At last! An explanation for those gremlins in my apostate PC

Oakeshott and Saffin tell O'Farrell it's time to get busy on the Pacific Highway upgrade

The Federal Government is committed to completing the job on the Pacific Highway by 2016 and, in fact, on 21 October 2010 during question time the Prime Minister gave that commitment. We will work with it every step of the way to finish the job—this missing link—on the Pacific Highway. [Andrew Stoner, NSW Nationals Leader, NSW Hansard 9 May 2011]

That O'Farrell post-Budget dummy spit on 12 May 2011 and Hartsuyker's recent silliness over federal funding for the Pacific Highway upgrade finds two NSW North Coast federal politicians less than amused.

Independent MP For Lyne Rob Oakeshott in the House of Representatives Hansard 12 May 2011:

This $1 billion of extra and new money into the Pacific Highway project does lay down a challenge. It reaches out to New South Wales to match that commitment in what has been traditionally a fifty-fifty funding agreement for what is a very important nation-building project. The challenge is there for the New South Wales government in its first budget after campaigning heavily on this issue, visiting sites such as the site of the Clybucca bus crash and making plenty of noise that it would commit to a 2016 completion date. It will not get there unless it matches the funding that was in the Commonwealth budget. Unless an extra $2 billion goes into this project, the Pacific Highway dual carriageway will not be completed by 2016......
Personally, I have done all that I can at my level to ensure full completion of this project by 2016. We should not sneeze at $1 billion of extra money. I have read comments over the last 48 hours from members of this chamber who are local members on this highway not only sneezing at this money—
I know the member for Page is not,is not, but there are some who are really trying to bag this project and the money going in. They should be focusing on the importance of this money to getting the job done......
I reach out to Barry O'Farrell to do the deal—let us get this project done. Through cooperation, let us do what former governments—state and federal, Labor and Liberal—have failed to achieve.

Labor MP for PageJanelle Saffin in a medai release on 19 May 2011:

I would have thought the State Government would have been cheering about this substantial new investment in the highway, but instead they appear to be baulking at the request for $750 million in matching NSW funding..
Just before the State Election, Nationals MP Andrew Stoner, then shadow Roads Minister, said ‘The NSW Liberals and Nationals would immediately fast track the upgrade of the Pacific Highway if elected in March.’
Just last month Mr Stoner, now Deputy Premier, said on ABC Radio: “Barry O’Farrell and I want to make sure that the State Government is a help and not a hindrance to finishing the job.....
The State National Party MPs must get their Liberal coalition partners to honour the commitment to this vital infrastructure.
This is not the time for hesitation from the State Government.

I am therefore I oppose

Here’s Liberal Party Leader Tony ‘I am therefore I oppose’ Abbott on 12th May 2011, speaking to a measure continued in the Australian Government 2011-12 Budget and one which he is probably going to eventually vote through when it comes to the crunch:
“Government will spend $350 on each pensioner’s set top box when Gerry Harvey can supply and install them for just $168. Perhaps this programme should be called ‘Building the Entertainment Revolution’. Pensioners and self-funded retirees deserve better than this.”
Abbott again on ABC Radio “PM” program 13th May 2011:
“Take, for arguments sake, the set-top box program. Now I think $305 million has been allocated to this. I just hope that none of the former pink batt installers are sorting this out, otherwise be afraid, very afraid, pensioners of Australia.”

And here are more considered positions from within the Federal Coalition he leads.

Paul Neville (Nats) in Hansard 4th December 2008:
“The British government have gone to the trouble of having a system whereby people can get set-top boxes to convert their analog TVs to digital. We need to have a similar program.”

Nick Minchin (Lib) in Hansard 18th June 2009:
“Though no detail is provided in the bill, the department confirmed during budget estimates that the assistance would include a high-definition digital set-top box, delivered and installed; any necessary cabling in the home; and some instruction on how to use the set-top box. During questioning at Senate estimates, the department advised that they are currently putting together tender documents for the rollout of the assistance in Mildura, the first place for the switch-off, where they estimate that there are approximately 3½ thousand eligible households. They anticipate one tenderer to source the boxes, contact eligible households and arrange installation of the equipment. We trust that the department will ensure that the successful tenderer or tenderers approach the task with what will need to be the appropriate sensitivities in relation to these social security recipients.” And again at www.nickminchin.com.au 19th January 2009
“The Government also needs to finalise a strategy to assist the economically disadvantaged to upgrade their analog equipment to digital. The elderly and others may also require technical assistance and support to ensure their digital equipment is properly installed and working.
After conducting his own test, Senator Conroy concluded that installing a set-top box "is not that easy". It has been suggested that free set-top boxes might be provided to pensioners and low income earners. with in-home installation assistance offered, as has occurred in the UK.
But Australia is a huge country and getting us ready for switch-over requires a lot more than just talk. It requires specific, practical action backed by appropriate levels of additional funding, which will have to be allocated in or before the next Budget if Senator Conroy's deadlines are to be met.
The Coalition fully recognises the undeniable benefits that digital television brings, including better picture and sound quality and extra free-to-air channels to watch, and that is why in government it laid a solid foundation for Australia's digital future.”

