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Labor emissions target ‘mad’

AAP

AAP

A senior Federal Government frontbencher has ridiculed Labor’s 2030 carbon emissions target as a “mad” thought bubble.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten unveiled the plan, along with a pledge to work towards carbon neutrality by 2050, meaning all emissions would need to be offset.

“The Climate Change Authority recommended a baseline emissions reduction of 45 per cent by 2030, on 2005 levels,” Mr Shorten told the Lowy Institute.

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“Today I announce Labor will use the Climate Change Authority’s recommendation of a 45 per cent reduction as the basis for our consultations with industry, employers, unions and the community.”

Christopher Pyne is not convinced.

Christopher Pyne is not convinced.

Labor will use the 45 per cent figure in consultation with industry before announcing a final policy next year.

Industry Minister Christopher Pyne claimed such a target would cause a jump in electricity prices.

“It is a mad policy,” Mr Pyne told Channel Nine.

“Bill Shorten’s policy, his thought bubble, 45 per cent reduction, would require them to introduce or reintroduce a carbon tax at double the rate of the carbon tax before.

“He wants to smash household budgets and smash the economy.”

But Mr Shorten hit back, saying madness was knowing the science of climate change and failing to act.

“It’s like being flopped with a wet lettuce leaf,” he said of Mr Pyne’s remarks after formally announcing the policy at the Lowy Institute in Sydney.

Labor’s commitment goes far beyond the government’s reduction target of 26-28 per cent, which Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is taking to next week’s UN climate summit in Paris.

“The prime minister knows what he ought to do, but he doesn’t have the courage to do it,” Mr Shorten said as he criticised Mr Turnbull for not lifting targets set by his predecessor Tony Abbott
.

Mr Shorten rejected suggestions Labor’s 2020 target would wipe $30 billion off the economy, citing government-initiated modelling that showed the impact would be minimal.

“Of course, this modelling took no account of the economic consequences of not adopting this sort of target,” he said.

Mr Shorten is also promising a review of his party’s long-term climate change goals every five years.

The Greens want to know how Labor will reach its target and whether it’s prepared to commit to a policy of no new coal mines.

Turnbull optimistic global agreement will be reached in Paris

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he is “optimistic” about the chances of a global agreement being reached at next week’s climate change talks in Paris.

Global leaders are set to descend on the French capital to try to achieve a legally binding agreement aimed at keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.

Mr Turnbull will promote Australia’s policy to cut emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030.

“I am optimistic … and I notice that the French president is very optimistic,” he told 7:30.

Similar meetings have failed to result in agreement but Mr Turnbull hopes Paris will be different.

French president Francois Hollande will make a guest appearance at a special session on climate change at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta in the lead up to the Paris talks.

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