The new labour government in Canberra has today released the new budget, which is falling behind expectations of environmental groups and the clean energy industry.

In response to the 2008 Budget Greenpeace head of campaigns Stephen
Campbell said:

“We are in the midst of an extreme climate crisis and the Rudd
Government’s first budget was an opportunity to show voters that they
truly means business on climate change.

“Instead they have let Australia down by not delivering the climate
solutions that are at their fingertips right now - renewable energy,
such as wind, solar and geothermal.

“The government's flagship renewable energy fund will not get a single
cent over the next year whilst the clean coal scam will receive $31
million. Over the next three years, renewables will get half as much
public money than wealthy coal companies pushing CCS.

“Why is the Rudd government buying into the CCS scam which cannot play
a role in cutting emissions for at least another 20 years at least, if
at all? Just think how much energy we could be generating from
renewables in that period of time if we start injecting cash into the
solution rather than the problem?

”This is a 'pollute as usual' budget that reflects the interests of the
fossil fuel lobbyists in Canberra whilst Australians who care about
climate change will continue to foot the bill of wealthy coal
companies.

”This budget has not redirected any of the $7.8 billion in taxpayer
handouts that encourage the continued use of fossil fuels that are
driving climate change. 30,000 Australians called for these subsidies
to be redirected to renewables and the Rudd government has ignored them.

“Any future review of the taxation system must deal directly with the
$7.8 billion in subsidies still going to encourage fossil fuel use. If
it doesn’t then it is missing the essential component of cleaning up
the tax system.

“Renewable energy is the solution to climate change and the technology
is ready right now - it needs a huge injection of cash which can come
from reviewing these perverse subsidies.