2008.07.22

Greens leader against the use of Limousine

Greens leader, Nick McKim', said he is against the use of limousines by parliament members as an effort to combat climate change.

He rejects the limousine and chauffer that are at disposal of all leaders of political parties as the limousine emits far too much greenhouse gas.

"I cannot in good conscience continue to utilize a car that is a 6-litre, V8, two-tonne vehicle which emits more than three times the carbon than the hybrid vehicle that I currently drive," he said.

He emphasizes the importance of public transport as a way of having a lifestyle more close to nature balance and for the construction of communities identity.

Besides the environment savings he is expecting some money savings as well. This money savings could be allocated towards planning for convenient public transport solutions Tasmania

As a response to McKim the State Government said is delaying its plans to convert its limousine fleet to hybrid technology for at least two years until a low-emissions car is produced in Australia.

However McKim said that "Politicians cannot continue to ask the community to reduce emissions without ourselves showing leadership" and that State Goverment plan is not enought as it only to be apply in 2010.