Northcote independent rallies to close Hazelwood

Media release

Independent candidate for Northcote, Darren Lewin-Hill, will join today's rally to close the Hazelwood coal-fired power station in a show of support for strong action on climate change.

"Today will see thousands of people devote far more time than the fraction of 90 seconds Premier John Brumby gave to climate change in his summing up in last night's leaders' debate," the candidate said.

It was disappointing that climate change rated the barest mention, when the Premier had spoken earlier on the Wonthaggi desalination plant and the Black Saturday bushfires.

"These issues ride on the back of climate change, which was very much the elephant in the room in last night's debate for voters concerned about the environment, " he said.

"The Government is making much of its proposed climate change legislation, but weak targets for the adoption of renewable energy can't compensate for the emissions from the State's continuing reliance on brown coal for energy production and proposed export on a massive scale," he said.

"What we currently have is a vague plan for the partial closure of Hazelwood, at the same time the Government is considering a new brown coal gasification plant in the Latrobe Valley and a new port at Hastings to deal with the projected volume of brown coal exports," Mr Lewin-Hill said.

Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal and is on track to overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's largest exporter of carbon.

Professor David Karoly, a leading climate scientist who will speak at the rally, has estimated that, over its currently proposed lifetime, Hazelwood will produce around 920 million tonnes of carbon dioxide - the most powerful factor in dangerous global warming - unless the plant is closed.

"Existing technologies can replace Hazelwood with 100 per cent renewable energy, at the same time providing sustainable jobs for regional Victoria," Mr Lewin-Hill said.

"The issue of climate change belongs in the platform of every candidate in this State election, not just those from parties traditionally associated with concern for the environment."

The rally, organised by Environment Victoria, will commence at 1pm at the State Library of Victoria in Swanston Street.

The candidate is available for interview by phone or in person at any time today on 0404 526 555.

On Monday night at Northcote Town Hall (7-9pm), Mr Lewin-Hill will take part in a climate Q & A including Northcote MP, Fiona Richardson. The event is being hosted by the Darebin Climate Action Network (DarebinCAN).

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