[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - Greens welcome states' carbon trading plan; Howard govt opposition economically irresponsible

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 16 August 2006

Greens welcome states' carbon trading plan; Howard govt opposition
economically irresponsible

The Australian Greens today welcomed the states' initiative on a carbon
emissions trading scheme and called on the Howard government to reverse
its opposition to the plan or risk harming the Australian economy.

Greens energy and climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne
said the states' proposal, contained in a discussion paper to be
released today, was a good start although not nearly ambitious enough
given the enormous task ahead.

"Scientists tell us we need to reduce our greenhouse house gas emissions
by 60 per cent of 1990 levels by the year 2050 to avert catastrophic and
irreversible climate change," Senator Milne said in Canberra.

"The states' carbon reduction target needs to be more ambitious. An 8
per cent reduction by 2030 will not get us to a 60 per cent reduction by
2050 but at least state governments are headed in the right direction,
in stark contrast to the federal government which continues to rely on
voluntary measures and wishful thinking.

"It would be much better for the federal government to take the lead and
develop a truly national carbon emissions trading scheme for Australia
as part of an integrated package of measures to address climate change.

"Contrary to the claims of the Industry and Resources Minister Ian
Macfarlane that the cost of making the deep emissions cuts necessary
would cripple the Australian economy, the states argue that it will have
minimum impact on GDP. 

"Global reports show clearly that the cost of acting now is a fraction
of the costs to the economy that will result from irreversible climate
change. 

"The fact is that climate change poses a major threat to the economy as
well as to the environment. 

"The Howard government's opposition to a national carbon emissions
trading scheme risks harming the Australian economy and the government
should reverse its stance."


Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 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