THE FACTS:

The Rudd government yesterday announced the $75.8 million Carbon trust initiative would be based in Brisbane and headed by former Liberal defence and environment minister senator, Robert Hill.

The trust was designed to reduce Australia’s greenhouse footprint by altering the energy use by Australian businesses and households. The government plans to invest the capital over the next five years.

However the announcement of Senator Hill has not come without a backlash. While the Prime Minister claims his selection was based purely on portfolio and history on public policy, others have suggested the decision was made based on ulterior motives.

The executive director of the Australia Institute, Richard Dennis, feels the proposed model was flawed and speaks more about the Government’s desire to “wedge” the Opposition than to actually address the flaw in the current emissions trading scheme.

Others argue that Senator Hill has had a history of ignoring important climate change issues and feel the government has put trust in the wrong hands.

THE VIEWS:

Greens leader Bob Brown:

“Robert Hill, as Liberal Environment Minister, played a key personal role in weakening the Kyoto Protocol at negotiations in 1997, undermining global climate action for years afterwards and setting Australia up as a global climate spoiler by not ratifying the Protocol.”

Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull:

”There is some irony that the Prime Minister is paying a former Liberal to give him advice on global warming and he has unpaid Liberals in Parliament today ready to give him similar advice. I would urge the Prime Minister to not only listen to former Liberals but also to listen to current Liberals and sit down and negotiate the best outcome.”

BREAKING IT DOWN:

A) An ultimatum and agreement between all parties has to be made when dealing with significant policies such as the carbon trust.

Although the word ‘agreement’ is almost unheard of in the political world, the issue of climate change and Australia’s part in reducing greenhouse emissions is not only crucial for our nations future, but also for the world’s.

B) If senator Hill does have a history of ignoring climate change issues, what makes him the right man for the job?

The government must address his history and outline in more detail their decision on his appointment, while also acknowledging his past, not ignoring it.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Has the Rudd Government made the right decision in appointing Senator Robert Hill as head of the $75.8 million Carbon Trust initiative?