Credit where credit is due
It’s important to criticise governments and keep them accountable. It is also important to recognise when they have done good.
The Victorian Government’s Climate Change White Paper is one of these cases.
Victoria now leads Australia in terms of Climate Change policy and action. Whilst it could always go further, the massive increase in renewable energy investment and the decommissioning of Hazelwood are both long over due.
In many ways the efficiency measures outlined, while a little weaker, are probably more important because the issue is not where we get our energy from, but how much we use.
Whilst I support Victoria (and Australia, and the world) running on 100% renewable energy, those that expect this to happen immediately are probably being a little naive. To turn off Hazelwood tomorrow would mean power shortages across the state – something we’d all be pretty frustrated with. We need to reduce out energy demands as quickly as possible and start the switch on renewables as quickly as possible, but this takes time.
And time is the thing we’ve squandered the most.
As for criticism that Brumby has exposed Gillard, I desperately hope it means that she will have to finally take some action.
For the record, in principle, a consensus on climate change is a really good idea. But a “citizen’s assembly” will do absolutely nothing to build a consensus.
What we need is leadership which is what is missing.