Departing Head Of Australian Business Council Says Gov. Should Have Ratified Kyoto

The government says ratifying Kyoto would make no difference to Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, and it is not changing its position just because one prominent business leader has had a change of heart. Retiring head of the Business Council of Australia Michael Chaney said in a media report that he had changed his mind about the global treaty on climate change and now believes the federal government should have ratified it.

"I think with hindsight, it would have been a good idea," Mr Chaney told News Ltd. "We are going to meet our commitments anyway."

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The Australian Greens were sceptical of Mr Chaney's motives, saying it was more about political positioning than cutting emissions. Greens climate change spokeswoman Senator Christine Milne said the government used the BCA, even on official delegations to the Kyoto meetings, to undermine the treaty and make sure it never went far enough to make a difference.

"It is in no small part due to the efforts of the organisation Chaney is now leaving that Kyoto is not as strong as it should be," Senator Milne said in a statement. "Michael Chaney will be remembered for his complete lack of leadership in the business community on climate change at a critical time."

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http://www.theage.com.au/news/NATIONAL/No-point-in-endorsing-Kyoto-coalition/2007/10/26/1192941316485.html

Mene, mene tekel upharsin!