Date: 28 June 2021 at 8:46:37 am AEST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Daily Links Jun 28
Post of the Day
Chemicals in plastic wastes contaminate food chain – study
Burning and improper disposal of plastic waste leads to contamination of the food chain, especially in developing countries like the Philippines, a global study showed.
On This Day
Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day) – Serbia
Climate Change
The Senate infrastructure deal leaves much of Biden’s climate plan for reconciliation later
The bipartisan deal is a disappointment on climate change, but it’s only part one. Here’s what could come next.
National
‘It’s ridiculous’ – Federal opposition takes aim at Water Minister being demoted from Cabinet
Labor is accusing the Prime Minister of failing to stand up to the Nationals, in allowing Water Minister Keith Pitt to be demoted to the outer ministry
No Barnaby, 2050 isn’t far away. Australia’s intergenerational report deals with 2061
Australia’s fifth intergenerational report will outline the federal government’s policy priorities over the next 40 years, including on issues like climate change.
‘Delay is the new denial’: Why the 2050 net-zero fight is missing the real danger
The ‘net-zero emissions by 2050’ debate has torn down a Deputy Prime Minister and cleaved a deep split inside the government – but climate experts say the target is almost irrelevant and badly outdated.
Coalition accused of using charity crackdown to silence dissent
New rules on offences that can cause charities to be deregistered are ‘unprecedented’ and could stop them speaking out, critics say
‘It’s really hard to wait’: Young, rich, and spending heavily to fight climate change
Scions of Australia’s wealthiest families are increasingly ploughing their money into climate change prevention as they gain control of, and influence over, family trusts.
After a bruising year, Ampol revs up rebrand and green fuel ambitions
On the side of the Sturt Highway in Wagga Wagga this month, a milestone was reached. The old Caltex sign was taken down and replaced with a new one: “Ampol,” it said. Red letters on a white background. It was the 300th petrol station the company has rebadged since January.
Australia’s mining and energy exports hit a record $310 billion
The outlook for Australia’s energy and resource commodity exports continues to improve, boosted by infrastructure spending globally.
ALP-Greens alliance would be a gift to Scott Morrison
Australian editorial
Anthony Albanese has made the right call ruling out Labor forming a power-sharing arrangement with the Greens to “kick the Liberals out’’ at the next election.
Farmers ready to lead the charge on climate action
Joe Boyle
I have had it with politicians point-scoring and squabbling over climate change, when we could be benefiting from a shift to a low-carbon economy.
Whether we like it or not, green trade is here to stay [$]
Cristina Talacko
What do China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom all have in common? They are Australia’s top four export markets. And they all have net-zero climate targets.
Daniel Tan
On July 1, the New South Wales government will lift a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops after an 18-year moratorium. It will mean GM crops can now be grown in every Australian state except Tasmania.
Intergenerational report to show Australia older, smaller and more in debt
Peter Martin
Australia will be smaller and older than previously expected in 40 years time after the first downward revision of official projections in an intergenerational report in 20 years.
Victoria
State’s favoured bidder proposes longer North East Link tunnel
Spark consortium, led by Milan-based WeBuild, will negotiate the $7-$9 billion contract to build a tunnel beneath the Yarra River and Banyule Flats, and interchanges in Melbourne’s north-east.
Wheelchair users take legal action over ‘frustrating’ pace of tram upgrades
Commuters who use wheelchairs are taking legal action against the Victorian government and Melbourne’s tram operator over their failure to keep pace with federal standards for accessible public transport.
‘I didn’t expect it to be possible’: The Melbourne apartments using solar
Living in a low-rise block of flats on busy Lygon Street, Brunswick East resident Sam Danby did not expect to be able to power his unit with solar. But he is one of few Melbourne apartment-dwellers who now does so.
Queensland
NIMBY name-calling by media poor form
Ted Christie
Courier Mail criticism of public protests over development needs in Queensland is counterproductive.
South Australia
Joyce snubs Murray in reshuffle as farmers warn river is hurting
The Murray was already displaying symptoms of low flows and developing navigation threats, say SA irrigators, after another shock from Canberra.
Tasmania
‘We just want it regulated’: Over 400 flock to salmon farm protests
Several protests around Tasmania over the weekend were held to force the salmon industry to be more transparent and the state government to take a lead, an organiser says.
Small scale farmer tackles ‘Toxic’ backwash
Tassie salmon farmer Ben Pyka is not losing any sleep over the increased scrutiny on offshore fish farming in the wake of Richard Flanagan’s book Toxic, as he takes us inside his operation
Meat lures a normal method of surveying wlidlife
Letters
Ray Mostogl, CEO of the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council is reported as being shocked because the Bob Brown Foundation has used camera traps, with a nearby meat lure, in the Tarkine.
Northern Territory
Glencore accused of ripping off Indigenous community fund
The Northern Territory government and a massive lead and zinc mine have been accused of misusing millions of dollars set aside for the benefit of traditional owners.
New Kakadu board grows traditional owner’s voice [$]
Aboriginal traditional owners will have their voice in the running of Kakadu National Park further strengthened with six new position on an expanded board.
Western Australia
Archaeologist Peter Veth says ‘traumatic’ mistake at Marandoo iron ore mine cannot be allowed to happen again
Sustainability
Sudan rejects Ethiopian plan to fill giant dam a second time – senior official
Sudan has rejected an Ethiopian proposal to manage the filling for a second time of a giant dam that it is building on the Blue Nile, a senior official said on Sunday, deepening a regional dispute over the project.
Green groups’ fury at loophole in new North Sea oil test
Prospective oil projects in the North Sea with the capacity to produce more than a billion barrels will avoid a new test designed to assess their impact on the climate crisis.
Chemicals in plastic wastes contaminate food chain – study
Burning and improper disposal of plastic waste leads to contamination of the food chain, especially in developing countries like the Philippines, a global study showed.
Phil Harrison walks the Lukachukai mountain range that towers over the Cove Chapter of the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona. The mountains rise against a clear blue sky, and the red sand is dotted with sagebrush and flowers.
Is chemical recycling the answer to our plastic problem?
Recycling plastic has been an uphill challenge. Could chemical recycling change that?
In Congressional Review Act vote, the House restores Obama-era methane rule
The House voted last week to restore a rule targeting leaks of methane from oil and gas operations, reinstating Obama-era standards for limiting the potent greenhouse gas that had been dismantled under President Donald Trump.
How rain in Africa drives a butterfly mass migration to Europe
In a study published this week, scientists suggest that rainfall in sub-Saharan Africa, which controls the growth of vegetation, has a dramatic impact on the number of painted lady butterflies that summer in Europe — more than 4,000 miles away.
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