Jarrod Troutbeck <jarrodtroutbeck@gmail.

com>
Re: Some questions on the Liberal Party's environmental policy
Hunt, Greg (MP) <Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au> Wed, Sep 4, 2013 at 9:01 PM
To: Jarrod Troutbeck <jarrodtroutbeck@gmail.com>
Cc: "Garnock, Denise (G. Hunt, MP)" <Denise.Garnock@aph.gov.au>
Hi Jarrod,
Many thanks and I will send you my extended speech to the Grattan Institute from two weeks ago.
It sets out why we need to act, why a carbon tax fails the basic environmental test and why directly reducing
emissions is a far preferable option to what is essentially an electricity tax.
I deeply respect your views but also set out the case that under the carbon tax Australia's emissions rise from
560 to 637 m tonnes between 2010 and 2020.
Regards and I would be happy for you to share this email and the subsequent speech with any others who
may be interested.
Regards,
greg
Sent from my iPad
On 04/09/2013, at 4:50 PM, "Jarrod Troutbeck" <jarrodtroutbeck@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Greg,
As a university student, I used to meet with you to discuss my concerns about climate change.
I'm still concerned about the environment and I'm unsure of how to vote in Flinders this
Saturday. Please take the time to read what I have to say. Ive bccd about 350 friends who vote
in your electorate and may also want some clarification on your policies. I will forward them your
response.
There's no doubt you are passionate about climate change - you wrote a thesis on the merits of
market-based mechanisms for taxing pollution
(1)
.
However, you have plans to abolish the emissions trading scheme (budgeted at $6/tonne of CO2
abated in 2014-15)
(2)
and replace it with 'Direct Action' (Treasury estimates $28.8/tonne in 2014)
(3)
. Consensus is that Direct Action is a less economically efficient means of achieving outcomes,
when compared to market-based mechanisms
(4)
.
At one fifth of the price, why would a Liberal Government of all governments choose
anything but a market-based mechanism?
Your party seeks to attribute large electricity price rises to the carbon price, yet the Productivity
Commission has clearly shown the true causes of these price rises
(5)
. This provokes suggestions
that your party does not take climate change seriously and in fact may be positioning itself to
scrap Australias 5 per cent reduction target altogether
(6)
.
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Even some of the world's largest petroleum companies (ExxonMobil, Shell) and miners
recognise the need to be proactive in managing the risks associated with climate change. These
companies have dropped financial support of the Liberal-linked Institute of Public Affairs, amid
concern at its campaign against action on climate change
(7)
.
Another issue of concern is the Liberals plan to reverse the extension of the Tasmanian
Wilderness World Heritage overlay
(8)
. Your party's 'Economic growth plan for Tasmania' suggest
that the extension was put in place against the will of the Tasmanian people.
Yet by definition, what makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal
application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the
territory on which they are located.
Please outline why you should be trusted on environmental issues?
I would feel privileged to have my electorate represented by the Minister for Climate Action,
Environment and Heritage - but due to your policies, I am not convinced that you do in fact
defend the interests of the climate, environment or heritage.
Regards,
Jarrod
Sources:
(1) http://www.scribd.com/doc/50162694/a-tax-to-make-the-polluter-pay
(2) Page 17: http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-
14/content/economic_statement/download/2013_EconomicStatement.pdf
(3) Page 4: http://www.treasury.gov.au/~/media/Treasury/Access%20to%
20Information/Disclosure%20Log/2011/Coalitions%20Direct%20Action%
20Plan/Downloads/TEM_coalitions_direct_action_plan.ashx
(4) Page 9:
http://grattan.edu.au/static/files/assets/3ae75b49/077_report_energy_learning_the_hard_way.pdf
(5) Productivity Commission chart for NSW: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-
03/llewellynsmithimage/4931828
(6) http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/carbon-target-may-be-
missed-abbott-20130902-2t16g.html
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(7) http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/climate-hard-line-costs-ipa-
support-20130824-2sirk.html#ixzz2dmVSGZf8
(8) Page 18: http://lpaweb-static.s3.amazonaws.com/The%20Coalition%E2%80%99s%
20Economic%20Growth%20Plan%20for%20Tasmania_.pdf
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