Tackling climate change

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today that the Bligh Government had set bold targets to meet the challenges of climate change and was rising to meet them with sensible, workable solutions.

Minister Wilson said the Bligh Government was looking beyond the horizon towards a cleaner, greener energy future for Queensland.

“We’ve made real achievements and delivered a lot in the past twelve months while the Leader of the Opposition has been talking about cutting jobs and services,” Mr Wilson said.

“Like a headmaster out of a Dickens’ novel he wants to deliver the cuts: cuts to jobs, cuts to services, cuts to building projects.

“What the Dickens would he cut in the Mines and Energy portfolio? Would he cut our new high-powered Office of Clean Energy, the spearhead in our drive to develop renewable energy sources?

“Would he cut the jobs of Energex control centre staff who worked last night while another summer storm swept across the region? Would he cut our $100 million green energy fund or our Geothermal Centre of Excellence?

“While we’re tackling climate change with clever solutions, the Leader of the Opposition is out there talking about cutting jobs, cutting services, cutting building projects and cutting a bigger hole in the ozone layer.

“We’re making real achievements. We’re creating a solar map so that we can exploit the state’s full solar potential. We’re helping to develop the world’s first solar gas demonstration project,” he said.

“We’re investing in a ground-breaking solar thermal power station in Cloncurry and in a first for Queensland, we’ve built a solar farm at Windorah.

“Our solar cities trial in the north is transforming Magnetic Island into a truly solar suburb, while Ergon Energy has embarked on a ground-breaking fuel cell trial in Cairns.

“We’re leading the field in clean coal technology with our Callide oxyfuel project and ZeroGen.

“When there are tough challenges ahead, Queenslanders need a responsible, stable government that is not afraid to make tough decisions.

“No one wants to be taken back to the dark ages by a Leader of the Opposition who would cut jobs, projects and services. Queenslanders deserve better than that,” Mr Wilson said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819