SHORTEN’S OLIVE BRANCH ON FINKEL LOOKS MORE LIKE A WHITE FLAG: BANDT

2017-06-08

Shorten’s olive branch on Finkel looks more like a white flag: Bandt

Greens climate and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt has warned Bill Shorten about signing up to a Low Emissions Target (LET) that’s even weaker than what John Howard proposed in 2007. Bill Shorten’s letter to the Prime Minister today suggests Labor’s ‘olive branch’ is more a white flag of surrender in the ‘climate wars’.

“Labor should not end the ‘climate wars’ by surrendering and waving the white flag,” said Mr Bandt.

“Labor’s ‘olive branch’ looks more like a white flag.

“If the reports that we’re hearing about the Finkel review are true, it will recommend a scheme that counts gas and even some coal as ‘clean energy’, which is weaker than what even John Howard proposed.

“If Bill Shorten signs up to a scheme that counts gas and coal as clean energy, then consumers will be dipping into their own pockets to subsidise big coal and gas, while pollution and prices continue to rise.

“I urge Labor not to sign up to a scheme designed to appease the Trumps on Malcolm Turnbull’s backbench. The future of energy and climate policy in our country depends on strong, decisive action not policy designed to placate Tony Abbott.”

Media contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054

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