tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774593424365550722024-02-18T17:54:02.876-08:00Quoll TracksLeft of field thoughts from a left of field field.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-22898417560640830682022-10-01T00:17:00.001-07:002022-10-01T00:23:36.000-07:00Life Interrupted: The Occasional Musings of a Volunteer Firefighter.<p>There's many things that suck about being a firefighter, getting dragged out of bed on cold, wet nights, hours in high temperatures copping the odd lungful of smoke but the thing which sucks the most (well, with the exception of structural fires with people trapped, which, thankfully I've never had to attend) are motor vehicle accidents or MVA's as they are known.</p><p>The small brigade I'm part of covers around 20km of the New England Highway, one of the busiest regional highways in the country, in the dozen or so years I've been a member of this brigade (I was a member of my previous one for around 20) we've had two or three MVA's a year and in that time there's been 4 fatalities (3 in a 500m stretch* in just a couple of years and another nearby just prior to my joining). The odds really aren't that good.</p><p>You might be tempted to think with those numbers that the road was crap or that people are going through at high speed but the highway is generally fine, with the exception of "the pinch" a narrow 75k S bend and people stick more or less to the speed limit. </p><p>By far the majority of MVA's around here are caused by human error and in that fatigue and drink driving make up a large part, and then there's things like inattention (and mobile phones come into play here), inability to keep within their lane and plain stupidity, like doing a U turn over double unbroken lines just after a hill crest.</p><p>We're a couple of hours out of Newcastle and three or so from Sydney so in the "fatigue zone" and many of the MVAs reflect this, but there's also locals who work shifts at the mines (including some very lucky repeat offenders). </p><p>Road conditions, wildlife and mechanical failure add to this though to a lesser extent.</p><p>Okay, so where am I going with this? Well, most people would have seen footage of MVA's on the news, or may have been involved in one but have you considered what really goes on? What do the anything up to a couple of dozen rescue workers and others do at these things?</p><p>All MVA's are different in their own way and things work differently in different areas, in this area NSW Fire and Rescue are the primary rescue agency, in others it will be the State Emergency Service or the Volunteer Rescue Association and in some cases the Rural Fire Service will be the rescue agency. </p><p>In some areas there's rivalry between Fire and Rescue and the Rural Fire Service, luckily that's not an issue around here, with some F&R members also being members of their nearest RFS brigade which works well when both agencies are at an incident. The main issue is that F&R get their calls through Triple Zero well before the RFS does, in some cases they'll be on the scene before we get the call out, it's a shock to them when they find out!</p><p>MVA's have a hierarchy, the Ambo's are in charge, police may think they are but really what an Ambo wants an Ambo gets, Fire and Rescue handle the rescue, removing people from the wreckage and the RFS provides fire protection and provides extra people for lifting, moving and other duties as well as working on the clean up and the Police direct traffic till the roadworks clean up crew arrive. At least, that's how we do it here. The local general duties cops let us get on with the job (and one local is also a member of one of a local F&R brigade).</p><p>And then we have the Roads and Maritime clean up crew (if they come out) and of course the Towies that drag the mess aboard their trucks and take it away. Oh, and the rescue helicopter is a fairly regular participant in all this as well. </p><p>That's a lot of people and agencies for a fairly average MVA, that's usually a couple of hours till things are cleaned up and safe, no further risk of fire and oils and fluids cleaned up.</p><p>Unless it's a fatality.</p><p>In a fatality it becomes a recovery rather than a rescue, and that's the job of Police Rescue (I've seen them in action a couple of times, they really know their stuff), with the nearest units a few hours away from us so there's a lot of sitting and waiting. As well as Police Rescue there's also Accident Investigation and the Coroner. </p><p>There's a lot of boredom, there's a lot of standing around trying hard not to focus on the nasty bits but also being aware of what's going on, there's also humour which only rescue workers and the military can understand. </p><p>There's images you don't want in your head, of cars violently torn apart and scattered over the landscape, a wheel and suspension over there, small pieces of camchain and oil pump torn out of the engine by the impact, of the engine oil coating the nearby grass, of dealing with people who can be having the worst day of their life, of a lump, under a blanket on the road.</p><p>Then you go home, grab a beer, jump under a hot shower and push it all back knowing when the pager goes off you'll be out and doing it again.</p><p>MVA's suck.</p><p>(* these were out the front of a horse stud I worked at for a while, a week or so after the fatality I attended I was mowing out the front on that area and met the father of the bloke that passed away, we had a good chat I talked about my role in the response)</p>Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-89291518895022695602013-10-16T01:00:00.003-07:002013-10-16T15:11:41.082-07:00Disorder over the Border.There's a battle going on over the Queensland border at the moment, at issue are things like right to free association, right to due process, right to fair trail and all sorts of other things. Premier Campbell Newman and his chief attack puppy Attorney-General, Jarrod Bleijie, have decided to declare war on "the bikies". "Bikies", "One Percenters", "Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs" (it's only police and politicians that call them "gangs") are a good high profile target because they're big, and scary and tattooed and ride loud motorcycles. Allegedly. Now, just for the record here, I'm not denying that some members get involved in nefarious activities and really are scary but despite all the millions of dollars spent around the world I've yet to see any proof the main purpose, or even minor purpose, of these clubs is as a conduit for organised crime (and personally, having ridden bikes for well over 30 years "organised" is not a description I'd apply to many motorcyclists). There has been quite a few successful cases against individual members but not against the clubs as an entity (either they're criminal masterminds smarter than the Mafia and Triads or they really aren't that organised). But despite that the Newman Government rushed through a number of bills ostensibly to ban the bikie menace, now without going too much into it (as I've only glanced through the legislation and there are others better qualified at law than I am currently sifting through it), is that "bikies" and their "associates" pretty much lose their right to free association, will find it much harder to get bail, if found guilty of an offence (including ones which don't apply to non "bikies"), will be thrown into virtual solitary confinement in a dedicated "bikie" gaol and be forced to serve extra time just because they are a "bikie" or an "associate". The "associate" thing is a very broad and catch all concept which means that if you have attended more than one "bikie" organised event (as I have, I've been to bike shows and concerts) you can then be classified as an "associate". Wonderful huh? I'm now apparently an enemy of the state of Queensland. Middle aged bloke, paying off a house, one cat, one car, a few bikes, member of his local fire brigade, one court appearance for a traffic matter 30 years ago (thrown out due to lack of evidence from the police - I fell off the bike in the wet on a notoriously diesel slicked corner and went to hospital to get checked out, that was it, big crim). Now, having rushed through this essential legislation, lets see what the current Attorney-General said in 2009. Queensland - Parliamentary Debates – Wednesday, 25 November 2009 Comments from the current Attorney-General, Mr Jarrod Bleijie, on the proposed Criminal Association Bill proposed by the Labor Government. In light of his draconian anti-bikie laws passed early today, 16 October 2013, these quotes make hilarious reading and display this hypocritical man in his true light – keen on misleading the public and back-flipping on fundamental values at a whim and squeeze of his balls. