April 2007 Newsletter

Welcome to my (somewhat late) April newsletter. In this edition read about

What next after Kyoto? Address to the National Press Club Canberra
Anzac Day in Wentworth
Ambassador for Montefiore Home in Randwick
Federal Funding for Marine Discovery Centre, Bondi Beach
Woollahra Library sets the scene for new round of community water grants
Free Energy Efficient Light Bulbs for Millions of Households
Major Grants to Victoria and Queensland from the Australian Government Water Fund
Murray Darling Basin Water Shortages
Greening the Red Centre
Visit to the Burrup Peninsula
Australia’s record on climate change and other opinion
New website features
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National Press Club Address: 
  
On Wednesday, 2 May I spoke to the National Press Club in Canberra on the vital issue of climate change, and what needed to come next after Kyoto to ensure that the world achieves the massive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to arrest global warming.

The adjustment to a less energy intensive world will not be easy for Australia. Rather than blind panic, we need cool heads and steady hands to steer the course to a cooler world.

On track to meet our Kyoto target

As part of my speech I released official Australian Greenhouse Office figures which show Australia is well on track to meet its Kyoto target of 108 per cent of 1990 emissions levels.

The National Greenhouse Accounts show Australia has steadied greenhouse gas emissions.

Emissions in 2005 were 559 million tonnes. This is just 102 per cent above 1990 levels - the same level as in 2004.

It is a remarkable achievement that we have restrained our emissions growth to 2 per cent while our economy has grown by 61 per cent. We are tracking within one percentage point of meeting the Kyoto target over the five years 2008-2012.

For my media release on the National Greenhouse Accounts click here, for the report click here and for my radio interview on ABC Radio National AM programme click here.

What next after Kyoto?

Global warming as its name implies is a global problem. A tonne of CO2 emissions has the same warming impact on the world whether it is emitted in Sydney, Shanghai or Stockholm.

To date the major framework for mitigating greenhouse gasses has been the Kyoto Protocol which is a treaty, not a sacrament and which binds countries to emissions targets by 2012. China and India have no binding obligations and it is now too late for the US to meet its target.

The real question for the world therefore is what should come after the first Kyoto commitment period or old Kyoto? What should the post 2012 world – the new Kyoto look like?

Today I outlined the Australian Government’s post-Kyoto agenda in my National Press Club address.
It has five elements –

First, we must recognise that a more practical and effective way of substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions is needed to limit the rate of global warming.  Old Kyoto’s target was only a 5 percent reduction in developed world emissions and we know it may, if we’re lucky, achieve just a 1 percent reduction in the growth of global emissions. This is not nearly enough.

Second, New Kyoto must be truly global and it must include all major emitters including the US, China and India. A tonne of CO2 emissions has the same impact whether it is emitted in Sydney, Shanghai or Stockholm. By 2030 China's emissions will be growing twice as fast as those of all the OECD nations put together.

Third, we must give real priority to early, cost-effective action. In the end, technology will be the main means of producing the electricity we need while emitting much less carbon. However right here, right now, we have the means to make a massive and material impact on greenhouse gas emissions by sustainable forestry. No rocket science required: just a shovel, a seedling and good governance. 

That is why, in a world leading announcement, the Australian Government recently launched a $200 million Global Initiative on Forests and Climate. For if through reducing deforestation, new forest planting and more sustainable forest practices, we only halved the rate of global deforestation this would lead to global emission reductions five times greater than Australia’s total annual emissions and almost 10 times as large as those aimed to be achieved under the existing Kyoto Protocol.

Fourth, we must continue to work together through the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate (AP6) as well as our bilateral partnerships to develop and demonstrate the new low emissions technologies that the world will need if we are to make the required deep cuts in emissions.

Finally, and perhaps of most immediate importance given the current political debate in Australia, any new arrangement must be equitable and not simply shift industry out of countries where greenhouse gas emissions are regulated into parts of the world where the legal regime may be less environmentally stringent.

The Howard Government’s policies are designed to get the right environmental result for the world, and at the same time protect Australia’s interests. Climate change is the great economic challenge of our times, and we need cool heads and steady hands to steer the course to a cooler world.

For my full National Press Club address click here

Anzac Day in Wentworth

Last week I held an Australian Defence Medal presentation at East Leagues Club in Bondi Junction to honour six Wentworth residents. See the press release here and photos here.

It was appropriate this ceremony took place just two days out from Anzac Day. This Anzac Day marked 92 years since Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula, where the Anzac legend was forged. We still remember and honour the mateship and spirit of those men who fought at Gallipoli.

