Why do we let them stay?
In Australia, Rooted, the official Crikey blog is asking Why do we let them stay? of businesses that that are threatening to up-stumps and quit the country in the face of serious emissions reduction targets.
Australian businesses have known about climate change for nearly twenty years. If they still haven’t put in place a plan to deal with it, and they still want to be allowed to continue to pollute without paying any of the environmental costs then they simply do not deserve to enjoy public support any longer. What kind of responsible corporate citizen is it that threatens to pack up their bat and ball and head overseas as soon as the Australian community demands decent environmental regulation? And what kind of CEO is it that thinks that other countries won’t soon implement a price on carbon?
The notion that firms will escape their environmental responsibilities buy quitting the country is a furphy. Most Australian firms are here because either their primary resource base is here, or their customers are. And anyway, most other countries already have a price on carbon emissions, and those that don’t certainly will post 2012. Australia is no leader here. — DS