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2009/2009_11_25_WEEKLY.pdf "70 per cent of LNP members are on the list to speak." – AGAINST anti-bikie laws (Page 3619) "The fact that there have been so many arrests indicates that existing laws are sufficient without the need to enact laws aimed directly at bikie gangs. We do not need to enact laws aimed directly at bikie gangs or other groups, but we do need to give more resources, more funding and more support to our police officers." (Page 3621) "While I agree that people need to be protected from organised crime, there must also be the protection of personal liberties such as the freedom of association. The Premier and the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services have stated that people who do the right thing have nothing to fear. I will repeat that: people who do the right thing have nothing to fear. I say to the people of Queensland that, with this government, they do have something to fear. This bill encroaches on their personal freedoms and liberties. A government that tries to remove these freedoms and liberties is a government that is to be feared." (Page 3621) "This bill is an attack on the right of freedom of association. While it is currently intended for motorcycle gangs, once again this bill does not mention the term ‘bikie’ or ‘motorcycle gangs’, and this piece of legislation could be used against any group that may fall into disfavour regardless of the purpose of their gathering." (Page 3621) "Another essential freedom and one that goes to the heart of our legal system is the right to a fair trial. Every person in Queensland, regardless of whether they are part of organised crime, has the right to a fair trial. In effect, this bill removes that right. It removes the rule of evidence. It lowers the standard of the burden of proof that is ordinarily required in criminal proceedings from being beyond reasonable doubt to the standard that is required in civil proceedings. It allows for the employment of people in certain occupations to be refused merely on the reliance of criminal intelligence without them even having a conviction of a criminal offence. This bill denies the rules of natural justice. It introduces anti-association laws." (Page 3621) "We are talking about tampering with people’s rights to associate. That could be broadly interpreted. How can we place control orders on someone who may be innocently associating with others who may be conspiring in a criminal activity and they have no idea, but we are going to punish them?" (Page 3622) "Here we have the Labor government trying to enact a bill that will erode the right of freedom of association that could result in the prosecution of people based on race, ethnicity or membership of a social group and that seeks to be a one-size-fits-all, knee-jerk response. That is not the answer to the complex problem of organised crime." (Page 3622) "The issue here should not be about the associations of individuals, it should be about the crimes committed. If I look at all those people I have just mentioned and look across the table here, one could potentially argue that the Queensland Labor Party is a serious criminal organisation because five of its members are in jail, have served jail or are currently before the CMC and there are certainly those on that side of the House who have associated with them." (Page 3623) "I challenge the members opposite to not simply toe the party line but to come on this side and support the right to freedom of association in this state." (Page 3623) Either he was wrong then or he's wrong now. And just in case you don't think it can affect you the list of "criminal" organisations is contained in the regulations rather than the legislation which means they are declared by the Minister rather than by an act of parliament. How long before "The Wildeness Society" or the "Lock the Gate Alliance" or the "Cunnamulla Country Womens Association" get declared. Can't happen? Wouldn't bet on it.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-32916368554223619042013-01-11T13:00:00.000-08:002013-01-11T13:00:04.455-08:00It's started again!What's started again?
<br />
<br />
The blame game of course, where "Greenies" get blamed for fires, floods, pestilence, etc etc all without offering any evidence it being enough just to yell out "Greenie".
<br />
<br />
Now, I've been involved with the rural Fire Service/Bush Fire Brigades for around 25 years altogether (and did an overnighter just 2 nights ago dealing with a hay fire)and have been employed in the Natural Resources/Environment field for the past 18, I have been to conferences put on by environmental groups discussing fire and have spent a shitload of my time chasing fires lit by some numbnuts that thought they were doing a hazard reduction.<br />
<br />
I have yet to see any environmental group oppose the need for hazard reduction burning (and it is hazard reduction not fucking "backburning", two completely different concepts), yeah, sure there's individuals that reckon all burning is bad but we have a name for them "nutters", if anything at these conferences many of the "greenies" at these conferences seemed too keen to burn.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nccnsw.org.au/programs/bushfire">This is what the NCC has to say about fires:</a><br />
<br />
<em>The Australian landscape has evolved under a natural and cultural regime of fire. Bushfire continues to be a natural disturbance which is critical for the survival of many of our plants and animals. It is when bushfire interacts with society that disasters can result. From a human perspective, bushfire is one of Australia's most frequent and devastating natural hazards.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em> The Bushfire Program arose<strong> </strong>to<strong> "ensure that all Bushfire Management activity is ecologically sustainable w</strong><strong>hile protecting life and property"</strong>. The program has been actively involved in fire management, bushfire education and advocacy for sustainable land policy since 1979.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
Yeah, real anti fire conspiracy.<br />
<br />
So what is the cause of these big fires? It's quite simple, extreme fire events are associated with extreme temperature events, always have been, always will be. Yeah, sure people make mistakes and there are ways we can reduce the hazard and impact but on a 40 degree day with humidity in the single figures, a hot westerly and bugger all rain for the past couple of months unless you've done a hazard reduction burn in the past couple of weeks any fire will be difficult to put out.<br />
<br />
Hazard reductions are called that for a reason, they reduce the hazard but they don't eliminate it once you get to extreme conditions any reduction is going to be minor.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-58179879402833363652013-01-01T02:50:00.003-08:002013-01-01T21:08:14.874-08:00Go on, Do it!<i><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-01/macklin-says-she-could-live-on-the-dole/4449494">Federal Families Minister Jenny Macklin says she could live on the dole or about $35 a day.</a></i>
Yeah, right, it is possible but I think a few weeks of noodles would change Macklin's attitude. I've been on the dole a few times and it is an utterly soul destroying existence.
Last time I was on it (2006) I got $520 a fortnight complete with rental assistance, $320 would go on rent, gas, electricity, phone, internet another $80 or so, vehicle rego, servicing, fuel etc another $60, leaving about $60 for food for the fortnight. I was getting three days a week casual work in, which after losing dole payments for earning money gave me, maybe, another $40 a week.
If it weren't for the vegie garden things would have been dire. The first couple of weeks back at work I could barely afford the fuel to get there and it was jam sandwiches for lunch.
So, I can honestly say "Fuck you, Macklin".Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-40719542080983482532012-12-08T20:54:00.004-08:002012-12-08T20:54:44.464-08:00From the rumor mill.The rumour mill tells me the Federal Government is not happy with the way the Local Land Services process is going, ministerial correspondence being sent and all, particularly with the make up of of the reference panel.
Given that a lot of money to run the CMAs and undertake natural resources projects has come from the Federal Government (this arrangement was set up back when the Coalition was in power Federally and Labor in NSW) I would think they would be quite concerned at how their funds are spent. I expect ot hear a lot more fom the feds before this is over.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-67358399612848413712012-11-27T23:26:00.001-08:002012-11-27T23:26:21.314-08:00But wait, there's more.....Remember <a href="http://quolltracks.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/leak-this.html">yesterdays post</a>? Here's a <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nsw/content/2012/11/s3634491.htm">little more</a> on the same subject.....<br />
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<blockquote>
The man charged with consulting stakeholders about the new Local Land Services model says he knows nothing about a draft organisational structure that has already been circulated to DPI and CMA staff.<br />
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<div class="wallacepara">
Mick Keogh has been commissioned by the State Government to assess what changes stakeholders would like to see when their local CMA, DPI and LHPA amalgamate to become Local Land Services.<br />
</div>
</blockquote>
"Commissioned"? How can he be commissioned and on the reference panel? Surely there's a conflict of interest here? I wonder if <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/inquiry-to-examine-bias-in-water-grants-20121027-28cbf.html">Katrina Hodgkinson's comments</a> still apply, after all this is what she said about funds going to CMA staff and board members.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
''This is a questionable outcome,'' she said. ''The appropriate management of public funding is a public interest priority and an absolute for good government.'' <br />
</blockquote>
And the consultation doesn't seem to be <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/workshops-on-local-land-services-poorly-attended/4383244">going all that well</a>.<br />
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<blockquote>Less than 20 farmers have turned out in Tamworth to discuss the amalgamation of a number of organisations into the state government's new Local Land Services (LLS) organisation......
