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The Australian Government does not know how to listen. Their "environmental" policy is a clear example of how not to do things.

It started with a glimmer of hope.

Prime Minister John Howard is expected to reveal a $500 million plan to encourage the private sector to develop energy technologies that release low levels of greenhouse gases today. Source ABC News

Then the reality hit.

In summary from most significant to lease significant

• $1.5 billion to reduce the cost of petrol
• $500 million to encourage the private sector to put $1 billion into research
• $100 Million to develop commercial renewable energy
• $75 Million to develop house hold renewable energy.

Govt releases new energy strategy

The centrepiece is a $500 million fund to encourage the private sector to put $1 billion into research for new technology, such as a controversial plan to store gas-emissions underground.

There is a $100 million grants program to commercialize renewable energy projects, and $75 million to help households and businesses install solar energy systems for water and electricity.

The Prime Minister says his new energy strategy will significantly reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions and that the reforms will benefit all Australians.

"Australia can secure its energy needs, extend its economic prosperity, and meet our environmental obligations, as long as we have the right policy framework," he said.

There is also an overhaul of the fuel excise system, to reduce excise costs on business and households by $1.5 billion over the next eight years. Source ABC News

By far most of the money continues to support the old Oil technology. While renewable energy gets the headline. But even the renewable energy money is misdirected.

Canberra's proposed Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Solar Energy has not received any funding as part of the Federal Government's new energy strategy. CRC overlooked in renewable energy funding Source ABC News

Renewable energy company Pacific Hydro says the Federal Government has lost an opportunity to create regional jobs with its energy package.

Pacific Hydro operates wind farms at Challicum Hills and Codrington in western Victoria, and is planning Australia's largest wind farm for Portland. Energy firm casts doubt over federal package Source ABC News

The developer behind a proposal to build a one kilometre high green energy solar tower near Mildura, in north-west Victoria, says he is disappointed in the content of the Federal Government's White Paper on energy. Solar tower developer unhappy with energy White Paper Source ABC News

Wynyard, in Tasmania's north-west, now appears unlikely to get a multi-million dollar wind turbine blade manufacturing plant.

Danish company Vestas says it is reconsidering the plan following the Federal Government's decision not to extend the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) scheme. Vestas reconsiders Wynyard turbine plant Source ABC News

Some commercial plans will go ahead despite the lack of thinking.

ActewAGL will continue to build wind farms and explore renewable energy technologies despite yesterday's white paper failing to enforce higher green energy usage. Wind farms to go ahead despite Govt plan Source ABC News

Hydro Tasmania says it is not deterred by the Federal Government's retreat on mandatory renewable energy targets (MRET) and will continue to develop opportunities in wind farm generation. Hydro not deterred by retreat on energy targets Source ABC News

Now all these organisation have a vested interest, although it is the interest we should follow, renewable energy. On this I am not alone.

Labor, the Democrats and the Greens are all unimpressed with the package.

Progressive Alliance Senator Meg Lees says the changes are a backward step and undermine fledgling industries like solar and wind power. Lees to vote against energy plan Source ABC News

What we'll see is the gap between Australians emissions and the rest of the industrialized world will just increase and that will intensify international pressure on Australia to take some serious action. Think tank criticises energy package Source ABC News

Despite all this the PM still does not get it.

The Federal Government has hit back at criticism of its energy package from environmental groups. PM hits back at energy plan opponents Source ABC News

Furthermore on closer look the Government's White Paper highlights Australia's fragile Great Barrier Reef for oil exploration.

Three sensitive offshore basins on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef have been listed by the Federal Government as a high priority for oil exploration. Barrier Reef basins listed for oil exploration Source ABC News

Even the oil industry agrees oil is not the way of the future.

The new chairman of Shell, Lord Ron Oxburgh, says he sees very little hope for the world unless carbon dioxide emissions are dealt with. Oil chief raises greenhouse fears Source ABC News

June was a busy month for the Environment in Australia.

logged by Anthony at 6:58:37 PM Link