Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said that the latest emissions projections report, released today, confirms the government intends to cook the books on climate to halve its measly targets.
Mr Bandt called on Labor to rule out using dodgy accounting tricks to meet their emissions reduction commitments.
“Today the government quietly tried to take out the trash that shows how they’re planning to cook the books on climate change,” said Mr Bandt.
“So far, the government’s only plan to meet Paris appears to be using dodgy accounting to cook the books and count dodgy ‘carryover’ credits from Kyoto towards Paris.
“Because they can’t reduce emissions, the government is resorting to dodgy accounting to meet our measly Paris targets.
“We expect a government of climate deniers to use dirty tricks to shirk their climate responsibilities, but not Labor.
“Other major countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany voluntarily cancelled their Kyoto carryover credits.
“Instead of shaping up to profit from climate denialism, Labor needs to show some spine and do the same.
“We’re one of the worst polluters in the world. Instead of trying to wriggle out of our climate commitments and inhibiting coordinated global action to reduce emissions, we should be leading the way and encouraging other countries to follow.
Month: December 2018
South Australian Government rips off the Coorong, environment and taxpayers, secret audit reveals
The Greens have responded to the release of a secret Ernst & Young Audit report that has shown state governments, including South Australia have been mismanaging taxpayer funded environmental water throughout the Murray-Darling Basin, creating “unique fraud risks”.
“This audit shows the environment and taxpayers continue to be ripped off by both State and Federal Governments, including here in South Australia,” Greens spokesperson for Environment & Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The SA Government must answer to taxpayers and respond to audit findings that shows water purchased for the Coorong and environmental flows has instead been taken for industry purposes, leaving the internationally significant wetlands to suffer.
“The SA Water Minister must reveal who in his department knew of this, how much it has cost taxpayers and what action has been taken.
“Once again, we have another report showing that the Basin Plan is being mismanaged and is at risk of defrauding taxpayers. The Plan is meant to be securing water for the environment to keep the river system alive, and yet again we see it is riddled with fraud and water theft.
“Tax payers deserve better, we need a healthy river – it is the lifeblood of our country.
“These audit documents, hidden from the public, until the Greens pushed for release in the Senate, have exposed that the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has mismanaged $3.2 billion tax payers money and has expose the Commonwealth to “unique fraud risks”. It is South Australia, our Lower lakes and the Coorong that will suffer as a result.
“We have an international obligation to protect the Coorong wetland and lower lakes at the end of the Murray River system, but the South Australian government is more interested in cost cutting than saving our Murray and delivering the environmental water it needs.”
“The Coorong is unique and a special place for South Australians, we need a healthy river which means more water.
“The audit by Ernst & Young has produced more proof the Basin Plan is being mismanaged and is failing. We need a proper plan, free of corruption, mismanagement and that puts the environment back at the centre.”
Police warn of classifieds scam targeting Australia's 'Grey Nomads'
The NSW Police Force is warning members of the community about an elaborate scam targeting retirees and other Australians looking to purchase recreational vehicles and vessels, and machinery.
Police from across NSW have received numerous reports in recent weeks relating to the resurfacing of a scam involving illegitimate sellers of motor homes, machinery, and boats.
Investigators have been told the scam begins with what appears to be a genuine seller of an item advertising through the classifieds. In many cases, the advertised sale price is below market value.
The advertisement will feature a mobile number, which will not be answered, instead responding via text message that they are unable to talk on the phone.
After asking if the buyer is interested in the item, the scammer may direct the conversation to email to conduct price negotiations.
Once a price is agreed, the scammer requests a considerable payment (up to 50%) upfront by electronic transfer, then provide instructions to contact a freight company to arrange delivery and make final payment.
It is understood that the freight company contact details provided by the scammer defer to another scammer, who takes a final payment before providing a fraudulent tracking number.
The goods are never delivered, and the money is not able to be recovered.
Inquiries have revealed the scam also involves identity takeovers, phishing, and mobile phone porting, which further attempt to disguise the identities of those involved.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad have commenced an investigation and are urging the public to be vigilant when purchasing items through online or newspaper classifieds.
If you have been the victim of a scam, you can report it to local police or to ACCC Scamwatch at: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam or by calling 1300 795 995.
Further, victims of identity theft can contact IDCARE for assistance to reduce the harm experienced from the compromise and misuse of identity information: https://www.idcare.org
Police release images of two men as Lake Macquarie murder investigation continues
Police have released images of two men they believe can assist with inquiries into the death of another man during a home invasion in Lake Macquarie earlier this week.
Emergency services were called to the home on Lonus Avenue, Whitebridge, about 2.30am on Monday (17 December 2018), and found a 60-year-old man with a serious injury to his arm.
The man was treated at the scene by Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at John Hunter Hospital a short time later.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries.
Police will allege in court that three people – with their faces covered and armed with baseball bats and knives – broke into the home and attacked the man in his bedroom.
The man’s two brothers were home at the time but were not injured.
As inquiries continue, police have released images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries.
One man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander or Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his mid-20s, about 165cm tall, with brown eyes. He is believed to have dark-coloured short/shaved hair, possibly with a long ponytail.
