[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: DIRECT ACTION A BUDGET BLACK HOLE

[Klug, Georgie (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 17 June 2013
DIRECT ACTION A BUDGET BLACK HOLE

Today we have proof that Tony Abbott's polluter pays 'direct action' plan is a budget black hole, Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"His decision to exclude 'direct action' from his commission of audit shows how economically unsound it is," Senator Milne said.

"'Direct action' is totally a government funded and administered program. It will need large numbers of public servants to design it, administer it and to oversee compliance. There is no excuse for its exclusion from any audit of government programs.

"Far from being upfront, honest and open, this is a sneaky move from Tony Abbott designed to ensure his economically illiterate polluter pays carbon plan faces no scrutiny.

"Direct action with its big government handouts to polluters makes a lie of Tony Abbott's claim of being for "small government"."