[Greens-Media] Howard's 30% 'sceptic surcharge' to the economy

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Monday, 4 June 2007

Howard's 30% 'sceptic surcharge' to the economy

Prime Minister John Howard's delay of a decade in tackling climate
change will add at least one third to the cost to the economy, Greens
Leader Bob Brown

Senator Brown pointed to work by the government's own chief modeller
ABARE (Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics) which
says that bringing forward alternative energy strategies reduces costs
by one third.

"If Howard had adopted a carbon trading scheme in 2000 the nation would
be 6 years ahead and one-third better off in regards to the economic hit
on the economy," Senator Brown said.

"Whatever rise occurs in future power prices, consumers will know it
includes John Howard's extra 30% 'sceptic surcharge'," Senator Brown
said.   

According to ABARE (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
Economics) the government's preferred climate change modeller:

		"A scenario that brought forward implementation of a
range of technologies by six years ahead of 'business as usual'
assumptions, showed that the economic costs of achieving a given
abatement target could be reduced by one-third"

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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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