Comment on climate change policy announcement

In relation to today's climate change policy announcement by the Prime Minister, and expected further policy announcements by opposition parties, the following comments are below.

"Ai Group's strong climate change policy principles have been further developed and were released in detail this week. Our input to whatever process is set up by any incoming government will be based on, and shaped by, these principles," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Heather Ridout said today.

"Government and industry need to continue the dialogue on climate change and business needs to have confidence that their concerns are well understood by all sides of politics," Mrs Ridout said.

Ai Group's climate change policy principles include:

• The competitiveness of Australia's trade-exposed industries cannot be eroded;
• Australia should be able to meet its international emissions reduction commitments at least cost;
• Climate policy must respect existing investments to avoid acute shortâ'medium term disruptions while supporting efficient long-term investment in the energy and other sectors;
• A central feature of policy should be supporting research and development of new approaches to emissions reduction and refinement of existing approaches; and
• Compliance costs and regulatory burdens should be kept to a minimum.

"One of the most important tasks for the next government will be to get climate policy right.

"Ai Group and its members, guided by these principles, will seek an active engagement and positive collaboration with the next government to address the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," Mrs Ridout said.

A full elaboration of Ai Group's Climate Change Policy Principles is available here.

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