Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Save Australia

Things are getting ridiculous under the KRudd Govt. First they show they are all spin no substance by failing to deliver on election promises, and wanting us to believe if they create enough web pages with different information, we will say they are making an effort.

They thought the ETS would impress us, while they raked in the dollars, and their spin convinced a lot of people, but Copenhagen proved, this was a pipe dream, and still the Govt has struggled to to come to grips with a acceptable Climate Change addressing program.. Of course they came up with $1600 Roof insulation rollout, but forgot to do their homework and checks on the suitability of companies to install them, we have now had 4 deaths as a direct result of these failures. After the first death the Govt started compiling a list of installers whose companies are deregistered, however, they then decided not to release the names of these people, meaning nothing has changes and 3 further deaths occurred to date.

Copenhagen was a true boost to the economy …………. But of course not Australia’s
The Rudd Labor government has refused to disclose the total cost of taking a delegation estimated at 114 people to the Copenhagen Climate Change conference, according to Liberal Senator Guy Barnett, Chairman of the Coalition’s Scrutiny of Government Waste Committee.
“The Australian delegation had 43 more members that that of the UK and 90 more than New Zealand.
QUEENSLAND Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones, is among the official party of 114 Australians at the Copenhagen climate conference. So is her policy advisor, Mike Dart.
The PM has even taken his own butler and his own photographer.

What a waste. What do you think?

Remember you are paying for their airline tickets and for rooms and meals in flash hotels.

And for what?

Those listed as attending from Australia are as follows:

