Iemma on notice
Newcastle Greens
6 December 2006
Greens put Iemma on notice with Climate Futures Bill
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is in Newcastle today to launch the Greens Climate Futures Bill with Greens candidate Cr Michael Osborne. The Bill is a challenge to Labor to take the urgent action necessary to address the climate change implications of the Hunter coal industry.
“Premier Morris Iemma says climate change is a key issue for his election campaign. But he is busy ignoring the major contribution that burning coal makes to climate change,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“The Premier cannot pretend to tackle climate change while overseeing the biggest expansion of the coal industry ever seen in NSW.
“The Greens bill would impose a moratorium on new coal projects. It directs the NSW government to provide a transition package of retraining and jobs for coal communities, and fast track the development of a renewable energy industry in NSW.
“The bill also raises the NSW mandatory renewable energy targets to at least 20% by 2012, and 50% by 2020.
“The Greens believe it is possible to have wins for the economy and the environment, while tackling climate change,” Ms Rhiannon said.
Greens candidate for Newcastle, Cr Michael Osborne, says new coal projects proposed for NSW will result in the emission of 136.56 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
“This almost doubles NSW’s total emissions in 2004 of 158.7 million tonnes and creates a whole new state of coal,” Cr Osborne said.
“The Greens will continue our work to make coal a key election issue in the Hunter region.
“The Stern Review put a social cost on every tonne of carbon of $85. Applying this formula, the new proposals alone would have a social cost of over $11.5 billion.
“Voters want real action on climate change, not just lip service to the problem while quietly supporting the continued march of the coal industry across NSW,” Cr Osborne said.
