Fed: Barnett wants ETS delayed

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2009
Fed: Barnett wants ETS delayed

HOBART, April 30 AAP - Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett wants the federal government
to rethink its model and the timing for introducing an emissions trading scheme (ETS).

Mr Barnett told reporters in Hobart on Thursday an ETS was not a panacea for all problems
and in his opinion a "poor second best to direct measures to reduce emissions".

"Direct measures mean basically engineering measures," he said.

"For example, Australia should make far more use of its natural gas reserves.

"Natural gas has about one third of the emissions of coal- fired power stations so
why wouldn't we do what other countries are doing and use cleaner fuels for a start."

Asked if the federal government's planned ETS would cost jobs, Mr Barnett said: "I
would hope that the federal government will reconsider both the timing and the way in
which (an ETS) is introduced.".

AAP pc/it/bwl

KEYWORD: CLIMATE BARNETT

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