[Greens-Media] Iemma govt jumps ship on battle to stop greenhouse

[John Kaye]

Iemma govt jumps ship on battle to stop greenhouse

Media Release: 15 September 2007

The NSW government this week has taken three large steps backwards 
from its supposed commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions, 
according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story of today's Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Kaye said: 
"This week the NSW government announced plans for a new baseload 
power station, pushed ahead with privatising the electricity industry 
and effectively abandoned its Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme (GGAS).

"Coming on top of its approval for the giant Moolarben coal mine and 
Anvil Hill before that, you'd have to conclude that the cabinet's 
'brown' faction led by Treasurer Michael Costa well and truly have 
the upper hand.

"It is hard to see how well-meaning cabinet members like Environment 
Minister Phil Koperberg can continue to argue that this government 
has any concern for climate change.

"The collapse of the carbon price in NSW's GGAS scheme means that 
many worthwhile projects that reduce emissions will go to the wall. A 
new baseload power station will pour CO2 into the atmosphere and 
undermine wind energy projects and privatisation is a one way street 
to higher emissions.

"With a looming federal election where climate change will be a key 
issue, NSW Labor is prepared to damage Kevin Rudd's environmental 
credentials in favour of its friends in the coal industry and the 
merchant banks.

"When state parliament sits in a little over a week it will be 
interesting to see how the government defends itself in Upper House 
question time.

"Greens MPs will be holding the Iemma government to account for its 
litany of climate failures and betrayals" Dr Kaye said.


For more information:   John Kaye 0407 195 455




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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: j<mailto:john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au>ohn.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: 
<https://connect.parliament.nsw.gov.au/,DanaInfo=.awxyCntnusj8pL15vPrA+>www.johnkaye.org.au

mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000