Climate activists say momentum is building in a community campaign for a carbon tax as thousands of people rallied in support of putting a price on pollution.   :)

An estimated 10,000 people rallied in Melbourne this afternoon as part of a national climate-change campaign urging the federal government to set a carbon price.   :)

Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Don Henry said the big polluters and their supporters were running a scare campaign on the carbon tax but a people-power campaign was gaining momentum.  


"We've got to ramp up people power because in the next three months our parliament's going to decide whether we take action or not," Mr Henry told the Melbourne rally.

Mr Henry said the majority of Australians wanted action on climate change, as shown by tens of thousands of people turning out for Sunday's "Say Yes" rallies across the country.  ;)

"We think momentum is building, people power is building, because Australians want action on climate change," he told reporters.

"We know this won't be easy but the time to get moving is right now."

Mr Henry said now was the time to ramp up the campaign supporting a carbon tax.

"I think we're all worried that our parliamentarians won't get over the line, they've blinked a couple of times before," he said.

"So it's the right time for all Australians, from all walks of life, to say, 'Hey, come on parliamentarians, no matter what your political colour, we pay your salary, we vote you in, we want action on climate change now and that means a price on pollution'."

Greens MP Adam Bandt described the rally as a show of strength from people who wanted real action on climate change.  :)

"What this is is a genuine people-powered movement that is going to ride over the top of Tony Abbott's coal-fired fear campaign," Mr Bandt said after the rally.

The opposition leader last week urged the mining industry to become "political activists" in a last-ditch effort to head off a carbon tax.

The government plans to finalise details of its carbon pricing scheme in early July, ahead of legislation being introduced to parliament by September and a fixed carbon price starting on July 1, 2012.  :)

Mr Bandt said the multi-party climate change committee working on the scheme would meet again this week and throughout June to see if an agreement could be reached about putting a price on pollution.

Asked what minimum price was needed to make a difference, Mr Bandt said: "A price that will be effective and will begin the transition away from coal and towards clean energy."

This is truly extraordinary. I can;t recall ever in my life seeing Australians bothering to get out and protest in support of government policy.

freediver wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 8:07pm:

This is truly extraordinary. I can;t recall ever in my life seeing Australians bothering to get out and protest in support of government policy.

It's also a protest against the obfuscationalist media don't forget!!!!

THAT IS SOMETHING ALRIGHT!  :o :o

freediver wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 8:07pm:

This is truly extraordinary. I can;t recall ever in my life seeing Australians bothering to get out and protest in support of government policy.

Yer, and rather ironic, given that Abbott arrogantly pronounced that there would be a grassroots so-called 'people's revolt' against it...

More so, give that his beloved Menzies House couldn't organise a revolution amongst toddlers in a sandpit - any more than Abbott could incite revolting mining moguls in our nation's quarries...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147898.htm


Quote:

Carbon tax will inspire people's revolt: Abbott By Tim Leslie Updated Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:38pm AEDT Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Julia Gillard's announcement of a carbon price is a "betrayal of the Australian people" and predicts a "people's revolt" in response. Ms Gillard says the Government's scheme will be rolled out from July 2012, with the price on carbon to be fixed for a period of three to five years before moving to a cap-and-trade system. The issue dominated a combative Question Time, which saw the Opposition attempt to censure the Prime Minister and Coalition MP Bronwyn Bishop was expelled from the chamber. Mr Abbott said Ms Gillard's decision to put a price on carbon was a historic betrayal of the Australian people. "Nothing is more fake than making a promise to the Australian people before an election and breaking it after the election," he said. "There has been no greater betrayal in recent history." He says the policy will slug Australians with huge costs. "We will fight this every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month," he said. "I don't believe it's going to happen because I think there will be a people's revolt. They will see this as an assault on their standard of living, which is exactly what it is. "Every time you turn on the lights, you will pay under Labor's carbon tax. Every time you go to the petrol pump, you will pay under Labor's carbon tax." But Ms Gillard says the election has given her the mandate to introduce a carbon price. "The Australian people have voted for change. They voted for a carbon price, and this Parliament gives us the opportunity," she told Parliament. "Increasingly Australians understand that the Liberal Party, under the Leader of the Opposition, is a party of the past with no real policies or plans for the nation's future. "You get judged ultimately in this Parliament by what you decide to do and what you deliver, and on this side of the Parliament we are determined that from July 1 (2012) we will price carbon." While admitting her policy would result in an increase in the cost of living, Ms Gillard says households will be fairly compensated under the scheme. "Every dollar raised from pricing carbon will go to assist Australian households, assist Australian families with managing the change, assist Australian businesses with managing the change, and to programs for tackling climate change," she said. 'Start of process' The Prime Minister announced details of the scheme at a joint press conference with Greens leader Bob Brown and Senator Christine Milne, as well as independent MPs Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor. The carbon price will increase annually and funds generated will be used to compensate households and increase energy efficiency in the economy. Agricultural emissions will initially be excluded from the scheme but farmers will be compensated for any efforts they make to cut emissions. The Government is expected to announce more details of the plan, including the initial price, at a later date. Senator Milne called the framework agreement a victory for minority government. "It's happening because we have shared power in Australia. Majority government would not have delivered this outcome," she said. But Mr Windsor warned his presence at the announcement did not mean he would support any legislation. "This is very much the start of the process in my view. There's a lot of discussion to take place on this issue. What we've established today is a framework," he said. "That doesn't mean the game is over... don't construe, through my presence here, that I'll be supporting any scheme." And Climate Change Minister Greg Combet warned the major stumbling blocks of compensation and pricing remain before the committee. The main points are:    * Fixed carbon price to be implemented on July 1, 2012    * Price to be announced at a later date, but will increase annually    * Fixed price to remain for three to five years before switching to cap-and-trade system    * Level of compensation for business and consumers still to be determined    * Agriculture to be excluded from carbon price    * Farmers will be compensated for reductions

