Senator Andrew Bartlett Deputy Parliamentary Leader and Democrats Senator for Queensland Australian Democrats spokesperson for Environment & Animal Welfare
Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett says politicians have to stop telling the public what they think the public wants to hear about petrol prices, and start telling people the truth instead.
"There is no doubt that higher petrol prices are causing financial pain for many people, but that's no reason to deceive them by suggesting governments can or should try to drop the price," Senator Bartlett said.
"Major cuts in fuel excise would be economically and environmentally irresponsible."
"The simple fact is that carbon pricing – whether through a carbon tax or a trading scheme – must add to the price of fuel and energy so that it more accurately reflects its environmental costs, otherwise it won't work."
"Now is the time for governments and political leaders to be looking for ways to assist people in reducing their dependence on petrol and private motor vehicle travel, not subsidising them and encouraging them to use more."
"Instead, we have federal MPs furiously arguing over a few cents a litre and a Queensland government which is still subsidising petrol by more than 8 cents a litre and spending billions of dollars on tunnels and other infrastructure to encourage MORE reliance on private car usage."
"If we are to have any hope of meeting the greenhouse emission targets, we must start being honest now about the significant changes in lifestyle that will have to accompany it."
"We will certainly fail to prevent major climate change if we maintain our current ways of living and hope technology will fix it all," Senator Bartlett concluded.