The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, also aged in his mid-20s, about 175cm tall, with a thin build, fair complexion and blond hair. He is believed to have tattoos on his chest, left forearm, right arm and left thigh.
As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information, is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers immediately.
Five charged over alleged drug supply syndicate across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie
Five men have been charged following investigations into alleged large-scale drug supply in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regions.
Strike Force Castlestead was established in September 2018 to investigate and dismantle an alleged drug supply syndicate operating across both police districts.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested two men – aged 33 and 28 – at a service station on Gateway Boulevarde in Morisset about 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 20 December 2018).
During a search of the men, police located and seized a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, believed to be cocaine, and cash.
The men were taken to Belmont Police Station where they were both charged with multiple offences, including supplying a prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
The 33-year-old man was also charged with manufacture or produce a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and expose a child to the process.
They were bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
Following the arrests, multiple search warrants were executed at homes in Cameron Park, Mayfield, Wangi Wangi, and Rose Bay.
Large quantities of cocaine, GHB and cash was seized from the homes.
At the home in Wangi Wangi police discovered a clandestine drug laboratory. Officers from the NSW Police Chemical Operations Unit attended to dismantle and process the scene.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the Cameron Park home and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with 10 offences, including supply a prohibited drug of large commercial quantity, importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and manufacture prohibited drug. He was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
A 40-year-old man was arrested at the Mayfield home and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with knowingly take part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, and knowingly participate in criminal group.
He was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
A 28-year-old Rose Bay man was arrested in Sydney’s CBD and taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with six offences relating to the supply of prohibited drugs.
He was bail refused to appear at Central Local Court today (Friday 21 December 2018).
Investigations by Strike Force Castlestead continue and further arrests are anticipated.
Concerns held for missing Newcastle woman
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from Newcastle.
Cecilia Devine, who turns 42 today (Friday 21 December 2018), was last seen in Waratah on Wednesday 5 September 2018.
Police from Newcastle City Police District were alerted when her family and friends could not locate or contact her.
Concerns are held for her welfare.
Cecilia is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, with a large build, long blonde hair with undercut sides, and blue eyes.
It’s believed she may have travelled to Sydney and there was reported sightings of her in the Hornsby and Blue Mountains area shortly after she was last seen.
Anyone who sees Cecilia, or believes they know her whereabouts, is urged to contact police immediately.
City keeps boarding house residents safe
A boarding house at 86 Waratah Street Mayfield will shortly re-open following successful regulatory action to address serious planning and fire safety breaches.
City of Newcastle (CN) served Emergency Development Control Orders on the owners of the boarding house in September 2018, requiring the removal of all residents due to serious fire safety risks and to address significant unauthorised works at the premises.
The owner of the Mayfield boarding house, Mr Aaron Buman, contacted CN on 17 December advising that various works to remove unauthorised structures, and improve fire safety as required by the Emergency Orders, had been undertaken.
CN’s Director of Governance David Clarke said following a request from the owner, CN’s investigation officers inspected the Mayfield premises to assess compliance with the Orders.
Subject to the owner addressing several outstanding minor matters and issuing a final fire safety certificate, CN will remove the Emergency Orders enabling the Mayfield premises to be occupied again,” Mr Clarke said.
“The safety of residents in this boarding house is a priority. CN was left with no choice but to take regulatory action to close the boarding house due to the serious fire safety risks caused by the owner undertaking unauthorised works and failing to comply with fire safety standards.
“The owner purchased and converted an adjoining three-bedroom residential property at 84 Waratah Street into a ten-bedroom boarding house without any planning approvals, and joined that property to his existing boarding house at 86 Waratah Street via a series of unauthorised awnings and structures, resulting in an unacceptable fire safety risk, which was compounded by a lack of fire exits and other safety requirements.
“The owner installed 14 timber “cubby house” style cabins at the rear of 86 Waratah Street without any planning approvals and with serious fire safety deficiencies compromising the safety of residents.
“These actions created an unacceptable fire safety risk to the residents and resulted in the boarding house being closed.
“Earlier this month, Mr Buman submitted a draft Fire Safety Report for 86 Waratah Street, Mayfield. It concluded, in part, that a sprinkler and alarm system in the building would provide levels of safety within the building that will afford the buildings’ occupants an acceptable level of protection in the event of fire.”
“CN intends to issue fresh orders requiring the owner to install a sprinkler system in the Mayfield boarding house and meet other recommendations contained in the Fire Safety Report.
“Despite taking legal action (which was subsequently withdrawn) and mounting a vigorous public relations campaign against CN, the owner has now complied with the Emergency Orders, enabling the boarding house at 86 Waratah Street Mayfield to re-open.”
“CN’s boarding house compliance program has improved the safety of residents at the Mayfield boarding house. The owner showed a flagrant disregard for planning and fire safety requirements and it has only been through our regulatory action that the owner has now complied to ensure the safety of his residents.
“The owner has restored the adjoining residential property at 84 Waratah Street to a three- bedroom residential property. It will not be able to be used as a boarding house until and unless appropriate planning approvals are obtained.
