Leader: Backers on pollution price

A LOCAL environmental group is calling on residents to support the Federal Government’s carbon tax policy.

Moonee Valley Climate Action Group will host a public forum in Flemington to “better inform” residents about why a price on pollution is necessary.

With the Labor Government and the Greens pushing to introduce the carbon pricing scheme by July 2012, Moonee Valley Action Group convener Richard Keech said it was the perfect time to act.

“Now more than ever before it’s critical that people get accurate information about the need for a price on carbon pollution,” he said.

“There’s a lot of confusion out there in the community and we’re hoping that people take the opportunity to get informed about the issue.”

Moonee Valley Climate Action Group was formed in 2008 to encourage the community to act on climate change and has 40 members.

Now the group will bring the debate to the Flemington Community Centre on Thursday, backing the carbon pricing scheme.

The forum will comprise climate change expert guest speakers including Environment Victoria’s safe climate campaigner Victoria McKenzie-McHarg.

Ms McKenzie-McHarg said there was a lot of misinformation about climate change and carbon tax within communities.

“This forum is a chance for people to hear about the price on pollution, how it works and why a strong policy is important to cut our pollution and take action on climate change,” she said.

Patrick Hearps, author of Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan, and David Spratt, author of Climate Code Red, will also speak at the event.

The free forum starts at 7pm at 25 Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington. For more details, phone Richard Keech on 0419 036 463.