I wrote to Bob Brown last night and I'm reasonably sure he'll reply as I am on the Green mailing list. (not because I'm a green voter, but because I like to keep up to date on environmental debates). I'm also writing to the ALP today, to point out that their policies are not that much better than the opposition on Mining specifically, and ask why this particular issue isn't being mentioned in the lead up to the election by either party.
I'm not arguing against mining, I'm enquiring as to why 'sustainable mining' and 'fair remuneration' isn't on the table so Australia itself can vote on this issue. Particularly given the ALP's 'open door' policy on mining vs Tony Abbotts 'no tax on mining' over his dead political body approach. The outcome of course is that Australia is being literally raped for her mineral resources, while being paid less than half as much in remuneration as 15 years ago? How is that? Who's really benefiting ? Gee I wonder how we fund infrastructure upgrade? doh !!!
If it comes to a question of who is benefiting the most by mining in Australia, its the mining companies, not everyday Australians footing the bill for a crippled infrastructure. Then consider that it's OUR resources they are profiting by for a mere 'bag of beads', and it becomes obvious whose interests are at the forefront, for both major parties.
i.e. BOTH parties intend to give the Mining industry concessions but one party wants to remove all level of protection, and allow mining companies to keep getting away with short sheeting the Australian people in terms of remuneration.
Let me reiterate for Wyzeguy, I'm referring these remarks and criticisms of
both major parties 'On the
Mining Issue' in particular. Not on Political philosophies.
If these mining companies are going to profit by many BILLIONS of dollars on the back of OUR resources, whilst our infrastructure is crippling after years of underfunding and short sheeting, then they should jollywell be made to pay a fair remuneration for it.
The Libs will give them even more concessions but no price rise?. After all it was under the last Coalition (User Pay) govt. that the price dropped from $1.00 in $3.00 to $1.00 in $7.00. So their 'User Pay' philosophy applies to us, but
not the mining companies?
At least the ALP has tried to make the mining companies pay their fair share and just look what happened? (not that the ALP are innocent in all this, they're not, as I'll demonstrate below)
When the mining companies were challenged over more remuneration for our resources, They declared media war and undermined an elected PM !!! In effect they declared war on the interests of the Australian people. Who else is that bloody powerful in this country? Any country for that matter?
So, just to demonstrate I am as critical of ALP on their free for all access policy on
mining specifically, as I am on Abbott's
'key to the coffers' approach, this article sets out the debate over Mineral resources vs Marine Sanctuaries currently. You be the judge of whose interests are at the forefront. The Australian People and our Infrastructure and Environment? or the Powerful Mining Industry ?
Oil lease threatens WA icon:CORTLAN BENNETT
May 17, 2010
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/oil-lease-threatens-wa-icon-greenies-20100517-v8x9.htmlThe waters off the coast are home to unique marine life and half the world's whale and dolphin species, the WA Conservation Council says.The rugged coastal region is under consideration by the federal Environment Department as a marine sanctuary.But at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference in Brisbane on Monday, federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson announced 31 new oil and gas exploration leases around the country, including two less than 90km off the Margaret River coast.According to Nicol (WA Conservation Council)
"The minister has jumped the gun on critical protection of the marine environment and his actions are in stark contrast to those of (US) President Barack Obama, who froze all new oil and gas approvals off the US within days of the Gulf spill."
Mr Nicol said that over the past 18 months, 76 oil and gas approvals had been made in Australian waters while no marine reserves had been declared.Almost 20 per cent of WA's marine environment was already tied up in oil and gas leases, while less than one per cent was protected, he said.
World Wildlife Fund WA director Paul Gamblin said it beggared belief the federal government was opening new oil and gas leases while the Montara oil spill was still being investigated."We still don't know exactly what went wrong," Mr Gamblin said.
"To release all this new acreage post-Montara, and while there's still a massive oil spill happening in the Gulf of Mexico, is premature."Until you know otherwise, you have to assume that could happen anywhere."A spokesman for Mr Ferguson said the Margaret River coastal area would still be evaluated as a marine reserve by the federal Environment Department but within the framework of existing oil and gas leases.
He said there was no conflict between the two.So, while Ferguson throws open access to the powerful mining lobby, (which the Libs are thrilled about no doubt), Abbott goes one better. He'll scrap any new mining tax, and the Australian people will only receive more than $1.00 in $7.00 over his dead political body apparently.
Which wrong is more right?
