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April 2016
South Australians remain opposed to nuclear waste dump: Poll
A ReachTEL poll of 1077 South Australian’s shows opposition to a nuclear waste dump at 48.5% and support at 37.2%. (Full results below) Final submissions to South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission closed on Friday. “A nuclear waste dump remains unpopular, despite some recent high profile support and renewed focus with the Royal Commission,”
March 2016
Digging for Answers
Digging for Answers is a response to the tentative findings of the South Australian Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and in particular to proposed radioactive waste storage and disposal facilities in South Australia This report finds that the business case for a nuclear waste storage facility in South Australia is exaggerated. The project
February 2016
Sandstorm in a teacup: Ending sand mining and the North Stradbroke Island “economy”
North Stradbroke Island (NSI) has no “economy” of its own. Most of its residents don’t work at all, mostly by choice. Its houses are mostly owned and used by people who live and work on the mainland and come to the island for holidays and relaxation. On NSI, goods and services are sourced from the
The impossible dream: Free electricity sounds too good to be true. It is.
A new report from The Australia Institute shows that a proposal to establish a global nuclear waste industry in South Australia would fail to secure 90% of the imported waste, leaving an expensive and risky legacy for the state. The report was commissioned by the Conservation Council of South Australia to analyse the submission to
January 2016
Finland’s Fine Example
This paper examines how the Finnish model of progressive traffic fines could work in Australia, and estimates the effect on individuals at different income levels.
CEDEX shows 2015 a year of emissions rises
Electricity emissions from the National Energy Market in Australia in 2015 increased 2.4 per cent on 2014 levels and have increased by 5.1 per cent since their lowest point in the year to June 2014, when the carbon price was abolished. This CEDEX® Electricity Update contains data for emissions from electricity generation in the National
December 2015
Rix’s Creek Extension Project: Submission
The economic assessment of the Rix’s Creek Extension Project, written by consultants KPMG, heavily overstates the benefits of the project while largely ignoring potential costs. Key flaws are: High coal prices. Unorthodox treatment of wages. Assumption that most external costs are fully offset or mitigated, with no consideration of risk around these impacts. Minimal detail
CEDEX Australian GHG emission report – December 2015
The Australia Institute, in conjunction with Pitt&Sherry produce the CEDEX monthly. The CEDEX is the benchmark indicator for Australia’s carbon emissions and an up to date snapshot of vital data from the energy sector. CEDEX has been providing a comprehensive and early indication of key GHG and energy trends in Australia since 2009 and is
Draft guidelines for economic assessment of mining and coal seam gas proposals
Economic assessment has been at the centre of controversial planning decisions on mining and coal seam gas projects in New South Wales (NSW) for several years. The Australia Institute welcomes the efforts of the NSW Government and NSW Department of Planning and Environment to improve the standard of economic assessment.
Two Birds, One Little Black Rock
A new report by The Australia Institute outlines a solution to the twin problems of incentives for retirement of coal fired generation and funding rehabilitation liabilities.
November 2015
Be careful what you wish for
A new report by The Australia Institute shows that local businesses in unconventional gas regions in Queensland believe that gas development led to deterioration in their finances, local infrastructure, social connections and labor force skills. The analysis of mostly gas industry funded research also highlights survey results by the CSIRO that found less than a
Carmichael in Context
The Australian government has recently approved Adani’s Carmichael coal project. If built, it would be the biggest coal mine in Australia. This briefing note puts the vast scale of Carmichael into context.
