First let me say sorry I've been inactive on here for a while, I've been going through some troubling times myself...but it's good to see nothing has changed! haha
Now the ETS;
A few points -
* Aluminium smelters will recieve permits for one ton of free emissions for every .7 tonnes included in their electricity bill
* The Garnaut model expected $4b p.a being raised and spent on the implementation and development of clean technology but instead this Rudd model spends almost all of the raised revenue on compensation for industry, business and low and middle income earners.
* 5% reductions below 2000 (not 1990 levels like the rest of the developed world is modelling on) levels by 2020 without an international agreement and a max of 15% with an international agreement (what an incentive for other countries to follow suit with such an ambitious plan).
My thoughts? This is a disgrace, big business and mining have managed to water down this climate change plan, Rudd is now turning to the climate change skeptics in the Liberal Party for support in passing it through both houses, adding further pressure on watering down this even more.
I cannot understand how in a country that last financial year had a combined federal and state revenue of about $450bn p.a, an electorate that consistantly shows a majority or overwhelming majority of support for stronger action on climate change that is being taken now and the looming domestic and global catastrophic crisis if stronger action is not taken that the government is failing to implement a so called "energy revolution". $450bn a year COAG has access to; if 0.01% of this is spent directly on investing in wind, solar, tidal, hydro and geothermal power generators then over the next 12 years till 2020 Australia could pump $45bn into the renewable energy sector, creating not only jobs and reducing our reliance on finite hydrocarbon resources but also speed up the transition for the renewable sector into one of economy of scale, giving lower costs, improved effeciency.
This is without the extra revenue from the ETS and other approved capital programs in place, all the while we could manage to preserve the precious 'Howard surplus'...
If Rudd doesn't change the ETS and his climate change policy before the next election to something much stronger, then neither major parties will be getting my vote (not that the Liberals ever had a chance with me!!), the Greens will control the Senate as I am no where near the only disenchanted Labor/Left voter.
Of course, Rudd's not only playing catch up due to 12 years of painful neglect by the Howard govt but also possibly the worst global recession since the Great Depression, if not ""Greater"", but none the less disappointed.
Your thoughts and opinions gentlemen?
FO :) |