Climate Change & the Zero Carbon World

Energy Efficiency Tax Break Missed Opportunity: Greens

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Sunday 25th July 2010, 12:00am
in

Once again the Government has missed the opportunity to lead Australia into a new era of energy efficient commercial buildings preferring instead a headline, the Australian Greens said today.

Exploiting the huge potential to improve energy efficiency, not just commercial buildings, but in the residential and industrial sectors as well, require market based policies that create significant, predictable, long-term incentives for investment, Christine Milne, Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Climate Change and Energy said today in response to Minister Wong's announcement on energy efficiency. 

Greens' plan for 100% renewable energy

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Saturday 24th July 2010, 11:37am
in

The Australian Greens today launched a policy to plan Australia's transformation into a 100% renewable energy powerhouse over the coming decades.

"Australia can harness our tremendous resources of the sun, wind, ocean, earth and human ingenuity to replace our reliance on coal with 100% renewable energy within decades," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"But, to make that transformation rapidly and efficiently, we need a plan: we need to know where our biggest and best renewable energy resources are; we need streamlined consultation and approvals processes that bring communities together instead of dividing them; and we need jobs and infrastructure in the right place at the right time.

"The Greens are proposing that we start working on that plan immediately so we can have a 100% renewable Australia as soon as possible."

Gillard 'moving backwards' on climate crisis

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Friday 23rd July 2010, 11:39am
in

Prime Minister Gillard's climate change policy announced today is an excuse for more delay on the climate crisis, the Australian Greens said today.

"Prime Minister Gillard is showing a complete lack of leadership on the climate crisis," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"The Greens stand ready to work with a re-elected Gillard government to deliver a carbon price fast, and the community is clamouring for action, but the Prime Minister is making excuses for more delays instead of embracing the opportunity.

"Ms Gillard's announcement today does nothing to give certainty to business. Meanwhile, China is moving fast towards a carbon price and India already has a tax on coal, leaving Australia far behind.

Greens offer stable leadership, climate change action

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Saturday 17th July 2010, 2:17pm
in

“A strong safe crossbench in the Senate” - Brown

“I offer the electorate experienced and stable leadership, and the progressive policies and clear vision for Australia’s future which the big parties are ignoring,” Australian Greens Leader Senator Brown said in Canberra today.

Climate change impacts mapped in Google Earth

Blog Post | Blog of Bob Brown, Christine Milne
Thursday 15th July 2010, 10:49am
by DavidParis in

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office have produced a Google Earth map displaying the impacts of a 4º C temperature rise across the earth.

It highlights why temperature rise must be kept below 2º C

Senator Bob Brown's address to the National Press Club - July 2010

Speech | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Wednesday 14th July 2010, 5:02pm
in

At this National Press Club I acknowledge the traditional owners of the Canberra region and all the Indigenous people of our nation.

This year will be another milestone in politics for the Australian Greens. The sole balance of power in the Senate and a breakthrough into the House of Representatives are both within reach. Australia's voters are looking for more progressive politics and the stable, experienced leadership which we alone have produced over the past three turbulent years in Canberra.

Safe climate and values talk for the National conference of Catholic Religious Australia

Photo Gallery | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Monday 12th July 2010, 3:01pm
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Click one of the thumbnails to view the gallery.

Brown offers Gillard breakthrough on climate change

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Tuesday 29th June 2010, 8:16am
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Plan to legislate a carbon price within 3 months of election

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Deputy Leader Christine Milne today announced a 5 point plan for rapid government action on climate change and a legislated carbon price soon after the election.

Senator Brown said he wrote last night to PM Julia Gillard with the proposal.

"This is breakthrough politics - the Greens are opening a new door to a new Prime Minister for new action on climate change," said Senator Brown.

Gillard "parked Greens vote won't last" - Brown

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Saturday 26th June 2010, 9:00am
in

"The Green vote "parked" with Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard, won't stay there long," Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

Commenting on the polls, Senator Brown said that the Gillard prime ministry will shed progressive voters as the natural mood of celebration passes and the reality of Labor's right-wing ascendency manifests itself in:

  • A backdown to the mining billionaires over the $12 billion allocated from the mining boom tax in the budget forward estimates.

"That will be a multibillion dollar loss other Australians will suffer", Senator Brown said.

  • A continued harsh line on asylum seekers, as flagged in Ms Gillard's first speech as Prime Minister.
  • Environmental failure: on whaling, biodiversity and marine reserves.
  • A tough time for Greens negotiators wanting better funding for mental and dental healthcare.
  • More uranium mining and a Northern Territory nuclear waste dump.

"And I don't expect this Prime Minister to back the Greens' policy for a national integrity commissioner to fight political corruption, or for our proposed commissioner for truth in political advertising.

"I do look forward to talking to Prime Minister Gillard about a carbon price and real action to tackle climate change but I doubt that she will shake off the powerful coal mining lobby to achieve that goal," Senator Brown said.

Sustainable Cities Index - speech

Greens TV | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 15th June 2010, 12:00am
in

On 15 June 2010 the Australian Conservation Foundation released it's Sustainable Cities Index - ranking Australia's largest 20 cities according to a range of sustainability indicators.

Scott triggered a "Matter of Public Importance" debate in the Senate on it so a number of Senators spoke on the issues raised. This is his speech.