AUSTRALIA'S BACKWARDS LEAP ON CLIMATE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTED IN INTERNATIONAL STUDY

Media Release

Date:  28 February 2014

Australia’s backtracking of climate policy progression has been highlighted by the release of the GLOBE Climate Legislation Study yesterday.

The study of 66 countries across the globe (where the European Union was considered one entity) found Australia is the only country to be taking negative legislative action in climate policy. The study covers major nations including the US, China, India, Brazil and more.

“Australia is continually being embarrassed on a global stage by Tony Abbott’s ideological attack on Australia’s future,” Shadow Minister for Climate Change Mark Butler said.

The report shows the ‘extent and breadth of climate legislation’.

“It’s happening across the globe: in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe and in both large and small economies from China to Micronesia,” GLOBE Chairman and former Thatcher Government Minister Lord Debden said in the report’s foreword.

“But only Australia is going backwards,” Mr Butler said.

“This report categorically shows the rest of the world knows meaningful action on climate change is required immediately.”

“Tony Abbott is the only one singing from a different song sheet,” Mr Butler said.

At the report’s launch on Thursday, Lord Debden described Australia’s actions as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘amazing’.

Lord Debden also said Tony Abbott had ‘five different views’ on climate change.

“Tony Abbott’s views on climate change are informed by Maurice Newman, who has described the IPCC as ‘deluded and dishonest’, rather than the 97 per cent of scientists who say climate change is real and is already having an impact,” Mr Butler said.

“Australia falling out of step with the rest of the world increases the climate change challenge.”