Senator Christine Milne      :)

Leader of the Australian Greens
April 1, 2014


'WA election: Only the Greens can make the Senate work'



Christine Milne, Leader of the Australian Greens and a Senator for Tasmania, is this year marking 25 years in politics.

Christine grew up on a dairy farm in Tasmania and was arrested and jailed during the campaign to save the Franklin River in 1983. Following her successful campaign to stop the native forest-based Wesley Vale pulp mill in the late 1980s, she was elected to the Parliament of Tasmania in 1989.

Christine became the first woman to lead a Tasmanian political party in 1993 and led the Tasmanian Greens as they held the balance of power from 1996-98. She pioneered the idea of multi-party power sharing politics in Australia and is committed to developing ethically-driven leadership.

Christine entered federal politics in 2004 and became leader of the Australian Greens in 2012, again holding the balance of power, this time in the Senate.

Christine's deep policy knowledge about climate change and her unparalleled experience with power-sharing minority governments secured an agreement to introduce an emissions trading scheme in Australia subsequent to the establishment of the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee. As lead negotiator for the Greens on climate policy, Christine achieved through that committee not only the emissions trading scheme, but the biodiversity fund, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and $10 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Christine intends to continue standing up to the conservative Abbott government, fighting for a clean economy, to protect the natural environment, caring for refugees and to be a voice for a more equal community.

Fortunately most social media types don't have the attention span for NPC addresses, 125 character# is enough, so all those who have viewed Lublum & thought "Great another Bob Brow, I'll vote Greens" will miss Milne.

Therefore the Greens are still in with a chance.

Their worst nightmare would be that all these new people interested tune in to check out the leader.

Will commie Christine be honest about the Green's anti-mining and hence anti-WA policies?

No, I don't think so....  [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

no I dont think I am ready for her in my lounge room.. thanks will leave her to you lefties to droll over.

thanks for the reminder though hope its this morning I am out..whew.

Swagman wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:33am:

Will commie Christine be honest about the Green's anti-mining and hence anti-WA policies? No, I don't think so....  [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

So WA is just a big mine devoid of other attributes?

Also what anti mining policies ... you mean a mining tax so Australians get a fair price for their ore and minerals?

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:42am:

Swagman wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:33am: Will commie Christine be honest about the Green's anti-mining and hence anti-WA policies? No, I don't think so....  [smiley=thumbdown.gif] So WA is just a big mine devoid of other attributes? Also what anti mining policies ... you mean a mining tax so Australians get a fair price for their ore and minerals?

Mining is the backbone of the WA economy and that's why it is important to the State.

The Mining Tax is just a money grab by the other States.  The miners already pay the WA STATE Govt royalties and they pay the Federal Govt company tax on their profits just like any other company.

Singling out an industry and smashing them with additional taxes just because they are successful is just STUPID NEGATIVE policy.

The ADDITIONAL tax is just another barrier to further investment and costs jobs and income tax revenues.

WA wants to attract investment dollars not drive them away.

Govt should be providing incentives not barriers.

Labor has lied that it would get rid of the Carbon Tax.

Western Australia needs senators that are going to stand up for Western Australian issues and not bend over to the Chardonnay Sipping anti-mining commie minority Greens...   :)

We thought the minerals in the ground, belonged to all Australians.      :(         

Swagman wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:54am:

____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:42am: Swagman wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:33am: Will commie Christine be honest about the Green's anti-mining and hence anti-WA policies? No, I don't think so....  [smiley=thumbdown.gif] So WA is just a big mine devoid of other attributes? Also what anti mining policies ... you mean a mining tax so Australians get a fair price for their ore and minerals? Mining is the backbone of the WA economy and that's why it is important to the State. The Mining Tax is just a money grab by the other States.  The miners already pay the WA STATE Govt royalties and they pay the Federal Govt company tax on their profits just like any other company. Singling out an industry and smashing them with additional taxes just because they are successful is just STUPID NEGATIVE policy. The ADDITIONAL tax is just another barrier to further investment and costs jobs and income tax revenues. WA wants to attract investment dollars not drive them away. Govt should be providing incentives not barriers. Labor has lied that it would get rid of the Carbon Tax. Western Australia needs senators that are going to stand up for Western Australian issues and not bend over to the Chardonnay Sipping anti-mining commie minority Greens...   :)

