Swan urges Hockey to battle Lib sceptics

Treasurer Wayne Swan has called on Joe Hockey to put his political ambitions aside
and not sell out to "climate change dinosaurs" in the Liberal Party for the chance
to snatch the leadership.
Mr Swan told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday that Mr Hockey had already
acknowledged the need for an emissions trading scheme (ETS) and should not change
his mind because of pressure from sceptics in the Liberal Party.
He said the turmoil engulfing the Liberals was a setback for climate change reform
and Australians wanted action.
"It's not just a question of who is leading the Liberal Party, it's a question of
what does the Liberal Party stand for?," Mr Swan told reporters.
"And what we are seeing at the moment is the Liberal Party being dominated by
climate change sceptics and extremists.
"My message to Joe Hockey is don't sell out to deniers and sceptics and keep your word.
"A couple of days ago you said it was in the national interest to do something about
climate change and support the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. "Don't sell out
for your own selfish political interest on climate change."
Mr Hockey is being touted as the likely replacement for besieged Liberal leader
Malcolm Turnbull should there be a challenge next week.
Mr Swan said it was not in the country's interest for Liberal's political woes to
trigger an early election.
"The last thing the government wants is an election," Mr Swan said.
He said it was important Australia headed to Copenhagen for the United Nations
Climate Change conference next month (December 7-18) with a firm policy.
"The problem is climate change dinosaurs in the Liberal and National parties simply
don't get it," Mr Swan said.
"They are blind on the impact of climate change and not willing to face up to the
long-term challenges this country faces.
"It's in Australia's national interest for all our parties' political leaders to
face up to the challenge of climate change.
"How can we expect everybody else to take action when a country so dramatically
affected by climate change is unwilling to take any step to deal with this long term
challenge."
Mr Swan said it was imperative for the future of the country and to make a statement
to the rest of the world that Australia was serious about getting the ETS through
the Senate.
"We need action now and the cost of inaction is far greater and the price will be
paid by our children and our grandchildren," Mr Swan said.