</blockquote>
<blockquote>Liverpool Plains farmer, Hugh Price, says, despite claims to the contrary, the meetings weren't adequately advertised.
"I received an electronic invitation from the Namoi CMA, and I was quite pleased to receive it, because I thought somebody was recognising that I could have a contribution to make," he said.
"But it would appear, from what we've been told, the publication of the meeting wasn't well advertised and, sadly, it's not been well attended and I think that's something the organisers need to review."
Mr Price says he was also disappointed in with the content of the workshops and what he claims was a lack of information offered on the future structure of Local Land Services.
"I think the facilitator himself used the term 'to put the flesh on the bones'," he said.
"Well, we haven't actually been told about the bones, but the skeleton's already been designed
</blockquote>
My little whiskers tell me there'll be much much more to come out of this before it's over.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-79124854670316352912012-11-26T22:09:00.000-08:002012-11-26T22:09:00.722-08:00Leak this!It's quite interesting, the more you look the more you find. Remember a couple of days ago (surely you can remember that far back) when I posted about the leaking of an internal investigation into CMA funding that looked suspiciously like an attempt to smear CMAs and their staff? Well, I saw today that Mick Keogh of the Australian Farm Institute has been e<a href="http://haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/document/show/565">ngaged to undertake some public consultation:</a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mick Keogh, Director Australian Farm Institute, has undertaken independent targeted consultation during November in Armidale, Tamworth, Griffith and Wagga Wagga, and with LHPA State Council and Policy Council, NSW Farmers Western Division (including Council and CMA) and CMA Chairs.</span> </blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, is this part of his official duties as a member of the reference panel or has it been contracted and if so what was the process? So I dug a little further, finding the</span><a href="http://www.farminstitute.org.au/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=102249"><span style="font-size: small;"> immediate past chair</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> of the AFI is none other than the current chair of the Natural Resources Commission, Dr John Keniry (something absent from his</span><a href="http://www.nrc.nsw.gov.au/AboutTheNRC/CommissionersAndExecutives.aspx"><span style="font-size: small;"> profile on the NRC website</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">, though mentioned in the annual report) and with a fair whack of the AFI's income (p21 annual report) coming from </span><a href="http://www.farminstitute.org.au/corporate/current-supporters.html"><span style="font-size: small;">corporate membership</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> (NSW Farmers, MLA, Westpac Agribusiness, Pfizer, Landmark, Commonwealth Bank, Monsanto etc) it could hardly be described as independent nor representative of most of the landholders CMA, DPI and LHPA staff deal with.</span></span><br />
Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-63839986453327303742012-11-25T22:55:00.002-08:002012-11-25T22:55:48.129-08:00More on the Local Land Services plansLast week the State Government released a draft map showing proposed boundaries of the new LLS areas, one look shows that it's based on Local Government Areas rather than catchment boundaries which both State and Federal Governments have been using for years and which people actually have got a good idea of. The curious among you may wonder how the proposed boundaries line up with the current ones, well wonder no more, over the past couple of days this little map has been bouncing around the state (and luckily for us found it's way into my inbox).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpvF4KP-vJDfFn1P2YWptsCJLOkgiRGdlWnaEPKChthSXxgvZyakuUuQFxzzqnFJrSdoPGxia7aHTB5eSQVJu2O3oG8crVgd_GHTYU0UfpT9h2lzqm5qkKyvXTFJo6S35XBv8EoWcAjow/s1600/lls+boundaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpvF4KP-vJDfFn1P2YWptsCJLOkgiRGdlWnaEPKChthSXxgvZyakuUuQFxzzqnFJrSdoPGxia7aHTB5eSQVJu2O3oG8crVgd_GHTYU0UfpT9h2lzqm5qkKyvXTFJo6S35XBv8EoWcAjow/s640/lls+boundaries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Blue lines current CMA boundaries, orange lines current LHPA boundaries.<br />
<br />
In short it doesn't fit either the current Catchment Management Authority or Livestock Health and Pest Authority boundaries at all, what it will mean is that the new Catchment Action Plans, the drafts of which have just been released will, in many areas, be either completely useless or need drastic overhauls. From where I sit the whole thing looks like a shambles, and you should hear what they have planned for the staff....<br />
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Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-51224387396883694402012-11-24T03:43:00.000-08:002012-11-24T03:43:02.698-08:00So Who Leaked?A couple of weeks ago the Sun Herald published <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/inquiry-to-examine-bias-in-water-grants-20121027-28cbf.html">this article</a>:
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Inquiry to examine 'bias' in water grants
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Date October 28, 2012
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sarah Whyte
Consumer affairs reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A dozen NSW water authorities have granted their board members, staff and relatives more than $3.4 million in funding, sparking a state government investigation.
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Internal documents obtained by The Sun-Herald show that 12 out of the 13 NSW catchment management authorities have granted 93 funding incentives to 66 board members, staff and family members from 2005 to last year.
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The documents show funding from the authorities, which manage natural resources at a local level, went to initiatives including sustainable farming, fencing, grassland conservation and grazing management.
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, ordered an inquiry into Catchment Management Authorities, citing concerns of bias and potential conflicts of interest.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
''This is a questionable outcome,'' she said. ''The appropriate management of public funding is a public interest priority and an absolute for good government.''
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tony Thompson, a board member from the western Catchment Management Authority, received nine grants totalling more than $750,000, while the wife of a board member for the central west authority received about $2000 for ''catering for a large meeting in a remote location''.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mr Thompson said he was initially concerned about issues of bias when he joined the board in 2007, as he had already received four grants. ''I definitely declared a conflict of interest,'' he said.
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The chairman of the western authority, Rory Treweeke, said it would be unfair if his board members could not apply for the grants, some of which could last up to 15 years, saying the process was hands-off.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
''Given the area we are working in, it would be actually inequitable to prevent board members applying from the same programs that their neighbours could,'' he said. ''I don't believe there is any nepotism.''
Mr Treweeke received a grant of $7374 for works to improve sustainability. </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In total, the catchment, located in the state's north-west, gave $1,181,910 worth of grants to their board and staff members, which were granted by an ''independent panel'', Mr Treweeke said.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The western authority has no plans to exempt board or staff members from grants, Mr Treweeke said.
The general manager of the Murray authority in the state's south-west, David Leslie, said he ''welcomed'' the government's investigation. </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
From 2008 to 2010, Mr Leslie authorised four grants to a staff member's partner totalling $104,475.54.
''The conflict of interest was declared and the staff member was removed from the project,'' Mr Leslie said. </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The female staff member's partner received the grants for conservation and fencing for flood damaged areas.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But last year, the general manager of Namoi authority, in north-west NSW, decided not to allow board or staff members to take part in their programs. In 2007, they issued two grants to staff members totalling $114,427.
