20-March-2009
Portfolio Media Releases, Emissions Trading Scheme
Revelations in “The Courier-Mail” this morning that a Minister in the Rudd Government has told the coal industry they may get more compensation confirms that the Government is making it up as they go along on emissions trading.
“The coal industry has been consistently telling the government that their hasty, flawed emissions trading scheme will cost jobs and kill investment,” said the Opposition spokesman on emissions trading, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP.
“And here we are at five minutes to midnight – when the Government is telling the Coalition and the Senate that they need to come up with a final position – and the Minister for Energy and Resources has admitted that there are many changes to come on the ETS legislation.
“This is a slight of hand by the Government. They want industry to be quiet before the Queensland election.
“An independent report released this week showed that four out of ten mines and resource processing operations in Queensland will close if the Rudd Government’s emissions trading scheme is introduced.
“Yet the Government is also trying to hoodwink and intimidate industry by holding out false hope and the offer of some crumbs from the rich mans table.
“The Government is hoping that industry may be intimidated into ultimately accepting any slight improvement in the ETS as enough, when we all know that nothing less than fundamental change will stop jobs and emissions being exported to China.
“Martin Ferguson’s comments, along with the attendance of Greg Combet, and other Ministers, at a dinner hosted by the Queensland Resources Council shows that Penny Wong has been cut out.
“If Penny Wong no longer has the confidence of the Prime Minister she should resign or be sacked,” said Mr Robb.
“The more concessions the Government make the less the greenhouse target will be.
“The Coalition believes that tinkering with this flawed scheme will make no difference. A fundamental re-think is required. As well, it makes no sense to rush a scheme before we know what President Obama can and will do.
“The Rudd Government’s plan will cost jobs, kill investment and lead to little, if any, reduction in global greenhouse gases.”
Media Contact: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620