“A boarding house at Carrington owned by the same owner remains closed due to fire safety risks.
“CN expect that all local boarding house operators now recognise that they must take action in response to compliance matters identified by our current audit program. Last year a boarding house in Crebert Street Mayfield and not owned by Mr Buman, was similarly shut down due to fire safety concerns. In that case, the owner chose to sell the property rather than undertake the required safety work.”
Old-growth logging must stop according to Victorian environment department, but Daniel Andrews is allowing the continued destruction of our forests, say Greens
“The Andrews government is defying its own environment department to allow Victoria’s old-growth forests to continue to be logged. This is a government that applauds its own action on renewable energy with one hand, while continuing to log forests and burn polluting brown coal with the other,” said Ellen Sandell, Victorian Greens environment spokesperson.
“Why isn’t the Premier listening to his own environment department?”
“Old-growth logging pushes rare and endangered animals to the brink of extinction,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens forests spokesperson and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s animal extinction crisis.
“Old-growth logging should stop immediately, and the logging laws which allow it, the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) should be scrapped. They are a death warrant for threatened species like Leadbeater’s Possums and Greater Gliders.”
“Daniel Andrews has the chance to turn over a new leaf. He needs to stop the games, protect our native forests and shift to 100% sustainable plantations. We’re already at 88% – it’s entirely feasible.”
“Why isn’t the Premier listening to his own environment department?”
“Old-growth logging pushes rare and endangered animals to the brink of extinction,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens forests spokesperson and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s animal extinction crisis.
“Old-growth logging should stop immediately, and the logging laws which allow it, the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) should be scrapped. They are a death warrant for threatened species like Leadbeater’s Possums and Greater Gliders.”
“Daniel Andrews has the chance to turn over a new leaf. He needs to stop the games, protect our native forests and shift to 100% sustainable plantations. We’re already at 88% – it’s entirely feasible.”
Statement from Richard Di Natale on Greens NSW Review
Last night the Australian Greens National Council resolved to work with the NSW Greens to help it undertake a formal and independent review of Greens NSW structures and processes, including complaints processes and the Greens NSW Constitution. It also reaffirmed, that in the best interests of the party, Jeremy Buckingham should stand aside from the Upper House ticket at the next election.
This significant response is an opportunity for a constructive resolution to the issues in NSW, so that we can refocus on our mission of keeping the Liberal and Labor parties honest and putting forward a genuine alternative to politics as usual at the NSW election in March.
In the past, we’ve seen parties argue over perceived differences, talking about themselves and forgetting what they’re elected to do.
As Greens, we’ve been elected to push for better essential services, stronger protection for the environment, improved housing affordability and genuine action on climate change – and with so many of the odds stacked against us, we must work together if we’re to succeed in our mission.
As a people driven movement, it’s important that our incredible supporters know we all stand together. Last night’s unanimous approval of the Greens NSW resolution for an independent review shows that we all acknowledge there’s work to be done, and we are committed to doing it.
Through this review, we have an incredible chance for everyone to come together over the coming months to build a stronger party and a stronger movement..
The process will empower both MPs and grassroots Greens members – bringing everyone to the table to improve our internal processes, to be better organised and to deal with complaints and disputes better. With last night’s consensus agreement, we will now come together do the hard work of implementing the review.
Thanks to people coming together in good faith over recent days, we now have a path forward, and can show the community that we are the only party who will take on vested interests and create a better future for all of us.
– Leader of the Australian Greens, Dr Richard Di Natale
Prepare for delays on Christmas road trip police warn – Operation Safe Arrival
Delays on your Christmas road trip are inevitable, and police are encouraging drivers travelling to the state’s far north to factor extra time into Christmas road trip planning
Operation Safe Arrival, the Christmas/New Year road safety enforcement operation, starts at 12.01am tomorrow (Friday 21 December 2018) and concludes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 1 January 2019.
Double demerits will be in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
During the 2017/2018 Operation Safe Arrival period, 10 lives were lost in crashes on northern NSW roads.
Far North Region Traffic Tactician, Inspector Peter McMenamin said police would focus on main and backroads leading to key coastal areas such as Grafton and Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree/Foster and the Gold Coast
“In particular I would like to encourage our overseas visitors to take some time and get to know our road rules and the laws surrounding drink driving,“ Insp McMenamin said
“What we want to do is combat the belief that you can have a few drinks in a small community and not be pulled over for a RBT.”
Insp McMenamin said delays on long journeys are inevitable and people should factor additional time into their planning process.
“When people were impatient they sometimes took risks in their vehicles that placed them, and their loved ones, more at risk of being in a crash.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said it wasn’t worth taking the risk this holiday season.
“With Christmas and New Year just days away, there are plenty of people out on the roads enjoying celebrations and travelling to see friends and family,” Minister Pabey said.
“If you’re one of them, make sure you plan, get a good night’s sleep, drive to the conditions, stick to the speed limit and never ever risk driving if there’s a chance you could be affected by drugs or alcohol.
Motorists are also being reminded that from 17 September 2018 an extra demerit point was added to the penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving. This will add an additional two demerit points in double demerit periods resulting in a total of 10 demerit points for this offence.