[Greens-Media] Rudd stumbles on renewables at Press Club

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Rudd talks about the future, but his climate policy is stuck in the past

Australian Greens Climate Change Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne,
today congratulated Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd for recognising that
climate change is a key factor in this year's election choice between
the future and the past. However, his approach to solving the problem is
stuck in the past.

Senator Milne said "Just like Prime Minister Howard, Kevin Rudd seems
incapable of acknowledging that renewable energy must play a major role
in tackling climate change. Every time he mentions climate change, he
finds it necessary to reassure the coal industry that they will continue
to be protected even while the world changes around them.

"The only time that Mr Rudd stumbled and seemed insecure in his delivery
was when it came to his single mention of renewable energy, which he
incorrectly referred to as 'energy renewables'. Perhaps had he watched
this week's Four Corners, he might reconsider giving renewables so much
lesser a priority than coal.

"Like Mr Howard, Mr Rudd is strangely unaware that both China and India
have, in fact, ratified the Kyoto Protocol and are both benefiting from
increased investment through the treaty's Clean Development Mechanism.
These two giants of our region are making far greater steps towards
reducing greenhouse emissions than Australia under John Howard. We are
yet to see any evidence that a Rudd Government would catch up to their
efforts.

"It was pleasing to see Mr Rudd acknowledge that there will be a world
after the resources boom. That would have been an ideal time to set out
a plan for a future beyond our current economic management principle of
'cutting down forests, digging up coal, and ship them overseas'.

"Sadly for all of us, it seems that, when it comes to tackling climate
change, the greatest of all threats to our future prosperity, Mr Rudd
would prefer to stay in the past with John Howard than to join the
Greens in moving towards the future."

Contact: Tim Hollo 03 6224 8899 or 0437 587 562

Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone: + 61 3 6224 8899 (Hobart)
Phone: + 61 2 6277 3063 (Canberra)
Mobile: + 61 437 587 562
Email: tim.hollo at aph.gov.au
Skype: timhollo
Website: www.christinemilne.org.au