[Greens-Media] Rudd's white paper is free kick to NSW's big polluters

John Kaye John.Kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mon Dec 15 20:00:39 EST 2008


Rudd's white paper is free kick to NSW's big polluters
 
Media Release: 15 December 2008
 
NSW's coal-fired power stations and its two aluminium smelters are big winners in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper while the state's renewable energy industry has suffered a major setback, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "The federal government plans to hand over 50 percent of the money raised from selling permits to the big polluters.
 
"Kevin Rudd wants to give free permits to NSW's coal burning power stations that are responsible for 37 per cent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions.
 
"He is effectively removing the need to transform this state's electricity industry.
 
"Apart from rewarding and encouraging polluting behaviour, the so-called 'assistance' is designed to prop up the asset value of the generators and  make them more attractive for full or partial privatisation.
 
"The White paper is also a gift to Australia's aluminium industry which uses massive amounts of electricity from coal-fired generators. 
 
"Even though each tonne of aluminium smelted in Australia produces 16 times more greenhouse gases than if it were manufactured in South America, the operators will be given permits to cover 90 percent of their emissions.
 
"NSW's two aluminium smelters will receive an annual subsidy of more than $180,000 for each employee, even at the low carbon price of $23/tonne CO2.
 
"This is money that would be much better invested in developing a renewable energy industry, which could create up to 73,800 new jobs.
 
"Kevin Rudd's White paper robs from the average households to give massive advantages to the big polluters. It hobbles the future of this state's renewable energy industry and it's a gift to the Rees' government's electricity privatisation agenda," Dr Kaye said. 
 
Media alert: Greens members and supporters are rallying to protest the 5% target and the free kick to big polluters:
 
     11:00 am Tuesday 16 December 
     Commonwealth Government Offices, 70 Phillip Street, Sydney
 
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: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000



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