Dunne: Carbon tax backers should learn to count

Media statement
For immediate release
Friday, 12 May 2006

Dunne: Carbon tax backers should learn to count

United Future leader Peter Dunne says the International Energy Agency, Cath Wallace, and the Greens all overlook one simple reason for why the carbon tax was dumped.

The plan was unworkable, and lacked support in Parliament.

"Nothing has changed since December, and United Future would consider any move to revive it as a breach of its confidence and supply agreement with the Labour ?led government," said Mr Dunne.

"Instead, we favour a comprehensive response to climate change issues, based on science, not ideology or sentimentality.

"We promote a "no regrets" approach which will provide environmental and economic benefits.

"That includes planting new forests, promoting energy efficiency and carbon mitigation techniques.

"We believe these can be addressed through specific industry-negotiated agreements, and that they offer far greater prospects of addressing the issue than a half-baked carbon tax.

"Those who still hanker after such a tax for lazy and symbolic reasons should learn to count.

"The government cannot build a Parliamentary majority for a carbon tax, so it is time to move on.

"Climate change is a serious issue that deserves more thorough attention than just another round of bumper sticker environmentalism," said Mr Dunne.

Ends