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Category: General news

Managing director of Ebono Institute and major sponsor of The Generator, Geoff Ebbs, is running against Kevin Rudd in the seat of Griffith at the next Federal election. By the expression on their faces in this candid shot it looks like a pretty dull campaign. Read on

  • ’50-year storm’ bears down on Britain

    ’50-year storm’ bears down on Britain

    • by: By staff writers
    • From:news.com.au
    • June 15, 20121:51PM
    50-year storm

    An image of the 70mph storm taken by NASA’s Terra satellite. Picture: NASA Source: Supplied

    ANYONE looking to head overseas to avoid Australia’s wild weather would be wise to give Great Britain a miss.

    England and Wales are on flood alert as Britain braces for a “once in 50 years” storm which could bring a month’s worth of rain and 70mph winds.

    The storm is expected to hit tomorrow – right in the middle of the peak summer season.

    More than 110mm rain is expected to fall in Wales in about 48 hours, the Weather Channel predicted. It also said there was a 50 per cent chance of a once-in-50 years 80mm deluge in just 12 hours.

    Britain’s environment agency has dispatched hundreds of flood specialists to ensure the country is properly able to defend against the storm, clearing debris blocking rivers and drains.

    “There is a high risk of flooding, with the situation made even worse by ground being saturated from previous rain this week,” Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said.

    Related Coverage

    Australia has been hit hard with wild weather this month with Western Australia the hardest hit. The third major front to cross WA’s southwest uprooted trees, crushed cars and tore roofs earlier this week.

  • Warm climate — cold Arctic?

    ScienceDaily: Oceanography News

    Warm climate — cold Arctic?

    Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:09 AM PDT

    The Eemian interglacial period that began some 125,000 years ago is often used as a model for contemporary climate change. Scientists have presented evidence that the Eemian differed in essential details from modern climatic conditions.

  • Single-track sustainability ‘solutions’ threaten people and planet, experts say

    Single-track sustainability ‘solutions’ threaten people and planet, experts say

    Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:11 AM PDT

    The targets, indicators and approaches being used to pursue progress towards sustainable development at Rio+20 are counter-productive, say scientists in a new paper. Three renowned sustainability institutes argue that global and grassroots innovations must be connected to avoid breaching planetary boundaries and reversing progress on poverty reduction.

    Warm climate — cold Arctic?

    Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:09 AM PDT

    The Eemian interglacial period that began some 125,000 years ago is often used as a model for contemporary climate change. Scientists have presented evidence that the Eemian differed in essential details from modern climatic conditions.

  • Government flags foreign land ownership register

    Government flags foreign land ownership register

    Updated June 15, 2012 17:18:47

    Related Story: Conflict of interest claims in China farmland deal
    Related Story: Chinese food deal a ‘threat to sovereignty’
    Map: Australia

    The Federal Government has flagged it may introduce a foreign ownership register for agricultural land.

    The Opposition has been pushing for greater scrutiny of foreign ownership of farmland.

    The Government maintains only about 6 per cent of Australia’s agricultural land is foreign-owned, and that figure has barely changed since the 1980s.

    But Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig says the Government could provide more comprehensive information.

    “I’m excited about the Government consulting on a national foreign ownership register because it will provide the community with a comprehensive picture of the type and location of foreign agricultural holdings throughout Australia,” he said.

    “It’s important we get the facts on the table.”

    Senator Ludwig and Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury say they will set up a working group to look at how the Government could create a register that would increase transparency without duplicating bureaucracy.

    Topics:federal-government, rural, agribusiness, australia

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  • Vast Defenses Now Shielding New Orleans By JOHN SCHWARTZ (NYT)

    My Alerts: CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS (2 articles)

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    June 15, 2012

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    Alert Name: CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
    June 15, 2012 Compiled: 1:10 AM

    By MATT SIEGEL (NYT)

    Under the plan, which is expected to be approved by Parliament and take effect late this year, fishing and oil and gas exploration would be restricted in nearly one-third of Australia’s territorial waters.

    By JOHN SCHWARTZ (NYT)

    A $14.5 billion system is designed to prevent the problems of another Hurricane Katrina.

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    You received this e-mail because you signed up for NYTimes.com’s My Alerts tool. As a member of the TRUSTe privacy program, we are committed to protecting your privacy.

