2015-12-08
Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale was in the room to see Australia's Foreign Minister address the UN climate talks in Paris overnight, and says her message rung hollow.
"Minister Bishop can say the word 'innovation' as many times as she likes, but Australia isn't impressing anyone at the Paris climate talks," Senator Di Natale said.
"This conference is packed with the cleanest, most clever technology, but Australia is over here refusing to dump fossil fuel subsidies and pushing ahead with the Southern Hemisphere's largest coal mine in the Galilee Basin.
"I met with the Kiribati President Anote Tong yesterday and he believes that our government cannot continue to mine coal and export it without sacrificing our climate, his country, and surrounding Pacific islands.
"Minister Bishop bragged today about our Renewable Energy Target - the very one her government cut with Labor's help - and boasted about reaching Australia's tiny pollution reduction target in the Kyoto Protocol.
"Weasel words and buzzwords aren't fooling anyone. Australia has been a huge disappointment in these negotiations, and has let down all those Australians who care about the climate that sustains our health, our environment and our economy,” Senator Di Natale concluded.
Media contacts:
In Paris - Gavan McFadzean +61 414 754 023
In Australia - Jennifer Faerber 0438 376 082