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Secker slams Turnbull over ETS

Posted on November 25, 2009, 12:12pm and updated on November 26, 2009 at 8:22 am

The South East’s representative in Federal parliament has told The Border Watch that as internal battles unfold over emissions trading he has found for the first time in his life he has been unable to support the leader of the Liberal Party.

Update (1.45pm): Mr Turnbull won a Liberal Party ballot 48 – 35 against calling a leadership spill.

Patrick Secker, who has represented the Barker electorate since 1998, said he was “absolutely opposed” to the emissions trading scheme (ETS), which he said would destroy jobs in the region and increase power costs without benefiting the environment.

Although Coalition leader Malcolm Turnbull has claimed party room support for his ETS deal with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Mr Secker said the majority of Liberals actually opposed the scheme.

“I didn’t hear anyone speak in favour, bar Malcolm Turnbull,” he said.

“For the first time in my life I can’t support the Liberal leader.”

Mr Secker said he was prepared to cross the floor over the matter and would not be alone.

Mr Secker said this morning he supported the call for a leadership spill.

“This should be the undoing of his leadership – he handled the whole situation horribly yesterday and has for months,” Mr Secker said.

“He has made a huge mistake here trying to drag the Liberal Party into something they don’t believe in – the leader needs to be with the party, not against it, which is the problem we’ve got now.”

Mr Secker said that while the party needed to clear the air with a leadership spill, he would not comment on the potential contenders.

In a media statement issued after the leadership spill was defeated, Mr Secker maintained his opposition to an ETS.

“I won’t put at risk the jobs of people working at places like Carter Holt Harvey or Kimberly Clark or abattoirs throughout my electorate,” he said.

“I cannot support an increase in electricity prices of 22pc and financial rise of any of the households, businesses and farmers in my electorate.

“Copenhagen will not deliver anything meaningful and the CO2 emitted to get everyone there will be greater than the supposed savings from our ETS.

“This ETS – even with amendments is a job destroyer and job export package that can only hurt all Australians.

“If I thought this ETS would help the environment I would be the first to put my hand up – but it won’t and I will continue to oppose it whilst I am in Parliament.”

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Comments

3 Responses to “Secker slams Turnbull over ETS”

  1. Peter McFarlane on November 25th, 2009 1:25 pm 1

    Perhaps Patrick Secker should consider defecting to the Nationals with whom he appears to have more in common, and thereby better represent his country constituents.

  2. Trev Smith on November 25th, 2009 3:34 pm 2

    Maybe a better option would be for Secker to resign forthwith — he has not been effective as the member for Barker, the perennial backbencher whose list of achievements could be painted on an ant’s behind with a mop!

    And now the bloke has upset his party leader!

  3. Ian Thompson on November 25th, 2009 4:24 pm 3

    Good on you Patrick, I only hope more of the Libs follow your example, even if it does mean joining the Nationals.

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