  • Nats throw down gauntlet to independents

    Nats throw down gauntlet to independents

    By Colin Brinsden, AAPUpdated June 15, 2012, 3:36 pm

    The Nationals have set the stage for a showdown with the two federal independent MPs who helped prop up the federal government at the last national election.

    NSW independent MP representing the Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, is seeking pre-selection for the New England seat now held by independent Tony Windsor.

    Nationals Leader Warren Truss welcomed the decision of the NSW state MP, saying he is making a stand in the interests of his “local community and his country”.

    “That’s what The Nationals are all about,” Mr Truss said in a statement on Friday.

    Mr Windsor responded with a brief statement but thanked the media for its interest in the matter.

    “I am not making any public comment and am focused on the opportunities that exist in the current parliament,” Mr Windsor said.

    Earlier this week, the Nationals opened nominations for the NSW federal seat of Lyne, held by independent Rob Oakeshott.

    Former Nationals candidate Dr David Gillespie is favoured to win preselection, having already campaigned in the seat this year with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

    Both Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott have faced fierce criticism from the coalition over their siding with Labor leader Julia Gillard after the 2010 election to form minority government.

    NSW deputy premier and Nationals leader Andrew Stoner said residents of regional NSW had had enough of “divisive” MPs.

    “Richard has an important role ahead to restore good government to New England and to Australia – The Nationals team will be right alongside him,” he said in a statement.

    Mr Torbay will join the Nationals once the preselection is announced but could continue to sit as an independent in the state parliament until writs are issued for the federal election.

    But NSW Opposition leader John Robertson said Mr Torbay had to explain how he could still represent his state seat as an independent.

    “He’s going to run as a National Party candidate, and pretend he’s sitting here still as an independent,” Mr Robertson told reporters in Sydney.

    “They voted for an independent to represent them in the parliament, and now in fact what they’ve got is a National Party member.”

    Senior NSW minister and Nationals MP Duncan Gay said Mr Torbay should be welcomed to sit in the NSW Nationals party room if he is preselected for New England.

    Premier Barry O’Farrell said Mr Torbay had been one of the state’s best parliamentary speakers when he held the post under the former Labor government.

    “I’ll be sorry to see Richard Torbay leave the parliament,” he told reporters.

    By Colin Brinsden, AAPUpdated June 15, 2012, 3:36 pm

    The Nationals have set the stage for a showdown with the two federal independent MPs who helped prop up the federal government at the last national election.

    NSW independent MP representing the Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, is seeking pre-selection for the New England seat now held by independent Tony Windsor.

    Nationals Leader Warren Truss welcomed the decision of the NSW state MP, saying he is making a stand in the interests of his “local community and his country”.

    “That’s what The Nationals are all about,” Mr Truss said in a statement on Friday.

    Mr Windsor responded with a brief statement but thanked the media for its interest in the matter.

    “I am not making any public comment and am focused on the opportunities that exist in the current parliament,” Mr Windsor said.

    Earlier this week, the Nationals opened nominations for the NSW federal seat of Lyne, held by independent Rob Oakeshott.

    Former Nationals candidate Dr David Gillespie is favoured to win preselection, having already campaigned in the seat this year with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

    Both Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott have faced fierce criticism from the coalition over their siding with Labor leader Julia Gillard after the 2010 election to form minority government.

    NSW deputy premier and Nationals leader Andrew Stoner said residents of regional NSW had had enough of “divisive” MPs.

    “Richard has an important role ahead to restore good government to New England and to Australia – The Nationals team will be right alongside him,” he said in a statement.

    Mr Torbay will join the Nationals once the preselection is announced but could continue to sit as an independent in the state parliament until writs are issued for the federal election.

    But NSW Opposition leader John Robertson said Mr Torbay had to explain how he could still represent his state seat as an independent.

    “He’s going to run as a National Party candidate, and pretend he’s sitting here still as an independent,” Mr Robertson told reporters in Sydney.

    “They voted for an independent to represent them in the parliament, and now in fact what they’ve got is a National Party member.”

    Senior NSW minister and Nationals MP Duncan Gay said Mr Torbay should be welcomed to sit in the NSW Nationals party room if he is preselected for New England.

    Premier Barry O’Farrell said Mr Torbay had been one of the state’s best parliamentary speakers when he held the post under the former Labor government.

    “I’ll be sorry to see Richard Torbay leave the parliament,” he told reporters.