State of the Regions update report urges more action on climate change
July 10, 2009
If the Federal Government considers further fiscal stimulus measures are needed, much of this should be directed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions if Australia is to remain economically competitive, according to a supplementary report prepared for the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) by National Economics.
The supplement to the 2008-09 State of the Regions Report was released today by ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake. The annual State of the Regions Report contains a snapshot of how Australia's regions are performing across a range of economic, trend and statistical indicators.
"The report argues that $1 billion of expenditure is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 0.8 and 1 million tonnes per year," Cr Geoff Lake said.
"It stresses that the Global Financial Crisis has not reduced the significance of climate change. Aggressive abatement measures are needed. The report emphasises the need for the Australian Government to link CO2 abatement measures with expansionary fiscal policy, as governments have done in China, Japan and South Korea", he added.
"The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme should be supported by a whole range of other complementary measures. These measures could include further retro-fitting programs, renewable energy sources, carbon capture and storage, specific taxes, regulations, subsidies, greater outlays for public transport infrastructure, as well as a range of education programs."
"Projections contained in the report also contain worrying implications for many regions", Cr Lake said. "The report predicts that half of Australia's regions will have worse employment levels by 2012 that they do today."
"Projections contained in the report also contain worrying implications for many regions", Cr Lake said. “The report predicts that half of Australia's regions will have worse employment levels by 2012 that they do today.”
The report is available at http://www.alga.asn.au/policy/regdev/sor/SOR200809SupplementFinal.pdf
- For media comment:
- ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake 0411 645 281
- National Economics - Dr Peter Brain 0419 588 021 (co-author of the report)
- Peter Hylands 0419 343 921
