Environment and Water
Direct Action on the Environment and Climate Change
A Coalition Government will take direct action to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by five percent by 2020.
This can be achieved without Kevin Rudd’s great big tax on everything that will increase the costs of living for Australian families, penalise Australian businesses and destroy jobs.
The Coalition’s climate action policy provides incentives for Australian families and businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and focuses on meaningful, effective and direct action to improve Australia’s environment.
Our incentive-based approach provides practical and affordable environmental benefits as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Australia’s environment policies should encompass more than dealing with global climate change issues. The Coalition’s policy will reduce emissions as well as address some of Australia’s serious environmental problems.
Unlike the Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), we are not introducing a great big new tax on all Australians. In fact, this policy will not be funded through any new taxes or increased taxes and it will protect Australian jobs.
Over the forward estimates, the Coalition’s policy will cost $3.2 billion. In the comparable period, the Government’s ETS will cost $40 billion.
In contrast to the Government’s approach, the Coalition’s policy includes using our comparative advantages as a nation: soil and sun – both of which we have in abundance.
The Coalition’s direct action plan is careful, costed and capped – reducing emissions without a tax on everything.