[Peakoil] Fwd: [Greens-Media] Greens endorse call for action on national transport and fuels policy

[Antony Barry]

Begin forwarded message:

> MEDIA RELEASE
> Thursday, 16 February 2006
>
> Greens endorse call for action on national transport and fuels policy
>
> The Australian Greens today endorsed the call by a high-level economic
> body for changes to national transport and fuels policy to better
> prepare Australia for high oil prices.
>
> Australian Greens energy and climate change spokesperson Senator
> Christine Milne said the paper by the conservative-leaning  
> Committee for
> Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) highlighted shortcomings in
> government action.
>
> "The CEDA paper identifies risks to the Australian economy of high oil
> prices and rightly criticises short-term political responses such as
> cuts to fuel excise," Senator Milne said in Hobart.
>
> "While the Greens do not endorse all the paper's conclusions and
> recommendations we welcome the focus on the need for government  
> action.
>
> "Congestion taxes, as the paper notes, reduce dependence on oil and
> lower costs. Experience in London, where a congestion tax was  
> introduced
> in 2003, has been positive, with congestion down 30 per cent and  
> revenue
> raised directed to improving public transport.
>
> "Huge public subsidies for road transport in Australia, by one  
> estimate
> as high as $6.3 billion pa, should be redirected towards sustainable
> transport, for example, supporting research and development of fuel
> efficiency and alternative fuels.
>
> "The CEDA paper notes the fragility of the balance between global oil
> supply and demand, and the approach of peak production levels.
>
> "The federal government cannot ignore the need to develop a
> comprehensive strategy to achieve a sustainable energy future. This
> issue is urgent."
>
> Senator Milne, who initiated a Senate inquiry into Australia's future
> oil supply, called on the community to become involved in the inquiry
> and so increase pressure on the government to develop a strategic  
> plan.
>
> The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References  
> Committee
> is conducting the inquiry. Submissions close on 24 February.
>
> Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562
>
>
> Katrina Willis
> Adviser
> Senator Christine Milne
> Phone 03 6234 4566
> Fax 03 6234 2144
> Mobile 0437 587 562
> www.christinemilne.org.au
>
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