Lessons Howard should learn from NZ Kelvin Thomson - Shadow Minister for Sustainability and the Environment

Media Statement - 8 July 2003

Australia is going backwards under the Howard Government whilst New Zealand assumes the ‘green' high ground in climate change policy.

The Howard Government may have been boasting about its achievements with the Climate Change Partnership announced yesterday by the Australian and New Zealand Environment Ministers, but the real news was in what was not said.

There is much Australia can learn from New Zealand about tackling climate change.

First, Australia can learn from New Zealand's example in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in December 2002.

The New Zealand Government included in its reasons given for ratification:

• ‘Reduce long-term risks of climate change for New Zealand's climate-dependent economy, which is dominated by agriculture and tourism, and
• Avoid being seen internationally as a free-rider, undermining the country's clean, green image.'

Australia too is highly dependent on agriculture and tourism. And Australia should also be concerned about being seen internationally as a free rider. New Zealand has understood much better than Australia the offence this gives to our Pacific neighbours, whose very existence is threatened by rising sea levels.

Secondly, New Zealand has accepted a tougher target in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. It has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels during a five-year period beginning 1 January 2008 and to maintaining those emission levels thereafter.

Australia should now follow New Zealand's lead in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and the Howard Government should commit to lifting the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target so that we can curb our greenhouse gas emission levels in the years ahead.