Is our Government less “nature positive” than a mining magnate?
The Wrap with Ebony Bennett
To coincide with the Australian Government’s Nature Positive Summit this week, we published a full-page ad in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times to highlight that beneath the spin, current government policies are overwhelmingly “nature negative”.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has talked a big game — she recently claimed that Australia has made “good progress” towards becoming nature positive. However, just two weeks before the summit she approved three giant new coal mine extensions that will cover an area almost the size of Sydney. That makes seven new coal mines and over 200 new gas wells approved under this government.
Polly Hemming, Director of our Climate and Energy Program, appeared on the 7am podcast to explain that so long as the government keeps doing more harm, it won’t even be “nature neutral”, let alone “nature positive”. And Richard Denniss, our Executive Director, appeared on ABC News Radio to reiterate that we’re not going to be “nature positive” until we stop logging native forests and approving new coal and gas projects.
Just like the term “net zero”, which governments and corporations often use to disguise that carbon offsets, regardless of their quality, lead to increased emissions, governments and corporations are using vague definitions of “nature positive” to conceal destructive environmental policies. Both terms can mean whatever the government wants them to mean because most people don’t really understand them.
That’s why it was encouraging to see Twiggy Forrest cutting through the spin and labelling “net zero” a con that props up fossil fuel production. Forrest called for “net zero” to be replaced with “real zero”, to be achieved through genuine emissions reductions without offsets or carbon capture and storage (which still doesn’t exist commercially).
While Forrest’s views are a welcome departure from the usual net zero-dominated discourse, the fact that a mining magnate is showing more climate ambition than the government is not very positive news for nature.
— Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director of the Australia Institute
The Big Stories
Lessons on peace from José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste
José Ramos-Horta embodies big ideas. He is a freedom fighter, Nobel Peace Laureate and President of Timor-Leste. He aspires to a peaceful and stable future for his country – and our shared region.
The Australia Institute would like to extend our sincere thanks to President José Ramos-Horta for joining us as a guest in Australia for our 30th Anniversary celebrations.
This week President Ramos-Horta headlined our biggest event yet, speaking to 1000 people at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, and addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday.
On RN Breakfast, His Excellency said how Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence is a timely reminder that “diplomacy can still prevail,” even in a region of great power contest.
The President identified friendly relations as key to a “stable, peaceful and prosperous region,” where shared democratic values are promoted.
“We don’t view China as enemies, we don’t view China as a threat to Australia, a threat to the region, a threat to the world.” (Crikey reports)
The President also took the opportunity to call out “exploitative practices” in the PALM visa scheme, “This program helps us, helps our economy, but it has to change. It’s unfair. That is exploitative.”
Australia Institute research found that PALM workers are equivalent to 10% of the agricultural workforce usually resident in Australia but face poor working conditions.
The next episode of Follow the Money podcast will feature President José Ramos-Horta in conversation with Emma Shortis, you can subscribe to listen here.
Asian groups call on Australia to stop new fossil gas projects
Non-government organisations from Japan, South Korea & Taiwan have signed an open letter urging Australia to stop new fossil gas projects, published in The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald.
“The science is as clear in Asia as it is in Australia — real climate action means no new fossil gas.”
Read the full open letter, coordinated by the Australia Institute
Transparency Summit 2024
How can we reverse a culture of secrecy in Australia’s decision-making?
Joining us on Thursday 17 October is an incredible lineup of elected officials, transparency and policy experts, journalists, the legal fraternity, advocates, and members of the public at the Shine Dome in Canberra for a series of discussions about the future of transparency in Australia.
New research: Australia can make speeding fines fairer with a proportional model
With cost of living already pushing many Australians into financial difficulties, traffic fines can force low-income people into choosing between essential spending and paying fines. By contrast, traffic fines are a minor annoyance for Australia’s high-income earners.
A new report from The Australia Institute outlines a more equitable model for speeding fines based on a Finnish proportional fine system.
Eighteen years since warning of climate refugee crisis, Albanese has the power to do something, but not the will
“Eighteen years ago Anthony Albanese issued a press release about the urgent need to act on climate change,” writes Richard Denniss in the New Daily.
