Federal independent MP Bob Katter is pushing for a more moderate package of changes to poker machines.

Independent Andrew Wilkie and the Federal Government are planning to introduce a mandatory scheme forcing poker machine players to set betting limits.

Mr Katter says he has met casino boss James Packer to discuss the issue.

He has told Channel Ten half the clubs in his electorate would close down under the plan.

"I can't go the full hog on this now much as I'd like to, much as that is where my sympathies lie," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/12/3242075.htm?section=justin

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The Kat in the Hat does not know where he should stand... Damned if you do and damned you don't.... Damn!

The tropical Top End is bracing for what is tipped to be its coldest June temperature on record tomorrow morning.

The weather bureau says a strong high pressure system in the Great Australian Bight is pushing a cold, dry south-easterly flow of air across the Northern Territory.

Senior forecaster David Matthews says it was about 3 degrees Celsius colder than average in Darwin early this morning, dropping to 12.7C.

He says it will be even cooler tomorrow.

"The June record for Darwin Airport is 12.1C and that was on June 23, 1963," he said.

"There is a good chance we could get below 12.1C, probably tomorrow morning."

Mr Matthews says it will continue to be colder than normal in the Top End over the next few days.

"Temperatures have been below average, well below average, by about three or four degrees at least," he said.

The weather bureau says the "apparent" temperature in Darwin this morning was 9C.

Forecaster Angeline Prasad says this took into account the chill factor of strong winds and low levels of humidity.

The forecast minimum temperature for Alice Springs in central Australia tomorrow is -1C.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/14/3243324.htm?section=justin

 

So, all of you, the denialists who don't believe in global warming here is your big chance: The coldest day ever recorded in Darwin!!!! Ah ah, you win... My apologies for doubting your ignorance of the facts. Yes, I know I argue that the science of global warming is correct, and that local conditions are subject to say local conditions... And you are allowed to place my nose in it...

Here in Sydney in June the maximum temperature stays about two to three degrees below average, so you win again, not considering the minimum temperatures are about three to four degrees above average... What Australia is experiencing "this winter" is equivalent to what happened in the northern hemisphere... the US and Europe were battered by snow storms... while the higher latitudes such as Canada were somewhat warmer than average. In one location there, the thermometre registered balmy minus ones when usually it is minus 20s...

And the rain, the rain, the rain... the east coast of Australia is under the spell of rain, since since since... Now it's the turn of the mid NSW coast to be flooded. At the beginning of the year it was Queensland...

Would this have something to do with CO2 modifying the behaviour of water vapour in the atmosphere? China just had a devastating drought like it never had before and suddenly, the place gets flooded, displacing millions...

"the weather is not what it used to be..." said my lemon tree this morning... Even the bricks in the garden are growing mosses like never before... see toon at top...

CLIMATE change is a ticking time-bomb for Australia's $5.5 billion wine industry and threatens some of our favourite wines with extinction, a study has revealed.

CSIRO climate change scientist and wine expert Leanne Webb examined ripening times across Australia and found grapes were maturing faster in recent warmer temperatures, affecting quality and taste.

Some growers say they are already modifying their winemaking to cope with the effects and at least one major player is taking steps to move production further south.

"All my modelling is showing that if the climate warms up - given that a variety is able to ripen well in a region in a present climate - the actual quality that we see will be decreasing," Dr Webb said.

"(Wine drinkers) may not understand the complexity that goes into it, but I am sure they can taste the difference."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/features/environment/climate-change-threatens-australias-wine-industry-study-warns/story-e6frflp0-1226068502698#ixzz1PECw3xZT
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Whoa... Easy on... A Murdoch paper starting to publish info about climate change that is not of the contrary variety!!! My hat to the journos who I suspect are afficionadi of the fermented grapes... But what about the beer? Full of water I believe from the rain that is pelting down...

Leadership is needed to build low-carbon future

It is time Australia developed a long and lasting solution to climate change. Our nation needs to act now to build a better, cleaner and more sustainable future for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

It is time to move forward in a constructive way that helps Australia reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining our quality of life. Australia's per capita emissions are the highest in the OECD and among the highest in the world. It is our responsibility to find a solution. We abrogate that responsibility and leadership when it's said we must wait for others before acting.

Doing something to tackle climate change in Australia is poised at a critical point. Progress has been stalled before and might be thwarted again. Delayed action is a backward step and a costly one for all Australians.

There is a range of actions we must and can take to reduce our emissions. Many of these opportunities can be undertaken now, using existing technologies and without changing our lifestyle.

A price on carbon is fundamental to substantially reducing emissions and driving the development and growth of a low-carbon economy.

We are a country of innovators and given the incentives new sustainable industries will flourish. We are asking all Australians to demand leadership on this issue so together we can take the first steps towards building a low-carbon future.

Professor David de Krester, Ian Kiernan, Dr Fiona Stanley, Dr Pat McGorry, Peter Cundall, Sir Gus Nossal, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/letters/sheep-in-wolves-clothing--while-it-suits-them-20110614-1g1th.html#ixzz1PIGUEcmO

Gus: as noted in the article above (turning grange into red ned), is Mr Murdoch slowly awakening to accepting the concept of "global warming" or has he always understood the problem despite letting his troops do some dirty denialist work in order to elect conservative governments for profit and ideology? Has uncle Rupe been hit by his 100 year old mum with "a slipper" recently — like he was from time to time when a young kid, for going gambling with his granddad at the races?