‘Dirty Power’ by GreenPeace and Michael West

It is always unlikely that your first idea hasn’t been investigated.

This year, as mentioned previously, I am dedicating this blog to discussions about the intersection of climate response, lobbying and campaign finance. One of the key research pieces is the linkage between political parties and companies that are likely to suffer under a climate response.

I started a small project to determine where the Ministers who removed the carbon price in 2014 are now working. The view being that a form of corruption which is highly nefarious is the implied employment of office holders once they finish their political careers. Teachout notes that Jack Abramoff used this tactic as a lobbyist to sway political and government officials.

I did some research and found several things but nothing substantial (as in a Minister now CEO of a mining company):

• Ex-mininster Ian MacFarlane is now the CEO of the Queensland Resource Council which has been accused of anti-climate response actions
• The remaining ministers have not moved prominently into industries (or acting as lobbyists) for fossil fuel companies – most have moved into defence, finance and international aid. This might say something about the future of the fossil fuel industry from a Minister’s perspective.

My research, overall, was not particularly enlightening and so it was good to watch the documentary ‘Dirty Power‘ by GreenPeace. The graphics and research show that it is not just Ministers who are likely to swayed by future job offers. Advisors are particularly conflicted especially those who have come from industries related the fossil fuel industry. It is quite astounding to see the concentration of pro-fossil fuel advisors in the recent Coalition government.

It probably explains why these governments have not achieved much else. All the people advising are only interested in fossil fuels.

So my review is that the documentary is good (although I think a Steadicam would be a good addition). Importantly, it highlights the links between the Coalition Government and fossil fuel companies.

Teachout would suggest that the perception of corruption and bias in this network is extremely high given the financial and reputational links between the fossil fuel companies and the politicians through advisors and lobbyists.

My question is, then, what do we as citizens do about it.

The GreenPeace suggested action is to sign a petition to declare a Climate Emergency. I do not see how this links with the findings of the documentary.

What would we really want to see if we think that the effect of this network is that decision makers are more responsive to fossil fuel companies than citizens?