[Greens-Media] Live Earth call to action: Howard and Rudd must act to earn votes

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Live Earth call to action: Howard and Rudd must act to earn votes

Hobart, Sunday July 8, 2007  Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today congratulated all those involved in last night's Live Earth concerts and called on both alternative Prime Ministers to seize the moment and act fast to prevent runaway climate change.

Senator Milne said “Last night's Live Earth concerts demonstrated once again that the demand for swift and decisive action on climate change has mobilised the Australian public like nothing for many years.

”This is backed up by Ipsos/Mackay research released yesterday showing that concern about climate change and other environmental issues had led to greater popular engagement with politics than Australia has seen since John Howard was elected Prime Minister.

"But this excellent news for our environment and democracy is undermined by the failure of both John Howard and Kevin Rudd to come up with policies which will truly tackle greenhouse emissions and help prevent runaway climate change.

"The underwhelming response to Peter Garrett's promotion of his Labor leader at last night's concert demonstrated that Australian voters understand this failure and are asking for more.

"The Greens are currently the only party with the chance of a share of power after this year's election who are committed to the demands that Live Earth made. Neither Liberal nor Labor are prepared to take on the coal industry, as the climate, the science and the people at Live Earth demand.

"Congratulations to all those involved in last night's concerts. Now let's all work to get the serious political action we'll need if we are to prevent runaway climate change!"

Contact Tim Hollo on 0437 587 562