CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for Environment
 Climate Change and Water

Date:  22 April 2015

The Climate Change Authority (CCA) has told the Abbott Government its weak climate stance is insufficient to meet Australia’s obligations to do its fair share to reduce pollution. 

The CCA was established by Labor to provide independent, expert advice on Australia’s climate policies and approach to reducing carbon pollution. 

Tony Abbott has tried to abolish the CCA and has ignored every report its released since he became Prime Minister. 

Today’s draft report on Australia’s future emissions reduction targets outlines that Australia’s current policy settings do not reflect its role as the biggest polluter per person in the OECD and Australia needs to do more to reduce its carbon pollution to avoid having to play catch up beyond 2020. 

“Labor welcomes the CCA’s draft report into Australia’s emissions reduction targets,” Shadow Minister for Climate Change Mark Butler said. 

“This is exactly what Labor established the CCA to do. Tony Abbott has consistently ignored expert advice across a range of policy issues, but particularly in climate change. 

“Labor will consider this report closely and we want Tony Abbott to do the same. 

“Australia has a responsibility to play a constructive role in global efforts to reduce carbon pollution and our international partners have this week expressed concern that Tony Abbott’s polluters’ slush fund is simply not good enough.” 

Labor has said that if elected in 2016, we’ll introduce a legal cap on carbon pollution, underpinned by a market mechanism that lets business work out the cheapest and most effective way to operate. Labor’s policy will also include strong support for renewable energy and has committed to lift the 2020 Renewable Energy Target. 

“Labor’s emissions trading scheme will set a cap on carbon pollution consistent with the science and based on the advice of agencies like the CCA. That cap will reduce over time in line with Australia’s international commitments. 

“Conversely, Tony Abbott has established a multi-billion dollar polluters’ slush fund and is intent on destroying the renewable energy industry,” Mr Butler said. 

“Australians and our international partners are right to be questioning Tony Abbott’s credibility in climate change policy.”