[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: End Oil Dependence, say Greens

[Greens]

Media Release
17th April 2007

End Oil Dependence, say Greens

As Adelaide plays host to the largest annual gathering of the oil and
gas industry in the southern hemisphere, Greens MLC Mark Parnell MLC has
called on the South Australian government to commit to the 'Oil
Depletion Protocol' and start reducing its dependence on oil.

The Oil Depletion Protocol, originally proposed by UK petroleum
geologist, Dr Colin Campbell, commits countries or organisations to
reduce oil consumption by the world oil depletion rate.  This equates to
a reduction rate of just below 3% per year.  By reducing oil consumption
it is hoped to soften the blow of reaching peak oil, and the higher and
increasingly volatile world oil prices.

Leading cities, such as San Francisco and Portland in the United States,
have already made the commitment.

"The era of cheap, plentiful and easily accessible oil is coming to an
end, and South Australia must start preparing for it.

"By committing to the Oil Depletion Protocol, South Australia will
reduce its dependence on oil and will prepare for a world where oil is
far scarcer and more expensive, as well as address climate change.  

"This is an investment for the future.  We need to invest now in better
public transport, better freight systems, and less car-reliant cities
and towns," Mr Parnell said.

The recent report of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
committee cited CSIRO research showing Australia will need to import
more than half its oil needs by 2010.  The Senate committee agreed this
dependence will grow, with a projected cost of up to $25 billion a year
by 2015.

"The rapidly increasing volume of imported oil is a worry for
Australia's trade balance, and is seriously biting into our hip pockets.

"The sooner we start adopting a plan to reduce our dependence on oil the
better," he said. 


For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893
 


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