“Every new prime minister starts with a fresh chance. Mr Turnbull now has the personal mandate to act on climate change. It’s time for him to step up to do what he knows is right for Australia and consistent with his own intellect and principles.
“The reality is, if Mr Turnbull had gone to the people with the climate ambition that he knows is right, he would probably have a much bigger margin now. It is time to finally jettison the Abbott baggage.
“All over Australia, individuals, local communities and the entrepreneurs of the renewables industry are ready and willing to put a hand out to the prime minister to work together to do the right thing on climate change.
“Emissions targets that reflect the best science, fostering rapid innovation in the renewables sector, commitment to global best practice and removing industry subsidies and protection for the coal industry could be the keystones of a rebooted Turnbull approach.
“The swings against the Coalition in this election show that Australians are unhappy with the government of the last three years, including major policy failures on climate change, the Great Barrier Reef and the influence of the fossil fuel companies.
“Australians are sick of seeing a fringe group of coal-pushers hold the government to ransom on climate action. For the good of his new government and the future of our country, it is essential that Mr Turnbull now follows his principles and acts on climate change.
“If there is no change, the Coalition’s low emissions reduction targets and lack of any policy to curb Australian coal exports, together with its support for new coal mines in Queensland and elsewhere, will have a devastating impact on the Great Barrier Reef.
“Coal is in terminal decline and it makes no sense to prop up this destructive and declining sector. Australia needs a transition plan - including fair transition arrangements for communities and workers.
“As the world’s top coal exporter, this year alone, the offshore burning of Australia’s coal exports will generate one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide [1].
“A moratorium on the construction of new coal mines, including Adani’s massive Carmichael mine, is a logical first step in a complete phase out of coal. There are no good reasons to keep propping up this sunset industry,” said Mr Ritter.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s climate change policy demands to the major parties can be found here.
ENDS
[1] “Exporting climate change, killing the Reef: Australia's post-Paris contributions”, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, April 2016.