Northern Territory News
Henderson Fiddles
Shadow Environment Minister Peter Chandler says the Henderson Government should release the draft report it commissioned last year into Climate Change.
'The Henderson Government paid leading consultants Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu $300,000 to formulate a climate change policy for the Northern Territory,' Mr Chandler said.
'I understand senior consultant Jon Stanford has handed the Northern Territory Government a draft report, but that report still hasn't seen the light of day – despite the Chief Minister's promise it would be released last February.'
Mr Chandler said the Henderson Government's reluctance to release the report suggested a lack of commitment to tackling climate change.
'For the community to embrace measures that will help minimise the effects of climate change, the Government must lead from the front,' Mr Chandler said.
'The Henderson Government is following instead of taking the initiative in this crucial area.'
Mr Chandler's comments follow the tabling of a report in the Federal Parliament yesterday that estimates nearly 900 Territory coastal buildings – along with harbour and port facilities – are vulnerable to rising sea-levels.
The report also forecast more cyclones and the greater risk of mosquito-borne infection.
'The Territory faces a number of serious threats and needs an immediate start to developing considered responses to those threats,' Mr Chandler said.
'Before last year's election, the Country Liberals committed to reducing public sector emissions by 20% by 2020.
'Chief Minister and Climate Change Minister Paul Henderson has in his hands an evidence-based report that could guide the Government in drafting a climate change policy.
'Instead, we have excuses instead of leadership and inaction instead of reform.'
2009-10-27
