Suspend the ETS until 2013, just like the Aussies

27 April 2010

Suspend the ETS until 2013, just like the Aussies

Federated Farmers is urging the National-led Government to match the Australian Government’s decision to defer its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) until at least 2013.

"Our ETS is based on alignment with our trading partners and frankly, that’s not a happening thing," says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers spokesperson.

“Unlike Australia for the foreseeable future, on 1 July every New Zealander, from a new born infant right up to their great grand parents, will be caught by an ETS dragnet. It’ll impact every good or service we buy, from electricity through to seeing a dentist.

“I don’t think many people are aware that the ETS will hit them hard in the pocket.

“So it’s time for this Government to act in New Zealand’s interests, as the Australians already are. There will be no ‘international consumer backlash’ and how can there be? Europe’s much vaunted ETS doesn’t capture some 60 percent of its emissions and skips agriculture completely.

“Back in May 2008, John Key, as Leader of the Opposition, based his support for an ETS on what looked like a global momentum. In Australia, at the time, he said Kevin Rudd had ratified the Kyoto Protocol within days of taking office and Australian legislation was planned for December 2008.

“Almost two and half years later, Australia’s climate reduction scheme has now been kicked all the way back to 2013.

“In the United States, Mr Key back then said both major presidential candidates backed greenhouse gas reductions. Yet President Obama has skipped 1990 completely to come up with a ‘target’ of cutting US greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent, but below 2005 levels.

“Over the weekend came news that President Obama’s Bill, like Australia’s ETS today, has a ‘postponed’ sign all over it. The climate is right for New Zealand to apply the brakes as we don’t generate 99.8 percent of the world’s emissions. We shouldn’t be going where others fear to go.

“Instead of an ETS tax, it’s time to redirect the millions being spent creating it into the pockets of hard working Kiwis and into researching things that will add real value to the New Zealand economy,” Mr McKenzie concluded.

ENDS

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