Greens Will Act on Coal

“Senator Bob Brown and the Greens attracted criticism in recent days from both Labor and Liberal parties over the coal issue,” said Greens candidate for Drummoyne Bernard Rooney. “But this only disguised the fact that both Labor and Liberal are not acting on this crisis issue, whereas the Greens have well-developed policies. Both Peter Debnam and Morris Iemma are planning on an increase in coal-fired power when the opposite is needed.”

“Bob Brown did not call for the coal industry to be shut down in three years,” said Mr Rooney. “He called for a plan for the phase out of the coal industry to be developed in three years. The Greens support phasing out the coal industry, not closing down the industry now. Our policy calls for no new coal projects and for increased government support for developing a renewable energy manufacturing industry.”

The Greens position is:

1. phase out coal mining and coal export by stopping the development of new coal mines and coal export facilities and the expansion of existing mines and facilities. After about 15 years most coal mines in NSW would be exhausted.

2. fund a “Just Transitions” package for communities and individuals in NSW who are economically dependent on coal mining.

3. establish a carbon tax and use the revenue to accelerate the transition to low carbon energy and transport industries by subsidising renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Greens hold this position because:

1. Australia’s dependence on coal results in unacceptable and dangerous levels of greenhouse emissions. The myth that coal can be “clean” is a convenient untruth: carbon capture and storage technology is at least 15 years away and may never work.

2. Planning for the transition from coal to renewables is the best way to protect jobs. A planned phase out of coal and government support for green energy industries will allow Australia to develop a vibrant manufacturing industry that will create jobs and earn export income.

More Information:

Summary of NSW Greens Coal Policy

Summary of NSW Greens Climate Change and Energy Policy