Climate change is a
significant and lasting
change in the statistical
distribution
of weather patterns over
periods ranging from
decades to millions of years.
It may be a change in
average weather conditions,
or in the distribution of
weather around the average
conditions.
Political Discourse
Climate change is a long-term, global
problem. Long-term problems
generally require stable but flexible
policy implementation over time.
However, Australia’s commitment to
climate action over the past three
decades could be seen as inconsistent
and lacking in direction. At times
Australia has been an early adopter,
establishing the world’s first
government agency dedicated to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
signing on to global climate treaties
the same day they are created;
establishing the world’s first
emissions trading scheme (ETS)
(albeit at a state level); and
pioneering an innovative land-based
carbon offset scheme.
Disbanding the climate change
government agency; Creating a new one
then disbanding that; Refusing to ratify
global treaties until the dying minute and
introducing legislation to repeal the
national Emissions Trading Scheme.
The inconsistent nature of
Australian climate policy cannot
be fully explained by looking at
which political party was in
government at the time. Both
Labor and Liberal Governments
have advanced (and sometimes
regressed) on climate change.
For example, in 1990 Labor was in
government. It resisted adopting
an emissions reduction target
canvassed by its own Minister for
Environment, only doing so with a
‘no regrets’ proviso, which
rendered the target ineffectual. Yet
a Labor Government is also
responsible for Australia’s current
2020 emissions reduction targets.
A Labor Government represented
Australia at the Rio ‘Earth Summit’
in 1992, brokering and
immediately signing Australia onto
the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). A Liberal Government
then continued the momentum,
negotiating on Australia’s behalf,
in deliberations over the Kyoto
Protocol to the UNFCCC and
signing the treaty shortly after.
However, the same Liberal
Government later refused to ratify
the Protocol, claiming that doing
so was counter to the nation’s
interest.
The newly installed Labor
Government ratified the Protocol.
Nevertheless, the succeeding
Labor Government, which helped
negotiate in 2011 an agreement to
continue the Kyoto Protocol
beyond 2012, would not initially
join a second deal. It was not until
a year later it did so, and Australia
agreed to join a second
commitment period of the Kyoto
Protocol.
A current issue of political
contention (as of November 2013)
is Australia’s ETS, which the
Coalition Government has
pledged to repeal.
Putting it simply it is the
way Australians and
Australian Government
decide to manage our
water supply
Much government action
during drought
Conflict in public and
industry opinion
Biosecurity is a set of
preventative measures
designed to reduce the
risk of transmission
of infectious diseases,
quarantined pests, invasive
alien species and living
modified organisms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20WAT1vt6gE&list=PL
W8BDgtH4tUEpj0OBdpO2eNFCI8hMip2E&index=2
Their core priorities in managing biosecurity
are to:
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Manage Australia's biosecurity by
effectively identifying and targeting our
management of risks to focus on the
things that matter most
Partner with other governments, industry,
clients and stakeholders
Deliver biosecurity services to support
access to overseas markets and protect
the economy and the environment from
the impacts of unwanted pests and
diseases
Support Australia's reputation as a
competitive exporter of agricultural goods
and products.
To better address future biosecurity
demands, the department has brought
together its biosecurity research, policy and
program areas for animal, plant, food and
quarantine operations. At the border
Department of Agriculture staff deliver
inspection and certifications services, and
facilitate the movement of people and goods.
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Beef imports
Californian table grapes
Importation of dogs and cats and their
semen from approved countries
Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing
drosophila)
Fresh island cabbage from Cook Islands,
Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu
Risk analysis for the release of
Eueupithecia Cisplatensis for the
biological control of Parkinsonia
(Parkinsonia aculeata)
Ginger from Fiji
Grapevine (Vitis species) propagative
material into Australia
Horses from approved countries
Hatching eggs of domestic hens and
turkeys – avian paramyxovirus 2 and 3
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Laboratory mouse embryos from approved
countries - hantavirus
Lychees from Taiwan and Vietnam
Risk analysis for the release of the parasitoid
wasp Mastrus ridens for the biological
control of codling moth (Cydia pomonella)
Risk analysis report to consider a proposal for
the release of the tortricid moth Cydia
succedana for the biological control of gorse
(Ulex europaeus)
Potato propagative material into Australa
Commercial rabbits from certain Member
States of the European Union
Review of gamma irradiation as a treatment to
address pathogens of animal biosecurity
concern
Review of published tests to detect pathogens
in veterinary vaccines intended for
importation into Australia - Second Edition
Salacca (snakefruit) from Indonesia
Table grapes from Japan
Within Australia
a
Biosecurity flying squad swoops
DANNIKA BONSER
15 May, 2014
AUSTRALIA is set to get a 'biosecurity flying squad' as
part of the Coalition's $20 million Federal Budget
allocation toward improving the country's
preparedness for an outbreak like Foot and Mouth
Disease (FMD).
"The flying squadron will include biosecurity experts
who will react quickly to respond to major incidents
such as FMD, which could decimate Australia's
agriculture industry overnight," the spokesman said.
"The other details [the policy includes] is developing
and expanding vaccine stores, the introduction of
rapid response teams and furthermost it's bringing
together national and international experts to
respond to incursions."
According to the policy document, the squad would
predominantly deal with domestic matters, but could
be deployed offshore in the event of a biosecurity
problem in the live export supply chain.
"Any initiative by the government to allocate extra
financial resources to biosecurity is a good initiative,"
VFF livestock spokesman Ian Feldtmann said.
"What it indicates is the government recognises that
biosecurity is important for the agriculture industry
but it's important that government and industry work
together."
Steve Irwin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z
aC1kcZZlE
Bordersecurity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C
5upJhSp2z8
Select one of the issues:
- Climate change
- Water management
- Biosecurity
And complete the
following…
Create a Presentation and
Report detailing:
-
Australian political opinions,
standpoints and action on the
issue (including the supporting
arguments for both sides)
Public’s opinions, standpoints
and action
The effect all of this is having on
our relationships with outdoor
environments in Australia
This needs to be a comprehensive
presentation and a 300 word
report.
Due to be presented Monday 27th