Finkel report a political fix

The review of Australia's energy markets handed down today by Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel is more interested in fixing a political problem for Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten than in addressing the great issue of our times, dangerous global warming, said leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale and Greens Climate Change Spokesperson Adam Bandt MP.

"The goal should be to stop dangerous climate change, not find a political fix that won’t keep the climate safe or save the reef," Dr Di Natale said.

"Unfortunately, Bill Shorten and Malcolm Turnbull seem to be more interested in neutralising a thorny political issue than making sure that our children and children’s children have a bright future."

"This is a plan that will keep polluting coal and gas burning for another 50 years, not a plan to stop dangerous climate change," Dr Di Natale added.

Bill Shorten has sided with the Liberals to slash the Renewable energy target, cut half a billion from renewable energy and support the Adani coal mine, and now he wants to join with the Liberals and Nationals to keep the big polluters happy."

"Right now, big coal and big gas are licking their lips," said Mr Bandt.

 “The Finkel Report is full of good ideas, but the key proposal of a Low Emissions Target is far worse than the version John Howard announced in 2007 and will see consumers subsidise gas and let coal keep polluting," he said.

"Bill Shorten and Labor cannot end the ‘climate wars’ by running up the white flag and blindly signing up to a deal with the Liberals."

“Labor’s ‘olive branch’ looks more like a white flag," Mr Bandt added.

Richard Di Natale
June 9 2017