Senate Estimates on solar rebate, Garnaut, oil price, green loans and more
Blog Post | Blog of Christine Milne
Tuesday 3rd June 2008, 4:40pm
by TimHollo in
As the team at Hansard are struggling valiantly to catch up on the huge quantity of transcribing work coming out of Senate Estimates, it's going to be a little while before we're up to date here on what's been happening, but I thought I'd post a few key climate and oil-related transcripts now.
The one that many have probably been waiting for is the old Milne-ABARE head-to-head. Challenging ABARE on their projections for world oil prices was even more fun than usual this time, and got some most interesting admissions. Worth a read.
Probably the next of most general interest is the very long and detailed discussion with Minister Wong, the Department of Climate Change and Professor Garnaut. Look out for discussion on transport's inclusion or otherwise in emissions trading, the prospects for full carbon accounting of forestry emissions, and the prospects for geosequestration of coal emissions. Read it here, if you can dredge through the awful time-wasting of the Liberals...
Then there are three that have some nuggets in amongst the chaff. This one is on transport and AusLink, this one the mess that is the Green Loans scheme, and this one on the means testing of the solar rebate.
More as they come available.
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Comments
That is gold. Particularly
That is gold. Particularly the squirming around the solar means test threshold being based off net income.
I don't know how Christine
I don't know how Christine gets through these meetings without ripping someone's (ie. Penny's) head off. I'd be in there with the rolled-up briefing notes giving her a good twat about the head.
Senator Wong: "I would
Senator Wong: "I would remind the committee that this government has a commitment to a 20 per cent renewable energy target—a very substantial commitment ..."
Hah. Pity that commitment doesn't take effect till 2010, if we're lucky!
CHAIR—Senator Nash,
CHAIR—Senator Nash, Senator McGauran does have the call. I am sorry—how could I confuse you with Senator McGauran; I apologise.
Senator Conroy—There should be a motion of no-confidence in the chair after that.
CHAIR—I should be spanked.
Comedy gold.
(from the RARA Transport Estimates)
Re the ABARE oil price
Re the ABARE oil price predictions, General Motors have a lot more at stake in dollar terms than possibly the entire Australian economy. They have concluded that the recent oil price rise ".... moves are all in response to the rapid rise in oil prices and the resulting changes in the US, changes that we believe are more structural than cyclical," said Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and chief executive officer.
In response to structural price changes for oil, they are getting out of producing hummers and suv's and toolling up for a 'green car fleet' at an initial costs in the tens of billions of dollars.
In short, and unlike ABARE's fanciful dreamings, General Motors is putting $billions where it's mouth is - on a structural change in oil price and availability. Unfortunately for Australia, Mr Glyde and his 150 analysts/economists will continue to be paid by us taxpayers regardless of the incompetence of their projections. The writing is on the wall, but ABARE is illiterate.
I was listening to Senator
I was listening to Senator Minchin this morning on Sydney ABC 576 radio talking about the log jam of bills before the senate. Its interesting how when the Liberals do it it is ok but when the ALP wants to do it the sky is falling in. I think both sides and all parties need to stop trying to get the Senate to just "tick and flick" all there bills and get them passed. These committees are essential to the democratic process. i applaude the Greens for using them to the full extent. We need this Committee as the measures in the budget in relation to Solar is so flawed.
[...] 4, 2008 by Tim Norton
[...] 4, 2008 by Tim Norton To follow on from Tim H’s post on Senate Estimates transcripts, I thought I’d also post a few links to some of the more [...]
[...] "1192",
[...] "1192", "http://theburgess.net/green"); Senate Estimates on solar rebate, Garnaut, oil price, green loans and more As the team at Hansard are struggling valiantly to catch up on the huge quantity of transcribing [...]
[...] nothing from the
[...] nothing from the Senate on the site because that’s where all the interesting stuff happens. Senate Estimates are fast becoming the only real way for governments to be questioned given Nelson’s pissweak [...]
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