EU crisis may hit carbon targets
EU crisis may hit carbon targets
The European Commission is under pressure to shelve plans to raise its target for greenhouse gas emission cuts from 20% to 30% amid fears that further uncertainty would be too damaging to fragile world markets.
The EU is planning to publish a paper this week urging carbon emission reductions targets for Europe’s biggest polluters to be raised to 30% by 2020, an announcement that is likley to cause a sudden surge in the price of EU Allowances, the European carbon permits.
When Hyperbole Comes Back to Bite
federal politics
24 May 2010
When Hyperbole Comes Back To Bite
AAP Image/Julian Smith
Kevin Rudd has made plenty of big promises, including that he would govern by “evidence-based policy”. As Ben Eltham writes, he’s now struggling to keep up with his own claims
On Lateline earlier this month, Leigh Sales asked Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner a question that has continued to resonate.
Discussing the very bad poll results for Labor in early May, she reminded Tanner that Kevin Rudd had once called climate change “the greatest moral challenge of our time”, and that Wayne Swan was calling his tax reform package “the greatest reform in living memory”. She then went on to ask: “Does this government have a problem with hyperbole?”
Tanner spun his way through the interview, but the “hyperbole problem” has started to pop up in other media too, perhaps because it describes one of the key characteristics of this Government so well.
Part of the problem for Rudd and his senior leadership is that — like any politicians — they are struggling to match words with actions. If Rudd hadn’t reneged on his promise to introduce an emissions trading scheme, he wouldn’t be getting reminded of the phrase “moral challenge” at every opportunity.
Plugs replace pumps at car recharging station
Plugs replace pumps at car recharging station Updated 22 minutes ago The modified hybrid cars can be charged at the station. (ABC News: Jesse leary) Map: Glebe 2037 New South Wales’ first public electric car charging station has been opened in Sydney. The charging point in Glebe is available to customers of a hybrid car Continue Reading →
Super tax has damaged Australia’s global invstment reputation :Rio Tinto
Super tax has damaged Australia’s global investment reputation: Rio Tinto
- From: The Australian
- May 24, 2010
Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese: “Now it’s in everyone’s best interest to mitigate this (proposed tax) if we can.” Source: AFP
RIO TINTO chief executiveTom Albanese says Australia’s reputation has been damaged by the lack of consultation around Kevin Rudd’s proposed 40 per cent tax on mining profits.
“The non-consulted announcement I think has left damage to Australia’s investment reputation and that damage has been done,” Mr Albanese said at a media conference today.
“Now it’s in everyone’s best interest to mitigate this if we can.”
Mr Albanese also said the mining tax was the biggest sovereign risk facing Rio anywhere in the world.
Election clue in MP speeches
Election clue in MP speeches Simon Benson Chief Political Reporter From: The Daily Telegraph May 24, 2010 12:00AM An early Federal election … could still be called. RETIRING Federal Labor MPs have been told to prepare their farewell speeches for the current parliamentary sitting session in a sign the Government wants to clear the decks Continue Reading →
Levy for NSW coastal residents
Levy for NSW coastal residents BRIAN ROBINS May 21, 2010 Comments 4 Residents of coastal properties in NSW will be forced to pay special coastal protection levies in threatened areas and other states will certainly watch the results. The legislation would enable owners of threatened properties to take emergency measures to protect their own properties Continue Reading →