

    One way to achieve this could be to ease the definition of what qualifies as a trade-exposed industry for non-fossil fuel facilities that the country needs to survive with lower emissions.

    __________


    • Climate change policy important 'starter point': Lambie


    Senator Jacqui Lambie has warned the Greens will be held responsible if a bill to bring down emissions in Australia fails.

    Greens leader Adam Bandt said he was open to negotiations over the safeguards mechanism, but demanded a ban on new coal and gas projects, which the government has rejected.

    Senator Lambie said she was "sick and tired" of the party's tactics and argued the legislation was needed to create a starting point for change.

    "I'm worried that it's going to fall over and it'll be the Greens' fault," she said.

    "You need a starter point ... we can keep working on reducing those emissions as we're going along.

    "The Greens can continue their fight over coal and gas, but for goodness sake, if that's what you're standing on and you don't get anything through at all, then we're back to where we started."

    The mechanism would apply to the country's biggest emitters and aim to reduce emissions by 205 million tonnes by 2030.

    The coalition opposes the safeguard, meaning the Labor government needs the support of the Greens and two more crossbench senators.

    Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen used a UN report on climate change to stress the need for immediate action.

    "It is critical that we seize every possible day of the remaining decade to drive down emissions," he said.

    "Ten years of denial and delay has increased the threat of climate change to our health, environment, economy and national security."

    Independent senator David Pocock said while the government wanted the safeguard passed in the next fortnight, it needed to be fine-tuned.

    "We need to get it right," he told reporters.

    "This is a really big piece of climate policy, and let's be clear, we currently have a safeguard mechanism, it's just not working.

    "We've got a crossbench urging the government to simply ensure that it delivers what they say it's going to deliver."

    Resources Minister Madeleine King said gas was needed as part of the transition to renewable energy.

    "In order to decarbonise, the world needs our resources industry and our critical minerals," she said.

    "No gas means no processing of critical minerals and therefore no batteries for the storage of renewable energy, and that makes our pathway to net zero emissions all the more difficult."

    Carbon Market Institute chair Kerry Schott said the safeguard mechanism was needed to ensure certainty in industry.

    "We need the safeguard mechanism to get through to become more attractive for investors," she told the National Press Club.

    "A safeguard mechanism isn't going to fix everything. It is one piece of legislation. So it is very important this relatively slender bill gets through.

    "At least we will have the policy in place and we can be moving forward."

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/government...163145129.html
    Last edited by S Landreth; 26-03-2023 at 12:43 PM.

  16. #116
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    This might not go well.

    Media Release: New gas supply strategy needed from new NSW Government

    Australia’s oil and gas industry has urged the incoming New South Wales Labor Government to recognise the crucial role of natural gas in the state’s cleaner energy future and enable investment in new supply to avoid forecast shortfalls and put downward pressure on prices.

    The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) today congratulated Premier-Elect Chris Minns for winning the support of NSW voters at yesterday’s state election.

    APPEA Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said repeated recent warnings from independent authorities like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) could not be ignored in the state any longer.

    “The oil and gas industry congratulates Chris Minns on his victory and urges his new team to consider the serious and immediate energy challenges as a matter of priority” Ms McCulloch said.

    “New South Wales is a big gas user but has left its own reserves in the ground and outsourced its energy security, exacerbating the cost-of-living pressures on NSW households and businesses.

    “Bans and regulatory uncertainty have made new supply investment very difficult and left users paying $2/GJ extra when gas is transported from Queensland, often over untapped NSW reserves.

    “The new government needs to recognise the key role of natural gas in a cleaner energy future as identified by international and national energy authorities and echoed by the Prime Minister.

    “The state needs to provide a clear strategy to promote investment in new supply in order to help avoid forecast shortfalls in the east coast energy market and put downward pressure on prices.

    “This could include fast-tracking new supply options like the long-delayed Narrabri Gas Project, which could supply enough natural gas to meet up to half of the state’s gas demand.”

    Ms McCulloch said states which have put in place investment-friendly environments benefited greatly – with better energy security, cheaper energy, emissions reductions and substantial economic benefits.

    “Queensland, for example, forecasts $7 billion in gas royalties in coming years to build hospitals and roads while over 30,000 jobs are supported by its CSG and LNG developments,” she said.

    “New South Wales, meanwhile, is missing out on the public revenue and jobs that local gas production provides while risking the lights going out.”

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    As usual. Western Australia with its vast gas and oil reserves will have to take up the slack

  18. #118
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    It's not exactly Houston Texas or sandpit style but there's shitloads of of gas , unfortunately a previous prime minister. Little johnny Howard sold it all for peanuts, the dipshit done the same with our gold reserves,

  19. #119
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    Quote Originally Posted by BLD View Post
    As usual. Western Australia with its vast gas and oil reserves will have to take up the slack
    If only it was true BLD. Close to 50% of taxes or around 270 billion comes from individual taxation such as PAYE employees etc. Eastern seaboard population 20 million people. Western seaboard population 2.7 million. It doesnt take a maths genius to tell whose paying the bills.