'</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The general manager wanted to remove any perception of favouritism in the granting process,'' Anne Ferguson, a spokeswoman for the catchment, said.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Sydney metropolitan authority is the only catchment that has not given any staff members grants.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tom Gavel, the chairman of the Central West authority and spokesman for Catchment Management Authorities, said he was confident the investigation would be a ''straightforward process''.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/inquiry-to-examine-bias-in-water-grants-20121027-28cbf.html#ixzz2D7mYZr8Z
</blockquote>
Now, here's the thing, the print edition had details on a number of the grants, the investigation had already been in place for a month before the article, the reporter (Sarah White) tends to report on entertainment and music, CMA's are not "water authorities" and the grants were for environmental and sustainable agriculture projects leading to the reasonable conclusion that information about the investigation was passed to Sarah White (or passed to more experienced reporters who smelt a rat). <br />
<br />
In spite of a potential breach in public service guidelines there has been, to the best of my knowledge, no investigation into who leaked the information.
When the audit comes back showing little more than the few usual clerical errors will the Minister issue a press release exonerating the staff and issuing a public apology? Don't know about you but I doubt it.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-60488564578671009052012-11-22T00:15:00.001-08:002012-11-22T00:15:28.042-08:00Coalition Introduces Carbon TaxA quick look through the <a href="http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/Government-Gazette-28-September-2012_WEB_v01_0.pdf">NSW Government Gazette </a> found this little gem (p4136):
<br />
<br />
<em>ENERGY AND UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION
ACT 1987
</em><br />
<em>Energy and Utilities Administration (Energy Contributions) Order 2012
I, the Hon. ROBYN PARKER, M.P., Minister for the Environment, with the concurrence of the Hon. CHRIS HARTCHER, M.P., Minister for Resources and Energy, and the Hon. MIKE BAIRD, M.P., Treasurer, make the following Order under section 34J of the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>
This Order takes effect on the date that it is published in the New South Wales Government Gazette.
Dated at Sydney, this 18th day of September 2012.
ROBYN PARKER, M.P., Minister for the Environment
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Explanatory Note Section 34J of the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987, provides that the Minister may, by Order published in the New South Wales Government Gazette, require any one or more distribution network service providers to make an annual contribution for a specified financial year to the Climate Change Fund. The purpose of this Order is to require defined distribution network service providers to make an annual contribution to the Climate Change Fund for the financial year commencing 1 July 2012.
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>1. Name of Order
This Order is the Energy and Utilities Administration (Energy Contributions) Order 2012.
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>2. Commencement
This Order commences on the date that it is published in the New South Wales Government Gazette.
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>3. Interpretation
The Explanatory Note to this Order does not form part of the Order.
4. Definitions
distribution network service provider means a distribution network service provider listed in column 1 of Schedule 1.
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>5. Annual Contribution
(1)
A distribution network service provider is required to make an annual contribution to the Climate Change Fund for the financial year commencing 1 July 2012.
(2)
The amount of the annual contribution to be paid by a distribution network service provider is as set out in column 2 of Schedule 1.
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>6. Time for payment
The annual contribution is to be paid by instalments on or before the first day of November 2012 (being equal to one-half of the annual contribution payable), February 2013 (being equal to one-fourth of the annual contribution payable) and May 2013 (being equal to one-fourth of the annual contribution payable).</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>
SCHEDULE 1
</em><br />
<em>Column 1 Column 2
</em><br />
<em>Distribution Network Annual Contribution
</em><br />
<em> Service Provider
</em><br />
<em>Ausgrid $118,000,000
</em><br />
<em>Endeavour Energy $74,250,000
</em><br />
<em>Essential Energy $57,750,000</em><br />
<br />
Which is an annual cost of around $250 million, where's the screaming from Alan Jones and Tony Abbott?
Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-57387041857926947162012-10-30T00:07:00.001-07:002012-10-30T00:07:15.070-07:00Who said this?<i>Like many small business operators, I have been very disappointed by the withdrawal of Government services in country towns and, in particular, the loss of public service positions. The loss of these positions has a domino effect on country communities. If each job supports a family and each family requires the services of a chemist, a supermarket, a real estate agent and so on, the demand for these services disappears with the loss of each job. Each job in real terms can equate to the lives of five people in a community - a family. Small towns rely on every family in the town, and as any chamber of commerce would confirm, no town can afford "escape spending", let alone the contempt by governments withdrawing services in favour of larger areas.
</i>
Any guesses? It was the inaugural speech of the current NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Small Business, <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19990602045?open&refNavID=HA8_1">Katrina Hodgkinson</a>, the same one who's currently doing her bit to <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-09/cma-focus/4302838">gut the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities, the Catchment Management Authorities and Department of Primary Industries</a>.
More to come.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-83963079010487228952012-01-27T12:27:00.000-08:002012-01-27T12:32:23.203-08:00It's not often I agree with Tony Abbott.<blockquote>“Look, I can understand why the tent embassy was established all those years ago. I think a lot has changed for the better since then. We had the historic apology just a few years ago, one of the genuine achievements of Kevin Rudd as prime minister. We had the proposal which is currently for national consideration to recognise indigenous people in the Constitution. I think the indigenous people of Australia can be very proud of the respect in which they are held by every Australian and, yes, I think a lot has changed since then and I think it probably is time to move on from that.” <br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br />And it's a sad day when comments as innocuous as these lead to the protest seen in Canberra on the 26th.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-70273599317272032752012-01-23T21:30:00.000-08:002012-01-23T21:32:13.299-08:00Advance Australia Fair?Republished with thanks to my mate Island Mick.<br /><br /><blockquote>Australians all let us renounce,<br />That we are young and free;<br />We've fucked the soil and raped for oil<br />And desalinated our sea;<br />Our land abounds in Resource gifts<br />For sale to any who care;<br />In years to come when we're not dumb<br />We'll see that tax's weren't Fair!<br />In drunken strains then let us sing,<br />"How much can a koala bare!" <br /><br />Beneath our polluted southern Cross,<br />We'll toil with hearts and hands;<br />To sell the coal and uranium ore<br />To faraway foreign lands;<br />For those who've come across the seas<br />We've boundless gold to sell;<br />With complacenecy and apathy,<br />To advance our deserved hell.<br />In pissed up strains then let us sing<br />"GET OUT OF MY FOLDING CHAIR!"<br /><br /><br /></blockquote>Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-50280832022840573022012-01-04T22:53:00.001-08:002012-01-04T23:04:20.784-08:00Are the wheels falling off Natural Sequence Farming?Heard some interesting rumours a month or so ago the Peter Andrews' supporters have been leaving him and he's been calling around other organisations (NGO's, local government) trying to drum up support and today I come across a couple of interesting posts, from the <a href="http://www.naturalsequencefarming.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=888">NSF Forum, posted by Duane Norris</a>"<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Peter Andrews has returned 'home' to South Australia to see if he can enlist support there for his '<em>agenda</em>'.(italics theirs)</blockquote>And from the Natural Sequence Association website:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>The recently elected Chairman of the Governing Body of the NSA Inc, Duane norris, has tendered his resignation as Chair and Board member to the NSA GB Board on the 15th December, 2011.<br /><br />Duane had been a Foundation Board member since the GB was formed</blockquote>All very interesting.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-61011325645291176852011-08-29T03:11:00.000-07:002011-08-29T03:23:50.679-07:00Why Freaten Our Profits?The campain against the Federal Government's planned Carbon Tax continues with the latest add showing "ordinary Aussies" asking "Why threaten our jobs?" and directing you to their <a href="http://www.getcarbonpolicyright.com.au/">website</a>. If you wait till the end you'll see the ad is paid for by the Australian Trade and Industry Alliance, who, after a little digging, <a href="http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/industry-alliance-set-to-fight-carbon-tax">are made up of</a>:
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>The group is composed of organisations such as the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Coal Association, and the Plastics and Chemical Industries Association.
