23rd July 2010 1:04 pm by Dr Richard Di Natale

Dr Richard Di Natale's Blog

Julia Gillard today announced her government's response to the issue of climate change: a "citizens' assembly" of "real Australians" to investigate the issue and work to build consensus for action.

This has to be one of the most cynical announcements of the campaign. This government was elected with a strong mandate to take action and three years later we still have nothing. The Age wrote this morning that the PM will "flag the possibility of further delay if the citizens' assembly is not convinced of the need to act." It's hard to see how anybody in Australia or abroad could have any confidence that we as a nation take the issue seriously.

 

We do not have time for this sort of dithering. The science is solid, Australians want action, and the costs of business as usual are too high to conteplate. Delegating responsibility for this great challenge to what amounts to a focus group is poll driven politics gone mad. Another excuse to delay hard decisions.

Let me propose a different sort of "citizens' assembly". I think everybody should get a say, instead of hand-picking a few "real Australians" at random. We should all debate the issue, then - so we keep things manageable - perhaps we could get together in our communities and appoint somebody to represent our views at a smaller gathering. Perhaps 150 or so representatives wouldn't be too many? This group could debate on our behalf and then decide on the best action to take.

I suppose these representatives would need some sort of "house" to meet in at a central location. Perhaps Canberra would do?

 

It's an obvious joke but it highlights  that our elected Government is shirking its responsibility to demonstrate leadership.
 
Luckily, there is hope. If The Greens achieve the balance of power in the Senate, we will work tirelessly for a climate bill that will make a difference. We will work with the Government of the day for the best outcome possible. Our plan for a carbon tax is still on the table, is ready to go and is backed by leading economists such as Ross Garnaut, the Government's own climate change advisor.
 
It's time for action.

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