Greenpeace has today launched a call for an independent Inquiry into the relationship between the fossil fuel industry, its lobbyists and political parties in order to uncover the source of recent government decisions, including the Inquiry into the Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status of environmental NGOs. David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace said it is clear that fossil fuel companies have too much power and the Coalition Government makes too many decisions that suit the interests of the fossil fuel lobby.
“Everyone else is coming a distant second to the power of the fossil fuel companies under this government.
“Whether you love our beautiful oceans and forests, or depend on a healthy Great Barrier Reef or good groundwater for your business, job or farm, you are losing out to the fossil fuel lobby under this government.
“The fossil fuel industry campaigns to weaken the environmental laws, as was the case with their Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation campaign to demolish federal environmental protections on their activities.
“Australians deserve an explanation as to how the lobbying activities of the fossil fuel industry work. No tax is paid on their political campaigns.
“They have run campaigns inconsistent with science on climate change, to prevent tax reform, and even to initiate parliamentary inquiries.
“It would be useful to understand how this lobbying leads to government subsidies for the industry.
“Australian taxpayers deserve to know what environmental wreckage occurs from fossil fuel company and lobby group donations to political parties.
“The current revolving door between government and the fossil fuel industry in relation to public servants, political staff and politicians must end.”
The Abbott Government is trying to stand over and silence Australians concerned about the environment on behalf of the fossil fuel industry.
“The fossil fuel industry conducts tax-free political campaigns to weaken environment laws and potentially wreck special places like the Great Barrier Reef.
“The government gives the fossil fuel industry special treatment. There’s the budget’s $5 billion dollar slush fund for projects that don’t have financial or public support, such as the Abbot Point dredging on the Great Barrier Reef.
“Clearly the fossil fuel industry has too much power over the Abbott Government.
“The government simply abolished the mining tax and the carbon price because it suited the interests of their political supporters.
“It’s time we had a proper inquiry into the influence of an industry that is prepared not only to destroy places like the Great Barrier Reef but to undermine our democracy,” said Mr Ritter.
For more information contact Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004