Australia’s Shadow Environment Minister has warned that the left-wing Australian Greens party will push the centre-left Labor government to implement tough environmental laws, which could come at the expense of the economy.
The comment comes as Labor’s Climate Change Bill is set to go before the lower house on Wednesday, with the Greens’ votes needed for the legislation to pass in the federal Upper House.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen on Tuesday announced that the 43 percent emission cut represents a floor and not a ceiling, echoing Greens leader Adam Band’s previous comment that whatever target is agreed to for 2030 should only be the minimum standard.
Tasmania Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam, who’s also the Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Forestry, said Australia “should be concerned that destructive policies could come into force if the Greens get their way as part of a deal.”
“The government will rely on the Greens to legislate many reforms,” he told The Epoch Times.
“The Greens have made very clear their demands on environmental regulation, including the banning of certain important industries from coal mining to native forestry.”