<br />
<br /></blockquote>In other words the fossil fuels lobby is whinging again.
<br />
<br />Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-28909698955749762122011-08-25T20:31:00.000-07:002011-08-25T20:40:02.780-07:00Nathan Tinkler Slams Coal Mining Rehab.From the "credit where credit is due" files, in the September edition of Australian Longwall Magazine coal mining magnate Nathan Tinkler slams the poor standard of rehab in NSW coal mines and also lets fly at jockeys and the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group. Looks like I've found a mining magnate I might have some time for.
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>pint with Nathan Tinkler
<br />
<br />Thursday, 25 August 2011
<br />
<br />ASTON Resources founder Nathan Tinkler talks with Australian Longwall magazine editor Lou Caruana about coal mining, Maules Creek, NRL, horses and mine managers.
<br />
<br />Nathan Tinkler.
<br />
<br />Published in the September 2011 Australian Longwall Magazine
<br />
<br />Australian Longwall: Would you say owning a coal mine is a passion, like owning a thoroughbred horse or a champion NRL team?
<br />Nathan Tinkler: It is absolutely a business. If you don’t operate these things seriously they have the potential to bite you hard.
<br />
<br />AL: What are the similarities and differences?
<br />NT: All need to be operated and taken seriously but thankfully there are no jockeys in the coal business. You don’t want to do all that work and preparation into producing coal and then hand it over to a 50kg man with a chip on his shoulder who is getting paid regardless of the result he delivers.
<br />
<br />AL: How do you think NSW shapes up as a coal mining state compared to Queensland?
<br />NT: NSW is behind. Everyone seems to think they can impose new taxes and royalties but mention any change of legislation to bring the mining act into 2011 and it just seems too big a task.
<br />
<br />The current land use debate in the Hunter Valley between agriculture and mining will not resolve anything.
<br />
<br />The issues with mining in the Hunter Valley directly tie to rehabilitation and the distinct lack of it by all mining companies. Some of those pits have been open for 50 years and have not been rehabilitated.
<br />
<br />It is unacceptable and we now have 50 metre high moonscapes between Singleton and Scone 80km), and Singleton and Denman (70km).
<br />
<br />For all the hype in the media we are not actually producing much more coal in NSW than we were 10 years ago. Our social, community and environmental issues in the Hunter Valley are driven from the cumulative impact of overburden removal over tens of decades.
<br />
<br />So while coal production has not increased greatly there has been a hell of a lot of overburden removed and piled high over agricultural land. That land is not useable until that overburden is put back in the hole.
<br />
<br />Plantings with grass seed is not rehabilitation. These companies are not being made to deal with their obligations and legislation needs to change to deal with it.
<br />
<br />The US went through this a decade ago and got a stronger and more social and community minded industry for it.
<br />
<br />All mining towns get these days is overburden stacked 50m high around them and 1000 bed camps! Is it any wonder it is becoming impossible to advance new projects?
<br />
<br />These are largely mining communities but that does not mean they need to be reminded of it every time they get in a car. The Hunter Valley is being ruined by a lack of governance on rehabilitation and miners are showing little to no social or community awareness in this regard while the dust and health impacts continue to accumulate.
<br />
<br />AL: Do you think the Gunnedah Basin could develop into the new Hunter Valley?
<br />NT: I believe it can and it is important that it is not allowed to become the eyesore that the Hunter Valley has become.
<br />
<br />AL: Have you spent much time underground in longwall coal mines?
<br />NT: No I haven’t. YouTube is about the limit of my experience with longwall mining.
<br />
<br />AL: What steps remain before Aston Resources’ Maules Creek gets into production?
<br />NT: Aston is still working its way through the complex maze of permitting and infrastructure.
<br />While I believe they are making solid progress on this it is hard to believe we are a developed country with the speed things move.
<br />
<br />I don’t think anyone has been employed in the Department of Planning for 20 years and NSW now officially has no path for approvals for major projects.
<br />
<br />AL: Are you encouraged by Australian Rail Track Corporation’s recent decision to commit $284 million to link the Gunnedah Basin to the port of Newcastle through the Liverpool Ranges?
<br />NT: I am. I just wish they would get on with it. While the money is committed there is a reluctance to spend it. There is still not enough forward planning.
<br />
<br />The infrastructure planning in NSW is such that by the time approval is given it is already insufficient and outdated.
<br />
<br />The challenge is to not let the Gunnedah Basin become caught up in that archaic planning. Plan for the future, let’s move forward and not close off opportunity.
<br />
<br />We really do approach these things like a third world country.
<br />
<br />AL: Do you think the big coal players have too much port capacity at Newcastle’s Port Waratah?
<br />NT: Before NCIG [Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group] every producer or newcomer was basically asking Coal and Allied and Xstrata shareholders to build them port access. Hence it never gets done.
<br />
<br />How PWCS [Port Waratah Coal Services] can be called an open facility is beyond me. Coal and Allied do not have a strong record of production.
<br />
<br />I think they were after 30Mt in 2004 and that is still a milestone. Xstrata can deliver the tonnes but I am not sure they have the asset base to deliver the tonnes forecast.
<br />
<br />NCIG is hardly any better. It is currently a myth of a coal port producing very little coal. The silence around the production levels is deafening. On top of that it gives Newcastle a black eye with a new single lane bridge linking half a million people to their local airport!
<br />
<br />Well done NCIG – it was a good way to piss off the community.
<br />
<br />While all the producers exporting through NCIG are waiting to get port access perhaps they could rehabilitate some of their mines?
<br />
<br />AL: What about Abbot Point? Does that look like a worthy investment? Or is that going to be too expensive?
<br />NT: Obviously too expensive, someone paid more. Good luck to them
<br />
<br />AL: What’s harder, finding a good mine manager or finding a good NRL coach?
<br />NT: Mine manager by a long way. Too many are spoilt from working with cost profiles and overheads that breed incompetence.
<br />
<br />Our mining industry is being consolidated and that means most are being developed in large organisations where accountability is something that exists only in head office where the orders are handed down.
<br />
<br />The old style mine manager, who was a respected member of the community and took pride in providing his staff and employees with sustainable employment opportunities, is now most often a foreigner who lives there for 18 months.
<br />
<br />He does not want to know anyone, spends more time at head office, focuses on his own bonus and getting into the next department or senior management.
<br />
<br />Obviously rehabilitation is not in those bonus arrangements in the Hunter Valley. Very hard to find one that has actually built anything or made a difference to an asset. But they are out there!
<br />
<br />AL: Who’s your tip for this year’s NRL grand final winner? OK, if you’re going to say the Newcastle Knights, who will they be playing?
<br />NT: Would love to say Newcastle but we don’t seem to be able to put 80 minutes together at the moment. Our injuries are a concern.
<br />
<br />St George are a well drilled outfit and just wear you down, they give you nothingand have some great senior players and promising young players to give them depth. They can take a couple of injuries and still be there.
<br />
<br />AL: Do you like to have a bet on the track or would you prefer the local TAB?
<br />NT: I am a Pick 6 and quaddie fan at the TAB.
<br />
<br />AL: Will any of your horses be racing in this year’s Melbourne Cup?
<br />NT: Fingers crossed. I don’t have any qualified at this stage so will have to win one of the lead ups. Galizani would be my best chance at this stage.
<br />
<br /></blockquote>And apparently this in my 100th post on here and they said I'd never make it (well ok, they said nothing at all really). Happy centenary post to me, happy centenary post to me....
