Climate Change, Carbon Tax and the Coming Election

With the change of Labor leadership to a recycled Kevin Rudd, it will be interesting to see if "the greatest moral challenge of our time", that of effective response to climate change will feature heavily in the coming election.
Seeing Malcolm Turnbull on Q and A on Monday made me wince. I felt for his answers to various questions regarding the Coalition's "Direct Action" Policy - including the statement:

"The Liberal Party's policy is to do that with a range of measures, so-called direct action but that involves a lot of things. You know, by competitive bidding of carbon reduction mechanisms and a whole range of measures and but the big difference between our policy, apart from the fact it has a much lower cost than obviously the carbon tax at the moment, is that it is not designed to go any further than 2020....So it is not a long-term policy."
And "I have been a very strong advocate of market-based mechanisms. I have to say, however, being very honest - frank about it, that emissions trading schemes to date have worked better in theory than in practice. The over-allocation in Europe has really been something of a disaster in terms of the emissions trading scheme there."

My remembrance of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme was that more permits were being requested for business by Malcolm (then Liberal Leader), an over-allocation perhaps!.

My early flowering Jonquils

So now we know the Federal Opposition's Direct Action scheme is short-term. So why do it and then have to change schemes?

So is the current scheme, the much maligned, Carbon Tax working?

Matt McDonald, in the Conversation "Why Labor should fight the 2013 election on climate change" writes:
"Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation hit a 10 year low in early 2013, driven by increases in cost for wholesale electricity and an increase in the share of electricity provided through renewable sources. Both of these dynamics are attributable to the carbon tax."
And "Most industry representatives they interviewed, all from fossil fuel intensive industries, indicated support for increased government intervention to set and maintain carbon pricing mechanisms to create business and investment stability". See the Conversation for the rest and his comments today

Other interesting media discussions on the topic include "Extreme Weather" on ABC TV Catalyst show, explaining in some detail why we have been having such cold, bright weather recently.
Jonathon Holmes, now retired from Media Watch, also reprised the topic "Hot air stoking the climate change debate" on 24 June 13.

So does Kevin have the moral fibre to make this an election issue and keep the price on carbon a market based scheme?

Rambunctious Rudd Ascendancy (Again)

Last night's turbulence saw the overthrow of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the restoration,to the leadership of the Federal Labor Party, of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

This Labor Government has initiated many firsts. First to throw out a first term Prime Minister. First to install a female Prime Minister. First to have so many damaging leaks from within the Government Party aimed at de-stabilizing said PM. First to tackle Climate Change via a price on Carbon (aka Carbon Tax) but in a way guaranteed to offside so many people. First to re-install a previous PM to the leadership while still in power! But not the first to show the back-stabbing, power moves and power machinations within political parties. So many of these 'firsts' showing many politicians in extremely self-serving and poor light.

What has pissed me off most is the collateral damage to people I respect and admire. To hear that Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott have resigned, for 'family' reasons is saddening, though understandable. I believe, their negotiations have brought much needed funding and programs to Australians, particularly in regional areas.
The NBN, Carbon Pricing, education funding and attempt at Health Reforms have been a hallmark of the Labor Government.
All these initiatives are worthwhile and their discussions brought some much needed sanity and reflection on policy. What is questionable was the ability of the Government, a minority Government, to implement these reforms fairly and equitably. Something I don't think our State, Federal  and local politicians think much about. The me generation of citizens are well and truly clamoring.

My family was brought up with Midnight Oil music resounding in the car and house constantly. Peter Garrett has good reason to resign now that Mr Rudd is back. It is sad to see Garrett go, though I always preferred to think of him as a loud and effective Environmentalist. I wonder where that leaves the Gonski reforms for Victoria? The loss of so many Labor ministers is both sad but also allows for renewal.

The next few days may see an early election. Roll on the policies people and less of the lemon & Labor chaos! (Faint hope I fear!)