http://www.menzieshouse.com.au/2011/03/rally-outside-gillards-office-this-saturday-.html




Quote:

March 9, 2011 Rally Outside Gillard's Office This Saturday! The People's Revolt Against the Gillard-Brown Carbon Tax is kicking off this Saturday - outside Julia Gillard's Victorian Electorate Office! Organised by the independent grassroots group No to Carbon Tax, it will send a clear message: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! This will be the first demonstration of grassroots people power - and it is vital we get as many people there as possible! [...]

Seriously, what kind of leader thinks that it is OK to incite this kind of thing!?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/article/9557701/abbott-tells-miners-to-defeat-carbon-tax/


Quote:

Abbott tells miners to defeat carbon tax Paul Osborne, AAP Senior Political Writer, AAP June 1, 2011, 5:54 pm 11 Comments The opposition leader has made a passionate appeal to the mining industry to fight carbon pricing. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has urged the mining industry to become "political activists" and defeat the carbon tax, as the government accused him of misrepresenting the facts behind its climate plan. A final decision on a carbon pricing mechanism is expected by early July, ahead of legislation being introduced to parliament by September and a fixed carbon price starting on July 1, 2012. The multi-party climate change committee working on the scheme is awaiting two reports, by Treasury and the Productivity Commission, before holding its final round of meetings. Mr Abbott told a lunch with mining executives in Canberra on Wednesday they needed to step up their lobbying efforts. "I know none of you likes to be political activists ... But I say to you that at this time you need to become political activists at least for a few months, at least for a couple of years, if you are going to be able to continue to be the miners that you want to be and that Australia needs," he said. Mr Abbott said putting a price on carbon was a tax grab which would cut jobs, destroy exporters, end the coal industry and was a "go it alone attempt to save the world". He vowed to tour the country "every day" that parliament wasn't sitting to warn blue-collar workers of job losses under a carbon tax and the cost to households. The opposition leader told parliament a report released this week by Professor Ross Garnaut - which updated his landmark 2008 study on climate change - had recommended an independent body make final decisions about carbon pricing. But Prime Minister Julia Gillard seized on the remark as showing how Mr Abbott continued to misrepresent the carbon pricing issue. "He owes Professor Garnaut an apology for his conduct," Ms Gillard said, telling parliament the government would make any final decision on setting targets and caps under an emissions trading scheme. "You (Mr Abbott) rely on falsehoods and fear when you don't have a rational argument." Climate Change Minister Greg Combet told parliament claims of food prices skyrocketing were also misleading, as modelling had suggested a rise of between 0.6 and 0.8 per cent. Meanwhile, climate change committee member, independent MP Rob Oakeshott, said he expects the "final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle" to fall into place shortly, when the Productivity Commission and Treasury reports are finalised. "I think there is an agreement waiting to happen that is substantially better than what was being put to the last parliament," he said. "But we've still got a lot of negotiating to do - this can go wrong very easily." Greens deputy leader Christine Milne, who is also on the committee, said it was important to stick to the July timeframe and legislate by the end of the year. She said the committee was now at the "pointy end", with the major discussion focusing on how households and industry would be assisted.

Hello, it is only a matter of weeks, since he was carping about 'class war' in the wake of a relatively-benign Budget!?

So for all the bleating here more Australians want action on climate change and are prepared to get off their bums and be seen.
45,000 they said on the news, how many again have marched in this "grass roots revolt" even with free buses?

