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Labour Spins out on Coal

Premier Iemma says that climate change is a key issue for his government and he acknowledges coal mining is one of the major causes of climate change. So what does he do? He oversees the biggest expansion of the coal industry ever witnessed in NSW.

There is a big difference between the spin and what actually occurs.

Premier Iemma says that climate change is a key issue for his government and he acknowledges coal mining is one of the major causes of climate change. So what does he do? He oversees the biggest expansion of the coal industry ever witnessed in NSW.

There are 22 new coal projects currently on the drawing board which his Government is considering. These would increase output by 56 million tonnes of coal a year and emissions by 136 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

This is greater than the total greenhouse gas emissions in NSW during 2004.

If his Planning Minister Frank Sartor does not put a stop to the giant new Anvil Hill coal mine in the Upper Hunter then the voters of NSW will understand that the Labor Government is talking hot air about its concern on climate change.

The Greens say that what is needed is a moratorium on new coal projects. We also need a transition package of retraining and jobs for coal communities, and a fast tracking of the development of a renewable energy industry in NSW. Renewable energy targets should be set at least 20% by 2012, and 50% by 2020.

Surely this is common sense.

John Bailey
Greens Candidate for the state seat of Ballina

John Bailey is an award winning author. He was awarded the Centenary Medal by the Australian Government for services to literature in 2003 . The White Divers of Broome describes the dangers and romance of the pearl shell industry in Broome during the early years of last century. The Lost German Slave Girl tells the amazing true story of a slave in Louisiana who claimed to be free because she was a German woman illegally taken into bondage. Mr Stuart's Track is a psychological study of Australia 's greatest explorer, John McDouall Stuart. More information on John Bailey's writing may be seen at
www.jbailey.info

John's campaign statement can be read online.