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Garnaut challenges Iemma govt to find new direction on energy
Friday 04 July 2008
The publication of the draft report of the Garnaut Climate Change Review is the beginning of the end for the climate denial policies of NSW Treasurer Michael Costa and Premier Morris Iemma, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: “Professor Garnaut has forced emissions reductions onto centre stage.
“In effect he has delivered a none-too-subtle rebuke to governments that pay lip service to climate change while pushing ahead with the emissions-heavy policies, infrastructure and development.
“The Garnaut Review process is inexorably isolating Treasurer Costa’s thinly veiled climate scepticism.
“Professor Garnaut surgically refuted any argument for compensating electricity generators for the costs of emissions trading.
“Without free permits or other financial assistance, NSW generators could be paying up to $3.5 billion a year for permits.
“This will wipe out most of the sale price of power stations. This is a particularly bad time for privatisation.
“The Iemma government would have little choice but to take privatisation off the table if they cared about the economic benefits of the people of NSW.
“Building new coal-fired power stations and motorways and promoting energy intensive industries flies in the face of Professor Garnaut’s analysis.
“NSW is at risk of being left behind if the Iemma government does not move beyond its obsession with coal,” Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
