Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has criticized The Greens for a “miracle” policy reversal after calling for mandatory cooling in rental properties despite pushing for net-zero emissions by 2035.
Greens in Queensland and Victoria have called for government intervention to improve rental standards and potentially mandate cooling systems, as well as floating the forced waiving of rent if properties become too hot.
Mr. Canavan said the new focus on enforcing energy-intensive air conditioning and fans comes in stark contrast to The Greens’ previous policies and must indicate the party was now “supportive” of coal and gas.
“A miracle has happened this week in Australian politics, The Greens have clearly reversed their views on coal and gas power,” Mr. Canavan told SkyNews.com.au.
“Their calls to mandate ‘cooling’ in rental homes, including air conditioning, must imply that they’re now supportive of new coal and gas-fired power stations to help cope with the increased load this policy would put on the system.”
The Greens’ official platform calls for a net 100 percent reduction of C02 emissions on 2005 levels by 2035, and the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations, gas mines, and oil wells.
Greens Councillor for The Gabba Jonathan Sri took to Facebook on Wednesday to lament “sub-standard” conditions in rentals of low-income tenants, calling for waived rent unless landlords installed adequate cooling.
“When I hear stories of rental homes where the temperature is regularly climbing up towards 40 degrees, walls are growing mold, and the landlord isn’t even investing in ceiling fans or blinds, it’s pretty obvious the current system is broken,” Mr. Sri told SkyNews.com.au.
“The major political parties want to treat housing as a commodity, even though it’s a basic human right and need. If landlords are providing a housing service in exchange for rent, and the home isn’t actually safe to live in because it’s getting so hot, of course, the tenant should have their rent discounted or waived.
“Unless the government introduces protections against excessive rent hikes, other minimum standards are difficult to enforce in practice.”
A similar policy was pushed by Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam only a day earlier who went further and called for the Andrews Government to mandate air conditioning in rental properties.
“I’ve written to the Victorian Government asking them to update our minimum rental standards to make cooling mandatory,” she said on Tuesday.
“With climate change making our summers hotter and longer, we need to ensure all rental homes are safe and liveable in the summer months.”
The coincidently timed policy approach from two separate branches of The Greens comes in contrast to the party’s approach to climate change.
However, Mr. Sri hit back at suggestions more energy-guzzling air-conditioning units would hurt climate change targets because when it’s hot “there’s plenty of sunshine available”.
h/t Rúnar O.
Read rest at Sky News
The Greens are pushed by their own idiotic ideology and politiccs instead of by Common sense