It’s the 10-year anniversary of our climate policy abyss. But don’t blame the Greens

Federal Labor this week commemorated a dubious anniversary – a decade of climate policy failure. And it pointed the finger of blame squarely at the Greens.

In 2009, a Bob Brown-led Greens party voted against an emissions
 trading scheme – but they can’t be blamed for what came after.

Labor claimed that had the Greens not voted against its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) in 2009, Australia’s carbon emissions would be more than 200 million tonnes lower and electricity would be more affordable.

Labor MP Pat Conroy said the Coalition and the Greens “bear a heavy responsibility for the fact that, a decade later, Australia still does not have an effective policy to tackle climate change by reducing emissions”.

But one moment in 2009 is not the root cause of ongoing parliamentary disagreement over climate action. And the Greens cannot be blamed for what came afterwards.

Read the story from The Conversation by a lecturer from the Department of Political Economy at the University of Sydney, Rebecca Pearse - “It’s the 10-year anniversary of our climate policy abyss. But don’t blame the Greens.”

Labor’s $200m pledge to 'boots on the ground' groups to fix rivers

Federal Labor is stepping up its environmental pitch to voters, promising a new $200 million fund to restore the health of urban rivers and waterways.

The Cooks River near Canterbury.CREDIT:

The fund, which would run over five years, is targeted at 'boots on the ground' community and environment action groups already working on river health, but would also be open to local government authorities wanting to undertake larger scale remediation.

Read the story from The Age by Deborah Snow - “Labor’s $200m pledge to 'boots on the ground' groups to fix rivers."

Adani announces coal mine construction will begin

Federal Labor says Adani's Carmichael mine has failed to live up to its economic promises after the Indian mining giant announced it will self-finance a dramatically smaller project than originally planned.

Adani will finance the Carmichael mine itself
after failing to secure external finance.CREDIT:

Adani Mining chief executive Lucas Dow on Thursday said the scaled-back project would be "100 per cent financed" from within the Adani conglomerate, clearing a major hurdle for the highly contentious proposal.

It has been revised down to a smaller rail line project and coal volumes to reduce the investment risk.  Construction at the central Queensland mine site will soon begin, the company says.

Read the story from The Age by Nicole Hasham - “Adani announces coal mine construction will begin."

Big surge in opposition to Adani, new poll reveals.

A growing majority of Australians now oppose the construction of Adani's huge Carmichael coal mine, while environmental groups are ramping up pressure on Bill Shorten and federal Labor to rule out support for the project.

Opponents of the proposed mine dogged candidates
 in last year's Queensland state election.

A poll of 3312 people, conducted by pollsters ReachTEL on January 25 and commissioned by the Stop Adani Alliance, found 65.1 per cent of Australians opposed or strongly opposed Indian mining company Adani building the new coal mine in Queensland.

Read James Massola’s story in today’s  Melbourne Age - “Big surge in opposition to Adani, new poll reveals.”

ACF says directors would breach duties if loan for Carmichael rail link approved

The proposed $21 billion Carmichael mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin is under renewed pressure with Federal Labor and conservation groups opposing Adani's application for a federal government loan.

The Indian coal miner has applied for a $900 million concessional loan from the government's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

It wants the funds to help build a railway between the proposed mine and export terminals on the coast.

The Australian Conservation Foundation says company directors at Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility would be in breach of their duties if they approve the loan.

But the Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matt Canavan, has dismissed those concerns as bullying.

Listen to the interview on Radio National -  “ACF says directors would breach duties if loan for Carmichael rail link approved.”