Category: Articles

Garrett’s not the only one one with bloody hands

admin /13 February, 2010

Friday, 12 February 2010 / 48 comments

Garrett’s not the only one with bloody hands

by Bernard Keane   (CRIKEY)

For the avoidance of doubt, Peter Garrett should be in a world of political pain at the moment. His capacity to manage a portfolio and large-scale programs should be under the microscope.

But not for the foil insulation business.

The Opposition yesterday finally got around to doing what it should have done on Tuesday and Wednesday, focusing most of its Question Time fire on Garrett. Because he’d had time to shore up his defences, Garrett looked relatively relaxed. The ensuing Censure Motion lacked any bite, not least because it was painfully obvious when it was coming.

Greg Hunt opened his statement in the censure debate by saying that under the Westminster system, Garrett should resign.

And That’s Strike Three For Garrett

admin /12 February, 2010

federal politics

12 Feb 2010

And That’s Strike Three For Garrett

By Ben Eltham

With scandals mounting and the ability of his department to manage policy roll-outs in doubt, Ben Eltham assesses Peter Garrett’s prospects for political survival

The Rudd Government’s high-profile Environment Minister is struggling to keep his head above water right now, buffeted by scandals within several programs in his department.

Ordinarily, any minister can survive a botched scheme or two. Whatever the history books say, the Westminster convention that ministers take ultimate responsibility for their departments is just that: history. But Peter Garrett has now presided over at least three debacles: the solar hot water rebate, the Green Loans program, which Fairfax reporter Tom Arup has called an “unmitigated disaster”, and of course, the insulation debacle — which has cost the lives of at least four young Australians.

Society ignores the oil crunch at it’s peril;

admin /11 February, 2010

Society ignores the oil crunch at its peril

Warnings of a crash in oil production are no longer limited to a prescient few individuals – major British companies and oil CEOs are now sounding the alert 

An oil rig in Los Padres National Forest, California

Major British companies and oil CEOs are sounding the alert over oil production. Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images

 

In the years approaching the credit crunch, whistleblowers were limited to a few insightful economists and financial journalists. Now whistles are blowing again about another grave threat to the global economy and the security of nations. They warn of an oil crunch: an unexpected crash in global production such that supply can no longer meet demand, even if China and India throttle back.

 

This time the warning is not limited to a prescient few individuals. Major British companies, led by Virgin, Scottish and Southern and Stagecoach, are flagging the danger, in today’s report from the UK industry taskforce on peak oil and energy security . So too are the CEOs of oil companies themselves, in the case of Total and Petrobras, and growing numbers of other senior oil industry figures, usually recently retired. Even the International Energy Agency is sounding the alert, in a coded sort of way.

World’s first personal carbon credit earns $17 cashback for one tonne of carbon dioxide

admin /9 February, 2010

World’s first personal carbon credit earns $17 cashback for one tonne of carbon dioxide

Solar panels worth $58,000 bring couple modest return as home-owners look to DIY system of emissions trading

solar roof panels

Solar roof panels are a long-term investment

 

 

As investments go, it does not look like a money-spinner. Invest $58,000 to line the roof of your suburban home with solar panels, and pick up a $17.20 cheque in exchange for the reduction in your household carbon emissions. But the Pennsylvania couple who have earned the world’s first carbon credit for reducing personal emissions think it has been worth it.

Evans silent signal on immigration

admin /8 February, 2010

Monday, 8 February 2010 / 19 comments

Evans’ silent signal on 
immigration

by Bernard Keane    (CRIKEY)

The money line from Chris Evans this morning in announcing changes to the skilled migration program was that this was about  “taking back control of our immigration program”.

The announcement is a big step in the Government’s pre-emptive attempt to ensure immigration does not turn against it in an election year.  Unlike with climate change, the Government won’t be caught out thinking it owns an issue that is starting to damage it.

The Opposition has taken its time finding its line on the issue, partly because Scott Morrison is new to the portfolio.  Kevin Andrews in fact beat him to the punch, calling for an 85% slashing of immigration as soon as he returned to the front bench.  Since then, Tony Abbott has been unclear on the issue, talking about how he “instinctively” favours high immigration but more recently emphasising the need for a sustainable population.  Andrews ran a huge immigration program when in Government, much to the delight of business, which reflexively supports a growing population.

Meantime, both sides of politics have had a march stolen on them by the likes of Dick Smith, who has been spruiking for a new political party to cut immigration — again on the basis of “sustainability”.

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