The proud tradition begun at Gallipoli has been continued by our six Wentworth recipients – Kevin Adler, Max Barrett, John Ehsman, William Harrigan, Bernard O’Halloran, Peter Weinert.

I also attended Anzac Day services at Martin Place, the Rose Bay RSL, the North Bondi RSL, Waverley Council, NAJEX and Bronte Surf Club. See photos here.

I was especially pleased to see so many younger members of the community participate in these services. Their participation is important to ensure the stories and contributions of those who served Australia with such distinction are not forgotten.

Ambassador for Montefiore Home in Randwick
 
I am honoured to have been made an Honorary Ambassador for the new Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home in Randwick. Montefiore provides an outstanding level of aged care for the Jewish community in Wentworth.

Shortly after the opening, I conducted a tour of the spectacular facility and met with the residents. See photos here.

Federal Funding for Marine Discovery Centre Bondi Beach

Congratulations to Will Jones, the Executive Director of the Marine Discovery Centre at Bondi Beach. The Howard Government has approved a Recreational Fishing Community Grant of up to $44,629 for the Centre.

The grant will be used to promote sustainable recreational fishing practices with schools and community groups and lead to a heightened awareness of our marine and coastal environment.

Woollahra Library sets the scene for new round of Community Water Grants

Woollahra Council has just completed an outstanding community-based water project, harvesting rainwater for use in its library’s amenities, saving an impressive 93 per cent of water used.

So it was only fitting it played host to the national launch of the third round of the Australian Government Water Fund’s $200 million Community Water Grants programme.

Minister for Fisheries and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz, Woollahra Mayor Keri Huxley and Councillor Isabelle Shapiro joined me at the launch at the Woollahra Council Library in Double Bay, where their project has been completed. See photos here

Under the Community Water Grants Programme funding of up to $50,000 is awarded to water saving, recycling and treatment projects. Applicants and projects that meet special eligibility criteria can also apply for a larger grant of between $100,000 and $250,000.

Application forms are available online. Applications close on 4 July.

Free Energy Efficient Light Bulbs For Millions Of Households

Last week a Paddington terrace home set the scene for the announcement that Australian company Easy Being Green has become the latest certified carbon abatement provider under the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative.

Easy Being Green  will assist at least one million households replace their inefficient light bulbs with free energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) bulbs. Householders will then sign over their carbon abatement to Easy Being Green who will sell the approved abatement under Greenhouse Friendly™ to businesses and consumers.

This complements the Australian Government’s world-first announcement in February that Australia would be the first country to take action to phase out energy inefficient light bulbs - see here

Paddington resident Justin Said changed his lighting through Easy Being Green and allowed the media to share the experience.

See the press release here and photos here.

The Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative is part of the $31.6 million Greenhouse Challenge Plus programme which is a partnership between the Australian Government and industry to help reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse Friendly™ is also part of the Australian Government’s more than $2 billion climate change strategy.

States Benefit from Australian Government Water Fund

The Australian Government has committed some of the biggest grants to date from its $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund to water projects in SE Queensland and Bendigo, Victoria.

SE Queensland is suffering from severe effects of the drought coupled with a chronic lack of investment in water infrastructure by the Queensland Government. Its residents are on level 5 water restrictions. Its dam levels are at less than 20 per cent.
 
To help ease the situation the Australian Government has commiitted $408 million to the $1.7 billion Western Corridor Recycled Water Project. The project is the largest recycled water scheme to be constructed in the Southern Hemisphere and involves the construction of pipelines to enable the transfer of purified recycled water into the water grid supply system in SE Queensland.
 
When completed the project will have the potential to produce over 250 megalitres a day of potable water supply with purified recycled water for drinking water supply, industrial and possibly agricultural purposes and will provide positive long-term outcomes for SE Queensland. For the media release for this announcement click here.

The Government has also contributed $25 million from the Australian Government Water Fund to the $98 million Bendigo Pipeline.

The Bendigo pipeline will link the Bendigo water supply system to the Goulburn River System via a 45 kilometre pipeline from the Waranga Channel at Colbinabbin to Lake Eppalock. The pipeline will supply up to 20,000 megalitres per year of water purchased from willing sellers in the Goulburn system and provide Bendigo with an alternative and more reliable supply of water by providing access to the much larger catchment of the Goulburn River including Lake Eildon.

