ONE YEAR OF MALCOLM TURNBULL: THE FRENEMY OF CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

Media Release.

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for 

Cilmate Change and Energy.

Date:  14 September 2016

Malcolm Turnbull has surrendered on every issue that he has ever said he believes in, with climate change policy no exception, beholden to the climate sceptics within his party.

For years Mr Turnbull nuzzled up next to effective climate change policy and showed what seemed to be a genuine interest in taking meaningful action to lower Australia’s emissions.

Mr Turnbull felt so strongly that he even criticised his own party’s Direct Action policy, describing it as a con, an environmental figleaf to cover a determination to do nothing.

So what has he done in the one year since he was given the opportunity to lead our nation and put into effect real action on climate change?

To say ‘not much’ would be too generous.

The moment he became Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull did a 180 degree turn and was suddenly supportive of the Direct Action policy:

“The climate policy is one that I think has been very well designed. That was a very, very good piece of work.”                                                                                                                                                                      14 SEPTEMBER 2015

Mr Turnbull sold out on his belief in meaningful action on climate change the second he got his hands on power.

Back in 2009 he famously said “I will not lead a party that is not as committed to effective action on climate change as I am”.

We only have to take one look at his caucus room to know that he hasn’t stood by his word.

When you can’t rely on one’s word, you have to rely on the facts. And the fact is that emissions are rising under this Government and no waxing lyrical from Mr Turnbull will change that. Only real action on climate change will.