26-November-2008
Portfolio Media Releases, Emissions Trading Scheme
The Rudd Government’s consultation process with business over their rushed emissions trading scheme has been exposed as a complete sham by the fact that the zinc producing company Nyrstar was not even present at a government roundtable to discuss the concerns they have raised.
The Member for Denison, Duncan Kerr, has been proudly trumpeting that he will be hosting “…a roundtable meeting in Canberra this Wednesday to discuss issues raised by Nyrstar..”
In attendance at the meeting were Mr Kerr, the Climate Change Minister Senator Wong, the Labor Member for Franklin, Labor Senators and the Labor Mayor of Glenorchy, Adriana Taylor.
Not in attendance were the company that they were all there to discuss – Nyrstar.
“The Rudd Government is rushing headlong into an emissions trading scheme without properly considering the impact on the Australian economy and Australian jobs. Their process is a matter of great concern,” said the Shadow Minister for Emissions Trading Design, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP.
“This approach is jeopardising the development the right design. It is creating significant uncertainty across the business sector.
“Two weeks ago Nyrstar raised concerns that their zinc and lead smelting operations at Port Pirie, in South Australia, and Hobart, in Tasmania, were threatened by the Government’s scheme because this new tax will make them uncompetitive globally. This will put over 3,000 jobs at risk and also lead to the production operations being moved offshore, ‘most likely in the developing world where industry will not face a similar carbon pricing cost’ and a poorer global environmental outcome.
“They raised these concerns because the Government would not address them – now we find the Government’s version of addressing the company’s concerns is to have a meeting to discuss Nyrstar at which they are not even included!,” said Mr Robb.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources Ian Macfarlane said the Rudd Labor Government’s erratic approach to the ETS continued to undermine Australian jobs.
“The Rudd Labor Government is continuing to treat the energy and resources sector with contempt with its closed door attitude,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“It has pushed ahead with its rushed and reckless ETS without sitting down one-on-one with industry representatives to discuss their legitimate concerns.
“Now we see that the Rudd Government’s idea of consultation in response to the issues raised by Nyrstar is to hold a meeting that’s left the key stakeholder in the dark. Clearly, the Rudd Government would rather consult within its comfort zone rather than hear the harsh realities of its policy failures.
“There is too much on the line for this slapdash approach, which is jeopardising multi-billion dollar investments and tens of thousands of energy and resources jobs,” Mr Macfarlane said.
In their statement last week (attached), Nyrstar said they believe “that the Australian ETS in its current form will only exacerbate what is termed ‘carbon leakage’ to the developing world”.
They further said “that until all major emitters, including the US and China, face similar carbon constraints and there is a level international playing field, Australian trade exposed industries, like zinc and lead smelters, will require assistance if they are to survive.”
Media Contacts: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620