Melbourne

Australia’s political Dark Age: the spark for action by Tom Oliver Payne

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The outcome of Australia’s recent federal election isn’t just disappointing. As an Australian, I think it’s shameful. Newly elected Prime Minister Tony Abbott is a well-known climate change sceptic with seemingly no regard for science. Under his guidance, it seems that Australia is headed straight back to the Dark Ages.

As Jonathon Porritt explained in his recent piece for the Guardian, the election will have dire environmental consequences – undoing years of hard work on environmental and climate change policy. But Tony Abbott’s plans to abolish the carbon tax and dismantle crucial bodies like the Climate Commission are just the beginning.

Important environmental policies are at risk of being undone in all areas of governance. In particular, the election of the man who has an absolute disregard for science and research will have a direct and significant impact on Australia’s cities.

Australia’s urban areas have some of the largest per capita ecological footprints in the world. Over the past few years, however, progressive transit, water and energy policies have been recognising that cities must harness renewable energy sources, more effectively manage water supplies and reduce reliance on private vehicle use.

Resistance to the construction of urban roads at all tiers of government has seen an increased demand for alternative modes of transport. This makes sense: the more roads you build, the more cars you have, the more rail lines you build, the more rail commuters you have.

With an on-going pipeline of urban rail projects across the country, public transport usage has seen an increase of 65% over the last decade. All major cities have also substantially increased their spending on cycling infrastructure. In contrast, growth in car usage has slowed dramatically.

But all of this progress is suddenly looking to back-flip. Not only will the new Prime Minister dismantle the Major Cities Unit, which carefully advises on Australia’s 18 largest urban areas, but he has also embarked upon an aggressive road-building scheme. To achieve this vision, Abbott will cease funding to crucial public transit projects and reform environmental planning legislation to speed up the development process.

Abbott’s policies do not only ignore climate scientists, but seemingly ignore environmental priorities wherever possible.

But none of this is any surprise. Explaining that climate change was “absolute crap” in 2010, Tony Abbott’s inability to understand science has been evident for a long time. Sadly, a combination of agenda-driven media, a fragmented Australian Labour Party and ignorance amongst many voters, has produced a less than desirable election outcome for progressive Australians.

What does this mean for the future of Australia?

The election of Abbott is shameful. But I believe it also acts as an opportunity for aggressive grassroots political action. As Jonathon Porritt explains in his new book, The World We Made(Alex McKay’s Story from 2050), creating a sustainable future is not just about technology, but also about political protest.

For the most part, I think Australians are well-informed, proactive and forward thinking. Many do not believe they are immune to global issues. And many have not become complacent with oversized bank accounts from the resource boom. For most Australians, now is the time to stand up to the ignorance and dogma that run deep in Australian politics and media.

We can take comfort in the knowledge that this has happened before. In retaliation to the increasingly neoliberal policies of the 1970s, the Green Bans social movement saved neighbourhoods, parks, waterways and forests across the country. The campaigns also sparked government reform and new environmental legislation. Reaction to the Abbott-era is likely to have a similar outcome.

Retaliation has already begun.

Just hours after the new government announced that it would dismantle the government’s Climate Commission - led by renowned scientist Tim Flannery - there was widespread public outcry. With a “groundswell of support”, as Flannery has called it, the group was rejuvenated with private sector funding and public donations. Having already raised $1 million through crowd-funding, the renamed independent “Climate Council” is now looking to expand its research base.

The inability for scientific logic to infiltrate political reasoning has left Australia pursuing disgraceful policies. In doing so, the country has opened itself up to scrutiny from the global community.

I have no doubt that this scrutiny will spark Australians to have intelligent conversations about the future of the country. It will also force Australians to stand up to the immoral policies being pursued by the new government.

Just like the ‘shocks to the system’ that pepper The World We Made, Tony Abbott may be just the political wakeup call that the country needs.

This article was initially written as an opinion piece for Forum for the Future, here.

Is Australia driving backwards? by Tom Oliver Payne

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"We will start work within 12 months on Melbourne's east-west link, Sydney's west connects, Brisbane's Gateway Motorway Upgrade, Adelaide's South Road and Tasmania's Midland Highway. As well as key roads in Perth and parts of the Bruce Highway. Because when you're stuck in traffic jams, you aren't at work, or at home with your family"

Opposition leader, Tony Abbott - 16th May, 2013

In a country that's falling behind the rest of the world in transport infrastructure, the NSW Government has recently announced that traffic congestion is costing Sydney $51.1 billion a year. It's currently estimated to be the 7th most congested city in the western world.

Forgetting that there is a direct correlation between road supply and demand, the federal opposition leader, Tony Abbott has then stated today that if elected he will spend MORE money on roads. All without a single mention of direct federal investment or state support for much need rail links.

Major cities around the world are investing into rail and cycle infrastructure in order to more effectively integrate multiple modes of transport with residential and business centres.

This does not mean they're getting rid of cars or roads - it simply means they're providing alternative modes of transport to move away from the dangerous car/oil addiction. These steps take significant pressure off road infrastructure, imported oil reliance and make for much more healthy, pleasant and efficient cities to live and work.

In addition the city's £16 billion Crossrail line, London's mayor has just announced £1 billion for cycling infrastructure.  Similarly, in the USA, with increased investments into alternative modes of transport, national rail commuter numbers have hit an all time high.

After a sudden increase in car ownership over the past couple of decades, Chinese cities have been feeling the negative effects of over-congestion. Planners and politicians are now working hard to resist a reliance on the car. Hangzhou has recently opened the world's largest bike share scheme, and the country's high speed rail is expected to increase from 10,000 to 120,000 kilometres over the next 7 years.

As the rest of the world takes steps towards more sustainable forms of transportation, Australia seems to be moving in the wrong direction. With promises to build more and more roads, it seems it will take Australians even longer to be at work, or at home with their families.

Feature image courtesy SMH.