Green Collar GroupElection time climate change policies reviewed
During the election campaign, the Federal government announced some revamped climate change policy. The one that stole most headlines was Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement that if re-elected, her government would establish a “citizen’s assembly” to help develop community consensus for action on climate change.
Other policies include:
- strict guidelines on new coal-fired power stations and invest $1 billion over 10 years towards converting Australia’s electricity grid to renewable energy sources
- pledge to pay “cash for clunkers” and give a $2000 rebate to people to trade in old, heavy polluting vehicles for newer, environmentally friendly cars
- setting up an independent commission to better explain the science behind climate change and report on international action
The government has not changed its stance on delaying the introduction of an emissions trading scheme for a couple of years, although Gillard has made a number of comments around the need for putting a price on carbon.
Meanwhile, Tony Abbot’s climate change policy during the election campaign remained unchanged from earlier this year.
He has said that a Coalition government, if elected, would create a $1 billion fund to be used to purchase initiatives aimed at reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, but has not indicated how such a scheme would be funded, or how it would operate. Abbott’s policy announcements have been mostly around investment in environmental programs and science, including a plan to plant 20 million trees by 2020.
