Media Release
Mark Butler MP.
Shadow Minister for EnvironmentClimate Change and Water
The
Abbott Government has been caught out short-changing its signature
Direct Action policy by more than $1 billion in the Budget, putting
beyond doubt that it will waste billions to pay big polluters without
achieving its own emission reduction targets.
On
24 April, Environment Minister Greg Hunt proudly claimed to have found
an extra $1 billion for the fourth year of the Emissions Reduction Fund,
making it a total of commitment of $2.55 billion over four years.
But
the Budget papers show this $2.55 billion is actually committed over 10
years, not four as Minister Hunt has repeatedly said since unveiling
the Emissions Reduction Fund last month, which has been widely panned by
economists, business and environmental groups. Only $1.14 billion has
been allocated in the Budget across four years.
“In
line with the Government's long standing policy, the forward estimates
commitment to the ERF will be $2.55 billion, with further funding to be
considered in future budgets.”
“While
it barely seemed possible, last night saw Tony Abbott backslide even
further on Australia’s fight against climate change,” Shadow Minister
for Climate Change Mark Butler said.
“The
centrepiece of Tony Abbott’s climate policy has been slashed by more
than half from $2.55 billion to $1.5 billion in what is the latest of a
long list of broken promises.”
“Any
slim hope of Tony Abbott’s policy achieving Australia’s target of
reducing carbon pollution is now utterly lost. But what’s worse is that
it will cost taxpayers $2.55 billion at a time when the Government is
slashing health and education spending and increasing taxes.
“This fig leaf of a climate policy – to use Malcolm Turnbull’s words – now lies in tatters,” Mr Butler said.
Economists and scientists have long said that the Emissions Reduction Fund is nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Tony Abbott seems determined to prove them right.
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