Australia - Howard "Won't Sacrifice Mining Jobs" For Climate

[hatrack]

THE jobs of Australians who worked in mining and industries dependent on fossil fuels would not be sacrificed for symbolic measures aimed at tackling climate change, John Howard said today. Under attack from Labor for not signing the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement that would put mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions, the Prime Minister said his first priority would be to protect Australia’s interests.

”Let me simply say, however, that in pursuing that objective we will make certain that the natural advantages this country has been given by providence are not squandered. One of the great natural advantages this country has is that we are a major possessor, user and exporter of fossil fuels.

EDIT

But Kim Beazley used question time to accuse the Government of hypocrisy, citing speeches by Mr Howard in 1997 praising the Kyoto deal and declaring it ”was a win he environment and a win for Australian jobs." ”Apart from your receipt of advice from the President of the United States, George Bush, what has changed since then?" he asked.

Mr Beazley called on the Government to endorse Labor’s blueprint on climate change which includes signing the Kyoto Protocol and agree to targets on mandatory targets for levels of renewable energy.

EDIT/END

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20676063-2702,00.html

[eppur_se_muova]

1. "SYMBOLIC measures"?!? WTF ??? CUTTING CO2 PRODUCTION IS NOT SYMBOLIC !!!

This kind of crap just leaves me speechless.

”Apart from your receipt of advice from the President of the United States, George Bush, what has changed since then?" Now that is a DAMNED good question.