Fed: Rudd vows to work with coal industry on climate change

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2007
Fed: Rudd vows to work with coal industry on climate change

CANBERRA, Feb 11 AAP - Coal miners need not lose their jobs as Australia moves to reduce
its greenhouse emissions, federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says.

Mr Rudd said today a Labor government would work with the coal industry to protect
jobs while also protecting the environment, amid mounting concern about the contribution
of coal-fired power stations to global warming.

Asked on Network Ten if it was inevitable there would be job losses in the coal industry,
Mr Rudd replied, "Not necessarily.

"The country needs a responsible, long-term response to climate change which does this
- protects our environment, protects jobs and builds new jobs in other energy sectors
as well."

Mr Rudd said a national emissions trading scheme would engage the coal industry in
helping to reduce Australia's greenhouse emissions.

"Across the mining industry, whether it's Rio Tinto or BHP as well as the coal miners'
union, all these organisations and individuals are now talking about the need for action,"

he said.

"Mr Howard's setting up a false debate in this area, saying that the coal industry's
over here (on one side) not wanting to act, and you've got a bunch of mad greenies over
here (on the other side) who want to destroy the planet.

"There's a way through this which actually works in partnership with industry, works
in partnership with mine workers, and you can do that through an effectively constructed
national emissions trading scheme."

Mr Rudd accused Prime Minister John Howard of repeatedly refusing to acknowledge the
impact of climate change until he was panicked into action by a concerned electorate.

"Mr Howard's response has been driven by the fact he's spent his life in politics as
a climate-change sceptic," he said.

"He's now trying to be the climate change solution and people are not buying it.

"In his heart of hearts, Mr Howard is still a climate-change sceptic."

AAP dcr/wjf

KEYWORD: CLIMATE RUDD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.