The Liberal party and the Coalition’s savage infighting over a new coal-fired power station, clearly demonstrates a dangerous level of economic illiteracy, said Oliver Yates, Independent Candidate for Kooyong. Such infighting is being driven by vested interests that are putting the safety and security of Australians at risk.
Reports that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is delaying the announcement of government funding for coal-fired power stations because he is concerned about the negative reaction in his own electorate, demonstrate that they want to appear to be taking action to address climate change, but refuse to address the issue that coal is no longer part of the future energy mix.
“One moment, the government is waving around lumps of coal in Parliament, and the next, they’re lying that emissions are decreasing and now they’re bickering over underwriting a new coal-fired power station”, said Mr Yates.
“The Coalition’s failure to take action on climate is not only dangerous, it’s cutting Australia out of future economic opportunities.
“What they don’t seem to understand is that a strong economy is based on a healthy environment. After speaking to hundreds of voters on the streets, it’s clear that people want someone who understands how the economy and the environment can work together in harmony.
“The only reason the Coalition are now even claiming to act on climate is because of self-interest. They fear the impact from voters who are fed up with their failure.
“Coal has no long-term future in our energy mix and we need to get off the fossil fuel path we are currently on. Failure to plan for decarbonisation of our economy is the most expensive path and not an option.
“Australia has the opportunity to be a renewable energy superpower, but only if we stop the nonsense being peddled by the Coalition and accept that coal has no future.
“The Liberal party has put the interests of the coal lobby over every other industry in Australia. We cannot allow that to continue. They are being disingenuous to the people of Queensland and the coal regions in New South Wales with a false promise. Coal will not be a fuel of the future and rather than trying to fool people to seek electoral advantage, they need to be working with communities to develop viable alternative development options.
“At the other end of the scale, the Greens simply don’t understand the how the economy works.
“The health of our environment underpins our economy. You can see with the Murray Darling Basin that when the Liberals are left in charge and put business ahead of the environment, we’re left with no water and millions of dead fish.
“If the Liberals win this election we will continue to see dangerous and expensive environmental damage that will slow the economy and cost us more in the future.
“Throughout my business career, I’ve been responsible for billions of dollars of global investment in renewable energy and infrastructure projects. I am proud of the economic and environmental benefits that those investments have produced around the world.
“I understand that at the heart of a strong economy is a healthy environment. If we take the necessary urgent response to addressing climate change, Australia’s economy can prosper from the development of new technologies, cheaper renewable energy, export opportunities, jobs, energy efficiency, lower costs and higher productivity.
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