2021-08-25
The ACT Greens have today called on Canberra’s Federal Labor MPs to actually represent the ACT community’s clear desire for strong climate action, rather than voting to allow public money to be used to subsidise new gas projects.
At yesterday’s Labor Caucus meeting, the party confirmed it intends to vote with the Liberal party to oppose a Greens disallowance motion that would have blocked $50m from being gifted to gas companies, including $21 million to a major Liberal party donor to frack the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory.
“What possible justification is there for our MPs, who tell the community how committed they are to climate action, not to support this motion?” Tim Hollo, candidate for Canberra, asked today.
“We’re talking about discretionary funds being directed to gas companies with strong ties to the Liberal party, often headquartered in tax havens, to cook the planet, put groundwater at risk, and ignore the wishes of First Nations communities. And the Parliament could have stopped it. Labor’s decision is inexplicable and inexcusable.”
“The Beetaloo Basin will be the single biggest source of emissions in Australia - dwarfing the Adani coal mine and destroying any chance of Australia meeting its emissions targets. We're talking about more emissions than entire countries”, Hollo also noted.
Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng, ACT Greens candidate for the Senate, today said “It’s shocking that Labor is ok with the Liberals having another slush fund, considering their criticism of the Sports Rorts and Car Park grants scandal. It’s downright wrong that they would support one designed to direct millions to fossil fuel companies with close ties to the Liberal party.”
“The disallowance motion would have terminated a $50 million slush fund for Liberal party fossil field donors. End of story.”
“That’s $50 million that could go to health, education, public housing or investing in renewable electricity.”
Dr Goreng Goreng also highlighted the impact on local First Nations communities.
“Fracking in the Northern Territory puts our First Nations land, groundwater, sacred sites and entire communities at risk. You cannot claim to support First Nations rights when you are willing to subsidise gas companies to destroy our land.”
“We're disappointed, but we shouldn't be surprised. Today is proof that both parties will sell out the environment, the climate and First Nations people to keep their fossil fuel donors happy.”
“This is why we need to ban donations from the fossil fuel industry. Until that happens, we will continue to see the interest of factions, lobbyists and corporate donors prevent Australia from taking meaningful action on climate change,” Hollo also said today.
Quotes attributable to Tim Hollo, ACT Greens candidate for Canberra
“Tragically, this highlights how weak the ACT’s Federal Labor MPs are in the caucus. They’ve failed to convince their colleagues to support a crucial motion to stop public money causing immense damage, and now they have to vote to let it through.”
“If you aren’t able to vote against subsidising fossil fuel companies, how can you tell the community you support climate action?”
Quotes attributable to Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng, ACT Greens candidate for the Senate
“This is why it’s crucial to have a strong Greens presence in both Houses of Parliament, pulling Labor to do the right thing.”
“The Greens refuse to take donations from the fossil fuel industry, which is why we are free to take genuine action on climate change, not outcomes that suit big fossil fuel donors.”