[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Greens propose Budget measures to transform Australian society and economy

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 11 May 2006

EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY (AT APPROXIMATELY 8.20 pm AEST)

Greens propose Budget measures to transform Australian society and
economy

The Australian Greens tonight proposed a range of measures to address
the Howard government's environmental and social deficits, and place the
nation on a sustainable footing, ready to meet the challenges of climate
change and oil shortages.
 
Australian Greens climate change and energy spokesperson, Senator
Christine Milne, said the government's Budget was founded on the
delusion that revenue from the minerals boom would continue and it was
blind to the investment needed to address the run-down of natural
capital and social inequality.

"The Howard government's vision and values expressed through its Budget
has made me realise that we have become two nations in Australia,"
Senator Milne told parliament. 

"One that is fixated on the present and cannot see what the problem is
and one that is focussed on future generations and can see the problem
and the huge risks all too clearly."

Under the Howard government the current account deficit has doubled as a
proportion of Gross Domestic Product, from 3-6 per cent, manufacturing's
contribution to the economy has fallen to just 10.9 per cent and
Australia's oil self-sufficiency is falling.

The government's refusal to take serious steps towards reducing
greenhouse gas emissions also exposes Australia's economy to growing
risk, particularly as the rest of the world reduces its reliance on
fossil fuels, currently large export revenue earners for Australia.

"Unlike the Howard government, the Greens' vision for Australia and the
values we hold would not squander the surplus on a spending spree,"
Senator Milne said.

"We do not support the tax cuts for high income earners and would spend
the $45 billion instead on fostering equity, high standards of education
and public health, and on accelerating the transition from a narrow
resources-based economy to a low carbon economy with a strong,
innovative, new industry and employment base.

"We would oil proof the country, invest in energy security and in
adaptation to climate change. We would offer the leadership that
Australia needs in the 21st century."

Greens proposals include:

	*	Introducing an emissions trading scheme and/or a carbon
tax as a matter of urgency to send a clear signal to the market, to
minimise transition costs and to fund emerging renewable energy
industries.
	*	Tying the accelerated depreciation allowance to
implementation of energy efficiency measures identified in the energy
efficiency audits mandated under recently enacted federal legislation.
	*	Exempting public transport and low-emission vehicles
from the GST.
	*	Establishing a climate disaster fund to provide
certainty to individuals and communities as the impacts of climate
change grow. This would be funded by taxes on activities that will
increase the likelihood of climate change-related disasters, eg a carbon
tax, or the reintroduction of fuel excise indexation.
	*	Investing in housing, health, education and training for
Indigenous Australians.
	*	Abolishing university and technical training fees.


	Contact: Katrina Willis 02 6277 3063 or 0437 587 562





Katrina Willis
Adviser
Office of Senator Christine Milne
Ph: 03 6234 4566
0437 587562
Fax: 03 6234 2144
www.greens.org.au