Hobart, Monday 3 December 2007 Australian Greens climate change
spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, welcomed Prime Minister Rudd's
swift action to ratify the Kyoto Protocol today.
Senator Milne said "Today is a historic day, many years overdue.
"Australia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol is a welcome return to
the multi-lateral approach of negotiating through the UN.
"Prime Minister Rudd realises that he has now legally bound Australia to
meeting our targets, so real and swift action is now needed to turn
around our sky-rocketing emissions.
"Mr Rudd's first challenge is to tackle our forestry emissions by
stopping logging in Tasmania and Victoria. Then he must move swiftly on
renewable energy, energy efficiency and fast, efficient mass transit.
"Prime Minister Rudd has fired the starting gun - it's time to start
running!"