The government thinks we’re idiots and is not serious about reducing emissions.

After Scott Morrison’s announcement of his new climate change policy we know two things – the government still thinks we’re idiots, and they are still not serious about reducing emissions.

We don't need this current putrid policy from the government.

I guess we should be grateful that at least the government now realises it needs to look as if it gives a damn about reducing emissions, because for a while they couldn’t even be bothered to do that.

But stuff it. I’m done with giving out prizes for pretence. I’m done with being satisfied with something not even worthy of being called a fourth-best policy. I’m done with the lies.

Do not for one second think this is a policy designed to reduce emissions. It is a political Band-Aid while the actual wound to our economy from its greenhouse gas dependency is open and festering.

It is a fraud, and not even a new one.

Read the story from The Guardian by Greg Jericho - “The government thinks we’re idiots and is not serious about reducing emissions.”

Coal to hydrogen project reliant on carbon capture pipe dream

National environment group Friends of the Earth has expressed disappointment at the announcement that the Andrews government is proceeding with a trial led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries to convert Victorian brown coal into liquid hydrogen for export.

There are many significant problems with this project:

“Firstly, it is most unlikely it will ever move to commercial phase. This project will only proceed if carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is employed” said Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker.

“New uses of coal would come with an unacceptable climate burden unless CCS is deployed and would be inconsistent with the government’s commitment for the state to be carbon neutral by 2050.”

According to the government’s own Statement on future uses of coal, major new coal projects will need to operate within mandated emissions standards. Without CCS, it seems very unlikely that the Kawasaki project would meet this requirement.

 “Why is the government promoting a project which is at odds with its own policy?” asked Mr Walker.

Friends of the Earth say government expenditure on coal projects is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

“Governments have squandered over $1.3 billion on carbon capture projects with no return on investment. This is money that could have been invested in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and climate action.”

“Secondly, the $100m of new public funds allocated to this project represents wasted money that should have gone to job creating projects in the Latrobe Valley that use technology that is already viable. Obvious candidates include renewables, energy efficiency and retrofitting of houses, energy storage, high tech research and developing a business case for the geothermal resource that exists under the Latrobe Valley.

“CCS has already absorbed well over $1.3 billion of public funds and each new dollar invested in this technology represents a dollar that is taken from technology that works.”

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“Thirdly, we have to ask who is driving this project? The federal government lacks the state government’s commitment to ensuring CCS is linked to any new coal developments. And government officials continue to promote ‘clean coal’ technology, despite the fact that this technology is going nowhere.”

Friends the Earth say the Victorian government needs to hit the reset button on the matter.

“The state government needs to seek more informed advice from energy experts to ensure that future projects reflect best practise technology suitable for the 21^st century, instead of relying on advice which is clearly aligned with promoting the ‘clean coal’ pipe-dream”.

State Government announces $30 million plan to help farmers with their energy bills

Today's Country News tells of a Victorian Government announcement of $30 million in funding to help farmers manage their energy costs (should you not be able to read this, grab a copy of today's Shepparton News, which includes this week's Country News.

China will finance Adani mine, insiders say, but it will cost Australian jobs

The Adani Group is close to securing finance for its controversial coal mine and railway project in outback Queensland, with an announcement expected in coming weeks that Chinese state-owned enterprises, banks, and export credit agencies are backing the venture.

China's money could mean Adani no longer
needs a loan from the Australian Government.

Australian taxpayers may be let off the hook under the deal, which could mean Adani no longer requires an Australian Government-subsidised loan of up to $1 billion for the railway it needs to transport the coal to port.

But China's money will come at the cost of local jobs.

Chinese enterprises and export credit agencies invariably require that materials for key infrastructure are sourced from China, effectively shifting work out of Australia and undermining Adani's claims its project will create many thousands of additional jobs for Queensland.

Read the story by Stephen Long on ABC News - “China will finance Adani mine, insiders say, but it will cost Australian jobs.”

Qld One Nation 'not going anywhere' says Dickson

Pauline Hanson has been caught on the hop by the announcement of the Queensland election on November 25.

Fran Kelly - talking with morning
with One Nation's Steve Dickson.

She's currently in India with a parliamentary delegation and will miss the first week of campaigning.

But her presence still looms large — with One Nation set to field candidates in 60 of the state's 93 seats meaning the minor party is in with a chance of holding the balance of power.

LNP Opposition leader Tim Nichols has ruled out any deals — but former premier Campbell Newman predicts the Liberal National Party won't be able to form government without One Nation's support.

Listen to the RN Breakfast interview - “Qld One Nation 'not going anywhere' says Dickson.”

(Obviously, a few brumbies are loose in the top paddock - One Nation’s Steve Dickson said this morning on radio that is his party’s intention to build a new coal-fired power plant in northern Queensland. Such an idea contradicts overwhelming evidence that coal, being a prime fossil fuel, is the cornerstone of human behaviour that is worsening climate change and putting at risk most everything that is good about life. Dickson and his One Nation counterparts should be avoided and not allowed, under any circumstances, anywhere near the levers of power - Robert McLean)