Tony Abbott on the Science and Economics of Climate Change

http://www.ozpolitic.com/green-tax-shift/tony-abbot-science-economics-climate-ch...

Tony Abbott has been moving in opposite directions on the science and economics of climate change. Until as recently as 2009 Abbott was one of our most extreme climate sceptics. By 2011, his conversion to the mainstream was complete and he acknowledged both the scientific consensus on climate change and the need for action. On the economics however, Abbott has been moving backwards. He started out being viewed as an intellectual and an economic rationalist. When John Howard went into the 2007 election with a carbon trading scheme as policy, Abbott made sound, rational arguments in favour of putting a price on carbon, and went one step further an argued that a tax made more sense than a trading scheme. He even took the time to explain the conundrum that politicians find themselves in, preferring a carbon tax for it's effectiveness and simplicity, but faced with a very difficult political task of selling it to members of the public to whom the economics seems counter-intuitive. Shortly after, he took a curious turn in that he continued to promote a carbon tax as a better mechanism to reduce emissions, but for absurd and non-sensical reasons (though the sound bites may appeal to disinterested or ignorant people, so long as they don't take a second look). He then proceeded to take the coalition down the path of direct action. This is a policy that is rejected by economists as expensive and wasteful, by scientists as unlikely to actually work, and by the farmers who are supposed to do all the heavy lifting. Finally, Tony Abbott has flagged a review of coalition policy (and another likely backflip) as early as 2015. It is little wonder that most of the debate about Abbott rarely gets past the first step of figuring out where he stands and what he really thinks.

Read more, including all the relevant quotes:

http://www.ozpolitic.com/green-tax-shift/tony-abbot-science-economics-climate-ch...

freediver wrote on Mar 31^st, 2013 at 1:52pm:



In my other thread - I continue to tell FD to listen to the interview.

FD tells us time and time again that FD has listened to the interview

This thread is further evidence that FD not only didn't listen to the interview but failed to understand the overall context. FD is deliberately pushing misinformation

The first 2 sentence is evidence of this

Sentence 1
Moving in the opposite direction of the science and economics. Facts are the science is not settled. Abbott specifically said in the interview that the science is not settled. If the science is not settled then how can economic modelling be done? So if economic modelling cannot be done accurately then how can you accurately make a statement that Abbott's moving away in the opposite direct if you are not even sure where you have started


Sentence 2
Note how FD is using the word "extreme climate sceptic". The climate have been changing for 4.6 billion years. No one is disputing this. So FD's usage of the words "climate sceptic" is deliberately trying to say Abbott does not think the weather changes everyday.


So even in the first two sentences of FD's opening post he/she has lied, spread misinformation and contradict the references he/she posted then what is the value of the rest of the post??


over to you FD

freediver wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2013 at 9:32pm:

I agree with Abbotts transition(especially because of the position he came from and then to) and direct action. How far he wants to take "reasonable action" will determine my future vote. I am of the view of keeping the planet clean of particulates and poisons, not concerned with co2.

freediver wrote on Apr 5^th, 2013 at 5:16pm:

Yes. He is the closest to what I want and no, he does not specifically deal with my issues.

freediver wrote on Apr 6^th, 2013 at 8:18pm:



He is close to what everyone wants - he simultaniously supports everything and nothing, vote for Tony and you can't lose - you also can't win.

My thought is that his true position is the its all BS one.

progressiveslol wrote on Apr 6^th, 2013 at 9:15pm:


and with 14 words you've just proven you are nothing but a puppet and Abbott is your puppet master.