[Peakoil] Fwd: [Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Climate change and peak oil remain "unexpected surprises": Greens

[Antony Barry]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)" <Katrina.Willis at aph.gov.au>
> Date: 10 May 2006 5:14:20 PM
> To: <media at lists.greens.org.au>
> Subject: [Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Climate change and peak oil  
> remain "unexpected surprises": Greens
>
> MEDIA RELEASE
>
> Tuesday, 9 May 2006
>
> Climate change and peak oil remain "unexpected surprises": Greens
>
> The Howard government has ignored the greatest identifiable risks  
> to the
> Australian economy - climate change and oil depletion - in its Budget
> tonight, Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne said.
>
> "Treasurer Peter Costello has used the metaphor of storms  
> throughout his
> Budget speech to refer to economic circumstances but has failed to
> mention real storms and economic risk relating to climate change and
> energy security," Senator Milne said in Canberra tonight. "In fact, he
> hasn't mentioned them at all."
>
> "Climate change does not exist for Peter Costello, or the Howard
> Government. Neither does energy security.
>
> "The government plans to spend an additional $1.5 billion over the  
> next
> five years on securing Australia against terrorism, but nothing to
> secure the country against oil depletion and climate change."
>
> The Budget contains no framework for the introduction of carbon  
> taxes or
> emissions trading, no energy efficiency or emissions targets, and no
> measures to reinvigorate investment in renewable energy.
>
> "With oil prices predicted to rise to US$100 a barrel it is ridiculous
> for the Budget to allocate ten times as much funding for roads as it
> allocates to rail, and to subsidise heavy vehicles," Senator Milne  
> said.
>
>
> "Where is the investment in public transport? Why hasn't the Treasurer
> linked the $52 million subsidy to Ford to a requirement for
> fuel-efficient design of motor vehicles?
>
> "It is a shocking indictment of Australian political leaders that
> climate change and oil depletion are not mentioned in the Budget
> 'Statement of Risks' for Australia.
>
> "While the government acknowledges that there is a risk that it might
> need to spend more on drought assistance to farmers, it assumes  
> that it
> is unlikely. This is unbelievable.
>
> "How many times do climate scientists have to tell us that the  
> frequency
> and intensity of storms, floods and droughts is increasing before  
> Prime
> Minister John Howard hears the climate message?
>
> "It seems that the liability for damages caused by objects falling  
> from
> space is more real to the Howard Government than global warming.
>
> "Treasurer Costello identifies the Future Fund as the way the next
> generation will be able to meet the challenges of their time. He  
> doesn't
> seem to realise that the Future Fund will be a fraction of what  
> will be
> needed to adapt to climate change and to oil-proof the Australian
> economy."
>
> More information: Katrina Willis 02 6277 3063 or 0437 587 562
>
>
> Katrina Willis
> Adviser
> Office of Senator Christine Milne
> Ph: 03 6234 4566
> 0437 587562
> Fax: 03 6234 2144
> www.greens.org.au
>
>
>
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