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The Australian Greens tonight proposed a range of measures to address the Howard government's environmental and social deficits, and place the nation on a sustainable footing, ready to meet the challenges of climate change and oil shortages.
 
Australian Greens climate change and energy spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, said the government's Budget was founded on the delusion that revenue from the minerals boom would continue and it was blind to the investment needed to address the run-down of natural capital and social inequality.
 
"The Howard government's vision and values expressed through its Budget has made me realise that we have become two nations in Australia," Senator Milne told parliament.
 
"One that is fixated on the present and cannot see what the problem is and one that is focussed on future generations and can see the problem and the huge risks all too clearly."
 
Under the Howard government the current account deficit has doubled as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product, from 3-6 per cent, manufacturing's contribution to the economy has fallen to just 10.9 per cent and Australia's oil self-sufficiency is falling.
 
The government's refusal to take serious steps towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions also exposes Australia's economy to growing risk, particularly as the rest of the world reduces its reliance on fossil fuels, currently large export revenue earners for Australia.
 
"Unlike the Howard government, the Greens' vision for Australia and the values we hold would not squander the surplus on a spending spree," Senator Milne said.
 
"We do not support the tax cuts for high income earners and would spend the $45 billion instead on fostering equity, high standards of education and public health, and on accelerating the transition from a narrow resources-based economy to a low carbon economy with a strong, innovative, new industry and employment base.
 

"We would oil proof the country, invest in energy security and in adaptation to climate change. We would offer the leadership that Australia needs in the 21st century."
 
Greens proposals include:

• Introducing an emissions trading scheme and/or a carbon tax as a matter of urgency to send a clear signal to the market, to minimise transition costs and to fund emerging renewable energy industries.
• Tying the accelerated depreciation allowance to implementation of energy efficiency measures identified in the energy efficiency audits mandated under recently enacted federal legislation.
• Exempting public transport and low-emission vehicles from the GST.
• Establishing a climate disaster fund to provide certainty to individuals and communities as the impacts of climate change grow. This would be funded by taxes on activities that will increase the likelihood of climate change-related disasters, eg a carbon tax, or the reintroduction of fuel excise indexation.
• Investing in housing, health, education and training for Indigenous Australians.
• Abolishing university and technical training fees.

 Contact: Katrina Willis 02 6277 3063 or
0437 587 562