Browsing: <a href="/tag/au">Federal</a> <i class="grey">•</i> <a href="/tag/interest-group-actions">Interest group actions</a>

The Australian Conservation Foundation tells the Wilkins review the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme is an essential policy measure, while the Business Council of Australia suggests more precise targeting.

A transport forum with members including NRMA, the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, VicRoads, toll road company Transurban and car rental businesses yesterday combined with the Australian Conservation Foundation to send an open letter to Treasurer Wayne Swan urging him to abolish tax breaks for salary-packaged cars.

An alliance of industry, union and environment organisations launched this morning has urged the Rudd government to set a goal of having the equivalent of three 500MW power stations fitted with CCS by 2020.



As a first step, Australia needs to finalise by this September nationally-consistent legislation and a policy framework to overcome first-mover barriers, the alliance says.

The Rudd government should remove tax breaks for personal use of company cars and abolish the Fuel Tax Credits scheme that gives tax breaks worth more than a billion dollars a year to the mining industry, Australian Conservation Foundation chief Don Henry told the National Press Club today. (plus audio)



Henry also urged the government to remove tax concessions for aviation fuel and push for resource companies to boost their 'miserable' levels of spending on R&D into technologies such as carbon capture and storage.

• Tests finds patchy compliance with energy performance standards
  
• Emissions should peak in 2010, say WWF and IAG
  
• Productivity Commission floats chemicals reforms

WWF Australia chief Greg Bourne says a range of laws – not just the federal EPBC Act – must be changed so large greenhouse gas emitters undergo regulatory scrutiny. Plus ACF calls for tax subsidy phase-outs, BCA cautions on meshing renewables and trading schemes, EBA calls for 'war council' approach. (with audio)