<br />Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-87479328268972004842011-08-24T03:16:00.000-07:002011-08-24T03:26:04.669-07:00What's wrong with this pic?Had an invite to a mining rehab conference turn up in my email today, one look at the front page was enough to tell me there's still a lot of clueless people in the industry, why else would this one get past?
<br />
<br /><a href="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o75/spottedquoll/2011%20general/miningconfbrochure.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 564px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 800px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o75/spottedquoll/2011%20general/miningconfbrochure.jpg" /></a> Did you see what the problems are?
<br />
<br />Ok, I'll tell you, firstly that land there has never been mined, check the trees and topography, the trees have been there for decades, secondly they've only planted Eucalypts, no understory, and finally they've planted them too close together a few years and they'll reach lock up stage and just sit there doing nothing.
<br />
<br />Not exactly best practice there, other photos in the brochure were little better.
<br />Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-89938873470906271232011-08-15T03:17:00.000-07:002011-08-15T03:24:46.252-07:00Phelps talks sense, but it doesn't last.The Hon Dr Peter "McBain' Phelps is<a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110812007?open&refNavID=HA8_1"> at it again</a>, he starts off talking sense:
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>I am saying that speed limits are a simplistic solution. They are an arbitrary figure that provides a point above which motorists can be charged for speeding. That is despite the 105-kilometre-an-hour paradox that I explained earlier. On one stretch of road travelling at 105 kilometres an hour is safe and on another it is completely unsafe. That is a demonstration of the ridiculous arbitrariness of speed limits. If members opposite were serious about this issue, they would have increased the scope and range of offences such as driving in a manner dangerous, negligent driving, reckless driving and so on. We would not need speed limits; we could have advisory speed limits. We would then rely upon the good judgement of highway patrol officers to ascertain whether it is safe to drive at 120 kilometres an hour along a dead straight stretch of road on a Saturday morning in dry conditions. That would be the sensible thing to do.
<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<br />But don't worry, the meds soon wear off and he's back to normal:
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>......I am told that red light cameras are now also speed cameras.
<br />
<br />Dr John Kaye: Are they a socialist plot as well?
<br />
<br />The Hon. Dr PETER PHELPS: They are a Bolshevist menace. They are designed to control traffic and individuals on our roads. They are normally programmed by some central planner who will tell motorists when they can come and when they can go.
<br />
<br />The Hon. Duncan Gay: Please tell the House that I have no plans to remove traffic lights.
<br />
<br />The Hon. Dr PETER PHELPS: The Minister informs me that he has no plans to remove traffic lights. Traffic light signalling is often irrelevant to road conditions, but what they say goes. Their operation is based on hypothetical models that determine that at a certain time and place there should be a certain amount of traffic and the red light should be activated. That is a Bolshevist mindset writ large. How many times have members been driving on a straight, open stretch of road with clear lines of sight for miles only to be confronted by a red light when wanting to make a right-hand turn? That happens much too often. The answer is roundabouts. Roundabouts represent freedom; roundabouts represent liberty; roundabouts represent democracy at its finest. They involve the great cost-benefit analysis and the fabulous Marshallian demand and supply analysis. One asks oneself, "Do I stay or do I go? There is an oncoming truck. Can I squeeze through in time? Must I slow down and stop or can I whiz through in time?" Such a system is entirely dependent upon traffic conditions and individual judgement. Of course, the Bolshevists hate individual judgement.
<br /></blockquote>
<br />And this is why Canberra is such a paradise.
<br />Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-6132246383102109542011-08-15T00:57:00.000-07:002011-08-15T01:57:43.118-07:00The rise of the Billy Tea Party?Anyone who's been to one of those Australiana theme parks knows that the "proper" way to make billy tea (for those who don't know a "billy" is a pot for boiling water on over a campfire, most properly an empty tin with a loop of wire over the top for a handle) is to boil up the water, throw in a handfull of tea leaves and swing the thing up and over your head (without the water falling out and scalding yourself) to settle the tea leaves. That's apparently the proper way.
<br />
<br />Despite quite a bit of time spent in the bush and yarning with plenty of old timers I've never met anyone (apart from soon to be burnt city slickers and over enthusiastic schoolkids) who actually used that method, stirring with a stick or tapping the billy a couple of times with a stick or knife being the preferred method (though mostly it's done with teabags these days).
<br />
<br />And hot on the heels of the frightening US Tea Party movement, stirred up by that vacillating idiot Tony Abbot and the crybabies of the mining industry, scared and angry people are loading up their trucks and busses and cars all over the country to converge on Canberra to winge about, well, here's a couple of examples:
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>Calls last month by Federal Green’s leader, Senator Bob Brown, for an independent inquiry into Australian media ownership and regulations,<a href="http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/livestock/cattle/convoy-to-canberra/2253200.aspx"> sparked Mr Pattel’s protest plans</a> amid concerns the inquiry could restrict freedom of speech and other democratic principles.
<br />
<br />
<br />“I was under some pressure to organise a protest and was holding back but when the Green’s overstepped the mark I was compelled to act,” Mr Pattel said.
<br />
<br />
<br />“Freedom of speech is sacrosanct to the democratic principles of our country.
<br />
<br />“Once we’ve lost that; what have we got?”
<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<br />A politician calls for an enquiry and you decide to protest? Given that one of the owners of much of our media is a foreigner and his company has been implicated in some fairly dodgy behaviour (phone tapping, corruption etc) overseas then wouldn't it be a good idea to look at who owns what and encourage a diversity of views? Rather than restricting freedom of speech Brown's call seeks to preserve it (and the Greens do have a good record on this kind of thing).
<br />
<br />Ok, let's look at<a href="http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/opinion/comment/cattlemen-driven-to-desperation-by-canberra/2258152.aspx"> another one</a>:
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>''The first was reading the 340-page Clean Energy Bill 2011 [the federal carbon tax bill], and the other 12 bills to which it is attached.
<br />
<br />
<br />''The words 'global warming' are not mentioned........
<br /></blockquote>
<br />
<br />Let's look at the <a href="http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/submissions/clean-energy-legislative-package/~/media/publications/clean-energy-legislation/exposure-draft-clean-energy-bill-2011-pdf.pdf">proposed Act</a>, being lazy and just using the word search function, they're right that "global warming" isn't mentioned however by my count "Climate Change" is mentioned sixty six times. Obviously they put the wrong words into the search function.
