The last and greatest bastion of Abbott Government atavism has come down, from The Australian:
Federal cabinet last night agreed to seek a deal with Labor on the renewable energy target at 33,000GWh at a meeting today.
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Environment Minister Greg Hunt were given the go-ahead to put the latest compromise when they meet opposition environment spokesman Mark Butler in Melbourne at midday in a bid to end the impasse that has dragged on since late August.
A sensible enough decision that will unclog a lot of stalled renewable energy investment that is desperately needed to support growth. Not to mention retaining one former climate change mitigation policy.
The Government appears to be repositioning for Paris, from the AFR:
Australia will make a “serious and credible” offer to cut greenhouse gas emissions beyond its current target at an international climate change summit in Paris this year, according to Environment Minister Greg Hunt, a move likely to upset some in the Coalition who believe big cuts could damage the economy.
In the strongest sign yet the Abbott government will adopt a moderate shorter-term target ahead of the crucial global negotiations, Mr Hunt said Australia would look for consistency with other industrialised nations of a similar size when determining what baselines to use.
The RET and direct action will not be anything like enough for Australia to match the Climate Change Authority’s suggested 30% cut, nor the US’s pledge to cut 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025. Unless the budget for Direct Action is massively increased.
But at least the RET will continue our energy transformation at the margin in preparation for the much more serious mitigation policies to come.
Truly, it is a full metal panic in Abbott circles now to become an acceptable centrist government.
