Media release September 3 2010

Climate Bill becomes law

Environmental organisation Friends of the Earth (FoE) has welcomed today's vote in the Victorian parliament that saw the Climate Change Bill formally adopted.

“This is a significant Bill which has the potential to stabilise and then drive down our greenhouse emissions, while also creating certainty for investors and industry, and many new jobs across the state,” said FoE campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker.

“The job yield from the Bill and Climate Change White Paper will be substantial”.

“We appreciate that while some concerns were raised by the Coalition they supported the passage of the Bill”.

“This legislation, which was first promised in 2006, has been a long time coming. The legislation passed today is stronger than what was contained in earlier versions of the Bill”.

“In spite of the lack of federal leadership on the issue, or a global agreement on climate, Victoria has taken another significant move that will allow us to start to reduce our emissions”.

“The government has already indicated that it will act quickly to implement the measures contained in the Bill and the Climate Change White Paper and we urge them to do so. We also call on the Premier to intervene and rule out any further coal developments in the state, such as the proposed HRL coal fired power station. The proponents of the HRL development are currently re writing their application, in the hope they can bring their average emissions below the new emissions intensity levels enshrined in the Bill”.

“We wish to congratulate the many MPs, advisers, and departmental officials who worked hard to deliver this legislation”.

Further comment: Cam Walker 0419 338 047