The Australian Democrats 2009-11-27T13:59:55+10:30 The Australian Democrats today re-iterated the need for urgent action on climate change and urged the Senate to pass the CPRS legislation. <br /><br />National President Julia Melland said that she was disappointed with the scope of the CPRS legislation, although "baby steps are better than no steps at all".<br /> <br />Ms Melland said that the Australian Democrats were the political party who first raised the issue of climate change in Federal Parliament many decades ago. Other political parties were now just catching up to the Democrats. "While our policy process has only recently restarted as part of the rebuilding process, we still stand firmly behind our Global Climate Policy balloted in 2001."<br /> <br />Ms Melland said that the Australian Democrats' policy on Global Climate called for action "to protect human and environmental health, together with quality of life, by minimising and preventing the contamination of the air commons; to prevent climate change by substantially reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances; and ensuring Australia anticipates and is prepared for the social, ecological and economic consequences of rapid global climate change".<br /><br />The policy specifies the need to "Progressively reducing national and per capita greenhouse gas emission levels and reliance on fossil fuels to well below current levels and across all sectors." <br /> <br />Ms Melland said, "We hope the debate currently underway in the Senate will result in this first little step being taken towards reducing our carbon pollution and dealing with this most urgent problem".<br /><br />The passage of the current legislation has also highlighted the difference between the Greens and the Democrats. The Democrats policy is to use Senate representation to work to improve legislation, not just criticise and protest. "In this situation the balance of power has not done its job to improve legislation and facilitate progress: It has been the progressive wing of the Liberal Party who has done the right thing by Australia, and it is disappointing to see the party turn against their leader for being an example of good leadership for our nation." <br /><br />The Global Climate Policy is available from the Australian Democrats website. http://www.democrats.org.au/policies/policy_dis.htm?id=9&policy=Global+Climate+Policy<br /><br /><br /> Julia.melland@democrats.org.au true true 1949 The Australian Democrats today re-iterated the need for urgent action on climate change and urged the Senate to pass the CPRS legislation. 461 0431 357 585 Julia Melland The Australian Democrats began rebuilding the party in April of this year. David Collyer is currently contesting the by-election in Higgins. true 0431 357 585 true 2009-11-27T14:10:40+10:30 337 true http://www.democrats.org.au