Greens are not anti mining, they are anti giving  our commodities away for a song. The carbon levy and mining tax has not destroyed mining as you have made out.

wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:57am:

We thought the minerals in the ground, belonged to all Australians.      :(

Go out 1200 Kms with your bucket and spade and dig some up then.

wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:57am:

We thought the minerals in the ground, belonged to all Australians.      :(

Some one has to dig them up and sell themyouidiot   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:57am:

We thought the minerals in the ground, belonged to all Australians.      :(

Then you would be wrong which even in the short time I have been here seems to be your speciality. The minerals belong to the states as the constitution states. Royalties are paid by mining companies to buy those minerals in a commercial transaction. At that point they belong to the company.

Get it now?

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 10:02am:

Swagman wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:54am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:42am: Swagman wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:33am: Will commie Christine be honest about the Green's anti-mining and hence anti-WA policies? No, I don't think so....  [smiley=thumbdown.gif] So WA is just a big mine devoid of other attributes? Also what anti mining policies ... you mean a mining tax so Australians get a fair price for their ore and minerals? Mining is the backbone of the WA economy and that's why it is important to the State. The Mining Tax is just a money grab by the other States.  The miners already pay the WA STATE Govt royalties and they pay the Federal Govt company tax on their profits just like any other company. Singling out an industry and smashing them with additional taxes just because they are successful is just STUPID NEGATIVE policy. The ADDITIONAL tax is just another barrier to further investment and costs jobs and income tax revenues. WA wants to attract investment dollars not drive them away. Govt should be providing incentives not barriers. Labor has lied that it would get rid of the Carbon Tax. Western Australia needs senators that are going to stand up for Western Australian issues and not bend over to the Chardonnay Sipping anti-mining commie minority Greens...   :) Greens are not anti mining, they are anti giving  our commodities away for a song. The carbon levy and mining tax has not destroyed mining as you have made out.

And so the fact that mining is in a severe slump hasn't made it to your consciousness yet?

Starting now for those interested.      :) 

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:42am:

Swagman wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 9:33am: Will commie Christine be honest about the Green's anti-mining and hence anti-WA policies? No, I don't think so....  [smiley=thumbdown.gif] So WA is just a big mine devoid of other attributes? Also what anti mining policies ... you mean a mining tax so Australians get a fair price for their ore and minerals?

You mean the mining tax that is a tax on top of a raft of other taxes the mining industry must pay? A tax that is detrimental to investment in WA and our country as a whole? It also does not assist us to get a fair price for our ore and minerals. It drives up the price as mining companies charge more for their product in an effort to recoup some of what is lost in taxes. You idiotic Greens don't understand a single thing, do you? ::)

wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:32am:

Starting now for those interested.      :)

Watching.

One wonders if any of the rightards will even bother, though.

She's making too much sense for them to bear, I think.

Here I am listening to a missive of delusions, conspiracies and attacks on abbott...  what a waste of my time.  ::) ::) ::)

Kat wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:41am:

wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:32am: Starting now for those interested.      :)  Watching. One wonders if any of the rightards will even bother, though. She's making too much sense for them to bear, I think.

You don't have to be a rightie or a leftie (pitiful terms, those) to recognise that Milne has nothing to contribute.  She will whine, complain and harp on anything and everything and especially Abbott.  She is unfortunately nothing more than a poor-mans Julia Gillard - badly spoken, hopelessly misandrist and disconnected from voters.

Kat wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:41am:

wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:32am: Starting now for those interested.      :)  Watching. One wonders if any of the rightards will even bother, though. She's making too much sense for them to bear, I think.

If Milne made any sense while speaking today, it'd be a first for her or anyone in her putrid party.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 12:14pm:

Kat wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:41am: wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:32am: Starting now for those interested.      :)  Watching. One wonders if any of the rightards will even bother, though. She's making too much sense for them to bear, I think. If Milne made any sense while speaking today, it'd be a first for her or anyone in her putrid party.

shes making sense to a greeny that says it all.. AP... it says so much...

there isnt much else anyone can say really.

