Chaco Peace Paraguay
Independence Day Philippines
Valentine’s Day Brazil
Russia Day Russia
Queen’s Birthday Holiday Australia
World Day Against Child Labour http://www.un.org/en/events/childlabourday/
Loving Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/loving-day/
Superman Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/superman-day/
Red Rose Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/red-rose-day/
More about Jun 12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_12
National
Abbott told choose science over conflict
Josh Frydenberg has urged Tony Abbott to keep an open mind amid signs the former prime minister and other conservatives will fight the need for a Clean Energy Target.
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/finkel-report-conservative-liberals-urged-to-choose-science-over-conflict-20170611-gwouqf
‘There’s room for coal and gas’
The nation’s chief scientist rejects fears his sweeping energy reforms will block new coal and gas power stations.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/theres-room-enough-for-coal-and-gas-finkel/news-story/5ffce1376ea96bd1ce14b6a2f3bcf3f4
Power firms offer Finkel support
The nation’s biggest power generators have given cautious support to the landmark Finkel Report into the nation’s power market.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/power-generators-give-finkel-report-cautious-support/news-story/dc63b9b852bb5797165cd0dacac49dd9
Lift gas output, says Barnett
Colin Barnett says no amount of regulatory ‘tinkering’ would help unless gas supply is increased in eastern Australia.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/finkel-report-barnett-calls-for-higher-gas-output/news-story/0f3b10e3c58e6868c39d9d35fc6b66fb
Prices goal ‘to unify Coalition’
Josh Frydenberg expects a shared desire to cut energy prices to smooth over divisions in the Coalition partyroom on energy policy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/finkel-review-frydenberg-confident-of-coalition-unity-on-climate/news-story/3c1c777adabf796faa81283707e47d80
Energy report sparks coal debate
Federal Labor warns negotiations over a new proposed clean energy target will fail if the government insists on fresh coal generation.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/western-sydney-mp-craig-kelly-calls-for-fresh-review-of-finkel-reports-effects-on-economy/news-story/d9ecbbaeeda47e69d8355e32acd4e2c2
Labor to question Finkel over ‘curious’ element of energy report
Australia’s chief scientist Alan Finkel will face a grilling from Labor over his recommendations for a clean energy target, but the party’s climate change spokesperson says they aren’t “casting doubt on the work” by questioning his report.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-12/finkel-report-figures-questioned-by-labor-in-energy-inquiry/8609220
Alan Finkel transcript
This is an edited transcript of chief scientist Alan Finkel’s interview with The Australian’s David Crowe.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/australias-chief-scientist-alan-finkel-talks-to-the-australians-david-crowe/news-story/f8f1d8e94d0725148cfad79df5dc1b4f
Rio Tinto bidding war: Glencore offers US$100m more for Australian coalmines
Miner initially said it was selling Coal & Allied to Yancoal, which is majority controlled by China’s Yanzhou Coal
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/11/rio-tinto-bidding-war-glencore-offers-us100m-more-for-australian-coalmines
The truth behind Finkel’s power play and your bills
Jessica Irvine
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/get-used-to-power-bill-shocks-unless-finkelstyle-change-is-adopted-20170610-gwolya.html
Finkel didn’t ask about weather
William Kininmonth
Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s energy plans assume a lot about our climate that remains contested.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/blueprints-author-didnt-ask-about-the-weather/news-story/516144b6640714f7141798d1ee230f8a
Victoria
Energy users could be paid to shut down in heatwaves amid power blackout fears
Australia’s electricity grid operator has moved to head off the risk of power blackouts in Victoria next summer by offering to pay big industrial energy users to shut down during heatwaves.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/energy-users-could-be-paid-to-shut-down-in-heatwaves-amid-power-blackout-fears-20170610-gwoq7b.html
New South Wales
Gallery accuses Indigenous corporation of silencing artists in mine dispute
A Sydney art gallery is accusing Borroloola’s Mabunji Indigenous corporation of silencing the voices of artists who use painting to voice concerns about environmental impacts of mining.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-11/sydney-gallery-astounded-over-nt-mine-protest-dispute/8605926
NSW govt spends $200m on transport access
The NSW government will spend a further $200 million to improve public transport access for customers across the state
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-govt-spends-200m-on-transport-access/news-story/0ff227f30927567f2a3560f83b41f6f3
Queensland
Flow-on effect from $45m river plan
A $45 million plan to get people using the Brisbane River will open up some other underappreciated gems on Brisbane’s doorstep.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/cbd-to-moreton-bay-islands-service-part-of-45m-brisbane-river-plan/news-story/df89c806aa0736142e33b2d851827c28
Dredging Trinity Inlet dredging plan looks to be on the home stretch for a start date
WHILE Cairns community leaders are lauding the $120 million promise made by state government towards the Cairns Port upgrade and expansion, others have labelled it pre-emptive and a political move.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/dredging-trinity-inlet-dredging-plan-looks-to-be-on-the-home-stretch-for-a-start-date/news-story/2f9f9e8db9b8b5930fc442dada6dbfcd
Energy market changes creating growing divide for renters
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/qcoss-report-says-renters-are-at-a-disadvantage-when-it-comes-to-energy-20170611-gwox8h.html
Tasmania
Wind farm is significant
Matthew Groom
The announcement last week of a new $300 million wind farm development at Wild Cattle Hill in the Central Highlands was significant for Tasmania.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/wind-farm-development-in-wild-cattle-significant-for-renewable-energy-use/news-story/32a25d24ad00a27323dfe0dda03506cb
Northern Territory
Dying desert animals take refuge in man-made homes
As Central Australia’s deserts increasingly resemble graveyards for small animals, scientists are giving them a helping hand by building them predator-proof homes.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-11/endangered-desert-animals-take-refuge-in-manmade-homes/8605320
Sustainability
The eco guide to prison labour
The world’s biggest companies, from Starbucks to Victoria’s Secret, use prisoners to work on their products. Is it helpful work experience or sheer exploitation?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/11/the-eco-guide-to-prison-labour
Nature Conservation
Conservation groups girding for battle over National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Oil industry boosters and Alaska politicians are joining President Donald Trump’s administration to push for more development in an area of the North Slope that could hold huge oil reserves — over the objections of environmental groups that want existing protections upheld
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838854374
Now for something completely different …
Congratulations to the following who received Queen’s Birthday awards for work on the environment:
Ms Catherine Elise BLANCHETT (NSW)
Professor Ross Gregory GARNAUT AO (VIC)
Professor Lynette SELWOOD (VIC)
Professor Philip Noel PETTIT (ACT)
Ms Helen GIBSON (VIC)
Mr David John THOMAS OAM (QLD)
Mr Reece Samuel FLAHERTY (NSW)
Mr Maurice Francis HAGARTY (NSW)
Mrs Kathleen Margaret HASSELL (VIC)
Dr Gregory Murray MOORE (VIC)
Mr Frank RIGBY (VIC)
Mr Donald Kimberley SARTI (WA)
Mrs Margaret Ann WILKSCH (SA)
Mr Leslie Walter SMITH (VIC)
Mr Stephen John BEAMAN (NSW)
Mr Robert Anthony LAWRENCE (QLD)
Mr Ian Clifton CARROLL OAM (NSW)
Ms Bridgit (Penny) Mary HUSSEY (WA)
Ms Rosemary Margaret BIRNEY (VIC)
Mr William Andrew HANDKE (ACT)
(Apologies to any I may have missed)
Maelor Himbury