Pressure is mounting on the Rudd Government to include fuel in emissions trading and use revenue from carbon credits to support industries.

In releasing his draft report into climate change, Ross Garnaut told the National Press Club as many sectors as possible, including transport, must be included in the trading scheme, with all permits open to auction.

Garnaut, an economist advising the Government on the path it should take to mitigate carbon emissions, says the more industries included will reduce the burden on exposed industries.

"The more sectors included in the ETS, the more efficiently costs will be shared across the economy," Garnaut says.

"Transport should be included."

But in order to offset the costs to businesses, Garnaut says the Government should use about 30 percent of revenue from emissions trading "for structural adjustment needs" to assist the industry in transitioning towards a greener economy.

Furthermore, he is advocating 20 percent of funds be invested in research and development of low-carbon technologies, while calling for households to receive 50 percent of revenue to help with higher energy costs.

"The proceeds from the ETS should be allocated for purposes that will help Australia adjust to a low-emissions future," Garnaut says.

By allocating the majority of funds to households, Garnaut says consumers will be able to deal with rising energy and fuel prices that will come as a result of including both sectors in emissions trading.

However, the Government will need to invest about $3 billion in order to achieve Garnaut’s request for it to commit to low-emissions technologies.

The alternative, however, is bleak, according to the economist. He says if no action is taken, by 2100 climate change will result in a loss of around 4.8 percent of projected GDP and 7.8 percent of real wages.

It will have much more dire results for the agricultural industry in the shorter term, with Garnaut arguing there will be major declines in agricultural production by 2050 from unmitigated climate change.

"We are running out of time for effective global action, and it is important that we play our full part in nurturing the remaining chance," Garnaut says.

Despite rising fuel prices, transport industry groups are pushing the Government to follow Garnaut’s lead in calling for fuel to be part of emissions trading.

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) says unless fuel is included, the Government will mandate other stringent regulations, such as certain engine requirements, which will cost the trucking industry a lot more than if fuel was included.

The Australasian Railways Association (ARA) is using emissions trading to champion the ability of rail to take hundreds of trucks from the road. ARA Chief Executive Brian Nye wants the Government to give trucking operators incentives for hauling more freight on rail.

Doing so, he says, will not only increase rail’s share of the freight task, but also reduce the need for the number of long-distance trucks as well as help the trucking industry contain cost pressures as a result of emissions trading.

However, the Government is declining to confirm whether fuel will be part of emissions trading as it comes under pressure from the Opposition to exclude it.

Friday 04 July 2008

Click Here for more News.

South East Queensland's commuters can now access a new single point of contact for public transport services, information and feedback 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Minister for Transport John Mickel today launched the new TransLink Transit Authority, saying it would improve and expand public transport services across the region.

"A new authority better equipped to meet South East Queensland's growing demand for public transport has opened for business," he says.

"The new authority has the power to further co-ordinate and integrate public transport services, and deliver and manage infrastructure including railway station upgrades, park n' ride facilities and bus stops.

"It will also manage the smooth introduction of new technology to improve public transport services, for example real time passenger information and the expanded use of the go card technology across the network.

"The new TransLink Transit Authority's is also an important initiative in tackling the growing challenges of traffic congestion and climate change."

Mickel says commuters will benefit from the authority's around-the-clock customer service.

"Now customers only need to call the one number, 13 12 30, or visit the one website, www.translink.com.au, to get timetable information, enquire about services, plan a journey, ask about ticketing including the go card, or register any comments.

"And we all know how frustrating automated phone messages can be but customers now have the option of speaking to an operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when they call the 13 12 30 information number."

He says the authority would achieve other milestones over time, ultimately improving and expanding the region's public transport network.

He says a new integrated scheduling system would help kick off the new authority's drive towards better integration of public transport and use of resources.

By using this system and working with operators, Mickel says the new authority will make timetabling and scheduling more consistent across the region.

He says the authority will build on the success of TransLink, which had seen patronage jump 37 percent since it began operating in 2004.

"TransLink has successfully implemented integrated ticketing, provided additional services including about 500 new buses and rolled out the go card across the network," he says.

"Journeys have increased from about 124 million to an estimated 170 million a year, reflecting TransLink's ability to expand services as the population escalates."

"And now South East Queensland has a new authority with even more ability to ensure scheduling, services and planning are synchronised to deliver great public transport to the region."

Mickel says the TransLink Transit Authority is a statutory body with seven board members, including chairperson Geoff Harley.

It is now the single point of contact for the train, bus and ferry operators in the state's south-east corner.

From today, simply call 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.translink.com.au

Tuesday 01 July 2008

Click Here for more News.