The International Energy Agency has just released its 'Global Energy & CO2 Status Report 2017': 'Global Energy-related CO2 emissions grew by 1.4% in 2017, reaching an historic high of 32.5 gigatonnes (Gt)'. 'Global coal demand rose about 1%, … almost entirely driven by an increase in coal fired electricity generation'.
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I'd say that a 2 degree C temperature rise, which will make life very uncomfortable for all of us, is now locked in.
Leigh Callinan, Bendigo
Contrasting actions
The Premier's actions with regards to the “rorts for votes” scandal contrasts sharply with the hasty pre-emptive decision to sack the Central Goldfields Shire Council in 2017 denying Council the right of reply which is the core element of procedural fairness.
Following the tabling of the report, the Premier took full advantage of his right of reply to justify the Government’s response.
When the Minister for Local Government released the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate (LGICI) report on Central Goldfields Shire Council she gave Council 28 days to respond but within three working days she moved to sack the Council stating that in her opinion that Council was not taking the report seriously.
This ignored the fact that on the very day the LGICI report was released, a comprehensive draft Reform program addressing all the LGICI concerns developed under Council leadership had been presented and favourably received by Local Government Victoria and later fully adopted and implemented. The prompt and timely response and its unconditional acceptance of the LGICI report by the Council sharply contrasts with the $1 million spent by the Government in trying to obstruct the Ombudsman’s investigation.
The Premier has stated that no one will lose their job as a result of the Ombudsman’s findings as there are no recommendations for action against any individual within the report. The focus of the LGICI report was on the staffing, administration and compliance advice which under the Local Government Act are the responsibility of the CEO and which is forbidden territory for elected councillors. There was no recommendation for action against the elected council or any elected councillors within the report and yet the entire Council was sacked without the right of reply and due reference to procedural fairness.
In denying a small rural council fundamental and longstanding procedural fairness rights which have been upheld by the High Court and availing himself so readily of them following the Ombudsman’s investigation into the “rorts for votes”, the Premier has shown disturbing inconsistency and double standards which are of deep concern.
Helen Broad, Bob Henderson, Geoff Lovett, Chris Meddows-Taylor, Gerard Murphy and Paula Nixon, former Central Goldfields Shire councillors
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