[Greens-Media] PM should be on his feet, not his knees, says Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Saturday, 21 April 2007

PM should be on his feet, not his knees, says Brown

The Prime Minister, John Howard, is asking for divine intervention to
end Australia's drought which he, more any other person alive, is
responsible, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"As the nation faces rising food prices, Mr Howard's plea for
Australian's to 'hope and pray' is as much about his election prospects
as it is about rain," Senator Brown said.

"For 11 years he has ignored the climate change which makes this drought
so severe. Besides diminishing rainfall in much of rural Australia,
climate change has meant higher average temperatures, evaporation and
drying across much of rural Australia and many of its cities."

"Mr Howard should have ratified Kyoto in 1997, curbed coal mining,
stopped logging and burning forests and illegal land clearing, brought
in a decent carbon price and put a water tank in every yard."

"Mr Howard should be leading Australia on his feet, not his knees,"
Senator Brown said.

"If forecasts for better-than-average rain in winter come true, it will
be interesting to see if Mr Howard takes credit, or gives it to the
Almighty," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett: 0409 164 603


--------------------------------------------------------------
Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au