Rudd walks backwards

Headlines of yesterdays Sydney Morning Herald and the Illawarra Mercury focused around Rudds move to delay the new Emissions Trading Scheme (or Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme), as a result of pressure from industry and other key (political) figures.

The Mercury focused on Bluescope Steel, which as seen in an earlier blog post, rejected the scheme saying it would “fundamentally affect our global competitiveness”. In a double page feature the Mercury runs a story called “Steel industry welcomes delay” and “Recession cause for carbon pause”. I think I can safely say that in the battle of economy vs environment, the economy has won -at least for this year.

The Sydney Morning Herald ran the story “Carbon bill burns as Rudd fiddles”. I think the suggestion that Rudd is fiddling his fingers is a bit harsh. It implies that he isn’t doing anything… Which i’m not sure is completely accurate. I think it’s more that he isn’t doing the right things. Industry (locally represented through Bluescope) has forced Rudd to reconsider his plans, with the threat of increased unemployment forcing him to loosen his resolve. Following on from other negative media coverage (see examples in a post below), it’s almost as if the media knew it was coming. I think you will remember my blog about the US Clean Water Protection Act or the comment following from my blog “Bluescope Afraid of Carbon Laws”. In both it was the industry which determined policy. I think within the current economic climate we are able to see where the priorities of the government/business sectors are.

I’m going to avoid making a judgement on the issue of climate change, but it’s obvious that Rudds been learning how to walk backwards as he holds up his hands to the men in blue-scope. But hey, they are “constructive steps in the right direction” (Statement to the Mercury, quoted in story “Steel Industry welcomes delay” 5/5/09).

Photo: G-online

I think Rudd is a little more dissapointed.

Maybe it will work out next time… Next year.