Saturday 18 March 2017
Political Tweet of the Month
Look at this crabbed and narrow face. It is bigotry, jealousy, hatred, suspicion, paranoia, ignorance and stupidity personified. pic.twitter.com/2OtzWmQfVu— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01) March 6, 2017
Friday 17 March 2017
Are those entitled sods in Canberra getting nervous yet?
Just a reminder on the current political state of play around the nation
Australian Federal Government – Liberal-Nationals Coalition, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Australian Capital Territory Government – Labor, Chief Minister Andrew Barr
New South Wales Government – Liberal-Nationals Coalition, Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Northern Territory Government – Labor, Chief Minister Michael Gunner
Queensland Government – Labor, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
South Australian Government – Labor, Premier Jay Weatherill
Tasmanian Government – Liberal-Nationals Coalition, Premier Will Hodgman
Victorian Government – Labor, Premier Daniel Andrews
West Australian Government – Labor, Premier-elect Mark McGowan
America about to learn how ideology-driven budget & regulatory cuts can play havoc with the natural world and wreck quality of life
Sadly US citizens are about to learn the hard lessons Australians have learnt under the far-right Abbott and Turnbull governments when ideology finally consumed all other considerations.
Mother Jones, 6 March 2017:
President Donald Trump promised during the campaign to get rid of the Environmental Protection Agency "in almost every form." That probably isn't going to happen, but if recent reports are correct, the White House is planning massive cuts to the agency, potentially wiping out up to a quarter of its $8.1 billion budget and eliminating as many as 3,000 jobs.
Cleanup projects, scientific research, and the office responsible for enforcing air quality standards are all reportedly on the chopping block. Any funding related to climate change is at risk of being zeroed out. The Oregonian has a list of 42 EPA cuts outlined in a leaked version of Trump's proposed budget. Not all of these cuts will necessarily be enacted by Congress; a few Republicans, including EPA administrator Scott Pruitt himself, have already balked at some of the proposed reductions to state environmental grants.
Just a few of the presidential actions since 20 January 2017:
Presidential Memorandum on January 20, 2017
Executive Order on January 24, 2017
Presidential Memorandum on January 24, 2017
Presidential Memorandum on January 24, 2017
Presidential Memorandum on January 24, 2017
Statements of Administration Policy on February 07, 2017
Executive Order on February 28, 2017
Statements of Administration Policy on February 28, 2017
The Intercept, 6 March 2017:
MUCH OF THE COUNTRY has been watching in horror as Donald Trump has made good on his promises to eviscerate the Environmental Protection Agency — delaying 30 regulations, severely limiting the information staffers can release, and installing Scott Pruitt as the agency’s administrator to destroy the agency from within. But even those keeping their eyes on the EPA may have missed a quieter attack on environmental protections now being launched in Congress.
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is expected to hold a hearing on a bill to undermine health regulations that is based on a strategy cooked up by tobacco industry strategists more than two decades ago. At what Republicans on the committee have dubbed the “Making EPA Great Again” hearing, lawmakers are likely to discuss the Secret Science Reform Act, a bill that would limit the EPA to using only data that can be replicated or made available for “independent analysis.”
The proposal may sound reasonable enough at first. But because health research often contains confidential personal information that is illegal to share, the bill would prevent the EPA from using many of the best scientific studies. It would also prohibit using studies of one-time events, such as the Gulf oil spill or the effect of a partial ban of chlorpyrifos on children, which fueled the EPA’s decision to eliminate all agricultural uses of the pesticide, because these events — and thus the studies of them — can’t be repeated. Although it is nominally about transparency, the bill leaves intact protections that allow industry to keep much of its own inner workings and skewed research secret from the public, while delegitimizing studies done by researchers with no vested interest in their outcome.
Thursday 16 March 2017
Berejiklian continues Baird privatisation madness
The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 March 2017:
Serious concerns are being raised about the Berejiklian government's land titles registry sell-off, with multiple parties privy to the process claiming it is being rushed and the wrong model is being used.
One source in the data room says the auction of Land and Property Information (LPI) is going too fast and critical details are being missed, while another insider warns the public might be short-changed $3-4 billion.
The well-placed insider questioned why the government was treating LPI as an infrastructure asset when it was a data and technology one.
"They're using a model that works for ports, toll roads and power stations, but LPI is completely different; it's a technology asset on the cusp of the biggest technological change in 150 years [moving from paper to electronic titles]," he said.
"They should be using the Telstra model and progressively privatising LPI, which will raise capital, create a commercial focus and fund the building of digital technology and services."
The government is leasing LPI for 35 years and hoping to reap $2 billion, which it plans to spend on rebuilding sports stadiums, despite protests from peak bodies for lawyers, developers and surveyors, that say the integrity of the state's world-class land titles system is at stake.
LPI, which enjoys a 70 per cent profit margin, generated $190 million in revenue in 2015-16. Fees for regulated products will rise by CPI each year.
"It's a bargain, and I believe they're under-selling it by $3-4 billion," the insider said.
He says there's confusion as to why the government was rushing the process, especially with an enviable balance sheet. This claim was backed by a potential buyer.
"There's a sense of urgency and it's very end-date driven," he said. "It's been more about getting this done and not about whether it's being done in the right way."
The source revealed there was a small group within government "hell bent" on privatising LPI. He added there was an "unhealthy influence" of the big infrastructure companies.
"There's an unholy alliance of consultants and advisers, all of whom are earning good fees, and there seems to be a pre-destined outcome," he said. "It's a privatisation feeding frenzy."…
Trump's border warriors conduct an internal investigation of ASIO chief
Australian Financial Review, 5 March 2017.
spare a thought for Nick Warner, the Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. You'd think being the top government spy of a staunch US ally – travelling on a diplomatic passport – would spare you the latex welcome, but no. Not even. Warner got the full treatment last month at LAX arrivals, transferring for meetings in the capital (including, you'd safely assume, at Langley, Virginia). Could you imagine the uproar in Washington if John Brennan or Meroe Park copped a solid frisking at Tullamarine? Yeah right – as if they'd even countenance the indignity of flying commercial!
Hey, we can all sleep soundly knowing that not even one of our most decorated public servants and security officials can accidentally pack his nail scissors as carry-on.
Apparently the gentleman was subject to a rectal and genital search as part of his welcome by Trump’s foot soldiers.
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