The project responds to a significant urban water challenge in the Bendigo regional centre. Under the current drought and continuing low flow conditions the area is under an immediate threat of running out of water. Diversification, through options such as inter-catchment transfers and recycling, is essential for communities having to adapt to low flows in their catchments. For the media release click here and the press conference  with the Prime Minister click  here

Murray Darling Basin Water Shortages

This month Prime Minister John Howard received a contingency planning report on water shortages in the Murray Darling Basin. The report revealed /that continued, unprecedented low inflows in the Murray Darling Basin would have bleak prospects for irrigation allocations unless significant rain were to fall in the month ahead.

Based on the need to provide a critical minimum supply of water to urban communities within the Basin in the absence of heavy rain in the next month there is unlikely to be any water available for irrigation purposes at the commencement of the upcoming water year starting 1 July 2007. This of course does not preclude allocations being made later in the season based on rainfall over winter and spring. But because storages are practically empty, any allocations will be based on rainfall this year. Dry ground and depleted groundwater systems means that run-off is less than usual, so we need heavy rain and lots of it.

I spent yesterday in Horsham (announcing the commencement of work on the second stage of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline) and in Deniliquin discussing the drought and water issues with local irrigators, councillors and businessmen and women.

For the joint press conference with the Prime Minister click here

Fortunately the Prime Minister had the foresight to meet with the affected states and territories late last year to plan contingency measures. For the joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Premiers of NSW, Victoria and South Australia on their water contingency planning in the Southern Murray Darling Basin click here 

Greening the Red Centre

In a move that will bring energy from the heart of the universe to the red centre of Australia the Australian Government has named Alice Springs the fourth solar city in Australia.

The Australian Government will provide more than $12 million in funding to support Alice Springs to demonstrate what solar power can achieve.

The Alice Springs Solar City will install solar photovoltaic panels on 230 homes and businesses, 1000 solar hot water systems, roll-out 400 smart meters and provide solar installations to generate heat and power for the Alice Springs Airport, the Araluen Arts Precinct, the Town Pool and the Ilparpa Sewerage Treatment facility.

Alice Springs has all the ingredients for a successful Solar City. It enjoys the highest concentration of sun in Australia, is an international tourist hub with a rich natural and cultural heritage, and is home to a committed and enthusiastic consortium willing to put the project into action.

As a town Alice has already begun to embrace solar energy technology: half of its households already use solar hot water systems, and this support is expected to deliver annual savings of around 10,500kWh in electricity demand and 12,000 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions.

I congratulate the Alice Springs community for embracing the Solar Cities concept. The Alice Springs Solar City project joins Adelaide, Townsville and Blacktown as the first four Australian Solar Cities.

Together these Solar Cities will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 76,000 tonnes each year. These Solar Cities will install over 3,200 solar photovoltaic panels on private and public housing and other buildings, conduct almost 7,000 energy efficiency consultations and assist more than 250,000 residents and businesses to learn how to reduce their energy use and save money.

For further information on the Solar Cities programme click here 

For the media release click here and photos here.

Visit to the Burrup Peninsula

Last week I visited the Burrup Peninsula with the Federal Member for Kalgoorlie Barry Haase.
 
The Burrup Peninsula in WA is an extraordinary place. It is home to ancient rock carvings that could be up to 40,000 years old - they are amongst some of the most ancient works of art created by man. It is also home to industry that is driving Australia's resource boom.

The Australian Government is committed to developing heritage management arrangements to protect the outstanding National Heritage values of the petroglyphs and standing stones in the area. But before defining protection boundaries I wanted to consult with the WA Government, Indigenous and industry groups and other parties who will be affected by such a decision. And to see this extraordinary area for myself.

For photos click here, video click here.

Opinion Piece in Monday’s Daily Telegraph

Australia's record on climate change is envied by many countries. Over the past decade our government has spent more than $20 billion on the environment - $2 billion of that to cut greenhouse gas emissions and develop a climate change pathway to a low-emissions energy future.

To read the full article click here.

You may also like to read some of my other opinion pieces on the national water challenge, global solutions to climate change and the IPCC Report

More Features On The Website

We have continued to update the website with some new and improved features. The video section is up and running including a discussion with Laurie Oakes on Australia's water challenges, a blog from my recent visit to the Burrup Peninsula and a presentation on Public Transport. For all the videos click here. We have also added some more audio files including an interview with the international broadcaster National Public Radio. Recent media interviews with ABC radio and Sky news are available here. If you have any suggestion on how we can further improve the site please let us know.