When it comes to climate change, the Abbott Government is failing by allowing big business to dominate the policy agenda.
This is the view of Former Reserve Bank chief and head of the Climate Change Authority, Bernie Fraser, who said the current climate change debate is lopsided and aligned with business.
Fraser said the government is backing big business ahead of community interests.
He told the National Press Club in Canberra last week that the authority is set to be abolished but legislation is stuck in the Labor and Greens dominated Senate.
The Authority recommended the government's emissions reduction target be nearly quadrupled from five per cent of 2000 levels by 2020 to 19 per cent.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has rejected the target and is currently reviewing Australia's 2020 renewable energy targets.
High profile economist Ken Henry questioned the government $1.55 billion budget for Direct Action arguing more funds will be required if the government wants to achieve its 2020 target.
