Nick Minchin

Friday, January 22, 2010

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Martin Ferguson’s confirmation that Labor will press ahead with plans to introduce its so-called Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, even in the absence of a scheme in the United States, highlights the reckless pigheadedness of the Rudd Government, Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy Senator Nick Minchin said today.

To make matters worse the Minister for Resources and Energy has also reportedly ruled out any further compensation for industries that will be hardest hit by Labor’s ‘go-it-alone’ scheme, such as the aluminium sector.

“The changing political dynamic in the United States means there is virtually no chance the world’s second biggest emitter of CO2 emissions will legislate a cap and trade scheme this year and probably not for some time to come, if ever,” Senator Minchin said.

“Despite these significant developments and following the Copenhagen fiasco, Martin Ferguson is in the United States confirming the Rudd Government is prepared to lock our country in to a great big new carbon tax regardless, selling out Australian jobs and industry in the process.

Mr Ferguson is reported in today’s Australian Financial Review as saying: "We announced our position prior to Christmas and we’re not changing it. We’ve gone as far as we’re going to go on the issue of compensation."

“This is sheer lunacy and confirms that Labor is prepared to undermine the international competitiveness of Australian industry, cost thousands of jobs and increase the cost of living for all Australians, for next to no reduction in global CO2 emissions,” Senator Minchin said.

“Yesterday I visited Portland Aluminium and saw first hand the crucial importance of the smelter to Victoria’s south west and the 600 local people it employs. Labor’s CPRS as it stands will add tens-of-millions of dollars in annual costs to that business and undermine its international competitiveness.

“Despite this stark reality we have Mr Ferguson categorically ruling out any further assistance to industry, saying Labor doesn’t care about Portland; Labor doesn’t care about local jobs and the massive contribution businesses like Portland Aluminium make to local communities and to the economy.

“Labor’s attitude is simply breathtaking. Mr Rudd’s CPRS has been rejected by the Parliament twice already and my clear message of support to Australian industry is that the Coalition remains committed to opposing this abomination for a third time,” Senator Minchin said.