[Greens-Media] Rudd deserts climate change with multi-million road and coal package

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE 
12 December 2008


Rudd deserts climate change with multi-million road and coal package 

NSW greenhouse gas emissions are set to increase at an even faster rate
following Prime Minister Rudd's announcement that coal transport and
road projects will receive favoured treatment under the Nation Building
Package Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today. 

"If the federal and state governments don*t rein in the coal industry
and make the shift from road to rail projects they will amplify runaway
climate change,* Ms Rhiannon said. 

"Many Australians would be doubting the Prime Minister's sincerity on
climate change now he is financially backing two of the worst climate
change culprits * the coal industry and private transport. 

"With $1.3 billion of the Nation Building Package allocated to Hunter
coal rail infrastructure and road projects the Prime Minister is
ignoring climate change in key government decisions. 

"Mr Rudd in today's announcement boasted that his coal rail project
will boost coal exports from 97 to 200 million tonnes. 

"The new rail project will add 258 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to
Australia's contribution to the world's climate change burden.  

"The $711 million allocation for roads is also a climate set back.
While black spot areas need urgent attention this massive injection of
public funding will mainly go on major road works.

"Transport contributes 14 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly
95 per cent comes from cars and trucks, with less that 5 per cent from
public transport.

"Australia has the highest per capita level of road freight in the
world. Rail is three times more energy-efficient than road as a means of
hauling freight.

"Public transport should have been a top priority of the Nation
Building Package,* Ms Rhiannon said.


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