Nationals Leader, David Littleproud, said the estimated $1 billion cost to host next year’s United Nations Climate Change Summit in Adelaide is nothing more than a Labor vanity project.
Mr Littleproud said Labor cared more about appearing on the world stage than helping Australians amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“This is pure insanity and nothing more than a vanity project for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Right now there are Australians struggling to put dinner on the table but Labor would prefer to flit away more than $1 billion on a Conference of the Parties (COP) Summit, just so Labor can grandstand and the Prime Minister can mix with other world leaders.
“This should not be at the taxpayers’ expense and as far as I am concerned, if Turkey still wants to host the Summit, they can have it.”
Mr Littleproud added Labor also was prepared to spend $9 trillion on its net zero plan.
“The Summit, which is another talkfest, will not achieve anything other than another cost to our taxpayers. The world is already committed to reducing emissions.
“Labor’s ideology has already become bigger than Ben-Hur, which is not doing anything to add any value to what the world has already agreed to.
“Labor is out of touch, not just in the possible hosting of the Summit but also what they are doing to Australians with their energy bills. We need to get back to common sense.
“It is clear that a $1 billion cost to host a Summit is not a good value for money. In fact, that kind of money could build a new hospital. This government’s priorities are clearly all wrong.”
Mr Littleproud added The Nationals have adopted a cheaper, better, fairer energy and climate plan.
“Our plan is cheaper because we will lower energy prices first, use all of our resources and abandon the commitment to net zero. All carbon taxes and restrictions should be removed.
“Our plan is better because we will protect our local environment through local community action such as waterway protection, land restoration and soil carbon. We will ensure that our national security is not compromised.
“Our plan is fairer because we will reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them. We will ensure that costs are distributed fairly, not concentrated on regional Australia.
“The Nationals have a cheaper, fairer, better solution that will lower the cost of electricity bills for households and businesses.”
