The effects of climate change or our superannuation tax system have been known for decades, so it is a sobering reflection on how long it can take for clearly identified problems to be addressed, writes Mike Steketee.

Robyn Williams recently recalled hosting the first episode of the ABC's Science Show 40 years ago.

One of his guests was Lord Peter Ritchie-Calder, a member of the UK House of Lords and an expert on energy, who warned that the climate was likely to be affected by the burning of fossil fuels. He talked about how much he and others had been concerned about it since 1963 and that "here we are in 1975 and no one has done anything about it yet".

Four decades later, in the middle of the Paris climate change conference, it is a sobering reflection on how long it can take for a clearly identified problem to be addressed.

If the good lord was a lone or at least rare voice then, he wasn't for long. In 1977, the US National Academy of Sciences warned that average temperatures could rise by 6C by 2050 as a result of burning coal. Not a bad stab at it, if it now looks a touch alarmist. In 1981, James Hansen, a NASA scientist, predicted that burning fossil fuels would increase temperatures by 2.5C by the end of this century. That now looks far too cautious.

In Australia, Barry Jones was talking about the issue in 1985 as science minister in the Hawke government. He set up the Commission for the Future with Phillip Adams at its head. Amongst other things, it produced a report on the greenhouse effect that received international recognition.

Despite his position as a minister, his formidable intellect and an uncanny ability to foresee the future, Jones never wielded much influence in the Hawke government. By contrast, Graham Richardson was the true insider who had enormous clout, including as environment minister.

But it wasn't enough for the Hawke cabinet to accept his recommendation in 1989 to sign up to the proposal by an international summit in Toronto in 1988 for developed countries to stabilise their emissions at 1988 levels by 2000 and reduce them by 20 per cent by 2005. Paul Keating as Treasurer won the day by arguing that the economic costs were too high and the Coalition under Andrew Peacock went to the 1990 election with a stronger climate target than Labor.

It was in the same year that Britain's prime minister said:

The danger of global warming is as yet unseen, but real enough for us to make changes and sacrifices, so that we do not live at the expense of future generations ... Many of the precautionary actions that we need to take would be sensible in any event. It is sensible to improve energy efficiency ... and to develop alternative and sustainable sources of supply; it's sensible to replant the forests which we consume; it's sensible to re-examine industrial processes; it's sensible to tackle the problem of waste ... I see the adoption of these policies as a sort of premium on insurance against fire, flood or other disaster. It may be cheaper or more cost-effective to take action now than to wait and find we have to pay much more later.

The prime minister was Margaret Thatcher. Her's was a classic exposition of the precautionary principle to which conservatives traditionally have subscribed. This was an era before climate science was hijacked by commercial interests who recruited big "c" conservatives to turn the issue into a political and ideological crusade against change.

 

read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-04/steketee-protecting-future-generations/7000352

As much as Mal Brough, Rupert Murdoch's News Limited is in the Ashbygate scandal up to its neck — but don't expect to read about that anywhere else. Again, Ashbygate author Ross Jones uncovers the facts.

IN ALL the furore over Mal Brough, News Corp (formerly News Limited) has slipped under the radar — so far.

The now famous Australian Federal Police warrant also makes serious allegations against former News Limited journalist Steve “Scoop” Lewis.

At the time of the alleged offences, Scoop wasn’t a former journalist, he was a News Limited hero.

Steve – and therefore his previous employer – (unless News Corp manages to convince the world it was a lone wolf scenario) is accused of breaching the Criminal Code when he did:

‘… dishonestly influence James Hunter Ashby, being a Commonwealth public official, to disclose details from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Peter Slipper’s 2009 to 2012 official diary, without authorisation … ’

Steve Lewis to James Ashby at 11.02 a.m.: Can u chat?

Ashby: In 10 mate be in touch soon

Lewis: Mate the dates I need for Diary (daily extracts) Dec 31 2009 - Jan 9 2010 Nov 10,11 2010 Ta Steve

Ashby: Hey Karen. Would u be able to photograph with your iPhone and message the following dates to me? I'll then email to Steve if u like otherwise if u wouldn't mind sending them directly to him that would be great The dates he need from the Diary (daily extracts) are: Dec 31 2009 - Jan 9 2010 Nov 10,11 2010 Thanks James

#Ashbygate raid & potential charges. Meanwhile, wonder when AFP will raid #NewsCorp's Steve Lewis? https://t.co/0xUvKSrCX6 @IndependentAus

— Harry Larsen (@berkeleyboy) November 19, 2015

Steve is also in the frame for providing a benefit to Ashby, a Commonwealth public official, in the form of accommodation and flights:

Ashby: Hi Steve. Do u want me to check out before I leave for the lawyers or am staying another night in the same place?