Grendel wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 11:48am:

Here I am listening to a missive of delusions, conspiracies and attacks on abbott...  what a waste of my time.  ::) ::) ::)

did she blame him for the missing plane.. and tell everyone its because of CLIMATE CHANGE we havent a clue where it is..????

it makes sense to greenies...look at them all.. wrinkled up bitter nasty little people.. all of them looking for some limelight.....save the whales...and what about the disease bearing  bats???...

not forgetting those trees that mustnt be touched even though they fall on children and kill them..

I bet she didnt accept any responsibility for anything,..

No one (so far) bothered to ask her how turning power to 100% renewables was going to make electricity cheaper as she claimed.  :D :D :D

cods wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 12:17pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 12:14pm: Kat wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:41am: wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:32am: Starting now for those interested.      :)  Watching. One wonders if any of the rightards will even bother, though. She's making too much sense for them to bear, I think. If Milne made any sense while speaking today, it'd be a first for her or anyone in her putrid party. shes making sense to a greeny that says it all.. AP... it says so much... there isnt much else anyone can say really.

Pretty pathetic, even from you.

I'm not a 'greeny' and never was.

But she made pretty good sense to just about anyone but
the 'rusty right' and the truly wilfully ignorant.

Kat wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 1:08pm:

cods wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 12:17pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 12:14pm: Kat wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:41am: wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 11:32am: Starting now for those interested.      :)  Watching. One wonders if any of the rightards will even bother, though. She's making too much sense for them to bear, I think. If Milne made any sense while speaking today, it'd be a first for her or anyone in her putrid party. shes making sense to a greeny that says it all.. AP... it says so much... there isnt much else anyone can say really. Pretty pathetic, even from you. I'm not a 'greeny' and never was. But she made pretty good sense to just about anyone but the 'rusty right' and the truly wilfully ignorant.

I doubt that very much, even the rusted-ons gotta wonder how and why abbott abbott abbott is mentioned and blamed so regularly... she's demented.
Even the Greens should be able to find a better leader...  perhaps someone not presently in the party would be the best place to start  ::) ::) ::)

Swagman wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 9:54am:

Mining is the backbone of the WA economy and that's why it is important to the State.

Is that why unemployment is climbing sharply in WA?


Quote:

The Mining Tax is just a money grab by the other States.  The miners already pay the WA STATE Govt royalties and they pay the Federal Govt company tax on their profits just like any other company.

WA State government royalties are deducted from the mining tax. If the government of WA are not getting enough royalties, it's their own fault for not charging enough. The mining companies get generous diesel fuel subsidies that are nearly 2% of the Federal budget that few other companies get. Mining companies do not actually pay their fair share of company tax because they receive concessions on asset depreciation rules no other companies get that basically allows them to write their own rules to minimise their tax. The mining industry has it really sweet.


Quote:

Singling out an industry and smashing them with additional taxes just because they are successful is just STUPID NEGATIVE policy.

Fine, so let's do away with the mining tax, the miners' excessively generous asset depreciation rules, the diesel fuel subsidies, and make them play by the same rules as other companies. They would actually be paying MORE if these changes were introduced.


Quote:

The ADDITIONAL tax is just another barrier to further investment and costs jobs and income tax revenues.

When the tax is supposedly not actually raising much money? :D  ;D Why kick up such a fuss about a tax that is hardly raising any revenue? Can't be that bad then, can it?


Quote:

WA wants to attract investment dollars not drive them away.

No need, the recent investment in mining infrastructure means little further investment is needed for the time being. And I think Gina has plenty of money, ask her for some.


Quote:

Govt should be providing incentives not barriers.

Hockey said the age of entitlement is over.  ;D


Quote:

Labor has lied that it would get rid of the Carbon Tax.

The Coalition has lied by stating that the carbon price would cause devastation to the economy, cost Australians an average of $500 a year (this is a lie that wilfully ignores the compensation) and would wipe Whyalla off the map. Whyalla's still there.


Quote:

Western Australia needs senators that are going to stand up for Western Australian issues and not bend over to the Chardonnay Sipping anti-mining commie minority Greens...   :)

If you want that, don't vote Liberal. The non-mining part of the WA economy is falling in a heap and the Liberals just sit and watch the clouds of dust rising into the air.