H.E. Mr. Kevin Michael Rudd Prime Minister
H.E. Ms. Penelope Wong Minister, Climate Change and Water Office of the Minister for Climate Change and Water
H.E. Ms. Louise Helen Hand Ambassador for Climate Change Department of Climate Change
Mr. David Fredericks Deputy Chief of Staff Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Mr. Philip Green Oam Senior Policy Adviser, Foreign Affairs Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Mr. Andrew Charlton Senior Adviser Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Mr. Lachlan Harris Senior Press Secretary Prime Minister’s Office Office of Prime Minister
Mr. Scott Dewar Senior Adviser Office of Prime Minister
Ms. Clare Penrose Adviser Office of Prime Minister
Ms. Fiona Sugden Media Adviser Office of Prime Minister
Ms. Lisa French Office of the Prime Minister Office of Prime Minister
Mr. Jeremy Hilman Adviser Office of Prime Minister
Ms. Tarah Barzanji Adviser Office of Prime Minister
Mr. Kate Shaw Executive Secretary Office of Prime Minister
Ms. Gaile Barnes Executive Assistant Office of Prime Minister
Ms. Gordon de Brouwer Deputy Secretary Prime Minister and Cabinet
Mr. Patrick Suckling First Assistant Secretary, International Division Prime Minister and Cabinet
Ms. Rebecca Christie Prime Minister's Office
Mr. Michael Jones Official Photographer Prime Minister and Cabinet
Mr. Stephan Rudzki
Mr. David Bell Federal Agent Australian Federal Police
Ms. Kym Baillie Australian Federal Police
Mr. David Champion Australian Federal Police
Mr. Matt Jebb Federal Agent Australian Federal Police
Mr. Craig Kendall Federal Agent Australian Federal Police
Mr. Ian Lane Squadron Leader Staff, Officer VIP Operations
Mr. John Olenich Media Adviser / Adviser to Minister Wong Office of the Minister for Climate Change and Water
Ms. Kristina Hickey Adviser to Minister Wong Office of the Minister for Climate Change and Water
Mr. Martin Parkinson Secretary Department of Climate Change
Mr. Howard Bamsey Special Envoy for Climate Change Department of Climate Change
Mr. Robert Owen-Jones Assistant Secretary, International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Clare Walsh Assistant Secretary, International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Jenny Elizabeth Wilkinson Policy Advisor Department of Climate Change
Ms. Elizabeth Mary Peak Principal Legal Adviser, International Climate Law Department of Climate Change
Ms. Kristin Tilley Director, Multilateral Negotiations International Division Department of Climate Change
Mr. Andrew Ure Acting Director, Multilateral Negotiations International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Annemarie Watt Director, Land Sector Negotiations International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Kushla Munro Director, International Forest Carbon Section International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Kathleen Annette Rowley Director, Strategic and Technical Analysis Department of Climate Change
Ms. Anitra Cowan Assistant Director, Multilateral Negotiations Department of Climate Change
Ms. Sally Truong Assisting Director, Multilateral Negotiations International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Jane Wilkinson Assistant Director Department of Climate Change
Ms. Tracey Mackay Assistant Director International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Laura Brown Assistant Director, Multilateral Negotiations International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Tracey-Anne Leahey Delegation Manager Department of Climate Change
Ms. Nicola Loffler Senior Legal Adviser, International Climate Law Department of Climate Change
Ms. Tamara Curll Legal Adviser, International Climate Law Department of Climate Change
Ms. Jessica Allen Legal Support Officer Department of Climate Change
Mr. Sanjiva de Silva Legal Adviser, International Climate Law Department of Climate Change
Ms. Gaia Puleston Political Adviser Department of Climate Change
Ms. Penelope Jane Morton Policy Adviser, Multilateral Negotiations (UNFCCC) International Division Department of Climate Change
Ms. Claire Elizabeth Watt Policy Advisor Department of Climate Change
Ms. Amanda Walker Policy Officer, Multilateral Negotiations Department of Climate Change
Mr. Alan David Lee Policy Adviser, Land Sector Negotiations Department of Climate Change
Ms. Erika Kate Oord Australian Stakeholder Manager Department of Climate Change
Mr. Jahda Kirian Swanborough Communications Manager Ministerial Communication Department of Climate Change
H.E. Mr. Sharyn Minahan Ambassador DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Julia Feeney Director, Climate Change and Environment Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr. Chester Geoffrey Cunningham Second Secretary DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Germany
Ms. Rachael Virginia Cooper Executive Officer, Climate Change and Environment Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Ms. Rachael Grivas Executive Officer, Environment Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Moya Elyn Collett Desk officer, Climate Change and Environment Section Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr. Rob Law Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Mr. Robin Davies Assistant Director General, Sustainable Development Group Australian Agency for International Development
Ms. Deborah Fulton Director, Policy and Global Environment Australian Agency for International Development
Ms. Katherine Renee Ann Vaughn Policy Advisor, Policy and Global Environment Australian Agency for International Development
Mr. Brian Dawson Policy Adviser Australian Agency for International Development
Mr. Andrew Leigh Clarke Deputy Secretary Department of Resources Development, Western Australia
Mr. Bruce Wilson General Manager, Environment Energy and Environment Division Department of Resources Development, Western Australia
Ms. Jill McCarthy Policy Adviser Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
Mr. Simon French Policy Adviser Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Mr. Ian Michael Ruscoe Policy Adviser Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Mr. David Walland Acting Superintendent, National Climate Centre Bureau of Meteorology
Mr. Damien Dunn Senior Policy Adviser The Australian Treasury
Ms. Helen Hawka Fuhrman Policy Officer, Renewable Energy Policy and Partnerships
Mr. Scott Vivian Davenport Chief Economics NSW Department of Industry and Investment
Mr. Graham Julian Levitt Policy Manager, Climate Change NSW Department of Industry and Investment
Ms. Kate Jennifer Jones Minister, Climate Change and Sustainability Queensland Government
Mr. Michael William Dart Principal Policy Advisor Office of the Hon. Kate Jones MP Queensland Government
Mr. Matthew Anthony Jamie Skoien Senior Director, Office of Climate Change Queensland Government
Mr. Michael David Rann Premier, South Australia Department of Premier and Cabinet, Southern Australia
Ms. Suzanne Kay Harter Adviser Department of Premier and Cabinet, Southern Australia
Mr. Paul David Flanagan Manager, Communications Government of South Australia
Mr. Timothy William O’Loughlin Deputy Chief Executive, Sustainability and Workforce Management Department of Premier and Cabinet South Australian Government
Ms. Nyla Sarwar M.Sc student Linacre College University of Oxford
Mr. Gavin Jennings Minister, Environment and Climate Change and Innovation, Victorian Government
Ms. Sarah Broadbent Sustainability Adviser
Ms. Rebecca Falkingham Senior Adviser Victoria Government/Office of Climate Change
Mr. Simon Camroux Policy Adviser Energy Supply Association of Australia Limited
Mr. Geoff Lake Adviser Australian Local Government Association Sridhar Ayyalaraju Post Visit Controller DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Tegan Brink Deputy Visit Controller and Security Liaison Officer Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Melissa Eu Suan Goh Transport Liaison Officer and Consul DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Lauren Henschke Support Staff DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Maree Fay Accommodation Liaison Officer DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Patricia McKinnon Communications Officer DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Eugene Olim Paasport / Baggage Liaison Officer DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Belinda Lee Adams
Ms. Jacqui Ashworth Media Liaison Officer Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Patricia Smith Media Liaison Officer DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Martin Bo Jensen Research and Public Diplomatic Officer DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Mauro Kolobaric Consular Support DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Susan Flanagan Consular Support DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Stephen Kanaridis IT Support Officer DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. George Reid Support Staff DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Ashley Wright Support Staff DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Jodie Littlewood Support Staff DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Thomas Millhouse Support Staff DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Timothy Whittley Support Staff Driver DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Ms. Julia Thomson Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Donald Frater Chief of Staff to Minister Wong Office of the Minister for Climate Change and Water
Ms. Jacqui Smith Media Liaison DFAT Diplomatic Mission of Australia to Denmark
Mr. Greg French Senior Legal Advisor, Environment Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr. Jeremy Hillman Advisor PMO

