Environment Victoria has today welcomed the agreement by the federal Greens and the ALP which reinforces the need for a price on carbon. The agreement, signed by Prime Minister Gillard and Senator Brown, establishes a parliamentary committee to advance action on climate change and reiterates that a carbon price is necessary to achieve pollution reduction.
Environment Victoria Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham said today:
“In the election campaign both major parties ran a mile from climate change leadership and a price‐tag on pollution. They clearly paid a price for that at the polls with the rise of the Greens and the Independents. It is very pleasing that the Greens have used the election of Adam Bandt to the House of Representatives and their influence in the Senate to put a carbon price back on the agenda.”
“While we’d prefer to see an earlier and clearer commitment to a price‐tag on pollution from our next government, we are confident that the new committee will re‐affirm the critical role of a price on carbon.”
“With four of the cross‐bench members broadly supportive of a price on carbon there is a fresh opportunity to make progress on this issue in the next term of government. We urge the Independents and the Coalition to participate in this committee.”
“While the Committee will need some time to undertake its work there are initiatives that the next federal government could be taking immediately to reduce Australia’s greenhouse pollution.”
“At this stage we have seen no formal response from either Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott to the Victorian Government’s proposal to close one quarter of Hazelwood Power Station. Hazelwood is Australia’s dirtiest power station, producing almost 3 percent of the nation’s emissions”
“The community wants Hazelwood replaced, the state government wants it replaced and International Power, the owners of Hazelwood, want a plan to replace the whole of the power station. It’s a no‐brainer for the federal government to assist with the full replacement of Hazelwood, which will reduce emissions by 14 million tonnes each year and make it easier to introduce a price‐tag on pollution.”
For further information or comment:
Mark Wakeham 0439 700 501 03 9341 8127
Find out more about our Replace Hazelwood Campaign