- Bishop Hill blog - Sometimes it's hard to find words

There seems to be a quaint theory in government circles that their policy decisions do not actually have any consequences - they are just part of the ongoing public relations effort.

Australia will send $57bn a year overseas by 2050, Treasury modelling shows | The Australian

BY 2050, Australia will be sending $57 billion a year overseas just for the right to keep our lights on, as a direct consequence of Julia Gillard's carbon dioxide tax and consequent emissions trading scheme.

Let me make it perfectly clear. We won't be getting anything tangible back for that $57bn.

It doesn't buy us windmills or solar panels made in China. It doesn't buy us technology or licensing rights. It's not even a (carbon dioxide) tax, that would at least generate revenue for the government. It just sends money to foreigners for "permission" to keep a few of our coal-fired power stations operating.

That is to say, it will be an entirely artificial cost, imposed on all Australians, by this Gillard-Brown government, with not the slightest offsetting benefit. It has the same economic consequences as taking $57bn and just shredding it. Every year.

Property rights trashed in pursuit of “green power” | JunkScience Sidebar

Lawrence Solomon: Tyranny of the north
Alberta passes draconian laws abolishing property rights