Latest news with #MichaelNewman
Sky News AU
16 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Albanese government's 'First Nations Clean Energy Strategy' slammed for prioritising symbolism over substance
The Albanese government's First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, unveiled as part of its broader plan to overhaul Australia's energy landscape, has drawn the ire of a leading energy analyst who claims the initiative is heavy on symbolism but light on practical impact. Former Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Michael Newman argues in a damning report that the strategy represents a wider trend in government energy policy that prioritises appearances over affordability and reliability. He warns that this 'multi-objective' approach dilutes focus on grid reliability and affordability, and risks leaving Indigenous communities worse off. 'Electricity supply policy needs to be stripped of its multiple, and often incompatible, objectives. The focus must be on delivering reliable, affordable energy - not cultural outcomes,' he states. The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, released earlier this year, outlines a vision for Indigenous participation and co-ownership in Australia's energy transition. But Newman suggests the policy lacks engineering credibility and over-relies on social justice framing, with the report even echoing frustrations heard during community consultations. 'We have more sun than you can poke a stick at, and our trees grow sideways because we have more wind than you can imagine - but our energy is still not reliable,' one participant said. Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan also dismissed the government's strategy, claiming Labor have no plan to put the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy into action. 'Where is Labor's strategy to deliver cheap, reliable energy for all Australians? The only strategy they had, they walked away from at the last election,' Tehan told Sky "There is no mention in this document of 'cheaper energy' or Labor's promise to lower energy bills by $275, which has still not been delivered. 'There is no mention of the cost to taxpayers of Labor's ideologically driven renewables only energy policy and how much taxes will have to increase to pay for it. It once again shows Chris Bowen is not up to the job.' Newman's critique also draws on examples from the Northern Territory, where poorly coordinated solar investments led to instability, system collapse, and rising household costs following the shutdown of gas generation. 'Despite repeated warnings from Electrical Trades Union engineers about the risks of closing the gas-fired Ron Goodin Power Station, the system collapsed,' Newman writes. 'Thanks to poor grid configuration, consumers also suffer frequent disconnections. And as the cost of electricity rises, $20 power cards run out sooner.' Newman also raises concerns about the emergence of what he calls an 'identity-based industry', arguing that 'dubious claims to Indigenous ancestry' are being used to access clean energy grants, subsidies, and regulatory fast-tracking. 'By embedding reconciliation rhetoric into technical infrastructure planning, we risk weakening both the energy system and the integrity of Indigenous self-determination,' he warns. Former National President of the Labor Party Warren Mundine weighed in on the Strategy, believing that the action plan has merit but needs to be put into action quickly with a little less pandering to communities, and more focus on "all Australians." 'It seems that it's not being done quick enough. It's great to use lovely language and try and include everyone by stroking their egos, but that's not really going to work if you don't have a concrete plan on what you're going to do,' Mundine told Sky 'This is not about helping all the different communities in Australia that they list by pandering to them, it's about helping everyone. For these types of strategies, there needs to be more action and not appealing to the masses.' Mundine outlined his way of speeding up the process with regard to the Clean Energy Strategy that will help all Australians. 'Obviously, the place you start is in the regional areas with the gas projects. Get those projects up and running quickly. That creates economic prosperity to the communities in the region, and in turn it supplies gas and creates economic growth in those areas,' he said. 'It's the same regarding residential solar energy which would help get people off diesel, and another would be lifting the ban on uranium mines. "They are three basic ideas that I have come with on the spot, and they could be done quickly, so, if the government want any other help regarding this strategy, they can give me a call.' However, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen defended the strategy as essential to building a fairer and more inclusive clean energy economy. 'To me, the energy transformation is one of our best, if not the best, opportunity to ensure that First Nations people benefit from and have some ownership of the wealth we will create as we re-engineer our energy system,' Bowen said during his address to Australian Energy Week in June. He acknowledged the strategy is still in the early stages, with most funding not yet flowing. 'The Strategy is important, but I don't pretend that it has as yet even started to work. Funding for much of the strategy begins on 1 July. 'Funding is just the start. We will need to work together across our sector to make the strategy a reality.' He positioned the policy as part of a broader national effort to deliver a modern, lower-emissions energy system. Still, critics argue that unless the government shifts its focus toward engineering feasibility and measurable delivery outcomes, policies like the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy may struggle to overcome growing scepticism.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. Michael Newman asking for $50M to start Newman Veterinary Research Hospital
