[Greens-Media] Bandaids only solution for rural Australia as Gov't continues climate scepticism

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Bandaids only solution for rural Australia as Gov't continues climate
scepticism

Canberra, Tuesday 18 September 2007  Australian Greens Climate Change
Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today condemned the Government
for failing to plan for the impact of climate change on rural Australia,
thanks to its ongoing climate scepticism.

Senator Milne said "As long as the Government refuses to acknowledge the
correlation between worsening drought and climate change, they are
selling out rural Australians and delaying essential transition strategy
planning for this sector.

"After ABARE once again revised crop projections downwards thanks to the
drought, Senator Minchin today repeated his and his Government's refusal
to recognise the scientifically demonstrated impact of climate change on
Australia's water resources.

"It is clear that the Government has no plan for rural Australians
facing worsening drought conditions except continuing band-aid relief
cheques on the assumption that things will return to 'normal' in the
future.

"How dare the Government say it is standing shoulder to shoulder with
farmers? Putting on an akubra hat, handing out a cheque and praying for
rain is no substitute for strategic planning for agriculture in a hotter
and drier climate.

"We need to secure Australian food production and maintain the viability
of rural communities. This requires a complete rethink of current
agricultural practice in Australia and the development of a transition
strategy.

"Rural Australians are now coming to recognise that the Coalition is not
working to protect their interests. The Government's desire to do
anything to protect the interests of the coal corporations is leaving
farmers in the lurch as their water disappears and their crops fail year
after year."

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