Bob Brown slams Costello

Monday, 20 November 2006

Brown slams Costello on climate change

The Ispsos Mackay poll putting the Greens ahead of the major parties on management of climate change is voter recognition of the Greens' serious credentials for tackling the issue, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"The 2007 election will feature climate change and its impact on the economy as well as the environment. The Ipsos Mackay poll found that 60 per cent of Australians believe that climate change will be important in determining their vote at the next federal election and that people trust the Greens above any other party to manage Australia's response to climate change," Senator Brown said

"Yet Treasurer Costello does not get it. He dismissed concerns that climate change did not rate highly at the G20 conference in Melbourne on the weekend, saying that it was 'not a meeting of environment ministers'. Mr Costello, of all people, should know that climate change is a huge economic issue. Apparently our Treasurer has not read the report by former chief economist to the World Bank, Sir Nicholas Stern,
who made it clear that climate change is the worst market failure in history and if not tackled cold cost $9 trillion a year."

"It is appalling that Peter Costello does not link the current drought with climate change, though he does understand that the drought could lead to a rural recession. It seems that only a change of government will lead to Canberra taking climate change as a serious economic challenge to Australia," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown reiterated the Greens' position that nuclear power is not the answer to climate change.

"It is too dangerous, too expensive and would take too long," Senator Brown said.