Queensland Labor in push to win over greenies

LEAKED changes to Labor’s state policy platform reveal the dominant Left faction of the ALP has submitted more aggressive environmental policies, setting it up for a political collision with business.

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DEVELOPERS will be slapped with more environmental restrictions and forced to pay for waste under Labor’s race to soak up green votes.

Leaked changes to Labor’s state policy platform reveal that the dominant Left faction of the ALP has submitted more aggressive environmental policies, setting it up for a political collision with business groups.

It comes as state and federal Labor desperately try to mop up their haemorrhaging vote to green groups, which are ­accused of trying to delay economic development.

The 100-page dossier reveals the increase in the number and scope of controversial environmental policies.

Just days ago, Prime Min­ister Malcolm Turnbull and Resources Minister Matt Canavan warned Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that her green “ideology” could cost Queensland its energy security, and potentially plunge Queensland into darkness.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has called for an emergency meeting with his state counterparts to discuss the race for renewables. Just 4 per cent of green energy in Queensland is generated from renewables – solar and wind – but its policy is to increase it to 50 per cent in 14 years.

The Queensland State Policy Platform, obtained by The Sunday Mail reveals the ALP is preparing to turbocharge its green credentials. The ALP policy committee, driven by the Left and the Old Guard, is pushing for:

- Environmental legislation includes the impact of carbon emissions as part of environmental assessments;
- A polluter-pays principle and will investigate how it will introduce “pricing mechanisms” to encourage more efficient use of waste streams and avoid disposal of waste to landfill;
- Work to reduce Queensland’s dependence on fossil fuels and explore new export industries in response to declining market demand. This includes ensuring that fossil fuel sector growth is not subsidised by public money;
- Banning the release of helium balloons at government events to prevent “dangerous plastic waste” entering waterways;
- Investigating new ways to fund and use heritage places not protected for cultural tourism and other purposes;
- Establishing a commissioner “to lead threatened species recover and manage human and wildlife interactions”;
- A 50 per cent renewable ­energy target by 2030;
- Setting carbon budgets for all government agencies, which they will have to budget and report on bi-annually.

The policies will be voted on at State Conference. But even if adopted, they will not bind the State Government.