ETC

Andrews’ great wall of silence

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Original article by Patrick Carlyon, Mitch Clarke, Carly Douglas
Herald Sun – Page: 7 : 7-Jun-23

The Victorian government is under scrutiny over revelations that Premier Daniel Andrews addressed a forum in Melbourne on Monday night to which access was restricted to the Chinese media. Andrews has indicated that he has "no idea" why Australian journalists were banned from attending the Post Pandemic China-Australia Economic Co-operation Forum. Opposition leader John Pesutto says it is unacceptable for any political leader to give speeches in secret. Liberal senator James Paterson recently raised concerns that one of the forum’s sponsors is a "front group" for China’s top spy agency.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Exposed: big tobacco’s links to vape research

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Original article by Remy Varga
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 1-Feb-23

The Foundation for a Smoke Free World was launched in 2017; it has financed more than 70 academic papers on topics such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and rates of smoking cessation over the last five years. Some of this research has produced positive findings about e-cigarettes and vaping, and many of the research papers have been cited by other researchers hundreds of times. However, some of this research does not disclose that the foundation is solely funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris, which revealed plans to expand into e-cigarettes in 2013. A spokeswoman has indicated that the foundation operate independently of Philip Morris.

CORPORATES
FOUNDATION FOR A SMOKE FREE WORLD, PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED

Forrest’s $300m war on plastic

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Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 26-Sep-19

Australian iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest has revealed a proposal to reduce global plastic waste by imposing a levy on plastics manufacturers. Forrest says the levy would initially raise about $US20bn a year, which could potentially increase to $US100bn, and the proceeds would be used to encourage the plastics industry to collect waste products and convert them back into polymer resin for reuse. Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation will invest some $US300m ($442m) in the initiative. Forrest says plastics are the biggest threat to the world’s oceans.

CORPORATES
MINDEROO FOUNDATION, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, UNITED NATIONS. GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, ELLEN MacARTHUR FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Rio links pay to climate change

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Original article by Nick Evans, Perry Williams
The Australian – Page: 19 & 22 : 12-Apr-19

Shareholders at Rio Tinto’s annual meeting in London have been told that progress in achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction targets could be included in its performance bonus system. A revised executive incentive scheme will be put to shareholders in 2021, and chairman Simon Thompson said short-term bonus plans could potentially be linked to its emission reduction targets. He has ruled out setting targets for Rio Tinto’s customers to reduce their own carbon emissions. A resolution on the issue will be put to the Australian annual meeting in May.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, CLIMATE ACTION 100+, ALUMINIUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED, BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC

BHP quits coal body over climate views

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Original article by Matt Chambers
The Australian – Page: 30 : 6-Apr-18

BHP Billiton has confirmed that it will cease being a member of the World Coal ­Association, citing factors such as differing stances on energy and climate policy. BHP has also indicated that it derives little benefit from being a member of the WCA. However, the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility’s executive director Brynn O’Brien has criticised BHP’s decision to remain a member of the US Chamber of Commerce. BHP said that while the USCC’s stance on climate policy still differs to its own, membership of the organisation has significant benefits.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, WORLD COAL ASSOCIATION, UNITED STATES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AUSTRALASIAN CENTRE FOR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, APPLE INCORPORATED

BHP under pressure over Brazil disaster

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Original article by Sally Rose, Steve Yolen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 & 18 : 16-Nov-15

BHP Billiton’s Australian-listed shares fell by 10.8 per cent in the week ended 13 November 2015, extending the stock’s losses since 1 July to around 25 per cent. The latest sell-off was prompted by the tailings dam disaster at the Samarco iron ore project in Brazil. Principles for Responsible Investment MD Fiona Reynolds argues that Samarco joint venture partners BHP and Vale should respond to the disaster by linking their executive remuneration to the safety records of their mining operations.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, VALE SA, SAMARCO MINERACAO SA, PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SUPERANNUATION INVESTORS INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIANSUPER PTY LTD, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX