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> The $5.68 million research program is supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and is part of a broader collaboration with Abengoa Solar, the large

by quink 12y ago

> The $5.68 million research program is supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and is part of a broader collaboration with Abengoa Solar, the largest supplier of solar thermal electricity in the world. Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Let's see what the first Abbott budget had to offer up on this matter: > Finance Minister Mathias Cormann confirmed yesterday that the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will be discontinued in the 2014-15 Budget. Fun times, Australia. What fun!

NamTaf 12y ago
The CSIRO really is a gem in this country's crown. The amount they return on investment given is really quite impressive and their focus is directed towards our partiuclar problems (e.g.: agricultural research, ocean-based research, etc.) which may not necessarily be considered as equally by overseas research centres. To gut their funding is really very depressing.
- Gustomaximus 12y ago
  Not trying to turn this thread into a political discussion but this announcement couldn't come at a better time for the Greens (for non-Aussies they are an environmentally focussed political party with influence via their holding balance of power to the major 2 parties). The Greens are looking to block cuts to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. It's not the CSIRO but this showcases what some scientific investment can achieve and hopefully stops the planned cuts across our research facilities being too deep. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/15/greens-move-block-clean-energy-cuts-sets-double-dissolution-trigger http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/15/greens-move-bl...
  - quink 12y ago
    Ahhh, the CEFC. http://www.afr.com/p/national/clean_energy_profits_up_in_smoke_qQFE6H3pjYYoCcKnOim9cL http://www.afr.com/p/national/clean_energy_profits_up_in_smo... $200 million annually in profit by 2017 for the government through investment in renewables. But making money from renewable energy is, one should remember, 'utterly offensive': http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/joe-hockey-wind-turbines-utterly-offensive/5425804 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/joe-hockey-wind-turbin... The CEFC is a commercial investment in actual rollouts of renewable energy with a 7% return on investment. The Abbott government, however, says 'bugger that, we hate evil renewable-tainted money' (or something like that) and is currently looking forward to passing legislation to abolish the CEFC as one of the first things the new Senate will do once the new Senate meets in about two weeks' time. Note also that, if it weren't for that the $200 million might well grow to $520 million pretty handily - they've got $10 billion in applications: > The Portfolio Budget Statement does not include the significantly higher positive contribution to the Budget the CEFC would make if it was able to continue to carry out its investment function over the forward estimates period. Were it to do so, the CEFC would deliver a net cash surplus (profit) for the Government of more than $520 million, net of operating costs. This government is committed to throwing away $500 million and more for taxpayers in money companies are willing to borrow and pay back - with interest - to roll out renewable energy schemes. It's like "Dear government, if you give us x amount of money, this lender over there will give us 2x of money, and I'll pay you back both, with interest. This is for us to change all the lighting across this huge area to use a third of the energy.", and the government saying, instead of "let's have a look at your business case and assure everyone this is a sound investment for us and your claim actually checks out and we'll all make money" a "lol, no".
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
cashmonkey85 12y ago
Watch "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO): Tony Ab…" on YouTube - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO): Tony Ab…: http://youtu.be/c3IaKVmkXuk http://youtu.be/c3IaKVmkXuk
bobbles 12y ago
Ugh... its so depressing. Sooooo many developments have come out of CSIRO... It's a real shame to see funding cuts like this.
grecy 12y ago
I'm an Aussie that has not been in the country for 8 years. My friends and family are telling me more and more every day about the horrible things Abbott is doing. I'm genuinely scared for the future of Australia, and I honestly don't know if I'll go back to raise a family (as I always thought I would) Please, please, don't let him screw it up as badly has he's trying.
mercurial 12y ago
As a non-Australian whose only recent echoes of Australian news come with "Tony Abbott" generally followed by an exemple of rabid anti-ecological policy, I'd be interested to understand why he is so vehemently opposed to anything green. Is this just the effect of lobbying?
- illumen 12y ago
  Australia is selling 35% of the worlds coal. He is in the mining corporations pocket. This is why they are shutting down much of the funding into alternatives. Even parts which are already making money, or saving money. Not including research like this which could be world changing. It's not even bucket loads of money in many cases. Note that it is winter in Australia at the moment. There is a lot more heat and sun in the summer. There is a small window of 10-20 years left to sell the shit out of coal before it becomes redundant. Germany already had a day in May producing 75% of its electricity needs from renewable resource power generation. So much that producers of electricity had to pay money to put electricity into the grid. The record the year before was about 60%.
  - mercurial 12y ago
    I see. Well, I am sure there is a nice cushy job with a six-figure salary waiting for him when he is done.
    - tankenmate 12y ago
      He's already one of the most highly paid heads of government in the world; he earns about 25% more a year than the US president.
  - threeseed 12y ago
    >He is in the mining corporations pocket. He is also in the pocket of Rupert Murdoch who he met (along with many mining executives) whilst in the US. It is a real tragedy to see such worldwide talents like the CSIRO go unappreciated.

by quink 12y ago

NamTaf 12y ago

The CSIRO really is a gem in this country's crown. The amount they return on investment given is really quite impressive and their focus is directed towards our partiuclar problems (e.g.: agricultural research, ocean-based research, etc.) which may not necessarily be considered as equally by overseas research centres. To gut their funding is really very depressing.

