Quoting from the Australian Associated Press today, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged to protect industry as Australia heads toward net zero carbon emissions 'as quickly as passively and preferably by 2050'.
The prime minister admitted Australia's energy mix will have to change over the next 30 years to get there, but this would not be achieved through imposts on business.
'We are going to meet our ambitions with the smartest minds, the best technology and the animal spirits of our business community,' he told a Business Council of Australia dinner on Monday night.
Championing entrepreneurialism and innovation, Mr. Morrison pointed to the nation's energy and farming sectors saying 'we're not going to achieve net zero in the cafes, dinner parties and wine bars of our inner cities'.
'It will be won in places like the Pilbara, the Hunter, Gladstone, Portland, Whyalla, Bell Bay, the Riverina. In the factories of our regional towns and outer suburbs.'
'That's where the road to net zero is being paved in Australia,' he added.
Mr. Morrison will speak at a US virtual climate summit this week convened by President Joe Biden.
The US and China - the world's two biggest carbon polluters - recently agreed to co-operate to curb climate change.
The Australian opposition leader says Australia cannot make the same 'technological misadventure' with the transition to clean energy.
'We must not repeat this mistake when it comes to renewable energy,' he will tell a virtual summit on Tuesday.
'We need to be at the front of the pack, not well behind the pace.'
Mr. Albanese says low cost electricity from renewables will help businesses grow so they can hire more Australians.
'With the right policy settings, falling power prices will act as a catalyst for a revival of the Australian manufacturing industry.'
The Morrison government is using the same argument but in a bid to justify expanding the gas industry.
End of Quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
