Australia, NZ delay decision on signing Kyoto 2
Australia and New Zealand have missed a deadline to set post-2012 emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, with both governments saying they will decide whether to continue to be legally bound to cut emissions of seven greenhouse gases later this year.
Countries intending to sign up to a second round of targets under the 1997 treaty were scheduled to notify the U.N. by Tuesday.
But Australia and New Zealand, both of which plan to launch emissions trading schemes and have been tipped to take on fresh legal targets from 2013, failed to meet that deadline.
The EU and several other nations have already indicated they will set a post-2012 legally-binding target, but Canada, Russia and Japan, three big emitters with current Kyoto goals, have said they will not.
Australia said it will make a decision only after U.N. parties agree on how long the second Kyoto period would last and how many surplus Kyoto permits can be transferred from the first phase.
"In considering whether to join a second commitment period and submit a (target), Australia is carefully examining the interaction between Australia's legislated policy settings and new international rules," its submission to the U.N. said.
"We look forward to a clearer picture emerging from the outcomes of (U.N. climate talks) leading up to Doha," New Zealand said in a document published on the U.N. website, referring to the next high-level climate summit to start in November.
New Zealand said it needs "full clarity" on the rules and how these relate to the emission reduction measures it is ready to do domestically.
Read more: Reuters.com
Australia and New Zealand have missed a deadline to set post-2012 emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, with both governments saying they will decide whether to continue to be legally bound to cut emissions of seven greenhouse gases later this year.
Countries intending to sign up to a second round of targets under the 1997 treaty were scheduled to notify the U.N. by Tuesday.
But Australia and New Zealand, both of which plan to launch emissions trading schemes and have been tipped to take on fresh legal targets from 2013, failed to meet that deadline.
The EU and several other nations have already indicated they will set a post-2012 legally-binding target, but Canada, Russia and Japan, three big emitters with current Kyoto goals, have said they will not.
Australia said it will make a decision only after U.N. parties agree on how long the second Kyoto period would last and how many surplus Kyoto permits can be transferred from the first phase.
"In considering whether to join a second commitment period and submit a (target), Australia is carefully examining the interaction between Australia's legislated policy settings and new international rules," its submission to the U.N. said.
"We look forward to a clearer picture emerging from the outcomes of (U.N. climate talks) leading up to Doha," New Zealand said in a document published on the U.N. website, referring to the next high-level climate summit to start in November.
New Zealand said it needs "full clarity" on the rules and how these relate to the emission reduction measures it is ready to do domestically.
Read more: Reuters.com
Other links:Katter's Australian Party , Bob Katter , Jim McGinty , Campbell Newman , Pauline Hanson , Paul Henderson , Jon Stanhope , David Bartlett , Colin Barnett , Mike Rann , Anna Bligh , John Brumby , Kristina Keneally , Colin Holt , Brendon Grylls , National Party of Western Australia , Country Liberal Party , Terry Mills , Nigel Scullion , Lawrence Springborg , John-Paul Langbroek , Liberal National Party of Queensland , Wayne Swan
NZ's economy accelerates in first quarter despite quake
New Zealand's economic growth has accelerated in the first three months of the year despite a devastating earthquake.
Official figures showed gross domestic product rose 0.8%, the fastest pace for more than a year.
The New Zealand dollar hit a 30-year high against the US dollar on the news.
The pick up in growth comes despite the fact that Christchurch, the country's second biggest city, was hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in February.
Analysts said the strong figure brought forward the prospect of an interest rate rise.
The statistical office also revised up its 2010 fourth quarter gross domestic product figure to 0.5% from 0.2%, underlining the the view that the economy was proving robust.
"It's a pretty remarkable result given the circumstances," said Philip Borkin, an economist at Goldman Sachs.