As for Milne giving the speech, I think the Greens would have been better served by allowing Ludlum to speak instead. He is the Senator who is up for re-election in WA and he is quite a good speaker.

Link to the speech

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/christine-milnes-speech-to-the-national-press-club-april-1-20140401-35vnj.html

Grendel wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 12:25pm:

No one (so far) bothered to ask her how turning power to 100% renewables was going to make electricity cheaper as she claimed.  :D :D :D

It is just one of those eye-rolling moments that people don't even bother to contend.  What would be the point, after making such a silly and unsupportable claim?

100% renewable energy target

http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf


http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 2:48pm:

100% renewable energy target http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf

Regurgitation is not explanation. Repetition is not argument.

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 3:02pm:

____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 2:48pm: 100% renewable energy target http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf Regurgitation is not explanation. Repetition is not argument.

Links are allowed and if you can't refute the links then that is your issue.

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 3:16pm:

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 3:02pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 2:48pm: 100% renewable energy target http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf Regurgitation is not explanation. Repetition is not argument. Links are allowed and if you can't refute the links then that is your issue.

all you have done is regurgitate. That is not an argument.

Quote:

It is just one of those eye-rolling moments that people don't even bother to contend.  What would be the point, after making such a silly and unsupportable claim?

It's not silly and it's not unsupported as the links prove.


http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf

http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 3:43pm:

Quote: It is just one of those eye-rolling moments that people don't even bother to contend.  What would be the point, after making such a silly and unsupportable claim? It's not silly and it's not unsupported as the links prove. http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf

Quoting a Greens document to support a Greens policy is not exactly the stuff of which incontrovertible evidence is made. Find one commissioned by other groups and you might have a fighting chance of commencing a debate.

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 3:47pm:

____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 3:43pm: Quote: It is just one of those eye-rolling moments that people don't even bother to contend.  What would be the point, after making such a silly and unsupportable claim? It's not silly and it's not unsupported as the links prove. http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf Quoting a Greens document to support a Greens policy is not exactly the stuff of which incontrovertible evidence is made. Find one commissioned by other groups and you might have a fighting chance of commencing a debate.

Posted the links to counter your opinion that Milne's comment is unsupported and by your reaction, mission accomplished.

Grendel wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 12:25pm:

No one (so far) bothered to ask her how turning power to 100% renewables was going to make electricity cheaper as she claimed.  :D :D :D

It would depend on a few thing that are frankly never going to happen.

1) The government & private enterprise would have to come together and invest heavily & seriously in R&D, it would also have to be in a collaborative spirit, not one commercial in confidence.

2) The sector, once the technology has been discovered would require massive subsidies for the initial build & start up phase.

3) Once the top 2 points are meet it could be worked like the Sydney harbour bridge was supposed too.

We would pay a reasonable price that has a % built in to repay government loans & once loans repaid we would only have to cover upkeep & maintenance which would by its very nature be cheaper than finite resources & the processes required to obtain them.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 4:05pm:

Grendel wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 12:25pm: No one (so far) bothered to ask her how turning power to 100% renewables was going to make electricity cheaper as she claimed.  :D :D :D It would depend on a few thing that are frankly never going to happen. 1) The government & private enterprise would have to come together and invest heavily & seriously in R&D, it would also have to be in a collaborative spirit, not one commercial in confidence. 2) The sector, once the technology has been discovered would require massive subsidies for the initial build & start up phase. 3) Once the top 2 points are meet it could be worked like the Sydney harbour bridge was supposed too. We would pay a reasonable price that has a % built in to repay government loans & once loans repaid we would only have to cover upkeep & maintenance which would by its very nature be cheaper than finite resources & the processes required to obtain them.

Well let's see, shall we?

It would be orders of magnitude bigger and more expensive than the NBN. Now if that fiasco isn't a lesson learned then hang on for more.

It would cost a trillion dollars and anyone seriously trying to suggest otherwise is not au fait with the price increases and blowouts of ALL major projects.

Electricity prices would effectively triple or worse.