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 8:45pm:

So for all the bleating here more Australians want action on climate change and are prepared to get off their bums and be seen. 45,000 they said on the news, how many again have marched in this "grass roots revolt" even with free buses?

G'day, smithy.

I didn't hear that 45thou figure, but I believe there was 9.000 odd at the Sydney turnout which, by itself, was more than the "free bus" mob managed.

;)

G'day, Thy   :D

Hey Froggie - hope all is well with your good self!

;-)

45,000 people from the inner Labor seats of cities..... hardly a representation of the Australian peolpe.....

So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying

This would have to be the biggest dcon and lie ever told by the few supporters of such rubbish.....

Did you hear some of the speeches..... LIES and more LIES!!

AUSTRALIA needs to change its international reputation of being a freeloader, letting others do the heavy work on climate change action, World Vision head Tim Costello says.   :-?

Simultaneous climate change action rallies were held in most capital cities today as the second stage of the "Say Yes" campaign, which urges Australians to support the Federal Government's proposed carbon emissions tax.   :)

Mr Costello says World Vision's work has already seen what impacts climate change is having on some of the world's poorest nations, from the two million homes destroyed in the Pakistan flood to the thawing ice in Nepal that's wreaking havoc on cropping land.

"The poorest, the most vulnerable are already being the most impacted," he told the 3000-strong rally in Brisbane's Botanic Gardens.

"Climate change represents the greatest potential violation of children's rights in history, it is that serious already."  :o



He urged Australians to put aside their worries about the electricity prices and the rising cost of living and think that taking action is a global responsibility.

"We in Australia can't pull up the draw bridges of the island continent and say not our problem," he said.  ;)

"In a global village the world is like a waterbed, you press down here, the impact and pressure comes up here.

"We are here to say to Australians this isn't us putting our neck on the chopping block, we're just asking please stop Australia's reputation being one of a freeloader, letting others do the heavy work."

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said inaction on the carbon price would destroy jobs, the economy for the long term and of course the environment.

"We've got to deal with carbon pollution, we've got to reduce it so we can protect our lifestyle and protect our economy, that's so important," Mr Swan said at the rally.  ;)

Queensland Environment Minister Kate Jones said if a carbon price wasn't introduced the industry surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, worth $6 billion to the economy and supporting 65,000 jobs, would be threatened.  :o

"A price on carbon means we can transition our economy and secure our long-term future," she said.

I'd happily attend a rally AGAINST the tax, but would
NOT attend one in favour of it.

Guess that must make me a right-wing extremist, eh, JuLIAR?

I actually managed to make it to the rally this time. My first rally since way back in my under-grad days!

I must say the crowd was huge (the estimate of 10 000 seems accurate) and I was the surprised at the cross-section of people there.

Of course there were your left-wing protester "types" (uni students, intellectuals etc) who are much maligned by the media (damn them for having an opinion), but, generally the people were average middle class types, lots and lots of young couples with children and a lot of older people. It was a really friendly atmosphere and had none of the vitriol of the anti-carbon tax rallies I have seen on the news.

There were no nasty signs about Abbott or the Libs (nobody called him "Palmer's bitch" or the like), no screaming or general histrionics like the smaller rallies organised by the shock jocks, just people who are concerned about the future and the future of their children. As Mrs Fowler and I have already bought the 2nd property (an actual house as opposed to my beloved apartment, which I will have to dragged out of kicking and screaming when the time eventually comes)  and are thinking of kids, it really struck a chord with me. As the science becomes more widely known, and the actual package is released, there is going to be a turnaround here, probably enough to get the tax over the line in the lower house. I also think there is going to be a bit of a grassroots revolt, but not the one Mr Abbott expected.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 8:45pm:

So for all the bleating here more Australians want action on climate change and are prepared to get off their bums and be seen. 45,000 they said on the news, how many again have marched in this "grass roots revolt" even with free buses?

45 000! That's not a bad crowd at all.

beware wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 9:03pm:

45,000 people from the inner Labor seats of cities..... hardly a representation of the Australian peolpe..... So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying This would have to be the biggest dcon and lie ever told by the few supporters of such rubbish..... Did you hear some of the speeches..... LIES and more LIES!!

LOL, Although I'm sure the 45K was combind, 9 or 10K IN SYDNEY?
I don't know the breakdown for Melbourne but the Libs are in power, but were you away for the last NSW election? :o

Quote:

So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying

;D

freediver wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 10:01pm:

Quote: So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying ;D

They don't in NSW.

Our Govt thinks NSW stands for 'Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong'.