Mar. 14—Dr. Michael Newman held a meeting Wednesday with about 12 people, some state and city representatives, and presented his proposal for the Newman Veterinary Research Hospital in Decatur. The proposal needs $50 million to get started. "To me it's so fundamental and so necessary to get going. I just hate that it costs so much these days to get these things going," Newman said. "But we need to get it done. This is something we should have done 100 years ago. If we get this done correctly, it'll be a big deal for the people of this country." Newman said the hospital will produce a lot of information. "Not only for our dogs and pets, but also for us," he said. "It's going to take initial financing to get it started correctly, and that's what I'm really asking for." The plan, Newman said, is to house the research hospital in his former Veterinary Regional Referral Hospital building located at 2117 Veterans Drive S.E. He said he still needs an MRI among other medical equipment. "To get the right people, to get them hired. The right people are going to require pretty good salaries. And then we do need to get expensive pieces of equipment," Newman said. "We can use the facility we have there right now for the first year; shouldn't be a problem. But after that, we're going to have to spend another million to get that thing expanded and get it the way we need to do it." Newman plans for the hospital to be similar to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, only for dogs and cats. He said the pet owners will not have to pay for their animals to be treated and they will even be able to stay on site with their pets. In attendance were state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, state Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, state Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, and Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, among others. "Now that we have a specific numerical ask, that gives us something to go by," said Orr, who previously said he is interested in working with Newman. "However, that is a large amount to consider, and the larger the dollars the steeper hill to climb. It is encouraging to hear Dr. Newman's vision and dream and realize what a significant contributor it could be to the area, state and certainly humanity." At the meeting, Bowling said for the city to help out, they would need to see a feasibility study. "I think it's a big idea, the research, and it's certainly needed and would offer value," he said. "We need to be able to see facts that support the data that it will have an economic impact to provide return on the taxpayer money. That type of investment is pretty significant." Moore also said he would need to see a feasibility study. "Right now, I think the overall concept is good. I just want to get the hard facts on a feasibility study to make sure it's actually viable in our community," he said. "I want to make sure that if we were to commit any kind of resources or put forth anything that we're doing so with our best foot forward, and having those details, proof in the backing that it's viable." Moore said he is not yet looking at going after funding for the hospital. "We will certainly look at that and address it when the time comes," he said. "Just hearing about a lot of that yesterday was the first time we have really looked at that or been presented with that information. So, we'll just have to see what transpires when that feasibility study comes in and we sit down and we kind of start diving deeper into it." Newman said the hospital will have a big impact on Decatur. "If we get this built correctly, such a research hospital will have folks from all over the country working in it," he said. "There'll be eventually hundreds of people working in it. It'll make a big difference." Newman said he plans to quickly hire whoever he needs to in order to have a feasibility study performed. — or 256-340-2460.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Asphalt shingles may not last as long as once thought. Here's what new research shows
The Brief A new report by Applied Research Associates found that asphalt shingles could become less wind resistant after 10 years. Findings were recently presented to a Florida Senate committee. State officials say they'll continue to look at ways to make more protective roofing more financially accessible to homeowners. TAMPA, Fla. - How well do asphalt shingles hold up against strong winds? State officials say they don't last as long as once thought. What they're saying "Our long-standing research into roofs has led to the conclusion that asphalt shingle roof covers will not survive 100 mile per hour winds after ten years of age," Michael Newman with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety told a Florida Senate committee earlier this month. Last week, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky spoke at a Florida Senate Committee hearing on Banking and Insurance referencing a new report by Applied Research Associates. It found that based on observations of damage from Hurricanes Ian, Michael and Irma, "older asphalt shingles exhibit poorer performance compared to relatively new ones." It also found that nearly half of all shingle roofs exhibited "detectable damage, suggesting minimal advancement in wind resistance since Hurricane Charley in 2004." "The sealants have changed quite a bit with most of the manufacturers in the last 10 years, so those sealants perform much better than the previous generation of the shingles had," Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association Director of Technical Services Mike Silvers said. READ: Gov. DeSantis supports President Trump's pledge to overhaul how FEMA operates Silvers also says that many consumers don't realize there are different types of asphalt shingles that offer more protection than others that aren't as expensive as, say, metal roofing. "The shingle industry has not done a real good job in our minds of allowing the consumer to understand that there are good, better and better shingles," Silvers said. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What's next State officials say they'll continue to look at ways to make more protective roofing more financially accessible to homeowners. "We must find ways to drive private capital toward resilient retrofits alongside public investments like the grant program, especially for the more expensive actions like new roofs," Newman said. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jordan Bowen. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
