2019-09-19
The climate skeptics in the Canberra Liberals have sunk to new lows, the ACT Greens said today.
“The Canberra Liberals have really shown their true climate skeptic colours this week: misleading the public about the Government’s new climate change strategy, ridiculing children attending the climate change strike, and today voting against an energy saving scheme that helps low income households,” ACT Greens leader and Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said today.
“The Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) has made a big dent in the energy bills of Canberrans as well as greenhouse gas emissions in the Territory. Through the first phase of the scheme, Canberrans will save a total of $240 million, including $15 million saved off the energy bills of low income households. Average weekly savings are $5.78 for participating households and $96 for participating businesses.
“In opposing the EEIS program, and its other climate change actions this week, the Canberra Liberal party has shown it is completely irresponsible when it comes to climate change. The Liberals make all sorts of claims about supporting low income households, but then vote against legislation that actually helps cut energy costs.
“Not to be outdone by their own incompetence, now famed climate skeptic Jeremy Hanson also doubled down on his ridicule of the Student Strikers for Climate Action—despite refusing to meet with these very same students when they addressed the ACT Parliament only yesterday.
“The ‘no plan for climate action’ Liberals say they stand against climate “alarm and scaring children.” Yet their response to the release of the Government’s Climate Change Strategy this week lent only to fearmongering, rather than actual policy.
“The Greens are proud of our climate action efforts, that reduce emissions, save Canberrans money on the energy bills, and do our bit for people and planet.”
This comes in a week that the ACT has been celebrated for its leading climate change action, launching a nation leading climate change strategy, and featuring in a report about cities that are leading the world on the transition to renewable electricity.