Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The major parties have failed to deliver an energy policy that protects Australia

By Gareth Walton - posted Monday, 16 August 2004


Although he didn’t say so directly, the Prime Minister made a telling admission in an interview in The Sydney Morning Herald  in August.

He effectively acknowledged that his Government’s climate change policies have failed to convince voters that the Government is actually addressing this issue. And in a tight election where the environment and climate change are proving to be important issues, this is a worry.

So far, the Government’s election strategy on environmental issues has been not to go beyond its current policies. It portrays these policies as sensible and effective, while anyone who goes beyond them, as the ALP does, is portrayed as extreme and economically irresponsible.

Advertisement

Ian Macfarlane, the Minister for Industry, said earlier this year that "The only way the greenhouse policy will change will be a change of government".

By shifting the environment debate onto economic grounds, the Government’s plan was to deny the ALP oxygen for their environment policies and instead confront them on an issue where the polls show it has a clear advantage.

This strategy was perfectly illustrated by the Government’s energy white paper, released in June. This policy contained additional subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and failed to increase Australia’s target for clean, renewable energy. This was the latest in a series of backward-thinking climate change policies from the Government, putting Australia at greater risk.

The Government claimed that going further than the policies in the white paper would threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment.

The paper met with widespread criticism from environment groups, the renewable energy industry, many commentators and others concerned about the impacts of climate change, such as the Australian Medical Association (AMA).  In fact, just about the only praise came from major greenhouse polluters such as the coal and aluminium industries.

The Government appears to have misread the public mood.

Advertisement

It now recognises that the environment and climate change have emerged as major election issues.

One of the reasons for this is the current drought, which scientists have identified as being made more severe due to climate change.

Another reason is that the debate is moving and the Government is struggling to keep up.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Gareth Walton is a climate campaigner with Greenpeace Australia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Gareth Walton
Related Links
Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy