No-new-mines policy axed Proxy votes deciding factor
ANDREW FRASER
29 Apr, 2007 08:47 AM
OPPOSITION Leader Kevin Rudd narrowly got his way on an expanded uranium-mining policy yesterday, after ALP national conference delegates were pressured not to vote against the new leader.

Expansion opponents had been insisting they had the numbers to retain the "no-new-mines" policy but the ballot went against them 205-190 with proxy votes.

Mr Rudd succeeded while giving his opponents the appearance of a close finish.

Sources said leaders of the Right faction, supportive of Mr Rudd's position, had influenced up to 30 of its members not to follow their consciences and vote against expansion.

A number of Mr Rudd's front-bench colleagues split with their factions' formal positions.

Deputy leader Julia Gillard, Senate leader Chris Evans and Martin Ferguson all of the Left voted for Mr Rudd's change while deputy Senate leader Stephen Conroy of the Right voted for an amendment by left-wing frontbencher Anthony Albanese opposing the expansion plan.

The Albanese amendment was seconded by unaligned shadow environment minister Peter Garrett. Left-wing frontbenchers Kim Carr, Jenny Macklin and party president John Faulkner voted for the Albanese amendment.

Mr Albanese denied the forced use of proxies had made the vote dishonest.

"They're the rules of the Labor Party. People make those decisions. I certainly am not critical of anyone for any part that they played in this vote. People make their own decisions."

Mr Garrett did not dwell on the proxying process, saying he welcomed the positive contributions to the debate.

"It's been an important issue to me for a long time and it will remain an important issue," he said, but submitted to front-bench solidarity post-vote. "I will accept it and I do accept it."

Mr Rudd led the debate, saying Labor's uranium policy had to be modified to recognise the reality that Australia held 40 per cent of the world's uranium and would soon be home to the biggest uranium mine. The nation also had a rich range of energy options.

"That's why we have to continue exporting uranium," he said.

Many pro-Rudd delegates derided the nonsense of the old policy, which has since 1982 sought to say that Labor is limiting mining while exports of uranium have actually trebled.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann, who seconded the Rudd position, said, "We have to go forward rather than back to a policy that was illogical, impractical and out of date."

Senator Evans, who earlier this year announced he had changed his position after 25 years, said he understood the passion around the debate better than most.

"I lost the vote inside the family."

So, here we were trying to preserve our precious uranium, by means of a "No New Mines" policy, then Rudd with Gillards 100% backing and ALP proxies votes creep out of the woodwork and abolish the existing "No new mines policy" veiled with the promise of working towards cleaner renewable energy alternatives, but where are they?

Abbott's not much better, this and is happy to continue burning coal right into the next millennium if we let him to the detriment of our environment, and Greens couldn't give a damn, because they don't want nuclear either, so are happy for Labor and liberal to continue flogging what's left of our uranium to different countries, and burning coal for seats in the senate.

We need an alternative...our 3 leading parties have lost their way.i

The Greens don't want any more mines - coal or otherwise. They don't have much of a voice or choice at present.



Quote:

Senator Brown met with Glenn Beutel, the last resident of the town of Acland (former pop. 250) after the buy up of all other properties by coal mining companies. "The town due to totally disappear into a massive open cut mine for coal exports," said Senator Brown. "The Greens are regional Australians' voice in Parliament for the protection of our farming land, for stopping climate change and for getting a better share for the community from the mining boom," said Senator Brown. "With an Abbott-led Government looking increasingly likely, the need for a strong Greens voice to scrutinise legislation is more important than ever. Greens Queensland Senate candidate Larissa Waters said the Greens would act to place a moratorium on coal seam gas mining and exploration until adequate environmental protections are in place. "Queenslanders in the city and in the country are worried about the threats to farmland and groundwater from coal seam gas mining, underground coal gasification and open cut mines. "They don't want to see our food security sacrificed for short term profits to mining companies, when we have alternatives to coal but no alternatives to food. "As the first Greens Senator for Queensland I will move to add triggers for climate, coal seam gas and underground coal gasification to the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act, so the impacts of these new industries are properly considered and farmland can be protected." http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/brown-visits-last-resident-doomed-farming-town

mellie wrote on Aug 15^th, 2010 at 2:54am:

We need an alternative...our 3 leading parties have lost their way.

The is a new party but they need more memers.
Visit http://www.protectionist.net/ and signup for membership. With a it of luck we might get a real choice by 2013-14.

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Aug 15^th, 2010 at 9:33am:

mellie wrote on Aug 15th, 2010 at 2:54am: We need an alternative...our 3 leading parties have lost their way. The is a new party but they need more memers. Visit http://www.protectionist.net/ and signup for membership. With a it of luck we might get a real choice by 2013-14.

I shall take a look.

:)

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Aug 15^th, 2010 at 9:33am:

mellie wrote on Aug 15th, 2010 at 2:54am: We need an alternative...our 3 leading parties have lost their way. The is a new party but they need more memers. Visit http://www.protectionist.net/ and signup for membership. With a it of luck we might get a real choice by 2013-14.

I actually like the sound of this party, and whilst I have more reading/research to do on it, so far so good.

Thankyou, and I can see this party and others growing rapidly over the next few years.

It's definitely time to discuss alternatives,  I want to show you one example of a country having major success  recently, and like us they are on the cusp of bucking tradition, this and feel their leading traditional partys have failed them.

This cheeky little party have really made an impact, and whilst i'm not normally a fan of celebrity's becoming politicians, (Peter Garrett is absolutely cringe worthy) ...I have to say, I was most impressed with this little party having such an impact on their nations political process.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/cheeky-best-party-wins-iceland-poll-20100531-wofb.html

The names a tad corny, though Icelanders seem to like it.

8-)i