THE election of Tony Abbott to the leadership of the federal Liberal Party will now refocus the debate on the Rudd Government’s reckless response to climate change, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Stephen Parry said today.
Senator Parry said he had taken, after much consideration, a principled position on Thursday, resigning from his position of Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate because he could not support the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) Bills prior to the Copenhagen talks.
“Adopting what amounts to a new tax on business and on families without matching commitments from other nations is an irresponsible course of action with no global benefit,’’ he said.
“This is why I fully support the decision by the party room today to seek, in the first instance, for the CPRS Bills to be referred to a Senate committee.
“If this is not successful, our position is that we will vote against the Bills.
“A strong, two-thirds majority of the party room supported this way forward in responding to the Government’s CPRS Bills.
“Tony Abbott has now rightly contrasted the Opposition to the Government on this key issue.
“We will not copy Prime Minister Rudd’s reckless approach to addressing climate change. We will seek action that is responsible and in the national interest.’’
www.stephenparry.com.au
The Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team … Advancing Tasmania’s Interests
Office of Senator Stephen Parry Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate Manager of Opposition Business in the