Saffin hits back at Cansdell over coal seam gas jibe

In response to NSW Nationals MP for Clarence and member of the O’Farrell Government, Steve Cansdell, who appeared more intent on supporting mining interests and attempting to score political points against the ALP in yesterday’s The Northern Star article MP Cansdell stands by Metgasco (rather than listening to the concerns of his constituents) the Federal MP for Page issued this media release:

Saffin hits back at Cansdell on coal seam gas

Page MP Janelle Saffin has hit back at Clarence MP Steve Cansdell over his claims that local opposition to coal seam gas mining is largely inspired by the U.S documentary, ‘Gaslands’.

“I would point out to Steve that people in our community, particularly farmers and landholders – traditionally National Party supporters - first raised alarm bells over coal seam gas exploration well before ‘Gaslands’ came out.

“I also take exception to his suggestion that public figures’ support for a Coal seam gas moratorium is partly ‘based on a desire to be everyone’s friend’.

 “I can assure Steve that if I was concerned with being everyone’s friend, it would be a lot easier to sit back and keep quiet.

“As I did with the issue of aerial chemical spraying of forest plantations in Coaldale and other local areas, I have listened to the community, investigated the issue and then raised my concerns.

“Public figures have a duty to listen, to lead and to guide and where there are community concerns, particularly involving possible health and environmental risks, we are obliged to raise questions and seek assurances.

“It is for that reason, and not ‘a desire to be everyone’s friend’, that I have now thrown my support behind the call for a coal seam gas moratorium by Lismore, Kyogle and Ballina councils, Rous Water County Council and Northern Rivers Tourism.

“The moratorium may not happen, but I support the process and recognise the concerns of farmers and landholders and other local residents.

“I notice Steve says that any gas miner that breached laws and damaged aquifers needed to face heavy fines.  That is not the sort of process that inspires confidence in the community.  We need to make sure that our aquifers are not at risk in the first place.

“I have no problem with Metgasco and I welcome clean, safe, natural gas production in our region. 

“But the community needs to be assured that any mining in our region is clean and safe.” Ms Saffin said.

“At this stage, they are not assured.”

Ms Saffin plans to attend the public meeting on coal seam gas mining at the Grafton Ex-Services Club on Thursday evening, 19 May.

May 18, 2011

Media contact:  Lee Duncan 0448 158 150

Metgasco spinning in all directions on the subject of fracking coal seam gas on the NSW North Coast

Metgasco Ltd whose coal seam mining operating licences cover approximately 5,800 km² in the New South Wales section of the Clarence-Morton Basin is having a little trouble deciding which line to spin North Coast communities and their elected representatives………

Fracturing, or ‘fracing’ as it is referred to in the CSM industry, is a technique used to improve the flow of gas from the coal seam. It is not anticipated at this time that fracing will be required; however information on typical fracing impacts and management has been provided in case this should change in the future. The main impacts are associated with an increase in noise from the high pressure pumps during the fracing operation and the potential for cross contamination of beneficial use aquifers in the adjacent area.[Metgasco Ltd Environmental Assessment - RVPS & CGP: Executive Summary, August 2008]

Metgasco told the government its drilling would have little effect on aquifers since all wells are encased in cemented steel casing ''so there is no perceivable impact to ground water [as] a result of the fracture treatment'' [Metgasco spokesperson in The Sydney Morning Herald, Gas drilling goes ahead without any checks, 15 November 2010]

Metgasco takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and is open and transparent in its activities [Metgasco Managing Director David Johnson, in The Sydney Morning Herald, letter to the editor, 24 November 2010]

The final investment decision on into production through stimulation techniques such as this project remains subject to satisfactory progress on fracture stimulation [Metgasco 2010 Annual Report]

Metgasco, had been given a licence to mine using the controversial hydraulic fracturing technique, also known as “fracking”….this method of extracting natural gas from coal seams involved pumping material that often including poisonous or carcinogenic materials into the rock to create fractures that allowed the gas to escape [Education officer for the Environmental Defenders Office NSW Northern Rivers Mark Byrne in The Daily Examiner, Poison warning as gas mining starts, 25 January 2011]

Locally Metgasco have given assurances that they don’t use any chemicals, and don’t do fracking [Steve Cansdell NSW MP for Clarence in The Northern Rivers Echo,Gas seams to be a cloudy issue, 24 February 2011]

the company had done one hydraulic fracture in the Northern Rivers region, at the Kingfisher site near Casino…. We’re happy to give a list of chemicals, the names aren’t generally recognisable but they’re all relatively common chemicals; every one of the chemicals will be in most people’s houses,….The Kingfisher frack was done at 1450m [Metgasco’s chief operating officer Mick O’Brien in The Northern Rivers Echo, Metgasco goes deep into CSG, 3 March 2011]

the company did not use hydraulic fracturing…..nor poisonous chemicals in the well-drilling process [Metgasco’s chief financial officer Glenda McLoughlin in The Northern Star, Metgasco spruiks its transparency, 16 March 2011]

we don’t use fracking in coal seam gas exploration [Metgasco operations manager Aidan Stewart in The Northern Rivers Echo, Gas meeting fails to fire, 17 March 2011]

