O’Connor electorate to benefit from ‘direct action’ on Climate Change, Crook.
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 03-February-2010
Nationals’ Candidate for O’Connor Tony Crook has welcomed Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s action policy on climate change, saying it has a far greater chance of improving the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through direct action and practical, local measures.
Mr Crook said whilst he was yet to see the policy in all its detail, it so far was preferable to the “tax on everything” approach being taken by the Rudd Labor Government.
“I am all for alternative power sources, solar, tidal, wind and geothermal but at what cost? Certainly not any cost which is Rudd’s plan,” Mr Crook said.
“Labor stands for a great big new tax on everything and higher costs for Australian households and businesses.
“The Nationals stand for direct action on climate change, no new taxes and the protection of Australian jobs.”
Mr Crook said the action policy announced by Mr Abbott appears to provide the opportunity for Australian families and businesses to be rewarded for reducing emissions and provides a far better solution for residents in the electorate of O’Connor.
“The population of the world has trebled since 1960, so if we think mankind is not having some impact on the globe it is naive to say the least, but to penalize those industries like mining and agriculture that have delivered us the quality of life that we currently enjoy is totally unfair,” Mr Crook said.
“Unfortunately solar powered dump trucks don’t go to well underground and 500HP tractors and harvesters won’t work on AAA batteries!”
Mr Crook said that although a city, Kalgoorlie-Boulder is perfectly placed to become a Solar Town under the Coalition plan.
“Kalgoorlie-Boulder met all of the criteria previously under the Solar Cities plan and should be eligible for this coalition funding,” he said.
“Any ETS, regardless of who delivers it, must not cost jobs in the seat of O’Connor or Western Australia as the West is carrying the nation.”
