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“Re-structuring the cabinet to emphasise climate change is a good first step, but the key indicator of the new government’s success will be whether emissions stop going up during this term and then decrease rapidly.
“While the spotlight will be on Senator Penny Wong, and Peter Garrett as the new Ministers responsible for climate change, leadership by every single member of the new cabinet will be crucial.
“From Treasury to Industry, Environment to Foreign Affairs, Water, Agriculture and National Security, global warming will have a profound impact throughout our society and will demand bold and brilliant leadership from all the new cabinet members.
“Quitting Australia’s addiction to coal is the big challenge. Just yesterday a new polluting coal-fired power station opened at Kogan Creek in Queensland, and new plants are proposed for NSW, Victoria and WA.
“Emissions will continue to skyrocket unless the new Government acts decisively to not only stop new polluting plants being built, but to also start replacing the oldest and dirtiest coal power with renewables and energy efficiency.
“Yesterday the head of the National Generators Forum (representing the 22 largest power generators in the country) confirmed that new coal-fired power stations are no longer economically viable without massive public subsidies or sweet heart deals from government.
“The challenge for Rudd’s new cabinet is to start the switch away from coal to clean, renewable energy.
“While the spotlight will be on Senator Penny Wong, and Peter Garrett as the new Ministers responsible for climate change, leadership by every single member of the new cabinet will be crucial.
“From Treasury to Industry, Environment to Foreign Affairs, Water, Agriculture and National Security, global warming will have a profound impact throughout our society and will demand bold and brilliant leadership from all the new cabinet members.
“Quitting Australia’s addiction to coal is the big challenge. Just yesterday a new polluting coal-fired power station opened at Kogan Creek in Queensland, and new plants are proposed for NSW, Victoria and WA.
“Emissions will continue to skyrocket unless the new Government acts decisively to not only stop new polluting plants being built, but to also start replacing the oldest and dirtiest coal power with renewables and energy efficiency.
“Yesterday the head of the National Generators Forum (representing the 22 largest power generators in the country) confirmed that new coal-fired power stations are no longer economically viable without massive public subsidies or sweet heart deals from government.
“The challenge for Rudd’s new cabinet is to start the switch away from coal to clean, renewable energy.
For further information or comment
Kate Carroll, communications officer, 0417 423 633
