Media Release

July 16, 2008

Failure is the option chosen by Minister Wong: Friends of the Earth

Despite claiming “failure is not an option” Minister Penny Wong has today set out a plan for failure Friends of the Earth Australia said today.

The “Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme” elaborated in the Green Paper has more loopholes and get out clauses then even the European Trading Scheme, as a result it will make little in-roads into Australia's greenhouse pollution.

“This is an appalling outcome. Polluters are being given an incentive to pollute more in the next few years to qualify for more compensation”, Damien Lawson, climate justice coordinator said today.

“Transport emissions will continue to grow with petrol effectively neutralised from the scheme.”

“The inclusion of international credits from the international market will undermine the scheme even further with big polluters continuing to pollute while purchasing questionable abatement offshore.

“This is an unrecognised major loophole that must be plugged. Australian emissions must be reduced in Australia.

“Once again the coal industry looks like they will get handouts while Australia's coal exports continue to soar.”

“Millions are already suffering because of global warming. Yet Wong is treating the climate emergency like another political stitch up. We will all suffer as a result.”

For more information: Damien Lawson 0419 253 342