Gustomaximus 12y ago
Not trying to turn this thread into a political discussion but this announcement couldn't come at a better time for the Greens (for non-Aussies they are an environmentally focussed political party with influence via their holding balance of power to the major 2 parties). The Greens are looking to block cuts to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. It's not the CSIRO but this showcases what some scientific investment can achieve and hopefully stops the planned cuts across our research facilities being too deep. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/15/greens-move-block-clean-energy-cuts-sets-double-dissolution-trigger http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/15/greens-move-bl...
- quink 12y ago
  Ahhh, the CEFC. http://www.afr.com/p/national/clean_energy_profits_up_in_smoke_qQFE6H3pjYYoCcKnOim9cL http://www.afr.com/p/national/clean_energy_profits_up_in_smo... $200 million annually in profit by 2017 for the government through investment in renewables. But making money from renewable energy is, one should remember, 'utterly offensive': http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/joe-hockey-wind-turbines-utterly-offensive/5425804 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/joe-hockey-wind-turbin... The CEFC is a commercial investment in actual rollouts of renewable energy with a 7% return on investment. The Abbott government, however, says 'bugger that, we hate evil renewable-tainted money' (or something like that) and is currently looking forward to passing legislation to abolish the CEFC as one of the first things the new Senate will do once the new Senate meets in about two weeks' time. Note also that, if it weren't for that the $200 million might well grow to $520 million pretty handily - they've got $10 billion in applications: > The Portfolio Budget Statement does not include the significantly higher positive contribution to the Budget the CEFC would make if it was able to continue to carry out its investment function over the forward estimates period. Were it to do so, the CEFC would deliver a net cash surplus (profit) for the Government of more than $520 million, net of operating costs. This government is committed to throwing away $500 million and more for taxpayers in money companies are willing to borrow and pay back - with interest - to roll out renewable energy schemes. It's like "Dear government, if you give us x amount of money, this lender over there will give us 2x of money, and I'll pay you back both, with interest. This is for us to change all the lighting across this huge area to use a third of the energy.", and the government saying, instead of "let's have a look at your business case and assure everyone this is a sound investment for us and your claim actually checks out and we'll all make money" a "lol, no".
deleted 12y ago
[deleted]

cashmonkey85 12y ago

Watch "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO): Tony Ab…" on YouTube - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO): Tony Ab…: http://youtu.be/c3IaKVmkXuk http://youtu.be/c3IaKVmkXuk

bobbles 12y ago

Ugh... its so depressing. Sooooo many developments have come out of CSIRO... It's a real shame to see funding cuts like this.

grecy 12y ago

I'm an Aussie that has not been in the country for 8 years. My friends and family are telling me more and more every day about the horrible things Abbott is doing. I'm genuinely scared for the future of Australia, and I honestly don't know if I'll go back to raise a family (as I always thought I would) Please, please, don't let him screw it up as badly has he's trying.

mercurial 12y ago

As a non-Australian whose only recent echoes of Australian news come with "Tony Abbott" generally followed by an exemple of rabid anti-ecological policy, I'd be interested to understand why he is so vehemently opposed to anything green. Is this just the effect of lobbying?

illumen 12y ago
Australia is selling 35% of the worlds coal. He is in the mining corporations pocket. This is why they are shutting down much of the funding into alternatives. Even parts which are already making money, or saving money. Not including research like this which could be world changing. It's not even bucket loads of money in many cases. Note that it is winter in Australia at the moment. There is a lot more heat and sun in the summer. There is a small window of 10-20 years left to sell the shit out of coal before it becomes redundant. Germany already had a day in May producing 75% of its electricity needs from renewable resource power generation. So much that producers of electricity had to pay money to put electricity into the grid. The record the year before was about 60%.
- mercurial 12y ago
  I see. Well, I am sure there is a nice cushy job with a six-figure salary waiting for him when he is done.
  - tankenmate 12y ago
    He's already one of the most highly paid heads of government in the world; he earns about 25% more a year than the US president.
- threeseed 12y ago
  >He is in the mining corporations pocket. He is also in the pocket of Rupert Murdoch who he met (along with many mining executives) whilst in the US. It is a real tragedy to see such worldwide talents like the CSIRO go unappreciated.