Labor, Libs clobber ACTU's climate action plan

Greens Leader Bob Brown's motion endorsing the Australian Council of Trade Unions' action plan on climate change was voted down by Labor and the Coalition in the Senate today. The Democrats abstained.

The motion reads:

That the Senate endorses the climate change action plan proposed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, including its call for:

a) government subsidies for energy efficient retrofitting of buildings;

b) mandatory green building codes

c) large-scale reuse of treated effluent

d) improved vehicle fuel efficiency

e) greater use of shipping to cute greenhouse gas emissions

f) the right to reject work which harms the environment

g) a mandatory renewable energy target of 10 per cent, as called for by the Greens in 2002

"I was shocked," Senator Brown said.

"This is a most moderate plan compared to European or Californian legislation. Labor shows it is not going to face up to the challenge of climate change this side of the election," Senator Brown said.