The Dreyfus Files - The Age
There have been many predictions of future conflict between the new Victorian Liberal-National Coalition government and our federal Labor government. But I am looking forward to the support of the Baillieu government in at least one area - an area the conflict is most likely to be with the federal opposition led by Tony Abbott That area is action on climate change, particularly the introduction of a carbon price.
Before the election the Victorian Coalition supported the Victorian government's Climate Change Act, which legislates a carbon emissions cut for Victoria of 20 per cent on 1990 levels by 2020.
Then shadow minister for climate change, Mary Wooldridge, speaking on the legislation in State Parliament on August 12, 2010 said: "We believe our climate is changing and that human actions are contributing to the change . . . the Coalition believes we need action on climate change . . . we support efforts to move to a low carbon environment and we support actions which help . . . achieve positive outcomes on this front . . . we are seeking to support a low carbon future for the Victorian economy.''
Just before the election, Ted Baillieu confirmed that the opposition supported the 20 per cent emissions reduction target, and said that meeting it would need federal support. As The Age reported earlier this week, Ms Wooldridge has further explained that the Coalition is committed to the target, "but that it could not be met without national help through a carbon price". On the strength of those commitments, Premier-elect Baillieu has become arguably the most powerful Liberal in Australia.
So, obviously someone in Tony Abbott's office forgot to send the new Premier the "Wreck-It" song sheet from which the rest of the opposition is apparently now forced to sing. The Victorian Liberals do not support the Abbott position that climate science "is absolute crap". Nor do they support his rejection of a carbon price. Instead, the Victorian Coalition, at least in this area, is reflecting the strong support of the people of Victoria, and the support of Victorian industry and business, for action on climate change, including a carbon price.
And quite properly the government of Premier-elect Ted Baillieu is signalling its willingness to work with the Prime Minister and Greg Combet to deliver strong and effective emissions reductions in Victoria by introducing a carbon price in the Australian economy. What neither the state nor the federal government supports is a hugely expensive, taxpayer funded, and ineffective "direct action" scheme.
I am looking forward to the new Victorian Premier's contribution on climate change, and wish him the best as he joins Malcolm Turnbull and other thinkers within his party in embracing a real and effective carbon price that will deliver Australia's low carbon future.
I'm hoping that Greg Hunt and Tony Abbott stop the carping from the sidelines and instead join the Turnbull/Wooldridge/Baillieu choir this Christmas.
