Palmer Saves Emissions Trading Scheme

Federal Member for Fairfax

Media release

The Palmer United Party has successfully negotiated with the Abbott Government to consider major amendments to carbon farming, retaining the Climate Change Authority and agreeing to a three-stage, 18-month enquiry into an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax Clive Palmer says the enquiry into major environmental initiatives including the benefits of the Palmer United Party’s ETS would be undertaken by former governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bernie Fraser in his capacity as chairman of the Climate Change Authority.

In a unifying move for all Australians, Mr Palmer said the enquiry was expected to report back to parliament in June 2015 with a further advanced report in November 2015 prior to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris and the final report completed by June 30, 2016.

Mr Palmer said the Palmer United Party had achieved what the Greens were unable to in preserving the Climate Change Authority, retaining the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and making substantial progress towards delivering an ETS.

“We would expect Green votes to flow to Palmer United Party on the back of this achievement which will deliver tangible results for the environment, not just talk,’’ Mr Palmer said.

The Palmer United Party proposes an ETS which will only become effective once Australia’s main trading partners also took action to establish one.

“In understanding climate change, we must remain ever vigilant and be aware of how Australia as part of the international community is doing and, more importantly, what the global community can do together to make the lives of all those who inhabit the world more secure,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“I congratulate Tony Abbott and Environment Minister Greg Hunt on their political courage in supporting this proposal which will benefit all Australians and unify the nation,’’ he said.

“This will be an important step forward for Australia in 2015 as we commemorate the Anzac Centenary honouring the service and sacrifice of all those who have worn the Australian uniform.

“The brave men and women who have offered their service in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world have done so for Australia, not Liberal, Labor or any one party.

“This new ETS for all Australians is not the Liberal way or the Labor way but the right way,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“It is an example of the Palmer United Party delivering real results for everyday Australians through a common-sense approach,’’ he said.

ENDS