Climate change the litmus test for Carr’s legacy - 16 February 2005

Taking key assets out of public hands will haunt Bob Carr’s legacy as NSW Premier, as climate change will increasingly stress the state’s natural resources and critical decisions left to profit-oriented corporations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Climate change in NSW will bring more drought, more fires and increase pressure on water resources. In 20 years time, when the implications of a global warming are all too real, people will remember that Bob Carr took away their chance to have a say on how our forests and water resources are managed.”


Kyoto Day Action - GreenpeaceThe Kyoto Protocol comes into force today even though Australia and the United States have refused to ratify the agreement. Premier Bob Carr has committed NSW to meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Protocol.


Bob Carr’s decision to place key assets, such as the state’s forests and water infrastructure, in corporate hands removes the publics’ right to have a say in key future decision-making, Mr Cohen said.


“Allowing the state’s forests to be corporatised at a time when the world is looking to Australia to lift its game on climate change is nothing short of madness.


“There is no guarantee that millions of hectares of state forests will be managed by a corporation for the public good.


“Local communities rely on healthy forests to ensure healthy water supplies. They also want to have a say on how forests are managed to ensure fire management remains a priority.


“Bob Carr has made plenty of noise about the need to ratify the Kyoto Protocol but he is now allowing his government’s greenhouse sceptic Michael Costa to give away its ability to trade in carbon credits and meet greenhouse reduction targets.”


Mr Cohen said that in private hands, state forests could be cleared or burnt to produce energy. This would add significantly to the state’s greenhouse emissions.


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656