“Australian taxpayers have funded a huge effort where there was no treaty, no binding agreements, and not even a commitment on a timetable. And the result that Joe Citizen knew would occur as this is not the solution to the problem.
“Mr Rudd must come clean and advise how much it cost the Australian taxpayer and how many tonnes of CO2 his massive delegation pumped into the atmosphere.
"Mr Rudd should apologise to the Australian people for demanding an agreed and legislated Emissions Trading Scheme before the Copenhagen conference.
“We know the Government spent $10 million on controversial climate change advertising just last year. If the Government will not voluntarily disclose the total cost of their delegation the government will be forced to reveal the cost by other means.

New research suggests that forests don’t store anywhere near as much carbon dioxide as previously thought, poking major holes in both the Government and Coalition’s climate change policies. Back to the drawing board, says Gary Johns.

Australia needs to wake up from its post-GFC smugness, says Alan Kohler, so he’s rounded up a bunch of commentators to look at the big political, economic and cultural issues Australia will face in 2010. If you thought everything was OK, think again.


Now the Rudd Govt is shown to have been wasting money within the Public Service, the same Public Service they criticized as a waste of money.
The relatively low-profile Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry employs 49 media and communications staff at a cost of $4.7 million a year, last week's Budget revealed.
Two ministerial staffers added at least $200,000 to the bill, Government answers to Questions on Notice reveal, The Australian reports.

Innovation Minister Kim Carr also boasts a small army of communications staff in his portfolio, consisting of 30 in his department and three in his office, at a salary cost of over $2.2 million.

Their travel and mobile phone bills add another $220,000 to the tally.
The departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Finance and Deregulation have, by comparison, more modest headcounts of 10 and three respectively, across their departmental and ministerial media, public relations and communication functions.

But consultancies have been used to boost the Government's public presence, with the Immigration, Broadband and Innovation departments collectively spending $7.4 million on communication and public relations experts.

A spokesman for Opposition agriculture spokesman John Cobb said the Government was fixated on making itself look good, at a time when it was paring back agriculture funding.

"Research and development is the key to the future, particularly with a drier climate, and that should be the Government's number one priority," he said.
The spokesman also slammed Agriculture Minister Tony Burke's proliferation of reviews and consultancies, citing Labor's pledge to trim their numbers.

"(They) vowed to slash them, yet in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry alone, there have been three major reviews and at least as many minor ones," he said.

The Prime Minister over the weekend was forced to defend a $2 million bill accrued over two months last year on overseas trips by government ministers, their family, staff and officials was a necessary one. And not one of these trips resulted in a discernable benefit to the taxpayer, nor did it demand the amount of staffers required for these visits.

A lot of these talks can be achieved through Podcasts or video conferencing, a far more cost efficient means and at a highly reduced Carbon Footprint.. In this day and age we must utilize technology and reduce travel in order to be more responsible for taxpayers dollars and the environment. The garbage sprouted about a need to meet face to face is no more than a fear of change, and politicians trying to protect their trips away. The need for a face to face meeting still exists, but not before working through the issues prior to travel and even then only for significant projects. This saving would be in the millions of dollars to the taxpayer and force the PM to spend time in Australia dealing with the issues of running the country.

So to date the Rudd Labor government have failed this country and failed to deliver on election promises. It has left us in three short years a worse off economy than it started, without showing any result from the expenditure, and when they claimed they were going to make a stand on Health against the State Govts, they backed down as their major party contributors, the Unions, won’t allow them to take the stand..

We must vote this government out of power before they completely ruin the country with their inability to actually run the country and develop policies that are well thought out and not liable to lead to the injury or death of Australians especially for those who are not in even in a war zone.
Australians need to Act at this election and not let the Labor spin doctors fool you again, the Libs, will make a far better Govt, than the façade we now have.