New Oz Climate Minister Pledges "Common Sense" In Energy Debate, Will Protect Coal Jobs

[hatrack]

Whew - what a relief!

Australia's new Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has vowed to bring "common sense" to the climate change debate, and has warned that he will fight for coal industry jobs as he pursues a price on carbon.

The Australian newspaper says the former union leader has predicted the coal industry "absolutely" has a future as he pursues his three key policy reform objectives: pursuing renewable energy; energy efficiency; and the development of a carbon price for Australia.

Insisting the Climate Change portfolio is an economic reform challenge, he said: "You don't take the back of the axe to the fundamentals of the Australian economy."

EDIT

"I've got a responsibility to support those people's jobs. The coal industry is a very vibrant industry with a strong future. What you've got to do is look to how we can achieve in the longer term things like carbon capture and storage for coal-fired power stations."

EDIT

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/combet-says-coal-industry-is-safe-20100913-1577j.html

[phantom power]

1. Sensible!

[jwirr]

2. I hear what he is saying but how do we bring about change if everyone

is going to be protected from it? Many jobs have disappeared in the past because of change. What we should protect our workers from is outsourcing.

[Kringle]

3. has Aus. passd enabling legislation for the Kyoto treaty? .nt