To them, the rest of the state may as well not even exist.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 9:50pm:

beware wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 9:03pm: 45,000 people from the inner Labor seats of cities..... hardly a representation of the Australian peolpe..... So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying This would have to be the biggest dcon and lie ever told by the few supporters of such rubbish..... Did you hear some of the speeches..... LIES and more LIES!! LOL, Although I'm sure the 45K was combind, 9 or 10K IN SYDNEY? I don't know the breakdown for Melbourne but the Libs are in power, but were you away for the last NSW election? :o

I was sure Labor were in power at the Federal level..... I was sure that Gillard was a Labor PM.

And I am sure that there were 10,000 city dwellers living in Sydney that voted for the disgusting NSW Labor Govt and I think that if we had an election next month than Gillard would be GONE!!!!

Maybe some Lib voters believe in this CC rubbbish.....I could not believe the lies told by some speakers today at your rally......

beware wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 10:07pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 9:50pm: beware wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 9:03pm: 45,000 people from the inner Labor seats of cities..... hardly a representation of the Australian peolpe..... So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying This would have to be the biggest dcon and lie ever told by the few supporters of such rubbish..... Did you hear some of the speeches..... LIES and more LIES!! LOL, Although I'm sure the 45K was combind, 9 or 10K IN SYDNEY? I don't know the breakdown for Melbourne but the Libs are in power, but were you away for the last NSW election? :o I was sure Labor were in power at the Federal level..... I was sure that Gillard was a Labor PM. And I am sure that there were 10,000 city dwellers living in Sydney that voted for the disgusting NSW Labor Govt and I think that if we had an election next month than Gillard would be GONE!!!! Maybe some Lib voters believe in this CC rubbbish.....I could not believe the lies told by some speakers today at your rally......

OK
But it has been said that Labors Carbon Tax had an influence on the outcome according to Mr O'Farrell and Abbott ;)

Luke Fowler wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 9:35pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 8:45pm: So for all the bleating here more Australians want action on climate change and are prepared to get off their bums and be seen. 45,000 they said on the news, how many again have marched in this "grass roots revolt" even with free buses? 45 000! That's not a bad crowd at all.

Yes... but its nothing to compare to Australia's population. NOTHING!!

Only an election could really tell the truth...

Labor never did like the TRUTH!!

Kat wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 10:07pm:

freediver wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:01pm: Quote: So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying ;D They don't in NSW. Our Govt thinks NSW stands for 'Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong'. To them, the rest of the state may as well not even exist.

You live in SNW?

freediver wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 10:11pm:

Kat wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:07pm: freediver wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:01pm: Quote: So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying ;D They don't in NSW. Our Govt thinks NSW stands for 'Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong'. To them, the rest of the state may as well not even exist. You live in SNW?

Zing.

Luke Fowler wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 10:24pm:

freediver wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:11pm: Kat wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:07pm: freediver wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:01pm: Quote: So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying ;D They don't in NSW. Our Govt thinks NSW stands for 'Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong'. To them, the rest of the state may as well not even exist. You live in SNW? Zing.

Yeah, hilarious, I just pulled a muscle, I was laughing so hard.

Anyway, fixed now.

Just good to see that the actual point was missed completely.

Kat wrote on Jun 5^th, 2011 at 10:59pm:

Luke Fowler wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:24pm: freediver wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:11pm: Kat wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:07pm: freediver wrote on Jun 5th, 2011 at 10:01pm: Quote: So rural voters and those of us on the outskirts of large cities don't count. Is that what you aresaying ;D They don't in NSW. Our Govt thinks NSW stands for 'Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong'. To them, the rest of the state may as well not even exist. You live in SNW? Zing. Yeah, hilarious, I just pulled a muscle, I was laughing so hard. Anyway, fixed now. Just good to see that the actual point was missed completely.

It's a good thing they are not trying to implement a sense of humour tax. It wouldn't make any money these days.

AUSTRALIANS are demanding Julia Gillard call a fresh election, saying she has no mandate for a carbon tax.
With less than a third of all voters now claiming to support the tax, the federal government is facing a nationwide backlash if it proceeds.

An exclusive Galaxy poll commissioned by The Daily Telegraph has revealed 73 per cent of people claim they will end up worse off under the tax. Just 7 per cent believe they could end up better off in some way.

More fatal for the Prime Minister, however, was the overwhelming support for an election to be called on the issue - confirming widespread anger over her broken election promise not to introduce a carbon tax.

A total of 64 per cent said they wanted a fresh election. Only 24 per cent believed the PM had a mandate.



Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/angry-voters-want-election-before-carbon-tax/story-e6frfkw9-1226069810869#ixzz1ORLZkF3l

The election should be at a time of the governments choosing, sometime in 2013.  We have had our election.  Also one should ask, did the last liberal government have a mandate- for Workchoices (No choices).  No the present government should run their full term.  See you in 2013.   :)