John Howard To Allow Environmental Groups, Renewable Energy To "Have Their Say" On Task Force

[hatrack]

My. How noble and inclusive of you, George, I mean, John.

THE Prime Minister, John Howard, has moved to dampen criticism of his greenhouse gas emissions taskforce by allowing environmental groups, the renewable energy sector, the states and other interested parties to have their say. The decision was taken yesterday at the first meeting of the Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading, which Mr Howard established 10 days ago.

The taskforce was immediately criticised because it was made up of miners, bankers, bureaucrats and power industry representatives. Mr Howard said at the time the group had no environmental experts because he wanted "to involve the industry".

EDIT

At yesterday's meeting in Sydney, which Mr Howard attended, it was decided the group would issue a discussion paper in February to which interested parties would be invited to respond. The parties would include green groups, the renewable energy sector, the states and any other interested stakeholders, a spokesman for Mr Howard said.

The Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd, and his environment spokesman, Peter Garrett, criticised the taskforce when it was established, describing it as a ploy by the Prime Minister to buy time on a hot-button political issue. In Queensland last week Mr Rudd said Australia needed an immediate commitment to a national carbon trading scheme, not a taskforce that offered a possible, long-term global trading scheme.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/green-groups-get-a-say-on-greenhouse-plan/2006/12/19/1166290543846.html