Abbott goes for preference shake-up with weak environmental plan
Opposition leader Tony Abbott's foray at the Sydney Institute last night into the debate on climate change, environmental protection and Greens preferences has to be welcomed even if his solutions are lame or deceptive.
After the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Conference and the Rudd government's useless emissions trading scheme this country needs urgent debate on the way forward on climate change.
Back to the Future
On December 12, I joined over 500 Novacastrians in the annual Walk Against Warming event. In the following article, published in the Newcastle Herald on Saturday, Dec 19, I explore my personal connections to the area, along with what the future might hold for the Hunter.
Port Arthur massacre remembered – time to ban semi-automatic pistols
Lee renews the Greens call for a ban on semi-automatic pistols to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre.
Reports marking yesterday’s anniversay of the Port Arthur massacre understandably got caught up in coverage of the book Born or Bred, an indepth look at the life of Martin Bryant.
Radical activism centre stage at Climate Summit
Clive Hamilton set the scene for the four day Climate Summit with an uplifting speech that put “radical activism” centre stage.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong would be wise to ask for a briefing on the Climate Summit held in Canberra from January 31 to February 3. Discontent with their government is on the rise.
Grrrrrreen car wash heads to federal court
Remember those Grrrrrreen adverts that appeared on billboards, internet sites and in newspapers for Saab cars last year? Apart from the gross misuse of the word green the advertisements also contained misleading and deceptive claims about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Liberals struggle with accuracy on Greens preferences
Considering the Liberal party team are poised to take government in NSW in 2011, they need to meet standards and accuracy should be at the top of the list.
Liberal MP for Castle Hill Michael Richardson's letter in the SMH on Greens' preference decisions contains comments that are inaccurate.
Can drug users deliver an honest debate?
When Premier Morris Iemma was asked about Andrew Johns drug taking he went for the old law and order approach, reminding everyone that if Johns had been caught in NSW he may have faced criminal charges. Although technically that could happen, the fact is that by far the majority of people picked up in NSW with one ecstasy tab are given a warning by the police, or they may end up in a rehabilitation program.
When threats replace debate on the question of stem cells
Cardinal George Pell was not the only leading Australian Catholic who threatened "consequences" for Catholic MPs who voted for stem cell legislation. Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey went further than Cardinal Pell. He not only asserted that Catholic politicians supporting stem cell research should be excluded from holy communion - he added the threat of excommunication.