[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE -SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - Rescuing the Senate key to climate, oil solutions: Greens

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday, 12 August 2006

Rescuing the Senate key to climate, oil solutions: Greens

The outcome of the next Senate election will determine whether Australia
can meet the challenges of climate change and oil depletion, Australian
Greens energy and climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne
said today.

The Howard government had failed the country on these two critical
issues and allowing the coalition to retain control of the Senate would
jeopardise the environment and our way of life, Senator Milne said.

"Scientists have said we have 10-15 years to dramatically reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to avoid irreversible global warming," Senator
Milne told the Tasmanian Greens annual conference in Hobart.

"Every child born from today will reach middle age by 2050. They will
live with the consequences if we fail in these next critical years.

"Action in the next six of the precious 10-15 years will be determined
by who controls the Senate after the next election.

"If the Howard government retains control of the Senate then Australians
can expect no long-term vision and no long-term action to tackle the two
greatest threats to the future of our way of life and to the planet.

"You only have to look at the way that the Howard government gave away
the Budget surplus as tax cuts and failed to recognise climate change
and rising global oil prices as risks to the economy to see how
short-sighted they are.

"Prime Minister Howard's flailing around as high petrol prices bite
shows he is incapable of identifying or responding to global trends.

"Parliament needs people who are willing to make hard decisions and plan
for the future. That is why rescuing the Senate by voting for the Greens
should be the first priority of every voter."


Contact: Katrina Willis 0437 587 562


Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au