Greens reveal Gillard Labor’s second term agenda
1st August, 2010
The direction of government under a Labor – Greens alliance was revealed today, and as per usual the amateurish approach to policy was on display.The Leader of The Nationals, Warren Truss, said not a lot of what The Greens propose seems to have been seriously thought through.
“For example, The Greens want to shut down the Australian coal industry,” Mr Truss said.
“Yet they intend to double or triple Labor’s already onerous mining tax on coal so they can pay for a fast train, which will run on coal-fired electricity.
“Of course, Bob Brown and the rest of his ragtag party may intend this fast train to be solar powered. If so, passengers would be well advised to check the weather forecast before they embark on a journey from Sydney to Canberra.
“Then there is The Greens plan to lock up almost a third of Australia’s territorial waters from activity, including fishing.
“Bizarrely, The Greens say professional and recreational fishermen will support this idea, because it will mean more fish. I am not sure these anglers will be happy with looking at the fish rather than catching them.
“The Greens also want to include agriculture in a forthcoming emissions trading scheme, an idea which has been already thoroughly discredited. To do so, The Greens would need to measure the methane emissions of every cow and sheep in Australia – a ghastly and pointless job indeed.
“Of course, these mad policies could be simply brushed aside as the laughable ideas of the Woodstock on Brunswick Street crowd. But because of the preferences deal with Labor, there is real danger for all Australians.
“Labor has been given Greens preferences in more than 50 marginal seats around Australia, while Labor has given the Greens preferences in the Senate.
“Both sides say there were no conditions to this deal – but anyone who believes that also thinks that a passenger train can be run on solar panels.
“Labor has delayed releasing its policy on marine parks until after the election – obviously the fix is in. The Greens are at least being honest about telling fishermen to hang up their rods, but Labor is dishonestly concealing its approach.
“There is great danger indeed that The Greens will force a re-elected Gillard Labor Government to move even further to the left, costing jobs and investment, especially in the regions,” Mr Truss said.
