[Greens-Media] Prime Minister must clarify government's climate change policy

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 12 August 2005

Prime Minister must clarify government's climate change policy

Prime Minister John Howard must clarify the federal government's
position on climate change, Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania
Christine Milne said today.

"The Howard government has descended into complete chaos over climate
change," Senator Milne said in Canberra today.

"Environment Minister Ian Campbell has told the parliament one thing and
the Federal Court the complete opposite about whether climate change is
real.

"Industry and Resources Minister Ian Mcfarlane, who is pushing an
expansion of uranium mining in Australia, claimed today there was 'no
unequivocal evidence' that greenhouse gases are causing climate change. 

"This latest denial comes as the journal Science published three papers
that state temperature trends in the lower atmosphere are consistent
with a trend of global warming.

"The government's confusion and hypocrisy are damaging Australia's
international standing.

"It's time for Prime Minister Howard to clarify what exactly his
government is saying on climate change, because his ministers can't
agree."

Senator Milne also criticised Senator Ian Campbell for ducking a Senate
debate on the new six nation pact by tabling his statement on the issue
after the Senate adjourned last night.

While the Senate was denied the document before adjournment, it had been
tabled in the House of Representatives earlier on Thursday.

"Clearly the Minister did not want to face debate on this coal pact,
which is aimed at pulling the rug from under the Kyoto protocol,"
Senator Milne said.

"The pact is a sham. It has no goals, no rules, and no funding but may
well transfer the cost obligation for developing any technology for
'clean' coal from multi-national coal corporations to taxpayers."

Contact: Katrina Willis 0437 587 562 or 02 6277 3063

www.greens.org.au