Australia – That’s It

The recently elected Australian government’s position at the United Nations climate talks in Warsaw has been scrutinised to death. But the question that no one seems to be asking is whether the government’s position is surprising? Hint: it isn’t.

Let’s face it: when in opposition, Abbott’s government created a furore around the infamous ‘carbon tax’ and now that they have enough bums on seats, they’re following through on their election promise. No one should be surprised that the current government is trashing the outgoing government’s policies.

If successful: yes, Australia will become the first country to repeal a carbon price. Yes, Australia did not send a minister to the climate talks unlike 134 other countries. Yes, the government is in the process of dismantling climate change institutions like the Climate Change Commission and Authority back home. Yes, Australia no longer has a minister for climate change, after having one since 2007. And yes, Australia has incredibly low ambition on targets and financing options.

And yet, it has been the Australian people that have let this happen. Yes, it was us that voted in this government.

It wasn’t just the people though. Labor — the other major political party — also let this happen. Poor communications led to Abbott’s attack dogs successfully characterising the carbon pricing scheme as a ‘carbon tax.’ Hindsight is 20/20. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard re-entered the public debate at an event in Melbourne called Credit Where Credit Is Due. She lamented capitulating to the then opposition over the labelling of the carbon pricing scheme, stating that she should have clearly explained that “it’s an emissions trading scheme with a fixed price.” But really, who’s listening now? Who understands? And who cares?

Civil society across the environment movement have been pressuring the Abbott government, but their pleas are falling on deaf ears. This Sunday, in a joint effort, NGOs are mobilising for a National Day of Climate Action, with rallies throughout the country. The aim of these rallies is to send a clear message to the Abbott government that Australians want increased ambition and action on climate change.

Simon Bradshaw from Oxfam International told The Verb that he “would encourage everybody to get along to those rallies and send the clearest signal as possible to the Australian government that they have to lift their game”.

Bradshaw characterised the repeal of the carbon tax as “profoundly unhelpful” to international action, or the world’s poor as a result of. Referring to recent polls conducted in Australia, Bradshaw commented that there is broad community support for increasing ambition on climate change. “When people are asked, straight out, ‘do we need to be more ambitious?’ People say yes,” Bradshaw said. On Sunday, NGOs are hoping that this broad support is reflected in large gatherings.

The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is a partner to these rallies. ACF is urging parliamentarians to not ditch the climate scheme until there is a stronger and more effective alternative on the table. “Australia’s laws are working and should not be repealed unless or until the government has fleshed out an alternative that is more effective in cutting greenhouse pollution,” said climate change program manager Tony Mohr.

ACF’s CEO Don Henry, who is in Poland, is optimistic that the carbon price will remain, even after the Australian Senate changes next July. A mix of independents and micro-parties will assume the balance of power then and are inherently unpredictable. Henry believes that there is a strong chance that the legislation will remain, but that it will take a lot of work.

It’s not just NGOs making noise. Business groups have been pressuring Labor to yield to the government, stating that the “uncertainty about the carbon tax” needs to be resolved. The joint statement by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, Business Council of Australia and the Minerals Council of Australia coincided with the tabling of the repeal legislation.

Time will tell if the Abbott government will be successful in repealing the carbon price and keep its central election promise. The strong rhetoric coming from the government indicates their resolve, and this has been clear at the Warsaw talks.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister stated the government’s position on emission reduction targets. “We will meet our five per cent emission reduction target. But this government has made no commitments to further that,” Abbott said.

“We are certainly, in no way, looking to make further binding commitments in the absence of very serious, like, binding commitments from other countries. And there is no evidence of that,” contested Abbott to journalists with a self-satisfied smile.

To those holding out hope that the Abbott government will have an epiphany on climate change action anytime soon, lower your expectations. After all, we have to keep reminding themselves that they went into the election as deniers and have emerged, however unfortunately, victorious.

With the endorsement of, only, the Canadian Prime Minister, Abbott must surely be buoyed. The Australian government is not budging on their positions in Warsaw or at home. Until they do, why keep reporting on them? The Verb won’t be.

By Kahil Lloyd, photo by Linh Do.