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South Australian State Election 2010

Election Overview

Last updated 18th of March 2010

Climate change does not feature as a lead issue in the 2010 South Australian State Election.

The only related issue is a strong focus on water, with most parties other than Labor opposing the desalination plant and instead proposing to used storm water, though Labor also supports the collection of storm water.

The only party with good state based climate change related policies is Labor, with the Greens deferring to national policies and the Liberals lacking any specific policy on climate change or energy (18/3/2010). Family First was the surprise with a good range of environment policies, but have a climate change denier as national leader and with weak goals, letting them down.

Election Details

• March 20th

Policy Comparison

To view the comprehensive visual policy analysis between the policies of Labor, Liberal, Family First and the Greens click here

Voting Recommendations

Note: On your ballot paper you must number at least 5 boxes, starting with the number "1" with your favorite candidate and putting the rest of the candidates in order of preference.

1. South Australian Greens
2. South Australian Labor
3. South Australian Family First
4. South Australian Liberals

Policy and Parties - General Comments

The Greens

The Greens have not produced local policies on climate change and instead elected to default to the national policies on climate change and energy. This is disappointing for a party with a sitting state member and a state senator.

The Greens national policies are the strongest of any of the three major parties, however their policy detail fails to live up to their overarching principles which state:

we have only 10-15 years to use our collective human intelligence to address the crisis of climate change and to prevent catastrophe.

The Greens policy in its current form will not address the climate change crisis as their proposals are two weak and implementation timelines to slow. For example, the Greens are only proposing 30% renewable by 2020 and to utilise gas prior to a transition to renewables at some future point. This transition is not only too slow but results in the investment of billions into another fossil fuel technology that will simply have to be replaced before its end of life, both in terms of power plants and people investment in gas technology in their homes.

Labor

Labor has produced a comprehensive 158 page policy platform and over 20 detailed policies. The platform includes a climate change section and other policies that relate to climate change.

Climate related policies include:

• Finding ways for agriculture and forestry to profit from carbon sequestration.
• Support of the the Rudd Labor Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
• State goals of 40% reduction on 1990 levels by 2050
• 50% of government energy supplied as greenpower by 2014
• An entire policy dedicated to cycle and walk ways

Labor has a comprehensive approach to climate change focused around energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Family First

Family First has developed the most comprehensive set of local environmental policies for this election. Covering a range of topics from water, energy and biodiversity.

Despite being lead nationally by Steven Fielding, a outspoken climate change denier, their policy on climate change still includes a minimum target, acceptance of an international trading scheme, and acknowledgement that such a scheme could have a significant financial impact on families.

The transport related policy focuses on good urban design and improving public transport.

They would improve the energy efficiency of public housing, and support energy efficiency in general, and support renewables, including geothermal, but take an each way bet on nuclear.

Their most interesting policies are strong policies around supporting low emission and electric vehicle manufacture in South Australia, the strongest of any party, a "No Species Loss Policy" in relation to biodiversity, and a call not to build within 1.5 m of mean sea level.

Liberals

The Liberals lack any specific policy on climate change and thus "goals" and "international" policy have been assessed on Federal policy.

It is interesting to note that with Tony Abbot's commitment to 5% reduction on 1990 levels the Federal Liberals now have a stronger 2020 goal than Labor, which uses as it's base year 2000.

The only policy that relates to climate change is a decision to invest in $100's of millions upgrading South Australian roads.

Their lack of policy puts them to the bottom of the voting preferences.

General Election Information and Analysis

See the ABC's Election Website

See ABC's election commentator Antony Green's Blog

Links to party websites: