Ten years ago today, on this very day, the Greens betrayed the planet they were formed to protect. They betrayed the planet they profess to love so much, because on that day they joined in an unholy alliance with the tin foil hat brigade of the coalition to vote down the CPRS, and we've paid the price every day since. As a result, in 2020 emissions will be 81 million tonnes higher and, cumulatively, 218 million tonnes higher over the decade. The coalition and the Greens bear joint responsibility for the policy failure and environmental damage this has incurred. What is the Greens defence? 'Boohoo. Labor wouldn't talk to us on the day.' That is seriously their only defence to defend blocking the emissions trading scheme.
How petulant can you be? How weak and passive can you be? That is your only defence: Labor was mean to you. Australians are already bearing the cost of this, and the cost will only rise higher—higher electricity prices, severe drought devastating rural communities, damage to iconic assets like the Great Barrier Reef, and health costs from heatwaves. The member for Melbourne and all the Greens have the blood of the planet on their hands. They betrayed the environment by teaming up with the dinosaurs in the coalition to vote down the CPRS 10 years ago to this day.
You can view the speech here