Posts Tagged ‘cars’

Low emission slow admission

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

The ACT Government’s Duties Amendment Bill 2008 (No 2) to be debated in the Assembly today is no surprise to ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey.

“ I note that today we will be debating stamp duty concessions for low emission cars. A Greens initiative that was rejected by the Stanhope Government in 2006″ Dr Foskey said today.

“At the time I suggested that this Government might reintroduce the idea and claim it as its own just before the next election.”

“I was right.”

“I’m just a bit disappointed that cheaper registration costs for low emission new cars was not included in the plan, despite even Prime Minister Rudd signaling his support.”

“Well perhaps we need more elections so that the Labor Party starts to make progress on facing up to climate change, and shows it is prepared to follow good advice, wherever it comes from.”

“A couple of other Greens initiatives that the Government might now – with an election impending – put into place would be a green waste scheme and recycling in Civic.”

“On a broader front, perhaps the ACT Government will also finally

  • Commit to assessing all its policies in terms of Climate Change,
  • Set up an Energy Commission (just like it set up a Skills Commission) to plan for less rather than more fossil fuel use, and
  • turn transport policy around so that it is weighted favour of public transport over roads.”

” There is a lot to be done in terms of lightening our footprint on this planet, and the ACT could easily be leading Australia rather than dragging its heels” Dr Foskey said.

Greens leadership pays dividends

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Greens MLA Deb Foskey welcomed an ACT Government Bill introduced today which will provide for lower duties on low emission cars. It is an initiative proposed by the Greens three years ago, but rejected at the time by the ACT Labor Government.

“The Labor Government should just accept that Canberra would be a more progressive positive city if it was prepared to accept some guidance from the Greens” Dr Foskey said today.

“If this Government had approached our policy initiatives with an open mind I believe Canberra could be leading Australia in the shift towards a low carbon economy.”

“The Chief Minister’s recent enthusiasm for light rail, and his Government’s slow move towards making public housing energy efficient and its eventual adoption of the United Nations Charter for Responsible Investment are just three indicators that show where the Greens lead the Government follows… eventually.”

“I trust the Government will now look at taking the same approach with new car registration as it is now taking with stamp duty; that it will pick up on Andrew Blakers’ solarisation proposal and roll out a low energy retrofit for all of Canberra’s existing buildings; and make concrete plans for an integrated transport system that will let more people leave their cars at home.”

“These are all urgent initiatives. After the next election I trust that a strong Greens crossbench will make the Government act faster” Dr Foskey said.