Fed: Howard govt attacks Kyoto poll

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2001
Fed: Howard govt attacks Kyoto poll

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD and his Industry Minister attacked a poll which found strong
support for Australia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.

The Newspoll, conducted for Greenpeace, found more than 80 per cent of Australians
supported ratifying the treaty, with or without the United States' backing.

Both Mr HOWARD and Industry Minister NICK MINCHIN criticised the survey and standing
by the government's decision not to ratify the protocol unless the US did so first.

The US recently withdrew from the protocol, an international environment agreement
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

The European Union, Japan and New Zealand have led a push to ratify the agreement without
the US, which would technically be possible with the support of Russia and former Soviet
countries.

Mr HOWARD says respondents to the survey could have been misled by the question.

He told Melbourne radio 3AW anyone would say yes if asked if they support worldwide
attempts to control greenhouse gas emissions.

The poll specifically asked respondents if they supported ratifying the protocol.

But Mr HOWARD says he did not support a protocol which placed restrictions and liabilities
on Australia, but not on developing countries.

AAP RTV eg/pc

KEYWORD: KYOTO (CANBERRA)

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