Ku-ring-gai Greens

19/03/2022

A short video on a mass bleaching event unfolding on the Great Barrier Reef. More detail is available in other articles from the ABC and many others.
Some important points -
- Mass bleaching was first observed in 1998, just 25 years ago, a millisecond in geological time
- It is now occurring every couple of years, while 'It takes about 10 years for decent recovery of fast-growing corals and longer for slow-growing species.' (SBS)
- This most recent bleaching is a first as it is occurring during a La Niña weather pattern, which usually brings cooler temperatures, cloud and rain, which protects the reef from bleaching

To save the reef we need real action on climate change, now. Vote 1 Greens!
https://greens.org.au/climate-crisis

It comes just three days before a United Nations delegation is due to arrive to assess the health of the world heritage area. Michael Slezak reports.

09/03/2022

As more pictures emerge, the flood devastation in northern NSW and southern Queensland is almost unbelievable. My thoughts are with the residents and businesses across this region who have been so severely affected. Governments at all levels need to step up now and provide assistance, particularly housing and essential supplies, to get these communities back on their feet ASAP.

Of course, parts of Sydney from Northern Beaches to the Blue Mountains experienced rainfall, flooding and damage yesterday at levels never seen in our lifetimes. Cleanup from even these events will take many months. Many people even in Bradfield have experienced significant property damage.

At these difficult times we must remember that climate change will produce more extreme weather - including not only floods, but also heatwaves, droughts and bushfires. We need to take strong action on climate change now if we are going to avoid the worst impacts. And a hint - strong action means we must phase out mining and use of fossil fuels ASAP - not subsidise their use!

The flooding of the Sydney bridge, briefly dubbed the 'Roseville Aqueduct', is a sight not many Sydney-siders will forget.

07/03/2022

One of my key focus areas is a better deal for young people.

Last year, students entering degrees like Law, Economics, Management & Commerce were suddenly faced with a fee increase of 28% to $14,500 per annum. Cost of Communications degrees and others increased by 113% to over $40,000!

Students who had studied HSC subjects for nearly two years had virtually no chance to change the direction of their future studies, even if they wanted to.

I challenge anyone to find an example where fees have increased by so much, particularly for an enormous expense like HECS.

This government treats students in higher education and especially young people with contempt.

I am very proud that The Greens have a policy of fee-free TAFE and undergraduate university degrees, as well as genuinely free public schooling.

Education is one of the few means by which people can break out of poverty. It is not fair that young people are forced to take on such massive debt before they even get a proper job!

You can read more on our policy at the link below.
https://greens.org.au/platform/education

02/03/2022

Ouch! I've written about the failings of Aged Care Minister Senator Richard Colbeck before. But nobody does a critical review quite like Crikey.

A few relevant statistics:
- 814 dead Australians since January 1, with 2000 residents and staff still infected with COVID
- A residential care workforce that, according to ABS data, was 11% smaller in November 2021 than in November 2019
- Minimal or no progress on most of the recommendations of the aged care royal commission a full year after it released its report

Aged care is too important for this incompetent response. It needs a government with compassion that invests properly in the sector - like The Greens.

The appalling aged care minister claims the government has 'stepped up' like the sector's workers, yet more evidence this bumbling fool must go.

01/03/2022

Our thoughts go out to the enormous number of people on the NSW north coast and around Brisbane who have been caught up in this unprecedented flood. Lives have been lost and many have lost their homes, businesses and almost everything they own. Water up to the roofs of so many houses and shops, and people being rescued from them, can only mean devastation.

This brief comment from Sue Higginson, recently announced as the next Greens NSW MP filling a casual vacancy for the NSW Upper House. Amongst many other things, Sue farms on the Richmond Floodplain in the northern rivers so knows the area like the back of her hand.

Our thoughts are with everyone in Lismore. We cannot let this be the new normal.

25/02/2022

Statement below on Ukraine is from Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs.

Note that Peace and Non-Violence is one of the Australian Greens' four key principles, the others being ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy and social justice.

For me, it is also easily overlooked that Russia is not the only aggressor here. Articles such as the following outline the military buildup in the NATO countries, which was one of the main concerns outlined by Putin. Would there have been a different outcome if NATO had taken a less confrontational approach?
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/10/europe/nato-troops-eastern-europe-map-intl-cmd/index.html

The Australian Greens condemn Vladimir Putin’s military aggression in the Ukraine, as we condemn all military aggression. We call on all parties to remember the human cost of war and to work...

24/02/2022

Wonderful announcement today from Ku-ring-gai Council - Council will transition to 100% renewable energy for operational use from July 2022, three years earlier than planned.
Renew Economy reported that twenty five councils 'had secured a renewable energy supply for the same cost or lower than their existing contracts for grid power.'
https://reneweconomy.com.au/25-sydney-councils-ink.../
Zero-carbon renewable energy is possible, necessary, and may be cheaper than ordinary supply!

The Council is one of 25 NSW local government areas partnering with renewable energy supplier Zen Energy in a deal brokered by the South Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC).

22/02/2022

From Renew Economy, a highly respected energy industry publication - plenty of revealing / depressing anecdotes:

'What Canavan did not care to explain was the cause of the outages, which had nothing to do with the green energy, or supply shortfalls, even on a day of searing heatwaves and major coal outages.... [outages] were caused by more mundane things. This included storms, a car driving into a power pole, underground cable faults, and branches falling on to power lines.'

'Not a single government minister has found the time, or inclination, to attend the opening of a wind, or solar farm, or big battery. There have been no such inhibitions with gas plants though.'

'Bob Katter, the Queensland independent, launched a “stand up for coal” bumper sticker, and promised to pour a can of VB beer down the drain in protest against the decision by some brewers to go 100 per cent renewables.'

Unfortunately our current MP votes with this crowd.

A car drove into a power pole in Queensland on Tuesday, but the federal Coalition decided to blame green energy for the loss of power that followed.

22/02/2022

Another campaign launch - this Sunday - Warringah & Mackellar.

I am pleased to invite you to The Greens Federal Election campaign launch!

Join Adam Bandt, leader of the Australian Greens and lead Senate candidate David Shoebridge at this exciting joint campaign launch. Adam and David will be discussing climate action, adaptation, and justice with Mackellar candidate Ethan Hrnjak and Warringah candidate Kristyn Glanville.

11:30am - 12:30pm

Sunday 27 February

EDIT: Due to a Surf comp at Collaroy, we've moved this event to the next reserve along at Surfrider Gardens - 73 Ocean Street, Narrabeen (across the road from The Sands Hotel)

Click here to register for the event: https://contact-nsw.greens.org.au/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=11210&noFullMsg=true

The Collaroy-Narrabeen seawall embodies monumental policy failure of the federal government in dealing with the impacts of climate change and coastal erosion. Our event is particularly focussed on highlighting how a national approach to climate policy is urgently required. The Greens are the only party with comprehensive plans for climate action, climate adaptation and ensuring climate justice.

All members, supporters, and community members are encouraged to attend this event. There will be coffee and other light refreshments provided by a local coffee van.

Parking for the event can be found nearby on Pittwater Road, Frazer Street, or at Collaroy Beach Carpark. Alternatively, there are frequent buses to Collaroy B-Line bus stop, which is a four minute walk from Frazer Reserve. In case of wet weather, we will advise you of a suitable location nearby.