Bishop’s green blessing

News that Australia will contribute to the Green Climate Fund after all, the latest in that ongoing series of this government’s  about-faces, can hardly be regarded as encouraging. Then again, to the extent there is a silver lining in this dark green cloud, it is just  $50m a year over four years,  and that drawn on the foreign aid budget. It’s small consolation, but the money was going to be given away anyway.

Minister Bishop’s statement also is worth noting, especially this: 

“Our pledge …  will facilitate private sector-led economic growth in our region … with a particular focus on investment, infrastructure, energy, forestry and emissions reductions…It is now contingent on all of us to make sure the Green Climate Fund funds are distributed efficiently, transparently and to maximum effect.”

If that is a vote for probity, and a willingness to smack a snout or two, that also would be a good thing. But again, the consolation is small.  That Australia has contributed anything, even a sum $150 million less than originally demanded, still lends legitimacy to yet another UN carnival of rorts.

The government had indicated it would not contribute at all, but Prime Minister Abbott said the situation had changed. “We’ve seen things develop over the last few months,” he said, noting that “a modest, prudent and proportionate commitment” reflected  “sensible government”.

If ‘‘sensible’’ is taken to mean a policy that cannot hope to win over political foes  while alienating supporters, you would not want to be arguing the affirmative. 

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