10 February 2011
Greens Candidate rejects cuts to Renewable Energy funding.
Bathurst Greens candidate, Diane Westerhuis, believes Bathurst’s new Flannery Centre is one of the country’s best examples of the kind of response that is requiredto tackle Climate Change, but she is concerned about the Federal government quitting on its promise of renewable energy funding.
Ms Westerhuis today slammed the short-sightedness of the Federal Government for cutting its renewable energy funding to pay for the Queensland flood recovery.
“In Bathurst, we have the Flannery Centre about to open to create skill development and real job creation in renewables in our electorate and beyond, while the federal government is abandoning its commitment to this vital push by pulling the plug on renewable energy funding.”
“This response to the terrible impact of the Queensland Floods is madness”, said Westerhuis. “Climate change means more extreme weather events, so it makes sense to establish a permanent Climate Disaster Fund -- not just axe any bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to pay for the destruction of one event.”
“There's a simple solution to fund reconstruction after extreme weather events, while also reducing pollution and supporting renewable energy,” she said. “The Government should establish a permanent Climate Disaster Fund, paid for by abandoning corporate tax cuts.”
The Greens remain open to the idea of a flood levy, but oppose climate program cuts and will seek discussions with the Government about alternatives including deferring top end corporate tax cuts as well as establishing a long-term disaster relief fund to face up to the reality of climate change.
"Helping to rebuild shattered communities left in the wake of these devastating floods is a top priority for Australians and the Greens firmly stand behind that goal," said Ms Westerhuis,"But it does a disservice to all those tragically affected by these floods - and all those whose lives will be thrown into turmoil by more floods, fires, storms and droughts in years to come - to keep insisting that these are one off events and ignore the role of climate change.