Statement on new Prime Minister
Australian Greens Corangamite candidate Mike Lawrence has welcomed the historic posting of Julia Gillard as Australia’s new Prime Minister.
“I congratulate Ms Gillard and urge her to lead an Australian shift from a pollution dependent economy to a clean economy capitalizing on the opportunity for all Australians to live and work safely in a healthy environment,” Mr. Lawrence said.
“Australians are hungry for strong and consistent National and Global leadership on climate action.”
In May Labor’s primary vote fell eight points from 43 per cent to 35 per cent after the government announced it would shelve the emissions trading scheme.
Exit polls from the 2007 election showed climate change was among the top two issues for voters in the election that saw John Howard lose the prime ministership.
“We urge Prime Minister Gillard to put a price on pollution and to boost support for renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives,” Mr. Lawrence said.
“Much more also needs to be done to protect special places like our marine environments, our river systems, our forests and the superb natural and cultural values of northern Australia. To create a vital economy within the limits of a sustainable and clean environment”.
“In this election year all political parties should be listening to the Australian public’s continued strong desire for action to tackle climate change and protect our natural environment.
“I warmly acknowledge Kevin Rudd’s strong leadership role before and during the difficult Copenhagen climate talks last year, the achievement of a 20 per cent renewable energy target and his first act as Prime Minister – ratifying the Kyoto Protocol It was a courageous start.”
“We urge Julia Gillard to provide the leadership required to move Australia into the 21st century committed to the wellbeing of generations to come”