I beg to differ to the below statement

The linked reference ( http://bit.ly/arOiJc ) expressly contradicts our seemingly shared experience that our politicians, across the board (with the possible exception of Wyatt Roy), do not know/seem not to want to know about this foreseen problem.

Christne Milne has spoken about peak oil and tried to kickstart a discussian about it in the Senate.

As I understand it, the "authorities are about to ban underground burning of coal seams, because of the threat of contaminating water.
The farmers are dead set against it.
It would be a moot point, that there would be sufficient infrastructure to provide enough fuel from underground coal seams, for Australian local use, let alone exporting it

Posted by sarnian, Wednesday, 10 November 2010 9:04:13 AM:

"Christine Milne has spoken about peak oil and tried
to kickstart a discussion about it in the Senate."

Sarnian, could you quote a specific reference, preferably with a link?

Meanwhile, here is a link to the term 'gap oil', which is, IMO, what this article is really about: http://bit.ly/9IwzAn

forrest; peak or gap call it what you like, the forecasts for production decline of 3-6 % annually means finding a replacement for 2.25 million to 4.5 million barrels of oil per day EACH YEAR!

for comparison the USA produces approx 5.5 million bpd

KSA produces 9 - 10 millionbpd so in effect we need another KSA every second to third year...

HELLO!

Peak oil plan needed to avoid default to coal
Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne Wednesday 18th November 2009, 6:21pm
http://christine-milne.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/peak-oil-plan-needed-avoid-default-coal
National Transport Strategy - climate change impacts, greenhouse emissions and peak oil
Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Christine Milne Tuesday 21st October 2008, 12:00am
http://christine-milne.greensmps.org.au/content/transcript/national-transport-strategy-climate-change-impacts-greenhouse-emissions-and-peak-
ABARE’s projections of peak oil and solar power’s growth
Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Christine Milne Monday 24th May 2010, 12:00am
http://christine-milne.greensmps.org.au/content/transcript/abares-projections-peak-oil-and-solar-powers-growth

Senator «MILNE» -Can you tell me whether ABARE believes that oil has peaked or whether we are still anticipating peak oil from ABARE's point of view? Just keeping a monitoring eye on ABARE and oil-
Ms Melanie -We are certainly-
Senator «MILNE» -Perhaps, Mr Glyde, you would be able to tell me that?
Mr Glyde -I am very happy for Ms Melanie to continue. I would be very interested in the answer.
Senator «MILNE» -Wouldn't we all?
Ms Melanie -ABARE is certainly constantly doing the same-keeping an eye on what is happening in oil markets. On the basis of that we are constantly reviewing our long-term assumptions. But we are still of the view that in the longer term oil prices will be determined by the cost of alternative fuels. That is certainly where we see the ceiling, I suppose, in the longer term.
Senator «MILNE» -Yes, but you must be making some judgment about peak oil. In ABARE's view have we reached peak oil or not?
Ms Melanie -We do not tend to look at the issue from that perspective. Basically, underlying our forecast is the notion that markets-demand and supply-will determine the price of oil and will determine when alternatives come in. The point is not so much whether we will be running out of oil; it is more when and whether the alternatives will become economically viable.

Those of you following this thread may find this url of interest.

http://www.countercurrents.org/alexander051110.htm

The interviewee has some interesting comments on depletion and finance.
She also comments on the silence of politicians.