<br />
<br />So, one's protesting to protect Rupert Murdoch's fortune and another is protesting because they didn't plug the right words into the search function.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-48396957660692441702011-07-07T17:06:00.000-07:002011-07-08T10:18:43.787-07:00First victim of the Carbon Tax? Umm, no.Read this:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.cemaust.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/website/cement/resources/f86ac400477ebad39e899fce1824930e/HoldingStatement-20110706.pdf">Holding Statement<br /></a>Cement Australia to close Kandos manufacturing facility<br />Cement Australia has announced it will close its manufacturing facility at Kandos in New South Wales. The plant will be closed in an orderly and safe manner over the next four months.<br />Chris Leon, Cement Australia CEO and Managing Director said “it has been a challenge for some years for the Kandos operation to remain viable due to a combination of dated, inefficient technology and high fixed costs”.<br /><br />“Despite almost $10 million invested in 2007 to improve the plant, attracting and retaining high quality, experienced professionals to Kandos also continues to be a challenge as the next wave of skills shortage looms,” he said.<br /><br />“In addition, for trade exposed industries such as ours there are the additional pressures of the high Australian dollar. Current regulation and government imposts are also an increasing burden on manufacturing and the carbon tax will only exacerbate this.”<br /><br />“Finally, the Kandos plant is also considerable distance from the market it serves and this unfortunately further undermines its competitiveness,” said Mr Leon.<br /><br />Cement Australia’s 98 employees at the Kandos site will be supported through the transition and will receive their full entitlements. 34 people will be offered another role within the company.”<br /></blockquote>So how does this get reported?<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p><a href="http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/cement-plant-closure-devastating-for-kandos/2219594.aspx">Cement plant closure devastating for Kandos<br /></a>07 Jul, 2011 03:02 PM<br />The first casualty of Labor’s carbon tax has been announced with Cement Australia<br />declaring the closure of the Kandos cement plant within the next four months.<br />Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said this is a devastating day for the community of Kandos and for the 100 families that rely on this plant for a living.<br />“For nearly 100 years the Kandos cement plant has been the lifeblood of the local community – it has employed generations of locals and sustained a viable and vibrant economy,” he said.<br />“The fear is now that Julia Gillard’s carbon tax has not just proven to be the nail in the coffin of the plant, but the town of Kandos itself.<br />Mr Coulton said that while there were a number of factors that have contributed to the closure, none were more significant than the economic threat provided by the looming carbon tax.<br />“The 98 employees of the cement plant are the first victims of Julia Gillard’s carbon tax. These people are third and fourth generation workers in this plant. There is no<br />comfort for these people as they will now lose their jobs and the entire community of Kandos loses the reason for why it exists,” he said.<br />“Not only has Julia Gillard forced the closure of this plant, she has also threatened the closure of an entire town.<br />“There is no denying that cement manufacture is a high energy use and a high emitting industry. However, the irony here is that we have a situation where as a result of the carbon tax Australian industry will be forced to import cement from countries with far less stringent environmental controls that create far higher levels of carbon emissions during production.<br />"The people of Kandos have every right to feel betrayed by the Prime Minister. She must now explain to them why she has helped shut the plant that has sustained their community for generations."<br />The Kandos cement plant was established in 1914 and has been the backbone of the Kandos community and a major employer. The plant produces 450,000 tonnes of cement each year.<br />“This is a prime example of the carbon tax moving our jobs offshore and making our<br />industry uncompetitive,” Mr Coulton said.<br />“It is not like Australia is going to be using any less cement; it is not like we are not going to stop building roads, buildings or the thousands of other things that we use cement for.<br />“What it means is that we have exported the jobs from Kandos to a country<br />somewhere else that does not have restrictive legislation and higher charges.”<br /><a class="border" href="http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/cement-plant-closure-devastating-for-kandos/2219594.aspx#"></a><br /></p></blockquote>Of course sniffing various rats in all this I dug a little deeper, The Land has done a straight copy and paste from <a href="http://www.markcoulton.com.au/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/74/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/380/Cement-plant-closure-devastating-for-Kandos.aspx">Mark Coultons press release</a>. While the closure of the plant is bad news for Kandos and surrounding towns the Cement Australia press release indicates the plant was not viable even without the addition of a carbon tax.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-69445382139424635882011-07-05T02:49:00.000-07:002011-07-05T03:44:01.653-07:00I can't see a problem with this at all.....Do people actually think? Do they actually consider what might result from their actions and decisions? <a href="http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/grains-and-cropping/grasses-and-feed/new-grass-acts-as-bird-repellent/2215039.aspx">Check this out</a>:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>New grass acts as bird repellent<br />ASHLEY WALMSLEY<br />05 Jul, 2011 04:00 AM<br />A GRASS that deters birdlife is poised to find major success throughout the world, particularly with airports.<br />The avian deterrent grass, created by New Zealand company Grasslanz Technology Limited, is being commercialised by PGG Wrightson Turf.<br /><br />It recently won the Australasian DuPont Innovation Award for Performance Materials, which recognises the commercialisation of outstanding science and technology in Australasia.<br /><br />The grass will be marketed under the brand name Avanex and developed by AgResearch.<br /><br />The secret behind the grass’ bird deterrent ability is a natural fungus (endophyte) that lives in the grass and produces chemicals that make birds feel sick when ingested, but does not harm them.<br /><br />The endophytic grass also reduces insect numbers, thus making the area less attractive to insect-feeding birds. The birds are deterred from flocking in grassed areas.<br /><br />It has been effective in reducing bird numbers at several New Zealand airports thus minimising the risk of bird collisions with aircraft.<br /><br />It has a potential for use in airports around the world, as well as orchards, sports fields and golf courses, in temperate environments.<br /><br />In accepting the award on behalf of Grasslanz Technology, business development manager for the Southern Hemisphere Bruce Belgrave, said it was important to acknowledge that this innovation has been the result of a team effort involving Dr Chris Pennell, inventor and scientist with AgResearch Limited, as the inspiration behind the innovation; Christchurch International Airport, which invested in the development and allowed the first trials of the innovation on an airport; PGG Wrightson Seeds; and foundation for Arable Research, which also invested in its development.<br /><br />Cameron Henley, business manager for PGG Wrightson Turf said the product held significant safety benefits for airports and sports facilities worldwide.<br /><br />“We are proud to be a part of the development of this exciting technology and to bring Avanex to the market,” he said.<br /><br />PGG Wrightson Turf is an industry leader in the Australasian turf seed market.<br /><br />“These products have a natural fit in habitat modification surrounding airfields where they discourage both plant feeding birds and insect feeding birds, however they also work extremely well in sporting fields and golf courses, deterring a wide range of potentially damaging grass eating insects,” Mr Henley said.<br /><br />The grasses that carry these endophytic properties are ideally suited to large areas of Australia, particularly the cooler temperate regions where perennial ryegrass and tall fescue is found.<br /><br /></blockquote><br />I agree that birds around airports is an issue but given that this grass is "suited to large areas of Australia, particularly the cooler temperate regions" has anyone considered what would happen if this grass were to get loose in our grassland areas? Dunno 'bout you but it scares the shit out of me.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-54760082298841704572011-06-23T02:03:00.000-07:002011-06-24T01:29:56.383-07:00Under attack by Commie NazisWith the news that the world's number two hunter of <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Commie-Nazi">Commie Nazis </a>is soon to be <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2011/06/monckton_says_that_if_you_acce.php">visiting Australia</a>, I thought it was time to have a look at one of our homegrown McBain fans, New South Wales, Member of the Legislative Council (upper house of state parliament) and Liberal Party whip The Hon. Dr. Peter Phelps. Phelps was elected to the Upper House in May 2011 and didn't take long to start warning us of the dangers of <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110530042">Commie Nazis </a>(and more recently <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110616034">here</a> and <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110620047">here</a>) as well as hunting Commie Nazis Phelps is also letting people know of the dangers posed by <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110511003">dragons</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>I think government could well fund in the future a $10 million draconian research institute, whereby peer-approved papers could be produced which would demonstrate that dragons are responsible for global warming. That could then lead to a United Nations independent committee on dragon activities, where no doubt levies would be expected—</blockquote><br /><br /><blockquote>I note the dragon denialist sitting in the corner. I think we can say goodbye to every vote from every dungeons and dragons player. Dragon denialism is a blight on this Parliament. Dr John Kaye should listen to the scientific evidence. I refer him specifically to the Dungeons and Dragons Adventurer's handbook, third edition, which states unequivocally that dragons do exist, in a wide range of colours. Perhaps dragons should be investigated even more deeply with regard to their role in climate change, because it has the same sort of scientific relevance as carbon dioxide.