More information on BBC
Other links:
Simon Power , Bill English , Lockwood Smith , Metiria Turei , Gerry Brownlee , Kennedy Graham , John Boscawen , Murray McCully , Wayne Mapp , Gareth Hughes , Anand Satyanand , Annette King
More information on BBC
Other links:
Simon Power , Bill English , Lockwood Smith , Metiria Turei , Gerry Brownlee , Kennedy Graham , John Boscawen , Murray McCully , Wayne Mapp , Gareth Hughes , Anand Satyanand , Annette King
Independent lawmakers hand Australia's Labor Party enough support to form governmentIndependent lawmakers hand Australia's Labor Party enough support to form governmentTitle Text.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard barely retained power when the last two independent legislators made kingmakers by deadlocked elections ended a tense 17-day standoff and agreed to join her government. Her next challenge? Keeping the unlikely bedfellows of her coalition together.
Gillard managed Tuesday to persuade sufficient independent lawmakers to support her center-left Labor Party to form the first minority government in the House of Representatives in 67 years.
Australia's first female prime minister promised the government will be stable over the next three years, although the defection of a single lawmaker would bring down her administration. While Labor expels lawmakers for failing to vote along party lines, Gillard must get three disparate independent lawmakers plus one from the Greens party to support her legislative agenda.
More information on foxnews
Other links:
Australian Labor Party , Family First Party , Liberal National Party of Queensland , Country Liberal Party , National Party of Western Australia , Australian Greens , National Party of Australia , Liberal Party of Australia
Other links:
Australian Labor Party , Family First Party , Liberal National Party of Queensland , Country Liberal Party , National Party of Western Australia , Australian Greens , National Party of Australia , Liberal Party of Australia
Australia opposition steps right, lays election ground
CANBERRA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Australia's conservative opposition moved further to the right on Tuesday, paving the way for a bruising 2010 election fought over climate change and tougher immigration and government spending.
New conservative leader Tony Abbott, who last week wrestled the leadership from moderates, announced an opposition frontbench of climate change sceptics and backers of tougher immigration and labour laws.
"I think the government is vulnerable," Abbott said, pointing to weekend by-elections in two conservative heartland seats that showed voters backing the opposition defeat of key emissions trade laws promised by centre-left Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
More information on reuters.com
Next link:
Israel/US Iran conflict
Popularity US
Political situation in the US
Capitalism versus Socialism
Global climate change (warming)
World in conflict
Euthanasia
Georgia conflict
US missile defence shield in EU
Global financial crisis
Popularity China
Afghanistan war
Homosexual marriage
Popularity European Union
Globalization
Peak oil (Energy Crisis)
Stop terrorism
Iraq war
Political situation in China
Legalize Cannabis
Political situation in the EU
Internet Censorship Controversy
Stop racism
World in change
Health care system
Creationism versus Evolution
More information on reuters.com
Next link:
Israel/US Iran conflict
Popularity US
Political situation in the US
Capitalism versus Socialism
Global climate change (warming)
World in conflict
Euthanasia
Georgia conflict
US missile defence shield in EU
Global financial crisis
Popularity China
Afghanistan war
Homosexual marriage
Popularity European Union
Globalization
Peak oil (Energy Crisis)
Stop terrorism
Iraq war
Political situation in China
Legalize Cannabis
Political situation in the EU
Internet Censorship Controversy
Stop racism
World in change
Health care system
Creationism versus Evolution
Politics
Australia
The Politics of Australia take place within the framework of parliamentary democracy. Australia is a federation and a constitutional monarchy, and Australians elect state and territory legislatures based on the Westminster tradition, as well as a bicameral Parliament of Australia, which is a hybrid of Westminster practices with the uniquely federalist element of the Australian Senate.Bob Brown Australian Senator, the inaugural Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Greens and the first openly gay member of the Parliament of Australia. Bob Brown is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
John Howard The Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. John Howard is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Julia Gillard The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and deputy leader of the federal Australian Labor Party (ALP). Julia Gillard is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Kevin Rudd The current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the centre-left Australian Labor Party (ALP). Kevin Rudd is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Malcolm Turnbull Australian politician, the current Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament, and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party. Malcolm Turnbull is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mark Vaile Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and former leader of the National Party of Australia. Mark Vaile is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Steve Fielding The Victorian Senator and the Federal parliamentary leader of the Family First Party in Australia. Steve Fielding is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Warren Truss Australian politician, and leader of the National Party. Warren Truss is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Information on Politics of Australia.
