Resources Minister Ferguson shows contempt for Bob Brown and democracy

Resource Minister Martin Ferguson vows not to make Greens deal (AAP / Herald Sun / The Epoch Times)

"FEDERAL Resource Minister Martin Ferguson has vowed not to do a Senate deal with the Greens on the mining tax, assuring miners that the government will stick by its agreement with the industry. Mr Ferguson assured Queensland miners that the Greens would not be tinkering with the agreement should they gain the balance of power in the Senate at the next election. "In two and a half years I've never had a meeting with (Greens Leader) Bob Brown."

You might wish to write a Letter to the Editor or post online suggesting that Minister Ferguson's blatant disregard for not only Senator Brown but the essential role of the Senate in Australia's federalist system of government seems typical of Labor's recent demonstrations to the Australian people that democracy is no longer theirs. Whilst the Minister represents the view of the three big mining companies he conducted closed-door negotiations with, the Greens represent the view of a significant proportion of Australian voters and Senator Brown was right to question the true cost of the government's backdown on the mining tax.

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Greens seek coal seam gas moratorium (AAP / 7 News / Fairfax Trading Room)

"The Greens want a two-year moratorium on the coal seam gas industry until adequate environmental protections are in place. Speaking in Dalby on Queensland's Darling Downs, Greens leader Bob Brown said the Surat Basin, currently a hive of exploration activity, is too valuable to risk. Senator Brown said he would move to amend federal laws to make approval of coal seam gas projects subject to federal assessment and approval under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act. Senator Brown and Greens senate candidate Larissa Waters met farmers concerned over the rush for coal seam gas in the Surat Basin on Tuesday. "Coal seam gas mining should not proceed at the expense of food production, water security, endangered species or the climate," Ms Waters said. "This traditional food-producing region must not be put at risk in the rush by outside interests for mining profits," she said.

A mixed response to this online. You can post a comment to this story in support of Greens view that approval of these types of projects should be subject to federal scrutiny and an environmental impact assessment before

going ahead. The environment is too valuable to risk.

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Job creation top of Greens election list (Townsville Bulletin News)

"NORTH Queensland's newly announced Greens candidates are putting job creation, climate change and renewable energy at the top of their campaign list. Herbert candidate Dr Michael Rubenach, 65, was joined by Dawson candidate Jonathon Dykyj, 27, and Queensland senate hopeful Larissa Waters at a brunch on The Strand to discuss their campaigns. Ms Waters said the Greens were a viable alternative to the two major parties, particularly as many of their policies were looking more and more the same. "North Queensland is a beautiful natural place. You have the Reef at your doorstep, we're so lucky up here to have that, and we have to do everything we can to protect that icon," Ms Waters said. "The Greens are looking forward to the future, safeguarding those jobs (on the Reef) and safeguarding the precious natural environment. The good thing about voting for the Greens is you can send that message you like the Greens' policies, you want a better approach to climate change, you want a more just approach treating people with more kindness. But if the Greens don't get enough votes to get in, although we are certainly hoping to this time, then your vote goes in full value to whoever you want for number two."

Please consider posting a comment online to this story in support of Greens policies. It would be worthwhile mentioning that Queensland would be well served by having its own Greens representative in the Senate so

there is a voice in parliament that will have the state's beautiful natural resources and economic sustainability as its first priority. Larissa Waters and Jenny Stirling would both do a fantastic job for Queenslanders in the Senate.  Dr Michael Rubenach and Jonathon Dykyj would put their local constituencies first in the House of Representatives.

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Greens leader to fight Felton mine (The Chronicle)

"GREENS leader Bob Brown yesterday declared Felton Valley was no place for

an open-cut coal mine and he would fight to ensure it never happened. Mr

Brown arrived in Felton about 1.30pm to a rousing reception from close to

100 farmers and concerned community members. Flanked by Friends of Felton

president Rob McCreath, Mr Brown said the Greens were committed to

blocking Ambre Energy’s plans to build an open-cut coal mine and

petrochemical plant in Felton. He said such a development in the rich

farming district would “wreck and blight the future of this beautiful

valley”. “This is our responsibility in 2010 in this nation that has so

much of the world’s prospective food resources,” he said. “It isn’t a case

of there’s room for both in Felton. “Felton has made a huge contribution

to this nation’s past; it’s making a great contribution to this nation’s

present and the people here deserve the support of all of us to ensure

that contribution goes into the future. “I’m committed to taking this

message to Prime Minister Julia Gillard when I see her in the coming week

and I will take it to the Minister for Environment Peter Garrett.”

You can comment online. There is a current suggestion in comments that the

Greens are anti-development. You might wish to make the point that the

Greens believe that projects which affect the environment should be

subject to full environmental impact assessment before going ahead - this

isn't anti-development, this is sound policy for the ongoing protection of

our natural resources.

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Greens campaign against coal project (AAP/SMH)

"Greens leader Bob Brown will visit a southwest Queensland community on

Tuesday over a resource project earmarked for prime agricultural land.

Ambre Energy wants to build an open-cut mine at Felton, southwest of

Brisbane, as part of a $3.5 billion coal-to-petrol project. The Friends of

Felton lobby group has campaigned strongly against the project, saying it

will have a huge impact on agriculture, the environment and the community.

Senator Brown and Queensland Senate candidate Larissa Waters will meet

with campaigners in the Felton Valley at 1pm (AEST). Senator Brown is

calling on Environment Minister Peter Garrett to ban coal seam gas mining

and exploration until adequate environmental protections are in place.

"The rich farming land and vital water of the Surat Basin is worth around

$2 billion and should not be put at risk by the rapid, and hazardous,

expansion of the coal seam industry," Senator Brown told Toowoomba's The

Chronicle newspaper.

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Concern over boatpeople plan (The Australian)

"UNIONS, refugee advocates and the Greens have voiced strong concerns

about Julia Gillard's plan to process asylum-seekers in East Timor.

Refugee advocates also slammed Tony Abbott's plan, unveiled yesterday, to

apply a presumption against awarding refugee status to anyone believed to

have deliberately thrown away their documents to evade identity checks.

Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said Labor and the

Coalition were locked in a race to the bottom on asylum-seekers. "Julia

Gillard's continued suspension of processing of Afghan applications is

cruel and her East Timor 'Pacific Solution' is unfair," she said."

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Liberals and Greens condemn government cover-up (AAP / SMH)

BOTH the Liberals and the Greens have condemned the state government for

covering up results from a Taser trial that was marred by misuses and

abuses, but police and their minister continue to deny anything troubling

occurred....

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Continued dry spell puts pressure on water supply (ABC)

The WA Greens says the Water Corporation's admission that it may need to

access more groundwater from the Gnangara mound proves water supplies are

being mishandled....

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Problem gamblers losing out (ABC)

The Green's Cassy O'Connor agrees there is a conflict between the Treasury

bottom line and the human impact of pokies....