Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Australia has a responsibility to support the people of Tuvalu, as a neighbouring compassionate nation.

The Tuvalu Government has appealed to Australia for assistance in relocating its population in the coming decades, due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.

“Sadly, the people of Tuvalu look set to become a nation of climate change refugees as the sea water rises and laps at its communities,” she said.

“Australia has a role to play in helping its neighbour.”

Senator Hanson-Young said Australia’s wealth and carbon emissions record meant it could not shirk responsibility for the impact of climate change on neighbouring nations. (more…)

The granting of exploration approval for the Angela Pamela uranium project near Alice Springs raises the stakes in what is set to be a major confrontation between the uranium mining industry and the wider community, say the Australian Greens.

“Uranium mining anywhere is a tragedy. Uranium mining in the Alice Springs groundwater catchment is a travesty,” said Senator Scott Ludlam.

“I am surprised the Paladin/Cameco consortium is so willing to pick a fight with one of Australia’s most tight-knit and self-reliant communities, who have already formed the Alice Springs Angela Pamela group (ASAP), made up of medical professionals, environmental specialists, indigenous peoples and community activists. (more…)

The Member for Indooroopilly, Ronan Lee, is Queensland’s first Greens MP. Mr Lee resigned from the Labor Party today.

Mr Lee, who won Indooroopilly from the Liberals in 2001 and then retained the seat in 2004 and 2006, says he will provide a strong, sensible response to the climate crisis for Queensland.

Mr Lee said, “Queensland needs to take advantage of its natural advantages to make our state the world’s leading solar power economy.

“We also need to focus our infrastructure spending on building a world-class public transport system.”

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown said, “Ronan Lee’s move will give the Queensland Parliament a strong and intelligent Greens advocate to lead debate on the best social and economic way forward in an age of environmental and economic crisis”.

“Now there will be a responsible voice free to challenge those old Labor and National-Liberal policies which, for example threaten the death of the Great Barrier Reef and tens of thousands of jobs dependent on it within a generation”. (more…)

Greens MP, Sue Pennicuik said today that Australians need to be more aware of the impact of livestock agriculture on greenhouse gas pollution.

The final report of the Garnaut Climate Change Review states that, ‘livestock emissions from enteric fermentation releasing methane play a large role in the emissions profile of the agriculture sector. About 34 per cent of the agricultural emissions of OECD countries is due to livestock emissions.

“In Australia it is 66 per cent”*, said Ms Pennicuik. (more…)

The Building Australia fund should be reserved for 21st century nation building, rather than massive hand outs to the mining and banking industry, said the Australian Greens today.

“The Building Australia fund is a fantastic opportunity for the Government to take the lead in our nation’s future green economy,” said Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

“This is money best spent on public transport, broadband, and efficient energy and water infrastructure that will help to reduce carbon emissions, which is key to Australia’s long-term economic prosperity.

“COAG’s suggestion that it be used instead to prop up the quarry economy is short-sighted and at odds with the overall intention of the fund,” said Senator Ludlam. (more…)

The Greens in the four NSW by-elections to be held on October 18 will recommend that voters do not preference Labor or the Coalition parties.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said “The Greens by-election campaigns in all four NSW seats will issue how-to-vote cards that show how voters can ensure their preferences do not end up with either Labor, Liberal or National candidates.

“Preferences in these by-elections could be crucial. The Greens are urging voters to ignore the major parties and direct preferences to maximise the chances of a Greens or progressive independent MP being elected.

“The Labor government’s record on public service delivery, power industry sell-off plans and poor performance on environmental protection highlight that they do not deserve preferences.

“Coalition policies are weak in key environmental and social justice areas. Voters would be unwise to give their preferences to either Liberal or National candidates. (more…)

Contributions from Cr Moore, including Matters arising (that demolition again, the Araluen Progress Association’s missing submission, and Cr Gardiner’s report card); councillor remuneration; the mayoral bid; meeting venues; and Questions and Statements (including the death of Christoph Alternburg, thanks for support): (more…)

Professor Garnaut has wrongly assessed China and India’s perspective on a global greenhouse gas emissions deal, Australian Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown said today. However, the Professor also points the way to fast, cheap and easy emissions reductions from protecting forests.

Chinese Premier Hu Jintao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used July’s G8 summit in Japan to call for rich nations to cut their emissions by 45% by 2012 and 95% by 2050 in order to give poorer nations room to develop.

“Any global climate agreement must bring China and India on board, but they will simply not sign up to a deal which sees Australia, the USA and other rich countries take on weak targets,” Senator Brown said. (more…)