[GreensMPs_Media] Wong cannot guarantee CPRS will reduce emissions. That's because it won't

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Wong cannot guarantee CPRS will reduce emissions. That's because it
won't

Hobart, Thursday 28 January 2010

In her press conference yesterday afternoon, Climate Change Minister
Penny Wong twice refused to guarantee that her CPRS would reduce
Australia's emissions.

The Greens will continue to urge the government to discuss the
constructive interim proposal put on the table last week and since
endorsed by Professor Garnaut.

"Minister Wong cannot guarantee that her CPRS will reduce Australia's
emissions because she knows full well that, in its current form, it
won't," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne said.

"The Government's own modelling confirms that the CPRS will pay
Australia's polluters to keep polluting while hiding that fact with
unlimited, and potentially dodgy, carbon offsets from overseas.

"The Greens stand ready, willing and able to work with Mr Rudd and
Minister Wong to make the emissions trading scheme workable, but we
cannot and will not support a scheme which, as it stands, is nothing
more than multi-billion dollar smoke and mirrors.

"Our proposal is designed as a building block for future climate action
that's got real teeth. Mr Rudd's CPRS is impossible to strengthen after
it's passed without billions more handouts to polluters.

"Our proposal gives half its revenue back to Australia's householders
and is still in the black. Mr Rudd's CPRS pays polluters to keep
polluting and ends up deep in debt.

"Our proposal will drive investment and job creation here in Australia.
Mr Rudd's CPRS will simply flood Australia with carbon offsets from
overseas. He would not even accept the Greens' sensible proposal to make
sure that those offsets are gold standard accredited, let alone limit
their number.

"With their disappointing Copenhagen submission last night, Kevin Rudd
and Penny Wong confirmed again that they do not have what it takes to
provide leadership on the climate crisis. They are part of the problem,
not part of the solution.

"Their programs on renewable energy and energy efficiency are in a
shambles and their Green Car Innovation Fund is paying for 4 cylinder
petrol cars.

"Clearly, Australians will have to look elsewhere for leadership on the
climate crisis."


Tim Hollo
Media Adviser
Senator Christine Milne | Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate
Change Spokesperson
Suite SG-112 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3588 | M: 0437
587 562
http://www.christinemilne.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au
<http://www.greensmps.org.au/> 



	
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