Fed: Democrats turn around on energy bill
Copyright 2000 AAP Information Services Pty Ltd
October 29, 2000
CANBERRA, Oct 29 AAP - The Australian Democrats will vote against a key plank of the federal government's greenhouse gas reduction plan despite earlier pledges of support.
The Democrats initially opposed the government's planned
renewable energy laws in the Senate but later said the party would support the changes.
After a backlash from the green movement over the inclusion of native timber as a fuel source, the Democrats will vote against the government unless changes are made to the planned laws.
The government wants to put laws in place to force electricity users to source a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources to reduce reliance on greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels.
The government plan would include burning native timber for energy, angering conservationists and the Greens.
Democrats energy spokeswoman Lyn Allison said today her party would vote against the bill unless native forest products were removed from the plan.
"Key conservation groups and a significant number of renewable energy generators are now saying the legislation should not be supported because of key weaknesses, and the Democrats agree," Senator Allison said in a statement.
The government has promoted the plan as a key part of its international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Senator Allison said the Democrats would make a last ditch effort to amend the plan to exclude native forests.
"The Democrats are strongly in favour of mandatory renewable energy, given our global obligations to reduce greenhouse gases, but burning native timber for energy and charcoal is already putting pressure on forests, particularly in WA and Tasmania," she said.
The planned laws are expected to be introduced to parliament this week.