WESTERN Australia’s opposition Liberal Party has split with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announcing net zero carbon emissions a full 20 years earlier than Labor’s economy-wrecking target.
Mr Zak Kirkup, who was elected Liberal leader last November, has described his 2030 net zero plan as “bold”. Others describe it as crazy.
- WA Lib's announce zero emissions by 2030 – 20 years before Labor.
- Labor responds saying the target is 'unbeleivable' and can't be acheived.
- Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the approach was wrong.
The plan will see half the State’s coal fired power stations close by 2025 including WA’s biggest power generator Muja with a capacity of 854 MW. Nearby Collie power station will also close withdrawing 300MW of supply.
The announcement has drawn harsh criticism from Labor as well as Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor and residents of Collie, where the doomed power stations are located.
But Mr Kirkup remained defiant.
“We have a $100m plan to help make sure we transition Collie for the future,” Mr Kirkup said on Sky News today.
“In WA under our plan, no worker will be left behind.
“The prime minister has set an ambitious target for where Australia needs to be – what we’re saying as a State government, is we have a target now of 2030.”
WA’s Labor premier Mark McGowan, however, rolled his eyes in disbelief.
“They can’t be believed,” he said. “The timeframe they’ve put on their policy this morning is totally unachievable.”
Western Australia residents go to the polls next month, on March 13.
PREMATURELY
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said Mr Kirkup’s approach was wrong.
“We are targeting technologies to reduce energy that’s being used – by refrigerators, by air-conditioners, this is how you do it,” Mr Taylor said.
“This is how it’s done, not by closing coal fire power stations prematurely.”
Prime Minister Morrison has recently announced that net zero carbon emissions were his ambition, however, would not commit to a date until the impacts on Australia’s economy were better understood.
Meanwhile Federal Labor MPs are again brawling over coal.
Former ALP shadow resources minister Joel Fitzgibbon took aim at his energy spokesman Chris Bowen, after Mr Bowen announced “coal mining communities are going to come under pressure”.
In response, Mr Fitzgibbon wrote in The Australian newspaper today: “Let’s be completely honest. Sure the long-term outlook for coal is uncertain – in the true meaning of the word – but that’s true of many commodities we export.
REVOLUTION
“In the absence of the still mythical ‘green steel’ revolution, the growing nations of Asia are going to be hungry for our high-quality metallurgical coal for many decades to come,” he said.
“One tool available for governments striving to reduce their country’s carbon emissions is to buy more Australian coal, which is cleaner and more efficient than our competitors.
“Conversely, exporting less Australian coal will add to emissions. And despite our high wage costs in Australia our embrace of technology has allowed us to remain price competitive on global markets.” PC
“We have a $100m plan […]”
Is there anything in this world that engenders confidence like a politician with a plan, particularly when it comes with a big price tag?
NOTE BENE — P.M. MORRISON — BUT EVEN MORE NOTABLY MR. ALBANESE & HYSTERICAL, OBTUSE GREENIES
Australians who think that ZERO EMISSIONS – by ANY DATE – is both achievable or desirable – is living in la-la land. They should sit down and use their brains for a serious session of reasoning!
STARTING WITH FOUR SIMPLE AUSTRALIAN REALITIES:
1. We all know CO2 is a ‘good’ gas vitally needed by our planet and is causing it to become much greener. Anyway, the amount that Australia emits is small by any standards and is absorbed by our entirely encompassing, colossal oceans, our massive national parks and wilderness areas and our huge areas under (green) cultivation.
2. Australia will always continue to supply her people and other nations with the BEST PROTEIN OF ALL, – animal protein – and therefore our methane emissions will remain constant – but again, – no threat.
3. There are enough very wise, intelligent Australians who will demand that we continue to supply the greater part of our energy needs through reliable, cleaner, HELE, COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY GENERATORS using the great gift of massive amounts of high-grade, black coal Australia has, easily accessible, just under her surface.
SOLAR PANELS could supply much domestic electricity, but only if they can be:
— (A) made cheaply in Australia – not in China – and
— (B) do not have to be heavily subsidised by the Govt. – (in reality us, the taxpayers).
4. Most of us understand the impracticality of using ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLES in our huge, spread-out continent and sprawling cities. If their prices do come down, small, electric vehicles will be the common sense, second car or run-around for those often needing very limited city transportation.
It would be great to produce small vehicles here, but of course the low productivity of Australian workers and over-reaching demands of the trade unions would make costs prohibitive!
Australia MUST MUST MUST do what is best for our Nation – both for economic and health reasons and STOP PANDERING TO THE ALARMISTS AND NUTTERS OF THIS WORLD!
A. He loses people who believe in a productive and competitive economy.
B. He doesn’t win over lefties who will continue to vote Labor and Green.
The work experience kid should be shown the door.
“Revive steel industry ”
How will that be possible if they “shut down coal”?
And don’t mention “green steel” it can never compete against China’s coal steel.