[Greens-Media] Wong effectively admits Australia watered down Pacific Island Forum communique

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Wong effectively admits Australia watered down Pacific Island Forum communique

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has effectively admitted that the Rudd Government blocked the inclusion of ambitious emissions targets in the Pacific Island Forum communiqué, the Australian Greens said today.

Minister Wong stated that the Rudd Government sought consensus from the forum on the content of the communiqué. She would not and could not deny that it was the Australian Government blocking consensus on the inclusion of ambitious emissions reduction targets.

"There was only one country at the Pacific Island Forum arguing against ambitious action on climate change, and that was the host - Australia," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Penny Wong as good as admitted today that her Government blocked consensus on including ambitious emissions targets in the final communiqué.

"This shows the kind of leadership the Australian Government is taking in the global climate effort - leadership in the race to the bottom. Expect the same from Australia in Copenhagen.

"Now that the Rudd Government has the weakest emissions targets in the Australian Parliament, it is time to dump the counterproductive 5% target and move towards the 40% cuts that are needed if we are to deliver a safe climate to Pacific Islanders and Australians alike.

"The Rudd Government's Continue Polluting Regardless Scheme, which locks in failure, sends a clear message to our Pacific neighbours and all those involved in the global negotiations that Australia will not play its responsible role in addressing the climate crisis.

"Australia is making it clear that it is prepared to set targets that will see Pacific Islanders drown in their own back yard, and hundreds of millions in Asia denied fresh water.

"The Greens will not vote to lock in failure and we will keep working to promote our policies for ambitious action to protect the climate."


Tim Hollo
Media Adviser
Senator Christine Milne | Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate Change Spokesperson
Suite SG-112 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3588 | M: 0437 587 562
http://www.christinemilne.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au <http://www.greensmps.org.au/> 



	
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