Lewis: Hi mate No stay another night OK? I will sort out payment etc Just tell hotel to book u in again and News will sort

Ashby: Ok cheers for that

And then there is this:

At 8.35 p.m., Brough emailed Doane: 

How did it go today Karen?

Karen replied immediately: 

Hi Mal,

Today went reasonably well and I believe James understood he needs to follow the legal advice to have all his facts sighted and the deposition taken (tomm) bnefore it goes to press. This ensures there are no legalities breached, which is very important for a solid case!

I think Steve Lewis would agree another day of waiting to ensure everything is as it should be is worth it

Cheers

Karen

That email portrays Lewis, a News Limited employee, as an active participant in whatever was going on.

A minute later, at 8.37 p.m., Karen told James:

Take care of yourself my friend and remember an extra 24 hours of waiting to go to press is in everyone's. best interest :-) PS I sent you an email

Ashby: Excellent thanks for that

Why do media not say "Reporters" name? "...emails to Mr Brough in which a reporter asks for diary extracts for..." https://t.co/3VZeRxV1zh

— Disruptive Noely (@YaThinkN) December 2, 2015

News Corp is in this up to its neck. But it’s weird. News Corp publications have turned on Brough — though they still manage, despite all evidence to the contrary, to refer to Slipper as the “disgraced” former speaker.

But News Corp is backpedalling like a disgraced Lance Armstrong in reverse. And well might it do so. The Brough diary scandal is no more than a rat’s tail protruding from the nest — a nest so full of rodents it is tearing itself to shreds.

Three million bucks, that’s what James told me the matter cost. Who has $3 million? Bucks like that can come only from one of two sources: a rich individual or an organisation.

Not Clive Palmer — his $200,000, if contributed, would have paid for about half an hour. Harmers Workplace Lawyers, Ashby’s legal representatives would have it the firm absorbed the cost in an altruistic move to assist a legitimate whistle-blower — maybe.

Rumours did circulate in Phillip Street (Harmers Workplace Lawyers street address) speculating on Harmers’ straightened circumstances but the firm seems to be okay, fit to rescue other sufferers of misfortune.

I refer you to a wealthy organisation with a dog in the race.

The book ASHBYGATE – published by Independent Australia, 2015 – will be officially launched at 10.30 am, 10 December 2015 at the Shearwater Resort, 79 Edmund Street, Caloundra. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served

read all at: https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/ashbygate-regime-change-news-will-sort,8455

 

Mal Brough has 'done the right thing', says Malcolm Turnbull – politics live

Prime minister says there was no requirement under the statement of ministerial standards for Brough to stand aside after documents released under freedom of information relating to the Ashby affair.

 

The poll, published in the Australian newspaper on Tuesday, shows dissatisfaction with Turnbull increased three points to 41%, as he struggles to fill a policy void on tax reform.

Voters were polled between Thursday and Sunday last week, after Australian Bureau of Statistics figures were released showing a 0.6% jump in economic growth in the final quarter of 2015 for overall annual growth of 3%, half a percentage point higher than forecast.

It also followed the leak of sensitive Tony Abbott-era national security documents to the Australian newspaper, sparking a referral to the Australian federal police and renewed focus on the tensions between Turnbull and his predecessor.

In two party-preferred terms, the Coalition is still deadlocked with Labor at 50-50.

The primary votes for both major parties are also unchanged at 43% for the Coalition compared to Labor’s 35%.

The satisfaction rating for the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, jumped for the third consecutive poll and now sits at 30%, where it was in September before Turnbull moved against Tony Abbott.

An attack on Labor’s negative gearing policy based on analysis it would drive up rents and push down house prices withered after the report – commissioned anonymously – was found to have significant errors.

read more: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/08/voters-confidence-in-malcolm-turnbull-falls-newspoll-survey-shows