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Member for Hinkler Paul Neville today welcomed the announcement that a Coalition Government will improve the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through direct action and practical, local measures.
The Coalition’s direct action plan is careful, costed and capped – reducing emissions and improving the environment without a great big new tax on everything. The Coalition’s climate change policy does not include any new or increased taxes.
It takes advantage of Australia’s natural comparable advantages: soil and sun – both of which we have in abundance.
“We will help local families and businesses by providing incentives to help them reduce their carbon emissions through practical, effective and direct action that will also help the local environment,” Mr Neville said.
“This is in stark contrast to the Rudd Government’s great big tax on everything that will only increase the costs of living for families, penalise businesses and destroy jobs.
“Significantly, the Coalition’s policy will achieve real benefits for the environment for a fraction of the cost of the Government’s ETS. Between 2011-12 and 2014-15, the Coalition’s policy will cost $3.2 billion. In the comparable period, the Government’s ETS will cost more than $40 billion.”
Mr Neville said the Coalition will establish a $2.5 billion Emissions Reduction Fund to provide direct incentives to industry and farmers to reduce CO2 emissions.
“Businesses that reduce emissions below their baseline or ‘business as usual’ activity will be able to sell their CO2 abatement to the government. This will provide a direct financial incentive to take action to reduce emissions below baseline levels.
“Local families and businesses will also be encouraged to take up renewable energy with the goal of achieving one million additional solar energy roofs on homes by 2020.
“The Coalition will support a range of measures to support the increased uptake and use of renewable energy in homes and communities. This includes a $1,000 rebate for either solar hot water systems or solar panels, capped at 100,000 rebates per year. This will be in addition to the existing rebates.
“We will also support the planting of an additional 20 million trees by 2020 to re-establish urban forests and green corridors.
“These are some practical measures that will improve our environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions - all without a great a great big new tax that will increase the price of everything.”
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