10-March-2009
Portfolio Media Releases, The Economy, Emissions Trading Scheme
The Coalition will carefully consider the Government’s draft legislation for an Emissions Trading Scheme released today.
“We will be carefully examining the Government’s draft legislation to see what impact it has on jobs and what impact it has on reducing CO2 emissions,” said the Shadow Minister for Emissions Trading Design, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP.
“What we know already is that the Government’s emissions trading scheme as it currently stands is deeply flawed – if implemented it would cost jobs, kill investment and not see any appreciable reduction in CO2 emissions.
“It has failed on all accounts,” said Mr Robb.
“The Government has come up with a scheme that is so flawed that I don’t know anybody outside the Government that supports this scheme.
“There are many in the Labor caucus and even in Cabinet who are deeply disturbed about the direction the Government is taking this, especially at a time when we have got the economy under such enormous pressure. Obviously they are disturbed by a scheme which is going to demonstrably make our businesses uncompetitive around the world, cost thousands of jobs and at the same time do nothing about reducing CO2.
“Our response to this legislation will be informed by the Senate inquiry that the Opposition has announced with the support of the Greens and the report we have commissioned by Dr David Pearce of the Centre for International Economics.
“The Government was a one-dimensional response to climate change, including a politically inspired, artificial deadline.
“We want to examine additional complementary measures and alternatives to the Government’s ETS that should be considered,” said Mr Robb.
Media Contact: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620