The Greens should come clean on all details they know about the Government’s carbon tax package but which are yet to be released or announced, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham said today.
It follows what appears to be today’s latest example of Greens Deputy Leader Christine Milne jumping the gun on a Government announcement:
“Australia has taken vital steps towards a future powered 100% by renewable energy today with … the appointment of members of the board of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)…”
Senator Christine Milne, media release, 12 October 2011
This is despite the Government indicating the legislation establishing the $10 billion CEFC won’t even be introduced until next year:
“… legislation, which will be introduced into Parliament next year in order to allow the CEFC to commence operations from 2013-14”
Wayne Swan and Greg Combet, media release, 12 October 2011
Quite distinct from any board appointments, the Government did today announce an expert review panel to advise on the CEFC’s design.
“Senator Milne has form on jumping the gun, having pre-empted by two days the Government’s July announcement of plans for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of the carbon tax package,” Senator Birmingham said today.
“If Christine Milne already knows who’s being appointed to the board of this yet to be established agency that will oversee the spending of billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money she should also tell us their names.”