Bolt on Climate; Brandis & ASIO Express Public Concern at Aus Jihadist; Paramedics Union
Carbon Tax
Today is the day that the carbon tax has finally been repealed in the Senate, with Palmer’s group supporting the repeal on the assurance that the ACCC will ensure that the reduction is passed on (the head of the ACCC was on record as saying –somewhat questionably – that what goes up as a result of the carbon tax must come down when it is removed). Naturally, Abbott was pleased as punch and sent a brief message to Liberal members (see message to Case Smit below).
He also took what appears to be a further step to downplaying the need for significant measures to reduce emissions viz when questioned about Shorten’s decision to commit Labor (if elected) to introduce an emissions trading scheme, Abbott indicated that the Coalition would strongly oppose such action and would not adopt any such scheme itself. The Coalition would instead focus on its Direct Action program, which is unlikely to have much effect.
Andrew Bolt took the opportunity in this morning’s Herald Sun to expose some of the flawed analysis justifying the tax and the decision by Shorten decision to commit Labor to a policy of an emissions trading scheme if elected (see below). Greens leader Milne had already put in her two pennyworth by asserting that if temperatures rise by 4 degrees by 2100 “there will be one million deaths per week”!
Abbott also agreed to an interview on the 7.30 report where, as might be expected, the interviewer started with three warmists and had no sceptic and made no attempt to address the point made by Abbott that Australia’s carbon tax made us the leader in emissions reduction policies.
Of course, policies which subsidise renewable energy sources continue to add significantly to costs and there will likely be further controversy when the imminent review of such policies is published (it is expected that the report will recommend a reduction in the target now set for 2020).
Brandis/ASIO Publicly Expose Jihadists
The decision by both ASIO head Irvine and Attorney General Brandis to publicly express serious concern at the dangers to Australia from radicalised jihadists, to indicate that some passports have been cancelled, and that some face criminal charges are useful steps forward in the handling of the extremist problem. Some information was given on measures to improve protection to agents (see below) but the changes to legislation are yet to be published.
Interestingly, on my way to Canberra today I was given an “explosives” test at Melbourne airport and, in discussion afterwards with the tester, was told that for international travel all computers and mobiles will now be required to be switched on and, if there is no response, they will not be allowed on to the plane. There will also be more rigorous checks of possible implants in both men and women.
Join the Paramedic’s union
The Herald Sun is continuing its focus on union activities and the use of union monopoly power. Its front page claims that, although most paramedics now earn $100,000 pa for working 148 days, their union is pushing for a big rise. The “threat”, presumably, is that failure to secure an appropriate increase would reduce ambulance services.