Metgasco tell us they are not using this process [Janelle Saffin Federal MP for Page, media release, 16 May 2011]

Metgasco applies advanced drilling and production techniques to extract coal seam gas. We produce gas from certain seams by drilling a vertical well to between 300 to 700 metres from the surface. The well is then cased to prevent any water from upper acquifers leaking into the well. We then drill horizontally along the coal seam to a distance of up to 1,000 metres. The well is then lined with perforated steel casing. Water and gas are then pumped from the well and separated at the well head. This process of taking water out of the coal seams lowers the pressure in the well and allows gas to flow to the wellhead. [Metgasco website, 17 May 2011]

Bolt Report commits a furphy on taxation

I steeled myself to watch The Bolt Report last Sunday in order to give the man a chance to convince me he would be worth time spent on Channel Ten.

Alas! Only minutes into his opening statement Andrew Bolt informed Australia that only people in the workforce or of workforce age were financing government expenditure on things like pensions, schools and hospitals.

Yes, while doing a little welfare bashing he conveniently ignored the fact that almost everyone, except infants and possibly preschoolers, regularly pays a consumption tax ie. the GST and that this revenue (worth $45.5 billion in 2010-11) goes to the states to help pay for things like the public health system and capital works.

That the states spent this extra revenue in part on hospitals is indisputable if one looks at this graph based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data covering the years immediately after the introduction of the GST.

Graph found in Catallaxy archives

Ergo, the very people Bolt is bashing contributed to the hospitals he would likely access should he fall ill.

I won't even mention the fact that Bolt appears not to realise that the indexation of family support payment, Family Tax Benefit A, is not paused at a 'family' income of $150,00 per year, but the 'primary wage earner's income'.

The Bolt Report? Distorted opinion and definitely not worth wasting my time on.

Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin's statement concerning coal seam gas extraction on the NSW North Coast

JANELLE SAFFIN’S STATEMENT ON COAL SEAM GAS

Many local people have contacted me raising strong concerns about Coal Seam Gas (CSG) exploration and mining in our region and its potential damaging effect on the community, environment and agriculture.

It is clear from the recent community rallies and meetings that we need to know more about CSG exploration and its impact, particularly on our water. I support the calls for a moratorium on CSG exploration made by Lismore, Ballina and Kyogle councils, Rous Water County Council and Northern Rivers Tourism.

Like many in the community I was pleased with news of a possible natural gas source in the region as an alternative to coal powered electricity and I welcomed the interest of Metgasco in the Richmond Valley area. But I share the growing concerns about hydraulic fracturing or ‘fraccing’. While Metgasco tell us they are not using this process, I believe the community deserves much more information on this.

The mining companies have an obligation to tell us clearly the precise nature of their gas extraction methods; if they are using fraccing, what chemicals they use, what studies they have done and any known impacts on our water, land and us.

I have asked the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke, what powers he has in this area,  and it appears the Commonwealth’s role in regulating coal seam gas proposals is currently limited to matters protected by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act  1999 (EPBC Act). This refers to matters including protection of threatened species and ecological communities.

I have had talks with Independent MP Tony Windsor about his plans to introduce changes at the federal level to require region-wide water assessments before new mining proceeds.

I am also exploring whether the National Water Commission can help us to better protect our water resources. The Commission has warned that ‘the consequences of not managing the water risk and uncertainties associated with the economic benefits of CSG are substantial’.

Otherwise, mining and exploration, including the regulation of chemicals used in fraccing, is primarily regulated by the states.

Local farmers are particularly concerned about the state development approvals given to mining companies to explore and exploit mining resources, with little rights for the property owner. This has caught many by surprise as gas is spread over a large number of land holdings.

As I said to Ian Gaillard and Chris Allen from the Keerrong Gas Squad when they came to see me, this issue is gaining the momentum of the rare earth issue of a few decades back when thousands marched against a rare earth plant in Tuncester.

Mineral resources are owned by the Australian people, held in common by Government. Mining companies make very good profits using the resources that the people own and they have social obligations to the community. They need to demonstrate that social responsibility by their actions on this issue now.

Last year the Kenneally State Government announced it would introduce tough new rules for CSG exploration licences, including rigorous community consultation and tighter environment controls.

It is incumbent upon our local State MPs and the new State Government to follow this lead and take decisive action to inform and protect the community and give improved rights to farmers and landholders.

 

16 May, 2001

Media contact:  Lee Duncan 0448 158 150