New Palmer United Senator Urged to Hold the Line on Climate

The Minister for Climate Change, Cassy O’Connor, today congratulated Jackie Lambie from the Palmer United Party on winning the final Tasmanian Senate seat.

Ms O’Connor said she looks forward to working with Senator Lambie to support a price on carbon, despite the Palmer United Party’s overall opposition to the policy.

“Climate change is ultimately a life-and-death challenge, and pricing the pollution that causes it is absolutely vital,” Ms O’Connor said.

“Jackie Lambie has already indicated that she won’t support the new Coalition Government’s push to repeal the price on carbon.

“I look forward to working with her, and other Tasmanian Senators, to ensure Tasmania’s renewable energy advantage and Hydro revenues aren’t undermined by the Abbott Government,” she said.

According to Palmer United policy, the party would not only scrap the carbon tax, but refund the nation’s biggest polluters for amounts already paid.

“That ridiculous policy would come at a heavy cost for Australian taxpayers, increase Australia’s emissions, and hijack our necessary move towards a low-carbon economy,” Ms O’Connor said.

“From a Tasmanian perspective, it’d leave a $164 million black hole over three years in carbon dividends from our clean Hydro power – impacting on funding for key services like health, education and housing.

“Now she’s elected, Ms Lambie should honour her commitment to help retain a carbon price,” she said.
Cassy O’Connor Minister for Climate Change