Aussies 'want action on climate change' – theage.com.au

…”This is a big issue, Australians want action… so we are growing an economy that is competitive in the emerging global low carbon economy, but also so we can be cooperative in an effective global climate agreement.”

Mr Connor said that while it was important for Australia to move forward with the ETS package, it was more important to get the scheme right…

“We did a survey with an international economist on the carbon competitiveness of the G20 countries, (and) Australia came last amongst the developed world,” he said.

“Last week, the international energy agency reported that Australia was one of the few developed countries going backwards in energy efficiency”…

via Aussies ‘want action on climate change’. – theage.com.au

We seem to have a political culture in Australia now where the most important thing is to LOOK like you know what you are on about. Its all about performance in front of a camera. A competent actor would do alright in our political system – even if they make a complete hash of their policy responsibilities. It will be all alright by the political class and media as long as they look the part. Anyone who is affected by their conscience or who admits that some policy can be improved or is mistaken with assumptions or exhibits a momentary lapse of judgement is sidelined almost immediately – not because of what they had done, but because they look guilty in front of a camera. Someone who is reckless and shameless will charge on regardless and be applauded for it in our political culture.

With an ego driven or macho culture pervading the political class, policy initiatives are more like someone in a bunker taking policy potshots with hit and miss results. Without an ongoing commitment even a policy hit would quickly fade in effect. We have heard of all the world’s problems being solved in Canberra sound-bites as issues are ticked off the grand list. And yet things are getting worse. It is a cultural thing.