New Zealand
The politics of New Zealand takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. The basic system is closely patterned on that of the Westminster System, although a number of significant modifications have been made. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, but actual government is conducted by a Prime Minister and Cabinet drawn from an elected Parliament.Helen Clark Clark is the 37th and current Prime Minister of New Zealand. Helen Clark is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Jeanette Fitzsimons The current co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Jeanette Fitzsimons is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Jim Anderton The current leader of the Progressive Party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. Jim Anderton is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
John Key New Zealand politician - the 38th and current Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of the National Party, New Zealand. John Key is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Peter Dunne A New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament, leads the United Future political party. Peter Dunne is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Phil Goff The current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. Phil Goff is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Pita Sharples Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. Pita Sharples is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Rodney Hide The current leader of the political party ACT New Zealand. Minister of Local Government and Minister of Regulatory Reform. Rodney Hide is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Russel Norman A Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Russel Norman is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Tariana Turia A New Zealand politician and a candidate of the newly-formed Māori Party. Tariana Turia is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Information on Politics of New Zealand.
Political parties
Australia
Two political groups dominate the Australian political spectrum, forming a de facto two party system. One is the Australian Labor Party (ALP), a centre-left party which is formally linked to the Australian labour movement. Formed in 1893, it has been a major party federally since 1901, and has been one of the two major parties since the 1910 Federal election. Currently, the ALP is in government federally, and in every state and territory except Western Australia. The other group is a conservative grouping of parties that are in coalition at the Federal level and in New South Wales, but compete in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. The main party in this group is the centre-right Liberal Party. The Liberal Party is the modern form of a conservative grouping that has existed since the fusion of the Protectionist Party and Free Trade Party into the Commonwealth Liberal Party in 1909. Although this group has changed its nomenclature, there has been a general continuity of MPs and structure between different forms of the party. In its modern form, it was founded by Robert Menzies in 1944. The party's philosophy is generally liberal conservatism, although it has moved rightwards since the 1980s.Australian Greens in Poll - public opinion online Australian Greens
Australian Labor Party in Poll - public opinion online Australian Labor Party
Family First Party in Poll - public opinion online Family First Party (Australia)
Liberal Party of Australia in Poll - public opinion online Liberal Party of Australia
National Party of Australia in Poll - public opinion online National Party of Australia
Information on Political parties in Australia.
New Zealand
New Zealand national politics feature a pervasive party system. Usually, all members of Parliament's unicameral House of Representatives belong to a political party. Independent MPs occur relatively rarely. While two primary parties do indeed dominate the political landscape, the country now more closely resembles a multi-party state, where smaller groups can reasonably expect to play a role in government. As of 2008, seven parties have representatives in Parliament.ACT New Zealand in Poll - public opinion online ACT New Zealand - New Zealand centre-right political party
Green Party of Aotearoa NZ in Poll - public opinion online Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
Māori Party in Poll - public opinion online Te Tōrangapū Māori The Māori Party
New Zealand Labour Party in Poll - public opinion online Rōpū Reipa o Aotearoa New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand National Party in Poll - public opinion online New Zealand National Party "National" or "the Nats"
New Zealand Progressive Party in Poll - public opinion online New Zealand Progressive Party
United Future New Zealand in Poll - public opinion online United Future New Zealand
Information on Political parties in New Zealand.
political events
Australia
Click, if you are satisfied with the political situation in Australia. Say, why?I like Australia.
New Zealand
Pol. situation in New Zealand Click, if you are satisfied with the political situation in New Zealand. Say why!Popularity New Zealand I like New Zealand