How smart it that?

Burnie Advocate
Wednesday 18/10/2006, Page: 16

IT SHOULD be a source of pride that Australians are developing wind farms in China. It should also be a source of pride that Australia's groundbreaking technology is helping lead that charge.

But why are we developing these technologies off-shore? In China of all places. Nothing against China. It is a burgeoning industrial economy which will need sustainable energy to take it into the future.

But Australia's economy is heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. Won't we need a cheap, renewable source of power to secure our future. Shouldn't our government be working to establish our credentials as a smart, progressive nation with an eye on next century and all those to follow? Apparently not.

As we know the government's position on renewable energy targets has led to the closure of a strong local company at the forefront of the wind energy field. We still have not signed onto to the Kyoto Agreement, something which should be the source of national shame.

We should be world leaders in this field. Australia, and particularly Tasmania, should have the credentials to turn heads globally. Instead, we are asking people to travel to China to look at our handiwork.

I ask you, how smart it that?