A child born then can now vote in Australia, where we are still opening new coal mines & logging native forests.
“Of course, back in 2006 the then shadow environment minister had no power to act on his concerns, but 18 years later the only thing holding the Prime Minister back is his own (lack of) resolve.”
AUKUS part of Boris’ plan to “punish” France
Boris Johnson persuaded the Australian Government to dump its French submarine contract as “revenge”, according to the former UK Prime Minister’s memoir.
We got AUKUS because Boris Johnson wanted to “punish” Macron.
According to Johnson’s memoir, he persuaded Australia to dump our French submarine deal in favour of AUKUS, as “revenge”.
As if we needed more proof that AUKUS isn’t actually about making Australia safer. #auspol pic.twitter.com/uwmuGSsIRL
— Australia Institute (@TheAusInstitute) October 1, 2024
Mr Johnson suggested that he wanted to “punish” French President Emmanuel Macron for the famously difficult Brexit negotiations with the European Union.
The AUKUS agreement, which comes with a $368 billion price tag and no guarantee of successful delivery of nuclear submarines, has been heavily criticised by senior figures in Australia and beyond.
Speaking on the After America podcast, former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark shared her concerns about the impact of the agreement on her country’s independence and the potential for regional conflict.
Work with us
Want to work with one of Australia’s most influential public policy think tanks?
We’re hiring for the next round of Anne Kantor Fellows to tackle the big issues facing Australia.
- Anne Kantor Fellowship (General), applications close Sunday 27 October 2024
- Anne Kantor Young Women Environmentalist Fellowship, applications close Sunday 27 October 2024
View the Job Description for information about how to apply, or view on our website.
The Win
We were very excited to have not one, but two members of the Australia Institute nominated for awards this week.
Greg Jericho is a finalist for the Walkey Award for All Media: Commentary, Analysis, Opinion & Critique.
Allan Behm’s book has made the longlist for the Australian Political Book of the Year.
Please join us in congratulating Allan and Greg!
The Bin
NACC finds no corruption in Paladin investigation
A $920,000 property was bought by the founder of Paladin Craig Thrupp for two Home Affairs employees.
Paladin was paid more than half a billion dollars to manage services in Australia’s Manus Island detention centre between 2017 and 2019.
“This is simply staggering. Please read it,” said Richard Denniss.
“The fact our new federal corruption watchdog thinks this behaviour is acceptable, and not corrupt, is hard to comprehend.”
The Quote
“The Australian Intelligence and the politicians who are really informed and educated, they would know that China is not – in any shape or form, imagination – a threat to Australia.”
— José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste, in his address to the National Press Club of Australia.
Podcasts
Super-powered nukes: Aussie funds and weapons of mass destruction | Follow the Money
Superannuation funds have been investing Australians’ retirement savings in nuclear weapons, according to new research from Quit Nukes and the Australia Institute.
Listen now:
Caught in the headlights | After America
Allan Behm and Emma Shortis discuss America’s apparent crisis of confidence, the conflict in the Middle East, and the Vice-Presidential debate.
Listen now:
Are you feeling NATURE POSITIVE?! | Dollars & Sense
Corporate spin and complex markets distract from real solutions to Australia’s climate and biodiversity crisis.
On this episode, Greg Jericho and Hayden Starr discuss the government’s ‘Nature Positive’ summit, Australia’s housing debate, and a new push to end youth award rates.
Listen now:
What’s On
Unparliamentary with Paul Bongiorno | 1pm AEDT, Tuesday 15 October
Unpack the big political and policy issues with Paul Bongiorno, veteran political journalist and columnist for The Saturday Paper and The New Daily.
Gas: How to counter the biggest players in town | 11am AEDT, Thursday 17 October
In this edition of Policy School, Research Director Rod Campbell explains the enormous expansion of Australia’s gas industry, Australia’s policies on gas extraction, the role of gas in the economy and household energy prices, how it contributes to climate change and why it’s in dire need of policy reform.
Between the Lines Newsletter
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