  20. #120
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    Quote Originally Posted by S Landreth View Post
    This might not go well.
    I'll tell you what won't go well in Australia, and other countries that are also pretending fossil fuels are going to be obsolete in the near future to appease the brainwashed masses that don't know any better. The time will come when everyone wanting immediate bans on exploration and production suddenly find themselves facing energy bills they can't afford, or possibly even get at any price because:

    A. With no further exploration or production, we are suddenly talking about a finite product that will run out before alternatives can even think about fully supplying world demand. And the companies that own that finite product will choke the last remaining years of their reserves to charge any fucking price they want.
    B. Like it or not, watch an episode of The Flintstones to get an idea of what life would be like right now with no energy producing commodities such as oil, gas, and coal. The world as we know it would quite simply stop.
    C. The same people that want E&P shut down would be the first to complain like bitches that they can't deal with energy prices or power rationing or no heating or whatever else comes their way because they had completely unrealistic wishes of shutting down fossil fuel production, and got it.
    D. India and China are among poor countries making up 40%++ of the world population who honestly could not give a flying fuck about emissions despite what their leaders might say at some meeting or summit, they're in a constant state of survival mode and the least of their problems is replacing whatever energy sources they're currently using with something to make Greta fucking Thunberg happy, not that they could afford to anyway. Or is the West going to finance their transition to clean energy as well?
    E. I wonder how many North Americans know there's 758 drilling rigs working in the USA and 165 in Canada this week as just one example of the way Governments are trying to juggle looking like they're winding exploration down, while knowing full well they can't.

    I could go on but it's a complete fucking circus out there of people who haven't got a clue, Governments trying to appease them while knowing their emissions reduction or complete cessation projections are simply ludicrous, and anyone capable of logical thought being able to compare world fossil fuel demand (which, in one example, is over 100 million barrels of oil a day now and rising) versus renewable energy growth and their projections to see a perfect storm is brewing.

    But, what would I know..

  21. #121
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    I'll tell you what won't go well in Australia, and other countries that are also pretending fossil fuels are going to be obsolete in the near future to appease the brainwashed masses that don't know any better.
    got to hurt

    Quote Originally Posted by S Landreth View Post



    Labor’s bill

    This is why NSW Labor is announcing today that we will legislate the state’s carbon emissions reduction targets.

    We will introduce a private members’ bill to legislate the state’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target.

    And we will legislate the state’s 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on 2005 levels by 2030 target.

    Labor’s bill will reflect the gravity and urgency of the climate crisis; opportunities for job creation and economic diversification in new high growth sectors such as renewable energy; the need to protect jobs and communities; and the importance of appropriate action to ensure intergenerational equity for households, business, workers, communities, and rural and regional NSW

    Business and industry deserve certainty.

    Establish a Net Zero Commission

    Labor’s bill will also establish a Net Zero Commission who would develop the plan to net zero by 2050, monitor and review the plan and trajectory, including impacts on jobs and industry, as well as energy prices. The Commission would update the plan every five years.

    The Commission would have the power to make recommendations to the government of the day on how to more effectively meet our targets; supporting diversification of local economies, job creation and job protection; ensuring mining communities receive a fair share from royalties; and targets for the government’s own energy use.

    The bill would also require the Net Zero Commission to report annually to Parliament, and the NSW Government to provide its response at the same time.

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    ^They can say it and legislate it and tattoo it on their fucking foreheads if they want, none of them will be in power or available for comment when the dates they're throwing around arrive and the targets being set now simply cannot be met. Not even close.

    The technology does not exist to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels worldwide in the time frame that any of them are suggesting. Still though, it'll keep them elected and the people dumb enough to believe some magic wand is about to be waved appeased. For now..

  23. #123
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    Quote Originally Posted by S Landreth View Post
    Labor is on track to form majority government in New South Wales after 12 years in opposition
    A change was necessary, though it would have been good if they had to form a coalition with a few parties to 'keep the bastards honest'.

  24. #124
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    They can say it and legislate it and tattoo it on their fucking foreheads if they want, none of them will be in power or available for comment when the dates they're throwing around arrive and the targets being set now simply cannot be met. Not even close.
    almost in a state of anger

    It’s going to happen. Enjoy the ride

    ___________

    And it continues......



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    ^I'll tell you what's going to happen: There will come a time (using Australia as an example) when production of fossil fuels has almost ended and it becomes blatantly obvious that there's not enough renewable or cleaner energy options available to replace it, despite the claims and projections being bantered about now by people who are telling the public what they want to hear and believed by those who know no better. Energy costs will become completely obscene (though most would argue they already are), the public will be wanting heads to roll starting with the Minister for Energy, and whichever Government is in power will have no choice but to tear down barriers put in front of E&P companies and offer assistance in any way they can to get them to bring the assets they've shut down back online till more realistic targets can be established based on renewable energy producing progress and technological advances at that time. "This was unforeseeable and based on projections of experts which haven't been met" they'll say.

    Keeping in mind Australia produces an estimated 1% of world carbon emissions, versus America with around 30% which has 758 rigs drilling for oil this week, and we can see who's really pandering to the clueless on the matter while being quietly realistic about how long it will actually take to make full transformation.

    Look, I know the day will come when fossil fuels are no longer needed to supply energy around the world but there's nobody reading this post that will see that day, and if we want to include poor countries that make up the majority of carbon emissions making full change there's nobody reading this who's grand-children will see that either. Biggest fucking hoax ever, people are believing anything they read or hear instead of processing the data that's freely available showing most current projections are simply impossible and are based on technological advances that haven't been made yet. Meanwhile, stocks in Mining companies with machinery burning diesel at a few million litres a week digging up materials needed for clean energy continue to hit record highs and drilling all over the world is full speed ahead right now, just in case
    Last edited by Headworx; 27-03-2023 at 08:01 AM.

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