The Minister for Climate Change, Cassy O’Connor, today said the Prime Minister’s move to weaken the carbon pricing mechanism and let big polluters off the hook was a backwards step for the climate and for Tasmania.
“Like all Australians who recognise the need to bring down our emissions to avoid dangerous climate change, I am extremely disappointed in the Prime Minister’s decision to scrap the fixed price on carbon, allowing big polluters to pay less,” Ms O’Connor said.
“The carbon pricing scheme, as well as the renewable energy and biodiversity funds, are bringing down our national emissions, although we are still among the world’s very highest per capita emitters.
“The carbon price is having a positive effect, environmentally and economically.
“To scrap it without logical reason and with no commitment to strong measures to bring down Australia’s large greenhouse output is a backwards step for the nation, the climate and Tasmania.”
“Australians want strong action on climate change and they know rewarding big polluters won’t deliver that for their children and grandchildren,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor Minister for Climate Change Sunday 14th Jul 2013
