Australia: Politicians on petrol – don’t mention the ‘c’ word

Our political debate has been doused in petrol. But how is it, when peak oil talk is saturating the airwaves, that the subjects of renewable energy, infrastructure and climate change aren’t rating a mention? Instead we’re talking about 5 cent discounts, FuelWatch leaks and lopping off the GST.

“I’ve watched this debate with total despair


Blame Brendan Nelson first. The opposition leader has finally managed to drag discussion to the petrol pump, and he’s inhaling deeply. Ferguson’s FuelWatch leak, plus Oakes’ latest revelation, meant the government finally fell over.

The Rudd government must “…shift public perceptions so that they don