Bylong Coal Project – Submission on Environmental Impact
The Australia Institute has made a submission on the Environmental Impact Statement of the Bylong Coal Project, a proposed new thermal coal mine located south of the Hunter Valley in NSW. The economic assessment of the Bylong Coal Project is not suitable for decision making purposes. It lacks transparency, is based on flawed methodologies and
October 2015
Wentworth, North Sydney support for new coal mine moratorium: Poll
New polling shows strong support for a moratorium on new coal mines in two of the safest Liberal seats in the country. The ReachTEL poll of 694 residents in Wentworth and 679 in North Sydney was conducted in the wake of an open letter, signed by 61 prominent Australian’s, called for a global moratorium on
When you are in a hole stop digging
A new report by Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute, identifies an emerging economic risk of building ‘too many coal mines’. The report examines the potential economic harm flowing that a major expansion and construction of new coal mines can result cause, including: Lower coal prices associated increased supply (and associated reductions in
Too Close for Comfort
Too Close for Comfort : How the coal and gas industry get their way in Queensland. Examines the relationship between the Queensland Government and the fossil fuel industry. The report reveals a pattern of secrecy, a lack of accountability and transparency and a fast moving revolving door between the highest level of the bureaucracy and government, where political
September 2015
CEDEX Australian GHG emission report – October 2015
The Australia Institute, in a new partnership with engineering consultants Pitt & Sherry, will now be publishing the highly regarded Carbon Emissions Index (CEDEX) report. The CEDEX is the benchmark indicator for Australia’s carbon emissions and an up to date snapshot of vital data from the energy sector. The new CEDEX report will now, for the
Airly Coal Mine project: Submission to Planning Assessment Commission
The Airly Coal Mine project is a small, underground mine in the Capertee Valley, north of Lithgow, NSW. It is currently being assessed by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC). The economic assessment of the project is highly unreliable and its conclusion that the project would provide economic net benefit to the state has no
Subsidise this
In 2015 the federal government gave $4b in subsidies to the mining and fossil fuel industry, in the previous six years the Australian government has spent $17.6b in support for these industries. Over 75% of the people agree that fossil fuel subsidies should be redirected to essential services.
Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project: Submission on EIS
The Australia Institute has made a submission on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project. The EIS economic assessment is based on flawed economic analysis and ignores the most important economic questions around the project – is it likely to proceed and if so, is it in the
Establishing a gas community benefits fund
The NSW Government is currently accepting submissions on how to establish a community benefits fund from the potential development of a coal seam gas (CSG) industry in the state. A Discussion Paper has been published by the Division of Resources and Energy. The Australia Institute has written extensively on the economics of gas in Australia.
Mt Thorley-Warkworth Continuation Project
The Planning Assessment Commission for the Mt Thorley-Warkworth Continuation Project (Warkworth Project) has requested further submissions relating to a proposal to change the State Environmental Planning Policy (mining, petroleum production and extractive industries) (Mining SEPP). The current Mining SEPP requires consent authorities to give the “significance” of a resource the greatest weight in their assessment
Springvale mine extension project : Submission
The Australia Institute made a submission to the September 2015 Planning Assessment Commission hearing on the Springvale coal mine extension proposal. Key points: Economic assessment of the project fails to comply with NSW government guidelines and widely-accepted professional standards. No indication is provided as to the financial viability of the mine, making all claimed economic
August 2015
Switching off gas – An examination of declining gas demand in Eastern Australia
This research was supported by funding from The Australia Institute and other groups, and conducted by the University of Melbourne Energy Institute. Dramatic changes in the eastern-Australian gas market are prompting projections of sharp declines in domestic gas demand. Data from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) indicate that gas demand in eastern Australia peaked
Passing gas: Economic myths around the Northern Territory’s North East Gas Interconnector pipeline
The North East Gas Interconnector (NEGI) is a proposed gas pipeline between the Northern Territory and the eastern states. The project is strongly endorsed by gas companies, the Territory government and governments in other states, but analysis is lacking as to the actual benefits to Territorians and the rest of Australia.While there is a shortage
Key administration statistics – 3rd Party Appeals and the EPBC Act
Details from a forthcoming Australia Institute Report Since the EPBC Act commenced in July 2000, there have been approximately 5500 projects referred to the Minister under the environmental impact assessment provisions. Of the 5500 referred, around 1500 have been assessed as requiring formal assessment and approval. 12 projects have been refused approval. 9 projects have
The role of ridesharing in addressing Canberra’s transport challenges
The emergence of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft offer a potentially useful addition to Canberra’s urban transport options. Canberra faces unique transport challenges. Car ownership rates are higher in the ACT than in most states, despite almost all of the population living in the Canberra urban area. But with population predicted to almost double