[Greens-Media] Two climate spoilers engage in mutual self-congratulation

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Two climate spoilers engage in mutual self-congratulation

Canberra, Tuesday 11 September 2007  Australian Greens Climate Change
Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today said Prime Minister was
absolutely right that Australia and Canada have very similar approaches
to climate change - they are both spoilers in countries in which the
coal and logging industries hold political sway.

Senator Milne said "Prime Minister Harper is desperately trying to
renege on Canada's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, so it's no
wonder he feels at home with Prime Minister Howard, who is equally keen
to avoid any binding targets or real action to reduce emissions.

"Canada is 32% over its Kyoto target and Australia is also on track to
breach our target.

"It is telling that, under the heading "Climate Change and Energy",
Prime Ministers Harper and Howard agree that coal remains king, that
uranium is the crown prince and that logging should go in Canada and
Australia 'in all types of forests'.

"The coal and nuclear 'solution' that the Prime Ministers are peddling
are both dangerous, expensive and too slow to constrain global warming
to less than 2C. Today's statement entirely ignores the fast, safe and
sustainable alternatives of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"No doubt Prime Minister Howard thought that inviting a fellow
conservative to slap him on the back in the lead up to an election
campaign was an electoral winner. Instead, he has to face the
humiliation of fighting for his survival in front of his global
political ally.

"Noticeably absent from Prime Minister Harper's speech was any mention
of GNEP - George Bush's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. It would be
humiliating for Prime Minister Howard to have to stand beside Prime
Minister Harper and be exposed as being less than honest on the central
place that a global nuclear waste dump holds in the deal.

"What was also glaring was Kevin Rudd's failure to include climate
change or global warming in his list of key challenges facing Australia
and Canada in coming years."

Contact: Tim Hollo on  0437 587 562

Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone: + 61 (0) 2 6277 3063
Mobile: + 61 (0) 437 587 562
Email: tim.hollo at aph.gov.au
Skype: timhollo
www.christinemilne.org.au
www.youtube.com/senatormilne