A great day for the environment

Politically, today has seen a great victory for the environment in Australia. The new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has announced his cabinet line up, including Peter Garret as Environment Minister. This is a great victory, considering Garrets passion and activism for the environment. I read a great quote the other day suggesting that even if Garret achieves 10% of what he wants to, this will be the most Australia has ever done! This however comes with a catch…Peter does not have the Climate Change and Water portfolio, with this instead going to Senator Penny Wong. I am sure Garret would not be happy about this, perhaps a safety measure by Rudd after previous gaffes? [Source]

But wait, there is more! A fantastic development has presented itself in the form of bipartisain agreement on a crucial issue, climate change and the Kyoto protocol. The new Liberal leader, Brendan Nelson, stated today that he fully supports Ruud’s plan for the ratification of Kyoto, in effect taking Liberal policy about 100 years forward and to a point we were never going to see under Howard or Costello. A good development, but some must question his sincerity;

“I have heard the message from Australians that was delivered on Saturday and whatever some critics of the Kyoto Protocol might actually think, it’s symbolically important to Australians,” he said. [Source]

An exciting development nonetheless, and hopefully the beginning of an important trend, bipartisan agreement and support on issues crucial to our planet and society…

Update: Reader Niz informs me that the two ministers will in fact be working together on climate change, with Mr Garrett still playing a major role in the implication of climate change inicatives. It appears that Mr Rudds decison to seprate the portfolio is being beaten up by the media to make it look like Mr Garrett is being stripped of some of his powers, where this is in fact not the case. You can read more HERE. Thanks to Niz.