Australia’s new PM to prioritise climate change
Gillard, in her first comments to the media after former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stepped down earlier, said she believed in climate change, backed renewable energy and that the nation needed a price on carbon emissions.
But she also said emissions trading laws would lead to a significant structural shift in the resources-rich nation and they needed to be explained properly to the community.
Analysts said Gillard’s comments could soothe disgruntled Greens voters who swept Rudd to power in 2007 on the promise of action on climate change. but she would need to tread carefully.
“It is as disappointing to me as it is to millions of Australians that we do not have a price on carbon,” Gillard told reporters. “And in the future we will need one. But first we need to establish a community consensus for action.”
Australia is the world’s top coal exporter and among the highest per-capita emitters of planet-warming carbon dioxide, with coal used to generate about 80% of electricity.
Gillard faces a national election within months and climate change will be a major election issue.
Gillard became Australia’s first woman to be appointed prime minister. As well as being deputy prime minister, she held three distinct portfolios, as minister for education, employment and workplace relations, and children and social inclusion.
Rudd made an emotional and ignominious exit, quitting just before the centre-left Labour Party was to dump him in an internal ballot and less than three years after a stunning election victory in 2007.
The Rudd government’s dramatic slide in support this year sparked fears within the ruling party of an electoral defeat at a poll expected around October.
“I asked my colleagues to make a leadership change because I believed that a good government was losing its way,” Gillard told a news conference.
Bookmaker Centrebet made a Gillard Labour government outright favourite to win the next election over conservative opponents.
Gillard has long been one of the government’s best performers in parliament with her ability to sell policies and deflect political attacks.
Gillard, 48, immediately offered to end a bitter dispute over a controversial “super profits” mining tax, which is threatening $20 billion (€16.2bn) worth of investment and has unnerved voters, saying she would throw open the door to fresh negotiations.
“It’s a genuine offer – the door of this government is open ...
“I’m asking the mining industry to open its mind,” she said.
But Gillard stood firm on the introduction of a resource tax, stressing that miners should pay more tax. She said later in parliament miners had conceded they could pay more.
Rudd became the shortest-serving Australian prime minister since 1972, with his leadership falling apart after a string of poor opinion polls.
“I have given my absolute all. I was elected by the Australian people as the prime minister ... to bring back a fair go for all Australians,” said Rudd, choking back tears.
Government lawmakers believe Gillard has a better chance of winning back voters because she is a warmer personality who can sell policies more effectively.
Gillard will automatically attract a large female vote, especially when compared with conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott, who is anti-abortion and opposes sex before marriage.
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