13-March-2009
Portfolio Media Releases, Emissions Trading Scheme
The circus surrounding Kevin Rudd’s emissions trading scheme has moved from the bumbling to the ridiculous with revelations that the Government’s own Senate inquiry into their scheme will only accept submissions for a week.
“Vitally affected businesses and green organisations have been given 30 working hours to respond to 489 pages of highly complex legislation. The consultation surrounding one of the biggest structural changes in Australia’s history is a farce and a disgrace,” said the Coalition’s spokesman on emissions trading design, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP.
“This emissions trading scheme is a dog’s breakfast. No matter what it is to do with this scheme there is confusion and controversy,” said the Coalition’s emissions trading spokesman, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP.
“In its current form it will cost tens of thousands of jobs, yet deliver little or no reductions in CO2.
“The Government does not want to hear what people have to say. They are afraid of the truth. Before the election Mr Rudd promised a scheme which delivered deep cuts in emissions, but did no disadvantage to our export and import competing industries.
“The Government’s scheme fails on miserably on both counts.
“It is precisely because of this behaviour that the Coalition and the Greens have set up their own inquiry into what is the best way to tackle this issue. The Coalition believes that this major change to our economy deserves to be properly considered. That is why our inquiry will look at complementary and alternative ways of responding to climate change.
“Wayne Swan was right to set up an inquiry into this scheme. It is a pity that he either fell to the pressure from his zealot colleagues or was rolled by them.
“Like so many other areas the Government has a narrow, blinkered view on their emissions trading scheme,” said Mr Robb.
Media Contact: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620