I don't see anything even remotely attractive in that scenario. The industry should be encouraged to innovate and evolve. Pushing it along - like the NBN - is only courting disaster.

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 3:47pm:

____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 3:43pm: Quote: It is just one of those eye-rolling moments that people don't even bother to contend.  What would be the point, after making such a silly and unsupportable claim? It's not silly and it's not unsupported as the links prove. http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf Quoting a Greens document to support a Greens policy is not exactly the stuff of which incontrovertible evidence is made. Find one commissioned by other groups and you might have a fighting chance of commencing a debate.

ONLY the greens read them...B&B..its like being in a cult...only the brainwashed take any notice...and look what happens to them..lind of zombiefied..

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 4:20pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 4:05pm: Grendel wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 12:25pm: No one (so far) bothered to ask her how turning power to 100% renewables was going to make electricity cheaper as she claimed.  :D :D :D It would depend on a few thing that are frankly never going to happen. 1) The government & private enterprise would have to come together and invest heavily & seriously in R&D, it would also have to be in a collaborative spirit, not one commercial in confidence. 2) The sector, once the technology has been discovered would require massive subsidies for the initial build & start up phase. 3) Once the top 2 points are meet it could be worked like the Sydney harbour bridge was supposed too. We would pay a reasonable price that has a % built in to repay government loans & once loans repaid we would only have to cover upkeep & maintenance which would by its very nature be cheaper than finite resources & the processes required to obtain them. Well let's see, shall we? It would be orders of magnitude bigger and more expensive than the NBN. Now if that fiasco isn't a lesson learned then hang on for more. It would cost a trillion dollars and anyone seriously trying to suggest otherwise is not au fait with the price increases and blowouts of ALL major projects. Electricity prices would effectively triple or worse. I don't see anything even remotely attractive in that scenario. The industry should be encouraged to innovate and evolve. Pushing it along - like the NBN - is only courting disaster.

I wasn't advocating one way or another, just pointing out how electricity prices would eventually become cheaper.

However you have provided an interesting look into the psych of the modern day person.

It's all too big, all too hard, all too expensive.

Imagine if the North Americans had that attitude with their railways, imagine if we had that attitude with the telegraph cable to London, imagine how much less we would be as a species let alone individual countries if our forebears had the attitude you express. :-?

cods wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 4:31pm:

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 3:47pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 3:43pm: Quote: It is just one of those eye-rolling moments that people don't even bother to contend.  What would be the point, after making such a silly and unsupportable claim? It's not silly and it's not unsupported as the links prove. http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/wa_clean_energy_roadmap_for_wa.pdf http://ewp.industry.gov.au/sites/ewp.industry.gov.au/files/Energy%202029%20-%20greens_energyreport_web.pdf Quoting a Greens document to support a Greens policy is not exactly the stuff of which incontrovertible evidence is made. Find one commissioned by other groups and you might have a fighting chance of commencing a debate. ONLY the greens read them...B&B..its like being in a cult...only the brainwashed take any notice...and look what happens to them..lind of zombiefied..

All I ask for is studies conducted by reputable people or authorities and not those with a  vested interest or political bent in place.

Quote:

The Coalition has lied by stating that the carbon price would cause devastation to the economy, cost Australians an average of $500 a year (this is a lie that wilfully ignores the compensation) and would wipe Whyalla off the map. Whyalla's still there.

Oh puhlease why would anyone with a brain attach themselves to that idiot Emerson?

The carbon tax was not going to affect ordinary Australian just a few big companies.
There was no need for compensation.
Then reality struck...
Cost of living rises and utility hikes.
people needed compensation.
Then came the compensation we were told nobody would need.
Then we were told we were over compensated.
That was also a lie.
Repeated ad nauseam, obviously by people who don't pay bills.
The compensation I received has never gone close to making up the difference. 
The pathetic amount paid to people on Newstart... is a spit in the wind.

Bam wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 2:13pm:

As for Milne giving the speech, I think the Greens would have been better served by allowing Ludlum to speak instead. He is the Senator who is up for re-election in WA and he is quite a good speaker.

For a lunatic...
I heard his last rant...  abbott abbott abbott....
::) ::) ::)