<br /></blockquote><br />And while there is controversy over the role of dragons in climate change, we can rest assured:<br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p><br /><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/time-freezes-as-recordbreaking-mp-speaks-for-nearly-six-hours-20110603-1fjgn.html#ixzz1OAAjcZvT">"there are no dragons involved in the industrial relations situation of NSW".</a></p></blockquote><br />Which leads me to wonder just what award dragons are covered by? Dragons may be in trouble but other fire breathers <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110504065">can breathe easy</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>If you want to be a pot smoking Mullumbimby hippie, fine—</blockquote><br />And if you were interested in just what qualifies Phelps as the Commie Nazi Dragon Dunter he is, well here some highlights of <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/members.nsf/0/AC368C4624E299BBCA2578710004443B">his biography</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Publications - Americans are from Pluto, I.P.A Review, 2006; Of Bridges and Blue-eyed Babies, Quadrant, 2000; Anxious Nation - Review, International History Review, 2000; Amnesty Infomercial, I.P.A. Review, 1999; Keen as Mustard - Review, International History Review, 1999.<br /><br />Qualifications, Occupations and Interests - Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Sydney University, 1990. Doctor of Philosophy, Sydney University, 1997.<br />Advisor, Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP, October 2010-January 2011. Advisor, Sen. Michael Ronaldson, February 2009-October 2010. Chief of staff, Hon. Gary Nairn MP, January 2006-November 2007. Chief of staff, Sen. the Hon. Eric Abetz, January 2001-January 2006. Chief of staff, Sen. the Hon. Chris Ellison, May 2000-January 2001. Advisor, Sen. the Hon. Chris Ellison, August 1999-May 2000. Assistant Advisor, Hon. John Moore MP, October 1998-August 1999. Assistant Advisor, Hon. Ian McLachlan, February 1998-October 1998.<br /><br /></blockquote>Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-19172390927935704782011-06-04T22:46:00.000-07:002011-06-04T22:59:40.970-07:00Introducing The Mad Katters Tea Party.I couldn't resist it, North Queensland independent MP Bob Katter has today announced the formation of a new political party, and after what obviously must have been a long and arduous process has decided to call it "<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/05/3235909.htm">Katter's Australian Party</a>" (coz naming a political party after yourself worked really well for "<a href="http://www.gwb.com.au/gwb/news/onenation/launch.html">Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party</a>") and has decided to follow a<a href="http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/queensland-mp-bob-katter-registered-katters-australian-party-with-the-australian-electoral-commission/story-e6frea8c-1226069377450"> populist agenda</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>MAKING A STAND: Katter's key policies<br /><br />Stop the stranglehold of Coles and Woolworths on groceries<br /><br />Cut individual chains' market share to 22.5 per cent each instead of current 80 per cent total share.<br /><br />This would ensure greater competition and push down prices.<br /><br />Supermarket fairness tribunal to prevent misuse of market share.<br /><br />No privatisation<br /><br />Prevent any further sell-offs of assets but also implement strategies to reverse some past and current assets.<br /><br />No carbon tax<br /><br />Stop the measure and focus on renewable energies such as ethanol.<br /><br />Stop free trade<br /><br />Protect Australian industries and jobs to revitalise industries such as agriculture and manufacturing.<br /><br />New laws to make Parliament approve treaties, not just the Government.<br /><br />All Government spending should be on Australian goods where practicable. eg cars<br /><br /></blockquote><br />Rural Australia does need better representation, unfortunately this isn't it.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-85844465646243221972011-06-03T14:40:00.000-07:002011-06-03T20:43:08.132-07:00NSW Shooters and Fishers Party, a few squirrels short in the top paddock.Recently<a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110506006"> heard in parliament </a>from Robert Brown, MLC for the Shooters and Fishers Party:<br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>For The Greens to rabbit on about the protection of native species but not allow conservation hunters into national parks to kill foxes and, more particularly, cats that climb old-growth trees and eat all the birds and squirrels is plain hypocrisy.<br /></blockquote><br />He's wanting to protect squirrels from predation by cats?<br /><br />But wait there's more, when challenged on it he then continued:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Yes, grey squirrels. There are feral squirrels everywhere. We will add them to the game and feral animal bill list.</blockquote><br />Feral squirrels everywhere? <a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume1b/46-ind.pdf">Not in this country there's not</a>, and given that the proposed <a href="http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/0/6dce0470707e4f4bca2575b4001bd3f1/$FILE/b2009-031-d10-House.pdf">Game and Feral Animal Control Amendment Bill </a>would allow the setting up of private game parks, does this mean he wants to add them to the list of animals these parks can release?Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177459342436555072.post-2108739111285694512011-05-25T14:34:00.000-07:002011-05-26T02:43:38.878-07:00Coal Industry Promises to Con CommunitiesLet's face it, the coal industry rarely gets past the first syllable in their consultation process so let's call it for what it is. Following the recently released survey which pretty much said the community thinks coal mining sucks the industry is now promising to go out and consult more.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/24/3224894.htm">From the ABC<br /></a><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Coal industry promises to consult with mining communities<br />Posted Tue May 24, 2011 6:40am AEST<br /><br /><br />The Minerals Council says the mining industry wants to engage more with the community over concerns about dust and air quality. (ABC Local : Jill Emberson )<br /><br />The New South Wales Minerals Council says a scathing community survey was a 'wake-up call' and it has begun talks with Upper Hunter residents in a bid to improve its relationship with locals.<br /><br />The Mineral Council's Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue hosted an information meeting at Singleton overnight in order to better develop solutions to the community's concerns.<br /><br />The independent survey rates the region's coal industry poorly, citing dust, air quality and the need for mine site rehabilitation as community concerns.<br /><br />The Council's Deputy CEO, Sue-Ern Tan says the industry wants to address the issues.<br /><br />"I think they were concerns that we knew we in the community but it was really getting them in black and white I guess was a bit of the wake-up call for us," she said.<br /><br />"I think what it showed though was there was an interest in the community to keep talking and try to all work together to find a path forward for the broader Hunter community.<br /><br />"That's not going to be easy but I think the best way to do it is by continuing that conversation."<br /><br />Ms Tan says the Minerals Council is committed to significantly boosting its consultation with Upper Hunter mining communities.<br /><br />She says the scathing survey also highlighted concern over pressure on community services and infrastructure.<br /><br />Ms Tan says the whole industry wants to engage more with the community.<br /><br />"Each individual company does it about their individual projects and does it actually quite well, but this is a broader problem," she said.<br /><br />"This is the cumulative impacts of the whole industry in the Upper Hunter and while people might say, talk is cheap, it's not.<br /><br />"You've got to start talking.<br /><br />"There was a feeling of, where do we go to now?<br /><br />"How do we try and find a way forward to ensure the Hunter has a strong and viable future?"<br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br />Here's the thing, we've heard it all before, we've heard the assurances, we've heard the corporate spin and we just don't believe you any more and no ammount of additional community con is going to change that.<br /><br />Want to gain a little more respect? Well here's a couple of suggestions to start, audit your operations against the claims made in your EIS, don't leave overburden heaps bare for 10 years, do proper rehab job and not just throw out fucking Rhodes Grass seed everywhere, if you've put an area aside for an "offset" don't go and mine the thing five years later, oh and stop playing us for fools.Spottedquollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003015544809145222noreply@blogger.com0