Although its not highlighted in the policies on their website, the Democrats are well aware of Peak Oil. See http://sa.democrats.org.au/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=ar..., http://www.democrats.org.au/articles/index.htm?article_id=139, http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21571863-5006301,00.html for more info on their position.

Its a pity that everyone's basically written off the Democrats as a spent force. From what I've seen, they have a far more realistic grasp of Peak Oil issues than any of the other parties.

Anyway, in mid October I contacted both the Coalition and Labor via the feedback mechanisms on their websites, asking about their renewable energy policies and their planning (if any) for peak oil.

I didn't receive a response from the Coalition, but Labor sent me the following:-

Labor believes Australia's abundance of clean energy resources such as wave, wind, solar and geothermal are crucial to meeting the challenge of climate change. A strong and well-supported renewable energy sector will help reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, grow jobs and support
an innovative clean energy export industry.

The Howard Government has announced a clean energy target which piggybacks on existing State Labor Government schemes and takes credit for growth in the renewables sector generated by State Labor Governments.

Labor is committed to genuine long-term support for renewable energy, and believes a suite of clean energy sources will play an important role in Australia's future energy mix.

Labor has already announced a comprehensive portfolio of policies to support clean energy. Labor will:

* Substantially increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target;
* Introduce an effective emissions trading scheme by 2010 that makes clean energy sources more economically competitive;
* Offer rebates for rooftop solar power panels;
* Offer rebates for solar hot water systems;
* Offer low-interest loans of up to $10,000 for homeowners to purchase measures including rooftop solar power panels and solar hot water systems;
* Establish the $50 million Australian Solar Institute;
* Provide $50 million to develop geothermal 'hot rocks' energy; and
* Establish a $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund designed to tackle climate change by driving the manufacture of low emission vehicles in Australia.

These measures will provide significant support to Australia's clean energy sector, and are central to Labor's comprehensive action agenda for tackling climate change.

In regards to your concerns about 'peak oil', Federal Labor believes that better information is required regarding future oil supplies to inform prudent planning.

For that reason Labor endorsed the first recommendation of the report of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee: Australia's future oil supply and alternative transport fuels.

That Report recognised that there are concerns that we will soon reach 'peak oil' and recommended that Geoscience Australia, ABARE and Treasury to assess the official estimates of future oil supply and the 'peak oil' arguments and report to the Government on the probabilities and risks
involved, comparing early mitigation scenarios with business as usual.

A copy of the Senate report, released on 7 February 2007, is available online at: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/oil_supply/report/index.htm
A Rudd Labor Government would carry out this assessment, allowing it to properly plan to secure our future fuel supplies.

In addition, a Rudd Labor Government will include projections of future liquid fuel supply and demand in a regular National Energy Security Assessment to better inform industry and the community of the nation's future energy outlook.

At a national level Australia is facing a profound shift in the source of our liquid fuels. Unless significant new oil fields are found, Australian domestic oil production could represent as little as 20 per cent of our consumption by 2015. Importing such large amounts of oil could leave Australia's economy heavily exposed to international oil supply disruptions.

A Rudd Labor Government will encourage increased domestic oil exploration, the development of gas-to-liquids projects that can convert some of our vast gas resources into liquid fuels and coal to liquids technologies that can produce synthetic diesel. Coal to liquids technologies can include
the capture and storage of carbon to minimise the emission of greenhouse gases in the production of fuels.

Labor will also support the research and development of new bio fuel technologies, including the production of ethanol from cellulose.

Labor considers energy security crucial to continued prosperity. Having a diverse range of liquid fuels will help secure our economic future.

In the context of climate change we must ensure that Australia has not only secure sources of energy but also sustainable sources. Federal Labor is absolutely committed to combating climate change while meeting Australia's long-term energy needs.

A Rudd Labor Government will immediately ratify the Kyoto Protocol and set a target to reduce Australia's greenhouse emissions by 60 per cent on 2000 levels by 2050.

In addition, Labor will introduce an effective emissions trading scheme by 2010 and implement a National Clean Coal Initiative with a $500 million investment to drive the development of technologies that dramatically reduce emissions from the use of fossil fuels.

Once again, thank you for making me aware of your concerns about energy security.

Regards

ALP Campaign Information Services