Cut the coal-huggers loose, state Premiers must reject NEG: Bandt

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the coal-huggers in the Coalition are running the country’s climate change and energy policy, further evidenced by Minister David Littleproud’s comments on climate change and the latest analysis of NEG modelling. He called on Premiers Daniel Andrews and Annastacia Palaszczuk to stop treading water and join the ACT in rejecting the current design of the NEG.


“The same time that research is released showing a cascade of climate events could turn the earth into a ‘hothouse’, the Minister for Agriculture said he doesn’t give “a rat’s” if the drought in NSW and others like it are caused by human-induced climate change,” said Mr Bandt.

“David Littleproud not caring whether pollution causes climate change is like the Health Minister not caring if smoking causes cancer.

“If you don’t give “a rat’s” whether or not global warming is caused by humans, then why would you advocate for action to curb it?

“Littleproud’s comments are more evidence that the coal-huggers are running the show.”

State Premiers:

“It’s not enough for Daniel Andrews and Annastacia Palaszczuk to tread water on the NEG. They must join ACT by rejecting the current design of the NEG.

“Daniel Andrews and his state counterparts cannot sign up to a policy that’s been written to appease Tony Abbott.

“If Daniel Andrews eventually signs up to a plan that’s going to smash investment in renewables, the Greens will make sure that voters in the inner-city know about it.

“The current design of the NEG strangles investment in renewable energy. It will only deliver 4 new wind turbines’ worth of investment in renewables over 10 years. [1]

“The best way to bring down power prices and cut pollution is to increase and extend the Renewable Energy Target.”