MALCOLM Turnbull has today slammed the new Liberal leader Tony Abbott's views on climate change.
He vowed to cross the floor and vote with Labor when the legislation is brought back to Parliament next year, The Australian reports.
The former Liberal leader this morning posted a blog via the website Twitter where he pledged to tell a few “home truths about the farce that the Coalition's policy, of lack of policy, on climate change has descended into”.
His intervention follows reports today that the Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey attacked Mr Abbott's plans for a climate change switch at a shadow cabinet meeting two weeks ago, warning it would cost over $50 billion.
Mr Turnbull said today that while a shadow minister Mr Abbott was never afraid of speaking bluntly in a manner that was at odds with Coalition policy.
“So as I am a humble backbencher I am sure he won't complain if I tell a few home truths about the farce that the Coalition's policy, of lack of policy, on climate change has descended into,” he said.
“First, let's get this straight. You cannot cut emissions without a cost. To replace dirty coal fired power stations with cleaner gas fired ones, or renewables like wind let alone nuclear power or even coal fired power with carbon capture and storage is all going to cost money.
“To get farmers to change the way they manage their land, or plant trees and vegetation all costs money.
“Somebody has to pay."
Read more at The Australian
