As the Prime Minister travels to COP31 and the UN climate chief declares that fossil fuels are a ‘cancer’ fuelling inflation around the world, Australian Greens Deputy Leader Senator Steph Hodgins-May said:
“As Albanese cozies up to Trump in Türkiye, Australians are back home picking up the bill for Labor’s fossil fuel obsession. He doesn’t give a rats about a safe climate or the cost-of-living crisis at home, only his spot on the global ego podium.
“It’s Labor’s coal and gas addiction that’s accelerating us full throttle into this mess. They can’t keep pretending to lead the world’s climate negotiations while they’ve got 38 coal and gas project approvals and extensions on their books.
“The rest of the world is waking up to Australia’s abysmal climate credentials. And frankly, it’s getting harder for Albanese to hide behind the spin.
“Labor giving $12 million to emergency services to prepare for a supercharged El Niño summer, including for fire fighter’s mental health is the PM acknowledging there is a problem, while continuing to throw more fuel on the fire. I’m sure stopping fossil fuel exports would be far better for fire fighters mental health than more spin.
“We’ve never been more exposed to the ridiculous volatility of global fossil fuel markets. Fossil fuels are a pathogen spreading inflation through our economy while also fuelling the climate crisis. And it’s everyday Australians, families and small businesses left bearing the brunt of this destruction.
“While Labor protects the profits of fossil fuel corporations, everyone else gets slugged. They simply don’t care, so long as their coal and gas lobby mates stay happy and the party donations keep rolling in.
“And now we’re seeing a global surge in gas-powered energy demand from data centres, as billionaire tech bros race to build their AI empires. We’re being told to burn more gas, bring on more inflation, destroy First Nations Country, and turbocharge climate destruction so some of the richest people on the planet can make even more money.
“COP31 is kicking off in the shadow of one of the darkest years for our global climate, and what is Albanese doing? Courting Trump for war talks while Australians are left bearing the brunt of his fossil fuel frenzy.”
